Barnes church of Christ

Is it not true that men living today have the exact same inspired instructions which were sent by the apostles and prophets to the Christians in the first century which taught them matters pertaining to the church? If men today have the very same instructions to build the church as did the early Christians, then why cannot those of us today build according to this same “blueprint” and become not merely like that church, but become that church?

Suppose a man builds a house from a blueprint and then stores the blueprint in a safe deposit box at a bank. Several years later the house is destroyed by fire. Upon obtaining and using the blueprint from the bank, a second house is built. Would not the second house be exactly alike in design as the original? Neither time nor the existence of several hundred differently designed houses would prevent that second house from being just like the first.

Likewise, when using the same religious blueprint for the early church, neither time nor the existence of several hundred differently designed denominations could prevent the rebuilding of that original church. Yes, we all have the same inspired instructions, which, even through the passing of time, can lead men today to build and become the church as it was built by Jesus and the apostles.
Gary Henson

Jesus, as the Son of God and Savior of man, stands at the door and knocks. Jesus did His part in providing a way for mankind to be forgiven of sin, now we must do our part. So we ask, “What must I do to be saved?”
The answer to this question must come from the Bible, because the Bible and the Bible only is our authority in religion, and by it we shall be judged. Also, in order to have the Bible’s true teaching on any question, we must gather all the verses of the Bible on that subject–without adding extra thoughts of our own, nor ignoring any verse which has something to add to the subject (Revelation 22:18-19).
What then, is the Bible’s answer to the question, “What must I do to be saved?”
First, are you convinced that Jesus is the Son of God? If yes, then listen to the words of 1 Corinthians 1:21, “It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” But is that all you must do to be saved? No. Why? Because there are other verses that tell us other things that we must do to be saved, and, as we see in Revelation 22:18-19, we cannot ignore them in order to get God’s answer.
Before we look at one of those verses, consider this: Two robbers were caught. While in jail, the first man’s heart did not change. He was not sorry for being a robber. When he got out of jail, he was going right back to robbing. But the second man’s heart changed. He was sorry for being a robber. He made up his mind to never do it again. In regard to your sinning against God, which of the two robbers describes you? The first? And, therefore, you are not sorry for what you have done; nor, will you change your mind nor your ways? Or, does the second robber describe you? You are sorry for what you have done, and you have or will change your heart and you ways? If you are like the second, then hear the words of 2 Corinthians 7:10: “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation.” In order to be saved, you must repent. If the second robber describes you, then you have done this, haven’t you?
Two paragraphs above, it was pointed out that, in order to be saved, you must believe that Jesus is the Son of God. If you believe this, would you not be willing to state that fact? Perhaps you already have. If so, consider what Romans 10:9-10 says: “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus…thou shalt be saved. For…with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” If you have not made this confession, it is not difficult for one who knows it is to be done.
Believe, repent, confess. If you have done all this, there is only one more thing you must do. It is stated in Mark 16:16. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” What is it that you must do in order to be saved? Be baptized.
Romans 6:4 explains what baptism is: “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism….” Baptism is a burial in water. A person is to be completely put under the water–not merely sprinkled or poured upon.
Also consider the teaching of Acts 2:38. “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission [forgiveness] of sins.” What are you to do in order to have your sins forgiven? Be baptized.
Then, in Acts 22:16, we read, “And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins.” What washes away your sins? Baptism.
Also, 1 Peter 3:21 tells us, “Whereunto even baptism doth also now save us.” What saves you? Baptism.
We have asked the question, “What must I do to be saved?” And what does God say? As you have seen for yourself: you must believe that Jesus is the Son of God; you must repent; you must confess that you believe Jesus is the Son of God; and, you must be baptized for the forgiveness of sins.
Gary Henson

