Bolivar Church of Christ

Bolivar Church of Christ The Bolivar Church of Christ The Church of Christ is a growing, friendly church.

We are a diverse congregation that reflects the fact that God’s church is for all people. Churches of Christ are diversified – people of all races and nationalities worship and work together as God’s children (Acts 10:34-35).

06/05/2026

Steven’s Scribbles
Biblical Restoration

A few weeks ago I wrote about the differing philosophies among those who claim Christianity: apostolic succession, reformation, denominational, and restoration theology. Churches of Christ are widely recognized for the restoration plea. Unfortunately, some misunderstand restoration and assume we believe the church died out completely. That is not true. God's kingdom is eternal (Dan. 2:44), and Christ continues to reign over it. What we do believe is that the Word of God is the seed of the kingdom (Matt. 13:18-23). When that seed is planted in honest and good hearts, it produces the same Christianity found in the first century (Luke 8:11-15). Therefore, we believe people can restore New Testament Christianity simply by reading, teaching, obeying, and practicing what the apostles taught.

The Bible provides a wonderful example of restoration in the days of King Josiah. When the Book of the Law was discovered in the temple, its reading revealed just how far Judah had drifted from God's will (2 Kings 22:8-13). Josiah responded by removing idols and false worship (2 Kings 23:4-20), restoring the Passover according to the written Law (2 Kings 23:21-23), and leading the nation back to God's commands. Because of his faithfulness, God delayed His judgment upon Judah (2 Kings 22:18-20). When Josiah accomplished these reforms, no one called the religion “Josiahism" or “Judaism-Josiahism.” He simply restored God's people to God's Word. In the same way, whenever we abandon error and return to biblical teaching, we are not creating a new religion or a new "ism." We are simply following the faith, once for all handed down to the saints (Jude 3), revealed in the living and active Word of God (Heb. 4:12).

I love you all!
— Steven

We are incredibly excited about our new Bible Study starting NEXT Thursday, June 4th. For High School - College aged fol...
05/27/2026

We are incredibly excited about our new Bible Study starting NEXT Thursday, June 4th. For High School - College aged folks, “Truth over Treats” is a safe space for students to anonymously ask real questions, explore God’s Word together, and hear honest biblical answers over conversation and treats. We will meet at the church of Christ student center at 210 N Fourth Ave.

We would love to see you there!
05/24/2026

We would love to see you there!

05/20/2026

Steven’s Scribbles
Concepts of Denominations

Recently I was talking with some of our young people about the differences between several major religious philosophies in the world today, namely Apostolic Succession, Reformation theology, denominationalism, and Restorationism. The Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox communions both claim legitimacy through apostolic succession, believing their authority and certain practices come through sacred traditions handed down from the apostles. Reformation theology and broader denominationalism differ at the extremes, but generally agree the church needed reforming, resulting in many different denominations that disagree on worship, church structure, and even salvation itself, yet still broadly recognize one another as part of Christianity. Then there is the restoration plea, historically associated with the churches of Christ. Our goal is simple: to go back to the Bible and “whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God” (1 Peter 4:11). The desire is not to create something new, but to say and do what the New Testament church said and did, for the reasons they did them.

What is interesting is that many simply view “church of Christ” as another denomination, but the restoration plea actually rejects denominationalism altogether. The New Testament church was described by several biblical designations, including “The Way” (Acts 9:2), the “church of God” (1 Corinthians 1:2), the “body of Christ” (Ephesians 1:22-23), the “church of the firstborn” (Hebrews 12:23), and the “churches of Christ” (Romans 16:16). We do not believe someone must wear a particular modern label to belong to Christ. Rather, we believe division itself is condemned in Scripture. Paul asked, “Has Christ been divided?” (1 Corinthians 1:10-13). Denominationalism, by definition, divides. Our plea is fundamentally different. It is not “join our denomination,” but rather, “let us all return to the Scriptures alone.”

I love you all!
— Steven

05/06/2026

Steven’s Scribbles
Free From Sin?

It can feel strange to think of sin as slavery, yet that is exactly how Scripture describes it. Sin binds, controls, and ultimately destroys. But the gospel offers something radically different. When we obey the gospel, we receive forgiveness through the sacrifice of Christ, and more than that, we are set free. As Paul proclaimed, “through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses” (Acts 13:38–39). Jesus Himself said, “everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin… so if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:34–36). That is not just poetic language. It is reality (Rom. 6:15-18). Apart from Christ, we are not as independent as we like to think.

The world often mocks Christianity as blind submission, but here is a truth both believer and unbeliever must face: everyone serves something. Some are enslaved to money and define their worth by what they earn (Matthew 6:24). Others are mastered by sin: lust, homosexuality, dishonesty, substance abuse, or any number of destructive habits (Romans 6:16). Many wrap their identity in their sin, politics, culture, or the controversy of the moment. But Scripture calls us to something higher. Our identity is not in fleeting things but in Christ alone: “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). We deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him (Luke 9:23). True freedom is not found in doing whatever we want, but in being released from what once controlled us. If something is holding you back, Christ offers freedom; but it is found only in Him (Romans 6:17–18).

