The Encourager. January 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. January 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: Rex Callaway and family on the passing of his mother, Cleda Sharrer. John Woodall, WCH. #204 Eugene Tewalt Bill Adams Joel Jones Brenda Born Tenia Smith Terry Lichliter Sharon Derflinger in Hertiage Hall #302 Cindy Candenquist The Lord s church Military men and women All Law enforcement Our missionaries RSW Jail Ministry Bobby Jo Henderson Tommy Strickler Robertt Robinson Jr. Shirley Brookhart Albert Jenkins David Bean Linda York Beverly Figgins Adam Selb Kim Wines Mary Steele Ella Sullivan Rick Steele Tim Gunter Ray Stelzl Kenny Henderson Jr. Ruth Brooks Jamie Shell Marty Jones Jamie James Scott McCool Dolores Williams Doris & Donald Jones Carol & Doug Ritenour Bill & Linda Butterfield Our Homebound Audrey Herring Nancy Barnes Hazel Clark Ann Derflinger Jerry Eubanks C.R. Newlin Priscilla L. Jackie Barbe Philip Funk Jr. 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 Treasure By carson van arsdall January 6, 2019 I remember in a church lobby, one of the tracts catching my interest and I wanted to make comments on FINDING GOD'S TREASURE. Treasure comes in many forms: Consider a preacher story I heard as a boy in Kentucky. A Wyoming bachelor was having a difficult time keeping the bills paid and holding on to his ranch. He decided it was time to get a job in nearby Casper. It worked out well, very well, for he met the "woman of his dreams." It wasn't long before they were engaged and not too long afterwards were married. She was to stay out on the ranch while he continued to work in the city. The object was to build up an emergency fund to meet unexpected ranch problems. The woman of his dreams had always been a city girl and knew nothing about the ranching business. Problems with the house and outside with animals and etc. just never met her husband's standards. He began to constantly nag at her to be better and listen to what he told her to do. She always replied by saying, I AM DOING THE BEST I CAN. The hard winter of Wyoming was drawing to a close. The promise of spring on a beautiful day was everywhere. Jason had just returned from lunch and for some reason glanced out the window. Winter was making one last gasp. A dark weather front was moving through, a hunch urged him to leave early for the ranch. By the time he reached the house the temperature had dropped to bring snow and freezing winds. His wife was not inside. He found this note on the kitchen table. Jason, I tried to remember what you told me. I have gone out to see about the livestock. Some have strayed to the back of the property. Don't worry, I am doing the best I can. luv, Kathie Jason put on an extra coat, went out, and found his wife. (No, it did not end this way. We always like to see "and they lived happily ever after.") The husband suffered the terrible lost of his wife in the blizzard. The treasure of his life was gone. Gone was the "woman he had always dreamed about. So, husband or wife, girlfriend or boyfriend, remember when you glance into one another's eyes, you are seeing one of God's treasures. There will never be another just like the one you are seeing. But this precious treasure - this light and power now shines within us - is held in a perishable container, that is, in our weak bodies. Everyone can see that the glorious power within must be from God and is not our own. (II Corinthians 4:7)

4 Serving Today David Born Bob Baleskie Mike Efaw Carson Van Arsdall Jane McCool 1/16 Song Service Eugene Tewalt Wilson Diaz Scripture Reading Art Candenquist The new sign-up sheet for the Nursery during worship is on the front bulletin board. Total Individuals served from Pantry, for December 23. The food baskets served 23 individuals as well. We have been blessed to serve others less fortunate throughout 2018, praise God! Congregational 2:00. All members are asked to attend. Bring your ideas and concerns to be addressed. New teaching material and age groups. Please see the Teacher s Rotation Sheet on front bulletin board. Sign-up for one quarter if we get enough people to sign-up for the 4 quarters you may only have to teach once this year! January starts the new teaching quarter. Teachers are need for these age groups. Nursery ages: infant to 23 months, Ages: 2 thru 4, Ages: 5 thru 8. Ages: 9 thru 15. Ages: 16 on up meet in Auditorium Sundays and Wednesdays. All classes are to be held downstairs. Except Nursery and small classroom across from copier. The dining room is not to be used as a classroom. Eddie Benfit 1/17 The Adam s 1/13 David Born 1/22 Joel Jones 1/23 Emma Diaz 1/30

