Northeast Family Update

“Above all, love each other deeply” (1 Peter 4:8)

 

March 27, 2005

 

Lynch the Ten Commandments

 

Over the past few years there has been much discussion on the place the “Ten Commandments” play in our Nation. It seems that this difficulty has made it way to the highest court in our land. On March 3, 2005 the question concerning the display of the Ten Commandments on public land began. One of the arguments that caught my ears was that the display of the Ten Commandments would cause a person to become a Christian. As a Christian this direction of thinking was somewhat perplexing in view of the Biblical teachings concerning the Ten Commandments. I would like to share with you some thoughts concerning this issue as we contemplate the role the Ten Commandments play in our nation.

1. The Ten Commandments should not be used as a point of political attack from those who condemn religion in our nation. The Ten Commandments were given directly and exclusively to the children of Israel by God (Deuteronomy 4:44-45). These commandments written for the people of Israel were not given through inspiration via a human prophet but was written by the “finger of God” (Exodus 31:18; Deuteronomy 9:10). It is a shame to see the Ten Commandments used by politicians, judges and special interests groups to score political points and promote their personal agenda.

2. The Ten Commandments were instrumental in the forming of our nation’s legal system. For the open minded student it is evident that the Laws given by God to the nation of Israel were used by our founding fathers as basic principles of our judicial system. It is also evident that we should be careful how we want to recognize and memorialize the donation made by the Ten Commandments to our laws. Our legal system also borrowed much from ancient Greece and Rome, specifically from their human philosophies and pagan religions. The Supreme Court building has carved into it monuments glorifying these Greco-Roman influences alongside Moses and the Ten Commandments.

3. The Ten Commandments do not establish a national religion today. The First Amendment to the Unites States Constitution reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”. The display of the Ten Commandments or any other religious writing in no way amounts to the Congress establishing religion by law. If it did then every American would be required by law to be a Jew because Judaism is the religion founded on the Ten Commandments. (Ephesians 2:14-16).

4. The Ten Commandments did not establish Christianity. As one studies the New Testament (Covenant) it is evident that the Law given to the children of Israel was fulfilled (Hebrews 8:7-13). With the establishment of the New Testament (Covenant) the Old was, “… taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross” (Colossians 2:14). Anyone who is living today cannot be living under the Ten Commandments because it was replaced with the law of Christ or as James the Lord’s brother said, “… law of Liberty …” (James 1:25; 2:12). Granted, some of the precepts of the Ten Commandments were included in Christ’s law, but it is a different Law. If one desires to keep the Old Covenant they would be required to keep all the Laws within that covenant. The Ten Commandments were only the essence of the laws given to the children of Israel. The Ten Commandments were for a specific people at a specific time that being Israel. Today we are under a New Testament that being the one set forth by Jesus. When one follows the law of Christ they can become Christians not by following a law given to another people at another time.

The Ten Commandments whether publicly displayed or put in a back room cannot force anyone to become a Christian. To me this controversy is some what ridiculous and a waste of time and the taxpayers money. Let us rightly divide the systems of law we have in our nation as well as the laws found within the inspired word of God.

John E. Werhan

 

ASSEMBLY AND APOSTASY

 

After almost thirty-five years of full-time work as a minister, I have made some observations about how things are in the church. If one thing is obvious it is that if new converts will just come and assemble with the Lord's people when they meet those converts will grow and develop into strong, faithful members.
    There is absolutely nothing that can substitute for that assembling. And there is no magic or mystery to it. Those interactions in assembling just work to stabilize the faith.
    Yes, brethren can visit and search out members beginning their Christian walk. That is fine when it is possible. But the truth is the ultimate responsibility is on the new Christian to assemble with the saints. That really is very simple. It says, “Just come.” We need to stress this more. (I intend to do that very thing this coming year.)
    If a new member does not develop the regular habit of attendance, watch out. Apostasy will be the inevitable result.
 Monte Ginnings

 

Historic Public Discussion Is Coming

 

    We are setting at the door of a historic opportunity. We have crossed paths with the Mormons for many years now. But public discussion with this group has not been forth coming. In fact in early 1900’s there were discussion with them, but nothing since. Even the suggestion of such a discussion gets a “no” or no response from them.
Dale and Kent Hartman will met some of the Mormon’s in public discussion at the Eastside church of Christ, 916 S. Douglas Blvd, Midwest City, Oklahoma.
    The first session will be held on March 31st at 7 in the evening. The evening subject will be The book of Mormon." Is it a companion to the Bible and inspired scripture as Latter-day saints claim, or is it in opposition to the Bible?
    The Second session will be held on April 7th at 7 in the evening. The evening subject will be “Some churches claim that Later-day Saints (Mormon) are a “Non-Christian Cult. Are Latter Day Saints really “Christians”?
    From some of the things we see in the advertisement on the TV, it is evident that changes have taken place in their Doctrine or they are not stating what they believe. As a rule the devotees of the Mormon religion stay away from any public discussion of this kind.

     Lyndal Werner

Many Folks want to serve God

But only as Advisers

 

 

 

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  Upcoming Events

April Fellowship Luncheon

April 3, 2005

After Morning Worship

Come and bring a friend!

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Sunday Night Live

“Ultimate Authority”

Speaker: Max Corbin

Singing: Jason Gracey, Sean Duty

April 3, 2005

5:00 - 8:00 P.M.

Hobart church of Christ

The bus will leave at 4:30 so plan to attend and bring a friend!

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Elders & Deacons Meeting

April 4, 2005

@ 7:00 P.M.

Fellowship Room

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16th Annual OKC Lectures

“The First Century Church”

April 1-3, 2005

Barns church of Christ

OKC, Oklahoma

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Gospel Meeting

“Soul-Stirring Series”

With Ed Lobaugh

April 10-13, 2005

7:00 P.M.

Hobart church of Christ

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Spring Lectureship
“The N.T. Church”

April 10-13, 2005

Elk City church of Christ

Pioneer & Bell

Elk City, Oklahoma

Gospel Meeting

“Religion God’s Way”

With David Deffenbaugh

April 24-27, 2005

Tipton church of Christ

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Super Saturday Day Camp

K-3rd Grade

April 9, 2005

Quartz Mountain Christian Camp

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Christian Service Camp

“Low Element Challenge Course”

April 22-24, 2005

High School & Adults

Quartz Mountain Christian Camp

 

When you get to your wit’s end

You’ll find God lives there.

 

Christian Plan of Salvation

 

Hear the Gospel - Rom. 10:17; Jn 6:45

 

Believe in Jesus - Heb. 11:6; Jn. 8:24

 

Repent - Acts 2:38; Lk. 13:3

 

Confess Jesus as Lord - Ro. 10:9-10; Mt. 10:32

 

Be Baptized - Mk. 16:15-16; 1 Pt. 3:21

 

Lord Adds To Church - Acts 2:47

 

Live Faithful - Gal. 5:16-26; Rev. 2:10

 

 

Our Elders: Junior Blanton (674-3987), Otis Martin (393-4936)

                                    Leland Womack (666-2243)

 

 

Our Deacons: Curtis Chandler (393-2167), Tommy Hagen (393-4542),

Ron Morris (486-3574), Bud Robinson, (393-4560),

Jackie Todd, (393-4383), Robert Whinery (674-3463),

 

 Our Minister: John E. Werhan (393-4898 office) (393-2264 home)

 

 Our Address:

Northeast church of Christ

1111 E. N. Boundary

P.O. Box 357

Sentinel, OK 73664

[email protected]