http://www.bentoncitychurchofchrist.tinypurplegrapes.com/

Benton City Church of Christ, 701 Della Avenue, Benton City, WA (2026)

08/11/2023

The world is not looking to Jesus for salvation as the devil is deep into deception...

06/30/2023

HOLINESS

“Since we have these promises, dear friends,
let us purify ourselves from everything that
contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness
out of reverence for God.”
(2 Corinthians 7:1)

The Greek word translated “holiness” is “hagios.” This word is translated “saints” fifty-five times in the New Testament, meaning Christians; and it is also translated “sanctified,” which means “to be set apart, to be made holy.” The plural form of this Greek adjective literally means “the holy ones.”

Holiness is one of the most powerful, basic virtues of the Christian. The psalmist wrote, “Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” (Psalm 29:1) Peter wrote, “But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” (I Peter 1:15-16) Paul tells us that we are to be “partakers of His Holiness.”

Holiness is three things:

First, a holy life is one dedicated to God, for God’s use. Dedication, or consecration, is at the very root of the biblical concept of holiness. In the Old Testament, objects are frequently mentioned as being holy: Such things as “holy ground” (Exodus 3:5), a “holy day” (Exodus 16:23), “holy food” (Exodus 29:33), “holy oil” (Exodus 31:25), and a “holy crown” (Exodus 39:30), just to mention a few. The priests and the temple in the Old Testament were holy, set apart for God’s use. Today, Christians occupy that position. Peter tells us that we, as Christians, are a “holy priesthood,” and that we make up a “holy nation, a people belonging to God.” (I Peter 2:5,9) Paul wrote to the Corinthian congregation, “To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified (made holy) in Christ Jesus and called to be holy…” (I Corinthians 1:2)

The only way to be holy is to consecrate our lives to God, devoted to God’s use. We sing about it:
“Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee;
Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.
Lord, I give my life to Thee, Thine forevermore to be.”

Secondly, a holy life is one disciplined by God. Few things are more characteristic of our age than undisciplined living. Many people have cast restraint to the wind in favor of just doing their own thing. Few would debate the urgent need for more disciplined living. But that is exactly what holiness means: living a life trained and restrained by God.

Holiness is not a passive withdrawal from life, but rather an active participation with God. Holiness is deeply rooted in one’s obedient response to the Lord. In the middle ages there were men who thought the way to be holy was to completely isolate themselves from the world, live in caves and monasteries, and deny the body its comforts and even its needs. Jesus taught separation from the world, but not isolation from it. As Vance Havner said, “Living in a hole never made anybody holy.” Yes, the human emotions and desires that God gave us must be disciplined and controlled, but not destroyed. J. Wallace Hamilton presented this case in his book, “Ride The Wild Horses.”

The psalmist asks a difficult question: “How can a young man keep his way pure?” (Psalm 119:9) That problem is as pressing today as it was 3,000 years ago! The psalmist gives the only valid answer: “By living according to Your Word.” No person, young or old, can achieve his own maximal potential for great living aside from the careful discipline and the ordering of his life by God’s will. Discipline is at the very heart of holiness.

Thirdly, a holy life is one distinctive for God. A distinctive lifestyle should always mark the Christian. Dedication to God starts it; discipline by God develops it; and the end product then is a different quality of life. The Christian’s life is distinctive. In its simplest definition, to be holy means to be different, different from the world. This life has been “cleansed and made holy.” It is “right with God!”

There is an appealing beauty to real holiness. It is the attraction of a dedicated, disciplined, distinctive life.
“Take time to be holy, Be calm in thy soul,
Each thought and each motive, Neath Jesus’ control.”

--Charles Cash

06/25/2023

When Church Is Boring

What do you do when you find that church is boring? It's time for a change! Now the question is, change what? Many folks think the answer is to change the church. I just read an article about a new church created for men only, men who find church boring. Discarding more traditional environments, they meet in a gymnasium one Saturday evening a month. A rock band provides entertainment. The preacher speaks in front of the scoreboard, with the clock running. He guarantees to have them out in one hour! Some might not go that far, yet they still insist on change. Contemporary music, drama, and short sermons that are little more than pep talks are the order of the day. Celebration and praise are the buzzwords. Malachi lived at a time when people found "church" boring. Speaking of Israel's worship, God said through the prophet, "You also say, 'My, how tiresome it is!' And you disdainfully sniff at it" (Malachi 1:13). God proposed two changes in these who turned up their noses at His worship. One was to just stay home (1:10). The better solution - the change He preferred - was to repent (2:2). Notice what God did not approve of: changing the structure or activities of worship to accommodate individual tastes. The preacher or the one who leads the prayer can give more thought to what he says and the song leader can try to select more meaningful hymns. But when worship as God directed is boring, the main change that is needed is in the heart of the worshiper. - by Frank Himmel

