Evidence of Things Unseen

Never Give Up

jonathanjones_ii@hotmail.com (Jonathan Jones II) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:19:00 +0000

This is an incredible video about never giving up. Even when we think we don't have the strength to go on, as Christians we know that God can do the seemingly impossible. Watch this video and be reminded of that fact (You Tube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agetT6qKpA8).

Smoke from My Chimney

jonathanjones_ii@hotmail.com (Jonathan Jones II) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:43:00 +0000

My grandparents, Guy and Hope Jones, had six children. They raised their kids on the family farm that has now been passed down several generations. Grandpa used to say that he wished that one day he could stand on his front porch and see the smoke from the chimneys of all his children. He wanted to be surrounded by his family. He wished that his family would stay close. To this day, most of them have.
Many of you reading this can probably relate to the sentiments of my grandfather. In the South it has been common for family clans to stay close together. It is not unusual for grandchildren to visit the same house where their parents were raised. During special family reunions, families across the South return to the old “homestead” and share memories of the past that thread them together.
In the Biblical text, Abraham sent servants back to his “homeland” to find a wife for his son Isaac (Genesis 24:4). Isaac took his bride Rebekah into his mother’s tent the night of their honeymoon (Genesis 24:67). Yet, it is also true that God originally intended for man to “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth” (Genesis 1:28). Sometimes this requires children to launch out into new regions—to make a new “homestead” for themselves. In order for a husband and wife to really be “joined together,” God said they must first “leave father and mother” (Genesis 2:24).
It is really difficult for me to think about leaving Maury County. This place runs deep in my family history. I have the soil of this place coursing through my veins. I will never forget where I came from. This place will forever be deep in my heart. Elmer Lusk told me a few days ago, “Boy…I’ll give you two years…and you’ll be back here.” I’m not sure about that, but one thing is for certain…my mind will often be back here.
Michelle and I are going to make a new home for ourselves in a new and exciting place. While you may not be able to see smoke from a chimney three hours away in Maryville (especially since we will first be living in an apartment!), be sure that the "smoke" from our chimney is blowing west back toward Spring Hill. We love you all and you will be greatly missed!

Getting to Know Jonathan & Michelle (Part 3)

jonathanjones_ii@hotmail.com (Jonathan Jones II) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:18:00 +0000

After possibly grossing out some of you (who are not down with the hunting/fishing thing) with our last "Getting to Know Jonathan & Michelle" email, we will try and appeal to the softer, gentler side with this one.

Soon after we got married, Michelle began to beg me for a dog (can any of you guys relate?). You have to understand, we grew up with lots of animals, and lots of dogs, on my family's farm. However, Dad had a strict rule...dogs belong outside (On an interesting side-note, dad has softened that rule since we left home. Mom now has an indoor German short hair named Sadie). Needless to say, I was opposed to having an indoor dog. But like Dad, I too caved into the love my life. But there was one stipulation, it had to be a dog that we both loved. I have always loved Spaniels. My favorite has been the Caviler King Charles Spaniel. So after several weeks of searching for breeders, I found a man who had a litter with only two pups left in Jackson, TN. This was right before our first Christmas as a married couple.

After returning from taking graduate classes at in Henderson, I walked into the back door that cold winter night with my big heavy coat on. Under the coat I was hiding our new little puppy. I entered the living room and "unveiled" Michelle's Christmas gift. We decided to name our pup "Marco" since we went to "Marco Island" in Florida for our honeymoon just a couple of months earlier.

Marco has a great personality and loves to play and sleep. When he plays he plays hard and when he sleeps, he sleeps hard. We came into the house one day talking and laughing and entered our bedroom to find Marco fast asleep on our bed (an absolute "no-no" in our house). When we finally roused him from his slumber, he knew he was in big trouble.

Getting to Know Jonathan & Michelle (Part 2)

jonathanjones_ii@hotmail.com (Jonathan Jones II) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:40:00 +0000

Both of my grandfathers were avid outdoorsmen. Don, my mom's dad, loved to trap. He once harvest two solid black coyotes. Guy, my father's dad, was the best hunter and fisherman that I've ever known. He has a large fish on his tombstone and the words "A fisher of fish, and a fisher of men" engraved on the marble headstone. He served as an elder in the church my entire life until his untimely death. He was raised on the banks of Cathey's Creek in the Hampshire community. He often went from house to house along that creek after his mother died and lived much like the mythical "Huckleberry Finn." He learned to live off the land. He trapped for foxes and coyotes, he hunted whitetail deer (in his later years) but was best known as an amazing fisherman. He fished with cane poles, new open-faced reels, and even with his hands gabbling for large catfish in the Duck River (also known as noodling).

Because of Grandpa, my dad Jonathan Sr., myself and both my brothers (Brett and Bart) are avid hunters. Even my sister, Jill, has killed her fair share of deer. In fact, she has harvested one of the biggest trophy bucks of any of us boys. We Joneses love the outdoors. I have been taught to have a great appreciation for being surrounded by the things God has made and to glorify Him because of His Creation (see Romans 1:20).

Michelle grew up fishing, too. She loves to fish. Well...really she loves to relax on the shore with a fishing pole in her hand. We love to spend our recreational time in the great outdoors.

The picture above is a 10 point buck that I harvested with a bow on my family farm last week. When I hunt, I usually go to watch the wildlife. Very rarely do I decide to actually harvest an animal. But this deer is the best that I have ever harvested with a bow. After he was down, 4 more bucks walked under my stand. As I watched these majestic creatures slowly creep through the woods at dusk I thought of the words of the ancient Pslamist, "As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God" (Psalm 42:1).

Getting to Know Jonathan and Michelle (Part 1)

jonathanjones_ii@hotmail.com (Jonathan Jones II) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:31:00 +0000

(Note: This is a series of emails from Jonathan Jones for the members of the Maryville Church of Christ. If you received this email by mistake, or had rather not get it (fine, be that way) just send me a note and I will take you off the mailing list).

Before Michelle and I got married, my good friend and mentor David Shannon did our premarital counseling. He gave us a great piece of advice on being married and working with the church, "Don't be the President and first-lady of the congregation." We try to live by that advice. We don't want to be the focal point of the church--we had rather fade into the church family.
Having said that, it is true that people want to feel like they know their preacher and his wife. So in the next few weeks, I hope to write you a few personal notes to help you feel like you know us before we come to Maryville full time.
Michelle and I are about to celebrate our second wedding anniversary next week. Most people assume that we must have met at college--we didn't. In fact, I was just 3 months away from being "the big 3-0" when we were married. Although Christian college is often called "the marriage factory" it did not produce for me. In hindsight, I'm glad.
Michelle grew up in Colorado while I was working on our family's farm in Middle Tennessee. She lived three years in Dallas before moving to Spring Hill, TN to be closer to her parents (who had just recently moved here because of a job transfer). Michelle visited the worship service at Spring Hill one Sunday night. At the back of the auditorium, after most people had already left, I asked her if she would like to go get something to eat with me. She said, "I've already eaten." (Boy, did I think I was shot down!). Then she said, "...but I'll go have coffee with you." It all started with a cup of coffee (which she had, I didn't...I hate coffee). I think I had a glass of sweet tea. Well, it was the best glass of tea I ever had.

