Home

Worship Services

Sermons

Location

Contacts

Bulletins

Links
Bulletin cover

November 10, 2019

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 any pressure to give. Our lesson time will be divided into two groups. The young children can go to our classroom area in the basement where they will be taught the Bible at a level they can understand, while the adults stay in the auditorium for a lesson at their level. We do try to serve the community, and if you have some needs that we can provide, mention it to one of the members. Thank you for worshipping with us.

FAMILY NEWS

CLASSES SWITCHED: Our special classes on Sunday have been switched to accommodate the schedules of the teachers. Richard Hoyt's class on the history of Israel in Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles is now on Sunday mornings at 10:00 A.M. The video series on a “Survey of the Bible” with Karl Marcussen directing the study will be on Sunday evening at 6:00 P.M. These are great classes — do not miss them.

THANKSGIVING WEEK: Thanksgiving this year finds a number of us traveling to be with family. For that reason there will be no Wednesday night class on November 27. The monthly devotional at Claytons' is also canceled for November, but our potluck and our devotional/worship at Timbers are still on for December 1.

KEEP SAMANTHA IN YOUR PRAYERS: She will be in the Dominican Republic Thanksgiving week on her mission trip working with mission doctors as they do surgeries on people who have cataracts and other eye problems.

LADIE'S FUN DAY: Brenda Ebersol is coordinating a bowling party on Monday, November 25 at 4:00 P.M. at Joey Armadillo's Bowling, 2732 S. 11th St. in Niles. Only $1.00 per line. Meet there at 4:00 P.M. Call Brenda for more information. The alley phone is 269-687-5555.


TODAY'S LESSON

HOW DO I BECOME MORE SPIRITUAL?

 Sound on icon

John Clayton
INTRODUCTION: What does the word “spiritual” mean to you? _________________________
A. “Spiritual” is an after-Pentecost word — not in Old Testament or Gospels.
B. Does not always refer to good or godly — Romans 6:12.
C. Vine: “Things that have their origin with God, and which therefore, are in harmony with His character.”
D. God's laws are spiritual — Romans 7:14.
E. The Old Law could not make humans spiritual.
1. Acts 2:38 — Promise is made about the Holy Spirit, to help in growing in Spirit.
2. Galatians 5:1 — Human weakness made it impossible. James 2:10
3. 1 John 1:6-10 — Jesus gave us the capacity to be perfect in God's sight through grace.
I. WHAT ABOUT US THAT MAKES US SPIRITUAL AND GROWING.
A. Galatians 6:1 — Walking in the light with the Spirit's help.
1. Does not mean we are better — Galatians 6:2.
2. Work at sympathy, understanding, compassion.
B. We can control many things that help us be spiritual.
C. Music — Ephesians 5:19. What is a “spiritual song?”
1. Examples — SONGS: “If I Have Wounded Any Soul,” “He Leadeth Me,” “Trust and Obey”
2. Colossians 3:13-17
D.Knowledge — a requirement, not an option!
1. 2 Peter 3:18 — Key word “grow.”
2. 1 Peter 2:2 — Key word “desire.”
3. Ephesians 4:11-15 — What is our attitude?
E. Pray for spirituality — Colossians 1:9-11.
II. WHAT THINGS INHIBIT OUR SPIRITUALITY?
A. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 — Attacks on faith are increasing.
B. 1 Timothy 2:9-10 — Are we “Hollywood driven”?
C. Our recreation affects our spirituality WWJD.
1. Not doing something does not make you spiritual.
2. 1 Corinthians 15:33 is not just for teens.
D. What did the 1st century church do? Acts 2:41-47


THE BACK PAGE

THE CHALLENGE OF SPIRITUALITY

Have you ever noticed how most people in the media refer to people who are active in their religious faith? A deeply religious person is frequently portrayed as a neurotic introvert who is too weak to function in society in a normal way. Being spiritual for many people means being reserved, isolated, and unable to enjoy life. The popular song “My Way” talks about doing things the way I want to, not “as one who kneels.” When people in the world look at a person they deem as spiritual they look for any flaw or weakness in their character. We hear about bullying in regards to students in school, but there is significant bullying of people who are deemed as being spiritual in the adult world in which we all live.

Jesus knew this would happen. Very early in his ministry in the Sermon on the Mount he stated it very clearly: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me” (Matthew 5:10-11). The definition of spirituality according to Vines dictionary of biblical terms is “Having things which have their origin with God and which, therefore, are in harmony with his character.” Our sermon this morning is designed to talk about how we do that.

What makes it so hard for us to be spiritual? Here are a few:

  1. We respond to bullying. We do not like to be made fun of or have our actions denigrated.
  2. The attractions of the world are magnificent and we want them. The challenges of being a Christian are great. Read Romans 7:12-25; 8:1. We find the pleasure and gratification the world offers attractive.
  3. We are skeptical about judgment. It is hard to believe that people will be lost and that heaven and hell really exist. There is a faith issue in being spiritual.
  4. We are ignorant of what we can do to be spiritual. We can ask God to zap us with spirituality, but the Bible makes it clear that being spiritual is a goal, not a gift. God's promise of help in Acts 2:38 is ignored, and we do not look to the Spirit to help us be spiritual.
  5. Being an atheist is easier to do than being a Christian. It takes no strength to live a selfish life. “Survival of the fittest” and “look after number one” do not bring a challenge to us that demands we have strength. Living what Jesus taught in Matthew 5-7 is hard.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 finds Paul struggling with a “torn in the flesh”. We do not know what Paul's thorn was, but I know I have a number of thorns, do you not? God tells Paul “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Life's problems will bring the faithless to a quick stop. Thorns are the equalizers, and an atheist has no answer when they hit them.

— John Clayton


Our sign by the street!

Thank the Lord for the service of our veterans!

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

www.dowagiaccoc.org
11/14/2019