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August 10, 2008TO OUR VISITORS
The family of God here at Dowagiac Church of Christ wishes to extend to you a warm welcome. If you have questions about our worship services and why we do what we do, we will be glad to give you a biblical answer. The uniqueness of the Church of Christ is that we are trying to restore to the best of our ability those things that we see the first century Church doing. We are also working hard at building the spirit, unity, and love that Jesus taught and prayed for. We have no clergy, but are working together as equal co-workers trying to serve one another and the area in which we live. Come study with us, grow with us, and serve with us as we strive to do God’s will in all things.
CLASSES
We have started new classes and want to encourage everyone to come and be a part of these new studies. On Sunday morning we are studying the parables of Jesus with Jim Harasewicz leading the class. On Wednesday and Sunday nights we are in a series of studies in Corinthians taught by John Clayton. These are important classes with a lot of information being conveyed. We encourage you to come and participate and make sure your kids come for their classes.
FAMILY NEWS
AREAWIDE SINGING HERE--SEPTEMBER 14. Areawide singings are held periodically at various congregations in the region. Last Sunday it was decided we would host the fall singing here at the evening service on September 14. This means we will have to have the building in top condition, have food available for the fellowship, get the advertising out, and organize the program. There will be over 100 people here, so this is a major undertaking. Announcements will be made requesting people to take care of various jobs. Please, volunteer and be a part of this, but plan to be here, too.
HONORING THE LADIES--ITALIAN STYLE. The men of the congregation have secured an authentic Italian cook, are securing singing waiters, and request that all of the ladies plan to attend an authentic Italian dinner on October 18 at 6:00 PM. Put it on your calendar.
TODAY’S LESSON
OFF AND ON SALVATION
INTRODUCTION
From the dock, the mother grabbed her boy by the arms just as the alligator got his legs and an incredible tug of war began. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was too passionate to let go. The boy and his mother were being dragged an inch at a time into the deeper water. Finally a neighbor who heard the screaming came and rescued the mother and child. The little boy survived and was visited by a reporter from the local newspoaper. The reporter saw the terrible wounds on the boys legs from the alligator as the boy lifted his hospital gown to show them. Then with obvious pride the boy said to the reporter "But look at my arms. I have great scars there too, because my mom wouldn't let go." The reporter looked and saw deep scratches on the boys arms where the mother's fingernails and dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son that she loved.
As parents, we can identify with that mom and her little boy. The world is pulling on our children. The devil is trying to sink his teeth into them (1 Peter 5:8). We may feel like we are "scratching them" with our discipline and restrictions and they may not always understand why we are holding on so tight. We must continue to teach, pray, discipline, and show them the way (Proverbs 22:6; Matthew 16:26; Ephesians 6:4). The battle is too important to let go.
OFF AND ON SALVATION
INTRODUCTION
The belief that when you sin you
are off.
When you repent you are on.
Produces insecure and neurotic Christians.
Verses do talk about falling away.
1 JOHN 1:5-10--GIVES THE
ACCURATE PICTURE.When you repent you are on.
Produces insecure and neurotic Christians.
Verses do talk about falling away.
Galatians 5:4
2 Peter 2:20-22
Hebrews 10:26-31
1 Corinthians 10:12
1 Timothy 4:1-5
2 Peter 2:20-22
Hebrews 10:26-31
1 Corinthians 10:12
1 Timothy 4:1-5
God is light--John 1: 1-9--Jesus
is the True light.
John 8:12--I am the light of the world.
Verses 5-6--walking in darkness is a choice--verses 9-11.
Verse 7--Fellowship is with God--not each other.
As long as we walk in the light we are purified.
PASSAGES ABOUT FALLING.John 8:12--I am the light of the world.
Verses 5-6--walking in darkness is a choice--verses 9-11.
Verse 7--Fellowship is with God--not each other.
As long as we walk in the light we are purified.
Romans 7:14-8:1--(8:2) Sound familiar?
Verses 8-10As long as we are in the light
the blood is active.
Romans 7-8--Paul is continuously cleaned (8:1).
God calls us to FAITHFULNESS not PERFECTION?Romans 7-8--Paul is continuously cleaned (8:1).
Galatians 5:4--Read Galatians
1:6--Deserting.
2 Peter 2--Read verses 10-11--"Brute beasts, despising God.
Hebrews 10:26--"deliberately keep on sinning."
Corinthians--remember our class. Who are these folks?
1 Timothy 4--"Some will abandon the Faith."
THE PROMISE OF 1 JOHN 5:13.2 Peter 2--Read verses 10-11--"Brute beasts, despising God.
Hebrews 10:26--"deliberately keep on sinning."
Corinthians--remember our class. Who are these folks?
1 Timothy 4--"Some will abandon the Faith."
"... that you may KNOW you have
eternal life ... ."
The alternative is in verse 10.
God does not want us to be insecure about our faith.
Christianity is a guilt relieving system.
GOD IS NOT LOOKING FOR A WAY TO
CONDEMN US.The alternative is in verse 10.
God does not want us to be insecure about our faith.
Christianity is a guilt relieving system.
2 Peter 3:9
BUT--verse 10--"The day of the Lord will come ... ."
If you want to be lost--you can be.
God does not force us to have a relationship with Him.
BUT--verse 10--"The day of the Lord will come ... ."
If you want to be lost--you can be.
God does not force us to have a relationship with Him.
A MOTHER'S TUG OF WAR
On a hot summer's day in Florida many years ago, a young boy decided to
take a swim in a pond behind his house. He ran into the pond and
started swimming toward the middle, not realizing that an alligator was
swimming toward him from the other shore. In the house, the boy's
mother saw what was happening and ran screaming from the house to get
her son to come back. Hearing her voice, the boy turned and swam
back toward his mother, but it was too late, and just as he reached the
shore the alligator reached him.From the dock, the mother grabbed her boy by the arms just as the alligator got his legs and an incredible tug of war began. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was too passionate to let go. The boy and his mother were being dragged an inch at a time into the deeper water. Finally a neighbor who heard the screaming came and rescued the mother and child. The little boy survived and was visited by a reporter from the local newspoaper. The reporter saw the terrible wounds on the boys legs from the alligator as the boy lifted his hospital gown to show them. Then with obvious pride the boy said to the reporter "But look at my arms. I have great scars there too, because my mom wouldn't let go." The reporter looked and saw deep scratches on the boys arms where the mother's fingernails and dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son that she loved.
As parents, we can identify with that mom and her little boy. The world is pulling on our children. The devil is trying to sink his teeth into them (1 Peter 5:8). We may feel like we are "scratching them" with our discipline and restrictions and they may not always understand why we are holding on so tight. We must continue to teach, pray, discipline, and show them the way (Proverbs 22:6; Matthew 16:26; Ephesians 6:4). The battle is too important to let go.
From the Tabernacle, NJ,
Bulletin