The Church Needs to Learn from the World

jonathanjones_ii@hotmail.com (Jonathan Jones II) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:33:00 +0000

This is an amazing presentation about how fast technology and information is advancing in our world. There are amazing posibilities out there and frightening dangers. Too often, the church is "behind the times" on using the resources available to us for good. I am convinced that someone like the Apostle Paul would use every resource available to him (short of sin) to advance the kingdom. He said, "I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings" (1 Cor 9:22-23). Jesus once lamented the fact that people of the world make better uses of resources than do the children of light. Listen to Jesus words in Luke 16:8: "For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light." Watch this video from the perspective of the work of God's kingdom. We are not using the resources that we could be to the fullest. It is time for the sons of light to take a lesson from the sons of this world. Thanks to Bradley Thompson for pointing out this video. (If you can't see the video below here the the YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKZEP-xruH4).

Protected from Attacker by Jesus

jonathanjones_ii@hotmail.com (Jonathan Jones II) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:18:00 +0000

The video below is a powerful example of how we should not fear those who can kill the body. A man tried to rob this elderly woman in a Wal-Mart parking lot, but the faith that she shared with him saved her...and perhaps might save him as well. Watch and be challenged. (For those of you who cannot see the video below, here is the You Tube link: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj3imy-FCPI). Thanks to Doug Burleson for pointing out this video.

Hunger & Thirst for Righteousness

jonathanjones_ii@hotmail.com (Jonathan Jones II) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:49:00 +0000

It seems that kids are born loving anything with sugar. I haven't met a kid yet who doesn't like candy. But most kids don't like to eat their vegetables. Parents train their children to eat things that are good for them. After being forced to eat certain vegetables by my parents, after a while I seemed to acquire a taste for them. Once I hated broccoli, but now I intentionally order it and often crave it. I feel so much better when I eat healthy, so now I often crave healthy food.

Jesus said that our lives will be blessed if we hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matt. 5:6). A hunger for spiritually good things doesn't seem to come naturally to most of us. Like the kid who wants to eat candy all the time, it seems we are born into this world with a desire for worldly pleasures and comforts. We don't naturally want the things that are good for us.

The Bible instructs us to "taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8). Like eating vegetables, we have to discipline ourselves to regularly start eating from the "bread of life" of Christ's teachings (John 6:35, 63). You may not like what God's word challenges you to do when you first start reading and studying it. But soon you will realize that it offers a better way of living that permanently gives satisfaction (John 10:10; 4:14).

If all you ever ate was sugar, you would eventually feel miserable. When you start eating healthy, it makes you feel so much better about life. Start seeking righteousness. It might seem restrictive and difficult at first, but soon you will develop a taste for it (cf. Heb. 6:5). After a while you will begin to crave the righteous things of God because it makes you feel so much better about yourself. As the Psalmist writes, "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (Psalm 119:103).

Are we losing our freedom in America?

jonathanjones_ii@hotmail.com (Jonathan Jones II) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:19:00 +0000

I usually only discuss the Bible and matters of faith on this blog. However, I received a link from a good friend to an interesting short film (10 minutes long) called "Make Mine Freedom" that was done by Harding College in 1948. Watch this video and be amazed at how current it sounds to our present political condition in America. Are we losing our freedoms as we speak?

Why Are You Really Leaving?

jonathanjones_ii@hotmail.com (Jonathan Jones II) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:45:00 +0000

There are different reasons why preachers leave congregations. There are various legitimate reasons for moving from one congregation to another as a preacher of the gospel. In this article I want to dispel some reasons you may think we are leaving and let you see why we are really leaving.

1. Are you leaving for more money? Hopefully you know me better than this. I don’t preach for pay; I preach because it is my passion. However, it is true that men of faith must “provide for their own households” (1 Tim. 5:8) and Scripture says preachers are to make their living from the gospel (1 Cor. 9:14). Churches must make sure they adequately provide for their preachers financially (1 Tim. 5:18). You have been an unbelievably generous church to us. You have always exceeded our expectations for compensation. This church has been far better to us financially than we deserve, and we will never forget that. Some preachers have to leave congregations for more money. Such is not the case with us. We are not motivated to leave for a salary increase.

2. Are you leaving because you are “advancing the preaching ladder?” Some people tend to view the church with the same criteria of the business world. Some preachers think that they need to “advance the preaching ladder.” Thus, some start as youth ministers, advance to preaching for a congregation of 100, and try to “move up” from there. God’s kingdom is a single body (Eph. 4:4). Each gathering of Christians is of equal value regardless of size. You may think, “Jonathan wants to move to a bigger church.” Let me assure you that is not our motivation either. In some ways I think moving to a bigger church will actually be a “step down.” I am not trying to “advance my preaching career” by leaving Spring Hill, that would be a selfish and prideful motivation. Preaching is not just a job for me; it is about God using me to the utmost in the work of his kingdom.

3. Are you leaving because you are frustrated with the work here? Absolutely not! God has done amazing things in the 5 ½ years that I have been at Spring Hill. This church is a completely different church now that it was then…and for the better! I see unbelievable spirituality in this church! I see the spiritual growth of people. I see unlimited potential and untapped resources sitting in our pews. I feel like the work of the Spring Hill Church is doing better now than ever. This was the single most difficult thing to leave when we decided to accept the work in Maryville. I will miss the spirituality of this congregation more than anything else.

4. Are you leaving because there is a problem in the leadership? The elders of this church are real men of God. They are Spirit-led men. They are men who have the humility and character of Christ. I love the elders of this church. They have let me be the preacher and focus on preaching the word. They trusted me to do the work of the evangelist, and let me do it without looking over my shoulder. Again, it is hard to leave a place where you work under such an understanding group of elders. The elders here are united in purpose and focused upon the real mission of the church. I beg all of the members of this congregation to continue to follow the guidance and direction of the elders here; they are truly watching for your souls (Heb. 13:17).

So why are you leaving…really? I want to be available for God to use me where I can be of the most benefit to His kingdom. I have always prayed that God would use me to the utmost in his work. Providentially, God opened a door to work in a place where there will be more resources and possibility for expanding the kingdom. Michelle and I believe this will be a great place for us to grow together spiritually as a husband and wife. We are blessed to begin a new work together and let God use us to his glory.