5 Hebrews 1 & 2 Jesus Better Than the Angels Hebrews BSGFAA Lesson 232 Bible Quiz: 1. Why did Ahijah tell Jeroboam s wife that all Jeroboam s sons would be killed? 1 Kings 14: What happened to the shields of gold, which Solomon had made during the reign of Rehoboam in Judah? 1 Kings 14: After the flood, what was God s promise concerning His destroying all life ever again? Concerning seasons and days? Genesis 8: How far away does God dwell from his people? Numbers 35:34 5. In what year did Moses give his final speeches to the Israelites and in what place? Deut. 1:1, 3. Moses reviewed the history of the Israelite nation beginning with what event? Deut. 1:6 6. Did Moses plead with God to let him enter Canaan? What was the Lord s reply? Deut. 3: From where did Moses say the Israelites would get cities, houses, wells, vineyards and olive groves in Canaan? Deut. 6: Moses instructed the Israelites to go to Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim after crossing the Jordan River to proclaim. Deut. 11:29; 27: Yes or no, before Moses death, did God tell him that Israel would become unfaithful? Deut. 31: Before Moses death, God instructed Moses to write down a and teach it to the people. Deut. 31:19 According to the Dictionary: 1. The New Testament book of Hebrews will be studied immediately after the Law of Moses (in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy), since so many references are made back to this system. It is uncertain who wrote Hebrews, to whom it was written, where they lived, and the exact date of the writing. The book may be divided into two sections: (1) doctrinal 1:1-10:18; (2) exhortation 10:19-13:25. The book resounds with encouragement to the discouraged to press on toward the heavenly home, not going back to the Law Moses. 2. Jesus revealed as a prophet in verse 1; priest in verse 2; king in verse Hebrews is the only Bible book where Jesus is called High Priest. 4. Prophet was chosen by God to give His message to the people. 5. Priests under the Law of Moses, were from the tribe of Levi, they were from the family of Aaron. To serve God they offered sacrifices, taught the Law of Moses, and cared for the tabernacle and later the temple. Their office had political overtones. Questions: 1. How did God speak long ago to the fathers? How has God spoken to the readers of Hebrews? Hebrews 1: After completion of what task, did Jesus sit down at the right hand of the majesty on high? Hebrews 1:3 3. Who is better: (a) Jesus or (b) the angels? Why was Jesus made a little lower than the angels for a little while? Hebrews 1:4; 2:8 4. Discuss the eternal nature of the earth and heavens, of God. Hebrews 1: Who had the power of death? How did Jesus render him powerless? Hebrews 2:14 6. Why do believers need to pay closer attention to what they have heard? Hebrews 2:1 7. How does Jesus serve as our High Priest? Hebrews 2:17 Application: on Jesus helps us with temptation Hebrews 2:18.

