Be of Sober Spirit

Be of Sober Spirit 

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).

 Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Then follows the creation of everything, including man. Verse 31 tells us that God saw all he had made and said, "it was very good." Genesis 2, God planted a garden in Eden where he placed the man he had created. God then created a woman to be a helper with the man. As chapter 2 comes to a close, all is well and good in the Garden of Eden. But now as chapter 3 begins, it all changes when the serpent being used by the devil deceives Eve into disobeying God (Genesis 3:1-13; 2 Cor. 11:3, 14; Rev. 12:9). The devil is alive and well today and is still attempting to influence people in the same way he influenced Eve in the garden. Simply put, that way is to cheapen the word of God in the minds of people.

 The devil works tirelessly in the effort to convince us that the Bible is just another good book in a long line of good books. It's okay to read it, but you don't have to believe it, after all, God doesn't really mean what he says. Isn't this exactly what he told Eve? And we know what the result of that was (Gen. 3:14-24).

 We live in a land of Bibles. It would be difficult to know just how many Bibles are in existence today. Most of us have several Bibles in our homes. Yet, sadly to say, for a lot of people, it is a lost book because the devil has convinced them that it is not an important book. You have a Bible, where is it? Is it just sitting out being displayed for others to see? Is it hidden in a book shelf with all the other unread books you own?  What does your Bible look like? Are its pages still clean and crisp as the day you bought it or are those pages worn, some with little folds in them. Do the pages have passages highlighted or little notes scribbled on them? The devil has convinced many that they have time for the morning newspaper, the nightly newscast, all kinds of books, magazines and novels and television but little or no time for the word of God. Many have time for golf, tennis, fishing, ball games, movies and all kinds of recreational activity but just not enough time to seriously feast on the word of God.

 The home robbed of the book of ages is a home where there will be ignorance where there should be understanding (Acts 17:30-31; 2 Tim. 2:15). It will be a home where there is uncertainty where there should be certainty (1 John 3:18-19, 24; 1 John 4:4, 13; 1 John 5:2. 13). It will be a home where there will be confusion where there should be peace and strength (Phil. 4:6-7; Eph. 3:14-21). It will be a home where there will be trust in man when there should be trust and reliance on God (Prov. 3:5-6, Psalms 118:8; Acts 5:29). Our faith is under constant attack by the devil. Don't fall prey to him by believing any of his lies. Arm yourself with the truth (Eph. 6:10-18; 2 Pet. 1:5-11; John 14:15, John 8:32).

 Charles Hicks

 

 

 

 

FIVE STEPS TO CHURCH AND SEVEN TO HEAVEN

HUGH'S NEWS & VIEWS

 

FIVE STEPS TO CHURCH AND SEVEN TO HEAVEN

 

Some people belittle the idea of "steps" in the plan or way of salvation. They think it is too mechanical or legalistic or lacking in acknowledgment and appreciation of God's grace.

 

Beyond all question, we are saved by the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:3-7). God's grace has been extended to all (Titus 2:11-12). Yet, not everyone will be saved. Jesus Himself said as much (Matthew 7:21). He is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9).

 

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). He has invited all to come to Him (Matthew 11:28-30). I do not know of any way to "come" to Christ other than by taking steps. In the book of Acts, the church is described as "the Way" (Acts 9:2; 22:4). We must take some steps to enter the Way, and we must continue to walk (take steps) to continue in the Way. It is somewhat inconsistent to make so much of the church as being the Way and then belittle the concept of taking steps.

 

The title of this essay is that of a sermon preached many years ago in many places by the great African-American evangelist Marshall Keeble. As a boy in my early teens I read the BIOGRAPHY and SERMONS of MARSHALL KEEBLE, edited by B. C. Goodpasture. Brother Keeble's sermons were simple, yet profound. In the sermon referenced, he set forth the five steps one must take to obey the gospel, be saved from sin, and added to that number of people who constitute the church (see Acts 2:47). Those steps are: 1) Hear the gospel of Christ. The gospel is God's power to save, and without hearing the gospel salvation is not possible (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15; Romans 10:17). 2) Believe the gospel (Mark 16:16; John 8:24; I Corinthians 15:1-2; Hebrews ll:6). 3) Repent of sin (Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 3:19; Acts 17:30-31; II Peter 3:9). 4) Confess faith in Christ (Romans 10:9-10; Acts 8:37 [KJV; NKJV]; et al). 5) Be baptized for the remission (taking away) of sin (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; I Peter 3:31). Baptism is the climactic act or step that one takes to enter the body of Christ, the church (Acts 2:41, 47; I Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27). To be sure, brother Keeble was not talking about taking five literal steps to a physical church building; rather, he was talking about the scriptural conditions with which one must comply to be saved and added to the church, the body of Christ, composed of all those who have taken the steps leading to membership is this one body!

 

Once one has obeyed the gospel by taking the preceding five steps, he must then take the steps that will lead to heaven, the eternal abode of all the redeemed. The apostle Peter, in a beautiful passage in his second letter, sets forth seven steps one must take to remain faithful to the Lord and be saved eternally. These steps are a summary of a faithful Christian life. They are: 1) Virtue; 2) Knowledge; 3) Self-control; 4) Perseverance; 5) Godliness; 6) Brotherly Kindness; 7) Love. By the development of these seven Christian graces, one can make his calling and election sure and have an abundant entrance "into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (II Peter 1:5-11).

