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October 2,
2011The family of God here at Dowagiac Church of Christ wishes to extend to you a warm welcome. If you have questions about our worship services and why we do what we do, we will be glad to give you a biblical answer. The uniqueness of the Church of Christ is that we are trying to restore to the best of our ability those things that we see the first century church doing. We are also working hard at building the spirit, unity, and love that Jesus taught and prayed for. We have no clergy, but are working together as equal co-workers trying to serve one another and the area in which we live. Come study with us, grow with us, and serve with us as we strive to do God's will in all things.
FAMILY NEWS
POTLUCK. Today is our potluck day. We enjoy a meal together and have some wonderful food to eat. After the meal we will have a congregational meeting to talk about what projects we want to do this coming year. We need everyone's input and advice, so please plan to stay and be a part of our planning.
SINGING. We have had a good time singing with our sister congregations in the area and having them come here. If you have not been going to these sessions you have missed some good food, some great people, and some great singing. The Currant Road Church of Christ in Mishawaka is having a singing on October 16 at 4:00 in the afternoon which will include a meal together. We plan to dismiss our services that evening and participate in their singing. Ifyou would like to go and need transportation, please see John Clayton and he will help arrange it for you. Plan to come and be a part of this time of Christian fellowship and worship.
KEEP UP WITH THE SICK. We really appreciate Julie and Karl keeping track of people who need our prayers, cards, visits, and phone calls. Be sure to get the sheet each week and be sure to do something with it! Make a phone call every day. Send a card or note to those that you have an address for. Make a visit once a week. This is something we all can do, and it is a wonderful way to minister to people who need encouragement and help. If you know someone who should be on the sheet, contact Julie or Karl Marcussen at marcusen@michiana.org or 574-291-3064 (leave a message).
TODAY'S LESSON
INTRODUCTION
TAKING THE BLOWS
FINISHING
OUR WORK
Luke 14:28-30
INTRODUCTION
Unfinished
work is the Devil's delight
The Bible emphasizes finishing
FAILURE
TO COUNT THE COST The Bible emphasizes finishing
Genesis
2:1-2
Exodus 30:32; 40:33--Israel and the Tabernacle
1 Kings 6:38--The building of the Temple
John 19:20--Jesus "It is finished!"
What prevents us from finishing our
work? Exodus 30:32; 40:33--Israel and the Tabernacle
1 Kings 6:38--The building of the Temple
John 19:20--Jesus "It is finished!"
Luke
14:28-30
OPPOSITION
We do
what is important to us.
Church is a serious business--is it to you?
Matthew 16:26
Satan takes it seriously.
Luke 12:16-23--The rich man--crops, and vacations
Church is a serious business--is it to you?
Matthew 16:26
Satan takes it seriously.
Luke 12:16-23--The rich man--crops, and vacations
Paul
Matthew 10:34-36--Do not let non-christians tell you what is important--especially non-christian family members.
WEARINESS
Thessalonica
- Acts 17:5,10
Berea Acts 17:13-14
Athens Acts 17:32-33
Nehemiah--Nehemiah 2:4-6 Berea Acts 17:13-14
Athens Acts 17:32-33
If it is
not important enough to finish, do not
start.
Conflict of interest--Demas--2 Tim 4:10,
Nehemiah Matthew 10:34-36--Do not let non-christians tell you what is important--especially non-christian family members.
2 Thess
3:13
Hebrews 13:5-6; God helps--1 Timothy 4:15
Philippians 1:6--God brings completion to our lives.
Philippians 4:13
WE NEEDTO
TAKE WHATWE DO TO COMPLETENESSHebrews 13:5-6; God helps--1 Timothy 4:15
Philippians 1:6--God brings completion to our lives.
Philippians 4:13
Just
believing is not enough.
Making an occasional visit to church services leaves much undone.
HAVE YOU
COMPLETED YOUR SPIRITUAL HOUSE?Making an occasional visit to church services leaves much undone.
We as a congregation
have taken some pretty good blows from Satan over
the years. We have had an unusual number of
members die in accidents as well as a few from
disease or old age. We have had people move away
as they responded to the economic conditions in
the area. We have had people victimized by
personal problems connected with children,
marriage, or family. It can be pretty frustrating
to have things going well and seemingly on the
verge of a surge forward, and then to have
something come upon us that sets the work back.
That certainly is true of our present situation.
There were times in the life of Paul when it seemed Satan was winning. In 2 Timothy 4:16 Paul writes "At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them." He goes on to say that "the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, ... and I was delivered from the lion's mouth." Satan knows that discouragement is one of his best tools, and he will do all he can to discourage us and make us give up. We must not let that happen.
Our potluck and meeting today are to encourage us, and to let everyone know that this group of God's people will not allow Satan's successes to deter us from continuing to be aggressive in reaching out to one another and to the people of this area. It will encourage others if you stay and show your support for the work of this congregation. Bring your energy, your ideas, your thoughts, and your concerns to the church here and be a part of God's work.
There were times in the life of Paul when it seemed Satan was winning. In 2 Timothy 4:16 Paul writes "At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them." He goes on to say that "the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, ... and I was delivered from the lion's mouth." Satan knows that discouragement is one of his best tools, and he will do all he can to discourage us and make us give up. We must not let that happen.
Our potluck and meeting today are to encourage us, and to let everyone know that this group of God's people will not allow Satan's successes to deter us from continuing to be aggressive in reaching out to one another and to the people of this area. It will encourage others if you stay and show your support for the work of this congregation. Bring your energy, your ideas, your thoughts, and your concerns to the church here and be a part of God's work.