From Gary... Try

I imagine that many people wouldn't think much of this little girl unless they saw this picture, because she lacks her forearms.  Its amazing what you can do- if you only try!!!  Have you failed in the past?  Don't think you can succeed?  Think again!!!  In the New Testament, the first Christians had problems and not everyone was successful - at first!  Read the following to see what I mean...  

Acts, Chapter 15

36  After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return now and visit our brothers in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.”  37 Barnabas planned to take John, who was called Mark, with them also.  38 But Paul didn’t think that it was a good idea to take with them someone who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and didn’t go with them to do the work.  39 Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away to Cyprus,  40 but Paul chose Silas, and went out, being commended by the brothers to the grace of God.  41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the assemblies. 

2 Timothy, Chapter 4

 1 I command you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom:  2 preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching.  3 For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts;  4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to fables.  5 But you be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry. 

  6  For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come.  7 I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.  8 From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.  9 Be diligent to come to me soon,  10 for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.  11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service. 

John Mark had problems at the beginning, but showed his worth over time.  Paul realized this, and one of the last things he wrote praised Mark.  So, even though you may not succeed, you may later on!!!  Keep trying!!!  I remember when I started to search for truth from the Scriptures, no one believed that I could change.  But, I discovered a verse from the Bible which gave me hope-

Matthew, Chapter 19,

vs. 26 ...Jesus said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 

I wonder what it took to change John Mark?  Believe this, you can be better than you are at the moment, I know- and am still working on it!!! DON'T GIVE UP- GOD CAN DO THE IMPOSSIBLE-- IF YOU WILL LET HIM!!!

From Gary... ALL HAIL THE POWER

ALL HAIL THE POWER

Scripture: Rom 15 & 16 

Song: # 7

I. Introduction

A. Romans 15, a powerful chapter.

B. Realize today there are too many bosses - 

    not enough slaves (WE ARE SLAVES)!

C. Realizing others come before us is maturing 

    (being strong).

D. Really strong? Are We? Dynamite power!

E. Reality is that our strength comes from 

    Jesus (not ourselves)!

F. Reference to (power and Lordship) Jesus in 

    “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”

G. Read each verse from the song and a 

     scripture along with it so we can Remember”

II. Body

A. Verse 1 Jesus: LORD (indeed) Heb 1:1-6

1 Lord due to Son hood vs 2

2. Lord due to Heir hood vs 3

3. Lord due to essence vs 3

4. Lord due to power vs 3

5. Lord due to purification vs 3

6. Lord due to position vs 3

7. Lord Really? Rom 10:9

B. Verse 2 Jesus: LORD of GRACE Eph 2:8-10

1. Lord enough to give GRACE

2. Lord enough to SAVE you

3. Lord enough to give you a faith system

4. Lord enough to “re-create” you 

    “workmanship = poema”

C. Verse 3 Jesus: LORD of ALL Phil 2:5-11

1. Lord of humility

2. Lord of servant - hood

3. Lord of obedience

4. LORD of our confession?

D. Verse 4 Jesus: Victorious LORD

     Rev 19:11-16

1. Jesus: LORD of LORDS …. 1Tim 1:17 in song

2. Jesus: VICTORIOUS! A FACT!

3. Jesus: LORD of us?

III. Conclusion

A. Jesus the LORD, did not please Himself

B. Jesus the LORD, IS the source of power: 

    notice the repetition of the song!

C. Jesus the LORD, IS the message, the power, 

    and the example of Romans chap 15. 

D. Jesus is LORD; Can you say that?

From Gary V. Womack... 'TIS THE SEASON

'TIS THE SEASON

Colored lights turn yards and houses into sparkling wonderlands. Brightly lit tree lots fill the air with the scent of evergreen. Crowded malls don store fronts with brilliant displays of red and green that invite shoppers to see their seasonal wares. Children laugh and squeal with excitement and anticipation as thoughts of Christmas fill their little heads. Watching their excitement is contagious. And so, there is a lightness in the hearts of adults as life somehow seems to be a little more joyful.

