Woodland
Hills Church of Christ
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Sunday, April 23, 2006 Volume 50, Issue 15 WHAT REPENTANCE IS NOT Verses such as Luke 13:3 show the importance of repentance: "I tell you, Nay; but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." However, many people misunderstand the true meaning of repentance. Following are some things that people often confuse with this important commands. First, repentance is not CONVICTION of sins. For example, when Paul reasoned with Felix in Acts 24 about "righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled." Obviously he was somewhat convicted of his sinful state, but he refused to change. Instead, he said to Paul, "Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee." True repentance involves more than conviction of sin. Second, repentance is not CONFESSION of sin. Many people confess their sins yet never repent of them. Pharaoh is a sad example of such a person (Ex. 9:27-34). One needs to confess his sins, but this is not repentance. Third, repentance is not CONCERN for our sins. Second Corinthians 7:10 reveals two types of concern. The concern or sorrow for sin that leads to death described a person who is merely sorry he got caught. The one whose concern or sorrow leads to salvation is genuinely sorry for hurting God. But even though this sorrow "worketh repentance," it is not actual repentance. Fourth, repentance is not CHANGE IN CONDUCT. Matthew 3:8 proves this by saying, "Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance." This change in life or reformation is a "fruit" of repentance, but it is not repentance. It is possible for a person to change his life and never truly repent of his sins. All of the things just mentioned must be involved in true repentance, but they are NOT true repentance. A story found in Matthew 21:28-32 shows us what repentance is. "But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented and went." True repentance is a change of mind that is prompted by and leads to the things already mentioned. See You In Bible Class Sunday,
TAFT TALK YOUTH BOARD GIRLS DEVOTIONAL TEEN DEVOTIONAL Much Love,
FAMILY NEWS
OUR SICK/HOMEBOUND WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS THANK YOU I want to thank the Woodland Hills members for all the
love and caring shown to us the week of Mama’s death. My family and I are
so grateful for all the acts of kindness shown to us, the cards, calls,
visits, and so much food and especially the prayers. We love you all. You
are the best. OUR RECORD MEMORIALS MOVING VAN BRIDAL SHOWER SERVICE GROUP ASSIGNMENTS Services Group #3, please turn in your assignment cards from last week. FREEBIES Woodland Hills offers several FREEBIES to our members. Among them is Power For Today, Spiritual Sword, Heart to Heart, Reason & Revelation, and Church Growth. You will also find Bible Study materials for Sunday and Tuesday mornings, and Wednesday night. You will find the Tract Rack in the vestibule (on the right wall) as you come in the front door. Have you checked out Woodland Hills News bulletin board? There’s lot of information on the board, including our new Summer Series which starts July 14. AGAPE
Plan Now to Attend Our with guest speaker Theme: Saturday - 6:30 Singing / 7:00 Preaching Sunday - Regular Times
EDIFICATION Starting this week there will be an article in the bulletin each week, by the elders. We hope that we can inform and encourage the congregation in this way. From time to time when I am out going about my daily activities I come across some old friend that I have known in the past. As we talk the conversation usually will get around to them asking me how things are at Woodland Hills. It is hard to conceal my excitement about the way things are going. I tell them about our new preacher, Bobby O'Dell and what a fantastic preacher he is. I tell them about Taft Ayers and how great a job he is doing with the youth, going from a small number to about 35 to 40 young people. I tell them about how great our song service is with Dennis Sangster leading us. You can see how friendly and out going the congregation is from the time you enter the front doors, being greeted by James Dacus, Cathey Dandridge, Larry Knox and Jeff Cobb. Visitors are greeted and made to feel welcomed to our services. The tone of the service is set by the uplifting singing. We commune with each other with the Lord's Supper. Then we are feed with a very good and scriptural sermon. As we leave you can see the love and friendship we have for one another. We have a very positive attitude that will make people want to come back and be a part of this fellowship. Yes, I am excited and I can't help but tell others about the church here at Woodland Hills. For the Elders, Ronald Barker
GREAT TRUTHS FROM GOD'S WORD The Bible is God's Word. It is true from cover to cover. God's word is truth and only truth. "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." (John 17:17) God's great truths are for both time and eternity. Following are some great Bible truths that should help in our preparation for eternity. God is Real: The first words of the Bible speak of God. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1) Only a fool would say there is no God and only a fool would say no to God. "The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good." (Psalm 14:1.) The Bible is the inspired word of God: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17.) The Bible is simple, profound, beautiful, deep and powerful. It is truth and it will not pass away. (Matthew 24:35) Salvation is only through Jesus: Jesus came to save His people from sin. "And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21) His mission was that of seeking and saving the lost. (Luke 19:10) There is no other in whom salvation is found. "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) Though salvation is available through Jesus not all are saved: God desires the salvation of everyone. (1 Timothy 2:4) Even though God's desire is for all to come to repentance the majority of mankind is still lost. (Matthew 7:13-14) Only those that obey the gospel will be saved: God's vengeance will be taken on those who obey not the Gospel of Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:8-10) To obey the gospel one must hear God's word (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts 17:30), confess Christ as Lord (Acts 8:37), and be baptized to be saved (1 Peter 3:21) Have you obeyed the gospel? Are you faithful to God? If you died today would you go to heaven?
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