Woodland
Hills Church of Christ
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Sunday, August 5, 2007 Volume 51, Issue 30 "CHURCHES" WITHIN THE CHURCH Everyone familiar with the Scriptures, and the pattern for New Testament unity, is aware that the Lord’s church was designed to be "one" (1 Cor. 1:10ff; 12:12ff; Eph. 4:1-6; Phil. 2:1ff). Clearly, this is the Father’s will. Tragically, however, this is not the case in fact. Within the broad scope of the churches of Christ we have many splintered groups. Some are identified by doctrinal peculiarities (e.g. "One cup," "no class," "non-institutional,"etc.). Others are not clearly distinguished, but exist nonetheless–dispersed throughout the brotherhood, and within many congregations. The Worldly Church First, there is the "worldly" church. This is that segment of our fellowship that identifies with us in "name," but not in practice. These want an affiliation with "Christianity," for they are fearful of being unbelievers. Yet they have never made the commitment of purity to Christ. They are the sexually promiscuous, the boozers, snorers, puffers, profane, revelers, and flesh-flaunters. These have but a pretense of godliness (2 Tim. 3:5). The Superficial Church Some must be identifies as members of the "superficial" church. In his parable of the sower (Matt. 13; Mk. 4; Luke 8), Christ spoke of those who "believed," but they could not produce because their "soil" was so shallow that the grain could not take root. In a similar category were the "thorny" disciples–those who had so many distractions they were virtually worthless to the cause of Christ. These are those who may not be overtly worldly, but just hang on by their fingernails to the bare bones of the body of Christ. Frequently they are "loose" doctrinally, not faithful in attendance, and too "strapped" to give into the treasury as Jesus requires. They are zealous for fleshly family members, but care little for association with Christians. They are addicted to sports. Shopping, and jobs. The church runs a distant last in their lives. The Pharisaical Church Then there is an element that can only be characterized as the "Pharisaical" church. This disposition is reflected by those who are "church of Christers." They want it known that they are members of the "Church of Christ"; They were "baptized by immersion" (is there any other way?) by a "Church of Christ preacher." Their folks were members of the church so they have the pedigree. In reality, however, their identity with the true church is more formal that factual. They are more Calvinistic than Christian, because they believe that as long as they have the "name’ connection with "the right church," it doesn’t make any difference how they live; they never can be lost! They will ‘argie’ ‘til blue in the face" a Christian can fall from grace, but their personal dedication is zero. They already haven fallen away; they just do not acknowledge it.The Modernistic Church The "modernistic" church is that elitist clique whose doctrinal ministers have matriculated through the hallowed halls of Harvard, Princeton, and the University of Skepticism. The clerics of this rarified atmosphere have taught their flocks that Moses did not author the Pentateuch, rather it was written by anonymous writers known by the code initials JEPD. There was not one Isaiah, but likely three men who went by that name, and Jesus Christ, poor fellow, did not know the difference, since he attributed all portions of the book simply to "Isaiah." The Gospel accounts were not authored by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, but by Q and other unknown contributors. Paul did not author some of the works ascribed to him, and Peter, too, is highly suspect. The Cultural Church The "cultural" church is that new elastic body that fashions itself into every fad that comes down the pike. While these begrudgingly accommodate the "traditionalists" with an old-fashioned Sunday service, the avant-grade group lustily belts out hot rhythm with praise teams and increasingly distant wounds of instrumental accompaniment leaking from the background. Teenyboppes clap, swing, and sway, while Don Rickles-like comics keep the flock rolling with laughter with their barbed jokes aimed at the church. "Let’s have fun, people!" The Contentious Church The "contentious" church makes its obnoxious presence felt wherever it can. This is the self-deputized church posse that monitors everything and everyone within its range of knowledge. If a church across the country has an internal problem, the bully boys quickly assess the situation, determine who is right and who is wrong, write up an analysis for the entire brotherhood, and "mark" everyone who does not come down on "their side" of the determination. These are the omniscient ones who comb through the brotherhood lecture programs and note the "heretics" who have been invited to participate. They then proceed to castigate every other brother on the program as "liberal"–because obviously they are in fellowship