October 18, 2025 Issue, Page 4 of 12

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RELIGION 4• SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2025 The Elk City News Spotting a Counterfeit by their fruit, that is, taste the fruit (if you by the way they act. can’t tell by looking), get Can you pick grapes a respected second and from thorn bushes, even third opinion, and or figs from thistles? stay on the alert. A good tree produces There are many who good fruit, and a bad appeal to our senses and tree produces bad fruit.” many who plead for our Matthew 7:15–17 loyalty—and especially “We live in such com- for our money. Discern- plicated times that ing disciples of Christ are wolves look and sound not long fooled by all the like sheep. They appear externals: charisma and merciful, they seem gen- charm (or an accent!), Dixie Yoder uine, they look beautiful, seminary or university With all the current but all that is only fleece education, impressive Area Church Directory turmoil in churches, the deep. resumes, beautiful facil- Be warned! Jesus has ities, large audiences, or Sunday School 9:15, Worship 10:30 questions about how Assembly of God Wed Prairie View Troops 3:30 580-225-2266 to know if a particular our good at heart when even public appeal in the Wed Prayer Meeting 6:30 denomination or con- He looks beneath all media. Assembly of God Seventh-Day Adventist 115 W. 5th St., Erick Seventh-Day Adventist gregation is safe or not the externals of deceiv- All those are externals Pastor: Gary Griffin Retrop Baptist Church ers and exposes them that matter little. Intersection Hwy 6 and 55 11375 N. 1990 Rd., Elk City have increased. So have 580-472-3472 for what they are— The blossoms in the Assembly of God 580-303-0791 the numbers of people Service times: rejecting church alto- ”ravenous wolves.” Be- spring may be lovely, but 7th and Locust St., Sayre Catholic 2:00 pm Bible Study lieve it! The problem is, what does the fruit taste 580-928-4296 2:50 pm Church Service gether for fear of getting Jimmy Blanken, Min. Queen of All Saints caught in a painful situ- you and I can’t tell by a like in the fall? What 914 N. 5th St., Sayre ation. The importance quick glance. Counterfeit matters is what is inside First Assembly of God 580-928-2385 Methodist Christians, like counter- . . . what is being pro- 2701 S. Randall , Elk City Rev. Danny Grover of knowing the Truth so United Methodist well that the lie becomes feit twenty-dollar bills, duced. Pay attention to 580-225-1167 St. Mathews Catholic 702 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk are not easily detected. It doctrine, character, con- Kevin Akins, Min. City more obvious to us can- 3001 E. Hwy 66, Elk City not be overstated. It is takes a trained, discern- duct, emphases, motives 580-225-0066 580-225-0262 Grandview Assembly of God Scott Rodgers, Rev. urgently necessary to ing eye. (if you listen and watch Pioneer and Country Club, Elk City Rev. Danny Grover cultivate a taste for Bib- This is a good mo- long enough, you can 580-225-7742 Christian United Methodist lical Truth so that the ment for me to encour- tell), and—of primary Bryan Herrick Antioch Christian 320 S. Magnoliea St., Erick untruth surrounding us age you to be a careful importance—how God’s 3200 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City 580-526-3949 Baptist becomes more and more student of the Scriptures inerrant Word is han- 580-243-0066 and a watchful follow- dled. Jeff McDowell United Methodist distasteful. Great Plains Baptist Assn. 802 N. 4th St., Sayre • 580-928-2146 As the use of artificial er of spiritual (perhaps The difference be- 1902 Watts St., Sayre Sun School: 9:30 AM/Worship:10:45 Christian Church intelligence increases , a better word would tween the genuine and 580-928-2585 1 S. Walnut, Erick be religious) leaders . . . the counterfeit is always Nazarene and as it becomes more Bible Baptist Church 580-526-3284 and more difficult to dis- in that order. The better subtle, never obvious. First Church of The Nazarene 1018 W. B Avenue, Elk City 816 W. 6th St., Elk City cern what’s real, we must you come to know God’s That is why so many are 580-225-5344 First Christian Church (Diciples of Christ) 580-225-2026 be constantly on guard, truth, the keener will be fooled.” Rev. Andrew Dages 1500 N. Randall, Elk City both willing and able your watchfulness. Infinite Grace Minis- Central Missionary Baptist 580-225-7801 When Jesus spoke of tries exists to teach Bibli- 1205 W. B Avenue, Elk City to present and defend 580-225-0212 Pentecostal Truth. checking the fruit of cal Truth and how it ap- First Christian another’s life, He was plies in a practical way to 1601 N. 4th St., Sayre Grace Temple I found this article Eastside Baptist 601 W. 20th St, Elk City emphasizing the impor- relationships with God 421 N. Booth Avenue, Elk City 580-928-3639 by Chuck Swindoll that Lindell & Nequita Brown, Pastors speaks both to the prob- tance of paying attention and with people. Politics, 580-225-0742 Church of Christ to what is being taught— money and the approval Chase Brower, Min. Iglesia Evangelica Cristo Es La lem and the solution. I Church of Christ am including it in its en- both what is said and of people will never be 216 N. Adams Ave., Elk City Pena Fairview Baptist 600 W. Main, Elk City tirety. what is left unsaid—as able to satisfy the deep 312 S. Lusk Avenue, Elk City 580-225-0718 Gantt Carter, Min. Pastor, Jose Reyes “Beware of false well as that which is be- hunger inside every hu- 580-225-0203 580-799-2964 prophets who come dis- ing taught as it is being man being. 301 S. Magnolia Ave, Erick guised as harmless sheep lived out. Dependence on the ex- First Baptist Douglas Holland, Minister Presbyterian 1600 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City but are real- In the final analysis, ternal leads only to sin 580-225-7951 816-726-6988 a tree cannot hide what and addictions. Call 580- Bible Study 10am Sunday First Presbyterian ly vicious wolves. 217 N. Washington Ave., Elk City it is. Take a close look. 774-2884 to learn more. First Baptist Worship 11am Sunday You can identify them Ladies Bible Study 10am Wednes- 580-225-3130 Slowly and carefully 400 S. Sheb Wooley, Erick day 580-526-3375 Jason Klechner, Min. Evening Open Bible Study 7pm Non-Denominational Wednesday The Way Church First Baptist 201 S. Jefferson Ave., Elk City 504 N. 4th St., Sayre Church of Christ Elk City 580-928-5518 Meets at Pioneer & Bell 580-225-5295 Elk City Community 120 S. Randall Ave., Elk City First Hispanic Baptist 580-225-1184 919 W. 8th St., Elk City Northeast Church of Christ 580-225-7901 616 N. Locust Avenue 580-225-4395 Gateway 4227 W. 3rd St., Elk City Main Street Baptist 580-225-1184 1101 N. Main St., Elk City Westside Church of Christ 580-225-3052 Curtis Newton, Min. 580-225-2938 Church of God The Link Mt. Carmal Baptist 200 S. Main, Elk City 1801 W. A Avenue, Elk City 501 W. 1st, Elk City 580-225-2061 580-225-0227 Joe Thompson, Min. Trinity Fellowship Sayre One Church Jehovah’s Witnesses 580-928-2345 200 East Broadway, Elk City 580-210-8881 Jehovah’s Witnesses 402 E. Washington Ave., Sayre Christ Ministiries Kevin Brosius (pastor) 804 W. 6th St., Elk City 580-928-9330 580-243-9708 Prairie View Baptist Lutheran I-40 & S Hwy 34, Elk City Pastor Tod Thornton Christ Lutheran 1023 W. 2nd St., Elk City Call today to support the church page! 580-225-3000