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THANKS TO BILL AND PATTY: I am writing this before Saturday the 18th, so I do not know what the weather was like or how many went to Bill and Patty's and enjoyed the “Fun Day” that they put on for the young people of the congregation. (We had it on Sunday, due to rain on Saturday.) The event is fun, but what is important is the love and sacrifice that Bill and Patty make to have this activity. If every member of this congregation would follow the example of this couple in some way, from sending notes and letters, helping people and making phone calls to people in the community, to doing Bible studies, the work here would bear incredible fruit. Thanks Bill and Patty for showing all of us what Christian love is all about. CHRISTMAS FLOAT — SAVE DECEMBER 5 is when we will have a float in the city holiday parade. We need everyone there for this event, so please mark it on your calendar. All you need to do is sit on a hay bale on a wagon and wish people in Dowagiac a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and join all of us in singing “Jingle Bells” and a few Christmas carols. BIBLE CLASS AT CLAYTONS' TUESDAY: This coming Tuesday we have our monthly senior devotional at Clayton s. Join us at 7:00. TODAY'S LESSON
INTRODUCTION
A. From our Wednesday night Bible class
I. HEBREWS BEGINS BY TALKING ABOUT THE COST OF REDEMPTION.
B. Hebrews — A book of encouragement and hope C. Hebrews 2:1 — Do not let what you know slip D. Hebrews 2:13 — Put your trust in Jesus E. Hebrews 3:13 — Exhort, because sin hardens F. Hebrews 4:11 — Unbelief is contagious A. God gave the best — not a ranking angel.
II. THE LEVITICAL PRIESTHOOD
1. 10 qualities of Jesus are given.
B. God provided a “forever priest,” an intercessor.
A. Established by Moses at God's command.
III. ENTER THE PRIESTHOOD OF MELCHIZEDEK — Gen 14:18 ff .
1. Exodus 40:12 – 15
B. Levitical priesthood offered security, acceptance.
2. Became corrupted — humans modified it. 3. Judges 17:5 – 6 and 8 – 13 1. Was temporary — priests died.
C. Pastoral systems in today's churches have the same problems. That is why you do not have a “Pastor.”2. Was easily corrupted by weak humans. 3. Frequently told people what they wanted to hear. A. Different kind of priest — based on his faithfulness, not on his inheritance. Action not just talk.
IV. SO WHAT DO YOU LEAVE HERE WITH TODAY?
1. Psalm110:4; Hebrews7:1 – 6
B. Gave a system of life that works — no human agencies.
1. Eternal — never dies — Hebrews 5:5 – 10
THE BACK PAGEGRASPING THE WISDOM OF COLORThis is my favorite time of year. The fresh air, the reduction of the bug population, the improvement in fishing, and especially the color that is all around me moves me to thank God for life and for the things he has done to make our lives beautiful and meaningful. Proverbs 8 talks about the wisdom in the design of all we see, and indeed the understanding of why all of this happens IS a demonstration of God's wisdom. When you look at a green leaf, the color you see comes from the chlorophyll which contains a green pigment. When sunlight strikes the leaf the chlorophyll breaks down, and that means that plants would not stay green if it was not for the fact that the tree continually produces chlorophyll during the growing season. Leaves have other compounds in them that contribute to the growth of the plant. Each of these compounds has a color; and in aspens and birches that compound is yellow. When nights start growing long, the birches and aspens stop making chlorophyll, and when the chlorophyll is burned out of the leaves the remaining compound is all that can be seen and it is yellow. Other trees like maple trees have an energy storing compound called anthocyanin which trees make from sugar. Anthocyanin is red in color or purple depending on what is in the soil to affect the color. When the green chlorophyll is burned out of the maples, what is left behind is the beautiful red and purple colors we see in so many areas of Michiana. There are still other chemical tricks that have been built into plants to provide the incredible range of color we see, and none of this is necessary for the survival of trees in general. We sing a song titled “For the Beauty of the Earth”) and in that song we reflect on God's attention to what is beautiful in life. At this time of year we thank God for the beauty we see in the created things around us; but, the song goes on to remind us to be thankful for “the joy of human love” and for the church. Pause and thank God for all he has done to bless you with color, love and spiritual peace. — John Clayton For the Beauty of the EarthFor the beauty of the earth, / For the beauty of the skies, / Fort the love which from our birth / Over and around us lies. Chorus For the beauty of each hour / Of the day and of the night,/ Hill and vale, and tree, and flow'r, / Sun and moon, and stars of light. Chorus For the joy of human love, / Brother, sister, parent, child,/ Friends on earth, and friends above, / For all gentle tho'ts and mild. Chorus For Thy church that evermore / Lifteth holy hands above, / Off'ring up on ev'ry shore / Her pure sacrifice of love. [Chorus] Lord of all, to Thee we raise / This our sacrifice of praise. Song 157 from Praise for the Lord songbook, published by Praise Press, Nashville, TN, 1997 Our sign by the street! Sign saying from http://www.net-burst.net/quips/church-signs.htm |