with "liberals." The only exceptions will be their own cronies–who themselves have been on a program with someone else, who have been on a program with someone who might have been on a program with someone who might have been to the "right" or "left" of their standard. If all followed this procedure, could anyone ever avoid being "tainted?" Quite frankly, a portion of the brotherhood is in a real mess. And it will not get better until deeply spiritual brethren, seasoned with some common sense, work at it. The Spiritual Church Is the Lord’s church really in such a disastrous shape? To borrow a biblical expression, there yet are 7,000 precious souls "who have not bowed the knee to Baal" (Rom. 11:4). There are godly men and women who love Christ and who respect the authority of his word. They are faithful and dedicated servants who sacrifice for his cause, teach his truth, and have heaven as their goal. They are detoured by none of the weaknesses previously described. God’s kingdom will stand forever (Dan. 2:44). There always will be the faithful remnant (Rom. 11:5). There is a core of youth who are intelligent, courageous, and deeply spiritual. It is not a day for dire pessimism. The factions described above will wither away in their own indifference and egocentric self-interest, and the cause of Christ will triumph. "Words From the Master"
TAFT TALK UPDATE: We had a great week at camp. Our group that went got along very well and also did an awesome job helping lead public worship, conducting personal Bible studies, getting to know other folks from other places, and showing Christ to others for the 6 days that we were there. We need to mention Stan Butt Jr. and the Chapel Hill church because they did an excellent job putting on the Marshall Co. Bible camp again this year. Outreach University Devotional September Dates to Remember Much Love,
FAMILY NEWS OUR SICK/HOMEBOUNDPrimacy Health Care: Margaret Riley 200A (6025 E. Primacy Parkway, Memphis, 38119). At Home: Shantell Suttle (1677 Bridle Glen Ln., Cordova 38016) Ray Michael (9453 Owl Hill Dr.,Lakeland, TN 38002) Jane & Janice Nolen (7820 Walking Horse Circle, # 205, Germantown, 38138) Mary Evelyn King (4630 Blanding Ave. Memphis 38118) Edd Marie Agnew (4397 Truman Ave., Memphis 38108) Mary Glenn (950 Cherry Rd., #108, Memphis, 38117) Friends/Relatives: Melanie Beatty (7711 Sunny Trails Dr., Memphis, 38135) William Wilson (3323 Coleman Ave., Memphis, 38122) Edwin Hill (5458 Glenbriar Dr., Memphis, 38119) LaRae Nichols (710 Walnut Bend Rd., Cordova, 38018) June Belew (5746 Alexander Ln. Southaven, MS 38671) Clara Wilson (3323 Coleman Ave., Memphis 38122), James Wilson’s mother) Evelyn Coleman (335 Fisherville Rd., Collierville, 38017) 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) Margaret Riley (RM. 200-A, 6025 E. Primacy Pkwy, 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 Cove, Counce, TN 38326) Walter Barfield (302 Brentwood Blvd., Lafayette, LA 70503) Imogene Patchell (Cabot, AR, seriously ill, mother of Pat Patchell) 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 BABY BOY SHOWER SUMMER SERIES MEMORIAL THANK YOU CHRISTMAS TRIP TO NY SERVICE GROUP Service Group #4, please turn your in assignment cards from last week.
AUGUST SERVICE PROJECT BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLIES August is the time when everyone starts thinking about "Back to School" shopping. Are you aware that several children in the Memphis area show up for that first day of school without basic schools supplies such as pencils and paper? Often, the teachers have to purchase supplies with money from their own pockets to help these students. For the month of August, we want to focus our service project on helping to provide some low income students with the basic school supplies needed to get their school year started off great! We have tried to identify Woodland Hills members who teach in public school located in low income communities. Our goal is to "sponsor" their classroom by providing school supplies for their students. Currently, our list of classrooms is as follows: Kerry Mitchell’s 1st grade class at Sherwood Elementary LaVerne Baxter’s 2nd grade class at Delano Elementary Judy Kilmer’s 3rd grade class at Hickory Ridge Elementary This list of classrooms may grow! If you teach in a low income community and would like to be added to the list, please let us know! Donna Mars is coordinating the August service project. You may contact her by e-mail at Donna.Mars@bchs.edu. As you shop for your child’s back to school supplies, grab a few extra items for our project. A list of needed supplies along with collection boxes will be placed in the lobby soon. If you would like to donate money toward the project, we have identified volunteer shoppers. Our goal is to have the supplies ready for distribution by the start of the school year in mid-August. We may be starting off small this year but it will have a huge impact on the students we help!
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