Hephzibah Church of Christ

Hephzibah Church of Christ Hephzibah Church of Christ
Minister Jerry Walker

10/25/2022

THE PREACHER’S PEN
PROVIDE BY
MINISTER JERRY L WALKER

The Church Constitutes the Saved
All of these things being true, what are we to
conclude about the church? The church constitutes
the saved, and there is no salvation outside of the
church that he purchased with his own blood. In
possessing the church, that means those who became “members” of the church became this by virtue of being saved (in becoming a part of that
church). In fact, we just noticed that he “is the saviour of the body,” the church (Ephesians 5:23). Furthermore, on the birthday of the church, the day of
Pentecost in Acts 2, we are told that “the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved
[who were being saved]” (Acts 2:47). Consequently and finally with the consummation of all things, we read in 1 Corinthians 15:24, “Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.” We entered the church, the kingdom, in conversion (Colossians 1:13). Being in the kingdom, his church, we will get to go to heaven. Are you a part of that church the
Lord “purchased” with his own blood? There is no
salvation outside of it

10/17/2022

THE PREACHER’S PEN
PROVIDE
MINISTER JERRY L WALKER

Learn to Stand Alone

IN ORDER to choose the narrow way that has only a few people on it and to reject the broad way that is crowded with people, we must learn to “stand alone” for what is right. This ability is vital, because when the world realizes that you are not going their way, they will put pressure on you to conform. Jesus spoke of this in his prayer: “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:14). To stand alone for God’s truth means to go against the crowd and make decisions based on what is right, not on what is popular at the moment. Our actions should not be merely reactions to people; they should be the results of wholehearted love for the Lord and a wholesome fear of him. (See Psalms 119:24-26). When we oppose those who are not asking us to go against our convictions, a spirit of meekness rather than condemnation is essential. (See 2 Timothy 2:24-26). Elijah stood alone when it seemed that the whole nation was rejecting God’s way. In the process, he learned a valuable lesson: there were 7,000 others who were silently standing with him. When we stand alone for truth, others are emboldened to follow our example. Millions around the world revere the name Erie Liddell. He would have been a relatively obscure runner had it not been for his decision to stand alone. Representing Great Britain in the 1924 Olympic Games, he learned that the qualifying heats for his strongest event—the 100-meter race— would take place on Sunday. Because of his conviction to dedicate Sunday as a day…set apart for the Lord, he declined to run, thereby disqualifying himself for the finals.

10/11/2022

THE PREACHER’S PEN
PROVIDE BY
MINISTER JERRY L WALKE5R

The Bible
THE BIBLE contains the mind of God, the
state of man, the way of salvation, the doom
of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its
doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding,
its histories are true, and its decisions are
immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be
safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains
light to direct you, food to support you, and
comfort to cheer you.
It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff,
the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and
the Christian’s charter. Here Paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell
disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good
the design, and the glory of God its end.
It should fill the memory, rule the heart,
and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently,
and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a
paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is
given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves
the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.

10/03/2022

FROM THE PREACHER PEN’S
PROVIDE BY
MINISTER JERRY L WALKER

Effective Prayer

Lives AS WE attempt to develop effective prayer lives, there are certain things to keep in mind to make our prayer effective. First, we must pray without calling undue attention to ourselves. One of Jesus’ criticisms of the Pharisees was that “they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men” (Matthew 6:5). Our prayers should never become a matter of display. Second, we must not allow our prayers to degenerate into mere formality. Jesus warned against using “vain repetitions” in prayers (Matthew 6:7). For example, think of the way we sometimes pray at mealtime or bedtime. If prayer becomes a series of set words and clichés that have no real meaning to the person saying them, then we should re-think what we are saying. Third, we must pray with the full confidence of faith in God. How do we know that He will answer us according to His wisdom? God is a liberal giver and we must take our request to Him “in faith, nothing doubting” (James 1:5,6). Fourth, we must always pray according to the will of God. “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him” (1 John 5:14,15). Fifth, we must be living lives of submission to God in order for our prayers to be effective with Him. “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are opened to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil” (1 Peter 3:12). Sixth, we must be willing to do whatever is necessary on our part to have our prayers answered. For example, it is foolish to pray for health and not take care of oneself; it is foolish to pray for the church and not support her every good work; it is foolish to pray for the lost and not try to reach your friends who are lost. Let us be encouraged to think on these things

09/26/2022

FROM THE PREACHER’S PEN
Provide By
Minister Jerry L Walker

GRACE
does not nullify obedience.
Shallow people respond primarily to emotion.
people of depth respond to facts.
Dead wood is ready for burning (John 15:6).
Zeal without knowledge is like a derailed train
still in motion after it has left the tracks.
It takes a real Christian to be a Christian.
Before you can help lift someone from the mire of
sin, you must be on higher ground yourself.
Christian, is your life a reflection of Christ, or a
reflection on Christ?
Beware of the person who says that he has
nothing to lose in a reckless venture for very likely
he has already lost it all.
Being “dirt poor” is no excuse for being dirty
(morally or otherwise).
If you are really clothed with Christ (Galatians
3:27; Romans 13:14; Colossians 3:10), your spiritual
life will not be threadbare.
When a society gets full of slackers and loafers, it is ready for socialism.
You may have a “right” (?) to be wrong as a freemoral agent, but please don’t try to impose the wrong upon the rest of us.