 

As has been noted, the penitent believer enters the Way when he is buried with Christ in baptism and then raised to "walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4). Once one has entered the Way he is to "walk by faith, not by sight" (II Corinthians 5:17). We are "to walk worthy of the calling with which [we] were called" (Ephesians 4:1). We are to "walk in love," "walk as children of light," and "walk circumspectly" (looking around, knowing what is going on about us [see I Peter 5:8]; Ephesians 5:2, 9; 5:13). God's children are to "walk in the light" and "in truth" (I John 1:9; III John 4). In all of these passages the reference is to the way Christians are to live. One of the richest studies one could engage in is to note the many texts that speak of how the Lord's people are to walk. And walking involves taking steps.

 

I have not the slightest hesitancy in talking about the steps in the God's gracious plan of salvation. Many years ago, I took brother Keeble's sermon on "Five Steps to Church and Seven to Heaven" and developed my own sermon on "God's Twelve-Step Program." If the alcoholic needs to take steps to sobriety, how much more does the sinner need to take steps to salvation in Christ! When a person has been sick and in bed for an extended period of time, it is always encouraging when he is able to get out of bed and take a few steps. How much more so when the sinner begins to take the steps that lead to Christ and to salvation in His church, followed by the steps that lead to heaven! After all, "Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that [we] should follow His steps" (I Peter 2:21).

 

Hugh Fulford

O Glorious Thought

O Glorious Thought 

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, that by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself (Phil. 3:20-21). 

I know that in the not too distant future, I will fold up this earthly tent and take that journey from whence I will not return. This world is not my home nor is it yours. We are strangers and pilgrims on this earth and as such we are seeking that city whose builder and maker is God (1 pet. 2:11, Heb. 11:10, 13, 1 Pet. 2:11). Our treasure is in heaven so our hearts are centered on things above not on things on earth (Mat. 6:19-21. Col. 3:1-3). 

Often in this life we find ourselves in places where we would rather not be. That will not be so with heaven. What a joy it will be to one day fly away to God's celestial shore and with the redeemed live forever with the Lord Jesus Christ. Most of the time when we think and talk about heaven our thoughts center on the things that will not be there: no tears, sorrow, crying, pain or death (Rev. 21:3-4).

 Certainly, thinking about this home where all things are made new, where there will be nothing to ever trouble our heart is a source of great joy, comfort and peace but there is another aspect of heaven that multiplies that joy in my heart and that is the people who will be there. God, our creator and sustainer of life will dwell and be among us, the one who will wipe away all tears from our eyes will be there and dwell with us. Jesus, Son of God, whose love for us was so great for us that he went to the cross and died for us. I have never seen either one except through the eye of faith yet I love them dearly and trust them with all my being. Just thinking about being with those heroes of the bible, Abraham, Moses, Daniel, David, Paul, Peter, John (Heb. 11), thrills my soul.

 Heaven is even more personal because there are those I have known and seen and loved with all my heart and one day in that not too distant future, I know I will see them again. O glorious thought. Someone once said, "It's not so much the place as it is the company that makes heaven so beautiful." Today, heaven tugs at my heartstrings and I am going to strive to serve the Lord to the best of my abilities, clinging to him with great anticipation of the day when I will fly away to live forever in the lasting city. How about you?

 Charles Hicks

 

But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned

 

WHY DO WE TALK AS WE DO?

 

Our Lord said, "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned" (Matthew 12:36-37). The apostle Paul wrote: "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt (salt, mind you, not pepper!, hf), that you may know how you ought to answer each one" (Colossians 4:6).

 

In the light of the above passages, it is amazing to hear how some people talk. Profanity is found on the lips of many people, including many who profess to be Christians. God's name is uttered in vain (in a shallow, thoughtless, irreverent way). "O My God" is heard all too often today. OMG  (acronym for O My God) shows up too often in print, even from some professing to be Christians. "My Lord" and "Good Lord" are frequently spoken in thoughtless, flippant ways, thus taking the Lord's name in vain. Vulgarities of all kinds spew freely from the mouths of many. These speech patterns, though senseless, disrespectful, and unnecessary, are sometimes defended on the grounds that the speaker means no harm by them. I once heard such language defended on the grounds that such words are just sounds—verbal noises by which the speaker means no real harm, that they are just a part of the pattern of the person's way of expressing himself or herself.

 

Well, the preaching of the gospel involves the use of words and a pattern of speech that in one sense may be said to be just "sounds" or "verbal noises." In fact, the psalmist, in extolling the message of God's inanimate creation, said, "Their line (footnote, "sound") has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world" (Psalm 19:4). By inspiration, Paul quotes this very verse and applies it to preachers of the gospel. He says, "Their sound has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the end of the world" (Romans 10:18). (How is that for an apostolic example of what is often ridiculed as "proof-texting"?) But what a difference there is between the "sounds" and "verbal noises" of those who utter profanities and vulgarities and the "sounds" and "verbal noises" of those who speak forth "words of truth and soberness (reason)" (Acts 26:25)! In Iconium Paul and Barnabas made such "sounds" and "verbal noises" as to cause "a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks to believe" (Acts 14:l). Do our "sounds" and "verbal noises" result in such?

 

Make no mistake about it—our words are significant. They are not mere "sounds" or "verbal noise," but a reflection of our heart and of our reverence and respect for God and His holiness. Jesus said, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34b). Paul exhorted, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers" (Ephesians 4:29).

 

God's word likewise forbids gossip, tale-bearing, murmuring, and lying. In the eyes of the Lord, these things are just as sinful as profanity and vulgarity. Paul wrote: "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice" (Ephesians 4:31). Elsewhere he said, "But now you also put off all these: anger, wrath, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds" (Colossians 3:8-9). James admonished, "Do not grumble against (grudge not against, KJV) one another, brethren, lest you be condemned" (James 5:9). The eternal fate of all liars will be with "the cowardly (fearful) and unbelieving and abominable and murders and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters...in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death" (Revelation 21:8). Not a very likable bunch to have to live with throughout all eternity!

