The Encourager. December Sunday Service s Bible class 10:00 am Worship 11:00 am Afternoon 2:00 pm. Tuesday Ladies Class 11:00 am

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1 The Encourager Church of Christ 140 West 15th Street Front Royal Virginia FrontRoyalChurchofChrist.com SimpleBibleLessons.com We Welcome Our Guest! We are so glad you ve come for worship today! Our prayer is you will be blessed by your time with us. Please feel free to ask us any questions you may have concerning our worship. December Sunday Service s Bible class 10:00 am Worship 11:00 am Afternoon 2:00 pm Tuesday Ladies Class 11:00 am Wednesday Service 7:00 pm Personal Bible Study SimpleBibleLessons.com Online Correspondence In Home RSW Jail Ministry Correspondence 2nd & 4th In House Food Pantry By Appointment Minister John Stephen Smith ministerfrcoc@gmail.com

2 Sharon Derflinger in hospital. Cindy Candenquist had knee surgery last Monday. Hazel Clark is back home. John Woodall is back home. Tenia Smith having tests done. Terry Lichliter, having tests done. Gloria Van Arsdall David Bean, needing a kidney transplant. Mandy Derflinger Clark baby, Sadie & mom at home. Beverly Figgins Bill & Linda Butterfield Linda York Adam Selb Kim Wines Mary Steele Ella Sullivan Rick Steele Bobby Jo Henderson Ray Stelzl Tim Gunter Kenny Henderson Jr. Ruth Brooks Jamie Shell Marty Jones Jamie James Scott McCool Doris & Donald Jones Carol & Doug Ritenour Dolores Williams RSW Jail Ministry Our nation & lawmakers The Lord s church Military men & women All Law enforcement Our missionaries Our Homebound Audrey Herring Nancy Barnes John Woodall Cancer Diagnosis Ann Derflinger Philip (Pop) Funk is in hospice care. Lynn Care #221 Jerry Eubanks C.R. Newlin Priscilla L Philip Funk Jr. Jackie Barbe Frank Couto Vita Torres Jeff Pingley Wendy Willoughby Elaine Appleton Robert Jenkins Names On This Page Will Periodically be removed. Please Keep Tenia Informed as to Condition & or Status

3 Urgent Daniel 3:22 By carson van arsdall December 16, 2018 The letter arrived among lots of other pieces of mail. It was marked "URGENT". This should have caught my attention and would have been ripped open but the URGENT had appeared on other envelopes in the past. URGENT should command immediate and grave action on my part. Over the years I have been desensitized to all these bold stamped messages such as: THIS IS YOUR LAST CATALOG, IMPORTANT, YOU MAY BE A WINNER, YOU ARE A MILLIONAIRE CALL THIS TOLL FREE NUMBER and the list grows. Most of these appeals go into the trash. Some I open to see if I really have missed out on a golden opportunity. This URGENT one let me know I would shortly be getting a new VISA card. There was a probability a hacker had broken into the card files and now had all the account numbers. This is not the first time and was not an occasion for me to run into the hills screaming, "This can't be real!" Eventually someone will be caught and sent away for awhile and then probably hired by VISA to try and keep out other hackers. I have learned to roll with the punches. Instead of counting to ten before "blowing up" society now demands at least a count to 100. Quietly, we are facing many problems in our society. Crime among adults is down but rising for our younger population. The search for personal fulfillment is at an all time high. Bahaism, Buddhism, Catholicism, Evolution, Freemasonry, Hinduism, Humanism, Islam, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormonism, New Age, Scientology, Unitarianism, Universalism are studies in how much our society has shifted and accepted whatever comes down the road. The modern world accepts all thought about any and all subjects. We seem to have strayed away from these questions: are we alone in the universe, where is the first created star, why is there gravity, is time another dimension, what causes our earth's magnetic field, what causes ice ages, is an ice age due soon, are we causing earthquakes, will cancer ever be cured, why do we sleep, what causes schizophrenia and autism and Alzheimer's, how do we get addicted, why were some dinosaurs so large, and last - is morality wired into our brains. ( Many of us have seen the fall of the Communist Empire and the opening of the Berlin Wall. We have the best devices ever to predict the weather and its patterns. Technology advancements have appeared by leaps and bounds. Our affluence has taken a toll on our ethical and moral values. The church has never had a greater need then today to spread the gospel with the sources in our hands. Even with our problems we live in a kind society that is ready to help others when the need arises. Encouraging News! The Arkansas ivory-billed woodpecker isn't extinct after all, just hard to spot. So, wives if your husbands are lounging in the back yard hammocks. They're not goofing off, just joined an elite group of bird watchers listening for that distinct POP-pop sound of the ivory billed woodpecker.

