2024 - University Church of Christ

Bulletin Articles - 2024

“The Army of the Lord”

David Westbrook
29 Sep 2024

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:10, 11)."You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ" (2 Timothy 2:3).The New Testament frequently uses military and combat language when speaking of Christians and the church. Christians are soldiers of Christ. Therefore, the church is the army.Why is this comparison made? First, it has to do with warfare. We are in a spiritual war. "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12). Our armor includes faith, hope, love, and the truth of the gospel. Our weapon is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17). The stakes are high as this war is for our souls. Eternity is at stake.Second, it has to do with duty. "… I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude :3) There are some things that are worth fighting for. Note the following from Thomas B. Warren:"Christianity is not what many people seem to envision it as being. It is not a religion in which just any and everything goes. Rather, living the Christian life involves fighting for the truth and against false doctrine."Those who care about the truth and the spiritual well-being of souls should be ready, willing, and able to wield the sword of the spirit. A sword is not a toy. A sword is not made to give slaps on the wrist. A sword is a weapon of war; it is a weapon to be used in the battle for the souls of men. It is used to affirm and defend the truth and deny and refute false doctrine. We must contend for the faith. If we don’t, who will?Third, it has to do with hardships. " You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ" (2 Timothy 2:3). Soldiers at war face many difficulties. Even so, Christians must be willing to endure them. This means commitment, "I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. Therefore, I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory" (2 Timothy 2:9, 10). The Apostle Paul also encouraged and warned, "This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him. If we endure, We shallalso reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself" (2 Timothy 2:11-13).Fourth, it has to do with priority and loyalty. "No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier" (2 Timothy 2:4). A good soldier knows that he cannot become so entangled in the things of this life that he neglects his orders and neither should the Christian. The Christian life is about commitment and loyalty.Imagine what we could accomplish if every Christian took his duties as a soldier of Christ as seriously as those in the U.S. Armed Forces. Imagine the outcome if we were trained to use our weapons as if our lives and the lives of others depended on our proficiency. Would any be negligent in-home Bible study? Would anyone be AWOL from Bible class or worship? The goal would be to win souls, and we would work together to do it. If all of this seems far-fetched to you, it isn’t!

“Why is the Great Commission Great?”

David Westbrook
22 Sep 2024

First, it is great because the Commissioner is great. "… He who is blessed and the only Potentate, King of kings and Lord of lords" (1 Timothy 6:15).Great because of the enormity of the task. Great because of its universality. Great because of its theme. Great because God has no other plan to bring salvation to the world. Great because there is no other way for the church to grow.Many congregations seem to be growing, but it is not done by the authority of the Great Commission. Some congregations are growing because new industries have come to the area. But the new birth is not taking place. It may be because a perverted gospel is being preached. Births may be taking place, but not into the family of God. It may be because the congregation has become liberal enough to be popular. A lot of people are being helped, but there are no new births in the family of God. There are many congregations that are strong against false doctrine and give their money to good causes, yet they are dying. No new births are taking place.The new birth cannot take place without the Word of God being preached in its purity. The new birth is necessary to enter the Kingdom (John 3:3-5). It will never take place without the Word of God (1 Peter 1:23).The Word can have no effect unless it makes contact with those who need it. "So, then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). "Therefore, lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls" (James 1:21). "And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe" (Acts 15:7).You should remember this from previous lessons. The duty of preaching the Word is given to every member of the body of Christ. The commission was given to the Apostles. The Apostles were commanded to "teach them to observe all things I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:20). All of us can and should be doing it. If the power company was about to triple our electric rates, we would have no problem spreading that news, would we? If Walmart had a two-for-one sale on shotgun shells, we would spread that news like wildfire.The Great Commission is Great because it gives life to all who will hear it. It is the cornerstone upon which salvation rests. "Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:8-12).

“Oxygen”

David Westbrook
15 Sep 2024

Have you ever thought about everything we believe in but, can’t see? The first thing that comes to my mind is oxygen. You can’t see, smell, or touch it, but take a deep breath; we know it’s there. Spiritually speaking, God is like oxygen. “No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us” (1 John 4:12). Just like oxygen, God is invisible, and by faith, we believe that He exists and that He will reward people who diligently seek after Him. (Heb. 11:6)We cannot live without oxygen. It is said that after three minutes of oxygen deprivation, one may lose consciousness. Could it be that we may lose our spiritual awareness when we decide to take a break from God? It is also said that after three minutes without oxygen, lasting brain damage can occur. Extended periods without prayer may very well permanently harm our spiritual health. Finally, after five minutes without oxygen, a person will probably die. Interesting, isn’t it? The person who permanently cuts himself off from God will most definitely experience spiritual death! The sobering thing is that we’re only five minutes away from death. How much more frightening is it when we’re separated from the Lord, even for a short time?

“Be Diligent”

David Westbrook
8 Sep 2024

"Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience" (Hebrews 4:11).The Hebrew writer's point is that it isn't as easy as many people think to stay in a saved state. He does not use the word "diligent" lightly. The Hebrew writer means for his readers to make a hard effort. We could say, "Give it all you have." As New Testament Christians, we have a duty to not only teach this to others but to pay heed to it ourselves.It stands to reason that with this kind of a load upon us, we ought to have some help. Brethren, we have it! "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12). God's word is living, it is not a dead letter. It has a life probably beyond our ability to fully understand. "All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, But the word of the Lord endures forever…" (1 Peter 1:24, 25).God's word is powerful. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek" (Romans 1:16). The word of God has the power to change people's lives. Does it not stand to reason that we should spend as much time in it as possible?The word of God is sharp. Just how sharp is it? It pierces to the division of soul and spirit, joints, and marrow. That is a physical exampleof a spiritual point. We should remember Acts 2:37 "Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?" These people were cut clear through to their spiritual heart by the word of God. Paul instructs us to take "the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God" with us in Ephesians 6:17. Why do you suppose that is? Because it is the only thing that will fight off Satan (Matthew 4).The word of God discerns the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Someone once said, "The word of God will turn the inside of a sinner out, and let him see all that is in his heart."We have an example of following this: it isn't a mere man, for men are flawed. It is Jesus Christ Himself. He didn’t just tell us how to live; He showed us how to live in the very "rest" the Hebrew writer refers to. "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15).

“Please send by the hand of whomever else”

David Westbrook
1 Sep 2024

Exodus 4:12-13Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.” But he said, “O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.” Indeed, some of us can relate to this! Moses didn't think he was qualified for the task the Lord gave him. "I am not eloquent," he said. But this was an excuse. Moses' problem was that he was looking to himself, not to God. In the end, Moses was able to speak eloquently and boldly for the Lord. He stood before Pharaoh and the people to speak God's message to them with courage and conviction (even when his life was threatened (Numbers 14:10). God knew precisely what he was doing when he chose Moses for this job. We have been told to "go" just like Moses. Jesus said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations... teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19-20). The question is, “Are we going?” If not, why not? Maybe we wish God would send someone else. Do we see ourselves as unqualified? What if God really expects YOU to go and tell others about Jesus? (And he does).What if the same God who promised to be with Moses also promised to be with you? (And he has). After Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples,” He said, “And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). “Send whomever else You will,” means God chose me!The Church has been called to evangelize. We either plant the seed or water the seed that has already been planted. The increase belongs to God, 1 Corinthians 3:7. Let us not worry about the increase; let us be about the work the Lord has given us to do by any means He has put at our disposal.

