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We are meeting in our building FAMILY NEWSTHANKS: to everyone who pitched in and made the memorial service for Jim Harasewicz such a huge success. Everything about the service was special, and I know Jim would have been pleased at what was done and said. A set of wind chimes was left by the Faubers who are related to Jim and live in Amboy, Ind. They are frequently with us on Zoom and get our bulletin. If you have not looked at the chimes, please do so. Keep Brenda and the family in your prayers. SHULTS-LEWIS has asked us to provide peanut butter and jelly/jam so remember they will be coming to pick up these items and any change cans we may have during the week of July 18. HIGHWAY CLEANUP: Our next highway clean up is July 17 at 9:00 A.M. We will be mailing you a “adopt a zone” sheet so that you can select in advance what section of the highway in front of our building you are willing to clean. We are also going to have a provision for anyone who cannot come on the 17th so that you can do your cleanup during the week if Saturday is not a good time for you. We will mail a response sheet to you this next week. TODAY'S LESSON
INTRODUCTION
A. The world's view — robe, beard, stern look
I. THE HISTORY OF PRIESTLY RESPONSIBILITIES
From Judaism and Catholicism
B. The Bible — A priest is a minister — 1 Peter 2:4-9.
Revelation 1:5-6; 5:9-10
A. Patriarchal period — Job is an example (family).
II. FLAWS IN THE MOSAIC PRIESTHOOD SYSTEM
B. Mosaic period — Exodus 19:3-6 1. Levites set apart for special service — Numbers 17-18 2. Tribe of Levi, family of Aaron — Deuteronomy 10:8; 18:1-6 Exodus 29:42-46; Leviticus 8 & 9; 2 Chronicles 26
3. Served as teachers, judges, medical experts, etc.
A. Every priest was sinful - Hebrews 5:1-3.
III. JESUS ABOLISHED THIS FLAWED SYSTEM.
B. Animal sacrifices were inadequate — Hebrews 10:4. C. Was temporary, a flawed copy of heaven — Hebrews 9:24 A. Hebrews 7:18-19
IV. WE ARE ALL “BELIEVER PRIESTS.”
B. Jesus is our sinless High Priest. C. Matthews 27:51 — God split the curtain that separated man from the “Holy of Holies.” D. No longer are people separated from God. A. Equal in Christ — Galatians 3:26-28 (women, too)
V. OUR SACRIFICES OFFERED AS PRIESTS TO GOD
B. No one stands between us and God — 1 Timothy 2:5. C. We are ALL given “grace gifts” from God. 1. Romans 12:1-8; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4:7-13 2. 1 Peter 4:10 — How these are to be used. A. Our bodies — Romans 12:1-2 B. Our praise — Hebrews 13:15 C. Our good works — Hebrews 13:16 D. Our giving — Philippians 4:14-19 E. Our converts — Romans 15:16 F. Our love — Ephesians 5:1-2 G. Our prayers — Revelation 8:3-4 (At the end John refers to this song: “My Jesus, I Love Thee.”)
THE BACK PAGERELIGIOUS INDEPENDENCEToday is “Independence Day” and it is a time to remember what a blessing each of us has enjoyed to have lived in a country with a high measure of freedom. Like all holidays, July 4th has become a commercial extravaganza. When you cut through all of the special sales and the fireworks, the fact is that America has been special; but, how long it will continue to offer freedom is not clear. Not all of our people in this country have been free. We have learned about the Tulsa Massacre, and now we are seeing our Asian family and friends denied freedom. Our entire political system is so corrupt and immoral that you have to wonder how long God will allow this country, which has largely forsaken him and embraced lying, abortion, and abuse of all kinds, to continue. Last week we talked about worship and the fact that worship, according to the teachings of Jesus, has nothing to do with places or buildings and is not confined to Sunday mornings. We have religious independence, and no government, politician, or denomination of any kind can take that away from us. What a wonderful thing, and how comforting it is in this time of national collapse. Today our lesson is about what we as Christians have that is special and which gives us spiritual independence. Each of us as Christians are FREE. Free of having to go to some man to have our sins forgiven. Free of having to spend massive amounts of our money to support a physical building or a huge idol like the crosses we see from time to time as we drive along the nation's highways. Free of ritual, free from human rules that are flawed because they are not from God. Free of power struggles that happen because some humans have been elevated to be more important than we are. Take some time this week to thank God for your religious independence. No matter what happens to America, we still have joy and hope knowing that “we can do all things through Christ” who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). — 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 |
