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Seven Baptisms in Two Weeks: What I Have Learned

Baptism

The power of the heart-pricking message of the gospel has been clearly seen in the past few days at East Hill. Since two Wednesdays ago, we have rejoiced with seven individuals who have put on their Lord in baptism (three of which were in one Wednesday night!), and we have prayed with and been encouraged by one sister who wished to rededicate her life to the Lord! These eight precious souls have served as a motivation for us all to examine and re-examine ourselves spiritually (2 Cor. 13:5).

Do we realize the potential of one obedient soul? I’m talking about our influence. This past Wednesday evening, I was talking with five of these new, young Christians. I asked them: “Do you see what you’re capable of?? Look at what has been sparked here by your decision to obey the gospel!” They smiled and agreed. These eight souls have influenced one another and, through their actions, have exhorted all of us to secure our souls in Christ. I see at least three lessons that I can learn from them.

[highlight]1. NO ONE IS AN ISLAND.[/highlight]
Over the past few days, we have been eye witnesses to the fact that our actions influence other people. Two sisters in the flesh became sisters in Christ because of this truth! However, let us learn this lesson both in the positive way and in the negative way. Just as one person’s obedience can encourage another to obey, so can one person’s disobedience influence another person to disobey God. Christians are to shine like the lights of a city on a hill or a lamp on a lampstand (Mat. 5:14-16; Phil. 2:15). No one can deny it: our actions affect other people.

[highlight]2. YOU ARE NOT ALONE.[/highlight]
Satan wants us to feel isolated because we are Christians, as though there is no one else in the world who struggles with sin. The truth is, you are not alone in your struggles. Paul said that temptation is common to all men (1 Cor. 10:13). The blood of Christ can wash our sins away (Acts 9:22)! God’s mercy can restore us back to faithfulness (1 John 1:9)!

[highlight]3. DO NOT WAIT TO OBEY THE GOSPEL.[/highlight]
The longer you procrastinate with petty excuses, the longer you waste precious time for your soul to be saved and for you to fulfill the purpose for which God made you (cf. Eph. 2:10). Paul understood the power of Timothy’s influence. He said that Timothy’s obedience would not only save himself, but also those who heard him preach (1 Tim. 4:16). Whose heart will God touch through your righteous life?

Kurt F. Kaiser wrote a song called Pass it On. His words seem appropriate here:

It only takes a spark to get a fire going,
And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing;
That’s how it is with God’s love;
Once you’ve experienced it,
You spread His love to everyone;
You want to pass it on.

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What to Expect When You Visit East Hill

A good news (gospel) meeting begins tomorrow, the Lord willing, at the church of Christ at East Hill. Wade Webster, who preaches for the church in Southaven, MS, will be our guest speaker. At the beginning of this year, our three shepherds challenged the congregation at East Hill to make special effort to invite guests to be with us during the meeting. Since that time, we have been praying and inviting people to come and be with us.
I hope you can come be with us for this special gospel meeting! When you visit an assembly of the New Testament church, you will find something that appeals to all five of your sense. Here’s what you can expect when you visit East Hill.

1. You can expect to HEAR the Bible. We preach the message of God, not a message from men (2 Tim. 4:2; 1 Pet. 4:11). The Bible is the inspired, inerrant, complete word of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17). It is our guide book for every aspect of life (Psa. 119:105).

2. You can expect to SEE the elders. Our three elders are men who watch over our souls here at East Hill. They are qualified men (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9), who are active in their work for the Lord (Acts 20:28). Our elders are Joe Christopher, Joe Cooper, and Johnny Jackson.

3. You can expect to TASTE the sweet success of evangelism. East Hill’s theme this year is “Think Souls.” We want to spread the saving gospel message to as many people as possible so that we can all go to heaven together (Mat. 28:19; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-47).

4. You can expect to FEEL welcome. God’s children are characterized by love (John 13:35). Visitors are our honored guests! We cannot wait to meet you.

5. You can expect to SMELL the delightful frangrance of a family who loves each other. New Testament Christians have a wonderful bond of fellowship (1 John 1:7; cf. Psa. 133:1). We would love to study with you about what the Bible says one must do to be added to God’s family.

We hope you will find these preceding points to be true of your visit with us at East Hill. However, there are at least three things that you should NOT expect when you visit.

