Bulletins
Bulletin August 9, 2020
How Many Roads Lead to Heaven?
On a map you can see many roads into any major city. If you want to get there, you can pick whatever route suits you. Many people think the same thing about variety among churches -- “We’re all on different roads to the same place,” they say. Can such a thing be so?
Do you believe we can follow different roads? What does the Bible say about it? The Bible speaks of only two roads. In Mt. 7:13-14, Jesus said, “...the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Yes, there are different roads, but only one goes to Heaven, and it is narrow.
In John 4, when the woman at the well met Jesus, she immediately pointed out that her people worshipped differently from His (4:19-20). Jesus did not reply that both roads led to the same place -- He said that one road was right and the other was wrong (4:22), and that if she wished to please God, her worship must be “in truth” (4:24).
The idea of “different roads” is used to avoid discussing different religious teachings and practices. After all, does doctrine really matter if your attitude is right? Indeed it does. The Bible says that there are doctrines that God hates (Rev 2:15), and that some doctrines are of demons (1 Tim 4:1). Taking heed to doctrine is necessary for salvation (1 Tim 4:16, 2 Jn 9), because obedience to God's "form of doctrine" is what makes one free from sin (Rom 6:17-18). Even many who believe in Jesus are on the wrong road because they do not obey Mt 7:21-23 Not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Multiple roads result when men choose their own ways, but only God’s way is right. The “different roads” philosophy has led churches to abandon the question of what is right, and instead accept a wide diversity of belief. But we should not be ashamed to say that some beliefs are right, and others are wrong, because that is what God says. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Prov. 14:12). If people are on different roads, they are not all headed for Heaven.
News/Notes/Quotes
THE SICK … Remember Ann Ledgerwood. She has some serious back issues will be receiving treatment at Semmes-Murphy Clinic in Memphis……Jay Kern had arthroscopic surgery on his knee and will be recuperating at home for several days… Linda Ladyman will be having eye surgery Monday. Prayers for her.…Roger Vines is still waiting on the results from his MRI on his feet.… … Priscilla Cullison continues to rest at home. She has cancer of the liver and will not to be undergoing the treatments…
Shutins: Margie Horton ((mother of Teddy and Freddy) is at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice house…Charles Bradsher is at St. Elizabeth’s Place…Beverly Allen is confined at home… Editha Kern is at Liberty Park Assisted Living and so are Bob and Jean Evans…Shirley Coots is confined at Walnut Ridge Nursing Home… Norma Carr at Randolph County Nursing Home in Pocahontas…
GOSPEL MEETINGS
Oct 4-9 – StoneRidge! - Meeting With Men We Support Oct 12-14
New Madrid MO – D. Blackford April 4-9, 2021
StoneRidge! – Mickey Galloway UPDATE ON RESUMING OUR NORMAL SCHEDULE.
UPDATE ON RESUMING OUR NORMAL SCHEDULE. Be sure and check your email or our website for the announcement from our elders about plans to resume our normal schedule.
GOSPEL MEETINGS
Oct 4-9 – StoneRidge! - Meeting With Men We Support
Oct 12-14 – New Madrid MO – D. Blackford
April 4-9, 2021 – StoneRidge! – Mickey Galloway
