​When God gives a command, it is not optional, and it usually isn’t something that comes naturally to us.  For example, the command to “love your enemies” is not something we naturally want to do (Mat. 5:44).  In the same way, “Repay no one evil for evil” (Rom. 12:17) goes against everything inside of us in wanting to fight back. So, it is interesting that God would command thankfulness.  Paul said, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful” (Col. 3:15).  It seems like this should come naturally to everyone, but it could be that our natural inclination is to forget the blessings of being in “one body” (the church; Col. 1:18). The body of Christ is the only place salvation is found today which should motivate us to be thankful like many who were saved in various ways under the Old Testament.

When Noah was spared from the rampant wickedness of the world and the violent flood waters that destroyed the earth, he showed his thankfulness by building an altar and sacrificing to the Lord (Gen. 8:20).  When Israel was being heavily burdened by the Egyptians afflicting them, God brought them out with a “mighty hand” and “outstretched arm” (Exo. 1:11; Deu. 26:8).  They sang a song of thankfulness to God exalting Him (Exo. 15:1,2). When the Jews in the days of Esther were saved from death by her request to the king and God’s providence, there was gladness and feasting in thankfulness (Est. 9:17-19).  Finally, when Jonah tried to flee from the presence of the Lord and was swallowed by a great fish, he realized his error and said, “I will sacrifice to the Lord with the voice of thanksgiving” and God gave him a second chance to follow His will (Jon. 2:9,10).

In each of these events, God’s people may not have been as thankful as they should have been.  However, by realizing God’s wonderful care in blessing them by bringing them through hardships and sparing them from death, it produced thankful hearts.  With this in mind, the command to be thankful in the body of Christ is produced by the fact that God has spared us from death through the sacrifice of Jesus (Rom. 8:32; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 3:18).  As we are richly blessed in our lives each day, it can be easy to forget that we’ve been spared from death and that is why we have this simple, yet pointed command is here.  In humbleness and loving obedience to God, let each Christian remember the benefits of being in the kingdom of God and be thankful for the blessing of salvation.  
~Derrick Coble

When it comes to Bible class, there are those who are indifferent, those who never miss it, and those who never go.  The indifferent appear every now and then with a "take it or leave it" attitude.  They may even come in a few minutes before worship and mingle with other indifferent people catching a verse or two just before the class ends. In stark contrast, there are those who never miss Bible Class if they can help it.  These are the ones who are eager to learn and be challenged, excited to be reminded of God's principles, and ready to go out and tell others.  These are people like Timothy (2 Tim. 3:15; 2:2) and Apollos (Acts 18:26-28).  Then, there are those who suddenly appear at worship, but not at Bible class.  There are numerous excuses that are given as to why they cannot attend.  It is a shame that the indifferent and absent are simply not interested in: following the lead of the elders (whom the congregation must respect and obey in these matters-Heb. 13:7), their influence of others (Rom. 14:13), or their own spiritual welfare (1 Tim. 4:8-16).   
Concerning reading the Bible, one man said there are two kinds of Bible readers--those who skim the surface and those who dig deep.  He describes them by comparing them to two common insects. Think about what he said as it applies to those who attend Bible class too.  He writes, "One is remarkable for its imposing plumage, which shows in the sunbeams like the dust of gems; as you watch its jaunty gyrations over the fields and its minuet dance from flower to flower, you cannot help admiring its graceful activity, for it is plainly getting over a great deal of ground.  But in the same field there is another worker, whose brown vest and businesslike, straightforward flight may not have arrested your eye. His fluttering neighbor darts down here and there, and sips elegantly wherever he can find a drop of ready nectar; but this dingy plodder makes a point of alighting everywhere, and wherever he alights he either finds honey or makes it. If the flower-cup be deep, he goes down to the bottom; if its dragon- mouth be shut, he thrusts its lips asunder; and if the nectar be peculiar, he explores all about till he discovers it. . . His rival of the painted velvet wing has no patience for such dull and long-winded details. . . The one died last October. The other is warm in his hive, amidst the fragrant stores he has gathered."   The two insects in this comparison are the butterfly and the bee.  It is the bee mentality that sees the real benefits of Bible class.
So, what are the benefits of Bible class?  First, we will gain a great love for the Scriptures.  God's Word is supposed to dwell in our hearts (Psa. 119:11).  Furthermore, it is His Word that we should desire to meditate upon day and night (Psa. 1:2).  Why?  It is done because we love it!  "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day" (Psa. 119:97).  How can that love be developed without nourishing it with regular Bible class attendance?  Think about it.  It is only 2 hours a week, and not even in one sitting.  Some show much more love for sports, gardens, television, the internet or other hobbies than they do for God and His Word.  Second, Bible classes foster a greater knowledge.  Many who lack wisdom may pray for it (James 1:5), but never obtain it because they lack the knowledge wisdom requires.  Two Bible classes a week can never exhaust all the knowledge that the Bible offers; however, they can help peak interest and cause us to further our study on Bible characters, topics, or books.  After all, we are commanded to do our best to present ourselves approved to God (2 Tim. 2:15).  We can only do that with a working Bible knowledge.  Finally, Bible classes offer great encouragement to everyone involved.  There is fellowship with others who are likeminded and a kindred spirit that cannot be surpassed.  Bible class helps us to follow the command to "consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works" (Heb. 10:24).  When this is accomplished, it naturally leads them to not forsake the assembly of the saints anymore (Heb. 10:25). Bible classes are beneficial for everyone.  Let us never neglect the opportunity to open God's Word giving more light to our life (Psa. 119:130).  
~Derrick Coble

