Fire Protection
David A. Sargent

A certain midwestern city had a hospital that maintained its own fire-fighting equipment. If ever a fire broke out within the walls of the hospital, anyone could reach for a nearby hose on the wall and extinguish it. For about 35 years the hospital operated totally free from fires. The hospital's safety record was impeccable. The state-of-the-art system never had to be used — and it's a good thing that it was never needed!

One day an inspection was made of the system. The inspection revealed a very interesting and alarming situation. The pipe that was to carry the water into the building and, subsequently, into the fire-fighting system had never been connected to the water source!

For 35 years, the people who worked in and used the hospital had maintained complete confidence in a system that would not work! The system had all the hoses and equipment it needed. The only problem was that it had no connection to the most important part of the whole system– the water!

May you and I never make the same mistake, especially when it pertains to our salvation from sin!

Sin is a universal problem (Romans 3:23) with terrible consequences (Romans 6:23).

In the Bible, a phrase that is used to describe punishment for sin is the..."Fire of Hell" (see Matthew 18:9; Mark 9:43,45,47). Language about hell seeks to describe for humans the most awful punishment human language can describe to warn the unbelieving and impenitent before it is too late!

Yet, because of God's love, we can be "protected" – if – we are connected to the Source of salvation. The only thing that can protect us from the punishment for sin is the ... "Blood of Jesus."

On the cross, Jesus died – He shed His blood – as payment for your sins and mine.

"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins,, according to the riches of His grace." (Ephesians 1:7)

In order to be "connected" to the Source of our salvation, we must: place our trust in Him (Acts 16:30-34), repent of our sins (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38). THEN - as long as one continues to walk in the light of God's Word, the blood of Jesus continues to "cleanse" him of sin and "protect" him from the punishment for sin (I John 1:7).

Are you protected? Are you connected to the Source of salvation?

Directory Photos
Keep in mind that we are taking photos for a new membership directory. See Carl or Nancy Chambers if you would like to make an appointment to have your picture made Sundays after the morning or evening services or on Wednesday evening after classes in the annex. 

March Calendars
The March edition of the Orange Street Activities Calendar and Men To Serve List is available today in the foyer. Pick-up a copy and be informed of the month’s activities and duty schedules.

Homecoming 2004
Start making plans now for Orange Street’s annual Homecoming. It is planned for March 28th with Charles Burch as the scheduled speaker. There will be a dinner-on-the-grounds after the morning services. Invite your family, friends and neighbors.

Lectureship Books
Bob Bauer still has a limited number of the 2004 Florida School of Preaching lectureship books and CD’s available. Audio CD’s of the lectureship are also available and may be previewed online at www.FSOP.net. See Bob for details.

Wisdom and understanding are the keys to success in this life. But how do we acquire wisdom? Solomon gives us the answer. “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Proverb 2:6)