4 Serving Today Bob Baleskie Bill Adams David Born Danny Derflinger Song Service George Diaz Jacob Lichliter Scripture Reading Art Candenquist Taking monies up now for Holiday Food Baskets. On December 18th at 11:00 all food baskets for the families that names were turned in to Juanita & Deborah, will be put together for delivery. Everyone is welcome to help in this mission. Please bring brown bags lunches or soup & sandwiches & stay for lunch. Pantry Help for November: 11 Our Pantry needs: Instant Pancake Mix & Ramen Noodles. In 2019 on January 2:00 pm a congregational meeting will be held. Please be in attendance. Attention: Tuesday morning Bible class will end on the 18th & start back up in January on the 8th. On December 31st. A New Year s Eve get together at Eugene & Juanita s house. More information to come as to the starting time. Bring finger foods, drinks, & board games, cards, & let s bring in the New Year in fellowship together. Linda Sullivan 12/22 The Benfit s 12/12 Mark Derflinger 12/31 The Born s 12/22 The Jone s 12/25 Pick-up the Listen & Learn Worksheet at the Information Corner.

5 Deuteronomy 1:1 4:40 Moses First Parting Speech Moses BSGFAA Lesson 229 Bible Quiz: 1. Yes or no, did the New Testament writers teach any of the proverbs? Hint: Romans 12:20; Hebrews 12:5-6; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5; 2 Peter 2:22 2. Describe Enoch s relationship with God. What miraculous event occurred to Enoch at the end of his life on earth? Genesis 5:22, The oldest man we know about lived to be 969 years. Who was he? Genesis 5:27 4. Why did Moses set a bronze snake on a pole? Numbers 21: Where did the Israelites camp on the east side of the Jordan River? Numbers 22:1 6. Who was Balak? Balaam? Numbers 22: The Israelite man & the Midianite woman who passed in front of the Tent of Meeting were slain by. Numbers 25: Describe the covenant which God made with Phinehas. Numbers 25: Yes or no, did Moses keep records of the journeys of the Israelites? Numbers 33:2 10. Yes or no, could land inheritances pass from tribe to tribe? Numbers 36:7, 9 According to the Dictionary: Deuteronomy means second (or repeated) law. The Law of Moses needed to be repeated since most of the adult Israelites 20 years & older had died, & a new generation had grown. The Israelites needed guidance in making the transition from a life of wandering to a life in cities & villages. Also, the people would be tempted by the idolatry of their Canaanite neighbors. The book was composed of Moses three farewell speeches delivered over a month or less. Questions: 1. In what year did Moses give his final speeches to the Israelites & in what place? Deuteronomy 1:1, 3 Moses reviewed the history of the Israelite nation beginning with what event? Deut. 1:6 2. What did Moses say to teach their children & grandchildren? Deut. 4:9 3. Did Moses plead with God to let him enter Canaan? What was the Lord s reply? Deut. 3: What was Moses instructions concerning adding to the Law? Subtracting from it? Deut. 4:2 5. What did Moses say concerning the making of an idol of any form? Of worshiping the heavenly bodies? Deut. 4: What did Moses ssay would happen to the Israelites if they should become corrupt & make any kind of idol? (a) Many, (b) few, or (c) no survivors would remain. Yes or no, would God forsake these? Deut. 4: Why had the Israelites witnessed all the miraculous events? Deut. 4:35 Application: on teaching one s children Deuteronomy 4:9

6 Deuteronomy 4:44 28:68 Moses Moses BSGFAA Lesson 230 Second Parting Speech Bible Quiz: 1. Rehoboam followed the counsel of (a) the elders who had served his father or (b) the young men who had grown up with him. 1 Kings 12:8, Rehoboam, Solomon s son, reigned only over the tribe of. 1 Kings 12:17 3. Why was God sorry He had made man? Genesis 6: Why did Balaam beat his donkey? What did the donkey say? How did Balaam see the angel? What did the angel say? What was Balaam s reply? Numbers 22: What was God s instructions for the punishment of those who had joined in worshiping the Baal of Peor? How did Israel take vengeance on Midian? Numbers 25:4-5; 31: On what basis was land in Canaan to be allotted? What would happen to a man s inheritance if he had no son? Numbers 26:52-56; 27: Which tribes asked for land on the east side of the Jordan River? What was their reason? What was the condition Moses stated? Numbers 32:1-4, 20-22, Why were the Israelites to drive out all the inhabitants of the land of Canaan? Numbers 33: What did Moses say to teach their children & grandchildren? Deuteronomy 4:9 10. What did Moses say would happen to the Israelites if they should become corrupt & make any kind of idol? (a) Many (b) few, or (c) no survivors would remain. Yes or no, would God forsake these? Deuteronomy 4:26-31 Additional Scriptures: 1. The greatest commandment Matthew 22: The ten commandments were given at Mount Sinai. Exodus Teaching children Deuteronomy 4:9-10; 6:6-7; 11:19; 32:46; Joshua 4:6-7; Ephesians 6:4; 2 Timothy 1:5 Questions: 1. Where & when did Moses receive the laws which he repeated to the Israelites, camped east of the Jordan River? Deuteronomy 4:44-45; 5:2 Yes or no, did Moses repeat the ten Commandments in Deuteronomy? Deuteronomy 5:6-22 How were the Israelites to love God? Deuteronomy 6:5 How did Moses instruct parents to teach their children the commandments? Deuteronomy 6:7-9; 11: From where did Moses say the Israelites would get cities, houses, wells, vineyards, & olive groves in Canaan? Deuteronomy 6: What was God s instructions concerning the making of treaties & intermarrying with the Canaanites? Why: Deuteronomy 7: If the Israelites kept God s laws, how would they be blessed in crops? Herds? Children? Disease? Why did God allow the Israelites to drive out the Canaanites? Deuteronomy 7:12-15; 9: Yes or no, would there be a special dwelling place in Canaan for God s Name? Deuteronomy 12:11 6. Who was to choose a king for the Israelites? Why did God send prophets rather than speaking to the people Himself? Deuteronomy 17:15; 18: Moses instructed the Israelites to go to Mount Ebal & Mount Gerizim after crossing the Jordan River to proclaim. Deuteronomy 11:29; 27:1-26 Application: on loving God Deuteronomy 6:5

