Brazilian Zeal :: teaching Christ to every person :: church of Christ

doctrine, the Faith and the gospel

shaggydoc46 — Tue, 25 Jan 2005 02:49:19 GMT

To all who seek His coming

I would like to offer for discussion what I see as a grave error which permeates the ultra conservative church of Christ. There is talk all through the web of “sound doctrine”, preserving “the faith”, keeping “the gospel” and warnings against false doctrine. I see scriptures taken out of context and applied in a very narrow application that does not speak the intent of the writer. I see huge bodies of writings taken from non scriptural sources in an attempt to shore up the positions. I see a disturbing thread though it all that reduces the gospel to a salvation by works based on holding to a list of traditions, non scriptural regulations and opinions which, if not held, relegate the person to hell or at least grave error.

I would like to bring up the following issues.
· What determines "sound doctrine", "the Faith" and the "Gospel".
· From scripture what constitutes false teachers, false Gospel and unsound doctrine.
· A discussion of the believer’s freedom.
· A discussion of the dangers of judging a servant of God.
· The danger of equating tradition and matters of opinion with the Gospel or doctrine and the dangers of the “law of silence.”
· A discussion of change in the church.
· A discussion of what the Bible says about instrumental music.
· Propose a solution.

What determines sound doctrine, the Faith and the Gospel?

What is the Gospel? Paul defines it in Romans 1. That is the Gospel. Not a list of rules and regulations and traditions.

“So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."

And in Galatians 3 Paul says that the Gospel is now by faith and not by the law (our tutor).

”Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Again the Gospel is justification by faith not by law.

Doctrine is discussed in Ephesians 4. Doctrine is stated as the "one body, one Spirit, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father". It is not a list of do’s and don’ts and traditions. He then talks of winds of doctrine, trickery, deceit as it applies to the one body, one Spirit, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father.

Ephesians 4
“Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift………….And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, or the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.”

Here Paul states that the unity of the spirit is manifest in the immutability of “the Faith” that is one Body, one Spirit, one Baptism, one Lord, one Faith, one God and Father. Then he lists some gifts and talents that are different according to the grace that God gives us. We reach maturity through our gifts and talents so that we can fend off “every wind of doctrine” that tries to nullify the Gospel. The manifestation of the gifts is not the “doctrine” but is as different as there are different people and different measures of God’s grace. So doctrine and “the Faith” are not lists of do’s and don’ts that we define fellowship upon.

Much of what is written in the Bible about sound doctrine and the Gospel can be found in passages in which someone is chastising another over unsound doctrine, or denying the Gospel of its power.

In Matthew 23
23"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. "You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. "You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness.”

Here Jesus is chastising the Pharisees for concentrating on the minutiae and insignificant things and ignoring the more important provisions of the law (or to us the Gospel).

The gospel is further discussed in Galatians 1.

“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!”

So Paul is talking warning against a different gospel, distorting the gospel or one contrary to that which Paul preached to them. Remember how Paul defined the gospel in Romans “it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."

The gospel is salvation by faith. What was the different gospel in Galatians? He expands on this in chapter 3.

“But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage. But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you. But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)--well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me. But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised (for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles), and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. They only asked us to remember the poor--the very thing I also was eager to do.
Peter Opposed by Paul
“But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, "If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews? We are Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles; nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? May it never be! For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor. For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God.
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly."

Here Paul gives one of the most eloquent discussions of what the Gospel boils down to. And he says that the Gospel is nullified when someone “compels” another Christian to adhere to a man made commandment, tradition, rule, or regulation. Anytime someone says if you don’t do this or if you do that and it is not a commandment expressly tied to the Gospel (i.e. "the faith") then the Gospel is nullified and Christ died needlessly. You are hanging heaven or hell upon whether you agree with a tradition (circumcision, a capella singing). That diminishes the Gospel to a salvation by works. Plain and simple. A list of traditions and opinions and judgements that the church of Christ has hung the test of fellowship includes, but is not limited to the following.

Opposition to the “community church movement”
Contemporary worship music
Clapping
Raising hands
Instrumental music
Any other interpretation of baptism than yours
Worship teams
Worship leader
Drama ministries
“Change agents”
Purpose driven church
Max Lucado
Rubel Shelley
Disdain for any church name other than C of C
“Holy Entertainment”
Christian colleges
Children’s worship
Doctrine, “The Faith” equated with disputable issues of conscience
Adding to the gospel
KJV the only Godly translation, all others of Satan
The association all of music with the devil and pagan ritual
Insistence that the Church of Christ is the only true church
Equating change to adding to “doctrine”
Doctrine equated to tradition
Misleading Greek exegesis
Disdain for the observance of Christmas
Public testimonials during the worship service

This website adds this long heavy list of laws and traditions to the simplicity of the Gospel. Paul in Romans 14 and 15 speaks about the believer’s freedom in disputable matters and warns sternly against judging. He talks about differences of opinion on disputable matters, in this case what you eat and the observance of holidays (Easter, Christmas). We don’t judge a servant of God for God is able to make him stand. The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking (what we do) but is righteousness, peace and joy of the Holy Spirit. And look at the “root of Jesse” from which Jesus arises and the Gentiles are grafted onto. That speaks volumes to the continuity between the old and the new testaments. The same God was in charge from day one.