 

How right James was when he wrote: "For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect (mature, complete, hf) man, able also to bridle the whole body" (James 3:2).

 

Hugh Fulford

Life Is a Daring Adventure

Life Is A Daring Adventure

 

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life: and man became a living soul—Genesis 2:7 

 Aside from saying that life is a great gift from God, I do not know how you might describe your life but as for me, life has been one daring adventure. We awake each morning not knowing what will occur during the course of the day. We cannot be sure that we will have in the next moment what we have in the present moment. Will there be good news or bad news coming our way? Will there be continued health or will we or a loved one be struck down with illness before the day ends? Will we experience prosperity or will poverty strike us? Will we enjoy success or failure in our endeavors? Will we be surrounded with comfort, peace and contentment or will pain, heartache and turmoil beset us? Will we still be alive when the sun sets at the end of day or will we be absent from this earthly body? 

What will we do, what will we have, where will we be? We just do not know from one moment to the next what changes lie in store for us. The present moment of time is all we have and it is gone, replaced by the next moment before we can even think about it and suddenly there will be no more moments for us on planet earth. Changes in our physical well-being, changes in our bodies or our mental abilities can and often do happen in the blink of an eye and all this is what makes life one daring adventure for me. Helen Keller said about life, "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all." 

I pray that each of us will be found seeking the strength, courage and patience needed in life to draw closer to God each day because everything about us in this life, everything that surrounds us, even our own life can and often does change very quickly. I love to sing (and often do): "I am weak but thou art strong, Jesus keep me from all wrong, I'll be satisfied as long as I walk close to thee. Just a closer walk with thee, Grant it, Jesus my plea; Daily let it ever be Just a closer walk with thee." 

We don't know what is going to take place in our life one moment from now, not even a clue. This thought may sometimes be a little scary but it does make life a daring adventure. One thing I do know, come what may, the God we believe in, the God we love and trust with all our being is in control of all things and we are in his hands (Psalms 121:1-8, Prov. 3:5-6, 1 Cor. 10:13, James 4:6-10).  

Charles Hicks

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have We Kept Our Promises

Have We Kept Our Promises 

When you make a vow to God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools; pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that shouldest vow and not pay (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5) 

A vow is defined as a solemn promise, one by which a person is bound to act. When we make the decision to be baptized into Christ, we make a transition from walking in the way of the world to walking in newness of life as a new creature in Christ (Romans 6:4, 2 Corinthians 5:17). Now, when we make the decision to walk in newness of life, do we not make some solemn promises to God on that day? 

I know we do not literally say, God I promise…, but I firmly believe that in our heart we make a lot of unspoken promises. A promise that we are going to love and serve him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30). A promise that we are going to live for him, doing whatever he tells us must be done (Philippians 1:21, Galatians 2:20, 1 Corinthians 15:57, Matthew 5:16, Matthew 6:33, Colossians 3:1-3, Romans 12:1-2, 1 John 2:15-17). A promise that we are going to live our life in a way that will be pleasing to him (2 Corinthians 5:9, 1 John 3:18-22, Revelation 2:10). 

 We promise to give Him the best of our gifts, of which the best gift of all is ourself (2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20). This promise also includes time, talents and money. We promise to give Him the best of our labors (Matthew 5:16, Luke 10:7, 1 Corinthians 15:57). I suppose that in all this I am in a feeble way trying to emphasize that walking in newness of life, becoming a new creature in Christ carries the thought of making a rock-solid commitment to God, letting him have full possession of our life, yielding every member to him (Romans 6:11-19, Romans 12:1-2) and aren't all the spoken and unspoken promises we make to him wrapped up in this commitment?  

 Now the big question is: Have we, are we faithfully keeping the spoken as well the unspoken promises we make to God. Over the years of preaching, teaching bible classes and writing weekly bible thoughts, I have many times felt so limited in my abilities. Often I have wished that I had the ability to reach down deep into my soul and find the words to speak or write that would be so powerful they would move all who heard or read them to do everything within their power to make their journey to eternity a safe one—I do not have that ability but I can tell you that if we fail to keep the promises we make to God, whether spoken or unspoken, it will cost us dearly when one day we exit this world and enter the world that will never end (Eccl. 12:13-14, 2 Cor. 5:10).

 Charles Hicks

 

 

 

Strength to the Weary

  Strength To the Weary

 

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary (Isaiah 40:28-31) 

This passage from Isaiah is a favorite of mine. The thoughts that spring from it often echo within my heart bringing to me a measure of strength, courage, hope and peace when the path I must walk becomes a difficult one. Never does a day pass in which in some way or another we are reminded that life on this side of eternity is fraught with afflictions that will cause us to groan being burdened (2 Corinthians 5:2-4).

 John 14:27, Jesus says to his disciples, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful."The  peace that Jesus gives is durable and lasting. It will not waver under any circumstance and will never fade with the passing of time. He who could rebuke and calm the storm tossed Sea of Galilee by simply saying, peace be still, can surely protect and grant to us the strength to not grow weary and tired to the point we stumble badly when the way becomes difficult (Mark 4:35-31)

 How powerful and comforting are the thoughts that fill my heart when I think about the message bursting forth from Psalms 4:8, "In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety." When we wait for the Lord, we will gain new strength and with calmness and peacefulness of soul lie down and sleep the night through knowing that all is well with our soul. We can awake in the morning and begin a new day of existence confident that the all-seeing eye of our Lord will be watching over us and will so long as we honor, and obey him, putting our trust and confidence in him, he will lead us safely through the day (Proverbs 15:3, Hebrews 4:13, Psalms 33:18-22, Psalms 35:17-19).   