Foundational Doctrines: The Realities of Heaven & Hell

jonathanjones_ii@hotmail.com (Jonathan Jones II) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 19:26:00 +0000

After death, your eternal destiny is sealed (Heb. 9:27-28). All souls enter the place of departed spirits to wait for the day of resurrection (cf. Luke 16:19-31). When Jesus returns, the righteous will be resurrected to eternal life (Heaven). The wicked, however, will be called from the grave to enter the resurrection of judgment (John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15; Dan. 12:2-3). In this article we explore the afterlife and the realities of Heaven and Hell.

1. Heaven is an actual spiritual environment being especially prepared as the eternal residence for the saved. Jesus said that he was going to prepare a specific “place” for his disciples in the eternal realm where his Father dwells (John 14:2-3). God provided the current physical heavens (atmosphere) and earth (environment) as a place specifically designed for temporal beings to inhabit (cf. Gen. 1:26-31). At Jesus’ return this physical environment and atmosphere with all of its material elements will be disassembled and destroyed (2 Peter 3:10-12). New heavens (“atmosphere”) and a new earth (“environment”) will be provided that is specifically designed as the habitation of God’s immortal, saved people (2 Peter 3:13; Rev. 21:1).

2. “Heaven’s grand opening” will occur at Jesus’ return and it will be a place of reunion and rest. The righteous dead are awaiting the “resurrection of life” that will occur on the final day (cf. Acts 2:34; John 3:13). When the Lord returns he will descend from Heaven to receive the dead in Christ first and then the disciples who are still living (1 Thes. 4:16-17). As Jesus returns to Heaven he will “bring with him” all of the saved (1 Thes. 4:14) where they will always be in the presence of the Lord (1 Thes. 4:17). In Heaven, God has “reserved” an inheritance for the saved (1 Peter 1:4), in that place filled with joy and bliss being free from sin, sorrow and pain (Rev. 21:3-4, 27). Heaven will be a place of sweet reunion (2 Sam. 12:23; Matt. 8:11) and a place of eternal rest (Rev. 14:13).

3. Hell is an actual spiritual environment originally prepared to punish the devil and his demons but will also serve as the eternal residence of the lost. Hell was originally designed as a place of eternal torment for the devil and his rebellious followers (Matt. 25:41). Satan’s rebellious angels are currently incarcerated in “eternal chains” until the judgment of the great day (Jude 6), when both they and their leader will be cast into the eternal lake of torment called Hell (Rev. 20:10). This is a place of “eternal destruction” where the inhabitants are “tormented day and night forever and ever” being away from the presence of the Lord (Rev. 20:10; 2 Thes. 1:9). Those that are not protected by their obedience to the gospel will also be consumed with flaming fires of vengeance (2 Thes. 1:8-10). Anyone who does not have their name written in the book of life will find themselves in eternal torment (Rev. 20:15).

4. “Hell’s gruesome opening” will swallow the wicked into a state of continual and eternal torment. Hell is a place of eternal torment where the fire is never quenched and even the “worms” cannot find release from their torment (Mark 9:43-48). It is a place where there will never be any relief or rest (Rev. 14:11). It is a place of “outer darkness” outside of God’s light; a place of “clinched teeth” beyond any hope of release (cf. Matt. 25:30). There is no hope for those who profaned the blood of Jesus and rejected his Spirit of grace (Heb. 10:28-31).

5. Every soul will spend eternity in one of the two final destinations of either Heaven or Hell. Every person will appear before Christ’s judgment seat (2 Cor. 5:10). You either follow Jesus and be saved, or follow your own way and be lost (Matt. 25:31-46). What will be your final destination, eternal punishment or eternal life? The choice is yours.

Foundational Doctrines: Marriage, Divorce & Remarriage

jonathanjones_ii@hotmail.com (Jonathan Jones II) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 20:34:00 +0000

Divorce and remarriage is a very sensitive issue in the church today. Yet Jesus gives very specific instructions on the topic. Will we accept the seemingly “hard sayings” of Jesus and continue following him, or will we turn away (cf. John 6:60-69; Matt. 10:34-39)?

1. God intends for marriage to be a lifetime arrangement; He hates divorce. God’s original intention was for marriage to be between a man and a woman (Matt. 19:4). Leaving the families of their birth, a man and a woman are united together to form a family of their own in marriage (Matt. 19:5). This union is sealed by God and is not to be broken by man (Matt. 19:6). From the time of God’s original design in the beginning, mankind abused marriage and an epidemic of divorce (for any cause) began. Therefore, because men’s hearts were hard, God tried to get a handle on the epidemic by regulating man’s action with a “divorce law” (Matt. 19:7-8a). But this was never God’s original intent or design (Matt. 19:8b). God “hates divorce” (Mal. 2:16, NASB), because he intends for marriage to be a lifetime covenant between a man and a woman (Mal. 2:14; 1 Cor. 7:39; Rom. 7:2-3).

2. There is only one reason God will accept for divorce and then remarriage—sexual unfaithfulness. In his teaching, Jesus restores God’s original intention for marriage. Jesus teaching applies to all of humanity (“whoever” –Matt. 19:9), tracing its authority with God’s original purpose for marriage (cf. Mk. 10:11-12). If you divorce your spouse for any reason, except sexual immorality, a remarriage to another person constitutes the continual sin of adultery before God (Matt. 19:9). In addition, anyone who marries a person who has been divorced without this cause, is guilty of the on-going sin of adultery (Matt. 5:32).

3. When divorce occurs because of sexual unfaithfulness, only the innocent party may remarry without sin. Jesus gives an exception whereby a person might divorce their spouse and remarry another person without sin. This exception is “sexual immorality” (Matt. 19:9, ESV). This word is porneia in the original language and is a general word for sexual sin including adultery, fornication, homosexuality, or any type of illicit sexual intercourse outside of the marriage bond. In the event that such sexual unfaithfulness occurs, the offended individual has the right to divorce for this reason and subsequently remarry. Yet, even then forgiveness and restoration of the marriage (though not required) would be preferable, if possible.

4. If a divorced person (unscriptural) obtains another “legal marriage,” God views such an arrangement as continual adultery. According to Jesus teaching, the person divorced for sexual sin does not have a right to remarry. Yet, often this occurs in our society. If a person obtains a legal marriage contract without scriptural grounds, God does not view this as a true marriage but rather calls it the continuing act of “adultery” (Matt. 19:9). Also, the common occurrence of “no fault” divorce in our society means that neither party would have the God-given right to remarry.

5. Sometimes marital separation is necessary for other reasons (i.e. spousal abuse), but remarriage is not an option. There are situations where couples need to separate from one another. Such instances would include spousal abuse. In such instances Scripture indicates that a separation (divorce) is possible (1 Cor. 7:10-16). But remarriage is not an option if sexual sin (as the cause for the divorce) is not involved.

6. Some people must live celibate lives for the sake of the kingdom. In our divorce saturated culture, Jesus teaching on divorce and remarriage sounds very strict (cf. Matt. 19:10). Relationship with God is more important than marriage and some may have to live celibate lives for the sake of the kingdom (Matt. 19:12; 10:37; Ezra 10:1-5).