In some ways, don't we all wish that the rest of the year was a little more like this time of year (perhaps without the crowded rush)? Aren't we all reminded a little more of our youth at this time of year? Why so? Because the "holiday" is geared to children as gift-giving is primarily aimed at them. As pleasant as this all may seem, Christmas didn't start out that way.

The now-familiar plea is heard in most religious quarters to "put Christ back into Christmas", as denominational "churches" strive to curb the commercialization of what is viewed by many as a religious holiday.

Some would say that Christmas had its beginning two thousand years ago. Such is taught throughout the religious world. "Churches" have there cantatas and their nativity scenes as reminders of Jesus' birth. To disclaim Christmas as a religious day is to bring indignation on one as being a godless heathen.

In truth, Christmas is found nowhere in scripture as a day set aside by God for our observance nor do we find any example therein of any such observation by the first century church.

In Jesus' great commission to His apostles, He instructed them to "make disciples of all nations" and then busy themselves in "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you." (Mt. 28:19, 20) Does it not seem strange that Jesus never mentioned within any of the four gospels, anything about commemorating His birth? And is it not equally strange that in none of the rest of the New Testament, is any mention made of observing Christ's birth? It's not at all strange if you recognize that the scriptures' silence on the matter gives testimony to the fact that Christmas is not any part of the will of God. Peter said that "...His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue" (2 Pet. 1:3) Therefore, the conclusion must be that since there is no knowledge of this observance within His word, it does not "pertain to life and godliness."

Consider the fact that Matthew, Mark and Luke each record Jesus' observance of the Passover just prior to His arrest. In that observance, Jesus instituted the memorial of His death for our sins. Jesus told His apostles to "do this in remembrance of Me." (Lk. 22:19) In obedience to Jesus' great commission, Paul reminded the church at Corinth that, "I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes." (1 Cor. 11:23-26)

Does it not seem strange that Jesus gave such detailed instructions on this observance known as the Lord's supper, and that He gave such emphasis on our faithful "remembrance" of that for which it commemorates, (namely, His death on the cross for our sins) and yet we find not a word from His lips in regard to remembering His birth by any kind of ceremony or holy day? What is equally ironic is the fact that millions of people observe Christmas as a religious day and will pack "churches" during this observance (some for the only time during the year except perhaps for Easter) and yet the majority of them fail to observe the Lord's death which is clearly commanded.

There is no mention of Christmas prior to 325 BC during the reign of Constantine. It was at that time that the Catholic religion established December 25th. as the observance of the birth of Christ. It was called "Christmas" due to the fact that a Catholic "mass" was called for in this commemoration of Christ's birth. Hence, "Christ-mass." The date of this holy day was chosen from the pagan festival which had earlier been established by the Roman emperor Aurelian in 274 AD as the birthday of the unconquered sun. So this holiday went from that of the birth of the sun god to the the birth of the Son of God. This is a matter of common history, but not of Divine revelation. The irony of all of this is that "protestant" religions tenaciously embrace this holiday as religious in spite of the fact that its origin is in the very religion which they "protest."

There was a time in which it was appropriate for mankind to look to the birth of Christ with such excitement. In fact, the theme of the bible from Genesis 3:15 is "Christ is coming." (where God pronounced to the serpent that the Seed of woman would bruise his head and he would bruise His heel) That theme is reinforced in the promise given to Abraham in Gen. 12:3 where God told him that "in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed", pointing to the coming of the Messiah. This theme of "Christ is coming" continues throughout the Old Testament until you get to Matthew 1:18 where we read "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows:" From there, the theme changes to "Christ has come" and continues so until you get to Acts 1:9-11. There, we read where Jesus ascends back into heaven and two angels proclaim to His apostles who look on, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11) At this point, the theme of the remainder of the New Testament becomes "Christ is coming again" and ends with the words at the conclusion of Revelation, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" (Rev. 22:20)

In our effort to glorify God, we must be faithful in doing so by His authority. "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (Col. 3:17)

- Gary V. Womack - December 25, 2005

From Gary V. Womack... Am I Indifferent In Worship?

