Woodland
Hills Church of Christ
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Sunday, March 18, 2007 Volume 51, Issue 10 You Are Invited..... LADIES DAY Guest Speaker: Sheila Butt Registration begins at 8:30 am.
A DEEPER LOOK AT CHRISTIANITY It is easy to talk Christianity, but God expects more. God expects action; Christian living. Christians must take a deeper look at Christianity and come to understand the things involved in godly living. Observe the following: Take a deeper look at the works of darkness: Christians are to "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light." (Ephesians 5:11-13) Christians must not practice, condone or defend works of darkness. They must actively oppose those evil things. This is done through reproof of those things, avoiding involvement in them, refusing to consider their practice and taking no pleasure in the doing of them. Christians must cause God's light to shine because the light makes manifest (known) works of darkness. Take a deeper look at spiritual sleep: We must be careful not to sleep spiritually. "Therefore He says: Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light." (Ephesians 5:14) Those who sleep spiritually need to awaken. Those that are spiritually dead need to arise to real life. Every Christian must receive the light of Christ. God's purpose is to awaken man from spiritual death caused by sin to eternal life brought through Jesus Christ. Those that turn sinners from their ways are imitating God. Let is go forth to awaken those who are spiritually sleeping and dead. Take a deeper look at the wise walk: The challenge for Christians is, "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise." (Ephesians 5:15) Some foolishly walk in sin. Others walk wisely. The life of those who would turn other to the light must be a godly life. It does no good and, in fact, does much harm for the unfaithful member of the church to try to defend Christ or His kingdom. To "walk circumspectly" is to walk in the right way; God's way. Take a deeper look at time and your use of it: "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:16) One preventative for sin and wrong doing is to fill your time with good things. Brethren, do good while it is in your hands to be able to do so. The time of opportunity passes quickly. Let us double our efforts to make wise use of our time in serving others and in evangelism. Their days were evil because of great persecution. Our days are evil because of much sin. What are you doing with your time? Take a deeper look at the will of the Lord: "Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is." (Ephesians 5:17) Christians should allow nothing, not even hard times, to make them ignorant of their duty to God. Nothing should cause us to neglect our souls. Knowing God's will and doing it under every circumstance of life is true wisdom. It is our duty to do more than just talk. We must LIVE the Christian life. To become a Christian you must hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts 2:38), confess Christ as Lord (Acts 8:37), and be baptized to be saved (Mark 16:16). A deeper look at the matter shows us that Christians must be wise enough to do the will of God! By Charles Box
FAMILY NEWS OUR SICK/HOMEBOUNDBaptist East: Earl Shipman 4402 Woodland Hills Family: Graydon Tines, Judy Kilmer, Mary Evelyn King, Edd Marie Agnew, Mary Glenn Friends/Relatives: June Belew, Evelyn Coleman, Dot Holmquist, Marilee Miller, Melanie Beatty, William Wilson, Edwin Hill, Joy Keough, Eleanor Daugherty, Evelyn Seward (mother of Bill Seward) Nursing/Assisted Living: Clemmie Allison, Alton Brown, Essie Brown, Mary Mullinaux, Ernestine Barron, Rozella Allgood Out-of-Town: Teresa Thomas (Counce, TN), Mary Billingsley (Pierson, FL), Chris Sangster (Malibu, CA), Bobbie Ann Ridgeway (Lenoir, NC), Juanita Hale (KY, aunt of Carla Maxwell), Bonita Adams (mother of Janet Johnson), Virginia Baxter (Covington, TN), John Logan (brother-in-law of Don Bennett, is seriously ill with cancer, Atoka, TN), Martha Hardy (Brownsville, TN, mother of a co-worker of Denny Thomas) WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS MEMORIALS MOTHER-DAUGHTER TEA SYMPATHY OUR RECORD NEW MEMBERS SERVICE GROUPS Service Group #2 please turn in your assignment cards for last week. LADIES DAY
It Starts In The Parking Lot I recently read an interview with Andy Stanley, a minister in North Atlanta, Georgia, who preaches to about 5,000 people each Sunday. At one point the interviewer asked him, "Is your sermon the pivotal event in the service?" Stanley's response was very perceptive. He said, "I often tell our people, the sermon starts in the parking lot, you are the introduction." He believes that if the congregation has not made a positive impression on the visitor before he stand up to speak, the visitor is probably not going to hear a thing the preacher says. Stanley's observation reminds us how important those minutes are between the time we park our cars and we pick up our songbooks. Though our minds may be consumed with the hassle of getting ready for church (this is multiplied by 10,000 if you have children), the way we meet and greet our visitors is actually part of the message (a big part) that they will hear that day. With this in mind, the following are a few ways we can work together to improve our sermon introductions: (1) Starting in the parking lot, be on the look for unfamiliar faces. (2) Take the initiative to speak to people you do not know and welcome them. (3) If they have children, ask them if they can use some help in finding a Bible class. (4) As you enter the building together, introduce your new friends to some other people you know. I am convinced that it only takes one person to make the difference between "this is the coldest, most unfriendly church I have ever visited," and "this is the warmest, most caring place that I have ever walked into in my life."
Bruce McLarty
Ready...Aim... I have never been a master at shooting a bow and arrow. We used to have archery recreation at church camp when I was younger. I remember that you would be instructed to hold the bow and arrow just right, pull back, aim, and then let go. It sounds simple, but it was very difficult to hit the target, even after you were trained. To make the most of your life, you have to know where you are going. You must have goals, direction, and be aimed. "Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you" (Proverbs 4:25). Our first effort must be to seek the Lord's guidance. Are the goals you are setting in God's will for you? Have you put prayerful consideration into your goals? "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6). Our father is the One who enables, empowers, and equips us to follow our goals. We can't aim into the shadows and expect to hit our target. We must put forth a zealous effort to plan our steps and proceed in our goals. Robert Browning said, "'Tis not what man does which exalts him, but what man would do...your reach must exceed your grasp. Otherwise, what are the heavens for?" As we aim toward our goals, we must consider what we want to accomplish. It's okay to plan big. We also have to look at the roadblocks and obstacles that must be overcome before the goal can be achieved. Determining strengths and assets, as well as reward and benefits, will help you remain focused and on course. To build, grow and thrive is the essence of faith and wisdom. "Therefore everyone who heard these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock" (Matthew 7:24). When we aim carefully at our target we will be more likely to hit it. If we don't have direction, talents can fade away. Remember what Emerson said, "Hitch your wagon to a star!"
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