Which Is Worse?

 Which Is Worse? 

A child afraid of the dark?

OR

An adult afraid of the light?

(See: Mark 10:15; John 3:20; Romans 13:12)

“A Sound Church”

 “A Sound Church”

Jarrod M. Jacobs

       Some time back, I received a note asking,  “What would be a sound church?” I think that this is a good question since churches on earth can be described as “sound” or “unsound” when we compare their works to what the Bible says churches ought to be doing. The contrast between “sound” and “unsound” is simply a contrast between something healthy and something that is unhealthy. In this case, we observe the difference between a church that is spiritually healthy and one that is not. If we at Spencer are interested in being a healthy church, let us spend time in the Scriptures and compare what we are doing with what the Bible says the church must be doing (Jas. 1:22-25). What are some Biblical characteristics of a sound church?

• A sound church is composed of Christians who follow Christ’s word as their only law and practice (Col. 3:17; I Pet. 4:11).

• A sound church is devoted to doing as the apostles did in worship (Acts 2:42, 20:7; Eph. 5:19; I Cor. 16:1-2; etc.).

• A sound church practices corrective discipline upon those who walk disorderly (II Thess. 3:6; I Cor. 5).

• A sound church will not accept just anyone as a member but will ask questions and allow them to ask questions in return (Acts 9:26-28). (The truth has nothing to fear, you know.)

• A sound church knows the truth, will defend it, and will spread the truth wherever possible (I Thess. 1:8; II Tim. 4:2; Jude 3).

• A sound church will not be involved in unauthorized ways of handling the Lord’s money, such as the support of orphan homes or benevolent societies from its treasury (Phil. 4:15-16; Jas. 1:27).

• A sound church realizes “the kingdom of God is not meat and drink” (Rom. 14:17). Thus, she will not be like the denominations in support of “fun, food, and frolic” to “win” people to them. (Rom. 1:16)

• A sound church remembers her first love (Rev. 2:4; Eph. 4:15).

• A sound church is one whose members reverence Christ (Acts 4:12).

• A sound church does not tolerate or coddle worldliness among the members (II Cor. 6:17; II Thess. 3:14-15).

• A sound church wears the name of Christ (Acts 20:28; Rom. 16:16).

• A sound church is organized correctly, having no connections to any other organization! A sound church can be scripturally unorganized for a while (Clearly, this happened in the first century. There were no men qualified to be elders or deacons at first. Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5.) but there comes a time when, to be sound, a congregation, must be scripturally organized, having elders to oversee the local group, deacons to serve, and saints to do God’s will, and be under the oversight of the elders (I Pet. 5:2-3; I Tim. 3:1-13; Tit. 1:5-9; Phil. 1:1).

• A sound church has members who love one another (I Cor. 13:4-8). In loving one another, it is evident to the world that we are the disciples of Christ (Jn. 13:34-35; I Jn. 4:7-11, 21).

Conclusion

            Such characteristics as the above give us a taste of what a sound church looks like. In light of what we have learned in these passages, let us examine ourselves and ask whether God would consider us a “sound” (spiritually healthy) church meeting in Spencer, IN. God has given us the blueprint. Will we accept it or not? The answer to this question will determine whether we indeed are a “sound” church, a church “of” (belonging to) Christ!

Another new release from Jacobs Publications

Another new release from Jacobs Publications

From Gary Fiscus, preacher of the gospel for over 50 years, comes a study book -- "Bible Basics." This is not your "typical" study book, but one that can be used for personal study and for adult and teen studies as well.

This book breaks the Bible down and asks questions from each book of the Bible. According to the ability of the student, the teacher can make this study as "easy" or as "difficult" as you want! For younger students, you might use this in a "drill class" setting. For older students, ask the questions, and then ask "who, what, when, where, why" etc.

Why did Gary put this work together? I’ll let him explain.

“My wife, Jane, and I often watch game shows on TV. We have both been appalled at people’s general ignorance of the Bible. Therefore, I determined to ask some simple questions that would instruct and bolster folks’ faith and knowledge of the Scripture.”

This is a worthwhile study, for we are reminded by David to “…meditate on His [God’s] law day and night.” (Ps. 1:2).

In the New Covenant, remember the words of the Master, “You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that bear witness of me…” (Jn. 5:39).

Again, Jesus said, “…Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God” (Matt. 22:29).

The apostle Paul encouraged us to “…handle accurately the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).

Study book is $8.95

Teacher's Edition (with all the answers!) is $12

Both books are available through Amazon now!

“An Unsung Soldier”

 “An Unsung Soldier”

Jarrod M. Jacobs

 

        On November 27, 2025 a dear sister in Christ passed from this world (Ecc. 9:5; Hwb. 9:27). She came from poor circumstances in Kentucky, born during the Depression. Yet, this lady loved the Lord, became a Christian, and married a preacher of the gospel. Their life together allowed them to travel these United States and to raise three sons “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). Her and her husband were married for 75 years, having celebrated their 75^th in July of this year!

            Loretta Edwards lived her life in faithfulness to God and to her husband and children. She was a sweet lady who has known me literally all of my life. She (and Johnie) visited me in the hospital when I was born! Before this, she and my grandmother (Betty Abram) had been dear friends since the 50s. Loretta and my grandmother raised children and grandchildren together. Both of these ladies had an artistic eye and loved creative work in their own ways.

