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“A Date Which Will Live in Infamy”<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Jarrod M. Jacobs -2-<\/p>\n\n\n\n Joe R. Price<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Heritage Church of Christ in Fort Worth, TX will begin using instruments of music in its Sunday evening services this fall (see http:\/\/tinyurl.com\/kyopzrd). This is occurring more frequently as churches depart ever farther from the ancient order revealed in the Scriptures. -3-<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jesse A. Flowers 1) Hear\u00a0<\/strong>the gospel — for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30-31). ——————–<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tebeau Street “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB).——————– Contents: 1) “A Date Which Will Live in Infamy” (Jarrod M. Jacobs)2) How We Worship God Is Significant (Joe R. Price)3) […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3136","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","post-preview"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3136","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3136"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3136\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3140,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3136\/revisions\/3140"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3136"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3136"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3136"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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 \u201ca date which will live in infamy,\u201d our nation assembled and united against a common enemy: an \u201caxis of evil\u201d in the Orient and in Europe. If the Lord wills, Saturday of this week will mark the 83rd anniversary of that horrible day. We ought to remember and respect the sacrifices of so many who lived during those turbulent times and made it possible that we, now 83 years removed from those events, still live in freedom.
Yes, it was an \u201cinfamous date\u201d when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, but is there not an \u201cinfamous date\u201d that each person lives when we choose to serve Satan instead of God? You see, there is a day in everyone\u2019s life (if we live long enough to make independent decisions) when we choose to follow Satan (Rom. 3:23). James wrote, \u201cBut 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\u201d<\/em> (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 committed sin, we know God remembers it. That time is a \u201cdate which will live in infamy\u201d in our lives. This is because, on that date, we yielded to temptation and succumbed to the onslaught of Satan. We joined ranks with the \u201ckingdom of darkness\u201d<\/em> and died to God that day (Eph. 2:1-3, 4:17-19; I Pet. 2:9b; Col. 1:13).
This date will \u201clive in infamy\u201d 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. 20:25; Jn. 1:29; Lk. 19:10; II Cor. 5:14-15).
What have we done in response? 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 \u201cdate which will live in infamy\u201d because, from that time forward, we were lost, undone, and lost the hope of Heaven (Eph. 2:12). We were taken captive by Satan 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 \u201cfight the good fight of faith\u201d<\/em> (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 \u201creconciled\u201d <\/em>to God (II Cor. 5:17-18; Eph. 2:13), and in this relationship, we may \u201cfight the good fight of faith,\u201d<\/em> wearing the \u201cwhole armor of God\u201d <\/em>(Eph. 6:13-18).
Yes, there is a \u201cdate which will live in infamy\u201d 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\u2019s name (Acts 22:16, 11:26). Have you done this?
— Via The Ancient Landmark, <\/em>December 5, 2024
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow We Worship God Is Significant<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
An explanation of their decision given by their pulpit minister is posted on their website. The statement reads in part, \u201cSo, wondering what is worship at Heritage like? First, understand a few basic truths. The goal of our worship is to bring us into the presence of God. We come together as God\u2019s people and worship Him. The \u201chow\u201d of our worship is insignificant, the \u201cwho\u201d we worship and praise is the most significant!\u201d (Ibid).
True worship does indeed involve coming into the presence of God, being defined as an act of offering reverent adoration and homage to God (Gen. 22:5; Psa. 5:7; 95:6; 99:5, 9). Yet, all worship is not approved by God, as Jesus pointedly applied Isaiah to the religious hypocrites of His day (Matt. 15:7-9). It is not enough to say we are worshiping God in order for God to be pleased (cf. the Samaritans, who \u201cworshiped on this mountain,\u201d but not with God\u2019s approval, Jn. 4:20-22). Worship that pleases God \u201cmust\u201d be in \u201cspirit and truth\u201d (Jn. 4:23-24). Therefore, we rightly conclude that true worshipers offer homage to God that is both sanctioned by His word of truth and expressed from a heart of reverent awe and adoration. It is significant how<\/em> we worship God as well as why<\/em> we approach Him (the Heritage Church of Christ\u2019s statement, notwithstanding).