As all eyes are on the war between Israel and Hamas, it is necessary to understand that the heritage of this conflict is actually written in prophecy from God.  Hamas is an Islamic Resistance Movement that was founded in 1987 and by 1997 the United States designated it as a foreign terrorist organization.  They have been responsible for killing thousands and taking many more as hostages.  The tension extends back to Abraham and his son of promise (Gen. 25).  The Arabic tradition says that Ishmael was the son of promise, rather than Isaac, and that Muhammed (the founder of Islam) was his descendant.  This is in direct contradiction to the biblical record which shows that Isaac was the son of promise, through whom Jesus would come as the Savior of the world (Gen. 17:19; 21:12; Luke 3:34; Gal. 3:16).
Since the Jews put much emphasis on being descendants of Abraham (John 8:33-39) and so do the Muslims, there has been constant conflict between the two groups.  Abraham knew that he was promised a great nation (Gen. 12:2) yet, he still had no children at the age of 85.  So, he tried to help the promise along by having a child with Hagar (Sarah’s maid; Gen. 16:1-4)—this child was Ishmael (Gen. 16:16). When Ishmael was 13, Abraham begged God to accept him as the son of promise (Gen. 17:18), but this was not God’s plan as He would establish His covenant with Isaac (Gen. 17:21). However, God would make a great nation for Ishmael too and he would be the father of the Arab nation (Gen. 17:20).
Before Ishmael was born, God gave an important preview of the kind of man Ishmael would be:  “And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him” (Gen. 16:12).  In other words, he would resist civilization with a haughty and defiant attitude living as everyone’s enemy and refusing to fit in.  So, conflict would be inevitable between the Jews and the Arabs.  Hagar and Sarah didn’t get along because of this situation and now their sons would not get along either.  Even when Isaac was just a toddler and Ishmael was a teenager, the persecution had already begun (Gen. 21:5-9; Gal. 4:29).  From this point forward, the Arab nation (as a whole) has continued to follow in the footsteps of Ishmael in conflict with other nations. 
Our goal is to be “followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love” (Eph. 5:1,2). We want to show the world that everyone can be children of Abraham not physically, but spiritually (Rom. 4:16; Gal. 3:7).  The physical nation of Israel is no longer God’s chosen nation, but the spiritual nation of Israel (the Lord’s church) is now the true nation of God (Gal. 6:16).
~Derrick Coble