The writer of Hebrews tells us in Hebrews 12:2-3 to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith and consider what he endured so that we will not grow weary and lose heart. As a faithful child of God we have a hope that goes beyond the bounds of planet earth (2 Corinthians 5:1-9, John 14:1-3). As for me, I am at peace today no matter what I have to face as I press onward. I know the Lord is with me and watches over me and one day I want to stand in the wonderful city of God and simply cry out, it sure is good to be home! I pray you feel the same about yourself today but if you don't, I ask you, why not?

 Charles Hicks

 

 

A Man God Called a Fool

 

A Man God Called A Fool  

But God said to him, You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?—Luke 12:20 

These words were spoken to a man whose land had just produced an exceedingly abundant harvest. This harvest is so great he doesn't know what to do with it because his present barns would not hold it. Suddenly he has the solution: I will build larger barns and store all my grain and goods. Now he will say to his soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry." But God had a very different plan for that man-Luke 12:16-21. 

The world looks at this man and calls him a great success but God looks at him and calls him a miserable failure. The world calls him a genius but God calls him a fool. This man evidently did not understand that he was not the real owner of that harvest, he was only a stewart of it. All of his plans centered around himself as is seen in that eleven times he uses the words my or mine in talking about his good fortune. 

This is the story of a man who leaves God completely out of his plans. When God is left out of our plans, love for things of the world, love for material things will set in and dominate our lives. This story of the rich fool really begins in verse 15 of Luke 12: "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of possessions." Our lives should be marked with the attitude, "If the Lord wills, we shall do this or that, get this or that, go here or there (James 4:13-15).

 This is the story of a man who thinks he has a lease on life, "I've got much goods laid up for many years." It is here that I think about the way James describes life as nothing more than a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away (James 4:14). I think about the words of Isaac found in Genesis 27:2, "I am old, I know not the day of my death." David's thought on the uncertainty of life should quickly grab our attention, "There is hardly but a step between me and death"—1 Samuel 20:3. This is the story of a man who had great plans for tomorrow. He failed to take into account that no man has control over tomorrow, that control belongs only to God.

  Proverbs 27:1, "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth." I pray that you and I do not make the mistakes the man in this story made. Never leave God out of whatever we do, wherever we go, whatever we plan, always include him.

 

Charles Hicks

A Building From God

 

A Building From God 

For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven. . . Therefore being always of good courage and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. . .we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and be at home with the Lord—2 Corinthians 5:1-8. 

It seems that I am at a point in my life where I find myself thinking about this passage from 2 Corinthians 5 quite often. When you read these words, what do they say to you? Allow me to tell you what they say to me. 

They tell me that there is coming a day in which my physical body will be finished, I will lay it down and move out to a home that has been prepared for me (John 14:1-3). They tell me that in this life I will groan and be burdened as a result of afflictions that will bring disappointments, pain, heartache and sorrow into my life. They tell me that when I move out of this earthly house, I will have a body, not made with hands that will not be subjected to those afflictions that cause groaning and unlike this earthly body, that heavenly body will be eternal. They tell me that this old sinful, wicked world is not my home—I am simply passing through it on my way to my eternal home and that to be at home with the Lord is far greater than to be at home in this earthly body. They tell me that a better day is coming! Today, the thought overwhelms me that one day I want to stand in the midst of that eternal home not made by hands and simply say, it sure is good to be home. 

 If we live another day, month or years, it will only be a short time when considered with the eternity to which we are going. Psalms 90:9-10 tells us that the days of our years are 70, maybe even 80, those years will be labour and sorrow and soon cut off and we will fly away. When I think about the days of our years being 70 or 80, it hits me like a ton of bricks that in just a couple of days I will turn 91 years of age which tells me that I am way past my expiration day. 

I am thankful for all these years of life and even though there is a longing on my part to be clothed with that heavenly dwelling, there is also a part of me that wants to live on planet earth just a little longer. I am human and I have loved ones that I want to be with as long as possible. Not only that, I want to continue in this life with the hope and desire to in some small way influence many people to glorify the Lord (Matthew 5:16, Philippians 1:21-24). How do you feel about your life? 

In my collection of sermons, I have one titled, Death: When, Where, How, Then. We do not need to be anxious about the when, where or how of death. It is the "then" that should be our major concern because that is all about what happens after we walk through the door of death out into eternity (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, 2 Corinthians 5:10, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). Yesterday is gone forever, tomorrow may never come, all we have is this present moment of time and it can end in a blink of an eye. Live today in a way that you can with confidence say, I know if my earthly house is torn down, I have a building from God to which I am going. 

Charles Hicks

 

 

 

GOD'S WONDERFUL WAY OF SALVATION

From time to time, at least twice a year, I try to present to my readers God's wonderful way of salvation as set forth in the New Testament. Since it has been several months since I have done this, I thought now would be a good time to do so. Nothing in this will be new to most of my readers, but I hope that they may use it as an evangelistic tool and forward this edition of "Hugh's News & Views" to friends, neighbors, and family members who are not New Testament Christians. Think of the joy that would come if just one soul learned the truth, obeyed it, and was saved! We must all be faithful in sharing the gospel and its saving truth with as many as possible.

 

A number of my readers have never obeyed the gospel and are therefore in a lost state (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10). I have a deep and sincere love for them and their souls and a compelling desire to share God's wonderful way of salvation with them. I want all of them to hear and understand the pure gospel of Christ, as opposed to a perverted gospel (Galatians 1:6-9). I want all of them to know God's simple plan of salvation as opposed to corruptions of that plan by the doctrines, commandments, and traditions of men (Matthew 15:8-9; 2 Timothy 4:3-5). The so-called "Sinner's Prayer" is a travesty of what God's word teaches about salvation. I urge all to read all the passages cited in this essay. In this way you will be hearing what God says about this all-important matter.

