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December 31, 2023

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

NO CLASS TONIGHT: Since many of us have family in our homes for New Year's, and others are traveling to be with loved ones we do not plan to have our usual Sunday night class. Some of us will meet at the building Sunday evening at 5:00 P.M. for a potluck supper with a devotional at 6:00 P.M., followed by games and fellowship for a period of time. We do plan to have class as usual on Wednesday.

STRONG RESPONSE FROM COMMUNITY: Acts 2:47 tells us that the first century church was “praising God and having favor with all the people.” We have tried very hard to duplicate that here. Our “Backpack Buddies” and “Coat Giveaway” have drawn a lot of praise from community leaders in Dowagiac including the fire department and the police. The Cass County Road Commission and Wimberley Ford have praised our involvement in the food for the hungry program. Our neighbors on M51 have thanked us for our highway cleanup work. Let us plan to do more in 2024.

FOOD PANTRY TOMORROW: We know that tomorrow is New Year's Day, and that many have family who will be celebrating that day by watching football or having a celebration meal. Like every other day, there are people around us who do not have food to be a part of their celebration. Some of our regular workers may not be available due to family activities. If you can help, please see Richard Hoyt.

TODAY'S LESSON

We Have Never Gone This Way Before!

 Sound on icon

John Clayton

INTRODUCTION:
A. A new year is like going to a new place.
New experiences, new people, and opportunities
B. Biblical example is Israel going to a new land.
Joshua 3:1 — completely new existence
I. ISRAEL PREPARED FOR THE JOURNEY AHEAD.
A. The past is always a part of our preparation.
1. They had spent 40 years in the wilderness.
2. Unbelievers had died. People who hold back God’s work do die.
3. In spite of that, God provided — he leads.
4. In Joshua 2, spies come back with a report that they trusted in God.
B. Everyone wants a place to live; Shittim was not to be their home in spite of its beauty.
C. Before starting the new journey they took a rest.
1. Lodging involves considering the past.
2. Learning from previous mistakes is vital.
II. ISRAEL RESOLVED TO FOLLOW GOD’S GUIDANCE.
A. Joshua 3:2-4 — Exodus 25-26 — Contained history.
1. Manna, budding rod of Aaron
2. A place to meet God — a holy thing led, not political, and 1000 yards so everyone could see it.
B. We are called to resolve to follow God’s guidance.
1. John 21:23 — “What is that to you, follow me.”
2. We are like Peter at the crucifixion (Luke 22:54).
III. ISRAEL CALLED TO CONSECRATE THEMSELVES.
A. Joshua 3:5 — set yourself apart.
B. Consecrate means to be set apart — get clean.
Exodus 29:37 — Touching the ark made one clean.
C. Touching the blood of Christ makes us holy.
1. Revelation 1:5
2. Hebrews 9:22-23
3. 1 John 1:7
IV. ISRAEL WALKED BY FAITH AND GOD RESPONDED WITH ACTION — Joshua 3:6-17.
Notice the extent of this miracle.
V. ARE WE CONSECRATED INDIVIDUALLY AND AS A CONGREGATION?
A. We consecrate ourselves by becoming Christians.
1. That does not mean we are perfect.
2. It does not mean we are better than anyone else.
3. It does mean God acts in ways we could not do on our own.
B. God acts when we do the things we are told to do by Christ as a congregation.
1. The food pantry has been blessed by God.
2. The coat give away has been blessed by God.
3. The backpack buddy program has also been blessed by God.
4. Our VBS was blessed by God.
5. Our prayer list and card ministry has been blessed by God.
6. Our printed material has been blessed by God.
a. The bulletin
b. The DGE? quarterly
7. Our area wide singing is being blessed by God.
C. God acts when we do the things we are told to do by Christ as individuals.
1. What is your ministry?
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2. Which of the seven things listed in “B” above have you been a part of? This is between you and God — not any human.
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D. What are your plans for 2024?
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Our song for the invitation is: SONG “I Am Resolved.”

 

Our sign by the street!

Being thankful is not in a day, but it is a lifestyle!

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
01/03/2024