The Encourager. September 30, 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. September 30, 2018 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 Condolences to: Cathie Derflinger on the passing of her cousin Ceann Collier, and Vickie Petrow on the passing of her niece, Cheryl Clark. Linda York Jenifer Swain Hazel Clark Gloria Van Arsdall, Brookside, new room #122A. Philip (Pop) Funk in Lynn Care, room #221B. Adam Selby Michael Michelucci Kim Wines Remi Wines Mary Steele Ella Sullivan Cathy Meadows Kelly Clark Rick Steele Bobby Jo Henderson Ray Stelzl Tim Gunter Kenny Henderson Jr. Ruth Brooks Jamie Shell Marty Jones Jamie James Scott McCool Jaden Turner Doris & Donald Jones Carol & Doug Ritenour Dolores Williams RSW Jail Ministry Our nation and lawmakers The Lord s church Military men and women First Responders Our missionaries Our Homebound Audrey Herring John Woodall Nancy Barnes Cancer Diagnosis Janet Jenkins Jerry Eubanks C.R. Newlin Priscilla L Philip Funk Jr. Jackie Barbe Frank Couto Ryan Denharat Sandy Holzhauser Vita Torres Jeff Pingley Wendy Willoughby Elaine Appleton Robert Jenkins Names On This Page Will Periodically be removed. Please Keep Tenia Informed as to there Condition & or Status

3 When I last had a medical checkup. The nurse asked me if I had fasted and I answered that I had not. An appointment was made for another early morning for my blood work. If you have not fasted, you don't know that breakfast or lunch is light years away. I cannot imagine that you could go. without food for 40 days and nights like our Christ (Matt.4:2) or Moses (Ex.34:28) and Elijah (I Kin. 19:8). In our society food is relatively inexpensive and available. We do not have to worry about starvation. I am told that there has not been such a death in the USA for years. "Many Gnostics taught that one way to control one's evil physical self was to starve the body, denying it the food or rest it requires. Similarly, those with eating disorders assume that we can separate our "self" from our "body" and, by controlling the body, gain control of our inner self. Medical research suggests that many eating disorders are rooted in a feeling that life is out of control and reflect a desperate effort to gain mastery of oneself. The problem is, Paul tells us, such efforts are "of no value against the indulgence of the flesh"(v.23) We can't control our inner self by punishing our bodies. Instead we should seek to please Jesus in what we think and feel and in what we eat. The desire to please Jesus, rather than our desperate efforts to gain control, ultimately will bring us inner peace. " (comments on Colossians 2: THE TEEN BIBLE New King James Version) If you want to fast, it should be a voluntary matter. It is not binding on Christians and if done it should be with the correct attitude and out of love for the Lord. In Luke 18:12, the Pharisee bragged that he fasted and gave much of his money to the temple, but the Lord heard the prayer of the humble publican. The Psalmist in 35:13, said that "I humbled my soul with fasting." The great people of the Old Testament and some in the early church of the New Testament era followed the practice of fasting especially in times of sorrow and repentance. Reflect on these points: God may honor fasting when done in a deep and sincere way; some fasting may have physical benefit; the arena of the mind may be expanded during fasting; a better grip on self-discipline may be achieved; and last we may gain an appreciation of our many blessings through Jesus Christ.( edited remarks for space from the CHRISTIAN COURIER). I believe that these same benefits can be gained easily by finding a quiet place and let your mind reflect on the greatest book ever written-the Bible. This is so important in out rush 'n' go society. We have to take time to bring it all together or we will be like the huge dead tree in our neighborhood. When hurricane Isabel came through this tree was not well rooted and although it did its best it became a hindrance. If you think that fasting is the way, I am behind you and pray that you are strengthened because you have done it for the correct reason and wish to love the Lord even more than you do at this moment. c.r. van arsdall The Cracked Acorn Fasting September 30, 2018

