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FAMILY NEWSTUESDAY NIGHT: At 7:00 P.M. the area-wide Bible study at Claytons'. Bring your Bible and enjoy an evening of fellowship with Christians, a study from God's word, singing, and light refreshments. If you need directions, see John. HIGHWAY CLEANUP: We clean up the highway in front of our building and down to the city limits as a service to the community. This year the first clean up day is Saturday, April 15, at 10:00 A.M., so mark that on your calendar and plan to be here to help. GRACIE RICE: Two weeks ago we had a prayer that the Lord would come and take Gracie Rice, the daughter of Joann Rice, who comes to many of our functions and most of us know. This prayer was at the request of Joann, as Gracie's quality of life had gotten very bad. Gracie passed away on Saturday, March 11, and her funeral was yesterday. ILLNESS is running wild among us right now — too many to list. Write down those announced and drop them a card, sign the cards we have here, or give them a call. TODAY'S LESSON
INTRODUCTION
A. Scriptures are full of reversals.
I. RELIGIOUS GUY — FELT SUPERIOR
1. The shepherd boy triumphs over the giant.
B. All of these have lessons for us — today a big one.
2. Firstborn right goes to younger — Jacob/Esau. 3. Party thrown for son who wasted his inheritance. 1. Pharisee — a religious man following all rules
2. Tax collector — hated sinner — Roman pawn A. To those who don’t follow the rules
II. DID NOT SEE HIS DEEP NEED FOR GOD.
B. Luke 18:11 – 12 — “Prayed about himself.” Verse 9 — Purpose of the parable
C. Romans 2:17 – 24
1. Do we habitually dishonor God?
D. Matthew 5:14 – 16 — How are we lights?2. People hate God because of organized religion. A. Luke 7:36 – 50 — Especially verses 44 – 47
III. IS KEEPING SCORE.
B. Do we see our need for God and his forgiveness? A. Tallying his achievements.
IV. IS HAUGHTY AND SELF CENTERED — NOT HUMBLE.
B. Not trusting God's grace — Philippians 3:5 – 6 C. Right view if his accomplishments (verses 7 – 8) A. He reeks of entitlement.
V. MAY NOT MAKE IT, BUT YOU CAN.
B. Psalm 18:27 C. Proverbs 30:11 – 13 D. 21st Century entitlement 1. Peter Singer — education 2. ESPN — athletics 3. Financial success — Donald Trump 4. Pop culture — Hollywood, People magazine A. Who did Jesus go to? — Matthew 19:22 – 30
B. The tax collector was justified (verse 14). THE BACK PAGECASS COUNTY FAIR EXHIBIT SETWe have a plan for our exhibit at the Cass County Fair the first week of August. We have struggled with a number of ideas, but finding something that does not require a lot of money to build and a lot of expertise to run has been a challenge. Our thanks to everyone who mentioned some possible ideas. Here is what we have come up with. We plan to have some wooden stands with a picture on the front of a major biblical character and a hole in the facial area. We could have a picture of Sampson, for example, where a young man could put his face in the hole and he could then have a picture taken of him being Sampson. He could use his own camera, or we could do it for him. Whatever character it was, we would then have a small booklet that would tell the features of the character as revealed in scripture. Many people do not know that Sampson was a judge, for example. They might not know he was chosen to be a judge without his permission. There are details to be worked out, but the idea seems solid. What we need to do now is to find colored pictures of biblical men and women that we can use on the boards. Anyone who has some idea of where we can get pictures needs to let one of us know so we can start pursuing this. Booth workers would take pictures for people, distribute literature, and answer questions. Some possible ideas for biblical characters include Mary, Noah, Mary Magdalene, the children around Jesus, John the Baptist, David, Moses, Sarah, Lazarus, and Esau. If you can find any pictures of biblical characters that are five foot or more in height, please get them or let someone know so we can get them. This is still in the embryonic stage, so any suggestions would be appreciated. Remember that our purpose in being at the fair is to bring the congregation into the minds of the people who live in this area, and to educate people on God's word. We are not at the Fair to argue or debate, but to educate and spread good will about the Lord's church. We think the dates of the fair will be July 31 – August 5, but that is not official. — John Clayton Our sign by the street!
Sign saying is from a plaque in a church restroom. |