Romans 14
The Weak and the Strong
1Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. 2One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. 4Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
5One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. 8If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
9For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. 10You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. 11It is written: “ ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.’ ” 12So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
13Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. 14As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. 15If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. 16Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. 17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
19Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.
22So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.
Romans 15
1We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” 4For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
5May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs 9so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
I will sing hymns to your name.” 10Again, it says, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”11And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and sing praises to him, all you peoples.” 12And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him.”
13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Look at another example of false teaching. Again false doctrines are departures from “the Faith.” They consist of binding restrictions and traditions on people as a test of faith. He then says “everything created” by God is good. “Everything created” is the Greek word defined in Strong’s Greek lexicon "ktizo 2936; an original formation (concretely), i.e. product (created thing):--creature". Here “ktizo” could mean creature or a created thing. The context talking about food and marriage suggests a created thing is the more appropriate translation. He is saying that everything that God created is good if it is received with thanks and is not contrary to the word of God. Again we must not take contrary to the word of God to mean everything not mentioned in the Bible because we then produce a list of do’s and don’ts as a test of fellowship and are back to a salvation of works.

In 1 Timothy Paul talks that false doctrine is, again, binding traditions, cultural mores, relationship restrictions as a binding test of faith. He then says that EVERYTHING CREATED BY GOD IS GOOD AND NOTHING IS TO BE REJECTED IF IT IS RECEIVED WITH GRATITUDE FOR IT IS SANCTIFIED BY MEANS OF THE WORD OF GOD AND PRAYER. Here he says God will not reject anything that he has created that we give back to him including but not limited to musical talent.

1 Timothy 4

1But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.

Again Paul teaches about our freedom in 1 Cor 10. He is giving a wide berth of freedom of opinion and freedom from judgment. Issues like giving a musical instrument talent to God cannot be called a sin. He says whatever we do, do it for the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10
23“Everything is permissible”–but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”–but not everything is constructive. 24Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. 25Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, 26for, “The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it.”If some unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. 28But if anyone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the man who told you and for conscience' sake[d]– 29the other man's conscience, I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be judged by another's conscience? 30If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for? So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God– 33even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

What does the Bible say about change? Paul was a big believer in adaptability. He would do what ever he could to adapt the delivery of the Gospel to the audience at hand. Change is a good thing.

1 Corinthians 9
19Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. 22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

He gives us an example in which he commends the pagans for their spirituality and quotes from a pagan poem so that he might reach the lost.

Paul at Athens
Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols. So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be present. And also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were conversing with him. Some were saying, "What would this idle babbler wish to say?" Others, "He seems to be a proclaimer of strange deities,"--because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new teaching is which you are proclaiming? "For you are bringing some strange things to our ears; so we want to know what these things mean." (Now all the Athenians and the strangers visiting there used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new.)
Sermon on Mars Hill
“So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, 'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD ' Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we also are His children.' Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man. Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead."

On the issue of instrumental music, I think that the above scriptures clearly teach that the Gospel, or the Faith, or Sound Doctrine is not a complex list of traditions and matters of opinion. Lets look one more time then at Colossians 3. Psalm in Strong’s Greek dictionary “from yallw - psallo 5567; a set piece of music, i.e. a sacred ode (accompanied with the voice, harp or other instrument; a "psalm"); collectively, the book of the Psalms:--psalm. Compare wdh - oide 5603” A psalm is a type of song that has in it’s meaning in the Greek the accompaniment with music. Does it make sense that Paul would give this glorious treatise on how we should treat each other, then say that cultural and traditional issues are erased since all are equal and then suddenly say that it is a sin to use instruments of music and if you did you would be lost to hell? It isn’t there people.

“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him-- a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

The "law of silence" is one of the biggest heresies of the last century. It is so because for it to stand there is formulated a huge burdensome list of do's and don'ts that are based on tradition and personal preference and are bound on Christians as a test of fellowship heaven or hell. This law places things like instrumental music as a sin because it is another gospel or it is unsound doctrine. When Paul or even Jesus talks about false doctrine they are always talking about compelling people to comply with, or binding upon them, matters of tradition, cultural heritage or personal opinion and making them matters of "the Faith." Paul says that this reduces the Gospel to a salvation by works according to the law and nullifies the death of Christ. Paul says that the Gospel is simply that a righteousness came down from God as a free gift through the sacrificial death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Instrumental music, contemporary songs and the whole litany of things listed above have nothing to do with the Gospel, Doctrine or the Faith. When Paul speaks of spiritual gifts he says at least twice that the earth is the Lord's and everything in it and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving and does not conflict with the Word of God. And again doing something that is not in the bible and giving it to God is not in conflict with the Word of God.

So what is the solution? Do we make a big list of things that are out of our comfort zone and tradition that are a test of fellowship, which puts us back to a salvation by works? Or do we accept one another in love and agree on the fundamentals of “the Faith”, “Doctrine” and “the Gospel” and agree to disagree on the minutiae of our silly little traditions. The disciples once asked Jesus to stop a group that claimed to be followers of Christ and were performing miracles, but were not with the apostles. Jesus said “do not hinder them. If they are not against you they are for you.” I think we need to take a hard look at what we are doing and offer a hand of fellowship to those laboring in the fields beside us.

shaggydoc

Job is finished!

randal — Mon, 08 Nov 2004 21:41:54 GMT

Beth wrote the following today:

"I have been off line for quite a while, but I needed to touch base to let everyone know that the roofing project for our school has been completed. One family donated the last $1,000 from his tax return bringing us to our goal.

I certainly appreciated all the donations from people on this list and want to thank everyone for their care and concern. My deepest thanks goes to brother Randal for his expertise in creating the website which no doubt was greatly instrumental in raising the funds. Thanks to one and all."

