Letter to our Friends - July 9, 2019

Dear Friends:

Greetings again from Owensboro, Kentucky.

Last Thursday many - in the United States of America – observed her official Declaration of Independence. It was 243 years ago that the USA received her independence from the kingdom of Great Britain. Since that time, although the economy of the USA has held up, a great many things have grown steadily worse. In this 21st century, the USA has less freedom of speech and less freedom of religion. And instead of the bulk of the government doing the most direct of this censoring, the greater majority comes from the news media and big tech internet companies. So much more than our founding fathers would have ever imagined in 1776!

Including the sad fact that our government cannot now seem to define a male vs. female is also a shameful development which our founding fathers would not accept nor understand.

Now, with that being said, the OCOJC is still going through the ‘open door’s’ which Almighty God and Jesus Christ continue to bless us with – despite ever greater persecutions via social media. Like Facebook banning any sharing of our posted sermons or articles. We do have many other platforms, such as Godtube, Flipboard, and of course - https://www.owensborocojc.com. Indeed, friends, the time is getting closer when the ‘famine of the Word’ (Amos 8:11-12) will be here!

Facebook Persecution

I received an email from Brother Don Everly via Deacon Trevor which said:

Matthew 24:10 Then shall many be OFFENDED, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

We will be hated for "HIS" Jesus Christ namesake. These Facebook, Google, YouTube Heathens can kiss my ….  

Trevor Koonce sent this to me I tried to send it out on our Church Facebook & my own Facebook and was told People on Facebook found this and all other listings from The Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ Offensive.

While a growing number of people may believe that Facebook and other social media sites need to crack down on what they call “fake news,” the reality is that internet censorship is a real threat as to how that’s interpreted – and is leading to inappropriate censorship. This censorship issue on social media is so serious that we in the Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ decided, because of the incident with YouTube, to begin posting on an alternative to YouTube – called Godtube.

Owensboro Trip

Brother Guy, myself, and others, will be in Owensboro, Kentucky on August 10th, 2019 for Sabbath services at the Logsdon Community Center – 2400 Friendship Dr. We would love to see you there, be sure to contact Minister Michael C. Garrett at garrett158@roadrunner.com for additional information.

After services, we will be discussing how the ministry might build congregations in different regions of the southern US.

Also, with combined feelings of thanksgiving, joy, and humility, I am happy to announce that Minister Garrett would like to ordain me into the great Work of Almighty God and Jesus Christ!

the Laying On of Hands Ceremony

Indeed, whenever a man is ordained into the greater service in God’s Work hands are laid upon him. The ordination ceremony in which God’s ministers and deacons lay their hands on those being ordained, and ask Almighty God and Jesus Christ – the very Head of this Church – to continue to work in their lives.

Now, does this Church ceremony have a meaning? Certainly!

The Apostle Paul tells us:

“… let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2) of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment” - Hebrews 6:1-2.

In order to “go on to perfection,” we must understand these foundational principles. We must understand why the doctrine of the LAYING ON OF HANDS is listed by Paul as one of the greatest MOST BASIC PRINCIPLES of the Christian life!

In every case in which the laying on of hands was administered it has set apart someone for a special purpose. A good example is found in Acts 8:9-25.

Philip had been recently ordained a Deacon in God’s Church, but did not have authority to set apart converts – according to God – and to administer the laying on of hands – verses 12-13. However, at his preaching, some of the Samaritans did believe the Good News of Almighty God’s coming Kingdom. And, Philip baptized those who believed. Church Headquarters in Jerusalem dispatched Peter and John to Samaria to administer the laying on of hands. As yet none of the Samaritan believers had received the Spirit of God (Acts 8:14-16).

And when Peter and John laid their hands on those who were repentant, they received immediately God’s glorious gift of His Spirit!

Now, in ordination – the laying on of hands is used. But why!? Notice this ceremony is symbolic of God’s divine Government:

“And the LORD said to Moses: ‘Take Joshua the son of Nun with you, a man in whom is the Spirit, and LAY YOUR HAND ON HIM.” – Numbers 27:18.

And in verses 19-21, we see that Joshua’s ordination as the leader of the “congregation of the children of Israel” set him apart from the people and carried with it a charge – a great responsibility to lead and to guide the people of God.

And, by the laying on of hands DEACONS WERE ORDAINED to carry out physical responsibilities in the New Testament Church of God. Such as serving of tables and caring for widows – Acts 6:1, 2, 6. These were specific duties assigned to Deacons to maintain order in the New Testament Church. So, Deacons are set apart from regular members of the congregation to carry out physical aspects of the Church of God – and so was ordained by the laying on of hands!

Ordination is the conferring of certain added responsibilities upon someone who has proven his trustworthiness. And, it is preparatory in doing a job and the handling of responsibility, never as a reward for work already done. With ordination comes authority, yet, that authority does not come from men – it is charged by Almighty God and Jesus Christ, the confirming of the laying on of hands!

Paul warns Timothy:

“Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; …” – I Timothy 5:22.

Indeed, Jesus Christ – the Head of the Church – will not give any responsibility to a man until he has learned to rightly handle the duties he already has.

So, ordination by the laying on of hands is God’s Way of setting apart and conferring the grave responsibility and authority to a human servant who has learned how to serve faithfully, boldly, yet with humility under the authority of Jesus Christ.

The laying on of hands is one of the most basic foundational doctrines of the Church of God. It shows us that Jesus Christ is the LIVING HEAD OF THIS CHURCH!