Psalm 19:9. “His (the sun) going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.“ (written about 1000 B.C.).
Facts: The telescope was invented in 1609 A.D. It was proven that the sun was in orbit around the center of a galaxy in 1927.
Conclusion: Since it was impossible for man to have known that the sun was in an orbit until 1609, then the information contained in Psalm 19:5-6 could only have been written by God.
A Few Others
1st Law Of Thermodynamics
Genesis 2:1………………………1400 BC
Discovered:………………………1870 AD
Countless Stars
Jeremiah 33:22…………………..600 BC
Discovered:……………….after 1609AD
Sound Waves of Stars
Job 38:7………………….at least 400 BC
Discovered:………………………1942 AD
Hydrologic Cycle
Ecclesiastes 1:7…………………..960 BC
Discovered:………………………1040 AD

Gary Henson
Jesus–
Our Perfect Friend

Jesus supplies our needs.
Matthew 15:32 / Matthew 6:33
Jesus comforts the bereaved.
Luke 7:12-15 / 1 Thes 4:13-18
Jesus consoles the troubled.
Luke 12:4 / Philippians 4:7
Jesus gives words to help us live.
John 6:68; 10:10
Jesus never deserts His followers.
Matthew 28:20
Jesus relives guilt.
Hebrews 9:14; 10:22
Jesus helps marriages.
Ephesians 5:22-33 / 1 Cor 13:4-7
Jesus helps parent-child relations.
Colossians 3:20-21 / Ephesians 6:1-4
Jesus gives us friends.
1 John 1:3, 7
Jesus gives us Hope and purpose.
Titus 2:13
Jesus gave His life so we could live.
John 15:13

Gary Henson

1. …the inspired Word of _ tells us so.
   [Read: 2 Timothy 3:15-16].
2. …His __ manifested it.
   [Read: John 20:30-31].
3. …He fulfilled all the __ about the Son of God on earth.
   [Read: Luke 24:25-27; (Note: Mat. 1:23; Heb. 1:8)].
4. …God the _ declared it.
   [Read: Matthew 3:17].
5. …He existed in the __.
   [Read: John 1:1,14].
6. …He ______ all things.
   [Read: John 1:3; Genesis 1:1].
7. ….He lived perfectly, never once committing _.
   [Read: 1 Peter 2:21-22].
8. …He _ all things.
   [Read: John 16:30].
9. …His __ from the dead declared that He is the Son of God.
   [Read: Romans 1:4].
   Gary Henson

Their Ears are open to the cries for help from a lost and dying world.
Their Eyes are ever searching for a receptive heart in which to plant the word of God.
Their Lips are always ready and willing to proclaim the glory of God.
Their Hands are always turning the pages of God’s word, seeking His will.
Their Feet are on the move to carry out the words of Christ in preaching the gospel to every creature.
Their Hearts are breaking with the urgency to reach the lost before it is too late.
Their Heads are bowed in prayer to the Father in heaven, seeking wisdom.
Their Faces glow with the hope that lives in them.
Their Lives are like the light of a city set upon a hill that cannot be hid.
They are the Light of the world. In Christ they live and move and have their being.

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplication, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men” (1 Tim. 2:1). While this verse sets forth four words to identify the attitude and contents of our prayers, it also reveals the subjects of the prayer: all men. Thus, our prayer is not to be limited only for ourselves, but is to be extended toward: saints and sinners; high and low; countrymen and foreigners. The Golden Rule compels it. (Mat. 7:12). The Great Commandment demands it (Mat. 22:39). Specifically then, for whom are we to pray?
We are to pray for our BRETHREN. James 5:16 admonishes to “pray one for another.” The church prayed for Peter (Acts 12:5), and Paul prayed for others (Col. 1:3; 2 Thes. 1:11) and asked others to pray for him (Eph. 6:19). May we be sure to pray for the spiritual condition and the spiritual work of one another, as well as their health and welfare.
Pray for those in DARKNESS. Jesus taught us to pray for the lost (Mat. 9:36-38). Of all things may we pray that men be saved! Pray for open doors; pray for workers in the work; pray for receptive hearts. While we cannot “pray a person into heaven,” we need to pray for their opportunity to hear the soul saving message.
Pray for the SICK and NEEDY. “Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him…” (Jam. 5:14). Let’s pray for the ill; and as we become ill, let’s notify the church so that prayer can be made for us. We ought also to pray for the poor (Gal. 2:10), for their way is full of hardship.
Pray for our ENEMIES (Mat. 5:44)–not that they flourish (Psa. 73) but that they would come to repentance and be saved (Luke 23:34).
Pray for CIVIL LEADERS that they may enact laws which would not be hostile toward Christianity, but would rather permit it to flourish (1 Tim. 2:2).
Truly, as 1 Timothy 2:1 exhorts us, whether in private or in public, let us pray for all men.
Gary Henson

