September 2, 2012-Bulletin.html

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September 2, 2012

WELCOME!
WE'RE GLAD YOU'RE HERE

We 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 and 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

POTLUCK TODAY — Immediately after services today, we will have a potluck dinner in the fellowship area. We have a lot of folks out of town this weekend for the Labor Day weekend, but those of us who have stayed home have brought extra food, and everyone is invited to stay and have a dinner together. If you did not bring anything, that is not an issue — we have plenty.

TONIGHT — Dick Hoyt is doing a special class on the harmony of the gospels. Last week we had a historical review of the situation leading to the four gospels and their message. Dick has prepared a wealth of material, so come and join us at 6:00 to grow in the knowledge of the Lord (2 Peter 3:18).

THE SIGN — We are using the new sign in front to invite the community to things like the singing and our potlucks as well as special classes and services. Eventually we will have permanent wiring to the sign. We also have sayings and biblical quotes to use when we do not have a special event coming up. If someone would like to take on changing the board from time to time, please see John Clayton.

TODAY'S LESSON

CALEB'S CRY

Numbers 13

INTRODUCTION

A. There are many ways of learning from God's word.

1. Direct commands and teachings
2. Examples of 1st century Christians
3. Examples of individuals

B. Caleb — Leader from tribe of Judah — a chosen spy

1. Numbers 14:24

CALEB HAD A POSITIVE SPIRIT.

A. One of 12 spies sent on 40-day mission.

1. Numbers 13:17 – 20

B. Caleb's peers had a negative spirit.

1. Numbers 13:26 – 33
2. Spread a bad report.
3. People rebel — Numbers 14:1– 4 — Negativism kills

C. Caleb has a different spirit — Numbers 14:24.

1. Numbers 13:30 and 14:6 – 9

D. We need to have Caleb's spirit, not prophets of doom.

1. How do our negatives compare to Israel?

CALEB ENDURES THE CONSEQUENCES OF NEGATIVISM.

A. Numbers 14:22 – 23.

1. Caleb wanders for 40 years with Israel.
2. We suffer for what others do.
3. Caleb keeps his positivism.

B. Christians suffer from what the world does.

1. Cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's, autism etc.
2. War, politics, global warming, etc.
3. We must not be consumed with negativism.

CALEB RECEIVES WHAT GOD PROMISED.

A. Joshua 14:6 –15
B. Joshua 23:14 — All God's promises were fulfilled.

1. Verses 15 –16 — What would happen if they forsook God — "You will perish."

C. We have been given promises by God.

1. Matthew 6:31– 34
2. Matthew 7:7 –12
3. Acts 2:38 – 39
4. Matthew 25:34

D. Like Israel — we CAN reject those blessings — please do not!

LABOR DAY — 2012

Labor Day has great significance in the history of America. The role of labor unions and the needs which they have met in the past have been of great significance in making America what it is today. In 2012 the question of the role of labor unions and the problems of employment are major questions for all of us, and will have a major impact on this year's presidential election. For many people the significance of Labor Day has been lost. Labor Day is the end of summer for many, a time to put away the summer things and start getting out the fall items. It is the start of school for our children and time to start a new routine.

The Bible has much to say about labor. Christians are told that they should always be busy in all kinds of work. 1 Thessalonians 4:11 tells us to endeavor to live quietly, and "work with your own hands." Second Thessalonians 3:10 tells us that "if any would not work, neither should he eat" and verse 11 goes on to indicate that those who refuse to work tend to be "disorderly" and are "busybodies." God wants his people to be active and dynamic. Even in the Garden of Eden Adam and Eve were told to work — "And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it" (Genesis 2:15). Health experts now agree that physical activity is vital for the survival of all of us.

God's Word also tells us that we need to labor spiritually and mentally. With the increase in cases of dementia and Alzheimer's we are now realizing the wisdom of spiritual and mental labor. Second Timothy 2:15 tells us to study God's word and Romans 8:26 talks about the importance of mental activity in spiritual matters. Matthew 25:31– 46 was our ending passage last Sunday morning, and it pictures the judgement scene. The sheep and the goats are separated because one was active in work and one was doing nothing. All of those activities are things we can do. Let us "Work, for the Night Is Coming" (789 in the Praise for the Lord song book), when man's work is over.