“Be Still”

David Westbrook
25 Aug 2024

Erling Kagge, a modern philosopher, adventurer, and author, once wrote a book in which he espouses the practice of walking over faster transportation methods whenever possible. According to Kagge, slowing down our pace increases the quality of many facets of life. For instance, he argues that memory, meaning, and problem-solving are increased because we employ more senses in the walk. We become more attuned to our surroundings because they don’t whirl in a 75-mph blur. Counterintuitively, he says that walking can slow down time to get more accomplished, as opposed to rushing from place to place and never feeling like you have enough time.There may be something to what Kagge is proposing. In Psalm 46, the psalmist is extolling the security of God, during times of war and chaos. “Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:8-10). So much of our lives are spent running that we cannot truly absorb what a walk with God offers. You will notice that I underlined, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Think about the last devotional time you spent. Did you sit down and quickly read through a few verses only to speedily jump up and run to the next thing on your schedule? How much of that reading did you soak in? Probably not much.Yet, being still to know God goes beyond slowing down a daily Bible reading. It also means slowing down to use more of our senses in experiencing life. Allowing all the interactions with people and creation to remind us how powerful our God is and how much he loves us. If we can learn to do that, it will bring about results that very few people in this world ever enjoy. Our connection to God will strengthen. Our stress will begin to drop. Our ability to think through struggles and listen to God’s instruction will deepen.

“Moss Rose Message”

Gilda Gunz
18 Aug 2024

Recently, a powerful storm caused a big tree to fall over in my backyard, damaging my house and breaking several pots of beautiful moss rose plants. The pots were cracked, and the soil was scattered, all appearing to be a total loss. Then something amazing happened. Instead of withering away, the deep-rooted moss roses began to grow in the scattered soil. Despite the broken pots and the mess, they started blooming and thriving. It was as if they were saying, “We won’t give up, even if things look bad.”In utter amazement, I saw a valuable lesson about trusting in God’s care and protection. Just like the moss roses, we all face tough times and challenges in our lives. Sometimes it might feel like everything is falling apart and the way forward seems hopeless. We seem to forget that God is always with us, even in the most difficult moments.When we trust in God, we can find strength and hope, just like the moss roses did. Even when it seems like our lives are in pieces, God can help us grow and flourish. He provides what we need to overcome our troubles and He brings new opportunities for us to bloom, no matter how broken or tough things may seem.The next time and every time we face a challenge or feel overwhelmed, let us remember the moss roses. Trust that God is working in our lives and will help us thrive through any adversity. Just like those resilient plants, we can find hope and strength, knowing that God’s love and care will help us bloom no matter what. Let us keep our faith strong, and let God’s light guide us through every storm. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”(Proverbs 3:5, 6)

“Help In The Storms Of Life”

David Westbrook
11 Aug 2024

During a terrible storm on the ocean, a small passenger ship rolled dangerously in the roaring storm. The furniture and anything else that could move was tied down, and the passengers were confined to their bunks for their safety. Many on board thought the vessel was doomed.Finally, a passenger determined to find out if there was any hope for survival set out to see the one in command. Clinging to the walls and handrails, he went to the weather deck, up a ladder, and into the wheelhouse. He noticed that the ship was nearing land between some jagged rocks. It became apparent that the captain was trying to reach the safety of a calm bay ahead. Knowing he could not make himself heard above the roar of the wind and waves, the captain turned wordlessly to the worried passenger and smiled. Reassured, the man returned to the others and said, “Don’t be afraid. All is well. I’ve seen the captain’s face, and he smiled!”When the storms of life batter us, we may be tempted to give into feelings of hopelessness. But if we look to the Captain of our salvation (Hebrews 2:10) and commit our way to Him, we too can find peace in the storms of this life. “Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:5)“The winds and the waves shall obey Thy will; Peace, be still! Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed-sea, or demons, or men, or whatever it be, No water can swallow the ship where lies the Master of ocean, and earth, and sky. They all shall sweetly obey Thy will; Peace, be still, Peace, be still!”Master the Tempest Is Raging p. 425, Praise for the Lord

“Is Any Church Perfect?”

David Westbrook
4 Aug 2024

When asked why there are so many churches in the world, rhetorical answers have often been given: “Can there be such a thing as a perfect church?” With literally thousands of denominated and divided churches, all with conflicts, controversy, finger-pointing, and fault-finding caused by human imperfection, one wonders if it is even possible that a church could possibly be perfect.When considering questions of a religious or spiritual nature, we should always go to God’s word for the answer (2 Timothy 3:16-17). So, does the bible describe a perfect church? We can begin with the description of the church found in Ephesians, Chapter 5. First, Christ is the Head of the church and Savior of the body (church), therefore, the church is subject to Him (v. 22-24). Next, verses 25-27 declare that Christ “loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.” Christ died for the church, purchasing it with His blood (Acts 20:28). The same blood that washes away sin (1 John 1:7; 1 Cor. 6:11)), and He has set it apart and cleansed it so it has no imperfections.So yes, there is a perfect church. It is the church built by Jesus Christ (Matthew. 16:18), filled with spiritually saved people who have been added to it by the Lord Himself (Acts 2:47).

“Kindness”

David Westbrook
28 Jul 2024

I have had time now to reflect upon our trip to New Mexico. Regina and I had a great time and saw many beautiful sights. However, as with any vacation, there is always a negative side. For us, the negative side was a rental car. I won't go into details, but I will say, “I don’t care what company policy may be; there is no reason not to show kindness.”Most people's attitude these days is, “Why should I be kind to them? I don’t know them, and they will not help me in any way, regardless.” I do not expect to see people with this attitude in heaven. Here is the reason why:Luke 6:35“But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.”The Apostle Paul expanded on this in his letter to the Galatians.Galatians 6:9, 10“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”To show kindness is to show love. That may be the problem: people do not have any love for their fellow man. Brothers and sisters, we must learn to love them regardless! It is the only way we can heap the pains of shame on some people. It is the only way many will ever see the light of the Lord.Romans 12:20, 21“Therefore, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

“Growing Great Fruit”

