While many churches have cancelled worship services on NEW YEARS day in the past, let it be known that the church of Christ on Franklin and Juniper in Borger Texas…
will be open to congregationally worship our King of kings and Lord of lords as commanded in the New Testament.
WE WILL:
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is. Heb 10:25
we will have COMMUNION in the Lord’s Supper. 1Cor 11:17-34
we will HEAR a message from God’s word. Eph 4:12
we will sing with UNDERSTANDING, 1Cor 14:15; Eph 5:19; Col 3:16
we will make REQUESTS to God in Prayer, Phil 4:6
we will all CONTRIBUTE to the work of the local church through the giving of our means, 1Cor 16: 1-2; 2Cor 8-9
we will provoke one another’s HEART to love. Heb 10:24-25
We invite you to attend a service of the church of Christ
on the Lord’s day (Sunday) at 9:30am for bible study and 10:30 worship.
or on Wednesday evening for bible study at 6:30pm.
To LISTEN (hear) the words of Christ and to LEARN of Him.
Matthew 7:24 KJV
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Mark 9:7 KJV
And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
John 6:68 KJV
Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
1 Corinthians 14:37 KJV
If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
That’s why I read the Bible. To LISTEN & Obey Jesus
Let’s read the bible through in 2023
Here’s a link to some printable Bible reading Bookmarks.
If you live in the Borger area and would like to study the bible better, we invite you to one of our services with the church of Christ on Franklin and Juniper.
“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; [21] That they all may BE ONE; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may BE ONE in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”
Jesus prayed for us that we would believe through the word of the Apostles which has been written for our understanding (Eph 3:3–4). He then stated the reason, that we all may BE ONE in God and in Christ as they are one.
If we’re not reading then we’re unable to find that unity in Christ.
“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
When we READ and STUDY we can all be on the same sheet.
“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
That’s why I read the Bible. To BE ONE with God, Jesus, and the church.
Let’s read the bible through in 2023
Here’s a link to some printable Bible reading Bookmarks.
If you live in the Borger area and would like to study the bible better, we invite you to one of our services with the church of Christ on Franklin and Juniper.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”
(Eph 2:8)
“But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.” (Acts 15:11)
“And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus” (1Tim 1:14).
“Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2Tim 2:1).
As we study more about GRACE, the more we’ll realize that Grace is IN CHRIST. He and His sacrifice is the gift of Grace.
Grace appeared IN CHRIST. How does Grace come through CHRIST?
CHRIST was CRUCIFIED fulfilling the prophecy of the manner of His death for the sins of the world. Jesus said, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up” (John 3:14; cf. Deut 21:23; Gal 3:10-13). In the first sermon at Pentecost, Peter said, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). It is the included in the preaching of Jesus. “But we preach Christ crucified” (1Cor 1:23).
As we follow CHRIST, being crucified is something we also do in a figure. “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts” (Gal 5:24; cf. Rom 6:3-6).
It is only by HIS BLOOD that the church is made possible. “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). “Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate” (Heb 13:12; cf Heb 9:12).
We who follow Christ are washed IN HIS blood in baptism. “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood” (Rev 1:5).
After His death and burial, He ROSE FROM THE DEAD. “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole” (Acts 4:10). It wasn’t enough that He died, but that He also ROSE AGAIN!
We also RISE to walk in newness of life. “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection” (Rom 6:3-5). Because He ROSE from the dead, we have hope in our own RESURRECTION into eternal life.
It’s a fact that man cannot provide his own salvation (Rom 3:12, 23), but Jesus could provide for salvation because He is the very IMAGE OF GOD. “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature” (Col 1:15; 2Co 4:4; Heb 1:3). As God in the flesh, He is able to be the perfect remedy for the sins of man. “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:28; cf 4:15).
Man was originally made in the IMAGE of God, but we are not deity. We can become more like Christ the more we IMITATE Him. “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (Col 3:10). “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29).
What we’re learning is that grace is Christ as God’s SACRIFICE for man’s sin. “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God” (Heb 10:12). “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb 1:3).
As followers of Christ, we also SACRIFICE our lives to Him. “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour” (Eph 5:2). “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1).
GRACE is IN CHRIST because He TASTED DEATH FOR US. “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man” (Heb 2:9). “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (Rom 5:6). “And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again” (2Cor 5:15).