I love you all!

— Steven

04/18/2026

Steven’s Scribbles

Prepping for the Storms

Matt. 7:24-27

It has been an unseasonably dry spring, and I will be honest, I have not liked it much. When I have mentioned it to others, the response is usually the same: “Just wait, the rain is coming.” That simple truth reminds me of Jesus’ words at the close of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:24–27). There are seasons in life when everything feels calm. No major problems, no obvious struggles, nothing shaking our foundation. But those are not the times to grow complacent. Those are the times to prepare. Because just like the rain that eventually comes, storms in life are not a matter of if, but when.

Jesus makes it clear that storms come to everyone, the wise and the foolish alike. The difference is not in whether the storm arrives, but in whether we are ready for it. The one who hears His words and acts on them is like a man building his house on the rock. When the storm hits, it stands. The one who hears and does not act builds on sand, and when the storm comes, the fall is great. If you ever find yourself wondering how to prepare, go back and read Matthew chapters 5 through 7. Live those teachings. Apply them daily. Because when the storms come, and they will, that foundation will determine whether you stand or fall.

I love you all,

Steven

04/01/2026

Steven’s Scribbles
“The Difference Between the Spiritual and the Physical”
Rom. 6:3

One of the most common misunderstandings in Scripture is the difference between inheriting guilt and inheriting consequences. The Bible is clear that we do not inherit the guilt of Adam’s sin. Ezekiel 18:20 plainly says that the one who sins is the one who will die, and that a son will not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity. However, we do inherit the consequences of Adam’s sin. Because sin entered the world, physical death came to all mankind (1 Corinthians 15:21-22). This is not because we are guilty of Adam’s sin, but because we live in a fallen world.

When Romans 6:23 says “the wages of sin is death,” it is speaking of spiritual death, not immediate physical death. If it were physical, we would die the moment we sinned. Sin is defined as lawlessness (1 John 3:4), and we are only guilty when we personally transgress God’s law. Therefore, while we all experience physical death, we are only accountable for our own sin. As 2 Corinthians 5:10 teaches, we will be judged for what we have done in the body, not what someone else has done. I love you all!

In His service,
Steven Hugley

03/18/2026

Steven’s Scribbles
Trusting God When It Doesn’t Make Sense

Recently I was thinking about Paul’s defenses, beginning in Acts 22 and continuing through Acts 26. It is a long section where Paul is constantly defending himself—not because he has done wrong, but because he has been falsely accused. It all began when the Jews claimed he brought a Gentile into the temple (Acts 21:28–29), which he had not done. From there, Paul gives a defense before the Jews, Felix, Festus, and finally Agrippa and Bernice. By the end of Acts 26, Agrippa says to Festus, almost somberly, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar” (Acts 26:32). From a human perspective, that sounds like a tragedy; Paul could have been free.
Instead, he is sent to Rome, and everything seems to go wrong. He is shipwrecked (Acts 27), and then bitten by a snake (Acts 28:3). But when we step back, we see what God was doing. In Rome, Paul spends two years teaching, welcoming all who came to him, “preaching the kingdom of God… unhindered” (Acts 28:30–31). What looked like disaster was actually providence. What seemed like injustice became opportunity. What felt like loss became kingdom growth. Romans 8:28 reminds us that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him. Paul trusted God through the confusion and danger, and because of that, the gospel reached the heart of the Roman Empire. When life doesn’t make sense and the road feels treacherous, remember, God is still working. Trust Him.

I love you all!
— Steven

01/31/2026

The Bolivar Church of Christ will be meeting tomorrow morning, and we’re thankful for the opportunity to assemble together.

📖 Bible Class at 9:00 AM
⛪ Worship at 10:00 AM

We’re grateful for the work that’s been done to ensure everyone can gather safely, and we’re excited to be together for study and worship. We hope to see you tomorrow!

01/23/2026

Steven’s Scribbles

Preparation

Over the last several days, we’ve watched people prepare for an impending winter storm. Shelves have been stocked with food. The elderly have been checked on. Generators have been tested, vehicles filled with fuel, and homes supplied with clean water. Preparation has been taken seriously, because storms reveal whether we were ready or not.

Scripture reminds us that preparation matters just as much, if not more, when it comes to spiritual things. Jesus told the parable of the ten virgins, where five were wise and prepared, and five were foolish and unprepared. When the bridegroom arrived, the unprepared were left outside (Matthew 25:1–13). Their problem wasn’t ignorance, it was neglect.

Peter also reminds us of our responsibility to be spiritually ready, “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you,” (1 Peter 3:15). Readiness is not accidental, it is intentional.

Preparation is an opportunity for reflection. Are we ready, not just for the storms of life, but for the spiritual trials we face every day? More importantly, are we prepared for the life that comes after this one?

Storms, physical and spiritual, have a way of exposing what we’ve done beforehand. May we be found wise, faithful, and ready.

- Steven

Address

501 S Court St
Cleveland, MS
38732

Opening Hours

Wednesday 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Sunday 9am - 11:30am
6pm - 7:30pm

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