Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Letter to our Friends - July 30, 2019

Dear Friends:

Greetings from Owensboro, Kentucky.

We hope and pray that you were spiritually uplifted this week.

Five Doctrines Which Makes the Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ differ from Pentecostal churches of God

1) The Ultimate Plan of God: Truly expressed in four main doctrines: the weekly Sabbath (which is Saturday) – Exodus 31:13-17. And, the annual holy days (Leviticus 23) – which truly pictures that awesome Plan of God through seven steps and three annual seasons. Beginning with Passover – picturing the selfless sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who died to pay the ultimate penalty for mankind’s sins. Followed by the Days of Unleavened Bread, which truly pictures Christ In You! The Day of Pentecost, picturing a relatively “small flock” of God’s chosen begotten children – full of God’s Spirit - called out of this world and its politics in this age of man’s rule.

And then in the autumn – the Feast of Trumpets, picturing the blowing of the seven trumpets and ultimately the blowing of the SEVENTH TRUMPET, the resurrection of the saints, and the subsequent return to earth of God the Father and Jesus Christ – the ‘last trump.’ The Day of Atonement follows nine days later, picturing truly and prophetically the Day of the LORD! And, the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles picturing the Millennial fall “harvest” of physical human beings and the glorious Millennial Rule of Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords over the whole of the earth! And the last holy day, called the Last Great Day, pictures the time immediately following the Millennium when every human being who has ever lived (not having a chance for salvation in this age) will indeed be resurrected to physical life and offered their chance to live God’s Way of life – on a fully rebuilt and restored earth.

Now friends, sadly, in place of Almighty God’s Ultimate Plan, mankind, in general, have forgotten and replaced God’s holy Sabbath with Sunday. And mankind has replaced God’s holy-day seasonal cycle with “hallow days,” replete with their pagan origins.

Friends, the holy Sabbath was given to mankind – the seventh-day; Saturday – at the very time of creation (Genesis 2:2-3; Exodus 20:8-11); however it also pictures the awesome future – the 1,000 years of “rest in Christ” after this age of man’s rule. It was also given by God as a sign to identify His people (Exodus 31).

The Day of the Sun – or rather Sunday – has no spiritual meaning. And, contrary to very popular assumption, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was resurrected on a Saturday afternoon. And Sunday worship masks this great truth and confuses the understanding of God’s Ultimate Plan of salvation.

This world’s annual holidays, which are kept by Protestant churches of God, portray absolutely no plan of salvation!

The Mass of Christ (Christmas) is – at best – a materialistic “birthday party” celebrated on a wrong day; and – at worst – a carry-over from pagan Sun worship which was originally practiced at the time of the winter solstice.

Ishtar (Easter), is the other major “Christian” holiday, which incorrectly tries to picture Christ’s resurrection – on the wrong day of the week! With its pagan symbols of fertility (eggs, cross-buns, ham, bunny rabbits, etc.)!

And let’s not forget – St. Valentine’s Day. A remnant of Roman satanic revelry and debauchery. Halloween!? - picturing more of the worship of Satan the devil and his demons than Almighty God and Jesus Christ!

2) The Destiny of Man. To truly become God! Indeed the religious elite of Jesus Christ’s physical life – the Pharisees – thought it blasphemy that Jesus would call Himself the very living “Son of God.” At least they truly recognized the seriousness of this truth! Yet today, the expression of “Son of God” either expresses any kind of religious person or it connotes the false doctrine of ‘angels coming down to Mount Hermon and mating with the daughters of men.’ (cf. Genesis 6:1-2). The true meaning of the words “Son of God” has become lost to the majority. Notice these plain Scriptures of our great God:
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons [and might I add daughters] of God. … The Spirit [itself] bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs – heirs of God [God the Father] and joint-heirs with Christ [Jesus the Christ] …” – Romans 8:14-17.
“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! … Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be [our future profession], but we know that when He is revealed [when Jesus Christ returns], we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is [a spiritual Being].” – 1 John 3:1, 2. 
God – the very One who we know now as Jesus Christ – Himself stated, “’ You are gods; And all of you are children of the Most High.” – Psalm 82:6; see also John 10:34-36.

Recall, the great Elohim (GOD) said, “’ Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; …’” – Genesis 1:26. Friends, this “image” is literally the “brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person” – Hebrews 1:3. The first two chapters of Hebrews alone makes this awesome doctrine crystal clear! Man is born a little lower than the angels to gain Godly character for a higher “born again” potential higher than angels – at the God level. “For in that He put all in subjection under him … But now we do not yet see all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, … in bringing many sons [and daughters] to glory, …” – Hebrews 2:8-10.

And, let’s not forget the false doctrine and difficult to understand and put into words - not found in the Bible - concept of the “Trinity.” (Be sure to watch Minister Michael C. Garrett’s short explanation of the Trinity in The Truth Concerning the Trinity Explained). Now, while the sole “proof text” is 1 John 5:7, proper biblical research reveals this verse was added by copyists who forged this spurious verse as late as the 8th century AD.

