September 21, 2008

Sunday 10:00am WLEX TV Channel 18
It is requested that all children under the age of five stay in our nursery
so there will be no distractions during the preaching of the Gospel.


HYMN OF THE DAY
Thou, whose almighty word
Chaos and darkness heard
And took their flight
Hear us, we humbly pray
And in this Gospel day
Shine forth Thy glorious Ray
Let there be light.

Thou, bless’d Incarnate Word
Gird on Thy mighty sword
Conquer Thy foes
Fullness of grace Divine
Subdue this heart of mine
And may Thy glory shine
Let there be light.

Spirit of truth and love
Life-giving, Holy Dove
Speed forth Thy flight
Shine on the chosen20race
By Thine almighty grace
Dispel the dark of night
Let there be light.

(Tune: “Come, Thou Almighty King” p. 6)

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Daniel Parks will bring the message tonight.

We extend sincere sympathy to Tom Wooten and his family on the recent death of his sister.

Birthdays
23rd – Christian Warta 25th – Daniel Weinstock
26th – Amanda Holthaus ; 27th – Ryleigh DuFour
“The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.” - Proverb 19:11


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NOBLE-MINDEDNESS
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” -Acts 17:11
When Luke says the Bereans were “more noble than those in Thessalonica”, the word is literally “more noble minded”. How so? Luke tells us, “they received the word with all readiness of mind.” They did not go to the word to find proof text for what they already believed. Thy went to the word to be taught what to believe. What the word said, they received! And while listening to Paul and Silas preach, they “searched the scriptures daily, whether these things were so.” They believed only what the Scriptures said to be so.
To be noble-minded, we have to be open-minded to all God says in His word, and close-minded to all that is not taught in the word of God. Noble-mindedness is a sanctified combination of open-mindedness and closed-mindedness. Truly, noble is the man who is open to all God says, and closed to anything He does not say.


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“Study to be quiet” – I Thessalonians 4:11
The word “study” means…..make it your aim: make it your ambition. This is something the believer is commanded to pursue! Make it your ambition….to be quiet? Yes, that is the command of the text. This word is also translated “hold your peace.” What a blessing it would be to ourselves and to others if we would learn when not to speak. Most of the problems I have had in my life have been the product of me saying something when I would have been far wiser to be quiet. The word quiet is also translated “rest”. It is a peace that arises from within. Really believing God is on the throne, really believing that Christ is all that is needed for salvation - the quiet soul enjoys rest and this is something for every believer to pursue after and strive for. “Study to be quiet.”

Paul the Apostle said, “Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel: not with wisdom of words, less the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” We do not want to be offensive in our presentation of the Gospel. However, if we try and present the Gospel in a way that we think will make it e asier to swallow, and more appealing to the flesh, all we do is nullify its power. We do not need to use wisdom of words to dress it up in such a way that makes it smoother and easier for men to receive nor do we need to use language that tones down the stark reality of what the Gospel says. We do not apologize for the Gospel. We preach it in its naked simplicity, trusting God to take care of all the results! Paul said, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ ,for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.”

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CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME
“Let them first learn to show piety at home.” I Timothy 5:4
This was the direction of Paul to those who had parents who were unable to take care of themselves. He was saying don’t expect the church to take care of them. You take care of them. And he went on to say that taking care of your parents is “good and acceptable before God.” True piety (reverence for God) is demonstrated by how I treat my parents, spouse, and children. If I do not first learn to show piety at home, my piety is merely a show, and not the product of the grace of God. Truly, charity begins at home!

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God is a God of Truth and a God of Love. Not of one more than the other, not of one against the other, and not of one at the expense of the other. Wherever the Truth is, Love is; and wherever Love is, Truth will be also. The Apostle commands us to speak the truth in love, but he does say emphatically to speak the truth! Where the truth is not spoken, all outward manifestations that appear as love are but a sham.
- Copied

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I was reading of a good woman who, being on her death-bed, was asked whether she wished to live or die? “I desire,” she said, “to have no wish about the matter; except it be, that the Lord may perform His own will.” “But,” replied the person, “which would you choose if the Lord was to refer it to yourself?” “Why truly,” rejoined she, “I should in that case beg leave to refer it back to Him again!”
; -Agustus Toplady