September 15, 2019

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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

HIGHWAY CLEANUP: This coming Saturday (September 21) at 10:00 P.M. we need to all be here to clean up the highway near our building. If you cannot come on Saturday, but want to serve in this work by coming some other day the following week (the 23rd to 29th), see Richard Hoyt before Saturday or call him. He will assign you a section of road to clean. Please ladies, DO NOT get out on the highway by yourself. One of us will be with you if you want to come during the week.

THANKS to Tracey Brewer who bought and assembled the new benches near the entrance to the fellowship area. Bill Gibson is going to bolt them down so no one can steal them and we will finally have a place to sit and visit when quiet is needed.

HELP is needed for Samantha Wheeler to go to the Dominican Republic as a mission outreach to assist in eye surgery by the doctors in the office where she works. To donate give a check written to the Dowagiac Church of Christ and give it to Bill Gibson and write on it “Dominican Republic” and you will have tax credit and the money will go to Sam's expense fund.

TODAY'S LESSON

CAN I BE SURE OF HEAVEN?
John Clayton

INTRODUCTION — If you die now, will you go to heaven? Yes _____ No _____ Maybe _____

A. This is a hard sermon to give.

1. Not an exercise in arrogance.
2. I am NOT the judge — I do not know your heart.

B. There are passages that cast doubts in our minds.

1. 1 Corinthians 10:12
2. 2 Peter 1:10 and Hebrews 4:11
3. 1 Peter 5:8
4. Hebrews 3:12

I. I AM SAVED BECAUSE GOD WANTS ME TO BE SAVED.

A. 1 Timothy 2:3
B. 2 Peter 3:9
C. Titus 1:2

II. GOD WILL NOT FORCE ME TO GO TO HEAVEN.

A. Joshua 24:15
B. Biblical characters made choices:

1. Judas,
2. Thomas,
3. Peter made a choice — was reversible.

III. FALLING AWAY PASSAGES NEED TO BE STUDIED.

A. 1 Corinthians 10:12 — Look at verses 6-11, then 13.
B. 2 Peter 1:10 — Look at 3-9 and Hebrews 4:10-13; verse 9 “He has been cleansed,” then verse 10.
C. Hebrews 3:12 — read verse 10 — they had a heart problem.

IV. THE BIBLE TELLS US TO BE SURE OF HEAVEN.

A. 1 John 5:13 — “you may know.”
B. Romans 4:8 — “the Lord will never count against him.”
C. 1 Corinthians 1:18 — “to us who are being saved.”
D. Romans 5:1 — “we have gained access … to this grace.”
E. Romans 8:1; 7:14-24

1. “No condemnation.”
2. “Spirit testifies that we are God's children.”

F. 1 John 5:7 — “… purifies us from all sin.”
G. Romans 10:9-15 — “… confess and believe … will be saved.

V. SALVATION IS A GIFT — Romans 6:23 and Ephesians 3:8

A. A gift has to be accepted — Romans 6:3
B. WILL YOU ACCEPT GOD'S GIFT?

THE BACK PAGE

WHAT DID YOU SIGN UP FOR?

I enjoy the Power for Today booklet that the congregation provides for anyone who would like to have it. The idea of this booklet is that each day of the quarter there is a message written by a brother or sister in Christ that we can use to begin or end our day. My only problem with it is that I start reading ahead and may read several of the articles at a time. I guess I need more encouragement than one day's message can provide.

I recently read the November 19 issue written by William McDonough who is a missionary in Cambodia. He begins the article by quoting Mark 10:45 (NIV) where Jesus says “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” He then makes this comment about being a Christian:

Some of the apostles didn't understand that service to God meant servanthood. They thought being a follower of Christ might bring a special position or notoriety. Service is not what they had in mind.

Jesus was quick to say, “If that's what you've come for, you are following the wrong man.” Yes, He promised a life of blessing — found in service to others.

The joy that comes from seeing others baptized into Christ, joining you in a life of service is unsurpassable. The pleasure you find in helping people who can't help themselves is huge. The thrill of seeing a child you've raised or perhaps taught in Bible classes, grow, and mature into a servant of the Lord is fulfilling. The satisfaction of using the talent he gave you to earn money so you can help more people, who also serve willingly, visiting hospitals and the home-bounds is sometimes rewarded with twinkle in the eyes and the squeeze of the hand that says “thank you for caring.” And by your example of teaching others how to serve — you've accomplished what God desires. That's what we've all signed up for.

I think that Brother McDonough has hit the nail on the head for us here at Dowagiac. We have the opportunity to serve in many ways, and Julie and Karl have made it easy by giving us every week a list of people in need. Our senior newsletter and get togethers provide more opportunities to serve people all over the Michiana area. None of us can say we do not know what to do. It is easier for us today than it has ever been to make contact with people and reach out to them with caring and help. All of us can use the phone, send a card, and most of us can make a visit.

Read Matthew 25:14-46 in your own devotional time this week. Verses 14-30 talk about using what God has given us to be Christians, and verses 31-46 tells us what Jesus is concerned about and holds us responsible for. It is not our preaching or teaching or knowledge, it is about serving. God bless those of you who spend time being God's servants here on Earth. Thank you for your example.

— John Clayton

Our sign by the street!

Can and be sure of heaven? Yes, No, Maybe?

Sign saying from John's sermon title.

Scripture links/references are from BibleGateway.com. Unhighlighted scriptures can be looked up at their website.