acts · churches of god seventh day inc. july/august 2016 volume 74, number 4 acts advocating...
TRANSCRIPT
ACTS
Advocating Christ
the Savior July/August 2016
July/August 2016 ACTS Suggested Donation $4.75 2
Table of Contents
Campmeeting Pictures page 4
Conquering Soldiers
(part two) by Frank Walker
page 8
Daughters of the King by Melanie Moore
page 11
Children’s Corner page 12
Information and
Announcements page 13
Financial Statements page 14
Our Committees page 15
Any opinions or viewpoints that are
published in this magazine are directly
from the contributing author(s) and do
not necessarily represent the beliefs
or viewpoints of the General Council
Churches of God Seventh Day Inc.
July/August 2016 Volume 74, Number 4
ACTS
Advocating Christ the Savior
Our purpose: The ACTS is published by the Church of God Publishing House to
advance the Gospel message around the world and to promote the general welfare of the
Churches of God, 7th Day, as a whole.
General Council Board: President—Rodney Boone; Vice President—Roger Boone;
Committeemen—Craig Moore, Jonathan Carson, Earl Rice, Mark Boyd, Don Smith.
Subscriptions: There is no subscription price for this magazine. It is paid for by free-
will offerings. We are a non-profit ministry and welcome your financial participation.
Donations are greatly appreciated. There is no subscription price for this magazine; how-
ever, the suggested donation is $4.75 or $28.50 annually. Checks may be made out to
the Church of God Publishing House.
Articles: ACTS accepts manuscripts from freelance writers. Write to us for writer’s guide-
lines and a free sample copy of the magazine.
Publisher: Church of God Publishing House / 1827 W 3rd ST /
Meridian, ID 83646-1653.
Staff: Craig Moore--Editor
Randy Sedlacek—Production Manager
Contact Us:
General CounCil ChurChes of God (Seventh) day, Inc.,
Headquarters Meridian, Idaho
Church of God Publishing House
1827 W 3rd ST
Meridian ID 83646-1653
Phone: (208) 888-3380
Web: www.actsforgod.org
E-mail: [email protected]
Statement of Beliefs:
1. The Bible to be the inspired Word of God, God the Father is the supreme Deity,
Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God, and the Holy Spirit is the
promised Comforter.
2. In the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ; His virgin birth; His sinless life; His
miracles; His victorious and atoning death; His bodily resurrection late on the Sabbath
day; His ascension to the right hand of God in heaven; and His personal return to estab-
lish His kingdom and rule this earth in great power and glory.
3. The only means of being cleansed from sin is through repentance and faith in the pre-
cious blood of Jesus and obedience to our Lord’s command to be baptized (immersed) in
the Name of Christ for the remission of sins.
4. That by faith we may receive healing for our bodies.
5. The Scriptures enjoin the observance of the Ten Commandments, including the obser-
vance of the Seventh Day Sabbath (commonly called Saturday) to be observed from sun-
set on Friday until sunset on Saturday.
6. The Lord’s Supper and foot washing should be observed once a year at the proper and
appointed time.
7. In the resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust, the just to eternal life
and the unjust to eternal death.
8. The dead are in a state of no consciousness.
9. The true church organization taught in the Bible is local autonomy and that the Bible
name for the church is THE CHURCH OF GOD.
10. That the tests of Christian fellowship are the Commandments of God and the faith of
Jesus.
Advocating Christ The Savior 3
Hello Readers!
Campmeeting has passed, and summer is fly-
ing by in full speed. I am heading to Missouri
to spend some time with my family and go to
Midwest Campmeeting, so I will get to see some
of you before you even read this! I am praying
for safe travels and a God-led time out there. I
hope you guys are, too.
God has been teaching me a lot about wor-
ship lately. Worship is something that is all about God, not about us.
Sometimes we get frustrated with the songs that are sung. They are too
fast, too slow, too new, too old...etc., but God isn’t listening for any of that.
What do you suppose God is listening for when we praise Him? He is lis-
tening for our heart! Where is our heart when we are worshipping? It isn’t
the song leader or worship leader’s job to make us worship. That job solely
rests on us. We need to be lifting our hearts to God, regardless of whether
the music is our kind or not.
When we are wholly devoted to God, it’s amazing how some things just
work themselves out. Suddenly, the things that are important change as
our priorities match more closely to God’s.
So in your worship this next couple of months, lift your heart to God, focus
on Him and not on you. I think you will find it is one of the best worship
times you have ever had, regardless of who is leading or what songs are
being led. Remember, it is all about your heart!
