April 29, 2007
Volume XXVI - Number 17

The Ground is Level at the Foot of the Cross
Charles C. Pugh III

All souls are equally precious in the sight of God. The riches of the rich, the poverty of the poor, the degrees of the educated, the ignorance of the uneducated, the color of the skin, the social class, and other similar things, mean nothing when it comes to standing before God for the salvation of one's soul. The principle is illustrated throughout the sacred Scriptures. God said to Moses, "The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less ... to make atonement for your souls" (Ex. 30:15).

The ground is level at the foot of the cross (i.e. before Jesus Christ, Who is the "Great Equalizer" of men) when it comes to identity. All are made in the image of God (cf. Gen. 1 :26-27). Paul declared, "And He has made from one blood every nation of men" (Acts 17:26). "The rich and the poor have this in common, The Lord is the maker of them all" (Prov. 22:2). Furthermore, all accountable persons are identified as having sinned (Rom. 3:23). The only exception to this is the man Jesus Christ (Heb. 4:15; 1 Pet. 2:21-23). There is no one who does not sin (1 Kings 8:46). Apart from Jesus Christ, all are under sin (Rom. 3:9).

The ground is level at the foot of the cross when it comes to duty. Peter said, "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him" (Acts 10:34-35). All must believe (Heb. 11 :6). All must repent (Acts 17:30). All must confess Jesus Christ (Rom. 10:9-10). All must be baptized (Rom. 10:13; Acts 22:16). All must live faithful to Jesus Christ (Rev. 2:10). The duty (i.e. the whole of every man, what human life in a sense is all about) is to fear God and keep His commandments (Eccl. 12:13).

The ground is level at the foot of the cross when it comes to destiny. All will die. Wise men as well as foolish men die (Psa. 49:10). There is no man that has power over the spirit to retain the spirit (Eccl. 8:8). Death is the irreducible common denominator of all men (Heb. 9:27). All will be judged. Paul wrote, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. .. " (2 Cor. 5:10). There is yet to come a universal, end-time judgment day. John, in prophecy, "saw the dead, small and great, standing before God ... judged according to their works" (Rev. 20:12). Such will occur at the last day in human history (cf. John 5:28-29; 6:44; Acts 17:31). All will be rewarded .... Tribulation and anguish (i.e. Hell) on every soul of man who does evil ... glory, honor, and peace (i.e. Heaven) to everyone who works what is good ... FOR THERE IS NO PARTIALITY WITH GOD" (Rom. 2:9-10, emp. added).

Ghanaian preacher, Paul Addo’s dad, Mr. Mantey, passed away Sunday, April 22nd. If approved by the village authorities the funeral will take place on June 1-2 . If so, this will be exactly 10 yrs since his mom was buried. Please remember Paul & Matilda and the family in your prayers. Paul’s dad was 104 yrs old.
If you would like to send a card, note or ecard:

Paul Addo
Tema Development Corporation
P.O. Box 46, Tema
Ghana, West Africa

pauladdo2000@yahoo.com

Personal Work Meeting
There will be a brief meeting of the Personal Work Group immediately following this evening’s worship service (4/29) - in Assembly Room “B”. Please bring in any completed assignment cards you may have.

Greg Littleton

PM Fellowship
All are invited to meet with us in the annex tonight - after the PM worship - for a period of food, fellowship and fun. We will, among other things, be honoring the birthdays and anniversaries for the month of April.

Also, please take note on your calendar, that the regular Fellowship scheduled for next month (May) will be on the evening of May 20th instead of the last Sunday evening. At that time we will also be honoring our graduating students.

May Calendars
The May edition of the Orange Street Activities Calendar and Those To Serve List is available for your taking in the foyer. Please pick-up a copy and be informed of the duty schedules and activities planned for the coming month.

The Pantry
Take note that our pantry is almost empty – we have no fruit, no meat and only green beans for vegetables. Please help us restock the pantry so that we may be well prepared when the next need arises. We need canned vegetables, canned fruit, canned meats, canned entrees (spaghetti, ravioli, etc.), and personal hygiene products. Your donations will help show that we care when those in need come to our door.

A man's influence is like his shadow. It may not always fall where he wants it to. Therefore, he needs to be especially careful to see that where ever it falls, it will have a "good" effect. You may not be able to control the shadow, but you can control the one who casts the shadow. Make your influence count for God. Be not deceived. Others are being influenced by your example right now.
TODAY'S SERMONS

AM:"How Important Is the Church?"
(Ephesians 5:23-27)

PM: "The Resurrection of the Dead"
(1Corinthians 15:50-54)

PRAYER LIST

Charles Copeland, Marie Howard,
Johnny & Jewell White
Wilda Cox, Minnie Lee Stout,
Zach Mathis, Pansy Sims,
Mona Howard, Brice Oliver, Lindsay Jo Holt,
Mike Wells, Frances Kidwell, Gina Dupree,

– Shut Ins –
Ken Skinner, Robert Cox,
Frances Black, Cliff Powell, Mattie Hughs

– In The Nursing Homes –
Elsie Chambers (Auburndale Oaks #242)
Robert Pearson (Tandem)