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http://Barbertonchurchofchrist.org/

Barberton Church of Christ, 984 Robinson Avenue, Barberton, OH (2026)

06/15/2026

Just a reminder of our upcoming VBS! We hope you will be able to join us.

06/15/2026

Here is the article from our recent bulletin (6/14/26)

"Humility is the Pathway to Grace"

Last week I was able to attend a gospel meeting. The preacher at this meeting made a statement that stood out to me. He said, “Humility is the pathway to grace.” Let’s consider this statement for a moment.

Grace is something that every single one of us wants. It is something that we all need. Without grace, it would be impossible for us to be saved (Ephesians 2:1-10). Grace is freely bestowed upon us through Jesus (Ephesians 1:6). Despite clear teaching about grace in Scripture, there is still much false teaching and misunderstanding regarding grace and its application.

Many want to believe that grace is given to us, and because of it, we do not have to live a life of obedience. This view of grace is quite absurd, and, when you really think about it, it makes it seem as if we deserve the grace of God, as if we are owed it from Him. The Bible teaches that grace is something that we have to receive or accept. Just like any gift given to us, we have the option to receive it or refuse it. God’s grace is no different. We have to receive it.

How do we receive God’s gift of grace? One aspect involved in receiving it is practicing humility. Humility is defined as the quality of having a modest view of your own importance, abilities, or achievements. It involves recognizing your strengths and weaknesses accurately, being open to learning from others, and not placing yourself above other people. The opposite of humility is pride. A proud person believes they are above others. Specifically concerning salvation and the Lord, the proud person does not believe in God or believe in the need to submit to His commandments. The proud person believes that he will be saved without humbling himself to the point of obedience.

Remember, Jesus humbled Himself to the point of death on the cross (Philippians 2:1-11). Jesus was not left in the grave; rather, God raised Him from the grave and exalted Him. If we humble ourselves before God and obey Him, we too will be exalted. "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted" – Luke 14:11.

How is humility the pathway to grace? Without realizing that we must change, that we must quit living for ourselves and selfishly walking in the flesh, we will never receive the grace of God. To receive God’s grace, we must die to self and live for Christ (Galatians 2:20, Romans 6). That is the moment at which we receive God’s grace. Will you be humble so that you walk down the pathway that leads to grace?

-Luke Welte

06/01/2026

Here is the recent article from our recent bulletin (5/31/26)

"Speaking of Hell"

This past Wednesday, while studying for the invitation I presented regarding Matthew 8:5-13, I came across a quote from Charles Spurgeon regarding verse twelve. While Spurgeon was a Baptist preacher, and we must be cautious about his teachings, this particular comment about the verse in Matthew 8 is certainly worth considering.

“We see that Jesus was unafraid to speak of hell, and in fact did so more than any other in the Bible. ‘There are some ministers who never mention anything about hell. I heard of a minister who once said to his congregation, “If you do not love the Lord Jesus Christ you will be sent to that place which it is not polite to mention.” He ought not to have been allowed to preach again, I am sure, if he could not use plain words.’” (Spurgeon’s Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, sermon no. 537.)

There are many today who do not like to talk, think, or hear lessons preached about hell. It is certainly no mystery why this is the case. Discussions about hell are not comforting or encouraging. Possibly, many are reminded of family or friends who have died without being in Christ and who are likely to be found in hell. Maybe some do not like hearing about hell because it reminds them of where they believe they will end up for eternity if they do not change their current lifestyle. Whatever the reasons may be, lessons about hell are never enjoyable.

Yet, teaching about hell is a vital part of the preacher’s work, as well as of any Christian’s work if they are truly trying to teach others. I am reminded of Paul’s words, through inspiration, to the young preacher Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:2: “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” Timothy was charged with teaching the entirety of the Word when it was readily accepted by its hearers and when it would likely be found to be repulsive by its hearers. Discussions and lessons on hell are certainly one of the least desired topics in all of Scripture.

It is no wonder that so many do not like hearing about hell. Spurgeon also said concerning hell, “What is it that the lost are doing? They are ‘weeping and gnashing their teeth.’ Do you gnash your teeth now? You would not do it except when you were in pain and agony. Well, in hell there is always gnashing of teeth.”

So, if so many do not want to hear about hell, why teach about it? We, as Christians, are required to teach about it, not because Charles Spurgeon says so or anyone else, for that matter, but because, first, we are to teach the entirety of Scripture and, second, all people need to know what is in store for those who are not willing to come to the Lord. Without understanding the proper consequences for our sins, many will be doomed to go about life never considering what the wages of their actions will earn them (Romans 6:23).

