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FAMILY NEWSJulie and Karl are in Florida this weekend, so there will not be an updated prayer list. We have the April 7 list available if you do not have a copy. We do have one major item to bring to your attention that is new. Lana Fox had her meeting with the doctors this past week and is scheduled to have surgery May 6th to remove the tumor and her left kidney. Some good news is that this can be done in South Bend at Memorial Hospital. There was some concern that she might have to go to Indianapolis to get it done, so doing it in South Bend will make it easier for her and for her family. Keep Lana at the top of your prayer list. DEVO AT CLAYTONS' THIS TUESDAY. We have resumed our Tuesday night area-wide devotional that takes place the third Tuesday of the month. We have folks from all over Michiana coming for fellowship and a period of worship and study. Everyone is welcome and you need to bring only your Bible. Some folks bring snacks, but that is not necessary. We meet at 7:00 P.M. and, if you are using a GPS, the address is 1555 Echo Valley Dr., Niles 49120. THANKS TO RICHARD HOYT for all his extra work on the classrooms. Things are shaping up thanks to his work. TODAY'S LESSON
We were not able to record the sermon this week, so we just have John's outline. INTRODUCTION
A. Dossier of Pharisee — Mark 7:1-4, etc.
I. WHY WAS THE PHARISEE NOT ACCEPTED BY GOD?
1. Mastered Torah and taught every detail.
B. Dossier of Publican
2. Called themselves “the separated ones.” 3. Would not buy or eat food with non-Pharisees. 4. Demanded tithing. 1. Jewish Roman tax collector — a traitor.
2. Luke 19:1-8 — Zacchaeus; Matthew 21:31 A. He trusted in religion to save him.
II. WHY WAS THE PUBLICAN ACCEPTED BY GOD?
1. Religion was an outward show — Matthew 6:1-4.
B. He trusted in his good character to save him.
2. He missed God's purpose — Mark 7:6-13. 3. There is no salvation in religion. a. Not in Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism
4. Acts 4:12 — Salvation is in a person — Jesus Christ.b. Not in Catholicism, Presbyterianism, etc. c. Not in attending the Church of Christ. 1. Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16; Luke 18:19-25
Keeping all the rules will not save us.
2. Religious rites and ceremonies will not save us. A. He radiated a good heart — stood at a distance.
III. WHO ARE WE LIKE — THE PHARISEE OR PUBLICAN?
B. He recognized God’s estimate of his sin. 1. In light of God’s perfection we are all hopeless
C. He comprehended what God knew about him.
Psalms 40:12; 51:9; Isaiah 6:5
Psalm 139:1-14; Do not be a David — 2 Samuel 11!
D. He pleaded with God alone — Romans 10:13. A. Are you face to face with the fact you are a sinner?
B. Who/what do you trust? Morals, rituals, religion? C. Do you realize God knows you and your heart? D. In Acts 2:37 the people knew all of these things. What did they ask and do?
THE BACK PAGEUNDERSTANDING EASTERToday is Palm Sunday and next Sunday is Easter Sunday. If you are wondering what all of this is about, here is a brief explanation. In A.D. 325 the Council of Nicaea began a special time of celebrating the resurrection of Jesus by establishing Ash Wednesday. This was the Wednesday 46 days before Easter and began a time of fasting and celebration. Lent began on the Monday after Ash Wednesday. Palm Sunday was the Sunday before Easter and celebrated the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem when people spread palm branches before the donkey carrying Christ (Matthew 21:1-11 and John 12:11-13). On Ash Wednesday the ashes of the palms from the previous year are placed in a cross shaped pattern on the foreheads of believers in the Catholic church. In 601 Pope Gregory established this as a formal religious period for members of the Catholic church. Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the paschal full moon on or immediately after the vernal equinox. The paschal full moon always falls on the 14th day of a lunar month. Because pagan cultures celebrated the equinox, celebrations of the resurrection of Jesus were tolerated by those cultures and, in fact, the origin of the word “Easter” is believed to have come from the Anglo-Saxon dawn goddess Eostre whose feast was celebrated at this same time. It is a good thing to be reminded of the life and death of Jesus Christ. We do this every Sunday in our communion service. It is a good thing to have a time of fasting and prayer and thanksgiving to God. It is not a good thing to only do these things only once a year. It also tends to lead to commercializing and even corrupting the life of Christ — as Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras) demonstrates. Paul wrote in Colossians 2:16 and Romans 14:5 not to be judgmental about special days, and be thankful that men are reminded about the resurrection of Christ. Jesus in Matthew 25:31-46 tells us how to serve him, that it is in doing his will. Enjoy the season and the history, but serve the Lord every day, not just once a year. — John Clayton Our sign by the street!
Sign saying from www.sayingsforchurchsigns.com Scripture links/references are from BibleGateway.com. Unhighlighted scriptures can be looked up at their website. www.dowagiaccoc.org |