05/28/2023

Calling on the Name of the Lord

In ROMANS 10:13, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" In ACTS 2:21, as Peter quotes JOEL 2:32, He states, And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Our thoughts today will focus on the question, “What does it mean to call upon the name of the Lord?” Before we look at what it means, let us consider how some have grossly misinterpreted and misunderstood it’s meaning.
Some think that calling on the Lord is crying, "Lord, Lord," but Jesus asked in LUKE 6:46, "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" Again He said in MATTHEW 7:21, “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven".
Others tell alien sinners to kneel at an altar and pray to the Lord for salvation. This, they insist, is how one calls on the name of the Lord. Prayer is a privilege of God's children. Notice in MATTHEW 6:9, as Jesus was teaching His disciples to pray, He tells them: “After this manner therefore pray ye, Our Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name”. No alien is saved by prayer. We are told in I PETER 3:12,”For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil”. Often in the course of a conversation of this subject, the matter of Cornelius, in ACTS 10, will come up. It says of him in ACTS 10:2, that he was ‘A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always”. Cornelius was not saved by his prayer. Cornelius was man who reverently worshiped and served God to the best of the knowledge he had of Him. The man described in ACTS 10:2, in spite of his reverence, his sincerity and his good deeds, was lost. He was lost because his sins had not been washed away by the Savior’s blood. God provided this devout man an opportunity to be instructed and taught the way of truth, just as He will anyone so desiring to know the truth.Notice ACTS 10:30-32,”And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the seaside: who when he cometh, shall speak unto thee”. As Peter, the one who spoke to Cornelius and his household tells the account of this occasion, notice what he says in ACTS 11:14, “Who shall tell thee words whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.” Cornelius had to hear words whereby he would be saved. What was he told to do? ACTS 10:48,”And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.”
Many teach that one calls on the name of the Lord when he believes. They teach, "All you have to do to be saved is just believe on the Lord." James wrote in JAMES 2:17,26,”Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone...For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” Obedience to the command of repentance, confession and baptism does not conflict with inspired statement made by Paul in EPHESIANS 2:8-9,”For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God, Not of works, lest any man should boast.” When one is baptized into Christ, he/she has done nothing to earn or merit their salvation. They have simply complied with God’s commands that they can receive the spiritual blessings made available by God’s grace.
Paul indicated that those who call on the Lord are the ones who hear, believe and obey the gospel. Notice ROMANS 10:14-17,”How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall thy believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the Gospel. For Isaiah saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”
The name of the Lord is authority. Paul tells us in COLOSSIANS 3:17,”And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” His name is above all names and as we are told in ACTS 4:12,’Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” There is no other authority by which we can be saved, but Jesus. When a penitent believer comes to Him in obedience to the Gospel, that is, to be buried with Him in baptism for the remission of sins as instructed in ACTS 2:38, he/she is calling on the Lord’s name, or the Lord’s authority to save them.
JOHNNY WEBB

03/24/2023

I hope this helps you understand the Eternal Purpose of God: The Redemption of mankind

02/12/2023

New study this morning in class: The Eternal Purpose of God = Redemption

Don't miss out Sunday's at 10 am.

02/05/2023

21 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD BE SCRIPTURALLY BAPTIZED

1. Because God commands it. Acts 10:48
2. To fulfill all righteousness. Matthew 3:15
3. To be a friend of Christ. John 15:14
4. Because you love God. I John 5:3; John 14:15
5. Lest you reject the council of God against yourself. Luke 7:30
6. To COMPLETE the “new birth.” John 3:3-5; Titus 3:5
7. To enter the kingdom. John 3:5
8. For remission of sins. Acts 2:38
9. To receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38
10. In order to be saved. Mark 16:16
11. To wash away your sins. Acts 22:16
12. To get into the death of Jesus where blood was shed. Romans 6:3
13. To be buried with Christ. Romans 6:4
14. To be raised with Christ. Romans 6:4; Colossians. 3:1; 2:12
15. To rise to walk in the newness of life. Romans 6:4
16. To be a child of God by faith. Galatians 3:26-27
17. To get into the body, which is the Church. I Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 1:18
18. To have a good conscience. I Peter 3:21
19. To get INTO Christ. Galatians 3:27
20. Because “baptism doth also now save us.” I Peter 3:21; Mark 16:16
21. To be “reconciled unto God in one body by the cross” Ephesians 2:13-16