Foundational Doctrines: Gender Roles in the Church

jonathanjones_ii@hotmail.com (Jonathan Jones II) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 20:42:00 +0000

In today’s politically correct culture of feminism, many do not understand the individual roles that God has given both men and women in the church. In this article, we explore the foundational Biblical teaching of gender roles in the church.

1. God’s specifically designed and assigned gender roles. God intentionally designed men and women to be different. His design includes the functional roles that both men and women are to serve in life. Man was created first to serve as a steward of God’s creation (Gen. 2:5-9, 15), while the woman was specifically created to be a “helper suitable” for man (Gen. 2:18). The “firstborn” principle of man’s creation demonstrates God’s intention for man to be the spiritual leader of the home and the church (1 Tim. 2:13). Men and women have equal value, ability, and spiritual worth before God (cf. 1 Peter 3:7). However, God has assigned specific roles to each of the genders. Men are to lead in the affairs of the church (1 Tim. 2:8; 3:15). Women have been given the special task of management of the home (1 Tim. 2:15; cf. 5:14).

2. Women are not permitted to teach or do anything that “exercises authority” over men when the church gathers together. God assigned the role of spiritual leadership to the male gender. God created woman to be a helper to man in this pursuit and commanded her to voluntarily submit to his leadership (Eph. 5:24). God gives instructions about how men and women are to conduct themselves in the “affairs of the church” (1 Tim. 3:15). Men are responsible for taking the lead in worship, such as leading prayers (1 Tim. 2:8). Women must dress in respectable apparel and behave modestly so as not to distract men from their spiritual leadership (1 Tim. 2:9-10). Women are to learn quietly in the church with a submissive spirit (1 Tim. 2:11). Women are not allowed to be in any position of exercising authority over men in the church by teaching or any other perceived leadership role in a congregation (1 Tim. 2:12). This is not a cultural command limited to the first century but is rather God’s intended designed and assigned roles for the genders (1 Tim. 2:13-14).

3. Women are not allowed to have “speaking roles” when the church assembles together. When the “whole church” gathers together (cf. 1 Cor. 14:23), God has instructed that things be done in a decent and orderly manner (1 Cor. 14:40). Included in these instructions, God directed in all the churches that women should “keep silent in the churches” (1 Cor. 14:33b-35). Although there were female prophets in the first century church (1 Cor. 11:5; Acts 21:9), when the “whole church” assembles women are prohibited from having speaking roles.

4. God expects women to lead children and other women in the church. Just because God has assigned leadership roles to the male gender in the church assembly does not mean that women are to be passive and uninvolved in the work of God’s kingdom. Women were very active in the ministry of Jesus (Luke 8:1-3). Women served as active servants in the early church (Rom. 16:1-2) often working harder than some men (Rom. 16:6, 12). All Christians, men and women, are to be involved in personal evangelism (cf. Acts 18:26). Women should lead other women in study and prayer (Acts 16:13; cf. 17:4). In fact, Scripture directly instructs older women to teach and train younger women (Titus 2:3-5).

5. A woman can do anything in the church today provided she does not exercise authority over a man. God has specifically designed and assigned roles for the genders in his church. Man has been assigned the role of leadership. Women must submit to God’s wisdom in this matter. But when it comes to the work of the church, women can do anything that men can do provided they do not exercise authority over men.

Foundational Doctrines: Congregational A Cappella Singing as Worship

jonathanjones_ii@hotmail.com (Jonathan Jones II) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:46:00 +0000

In the majority of congregations of the churches of Christ today, we maintain that God desires congregational a cappella singing as worship to Him. We stand opposed to the use of instruments of music in worship. In this article we examine this concept as one of the fundamentals of our faith.

1. What we offer to God as worship is a serious matter of respect to Him. The way that we choose to express worship to God either respects or disrespects Him. It is possible to be sincere in our religious actions, yet worship “in ignorance” (Acts 17:22ff) and our worship can become “vain” (Matt. 15:9) if it is motivated by our own desires rather than a desire to please God (Col. 2:23). Worshipping God by presumption, rather than by his spoken word, is equal to idolatry (1 Sam. 15:22-23). God feels severely disrespected and dishonored when we present offerings of worship to Him that he has not commanded (Lev. 10:1-3).

2. In the New Covenant, worship to God in “spirit and truth” is essential. In the Christian age, God still takes our worship to Him very seriously. Jesus instructs us that “true worshippers” MUST worship “in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24). Sincerity and emotion are essential in worship, but so is truthfulness. God’s word is truth (John 17:17). We can only worship “in truth” when we know God has specifically asked for something as an offering of worship. Unlike the specific Old Testament laws of worship, God has communicated his desires in the New Covenant by the actions and writings of Jesus and His Apostles (2 Thes. 2:15; Philippians 3:17, 4:9).

3. Using only Scripture as our guide for faith, we can be certain that congregational, a cappella singing is an acceptable offering of worship to God. The New Testament is clear that we must be careful that we “offer to God acceptable worship with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:28-29). God is still serious about the types of things we offer Him as worship, and there is worship that God finds “unacceptable.” The first covenant had many “regulations for worship” (Heb. 9:1). It is beyond dispute that God commanded instrumental music as worship to Him in the Old Testament (2 Chron. 29:25). But the Old Law was merely a “shadow of good things to come instead of the true form of these realities” (Heb. 10:1). John Price (interestingly a Reformed Baptist) gives a great summary of the issue: “(1) The Old Testament Temple worship in all of its outward ceremonies and rituals has been abolished; (2) We must look to Christ and His apostles alone for the worship of the church; (3) With no command, or example, or any indication whatsoever from the Lord Jesus that He desires musical instruments to be used in His church, we have no authority for their use” (Old Light on New Worship page 57).

4. We cannot be certain that using instruments in worship to God pleases Him; therefore it cannot be done “by faith.” As Christians we must walk by faith not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). Walking by faith means following God’s word alone for our religious practices (Rom. 10:17). We can be absolutely certain that congregational, a cappella singing (without instrumental accompaniment) is pleasing to God and can be done with confident faith (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; 1 Cor. 14:15; Heb. 13:15). It is impossible to have such confidence about instruments of music.

5. For about the first 1200 years of church history, instruments of music were not commonly used in worship and were condemned by church leaders. As late as 1260, Thomas Aquinas wrote that the Catholic Church did not use musical instruments because doing so doing would be to “fall back into Judaism.” In 1880, John Spencer Curwen wrote about men still living in his day who could remember when most all Protestant denominations (including Methodists, Independents, and Baptists) were opposed to musical instruments in worship.