November report: 'The Jesus We All Need'

randal — Tue, 02 Nov 2004 19:14:41 GMT

BZeal
bzeal.antville.org
Zeal for God's house

[You are receiving this email as a subscriber of the
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Note: You can download the PDF version of this report
at randal.fastmail.fm

Brazilian Zeal

2 November 2004 • São José dos Campos (SP) Brazil •
Monthly report • J. Randal Matheny

‘The Jesus We All Need’

After preaching a series of sermons in the new Taubaté
church on “The Jesus Brazil Needs,” the Guarulhos
church, in the greater São Paulo area, chose this theme
for my time with them on October 23.

Some 40 people participated in the five-hour event.

Valdir Silva, from the Pimentas congregation (planted
by the Guarulhos church in the same city), liked it so
much, he’s using the material for a series in his
congregation and has invited me to speak there at least
once in November or December.

For an idea of this series see my article “The Jesus We
All Need” in Forthright Magazine:
forthright.antville.org

When Jesus praises people

October 31, I finished up the sermon series
“Compliments Jesus Paid” in the Taubaté congregation.

In the SJC church, I’m also preaching this semester,
getting near the end of a series on the list of words
in Philippians 4:8. Earlier, I preached a series on
gospel summaries in the NT.

In our Sunday Bible school at SJC, I’ve been leading a
study of missions since July. This is important for us
in a region of millions with so few Christians.

Studies held in city without church

In our entire region only two churches meet, in SJC and
Taubaté. Our brother Jorge and Paula Santana are
teaching relatives of Paula’s and neighbors of theirs
in their home town of Guaratinguetá. (For a map of our
region, see the PDF report.)

On October 16, Vicki, Leila, and I visited this study
group as I encouraged the 10 people present to be the
firstfruits in that city of some 100,000.

No pics this report

Joel served at the Mt. Of Olives Christian camp in
July, camped his last time during the third week (for
14-17 yr. olds), and joined several others for an
experimental fourth week.

It was during the latter period, with few people and no
security guards, that someone stole into camp and
carried off our digital camera. So we don’t have any
pictures to share this report.

No takers, so I’m doing it

Our websites were in desperate need of work, so since
nobody volunteered (and it’s hard to comandeer help
from thousands of miles away), I’m working hard on
updating them with new software.

One great possibility is offering online courses for
minsterial training to Brazilians Christians. I
successfully installed a program, used by universities
and colleges world-wide, that manages courses,
teachers, and students in one excellent package.

You can get a preview of the online course site here:
alcanceweb.com

Now to get teachers to put their courses online! Pray
this may be a useful tool for the Kingdom.

Edification Magazine

We’re working hard to keep the magazine published. Due
to problems and sickness, the printer kept one issue an
entire month. Doesn’t help our schedule much.

Another regional oportunity

On October 24 a Christian couple visited us at the SJC
congregation who had moved from São Paulo to the coast
city of São Sebastião. They have had some Sunday
meetings, but hope to begin something regularly. So we
have yet another point in our region to work and
establish the gospel. (For a map of our region, see the
PDF report.)

SJC men meet monthly

The men began a monthly meeting in September, at the
same time as the women, on the fourth Saturday of each
month. Both groups meet at 3 p.m. for study and prayer.
The first meeting in September, I led the study. Since
I was gone to Guarulhos em October, Otavio Carvalho
coordenated that month’s meeting.

Writing for a construction magazine, of all things

A man who picked up some of our material which we’d
left in a store contacted me to write a column for his
new construction magazine for our region.

The first issue was published in September, and my
column focused on “voting” for He who changes lives.
Sepember was election month in Brazil, as voters chose
mayors and aldermen.

I hope to have a pdf version of the cover of the
magazine and of the page of my article, and will post
it on the BZeal page as soon as I receive it from the
editor.

This represents yet another opportunity to place the
good news in hands that otherwise would never have
heard it.

Women’s Conference

Vicki and Leila participated October 29-30 at the
women’s conference in São Paulo, with 10 other ladies
from the SJC and Taubaté congregations. Reports are
upwards of 400 women attended.

Family focus

Joel and Leila both finished up another year of school
at the end of October. I’ve taken Leila out for ice
cream – our standard celebration procedure–, but Joel
is still waiting for his.

Vicki had surgery on her face to remove a skin cancer,
but aside from a small bandage she’s wearing for three
months, all went well.

She’ll have another small growth removed November 4. In
mid-September, Vicki and I started walking at 6 a.m.
every morning except Sundays.

Leila has been giving flute recitals with her music
school in various locations, and in November she’ll be
in the group to play in the old City Hall.

Micah started his second year at Freed-Hardeman
University. Having passed the culture shock stage, he’s
finding it more pleasant that the first year.

Orphanage ups and downs

The Lar Cristão orphanage sponsored the first Regional
Encounter for Gospel Workers August 14. About 40 men
from nine congregations were present.

October 10 the Lar Cristão inaguarated a new cottage
that will hold up to 10-12 children.

The following Sunday, 17, however, a storm did over
$1000 damage to various buildings. Thankfully, no
children or employees were harmed.

Several area churches have sent help to repair the
damages. If you would be interested in helping also,
please contact us.

The Brazilian Zeal newsletter reports on the work of
the J. Randal Matheny family in the city of São José
dos Campos (São Paulo state), located between São Paulo
and Rio de Janeiro.