            Known only to God would be the full extent of the influence Loretta has had on my life, but it started before I got here (Matt. 5:16)! Once I began preaching, she was an encourager to me. Having supported a husband in preaching, she knew what I was getting into! Yet, she was not loud or boisterous, demanding I listen to her. She had a quiet influence by her example, and in certain moments when she spoke, her words had a significant impact (Prov. 31:26).

            This lady took an interest in me in many ways. Even in her final days on earth, she asked me about the gospel meetings I was preaching and how they went, etc. She asked about the brethren at Spencer and how they were getting along. She wanted to know the truth was being preached (II Tim. 4:2). She truly cared for souls far and near (Prov. 25:25).

            I remember the little jokes she told and her precious sense of humor. She certainly brought “balance” to Johnie in the marriage. She was a benefit, an asset, to any church to which she belonged through the years.

            More could be said, but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that Loretta would probably be embarrassed by this little article. She would want people to know about the Lord. She would want everyone to know that she was once lost in sin and her soul was bound for Hell, as is true for everyone (Rom. 3:23). However, she learned the truth and obeyed the gospel. She heard the word (Matt. 17:5; Acts 2:22), believed in Christ as the Son of God (Jn. 8:24; Rom. 10:17), repented of her sins (Lk. 13:3; Acts 17:30), confessed her faith in Christ (Acts 8:37; Rom. 10:10), and was baptized for the remission of her sins (Acts 2:38; I Pet. 3:21). She then began a journey of faithfulness to the Lord, following Him through both good times and bad (I Cor. 15:58; Rev. 2:10). This plan of salvation she obeyed is what she also taught her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. This fact, the salvation in Christ, is what makes her stand out to me and to so many who knew and loved her.

            I titled this article “The Unsung Soldier” because often the “preacher’s wife” does not get the credit she deserves for the work and sacrifice she displays in the Lord’s kingdom. At the same time, most preachers’ wives I know prefer it that way, just like the virtuous woman (Prov. 31:23). She wants her husband to get the credit for standing and preaching, instructing, and showing folks the way to the Lord and salvation. She does not desire “glory” or being “known” by others. This was Loretta Edwards. She was a blessing to my family and me for close to four generations, and like Paul said, we “sorrow not as others who have no hope” (I Thess. 4:13). I am looking forward to a great and grand reunion one day!

“A Date Which Will Live In Infamy”

 “A Date Which Will Live In Infamy”

Jarrod M. Jacobs

 

         On December 7, 1941, the U.S. was bombed by the Japanese at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. In response to this act of war, something President Roosevelt called “a date which will live in infamy,” our nation assembled and united against a common enemy: an “axis of evil” in the Orient and in Europe. Today marks the 84^th anniversary of that horrible day. We ought to remember and respect the sacrifices of so many who lived through those turbulent times and made it possible for us, now 84 years removed from those events, to still live in freedom.

            Yes, it was an “infamous date” when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, but is there not an “infamous date” that each person lives when we choose to serve Satan instead of God? You see, there is a day in everyone’s life (if we live long enough to make independent decisions) when we choose to follow Satan (Rom. 3:23). James wrote, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (Jas. 1:14-15). This has happened to each of us at some point in our lives.

            Whether or not we remember the date we first sinned, we know God remembers it. That time is a “date which will live in infamy” in our lives. This is because, on that date, we yielded to temptation and succumbed to the will of Satan. We joined ranks with the “kingdom of darkness” and died to God that day (Gen. 2:17; Ezek. 18:20; Isa. 59:1-2; Eph. 2:1-3, 4:17-19; I Pet. 2:9b; Col. 1:13).

            This date will “live in infamy” because those of us who have learned better realize that it is for this cause, our sin, that Christ came into the world (I Tim. 1:15). He who “committed no sin” (I Pet. 2:22) came to this world and offered Himself as the supreme sacrifice so that men might be saved (Matt. 20:28; Jn. 1:29; Lk. 19:10; II Cor. 5:14-15).

            What have we done in response to Christ’s sacrifice? We turned from God, yielded to temptation, and sinned. From the first time we sinned, we were separated from God (Isa. 59:1-2). As we continued living in sin, we moved farther and farther away from God. Yes, the date we first sinned is a “date which will live in infamy” because, from that time forward, we were lost, undone, and lost the hope of Heaven (Eph. 2:12). We were taken captive by Satan (Rom. 6:16-17, 7:14; Jn. 8:34) and had no promise of eternal life with Christ. How tragic!

            Unlike WWII, which lasted only a relatively short amount of time (The U.S. was involved from 1941 to 1945), our war with Satan continues so long as this world stands! Satan has been fighting with God for the souls of men since Genesis 3 and will continue until the end of time. Therefore, we have to be ever-vigilant (I Pet. 5:8) and ready to “fight the good fight of faith” (I Tim. 6:12).

            How can one fight against Satan? We begin by returning to Christ and receiving remission of our sins through faith in Him, repentance of sin, confession of our faith, and baptism (Jn. 8:24; Lk. 13:3; Rom. 10:10; Mk. 16:16). In becoming a Christian, we are no longer separated, but “reconciled” to God (II Cor. 5:17-18; Eph. 2:13), and in this relationship, we may “fight the good fight of faith,” wearing the “whole armor of God” (Eph. 6:13-18).

            Yes, there is a “date which will live in infamy” in all of our lives, but in Christ, the sin can be forgiven, and this date can become a distant memory when we are baptized and wear Christ’s name (Acts 22:16, 11:26). Have you done this?