We're Moving to Maryville!

jonathanjones_ii@hotmail.com (Jonathan Jones II) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 22:00:00 +0000

The announcement last Sunday (August 30) that Michelle and I are leaving Spring Hill came as a great shock to many people. The last 5 1/2 years have been fantastic. Spring Hill is a great congregation comprised of spiritual disciples of Christ. It is a church with endless possibilities led by a Spirit-filled eldership. Deciding to accept the opportunity at Maryville, TN was an extremely difficult decision that took weeks of prayer to reach.

Michelle and I are convinced that God is leading us to move to the work in Maryville, TN. Maryville is located in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains just south of Knoxville, TN. with a population of about 60,000 (if you include the adjacent city of Alcoa). The congregation has about 500 members with 8 fantastic elders. You can view their website here: www.maryvillechurchofchrist.org. Dan Chambers, their former preacher, did a marvelous job at Maryville before recently taking the work at the Concord Road Church of Christ after Phil Sanders left to work with the In Search of the Lord's Way television program (with Mac Lyon).

Michelle and I ask that you pray for us in this transition. We will face many challenges such as selling our house in this strained market. We have faith that God will provide and we are working hard to cast our anxieties upon Him. Pray for us! Please also say a special prayer for the elders at Spring Hill as they search for the next preacher to advance the work in this great community.

Foundational Doctrines: The Mystery of Miracles

jonathanjones_ii@hotmail.com (Jonathan Jones II) — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 19:55:00 +0000

There is a great deal of confusion in the religious world and within our fellowship on the subject of miracles. What can we confidently know about the mystery of miracles?

1. Miracles had very specific purposes in the first century. Miracles performed by Jesus and his apostles fulfilled Old Testament prophecy (Matt. 8:16-17). The “signs” that were performed were designed to be the proof that Jesus was the divine Son of God (John 20:30-31). As the apostles went about teaching the message of Jesus, the fact that they were messengers from God was established by the miracles they performed (2 Cor. 12:12). God’s true message could be distinguished from a false message by the confirmation of miracles performed (Mark 16:20; Heb. 2:1-4). The purpose of miracles was to confirm the message of God and his messengers who delivered it. Miracles were not performed to satisfy people’s curiosity (Matt. 12:38ff; 13:58; John 6:30ff; 1 Cor. 1:22). True faith is not produced by witnessing a miracle (Luke 16:30-31; John 12:37ff; Acts 4:16-17); rather faith is developed by absorbing the word of God (Rom. 10:17). Miracles were intended to confirm the word of God. It was (and is) the confirmed word of God, not the miracles themselves, that produced faith.

2. The ability to perform miracles was transmitted by the laying on of the Apostles’ hands. Jesus possessed an unlimited measure of the Holy Spirit that allowed him to perform miracles (John 3:34-35). Jesus sent the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, giving them the ability to perform miracles (Luke 9:1-2; 10:19-20; Acts 1:8). They were given this ability to demonstrate to the hearers that their message was true (Acts 4:29-30; Heb. 2:1-4; John 15:26). These miracles were given “first” (1 Cor. 12:28) so that the foundation of the church would be established by the apostles and prophets (Eph. 2:20). The Apostles had the power to transfer miraculous power to other believers (Acts 8:18; 14:3; 2 Tim. 1:6). Miraculous powers (the miraculous measure of the Holy Spirit) were only obtained by the laying on of an Apostle’s hand (Acts 8:14-24). Others (besides the Apostles) that had miraculous abilities were unable to pass this gift on to others. Philip could perform miracles himself (Acts 8:6), but he was unable to give this ability to others (Acts 8:18-19). With the death of the Apostles and those who had miraculous ability, miracles through human agency rapidly ceased.

3. A time came when the performing of miracles through human hands were no longer necessary and therefore ceased. Once a message is confirmed as true, there is no longer any need for further confirmation. God’s word was revealed in “bits and pieces” through various prophets and inspired teachers (cf. 1 Cor. 14:29-33). Once the complete message of God was revealed and the church was no longer in its infancy (Eph. 4:11-16), there was no longer a need for the confirming purpose of miracles. The “partial” of miracles gave way to the “completeness” of God’s revealed will (1 Cor. 13:8-13).

4. God still does miraculous things today, just not through human hands. Miracles performed by human hands (Acts 14:3; 19:11-12) ceased when God’s complete message was revealed. Yet, God still does incomprehensible, miraculous acts today by his wisdom and power in response to our requests in prayer (Eph. 3:20-21). When we pray, we ask God Himself to directly act in ways that he normally does not act through the natural working of things. We must pray like Elijah asking God for extraordinary things (James 5:17-18). To receive the miraculous power of God, we must pray without doubting (James 1:6-8). We must not “deny the power” of God when we pray by limiting what he will and will not do (2 Tim. 3:5). God’s ways are indescribable and amazing (Rom. 11:33-36)! Do you believe it?

Foundational Doctrines: The Lord's Supper, Sharing in the Body of Christ

jonathanjones_ii@hotmail.com (Jonathan Jones II) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:50:00 +0000

The night Jesus was betrayed he instituted a memorial meal for his followers to observe (Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19-20). Today there is great confusion when it comes to this memorial meal. Christian groups observe the Supper for different reasons and at varying frequencies. As we examine our faith, what does the Bible clearly say about the Lord’s Supper?

1. The purposes of the Lord’s Supper are memory, connection, unity, and proclamation. Jesus instructed his followers to eat bread and drink fruit from the vine as memorial elements to help them remember his crucified flesh and the blood he poured out for the sins of many (1 Cor. 11:23-25). When we partake of the cup of blessing and the broken bread, we are connecting with the very blood and body of Christ (1 Cor. 10:14-22). A believer’s oneness with Christ is again confirmed in the Supper by sharing in the effects of the blood and body of Christ. Christians the world-over are united together when eating from the “one bread” (1 Cor. 10:17). When we observe the Lord’s Supper, we must consider one another and how Jesus’ sacrifice makes us one (1 Cor. 11:17-22, 29). Also, we make a “proclamation” about Jesus in the Supper—affirming and celebrating the reality of his return (1 Cor. 11:26).

2. The Lord’s Supper is for those that are in the kingdom of God. Jesus began the Lord’s Supper for those who are his followers (within the kingdom) (Matt. 26:27-28). The Lord’s Supper is intended for true disciples and not for unbelievers. Sometimes unbelievers will attend the assemblies of the church (1 Cor. 14:24). Taking the Lord’s Supper is a personal choice. But if you take the Lord’s Supper “without discerning the body,” you are eating and drinking judgment upon yourself (1 Cor. 11:28-32). You cannot rightly think about the body of Christ while taking the Lord’s Supper if you have never been united with Jesus in his death at baptism (cf. Rom. 6:3-5).