Mailing Address: Caixa Postal 11 – São José dos Campos,
SP – 12201-970 Brazil

Telephone: home: 011-55-12 3942-7753; office: 011-55-12
3949-1246

Email: brazil@randalmatheny.com

Web site: randalmatheny.com

Sponsor: Center Hill church of Christ, Paragould, Ark.
870-239-8032

Supporting churches

Center Hill, Paragould, Ark. (sponsor) 870-239-8032
Acton, Michie, Tenn.
Baker Heights, Abilene, Tex.
Iuka, Miss.
Lemalsamac, Newbern, Tenn.
Mtn. Home, Paragould, Ark.
Somers Avenue, North Little Rock, Ark.

Note: You can download the PDF version of this report
at randal.fastmail.fm

-----
BZeal focuses on the progress of the gospel in Brazil and
around the world. Please share this email with friends.

An Encouraging Note

randal — Tue, 21 Sep 2004 14:33:59 GMT

We're behind on our reports, but look for them very soon.

Yesterday a Christian lady in the interior of São Paulo state sent us this email note, after receiving the August edition of Edificação (Edification) Magazine:

I am very happy when I receive the copy of Edification Magazine for the church in São José do Rio Preto, because it was with it that in difficult times I managed to remain faithful to the Lord, for it always brings encouragement. Thank you for your insistence with it and also to Randal.
–Jussara Aparecida Alves de Oliveira, in Bady Bassitt

She sent the email to our Brazilian colleague and editor, Francisco Bezerra.

We are encouraged by such responses, which give us continued reason to work hard at what we do.

Thanks for your prayers and support in this effort.

Which missionary or field to select?

randal — Fri, 10 Sep 2004 20:13:09 GMT

Two articles appeared before me recently on selecting a missionary or field to support. Both bring good ideas. The first is by a brother in the church; the second by a Christian Church woman.

Choosing a Man
by Dr. Earl Edwards, Freed-Hardeman University

Should We Support This Missionary? (pdf format)
by Judy Johnson

The first is also appropriate for the prospective missionary to evaluate his personal qualities and need for preparation.

Indian Government Requires Reroofing After Disaster

randal — Fri, 06 Aug 2004 17:22:56 GMT

UPDATE: 10 Sept. 2004

The old dorm roof was removed

The construction has begun! But to cover only half of it will run about $1,500.00. Beth says $445 has been received or committed. So slightly more than two-thirds remains to be covered. She wrote:

When I first mentioned an estimate for materials, I said it would likely take $1,000 US to finish a new PVC roof on the building. My husband made me go back and correct that to $800. Well, he and I both have been wrong in our estimates. So far we have purchased materials for only half the buiding area, and the cost has already run well over $1,500. We have decided to do only one end until we can arrange for more funds to finish the whole thing. That is all we can do right now, but even then we need more than has come in.

Getting up the supports for the new PVC roof

This new roof was required by the government after a school fire killed 90 children. See below how you can help.

ORIGINAL POST:
After a school fire killed 90 children in Kumbakonam, south of Chennai (formerly, Masdras), in Southern India, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu required schools, private and public, to replace all grass roofs. So the Chennai Teacher Training School, which prepares Christian preachers, will have to remove the palm leaves of the dormitory roof and replace it with PVC (the most inexpensive option). The school is coordinated by Dennis and Beth Johnson.

A picture of the school dormitory from Lock Street.

Beth wrote of the above picture: "The buildings have been painted white since this photo was made, but it shows what we are dealing with. The building behind it is of the bath house/latrine. The tiny room on the front of the dorm is the cook shack."

Aerial picture of part of city of Chennai

Please consider contributing to help recover this roof. One person has already sent $400 to cover the cost, which will reach perhaps $800, including labor and pipe to attach the PVC to the brick.

You may send your contribution, in any amount, directly to their sponsoring church at this address:

HILLCREST CHURCH OF CHRIST
2535 North West Loop, Stephenville, TX 76401
Phone: (254) 968-8167

Or send it to the Johnsons' daughter, who will deposit it into their account:

Ferah Glott
1101 Sioux Trail
West Columbia, SC 29210

Milestone Conference

randal — Wed, 08 Sep 2004 12:55:00 GMT

This from the World Convention's Christianet:

From October 27-29, leaders of Christian Churches/ Churches of Christ and Churches of Christ in the USA 'will seek to learn how the power of what they have done separately can be multiplied when done together.' Speakers will be: Rick Atchley, Mike Cope, Allan Dunbar, Randy Harris, Barry McMurtrie, Ben Merold, Bob Russell and Rubel Shelly. Lynn Anderson is the facilitator. Details at TogetherConference.com

Sounds like a merger proposal to me.

Choate publishes Global Harvest magazine

randal — Mon, 23 Aug 2004 21:20:30 GMT

by J. Randal Matheny

WINONA, MISS.-- Churches gained a new friend July 1, and missions a new ally, with the release of Global Harvest, a 48-page quarterly of news, needs, and perspectives from the field.

A J.C. Choate Publications periodical, the premiere Summer, 2004, edition contributes both information and education.

Editor J.C. Choate defined its aims. "We want Global Harvest to be a 'textbook' on current affairs and missions in the church, studied by elders and concerned Christians, so that all of us can profit by lessons learned in our collective years of experience, that we can be encouraged by what is being accomplished, and motivated by needs shared."

The 8 1/2 by 11-in. magazine highlights stories from around the world by both American and national workers. The contents are divided into five sections: Tools and Outreach; Gleanings from the Fields; Personal Stories; Culture, Problems and Discussions; and News, Needs and Features.

In the Introduction, Choate wrote, "Now we are beginning Global Harvest, as a voice for evangelism being done by churches of Christ throughout the world. We pray that it will grow into a comprehensive magazine, with brotherhood-wide circulation. God made the evangelism of the world the responsibility of the church. We must know our subject if we are going to do the work" (p. 4).

