THE TRENTON BULLETIN

THE TRENTON BULLETIN

Trenton Church of Christ, Trenton, Florida

Salvation is of eternal consequence and all who believe in God must accept the will of God as He has given to man through His word. From the beginning of time requirements for salvation have been clearly outlined. Confusion has always come from the disregard man gives toward the law of the Lord. In the religious world of believers in Christ salvation has as many answers as the stars in the heavens. Can one be saved only by faith? Does grace alone save? What part do works have in my salvation? Can I be saved by works? These questions are paramount to salvation because a wrong answer will bring about dire consequences.

There are two kinds of faith and two kinds of works. There is a faith that is referred to as “dead faith.” James writes, “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead … For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:17,26). Faith can be dead or of no power or invalid. The apostle Paul writes in Romans 5:1 of the faith justified. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This kind of faith is a righteous faith and acceptable to God.

There are two kinds of works: dead works and works that justify. The Hebrew writer urges his readers to “go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works” (Hebrews 6:1). James describes works that make a person righteous before God. “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (James 2:24). Whether of faith or of works, there are those actions by the individual that will either condemn him before God or justify him before God.

Dead faith is characterized by Jesus in Matthew 6:30 when men fail to trust in God. He rebuked His disciples in Matthew 8:26 with their lack of faith during the storm. Faith alone cannot save as James illustrates: “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble” (James 2:19). Felix was afraid but his trembling faith did not save him (Acts 24:25-27). The apostle John describes the rulers who believed in Jesus “but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (John 12:42-43).

Faith without works is a dead faith. “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17). Again in James 2:26 it says, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” To believe that faith alone saves denies the clear teaching of God. The only time in scripture that ‘faith alone’ is found is when the Lord says, “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (James 2:24). Faith is the foundation of our relationship with God. The Hebrew writer declares in the great chapter on faith, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

The Bible shows that faith that is little, or trembling and without works is a dead faith – neither pleasing nor acceptable to God! Faith alone is a dead faith! Without faith man cannot please God! Next week we will examine faith justified and how man is saved by faith.

14 years old - “I’ve just become a Christian, I don’t know enough and I’m still too young to be involved in the work of the church.”

16 years old - “I’ve just got my driver’s license. I have to work to take care of my driving expenses. And of course this is the time in my life when I am very busy with friends, and you wouldn’t believe all the school activities I have! I’ll get involved a little later.”

18 years old - “I just graduated from high school! Now I need a little time for myself before I enter the ‘real world.’ I’ll have more time for the work of the church later.”

20 years old - “I never knew college took so much time! When I get out and on my own I’ll have time for church work then.”

22 years old - “Boy, did you have any idea how hard it was to get started in the work place? It takes all my energy to get my career on line. And on top of that I just got married... I have to spend time to mold my new family life, too. In a couple of years I’ll be ready to really dig into the work of the church.”

24 years old - “Children! I never believed my parents when they told me how much time and money it took to raise them. I sure don’t have time for the work of the church now ... but when my kids get older I’ll be able to do my share of the work then.”

36 years old - “It seems the older he kids get the more they are involved in! Home from work, then to the school functions, then sports ... I’ll be glad when the kids get older so I can really be involved in the work of the church.”

46 years old - “I’ve never had so much fun! Grandchildren! I should have had them first (Ha!). I can’t deprive them ... when they get older I’ll be able to really be involved in the church.”

56 years old - “I’m on my last push at work now. I’ve got to really bear down for a few years now so I can be ready for retirement. And of course we have our place at the lake we’re fixing up. In a few years I’ll be able to quit the ‘rat race’ and really get involved in the church.”

66 years old - “Retirement at last! I’ve worked hard so many years and now I can enjoy the fruit of my efforts. It’s time now for the young ones here at church to carry on and let us ‘veterans’ rest a little.” Instead of such a person as described above, isn’t it great to see people who can use their abilities in God’s service NOW? Which are YOU?

I grew up in a loving family. My dad was quiet, but strong of character. My mom was more gregarious, but also of strong character. I don’t remember when we didn’t attend the worship services with those who shared our commonality in Christ. I remember when my little brother laid on a pallet between the benches (they weren’t near good enough to be called “pews”) and how we later went to classes on the Lord’s Day with the others our age. We had Sunday dinner for almost everyone—sometimes twenty or thirty—because we felt close to all of them. I never doubted, even for a minute, my parents’ love for me—even when I was being disciplined (and there was a considerable amount of that!).