09/19/2022

FROM THE PREACHER’S PEN
PROVIDE BY
MINISTER Jerry L. Walker

The Twenty-Third Psalm

The Lord is my Shepherd—that’s a Relationship! I shall not want—that’s Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures— that’s Rest!

He leadeth me beside the still waters—that’s Refreshment!

He restoreth my soul—that’s Healing! He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness— that’s Guidance!

His name’s Sake—that’s Purpose!

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death—that’s Testing!

I will fear no evil—that’s Protection!

For Thou art with me—that’s Faithfulness! Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me—that’s Discipline!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies—that’s Hope!

Thou annointest my head with oil—-that’s Consecration!

My cup runneth over—that’s Abundance! Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life—that’s Blessing! And I will dwell in the house of the Lord—that’s Security!
Forever—that’s Eternity!

09/06/2022

THE PREACHER’S PEN
PROVIDE BY
MINISTER JERRY L WALKER

Can Love Be Commanded?

WE HEAR people say that love can’t be commanded. Is this true? Can love be commanded? The answer is yes. The answer is no. It is just according to what kind of love you are talking about. In the New Testament we find two words for love, agapao and phileo (both verbs). Agapao becomes a noun in the well-known word, AGAPÉ. On the other hand, we find no noun for phileo love (interestingly, noun spin offs are seen in words translated “friend” and “kiss”). Agapao (AGAPÉ) love involves the intellect and the will; it involves purpose, esteem and respect; it involves choice. However, phileo love is the love of natural inclination; it is instinctive; it is the love of emotion. It is spontaneous, involuntary; it just happens. We might say that one puts the emphasis on devotion, whereas in the other, emotion prevails. Therefore, agapao love (involving the intellect and the will) can be commanded, and it is commanded (as in the great commandment, loving our enemies, and elsewhere throughout the New Testament). But phileo love, in its basic inherent meaning, is not commanded (except indirectly). It is more of a natural and spontaneous response; it just happens. We are to love (agapao) our enemies, but it is hard to be emotional about it (phileo). We can have high esteem (agapao) for them (in the sense of respecting God’s image in them and wishing them well) and not even like (phileo) them (it would be hard to be emotional about it). Can love be commanded? Yes and no. These are our conclusions.

08/29/2022

FROM THE PREACHER PEN’S
PROVIDE BY
MINISTER JERRY L WALKER

Effective Prayer

Lives AS WE
attempt to develop effective prayer lives, there are certain things to keep in mind to make our prayer effective. First, we must pray without calling undue attention to ourselves. One of Jesus’ criticisms of the Pharisees was that “they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men” (Matthew 6:5). Our prayers should never become a matter of display. Second, we must not allow our prayers to degenerate into mere formality. Jesus warned against using “vain repetitions” in prayers (Matthew 6:7). For example, think of the way we sometimes pray at mealtime or bedtime. If prayer becomes a series of set words and clichés that have no real meaning to the person saying them, then we should re-think what we are saying. Third, we must pray with the full confidence of faith in God. How do we know that He will answer us according to His wisdom? God is a liberal giver and we must take our request to Him “in faith, nothing doubting” (James 1:5,6). Fourth, we must always pray according to the will of God. “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him” (1 John 5:14,15). Fifth, we must be living lives of submission to God in order for our prayers to be effective with Him. “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are opened to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil” (1 Peter 3:12). Sixth, we must be willing to do whatever is necessary on our part to have our prayers answered. For example, it is foolish to pray for health and not take care of oneself; it is foolish to pray for the church and not support her every good work; it is foolish to pray for the lost and not try to reach your friends who are lost. Let us be encouraged to think on these things

08/22/2022

FROM THE PREACHER’S PEN
PROVIDED BY
MINISTER J L WALKER

1) The Will of God as Revealed in the Word of God The will of God involves His purpose being accomplished in reference to His creation, and especially in reference to man made in His image and likeness. The purpose of God is His glory. And His glory is accomplished in man when His attributes are made evident in the godly lives that we live. This can be seen in such qualities as righteousness, holiness and love. But the problem is that we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). In the model prayer the disciples were instructed to pray, “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” In the ex*****on of God’s plan of salvation, Christ lived the will of God perfectly to become our Savior. The apostle Paul tells us the very center of God’s will is the salvation of mankind, “Who [God] will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). In reference to all of this, he likewise says that God has “made known unto us the mystery of his will” (Ephesians 1:9; 3:1-5). The Word of God is that revelation of God’s will as to His purpose as to what is expected of us. Peter tells us that a Christian “no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God” (1 Peter 4:2). So, the Bible, and now the New Testament, is God’s fixed and unchanging will for mankind. No prayer should be made that comes in conflict with the Word of God.