02/03/2023

The Holy Spirit and Man’s Conscience
by Heath Rogers
The Holy Spirit is an avoided and misunderstood subject in the Lord’s church today. Brethren naturally have questions about the Holy Spirit. When there is a lack of teaching done on the Holy Spirit, brethren will sometimes fill this void with the errors they hear from their friends and neighbors and television preachers. More and more, we are hearing brethren claim to be led by the Holy Spirit separate and apart from His word. This can be heard in conversations and read in blogs and exchanges on social media. They are heard to make the same statements made by those in denominationalism: “The Holy Spirit spoke this to me.” “The Holy Spirit laid this on my heart.” “The Holy Spirit moved me.” Sometimes these claims are used to justify departures from the truth of God’s word. Thus, we can see that teaching is needed on this important aspect of the Holy Spirit.
God has equipped man with a conscience. The conscience is defined as “a knowledge or sense of right and wrong, with a compulsion to do right; moral judgment that opposes the violation of a previously recognized ethical principle and that leads to feelings of guilt if one violates such a principle” (Webster’s Dictionary, 302).
Our conscience is our “guidance system.” It lets us know if we are doing right or wrong. For instance, when we are doing what we understand to be wrong, our conscience will make us feel guilty. When we are doing what we understand to be right, our conscience will justify us or make us feel right.
Each of us responds to our personal conscience. It is a guide, but it is only a safe guide if it has been trained properly. The conscience of the Christian is to be trained by the word of God. The apostle Paul said, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:2). Our way of thinking is “transformed” when our minds are renewed. This is not done miraculously. Our minds are renewed as we learn God’s standards of right and wrong set forth in His word. As we learn these standards of righteousness, our conscience is trained.
The Christian must allow his conscience to be trained by the word of God, and not by family traditions, personal opinions, worldly standards, or denominational doctrines. The conscience cannot be a safe guide if it has been trained by a false standard.
“Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Ps. 119:11). If we have trained our conscience by filling our hearts with the word of God, our conscience will remind us of these Scriptures as we face challenges and make decisions throughout the day. When we see someone in need, we will feel moved to help them, not because the Holy Spirit is “laying that on our heart,” but because we know it is the right thing to do. When we contemplate making a bad decision, we will feel a sense of guilt or disapproval regarding that decision. This is not the Holy Spirit making us feel bad. It is our conscience doing its job.
People who claim to receive miraculous guidance from the Holy Spirit often uphold doctrines and practices which are contrary to Scripture. When the inconsistency between their belief and the teaching of Scripture is pointed out, they will sometimes respond with statements such as, “I would rather have what I feel in my heart than what is written in a whole stack of Bibles,” or, “A person with an experience is never at the mercy of a person with an argument.” Such individuals give their feelings and experiences more merit than the word of God.
The Holy Spirit has revealed the will of God to man in words which we can understand. He influences man through the word of God. He does not speak directly to the hearts of men today. He speaks, teaches, warns, guides, etc., through the word of God.
Mankind has been created with a conscience which guides him in his life. If trained by the word of God, the conscience will warn man when he is doing wrong and approve man when he is doing right. If we will store up the word of God in our heart through Bible reading, study, and meditation, it will be available to us when we need it in our daily lives. The Holy Spirit does not guide us or miraculously remind us of Scripture in our daily lives. This is the work of our conscience.

01/26/2023

The Average
"If a man stand with one foot on a hot stove and one foot in a freezer, some statisticians would assert that, on the average, he's comfortable.'' Which reminds me of some who seem to feel that they can come to church on Sunday and yet live like the devil during the week. They say that they are, on the average, pretty good people. Yet he cannot be ``comfortable'' any more than the man with his foot on the stove and the other in a freezer. He is the double-minded man who is unstable in all his ways. He has only enough religion to be miserable, but not enough to go to heaven. Our Lord does not prefer an ``average.'' He wants His people to be either ``cold or hot.'' The ``average'' (in this case, lukewarmness) nauseates Him, and He will spew out of His mouth those who are lukewarm (Rev. 3:15,16). Brother, you had better get all the way on the Lord's side now lest you spend eternity with the Devil. - by Forrest Moyer

