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March 18,
2012We 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 for which we have a Bible basis. 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
THE SPEAKER SYSTEM. We have individual audio units that a person can wear if they need something special to hear clearly what is said. See Karl Marcussen for your unit if you have any trouble hearing.
POTLUCK DATE CHANGED. Because of multiple conflicts in early April, our normal "First Sunday Potluck"will be held a week early on March 25 which is next Sunday! Plan to stay and eat with us and enjoy some time together. We have two decisions that need to be made during this meeting, and while we will not have a congregational meeting to discuss these, we do want everyone to look at the options and help make a decision. One is what the theme should be for our fair exhibit. The other is what sign to purchase for the front of the building. See Bill Gibson or Richard Hoyt for more information about the sign. We will have an information sheet for the fair exhibit question.
NEW CLASS. Richard Hoyt is teaching our Sunday night class. The subject is 1 Peter. Richard does a great job--come and study with us.
TODAY'S LESSON
WALK A MILE IN MY SHOES
This past Sunday was a very emotional experience for most of us in this congregation. Debbie Salmons came forward at the invitation on Sunday morning and expressed her desire to be baptized into Christ to begin a new walk of life. Sunday evening Billy Salmons came forward stating that he and Debbie were trying to put their marriage back together and that he knew that the place to begin was in getting his relationship right with God, and he too wanted to be buried in Christ in baptism and begin a new life. We have a new sister and brother in Christ who are beginning a new life together and in the Lord. All doubts about their relationship to God have been removed, and they are sure that all the mistakes and bad judgements of the past are forgotten and a new start is made in life. What a wonderful example, what a great demonstration of commitment, and what courage we have seen in these two children of God.
The more we have talked with Debbie and Billy, and the more we have seen what they are dealing with the more amazed I have been with their courage and determination. Some of the problems they have to deal with are the result of their own struggles, and becoming new does not mean that the consequences of bad choices in the past automatically go away. Some of the problems are just a consequence of living on the earth where Satan is alive and active. No one could face what Billy and Debbie have faced in the past and come out of it without open wounds and a load of baggage. The old song "Walk a Mile in My Shoes" expresses well the fact that it is hard for us to comprehend what another person has had to face and the consequences of all those things.
The difference for Billy and Debbie is us--the church. Billy and Debbie have some huge obstacles in front of them. Elijah, Aubry, Madison, and Noah (Debbie's grand children) desperately need a stable, loving, consistent, nonabusive environment to grow up in. Billy and Debbie have hard choices to make, and like all of us their decisions may not always be perfect; but the church is there to support and encourage--not criticize and judge. We need to help in every way we can. The new life that Debbie and Billy will have is a life where they are not alone in what they face. Our challenge as their brothers and sisters in Christ is to be there and be in support 24/365 through whatever Satan brings upon them. We can and must do this. Pray for them every day for starters!
THREE
MEN--THREE CROSSES
Luke
23:32-43
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
A. "We
all have our own cross to bear."
B. The crucifixion has three crosses--one is yours.
THE
CROSS OF DOUBT B. The crucifixion has three crosses--one is yours.
A.
Verse 37--Note sarcasm.
B. This IS a cross--a burden.
C. It grows like a cancer--Satan feeds it.
THE
CROSS OF FAITH B. This IS a cross--a burden.
C. It grows like a cancer--Satan feeds it.
1.
Problems come from Satan, not from
God.
2. James 1:13-18
D. We can do something about doubt.
2. James 1:13-18
1.
Answer the head questions--"Does
God Exist?"
E. Degradation--why did not Jesus
free himself? a.
Note the thieves had the same
evidence.
2. Galatians 6:2--The church is
there to help. 1.
God's ways are not our ways--we
cannot see the end.
F. Damnation--No hope--giving up 1.
The world offers no solutions.
A.
Verses 40-42
B. Sincerity and repentance
D. Seeks redemption--"remember me … ."
E. Reception by Christ--positive, warm, forgiving
THE
CROSS OF PARDON B. Sincerity and repentance
1.
Heart is in the right place--has a
clear view.
C. Respect--calls Jesus by name.D. Seeks redemption--"remember me … ."
E. Reception by Christ--positive, warm, forgiving
A.
Verse 43
1.
The promise of heaven--the church
2. John 14:1-6
B. The promise of newness--the
people of heaven 2. John 14:1-6
1.
2 Corinthians 5:17
2. We are new, but the world is not.
C. The peace of heaven 2. We are new, but the world is not.
1.
Revelation 21:4
2. Do you really want to spend eternity here?
D. Jesus offers a pardon, but it
must be accepted. 2. Do you really want to spend eternity here?
1.
The thief gave it up to Jesus.
2. Do you? Or do you refuse the pardon?
2. Do you? Or do you refuse the pardon?
WALK A MILE IN MY SHOES
This past Sunday was a very emotional experience for most of us in this congregation. Debbie Salmons came forward at the invitation on Sunday morning and expressed her desire to be baptized into Christ to begin a new walk of life. Sunday evening Billy Salmons came forward stating that he and Debbie were trying to put their marriage back together and that he knew that the place to begin was in getting his relationship right with God, and he too wanted to be buried in Christ in baptism and begin a new life. We have a new sister and brother in Christ who are beginning a new life together and in the Lord. All doubts about their relationship to God have been removed, and they are sure that all the mistakes and bad judgements of the past are forgotten and a new start is made in life. What a wonderful example, what a great demonstration of commitment, and what courage we have seen in these two children of God.
The more we have talked with Debbie and Billy, and the more we have seen what they are dealing with the more amazed I have been with their courage and determination. Some of the problems they have to deal with are the result of their own struggles, and becoming new does not mean that the consequences of bad choices in the past automatically go away. Some of the problems are just a consequence of living on the earth where Satan is alive and active. No one could face what Billy and Debbie have faced in the past and come out of it without open wounds and a load of baggage. The old song "Walk a Mile in My Shoes" expresses well the fact that it is hard for us to comprehend what another person has had to face and the consequences of all those things.
The difference for Billy and Debbie is us--the church. Billy and Debbie have some huge obstacles in front of them. Elijah, Aubry, Madison, and Noah (Debbie's grand children) desperately need a stable, loving, consistent, nonabusive environment to grow up in. Billy and Debbie have hard choices to make, and like all of us their decisions may not always be perfect; but the church is there to support and encourage--not criticize and judge. We need to help in every way we can. The new life that Debbie and Billy will have is a life where they are not alone in what they face. Our challenge as their brothers and sisters in Christ is to be there and be in support 24/365 through whatever Satan brings upon them. We can and must do this. Pray for them every day for starters!