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December
11, 2011We are a group of believers who simply try to follow the Bible as a guide for all we do. Everything done in our worship service is something we have a Bible basis for. You are welcome to participate as much or as little as you wish. We will sing hymns together and we will observe the Lord's Supper or Communion together. We will also have an opportunity to give to the work of God in this area. This collection is for the members here, and if you are visiting you should not feel any pressure to give. Our lesson time will be divided into two groups. The young children will go to our classroom area in the basement where they will be taught the Bible at a level they can understand. The adults will stay in the auditorium for a lesson at an adult level. We do try to serve the community, and if you have some needs that we can help you with, mention it to one of the members. Thank you for worshipping with us.
FAMILY NEWS
END OF THE YEAR SERVICES. Christmas day and New Years day are both on Sunday this year, and many of us will be out of town or have large family gatherings on those special days. In response to that, we will not have services on Sunday night either on December 25 or on January 1. We will have our normal Bible Study and Worship on those Sunday mornings, and our regular Wednesday night class will be held us usual. We also will NOT have our usual potluck on the first Sunday of the month on January 1. That potluck will be on the 8th. Be sure to mark those dates on your calendar.
We have all been invited to share a holiday meal and singing with the Niles congregation on Saturday, December 17, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Several of us went to that event last year and enjoyed being with the brothers and sisters there. It is a "carry in" dinner with the Niles group providing the meat. We are asked to bring a salad, a veggie, or a dessert. The annual senior Christmas party at the Clayton's will be December 20 at 6:00--this is also a "carry in" dinner with meat provided. A "white elephant exchange" is a part of this get together. Join us!
TODAY'S
LESSON
THREE
THINGS TO ASK OF GOD
Exodus 33
WHY NO CHRISTMAS PROGRAM?
INTRODUCTION
A. We
look at the climaxes of heroes, not
what got them there. Moses is a
classic example of that.
B. The history
TEACH
ME--verses 12-13. B. The history
1.
Moses birth, early life
2. Exodus 33:1-6--God is angry with Israel.
3. Exodus 33:7-11--Moses and God's relationship
4. Moses asks three things we need to ask.
2. Exodus 33:1-6--God is angry with Israel.
3. Exodus 33:7-11--Moses and God's relationship
4. Moses asks three things we need to ask.
A.
Isaiah 55:8-11--We need to know how
God sees things
GIVE ME
YOUR PRESENCE--verse 14. 1. God
knows what is best for us--His will
works.
B. Do not change circumstances, change
my heart. 1.
David--Psalm 139:1, 19, 20, 23
2. Job 42:5
3. Not like Paul--Acts 9
2. Job 42:5
3. Not like Paul--Acts 9
A. I
have to know you are there, that I am
not alone.
B. What does it take for us to sense God's presence?
SHOW ME
YOUR GLORY--verse 18. B. What does it take for us to sense God's presence?
1.
Evidence in physical world--Romans
1:19-22
2. Evidence in consequences of alternatives
3. Evidence in our nature--Romans 8:28: Acts 17:26-28
4. Evidence in prayer life--a place for you and God
5. Evidence in God's word--2 Timothy 3:16-17
2. Evidence in consequences of alternatives
3. Evidence in our nature--Romans 8:28: Acts 17:26-28
4. Evidence in prayer life--a place for you and God
5. Evidence in God's word--2 Timothy 3:16-17
A. I
need to know who you are--your nature.
B. Moses sees the "hidden parts of God."
C. We have it better.
B. Moses sees the "hidden parts of God."
C. We have it better.
1. 2
Timothy 3:16; 2 Corinthians 1:22;
Hebrews 1:3; John 1 :14
D. The woman at the well--John 4:20-24
1. We
worship in Spirit and in
Truth--nothing else.
2. When did we decide Jesus is not enough?
3. Why is it that Christmas is the only time God's glory comes up?
E. Exodus 34:27--God makes a covenant
after all of this. 2. When did we decide Jesus is not enough?
3. Why is it that Christmas is the only time God's glory comes up?
1.
Conditional
2. Like ours in Acts 2:38-39
2. Like ours in Acts 2:38-39
WHY NO CHRISTMAS PROGRAM?
I
appreciate those of you who put
questions in the question box. These
questions let those of us that try to
present classes and lessons know what is
in the minds of our brothers and sisters
in Christ. Sometimes we do a sermon on
the question, sometimes we bring it into
the content of a class, and sometimes we
address it here in this space in the
bulletin. We had a question this past
week about why we do not have a special
Christmas program celebrating the birth
of Jesus Christ.
Let me first of all state without reservation that we can celebrate the birth of Jesus anytime we want, including December 25. In our study of Romans we spent a considerable amount of time on Romans 14 where Paul talks about special days. Paul says "One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. ... He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord." He goes on in verse 13 and says that we must not pass judgements on one another or put any stumbling block in our brother's way.
The reason we do not have any special program on December 25 is because God did not command us to do so. We have participated in the Dowagiac City Parade, and this year we led the city in a Christmas Songfest with Bill Gibson leading the whole city in song in a celebration of the holiday, followed by our having a float in the city's Christmas parade in which we greeted people in the community and led them in Christmas songs. We want to be known in this community for what we are for, not what we are against. We will support any positive community action, but we will not bind that participation on anyone.
Worship is not a spectator sport. Our resources are spent providing food and clothing for people in need, not in producing a show to entertain ourselves. We want to glorify God by being a positive influence in the community and by being known for our support and participation in good things that benefit and help others. We cannot communicate the gospel to people if all they know of us is negative, crabby condemnations of others. We enjoy Christmas decorations, songs, traditions, and celebrations as much as anyone else. On December 25, which is a Sunday, we will worship God, study His word, participate in communion and love each other as we usually do on each Sunday morning. Come join us.
Let me first of all state without reservation that we can celebrate the birth of Jesus anytime we want, including December 25. In our study of Romans we spent a considerable amount of time on Romans 14 where Paul talks about special days. Paul says "One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. ... He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord." He goes on in verse 13 and says that we must not pass judgements on one another or put any stumbling block in our brother's way.
The reason we do not have any special program on December 25 is because God did not command us to do so. We have participated in the Dowagiac City Parade, and this year we led the city in a Christmas Songfest with Bill Gibson leading the whole city in song in a celebration of the holiday, followed by our having a float in the city's Christmas parade in which we greeted people in the community and led them in Christmas songs. We want to be known in this community for what we are for, not what we are against. We will support any positive community action, but we will not bind that participation on anyone.
Worship is not a spectator sport. Our resources are spent providing food and clothing for people in need, not in producing a show to entertain ourselves. We want to glorify God by being a positive influence in the community and by being known for our support and participation in good things that benefit and help others. We cannot communicate the gospel to people if all they know of us is negative, crabby condemnations of others. We enjoy Christmas decorations, songs, traditions, and celebrations as much as anyone else. On December 25, which is a Sunday, we will worship God, study His word, participate in communion and love each other as we usually do on each Sunday morning. Come join us.