By Richard Mansel for Forthright Magazine

Transcription

1 May 6, 2018; Volume 95, Number 18 SAVAGE STREET Church of Christ Our History: The Savage Street Church of Christ began on March 4, 1923 at 6th and H Streets. After sometime on Evelyn Street, we moved to our present location on March 20, Join us in 2023 when we celebrate our 100th anniversary! By Richard Mansel for Forthright Magazine Sadly, we argue and divide over the proper understanding of grace to the detriment of the Lord s work. Instead, we should see it from God s perspective, so we can move past our human frailties. We need to humble ourselves and listen to God, more than we do our own pet doctrines. God established salvation by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began (2 Timothy 1:9, NKJV). Christ would be the sole means of salvation (John 3:16). Through the shedding of his blood, we would be justified before God (Romans 5:8-9). Moreover, righteousness would be designated by light and unrighteousness by darkness (1 John 1:5-7). God s plan was settled before time began (Psalm 119:89), so nothing was going to stop him (Matthew 16:18-19). He wants everyone to be saved (2 Peter 3:9), so he has given us everything we need. All of the saved will be in the Church and will go to heaven together (Ephesians 1:22-23; John 14:1-6; Colossians 1:5). The Lord needed an entry plan and parameters for his church. Yet, we re all sinners and God can t be with sin (Romans 3:23). So grace appeared to everyone so we could choose to come to him (Titus 2:11). But we have to accept his will (John 14:15; cf. Joshua 6:2ff). We exist to glorify Jesus before the world (Ephesians 3:20-21). The Lord s church must be pure and whole, so God is unrelenting in his demands (Hebrews 11:6; Ephesians 4:17-20; Romans 12:1-2). We, who are in the light, do his will or we re removed from the light (Titus 2:12-13). That s non-negotiable. We re useful or we aren t. We teach, live and speak to his glory or we face the consequences. It s all about the Lord s plan. Grace exists to accomplish God s goals, not ours. We submit and obey or we work against him. While we re serving him, we ll not be lost (Romans 8:1). However, if we choose to no longer be useful, we ll be back in darkness (Hebrews 6:4-6). Christ is everything and grace would be pointless if it served to counteract what God desires. It can never promote false doctrine or error. It s not possible because the Lord never relinquishes control of grace. Clearly, grace is about Jesus and the sooner we realize that, the clearer the doctrine becomes.

2 Having fun on Family Fellowship evening. We made pizzas and played a game of Clue and we even had two detectives!! These kids are so much fun!! Mountain States Children's Home Change -A -Life! We will be helping Mountain States Children's Home Change-A-Life Change Can Campaign through August 12, Funds raised will help purchase clothing and perishable food items which normally cost about $62,000 per year. This is a great way to help children in need. The cans are located on the table in the foyer. Please take one home and fill it up.

