September 17, 2023

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THE CHURCH OF CHRIST ON M 51 S

We welcome you to our worship services this morning. We hope that you will be encouraged and uplifted by our time together. We have no creed or set of rules to force on you. We simply rely on the Bible to tell us what to do and try to copy what we read the church in the first century did. We meet here every Sunday, but we also have Zoom available for those who are interested. Just ask and we will include you in our Zoom services. Call Karl Marcussen at 574-514-1400 for information.

FAMILY NEWS

THANKS to everyone who came to the A.C.T.I.O.N. ministry food truck unloading on Thursday. Feeding those who do not have enough to eat is part of what Christ calls us to do.

THANKS to all who helped in the Gerald Hagie memorial service. Cynthia and Deb are in Florida and will be back in about 10 days. Our special thanks to Lana Fox who set up the lunch and to Patty Gibson who helped decorate the building.

REMEMBER that if you want to help in the highway cleanup project you should see Denise Cook. Our cleanup window is September 23 – October 1 and Denise and Jon Cook are planning to do it; but, if you can help so they do not have the whole thing to do, see Denise.

BACKPACK BUDDIES is on hold until Della Bundle is able to find out what funding is available and what needs exist. If you want to help, let John Clayton know.

ANNUAL CHURCH OF CHRIST PICNIC AT INDOGAN: October 21 from 10:00 to 2:00 with lunch provided and a devotional. For more information call Brad Price at 574-875-9994 or brad@abiblecommentary.com. This brings Christians from all over Michiana together, so it is a good time for area wide fellowship.

WIDOWHOOD WORKSHOP: “Navigating the Storms of Life” is a workshop in Waterford, MI, November 3 – 5. This is a “Widowhood Workshop” program with Dean Miller. The address is 4991 Williams Lake Rd., Waterford, MI 48329.

TODAY'S LESSON

UNDERSTANDING YOUR CHRISTIANITY, Part 2
John Clayton

INTRODUCTION — This is a continuation of last Sunday's sermon on why we do what we do and the things that are salvation issues, not implementation questions.

A. Last week we looked at why we believe, what prayer is about and repentance.

B. These subjects are being studied in greater depth in our 10:00 A.M. class, especially prayer right now.

I. IS FASTING A SALVATION ISSUE?

A. Fasting is good, but not commanded by Christ.

Matthew 4:1-14 is the only recorded time Jesus fasted. In Matthew 9:14-17 fasting is qualified. Why?

B. Other religions promote fasting - see THE BACK PAGE below.
C. Medically, fasting is good for you.
D. Old Testament characters fasted regularly.

1. In times of crisis, loss, petitions to God.
2. Example is David in 2 Samuel 16-23.
3. Leviticus 16:29-30 — Fasting commanded.
4. In times of stress — Esther as seen on Sunday P.M.

E. Fasting was practiced in the first century church.

1. When choosing elders and missionaries — Acts 13; 14
2. Paul fasted — 2 Corinthians 6:5; 11:27

F. True fasting was always voluntary.

II. COMMUNION — AS A SALVATION ISSUE

A. Luke 22:19-20 and Matthew 26:26-28 — Jesus' command.
B. 1 Corinthians 10:16 — A time to remember.
C. Not to be taken lightly — 1 Corinthians 11:30 — Important!

III. GIVING AS AN ACT OF WORSHIP — A salvation issue

A. Not the amount — Luke 21:1-4
B. Commanded in 1 Corinthians 16:2
C. The church has always met needs.

2 Corinthians 8:1-5 — What are our priorities?

D. A life-changing salvation issue — 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

1. If you cannot give with joy — do not give at all.
2. The Sea of Galilee versus the Dead Sea
3. Affects every relationship we have

THE BACK PAGE

TODAY'S SALVATION ISSUES — PRIVATE AND QUIET

Unlike some of our other discussions in this study series, today's topics are personal and quiet. They also are things that radically affect our lives. Fasting, communion and giving contribute in mighty ways to our relationships and our health. Human wisdom has certified these benefits and they are practiced by many religions.

Members of the Bahá'í Faith observe a Nineteen Day Fast from sunrise to sunset during March each year. Judaism practices Yom Kippur, Tisha B'av, Fast of Esther, Tzom Gedalia, the Seventeenth of Tammuz, and the Tenth of Tevet. Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan each year. Details of fasting practices differ. Eastern Orthodox Christians fast during specified fasting seasons of the year, which include not only the better-known Great Lent, but also fasts on every Wednesday and Friday (except on special holidays), together with extended fasting periods before Christmas (the Nativity Fast), after Easter (the Apostles Fast) and in early August (the Dormition Fast). Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) generally abstain from food and drink for two consecutive meals in a 24-hour period on the first Sunday of each month. Fasting is a feature of ascetic traditions in religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism. Mahayana traditions that follow the Brahma's Net Sutra may recommend that the laity fast “during the six days of fasting each month and the three months of fasting each year.”

The Christian concept of giving is to mold and shape our lives. Learning to enjoy giving is not just about money. Our family relationships, our marriages, our jobs, and our mental health are molded and shaped by how much we have changed our thinking from the selfish “survival of the fittest” in our culture to the joy of giving taught by Jesus and practiced by the first century church. These lessons from God shape and mold our lives and give them meaning.

Our sign by the street!

One of God's blessings is the beauty of Fall!

Sign saying from www.sayingsforchurchsigns.com.

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