Jesus was an innocent man slaughtered for a guilty world (Rom. 5:8; 2 Cor. 5:21).  Yet, He chose to give His life for the sheep (John 10:11).  For this reason, Jesus requires a willing sacrifice of all today who will hear His voice.  It is but a small price to pay in comparison to the pain and agony of the cross.  Paul wrote to the Galatians, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:20).  Again, he urged, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Rom. 12:1).  Even Jesus Himself said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Mat. 16:24). 
            No one said it would be easy following the Lord.  It takes effort and determination for one to sacrifice his hands in service being ready to every good work (Tit. 3:1).  It takes much commitment and zeal for one to sacrifice his feet in preaching the Gospel of peace (Rom. 10:15).  It takes time to give one’s mind over to the meditation of God’s Word and fervent prayer (Psa. 1:2; Psa. 119:164).  It takes courage to set one’s mouth to only speak the oracles of God (1 Pet. 4:11).  It takes motivation to sacrifice the ears and eyes in hearing and doing (Mat. 7:24), as well as, seeing and helping (Jam. 2:15,16).  It takes true love that seeks the ultimate good for everyone else to literally give one’s life.  “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.  But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?  My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:16-18).
            It took Jesus, the one and only Savior of mankind, to give His life so that the world might be saved (John 3:16,17).  It takes Christians, the only partakers of the heavenly calling, to give their lives over to Him in humble submission so that all will be done to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31).
My father’s house of light, my glory circled throne, I left for earthly night, for wanderings sad and lone; I left it all for thee, Hast thou left aught for me? I suffered much for thee, more than thy tongue can tell, of bitt’rest agony, to rescue thee from Hell; I’ve borne, I’ve borne it all for thee, What hast thou borne for me? And I have brought to thee, down from my home above, salvation full and free, my pardon and my love; I bring, I bring rich gifts to thee, What hast thou brought for me? (Frances R. Havergal; P.P. Bliss)    
​~Derrick Coble

Most people who know anything about the church of Christ know this one thing—there are no mechanical instruments used in worship to God.  That means there is: no piano, organ, or band, but simply singing: "lifting up the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips" (Heb. 13:15).  The reason for the absence of mechanical instruments is simple—there is no Bible authority for their use in New Testament worship. The only kind of music the early Christians used was "singing" to teach and admonish one another (Col. 3:16) and the only kind of instrument was the "heart" (Eph. 5:19).  Since we follow the apostle's doctrine today, this is our pattern for Scriptural worship (Acts 2:42).  Unfortunately, that pattern has been abandoned by many today even in some churches of Christ and it all stems back to one small instrument found in Midway, KY. 
During the mid 1800's the church of Christ was flourishing, especially in Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana. But, the controversy over instrumental music was growing.  Denominations had already started using them in worship and many brethren thought that they were behind the denominations by not using them.  So, in 1851 J.B. Henshall (editor of the Ecclesiastical Reformer) printed an article (among others) showing the drift toward using instruments in worship.  When Alexander Campbell (who was interested in staying true to the Scriptures) heard about it, he replied with the following:  "So to those who have no real devotion or spirituality in them, and whose animal nature flags under the oppression of church service, I think that instrumental music would be not only a desideratum, but an essential prerequisite to fire up their souls to even animal devotion.  But I presume, to all spiritually-minded Christians such aids would be as a cow bell in a concert.” Campbell understood that God was not pleased with such and urged others to consider this fact. 
So, how was this “cow bell in a concert” added into worship? In 1860, L.L. Pinkerton (preacher for the church in Midway, KY) stated that he was the only preacher in Kentucky who had publicly advocated the use of instruments in worship.  Even though some were probably using instruments around 1851, the church at Midway has the distinction of being the first congregation on record to introduce mechanical instrumental music to their worship.  The instrument was a melodeon which the members used to practice their singing on Saturday nights.  Then, the melodeon was moved into the church building to get the right pitch before singing.  Finally, it was decided that it should be used to accompany their singing in worship on the Lord's Day. Today, the use of instrumental music in worship is becoming more and more popular.  However, we can never allow what God does not authorize (Col. 3:17).  Unfortunately, many souls will be lost for following the wide path of the majority (Mat. 7:13,14).  We must “hold fast the form of sound words” (2 Tim. 1:13). 
~Derrick Coble

