Abounding in the Grace of Giving

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Volume 21, Number 40 October 4th, 2015 Abounding in the Grace of Giving by Mike Vestal In 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, giving is referred to as a grace no less than six times.

1 Volume 21, Number 40 October 4th, 2015 Abounding in the Grace of Giving by Mike Vestal In 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, giving is referred to as a grace no less than six times. Is this the way we view our giving? But as you abound in everything -- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us -- see that you abound in this grace also (2 Corinthians 8:7). We are to give out of the abundance or overflow of a loving, praising heart. Several things help motivate us to abound in the grace of giving. 1. Giving is a proof of what God s grace has done in us. through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men (2 Corinthians 9:13). Paul could tell that Jesus reigned in the lives of the Macedonian brethren because of the nature of their giving (2 Corinthians 8:1-5). Our giving is a measure of what becoming a Christian has done for us. 2. Giving reflects the very heart of Christianity. The Father gave His Son (John 3:16). The Son gave His life (Hebrews 2:9). The Holy Spirit gave us the Bible (2 Peter 1:21). What tremendous blessings are ours due to God s giving nature (James 1:17; Ephesians 1:3)! 3. Giving shows the priority we give to the kingdom and to spiritual things. Matthew 6:33 reminds us that God s kingdom and righteousness are to be sought first. The people of God must endeavor to keep first things first: And giving shows the place we give Christ s church and His work (cf. Mark 16:15-16; Galatians 6:10). 4. Giving reflects our gratitude and thanksgiving to God (Ephesians 5:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:18). It shows we have not forgotten His goodness and His innumerable acts of kindness (Psalm 103:2). As the old saying goes, we really do have more than we could say grace over. 5. Giving shows an understanding that we must be good stewards or managers of what God has given. First Corinthians 4:1-2 talks about being faithful as a steward. In that all really belongs to God, how do we manage what is His (Psalm 24:1)? No wonder God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7)! It s not just a matter of duty, but of devotion and consecration to the Lord. A man can give without loving, but no man can love without giving.

2 The Way of Salvation (part nine) Salvation is by Endurance by Because Jesus broke the power of death at Calvary, Christians can face mortality with confidence. Paul stresses three important points in 1 Corinthians 15:50-58: 1) If Jesus did not arise from the grave, our faith is pointless: 2) Christ has conquered death! 3) Therefore, we should awake to soberness and avoid sin (verse 34). What binds these points together is the response they should produce in our lives; patient endurance. Part-time Christians will not be in heaven even part of the time! Paul often illustrated the gospel with familiar images so others could understand it. Like an Olympic race, the Christian life requires patience and endurance to win (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). Endurance is the steady flow of strength and determination that keeps us faithful to our goals as children of God. Jesus said...he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved (Mark 13:13), and He is the perfect example, fulfilling the Father s plan even though it required Him to suffer and die. Love not nails held Him on the cross. Jesus endured it (Hebrews 12:2) so we can be redeemed from sin. This is why WE should be... steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58). These words all relate to endurance: We must grow these qualities, both as individuals and a congregation, to be saved. Steadfast means consistent, patient, enduring. Some Christians don t endure because they focus on anything that produces bigger numbers! When the latest get em in the door activity doesn t overflow the building in a week, they drop it for the next big thing. This is the world s wisdom, not Christ s! Hebrews 12:1 tells us to run with patience the race before us. Many saints won t teach personal Bible studies, attend classes or gospel meetings because of the effort involved, yet grow impatient when conversions take time: But the bible doesn t promise instant results! Matthew 24:13 reminds us that...he who endures to the end shall be saved. Strive for consistency, and rescue the perishing with patience and love. Unmoveable literally means to be solid, firm, unchangeable in the faith. James 1:6-8 is an excellent picture of a moveable Christian; doubtfilled and uncertain, in a word he is unstable. In Colossians 1:23, Paul insists that we must not be moved away from the gospel of Christ. We must be careful to be consistent in our teaching and living. The world hates hypocrisy, especially in religion! Nothing but the solid rock of the gospel will support us in eternity (1 Peter 1:25). Paul urged Timothy to abide in the things which you have learned (2 Timothy 3:14). Those who endure are called blessed (James 5:11) and are compared to patient Job of old. Abounding in the Lord s work (always) means overflowing, working day and night, day after day! Peter challenges us to always be ready to answer for our faith (1 Peter 3:15): Can you? Philippians 1:12 describes a lifetime occupation, not a weekend hobby! Abounding in the Lord s work means wearing ourselves out for Him (cf. 2 Corinthians 12:15), so that others see our faith in action (Matthew 5:16). The Lord came to save souls, Luke 19:10. He died so all can live. It takes endurance to lead people to Christ; they cannot be driven! Let s strive to be steadfast in worshipping (Hebrews 10:25), reaching out to the lost (Mark 16:15), teaching the saved (2 Timothy 2:2), and in cultivating solid, enduring faith. As Jesus said,...he that endureth to the end shall be saved (Matthew 10:22).