4 Serving Today Jacob Lichliter Wilson Diaz Carson Van Arsdall Mark Derflinger Song Service Eugene Tewalt David Born Scripture Reading Art Candenquist Please check out the new Nursery schedule. This will be done on a weekly basis. Sign up for the week you can do this during worship only. Eliza Anderson 9/24 Mason Clark 9/28 October s Susan Clark 10/6 Gloria Van Arsdall 10/8 Brooke Callaway 10/19 Tenia Smith 10/23 Marian Lozier 10/31 The Callaways 9/30 Danny & Sharon Derflinger 10/27 Please donate coats and jackets to the Homeless Vets! All sizes. Collecting now till October 14th Where: Sherando Park (Sandy Shelter) 255 Lakeview Circle, in Stephens City Date: October 13 Time: 11:00 am. Each family is encouraged to bring side dishes and desserts. Don t forget your lawn chairs! Contact: Patrick McCary if planning to attend. Ofc. Phone: Patrick.McCary@cocSouthside.org Anyone interested in doing a Tai-Chi class. Classes start Thursday afternoon at 1:00 here at the building. Waynesboro, church of Christ Ladies Day, October 20th. Time: 10:00 More information on Bulletin Board. K thru 5th grade clothing collection, please see Tabitha Anderson for more details. Next Ladies Meeting November 18th.

5 Numbers 1-4 BSGFAA Lesson 218 Numbering of Israel Moses Bible Quiz: 1. What did Nathan the prophet tell Bathsheba to do in order to save her and her son s lives from Adonijah? Did she follow Nathan s instructions? What was David s promise to Bathsheba concerning Solomon? 1 Kings 1: Solomon sat on the throne of. 1 Kings 1:35 3. Why did Pilate not release Jesus? What man did Pilate release? Mark 15:15 4. Why did God not destroy the Israelites whom He saw worshipping the golden calf? Exodus 32: Moses had to (a) encourage or (b) restrain the people concerning their gifts for construction of the tabernacle. Exodus 36:6 6. What could the Israelites see, when the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle? How did the Israelites know when God wanted them to pick up camp and travel? Exodus 40: What was the purpose of the burnt offering? Briefly describe it. Leviticus 1:4-17; 6: How often was the fire on the altar to burn? Leviticus 6: When could Aaron enter the Most Holy Place? Who could be inside the Most Holy Place with Aaron? Leviticus 16:2, 17, For whom did Aaron make atonement? Leviticus 16:17 Additional Scriptures: 1. We show our faith through action. James 2:18 2. God had promise to fight for Israel. Exodus 14:14 According to the Dictionary Numbering the Israelites Purpose was to learn the manpower available for military service. Women, children, and Levites were not counted. The numbering in one day was the result of a well organized plan. Questions: 1. Who was to counted in the census at the Desert of Sinai? The total number was. Numbers 1:3, Which tribe would lead the Israelites when they traveled? Who was last? Numbers 2:9, The Israelites camped around the. (a) city of Jerusalem, (b) Nile river, or (c) the tabernacle in the wilderness. 4. The Lord took the Levites in the place of whom? Why did God say all firstborn are mine? Numbers 3: Name the three sons of Levi. What were the jobs of the Gershonites? Kohathites? And Merarites? Number 3 6. When the Israelites traveled, who carried the thing that were in the Tabernacle? What would happen to the Kohathites if they looked at the holy things? Numbers 4:15, Who gave each Levite a job to do? Numbers 4:47-49 Application: on God s giving people a job to do Numbers 4:49

6 Numbers 9 & 10 BSGFAA Lesson 219 Bible Quiz: 2 nd Passover; Provisions for Guidance & Order of Procedure Moses 1. How long did David say that God had promised to keep a king of his sons on the throne of Israel? 1 Kings 2:4 2. What place was Jesus crucified? Matthew 27:33 Name the followers of Jesus who were present. Matthew 27:56 3. What was the written charge placed above Jesus head on the cross? Matthew 27:37 4. Who set up the tabernacle? Exodus 40: What was the purpose of the peace offering? Briefly describe it. Leviticus 3:1-17; 7: What was the purpose of the sin offering? Briefly describe it. Leviticus 4:1-35; 6: What did Aaron do when he went into the Most Holy Place on the Day of Atonement? Leviticus 16: Describe the function of the scapegoat on the Day of Atonement. Leviticus 16:10, Who was to be counted in the census at the Desert of Sinai? The total number was. Numbers 1:3, What tribe was to serve the tabernacle? Numbers 1:50 The Israelites were to camp around the? Numbers 2 and 3 Additional Scriptures: 1. The first Passover Exodus We can know God s will Romans 12:2 Questions: 1. Where and when did the Israelites celebrate the second Passover? Numbers 9: How did Moses decide how those who were ceremonially unclean should celebrate the Passover? Numbers 9:1-5, 8 3. By what signal from God did the Israelites set out traveling and then camp? What went before the Israelites when they traveled? Numbers 9:17-23; 10:33 4. What was used to call the Israelite community together and let them know when to travel? Who blew the trumpets? Numbers 10: When did the Israelites leave Mount Sinai? Yes or no, did they have any special order of traveling? Numbers 10: Why did Moses encourage Hobab the Midianite to travel with the Israelites? Numbers 10:31 7. To what people was Mark written? (a) Jews, (b) Roman Gentiles, or (c) the Roman Emperor Application: on seeking God s will Numbers 9:8