As Christians, because of our love for God and for others, we are compelled to teach about everything related to the Word of God. That includes the love of God (heaven) as well as the wrath of God (hell). Let us not be afraid to speak about hell.

-Luke Welte

05/27/2026

Here is the article from our recent bulletin (5/24/26)

"Satisfied With Life"

This phrase is used to describe the state of mind that Abraham had when he passed away in Genesis 25:8: “Abraham breathed his last and died in a ripe old age, an old man and satisfied with life; and he was gathered to his people.”

Are you satisfied with life? Satisfied means feeling content, pleased, or fulfilled because a need, desire, or expectation has been met. It is a word that we use quite often, and we understand its meaning well. Yet, it is a feeling that we may struggle to embody. Why is that? We live with the mindset of constantly needing more. We are never content with what we have and are always pursuing more physical possessions or a higher status. If we adopt this mindset, we will never achieve a life like Abraham’s - a man who died content.

So how can we achieve satisfaction like Abraham? The answer is simple, yet infinitely profound. We need faith. Not a simple or easy faith, but a faith like Abraham’s. Abraham did not live an easy life by any means. A quick recap of his life clearly shows this to be the case. Abraham left his homeland, never to return; suffered famines, wars, and drama in his household caused by conflict involving his wife; separated from his nephew Lot because of conflict between their herdsmen; pleaded with the Lord for the sake of S***m because Lot lived there; witnessed the aftermath of S***m’s destruction and apparently never saw his nephew again; and endured so much more. How could he have died satisfied? He had faith.

Notice the words of Hebrews 11:8-10: “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” Abraham died satisfied because he knew that he had lived by faith and that he had a certain expectation of an eternal city built by the Lord.

If we want to die feeling satisfied, we need one thing, and one thing only: Jesus. We receive Jesus through obedient faith - a faith that obeys His commandments, looks to Christ, and knows that every spiritual blessing is in the Lord.

The reality is that many people are unsatisfied with life right now. Why is that? They do not have Jesus. They are trying to navigate life on their own, always seeking more, but only finding less. This way of life is tiresome, burdensome, and will only lead to greater unrest. Why not “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30)?

-Luke Welte

05/25/2026

We hope that you will join us for our VBS this year!

05/18/2026

Here is the recent article from our bulletin (5/17/26)

"Call Any Hour"

If you have been attending worship services at the Barberton Church of Christ for any amount of time, you have certainly sat through many sermons and invitations. If the speaker is fulfilling his responsibility in preaching the gospel correctly, there is always an invitation at the end of every lesson. So, you have also heard the invitation given many times as well.

The invitation serves the purpose of allowing those who are struggling with sin or simply feeling the weight of the world on their shoulders an opportunity to find comfort from the Lord and from their brothers and sisters. The sinner is able to find comfort by making his life right with the Lord. They do this by confessing Christ and being baptized into His body (Romans 6:3-5; Mark 16:16). Or, if they have been baptized and have fallen away, they can confess their sins and repent, and we know that the Lord will forgive them of their sins (1 John 1:9). If someone who may not be struggling with sin is feeling discouraged by life and needs prayers and support, then they can also find comfort by making their needs known to the church.

When someone responds to the Lord’s invitation, it is a wonderful event. Likely, someone’s life is being made right with the Lord, and that should make us feel incredibly joyful. It is also wonderful when someone makes their needs known. We ought to bear one another’s burdens. When someone makes it known that they need help, it gives us an opportunity to help them. It is wonderful that we are blessed to be able to help make someone’s life a little better.

Even though responding to the invitation is a wonderful thing, it is a rare occurrence to see someone “go forward.” There may be a number of different reasons why we do not see it happen more often than we do. I will not pursue examining that in this article. The main point of this article is not so much about responding to the invitation; rather, it is that the invitation is open at all times, not just at the end of a sermon or invitation.

In Acts 16:25-34, we see the account of the Philippian jailor and his household being saved. In verse 25, we see that these events happened in the middle of the night, at midnight.
Paul and Silas did not tell him and his family to wait until daybreak. Rather, it says in verse 33, “And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.”

What can we take away from this biblical event? It does not matter what time of day or night it may be; if you feel the need to make your life right with the Lord, you can make it known at any time. My phone is always on, and there are others here who would be willing at any time to help you become a Christian, make your life right with the Lord, or pray with you. If you feel a need to make a change in your life and you need the aid of those at this church, please do not wait until after a sermon or invitation. Make it known immediately. Call at any hour.

