Sermon: "From Outer Space To Inner Faith"

 Psalm 19 is an amazing psalm. As one of my mentors stated many times, this psalm takes us "from outer space to inner faith." David's psalm is amazing and demands much thought, consideration, and then obedience to the Lord.

Click here to listen to this sermon from Psalm 19. Be impressed with the way David (by inspiration) goes from broad, general concepts, to a narrow, focused application we can make every day of our lives.

Sermon: Living For Jesus

 A song in our songbooks is entitled "Living For Jesus." This song reminds us of the responsibilities we have in living for the Lord. Based on this, I preached a sermon with the same title, and looked into Scripture to see what is means to live for Jesus.

Click here to listen to that sermon. I pray it will bless you today and throughout in 2024.

Would Jesus Do What We Do?

“Would Jesus Do What We Do?”

Jarrod M. Jacobs

        This question is slightly different from the oft-asked question, “What would Jesus do?” Asking what Jesus might do in a situation is indeed a righteous question to ask. Such a question is consistent with Bible teaching (Col. 3:17; I Pet. 4:11; etc.). However, in this article, let’s put this question in a different light by asking if Jesus would be doing what we are currently doing. Would He be practicing what we are practicing? Would Jesus ….

Make Excuses For Not Attending Worship Services?

        Would it be logical to assume that if Jesus were on earth today, He would not be present to worship God every time He could? Jesus gave His body and His life’s blood to purchase the church (Jn. 19:33-34; Acts 20:28). The church’s work includes spreading His word, the gospel, and worshipping God “in spirit and in truth” (I Thess. 1:8; Jn. 4:24). Therefore, would Jesus do what many do today and not attend every worship service, offering weak excuses as to why He thought it necessary to neglect this time with brethren in worship to God (Heb. 10:24-25)? It is unthinkable to suggest that Jesus would not regard His church any more than one does a social club!

Do Just Enough To Get By?

        We have some who want to do “just enough” of the Lord’s work to get by or be considered “faithful” by men. Some seem unconcerned about what God thinks, so long as men consider them faithful (Rev. 3:1; Jn. 12:42-43). Would Jesus do what we do? In I Peter 2:21-22, we learn the answer when we read, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.” Jesus certainly kept all the law of Moses. He did not just do enough to “get by,” but did all! No, we are not under the law of Moses today (Col. 2:14), but we are under the Law of Christ (Gal. 6:2). As Christ did, so let us do all we are commanded so that God will consider us faithful (Rev. 2:10; I Cor. 15:58; Matt. 6:2, 5, 16) and that we may have “the right to the tree of life” (Rev. 22:14)!

Act Hypocritical?

        Knowing that some Christians are hypocrites, would Jesus be a hypocrite? The Bible reveals the answer. Jesus condemned the Pharisees for being hypocrites. They said one thing and did something else (Matt. 23:13-36). In contrast, Jesus practiced what He preached (Acts 1:1)! Notice that in Matthew 23:3-4, Jesus told His disciples to “observe and do” what these people said. Jesus did not exalt Himself or act hypocritically to those He was teaching. Knowing this truth, why do we think we can get away with acting one way on Sunday and living another way the rest of the week?

Rely On His Opinions Rather Than The Word Of God?

        We do not have to look far to see people who will try to justify themselves by their opinions instead of submitting to God’s Word. Too many live their lives based on what they feel rather than what has been taught in Scripture. Would Jesus do this? While on earth, Jesus never relied on what He wanted to do. He did what God told Him (Lk. 2:51; Jn. 12:49-50; Matt. 26:39, 42, 44). Jesus kept the law without fail (I Pet. 2:22). Knowing that this is the case, would Jesus be doing what we are doing? Who are we to think we can do something that the Son of God did not do?

Teach In Such A Way So As To Not “Offend” Anyone?

        There is a cry today from men who say that we ought not offend anyone by our teaching but “be as Jesus was.” To help us better teach the truth, let us find out how Jesus was! One example of how our Lord taught is seen in Matthew 15. After Jesus condemned the Pharisees for honoring their traditions more than God’s commands, the disciples said, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” (Matt. 15:12). Jesus answered by saying, “Let them alone…” (Matt. 15:14). Some men allow hurt feelings, angry looks and the like (or the potential for such) to keep them from spreading the truth. Would Jesus do as we do? No, Jesus did not allow these things to get in the way of teaching and preaching the Truth! It is a sad commentary on brethren when they refuse to spread the gospel because they do not want to hurt anyone’s feelings. Beware of those who act like this, and let us act and speak as Jesus did (Col. 3:17; I Pet. 2:21-22). There is something far worse than “hurt feelings,” and that is lost souls!