The quarterly accepts submissions of feature and report articles, with color photos, from sound brethren, for inclusion in future issues.

Request your free copy by emailing
choate@worldevangelism.org or calling (662) 283-1192. The mailing address is Global Harvest, P.O. Box 72, Winona, MS 38967.

BZeal focuses on the progress of the gospel in Brazil and around the world. Please share this news with friends.

Call made to establish church in every U.S. county

randal — Wed, 18 Aug 2004 16:12:13 GMT

I received this today. It should be of great interest to every Christian who understands the Great Commission is for us all, and the gospel for every person.

CALL MADE TO ESTABLISH CHURCH IN EVERY U.S. COUNTY
by T. Pierce Brown

Christian friend: EXCITING NEWS!

The Sycamore Church of Christ in Cookeville, TN is planning to use the ONE NATION UNDER GOD program to encourage congregations and individual Christians throughout the nation to help establish a congregation of the Lord's church in every county in the USA that does not now have one. There are almost 700 of them.

If this is exciting to you and you would like to assist in this effort, you may do so by simply spreading the news to all your contacts, by enlisting your congregation in participating in some way, by helping finding key men who will spread the word and/or help raise money to help fund the effort, or many other ways.

If you are willing to try to help in ANY way, and want us to send you by mail a brochure that will give more details of the initial plans, send your address, phone number, and what you think you are willing to do to help.

If you need more information about me or the program, you might want to check our website at www.etoughtalk/sycamore/, www.etoughtalk.com, or www.oldpaths.com to see more of my autobiography and thousands of articles I have written.

--T. Pierce Brown
1068 Mitchell Ave.
Cookeville, TN
(931-528-3600)

Missions appeals

randal — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 12:52:22 GMT

As long as I live, I will never appeal for money for the mission of God in this world. This is a degradation of God and of ourselves, which has pauperized us in every way over the centuries. God has no need, and if the mission is God's, then we do not ask for help to give God a boost; therefore we do not appeal for funds. We allow people to take a share in God's work, and this is a very different thing. --Stephen F. Bayne, Jr. (1908-1974)

Perhaps this man's circumstances, probably in a denominational setting, made an appeal for funds a carnal thing. Or he may be reacting against a practice common in his circles where appeals were made on improper bases. (I myself have heard appeals that sounded as if God's hands would be tied unless people at that moment helped that particular work.)

But Paul wrote Romans exactly as an "appeal for funds," or rather, as a means of requesting their help to send him to Spain. So let's be sure we're not more spiritual than the apostle.

New Kids in the Congregation

randal — Tue, 13 Jul 2004 12:41:15 GMT

by J. Randal Matheny

After 20 years of marriage with no children, Otavio and Valeria Carvalho are in the process of adoption. Last week, they received two children, ages 2 and 3, whom they plan to adopt after the state's evaluation period.

This is a big adjustment for them. Please pray they will be patient with themselves and each other.

Also, a year ago or so, the children were adopted before and returned (how could the state allow that?) when the husband lost his job, so we ask, too, that the children will feel safe and secure in their new home.

Otavio and Valeria helped begin the congregation in Sao Jose dos Campos in 1988, together with Alvaro and Linda Pestana. He is an electronics engineer and Valeria works with a multinational company in hospital equipment sales.

Study the Bible by Mail

randal — Fri, 09 Jul 2004 12:03:06 GMT

by J. Randal Matheny

Today is a holiday in the state of Sao Paulo. Our brother Wilson had set up for those who could to go house to house to invite people to study a Bible correspondence course and to leave a leaflet with them about the course.

The course being offered is the one we publish, Jesus Christ, The Simple Way (Jesus Cristo, o caminho simples).

The targeted area is around the building the church rents close to downtown, where one distribution has been made on some streets. Today we were to continue that effort.

Last night, a cold front from the south set in and brought rain. The rain continues today, so the leaflet distribution was cancelled.

I have left these leaflets at the counter in the bread store on the other side of the plaza from my office. At least two people have called requesting the course.

At different times, I've also left English-language copies of The Voice of Truth International. Those are picked up quickly by the customers. The magazine has plenty of good articles to teach the truth.

So even with the rain, the effort doesn't stop.

Gearing Up for the Trip

randal — Mon, 05 Apr 2004 17:35:38 GMT

by J. Randal Matheny

Our regularly scheduled trip to the U.S. draws near. We will arrive in Memphis, Tenn., on Tuesday, April 13th, at 8:40 a.m. Our return trip is May 20th.

We have suggested times to speak or report for our supporting congregations. The following are the dates we have requested:

Iuka, Miss., April 18 (confirmed)
Acton, Michie, Tenn., April 18, 6:00 p.m. (confirmed)
Baker Heights, Abilene, Tex., April 25, 6:00 p.m. (confirmed)
Lemalsamac, Newbern, Tenn., May 2, 6:00 p.m. (confirmed)
Center Hill, Paragould, Ark., May 9, 8-11 a.m.(confirmed)
Mountain Home, Paragould, Ark., May 9, 5:30 p.m. (confirmed)
Somers Avenue, North Little Rock, Ark., May 16, 5:00 p.m. (confirmed)

As dates are confirmed, they will be noted above.

If you live near these cities, we would enjoy your visit on these dates.

If you would be interested in your congregation hearing about the work in Brazil, please contact us for possible dates.

In November of this year, we will celebrate our 20th anniversary of work in Brazil. We are grateful to the Lord for his care, and words cannot express how much we appreciate the generous support of churches and individuals.