-Luke Welte

05/11/2026

Here is the article from our recent bulletin (5/10/26)

"Shepherds to Lost Sheep"

Over the last several months, we have been studying the role of shepherds. We have seen how essential shepherds are for guiding and protecting their flock. The core question is: what should a shepherd do when a sheep leaves the flock?

The answer to this question is found in Luke 15:3-7. “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ 7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.”

When a sheep leaves the flock, the shepherd must actively pursue and attempt to bring it back. He does so first because he cares for each sheep individually, as Jesus, the Good Shepherd, stated: “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own” (John 10:14). Second, the shepherd knows he will be accountable for every sheep in his care, as shown in Hebrews 13:17. The motivation for pursuit is both love and responsibility. Good shepherds are defined by their willingness to seek and help lost sheep.

Today, we need shepherds committed to seeking lost sheep. The church, often described as a family in Scripture, feels the loss deeply when members leave. Just as we would not accept a physical family member walking away never to return, we should not accept it in the church. Lost sheep matter to both shepherds and the flock, and this loss should affect us all.

Men who would serve as shepherds must understand this family dynamic that the Lord describes the church as having. They must view all Christians as brothers and sisters (Mark 3:33-35). If the men serving as shepherds are not deeply affected by the loss of members of their flock, then they are not shepherds at all; they are hirelings (John 10:12-13).

Lost sheep need help. Jesus will help them, but shepherds in a local church must also assist. It is their God-given responsibility. While a shepherd cannot force a sheep to return, the lost sheep must be willing. If shepherds never extend help, it is unlikely for the sheep to come back. We need shepherds who go after the lost sheep.

-Luke Welte

05/04/2026

Here is the article from our recent bulletin (5/3/26)

"God Is Aware Of Our Needs."

Because of the day that we live in today, sometimes it may seem as if the only person watching our backs is ourselves. We go through life doubting everyone else's intentions (which is not healthy, but that is not what this article addresses). We only look out for ourselves, and sometimes it feels like there is no help out there other than what you can provide for yourself. None of these thoughts are true, even though it can feel that way.

The reality is, there are fellow Christians who are available to offer help in more ways than one. This is part of why God designed the church - so that we would be connected to His body, where we care for and look out for one another. Even after being part of a church, there may be seasons of life when it seems no one can provide the care you need. The fact is that humans are imperfect, and they will simply not be able to provide all of the care and aid that we need. This is where we must rely upon the Lord, and if we are going about life the right way, He should be the one on whom we always rely.

God is aware of our needs. Last week, I wrote, “The reason why we are not aware is because we do not care.” God truly cares for us, and because of this, He is aware of our needs. He created us - of course, He is aware of what His creation needs. Notice these passages: Matthew 6:8 – “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” Psalm 23:1 – “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” 1 Peter 5:7 – “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

Clearly, after seeing these passages, we can conclude that God cares for us and is aware of our needs. Now, let’s be careful. We must properly understand exactly what God is saying that He will aid in caring for us. Let’s read another passage regarding His care for us: Matthew 6:31–32 – “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or 'What shall we drink?’ “‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” This passage teaches us that we will not have to worry about food, drink, and clothing - the necessities. God never promises to give us more than what we need. He tells us He will give us what we need. I am not saying that He will only provide food, drink, and clothes, but He is not going to give us every single thing that we ask for. God gives us what we need, not just what we think we need.

Sometimes, what He gives us, we may think that we do not need, or we do not understand why we have it. Paul had a thorn in the flesh, not given by God, but God did not remove it from him because Paul learned a valuable lesson from it (2 Corinthians 12:7–10).

So how do we live our lives recognizing that God cares and gives us what we need, even though it does not always seem like it to us? We must quit looking at life through our limited lenses. We must open our eyes to see the bigger picture. It may not be easy; in fact, we may never truly understand why certain things happen to us, but we must trust and always lean on the Lord in all things, because God is aware of our needs.

-Luke Welte

04/27/2026

Here is the article from our recent bulletin (4/26/26)

"If You Are Not Aware, You Do Not Care"

This past week, I came across this phrase in an article that I was reading. It stood out to me because of just how true it really is. There is much that happens in the world around us that we are simply unaware of. Some may be unaware of who is leading Major League Baseball in home runs this season; some may be unaware of the most recent political development; others may be unaware of the most recent pop culture news. The fact is, there are many things that we are unaware of that do not matter.

The question can be asked, “Why are we not aware of certain things, but very aware of others?” To answer this question, we must switch the order of the phrase that inspired this article: “We do not care, so we are not aware.” What you care about is what you will be aware of. So, what are you aware of? Let us consider a couple of things that we should be aware of, and then let us examine whether we are aware of them or not.