David Westbrook
21 Jul 2024

Paul wrote, “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building” (1 Cor. 3:9). God’s people are to be in the fruit production business. That is what Peter had in mind as he used his inspired pen to write 2 Peter 1:8-9. There are three things set forth in these two verses.The ConditionNotice the condition set forth at the beginning of verse 8, “For if these things are yours and abound…” The “things” to which Peter refers are the graces described in verses 5-7. Describing them as “yours” points to ownership or possession. The word “abound” carries the idea of increasing or overflowing, and it indicates ongoing activity. So, the idea is that Christians should take ownership of the “Christian graces” and allow them to continually overflow in abundance in our lives. That involves real effort on our part. Consider 1 Peter 2:2, which says, “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,” and Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled.” How great is your desire to know God’s word and put it into action? How great is your desire to see the “Christian graces” overflowing in your life?The GoalThe goal is stated negatively, “…you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” To be “barren” is to be useless, ineffective, and accomplish nothing (cf. Matt. 20:3, 6; Jas. 2:20). To be “unfruitful” is to be like a tree that is capable of fruit bearing and produces nothing (cf. Matt. 3:8-10; Luke 13:6-9). The goal for every Christian is to be the complete opposite–useful, effective, and full of good fruit. Remember Jesus said, “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples” (John 15:8). Paul’s prayer for the Colossian Christians was that they grow in their knowledge of God’s word so that they might be fruitful in every good work (Col. 1:9-11). Are you working hard to produce fruit in your life? Can your progress be seen (1 Tim. 4:15)? If not, why not?The ContrastWhat if a person does not take ownership of the “Christian graces” and allow them to abound in his life so that he is effective and fruitful in the Lord’s work? That person is described in verse 9 as “shortsighted.” The idea is that he is so focused on the menial matters of this world that it blinds him to what is eternally important. Even to the point of losing sight of the greatest blessing of all–salvation. Imagine standing before the Lord in judgment and saying, “Lord, I know you did so much for me but I just didn’t make the effort to do much for you.” What an incredible thing to contemplate! But, in reality, if we fail to produce great fruit, that is essentially what we’re doing! Consider 1 Peter 1:21-2:3.God wants His people to be about the business of growing great fruit. That only happens if we allow the Word of God to produce within us the great characteristics listed in 2 Peter 1:5-7. If we take ownership of those “graces” and allow them to flourish in our lives, then we will be abundantly fruitful in the kingdom of God.

“Certainty & Patience”

David Westbrook
14 Jul 2024

Peter wrote of the “exceedingly great and precious promises” given to the children of God (2 Pet. 1:4). Indeed, our Heavenly Father has promised us great things. Blessings such as forgiveness (1 John 1:9), fellowship (Heb. 13:5), peace (Phil. 4:7), and eternal life (1 John 2:25) are all ours to enjoy. These promises motivate us to faithfulness and comfort us in times of distress. No wonder the Hebrews writer reminded his readers of these, to encourage them to remain faithful to God.Hebrews 6:13-15 says, “For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, ‘Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.’ And so, after he had patiently endured, He obtained the promise.” The passage recalls God’s promise to Abraham for the purpose of pointing out two important truths regarding God’s promises: certainty and patience.When God makes a promise, we can be absolutely certain that He will fulfill that promise. It is impossible for God to lie (Heb. 6:18), and therefore, we can depend on every word He speaks. But though He is absolutely reliable in what He promises, the fulfilment of those promises often take time, and therefore requires our patience. Abraham waited more than 20 years for the birth of Isaac, and just such an example was required for Jewish Christians in the first century to remain steadfast in their hope.As we navigate the difficulties of life, like the readers of Hebrews, we would do well to remember these two truths. God has made great and precious promises and He will fulfill every one of them. We must simply be patient and “wait on the Lord” (Isa. 40:31).

"How's Your Hearing?"

Chance Hicks
7 Jul 2024

"Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have." (Luke 8:18) Here are the possibilities of how we might hear Jesus: Some Hear Jesus Gladly. Mark wrote, "And the common people heard Him gladly" (Mark 12:37). Those who hear Him gladly, respond immediately. "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized, and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls" (Acts 2:41). Some Hear Jesus Continually. "And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, and others said, 'We will hear thee again of this matter'" (Acts 17:32). There are today those who hear Jesus, but instead of obeying Him, they simply want to hear Him over and over again. They are never fully convinced, or they simply allow other things to distract them. Some Hear Jesus Argumentatively. The scribes and the Pharisees listened to Jesus because they were "seeking to catch something out of His mouth, that they might accuse Him" (Luke 11:54). Some hear Jesus with preconceptions and misconceptions. They argue, refuse to accept, and hold to traditions. How do you hear Jesus? Do we argue with Scripture when it is preached? Let's be people who hear Jesus gladly!

“The Mistakes at Meribah”

David Westbrook
30 Jun 2024

A person could receive no higher compliment than for God to mention his conduct as an example for others to follow; and he could receive no greater rebuke than for God to point at him and say, "He is a tragedy. Look at him and learn from him about what not to do."Falling into the category of "Don't Do," ancient Israel became an example of how to displease God. Paul wrote, concerning the Israelites, "Now these things happened unto them by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come" (1 Corinthians 10:11). In Exodus 17, as the Israelites journeyed toward Mount Sinai, they came to Rephidim. But because of their unfaithful attitude, Moses names the place "Meribah" and "Massah" (Exodus 17:7), which mean "testing" and "temptation." The event portrayed a powerful example in the eyes of the Psalmist: " Harden not your heart, as at Meribah, As in the day of Massah in the wilderness; When your fathers tempted me, Proved me, and saw my work" (Psalm 95:8, 9).What was it that Israel did that brought forth such a stinging rebuke from the Lord? What are the lessons we may learn from their mistakes at Meribah?First, the people began complaining. Finding no water there, the text says, "Therefore the people contended with Moses, and said, “Give us water, that we may drink.” So, Moses said to them, “Why do you contend with me? Why do you tempt the Lord?” (Exodus 17:2). Their request was more than simply asking for a glass of water. It was an unnecessary complaint against Moses and God. The text continues with a more complete depiction of the scene: "And the people thirsted there for water, and the people complained against Moses, and said, “Why is it you have brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?" (Exodus 17:3). They tested the Lord by showing doubt that He was among them. One of the worst sins of which the human heart can be guilty is accusing God of being cruel and uncaring with His children! When we complain and murmur about our situations, are we not testing the Lord? Do we doubt that He is "among us"? Do we act as though He were far away and unconcerned about our problems?Second, the people were selfish. Instead of looking at God's design for them, these people focused on their thirst. Their desire for water blotted out their picture of God's merciful leadership of His people. He was preparing them for greater service as His nation, but they were fretting about the lack of moisture for their tongues. Their response reminds one of people who complain about the treatment of soldiers in military boot-camp; they complain about the lack of hydration, food, and relaxation the trainees receive. But they neglect to understand that the harsh and rigorous training prepares one for a greater service. Rather than murmuring, they should be rejoicing that they are going to be well prepared for the competition.Third, the people were disobedient. The Israelites, both as a multitude and as individuals, belonged to God. They had been redeemed by His hand and were to live by His words and trust in His care. However, at Rephidim, they refused to listen to Him. They hardened their hearts by denying God's concern for them and by rejecting His plan for them. This ought to remind us about Jude's statement concerning the Israelites' disobedience: "But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.(Jude 5).Every person and every nation must make the decision to follow either the path of obedience or the path of self-will. The only way one can turn into the lane of disobedience is by choosing to become deaf to God's directions. At its base, this response is a hardening of the heart toward God. But with His words, "Today, if ye would hear His voice" (Psalm 95:7), He invites us to lead lives of obedience.

