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Bulletin cover

July 28, 2013

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

CASS COUNTY FAIR THIS WEEK: A lot of work has gone into preparing the booth for the Cass County Fair which starts tomorrow. Remember that when you work the booth you are not there to debate or challenge anyone, but to give them free materials and welcome them warmly. Our purpose is to contact the public, not to challenge them. Pray for this effort.

NEW WEDNESDAY EVENING CLASS: This coming Wednesday Bill Gibson will be teaching a new class. Several of you have mentioned wanting to know when you would get to hear Bill's great material again, and now is your chance. Come on Wednesday evening and hear a great biblical discussion.

SHULTS-LEWIS COMMODITIES: The brethren at Shults-Lewis Child Services have asked the Dowagiac congregation to collect frosting, icing, and fruit cocktail for the children they care for. They want to pick it up the week of August 18, so we need to have it her by Wednesday the 14th. This is a way to let the kids and workers know we care. Put your items on the pew in the lobby.

POTLUCK NEXT SUNDAY: A lot has been going on, and this week is a climax to a lot of effort. Bring a dish next Sunday and help celebrate all God has done for and through us.

TODAY'S LESSON

WHATEVER BECAME OF
THE PRODIGAL SON?

 Sound on icon
I. INTRODUCTION
A. The story of Luke 15:11 – 24 ends abruptly.
B. What was the prodigal's life like from that point on?
C. Many of us are prodigals — we can learn from him.
II. THE PRODIGAL SON HAS TEMPTATION TO RESIST.
A. Our old life is always there, tempting us.
1. It is easy to forget the slavery of sin.
2. Numbers 11:4 – 6 — They forgot the beatings.
B. Any major change in our lives is hard — growing up, etc.
1. 2 Timothy 2:22; 1 Timothy 4:12
2. Galatians 4:9 — One does not appreciate it until you lose it.
3. Hebrews 11:13 – 16; Hebrews 3:12
C. The prodigals's battle was not over — neither is yours.
III. PRODIGAL SON HAD A TESTIMONY TO SHARE.
A. We all have a story to tell — Paul in Galatians 1:13.
B. Prodigal son knew about testimony — Luke 15:18 – 19.
C. The boy became a man — growth gives testimony.
IV. HE HAD A TRUER APPRECIATION OF HIS FATHER.
A. Luke 7:41 – 47
B. Do you have to hit bottom to know what Jesus can do for you? Must you be with the pigs?
C. The prodigal would never look at his father the same.
D. Ephesians 2:11 – 16
V. THE PRODIGAL HAD A TOLL TO PAY.
A. His relationship with his brother was damaged badly.
1. Luke 15:28 – 30 — How would you feel?
B. Galatians 6:5 – 8
1. Do not blame God when the consequences of your actions
VI. THE PRODIGAL SON HAS A TASK TO PERFORM.
A. Being a child of God makes life meaningful, not easy.
1. Ephesians 2:10
2. You are wither a giver or a user the Prodigal made that change
3. Romans 8:28
B. We are all prodigals.


THE BACK PAGE

DO CHURCHES MAKE ATHEISTS?

I appreciate those of you who made responses to last week's lesson. Knowing why we believe what we believe is important, and our fair booth for this year emphasizes that. Several wanted to know more about the study I made reference to that identified what it was that turned people away from their church home to embrace atheism. The study was conducted by the Fixed Point Foundation, and in June 6, 2013 they posted an article on The Atlantic monthly website titled “Listening to Young Atheists: Lessons for a Stronger Christianity.” * Larry Alex Taunton who is the director of Fixed Point was the author of the article.

In the study the people interviewed were active atheists. They were people who had attended a church and their atheism was rooted in a reaction to what they understood Christianity to be. One major factor was the change taking place in many denominations to “teach less and play more” to attract more young people. Another common threat was that these young people felt that “the connection between Jesus and a person's life was not clear.” A third response was that the church offered “superficial answers to life's difficult questions” and worship services were viewed as “largely shallow, … and ultimately irrelevant.”

The study showed that militant atheists have a surprising respect for believers who take the Bible seriously enough to attempt to share its message with others. Taunton's summary was that these young atheists were “idealists who longed for authenticity, and having failed to find it in their churches, they settled for a non-belief that, while less grand in its promises, felt more genuine and attainable.”

Our culture has taken the position that religious pluralism is the only acceptable belief system available to man — that there are no absolutes and many paths to God exist. The Bible makes it clear that Jesus is the only way to the Father. (John 14:6), but we need to listen to the challenges, answer the questions, and be careful not to cause our children to turn to the religion of atheism.

— John Clayton

*http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/06/listening-to-young-atheists-lessons-for-a-stronger-christianity/276584/