Am I Indifferent In Worship?

Rev. 4:1-ff The throne room scene of worship around God's throne.

Worship to God has never been a thing to be taken lightly.

There is a right way & a wrong way to worship God.

Jn. 4:19-24 Jesus spoke to the woman at the well and told her where to worship & how to worship - "In spirit & in truth"

RIGHT EXAMPLE

David's attitude:

Psm. 122:1-2 "I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go into the house of the Lord.' (2) Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem!" 

Waiting with anxious anticipation.

WRONG EXAMPLE

Mal. 1:6-8 They did not honor God. They offered the "leftovers".

Lev. 22:17-25, 31-33 God demanded the best in their worship & service.

We are now the priests of God under the New Covenant:

1 Pet. 2:5, 9 (5) "You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

(9) But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."

Our best demands a right attitude - in what we do & how we do it.

OUR SERVICE TO GOD IS NOT TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY

2 Tim. 2:15 "Be diligent (study, kjv) to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing (handling aright, asv) the word of truth.

Note - The "diligence" is to be seen in the "worker". "Rightly dividing the

word of truth" is the assurance his work is done by God's pattern.

@ Diligence takes place in what we do & how we do it.

Eccl. 9:10 "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going."

@ This applies to "whatever" we do. Worship is part of "whatever".

HOW IMPORTANT IS WORSHIP TO US?

Ryan, since he was 3, when asked "why do we come together to worship God? " would say, "We edify eachother". We glorify God & edify others.

Heb. 10:19-31 To willfully forsake this worship (and fail to encourage) is sin!

Under OT Law, failing to observe the Sabbath was a capital crime.

Failure to assemble to worship God is a failure to be DILIGENT

Understandably there are those who have to work without any choice And there are times when people are physically unable to come to worship.

But the absence of some of our brethren on not only Sunday worship, but also Sunday PM & at both bible studies, is causing some of our young Christians to ask these kinds of questions:

1. "Where in the bible does it say we HAVE to come to bible study?"

ANSWER - Nowhere. But consider this:

The early church met more frequently than just Sunday. Why? Attitude

Acts 2:46-47 "So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, (47) praising God and having favor with all the people. And

the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved."

The work of elders involves "feeding the flock" - Why have bible studies?

Acts 20:28-29 "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd (feed, kjv) the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. (29) For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among

you, not sparing the flock."

Note - Wolves attack the young & weak by separating them & killing them

Bible study is an opportunity to learn with others, ask questions & share.

Consider the example of the returning captives from Babylon:

Neh. 8:1-8 The law was read and explained - so they could understand.

Neh. 8:13-ff What if they had only come the first day?

They would not have learned about the feast of tabernacles.

Where does it say we have to eat 3 meals a day? Wouldn't one do?

Why would we not want to "feed" on God's word at every opportunity?

If we have no physical appetite, we go to a doctor for an eating disorder. Our lack of spiritual appetite may be a sign of deadly spiritual disorder.

Mt. 5:6 (Jesus) "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they shall be filled."

@ Why are they blessed (happy)? Because "they shall be filled".

Psm. 42:1-2 "As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. (2) My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God."

When do we appear before God? When we assemble to worship:

Mt. 18:20 "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."

2. Am I going to go to Hell because I don't go to bible study?

No, not because it violates any scripture.

But, we can go to Hell for a wrong attitude about God, His word and His children.

A lack of spiritual appetite for the truth might be a sign of a lack of love for the truth.

A failure to attend might be a sign of a lack of love & concern for our brethren who are young and weak & in need of encouragement.

Can I be a judge in matters of your heart? No. But we can encourage you.

Will we withdraw from anyone because they aren't here other than the morning worship assembly? No.

God will be the judge of our heart & what we can and cannot do

1 Jn. 3:20 "For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things."

2. "Why do some of the people that I look up to NOT come like they should?"

"It discourages me."