“Finding Hope”

David Westbrook
23 Jun 2024

The opposite of hope would be “despair.” When despair sets in “discouragement” follows. Discouragement can bring about losing everything: no courage, hope, or ambition. As we shall see in our morning sermon, hope must be diligently sought after. Hope has different definitions depending on how it is used. The hope we need to be seeking is the “Definite Light” at the end of what is usually a very dark tunnel,” Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12).The Christians hope is anchored in Jesus Christ, “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:2). “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast…” (Hebrews 6:19). You will find the following Hymn on p. 438 of our “Praise for the Lord.”“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name” Verse 1“His oath, His covenant, His blood, support me in the whelming flood; When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay” Verse 3No matter what adversity or challenge we face in this life, let us fix our minds on Christ and a home in heaven. Only then will our hope for eternal life be secure, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1, 2).

“Conquering Fear”

David Westbrook
16 Jun 2024

“I am afraid, oh I am afraid! The cold black fear is clutching me tonight as long ago when they would take the light and leave the child who would have prayed, frozen and sleepless at the thought of death”Sara Teasdale.Fear is a universal emotion that resides deep within the human psyche. It reveals itself in many different forms, and if not kept in check can paralyze the mind. In his inaugural speech, on March 4, 1933, Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, “The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself.” Though I am not a Roosevelt fan, that is an accurate statement.I tell no one my secrets as a rule, but I will tell this one. I face fears every single day of my life, and there is at least one day a week when they can be overwhelming. What helps me is knowing I am not alone. “Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city” (Acts 18:9, 10). Amazing, isn’t it? The Apostle Paul was afraid of something.Paul was wise enough to recognize his weakness. Paul did not let his fears conquer him, he overcame his fears through the Lord; and through prayer. He even asked his brethren to pray for him, “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel” (Ephesians 6:18, 19). Without the help he received from the Lord, Paul would not have succeeded.When we are afraid, let us remember that we are not alone. All of us can find our courage in the Lord.

“Some Truths Worth Knowing”

David Westbrook
9 Jun 2024

"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). It seems evident to me that the majority of the world is searching after truth. In order to gain the truth that we are searching after, we must be willing to put forth some real effort. Therefore, we must study (2 Timothy 2:15; John 5:39). The Bereans understood quite well what it meant to search for truth. "These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and search the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11). As we study the truth, I would like for us to consider some truths worth knowing. It is evident that there are many truths that will not affect our lives if we never know them. But there are also many truths which produce great changes in our lives when we come to an understanding of them. These are truths that are worth knowing.It is worth knowing how to come to Christ. Of all of the truths that I know, this is the one that has the greatest value. The plan of salvation is, without doubt, worth knowing. Whether we choose to be obedient to it is a different subject all together. Faith (Hebrews 11:6), repentance (Acts 17:30), confession (Romans 10:9, 10), baptism (Acts 2:38). Sense it is only through Christ that we obtain salvation, it is well worth knowing what is involved in coming to Him. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6).It is worth knowing why Christ was manifested. Manifested simply means revealed. In having this knowledge of the reason for the revealing of the Son of God, we are encouraged to follow Him closer. "He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8). As we daily face the trials of the Christian life, it is worth knowing that Jesus came to destroy the works of Satan. These "works of the devil" include his plans, purpose, design, schemes, aims, and ends which he hopes to accomplish. It is worth knowing that Jesus was not manifested to start a fan club, build hospitals, or many other things, but to seek and to save the lost. Since that includes each one of us, we should deem it worth knowing that Jesus came to save us.When we consider all these things that are worth knowing, it's hard to imagine people actually wanting to be ignorant of them. Unfortunately, that is the truth of the matter.

“Take Root & Bear Fruit”

David Westbrook
2 Jun 2024

Fruit production must be a primary concern for everyone who desires to please God. Jesus said, “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples” (John 15:8). If I want to glorify my Heavenly Father I must be busy and growing. I cannot be complacent, and I cannot be satisfied, I must continue to bear fruit.The first ingredient necessary for developing strong roots is good, fertile soil. Growing any kind of crop in soil full of rocks, covered in thorns, or robbed of nutrients is difficult. Jesus applied this very principle to the human heart in the parable of the Sower found in Luke 8:4-15. He said, “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience” (Luke 8:15). What is the state of my heart? That is a question that I must ask myself regularly. If my heart has not been cultivated and made ready for the gospel to be planted, then it will be impossible for the roots to grow deep and strong (Luke 8:11), and I will never be able to produce good fruit.The second ingredient necessary for developing strong spiritual roots is fertilizer. Chances are you have seen at least one of the Scott’s television commercials where the spokesman says, “Feed your lawn—feed it!” The reason that it is so important to feed your lawn with the proper fertilizer is that the fertilizer helps the grass roots to grow deeper and stronger, which keeps your grass healthy and helps it to fight off disease. The principle is the same for us, spiritually. The more spiritual nutrition we receive the stronger we will become. That is why Peter instructed Christians, “as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby” (1 Pet. 2:2). We must never lose the insatiable appetite to feed upon God’s word for it is key to our spiritual fruit production.

“Training Our Children To Succeed”

David Westbrook
26 May 2024

Our lesson on “Redeeming the Time” last week has deeply impacted my personal life and my reasons for living each day. That lesson was not very long, but you would not believe the hours it took to bring it together. Many things came to mind as I thought it out. One of those things was my responsibility to my grandchildren. People take different viewpoints to their grandchildren. Some have convinced themselves that the responsibility to help them get to heaven is solely placed upon their parents. As grandparents, they buy presents and attend sporting events, but ensuring their grandchildren attend services and learn God’s statutes is not their problem.“And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). Yes! Properly training children is a God-assigned task given to fathers that cannot be abdicated to anyone else. But, to stand before God as a grandparent and explain how I had nothing to do with the salvation of my grandchildren's souls, is something I do not want to do.When it comes to training and teaching children, timing is everything. One of the Greek words translated as “time” is the word “Kairos.” This word means a “fixed time of limited duration.” It is translated as “opportunity” in some verses.Galatians 6:10“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”Romans 5:6“For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”The idea is this: If we want to train our children in the way of the Lord, the time to do it is when they are young. The “opportunity” only lasts for a short time. If we neglect it or waste it, it will never return. This is one of the few times when the adage is correct, “You can't teach an old dog new tricks.”Grandparents can play many roles in this. A big role is not doing things intentionally, that would prevent our sons and daughters from raising their children as God would have them too. We should never think of putting a stumbling block before our own children that would prevent them from teaching their children to be faithful. Our sons and daughters love us and would not do anything to disrespect us or cause us to stumble before God. Do we love them the same? How much do we love our grandchildren?Grandfathers, let us make sure that God would say the same about us, as He did Abraham.Genesis 18:19For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice…