3. The Lord’s Supper is a weekly memorial to be taken on the first day of the week when the church assembles for worship. Early Christians gathered together on the first day of “every” week to worship (1 Cor. 16:1-2). This day (what we call Sunday) became known as the “Lord’s Day” (Rev. 1:10). Christians worshipped on the very day Jesus rose from the dead—the first day of the week (Mark 16:2, 9). When “the church comes together” to worship (on this day), we are to take the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:20, 26). Early Christians did gather together for the purpose of “breaking bread” on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7). An early second century document called the Didache confirms this truth as it contains the instruction, “Having earlier confessed your sins so that your sacrifice may be pure, come together each Lord’s day of the Lord, break bread, and give thanks.” Also in the second century Justin Martyr writes, “And on the day called Sunday there is a gathering together in the same place of all who live in a city or rural district…bread is presented and wine and water” (wine mixed with water-JJ).

4. It is essential to have the correct frame of mind when observing the Lord’s Supper. No one is worthy of the sacrifice of Jesus nor to partake of the Supper. To partake of the Supper in a “worthy manner” means that you think about the sacrifice of Jesus for your sins while you partake of it (1 Cor. 11:27-32). It is also crucial that you think about the “body of Christ” (the church) and how we are united together in Him (1 Cor. 11:29; 10:17). You must “examine yourself” to make sure you have the correct frame of mind while observing the supper (1 Cor. 11:28).

The Lord’s Supper is a look backward (to Jesus’ sacrifice), a look upward (thanks to God), a look inward (reflecting on yourself), a look around (unity of believers), and a look forward (anticipating Jesus’ return).

Foundational Doctrines: Apostasy, Salvation's Exit Point

jonathanjones_ii@hotmail.com (Jonathan Jones II) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:35:00 +0000

Many Christian denominations today hold to various tenants of Calvinistic doctrine. One of these doctrines is the idea of “the impossibility of apostasy.” This dogma teaches that once a person has been truly saved, there is nothing that they can do to lose their salvation. Many Biblical passages refute this idea, demonstrating the possibility of a true believer falling away. And yet, Scripture also teaches that disciples can have confidence in their salvation and assurance of salvation. Christians should not live in doubt of their salvation. However, there are many warnings in the Bible against our choosing to rebel against God and reject him again. Here we examine the clear teachings of Scripture about apostasy—salvation’s exit point.

1. Once God saves you, no one can take your salvation away. God’s intention is that once you are saved, you will always be saved. Jesus makes clear that no one can “snatch” you out of His hand once you have been saved (John 10:28). Even Satan’s hellish forces cannot overpower God’s gathered people (Matt. 16:18). Those that “draw near” to God will be “completely saved” (Heb. 7:25). By his power, God guards the salvation entrusted to the baptized believer until the final day (2 Tim. 1:12). The presence of the Holy Spirit within the Christian is a “guarantee” of his/her future salvation (2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5). For example, children make lots of mistakes but that does not mean their fathers reject them. Fathers love their children despite their mistakes. God’s grace keeps his children safe (and saved) as long as they remain in his house (in real relationship with Him).

2. Occasional sin does not mean that you have lost your salvation. The Apostle John wrote a letter to Christians to show that we can “know we have eternal life” (1 John 5:13). True disciples are those who have “fellowship” with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ (1 John 1:3). Living for God we often sin and must acknowledge this fact (1 John 1:8). This does not mean that a disciple has lost his salvation. The blood of Jesus continually cleanses true disciples from their sin—keeping them saved (1 John 1:7). Of course this does not mean that we have a license to freely sin (Rom. 6:1-4).

3. It is possible to be genuinely saved but choose to reject God and become lost again. A child of God can choose to leave the Father’s house and return to a life of rebellion, “walking in darkness” (1 John 1:6). If we leave the lifestyle of true discipleship to return to a lifestyle of sin, our fellowship with God becomes severed (1 John 1:6). If you return to a lifestyle of sin, this grieves the Holy Spirit inside of you (Eph. 4:30), eventually causing God’s Holy Spirit to leave your life (cf. Psalm 51:11). One can be truly saved, having “tasted the heavenly gift, and having shared the Holy Spirit,” and then fall away (Heb. 6:4-6). A Christian can “wander from the truth” and lose his soul (James 5:19-20). The Hebrew writer warns true Christians, “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God” (Heb. 3:12). If you return to a lifestyle of deliberate sin, you have forfeited the sacrifice made for your sin (Heb. 10:26-27). Also, if you stop trusting in Jesus and start trusting in your own goodness to save you, you “fall from grace” (Gal. 5:1-4). Your works cannot save you (Eph. 2:8-9).

Peter writes of a person who once “escaped the defilements of the world” (saved from their sins) but then becomes entangled in them again, “the last state has become worse for them than the first” (2 Peter 2:20-22). You can choose to walk away and exit your salvation. But if you are saved, you will always be saved if you continue in fellowship with God, standing under the protection of his grace (Rom. 5:2).

Foundational Doctrines: Baptism, Salvation's Entry Point

jonathanjones_ii@hotmail.com (Jonathan Jones II) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:31:00 +0000

Almost every “Christian” religious group practices and teaches some form of baptism. Some baptize infants, others adults. Christian groups sprinkle or pour while others practice total immersion in water. There are those that teach that “baptism in the Spirit” and “baptism in water” are separate events. Baptist groups teach the necessity of baptism, yet cannot bring themselves to say that baptism is essential for salvation. There is great debate and disagreement about this central Christian doctrine. What can we know with confidence regarding this fundamental teaching?

1. Baptism is the moment when you call upon the Lord to save you. Religious works of human righteousness cannot save anyone. We are only saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-9). In order to be saved, we must “call upon God” to save us by his grace (Acts 2:21). Many mistakenly assume that “calling upon God” occurs in prayer, but the Bible teaches that this occurs in the event of baptism: “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name” (Acts 22:16). Baptism as a religious rite does not save anyone. However, baptism does “now save” us since it is the God-ordained event where we “appeal to God for a good conscience” (1 Peter 3:21). Only an adult can make this appeal.

2. Baptism is the moment when you are united with Christ. Jesus is the only “way” of salvation and relationship with God (John 14:6). There is no “other name” by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12). Therefore, the Bible teaches that it is essential that we be “baptized in the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 2:38; cf. Matt. 28:19). At baptism we are “buried” with Christ into his death (Rom. 6:4). Immersion in water mimics this burial (Col. 2:12). In fact, the English word “baptism” actually comes from a Greek word that means “to plunge, to dip, to immerse.” In baptism we are “united with Christ” and we arise to a new life (Rom. 6:4-5). Clearly a person is not united with Christ prior to baptism. The new life (of salvation) begins only after one has been united with Christ in baptism.

3. Baptism is when you receive the forgiving power of Jesus’ blood. Only Jesus’ pure blood can provide cleansing and freedom from our sin (Rom. 5:9; Rev. 1:5). Jesus blood was “poured out for many” in his death on the cross (Matt. 26:28). We contact Jesus’ death (and therefore his blood) when we are “baptized into his death” (Rom. 6:4).