1. You should not expect perfection. Because we are all human, we struggle with the same problem (sin, Rom. 3:23), and we have the same need (salvation, Titus 2:11-12). God has given us His Will, by which we can secure the same hope of heaven (cf. Acts 4:12).

2. You should not expect pizzazz. Our purpose in coming together is not to entertain one another, but to worship and please God in heaven. God has given us His pattern, and it is our sincere goal to follow His divine Will (1 Cor. 1:31; 10:31; Col. 3:17).

3. You should not expect compromise. We do not want to do anything that will compromise the pure truth of God’s Word (Prov. 23:23; 2 Cor. 2:17; 1 Cor. 9:22). The Word of God is designed to prick our hearts (Heb. 4:12; Acts 2:36). It exposes the sin in our lives and shows us how we can correct our wrongs (2 Tim. 3:16-17) and faithfully give our lives to Jesus Christ (Luke 9:23).

If you’re in the area and would like to come, we’d love to have you! Sunday’s services are at 9:30 AM, 10:30 AM, and 6:00 PM. Services Monday through Wednesday nights will begin at 7:00 PM. For those who cannot attend in person, we have a live stream on our website.

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Five Reasons Why I Love East Hill

Happy Wednesday!

To be added to the Lord’s church is an indescribable blessing (Acts 2:47; cf. 1 John 3:1-3). That blessing is magnified all the more when the congregation with whom one worships and works is following as closely as possible to the Biblical pattern. Today I want to share with you just five reasons (there are many more) why I am thankful to be a member of the Lord’s church that meets at East Hill.

1. I love East Hill because of the love and unity that exists among us there. Coming together is like a weekly family homecoming. “Sometimes we laugh together, sometimes we cry.” We are a group of real-life Christians – imperfect people made perfect by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

The church office recently received a call from a man who expressed an interest in becoming a Christian. A home Bible study was scheduled and conducted. During that study, the man was asked what prompted him to call East Hill. He replied, “When I visited, I could tell you are a loving family who cares about each other and who has fun together. I want to be a part of that.” Thanks be to God for the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love!

2. I love East Hill because of her faithful leaders. The church at East Hill has been blessed with many incredible shepherds throughout its sixty year history. Our present eldership is, without doubt, one of the best ever. They are qualified (1 Tim. 3; Titus 1), spiritual, prayerful, soul-conscious men who want to see the gospel spread throughout the world. They refuse to pass up great opportunities that the Lord gives us as a congregation. They support and encourage each Christian. They love lost souls and compassionately reach out to the erring. I trust them with more than my life – I trust them with my soul. I know they will, to the best of their ability, lead the East Hill church on the right way to heaven (Mat. 7:13-14; John 14:6).

3. I love East Hill because of her Bible classes. There is no greater joy or privilege than teaching a Bible class at East Hill. While I have a passion for preaching the gospel, the classroom is my favorite venue to proclaim the message of God in an assembly setting. One of my elders and I co-teach a Sunday morning adult class of around 20-25 people. Each Wednesday morning, I teach a Ladies Bible class comprised of some of the greatest Bible scholars I have ever met. My Wednesday nights are currently spent with the teenagers, who challenge me to be a better Christian and who encourage me about the future of the church. In each case, we all grow closer together and closer to God as we study from the Bible, share prayer requests, and pray together.

4. I love East Hill because of the way she worships. Worship is not just another routine at East Hill. Instead, it is a beautiful expression of praise and adoration to God in heaven each and every Lord’s day (yes, both Sunday morning and Sunday night!). These Christians assemble each week because they genuinely love the Lord. They follow along in their Bibles, they reverently reflect as they partake of the Lord’s Supper, they cheerfully give to the Lord’s work, they believe in the power of prayer, and the singing … well, the singing is beautiful and touching. There is hardly a week that goes by but what I tear up, and sometimes have to stop singing for a note or two while I am leading the congregation in songs of praise to God. They love Him, and they want Him to know it through the worship they offer which He deserves.

5. I love East Hill because of her work ethic and generosity. Budgets are met with excess. Needs are provided and then some. I’ve seen it over and over again at East Hill, and, if you have observed this congregation very much, I imagine you have, too. None of it is for our glory, but to the glory of God.

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1).

Get your spiritual batteries recharged – go study the Bible with the Lord’s church tonight. If you’re in Pulaski, come see us at East Hill!

Question: Why are you thankful for the congregation with whom you worship and work for Jesus?