“Whomever Else You May Send”

David Westbrook
19 May 2024

As I put together our class notes for Exodus, I remembered some similarities between the “Call of Moses” and the “Great Commission.”Exodus 4:12, 13Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.” But he said, “O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.”Moses did not think he could do it, but God knew better. As it turned out, Moses was very courageous, even when his life was threatened.Exodus 10:28, 29“Then Pharaoh said to him, “Get away from me! Take heed to yourself and see my face no more! For in the day, you see my face you shall die!” So, Moses said, “You have spoken well. I will never see your face again.”God knew exactly what he was doing when He chose Moses.Just like Moses, we too have been told to “go.”Matthew 28:19, 20“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.Many in the Church see themselves as Moses did. I call it, “The Moses Complex.” They know and are very familiar with the “Great Commission,” they just wish/hope God will send someone else. Let’s think about this for a minute. What if God does not want someone else to go, He wants you to go? (According to Matthew 28: 19, 20; that is exactly what He wants). What if God promised to be with you, the same as He did Moses? (That is exactly what He promised, Matthew 28:20).Moses made his share of excuses before he finally did as he was told. Regardless of our fears, obeying God will pay off in the end.Exodus 33:11“So, the Lord spoke to Moses, face to face, as a man speaks to his friend…”How about you, are you still making excuses?John 15:14You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.

“Seeing The Finish Line”

David Westbrook
12 May 2024

A 5k run is close enough to 3 miles, to be called 3 miles (as far as I’m concerned). The only way to make a 3 mile run easier, is to run 4 miles. There lies the problem. That 4th mile is a killer! So, how do we make the 4th mile easier? Run 5! It is a never-ending cycle. Running long distances is all about endurance. That lesson should be taken into the Christian life. We should consider the book of Hebrews on this point.Endurance is very difficult when the finish line is nowhere in sight. But the Christian race is not run blindly, we just use a different kind of vision. It’s called Faith! Faith gives us the ability to see the invisible, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is building an ark when warned by God of a flood that was unseen, “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith”(Hebrews 11:7) Faith is believing you will have a child when your well past childbearing age, “By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised” (Hebrews 11:11).My point is this: for you and me to grind out the Christian race when we are tired and weary, we must use our faith to see the finish line, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7, 8).

“Showing Proper Respect”

David Westbrook
5 May 2024

As I was working on our evening sermon, “Questions/Theories Concerning God’s Punishment,” The need to teach in a way that people are not offended was at the front of my mind. It is easy to speak the truth in love, and still use the wrong words, thus, accomplishing nothing. Notice the following Scripture.Acts 17:16“Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols.”The word “Provoked,” means “to irritate, arouse to anger.” I’m bringing this up to show that Paul had some serious feelings towards these people. He did not like what they were doing.As we read his sermon in Acts 17:22-30, you would never know he was that upset. Take note of the way he begins his sermon, “Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious” (Acts 17:22). Paul showed great restraint as he preached to the Athenians. Because of this Paul reached his desired intention, “So Paul departed from among them. However, some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them” (Acts 17:33, 34).Paul’s example is commendable, but speaking from experience, very difficult to follow. Minute by minute our own Nation becomes more and more like Athens. The morals of our Nation have crumbled to almost nothing. But is no excuse! We too must tell people of the one true God. The God, it is obvious, they do not know. If we stop and think before we speak, if we present the gospel of Christ with all respect, we to may see the increase.

“A Comparison Of Prayer”

David Westbrook
28 Apr 2024

I have noticed some things about my prayer life, perhaps you can relate to this as well. When I pray, I seem to focus my prayers on myself. Not selfishly, but on things that involve me personally. The university congregation, finances, my wife, my children, that sort of thing.Have you ever taken notice to Paul’s prayers? One of the things that impresses me about Paul’s prayers is how spiritually focused they are.Philippians 1:9-11“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”It is evident that Paul’s priorities were very different than mine. There isn’t anything selfish about Paul’s prayers, if anything they are extremely selfless.I can’t speak for everyone else, but as for me, I definitely need to reconsider my prayer life. I may live in this world but do not have to be consumed by it. If I’m thinking spiritually as I should, I won’t be consumed by it. If you are having the same problems perhaps this will work for you. I’m going to memorize Colossians 3:1-3, and quote it often.Colossians 3:1-3“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

“By This All Will Know”

David Westbrook
21 Apr 2024

Shortly before His crucifixion Jesus identified a key mark of discipleship. He gave what He called a new commandment. It is a commandment to love one another. By this, He said, all will know who His disciples are. "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34, 35).The Old Testament commanded God's people to love, "You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord" (Leviticus 19:18). So, this is not just another command to love one another in John 13:34, 35. It seems to me that Jesus is calling His disciples to a higher standard of love. He stated, "As I have loved you, you also love one another." So, this is patterned after the Lord's love for us. Am I being too bold by saying this a sacrificial love? We might consider the following verses: "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends," "By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed, and in truth" (John 15:13; 1 John 3:16-18). The following should also be noted, "Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering, and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma" (Ephesians 5:1, 2). We see this love demonstrated in Acts 2:44, 45. The church sold their possessions and gave to everyone who had need. I actually saw this love demonstrated once as my brethren left their houses late in the evening on a holiday to go and help a brother in need. Note that I said, "I saw it demonstrated." This is a visible love! Jesus said, "All will know you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." So, this is a visible, observable love. It goes beyond the walls of the local church building. One of the ways we show our discipleship and faithfulness is in our giving. Note the following: "Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, if you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31, 32).The Lord has given us a way to let the world know that we are His disciples, that we are different from everybody else in the world who does not obey His commands. It is a very powerful and persuasive tool. The sacrificial love that we have for one another is as the love Christ has for us.

“Where Does Modesty Come From?”

David Westbrook
14 Apr 2024

The seasons are changing and if you have not noticed, so is the clothing. I am fully aware that what is good for the gander, is good for the goose. I hope you will over look the fact that I’m viewing this subject from a male perspective. Being of the male gender (which is never going to change), it is the only perspective that I have.1 Timothy 2:9, 10in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works?There is a lot more than hemlines and string bikinis mentioned in the above verses. This is about the mind. Paul’s reasoning is that if the mind is right, what people choose to ware will take care of itself. “In modest apparel, with propriety and moderation.” The word “propriety” is an interesting word. It means, “to use correct moral behavior.” Therefore, a woman’s dress will be a reflection of their mind.Modesty begins when we obey the gospel. Our perspective and attitude changes when we wash the old person away in the waters of baptism. The gospel changes everything about us, it redefines us. The natural result is that our view on the clothing we wear changes.When we leave the house on any given day, perhaps we should check ourselves. Am I dressed in “modest apparel, with propriety and moderation” or, do I look like everybody else?