4. Baptism is the moment of contacting the power of Jesus’ resurrection. The real power of salvation is found in the power of God. We must have faith in the “powerful working of God” that occurs when we are “buried with him in baptism” (Col. 2:12). Baptism saves us because it is the place God has determined where we contact the power of Jesus’ resurrection (1 Peter 3:21-22).

5. Baptism is the moment of spiritual rebirth and renewal. In order to enter the kingdom of God, it is absolutely essential that we be “born again” (John 3:3-8). This spiritual rebirth occurs when we are “born of water” and “born of the Spirit” (John 3:5). At the event of Christian baptism, we are immersed in water and we receive the gift of God’s Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; Acts 5:32). The power of God’s Spirit saves us, not our own works. At baptism, God saves us by his mercy “by the washing of regeneration and the renewal of the Holy Spirit”
(Titus 2:5).

God has determined that baptism is the moment when he saves a penitent believer by his grace and the blood of his Son Jesus Christ. It is salvation’s entry point—when the new life begins.

Foundational Doctrines: The Church's (O)Mission"

jonathanjones_ii@hotmail.com (Jonathan Jones II) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 19:44:00 +0000

There is a great deal of confusion today when it comes to the real mission of the church. Churches are involved in countless numbers of programs and activities that are doing great amounts of good. However, we are often distracted by all these “good” things from the real mission of the church. While involved in all types of “community outreach programs” the church has often been guilty of the “Great Omission” rather than the “Great Commission.”

1. The real mission of the church is to “make disciples.” Jesus gave the clear “mission statement” for his followers when he said, “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 that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). The command in these verses is to “make disciples.” This is something that every Christian is commanded to do “while we are going” about our daily lives, encountering others “as we go.” The process of “making a disciple” involves baptizing them and teaching them Jesus’ commands. Christians and churches should not become distracted from the real mission of “making disciples.”

2. Disciples of Jesus are “made” to disciple others. Jesus commanded his first disciples to “follow” him and he would “MAKE” them to be fishers of men (Matthew 4:19). The very definition of being a true disciple of Jesus means that Jesus “made” you for the purpose of making more disciples. Therefore, if you are not trying to make other disciples, then you are not a true disciple of Christ yourself. Jesus commands you to “make disciples.” It is a command; it is not optional. It is true that we all have different talents as we work in the body of Christ (cf. Romans 12:4-8). Some people are better equipped to evangelize than others. In a similar way, the human body is full of various cells that are designed for different functions (i.e. brain cells, stem cells, white blood cells, etc.). Some cells are especially equipped for reproduction (reproductive cells: eggs, sperm). However, every cell by virtue of being a cell (by definition) divides. In the same way, while some Christians may be more talented toward evangelism, all disciples by definition are required to divide and make more disciples.

3. “Making a disciple” means teaching someone the process of being spiritually reborn so that the inner character of Jesus himself is spiritually formed inside of that person. This involves baptism but is not limited to it. Jesus did not send us out to go and baptize people. He sends us out to “make disciples” by teaching the gospel (of which baptism, although essential, is only a part). This is what Paul was stressing when he wrote, “For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel” (1 Cor. 1:17a). The aim of our teaching should be to teach others until “Christ is formed” in them (Galatians 4:19).

4. When we teach someone to become a disciple, we trust in the power of God, not our own ability, to transform them. The power of the gospel is found in God’s righteous work through Christ’s saving acts. The power is not found in our ability to teach eloquently (1 Cor. 1:17b). God entrusts us with the “ministry” and “message” of reconciliation and God “makes his appeal” to people’s hearts through our teaching (2 Cor. 5:18-21). We “plant” and “water” and God gives the growth (1 Cor. 3:7).

The Bible says that the church is the bride and Christ is the bridegroom (Eph. 5:31-32; Rev. 19:7). The natural result of intimacy between a bride and a groom is reproduction. Disciples were “made” for this mission.

Foundational Doctrines: What is the Church?

jonathanjones_ii@hotmail.com (Jonathan Jones II) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:13:00 +0000

Today when people speak of “church” they most often are talking about a physical building. In the Southeastern United States, the landscape is covered with various church buildings. The honest seeker of spiritual things may wonder, “Which church is the right one?”

Biblically, the concept of the church is coming from a completely different perspective. The English word “church” is a completely invented word. But it is the word that is most often used to translate the Greek word ekklesia. Yet, this Greek word literally means “an assembly,” or “a gathering.” In Matthew 16:18, Jesus is literally saying that he would build a “gathering of people” that the gates of Hades could not overpower. As we explore the fundamentals of our faith in this series, we want to get at some basic truths that we can know with confidence about the nature of the church (God’s gathered people).

1. God Himself gathers together all of the saved of the world into a single global assembly. People that repent and are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins are saved by grace through faith (Acts 2:37-38; cf. Titus 3:5). When we obey these commands, we are added into God’s worldwide assembly of the saved. “And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47). This assembly of the saved is the “one body” of Christ (Ephesians 4:4). This is the “assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven” (Hebrews 12:22-23).

2. A person enters God’s assembly of the saved by being baptized. This point is made clear in 1 Corinthians 12:13, “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and were made to drink of one Spirit.” Spiritual people who have not been baptized are not in God’s assembly of the saved. Baptism is the means of entering God’s gathered people and is essential (John 3:5).

3. By simply obeying the gospel and being baptized, God automatically adds you to his global assembly of the saved; but it is important to also “gather together” regularly with other Christians. Scripture directs us to resist “neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another” (Hebrews 10:25). After Saul was baptized and added to God’s gathering of the saved, one of the first things he did was try and join a gathering of local Christians (Acts 9:26).

4. Be aware that not all “Christian” gatherings are really in the kingdom of God. John made this clear when he wrote, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us” (1 John 2:19; cf. Matt. 15:13). When you are trying to find a gathering of Christians to meet with regularly, you must make sure that you gather with a group that is really in the kingdom of God. Some “Christian” gatherings teach “other gospels” which is not the gospel at all (Galatians 1:6-7).

5. There are several essentials that are absolutely necessary that will identify whether a gathering is really in the kingdom of God. (1) The group must believe in God and seek Him (Heb. 11:6), (2) The group must submit to Jesus as Savior (Acts 4:12), (3) The group must teach the essentiality of being born again of water and the spirit (John 3:7; cf. Acts 2:37-38), (4) The group must worship in spirit and truth and not by presumption (John 4:24; cf. 1 Sam. 15:23), (5) The group must have proper assembly conduct with male leadership and women learning quietly (1 Tim. 3:15, and context), (6) The group must endure tribulation and not teach a “health and wealth” gospel (Acts 14:22). This list is not exhaustive, but these are some “musts.”

