Woodland
Hills Church of Christ
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Sunday, September 23, 2007 Volume 51, Issue 37 Necessity of the Cross In the book of Romans Paul shows the necessity of the cross. He establishes the following truths: (1) the gospel is God's power unto salvation (Romans 1:16), (2) the need for salvation is universal (Romans 3:10), (3) salvation is by the blood of Jesus (Romans 3:25), (4) both Jew and Gentile need the cross (Romans 3:29), and (5) Christ died that He might be "Lord." "...For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living." (Romans 14:8-9) "But God demonstrates How own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Must more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation." Romans 5:8-11 is a profound section of scripture dealing with the cross. It shows that the cross is the: Manifestation of God's love: That God demonstrated His love for man is best seen as Jesus dies as a sacrifice for sin. (Hebrews 2:9) Jesus' substituting death for our sins is the greatest fact of history. Nothing shows God's love, good will or benevolence for mankind more than the cross. Means of justification: Paul powerfully states that we are justified by Christ's blood. (Romans 5:9) The only ground for man's justification is Jesus' death. "Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins." (Acts 13:38) Jesus knew no sin by He was made sin on our behalf that we might have God's righteousness. (2 Corinthians 5:21) Because of the cross God can be just and the justifier of those who have faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:26) Motivation for reconciliation: Reconciliation to God is through the death of Jesus. (Romans 5:10) Sin separates man from God. (Isaiah 59:1-2) Man is returned to God's favor through the cross of Christ. Because of the cross Christians can cry out to a lost world, "be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:20) Repentance and baptism are man's response to God's offer of salvation by the blood of Christ. (Acts 2:36-38) Do you see God's love at the cross? Do you recognize the cross as the only means of justification? Have you been motivated by the cross to be reconciled to God? If the cross will not move you, nothing will!
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/HOMEBOUND (Please help us keep up-to-date our sick/homebound list so we do not leave anyone off) WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS (We have an attended nursery during the morning and evening services on Sunday, and for Bible classes on Sunday morning and Wednesday night. OUR RECORD SYMPATHY We extend our sympathy to his family. COMMUNITY WALK CAN YOU HELP? REMEMBER IN PRAYER RESPONSE FLU SHOTS
DEACONS MINISTRY FAIR We encourage everyone to attend the Deacons Ministry Fair. This is an excellent opportunity to meet our new deacons. Please bring Finger Foods: chips, dips, sandwiches, desserts, etc.
SHIRLEY GOODNEST AND MARCY A Mom was concerned about her kindergarten son walking to school. He didn’t want his mother to walk with him. She wanted to give him the feeling that he had some independence but yet know that he was safe. So she had an idea of how to handle it. She asked a neighbor if she would please follow him to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, so he probably wouldn’t notice her. The neighbor said that since she was up early with her toddler anyway, it would be a good way for them to get some exercise as well, so she agreed. The next school day, the neighbor and her little girl set out following behind Timmy as he walked to school with another neighbor boy he knew. She did this for the whole week. As the boys walked and chatted, kicking stones and twigs, Timmy’s little friend noticed the same lady was following as she seemed to do every day of the week. Finally he said to Timmy, "Have you noticed that lady following us to school all week? Do you know her?" Timmy nonchalantly replied, "Yeah, I know who she is." The friend said, "Well, who is she?" "That’s just Shirley Goodnest," Timmy replied, "and her daughter Marcy." "Shirley Goodnest? Who is she and why is she following us?" "Well,"Timmy explained, "every night my Mom makes me say the 23rd Psalm, it with my prayers, ‘cus she worries about me so much. And in the Psalm, it says, ‘Shirley Goodnest and Marcy shall follow me all the days of my life’, so I guess I’ll just have to get used to it!" Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift His countenance upon you, and give you peace, May Shirley Goodnest and Marcy be with you today and always. P.S. Psalm 23:6 "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life."
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