January 2011
Phone: 260-463-4901 • Fax 888-439-6528 • The Hometown Treasure
Spiritual Treasures
by Berton E. Smith, Pastor at King’ Fellowship
What An Advantage
Job 35:3 What advantage will it be unto thee? And, What
profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin?
Today when people go job hunting, they want to
know what the starting wage is, and what kind of a
benefit package the company offers.
In the Bible the cleansing from sin is the starting
wage and it’s value is far above silver and gold: beyond
that it offers a full meal deal benefit package, that
religion and church membership fail to provide.
Luke 16:8 as the children of this world are wiser in their
generation than the children of light. It is just common
sense that cleansed sinners check out the benefits that
a church offers, and see if it is the pillar and ground
of the truth I Timothy 3:15.
Traditional and contemporary worship services,
babysitting, coffee breaks, retreats, social interaction
programs, entertainment, praise service, special
insurance rates, tax exemption, etc, etc. I am not saying
these things are bad, I am saying these are things that
attract church membership, and it seems that church
membership has become more important than a
personal relationship and fellowship with God the
Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
If we would take the modern church that prefers
fundamental principles to the inspired word of God
and transfer it’s benefits into monetary values, the
children of darkness, with their love of carnal things
and worldly wisdom, would look elsewhere before they
invested their time and money.
Cleansing from sin is followed by a benefit package
that is out of this world, there is none like it. It provides
for and takes care of man’s every need.
First comes the new birth John 3:3-16 a miracle from
God that makes us a new creature in Christ Jesus. II
Corinthians 5:17 Then the circumcision of Christ Col
2: 11: a very delicate operation that is also performed
by God, and takes away the love of sinning and fleshly
carnal things. After the blood of Christ has made us
whiter than snow Psalm 51:7, it atones or makes payment
for God’s broken law Romans 5:11 and satisfies the
justice of God so that he freely justifies us without the
works of the law Romans 3:24-28 and then looks upon
us just -as-if we had never sinned: wow! What a relief
to my conscience, God knows I needed that. Then
again because of the atonement, we are at-one-ment
or reconciled to God and are no longer at odds with
him and his will: what an attitude adjustment, I’m
finally at peace with God Eph. 2:13-19. Then wonder
of wonders we are adopted into the family of God as
born again sons, and made heirs and joint heirs with
Jesus Christ Romans 8:16-17, then to top it all off, this
good Samaritan, Jesus Christ, gave me a credit card
to take care of all my needs until he comes for me.
Luke 10:33-35.
By faith Hebrews 11:1 these benefits become a reality
in the life of a Christian as he believes that his sins
were placed on Christ II Corinthians 5:21 and judged
at Calvary I Timothy 5:24, then being set free from the
fear of death and judgment to come Hebrews 9:27 he
rests in confidence and assurance of a know-so-salvation.
But the pot gets even sweeter as we count our
blessings and search the scriptures.
How about Christ’s righteousness imputed or
placed on our account Romans 4 instead of our own
filthy rag righteousness Isaiah 46:6 or the blessed hope
of Christ’s appearing Titus 2: 13 to catch us away I Thess
4:16-17 before the great tribulation Rev. 3:10 then
reigning with him Rev 2:26-27 for 1000 years Rev. 20:6.
We have just scratched the surface of the bag of
benefits that follow godly repentance and cleansing
from sin: there is the inspired scripture that thoroughly
furnishes us, in every aspect and situation of life, with
profitable doctrine, giving us instructions on how to
avoid sin and live for God II Tim 3:16-17 and these pure
words of God are preserved for us in a King James Holy
Bible Psalm 12:6-7 so we are without excuse. Sound
doctrine accompanies salvation and is expected to be
a part of the Christian life Hebrews 6:9. If it is neglected
or replaced by philosophy, worldly wisdom, self efforts,
and traditions of men, your spiritual growth will be at
a disadvantage and you will find your self in a pile of
your own “Do Do” which will be very difficult to escape,
because you have let what Christ has “DONE” slip from
your grasp. Hebrews 2: 1-3
Page 42
MYSTERY FARM — continued from page 41
Jerry & Leanna Miller, Clayton & Mary Sue Eash, Christina Nisley, Lydia Brubaker, DeVon & Sarah Yoder, Tobe & Elsie Hochstetler, Myron & Marla
Miller, Jeremy & Norine Hershberger, Galen & Glenda Lambright, LaVern & Wanita Borkholder, Gerald & Waneta Miller, John & Doris Bontrager,
Lamar & Ruby Miller, Floyd & Sharon Lambright, Floyd & Lisa Graber, Steve & Gertie Yoder, Jr. & Irma Troyer, Mel & Loretta Chupp, Milan & Regina
Lambright, Floyd & Wilma Jean Fry, John & Lorene Kurtz, Joel & Vonda Miller, Sandy Krider, David & Laverta Fry, Omer & Miriam Hochstetler, Melvin
& Mary Hershberger, Merle & Kathryn Frey, Earl & Regina Mast,Calvin & Anna Schlabach, John & Marlene Riehl, Devon Miller, Fri ? ??[?]HZ[\??[H ???HZ[\??^[[? ?X\?H[X??Y? [??\? ?[^H??K?[?[? ?[[??Z[K[[? ??\?[??? ?Y?\???\? ?Y?HZ[\???^[?H ?X\?[?H??K\??H ?\?[?HZ[\??] HZ[\???? ??H?XX? K\??[? ??[??HZX[??]?H ???[??HZ[\?]?\?? ?\?\???? ?Y?\??\??? ??] ?[?[?\???\? ?X\?H?? ?Y?\???Y[X[? ??Y] HZ[\?\??YH ?X\?H?? ?Y?\?]?YK??? ?Y?\?\??H ???HX\? ?\?[ ??\?HZ[\?\??H ??X?H[?\?[?X[??H?ZK???