Blessings,
Randal

BZeal charts the progress of the gospel in Brazil and around the world. Please share this email with friends.

Speaking on Salvation in the "Savior" City

randal — Thu, 25 Mar 2004 13:41:05 GMT

by J. Randal Matheny

In the northeastern Brazilian city of Salvador, I shared the seminar "This We Believe" with the church on March 18-21, 2004. On returning home, I jotted down these good results from the trip.

1. Some 250 individuals had opportunity to hear the sound doctrine of the New Testament during the four days of the seminar. On Sunday morning, the attendance was about 200, according to Nilton Barretto, the local evangelist.

2. At least five congregations of the seven churches in the state participated in the seminar. The Bonocô church, near downtown Salvador, sponsored it.

Sunday morning worshipers at the Bonocô church, Salvador, March 21, 2004.

3. One woman who had received only a denominational baptism told me she was motivated to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

4. About 25 men involved in evangelism and church planting were encouraged and taught in a special session Sunday afternoon.

5. My absence prompted my son Joel to volunteer to preach his first sermon in the new Taubaté church. Joel and several other brethren led the singing, also.

6. My hosts, Nilton and Rosimere Barretto, provided gracious hospitality. I hope that the several hours we spent in conversations and prayers encouraged them in the faith.

7. The seminar will help the Salvador churches confront imminent future challenges to sound doctrine by providing them with solid materials on subjects such as the nature of truth, salvation, the church, worship, and restoration.

Sunday morning worshipers at the Bonocô church, Salvador, March 21, 2004.

8. The seminar raised the participants' awareness for the need for vigilance in the presence of real threats to the truth of the gospel.

9. This seminar provided me opportunity to augment and hone the material, which was presented for the second time. (The first was in Fortaleza, in June, 2003.)

10. Dozens of visitors were also present who heard, some for the first time, the true gospel of Christ. Others were students in the School of the Bible, an evangelistic outreach of the Bonocô congregation.

I'm grateful for many who prayed for the success of this trip and especially to the Lord who gives us his truth by which we may obey and be saved.

-----
BZeal focuses on the progress of the gospel in Brazil and around the world. Please share this email with friends.

New Congregation to Begin

randal — Thu, 29 Jan 2004 13:18:18 GMT

On March 7th, a new congregation will begin in Taubate, a city of 250,000 about 30 minutes away from us. One Christian couple lives there, who has been meeting with the church here in SJCampos.

We have little in the way of resources, counting on the Lord's blessing to get started. Please pray the Lord may bless this beginning with good results.

Soon, I'll include more information about outreach to non-Christians.

Blessings,
Randal

Happy Old Year, Happy New Year

randal — Mon, 05 Jan 2004 15:22:35 GMT

by J. Randal Matheny
Sao Jose dos Campos (SJC), Brazil

The year 2003 was chocked full of God's blessings in our family, in the congregation here in SJC, and in our work as a whole across the country.

Here are only a few of the most recent blessings and news items.

Internet Ministry Reaches Out

In December, we received this email from a former denominational elder involved in adultery:

"Today, after a long time without 'losing my time' reading the devotionals of God With Us, I decided to read. And to my surprise, I felt very clearly God speaking to me, through this email so pure, yet magnificent. My question which hangs in the air is, Do you suppose there is still hope for me?"

So we began to correspond with him, and hope to put him in touch with the brethren in his city. It's a struggle to keep the emails going and the site up, but such responses encourage us in what we do.

You can peek at our main web page here.

Support to Ministries

In recent weeks we have met with the directors of the Mt. of Olives Christian Youth Camp and the Christian Home orphanage. I continue to serve as a member of what, in English, we would call the board of directors of these two ministries which do a fine job of serving children and, each in its own way, teaching them the way of Christ.

Sermon Series Concluded

On Janary 4th, I concluded in the SJC church the three-month sermon series "Why I'm Still Just a Christian." It was very well received by the brethren, and several suggested I put it in book form, which I'm working on.

Daily Bible Reading

With Vicki's help we completed, by email, a full year's daily Bible reading in Portuguese. This email list sent out a daily reading. Quite a challenge!

For 2004, we're using a weekly selection which people can distribute according to their schedules. It provides for greater flexibility, as well as cutting down on our work to send out emails. We pray it will be as effective or more so in helping people get into the word.

This schedule is available online to be printed out, and we've offered it to the SJC church and about a dozen or more people here are following it on paper.

Ladies Weekly

In mid-December, Vicki began a weekly Bible study for the women on Thursday afternoons. The ladies have a monthly meeting on Saturdays afternoons, but this provides a more constant feeding on the Word for those women who can be present during the day. She has about 8-10 women each week. She is using the book, Conquering Your Giants, published by Gospel Advocate.

Foot Forward

On December 15th, I started a Monday night Christian growth group, that will go to the end of January. After that, we see what the possibilities are. We are working through the book of 2 Peter. About 6-8 are participating.

School of Life

In the Wednesday night groups in our house, I concluded November 19th the year-long theme on "The School of Life," a loosely organized series of Bible studies that show the application of the Word to daily life.

To round out the year, the remaining weeks I devoted to the theme "Six Times," a study of six Biblical words on time.

During 2004, we'll devote the year's study in our home group to "You Decide," highlighting decisions people made in the Bible. The first quarter will take passages from the five books of Moses.

Bible School

For the first quarter of 2004, we're joining two studies to complete the thirteen weeks in the Sunday Bible school. First, ex-missionary Joe McKinney's eight-lesson Life of Christ, based on the Beatitudes. For the first time in SJC, different brethren are rotating each week, so we're having several men to teach a Bible school class for the first time -- one more sign of the congregation's maturation.