Family Matters Steve Hoover Linda Johnson s brother is recovering for a heart attack last week. Peyton Nash Has pneumonia in both lung. Butch Trawick Is having low platelet issues.

3 Family Matters Steve Hoover Linda Johnson s brother is recovering for a heart attack last week. Peyton Nash Has pneumonia in both lung. Butch Trawick Is having low platelet issues. Hick Higginbotham Is recovering at home, but not feeling well. Annette Benefield Is recovering at home after cataract surgery last week. Margaret McCain Is home recovering from a broken leg. Missy Campbell Is waiting on test results and not feeling well. Edmund Sauls Gail Chapman s father will undergo a Cardioversion Wednesday to correct an irregular heart beat. Members With Health Problems: Brenda Mitchell, Ruby Fowler, Forrest & Burma Chapman, Valorye Whittaker, Judy Beckwith, Marlene Etheridge, Becky Higginbotham, Butch & Joann Trawick, Joe Clark, Jill Nash, Bernice Gillespie, Equillar Butler, Maylon Swann, Hick & Estell Higginbotham, Mattie Williams, RuPearl Sharpe, Una Fortson, David & Shirley Lee Shut-ins: Lillie Belle Sharpe, Lillian Gray, Annette Benefield, David Nash, Audrey Shaw, Lucille Amon, Jane Lankford & Frances Elder Others With Health Problems: Barbara Benton (Bill s daugther-in-law), Willard Mann, Tom Holcomb (Annette Benefield s son-in-law), Ralph Johnson (friend of the Campbell's), Jean Benefield (Annette s daughter-in-law), Larry Little (Jenny Gwinn s brother-in-law), Wayne Moore (Una Fortson s friend), Nancy Ford (Joann Crook s sister), Joel Johnson (Andy s father), Virginia Poskevich (David s mother), Lillie Walker (Rosa Bell s mother), Barbara Hayles (Becky Higginbotham s sister) Faye Hester (Tina Russell s mother), Loretta Russell (Ray s mother), Joyce Greene (Denise Greene s mother), Melissa Myers (Sally Wallace s niece), Xernonia Fortson (Una s daughter), Bob Neel (friend of the Rogers family), Eddie & Lil Cauthen (Joan Poskevich s brother/sister-in-law), Bill Croix (Mattie s husband), Joe Hand (Jim Scoma s brother-in-law) and Marvin Cook (Jean Johnson s brother) Military Members Deployed: SFC Chineka McKenzie (Kuwait), 335th Signal Command (T) (P), SFA McKenzie, Chineka, APO AE. Capt. Rosa Bell, ECC-A / Box 539, APO AE Deployed for FEMA Sylvester Campbell is in Texas. L2L Bible Bowl Healthly Snacks Oct 4 Chap 6 & 7 Hugh Kelly Oct 11 Chap 8 & 9 Meggi Quinn Oct 18 Chap 10 Michele Chapman Oct 25 Chap 11 Catherine Kelly Nov 1 Chap 12 Jessa Quinn Nov 8 Chap 13 Annette Butler Nov 15 Chap 14 Catherine Kelly Nov 29 Chap 15 & 16 Katherine Hopkins Care Packages for 17 College kids Items are needed by October 21st A list of names/addresses are on the bulletin board Calendar Oct 2 Game Night at 6pm Oct 12 Ladies Night out hosted by Sally Wallace Oct 14 Report from Scott Shanahan. Oct 23 Silverwings Mountain Trip. The bus will leave the building at 9am. Nov 2 Raintree Village Food Truck. Please bring items by Nov 1st. Nov Marriage & Relationship Weekend, Speaker: Glenn Hitchcock, Nov 22 ThanksSinging at 2pm Youth Calendar Oct Fall Retreat at Camp Inagehi. Oct 18 Area Wide Youth Devotional hosted by Forest Park CoC at 5pm Oct 23 FROG s College Care Packages at 6:30 pm in the fellowship hall Oct 25 Trunk-n-Treat after the PM Service Nov 15 Area Wide Youth Devotional hosed by Fairview CoC at 6pm Area Church Calendar Oct 2-4 Annual Fall Lectureship at Central church of Christ, Covington Oct 4 30th Anniversary Homecoming at McDonough Church of Christ Oct World Mission Forum at Forest Park Church of Christ. Nov 7 Ladies Day at Central Church of Christ, Smyrna. Wife, Mother, Princess, Priest: A Christian Women s Role, Speaker: Andrea & Heather Scarborough

