An author by the name of Tom Hopkins teaches that people make decisions based on emotions and then use reason and logic to defend their decisions. I have spent over forty years trying to get people to make decisions based on truth. The Bible teaches that Jesus is the truth (John 14:6) and that the Bible is the truth (John 17:17). I have gotten very few decisions and I have said thousands of time about what people did — “that doesn’t make any sense.” The reason it did not make sense is that the decision was based on emotions and not on reason. Even though it is probably true that people make most decisions based on emotions, I have decided to keep trying to get people to make decisions based on truth. I would probably be more effective if I told tearing jerking sob stories but I have decided to keep preaching and teaching the truth about Jesus from the Bible. I have decided to try to convince people to follow the Bible alone as their final authority in all matters related to faith and practice. A secular author, by the name of Robert Ringer teaches that we should learn to love truth rather than trying to make true what we love. Jesus said “you will know the truth and the truth will make you free” (John 8:32). Base you decisions on the Bible not on your emotions.
Jesus Is The Solution!
Jesus is the Solution to the Sin problem. Sin is the major problem we have and the primary cause of every other major problem we have. Study the following Scriptures with comments in ( ).
The Solution Is Seen in Isaiah’s Prophecy About Jesus and You
Isaiah 53:4-6
4 Surely our (Your Name) griefs He Himself (Jesus) bore, And our (Your Name) sorrows He (Jesus) carried; Yet we ourselves (Your Name) esteemed Him (Jesus) stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But He (Jesus) was pierced through for our (Your Name) transgressions, He (Jesus) was crushed for our (Your Name) iniquities; The chastening for our (Your Name) well-being fell upon Him (Jesus), And by His (Jesus) scourging we (Your Name) are healed.
6 All of us (Your Name) like sheep have gone astray, Each of us (Your Name) has turned to his (Your Name) own way; But the Lord (God the Father) has caused the iniquity of us all (Your Name) To fall on Him (Jesus).
The Solution Is Seen As Paul Explains in the Book of Romans
Romans 5:8-10
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us (Your Name), in that while we (Your Name) were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Your Name).
9 Much more then, (Your Name) having now been justified (saved; being treated by God as if you never sinned) by His (Jesus) blood, we (Your Name) shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him(Jesus).
10 For if while we (Your Name) were enemies we (Your Name) were reconciled to God through the death of His Son (Jesus), much more, having been reconciled, we (Your Name) shall be saved by His (Jesus) life.
Baptism And The Lord’s Supper—Commandments, Not Suggestions By Chuck Lee
Baptism And The Lord’s Supper—Commandments, Not Suggestions
There are two ordinances—baptism and communion—in the Christian Church that many outsiders (and some insiders) erroneously consider sacraments or mere rituals. I’m telling you they are not; this is why. A ritual is a ceremony or a practice, which may or may not have a reason for being. An ordinance, on the other hand, is a command to be obeyed; there is a reason for its being.
There are two things that we know about God: 1) He is never capricious; He ordained baptism and communion for a reason and 2) everything He does is for the benefit of His people. So what was God’s reason for establishing these ordinances? Baptism and communion are God’s way of keeping us aware of the core of our faith—the Gospel—the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. These ordinances are for our benefit.
Paul explains the significance of His ordinances in Romans 5:8-9. He explains that “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us…we have now been justified by His blood”; i.e., we are saved by the blood of Jesus.
He tells us in Romans 6:3-4, “…don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death so that as Christ was raised from the dead so we too might walk in newness of life”. In short, we contact the saving blood of Jesus at baptism—and our own hope of eternal life.
So, what is the connection of baptism with communion? Recall that Jesus instituted the communion at the last supper he had with His apostles before he was killed. Then, in response to the trouble that the Corinthian church was having with the Lord’s Supper, Jesus revealed to Paul: “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (I Corinthians 11:26).
God’s plan is that we first contact Jesus’ saving blood at baptism; then we stay in touch with His blood when we meet around the Lord’s Table. Why do I bring this up? Because I have seen that some SCC folk seem to be treating the Lord’s Supper as a ritual to be performed, rather than a command from God. This is not good. Jesus told Paul to tell us why:
So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord… For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. (1 Corinthians 11:27-29)
This is serious. God has never rescinded any of His commandments just for 2016 Christians, so it applies to the church today. As my mom used to say, a word to the wise is sufficient.