The “Trinity” is not a biblical term, nor is it a biblical doctrine. It was a contrived conspiracy of Satan the devil – using his ministers – “church fathers” in the Middle Ages – to teach mankind that his true destiny is impossible to achieve. The false teaching of the “Trinity” closes the Godhead to mankind. GOD is a Family – a growing Family with more sons and daughters begotten every age – every generation. The GOD Family is not closed to just three members. It is open to every man and woman whom God the Father will call – cf. John 6:44. GOD is now two members – God the Father and God the Son. The Holy Spirit is merely the awesome nature – the very mind of God – which impregnates the mind of the chosen and begotten sons and daughters who are destined to become “born” God’s. (Be sure to watch Minister Michael C. Garrett’s short explanation of the Holy Spirit in What does it mean to be 'baptized with the Holy Spirit'? along with reading and studying the article Proving the Truth!).

3) The Destiny of the “Saved.” The rulership of the E A R T H! Recall – “’ Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.’” – Matthew 5:5.

Very few professing Christians truly believe the very plain words of Jesus Christ! Yet, the entire Bible is filled with rulership of the planet Earth as a reward of the saved.

In the Book of Revelation the words cannot be any more clearer – “’ And [He will make] us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.’” What the Protestant churches of God do with these passages in their Bible is beyond me! Do they mark them out with a black felt tip marker!?

Friends, from Genesis to Revelation, the hope for true Christians is a reward of earthly rulership – co-heirs with Christ – beginning at the beginning of the Millennium!

Your Bible nowhere promises the false doctrine of ‘going off to Heaven’ as a reward of the saved! (Again, be sure to read Minister Garrett’s amazing article Proving the Truth!). Yet, sadly, multiple millions of professing Christians assume this is the “reward.” And the Scripture used most often by those who profess this false doctrine is actually a greater proof text for an earthly “reward.” Our Lord and Savior said, “’ In My Father’s house are many mansions [many dwelling places] … I go to prepare a place for you.’” – John 14:2. Certainly, if this was the only verse, then Heaven might be suspected of being the “place” prepared. However, let us read the following verse – “’ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am [see Zechariah 14:4], there you may be also.’” Now, when He said that, He was speaking on the Earth (‘that where I am’).

Even if a so-called Christian could go to the upper Heavenly realm, would he/she want to be there!? On the way up to Heaven, he/she would theoretically pass God the Father and Jesus Christ coming here!
“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth [the holy city of New Jerusalem], … Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven [the atmosphere] from God, … ‘Behold, the tabernacle [the dwelling place] of God [Greek word - Theos; GOD THE FATHER] is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. …’” – Revelation 21:1, 2, 3.
Including, of course, His holy angels – cf. Matthew 25:31. And, along with the resurrected saints – cf. Jude 1:14-15.

4) The Destiny of the “Unsaved.” The misinformed and false doctrine of ‘going to Hell’ for the “unsaved” from professing Christianity which the greater majority of Protestant churches of God teaches and continues to perpetuate – the teaching of being “damned for all time” and tortured in a burning hellfire. Almighty God and Jesus Christ are neither cruel nor wishy-washy. They are merciful and love – 1 John 4:8. They are firm – cf. Galatians 6:7. Our great GOD will give the billions of people who have ever lived and died during the last nearly 6,000 years (including the antediluvian people) a first chance to understand.

The Apostle John describes this time – “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, … And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and Books were opened [the Holy Bible]. And another Book was opened, which is the Book of Life. …” – Revelation 20:11, 12. This is called the “Great White Throne Judgment” and is further described by Prophet Ezekiel in Ezekiel 37.

5) The Very Nature of Man. The doctrine unique to God’s Church – the Body of Christ – is the very nature of man. Your Bible is quite clear about the spiritual and the physical makeup of man; yet, organized religions worldwide have instead adopted Satan the devil’s first lie to Eve concerning the immortality of the soul (Genesis 3:4), or pagan dualism, or the trappings of spiritualism, or ESP, or the occult.

Friends, the following are crystal clear words from Almighty God and Jesus Christ:
“For what happens to the sons of men also happens to animals; one thing befalls them: as one dies, so dies the other. Surely, they all have one breath; man has no advantage over animals, for all is vanity. All go to one place: all are from the dust, and all return to dust.” – Ecclesiastes 3:19-20.
“For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing, … for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.” – Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10b.
“…’ For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.’” – Genesis 3:19b.
“But there is a spirit in man, …” – Job 32:8.
The human spirit enters the human embryo at conception. The spirit is like the “hard drive on a computer” – it stores information. The spirit essence is NOT an immortal soul or an eternal spirit. The spirit in man is NOT the man. It is something in the man. The spirit in man was transmitted from Adam! Spirit comes from the father from a sperm cell– from Adam all down through all humanity.
“For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.” – 1 Corinthians 2:11.
The very nature of man, then, is entirely physical, with a separate “spirit in man” added at conception and taken away at death.
“Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it” – Ecclesiastes 12:7.
The very words “immortal soul” are nowhere to be found in your Bible!

