Commerce Church of Christ

10/12/2026

Does It Really Matter What We Believe?
by David Gibson
►What medical error can do

In The Doctors Mayo, Helen Clapesattle describes how difficult it was to convince surgeons in the 19th century of the value of a sterile operating environment.

Many hospital patients died of preventable infections.

If ignorance in medicine was potentially fatal, what of religious error?

Many reject Jesus’ claim to be the only way to God (John 14:6).

►What religious error can do

Jesus said, “. . . unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24).

And, “. . . he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me” (Luke 10:16).

So does it really matter what we believe?

We may even believe many basic Bible doctrines, while falling into error of another sort (Romans 16:17-18; 2 Peter 3:15-16).

Can we afford to assume we’re right with God until we’ve carefully examined our beliefs in light of His word (Acts 17:10-11)?



Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.Lockman.org.

10/11/2026

Having the Heart of God Toward Sinners
by David Gibson


The main character of the book of Jonah is not Jonah, but God. Jonah tries to escape God’s order to preach to Nineveh by heading the opposite direction. By means of the storm at sea and the fish that swallowed Jonah, God compels the reluctant prophet to carry out his mission.

Like Jesus, Jonah was from Galilee (2 Kings 14:25). Also Jesus compared His time in the tomb with Jonah’s “three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster” (Matthew 12:40).

Jonah may have been like Jesus in some ways, but how different his attitude! God sent both Jonah and Jesus on a mission. Jesus went willingly and yearned to see people turn from their sins. Jonah was keenly disappointed when the Ninevites repented, because now he wouldn't have the pleasure of seeing God destroy them!

Jonah’s problem was not that he misunderstood God's compassionate nature. He understood it very well: “. . . for I knew that You are a gracious God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness . . .” (Jonah 4:2). This proves that one can have orthodox theology but still have a rotten attitude.

We don’t know what happened to Jonah after this, but it is God who has the last word: “Should I not have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand, as well as many animals?” (Jonah 4:11).

Both Jonah and the Ninevites needed to repent. If we humble ourselves in penitent obedience, we too will enjoy the benefits of His grace—and we can begin to reflect toward others His great compassionate heart.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.Lockman.org.

10/10/2026

Just How Important is the Body?
by David Gibson
►The body: present and future

In this life we who are Christians are “at home in the body” (2 Corinthians 5:6). At death our spirit is separated from our body (James 2:26). After death we are “absent from the body” and are “present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8).

When Christ returns He “will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory . . .” (Philippians 3:21; see 1 Corinthians 15:42-58).

In this life we dwell in a body that is mortal (capable of dying). After the resurrection we will be given an immortal body (untouchable by death). Amazing!

►The proper use and abuse of the body

“Or do you not know,” Paul writes, “that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit . . . and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Paul urges believers to “present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1 KJV).

How then could we let sin reign in our bodies or use our eyes/ears/hands/feet/tongue/etc. as “instruments of unrighteousness” (Romans 6:12-13 KJV)?

“. . . the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body” (1 Corinthians 6:13 KJV).

►The body in view of eternity

Someday each of us will be “recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).

So what we do with our bodies is of eternal consequence!

Paul prayed that “your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23 KJV).



Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.Lockman.org.

10/09/2026

New Events

Blood Drive is scheduled for Nov 1st.

10/09/2026

Prayers & Sympathy

Bill B received some good news! The PET scan showed his cancer is
localized and has not spread. He will undergo two years of radiation and hormone therapy.

Sylvia P is improving slowly from the injuries she had from her fall.
She is in Briarcliff Health Center in Greenville and is receiving therapy.