1. Make your visit short. The more ill they are, the shorter the visit. The ill need their rest.
2. Visit at an opportune time. [Not during meals, tests, or therapy].
3. Smile; be cheerful. A cheerful disposition makes another cheerful. Yet this does not mean to be a circus clown. They would think you have no idea of how they are feeling.
4. Speak softly, yet audibly; avoid loud laughing.
5. Usually you will already know what the medical problem is, but if you don’t know, and unless you are very close to the person–don’t ask. It might be something, that to them, is embarrassing If they want you to know, they will tell you.
6. Do not suggest a “sure cure” to the patient. With some problems, there certainly may be other treatments that have helped some people, but you might, outside the room, suggest to a relative about reading up on it.
7. When a person is in pain or very ill, do not expect him to converse. Simply step in, smile, wish him well, and, if any of the family walks out with you, you can then visit with them.
8. In the presence of one apparently sleeping or unconscious, never say what you do not want them to hear. They may not be sleeping.
9. If they are asleep, do not awaken them. Leave a note.
10. Sometimes, other visitors will engage in a long conversation with you. Don’t let this happen. Direct your attention to the one that is ill.
11. Make your visit personal, not professional. You are there because you care about him;–let it be obvious to them.
12. Leave on a cheery and comforting “get well wish.”
    Gary Henson

“Compliment,” as defined by Webster’s is “an expression of esteem, respect, affection, or admiration; esp: a flattering remark.”

The Bible makes clear that the compliments of a flatterer are nothing. In a condemning manner, the Psalmist remarked that the wicked “flatter with their tongue” (Psa. 5:9; Cf. 1 Thess. 2:5).

However, Jesus never issued a vain compliment for He was perfect (1 Jn. 3:5) and He knew what was in man (Jn. 2:25). Thus, we can learn from the compliments which He gave to others (who can be examples to us).

Compliment #1. Jesus complimented Nathaniel for his guilelessness (Jn. 1:47). Although the Jews were God’s chosen people, they had (under the guise of appearing devout) become quite corrupt by “changing” God’s laws to fit how they wanted to serve God (Mt. 15:9). Yet, in the midst of such people, was one who was without deceit, fraud and hypocrisy. Let us dare to be such in our time.

Compliment #2. Jesus complimented the Roman Centurion for his great faith (Matt. 8: 5-10). The stress which the Bible puts upon the role of faith is immense (Heb. 11; Rom. 3:25; etc.). This centurion was not even a Jew, yet, Jesus said that his faith was greater than He had found in Israel. Let it not be said of you that the faith of someone in denominationalism is greater than yours.

Compliment #3. Jesus complimented the poverty stricken widow for her liberality (Mk. 12:41-44). As Jesus “called unto him his disciples” (v.43) to observe her example, so does He call His disciples today to learn about giving of oneself first.

While it is nice to be complimented by others, what a special honor these three had by being complimented by the Lord Himself! However, if you are one without guile, and/or who gives of yourself—would you no less receive the same compliment?

Think on these things.

Gary Henson