Noteworthy News

(Current events in the light of Scripture)

“SHEPHERD ONE”

(Bill H. Reeves)

On the morning news of NBC, 01/27/99, 7:05 a.m., the newscaster mentioned that the Pope was leaving St. Louis on a plane named "Shepherd One".

I can read in the Scriptures of the “Chief Shepherd”, Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 5:4). It seems to me that the Chief Shepherd is number one! Now, just which person is “Shepherd One”? Jesus or the Pope? By what authority is

man permitted to arrogate to himself the title that belongs to Jesus?

“Well, the Pope is the Vicar (representative) of Christ”, one might claim. Is he, indeed? We can't read in the Scriptures (not even in the Catholic Bible) of a “Pope”, nor of a Vicar of Christ. But even if some man were the

representative of Christ on earth, he still would not be “Number One”, but would tell us only what Number One, Jesus Christ, had inspired him to say. Is an Ambassador of a country, who speaks on behalf of his country, the

law-making body of the country? Of course not. He simply speaks that which his country has authorized him to speak. If the Pope represents Christ on earth, why did he tell the public in St. Louis that capital punishment is

wrong? Christ authorizes it! (Rom. 13:1-5). God has always authorized it (Gen. 9:6). That is why Paul said what he did in Acts 25:11. The Pope in St. Louis misrepresented Jesus Christ, and persuaded the governor of the state to stay a just execution. Much was said about the sanctity of life, but I ask, the life of whom? What about the sanctity of the life that was slain? No sanctity there for him!

“But, Peter was the first Pope, and Pope John II is his successor”, we are told. Now, that really is strange! Peter was a married man, not a celibate bachelor (Matt. 8:14), called himself only a “fellow elder” (1 Pet. 5:1), not “Shepherd One”, and when a man fell down before him to worship him, Peter told him to get up because he (Peter) was just a man like the other fellow (Acts 10:25). What does the Pope tell people who kneel before him to

kiss his hand?

When the plane took off from St. Louis, Shepherd One wasn't in it; He is at the right hand of God, with all authority on earth as well as in heaven (Matt. 28:18)! -Bill H. Reeves

Assignments

February 7, 1999

Announcements: Shane Bass

Opening Prayer: Shane Bass / Keith A

Closing Prayer: Aaron B / Ed DeWis.

Song Leader: Rusty McGrew / Gary Bass

Scripture Reading: Philip Price / Loren P

L. Supper: Willie G / Justin M / Jeremy P

Building Cleanup: Golightly & Wilkins

We Preach Christ Crucified

Joe R. Price

Preaching Christ and Him crucified is gospel preaching (1 Cor. 1:23). “The word of the cross” is the power of God to save lost souls (1 Cor. 1:18; Rom. 1:16). This is so because it reveals how God acquits man of his sins and what man must do to receive forgiveness of his sins (Rom. 1:17).

The apostle Paul observed that when he preached at Corinth he “determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2). Some have concluded that to preach Jesus is only to emphasize the life and death of Jesus, but not the doctrines found in the epistles of His inspired apostles and prophets. In effect we are told that Jesus is more important than His doctrine. This approach minimizes the importance of “doctrine” while allowing for a subjective interpretation of the gospel. Each man is then able to decide for himself what is important teaching and what is not. Consequently, Jesus and His life are often used to validate unscriptural doctrines and practices. While we must indeed preach the events of the cross of Christ, we should remember it was His death that dedicated a “new covenant” which we must obey in order to be saved (Heb. 9:15-18). We cannot disobey His covenant, the New Testament, and have eternal life.

In our desire to preach the cross of Christ we must clearly know what that preaching includes. Does it include the plan of salvation? Does it include principles of divine authority? Does it include the work and organization of the church? Does it include teaching about sin? Does it include instruction on human obedience? Does it include preaching the fulfillment of prophecy? The scriptures reveal that we can answer “yes” to all of these questions.

In Acts 8:5, Philip “proclaimed unto them the Christ.” We find in Acts 8:12 that he preached the gospel of “the kingdom of God” (he preached the church, Matt. 16:18-19). He also preached “the name of Jesus Christ” (that is, Christ's divine authority, His right to rule our lives - Matt. 28:18; Eph. 1:20-23). He also preached baptism (he taught God's plan of salvation, Mk. 16:15-16). This means he preached about sin from which men must be saved (Acts 2:37-38, 40). Those who believed the gospel obeyed it and were saved from their sins, Acts 8:12-13 (thus we conclude he preached man's responsibility of faith and obedience). In Acts 8:35, Philip “preached Jesus” from Isaiah 53:7ff. Therefore, preaching that Jesus fulfilled prophecy is a part of preaching the Savior to lost men.

Indeed, we may say that preaching the New Testament is tantamount to preaching Christ and Him crucified. The apostles’ doctrine is that which they preached and which lost souls believed and obeyed in order to be saved from their sins (Acts 2:41-42). The gospel they preached was not their own, it was revealed to them by the Holy Spirit (Jno. 16:12-15; Gal. 1:11-12; 1 Thess. 2:13). It is the “word of the cross” (1 Cor. 1:18).

We must not make distinctions in God's word where there are none. When we preach the cross of Christ we preach His sacrifice for our sins, man's faith and obedience, Christ's church and His authority over our lives, and everything else contained in inspired scripture (2 Tim. 3:16-4:2).

God’s Answers

( Scripture Reading: Romans 8:31-39)

YOU SAY:

GOD SAYS:

“It’s impossible”

All things are possible

Luke 18:27

“I’m too tired”

I will give you rest

Matt. 11:28-30

“Nobody really loves me”

I love you

Jno. 3:16; Rom. 5:8

“I can’t go on”

My grace is sufficient

2 Cor. 12:9

“I can’t figure things out”

I will direct your steps

Prov. 3:5-6

“I can’t do it”

You can do all things

Phil. 4:13

“I’m not able”

I am able

2 Cor. 9:8

Jesus of Nazareth: Gethsemane (Part 12)

(Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46)

1. In Gethsemane Jesus experienced great agony & anxiety.

2. Heb. 5:7-9 - There, Jesus learned & teaches us obedience!

3. Texts: Matt. 26:36-56; Mk. 14:32-52; Lk. 22:39-53; Jno. 18:1-11.

I. JESUS IN THE GARDEN.

A. He Prayed To The Father - Matt. 26:36-39, 42, 44; Lk. 22:44;

Mk. 14:36; Heb. 5:7-8.

B. He Exhorted His Apostles - Matt. 26:37-41; 31-35.

-watch - 1 Pet. 5:8; pray - 1 Cor. 10:13; Matt. 6:13.

C. He Voluntarily Surrendered - Jno. 18:3-11; Matt. 26:51-54.

II. JUDAS: FRIEND TURNED BETRAYER - Matt. 26:49-50; Psa. 41:9.

A. Judas Leads The Mob - Jno. 18:3; Mk. 14:10-11; Jno. 3:19-21.

B. The Deed Is Done - Mk. 14:44; cf. Matt. 27:3-4, ff; Matt. 5:13-16.

III. THE DISCIPLES OF JESUS: SCATTERED - Matt. 26:56.

A. Predicted By Jesus - Matt. 26:31; Zech. 13:7; Jno. 16:30-32; Matt. 26:32.

-Later - cf. Acts 5:41; Is our faith ready to stand the test? (1 Cor. 10:12; Heb. 10:36-39);

2 Pet. 1:5-8.