7 3 Words You Should Never Say To Your Preacher Jack Wilkie Three little words that might seem harmless to you but are so damaging to your preacher: People are saying Sentences that start this way (or similar ways, like I ve been hearing some talk around the congregation that ) are often used to introduce some criticism of the preacher or a desire for a change. People are saying your sermons are too long. Some folks have a problem with your wife and/or kids. People are saying you don t do enough visiting. People are really upset with you over what you said about But regardless of the specific message, the general message of People are saying is always one of two things. Either: There is criticism & complaining about the preacher going on in the church, & nobody who feels that way is willing to step up & address it with him lovingly, Or The person bringing the complaint is using people as a cover for him/herself. Beyond that, they re making the dishonest implication the problem is more widespread than it actually is in an attempt to give validity to their criticism. While I m sure there are plenty of occurrences of #1, it s pretty well established in preacher circles 90% of the time when somebody says People are saying, it s the latter. Dishonesty, especially toward each other, has no place in the church. Here are 4 reasons why I hope you ll never use a People are saying criticism: First & foremost, it s unbiblical. The Bible offers plenty of advice for dealing with interpersonal conflicts (Matthew 5, 18), disagreements, & differences of opinion (Romans 14). At no point does it say, Talk behind somebody s back & hope it gets back to them through a third party or Share a criticism you have by blaming it on other people. Above all, the command to love your neighbor as yourself simply prohibits this kind of veiled criticism. It s controlling & manipulative. What can a preacher do when he receives this kind of criticism? He can t go talk to the anonymous people & explain his side of the story, so he s left with only two options: comply, or ignore it. But if he ignores it, he has no idea how many people are behind the complaint. He doesn t know if it s one malcontent or an issue big enough that it could cost him his job. So, he feels enormous pressure to comply. Whether intentional or not, that s the position the person who brings the criticism is putting him in, & it s not fair. The most stressful, painful times of my ministry have been the long, sleepless nights kept up wondering how many of my brothers & sisters truly were unhappy with me as much as I had been led to believe by a people are saying critic. Don t do this to your preacher. It s discouraging. It lets the preacher know that some of his fellow Christians (or at least one of them) have a problem with him, & they didn t love him enough to talk to him about it. The core message is You have to listen to the problems I have with you, & I don t have to give any reasoning, listen to your side of the story, or answer any of your objections. It s already hard enough on preachers that we often feel like employed outsiders, & faceless criticism just exacerbates that problem. Remember your preacher is a person, too. Customers leave anonymous reviews. Brothers confront one another in love. It facilitates gossip. What the critic is telling the preacher is, There s gossip going on about you, I was party to it, & I m a pipeline for it. If a brother or sister comes to you with a complaint about another brother or sister, it s your job to shut it down & let the grumbler know that they can either go talk to the person they re criticizing or keep it to themselves. Listening to them & passing on their complaints anonymously simply legitimizes their gossip & helps it keep spreading. If you feel the criticism is legitimate, offer to go with them & share the concerns. If they won t talk to the preacher but want to keep undermining him by talking about him behind his back, their sin needs to be confronted & exposed. It should be unthinkable to us that a church be torn asunder by gossip circles & back door politicking. The New Testament makes it abundantly clear that the unity of the church is critically important to our Lord, & it should be just as important to us. That s really what this comes down to, & why it s so important. The unity of the church & the minister s ability to be effective are at stake. I don t think anyone wants to sacrifice either of those things to get their point across. Naturally, the preacher isn t above criticism & needs gentle correction from time to time just as anyone else. But how that is accomplished makes a huge difference. When the time comes to offer constructive criticism, please remember to offer it with love. Keep in mind how much of a tough spot it puts the preacher in to hear people are saying rather than hearing it directly. And, above all, don t let gossip have its way in the church.

8 Sermon The Nothing Sin October 28, 2018 James 4:17 GOOD SAMARITAN Luke 10:25 37 RICH MAN & LAZARUS Luke 16:19 31 TEN VIRGINS Matthew 25:1 13 TALENTS Matthew 25:14 30 SHEEP & GOATS Matthew 25:31 46 Charting Gods Word