Cool, sunny, quiet, and steady

     Hey, again from up in the country, Enola, Arkansas.  Today is a beautiful day.  I can already see that spring is on the horizon.  The buttercups are popping up everywhere.  The smell of freshly-cut grass and blooming irises will soon be in the air.  At the same time, my buck stove is still churning out the much needed and much appreciated heat.  God is good and His promises always remain steadfast.  I’m glad that human beings are not in control of the things that are most important.  God is.

     We had a great Sunday, once again at the Enola Church of Christ.  We had a good crowd present (128) even though too many were out with one sickness or another.  I don’t know whether to stop shaking hands or to just continue to shake as many hands as possible to build my immune system.  I guess I’ll just keep shaking hands, eating oranges, and hoping for the best.  I heard that we had a few people out roping cattle.  I hope they did well enough in their competition to merit their decision to choose roping over Bible study, fellowship with fellow Christians, and worship to honor God on the Lord’s Day.  Those who missed this past Sunday missed out on a wonderful opportunity to share in seeing Chuck Loyd become a Christian.  I’m so very happy that I was present this past Sunday to share with Brother Loyd in such a once in a lifetime experience.  Congratulations to him and to his family.  He is a changed man, a forgiven man, a man hungry for God’s will, His blessings, and the knowledge of His ways.  May God bless Chuck and his family in every way is my prayer.

     God continues to bless us at Enola with growth and prosperity.  Our offering continues to remain bountiful.  Thank you to every member of the church for your financial sacrifices and your support of the work at Enola.  It is my prayer that we will continue to study God’s word and put into practice what we read and study.  When we prayer, may we pray diligently, specifically, and with our whole hearts without ceasing.  When we sing, may we sing with the spirit and with the understanding also.  When we share in the Lord’s Supper, may we remember Jesus and examine ourselves.  When we hear the good news preached, may we hear with the mind to put into practice when we hear.  When we give, may we give as we have been prospered, cheerfully and bountifully.  God is faithful.  Are you?  Am I?

     This Sunday morning we began a new series of lessons from Matthew 28:18-20 entitled, “All Means All.”  Jesus Christ has ALL authority.  He instructed every Christian to go to ALL NATIONS to teach them the gospel of Christ and to baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus instructed us to teach ALL THINGS that He commanded.  He then ended the Great Commission saying, “And Lo, I am with you ALWAYS, even to the end of the world.”  Last Sunday we looked at Jesus as having all authority.  What does this mean?  Well, if Jesus has all authority, then Moses and the Law have no authority.  Elijah and the prophets have no authority.  The angels have no authority.  The church has no authority.  The preacher has no authority.  It is true that Moses and the Law are written for our learning (Romans 15:4), just not for our keeping.  It is true that Elijah and the prophets spoke the word of God, just that their word was for those who lived before the coming, the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Luke 16:16) and not for those of us living in the last days.  It is true that the angel’s word is steadfast, just that the word of Jesus Christ far outweighs the word of angels (Hebrews 2:1-2).  The church has no authority, only responsibility.  The eldership’s authority rests only in Jesus Christ.  My preaching must always rest in the word of Jesus Christ.   This Sunday we will see that every Christian is committed to teaching all nations the good news and baptizing those who are taught in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

     Well, enough for this week.  I hope you get the picture.  Jesus has ALL AUTHORITY.  If He has all authority (He does) then ALL MEANS ALL.  God bless you, me, and everyone.