Craig Moore
Editor, ACTS Magazine
July/August 2016 ACTS 4
General Council Campmeeting Photos
The new General Council Board
Advocating Christ The Savior 5
The new Youth Board
July/August 2016 ACTS 6
Our cooks for 2016 making delicious food!
Cleanup! Many hands make light work!
Advocating Christ The Savior 7
July/August 2016 ACTS 8
CONQUERING SOLDIERS OR AN
OCCUPATION FORCE? (part 2)
by Frank Walker
HELP WANTED---GREAT BENEFITS!
The passage in Luke 10:1,2 shows us the urgent need for workers to HARVEST SOULS FOR THE SOON COMING KINGDOM OF GOD. The GREATEST and most rewarding work that anyone can do is to help to save a soul from death. We all rejoice when we hear of a ‘Good Samaritan’ that rescues a complete stranger from death. How much more should our joy be when we see a stranger rescued from eternal death? It is the greatest joy we can have if we truly love God. Even the Angels in heaven rejoice over one sinner who repents. (Luke 15:10) Should we not be the ‘Good Samaritan’?
Sharing the TRUE GOSPEL and GIVING GOD’S FINAL WARNING in these last days includes more than just the Preachers. In Matthew 28:19 and Mark 16:15 the words “GO YE” includes EVERY child of God. This includes old and young in God’s family.
Jesus gives “to EVERY MAN (and woman) His WORK.” (Mark 13: 34). We are all AMBASSADORS for Christ and the LOVE of CHRIST begs us to SERVE in some way to HELP RESCUE THE PERISHING that Jesus died to save. Read 2 Cor. 5:17-20 and remember that WE ARE THE AMBASSADORS. IT IS OUR JOB! If we do not act then how will it get done?
In Matt. 20:1-13 Jesus gives another parable about the work of the church. It matters not if we are young or old. There is always the call to SERVE in God’s vineyard. “For the Kingdom of heaven is like unto an house holder, which went out EARLY to HIRE LABORERS into HIS VINEYARD.” And when he had agreed with them for the wages “he sent them into His
vineyard.”
Now we know that not everyone has been called by God to preach. However, EVERYBODY can teach Holy living by word, example and scripture. EVERYONE can and should support others that do teach and preach as God opens the door.
“And he went out the third hour (about 9 AM) and saw others STANDING IDLE in the marketplace, and HE SAID unto them; GO ye also into the vineyard and whatsoever is right I will pay thee.” They went to work. (Verses 3,4) Then about the sixth hour (about noon) He did the same and hired more workers (verses 5, 6).
Even at the ELEVENTH HOUR (close to quitting time –which is our time in this world) he did the same “….and found others STANDING IDLE, and he saith unto them, WHY stand ye here all the day IDLE?” There was only one hour left to work but he still hired them. At days end they all received the same wage.
This parable has a great LESSON FOR ALL Christians. When we accept Jesus and serve God we all have the CROWN of ETERNAL LIFE when Jesus comes if we are faithful, REGARDLESS OF OUR LENGTH OF SERVICE. The key is to go to work harvesting the vineyard for that is Jesus Command.
This leaves NO place for RETIREMENT in God’s WORK or in His vineyard. In fact old age can be a very fruitful time to serve God, even though we have retired from our regular jobs. It gives even more TIME TO DEVOTE to God’s work. If health is a problem remember that God’s work NEEDS PRAYER WARRIORS! There is no excuse and THERE IS NO PLACE OR TIME FOR IDLENESS.
Advocating Christ The Savior 9
WHOM SHALL I SEND?
We have the “GREAT COMMISSION” as we are fond of saying in Matthew 28: 19,20. However, we must remember that Jesus started off this COMMAND (not a suggestion) with these words “ALL POWER IS GIVEN UNTO ME IN HEAVEN AND IN EARTH”? (Matt. 28: 18). The job of reconciling this entire world to its Creator, God, was given to Jesus (Rom. 5:10 / 2 Cor. 5:18).) Jesus then gave to His followers (You and I) the RESPONSIBILITY to carry out this work that he had started.
The Apostle Paul explained the transfer of responsibility to the followers of Jesus in a very easy to understand Scripture found in 2 Cor. 5: 17-20. We know that this sinful world needs to be reconciled to its wonderful Creator, God. The process of reconciliation is done through Jesus. While He walked on this earth Jesus showed us how to go about accomplishing the work of reconciliation. Then Jesus turned the job over to His followers and that includes ALL OF US.
