Your Obituary Has Not Yet Been Written

Transcription

1 March 29, 2015 Your Obituary Has Not Yet Been Written By Edd Sterchi Toward the end of the nineteenth century, Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel awoke one morning to read his own obituary in the local newspaper: Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, who died yesterday, devised a way for more people to be killed in a war than ever before, and he died a very rich man. Actually, it was Alfred s older brother who had died; a newspaper reporter had bungled the epitaph. But the account had a profound effect on Nobel. He decided he wanted to be known for something other than developing the means to kill people efficiently and for amassing a fortune in the process. So he initiated the Nobel Prize, the award for scientists and writers who foster peace. Today he is more widely known for the Nobel Peace Prize than he is for inventing dynamite. Nobel is quoted as saying, Every man ought to have the chance to correct his epitaph in midstream and write a new one. As I read this quote, I was hit with a very arresting thought: My obituary has not yet been written. Whatever it is that men think of me, I still have the opportunity to make it better. Whatever mistakes I have made in the past, the possibility still exists for me to correct them. Whatever it is that I have yet not done, but should have, I still have time. As long as God gives me life and liberty, I can make of it something meaningful and lasting. As long as I have breath and desire, I can do my part to improve myself, my family, my neighborhood, the church, even the world. (Continued on Inside)

2 Your Obituary Has Not Yet Been Written (Continued from Cover) Everyone still has the opportunity to correct his epitaph, up until the day he dies. Of course, the best thing that could ever be written in our obituary is that we were a faithful Christian. And certainly there are many wonderful things we can add to that. And if you awoke this morning and are able to read this, there s still time to make sure that is the case. Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is (Eph. 5:15-17, ESV). Scripture quotations are from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. This Week s Pantry Items Shampoo Toothpaste Shaving Products 3/22 Angie Bayne 3/25 Melanie Walker 3/27 Daniel & Cassie Webb 3/29 Jeannie Granger 4/1 Jan Doyal 4/1 Shane Robinson 4/8 Pam Tennant 4/10 Shane & Jennifer Robinson 4/11 M.J. Kelley Mar/Apr

3 PRAYER REQUESTS OUR SICK Vivian Compton, to be scheduled for hip surgery Betty Paseur, LifeCare of E. Ridge, Room 321 Walter & Zina Jackson, unable to be at services Please remember our shut-ins in prayer: Burma Black, Jimmie Ann Brown, Leona Hale, Ruth Koger, Floyd Lones, Frances Parden, Frances Thomas, and Carl Wallace FRIENDS & FAMILY Renee Wattenberger, friend of Norine O Kelley Debbie Campbell, friend of Norine O Kelley Linda Daniels, Joy & Norma s cousin Ginger (Adair) Keys, Bill Adair s daughter Eunice Graves, Angie & Terry s aunt Scott Davis, Linda Uhler s son Teresa Jackson, Sylvia Edwards daughter Kenny Wallace, Betty Eagle s son Corbin Grant, newborn son of Erica Grant Floyd Blair, friend of Melanie Walker UPCOMING EVENTS Mar.29-Apr. 2 Gospel w/steven K. Guy; 7 PM Mon- Thurs March 31 April 4 April 5 Dorcas Meeting; 1:30-3 PM; Fellowship Room Annual Easter Egg Holland s; 4-6 PM First Sunday Fellowship Meal after morning worship April 5 TRIPLE R Meeting (following 1:30 PM service) Sympathy Our deepest sympathy is extended to Jim Silvers in the passing of his mother, Elizabeth Silvers. Please remember Jim and all of the family in your prayers. Our deepest sympathy is also extended to Barbara Sentell in the passing of her brother, Donald Gragg. Please continue to remember Barbara and all of the family in your prayers.

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5 Lesson Notes March 29, 2015 Online Visitor s Info GET INVOLVED // going on this week Today // Men s Training Service Tonight 6 PM Tuesday // Hospital Lunch // Dorcas 1:30-3:00 PM Wednesday // Tips For Better Bible Study: Periods of Bible History (cont.) Saturday // Annual Easter Egg Holland s 4-6 PM THE GOOD The coming Messiah was to be humble (Zech. 9:9; Mt. 21:4-5). Jesus characterized Himself as humble (Mt. 11:27-29). Jesus demonstrated His humility by submitting to the Father s will (Lk.. 22:40-46; Phil. 2:5-8). THE BAD Pride caused Saul to trust in himself and forget about others (1 Sam. 13:11-12). Pride caused Saul to obsess over his image (1 Sam. 14:47; 18:7-10). Pride caused Saul to openly and continually disobey God (1 Sam. 15:1-23). THE UGLY God may punish individuals and nations because of sin (Deut. 8:2; 1 Kg. 8:35; 2 Chron. 7:14; Mt. 23:12). Individuals who fail to realize their need for God will remain in their sin (Lk. 18:14; 1 Pet. 5:5). Individuals who humble themselves and put God first will be exalted (Jas. 4:10; Mt. 6:33). GET CONNECTED // chickamaugachurch.com // //

6 Scripture Reading Philippians 2:5-11 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Word Search Philippians 2 The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Print.