Are we aware of the needs of others? Philippians 2:1–4 – “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” This passage teaches that we must be looking out for others. This demands that we do not go about life only looking out for ourselves, but also being vigilant for the needs of others. When was the last time you stopped to help someone change a flat tire on the side of the road? When was the last time you prepared a meal for someone who just had a medical procedure? As Christians, we should be on the lookout for opportunities to help others.

Are we aware of the spiritual needs of others? This is even more important than physical needs, yet perhaps we look out for spiritual needs even less. This should not be the case. Galatians 6:1–2 – “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” This passage teaches the need for us to help each other when we fall short. Of course, we must look out for our own souls, but once we have done that, let us help each other by bearing one another’s burdens.

Are we aware of the spiritual needs of ourselves? We cannot afford to be unaware of our own spiritual needs and shortcomings. If we are not aware of them, we will not remain faithful to the Lord. 1 Timothy 4:16 – “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” To take heed means to be watchful, to be careful. If we do not take heed to ourselves, then we will fall.

Do you care about others? Do you care about the Lord? If you do, then you will be well aware of what others need, as well as what you need to do to be pleasing to the Lord.

-Luke Welte

04/20/2026

Here is the article from our recent bulletin (4/19/26)

"Two Kinds of Sorrow"

2 Corinthians 7:10 mentions two kinds of sorrow. It says, “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.” The two kinds of sorrow mentioned in this passage are godly sorrow and the sorrow of the world.

How is sorrow produced? Sorrow is typically produced within us upon feeling guilt or shame over something that we have done wrong. Yet not all sorrow is the same, as shown in this passage. How can we distinguish between godly sorrow and worldly sorrow? This is an important question because godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, whereas the sorrow of the world produces death. Let’s study the context of 2 Corinthians 7:10 so that we can distinguish between godly sorrow and worldly sorrow.

Throughout both letters written to the church in Corinth, Paul rebukes the Corinthians many times. There were many things in which they fell short. Apparently, the Corinthians had repented of a sin in which they were participating. Very likely, this sin of which they repented was the sin that he wrote to them about in 1 Corinthians 5. That chapter shows that there was a man who was having sexual relations with his father’s wife. The church did not grieve or rebuke this man over his sin; rather, they tolerated it. Paul rebuked them for doing so.

When we read 2 Corinthians 7, we receive an update regarding the situation. In the midst of a discourse about comfort that Paul and his companions had received from God, he mentions that they were encouraged because of the message they received concerning the Corinthian brethren (7:7). Paul states in verse 8 that he does not regret making them sorrowful, even though it hurt him to do so. He recognizes that this sorrow was only temporary. In verse 9, he says that their sorrow led them to repentance because their sorrow was godly. Verse 11 shows us that godly sorrow not only leads to salvation but also produces fear, earnestness, zeal, and vindication.

So, what led to the Corinthians obtaining godly sorrow instead of worldly sorrow? The Corinthians, to become sorrowful in a godly manner, first had to be confronted directly about their sin. Paul did this. Because of this, they were able to recognize that their sin was against God. Godly sorrow requires the sinner to realize that they have violated the law of the Lord and His standard of righteousness, not man’s opinions. Not only did they realize this, but they also corrected the issue instead of minimizing it or resisting the proper course of action (7:11). As indicated by 7:7, it is clear that they cared about their relationship with God, and this led them to do what was necessary so that the issue could be resolved.

The bottom line is, godly sorrow learns the truth, accepts it, recognizes where God’s standards were violated, cares about being right with God, and corrects the wrong.

Worldly sorrow, on the other hand, does not do this; it produces death (7:10). An example of worldly sorrow can be found in Matthew 27:3-5. Worldly sorrow does not focus on the Lord; rather, the sinner centers everything on themselves. It focuses on the consequences, not the sin. A person with worldly sorrow thinks, “I got caught, this is ruining my life, people are going to think differently of me, this looks really bad.” Yet, the sinner does not think, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Worldly sorrow can include crying, regret, stress, and shame, yet it does not lead to change. It may lead to self-pity. Instead of turning to God, it turns inward: “Why is this happening to me?” “I hate how this makes me feel.” Worldly sorrow focuses on personal loss, not failure to live by God’s standards. It seeks to escape consequences rather than correct sin. The goal is relief, not righteousness. It ultimately cares about personal comfort, not living for God, and this leads to death.

The difference between the two kinds of sorrow is very simple. Godly sorrow recognizes sin as being against God. Worldly sorrow is only concerned with self. Let us be sorrowful in a godly fashion when we sin so that we can repent in a way that leads to salvation.

-Luke Welte

Barberton Church of Christ

06/15/2026

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