Is it anybody else's business whether I'm here for worship or bible study?  YES! When I was baptized into Christ, it became my brethren's business.

Rom. 12:4-5 "For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, (5) so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another."

@ We are a family. If a family member at home doesn't show up for supper we have a reason to be concerned.

@ Can we say that we love our brethren when we don't care what they think ------ because it's "my business & nobody else's?"

Rom. 12:10-11 "Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; (11) not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

@ Are we "lagging in diligence" when we're habitually late to worship?

when we miss & don't let anybody know so they can "cover" our duties? - When we're late we miss the announcements.

"Diligent" - [spoudazo] ="Earnestness, zeal, or the haste accompanying this."

Phil. 2:1-4 "Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, (2) fulfill my joy by being likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind, (3) Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit,

but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. (4) Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others."

@ Be "likeminded" - I'm concerned about you, you be likewise to me.

@ Do we have "selfish ambition" when we attend only for ourselves without regard for how it effects others?

Example - Bro. Woods(Woodbury, Tn)Couldn't hear but came 40 miles to attend.  He said, "I could get a lot more out of studying my bible at home, but I come because it might be an encouragement to my brethren."

@ Do I "esteem others better" than myself if I choose to put my interests over that of encouraging my brethren?(TV, sports, recreation)

@ Do we "look on the interests of others" when we miss or are late?

Is it in the best interest of our brethren that we all assemble together?

@ What's wrong with our attitude if we resent brethren calling us if we miss? They are looking out for the interests of others - YOU.

Beware of having an attitude like those of Malachi's day:

Mal. 1:12-ff "Oh, what a weariness!"

If assembling together to worship & study is a weariness, then you wouldn't enjoy Heaven.

Rev. 7:9-ff The scene at God's throne is of faithful saints who love God.

Are you interested more in "no more tears" or "worship in His presence?"

SOME QUESTIONS I HAVE

Is it OK if I use some of the same excuses that brethren use?

I worked all week - put in long hours - I'm too tired to come?

I work a lot of hours with little sleep, preparing lessons. Then brethren miss.

Illustration - Nancy fixed a special meal for someone who never showed up. They never apologized or acknowledged their oversight.

I had company come in & I need to entertain them

I overslept because I was up late last night 

I forgot

Is it OK if I miss on Sunday and not tell anyone?

Is it OK if I don't show up for bible study - because it doesn't say in the bible that I have to.

Is it OK if I habitually come in late? You can start without me.

BUT YOU MIGHT SAY - "You have to be here because we pay you to."

You don't pay me to preach. I don't preach for the money. You financially support me so I can give full-time to preaching. God is the one who does the rewarding.

2 Tim. 4:7-8 Paul said, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (8) Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His

appearing."

True, this is my work - & this is the part of it that I do not like to do:

2Tim. 4:2-5 "Preach the word! Be ready in season and ot of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. (3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for

themselves teachers; (4) and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. (6) But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."

Anyone who has itching ears can send me packing -

Or you can find another place where they preach a soft gospel where they won't "reprove, rebuke & exhort." where they will allow you to be lulled into a false sense of security.

Illustration - Like a frog in cold water brought slowly to a rolling boil till dead

Not my purpose to embarrass anyone - if so I would have called names.

INVITATION

Jas. 5:16 We are to "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another..."

If you are guilty, you need to make it right.

You know who you are - Your brethren know who you are

1 Jn. 1:8 "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."

Don't deceive yourself - If you're guilty & fail to repent, are you deceived?

1 Jn. 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and

to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

God is faithful, but what if He was as faithful as I am? Where would we be?

1 Jn. 1:10 "If we say that we have not sinned we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us."

Have I preached the truth?

If I have, and it applied to you - you need to respond

If you fail to respond, you're saying that you are not guilty.

Don't be embarrassed to confess your wrong - your brethren already know If you are guilty & fail to confess, you have reason to be embarrassed -

- your brethren already know

2 Jn. 2:1-6 "My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. (2) And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. (3) Now by

this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. (4) He who says, 'I know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (5) But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. (6) He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked."

INVITATION