I enjoyed my growing up years with my brothers, singing, playing baseball on vacant lots, watching Hopalong Cassidy or Roy Rogers or Lash LaRue or The Three Musketeers at the old Rose Theatre on Saturday afternoons, playing “kick back” with a football in the unpaved street in front of our house and running after one another in a “replay” of the Saturday matinee just as the sun began to hide behind the horizon in the evening.

My mom and dad were very supportive of our school activities and left no doubt that we were to do the best we could, no matter the subject (even in math!). We worked at it, even if just because we loved them and didn’t want to disappoint them.

It was hard to see them leave this life; but I never had any doubt about their destination. My dad just dropped dead in the hall (I know now it was a blessing how he went); and my mom just went to sleep one night and died (she still lived alone at 89 years old). I still miss them. Sometimes when I pass the mirror I see them in my own visage. I’m kind of glad. It reminds me that something of them still lives in me. I sure hope to see them again one day when we’ll all be better and can love even more. And for as long as we want.

I love my own family. I’m not sure that I’ve given them all the memories I had, but then maybe their memories are sweet like mine and refreshing to contemplate once in a while. I’ve loved them all the way. I remember when Russ was born and how proud I was. He was sort of pudgy and didn’t look much like me, but I could tell he was mine the first time he cried (he nearly took the roof off the hospital). I turned around about three times and it was Little League, about three more times and it was college, about three more times and I was hearing him preach the gospel, about three more times and there was Tracy, then Haley, then Tori, and now—who knows? He sure has made me proud.

I remember looking through a two-paned window at the hospitals birthing unit seeing a red, wiggling little thing as the nurse pointed to her and mouthed the words, “It’s yours!” I was shocked at her being a girl; there weren’t any girls in my family. Then one day she rode off on a pink bicycle, one with little plastic strings hanging from the handle bars and a purple basket on front, her pony tail flittering behind. Then one day she rode away to school, then to the university. Now she’s a teacher, somewhat like her daddy, but probably better. And she writes little children’s stories. And she’s always been a joy to Norma and me.

We are family at Southside. I have lots of memories of our family here, some good, some not. I remember when Jared was born, and when Matt and Rene got married. I remember when Chuck Durham came to learn with us, and Lawrence Kelly, and how Jason stuttered so when he first came. I remember godly men—men of influence in our family—men like Brother Summers and Rex Cottle, and Jim I’Anson and G.W. O’Neal (he once referred to someone’s automobile during his announcements as a “Pyotie”). I remember when I first loaned Bro. Usrey the $5 he still owes me. I remember lots of happy times, lots of sad times, lots of time of anxiety and pain, lots of times of consternation and regret because some beloved brother or sister left the family for the world. It still hurts to think about it sometimes.

We are family. I’m glad. The concept of family is one of the richest biblical descriptions of the Lord’s church. We’re together in this most important enterprise of all, God’s family.

It is a joy to be with the family in reunions such as we are having today. A joy to commune with the saints. All of it, mind you, is done together for we are family, the family of God, one in Christ Jesus. Enjoy.

“For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in Heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height, and to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, forever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:14-21)

President Theodore Roosevelt had four sons. He was very proud when the first three sons announced their intention to join the military. But when his fourth son also decided to join the Army, the old Roughrider balked. "Not all my boys," he said to his wife. But she replied, "Ted, if you raised them as eagles you cannot expect them to fly like sparrows."

Every parent should have a dream for his or her children. Isaiah put it this way: "And all your sons will be taught of the Lord; and the well being of your sons will be great" (Isaiah 54:13). Three things to consider:

You announce what you want your child to be by what you teach him. It is not the church's responsibility to teach your children. It is yours as a mother and father. One man had been in a non-Sunday School congregation. When asked why, he said, "We did not object to classes. What we were afraid of was that parents would quit teaching at home." Was he right?

You announce what you want your child to be by the example you set. It is amazing how some parents put the ball games, camping trips, and fishing trips above attending worship, and then are amazed that their children leave the church. Someone wrote, "What you are thunders so loudly that I cannot hear what you say."

You announce what you want your child to be by the plans you make for him. Your children know if something is really important to you. Have you been saying from the time they started school, "Now make good grades so that someday you can go to college." They know how important that is to you. Have you encouraged them to be a preacher, a missionary, Bible school teacher, elder, etc.? By your plans, you have told them what you think is important.

4. They pick up after their children instead of giving them the responsibility of doing it.

5. They take the side of their children against neighbors, teachers, and other responsible adults.

7. They bail them out of every situation instead of letting them face the consequences of their mistakes.

8. They are over-protective, and do not allow their children to do normal and healthy things.