|
|
|
Sunday, August 26, 2007 Volume 51, Issue 33 It Does Make a Difference Some things in life do not make a difference. It makes no difference whether you drink Coke or Pepsi. It makes no difference whether you drive a Ford or Chevy. It makes no difference whether your favorite color is blue or green. These things and many like them are insignificant, and they really do not matter. There are some things however, that really do matter. Concerning these things it makes an eternal difference. It makes an eternal difference as to what one believes about the Bible. God inspired the Bible. (II Timothy 3:16-17) God gave us His book and holds us responsible for learning the truth. (Acts 17:11; John 8:32) One book is not as good as another is. The Bible alone is the inspired word of God. It does make a difference what one believes about the Bible. It makes an eternal difference as to what one believes about God. One is a fool who denies 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) To us there is but one God! "For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live." (I Corinthians 8:5-6) Without faith in God it is impossible to please Him. (Hebrews 11:6) A lack of trust in God leads to disobedience. It does make a difference what one believes about God. It makes an eternal difference as to what one believes about the church. Jesus built His church. (Matthew 16:18) Since that time man has built many others, even the church of Satan. The saved are added to the "one church" and Christ is Savior of that church. (Acts 2:47; Ephesians 5:23) Jesus promised to build His church and He kept that promise. "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18) It does make a difference what one believes about the church. The Devil has us if He can convince us that it makes no difference what we believe about the things above or about worship, Christianity versus world religions, living right, how to be saved, or what the church should be like. He tries to use his deceptive powers to convince is that itt really doesn't matter what we believe. But, the Devil is wrong and we will be also if we follow Him. What we believe does make an eternal difference.
Marriage Retreat
Special Guest Speaker will be Roy Sharp The cost is about $100 per couple For more information see Bobby O'Dell
FAMILY NEWS OUR SICK/HOMEBOUNDPrimacy Health Care: Margaret Riley 200-A At Home: Shantell Suttle, Ray Michael, Debra Knight, Jane & Janice Nolen, Mary Evelyn King, Edd Marie Agnew, Mary Glenn, Mal Mauney Friends/Relatives: Melanie Beatty, William Wilson , Edwin Hill, LaRae Nichols, June Belew, Clara Wilson, Evelyn Coleman, Jennifer Jones (Olive Branch, MS, daughter of Ernest & Ann Embrey), Carol Gardener (cancer, friend of Kathy Betty) Nursing/Assisted Living: Clemmie Allison (402 Getwell Rd., Senatobia, MS 38668), Alton Brown (3535 Kirby Pines, RM 178-A, Memphis, 38115), Essie Brown (3345 Kirby Whitten Rd., #77, Bartlett, 38134), Mary Mullinaux (955 N. Germantown Pkwy, RM 614-B, Cordova, 38018), Ernestine Barron (6025 Primacy Pkwy, RM 612-A, Memphis, 38119) Out-of-Town: Marvin Adams (2510 Marshall, Abilene, TX 79605, father of Janet Johnson), Albert Eder (9937 Hidden Lake Rd., Vancleave, MS 39566), Virginia Baxter (1380 S. Main St., Covington, TN 38019), Mary Billingsley (1143 Shell Harbor Rd., Pierson, FL 32180), Bobbie Ann Ridgeway (905 Hawthorne Dr. NE, Lenoir, NC 28645), John Logan (91 East Wood Dr., Munford TN 38058), Teresa Thomas (40 Morning Glory Cv., Counce, TN 38326), Walter Barfield (302 Brentwood Blvd., Lafayette, LA 70503), Chris Sangster (24231 Baxter Dr., Malibu, CA, 90265. Please pray for him. He carries a "Prayer Beeper". If you would like him to know you are praying for him call 310-845-7632, after you hear 3 beeps, put in your area code, your phone number, then hit the "#" key) WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS OUR RECORD SYMPATHY We also extend our sympathy to Randy Medlin in the death of his father, Dewey Medlin. Fall Quarter Class Room Sunday Teachers Wednesday, September 5 - November 28, 2007 Class Room Wednesday Teachers We Need Volunteer Substitute Teachers THANK YOU SUMMER SERIES SERVICE GROUP
TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE CLASS Make sure to pick up your book in the foyer!
A FIERY SERMON A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the minister decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening. The minister found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for the minister’s visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited. The minister made himself at home, but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the minister took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember’s flame flicked and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then it’s fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead. Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The minister glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it. As the minister reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek: "Thank you so much for your visit, and especially for the fiery sermon. I will be back in church next Sunday." Main Street Monitor
|