CHURCH OF CHRIST · Much has been said about “the day” of this passage. Some believe it to be...
Transcript of CHURCH OF CHRIST · Much has been said about “the day” of this passage. Some believe it to be...
“The Significance of the First
Day of the Week”
By: Larry Yarber
“And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread,
Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until
midnight” (Acts 20:7).
The church was established on earth upon the first day of the week. Pentecost was a
feast of the Jews which was observed fifty days after the Passover feast. The Jew was to count,
beginning from the first day after the last Sabbath of the Passover unto the morrow after the
seventh sabbath, fifty days. This day was to begin the celebration known as Pentecost,
“pentecostos (4005), an adjective denoting “fiftieth,” is used as a noun, with “day” understood,
i.e., the “fiftieth” day after the Passover, counting from the second day of the feast, …” (VINE,
pg. 465). “And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that
ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven Sabbaths shall be complete: Even unto the
morrow after the seventh Sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat
offering unto the Lord” (Leviticus 23:15-16). It was upon this day that the Holy Spirit fell
upon the disciples, “Now when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one
accord in one place. … And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with
other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1-4). Later Luke writes of these
early Christians, that they were, “Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the
Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47). This is the first time the
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Gary Barr, Loeta Barr, Helen Batterton,
Floyd & Marcella Brown, Reagan Bryan,
Wilma Cobb, Faye Dawson, Imogene
Dold, Larry Grisham, Wayne & Udean
Halford, Mearl & Louise Harris, Mary
Henry, Minnie Hicks, Lucy Jo Hubbell,
Everett Johnson, Kelly Marsh, Mary Sue
Marsh, Bettie Maxwell, Phil Martin, Pat
& Opal McFarland, Gerry Roberts, Eddie
Robinson, Betty Sage, Bill Stine, Linda
Taylor, Linda Ward, Leona Willard, Gail
Wolff & Sibyl Wright.
BrookeHaven Sue Ellen Moore
NHC Velnora Wilkening
Udean Halford
Pleasant Valley
Manor Louise Cook
Leota Crawford
Joe Powell
West Vue Elsie Croney
JoAnn Eagleman
Bobby Jo Gish
Hazel Henry
Helen North
Lois Shelton
Dennis Smithson
Lucy Tackitt
Charlie Ward
Those We Love
In Need of Prayer
Members in
Nursing Homes
Room 201
Room D8
Room C9
Room 505
Room 206
Room 404
Room 215
Room 404
Room 412
Room 713
Room 211
Room 807
Room 411
Room 602
Room 808
CHURCH OF CHRIST …for the perfecting of the saints *Maturing
…for the work of the ministry *Serving
…for the edifying of the body of Christ *Growing
111 South Curry St.
West Plains, MO 65775 www.cschurchofchrist.church
417-256-3925 E-Mail: [email protected]
Office Hours 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. / T - F Volume 29, No. 36, September 6, 2015
COME JOIN US IN OUR
WORSHIP!
Sunday Bible Study 9:30 a.m.
Classes for all ages!
Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.
Evening Worship 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday
Bible Study 7:00 p.m.
KJV Requested For Pulpit, Classrooms and Scripture
Reading.
SEARCH A WORD
Proverbs 6
P P D I S C O R D R R Y O T R V
E R E E R L F G E B T S H G U C
R H E A L I U D U E P Y P N L T
S E R L N I I G R I S E S I E E
O Y V G W S V U G E D E E D R R
N T E N N O S E L A G E M L A E
Y R B O E M F F R Y R N N O S B
S E C R E E S R E V O D A F X M
H V F H E Y T W F O N E N R C U
U O R A S H T E I Y A E H P T L
M P I R T D I I T S K E U D R S
B S E V I H I H M C E X N N W U
L I N E C S G L I A T H T U O M
E H D S I U S R E O L N E O R M
E I I T A T T I S Y G A R W D E
O M O N D S S N A R E D C I S R
CALAMITY OVERSEER CONSIDER PERSON
DELIVER POVERTY DISCORD RULER
EYELIDS SLEEP FINGERS SLUGGAR
FOLDING SLUMBER FOWLER SNARED
FRIEND STRANGER GUIDE STRICKEN
HARVEST SUMMER HUMBLE SURETY
HUNTER THYSELF MISCHIEF WISE MOUTH
WORDS NAUGHTY WOUND
Congregational News A Warm Welcome
To Our Visitors! We want to welcome each and every one of
you to our worship services today! We
hope you will stay after services, so that we
may become better acquainted with you! If you would, please fill out an attendance card
located in the pew in front of you and drop it
into the collection plate, so that we may have a
record of your attendance.
Ladies: There will be a
short meeting about our
October Ladies’ Day in
the north wing immediately
following evening services.
On Saturday, September 12
th, Sue Ellen
Moore (Sue Willard’s mother) will be
having her 95th
birthday. It would be
great for her to hear from her friends
from Curry St. She is at Brookehaven,
Room 201, 1410 Kentucky Ave. West
Plains, MO.