Penny W
Jack D
Matt S's wife Emily
Falicia C's friend Shay P .
Shirley D
Willie and Mary E's son-in-law Jeremy T
Debra S
Matt S's stepfather Charles C
Paige M and her fiancé Jay
Marcia L's daughter Tandee
Anderson and Horcham Families
Ellard Family
Willie E
Jodi R
Hilary's aunt
David G's daughter Susan
Sartin Family
Michael G
Vicky N
Nick V's nephew Ezra
Zeke and Brenda J
Jan C

Our condolences to Penny Wicks and her family in the loss of her niece Martha Row to cancer.

10/09/2026

Reminders

Adult Bible Class meets in the auditorium Sunday mornings at 9:30am. Wednesday Night study we will continue ”A Journey through John’s Epistles” 1 John - 3 John. Children's classes are also available
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We still need members to sign up to help feed the LFC college students on Fridays 11am-2pm, sign-up sheet’s in the foyer.

10/09/2026

Compassion
by David Gibson

Students of the life of Christ are familiar with the references to His compassion toward the spiritually needy, the physically hungry, the two blind men, the l***r, and the widow whose son had just died (Matthew 9:36-38; 14:13-14; 15:32-38; 20:30-34; Mark 1:40-41; Luke 7:12-17).

In addition, we have three of Jesus’ parables in which compassion plays a key role.

When the deeply indebted servant pled with his master for mercy, “the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt” (Matthew18:27). When the Samaritan saw the wounded traveler, “he felt compassion . . .” (Luke 10:20). As the Prodigal returned home, “his father saw him and felt compassion . . .” (Luke 15:33).

►The Divine Compassion

In each story the compassionate character represents God or Christ. This is certainly consistent with what we know of the Father and His Son.

►The Expression of Compassion

In each case the divine compassion does not remain a feeling but is expressed in loving action. The master cancels the debt. The Samaritan provides abundant help. The father runs and embraces his son and joyfully celebrates his return.

►The Opposite of Compassion

In each case the compassion expressed in these parables stands in stark contrast to the failure to be compassionate on the part of others. The forgiven servant shows no compassion to a fellow slave who owes him. The priest and Levite ignore the plight of the wounded traveler. The elder brother is angered by the grace shown to his wayward brother.

►So what are we to learn?

While it is wonderful to be on the receiving end of Christ’s compassion (and aren’t we all?), isn’t it even more wonderful when we learn to feel compassion toward others and act accordingly?

In doing so we become “imitators of God, as beloved children” (Ephesians 5:1).



Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.Lockman.org.

10/08/2026

Some photos from the Church Picnic day

10/08/2026

Taking Another Look at the Old Testament
by David Gibson
►Why it’s so important!

Although we’re not under the Mosaic covenant, there is great value in being familiar with the 39 books that make up three-fourths of the Bible.

Reading the New Testament without knowing the Old is like reading a sequel but not the original work.

The New Testament keeps pointing back to the Old. It refers to Abraham, Moses, David, and many other Old Testament characters. It quotes from Genesis, Psalms, Isaiah, and many other Old Testament books.

On the day Jesus rose He said, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled” (Luke 24:44).

►What we can learn

The 39 books were written by about 30 men—all inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Peter 1:10-12; 2 Peter 1:20-21). Though originally addressed to Jews, the Old Testament instructs Christians as well: ‘For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4; see 1 Corinthians 10:1-11).

There’s so much to be gained from these ancient documents. We learn from Noah’s obedient faith, Job’s sufferings, and Esther’s courageous stand.

We see how God was patiently working out His great plan, laying the groundwork for Jesus’ coming into our world to be our Savior.

►Well worth the effort

By reading only four chapters a day you can complete the Old Testament in less than eight months. If we get bogged down and quit when we read the detailed Mosiac laws in Exodus and Leviticus, we’ll miss the dramatic stories of Joshua, the tragic period of the Judges, the ups-and-downs of the Kings, the inspiring poetry of the Psalms, and the struggles of the prophets.

The more we read, the greater blessing we’ll find in its pages.

So please, read it all. You’ll be glad you did!



Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.Lockman.org.

10/07/2026