Letter to our Friends - May 31, 2019

Dear Friends, all around the world:

Greetings again from Owensboro, Kentucky.

We continue to stay busy working on preaching and serving people around the world, as well as getting the news out about Jesus Christ, His atoning sacrifice for all, and the news of the New Covenant, its promises, and our great High Priest – Jesus Christ, along with the fantastic Good News about the soon-coming Kingdom of God!

Prophecy Series Articles

We have three wonderful and enlightening articles titled The Prophecy Series.

There's a historic relationship between Europe and the Roman Catholic Church. A relationship that has shaped the Western World. Europe today faces a seventh resurrection of the "Holy" Roman Empire! Events are taking place that will radically change this world!

To properly understand today's news and the grave events which lie just ahead, we must understand a basic outline of world history and future events. This three-part series will help you understand what God's living Word - the Bible - truly says is emerging soon on the world scene. A new "Roman Empire" - the final empire!

Pentecost: June 9, 2019

Pentecost will soon be here! June 9th this year.

We will be meeting this year at the Logsdon Community Center 2400 Friendship Dr. Owensboro, Kentucky, USA, 42303. If you are not a regular attendee in Owensboro and wish to come, please contact Michael C. Garrett for particulars. His email address is garrett158@roadrunner.com.

A Festival Tithe

Concerning saving for God’s feasts -

God states in Deuteronomy 14:22-27:

“’ You shall truly tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year. 23) And you shall eat before the LORD your God, in the place where He chooses to make His name abide, the tithe of your grain and your new wine and your oil, of the firstborn of your herds and your flocks, that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always. 24) But if the journey is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, or if the place where the LORD your God chooses to put His name is too far from you, when the LORD your God has blessed you, 25) then you shall exchange it for money, take the money in your hand, and go to the place which the LORD your God chooses. 26) And you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen or sheep, for wine or similar drink, for whatever your heart desires; you shall eat there before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your household. 27) You shall not forsake the Levite who is within your gates, for he has no part nor inheritance with you.’” – Deuteronomy 14:22-27; NKJV.

Friends, indeed, tithing is an Old Covenant concept. After the death and resurrection, the New Testament nowhere commands us or even admonishes us as Christians to submit to a legalistic tithe system. The New Testament – under the New Covenant – nowhere designates that we are now to save a percentage of income for feast finances.

The Apostle Paul wrote:

“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2) Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, …” – 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; KJV.

Jesus Christ – under the New Covenant – speaks about the importance and the benefits of giving. We are to give (as well as save for God’s feasts) as we are able. Sometimes that means 10 percent; sometimes that may mean less. It depends on the ability of the individual and the needs of the Body of Christ – the Church. Tithing, as well as saving for God’s feasts (it is a wise concept) is a private matter between the individual and Almighty God and Jesus Christ because it is an act of worship. It’s not the “job” of the Church to “enforce” or “police” this Old Covenant law. Each individual has the responsibility to “honor the LORD with [his/her] possessions, And with the firstfruits of all [their] increase.” Tithing, as well as free will offerings, are the method by which the Gospel is proclaimed to the world – Malachi 3:8-10; Matthew 6:21; 23:23.

“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or OF NECESSITY; for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7; NKJV.

World News Items

The European Union (EU) completed its parliamentary elections. And, while pro-EU parties continue to have control, ‘nationalist’ parties are gaining ground (See: European elections 2019: Power blocs lose grip on parliament). In the United Kingdom, the new Brexit party, led by Nigel Farage, performed best in the EU parliamentary election (See: Macron vs. Salvini: Two leaders face off over EU’s future). Prime Minister Theresa May of the UK announced her resignation on Friday at least partially because her Brexit proposals have not passed (See: UK PM Theresa May announces resignation amid fury over Brexit handling). The European Union is still highly upset concerning Brexit and the UK political leaders remain divided on how to proceed.