 

Salvation begins with the recognition that one is a sinner, and therefore lost and in need of salvation (Romans 3:23; Titus 3:3). God, in His matchless grace, gave His only begotten Son as the atonement for our sins (John 3:16; Titus 3:4-7; Ephesians 2:8-9). Christ Himself is the way of salvation (John 14:6; Acts 4:11-12). Jesus died, was buried, and was raised from the dead that we might be saved. This is the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-5). And it is this gospel that is God's power to save those who will believe and obey it (Romans 1:16-17; Romans 6:16-18). Now follow these Bible steps.

 

HEAR THE GOSPEL. Christ commissioned the teaching and preaching of the gospel to every creature in all nations until the end of time (Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 28:18-20). Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). No one can be saved without hearing the gospel. Do not wait for some so-called direct, miraculous action of the Holy Spirit in your heart. The Bible teaches no such notion!

 

BELIEVE THE GOSPEL. The gospel is God's power to save those who will believe it (Romans 1:16). Without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who comes to God must believe that He is and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). Christ declared, "For if you do not believe that I am He (the Messiah, the Savior of the world, hf) you will die in your sins" (John 8:24).

 

REPENT OF ALL SIN. God commands all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). To repent means to change one's mind, leading to a change of actions and a change of spiritual direction in one's life. If one is in Nashville, TN and wants to go to Knoxville but finds himself on I-40 West headed toward Memphis, he must turn around and head in the opposite direction. Spiritually, one must do this with reference to the direction of his/her life. That is repentance.

 

CONFESS FAITH IN CHRIST. One must acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Matthew 10:32-33; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 8:37 [KJV]).

 

BE BAPTIZED FOR THE REMISSION OF SIN. Christ made baptism a condition of salvation from sin. He said, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved" (Mark 16:16a). The question is not are we saved by grace or by baptism. God's grace must be accepted by an obedient faith. In baptism we are united with the death of Christ and contact His  blood, at which point our sins are washed away (Romans 6:3-6; Acts 22:16). In the New Testament sinners were told, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin" (Acts 2:38). Baptism is an immersion in water (Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12). Those who have only been sprinkled or had water poured on them (either as infants, children, or adults) have not been scripturally baptized. Those submitting to human substitutes for God's divine ordinance and those being immersed to "unite with the church" but not in order to receive the remission of their sins (or some biblically synonymous reason) need to make their calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10-11).

 

LIVE A FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN LIFE. Add to your life the Christian graces (2 Peter 1:5-9). Avoid the works of the flesh and manifest the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26). Always abound in the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58). Be faithful even to the point of death (Revelation 2:10).

 

These are the divine actions that every accountable being must take in order to be saved from sin, enter into a right relationship with God, be added to the one church (body) of Christ, and maintain a right relationship with Him. Christ is the author of eternal salvation to all those who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9). I want all to understand and obey God's wonderful way of salvation. There is no other way but His way, and the Bible way is His way. Any other way will be found woefully lacking (see Matthew 7:21-23). Remember: "For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man given in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26).

 

Hugh Fulford

Lovest Thou Me

Lovest Thou Me

 So then when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.—John 21:15

  You will remember that on a previous occasion Peter had very ardently professed his love for the Lord (Matt. 26:33) but later that love had weakened and Peter denied knowing the Lord (Matthew 26:69-75). Peter now has another opportunity to profess his love for Jesus. I am convinced that this question, "Lovest thou me" is a tremendously important question applicable to you and I today. We sing "More love to thee O Christ" but do we really mean it? We sing "Where He Leads Me I Will Follow" but do we really mean it? We sing "I Want To Be A Worker For The Lord" but do we really mean it? Are we seeking first the kingdom of God (Matt. 6:33)? Are we living daily in a way that influences others for Christ (Matthew 5:13-16, 1 Tim. 4:12)?  Are we growing daily in the grace and knowledge of Christ (2 Pet. 3:18, 1 Pet. 2:1-5, 2 Tim. 2:15)?

 The true child of God is not one who has merely been baptized although that is absolutely essential (1 Pet.3:21, Acts 2:38, 22:16). The true child of God is not one who will attend worship service on Sunday, sing  great songs of commitment and then live the rest of the week as if there were no Christ to love, follow and serve. The true child of God loves Jesus deeply with all his or her being and that love is not some kind of shallow, hollow emotional thing. It is a love that is active and leads to complete obedience to the Lord's will (John 14:15, 1 John 5:2-3, James 2:14-20).

 If we dare answer as Peter, "Lord you know I love you", then there will be certain evidence of that love. That evidence will manifest itself in our giving to the Lord the best we have, namely ourselves without limitation or reservation (2 Cor. 8:1-5). We will let the Lord have full possession of our life and we will yield every member to him. His word will fill our hearts, mold our thoughts and guide our lives (Col. 3:16, Rom. 12:1-2, Rom. 6:11-19). The Lord calls for the best of our love, one that is unfeigned, one that is deep and abiding (Mark 12:30-31). He calls for the best of our substance (money) (2 Cor. 9:6-7). He also calls for the best of our labors (1 Cor. 15:58, Titus 3:1). It doesn't make any difference how small, how poor or insignificant any of us may feel, if we will simply do what we can to the best of our ability instead of offering excuses as to why we don't do anything, it will make a tremendous difference in our life and certainly be a great blessing to others as well..

 "Lovest thou me?"—Will we, can we, dare we answer as did Peter: "Lord you know I love you".