3 PRAYERS: CALENDAR: Pray for Don Ruhl and his family; his father Roger passed away on April 21st in Brookings. His memorial service was held Saturday, April 28th in Brookings. Update on Jeanese Poole, friend of the Crisps/ Peughs/ Ruhls: Jeanese met with a new neurosurgeon, who believes Jeanese is still healing from the last surgery, so they are going to wait 6 months and assess again at that time. Meanwhile, Jeanese has other health problems such as fibermyalgia and rhumatory arthritis which present chronic pain. She sure could use some prayers of encouragement! May Activities 19th: Wouida Curtis's Memorial 20th: Deacons Meeting 27th Elders Forum 27th: Potluck 30th: Singing June Activities: 2nd: Family Fellowship 25th-29th: VBS Pray that our church becomes real authentic disciples of Christ who are learning, growing and making Fruit and in turn making more disciples (Prov. 19:23; Mal. 3:11; Matt. 28:18-20; John. 15:16; Gal. 5:22-23) OTHER NEWS Pray for these caretakers and the shut-ins: Phil Friesen as he cares for Diana Jean Parker as she cares for Elzie Glenda Brazil as she cares for Mildred Jack Collier as he cares for Marie Cliff & Eve Hanson If you would like to receive the bulletin as a PDF, please see Rebekah Calvert. If you would like to have your announcement run in our bulletin, please place it on the secretary s desk before Friday morning or it to Rebekah Calvert: Novesker@gmail.com If you would like a CD with any recorded sermons or adult classes please see Don. Vacation Bible School Vacation Bible School is in 49 Days. Have you signed up to volunteer? Temporary Housing Needed "Our daughter Heather is starting her job at Valley of the Rogue State Park next week. Last year she was able to find a place in Medford. She is in need of a place to stay at least temporarily starting May 1st. She would like to find a permanent place, but if anyone can help her temporarily it would be a great blessing." Thank you, Dennis Larson (Garden Valley Church of Christ... Roseburg) 2018 Contribution Open & Close Building May Greeters Card Collectors Meet with elders & preacher The elders and Weekly Average... 3,314 Last Week April 29,... 2,850 Total After 17 Weeks... 56,339 May 6: Larry & Diane May 13: Gene Tomlinson Cheryl Cates Dominic Meyer Orie Peugh preacher have regular meetings. You may come Mondays at 1:30 PM to Don s office. Call first. Or they can meet with at another time.

4 RUHL S RULES OUR SHEPHERDS: Wayne Duncan Dan Calvert THIS WEEK'S CREATION MOMENT Archaeologists Find Goliath And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. 1 Samuel 17:4 Sometimes you just have to feel sorry for Bible skeptics who cast doubt on the historical accuracy of the Bible. With each passing year, archaeologists keep finding evidences that the Bible is thoroughly reliable! Take, for instance, the story of David and Goliath. Bible skeptics insist that the biblical account has no connection to reality. But in 2005, archaeologists, digging at the biblical home of Goliath, unearthed a shard of pottery bearing an inscription of the Philistine's name. While the discovery does not prove Goliath's existence, it does support the Bible's depiction of life at the time of the supposed battle, said excavation director Dr. Aren Maeir of Israel's Bar-Ilan University. "What this means is that at the time there were people there named Goliath," he said. "It shows us that David and Goliath's story reflects the cultural reality of the time." Though many skeptics tell us that David slaying the giant Goliath is a myth written down hundreds of years later, Dr. Maeir said that finding the inscription gives credence to the biblical story. As reported in Great Britain's The Independent, "The shard dates to about 950 BC, within 70 years of when biblical chronology says David squared off against Goliath, making it the oldest Philistine inscription found. It was at Tel es-safi in southern Israel, thought to be the site of the Philistine city of Gath." Clearly, the Bible's account of David and Goliath is no tall tale! Ref: Rachel Hoag, "Shard of pottery supports Bible account of David and Goliath," The Independent, 11/11/05. Lithograph: David and Goliath by Osmar Schindler (c. 1888). (PD) 2018, Creation Moments. Churches and parents may freely copy these bulletin inserts. CREATION MOMENTS, INC. P. O. Box 839 Foley, MN This insert adapted from Creation Moments' latest book Letting God Create Your Day, Volume 8. OUR PREACHER: For more information or to order, call our toll-free number or visit us at creationmoments.com. OUR DEACONS: Our Mission Works Outside of Josephine County, Oregon Don Ruhl Gene Tomlinson Michael Crisp, Jr. Carl Peugh OUR SONG LEADERS: Larry Amberg Phil Joseph Mountain States Children s Home, Longmont, Colorado Brad Harrub & Focus Press, Franklin, Tennessee Wayne Jackson & ChristianCourier.com, Stockton, California Chimala Mission Hospital and Schools, Tanzania, Africa Don Iverson s India Work OUR WEB SITE: GrantsPassChurchOfChrist.com CONTACT INFORMATION: 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon GrantsPassCofC@iCloud.com WORSHIP AND CLASSES: Sunday Classes...9:30 Worship...10:30 Worship...6:00 Wednesday Classes...7:00 Don Patton s archaeological work, especially Noah s Ark

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