(Again, be sure to read Minister Michael C. Garrett’s informative article Proving the Truth!).

From Deacon Trevor

Dear Brother, please be sure to congratulate our newest Bishop and Minister Guy L. for me. I have been waiting for the day that Father God and Jesus Christ would appoint more speakers to send out the Good News of the soon-coming kingdom from heaven. Also to take a little weight off of our dear Brother Michael's shoulders. M.C.G. has been working for decades and dare I say for half a century sharing the Gospel, which is the New Covenant, and the soon-coming Kingdom from heaven. The only Truth in this current retched world and MCG is the finest teacher of scripture I have had the pleasure of hearing!

I pray that Guy Lamar be guided by our Eternal God and Jesus Christ and that his family may be blessed with grace and mercies from God the Father and Jesus Christ. Amen!

I want to thank all the Brethren for the prayers sent up for my momma's full recovery from her recent fall that broke her hip and wrist (right arm right leg). …

From my Heart,
Trevor Paull Koonce

Prayer Request

Minister Guy LaMar’s brother David. He’s back in the ER - blood pressure as high as the sky.

World News Items

As mentioned in last week’s letter, German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen was elected as the European Union Commission President and indeed called for European military unity (See: ‘Von der Leyen elected EU Commission head after MEPs vote’). Her replacement in Germany called for more military spending (See: ‘New German defense minister backs higher military spending’). Europe appears to be in the process of building the “great army” Bible prophecy speaks of! – cf. Daniel 11:25.

Also this week in the United Kingdom, the former mayor of London Boris Johnson, was selected as Prime Minister (See: ‘Boris Johnson to Be Britain's Next Prime Minister’). Speaking before the Parliament, he laid out his goal for Brexit (See: ‘Boris Johnson: Premiership will be the start of a golden age’). While the UK may have increased its prosperity, in the end-times the United States of America and the United Kingdom will no longer be players. They will not be substantial - will have been reduced basically to nothingness – cf. Daniel 8:24-25.

And in regards to the United States of America – political leaders in Washington, D.C. made another deal that will increase the total debt of the USA (See: ‘What to watch today: Earnings galore, debt ceiling deal struck, and Britain’s new prime minister’). God’s living word shows that this will continue to lead to her destruction - cf. Habakkuk 2:6-8; Daniel 11:39. The US National Debt is currently $ 22,547,313,786,884!

Also, consider that a major cost of disobeying Almighty God’s admonitions on sexual immorality is sexual diseases – cf. Leviticus 26:14-16; Deuteronomy 28:22. In my state of Florida, Hepatitis A outbreak tops 1,000 cases for 2019. Also, Europe has noted a major increase of syphilis – particularly among homosexuals (See: ‘Europe faces ‘looming syphilis epidemic’ thanks to dating apps and reduced fear of HIV’). God’s moral laws protect against many of society’s grave diseases.

Suggested Sabbath Service

Here is this week’s suggested Sabbath service:

● 2-3 hymns. (a free printable “Old Time Gospel” hymn site is The Old Time Gospel).
● Opening prayer.
● Sermonette (if you choose). The one suggested is Proving the Truth. (An accompanying article – Proving the Truth! – is recommended).
● Announcements (if any) and one hymn.
Sermon. The one suggested is Mercy and Empathy – Part V by Michael C. Garrett. (Many more sermons are available at http://www.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

Minister Michael C. Garrett wrote:
“Who is our leader!? Jesus Christ! Who is the leader of the Church!? Jesus Christ! … we here in Owensboro have rededicated ourselves to a work that will go out through a website, through DVDs and CDs, hopefully sometime in the future we hope to have a radio broadcast. We’re going to do the work of Jesus Christ with all of the energy He gives us as long as we have breath. And we are here now in Owensboro, Kentucky, calling this organization the Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ.
So, what’s in a name!? Everything is in a name! It’s not in the name of Moses. It’s certainly not acquired in the name of Armstrong! But everything we’ve ever wanted and that we ever desire, everything that is good and lasting and proper and perfect comes through the name and the office and the personality and the efforts of JESUS CHRIST!
We here in Owensboro are attempting to initiate this work to serve Jesus Christ and to feed His sheep. Our goal and our mission and our purpose – and this will be marked on everything we ever put out – is to follow the admonition of Jesus Christ when He states in the Book of John, “’ Feed My sheep!’” We welcome all who wish to join us in our efforts, and we will appreciate your participation, your prayers, and if possible your monetary and financial assistance, because we are a small group, but we have big plans.
In deep gratitude and love, in Jesus' name,


As a reminder, and as I had posted on last week's letter - Minister Guy, his family, and many other members and friends will be in Owensboro, Kentucky August 10th, 2019 for Sabbath services at the Logsdon Community Center – 2400 Friendship Dr. I hope you will come and join us on that date – if that be possible. Contact Minister Michael C. Garrett at garrett158@roadrunner.com for additional information.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Be sure to leave a comment and tell us what you think.