“The Reward”

David Westbrook
7 Apr 2024

The book of Nehemiah concludes on this note:“Thus, I cleansed them of everything pagan. I also assigned duties to the priests and the Levites, each to his service, and to bringing the wood offering and the firstfruits at appointed times. Remember me, O my God, for good!” (Nehemiah 13:30, 31). This may not be the ending we would want to read, considering everything Nehemiah endured. We would think it would be far more dramatic. But this ending was all Nehemiah was hoping for. He had finished his work. He had restored both the physical and spiritual walls of Jerusalem. That was his goal.All Nehemiah wanted was God’s approval. Had he been after the approval of the people he would not have succeeded. Only a leader who sought God’s approval in every decision would make the stand that he did. He certainly wasn’t worried about anyone’s feelings. “So, I contended with them and cursed them, struck some of them and pulled out their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, “You shall not give your daughters as wives to their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons or yourselves” (Nehemiah 13:25).So, to all the elders, deacons, fathers, mothers, and lowly preachers who feel unloved because they stand for truth, I encourage you to read the last words of Nehemiah regularly. “Remember me, O my God, for good!” (Nehemiah 13:31).

“How Much Are We Worth To God?”

David Westbrook
31 Mar 2024

King David knew that his son Solomon had been appointed the task of building the temple. He did everything he could to help Solomon before he passed away.1 Chronicles 22:14Indeed, I have taken much trouble to prepare for the house of the Lord one hundred thousand talents of gold and one million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond measure, for it is so abundant. I have prepared timber and stone also, and you may add to them.I did not figure up the worth of everything that king David mentioned, but I did investigate the gold. A “talent” is an ancient measurement of weight, that is said to have been around 70 pounds. According to the internet, 70 pounds of gold would be worth $2,092,660 on today’s market. David gave 100,000 talents. On today’s market this would be 2.09266e11. I have no idea how much that is, except to say, it is in the billions (ask Sam Dooley for correct answer).Here is my point.The temple Solomon built, with all its wealth and stature, is gone. Never to return. Another temple stands today that no dollar sign known to man can measure. Its true wealth exceeds man’s imagination, because it was not built by man’s imagination.1 Peter 2:4, 5Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.As God’s people, we are the “living stones” of the temple. The temple that Solomon built can not match our beauty and worth.1 Peter 1:18, 19Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.So, how much are we worth to God? Brothers and sisters, the King didn’t just empty His treasury for us, He gave the most precious thing He had.John 3:16For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

“The God Of Our Own Image”

David Westbrook
24 Mar 2024

A preacher once made the following statement, “Hell is not a place that God sends people to that He’s mad at. Hell is the place where people choose to pay their own bill.” Many of our brethren think this way, because they do not like the idea of God being a consuming fire, or even being angry. If we make God out to be what we want Him to be, instead of who He actually is, what have we made Him? An Idol! God is no longer shaping us into what He wants us to be, we are shaping God into what we want Him to be. This is not the transformation God is Looking for in His children.Let us be careful what we post, like, and share, on the internet. When someone is attempting to make a Biblical statement using Scripture, we need to read it carefully before doing anything with it. Let us not be deceived by the idol makers of our age. And there are plenty of them! The true transformation in the minds of God’s children only comes when we understand the fullness, the depth, the complexity, and the transcendence of the one true God of the Bible.Ephesians 5:5-7For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore, do not be partakers with them.

“Why Some Grow Stronger”

David Westbrook
17 Mar 2024

Christians who have suffered much seem to go in one of two directions. They either become bitter and lose their faith in God, or their faith grows and they become increasingly thankful and dependent on God.The first group we see quite often. It isn’t hard to understand why people go the direction they do. Hardships and trials can pull the best of people down. The other group, however, grabs our attention. As I work my way through the book of Job, I am increasingly amazed at how someone who endured what he did kept his integrity. If I had to endure even a quarter of what he did, I am afraid it would have broken my spirit severely.What is it about people like Job, that their faith not only survives but thrives under these circumstances? This has been discussed many times in our Tuesday night class on the book of Job. My conclusion is this, these people made a choice. Their choice was/is to focus on God and His blessings. They have disciplined themselves to give thanks to God for how He has helped them through every trial. As a result, they see God’s hand at work in their lives more and more with every trial.I would say that this is a good example for all of us to follow. Let us discipline ourselves in every trial and think about God’s blessings in our lives. “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy” (Psalm 107:1, 2).

“How Many Ways to Heaven”

Frank Dunn
10 Mar 2024

Heaven must be a wonderful place, where there will be no tears, no pain, no more death; no sorrow (Rev.21:4). Surely everyone who believes in heaven wants to go there. But we hear people say, “It doesn’t matter what you believe, we’re all going to the same place. Strange as it may seem, we are all going to the same place. We are all on our way to meet God in the Judgement! “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement” (Heb.9:25). The most important question is: How can I prepare to meet Him, so that God will say to me, “Come, ye blessed, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34).Men say there are many ways to heaven, let each person choose his own way. Jesus taught there is only one way—His way—the way of faith and obedience. “No one cometh to the Father but by me” (John 4:6). “There is one body (His church), one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all” (Ephesians 4:4-6). Christ is the “Author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him” (Hebrews 5:9). Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16), also “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life”. (Rev. 2:10).All who continue to live in faithful obedience to the word of Christ will be saved.

“An Extension of Take A Good Look”

David Westbrook
3 Mar 2024

Last week in our evening services, we had a discussion title, “Take A Good Look.” There were some things that I had planned to mention in that lesson that I chose not to. I would like to share one of those with you now.If a person is a part of the Body of Christ, and they think to themselves concerning Sunday worship, Bible class, or even Wednesday night Bible class, “Do I Really Have To Be There?” We need to slow down and take a good look at ourselves. We need to seriously ask ourselves, “Why Would I Think Such A Thing?” For the sake of soul, where else would a Christian want to be?Let me remind everyone that what we think in the deep recesses of our mind is who we really are. Something is definitely spiritually wrong with the Christian who does not want to gather with the saints.I’m not going to pretend that I have the ability to psychoanalyze people. But I do know that much of this has to do with human selfishness. With that in mind, let me remind us all, of some basic Biblical facts.Hebrews 13:17Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.The elders are charged with the responsibility of the local congregation they serve. They are to, “…. Shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). Shepherding requires that they provide the necessary teaching to bring the flock to spiritual maturity. That means that when the elders set a day and time for the Church to assemble, to be spiritually fed, the Church is obligated to be there. If I am a member of any congregation and I am rebelling against that, for any reason, I need to stop and take a good look! I need to ask myself, WHY? If I can’t come to a conclusion that will satisfy God, not myself, then I have come to the wrong conclusion.