We find further confirmation of the transfer of power and responsibility in the command given to Paul by Jesus in Acts 26:5. Here we find that PAUL WAS COMMANDED to translate the people from the POWER OF SATAN TO THE POWER OF GOD. This would mean that Paul would have to have power over Satan to accomplish this. Was this power given? The Bible clearly states that Paul was given the power to do the job. What about other people like you and me?
In Luke 10: 18-20 we find the fact that Jesus transferred power to His followers and that would include us. Listen as He talks to the 70 disciples. “Behold, I GIVE UNTO YOU POWER to tread on serpents and scorpions, and OVER ALL OF THE POWER OF THE ENEMY…” Luke 10:19. Power over the enemy is great news. We should rejoice that God accepts us and we
are part of God’s Kingdom (Verse 20). However with the power and authority that God has given to us comes the responsibility to use it.
In Matthew 16:19 Jesus said “And I WILL GIVE TO YOU THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN….” Jesus tells us in this passage that the KEYS UNLOCK THE DOOR OF SALVATION (the gates of the Kingdom of God). To put it simply, when you lead someone to Christ you have just used the Keys to the Kingdom of God. What a powerful thought. There is another very powerful thought to consider. When you support someone that is leading souls to God’s saving grace you are also using the keys to the Kingdom of God.
Satan has been battling for those keys since creation. He made a bold move through the false doctrines of the Catholic Church (she is the beast of Revelation 13) and her claim to control “THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM”. Think of the tragedy of this situation. Even though Satan is using lies (false doctrines) through this false Church system, Satan has managed to fool millions of people with his lies. It is even more heart breaking to realize that most Protestant Churches follow the false doctrines that Satan managed to give to this world through his “Harlot Church” of Revelation 17? SHALL WE SIT IDLE AND LET THEM DIE?
Jesus said “…THIS GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM SHALL BE PREACHED IN ALL OF THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD (why?) For a witness against them, AND THEN SHALL THE END COME.” (Matt 24: 14) Jesus specifically said that HIS GOSPEL of obedience to the will of God and the Commandments of God would be preached. (Matt. 24:14)
Matthew 7:21 and Revelation 22:14 tell us in plain language that to be saved you must obey the will of God and Keep the Commandments of God. When we put these words from these two scriptures together we find that Jesus meant that a GOSPEL OF OBEDIENCE TO THE
July/August 2016 ACTS 10
COMMANDMENTS OF GOD WILL shall be preached in the entire world before the end. Are we doing that?
THE LIFE YOU SAVE MAY BE YOUR OWN
About this time we usually justify our lack of action by the simple thought that Jesus has not called me to go. If Jesus does not send me then I cannot be held responsible. Right? WRONG! It is also a NEW TESTAMENT COMMAND for us “…NOT TO MUZZLE THE OX that treadeth the corn.” (1 Cor. 9: 9-14 & 1 Tim. 5: 18) Paul clarified exactly what he was talking about in verse 11 of 1 Corinthians 9. However, let us look at how the Church was divinely set up to help us understand what this scripture means.
Ken, Lloyd, and Frank Walker, Jr.
The Bible gives us this simple truth. The Gospel is spread by MOUTHS (Rom. 10: 14). However the head of the body, the mind (Christ), tells the mouth where to go and what to say. Then THE BODY TAKES THE MOUTH THERE to the place that Christ has sent it. Another way of putting this is that Jesus directs His followers to go to certain places and preach but the body of believers is the one that supports and send the ministers to the different places that God wants them. Therefore it is a New Testament COMMAND for us “…NOT TO MUZZLE THE OX that treadeth the corn…” (I Cor. 9:9-14 & 1 Tim. 5:18)
To those who sit home and breathe a sigh of relief that they have not been called to go to preach and teach, to each of them the Bible has this to say. YOU ARE THE BODY. Your part is just as vital to the success of the ministry as the preacher (the Mouth) is. The preacher cannot go without you. God may have set you into a place where you could support His work. In this situation you and the preacher share in the blessings of souls equally. You have each done your part.
If God blesses us with things of this life it is not for us to build bigger and better barns to store our riches in. Jesus had something to say about that in Luke 12: 16-21. The result of that kind of thinking is not a pretty thing. Every part of
the body is needed to complete the task that is set before us. 1 Cor. 12 explains to us that God puts us where He wants and needs us so that the Body of Christ will be complete, healthy and functional.
“Ye have not chosen me but I HAVE CHOSEN YOU THAT YE SHOULD GO AND BRING FORTH FRUIT AND THAT YOUR FRUIT SHOULD REMAIN…” (John 15:16) “Herein IS MY FATHER GLORIFIED, THAT YE BEAR MUCH FRUIT; SO SHALL YE BE MY DISCIPLES” (John 15:8).
