Woodland
Hills Church of Christ
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Sunday, May 6, 2007 Volume 51, Issue 17 Mark Your Calendars
May 18th - 20th
HOMOSEXUAL RIGHTS Homosexuality is a theme that permeates every facet of our society. The debate regarding this behavior extends to our nation's government, educational system, entertainment, homes and religious groups. Unfortunately, while the homosexual community marches to advance their rights, many who should be standing for the home as God would have it have instead turned a blind eye to the current crisis. Let us briefly consider homosexual rights from a Biblical perspective. First, homosexuals have the right...to know the DAMAGE brought on by their lifestyle. The destruction that a homosexual brings upon himself is three-fold. For one thing, homosexuality damages INTERNALLY. Repeated studies have shown that practicing homosexuality drastically reduces one's life expectancy. The disastrous toll that homosexuality has had on the health of those who practice such is truly staggering. Homosexuality also damages EXTERNALLY. Many lives have been ruined because they innocently contracted the AIDS virus as a result of someone else's decision to practice homosexuality. Adults have unknowingly received tainted blood donated by infected homosexuals. Children have been born with this terrible disease because their parents were involved with the homosexual community. Countless lives have been ruined because someone decided to sow to the flesh (Galatians 6:7-8). Homosexuality will also damage ETERNALLY. Paul makes the eternal consequences of homosexuality very clear in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 when he wrote, "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." The Bible is clear about the fact that when someone rejects God they open themselves to all manner of wickedness (Romans 1:25-28). And Jude 7 lets us know the eternal fate of those who committed such sins in Sodom and Gomorrah when it says they are still "suffering the vengeance of eternal fire." Second, homosexuals have the right...to know the DEPTH of God's love for them. The love of God is not limited to those who agree with us on these moral issues. God's love is extended to all men no matter what sins they may have committed. Homosexuals need to understand that "God commandeth his loved toward us, in what, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) Even when we are in rebellion against God's will He is still "longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9) No matter what one's background or previous transgressions, God "will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:4) Third, homosexuals have the right...to know the DELIVERANCE that is available for their souls. As noted earlier, there is no doubt that one cannot inherit the kingdom of God if they are currently practicing the sin of homosexuality (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). However, there is tremendously good news in the very next verse when Paul continues by saying, "And such were some of you; but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Corinthians 6:11) There were members of the Corinthian church who had been saved from many sins - even the sin of homosexuality. The Bible plan for washing away any and all sins is very plain. One must believe that Jesus is the Son of God (John 8:24), repent of their sins (Luke 13:3), confess their faith in Christ (Romans 10:9-10) and be baptized (Acts 2:38). Eternal salvation for the soul is available to any that is willing to obey (Hebrews 5:9). Fourth, homosexuals have the right...to know the DECENCY of God's people toward them. The saying "love the sinner and hate the sin" is a very true principle from the Bible. As God's children we must "hate every false way" (Psalms 119:128), while at the same time maintaining a love for every lost soul (Matthew 22:39). It is not too much for the world to expect Christians to act like Christians toward them. Some who claim to be religious have at times shown a mean spirited attitude toward those in the homosexual community. The one who manifests such hatred becomes just as guilty before God as the homosexual. Let us always be sure to show others the transforming power of Christ's love. The Bible has spoken clearly on the sin of homosexuality in both the Old and New Testaments (Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:26-28). God's design for the home has always been one man and one woman lawfully united in the marriage bond (Genesis 2:24). May we always seek the will of God in every way so that we might reap the blessings of God both now and eternally. See you in Bible class Sunday,
FAMILY NEWS OUR SICK/HOMEBOUND WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS OUR RECORD BAPTISM SPECIAL PRAYERS SERVICE GROUPS THANK YOU To God be the glory...for now she is without pain or disappointment...but filled with the joy and love we all seek to share. May this Spring revive your spirits and may each of you rejoice in the
promise of life eternal.
UNDERSTANDING AND ACTING In my little over three score years upon this earth, understanding has always been something for which one strived. Many in this life possess much understanding or wisdom and seemingly do nothing constructive with it. Others, seek diligently, yet possess not the necessary knowledge or tools to acquire. This could apply in either the physical or spiritual realm. From a spiritual standpoint, we are to seek by study of God’s holy word an understanding that will be pleasing to the Heavenly Father. Understanding God’s will is being "about our Father’s business" while upon this earth (Luke 2:49. "Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is," Ephesian 5:17. A Christian is not to close his eyes and ears to the truth. If so, it is very unwise. "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart," Matthew 13:19. So you see, the word must be considered and pondered, lest the devil comes and takes away the truth! Looking further in this passage of scripture, we find in verse 23 that, "He who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understand it, who indeed bears fruit and produces..." The wise person seeks to understand what the will of the Lord is, and then endeavors to do it. We are told in Job 28:28, "Behold, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding." And from Proverbs 9:10, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." The will of the Lord is the great rule of the Christian life; to know and in the deeper sense understand it is to walk wisely and to walk surely. Now as we grow and understand the will of God, we are to act! "By this time you ought to be teachers," Hebrews 5:12. We all know those who desperately need spiritual assistance. Some are old, sickly, vane, vulgar, complain of financial woes, problems with their children...the list does on. However, those who are ignorant of the saving Christ are those in the worse condition. We must tell them "the good news" of a risen Savior! "Lead me to some soul today, Oh teach me Lord just what to say. Friends of mine are lost in sin and cannot find their way. Few there are who seem to care, and few there are who pray. Melt my heart and fill my soul, give me one soul today." "And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filed with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." Philippians 1:9-11. Bulletin Digest Charles D. Beebe
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