We gain some insight into their decision to add instrumental music to their worship services when the statement says, \u201cChurches of Christ have a longstanding tradition of a cappella singing\u201d (Ibid). \u201cChurch of Christ tradition\u201d is not a Bible concept and belies a sectarian attitude toward the church. Coming before God to worship Him with singing is not based on \u201cChurch of Christ tradition,\u201d but on the solid ground of apostolic tradition of Scripture (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; 2 Thess. 2:15). The use of instrumental music to worship God was added many centuries after the apostolic age, and is a clear departure from worship in the New Testament (Gal.1:6-9; 1 Cor. 4:6; 2 Jn. 9).
After giving a nod to tradition, the website statement announces, \u201cStarting this fall we will be adding an instrumental service on Sunday evenings. This will give people a choice of worshiping in an a cappella worship service or an instrumental worship service\u201d (Ibid). Now we understand that worship as defined by the Heritage Church of Christ is a matter of personal choice and not a conviction of faith. That is why they say the \u201chow\u201d of our worship is \u201cinsignificant.\u201d We would earnestly remind them of Nadab and Abihu, whose \u201chow\u201d displeased God and prompted their death. Not being commanded by God, their \u201chow\u201d failed to approach God in holiness (Lev. 10:1-3).
I emailed John Gann (minister at Heritage) and asked him to explain why they conclude the \u201chow\u201d of worship to be insignificant. His complete reply was, \u201cThanks for the email. Our web explanation is to give someone a basic understanding of what they will experience at Heritage, not to spark a theological debate.\u201d\u00a0 Either he has no Bible answer or he is unwilling to share it. Either way, his failure to answer speaks volumes (1 Pet. 3:15). God is sinned against when men change His pattern for worship. Claiming \u201chow\u201d God is worshiped is insignificant is of man, not God (Jn. 4:23-24; Mal. 1:6-8).
— Via Viewpoint<\/em> from the Valley Grove church of Christ, July 31, 2022
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nGod is the Strength of My Heart<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever\u201d (Ps. 73:25-26, NIV).
Asaph, the psalmist, proclaims an exclusive desire for God in heaven and on earth. \u201cWhom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You.\u201d This signifies a deep and profound relationship where God is the ultimate source of satisfaction and fulfillment, surpassing all worldly attachments or desires.
\u201cMy flesh and my heart may fail\u201d acknowledges the inherent limitations and fragility of human beings, both physically and emotionally. This statement highlights the reality that people are subject to aging, illness, doubt, fear, and despair. It underscores the need for reliance on a power beyond oneself, leading to the affirmation of God’s strength.
\u201cGod is the strength of my heart\u201d indicates that God provides stability, security, and unshakable support, especially in times of weakness and hardship. The word \u201cstrength\u201d can also be translated as \u201crock\u201d or \u201cfortress,\u201d emphasizing God\u2019s enduring and unchanging nature. God being \u201cmy portion forever\u201d reflects the concept of inheritance and signifies that God is the ultimate inheritance and source of satisfaction, both in this life and the next (Psalm 73:23-24).
The psalm begins with Asaph struggling with the apparent prosperity of the wicked and the seeming unfairness of their flourishing while the righteous suffer. However, a turning point occurs when Asaph enters the sanctuary of God, where he gains an eternal perspective and realizes that the prosperity of the wicked is fleeting, while the righteous have an everlasting inheritance in God.
How extremely blessed we are to have such a God! No matter what we may be facing or enduring in this life, He is and will continually be the rock of our heart and our portion forever. Praise be to God!
\u2014 Via Articles<\/em> from the Knollwood church of Christ, August 2025\u00a0
——————–<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u00a0
2) Believe\u00a0<\/strong>in the deity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent\u00a0<\/strong>of sins.\u00a0 For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).\u00a0 For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).
4) Confess faith<\/strong>\u00a0in Christ (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:36-38).
5) Be baptized\u00a0<\/strong>in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21).\u00a0 This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27).\u00a0 For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so \u201cthrough faith in the working of God\u201d (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to\u2026
6) Continue in the faith <\/strong>by living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA\u00a0 31501
Sunday:<\/strong> 9 a.m<\/strong>. Bible Classes and 10 a.m. <\/strong>Worship Service
Wednesday (all but the first):<\/strong> 7 p.m.<\/strong> Bible Classes\u00a0
\u00a0First Wednesday of the month: 7 p.m. <\/strong>Congregational Song Service (about 45 minutes of singing, followed by a short talk)
evangelist\/editor: <\/strong>Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com<\/a>
https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/go\/all.htm<\/a> (This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"