At least that’s the way I see it;
Chuck Lee
How To Have Real Peace
I made up a story about my car. It is not a true story. I made it up to illustrate a point. I went out one morning to go somewhere and my car would not start. When I turned the key nothing happened. No sound. Nothing. Since the car was dirty I decided to wash it thinking that may get it to start. It didn’t help. It still would not start. I decided to put all new tires on the car. That may help. I put four new tires on it. It still would not start. I decided to replace the back window that had a small crack in it. It didn’t help. The car would still not start. I replace all the wires and hoses. It didn’t help. It still would not start. I finally replaced the battery. I tried it. It started immediately! I know it is a silly story but it makes the point I want to make. I know many Christians who are living very uncomfortable lives. I believe they are true Christians. I think they will go to heaven when they die. But they are miserable now. They have no peace! When you ask them what is wrong they nearly always want to change somebody else. “If my husband was a better person, I would have peace.” “If my boss was as good as the boss I had ten years ago, I would have peace.” “If my children were not so rebellious I would have peace.” The odds are pretty high against you — you’ll never change someone else. Besides that, that is not where peace comes from. Galatians 5:22 says “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” Philippians 4:6-7 teaches that if I pray instead of worry I would have peace beyond human understanding. PEACE COMES FROM GOD!!! If I don’t have peace I need to work on my relationship with God. Trying to get peace any other way is like replacing the tires on a car with a dead battery — it is not going to help. If you don’t have peace work on your relationship with God. It would be nice if your husband would change or your wife would change or your children would be less rebellious but it is probably not going to happen. You can have peace in spite of whatever any other person does / doesn’t do or in spite of your circumstances because peace comes from God. Let me say it again: real peace comes from God not from other people! If you don’t have peace work on your relatioship with God. It is the only place to find true peace. If you can change some other other things, go ahead and do it. But, you can have peace in spite of your circumstances and in spite of other people and what they do or don’t do because true peace comes from God. This is one of the greatest lessons you can learn. If the battery in your car is dead don’t replace the tires, replace the battery. If you don’t have peace don’t try to change other people, work on your relationship with God. Real peace comes from God and God alone!
An Obituary
II Timothy 4:6-8 (NASB)”For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
II Timothy 4:6-8 World English Bible in Bold; Lee Delbridge’s Comments in Italics
For (Paul has just instructed Timothy to preach the word both in season and out of season) I (Paul) am already being offered (as a worship offering to God), and the time of my departure (death, the picture here is of a ship leaving the dock and headed out to sea) has come (is near). I (Paul) have fought the good fight (the Christian life is a battle field, not a play ground). I have finished the course (completed the purpose and plan God had for my life). I have kept the faith (Has not strayed from the true gospel). From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of righteousness (a reward for his faithful service or the crown which is righteousness — the righteousness of Jesus which is imputed to every Christian), which the Lord (Jesus), the righteous judge, will give to me on that day (judgment day); and not to me only, but also to all (Christians) those who have loved (looked forward to and desired) his appearing (Jesus’ return; His second coming).
Assignments
First: Write your own obituary. What would you like the following people say about you at your funeral? Spouse. Children. Grandchildren. Co-Workers. Friends. Neighbors. Really think about it. Work hard to get it just right.
Second: live your life so that these things you want them to say would be true.
The Gospel
God created us and we are responsible to Him. We sinned against God and our sins separated us from Him. God loves us and Jesus His Son came to earth, died for our sins, was resurrected from the dead, ascended back to heaven and will one day return. In order to be saved we must receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior by faith in Jesus, repentance of our sins, a public confession of Jesus, and baptism into Jesus. Once we receive Jesus, we must remain faithful to Him until death. Salvation is by God’s grace through our faith in Jesus, not by our works. Our eternal salvation depends on God’s mercy, not on our merits, but once we are saved we should put Him first in our lives and live for Him daily.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord
About Smyrna Christian Church
Smyrna Christian Church is a Bible Based, Christ Centered, Non Denominational New Testament Church. We have no book but the Bible and no creed but Christ. We are a small loving church whose aim is to be a part of the church Jesus is building. We have communion every Sunday. Musically we try to have a blended worship, but to be honest it is mostly traditional music. You will love our worship leader, Amanda Touchton. Our sermons are mostly Bible lessons with practical application. Check us out. Our Sunday Worship begins at 10:30 AM and we are always finished by 12:00 PM. We have Sunday School for all ages beginning at 9:30 AM. Midweek Bible Study is on Wednesdays beginning at 7:00 PM. We are located at 9:10 Concord Road SE, Smyrna, GA 30080. The minister is Lee Delbridge and his cell number is 678-492-7525.
