the churches of Christ Salute You   ​Romans 16:16

Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You turn men back to dust, saying, "Return to dust, O sons of men." For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning —  6 though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered. Psalms 90:1-6

Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:1-12

DIRECTIONS

THE LORD'S DAY

This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written. John 21:24-25

A voice says, "Cry out." And I said, "What shall I cry?" "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."

Isaiah 40:6-8

Our hope is in Christ. Choose your path in life wisely. Spend your time on something that will outlast it. That just doesn't mean 'eternity' as everybody will be 'there'. Figure out what part of eternity you want to be a part of. The time for decision making is while there 'is time' to do so. Baseball legend Yogi Bera said of the game itself, 'It ain't over til it's over'. Well, this isn't a game and 'eternity' is never over. Proverbs says be careful not to be like those who stiffen their backs until it's broken beyond healing. Again: ​Remember him — before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well, and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. Ecclesiastes 12:6-7. Refuse and reject Him enough and God will send a delusion the likes of which will never allow you to see the truth. His fault? Don't think so... He's only giving you what you wanted, time and time again; something other than the truth. Perish the thought, hopefully.

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, 2 Corinthians 4:3-4.

​As Paul wrote: 'I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.' Ephesians 1:18-23

For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.  2 Corinthians 4:3-9

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel, a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:16-20

ALL ABOUT  YOU!

The Churches of Christ Salute You

​Romans 16:16

​Go And Make Disciples Of All Nations

​

Matthew 28:19

Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. John 14:11

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Published by the Church of Christ—Romans 16:16; Dec 09, 2018  105—3rd St W., Cornwall, Ontario, Canada, K6J 2N9       Website: churchofchristcornwall.ca    E-mail: albojarski@hotmail.com

Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"  Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."

Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"

Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:24-31

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SCRIPTORIALS

 ​​​THE GOOD NEWS 

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After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see:  The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me." Matthew 11:1-6

If you truly want 'truth' you will stop at nothing nor let anyone or anything deter you from seeking it out. If you don't want it, all the evidence in the world and expanding universe will not satisfy nor convince you, though it be right under your nose. As Jesus said and asked:

He who has ears let him hear. "To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: "'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.' For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." 'But wisdom is proved right by her actions." Matthew 11:15-19

What does it mean, 'But wisdom is proved/justified by her actions?'

This is answered first of all by realizing that there are two kinds of wisdom. A wisdom that is from above and a wisdom that is earthly, or of man. That which is from above is 'pure and peaceable'. That which is from below is 'polluted and always at war with someone or something'. The proof? All you need look at is mankind's track record verses God's. God tells us to love our enemies, feed them and give them drink; pray for those who persecute us; do not repay evil with evil but rather good. Satan entices us with temptations hoping to see us fail, to get back at God. From the 'garden' to the temptations of Christ to wanting 'you' personally he prowls about like a roaring lion seeking who he might devour. That coupled with 'own desires' (James 1:13-15) and coveting (James 4:1-3) and failing to turn to God (Acts 2:37-38) and His protection (Ephesians 6:10-18) makes us our own worst enemy. 

Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. James 1:13-15

​Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. James 4:1-3

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:10-18​

Mankind puts Christ up on a cross and brings Him down after dying physically. Mortal man believes himself to be god, though humanity itself being no more than made from 'dust and to dust he shall return'. God raises Christ up to the 'high heavens' far above and beyond the cross to be seated at His right hand and gracefully offers the perishable the invitation of a lifetime to become imperishable and be raised up above and beyond to the 'high heavens' as well (Romans 6:3-11). Christ offers to prepare a place for us all so that where He is, we may be also. What do we need to do? Through belief, repentence and baptism (Acts 2:38) allow for ourselves to be raised, at a minimum, to the level of the cross. Frankly, contrary to rumours, ungodly myths and 'old wive's tales' (1 Timothy 4:7-8), with what ability and power we collectively have as a race, the cross is as far or 'high' as we can go anyway, and only physically at that. Ultimately, we have no control over our physical or spiritual self except within the parameters that the Almighty has set - and subject still to whatever ailments 'beset' us all. The very 'breath of life' God jump started Adam with at creation, returns to God who gave it as our body returns to the dust from whence it came.

