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FAMILY NEWSNEW CLASS BEGINS: Our Wednesday night Bible studies have been on the letters to the congregations of the New Testament during the first century. We have just completed Colossians and will be starting Thessalonians this next Wednesday. We are studying these books by a Socrateran method. What that means is that we read the book and discuss it, with everyone giving applications and understandings. No one is preaching, we are not reading a book or commentary, we are just listening to the apostle Paul and applying it to our lives. Thessalonica was a lot like the area where we live. We all need this study. Come and be a part of this class. We start at 7:15 and finish at 8:15 on Wednesday evening. UPDATE ON FAIR BOOTH: Our booth has to be up and running July 30, so we have to get busy. Richard Hoyt has a series of Bible questions he has been working on that would fit the three boards that we already have prepared. We need people to sign up to work the booth. That just means to be there, greet people, hand out free items, and have some conversation with people from the community. We have a sign up sheet in the lobby. Pleased pick a time or times that you can work. TODAY'S LESSON
INTRODUCTION — LUKE 16:19-31
A. This is believed by most scholars to be a parable.
I. LESSON ONE — WE WILL RECOGNIZE OUR CONDITION.
1. “Lazarus” means “without help.”
B. This is not intended to tell us about heaven and hell.
2. Tradition says the rich man was “Dives” (not a proper name of a person). 1. “Abraham's bosom” would be the Jewish ideal. Abraham is not a judge.
C. Three lessons from Jesus in this parable. 2. You cannot see heaven from hell. A. Our first conscious thought after we die.
II. LESSON TWO — DIVES HAD CONCERN FOR FAMILY.
1. Where we are — Dives knows and knows why.
B. Knew he had no options — by himself he is helpless.
2. Lifted his eyes being in torment (verse 23) 1. Verse 24 — “Send Lazarus” who had no help in life.
C. Our actions reflect our knowledge and priorities.
2. Verse 26 — “Great gulf fixed” — there is no escape. 1. Luke 12:47-48 — God gave Dives wealth. Look what he could have done and what he
D. You do not have to be in hell to know your condition.....did do with it. 2. What have we done with what we have? A. Verse 27 — Do we really want to see family lost?
III. LESSON THREE — DIVES KNEW SALVATION'S PLAN.
B. Galatians 6:7 — See what sin does here. C. Romans 14:21 — What are our priorities? Do we care? A. Remember this is the Old Testament — Jewish law (verses 29-31).
B. Dives wants something spectacular (verse 30). 1. He knows what his family needs to do.
C. The plan of salvation is simple and clear. 2. Abraham says salvation is not about entertaining. a. People can ignore anything.
b. What are we ignoring? THE BACK PAGECASS COUNTY FAIR — 2018For many years now, this congregation has had a booth in the Cass County Fair. We have our corner spot again this year under the grandstands near the west door. The fair is typical of midwest county fairs. There are a seemingly endless number of animals, all kinds of vegetables, and all kinds of projects involving every skill you can imagine — wood working, quilting, art, music, collections, conservation projects, soil chemistry work, geology, astronomy — the list goes on and on. The air is full of good smells, bad smells, laughter, babies crying, and carnival music that goes with the large numbers of rides. In the evening there is a show with demolition derbies, rodeos, races of all kinds and every kind of vehicle you can imagine. So what does this bring out? Lots of kids and lots of families — some featuring a half dozen generations of fair participants and a significant number of politicians and salespeople selling everything from cars to elixirs. The dominant group are good American people, dedicated to a way of life that has sustained this country for many years. So why are we there? What justification is there for us to spend several hundred dollars to be a part of the Cass County Fair? First of all, there is a need for the presence of Jesus to be seen at a major event like this. In the life of Jesus he attended events that let people know about him and his work. In John 2:1-11 Jesus attended a marriage in Cana which verse 11 says “was the beginning of miracles that manifested forth his glory.” In Acts 17:18-34 Paul took advantage of a city wide meeting on Mars Hill in Athens to proclaim the gospel of Christ. There are numerous examples of the first century church utilizing the secular events of the day to proclaim the message of the gospel. The Cass County Fair allows us to let people know that we exist, that we offer instruction in the Bible, and that we offer a new plea different from every other religious offering that is present in this area with only the Bible being the thing we promote, and we offer it free and in service to all who will listen to its message. Is this worthwhile? Most of us think so. — John Clayton Our sign by the street!
Sign saying from www.sayingsforchurchsigns.com Scripture links/references are from BibleGateway.com. www.dowagiaccoc.org |
