Woodland
Hills Church of Christ
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Sunday, August 6, 2006 Volume 50, Issue 30 SETTING PRIORITIES Christ showed the need for setting proper priorities when he said, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matt. 6:33) Since it is so easy to let ourselves put first things last and last things first, following are some guidelines from Philippians 3 to setting proper priorities. Rejoice in the right things. (vs. 1) One of these right things is being in a proper relationship with the Lord - - "in Christ." Another right thing is the proper reaction that comes from this relationship - - "rejoice." In an ungodly world which so often places priorities on the wrong things let us remember to "rejoice in the Lord!" Remember who is not on your side. (vs. 2) In Paul’s time, some Judaizers were teaching it was necessary to obey the old law. Paul called such teachers "evil workers" because they drew men away from the truth. If we are ever going to put Christ first in our lives we must "beware" of the enemies of truth. Realize what is true. (vs. 3) One of the way to put our priorities in order is to become well acquainted with what is true. Three of these important matters of truth are to; revere God in spirit, rejoice in Christ and remove our confidence in the flesh. Rely only on Christ (vs. 4-7) Here Paul shows that it is futile to trust in our physical greatness to provide us with salvation. If trusting in the flesh could have provided salvation for anyone it would have been Paul. He was of proper nationality - - "Israel." He came from a prominent family - - "tribe of Benjamin." He was proud religiously - - "a Pharisee." And he was prompt in his activity - - "zeal." However, as great as those things were in men’s eyes. Paul shows the proper priority by saying, "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ." (Phil. 3:7) Until we truly rely on Christ our priorities cannot be in the proper order. See You in Bible Class Sunday,
JOIN US FOR A THE PARABLES OF JESUS Week #9 - August 9th "The Lost Sheep" (See The Bulletin Board For More Details)
TAFT AYERS It feels great to be back home. After all of the traveling that we were able to do this summer, it became a great reality of how sweet your local church family can be. Our group was honored to do God’s work in many foreign places this summer and we have all been blessed by that. If you contributed in any way, we thank you for that. We had one baptism while we were away at camp. Matt Milligan is our new brother in Christ. It is amazing to see this young fella at work for God in his spiritual walk. Keep a look out for him and keep on encouraging our new brother in Christ! Please continue to pray for our youth. They have had a very busy summer and the transition back to school is always a physical, emotional, social and spiritual challenge. Much Love,
FAMILY NEWS OUR SICK/HOMEBOUND CRIB SHOWER ICE CREAM FELLOWSHIP SERVICE GROUP ASSIGNMENTS SERVICE GROUP FELLOWSHIP
SUNDAY EVENING TEEN PRESENTATION OF THEIR TRIP TO THE
HONDURAS
EDIFICATION What would you give for a second chance? This question may seem strange but how many times have you thought that you would do something different if you had a second chance. As we go through life we make the wrong decisions, say things that we should not say and do things we should not do. Then we say to ourselves that if I could do it all over again I would do it differently. We all know that hindsight is 20/20 and it is easy to see our mistakes after we have committed them than it is to before we commit them. Christ offers us a second chance if we will only take advantage of his offer. For the person lost in the darkness of this world Christ gives him his word to guide him along the pathway of life. When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12) To take advantage of Christ's second chance this person has to obey Christ's commands and live the Christian life. (Romans 6:2-4) For the person who has been obedient but has wandered away Christ offers him a second chance also. "Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first." (Rev. 2:4-5) What would you give for a second chance? Only you can answer that question. Don't wait until it is too late. For the Elders, Ron Barker
Separated Unto The Gospel Paul's letter to the Romans centers in the "Gospel of God". "Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord..." (Romans 1:1-5) Paul identifies himself as a "servant of Jesus Christ...separated unto the gospel of God." As he begins this great epistle he paused for a moment to emphasize the "gospel of God." Paul emphasized the PROMISES of the gospel. "Which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures." (Romans 1:2) The gospel was ancient from the standpoint of being given in "promise". The promise of eternal life in Christ was made before time began. "In the hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began." (Titus 1:2) The promises and prophecies of the Old Testament pointed to the gospel message of salvation through the sacrificial death of Jesus. Paul emphasized the PERSON of the gospel. "Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead." (Romans 1:3-4) It was to Jesus that the Old Testament prophecies and promise pointed. A good example of this is Isaiah 53. Philip began at that scripture and preached Jesus to the man from Ethiopia. (Acts 8:35) This person, Jesus, is "King of kings and Lord of lords." The power of the resurrection declared Him to be the Son of God. Paul emphasized the POWER of the gospel. "Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name." (Romans 1:5) It is through the gospel that God's grace is received. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) Saving grace results in obedient faith. The sinner must learn God's will and do it in order to enjoy salvation by the "gospel of God." The Christian is one yoked to Christ through obedient faith. Read Romans chapter one and be blessed as Paul introduces the "Gospel of God." "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." (Romans 1:16) Please obey the gospel to be freed from sin. Obedience includes a reenactment of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus in our baptism. (Romans 6:1-6; Romans 6:17-18)
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