7 T IS A P GOAL OF THE CHURCH A EACH FOR THE GOOD OF ALL Recently in our auditorium class, we were discussing the Scottish Restoration Movement led by John Glas and Robert Sandeman. These churches were noted for their lack of evangelistic zeal. There were several reasons for it: a) elders did all the teaching in the local churches, b) they felt their responsibility was only with the membership, and c) they were preoccupied with arguments over the nature of the local church and did not look beyond that. Eventually, those churches died a natural death because they did not obey the Great Commission. I asked our Bible class, what are some reasons why we today should go into all the world with the Gospel? Here are some of the replies: 1. Because Jesus said that we should go. Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15.) He told Peter, James and John, Fear not, from henceforth thou shalt catch men. (Luke 5:10.) I will make you to become fishers of men. (Mark 1:17.) That these words apply to us as well as to those to whom they were first given is obvious by those who obeyed those words among second generation preachers. (2 Tim. 2:2.) 2. Paul asked, How shall they hear without a preacher? (Rom. 10:14.) Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. (Rom. 10:17.) With the heart man believes unto righteousness. (Rom. 10:10.) 3. We should obey the Great Commission because one day someone from another country may need to come to our country to preach the Gospel. Jerusalem first received the Gospel, but largely today it has lost it. The plan was for the message to go from Jerusalem to Judea to Samaria and to the uttermost parts of the earth. (Acts 1:8.) Author Unknown One Another Comand Teach & Admonish September 30, 2018 Why We Should Go Into All The World

8 The Moral Decline in America The Conclusion How is Public Opinion Molded The term public opinion dates back to the seventeenth century. In An Essay Concerning Human Understanding John Locke wrote of the importance of public opinion in politics. Among the Founding Fathers, James Madison recognized that for a government to be democratic, it required citizens that held educated opinions they could share and express. Stages of forming public opinion include: (1) Rise of an issue, (2) proposed solutions, and (3) arrival at consensus. Public opinion now starts with agenda setting by the world s major media outlets. They decide which stories are newsworthy and how and when to report them. Modern public opinion on morality changed steadily over the last seventy years. It began in 1947, when the Supreme Court decided in Everson v. Board of Education that the First Amendment instituted a wall of separation between church and state. A wall of atheism around public schools where God is not to be mentioned was the result but was not what Jefferson envisioned. In early America, the Bible was used as a text book to teach morality. Noah Webster s Primer taught children to spell with Bible verses. Satan s plan to destroy America through changing public opinion is easy to track (Eph. 6:11): Undermine the family. Relax sexual ethics. Remove Christianity s influence. In its void, put sordid entertainment. Use music and television to change minds. In 1972, only 7% of adults had no religious affiliation. Now nearly a fifth and 32% under 30 have none. Nearly 60% of Christians age 15 to 29 are not active in any church! Of those who attend regularly, a Gallup study showed a severe gap between belief and commitment, between high religiosity and low ethics. True religion touches the heart and life (Mt. 15:9;cf. Rom. 12:1) and true worship is in spirit and in truth (Jn. 4:24). As Christians, what can we do to correct this moral decline? Live righteously, (Micah 6:8) Jesus said, you are the salt of the earth (Mt. 5:13). Salt is used as a preservative, Christians preserve society and must not become like the world and lose their savor. Each needs to contribute to the righteous climate of the nation which God considers before sending destruction (cf. Gen. 18:20). Pray, (1 Tim. 3:1-2) there is more power in prayer than in Congress. Preach the gospel. (Mk. 16:15). Fixing moral decay is more difficult than switching political parties. Nations change as citizens change. We must stand in the way of truth and call the wicked back to the right path. Liberalism can only win in the absence of absolute truth, so let us let our voices be heard (Ps. 107:2). Eternal Scripture declares, The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God (Ps. 9:17) When wickedness continues in hardened defiance to His will, God terminates prosperity and lets the nation fall to its enemies! While God s patience is long it is not without end, He once waited 120 years to send the Flood, Gen.6:3. The longsuffering of God waits 1 Pet. 3:20