Conclusion

        “Would Jesus Do What We Do?” is a solemn question to ask. Let us take some time to examine ourselves, how we act, what we say, etc. (II Cor. 13:5). It is likely that we do not want Christ doing what we have been doing!

"Why I Am A Member Of The church Of Christ"

 “Why I Am A Member Of The church Of Christ”

A.C. Grider (1912-1990)

        I didn’t join the church of Christ. I didn’t select the church of Christ as “my choice” from among many churches. It never occurred to me that I had a choice nor that I desired to make a choice of churches.

        I started thinking about my spiritual condition down in Tennessee some years ago — several years ago and made up my mind that I should do something about it. I began to consider what the Lord wanted me to do. I started to study my Bible.

        I found that I was a sinner and that Christ was THE savior. I found that if I were ever saved, it would only be by Christ. I considered His word relative to what to do to be saved. He said I should repent (Luke 13:3), and I did. He said I should confess Him (Matt. 10:32). I did. He said I should be baptized (Mk. 16:16). I did. He said if I would do these things, I would BE SAVED. I was. But the BIBLE taught that when I was saved, the Lord added me to the church (Acts 2:47). He did.

        Now, WHICH CHURCH did He add me to? HIS (Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28; Rom. 16:16)! Thus, I am a member of the church of Christ because I had NO CHOICE and wanted none. I just wanted to be saved. And I was!

New Studies For A New Year!

 New Studies For A New Year!

A new year is a great time to begin Bible readings and Bible studies to help you grow closer to God. Below are some of the studies we have available through Jacobs Publications. Contact me personally, or use the QR code to go to the website and order books for personal study or group studies.

Make 2024 a year we draw closer to God (Jas. 4:8)!

Exhortation on Devotion to God in 2024

Andrew Fletcher once said, “Let me make the songs of a nation, and I care not who makes its laws.”

On the 5th Sunday PM and 5th Wednesday PM, the Caneyville church of Christ assembles and sings praises to the God of Heaven. 12/31/23 was a 5th Sunday, and we sang.

We also spend time reading from the Scriptures, praying, and having an exhortation to right living and to be saved.

Click here to listen to that exhortation focusing on "devotion to God."

This exhortation reminded us of God's emphasis on singing praises to Him and then showed how each song we sang reminded us of the need for daily devotion to God.

What songs emphasize devotion to God? Click here.

God bless and keep you in 2024!

Spiritual Resolutions In The Psalms

 The New Year is often a time when people make resolutions. Folks resolve to go on a diet, or read more, or improve themselves in various ways.

Others refuse to make resolutions, stating that most resolutions fail and, thus there is no reason to try.

On Sunday, 12/31/23, we studied about some resolutions that can be found and followed from the Psalms.

Resolutions are not mere wishes or dreams but deliberate choices we must make. David makes it clear in the Psalms that we have deliberate decisions to make if we want to please God and improve ourselves.

What kind of resolutions ought we make?

Click here and let us study this subject in detail so we might improve ourselves in 2024.

Happy New Year!!

 Happy New Year!

Jarrod M. Jacobs

[Below is an acrostic lesson where we take the letters in “Happy New Year” to remind us of spiritual truths we need to learn and apply in 2024! God bless you in the new year!]

H

 (Home) - May our homes be filled with love (Col. 3:19; Titus 4), and may we guide our children in the path of righteousness in 2020.

A

 (Always) - God, through Peter, said, “Be ready always to give an answer…” (II Pet. 3:15). Let us be “always abounding in the work of the Lord” as well (I Cor. 15:58). We have much to do for the Lord this year; let’s get busy!

P

 (Perseverance) - Perseverance is vital if we are to finish our race. Paul is a prime example of what it means to persevere (Phil. 4:11-13). May we have our eyes on the goal this year (Col. 3:1-3)!

P

 (Persecution) - Face persecution the way godly men and women did in Bible days (Heb. 11:32-40). The apostle said that all who will live godly in Christ Jesus “shall be persecuted” (II Tim. 3:12). Jesus said those who would suffer would be called “blessed” (Matt. 5:10-12).

Y

 (Youth) - To those who can, give to God the strength of your youth. One’s youth is the time to remember God, rejoice in the Lord, and serve Him (Ecc. 11:9-12:1). Remember to “let no one despise thy youth; but be thou an example to the believers …” (I Tim. 4:12).