 Charles Hicks

Follow My Example

Follow My Example

 

The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:9)

 In the 3^rd chapter of Philippians, Paul tells us about the goal of his life and regarding that goal he says, Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (vs. 13-14). Then in verse 17, he urges the Philippians to join in following him as an example. Paul lays out the conduct of his life as a child of God for all to examine and confident that it has been and is in accord with the will of God, urges others to imitate his example (1 Cor. 11:1).

 The thought echoes through my mind, that you and I should be living our lives in such conformity to God's will that we can say to others, live as I do as I follow Christ. This is in no way an effort to exercise some kind of dominion over others. It is not a statement of pride or boasting on our part. It is simply an effort to urge others to follow Christ in doctrine and practice the same way we follow him. Our lives should serve as an example in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity (1 Tim. 4:12, Phil. 4:8 Eph. 4:17-32). I, for one, believe that you and I must have confidence in our life as a child of God so that we can truthfully encourage others to follow our example (1 Cor. 4:16) Perhaps all of us would do well to stop for a moment and ask, just what do others learn, receive, hear and see in us. Others being family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and even strangers we encounter from time to time.

 Do "others" see strength in our lives because we stand firm on the truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness with our feet shod with the gospel of peace, holding up the shield of faith, having on the helmet of salvation and carrying the sword of the spirit which is the word of God (Eph. 6:10-17)?

 Do "others" see: Christ reigning supreme in our hearts, molding our thoughts and guiding our lives every step of the way on this side of eternity (Mark 12:30, Psalms 16:1, Psalms 62:8); do "others" see purpose in our life (Dan. 1:8, Acts 11:23, 2 Tim. 3:10); do "others" see prayer, bible study and commitment in our life (Phil. 4:6, 1 Thess. 5:17, Matt. 6:33, 1 Cor. 15:58, James 2:18-20).

 Do "others" see the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control in us (Gal. 5:22-23)? Do "others" see us adding to our faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity. Bottom line, do "others" see us giving diligence to make our calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:4-11).

 Well, it is time to ask the question, Is the conduct of my spiritual life such that I can, with confidence, tell others to do what they learn, receive, hear and see in me? If we cannot answer in the affirmative, then if we should die in the next moment, not only would we lose our soul but many of the "others" of our life would lose their soul as well. Just one man's opinion.

 Charles Hicks

Which church is the right church?

 

 

HUGH'S NEWS & VIEWS

 

WHAT I AM AND AM NOT RELIGIOUSLY

 

It is hard for some to grasp the biblical concept of Christianity. The Christians of whom we read in the New Testament were not a sect or a denomination. There was but one body of believers in New Testament times (Ephesians 4:4), and that is all there still is in God's sight today!

 

Read carefully and reflectively the following. Remove your denominational spectacles and seek to see the one body of Christ (the church) as it is depicted in the New Testament.

 

I am a member of the church of God, but I am not member of the Church of God denomination.

 

I am a disciple (learner/follower) of Christ, but I am not a member of the Disciples of Christ denomination.

 

I am a Christian, but I am not a member of what is known as the Christian Church.

 

I am a follower of the Nazarene, but I am not a member of the Nazarene denomination.

 

I am a member of the church that began on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Act 2, but I am not a member of the Pentecostal denomination.

 

I am a member of Jesus' catholic (universal) church, but I am not a member of the Catholic denomination.

 

I am a member of Christ's universal church (see the previous point), but I am not a member of the Universalist denomination.

 

I am a baptist (one who has baptized/immersed many people), but I am not a member of the Baptist denomination. (Note: John was called the Baptist because he baptized people, not because he was a member of the Baptist Church).

 

I am a member of a church that follows Bible methods in carrying out the Lord's will, but I am not a member of the Methodist denomination.

I am a member of a church that has presbyters/elders/bishops/pastors (all of these terms refer to one and the same function) in local congregations, but I am not a member of the Presbyterian denomination.

 

I am a member of a church that has a plurality of bishops (from the Greek episkopos; see the preceding statement) over local congregations, but I am not a member of the Episcopal denomination.

 

I am a member of a church that adheres to congregational autonomy, but I am not a member of the Congregational denomination.

 

I am a member of the church of which Christ is the chief cornerstone, but I am not a member of the Cornerstone Community Church (or any of the other multiplicity of Community or so-called independent churches that dot the religious landscape today).

 

I am a member of the church of Christ, but I am not a member of some denomination that calls itself or thinks of itself as the Church of Christ Church or the Church of Christ segment of the universal body of Christ. (Note: I am not a "Church of Christ" as one may be a Baptist, or Methodist, or Presbyterian, etc. Question: Did the members of Christ's church in the first century speak in these ways about their religious affiliation? Did any of them ever say, "I'm Church of Christ"? Read through your New Testament and see how they did speak of themselves, and then ask yourself, can we be today what they were then? If not, why not?).

 

I am a Christian and a Christian only, a Christian who has never joined any denomination. I am what the early disciples were called first at Antioch (Acts 11:26) and what King Agrippa was almost persuaded to be (Acts 26:28). I did what they did (or could have done) to become a Christian.

 

When I was saved from my sins by obedience to the gospel, the Lord added me to the one church of which we read in the Bible, THE church, the LORD'S church (Acts 2:47; I Corinthians 12:13). This church was not and is not a denomination or a confederation of denominations. This church was established by Christ, not by any man or group of men somewhere this side of the New Testament (Matthew 16:18).

 

Christ purchased this church with His blood (Acts 20:28). He is the one and only head of this church, and it needs no earthly head or headquarters (Colossians 1:18). He is the one and only foundation of this church (I Corinthians 3:11). This church is not man's or of man; it is of Christ and belongs to Him.