For the last five weeks of the quarter, Jorge Santana will teach using our Bible correspondence course, "Jesus Christ, the Simple Way." He has been teaching this material in a study group of family members and friends in the city of Guaratingeta, to the east of us.

Settled in for Five Years

The SJC church got accustomed to a new location beginning in September. There are still some legal registration issues to be resolved before we can publish our address, but that should be taken care of soon.

I don't have all the figures for our pre-building attendance, but our numbers have held steady.

Sept. - 47
Oct. - 48
Nov. - 51
Dec. - 50

Rackin'em Up

Last November 28th, our family celebrated 19 years of work in Brazil. Nine of those have been devoted to the work in SJC, as of December 30th.

As we approach our 20th anniversary of work, we wonder how well our support will hold up, from congregations in the U.S. But we are confident that the Lord will provide, as he has always done before.

We welcome the Mountain Home congregation in Paragould, Ark., as the latest congregation to participate in our work. They are making up some support we're losing this year. We're grateful for their closing the gap.

Writings Here and There

I have been added as a staff writer for The Voice of Truth International (J. C. Choate Publications), a magazine with over 60,000 circulation. Also, my poems continue to be published in magazines as I have time to submit them.

At Christmas, I published for some friends and family members in pdf format a chapbook of some poems written during 2003.

Family

Micah is home from college on Christmas break. He returns January 9th to Freed-Hardeman University for his second semester. He and Joel are enjoying plenty of basketball these days.

Leila continues to perfect her flute technique and enlarge her repertoire. This year, she will move to the alto flute. Joel says he'd like to go for piano or violin.

Joel will serve as monitor for the second week of Christian camp January 17-24, for ages 11-13. This will be Leila's first time during this week, since she had gone to the first week for ages 7-10. Vicki and I will have a whole week to ourselves!

Coming Up

Several teaching trips are already lined up. Please pray the Lord will use these for good.

Jan. 31 - Pirituba church, Sao Paulo - Couples encounter
Feb. 10-13 - SerCris Training Center, Campo Grande (MS) - Short course on evangelism
Mar. 18-21 - Centro church, Salvador (BA) - Back to the Future (Christian doctrine)
Apr. - Still open, but closing fast.

Seminars at Your Service

Our family plans to be in the U.S. from mid-May through June. If your congregation would be interested in a seminar, I'll be available to teach on these: Total Transformation; Why I'm Still Just a Christian; Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!

Praise All Around

We are glad the Lord has placed us here in Brazil to serve. He uses our lives and even (maybe, especially) our weaknesses and thorns to show his strength and grace. May every work and every word be done for his glory, as together we seek to bring more and more people to his kingdom. Thanksgiving will increase, to the glory of God (2 Cor. 4:15).

BZeal focuses on the progress of the gospel in Brazil and around the world. Please share this email with friends.

Looking for a solid email list service, free?

randal — Sat, 03 Jan 2004 10:18:41 GMT

If you are looking for a Christian-based email list group service, we may have the answer for you. Here are some features:

* No ads
* Free, absolutely
* 99,9% uptime
* Fantastic support

I use this service for Forthright, my inspirational list, UPLift, and my Brazil newsletter list. I have only praise for this service. I have no complaints, none. Well, maybe one: it's not in Portuguese for my Brazilian lists, or I would move them all there, too.

This message is from the owner of the service which hosts our email list:

Hello fellow Christian co-worker,

This message is originating from Associate.com / Welovegod.org, which is the Internet site hosting hundreds of Christian Email Groups and ministries like the one this message is being sent through.

The sole goal of this letter is to communicate an offer to freely host YOUR Christian ministry group at Associate.com / Welovegod.org. If you don't have a ministry that can benefit from Group Email and web hosting, perhaps you can pass this message to someone who is in that position. Thanks!

More information...

Associate.com/Welovegod.org operates like Barnabus did with Paul (Acts 4,9,11,13) - our ministry is to come alongside of your ministry and enrich it. We do this by providing an environment (our web and email services) that your ministry can benefit from.

Email groups allow hundreds, or thousands of people to benefit from your ministry efforts, perhaps in a weekly newsletter you write. Our new web-based Group software (MimerDesk) allows public or private Group forums, files areas, calendar, and more to go along with email sharing.

For us, money and ministry do not mix - there is no charge for our services. For details on starting or moving your group here, please visit
associate.com

Virtual Feedback

randal — Tue, 02 Dec 2003 16:46:24 GMT

by J. Randal Matheny

Today a subscriber to a couple of our lists in Portuguese wrote. She subscribes to our (almost) daily devotional, called "God with Us" (Deus Conosco), which has a verse and about a 100-word thought, as well as to our daily Bible reading list, biblia1ano, which sends out passages of Scripture every day. My wife has saved my neck on the latter, helping to send it out for the last several months.

Here is what our subscriber friend wrote:

Thank you for today's meditation, and for all the ones sent. They have encouraged me to know our Savior better, to have more and more faith and confidence in Christ. They awakened me to the importance of Bible study (through the study list Biblia1ano), in short, a means by which I grow ever closer to the Lord. Thanks be to God!

May Christ always illuminate your mind and guide your actions. And may he bless us all. --Paula

Such messages as these are encouraging, and more than that, show us the power of the virtual word to draw people closer to the Lord. Pray that this good lady may realize her desires.

