Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: August 6, 2006
THE END OF TWO, THE BEGINNING OF THREE
Ben Justice
Time certainly goes by faster the older you get. It is truly hard to believe, but
this week ends two years of working with the Sullivan congregation for the
Justice family. We now embark on our third year. I say without any hesitation
at all that it has truly been a wonderful two years for me and my family here at
Sullivan. You have made us feel welcome in every way. You have embraced us
and made us feel loved and wanted. For this we are humbly grateful.
Over the past year, we have been able to study many different things, both from
the pulpit and from the Bible classes. It is my sincere prayer and hope that all
of these lessons have been helpful and beneficial to each and every one. We
were able to look in depth at a number of topics by way several different series’.
Near the end of 2005, we studied “The Christian’s View of Marriage,” as well as
what the Bible taught concerning “speaking in tongues.” Several weeks were
devoted at the end of 2005 in studying worship and each act of worship. We also
studied a series of lessons on Philemon in December of last year. At the
beginning of 2006, we studied a series of lessons entitled, “Why Are There So
Many Churches?” These lessons were very well received and several of you
requested the tapes. I hope they will be beneficial for years to come. We also
studied about “Judges & Civil Courts: God’s Way.” Hopefully, we have a better
understanding of what the Bible teaches about this subject, for it indeed does
say a great deal. Just recently, we have embarked on a lengthy series of studies
in Galatians. I have received many positive remarks about this series thus far,
and for this, I am truly thankful.
In our adult class on Wednesday night, we were able to finish up with Matthew.
We then proceeded to look at a series of lessons on “Personal Evangelism.”
Now, we are currently studying, “Hermeneutics: How to Study, Interpret, and
Apply the Bible.” We still have a considerable ways to go. I do sincerely hope
and pray that by the end of these lessons, you all be better Bible students able
to study the Word of God more effectively.
Our Gospel Meeting with Brother Dub McClish was outstanding in every way. I
heard many positive things about Brother McClish. Lord willing, beginning the
last Sunday in April of next year, Brother Dave Watson will be with us to conduct
our Gospel Meeting. Let us all be thinking about it now and what we can do to
make it a success.
Now, as we all look ahead, as the Justice family begins their third year, let’s
note some of the things that we hope to accomplish. Of course, we will continue
our studies in Galatians and Hermeneutics. Lord willing, if every thing goes
according to plan, we should be finished with Hermeneutics sometime during the
fall. After we have finished that, I plan on presenting a series of lessons on
“Bible Authority.” This will go hand in hand with Hermeneutics. So many today
do not know or understand how the Bible authorizes. We wonder why there are
so many errors creeping into the Lord’s church. It all goes back to Bible
Authority and how to establish and apply it. I hope everyone looks forward to
this study.
After we finish with Bible Authority, our plans are to begin a verse-by-verse study
of the book of Genesis.
Our Winter Class will be here before you know it. I haven’t yet decided what the
topic of study will be, but I hope that you look forward to it, as it approaches.
As we look back over the past year, the Sullivan congregation has grown in spirit
and in number. We have had a number of baptisms, as well as families who
have placed membership with the congregation. We give God the glory for the
increase. However, let’s not grow complacent. Let’s continue to invite and
encourage people to visit with us, pass out sound literature, and invite people
for a Bible study or to enroll in a Bible correspondence course. Keep studying in
your own personal study and prepare yourselves to teach others the saving
gospel.
We have much more work that needs to be done. Hopefully, as the men meet to
discuss the work of the church, we can implement even more things that will
help us grow in spirit and in number. Several things are already on the agenda.
It just takes time to discuss things and get everything ironed out. We must not
be too hasty without always studying and considering what God’s word
authorizes, as well as carefully weighing out the consequences of our decisions!
The decisions that are made are of eternal consequence!
From a personal standpoint, I want everyone to know and understand that my
door is always open if anyone ever needs to talk with me. I will always do my
very best to listen and help in any way.
Again, my family and I are truly grateful to be a part of a loving and caring family.
I thank my God regularly for the church at Sullivan and for her to keep growing.
Let’s work and pray together and accomplish great things for the cause of Christ.
Heaven is too wonderful and hell is too horrible for us not to!
FROM MY FAMILY TO YOURS, WE LOVE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!