 

This church is the spiritual body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23), and there is but one body, and therefore there is but one church (Ephesians 4:4).

 

It is this body/church that Christ will save eternally (Ephesians 5:23).

 

Hugh Fulford

Easter Sermon There They Crucified Him

 

There They Crucified Him

 

So he then handed Him over to them to be crucified. They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha. There they crucified Him. . .(John 19:16-18) 

There is a beautiful song that proclaims, "God sent His Son, they called Him Jesus, He came to love, heal and forgive: He lived and died to buy my pardon, An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives, Because He lives I can face tomorrow, Because He lives, all fear is gone, Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, Just because He lives." 

Paul tells us in Romans 5:8-9 that God has demonstrated his love for us in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us, much more being justified by his blood we shall be saved from the wrath of God through him (John 3:16, Colossians 1:12-14, Hebrews 5:8-9). Through the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John we are able to follow Christ the Lord as he walks this pathway of life seeking to save the lost (Luke 19:10, Matthew 18:11). Through words of divine inspiration, we sit at his feet and listen to the greatest sermon ever spoken (Matthew 5, 6 and 7). As we follow him from place to place, we watch as time after time he heals the sick, gives sight to the blind, causes the lame to walk, the deaf to hear and even raises the dead back to life. All too soon we follow him into the garden of Gethsemane and witness the agony that grips him (Luke 22:39-44, Hebrews 5:7). We watch as he is led from the garden to be put on trial for his life. We see him as he is beaten, spat on, mocked, and humiliated in every way possible. Finally, we follow to the Place of a skull and watch as he is crucified (Luke 23:33). We hear him as he cries out, "It is finished" (John 19:30). He is taken down from the cross, placed in a tomb that is sealed with a big rock. Finally, it is over, but is it? Luke 24:1-5, early on the first day of the week, certain women came to the tomb where Jesus had been laid and found the stone rolled away. As they stood there wondering what had happened, two men in dazzling clothing asked them why they were seeking the living among the dead. He is not here, but he has risen. Man put the Son of God to death, man placed him in a tomb but God raised him from the dead and he walked out of that tomb alive (Acts 2:22-24, Acts 10:38-41, 1 Peter 1:3-5). The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation upon which our faith and hope in God stands (1 Peter 1:18-21). It is the very basis for living this earthly life as a child of God (2 Corinthians 5:14-21). Realizing that all who have ever lived, including ourselves, will be resurrected (1John 5:28-29, 1 Cor. 15:19-23) why is it that so many people will live, yea are living as if there will be no resurrection. How many people who are heard to say, I know I should do this or that as it relates to saving their souls and then say, one day I am going to do it but not just right now. Some people are so preoccupied with the pursuit of physical and material things of the world they simply neglect the salvation of their soul (James 4:17, Luke 12:15, Hebrews 2:1-3, Mark 8:36-37).

 Our hearts should be overflowing with praise, rejoicing and thankfulness because Jesus walked out of that tomb alive. Because he lives you and I as faithful children of God live today with the hope and expectation of one day flying away to live forever in a dwelling place were all things are made new (Psalms 90:10, Revelation 21:5). To God belongs  glory and dominion forever and ever.

 

Charles Hicks

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour

Stealthily  Being Pursued

 

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8)

 

O, how we need to listen and take heed to this message from Peter. We have been warned to be very serious, sensible and cautious as it relates to the evil one. Peter goes on in verse 9 of the 5^th chapter to tell us to fight against him with all our might, always standing firm in our faith (Hebrews 10:23, 1 Corinthians 16:13, 1 Timothy 6:12, James 4:7-10, Ephesians 6:10-17).

 

The devil is not interested in our wellbeing, he does not want us to have soul prosperity. It is essential that we learn and be aware that the devil has the ability to be whatever he wants to be in his effort to devour us. He can be that subtle serpent he was in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-5). or as Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 11:12-14, the devil can disguise himself as an angel of light.

 

While there are no actual recorded events where the devil transformed himself into an angel of light, Paul does present this as an indisputable truth, thereby warning us of how great the power of the devil is in being able to twist spiritual truths into lies that appear to be truth. By doing so he often brings ruin into the lives of people today and perhaps. most important, eternal ruin after death. Make no mistake, the devil has practiced his art of delusion for thousands of years and even now he is going to and fro, walking on the earth practicing his art of deception (Job 1:7, 1 Peter 5:8).

 

The devil has something for everyone whether it be the sinner, or the good, moral person or the religious person or even a member of the Lord's church. Seriously consider passages such as Eph. 5:1-6, Col. 2:6-8, Matt. 7:13-23, Matt. 15:9 and 2 Pet. 2:1-3. No one is exempt from his efforts to deceive and destroy. There is but one end to all who fall prey to the devil and that end is misery and destruction (1 Thessalonians 1:7-9).

 

To successfully resist the devil, we must have an attitude of absolute commitment to love and serve the Lord God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength believing with all our being that we can do all things through Christ (Mark 12:30, Phil. 4:13, Rom. 8:28, 31). Dare to follow the example of Daniel (Daniel 1:8) and purpose in our hearts not to defile ourselves with the pollution of the world (1 John 2:15-17. James 4:4, 1 Peter 4:1-6, Romans 12:1-2)).  We will have to pay the price of self-denial (Matthew 16:24-26, Titus 2:11-12). We must be dressed in readiness with our lamps lit (Luke 12:35, Matthew 5:16, 1 Corinthians 15:58, 2 Peter 1:3-11, 2 Peter 3:10-18). Make no mistake about it, the devil is alive and well. He wants us and will seek to get us any way he can.