Are we not supposed to be Disciples of Christ and teach others to be disciples
also? If we are disciples then this command is for us. Just like we found in the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, Jesus expects a return on what we have been given. If there is no return then we will have to answer for that problem.
Advocating Christ The Savior 11
Daughter’s of the King
This year, we brought back the live auction for a fundraiser and as an evening for everyone to get together and fellowship. It was a great time for everyone, especially with the youth playing the part of auctioneers.
Thank you to everyone that donated items for the auction and the booth, it was a great success and we can’t wait to do it again next year.
Melanie Moore President
The 2016 Daughters of the King board
July/August 2016 ACTS 12
Children’s Corner
Decode the message below by answering all the trivia questions and unscrambling the letters to make a secret message! If you need help, ask a parent!
David’s first wife, daughter of Saul
Man who was taken up in a chariot of fire
Son of God
Town where our Savior was born
Best friend of David
Country where Joseph ruled
Place where God gave the world many languages
Number of Jesus’ original disciples
The Bible is sharper than a two-edged...
Jesus did not come to condemn, but to...
Advocating Christ The Savior 13
Information and Announcements
The Daughters of the King
are going to be having an auc-
tion again NEXT year! We
know many of you are VERY
skilled, so we would love to
have hand-made items from
you! This year was a HUGE
success with many people
contributing quilted, painted,
and hand-made items.
The Daughters of the King are
also looking for items for the
booth that will be sold through
out Campmeeting next year. If
you have any items, let
Melanie Moore know.
GoodSearch! It’s been a while
since we had this in here, so
we thought we would remind
everyone that you can support
the General Council by using
GoodSearch as your search
engine, and they will automat-
ically filter out unsafe con-
tent! You can also support us
by shopping at your favorite
online retailers through their
GoodShop store.
The Daughters of the King
are looking for a volunteer
to lead children’s classes and
volunteers to be group lead-
ers/teachers at Campmeeting
for 2017. Contact Melanie
Moore if you are interested in
helping.
We were able to hold part of
Campmeeting in the Taber-
nacle, thanks to all the people
that helped get all the work
done.
If you or someone you know
have any pictures or articles
that might go well in the
ACTS, feel free to contact us
adminasst@cogpublishing.
org.
July/August 2016 ACTS 14
Financial Statements June 30, 2016
Current General Fund Balance:
$7,414
Estimated Monthly General Expenses:
(This amount varies due to literature distribution times.)
$6,500
Current Tabernacle Fund Balance:
$ 6,978
Estimated Tabernacle Expenses: $18,000
(Estimated expenses have increased due the cost of the required paving of the
parking lot.)
Current Camp Meeting Fund Balance: $3,290
Estimated Camp Meeting Expense: $5,500
Mission Fund Balance: $1,620
We hope that this give you a better understanding of where our finances are instead of the previous version of putting our account statements in the ACTS. If you would like to see our current statements, you can write us at [email protected].
Advocating Christ The Savior 15
General Council Committee Members Licensing and Credentials: Facility - Sub-committee:
Jonathan Carson Don Smith
Roger Boone Mariah Rice-Wilson
Ken Walker Earl Rice
Steve Boone Randy Sedlacek
Bill Siddens
By-Laws:
Roger Boone
Mary Ann Syvanen
Earl Rice
Finance:
Roger Boone
Rodney Boone
Charles Ward
Jonathan Carson
Marilyn Sheldahl - As Treasurer
Tabernacle - Sub-committee:
Rodney Boone
Don Smith
Craig Moore
Camp Meeting:
TBA
Daughters of the King
Melanie Moore - President You may contact our members through our [email protected] email and it will be
forwarded to the people accordingly. We would love to hear from you!
General CounCil ChurChes of God
(seventh) day inC.
1827 West 3rd st
Meridian id 83646-1653
Contact us: by Mail Phone (208) 888-3380 E-mail [email protected]
or Website: www.actsforgod.org
Thank you to everyone that writes in with kind words,
your encouragement gives us strength daily to keep
doing the work. You’re the best!
Thanks to everyone that came and made Campmeeting
a huge success! We had lots of fun getting to know new
friends and catching up with old ones. We hope you did, too.
We enjoyed all the fellowship, and as you saw in the
pictures, we had lots of fun playing games, relaxing, talking
and worshipping God. If you didn’t make it, we hope to see
you next year!
Save the date for next year, it might be even better!
Next year’s Campmeeting will be July 3rd - July 9th.
Hope to see you there!
Non-Profit Organization
PAID
Permit Number 25
Meridian, Idaho