By this ceremony we submit ourselves to Jesus Christ – our Elder Brother, our Great High Priest – as “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” – Romans 12:1. We also show this world, as Paul continued, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Friends, through His human servants, Christ Jesus is adding SPIRIT-FILLED MEMBERS to His BODY by baptism and the laying on of hands. Through His human servants, He QUALIFIES more men for a grave responsibility of service in this growing Work!

Jesus Christ is indeed leading the way – let us all be following where He leads!

World News Items:

The United States presidential campaign is in full swing with two Democratic party debates last week (See: ‘Winners and losers from the 1st 2020 Democratic debate’ and also ‘In Japan, Trump's tweet war on Democrats rages unabated’). I am of the belief that whoever wins, Republican, Democrat or any other party in 2020, will lead to the beginning of the end the calm before the storm – prophetically speaking. Friends we are getting ever closer to the end-time trauma. And whoever is the next US President will – most likely unwittingly – take steps that will lead to our Lord God’s prophesied ‘great tribulation’ – Matthew 24:21-22. Indeed, we all should be praying for God’s Kingdom to come soon – Matthew 6:10.

In California, two great earthquakes shook Southern portions of the state (See: ‘Two Big Earthquakes Shook Rural Southern California. What Would Have Happened If They Hit a Major City?’). And a swarm of aftershocks has been following (See: ‘A 6.4-magnitude earthquake shook California. Now comes the ‘swarm’ of aftershocks'). Our Lord God indeed prophesied for this end-time: “’ For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places … These are the beginnings of sorrows.’” – Matthew 24:8.

Contrary to some in the news media and the political arena which has stated that “Trump has defeated ISIS” the Islamic State is continuing to issue threats against the United Kingdom and the United States – with some thinking they were going to strike on the 4th (See: ‘YOU WILL BURN’ Sick ISIS supporters threaten to bomb London and New York and attack a plane in chilling terror posters’). Well, whether or not this truly is from people claiming to be supporters of that perverted religion, more terrorism will strike the USA and her Anglo-Saxon descended allies – cf. Leviticus 26:14-17; Deuteronomy 32:25; Ezekiel 21:12.

On the 1st of this month, the Trump Administration proposed more tariffs against Europe, and Wednesday of last week United Kingdom members of the European Parliament turned their backs when the EU Anthem was being played (See: ‘European Parliament opens amid protest and discord’ as well as ‘US threatens EU with $4 billion worth of additional tariffs’). Indeed, the Europeans are becoming ever increasingly upset with the United Kingdom and the United States (See: ‘Iran nuclear deal: INSTEX now operational’). Consistent with biblical prophecies, what God’s servants have been warning related to trade and the UK’s and the US’s future relationship with Europe is coming to pass.

Also, in the EU Parliament, several top positions became available. German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen was proposed as the next European Commission President to replace Jean-Claude Juncker (See: ‘EU Leaders Break Deadlock, Naming Two Women to Fill Top Spots’). CNN has reported, “One of Leyen's only publicly-known European policies is her support of a European army, something Macron badly wants to lead the charge on.” She is also known for advocating a military that can function independently of the United States of America. Indeed, a United Europe is prophesied to have “a great army” – cf. Daniel 11:13. Of course, this will occur whether or not Ursula von der Leyen becomes the next European Commission President (of course some oppose her nomination in Europe).

A great many world events are continuing to be aligned with properly understood biblical end-time prophecies.

Suggested Sabbath Service

Here is a suggested Sabbath service for this week.

● 2-3 hymns. (another free printable “Old Time Gospel” hymn site is The Old Time Gospel).
● Opening prayer.
● Sermonette (if you choose). The one suggested is God’s Children Are of the Light!
● Announcements (if any) and one hymn.
● Sermon. The one suggested is Few Are Chosen 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 the following:

Matthew chapter 6, He gave another treasure of a little gem. He said, “’ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’” You can ask yourself that question. I can say, “OK, Michael C. what do you treasure!?” Because that’s really where my heart is. Or, if you’re evaluating somebody that you meet, what is their treasure!? If it’s like that guy who just can’t wait to get to the bar, you pretty well know what his treasure is. He worships at the altar of his alcohol. Or, his drug addiction. Whatever it is. All the different things you could get into. You can find out where a human heart is – and if you meet a church person, you just wanna know, can I trust this person!? How sincere are they!? Just ask yourself the question: What is their treasure!? 

If they spend all of their time talking about their new car, their new house, their new this, their new physical whatever it is, you pretty well have a clue that their heart is not tuned in to the things of God. It just speaks for itself. “’ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’” …

And then Jesus had something to say over in Luke 6 – which is a powerful statement! I guess if we would all apply this to our lives, how much better off we would be. Luke chapter 6, verse 36 – “’ Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. 37) Judge not, and you shall not be judged.’” – O’ my! If we as an organization could simply put that into effect and have it at the root of our spiritual DNA, what a much finer and more powerful organization we would be in the service of Jesus Christ! And yet that often is not the way things go. He says, “’ Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.’” – and what’s the counterpart of that!? If you don’t forgive, you won’t be forgiven! If you hold that grudge, that sense of vengeance in your heart, you are far from doing the will of God and it will cripple your heart and it will poison your heart and it will calcify your heart. And for those people who always want to point fingers – you’ve always been around them – they can’t wait to tell you the latest story about some piece of bad news on somebody else. It’s the old saying, that if you find somebody pointing their finger at somebody, three fingers are always pointing back. 

(The Treasure of Your Heart).

In deep gratitude and love, in Jesus' name,