***Any woman that is interested in sewing
pillow cases for ConKerr Cancer (Cases
For Smiles), we will meet in the small
auditorium on Tuesday, September 15th
from 9 – 12 a.m. We will work together to
make pillow cases for children suffering
from catastrophic illnesses including cancer. If you have fabric to donate or need more info
please contact: Terri Wood, Patsy Atkinson or
Doreen Bridges.
Holding One Another
Up in Prayer
*Continue in prayer for
Judy Griffin as she recovers from her
heart surgery.
*Keep Phil & Debra Martin in your prayers
as Phil will be going through kidney
dialysis soon.
Thank You Thank you so much for all that you
have done, we are forever grateful. Reagan, Andrew, Mandy & William Bryan
*The elders are giving away more sermon
cassette tapes. Please take as many as you
like from the table in the foyer.
**Men’s Retreat at
Hammond Camp
**Friday, October 2nd
**Saturday, October 3rd
.
**See Cliff Shipley, Lance Shipley, or Jim
Davidson with any questions you may have.
September Birthdays
& Anniversaries
Sunday – Vernon & Donnie Holloway
Leona Morrison
Tuesday – Jim & Emma Lashley
Wednesday – Chuck Hubbell, Chase
Johnson, Clay Johnson
Friday – Marilyn Sikes
Saturday – Max & Anna Lou Fox
Kenneth Green, Ayden Hollis
Sue Ellen Moore - 95 years young!
& Lucy Tackitt
Hear: Romans 10:17; Matt. 7:24, 25
Believe: Hebrew 11:6; John 3:16
Repent: Acts 2:38, Acts 17:30 Lk 13:3
Confess: Matthew 10:32; Acts 8:36, 37
Be Baptized: Acts 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:20, 21; Mark
16:16; Galatians 3:27
Remain Faithful: Revelation 2:1
Ladies Day
Mountain Home Church of Christ
380 North College Street
September 12, 2015
Theme: “Recipe for a Sweet Life”
See flyer on bulletin board.
THE CLOCK
The “clock of life” is wound but
once, and no man has the power,
To tell just when the hands will stop
At late or early hour.
To lose one’s wealth is sad indeed.
To lose one’s health is more.
To lose one’s soul is such a loss
That no man can restore.
39 people died while you read this
short poem.
Every hour, 5,417 go to meet their
maker.
You could have been among them.
Sooner or later you will be…
ARE YOU READY?
Matthew 7:21
Not everyone that saith unto me Lord,
Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of
heaven, but he that doeth the will of my
Father which is in heaven.
Fall Ladies Day
Saturday,
October 17th
Author Unknown
“The Significance of the First Day of the Week” By Larry Yarber
church is spoken of in the Bible in the present tense as being here on earth. Jesus was
resurrected on the first day of the week, “Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the
week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils” (Mark
16:9). This day is also referred to by John as the Lord’s day, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s
day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,” (Revelation 1:10). Of this verse
Hailey comments, “The Ante-Nicene writers who wrote after John followed a consistent
pattern in considering “the first day”, “the Lord’s day”, “the resurrection day”, and the day of
meeting, Sunday, as identical” (Homer Hailey, Revelation, pg. 107). Since Jesus was
resurrected on the first day of the week, it is only appropriate that the church would also be
established on this same day.
As indicated by our opening verse, (Acts 20:7), it was upon this day that the disciples
assembled to break bread and to preach to one another. They were also to give of their means
on this day, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the
churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by
him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come” (1st
Corinthians 16:1-2). In addition to all of the above, they also sang and prayed unto God in
these assemblings, “What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the
understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also” (1st
Corinthians 14:15). Therefore, to forsake this day is a serious offence in the sight of God. The
Hebrew writer says, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting
one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin willfully after
that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins”
(Hebrews 10:24-26). Much has been said about “the day” of this passage. Some believe it to
be the destruction of Jerusalem, some any day of assembling, and yet others the first day of the
week. Whatever view one holds, I believe all will freely admit that it is an admonition which
warns us against a habitual neglect of assembling when and as commanded.
Thus, in it we should see and understand the significance of the first day of the week.
****
By: Jesse Stephens
The majority of “religious” people believe that grace is that soft, warm, fuzzy baby blanket
that covers everything and makes us feel warm and secure. In their eyes God’s grace is given
to man without any conditions. However from the first time grace is mentioned in the Bible to
the last time, it is always conditional on the recipient’s action.
The first time grace in mentioned in the KJV is in Genesis 6:8, where we are told, “Noah
found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” God displayed His Grace by giving Noah instructions for
the building of the ark 6:14-16. Noah, however, had to respond to God’s grace by not only
building the ark but building it according to God’s pattern 6:22. Ezekiel 14:20, says, “though
Noah, Daniel, and Job…they should but deliver their own souls by their righteousness” (ASV).