6 Hebrews 3 & 4 Jesus is Better than Moses; Jesus is a Better Rest Hebrews BSGFAA Lesson 233 Bible Quiz: 1. Why did God allow Abijam to rule over Judah even though he was sinful? 1 Kings 15: What did the apostles (referring to Jesus apostles) do? (a) with Jesus during His earthly ministry, (b) were His special friends and helpers, (c) both a and b. 3. How many apostles did Jesus choose? (a) 10, (b) 8, (c) What was Moses instructions concerning adding to the Law? Subtracting form it? Deut. 4:2 5. What was God s instructions concerning the making of treaties and intermarrying with the Canaanites? Why? Deut. 7: Yes or no, would there be a special dwelling place in Canaan for God s Name? Deut. 12:11 7. God (a) has revealed everything or (b) has secret things. Deut. 29:29 8. Name the book that is called the Love Chapter of the Bible. 9. How did God speak long ago to the fathers? How has God spoken to the readers of Hebrews? Hebrew 1: After the completion of what task, did Jesus sit down at the right hand of the majesty on high? Hebrews 1:3 Additional Scriptures: 1. Moses was faithful to God. Numbers 12:7 2. Moses prophesied of Jesus. John 5:45-47; Deut. 18:15; Acts 3:22 3. Man is made of spirit, soul, and body. 1 Thess. 5:23 4. All Christians are priests. 1 Pet. 2:5, 9; Revelation 1:6 According to the Dictionary: 1. Jesus was the builder of His house, which men (including Moses) are a member; therefore, Jesus is greater. 2. Rest in Psalm 95 is the land of Canaan; in Hebrews rest is heaven. 3. Lack of faith, not giants, kept the Israelites from entering the promised land. Questions: 1. Who is better: (a) Moses or (b) Jesus? (a) House or (b) builder? (a) Sabbath rest or (b) eternal rest? Hebrews3:3; 4: Who makes up the house of Christ? Hebrews 3:6 3. When should believers encourage each other in their faithfulness? Hebrews 3: Why were many of the Israelites led by Moses not allowed to enter into eternal rest? Hebrews 3:18-19; 4:6 5. Compare the word of God to a sword. Hebrews 4:12 6. How much of each individual can God see? Hebrews 4:13 7. Why can Jesus sympathize with our weaknesses? Hebrews 4:15 Application: on approaching God Hebrews 4:16

7 The Beginning and End of Prayer Prayer, in the end, is simply an intimate conversation between a child and their heavenly Father. There are always only two people represented in true prayer, you and God. Thus, while there are many kinds of prayer we could talk about, fundamental to them all is simply a conversation, a dialogue between an individual and God. Prayer, thus, begins and ends with God and this reality, I believe, is one the reasons we do not always pray as we should. Because if we really knew and comprehended the nature and character of God, we would pray more! Teach Us to Pray. As one considers the Model Prayer (Lk.11:2-4), he can t help but be impressed with the God-centered nature of the prayer. The Model Prayer contains six requests on the part of man. The first three are specifically directed to God and that last three focus on human needs that can only be satisfied by God. Jesus, thus, teaches us to remember always that in prayer, God is the focus, not ourselves. Why? Because the way we view God affects the way we live and the way we pray. Focusing on God s in our prayers helps us to filter out the frivolous and seek out His will and not our own. Thus, when praying, we need to remember that prayer begins and ends with God. Prayer Begins with God. When we pray we are reminding ourselves that God is always with us. This is essential to prayer because the more we think about God s being with us, the more it changes the way we act, the way we think and the way we communicate with God in prayer. When we pray we are also responding to the love of God. As John proclaims (1 Jn. 4:19), before we ever reached out to God, God already loved us. Thus, in prayer we are simply responding to that love by bringing our praise, needs and concerns to our heavenly Father. Finally, when we pray we are saying yes to God s invitation. God wants to be in constant communication with His children and prayer is the means by which the invites us to make this happen. It is important thus to understand that prayer doesn t start with us, it starts with God. Prayer Ends with God. The chief purpose of prayer is that God may be glorified in the answer (R.A. Torrey). I recently heard some say that the purpose of prayer is not so that we can get our will done in heaven it is so that we can get God s will done on earth. Translation: We simply cannot expect God to fulfill requests in prayer that do nothing to advance His name and His cause in our lives and in the lives of others. The difference between having confidence in our prayers and not is found in the motivation behind them. Whose will are we really trying to get done? Humans have a tendency to be self-centered and self-seeking and such is often reflected in our prayers. So before you pray to God, here is the question you need to ask: What is in my prayers for God? What, if my prayer were granted, would bring glory and honor to God s name and lead to the fulfillment of His will? Prayer was never meant to be a laundry list of our personal and often selfish wants. God created prayer for the purpose of communing with His children and so that He might be glorified in the answer. Prayer begins and ends with God! Brian Mitchell Jackson church of Christ Jackson, MO

8 Sermon Note Star of Hope New October Year 28, 2018 Proverbs 17:24 The Fools Wisdom Wisdom From God Charting Gods Word