Call To Worship Scripture Reading Prayer Song Leader Preside Lord s Supper Sermon Response Elder Announcements Song Closing Prayer Evening Service Prayer Sermon Closing Prayer 10/4 Jordan Madison

4 Call To Worship Scripture Reading Prayer Song Leader Preside Lord s Supper Sermon Response Elder Announcements Song Closing Prayer Evening Service Prayer Sermon Closing Prayer 10/4 Jordan Madison Coney Johnson, Jr. Rick Sharpe Lewis Armstrong Luke Quinn Thomas Quinn Tom Durden WORSHIP ASSIGNMENTS 10/11 Dave Hopkins Ray Cozart Brad Hopkins Steve Hopkins Jimmy Garner 10/17 Jordan Madison Gayle Pelfrey Rick Sharpe Ray Russell Hugh Kelly Jimmy Garner Thomas Quinn 10/24 Jim Obrien Coney Johnson, Jr. Bill Ruffer Song Service Ben Rogers Anthony Ravenell Marriage & Relationship Weekend November 13-15, 2015 Friday Date Night at 7pm Saturday, 9am 3pm Speaker: Bro. Glenn Hitchcock, Warren Robins, GA ThanksSinging Area-Wide Churches of Christ Congregational Singing November 22, 2015, 2-5pm Fayetteville Church of Christ 2015 Goals Growing the Address: 870 Redwine Road Fayetteville, Georgia Monday Friday, 9-4 Office Telephone (770) , (770) Fax mail@fcoc.com Web Page: Ministers: (361) Dave.rogers@fcoc.com, (404) (cell) gnash999@gmail.com Office Secretary: Susie Graham celiagraham@bellsouth.net Elders: Tom Durden ( (770) (404) (770) Deacons: Dennis Graham David Hopkins Hugh Kelly Jerry Kendrix Andy Johnson David Poskevich Anthony Ravenell Jack Sorrell Assembly Schedule: Sunday 9:00 am Bible Classes 10:00 am Worship Service 6:00 pm Worship Service 10:00 am Tuesday Morning Bible Class (September 11 May 14) 7:00 pm Wednesday Night Bible Study 7:00 pm Thursday Night Ladies Class (September-May) Communion Preparation Gail Chapman Nursery 4 Jasi Quinn, 11-Jessa Quinn 18-Susie Graham & 25-Meggi Quinn Care of Building 1-15 David Poskevich/Keith Killingsworth Jerry Kendrix/Jimmy Garner Ushers 4 / 11 Lewis Armstrong/ Keith Killingsworth 18 Michael Boelsterli/Jim Lindsey 25 Andy Johnson/Rory Bell, Sr. Media Center Helpers 4 Gayle Pelfrey 11, 18 Ben Rogers 25 Open Arms 4 Susie Graham, Sheri Obert, Barbara Edmonds, Sandy Garner, Anne Siebert, Tom & Terri Durden 11 Jack & Carla Sorrell, Zeke Poskevich, Jessa Quinn, Jewel Green, Tommy & Gail Chapman Wednesday Evening Devotional 10/7 - Larry Rose 14 - Thomas Quinn 21 - David Riley 28 - Our Missionaries Graham, Elizabeth, Joshua, Megan, Bethany & Elijah McDonald Scotland,11 Woodhead Ct, Westfield, Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, G68 9DB graham@gmcd.net Skype: gmcd105 or Scott, Rebecca & Violet Shananhan Pohnpel scottshanahan@hotmail.com Kenloy & Ivell Walker Mandeville, Jamaica Old Harbouir Church of Christ, Forrest & Burma Chapman, Georgia Hiawassee, Ga. ftc1952@alltel.com

Necessities, For Growing Churches

Volume 21, Number 9 March 1st, 2015 Necessities, For Growing Churches by A growing church is a needy church; when a congregation is genuinely growing, it always needs something. Think about some conditions