08/15/2022

FROM THE PREACHER’S PEN 130
PROVIDED BY
MINISTER JERRY L WALKER

CHRISTIANITY is a religion that demands our motives to be right.

We must obey from the heart that “form of doctrine which was delivered” unto us (Romans 6:17), or otherwise we will only have a “form of godliness…denying the power thereof” (2 Timothy 3:5). Obedience without the proper motive, and motivation, will avail us nothing. If we are just seeking to please men, or to receive the praise of men like the hypocritical Pharisees, the supposed “good deed” will actually become a work of iniquity (Matthew 6:2,5,16; 7:21- 23). Didn’t our Lord say, “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. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in they name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? and then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Even partaking of the Lord’s supper without discerning the body and blood of the Lord can result in eating and drinking damnation (judgment) to our souls (1 Corinthians 11:27-30). The New Testament presents many motives for right living, so let’s notice some of them. The apostle Paul speaks of the “manifold wisdom of God” (Ephesians 3:10). The teachings of God have many folds to them, and the wise person will consider all of them and not just pick one facet and say “this only.” This is true in reference to “motives for right living.” There are positive factors and there are negatives factors that influence us in what we do, but the positive ones are the most noble and should be the most compelling. Really, what motivates you? What motivates all of us in serving the Lord?

08/09/2022

FROM THE PREACHER’S PEN
PROVIDE BY
MINISTER JERRY L WALKER

What must I do to be saved?
1. This is a question of vital concern to all of us.
(1) All have sinned (Romans 3:10,23).
(2) All must die (Hebrews 9:27; Romans 5:12).
(3) All must stand before the judgment seat of
God (2 Corinthians 5:10; Matthew 25:41,46;
Revelation 20:11-15).
(4) We cannot be good enough to save ourselves
(Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8,9).
2. The answer to this question must come from the
New Testament.
(1) When the New Testament came in force (Hebrews 9:15-17).
(2) During the earthly ministry of Christ, the
promise was only to the Jews (Matthew 10:5,
6; 15:24).
(3) After his death and resurrection, salvation is
available to all (Mark 16:15; 1 Tim. 2:4-6).
(4) God’s dealings with mankind before the coming of the New Testament were preparatory
(Galatians 3:24; 4:4; John 1:17).
3. We can do something toward our salvation, toward
being saved.
(1) God has done, and is doing, His part (John
3:16; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Ephesians. 2:8, 9; 2
Peter 3:9).
(2) Man must respond in doing his part (Hebrews 5:8, 9; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Romans
2:8,9; Acts 2:40,41; Romans 14:12; Revelation
22:14).
(3) NOTE: In accepting salvation, man’s works
are responsive works of faith and obedience,
not works of righteousness (merit)—all is
done in the context of the grace of God.
4. It is recommended that the seeker of truth study
the book of Acts, a Spirit inspired history of the
early church and the “book of conversions.”
(1) You will notice that answers given to different people vary a little under different circumstances (Acts 2:38; 8:35-37; 16:29-33;
22:16; etc.)
(2) No single verse of Scripture can mean any
less than what it says, but it can mean more
in the light of other Scripture (all of the New
Testament must be taken into consideration).
(3) In the book of Acts different people were at
different stages in their conversion; FOR
EXAMPLE, if a person already believed and
confessed, it was not necessary to tell him to
believe, but they told him to repent and be
baptized, etc.
I. I MUST BELIEVE.
A. This is important.
1. I cannot please God without faith (Hebrews
11:6).
2. I am condemned already if I do not believe
(John 3:18).
3. All things in Christianity hinge on faith.
(1) We are justified by faith (Romans 5:1)

08/01/2022

FROM THE PREACHER’S PEN
PROVIDE BY
MINISTER JERRY L Walker

Love Abounding in
Knowledge and Discernment
Philippians 1:9-11 is an excellent section of Scripture that ties in well with our subject. It reads, “And
this I pray, that your love may abound [overflow] yet
more and more in knowledge and in all judgment
[discernment]; That ye may approve things that are
excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the
fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ,
unto the glory and praise of God.” It is Paul’s prayer
that their love would abound, being channeled in
knowledge and discernment. This harmonizes well
with the definition of agape, the love of esteem and
purpose that has already been examined earlier in
this article. Such love of necessity would involve intelligence and would have to be properly informed to
be exercised in the most befitting way. It’s not just a
“feeling.” The emphasis in the word is not emotion,
but intelligent devotion. Let us perfect our love for God and man by being
informed and channeling it in the right direction.
Agape love is not a blind love, although it is optimistic (1 Corinthians 13:6,7). It does not gullibly go
along with that which is wrong. May we with discernment abound in love, unselfishly reaching out to others. May we see the right thing to do.

Address

2190 Mcelmurray Road
Hephzibah, GA
30815

Telephone

+17065926830

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