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DUE to the COVID-19 pandemic FAMILY NEWSWELCOME TO OUR VISITORS: Like everyone else, we are trying to avoid COVID-19 among all of us. Some of us are more vulnerable than others. We ask everyone to keep six feet from others and wear a mask so that no one becomes ill by attending worship. Some of us will be participating virtually through Zoom at home and others will be in the building. If in the future you wish to participate on Zoom at home contact Karl Marcussen and he will help you join us. YEAR END REPORT: The Does God Exist? program, which is a ministry supported by this congregation, produces a detailed report of the work that has been done and what has been accomplished by this work during the past year. If you would like to read this report for 2020, see Karl Marcussen and click this link. KEEPING UP: Between the pandemic and an unusual number of deaths and people dealing with serious illness, it is important to pay attention to the prayer list. Please read over this carefully, and spend some time every day with cards, phone calls, and prayers. Being in quarantine is a wonderful time to send notes to those who are in grief, in pain, and/or alone. Please do not assume that church is taking care of all of this. We need everyone involved, and working from home you can do a lot. MAILING NOTE: We mail this bulletin to everyone we know of who is not in attendance at the building on Sunday morning at 11:00. TODAY'S LESSON
INTRODUCTION — Gospel Minutes, 1/8/21
A. Ecclesiastes 1:1-14
I. LEARN TO DEPEND ON GOD.
B. 2020 brought us lots of stuff to depress us. C. Clem Thurman gives four biblical rules for life: A. Faith in God is essential to finding purpose in life.
II. LEARN TO ACCEPT YOUR LOT.
1. If there is no God, what are your options?
B. Jeremiah 10:23 — What happens when men try?
2. Atheism offers no real purpose in life at all. 1. The story of Liberal, Mo.
C. Tough times prove our needs — Psalm 23:4.
2. Why do we have different religions? Politics? 1. A promise from Jesus - Matt. 28:20
D. Romans 8:28-32 — A promise from God
1. Philippians 4:7 — Paul’s observation
A. Job 14:1 — God never promised that we would have no problems.
III. LEARN TO LIVE IN THE PRESENT.
B. Moses — Hebrews 11:24-27 C. Paul — Acts 22:3; 2 Corinthians 12:7 D. Some things you cannot change. A. Matthew 6:33-34
IV. FULFILL GOD'S PURPOSE FOR YOUR LIFE.
B. Philippians 3:12-14 A. God had a purpose when he created man.
1. An atheist has no purpose in existing.
B. The Bible gives examples of humans with purpose.
1. Acts 9:10-19
C. Jesus came for a purpose — Matthew 1:21; Luke 19:10.2. Ecclesiastes 3:9-13 D. Ephesians 3:8-11 1. There is an eternal purpose to your existence.
2. There is an existence beyond this one — 2 Corinthians 12. 3. This is the worst we will ever have to endure. V. YOU HAVE CONTROL OVER WHETHER YOUR LIFE IS WORTH LIVING OR NOT. See THE BACK PAGE below.
John referred to our concluding song: “Living by Faith.”
THE BACK PAGESUICIDEToday's lesson is relevant to all of us. Nearly all of us have had a friend or a relative that has taken their own life. Before we go any further, may I express an opinion. I do not believe that a person who takes their own life is competent mentally to answer for their act of self destruction. In my 41 years of teaching in the public schools I had 36 kids who were or had been my students who killed themselves. I knew these kids, talked with them, referred them to counselors for help, and even though I know that destroying the “temple of the Holy Spirit” is wrong (1 Corinthians 3:16), I do not believe someone who is severely mentally ill is responsible for what they do. God has built a survival drive into us which, if we are in control of our faculties, prevents us from suicide. Having said that, may I point out that there are situations in life which can make us question whether we really want to live or not. I have shared with you several times in my own life when I was ready to die. Paul said it well in Philippians 1:21-24, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ which is better by far but it is more necessary for you that I remain.” Those of us who are Christians need to understand that God gave us life for a purpose, and every single person who reads this is important. You have a job to do. It would have been wrong for Paul to end his life when there was so much for him to do. The same is true of you. We are not at the level of Paul, but we are created to live and to be a positive force for good in a world that is full of darkness and sin. So is life worth living? Absolutely! Maybe not if all you have to look forward to is selfish pleasure; but, for the Christian fulfilling the purpose of our creation is a greater calling. — John Clayton Our sign by the street! Sign saying from Matthew 5:9 Scripture links/references are from BibleGateway.com. Unhighlighted scriptures can be looked up at their website. www.dowagiaccoc.org |