“Our Part In An Unfinished History”

David Westbrook
25 Feb 2024

Acts 28:30, 31Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.This is how the book of Acts ends. It ends with a lot of unfinished history. What happened to Paul? Is he released from prison? Does he die in prison? Why didn’t Luke write the complete history and tell us how it all ends? Probably because he did not know. Most likely Luke sent this letter out before he knew how it would all end.Ultimately, it does not really matter what happened to Paul, because the history given to mankind in the book of Acts is not about Paul. It is about Jesus Christ and the spreading of the gospel. What is important concerning Paul is that he was in Rome, the capital city of the Roman empire, and he was free to proclaim the Kingdom of God and teach the gospel of Christ without hindrance.That’s what the book of Acts is all about. Nothing can stop the spreading of the gospel of Christ, not sorcerers, not prison, not beatings, not stoning, not shipwreck, not poisonous snakes. NOTHING!Since this is what the book of Acts is all about, then you and I are definitely a part of this history. If nothing could stop the spreading of the gospel then, nothing can stop it now. May God bless our efforts that the gospel will continue to be spread today, as it has for the last 2,000 years.

“A Shortage of Preachers”

David Westbrook
18 Feb 2024

Many have asked me over the years, “why do we have a shortage of preachers in the church, when our preaching schools are graduating students every year?” I have answered that question in different ways depending on the mood that I, and the person I was talking to, were in at the time. Sometimes I would mention the abuse that many preachers experience from low pay, impossible congregational expectations, unjust and unreasonable criticism. Because of this, many leave the ministry over a broken heart. Other times I have mentioned the success syndrome. I remember a song that Waylon and Willie put out called, “Mammas don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys.” It would Suprise you how many parents don’t want their children to grow up to be preachers. There is no money in it. All parents want their children to grow up to be successful. That leads me to believe that people spell success in different ways. How do you spell it? “Success” or “$ucce$$”The above statements, no preacher would deny are true. But there are a few things that men are taught when they enter this profession that seem to quickly be forgotten when the going gets rough. (And it will get rough)!2 Timothy 4:5But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.Colossians 4:17And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.Acts 6:4but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”Another reason that I have mentioned, and is truer today than ever, is laziness. Young men today, simply are not willing to do the work. They are not willing to sacrifice the hours that it takes to do the job. I know what most people think, “preachers only work one day a week.” From their perspective, “all preachers are lazy and over paid.” When I hear people make those kinds of comments, that’s when I want to quit! Let me put this into a perspective that I think all will understand.1. The average sermon contains 5, 000 words. (Note that I said average).2. Most preachers deliver at least 90 sermons per year.3. This is a total of 450,000 words per year.Now, let’s do some comparisons. The average full-length novel contains 50,000 words. That means that a preacher who is doing his job, produces nine full-length novels every year. In 20 years, a preacher produces the equivalent of 180 full-length novels. In 50 years (if he last that long) he would have written 450 full-length novels.(Please note: these are pulpit sermons only! The number of books produced in classroom preparation, would astonish you)!How many professional writers do you suppose could produce nine full novels each year, using the same basic theme, without sinking to the depths of repetition and boredom? If you can do it, I would like for you to think for a moment about the hours of study, research, and preparation that it takes to pull off a stunt like that. Now, hopefully, all can understand what I mean when I say, “preachers are lazy today.”The following is from Moses E. Lard.“No other calling pursued by man imposes burdens more numerous, nor burdens so weighty. No responsibilities are so heavy as those of the preacher; and where else can duties be found of a nature so delicate, and requiring in their performance so much skill?”Now you know why the church of Christ has a shortage of preachers.

“Peace And Truth Come At A Cost”

David Westbrook
11 Feb 2024

Hezekiah was one of the greatest kings in Judah; or so I used to think. Maybe I should say, he was one of the better kings in Judah. Hezekiah seems like a good and godly person. So, why would he make such a selfish statement as he did to the prophet Isaiah?Isaiah 39:5-8Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord of hosts: ‘Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left,’ says the Lord. ‘And they shall take away some of your sons who will descend from you, whom you will beget; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon”. So, Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord which you have spoken is good!” For he said, “At least there will be peace and truth in my days.” How could such a man as Hezekiah make a statement like that?As I thought about these things it occurred to me, maybe I shouldn’t be shocked over this. Maybe statements like this are more common in our day than in Hezekiah’s. How many good and godly preachers in our day, see the signs of liberalism growing in their own congregations and say, “at least their will be peace and truth in my days?” And not just preachers. We all have heard people say things in a Bible class that show a complete misunderstanding of God’s word, and we say, “at least their will be peace and truth in my days,” without any concern for future generations.I can’t speak for every Christian in every congregation, but I can speak for every preacher. From our standpoint, we know that if we confront these issues either privately or publicly, we run a high chance of being asked to leave. Perhaps this is true for the Christian sitting in the pew of any given congregation as well. They simply do not want trouble. So, they say to themselves, “at least there will be peace and truth in my days.”Every Christian in every congregation around the globe is faced with the same decision. At some point we must all decide whether God’s glory is worth more than our peace. We must decide whether truth will triumph over our comfort. Surely, our eternal reward in heaven is worth whatever injuries we suffer for it in this life.

“Three Great Rules For Life”

David Westbrook
4 Feb 2024

If you think about it, all of man’s actions are governed by rules of behavior. These rules, determine how we act under certain conditions. These rules can be categorized.A. Iron Rule: "Might makes right."B. Silver Rule: "Do no evil to others."C. Golden Rule: As explained by Christ, “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise” (Luke 6:31).A very good illustration of these can be seen in the "The parable of The Good Samaritan." The parable is given, in answer to a certain lawyer who asked "Who is my neighbor?"IRON RULEThe "Iron Rule" is seen in the thieves, “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead” (Luke 10:30) There attitude could be stated this way, “I want that; this is mine; I’m going to take it!” It is also called “The lust of want!” Or, as Paul would put it, “For the love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10).SILVER RULEThe "Silver Rule" is seen in the priest and Levite. “Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise, a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came, and looked, and passed by on the other side” (Luke 10:31, 32). Neither one of them was responsible for the man’s plight. Neither one did him any harm. What they did, was mind their own business. They didn’t want to get involved, so they left him there and did nothing. Jesus spoke about those who live by the "Silver Rule," as He taught about the division of the "Sheep & Goats" on Judgement Day. “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me” (Matthew 25:41-43).THE GOLDEN RULEThe "Golden Rule" is seen in the actions of the Samaritan. “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So, he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you” (Luke 10:33-35). The Samaritans were a half bloodRace, hated by the Jews. The last person the priest and a Levite expected to stop and help, a Jew.What the Samaritan had that they lacked, was pure and genuine love. Paul wrote of this "Love" in Romans 12:10 “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.”Jesus ended His parable with a charge, "Go and do likewise" (Luke 10:37). That charge holds true to this day. Jesus didn’t merely speak a parable, He put the parable into action. “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38) You and I should not feel that any service to others, is below us. Let us strive always to live by the "The Golden Rule."

