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August 24, 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.
ANOTHER LOSS
We have sustained another tragic loss of another sister in Christ--Wanda Kirst. This one was more of a shock because it was so totally unexpected. It is interesting that the last discussion I had with Wanda was concerning my sermon on August 10 on “Off and On Salvation” in which we talked about the fact that salvation is not dependent on any circumstance by which we might die. She talked about the fact that she had always been bothered with the teaching she had heard about having to confess all sins and repent of all wrongs to the last second for God to accept us, and how glad she was to learn from God through 1 John 1:5-10 that it is walking in the light that we need to be concerned about, not luck or circumstance of how we might die. Let us all learn from Wanda on this point--life can be snatched away unexpectedly. We need to always be ready by walking in the light, and be confident that God saves us when we do that--not by any set of rules about how we react to daily life and mistakes. We will miss Wanda, but are thankful for her positive spirit and the lessons she continues to teach us.
FAMILY NEWS
POTLUCK--SEPTEMBER 7
AREA WIDE SINGING--HERE ON SEPTEMBER 14
LADIES APPRECIATION DINNER--OCTOBER 18
TODAY’S LESSON
SPIRITUAL ADOPTION
INTRODUCTION
Many of us here are adopted or have adopted children.
Biological children are not always planned, wanted--can lead to abuse and neglect.
We all belong to one of two spiritual fathers.
The name of Jesus--has salvation in it.
My kids had to be written in the county book.
Many times we feel inclined to give simplified answers to major questions in life. There is nothing wrong with this, but we need to realize that there may be follow-up questions that are more complex and difficult than the original questions. Sometimes there is no good explanation for what happens. This is not a problem that is peculiar to religion or atheism or politics, it is a problem that is peculiar to humanity. We also are sometimes skewed by our own personal situation in life. A good example is the story about the Sunday school teacher who was discussing the Ten Commandments with a group of 5 and 6 year olds. After explaining the commandment to “Honor thy father and thy mother” she asked for the children to give her a commandment that would teach us how to treat our brothers and sisters. Without missing a beat, one little boy answered “Thou shalt not kill.”
We have a lot of adults that have the same mindset. Conflict and abuse in the adult world is at an all time high--even among religious people. The notion of honoring one another seems to some to simply mean not to kill them. Jesus would have us love one another. Over and over Jesus referred to “A new commandment I give you--that you love one another” (1 John 2:8; John 15:12; etc.). Jesus did not tell us just to tolerate each other or to not kill each other, he called us to respect each other, look out for each other, share with each other, and look for the good in each other.
When we lose a part of our Church family as we have frequently in recent months, it should drive home to us how important it is to have a attitude of respect and love for each other.
SPIRITUAL ADOPTION
INTRODUCTION
Many of us here are adopted or have adopted children.
We have a special feeling about
adoption.
God shares in that spirit.
Romans 8:15
Galatians 4:4-7
Ephesians 1:5
Adopted children are loved, wanted, and needed.God shares in that spirit.
Romans 8:15
Galatians 4:4-7
Ephesians 1:5
Biological children are not always planned, wanted--can lead to abuse and neglect.
We all belong to one of two spiritual fathers.
You are a child of Satan unless
God adopts you.
Becoming a Christian means we are adopted by God.
We belong to the same family as Abraham, Isaac.
WHEN WE ARE ADOPTED WE GET A NEW
NAME Becoming a Christian means we are adopted by God.
We belong to the same family as Abraham, Isaac.
Jesus becomes our brother--Romans
8:17
You will not live with God if you are Satan’s child.The name of Jesus--has salvation in it.
Acts 4:12
2 Timothy 2:19
ALLEGIANCE CHANGES--A NEW SPIRIT
COMES2 Timothy 2:19
Family spirit and attitude become
a part of the child.
INHERITANCE CHANGES WITH ADOPTIONGalatians 4:6
Hebrews 12:2
Adoption can be rejected. Hebrews 12:2
Romans 8:17
Galatians 4:7
Freedom from slavery comes with adoption.
Slavery of Satan--drugs, abuse, crime, evil
ADOPTION MUST BE
LEGALIZED--RECOGNIZEDGalatians 4:7
Freedom from slavery comes with adoption.
Slavery of Satan--drugs, abuse, crime, evil
Slavery from greed, selfishness
My kids had to be written in the county book.
Revelation 20:12-15
Romans 6:17-18
There are illegal adoption agencies--baby mills.
Romans 6:17-18
There are illegal adoption agencies--baby mills.
Relativism is a false teaching.
There are not many paths to God.
There are not many paths to God.
GIVING OVERLY SIMPLE ANSWERS
A little girl was attending a wedding, and she had never done that
before so she had a lot of questions. After answering questions
about what a bride was and what a groom was, the girl asked her
mother why the bride was wearing white? The mother replied.
“White is pure happiness--it is pure and joyful and happy, because
today is the happiest day of her life.” The little girl thought
about this for a minute and then asked “Well then, why is the groom
wearing black?”Many times we feel inclined to give simplified answers to major questions in life. There is nothing wrong with this, but we need to realize that there may be follow-up questions that are more complex and difficult than the original questions. Sometimes there is no good explanation for what happens. This is not a problem that is peculiar to religion or atheism or politics, it is a problem that is peculiar to humanity. We also are sometimes skewed by our own personal situation in life. A good example is the story about the Sunday school teacher who was discussing the Ten Commandments with a group of 5 and 6 year olds. After explaining the commandment to “Honor thy father and thy mother” she asked for the children to give her a commandment that would teach us how to treat our brothers and sisters. Without missing a beat, one little boy answered “Thou shalt not kill.”
We have a lot of adults that have the same mindset. Conflict and abuse in the adult world is at an all time high--even among religious people. The notion of honoring one another seems to some to simply mean not to kill them. Jesus would have us love one another. Over and over Jesus referred to “A new commandment I give you--that you love one another” (1 John 2:8; John 15:12; etc.). Jesus did not tell us just to tolerate each other or to not kill each other, he called us to respect each other, look out for each other, share with each other, and look for the good in each other.
When we lose a part of our Church family as we have frequently in recent months, it should drive home to us how important it is to have a attitude of respect and love for each other.