“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4.12, ESV)¹

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¹Are you a young Christian? Then there is much work for you to do! Don’t ever think you’re not able to serve the Lord in your youth. Paul told Timothy, a young Christian, to set an example in the way you talk, the way you act, in the way you love and serve others, in the faith you have in God, and in your moral standing before God.

Do you need help improving in these areas? Reach out to us! E-mail Bryan Garlock, message us on Facebook, or text 903.308.4905.

Judges 13:2-21; 2 Peter 2:10-11; Jude 8-9; Zech. 3:1-2¹

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¹Angels are greater in might and power than we are, yet in the accounts above, we can learn a valuable lesson from their actions.

Even though we are people created by God, and then as Christians, a people for God’s own possession, we frequently make an unnatural separation between ourselves and our God.  We put off our “selves” to put on Christ, yet that old man continues to creep back into our lives and make decisions and take actions that are not from our Savior.

This is where the angels above provide an example for us to follow.

Samson’s father wanted to pay respect and honor to the heavenly messenger who foretold his son’s birth.  The angel knew his place.  He knew his position.  He knew he was simply a servant and messenger of God and refused such an offer.  He redirected Samson’s father to the only One worthy of honor, Jehovah God.

Peter’s warnings about false teachers who carelessly revile is contracted to angels who, though mightier and more powerful, do not bring a reviling judgment before the Lord.

And even Michael, the archangel, in his dispute with the Devil would only state, “The Lord rebuke thee!”

We too are subject to God and only servants and messengers of our Heavenly Father and our Savior.  We must be careful not to separate and exalt ourselves and assume too much power or authority.  When someone wished to honor us, is it not God who rightly deserves the glory?  Is it not He who is the source of all our successes and accomplishments?  Is it not proper to redirect that honor to Him?

When we are filled with “righteous indignation”, do we revile against others?  Do we take it upon ourselves to make a personal rebuke?  Our do we, like Michael, in matters that clearly belong in His realm, defer the condemnation to the true judge?

Let us remember who we are.  Let us keep our proper place.  Let us remember we are simply men, servants of the Almighty God, and insure the One who is our judge is given everything that is properly His.

We want to study with you! Message us on Facebook, e-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905.

The above was written by one of our members, Bill Brittenham.

“What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4.9, ESV)¹

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¹Though Jesus has all authority (Matt. 28.18), He has delegated authority to His apostles and commanded us to listen to and obey them. To begin with, Jesus prayed that people would believe in Him through their [the apostles’] word (John 17.20). Further, He told His apostles, “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me” (Matt. 10.40, ESV) and “The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me” (Luke 10.16, ESV) and finally, “if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town” (Matt. 10.14, ESV).

Hence, we are to follow the “apostles’ doctrine (teachings)” (Acts 2.42). However, we must understand that their teachings (that must be obeyed) came from Jesus (Matt. 10.19-20; John 14.26; 16.13, 1 Cor. 2.10-13, 16; 1 Cor. 14.37; 1 Thess. 2.13; etc.).

Simply put, “We [the apostles] are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error” (1 John 4.6, ESV).

Not only are we to obey them, but we are to imitate (follow) the example of the apostles as well. Paul said, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11.1, ESV).

Are you listening to and obeying the apostles of Jesus Christ? Are you following their faith? God included these things in His word for our learning! Only when we practice these things will the God of peace be with us!

E-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905 if you’re interested in learning more about the apostles’ doctrine!