“Being Mentally Strong”

David Westbrook
28 Jan 2024

At times the anxieties of this world can be overwhelming and if we are not careful, they will consume us. The ace card for the devil is his ability to influence our minds and cause us to feel defeated and disheartened so that we will simply give up on Christianity. This is why Solomon wrote, "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life" (Proverb 4:23). Every Christian must learn how to keep his mind out of the hands of the devil. We must develop mental strength necessary to keep from allowing him to influence our minds for evil. Here are a few ways to do that.Trust God! The key to being mentally strong is to realize that our strength does not come from within us; it comes from God. David wrote, "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; in whom I will trust… " (Psalm 18:2). Paul prayed that the Colossian and Ephesian brethren would be strengthened by the Father (Ephesians 3:16; Colossians 1:9-11). That needs to be our request daily. God has promised that He will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5) no matter what happens. Put your faith in God and trust that He will take care of you.Win over worry! One study said that Americans consume over 16 tons of aspirin every year because of stress and stress related health issues. We do ourselves a great disservice whenever we stress ourselves out by worrying about things that either do not matter or are beyond our ability to control. The mentally strong Christian is one who does not worry about things that he or she cannot control. Sickness, financial emergencies or how people treat us are things we have very little control over. The Apostle Paul wrote, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6). Trust God, live faithfully, and let Him do the rest.Develop a sense of motivation. We should never fall into the trap of waiting around on everyone else to do what they are going to do so that we can do whatever it is that we need to do. The person who has the ability to kick himself into action, regardless of what everyone else is doing, is a person who has real mental strength. Paul mentioned his self-motivation in Philippians 3:14 when he wrote, "I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." People will let you down and not everyone will be on board with doing what is right. While that breaks our heart, it cannot discourage us from doing what we know needs to be done.Develop self-control. Having control over oneself is vital to true mental strength. The fact is that we cannot control anyone other than ourselves-our thoughts, behavior, words, etc. Mistakes happen, situations spiral out of control, and people hurt us. The mentally strong Christian realizes that all these things are a part of living, and they do not allow themselves to give in and give up. God wants self-control to be a part of our Christian arsenal (2 Peter 1:6). He does not want us to lash out in anger or give ourselves over to the desires of the flesh (Ephesians 2:3). His will for us is that we bring ourselves under His control, and we do not allow our weaknesses to get the best of us during difficult times.Endure hardships patiently. Every faithful Christian knows that hardship is a reality of life. Paul promised that all faithful followers of Christ will suffer (2 Timothy 3:12). The mentally strong Christian understands this, and he endures hardship patiently (1 Peter 2:19-23). It is easy to give up when the battle is at its hottest. But, we must calmly and patiently endure reproach, just as our Savior did. In so doing we have the confidence that our God will see us through and will avenge our suffering (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).

“Why Was The Bible Written?”

David Westbrook
21 Jan 2024

That's an honest question. Though, there is no one single answer to the question, the Bible testifies of itself, as to why it was written and given to man. "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn and confirmed that I will keep Your righteous judgments" (Psalm 119:105, 106). Obviously, it was written to bring light unto man. When you think of light, think of knowledge. "How that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge of the mystery of Christ), which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets" (Ephesians 3:3-5). When you think of revelation, think of that which has been revealed. What does the Bible reveal to man? Let's look at some things.First, the Bible reveals things to us about God. "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse" (Romans 1:20). Compare that thought with the following Psalm, "The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork" (Psalm 19:1). Now, consider the world that you and I live in. Did it all come about by chance or is there intelligent design behind it all?Speaking of nature, the Bible also reveals the nature of God. We can begin that thought with a simple verse. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). Many things about God are revealed in that one verse. It reveals to us God's holiness, faithfulness, truthfulness, and power.Because these traits belong to God, He has revealed some things about man, that he needs to know about himself. "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them" (Genesis 1:27). Now, let's couple that thought with the following from the New Testament. "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26). Man is not like an animal. He doesn’t survive only on instinct. Man has intellect, he has emotions, he has self-will, and he has a soul. Because of that, God has revealed through His word things that man must know. Since man is self-willed, having the ability to make decisions for himself, man is free to reject any and all information that has been revealed. But that does not change the nature of God. He must, by His very nature, reveal to man what sin is.As we consider sin, we should understand that man has no way of knowing what sin is on his own. "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20). God has clearly revealed what sin is. He has also revealed its consequences. "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear" (Isaiah 59:2). "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). God is just. He revealed to man, through His word, who his savior is. "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone" (Hebrews 2:9).God has revealed His saving grace to us through His word. I leave you with one final pleading from the Apostle Paul. "We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:1, 2).

“What Does The Lord Require Of You?”

David Westbrook
14 Jan 2024

The question, “What does the Lord require of you” is ancient. It is also just as vital today as when it was first asked. What we find is that the Lord requires the same things from His children today as He did in the long ago. Where we get into a problem is when we confuse the question. The question is not “what do other people require of us,” or “what do we require of ourselves.” Most of the time, that is vastly different than what God requires.Deuteronomy 10:12“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,As can be easily seen, this verse of Scripture outlines itself.When we think of “fear” we should be thinking of solemnity, awe, adoration, and honor. Many today have no reverence for God at all. They go out of their way to find opportunities to mock and ridicule Him.To “walk in all His ways” means to obey Him completely without any addition or subtraction from His divine will. Obedience to God is not simply promising to do it. This fact is demonstrated in Israel’s actions concerning JerichoHebrews 11:30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.The requirement to “love Him” is not simply putting a bumper sticker on the car that says, “I Heart Jesus!” It involves obedience – John 14:15, loving His children – 1 John 4:20, 21, enduring temptation – James 1:12, caring for the less fortunate – 1 John 3:17, not loving the world – 1 John 2:15-17.To “serve the Lord your God” means to place oneself into voluntary servitude. To surrender everything to God in complete reliance upon Him.“What does the Lord require of you?” Quite a bit! But it isn’t any more than God has ever required from any of His children. When we consider what the Lord has done for us, He really isn’t asking that much.

“The Loss Of A Good Woman”

David Westbrook
7 Jan 2024

Christian women from the 1940s were not taught that to be successful or significant in this world, they needed to get a degree, or hold same high position. Women of the body of Christ that were raised back then were taught something completely different. They were taught to give. To dedicate their lives to being godly wives and mothers. Those women did not look for handouts. They found ways to give the handouts. “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38).Many of these women are approaching the end of their lives upon this earth. Some have already moved on. I believe this is a great loss for the Church of Christ. Who will take their place? Who will teach these attributes to the young woman of today?To all who have known, loved, and lost someone special to you, I give you the following poem.“The angels gathered near your bed, so very close to you for they knew your pain and suffering, what you were going through. I thought about so many things as I held your hand. Oh how I wished that you were strong and happy once again. But your eyes were looking homeward to the place beyond the sky, where Jesus held His outreached arms; it was time to say good-by. I struggled with my selfish thoughts for I wanted you to stay, so we could walk again; like we did just yesterday. But Jesus knew the answer and I knew He loved you so. I gave to you the greatest gift I could possibly give; the gift of letting go. Now my heart will carry memories of the love you gave to me, until we meet again in heaven; where the best is yet to be”C. Johnson