Does fruit-bearing include converting others?

randal — Fri, 28 Nov 2003 14:14:03 GMT

In response to a discussion on another list, I wrote, albeit briefly, though a tad long for an email, on the question of whether fruit-bearing in the NT includes the idea of converting others to Christ. I'd appreciate comments and criticisms. I have put it at this link, where you may comment on specific paragraphs.

The Spark of a Decision

randal — Mon, 17 Nov 2003 12:17:01 GMT

by J. Randal Matheny

No one will ever know the full results of one's work for the kingdom of God. Trite as it is, it's no less true that only eternity will reveal the fruit of our labors.

Occasionally, however, we are privileged to hear about how God has used our efforts. Below is an email I received yesterday. It bears sharing as a reminder of the Lord's work through our joint efforts.

I couldn't keep from sharing the gladness of the day, for I have an uncle with whom we've been studying some three years, and today he was immersed in the waters of baptism here in Sorocaba.

He attributed his decision to having read our church bulletin that circulates every week here in the Sorocaba congregation. It is in this bulletin that I use the messages of "God with Us."

On November 2nd I didn't have any material, so I searched out one from 2000, "Biblical Baptism," by Tom Tarbet, which was the spark for my uncle's decision.

So I want to thank you for your work, which helps us greatly and pleases God.

May God bless you and your entire team.

--Antonio Marcos Feitosa

"God with Us" (DEUS Conosco) is a devotional thought based on a Scripture verse which I do in Portuguese. The original idea was for it to be daily, but work responsibilities don't always permit me to give it full attention.

A recent meditation from "God with Us" has been translated into English and can be read here.

The article by Tom Tarbet comes from a series we published in Edificacao (Edification) magazine, translated with his permission from a volume of newspapers articles he did in while preaching in New York. Before his death, Tom was an elder in the Baker Heights congregation (Abilene, Tex.) and was an encouraging supporter of our publications ministry.

One of my first thoughts on reading the email from Marcos was that Tom would be pleased.

Above all, the Lord is pleased and the angels rejoice when one more soul is saved and ushered into his fellowship.

Sunday Morning

randal — Tue, 11 Nov 2003 17:08:31 GMT

by J. Randal Matheny
BZeal Weekly

Our meeting Sunday morning was edifying and pleasing to our God, for we worshiped him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).

In the Bible school, Otavio Carvalho directed us in the study of Revelation, chapters 3 and 4. Later, he did another fine job leading singing (second time).

In the sermon, I continued with the theme for this quarter, "Why I Am Still Just a Christian." This week my topic was "Because God Makes Sense of Suffering." The three main point of the lesson were these:

(1) God makes suffering SAVE in Christ.
(2) God makes the Christian a PARTICIPANT in Christ's
sufferings.
(3) God makes suffering reason for REJOICING for Christ's
disciples.

In all, 47 Christians, children, and visitors were present, if my count was correct.

In our monthly training session afterwards, the men considered how to serve better during the assembly, and especially how to project the voice when speaking to the congregation. (We do not have a sound system.)

During this period, the women dedicated themselves to prayer.

== Small Groups

Last Wednesday night, the study group in our house considered another truth in the series, "The School of Life." We looked at these points in the topic, "The Benefits of Suffering:"

(1) Suffering emphasizes eternal glory (2 Cor. 4:16-18).
(2) Suffering discovers the power of God (2 Cor. 12:7-10).
(3) Suffering completes the afflictions of Christ (Col. 1:24-29).

Lord permitting, we will begin in 2004 a new series of studies in the weekly groups, "Life Decisions." The first quarter topics are already planned, with passages taken from the Pentateuch (Gen.-Deut.).

== Other News

Alexandre Pestana, elder in the city of Jundiai, in Sao Paulo state, wrote me Sunday that the mother of Jose Maria de Oliveira, his fellow shepherd, suffered a heart attack during post-operative recovery. She also has diabetes. Jose Maria and his family have traveled to Guararapes, in the northeastern state of Pernambuco, to be with her, since the doctors have give little hope of recovery. Let us pray for her and her family of 17 children.

== Thought of the Week

May we share the sentiment of Paul:

"Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church" (Col. 1:24, ESV).

Make this week a moment of glory to the Heavenly Father by your obedience to Christ.

Randal Matheny

Why I Am Still Just a Christian

randal — Wed, 05 Nov 2003 17:08:18 GMT

by J. Randal Matheny

This quarter is my time to preach at the congregation here in Sao Jose dos Campos. I chose for my theme "Why I Am Still Just a Christian."

During October, my sermons focused on these topics:

- Because God is Love
- Because God is the Source of Truth
- Because God Saves Only in Jesus
- Because God Revealed Himself in Scripture

Eventually, the idea is to write a book from these lessons, though the time crunch makes me despair.

Last quarter, Otavio Carvalho preached on the family. I stood in for him on three Sundays when he travelled on business to Canada.

Please pray that these sermons will strengthen the church in its task to be nothing more and nothing less than the people of God declaring the power of salvation in a lost and hopeless world.

Trip

randal — Fri, 17 Oct 2003 22:38:50 GMT

Tom, I usually find it takes me a week to recuperate completely from a inter-continental trip. Hope your back to normal soon. And it's time for me to get a report out for Sept. Something happened to the month of October -- somebody shortened it.

Natal

san antone — Wed, 15 Oct 2003 01:33:28 GMT

Randal, back from the trip, but a bit jet lagged. I will do some checking and see what I find out this week. I will talk with B's parents, they are friends of mine and see what is going on.

Tom

Dennis Downing 1985-2003

ksublett — Wed, 08 Oct 2003 01:35:25 GMT