The saved of the world are God’s one global assembly. We must find a local gathering of true disciples that are really in the kingdom and meet with them regularly.

The Ministry of Encouragement

jonathanjones_ii@hotmail.com (Jonathan Jones II) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:09:00 +0000

Encouragement. It is the art of helping people believe in themselves. The Bible says that encouragement is a ministry that true disciples should render to others (1 Thes. 5:14). The world is full of things that bring us down and discourage us. Most people tend to be pessimistic about others. Most people were pessimistic about Saul of Tarsus thinking that he really had no potential as a true follower of Christ, considering his past (Acts 9:26). Thankfully, a man named Barnabas believed in Saul and helped Saul believe in himself (Acts 9:27). Thanks to Barnabas' ministry of encouragement, Saul of Tarsus becomes arguably the most powerful preacher of the gospel, second only to Jesus. Saul becomes the Apostle Paul, writing a majority of the books of the New Testament. Much of Saul's success can likely be attributed to the encouragement of Barnabas.

Who have you encouraged lately? Who can you instill confidence in today? The video below is the motivational story of a coach believing in an autistic kid named Jason McElway. Watch the video and be amazed at what a little encouragement can do...

A Church Full of Ministers

jonathanjones_ii@hotmail.com (Jonathan Jones II) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:39:00 +0000

The church at Antioch was a church full of ministers. There were many prophets and teachers in that congregation according to Acts 13:1-3. In fact, there are five that are specifically named including Barnabas and Paul.
In the first century church, there were traveling evangelists who took their teaching efforts on the road. Although Paul did locate his ministry for a period of three years in Ephesus (Acts 20:31), generally Paul was a traveling evangelist. Yet, there were also located preachers that spent their time preaching for a specific congregation of believers. Philip apparently set up his residence in Caesarea and was the evangelist in that city for many years (cf. Acts 8:40; 21:8). It is God’s will that preachers of the gospel make their living from the gospel (1 Cor. 9:14). Evangelists are supported by churches to go forth doing the “work of the evangelist” by preaching, teaching, and publicly reading Scripture (2 Tim. 4:5; 1 Tim. 4:13). Preachers of the gospel are to devote all their time to prayer and “ministry of the word” (1 Tim. 4:13, 15; cf. Acts 6:2-4). Study, preparation, and presentation of the word of God is “the” ministry of the evangelist.
It is unfortunate that many people in the church today refer to the preacher as “the minister.” This is misleading and frankly, unbiblical. It is true that the preacher should be a minister of the word, but he is not THE minister. When we refer to the preacher at the minister, it implies that he is the only one who is ministering to others. The church is not to have only one minister. The church should be full of ministers.
The word translated “minister” in our Bibles is a Greek word that simply means “a servant.” Certainly there is a specific use of this term that refers to the service (ministry) offered by a preacher (cf. Col. 1:23; Eph. 6:21). Also, there is a specific group of men that are to be servants (ministers) of the church—these are the deacons (1 Tim. 3:8). However, the same word is used in a generic way of all Christians (Matt. 20:26; John 12:26; Rom. 16:1).
God designed the church as a living organism. The church is called “the body” in Scripture (Eph. 1:22-23). The church is not compared to organizational structures in the New Testament (like a business, cooperation, or bank). Instead, the church is a living organism that depends upon each of the individual parts functioning and working to survive. Paul puts it this way, “For the body does not consist of one member but of many” (1 Cor. 12:14). The church is not an organization with one minister. Instead the church is an organism of many ministers using their talents and abilities together to make the body function properly.
To have the mentality that a single man (or a few men) should be doing the “ministry” of a congregation is contrary to the will of God. God calls all Christians to examine themselves and discover what each ones “ministry” is. What is your ministry? If you can’t answer this question, you need to spend time in reflection, prayer, and study to discover the ministry that God has equipped you to do for his cause.
Over the past few weeks I have been away from Spring Hill. I preached a gospel meeting, went on vacation, and have another speaking engagement next week. It is extremely encouraging to me that we have so many men in this congregation who are blessed with the “ministry” of preaching and teaching. It is so satisfying to know that when I am away that there is quality preaching and teaching being done by men of this congregation in my absence. I want to say a heart-felt thank you to Mike Boggs, Jeremy Burleson, Steve Donahoo, Brandon Nutt, David Dukes, and Timothy Goode for using their talents of preaching and teaching on the days when I’m gone.
Let me encourage you to be supportive of the men who are willing to preach and teach. Your presence and kind words can be a ministry in itself as you are fulfilling the very command of God by giving these men the experience of learning to preach and teach (2 Tim. 2:2). Also, find your own ministry and let us become a church full of ministers.

America, a Christian Nation?

jonathanjones_ii@hotmail.com (Jonathan Jones II) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:06:00 +0000

A few months ago, President Obama stated that America is not a Christian nation. In response to this statement, Randy Forbes made this presentation before Congress correcting the President's statement. Click on the video below. Thanks to Mike Greene for sending me this link.

Jesus is King Over All Kings

jonathanjones_ii@hotmail.com (Jonathan Jones II) — Fri, 01 May 2009 15:01:00 +0000

We are being flooded with negative and depressing news these days. The economy is busted. Politicians are crooked. Laws are being made that oppose Biblical morality. Political correctness has made those who stand up for truth the enemy. Homosexuality is being embraced as good while traditional marriage is portrayed as evil. It is easy to become discouraged and like the old prophet we may be tempted to retreat into our caves of self pity declaring, "I, even I only, am left and they seek my life, to take it away" (1 Kings 19:10). But before you become totally overwhelmed with discouragement, God reminds us as he did Elijah, "I have 7,000 who have not bowed their knee to Baal" (19:18). You are not alone, there are still many true disciples of Christ left in the world who will stand for what is good and right.

For far too long we have avoided the book of Revelation. Filled with foreign and strange images, many resign the final book of the Bible to a shelf labeled "books I can't understand." This final book of the Bible was placed within Scripture by God for a reason. It is a book that can be understood if we don't get lost in the details. The message of Revelation is not found in the brush stokes but instead in the large picture it presents. It is time for Christians everywhere to dust off this heavenly vision and study it with fresh eyes.

For the purpose of this article, I simply want to point out that God inspired John to write this book when Christians were being persecuted (Rev. 1:9). It was written to give us a boost of confidence that even in days of persecution the future has already been written. God ultimately wins the battle, and the victory that is sealed within the future events of time is already recorded. No matter what we face, we should have confidence in our minds and joy in our hearts that the battle is won. We must simply remain on the winning side until death (Rev. 2:10).

John has a vision of Jesus Christ seated on his throne. John calls Jesus, "the ruler of the kings on earth" (Rev. 1:5). Christians at the time of this writing were being imprisoned, persecuted, and even selectively killed by Emperor Domitian. But John wants his readers to know, Jesus is king over all kings, even the Emperor. May Christians today be reminded of this truth.