In the United States of America, President Trump has issued another threat to Iran (Trump National Security Adviser Accuses Iran of Tanker Attacks Off UAE). Now, while Iran is hardly powerful enough to defeat the USA, they do have enough power to cause grave damage should this situation escalate further.

Concerning the Middle East, President Trump’s son-in-law is hoping to persuade more in the Middle East to support the Trump Administration’s peace plan (See: Jared Kushner aims to build support for ‘deal of the century’ with Mideast trip). Now, because of President Donald Trump’s recognition that Jerusalem is Israel’s rightful capital and the move of the US Embassy to Jerusalem, Palestinian leaders do not wish to deal with him or others of the Trump Administration regarding any peace plan. However, this should not surprise us since it is consistent with Palestinian sentiment. Now, eventually, yet after much bloodshed, there will be a temporary peace deal in the chaotic Middle East - involving Israel and the Palestinians (cf. Daniel 9:27).

Suggested Sabbath Service

Here is a suggested Sabbath service for this week.

● 2-3 hymns. (hymscript.com has many song sheets for printing and sharing).
● Opening prayer.
● Sermonette (if you choose). The one suggested for this week is: Suffering for Righteousness Sake.
● Announcements (if any). One hymn.
● Sermon. The one suggested for this week is: My People Are Destroyed By Fake Truth. Additional

    sermons are available on our website: owensborochurchofjesuschrist.com.

● Final hymn.
● Closing prayer.

IN CASE YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED A ‘LETTER TO OUR FRIENDS’ FOR ANY WEEK, REMEMBER WE HAVE MANY SERMON MESSAGES ON THE Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ website. Also, there are audio sermons on our Soundcloud Radio channel.

Concluding Comments

The Apostle Paul in Titus wrote:

“This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. 9) But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 10) Reject a divisive man [a person who tends to cause disagreement or hostility between others] after the first and second admonition, 11) knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.” – Titus 3:8-11; NKJV.

Minister Garrett wrote:

“ [A] … man who actually claimed to be a member of the Church of God was claiming that abortion was a “good thing.” And he was just incensed that anyone would be against abortion. And obviously, there were people on the other side. And I guess it almost went to a bare-knuckle brawl!? Now imagine - At a church holy festival people are getting so animated to the point of hatred, to the point of just intense rancor, and displeasure, that they almost got into a fist fight over something they can’t control. … And then, somewhere else there was a heated argument over discussions of political candidate’s! … And even today, I’m sure that there are church groups where people get into major disagreements over politics. And they do it on the Sabbath day while they’re attending church. And folks, it’s just not good! It’s not good! My suggestion is – stay off the topic. Now I think you can discuss politics in a calm manner. I think I’ve done it many times in my life. But when all of a sudden that becomes your team, and that becomes your player, your star, your captain, your coach, and you’re not about to let anybody disparage your side, your team – then you have a problem! Folks, LOOK TO JESUS! And, how many times have I said that!? Look to Jesus! And especially on the Sabbath day! If you’re gonna get together, talk about something that Jesus Christ would talk about. Talk about something about Jesus Christ or the New Covenant, or blessing’s which have come about in your life, or challenges which are coming in the future. And you wish for people’s good thoughts and prayers to be on your behalf. But to dive down into the ugly sewer of politics is just unbecoming and unacceptable – if you wanna know the truth. It’s just unacceptable.”
(Christ In You (Unleavened Bread) 2017 Day 6).

The lack of the ‘fruits of the Spirit’ of those insisting on being improperly divisive should be crystal clear. Yet, those who do such things do not properly see their ‘lukewarm’ work – cf. Revelation 3:14-16. They need their eyes properly anointed to see and to repent (change) – cf. Revelation 3:18.

Friends, “’ He who [truly] believes in Me [in Jesus Christ]…’” will surely believe what the living Bible says and teaches and will continue to support the Work of God and be careful in maintaining good works unto God.

In deep gratitude and love, in Jesus' name,