We also TASTE DEATH IN WATER BAPTISM. “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” (Rom 6:3; cf. Rom 6:11-12; 14:7-8; 1Co 6:19; Ga 2:20; 1Th 5:10). And we mortify (put to death) the deeds of the flesh. “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Col 3:4-9).
While GRACE is IN CHRIST, we have none of these blessings until we are IN CHRIST. “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal 3:27; Eph 1:3).
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Hebrews 1:1
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
“Thus saith the LORD” is found in numerous locations throughout the Scriptures.
The Bible claims to be inspired by God. If it is not the inerrant word of God, then it is to be ignored.
That’s why I read the Bible. To BELIEVE in Him.
Let’s read the bible through in 2023
Here’s a link to some printable Bible reading Bookmarks.
If you live in the Borger area and would like to study the bible better, we invite you to one of our services with the church of Christ on Franklin and Juniper.
Here are some external sources for additional study about the inspiration of the bible.
Jesus prayed that people, after His resurrection, would believe in Him through the words of the Apostles.
John 17:20 KJV
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
Their word would be written…
John 20:30-31 KJV
And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: [31] But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
Ephesians 3:3-4 KJV
How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, [4] Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
Romans 10:17 KJV
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
That’s why I read the Bible. To BELIEVE in Him.
Let’s read the bible through in 2023
Here’s a link to some printable Bible reading Bookmarks.
If you live in the Borger area and would like to study the bible better, we invite you to one of our services with the church of Christ on Franklin and Juniper.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”
(Eph 2:8)
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11)
There is no doubt that salvation is by GRACE. What’s at question is this; Is there something man must do to receive salvation through GRACE?
The answer is Yes!! Some would argue that Belief, Repentance, Confession, and Baptism are not required, but they wrest the scriptures. These are works God gave man to do to receive GRACE.
“This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (John 6:29).
“Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father” (1Thess 1:3).
What they should be teaching is that the APPEARING of GRACE is not by any work or goodness man has done. This is what the scriptures teach. “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1John 4:9-10).
What does it mean to us that GRACE has APPEARED?
When Christ came into the world to save us through His sacrifice, GRACE APPEARED making salvation AVAILABLE. “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared” (Titus 3:4).
Without the Sacrifice of Christ, it is impossible for man to be saved, but the shed blood of Christ made it POSSIBLE for man to be saved. “When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Matt 19:25-26; cf. Luke 18:27). It is impossible for man to invent his own means of salvation, and it’s impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to save, but with the blood of Christ it is POSSIBLE (Heb 10:4-10).
False teachers will tell you to “ask Jesus into your heart” to receive His Grace (which is not found anywhere in Scripture). The Bible tells a different story. We are to PUT ON CHRIST in water baptism through faith in His Grace. “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ (Gal 3:26-27).
Faith in Jesus Christ, Repentance, Confession, and Baptism is how we ESCAPE CORRUPTION that is in the world. “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2Peter 1:4). Then we are to continue in His Grace (Acts 13:43). “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning” (2Peter 2:20). It’s possible to fall from Grace (Gal 5:4)
Some also teach that the GRACE of God only APPEARED to a select few individuals predetermined by God. This is the basis of Calvinism. Once again, the Scriptures teach something different. Grace APPEARS to ALL MEN (Titus 2:11). “But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many” (Rom 5:15). “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1Tim 2:4; cf. 2Pet 3:9). What God has predetermined is to save all those who receive the grace that has appeared through their obedience to the gospel by faith (2Thess 1:8-9).
The APPEARING of Grace provides the means of salvation, but it will not save those that reject it. Christ gave His life for our sins; this is the GRACE of God. When we obey the Gospel, we have the RIGHT to eternal life. “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city” (Rev 22:14). “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12). “Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue” (John 12:42). “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian” (Acts 26:28). “And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked” (Acts 17:32).
For anyone to claim that our obedience to God, to the Gospel, to Jesus the Christ, or to the Holy Spirit inspired word of God is earning salvation then they have clearly not read the Bible. To obey God is never earning salvation, it has always been trusting in His Grace through God’s working. “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead” (Col 2:12).
“That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men” (Titus 3:7-8).
Grace has APPEARED. It was made available, making it possible for man to be saved when they faithfully put on Christ in baptism. By obeying the gospel, we escape the corruption that is in the world and anyone can do the same. When we obey the gospel, He gives us the right to the tree of life.
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11)
Spencer is a preacher for the church of Christ in Borger Texas, on the corner of Franklin & Juniper
Borger church of Christ @ Franklin & Juniper 