The last time grace is mentioned is in Revelation 22:21, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
be with you all. Amen.” In this passage the grace is displayed by giving the words of this
prophecy (22:18) and accepted by doing His commandments (22:14) without adding to or
taking away from the words of Revelation 22:18-19. Between these references the word grace
appears 168 times. In each of these some action on man’s part is stated or implied.
Nowhere in the Bible, either directly or implied, are we saved by GRACE ONLY OR
FAITH ONLY. Ephesians 2:8-10 shows how grace and faith work together. “For by grace
have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, (it is) the gift of God; not of
works, that no man should glory. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for
good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them.” (ASV) In this passage
we are told God’s grace is a gift to man. Man’s response of God’s grace is faith (obedience).
When God’s grace and man’s obedience come together, we are created in Christ for good
works, which we walk in.
The relationship between grace and faith are beautifully merged together in Titus 2:11-
14, “For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us, to the
intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and
godly in this present world; looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the
great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us
from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good
works.” (ASV) God’s grace instructs man. Man responds to God’s instructions by living
godly, soberly and righteously in the world. This is done through obedience, Phil.2:12-13,
“So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now
GOD’S GRACE IS UNIVERSAL BUT
INDIVIDUALLY ACCEPTED
much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God
who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.” (ASV)
Love is the motivation behind God’s grace. John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that
he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have
eternal life.” (ASV) God’s grace was given to all mankind because of His great love for us.
Love becomes man’s motivation for acting on faith, John 14:15, “If ye love me, ye will keep
my commandments.” (ASV) Simply put, if faith isn’t put in action (obedience), we do not
love God thus we are not under the protection of his grace.
Matt 7:17-23, “Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but the corrupt tree
bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree
bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into
the fire. Therefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord,
Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in
heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and
by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? And then will I
profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (ASV) ~~~~
DO YOU KNOW GOD?
By: Clint Yarber
In the book of Genesis God said of Abraham, “For I know him, that he will command his
children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and
judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.”
(Genesis 18:19). The word that is translated as “know” in the verse above is very comprehensive
in meaning. It is “a primitive root; to know (properly to ascertain by seeing); used in a great
variety of senses, figurative, literal, euphemism and inference (including observation, care,
recognition; and causative instruction, designation, punishment, etc.) [as follow] :- acknowledge,
acquaintance (-ted with)…” (Strong’s Greek and Hebrew Dictionary). Thus the verb “know”
implies that God had more than just a mere knowledge of Abraham. Yes, before Abraham was
ever formed in the womb of his mother and before he ever came into this world, God knew him
(Jer. 1:5). God knew Abraham’s name (Gen. 17:5) and He also knew the number of his hairs on
his head (Matt. 10:30). In fact, God knew Abraham backward, forward, left, right, inside and
outside. But the statement “I know him” means much more than just God knowing all about
Abraham; it means that Abraham had an acquaintance or association with God. God knew him
in the sense that they enjoyed a relationship together.
There is no greater compliment that could be paid to us than that God knows us and that we
know Him. Whenever God spoke to Satan of Job, He said, “…Hast thou considered my servant
Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God,
and escheweth evil” (Job 1:8)? Notice that God said Job was His servant. It is implied within
this verse that God had a personal relationship with Job, just as He did with Abraham. But
someone may ask, “Can we really have the same kind of special relationship that both Job and
Abraham had?” Absolutely! John said, “3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep
his commandments. 4
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar,
and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:3-4). Usually when there is an “eth” ending on a verb in
the King James Version, it means that the word is in the present tense. This is true with the verb
“keepeth” in the above passage. Thus the verse means that we can enjoy a personal relationship
with God if (conditional) we keep on keeping His commandments. John said that if we say that
we know Him and we are not keeping His commandments then we are liars. Some may deem
these words as harsh or cruel but they are no less true. We simply cannot enjoy a relationship
with God separate and apart from obedience. No man can “know” God or God “know” him
without his keeping the commandments of the Father (Matt. 7:23).
There have always been those who claim to know/have a relationship with God, but in reality
they do not. Paul spoke of a group of people who, “…profess that they know God; but in works
they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate” (Titus
1:16). Notice that their claim to have a relationship with God was nullified by their works or
actions . Our actions are evidence of whether or not we have the same kind of relationship with
God as Abraham did. “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and
it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God” (Jam. 2:23).
Notice that Abraham was called the friend of God. But, it is important to understand when
Abraham was called the friend of God. Back up just a few verses and you will read: “Was not
Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar” (Jam.
2:21)? Abraham was called God’s friend whenever he sacrificed his son. Or in other words
whenever he did what God commanded him. We too can enjoy a friendship with God just as did
Abraham. Jesus Himself said, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John
15:14).
If we are doing what God has commanded, then we are His friends/He knows us. But on the
other hand, if we are not doing what God has commanded us, then we are not His friend/He does
not know us. While we may claim to know God, if we are not doing what He says, the Bible says
that we are liars. So the question is, “Do you know God?”
“God’s Grace is Universal But Universally Accepted” By Jesse Stephens