This is how it began: 'The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.' Genesis 2:7

'By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.' Genesis 3:19

​Remember him before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well, and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. Eccles 12:6-7

Adam became a living being. Correspondingly, the 'second man' from heaven, Christ: a life-giving spirit. Adam was 'creation'. Christ is 'creator'.

The following scripture is so powerful the universe pales in comparison. A universe made for us by God; not vice-versa. Neither ego, nor arrogance, just fact.​

So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So it is written: "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the man from heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven. I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 1 Corinthians 15:42-50

Adam became a living being inasmuch as God breathed into him the breath of life. That breath of life returns to God. Look also at what else is God-breathed and make your own call about what it should mean to you.

​All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.  John 6:63

So, who's in charge here anyway.

As someone once said, 'Take me to your leader'. That certainly isn't us, individually or collectively. Whether you're secular or religious minded, in terms of mortality, 'dust to dust' is one-way traffic. We may stir up a lot of dust going down what at times is a bumpy road, always well travelled and well worn. Though the distance covered may be longer or shorter there are definitely no U-turns. A good portion of that dust is probably 'us', maybe even someone we knew. Physically we are perishable goods with a short shelf life and our preservative is not for this life but the next. Some of us are even 'damaged goods' out of the gate so to speak or get that way in the race of living. That's just reality, both yesterday, one nanosecond from now or tomorrow when it comes and goes into history. Easily verifiable. The evidence is buried everywhere usually with some kind of 'marking' over it but often not. By the way, buried treasure it is not.  

That's reality as long as time exists; that's part of us and there's no use denying it. Even a Rolex won't make the hands go slower, faster, start or stop. Interesting that we bury people 'looking straight up' though they can't see anything. So, like funerals which are for the living- it must be for our benefit. Yet, the majority in the world who've come, gone and 'are', in looking down at those of our past, could and can see and yet 'do not see'. At least what matters most. A side effect of living, walking on the dark side and oft dancing with life in the dark. 'RIP' for most who pass this way doesn't really mean 'Rest in Peace'. It's more like 'Rest in Peril' for having ignored, denied truth outright or given themselves over to 'counterfeit Christ's' or other untruths during their lifetimes whether wittingly or unwittingly. Don't you think we ought to be more concerned and 'hands on' with an epitaph within our control while we live, instead of an 'RIP' rendered remotely by somebody else's 'say so' when we are gone? Don't trust me and for 'heaven's sake' don't take my word for it. Take thee Word for it: John 1. If you want corroboration take the word of Abraham concerning the rich man and the beggar in Luke 16:19-31. There's no peace in 'RIP' without the way, the truth and the life. Without Christ the phrase itself is an empty overused platitude void of meaningful hope and as such is more accurately rendered 'RIP-OFF'. Through Christ and the Holy Spirit, God only created one true religion, one faith, one church (Ephesians 4:4-6). Isn't that what you should expect from one true God? Satan invented or re-invented the rest. He knows what religious or secular flavours mankind desires and provides it.  He's a master at enticing us with our own weaknesses. 

The mainstream of people coining the phrase don't even have their own feet on the ground when it comes to Luke 16:19-31 and certainly don't walk the path that leads to peace in the after-life. Again, there's no peace in 'RIP' without the way, the truth and the life. Put another way but not a different Way 'cause there is no other (Galatians 1:6-9); there's no 'RIP' aside from Christ, all having been said and done. What awaits those who reject or deny Christ in this life is incomparably worse than anything that can happen on this side of the veil. What happens on this side ends one way or another, sometime or another- good or bad. What happens on the other side never ever does- good or bad. That's why 'spirituality' is the real lasting reality, and will be the only reality, when there's 'no time'. That's why there's 'no time' like the present to do what you must (Acts 2:37). The event horizon will be a whole different universe or should I say 'dimension'. I do mean 'dimension'. But enough said for now. That's for the next bulletin.

GOOD NEWS!

Blind receive sight      The Lame walk        Lepers cured       The deaf hear      Dead raised     Good news is preached to the poor 

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.  

For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you.  ​1 Peter 1:23-25

The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. Acts 1:1-3

We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. Hebrews 2:1-4

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