Woodland
Hills Church of Christ
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Sunday, September 3, 2006 Volume 50, Issue 34 PAUL’S CONVERSION There are so many blessings in this life that it would be impossible to count them all "one by one." However, of all the blessings we enjoy, one should stand out in our minds above the rest - - the forgiveness of sins. One man who never forgot to thank God for this gift of all gifts was Paul. Time and again we read of Paul, praising God for His forgiveness. First Timothy 1:12-17 is one of those times when Paul drops to his apostolic knees to thank God for His precious pardon. First, Paul speaks of his PRESENT STATUS (vs.12). He was thankful because: (1) God’s power "enabled him. (2) God’s perception "counted" him faithful. (3) And, by God’s permission Paul was placed "into the ministry." We, like Paul, must thank God; realizing that everything we are is because of God’s grace. Second, Paul speaks of his PAST SITUATION (vs. 13-14). Two great extremes characterized Paul’s past. First, his past was one of corruption: "Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious." Thankfully however, Paul’s past became one of conversion: "But I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Jesus Christ." We, like Paul, must be humble and thankful when we consider where we were before conversion. Third, Paul speaks of his PATTERN OF SALVATION (vs. 15-16). At least two great lessons are learned from Paul’s conversion. First, Jesus Christ can forgive even the worse sinner: "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief." Second, Jesus Christ is forbearing as he waits on the sinner: Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting." (1 Tim.1:16) We, like Paul, must be thankful that God will forgive any sinner any time he truly repents. Fourth, Paul shows his PRAISE OF THE SAVIOR (vs. 17). Paul does at least two things in thanking God for His overwhelming goodness. First, Paul gives the details of God’s power: "Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God." Second, Paul gives a description of his praise: "Honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen." May we, like Paul never forget to thank our great God for saving our souls. See You in Bible Class Sunday,
TAFT AYERS R.U.S.H. We will be heading to Freed Hardeman for this weekend on September 15th. We are set to return on September 17th from this event. The price will be $35 and you need to sign up on my office door by the 8th of September. CHILI BOWL 6 I say this each year, but I cannot believe that this is the sixth year for this annual event. It is going to be a great weekend of fun, fellowship and football for everyone that can attend. We will be going on Friday night for a devotional, followed by a Jacob Evans show. On Saturday, there are classes, speakers, flag football, and of course....CHILI. We will also be worshipping at the Rosemark congregation on Sunday morning for the concluding service and the potluck meal afterwards. There is no cost at all for this weekend. Make sure that you sign up on my office door. There is no deadline for this event, it would just help us out very much if we could get an idea of how many we will be carrying. WHITE WATER RAFTING Our excursion to the Ocoee river is approaching yet again. We will be leaving for this trip on Saturday morning, the 30th of September. We will return on Sunday night, the 1st of October right before our PM services. This year we will be making the trip with Rosemark, North Jackson and Quail Ridge. Check the youth board for details about this trip. Much Love,
FAMILY NEWS
OUR SICK/HOMEBOUND
WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS
SYMPATHY
MEMORIALS In memory of Dr. John Wicker is a gift from Martha Ryles Hays.
"Believe It Or Not"
THANK YOU ADULT CLASSES-FALL QUARTER
CHILDREN’S CLASSES FALL QUARTER
BRIDAL SHOWER BRIDAL SHOWER OUR RECORD
TENNESSEE CHILDREN’S HOME
FALL FOOD & SUPPLY DRIVE
EDIFICATION Elders are to have a good reputation with people of the world (1 Timothy 3:6-7). To have a good reputation he must live a Christian life at all times. It may only take one moment of indiscretion to ruin one’s reputation. This command is not placed only on the elders, but all Christians should watch what they do at all times - whether in Christian fellowship or out in everyday life. We have a responsibility to Christ to live a Christian life at all times so people can see Christ in us. Christ is the light of the world and we are to reflect that light (John 8:12, Ephesians 5:8). Being a Christian is what you are, not just a set of rules that you follow. The Christian should not make the mistake that the Old Testament Jews were guilty of - just following laws for law’s sake, and missing the spirit of the commands. We are to joyfully submit to the Christian life. Jesus promised us that His yoke is easy and his burden is light (Matthew 11:30). When we are truly converted we have in us the desire to become more like Christ until Christ is truly reflected in our lives. Then this life becomes what we are, not just a set of rules to grudgingly follow. People can see this in us as a result of the influence that Christ has on us. Things that we did in the past and places we previously went to now become uncomfortable to us. We turn from these, not just because we have rules that forbid them, but also because we have no desire to do them any more. Our desire now is to serve Christ in obedience to him. We feel comfortable around fellow Christians and desire to fellowship and worship with them. Our life has changed, we have become more like Christ. Let me encourage each one of us to study (2 Timothy 2:15), attend worship services at every opportunity we have (Hebrews 10:25, and serve Christ daily (Romans 12:1). The reward for living the Christian life is heaven. The reward for not living the Christian life is unthinkable. For the Elders, Ron Barker
Does Your Love For God Affect Your Life? Imagine a life where the only worry you have about telling lies is whether or not anyone will find out. A life where just anything is a valid reason to forsake the assembly. A life where your only concern about missing worship services is figuring out a believable excuse to tell the preacher. Imagine a life in which you give little or none of what you earn back to the Lord, and what you do give goes into the plate reluctantly. A life where your decisions are not affected by your relationship with God. What did David mean when he wrote: "With my whole heart I seek you" (Ps 119:10)? The Lord has asked some difficult things of His children. "Love your enemies" (Mt 5:44), forgive endlessly (Mt 18:21-22), give with a cheerful heart (II Cor 9:7). Some of these commands don’t come naturally to us as humans. So what is our motivation to do them? LOVE! Think of anything that you don’t like doing…then imagine that it needed to be done for someone you love. When we grow to love the Lord wholeheartedly, none of his commands will seem grievous, even when they’re not easy. John wrote, "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome" (I Jn 5:3). His commands are not burdensome? This is not because they are not difficult, but when we love Him, we will not dread obeying Him. Now, imagine a life in which you don’t fret over whether to miss services for an all-star game. A life where you wouldn’t be in a dilemma when acquaintances invite you to participate in a worldly activity that is not becoming of a Christian. A life in which you aren’t torn between Wednesday night Bible study and the American Idol finale, and the super bowl doesn’t come close to having the appeal of assembling with God’s faithful on a Sunday night. A life where your thoughts are filled with dreams of heaven, and your desires are continually for pleasing God where your words are pure and you are the same godly person wherever you go. Is this your life? Does your whole heart belong to the Almighty God?
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