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May 11, 2014

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

HELP NEEDED: There are a lot of things that need attention on our property. We need to set up a schedule of people to mow the grass, and right now there is a lot of pick up needed as the tough winter put a bunch of dead branches and limbs all over the yard under the trees. This needs to be addressed so that the mowing can be handled. In addition to all of that, our flower beds need attention. See Richard Hoyt or Bill Gibson for more details, but let us not leave it on one or two people to do all of that work. This is something we can all do. Please help!

WEBSITE: All of our sermons are available for you to listen to on our website. (Except today's.The machine was started, but the lesson was not recorded.) If you cannot be here, you can hear the lessons.

KEEP THOSE CARDS AND LETTERS COMING: We want to encourage you to continue to send cards and letters to visitors, people who are ill, people who are struggling with problems, and all of God's people who need encouragement. The sheets Julie and Karl provide give you a start. There are many people who would be especially blessed by you taking a few minutes to drop them a note of encouragement or make a phone call.

TODAY'S LESSON

WOMEN OF FAITH*

John Clayton
INTRODUCTION
A. Today is “Mother's Day.”
B. Jesus had a special relationship with women.
1. Not sexual, which our world cannot comprehend.
2. Treated all women with dignity and respect
a. The Samaritan woman
b. His mother Mary
C. Today let us look at three special women of faith.
I. THE WOMAN WHO MADE HER FAITH WORK.
A. Mark 5:25 – 34
B. Got past religious prejudice and legalism.
1. She was unclean — Leviticus 15.
2. Had used every tool she had — including doctors.
3. Knew she needed divine help — was searching.
4. Had faith in God — made it work.
C. Jesus calls her “daughter” (vs 34). Only time done.
D. Local examples
II. THE PERSISTENT MOTHER
A. Matthew 15:21 – 28 — Only time outside Palestine
B. Woman gets past nationalism and prejudice.
1. Like the Samaritan woman in John 4
2. Disciples try to send her away (verse 23).
C. This mother was persistent — verse 25. Would not quit.
1. Would be satisfied with “crumbs”
2. Knew what was important
D. We should never give up on anyone.
III. THE WOMAN WHO KNEW HOWTO SEEK FORGIVENESS.
A. Luke 7:36 – 50
B. Knew where to go to get spiritual help.
C. Was prepared to reach out to and honor God (verse 37).
D. Her seeking of forgiveness — according to God's plan.
1. Showed humility, respect, repentance, honor
E. She was forgiven of her sins and saved (vs 47 – 50).
F. Why is this so hard for men to do? Look at the Pharisee.
1. Many do not have enough faith to be an atheist.
2. Many refuse to go where help is found.
3. Many are too selfish to change — to honor.
4. Many are afraid of being a Christian — dying to self

* The sermon was not recorded this morning.


THE BACK PAGE

MOTHERS IN CRISIS

Today is “Mother's Day” and unfortunately, like a lot of things, the commercial aspect of the day has obscured the real meaning and purpose of the celebration. In our sermon today we are looking at three women who are heroes of faith. One aspect of motherhood that is not in our lesson is the fact that when there is a crisis, it is almost always the women who take the lead in solving the crisis — be it a family crisis, a work crisis, a church crisis, or even a political crisis. Men do a lot of whining and desperately try to take credit for whatever solution is arrived at, but I have observed that it is women who make the solution work. I could give you a dozen stories from my life as a father, where it was my wife who made things that were coming apart, come together for our family.

The Bible shows this to be true over and over. In Proverbs 31:10 – 31 a woman is described whose “price is far above rubies” (verse 10). As you read through what makes her “virtuous,” you see a person who makes things work. She does good, can be trusted, looks after others, manages finances and resources, does benevolence, and counsels with wisdom and kindness while her husband “sits among the elders of the land.” When Paul tries to control the chaos at the church in Corinth he instructs the women to keep silent and let their husbands take the role God has for them as the spiritual leaders of the home and the assembly (see 1 Corinthians 14:33 – 35 and 1 Timothy 2:9 – 15). Unfortunately men have not always been strong enough to accept the role God has for them; and, in fact, Paul's instructions have been misused by some to control, subjugate, and exploit women.

First Peter 3:7 instructs husbands to give “honour unto the wife,” and that does not mean just one Sunday a year. We should daily be concerned about “being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.”

— John Clayton