01/25/2023

What does it mean to “study to show thyself approved unto God”?
By Bob Prichard
The apostle Paul wrote to the evangelist Timothy, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). This verse well-illustrates the need for understanding that word meanings may change, and we must be ever on guard against misapplying or twisting scripture, even when we try to teach the truth. The rendering, “study to show thyself approved unto God” is found only in the King James Version, translated in the year 1611. In 1611 the word “study” meant “strive”, or “be diligent”. Thus the New American Standard Bible renders the verse, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth”. The New International Version renders the verse, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth”. Bible study is very important, but 2 Timothy 2:15 is not just a command to study the Bible. Being an approved workman involves much more. Paul wanted Timothy to understand that to be a workman that God could approve, he would have to be diligent in his service to God. God is not the kind of Master that accepts shoddy work! By earnestly applying himself in service, Timothy would not need to be ashamed as he stood before God in the day of judgment. To be that diligent, approved workman, he would have to correctly handle the word of truth, what the King James Version renders, “rightly dividing the word of truth”. Of necessity, correctly handling the Bible, the word of truth will involve much study, contemplation, and prayer. It will involve bringing an open mind, an open heart, and a faithful life to the word of truth. Implied in the correct handling is the proper understanding of the divisions between the Old and the New Covenants, understanding that the New Testament is the rule of faith and practice for Christians today. The goal of being an approved workman should be the goal of all of God's children. In the verses immediately before 2 Timothy 2:15, Paul stressed the importance of living faithfully before God, even to the point of suffering. If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us (2 Timothy 2:12). He then told Timothy, “Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers” (2 Timothy 2:14). The evangelist Timothy was to remind his hearers of the sacrifice of Christ, the need for serving Him, and the need to work diligently to be approved workmen before God. The diligent application of all our energy to the service of God will allow us to join Timothy standing before God without shame. Nothing will help us more to please God than to handle carefully and correctly God's written word. We should look to the written word of God with the same reverence as the psalmist who wrote, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105).

01/03/2023

I Believe the Lord, But... – Lesson Notes
(John 5:46-47)

Introduction:
* Failure to believe Christ not a new problem (John 5:38; 46-47).
* Words have meaning! Heed the words of Jesus – they will judge us (John 12:48).
* Majority professes belief in existence of God, but fail to believe/heed what He commands.

1. “I believe the Lord, BUT not what He said about building His church.”
* “I will build my church” (Matt. 16:18). Man has no authority to build a church!
* Matt. 4:17 – The kingdom (singular) was at hand for people of that time. Since Acts 2, it’s here now!
* Matt. 16: Peter identifies Christ/affirms His identity (v. 14-16). Jesus promises ONE church (Mt. 16:18).
* Paul teaches same thing – 1 church (Eph. 4:4, I Cor. 12:13).
* Paul condemns division (I Cor. 1:10-13).
* Jesus prayed for unity (John 17:20-21).
* Lord’s church is blood-bought (Acts 20:28). Christ is head & will only save His body (Eph. 1:22-23).

2. “I believe the Lord, BUT not what He said about men being called by the Gospel.”
* Lots of folks talk about their “experiences.” Bible knows nothing about one preceding or following baptism.
* Men are called, but not supernaturally (I Thess. 2:12; I Peter 2:9; II Tim. 1:9).
* The calling is God’s (Eph. 1:18); ours (Eph. 4:4); a high calling (Phil. 3:13); holy calling (II Tim. 1:9), & a heavenly
calling (Heb. 3:1).
* We’re called the same way – through the gospel (II Thess. 2:14).
* God did call men – Abraham (Heb. 11:8), but such has ended (I Cor. 13:8-10).
* God no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). He wouldn’t talk to one of us but not another.
* We can resist the Gospel call (Acts 7:51).
* The Gospel the apostles preached is true and only Gospel (Gal. 1:6-10). People come to Christ through it (Jn 6:44-45).
* Faith produced by the word of God (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30,31).
* To be a member of the Lord’s church requires: belief (Heb. 11:6), repentance (Luke 13:3), confession (Rom. 10:9-10),
baptism (Acts 2:38), & service until death (II Tim. 4:7-8). Gospel is only power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16).

3. “I believe the Lord, BUT not what He said about the kingdom being first in my life.”
* Our lives are busy, but His kingdom must come first (Matt. 6:33).
* We often reverse the proper order of things – secondary things come first, first things come second.
* Put the kingdom first in attendance, evangelism, growth, service, & care of the brethren (John 13:35).
* Kingdom must be first in our lives (Matt. 22:37).
* Spiritual matters must take precedence over worldly matters! Civic meetings, club meetings, sports, voluntary work,
vacation, company, etc. must give way to serving God! (Heb. 10:25).

4. “I believe the Lord, but not what He said about those outside His church being lost.”
* Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mk. 16:16).
* Matt. 7:21, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth
the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
* No Christians in denominations in the 1st century because none existed! No such thing as a denominational Christian.
* Being “in Christ” and “in the kingdom” mean the same thing (Col. 1:13-14).
* Salvation is in Christ (II Tim. 2:10). We become “in Christ” through baptism (Rom. 6:3-4).
* God’s vengeance will be on those who obey not the Gospel (II Thess. 1:8-9).
* Heb. 10:26-31 – “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
* God NOT our “Heavenly Grandfather” who won’t punish. Note the goodness and severity of God (Rom. 11:22).
* God must be worshipped in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Can’t happen outside His church.

“I believe the Lord, but...” “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (I John 2:4). Believe in the Lord, but also believe the Lord, He will keep every promise He’s made (II Peter 3:9) – including punishment for the disobedient – but He wants you to be saved. Make your life right today!

R.W. McAlister

Benton City Church of Christ

08/11/2023

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