N

 (Nothing) - Nothing can separate us from the love of God (Rom. 8:35-39). Throughout this year, when we fall, let us return to the Lord in repentance and ask Him for forgiveness (Acts 8:22; I Jn. 1:9). He will forgive our sins because He loves us and wants us to be with Him in Heaven.

E

 (Example) - Be a righteous example before others. Christians have this responsibility, whether young or old (I Tim. 4:12; Titus 2:2-8). Remember, our “works” will follow us (Rev. 14:13).

W

 (Wisdom) - Wisdom is an attribute we need to acquire at all costs (Prov. 23:23)! It can only be obtained by spending time in God’s word and then actively applying it! (Remember, wisdom is the application of knowledge!) Make 2020 the year that we heed the words of Solomon and “get wisdom” (Prov. 4:5, 7-13)!

Y

 (Yearn) - As we think about where we have been and where we are going, are we still yearning to go to Heaven? Let this drive and determination dwell within our hearts. This life is not the “be-all and end-all”! We are strangers and pilgrims in this world (I Pet. 2:9). Therefore, let us yearn and actively seek that eternal home - Heaven (Heb. 11:13-16)!

E

 (Exalt) - Exalt God and be faithful to Him this year! God wants those ready and willing to worship Him “in spirit and in truth” (Jn. 4:24). He wants folks whose faithfulness is seen in their words and deeds when we are before men, or alone (Col. 3:17). Let us reverently exalt our King, worship Him faithfully, and bring others to Him in 2020!

A

 (Active) - A new year brings with it certain responsibilities. Among those which demand our highest priority is to be active in the Lord’s service. There is no room in God’s army for lazy folks! He needs active soldiers (II Tim. 2:3-4), “workmen” (II Tim. 2:15) who are ready to live for Him every day of this new year!

R

 (Rejoice) - The Christian can rejoice because his name is written in Heaven! In whatever state we may be, we ought to say as Paul, “Rejoice in the Lord always: again I say, Rejoice” (Phil. 4:4). No, circumstances in the coming year will not always be pleasant; but we can still have joy! This is a result of our relationship with Christ — we belong to Him!

Love In Marriage (#2)

 Love In Marriage

Jarrod M. Jacobs

                   Last week, we studied a little about love in marriage. Specifically, we began studying what the Bible says about love from I Corinthians 13 and made applications to the marriage relationship. Why write about this subject and remind men and women of love in marriage? For one reason, it is because the Bible talks about such things. Indeed, this ought to be reason enough for the one who respects God’s word! Another reason for studying love in marriage, however, is because of all the practical lessons we learn from marriage. Consider the following:

                   First, those yet unmarried may look to married folks and realize that marriage is a life-long proposition (Matt. 19:4-6; Rom. 7:1-2). Though it is filled with ups and downs, people can make things work and have a life filled with love. However, like anything else, those things worth the most to us require our best and most sincere effort.

                   Second, those of us who are married may take a lesson from those who have already gone before! If they can make it and love one another, so can we (Matt. 5:16)!

                   Third, when we observe God’s will for the family and experience love in that marriage, we also get a picture of Christ’s love for the church! In Ephesians 5:25, we read, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” Notice the comparison above. In marriage, a husband must love his wife even as Christ loved the church! So, when we observe love in a marriage, do we not also get a picture of the love Christ has for the church? Therefore, when we have true love in our own marriages, are we, not ourselves living that picture of love that Christ has for the church? How precious the love of Christ is when He reveals that we can get a glimpse of it on earth through the love a husband and wife have for one another!

                   Fourth, observe love in a marriage so we can see the type of sacrifice involved in being married! I think back to folks who take care of one another in their old age (and in their “youth”) and see that pure example of sacrificial love. In continuing the comparison of Christ and the church, did not Christ show this in its ultimate form when He died for the church (Eph. 5:25)? If this is the case, then what sacrifices are we making for our spouses?

                   Marriage is a special relationship with special duties. Within marriage, we see dedication, love, and sacrifice. In marriage, we see the continuation of our society, and the training of our future leaders. We see the picture of Christ and the church within the marriage bond. How special this relationship is, and not one to be taken lightly! To the unmarried people reading this article, I say, please do not be like the couples who are more prepared for the wedding than they are the marriage! Prepare now. To the married, I say, look to the Lord for the answers to your questions and for ways to make even the strongest marriages stronger (Matt. 7:12).