Crumley's Chapel Church Of God Bro. Stacey Hendrix

The State of Readiness

The Christian church has a responsibility to be ready at all times for the Lord's return. This comes through praying, reading and studying the Bible, and living according to the Word of God. The church must also have spiritual discernment, or spiritual vision, to see what is holy and what is not. Additionally, the church must have a willful watchfulness to stay spiritually alert. Slumber, the state of being slow with spiritual paralysis, is the main barrier that will keep Christians from being in a state of readiness. The church must have a constant culture of prayer to protect what is sacred and holy. We have a duty to evaluate the fruit of others and guard our spiritual post. Scripture Reference: Matthew 24:44; I John 4:1; Hebrews 5:4; Galatians 1:6; Matthew 7:6, 16; Matthew 25:1-13

Bro. Clint Alewine: How Are Your Decisions Affecting Your Family?

The choices we make in life will affect us and those around us, primarily our family. Will you choose to flourish in God's will, or will you choose sin over the commandments of the Lord? When a decision is made to sin, what are we teaching our children? Our families will be successful and thrive when we meditate upon, teach, and live the Word of God as an example to our children. Scripture Reference: Joshua 2:1, 9-14; 6:17-27; 7:1-26

The Prayerful, Careful Church

Jesus said, "My house shall be called the house of prayer." (Matthew 21:13). Prayer is a privilege and a huge responsibility for Christians. If you are a Christian, and you are not praying, you are backing up. James 5:16 says, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." This is energized, targeting prayer that approaches a holy God. Where is the fervency and effectiveness this hour? It is not the responsibility of just a few to carry the church in prayer. It is the responsibility of all.

The Concerned Church

The concerned church has the character and holiness of Jesus. The concerned church views everything through the eyes of eternity. God's living church must align with the Word of God. Preservation of the church comes from the Word of God. When the church stops caring, they compromise, and when they compromise, false doctrine comes in. God's living church will be deeply concerned about what is going on. The church cannot afford to be malnourished, fractured, and infected with division. The spiritual health of the flock is under attack. Someone has to pray down the attacks of the enemy. God's people will have a deep, active, agonizing love and care for the true living church. Scripture Reference: Galatians 6:9-10; Galatians 4:19

The Urgency of Hell's Escape

Luke 16: 19-31. Hell is a place of woe, a place of physical suffering, an eternal separation from the presence of God. Hell was created by God for the devil and his angels. Our God is a holy God, and God's holiness cannot endure sin or go unpunished. Romans 3:23 tells us that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, and that is why we must have the precious blood of Jesus Christ covering our lives. He is our redemption! But if you choose the path of unrighteousness, you are not covered by the blood of Jesus. We are all on our way to eternity either in heaven or hell. Which path will you choose? There is nothing more precious on this earth than your soul. You must have an urgency to escape hell! Additional Scripture References: Mark 9: 43-48 Matthew 10:28