God wants all men to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4); therefore, He has provided and preserved a collection of authoritative writings (the teachings of which are binding) breathed from Him (2 Pet. 1:3; 2 Tim. 3:16).  This collection is what Christians call, "canon" meaning, "reed."  It is an ancient word borrowed from the Sumerians indicating something by which one can measure.  The term is used five times within the New Testament where it is translated four times as "rule" and once as, "line" (Gal. 6:16; 2 Cor. 10:13,15,16; Phi. 3:16).  This means, the Holy Scriptures are a rule to follow by which one can measure his life.
Nonetheless, there are critics who believe that the Bible is not complete.  This is evident from the 14 or 15 (depending upon the source) added books to some translations called, "The Apocrypha" which means, doubtful, hidden, or secret. The evidence is clear that these books are not inspired. It is interesting that of the 263 direct Old Testament quotations and 370 allusions to it within the New Testament, it never references any of the apocryphal books. 
Further evidence to the lack of inspiration of these books is seen by testimonies of ancient writers against the works and from the errors that are contained within many of the works.  First, in A General Introduction to the Bible, Geisler and Nix recorded the following statements:  "Philo, Alexandrian Jewish philosopher (20 BC – AD 40) quoted the Old Testament prolifically and even recognized the threefold classification of books, but he never quoted from the Apocrypha as inspired . . . Josephus (AD 30-100), Jewish historian, explicitly excludes the Apocrypha . . . The Jewish scholars of Jamnia (AD 90) did not recognize the Apocrypha."  In fact, it was not until AD 1546 at the Council of Trent when the apocryphal books received full canonical status by the Roman Catholic Church.  Second, what about all the errors and contradictions that run through the Apocrypha?  Would God in all His perfect wisdom give man a collection of documents that contradict plain truth within the New Testament and even error?  Since all of God's commandments are righteousness (Psa. 119:172) one could hardly believe that these documents are inspired.  For instance, Tobit 5:15-19 teaches that angels have families in direct contradiction to Mark 12:25 which speaks of angels not being given in marriage.  In addition, Judith 8:5,6 teaches that it is more honorable to remain single than to marry.  If this is the case, why did God institute the holy union of marriage at the beginning of time (Gen. 2:22-24) and require the overseers of His church upon earth (elders) to be married (1 Tim. 3)?  Finally, Wisdom 3:1-4 teaches that souls in Hell can escape which contradicts the teaching of the "great gulf" that is fixed so that no one may cross over (Luke 16:26).  These are just a few of the false doctrines that are found within the Apocrypha. 
So, the internal evidence of the Scriptures and testimony of many men throughout time makes one sure that God has given unto us all His inspired Word and will preserve it for all ages (1 Pet. 1:25).  The Bible is complete the way It is and the Apocrypha is not inspired because Christ nor the apostles said those books were from God, many teachings are heresy, the stories are highly mythological and even immoral, there are historical errors, and they are never included in any canonical lists during the first six centuries.  God's Word is "true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever" (Psa. 119:160).
~Derrick Coble
​

     Every church that exists today can be traced back to the founder, the place it began, and even the year.  For example, records show that the Baptist Church was founded by John Smyth in London, England (1607); Presbyterians were founded by John Calvin in Switzerland (1535); Jehovah's Witnesses were founded by Charles T. Russell in Pennsylvania (1874); the Methodist Church was founded by John Wesley in London, England (1729), etc. This can be done for every religious group that exists today.  The problem is, we want to be a part of the church that we read about in the Bible and no church that has come into existence after the Bible was completed is old enough to be that church.  Not only that, but we want to be a part of the church that was built by God and not by any man.  So, what is that church?
     The oldest church in the world is the one that was built by Christ Himself (Acts 2).  It is called the “church of Christ” because it belongs to Him (Rom. 16:16). He was the one who ensured that His church would be built no matter what (Mat. 16:18).  He is the head over His church and it will stand forever (Eph. 1:22; Luke 1:32,33).  The church that belongs to Christ first met in Jerusalem.  It was there that Jesus Himself declared that it would begin (Luke 24:47).  So, it is the first and oldest church in the history of the world.  It began in the year 33 AD, long before the establishment of the Catholic Church (606 AD) which claims to be the oldest religion today.  Thus, the Catholic Church is not the oldest religion, but it is the oldest group of apostates from the Lord’s church. 
     From the first century forward everyone who has obeyed the doctrine of Christ has been added to the church of Christ (Acts 2:47).  Consequently, Jesus’ terms of salvation (faith, repentance, confession, and baptism), worship, prayer, fellowship, and godly living have been passed down through God’s Word and His church from generation to generation producing a living body today (Acts 2:42; 1 Tim. 4:16;2 Tim. 2:2; 4:2; 1 Pet. 2:5).  It is not a sect, a cult, or a denomination, but it is simply the church that Jesus came to build (Mat. 16:18), purchased with His blood (Acts 20:28), and will save everyone who obeys Him (Acts 2:47). 
Derrick Coble