 

Charles Hicks

 

 

 

 

A Powerful Example

 

A Powerful Example 

Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither; the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord—Job 1:20-21 

Satan was given permission to use his powers to induce Job to curse God. His efforts to do so brought financial ruin to Job. That effort on the part of Satan also brought upon Job what must be the deepest, most agonizing pain and grief of heart known to man, the death of his sons and daughters. Yet even in the darkest hour of his life, Job held firm to his faith in God. Satan's efforts to induce Job to curse God only led Job to bless the name of the Lord. Job was a man with an attitude of total submission to God's will. He is a great example of a man with a sustaining faith and in this he becomes a great example for you and I.

 We often live for months, even years, in which we experience nothing but good things. O, to be sure there are always those momentary aches, pains and burdens of life but nothing devastating. Then one day it happens, some horrific event comes crashing into our life. What will we do? How will we respond?  It now becomes a question of how deeply we have been willing to submit ourselves to God's will (Rom. 8:28, 31, 35-39, Psalms 23, James 4:6-10, Gal. 2:20, Heb. 12:1-3). When tragic events strike our human frame, they bring grief and pain and cause us to hurt. But for one who has submitted totally to God's will it will never be a question of why did this happen. There are so many things that happen in this life that I do not understand why they happen but one thing I do know, so long as I love and serve my God with all my being, he will take care of me and he will do the same for each of you (1 Pet. 6-9). The words of Isaiah 40:31 have come to mean a lot to me: "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary and they shall walk and not faint". Friends, it is not the tragic events of life that cause us to falter, it is how we handle those events that determines whether we fail or rise to greater heights of faith. The storms of life will not overcome us if we allow the power of God to lift us above them. I love the message proclaimed in the chorus of Higher Ground: "Lord, lift me up and let me stand, By faith on heaven's table-land; A higher plane than I have found, Lord plant my feet on higher ground." 

 I am human, I am flawed, I am fragile—so are you. When everything seems to be chaos, when our hearts hurt so deeply it seems as if all is lost, I pray ours will be a sustaining faith just like Job of old.  Don't panic, pray (1 Thess. 5:17, Phil. 4:6-7, Heb. 4:16). Recognizing how great our God is will impart to us the strength and courage needed to sustain us all the way every day.

 Charles Hicks

What is the gospel?

THE GOSPEL IN FIVE SECONDS

 

One: The gospel required a second covenant or testament. "For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second" (Hebrews 8:7). "He takes away the first that He may establish the second" (Hebrews 10:9b). Why was this the case? "For the law (the old covenant), having a shadow of the good things to come (the new testament), and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices, which they offered continually year by year, make those who approach perfect...For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins" (Hebrews 10:1,4). The old covenant was made with the children of Israel (Deuteronomy 5:2-3). The new covenant is for every creature in all nations (Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 28:18-20). The old covenant (law) was a "schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster" (Galatians 3:24-25). The New Testament sets forth the "one faith" (Ephesians 4:5), "the faith once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3). We do not go to the old covenant (the Old Testament) today to learn the particulars of how to become a child of God, how to acceptably worship, or how to live a faithful Christian life!

 

Two: The gospel demands a second birth. To Nicodemus, Jesus said, "Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). He went on to explain, "Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God" (John 3:5). Though He was talking to Nicodemus, the force of Jesus' words is that anyone who would see and enter the kingdom of God must be born a second time. Writing to Christians, Peter spoke of their "having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever" (I Peter 5:23). Our first birth was a fleshly birth from our mother's womb. The second birth is a spiritual birth "of water and the Spirit."

 

Three: The gospel sets forth a second law of pardon, a way for Christians who fall away from the Lord to return to him. In Acts 8:9-13, we have the account of the conversion of the Samaritans, including a sorcerer by the name of Simon. Later, Simon tried to buy the gift of the Holy Spirit money, that is, he wanted to have the ability to bestow the Holy Spirit on others (Acts 8:18-19). He was immediately rebuked by the apostle Peter and told "your heart is not right in the sight of God" (Acts 8:21). He was then instructed, "Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you." This second law of pardon is not for aliens but for children of God who fall into sin. Christians who sin are told, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:9). But let us not confuse God's second law of pardon (for the sinning child of God) with His first law of pardon (for the alien sinner) (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; et. al.).

 

Four: The gospel tells of a second coming of Christ. "And to those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation" (Hebrews 9:28b). Christ appearing a second time "apart from sin" simply means that at His second coming He will not be offering Himself as a sacrifice for sin (as He did at His first coming), but rather for the eternal salvation of His faithful followers. At His ascension, two men in white apparel (apparently angels) announced, "This same Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you have seen Him go into heaven" (Acts 1:9-11). At our Lord's second coming and after the dead saints have been resurrected (along with all the rest of the dead, John 5:28-29), the living saints will be "caught up together with them (the resurrected saints) in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord" (I Thessalonians 4:16-17).

 

Five: The gospel warns of a second death. To the tribulation-torn saints in Smyrna, Jesus said, "He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death" (Revelation 2:11). Later we read, "And Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:14-15). The first death is the death of the body, a death appointed to all (Hebrews 9:27). The second death is the eternal separation from God that all of those who do not know God and who do not obey the gospel of Christ and who do not remain faithful will experience (cf. Romans 6:23).

These five "seconds" of the gospel are important to understand and properly apply (cf. II Timothy 2:15).

In conclusion, think about this: The person who is born twice (see two above), will die only once (physical death). But the person who is born only once (the fleshly birth from his mother's womb, but without the second birth "of water and the Spirit") will die twice (both physical death and the second death in the lake of fire and brimstone)! Succinctly summarized it is this: born once, die twice! Born twice, die once!

 

Hugh Fulford