Many religious discussions of disagreement have been sparked and fueled by the words, “That is just your interpretation.”  By stating this, one is saying that the Bible is subjective and the meaning of its contents may be taken differently by different people.  However, God speaks plainly enough so that there should be no confusion (1 Cor. 14:33).  Truth is truth no matter what and it is found in God’s Word (John 17:17).  There are no exceptions to God’s Rule because it is the standard by which we live (Gal. 6:16). 
So, why are there so many different interpretations?  Actually, there can only be one interpretation which means everything else is a misinterpretation.  When Spanish is interpreted into English, there is only one way for it to be done correctly.  When a father says to his teenager, “You can’t go out tonight,” there is only one way for this to be interpreted.  Therefore, when one reads the Bible, he must understand that God’s Word is the objective standard never to be misinterpreted. 
Notice how this applied in the lives of Joseph and Daniel.  The Pharaoh of Egypt dreamed a dream that troubled his spirit and he needed an interpretation of the dream.  Thus, he called for all the magicians of Egypt and all the wise men but there was none that could interpret the dream unto Pharaoh (Gen. 41:8).  In other words, if they had tried to interpret the dream it would have been a misinterpretation.  So, Joseph was the only one that had the correct interpretation from God (Gen. 41:39).  Furthermore, when Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon received visions of his head that troubled him, “Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof” (Dan. 4:7).  Why could these men not interpret the dream?  Simply put, the interpretation came from God and Daniel was the only one that was capable of interpreting the dream correctly.
Consequently, who is capable of interpreting God’s Word today?  Since the Bible has come to man directly from God being of no “private interpretation” (2 Pet. 1:20) (nothing written was from the mind of any man) naturally, it follows that anyone who reads the Word of God can interpret (i.e. fully understand—Eph. 3:4) what He has said.  Just as God revealed His Will unto Joseph and Daniel, He has revealed His Will through the writings of “holy men of God” (2 Pet. 1:21) unto all the world today. 
~Derrick Coble    

Bible knowledge is something that every Christian wants, but we don’t always know the best way to get it.  Many times, people expect to sit through a Bible class or sermon from week to week and gain all the knowledge they need.  This is definitely a necessary and worthy way to learn more, but it should never be seen as the only way to learn the Bible.  Sermons and classes are designed for people in general where there will be different levels of knowledge and maturity.  Some subjects may seem easy to understand and other subjects may be a bit more challenging to understand, simply based on a person’s level of knowledge. Yet, all subjects must be covered to preach “all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).  To learn the Bible better, there are some very easy and practical things that everyone can do.  Here are just five of them:

1. Read the Bible – One of the reasons why people find it hard to understand the Bible is just because they are not very familiar with it.  Using a good Bible reading plan to regularly read is a good way to learn more.  Just reading a chapter a day is a good practice for anyone. 
2. Take a Correspondence Course – There are several courses that are available that are short and easy to understand to help you gain a better knowledge of the Bible as a whole. We have many options in the church office.
3. Chapter and book overviews – There are books such as, “Know Your Bible” by Frank Dunn that help to give some insight on each book of the Bible.  You might even commit to read a chapter a week and write down your thoughts or questions on that chapter each day.  You will gain a good understanding of it and you can remember it better by giving it a title you can remember such as, “Acts 2 – Beginning of the Church.” 
4. Use study aids – There are workbooks available on various topics to help you learn more about the church, morality, God, etc.  Using the workbooks that are given each quarter in Bible class will also help in learning more. 
5. Ask for help – Any elder, preacher, deacon, or teacher would be glad to help anybody who is desiring to learn more about the Bible.  Personal Bible studies are always a good option and can be very helpful in answering questions that someone has. 

God has given us His Word in a way that everyone can understand (Eph. 3:4).  He wants us to know the doctrine and read His Word (John 7:17; 1 Tim. 4:13) to grow spiritually and be able to teach others also (Heb. 5:12-14; 2 Tim. 2:2). 
~Derrick Coble