WHAT IS PTP? PTP is for every member of the Lord s church the power of an idea

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1 WHAT IS PTP? PTP is for every member of the Lord s church the power of an idea Aug. 21, 2016 [This summary is found on the Polishing The Pulpit website. Polishingthepulpit.com] Polishing the Pulpit began with three friends getting together to brainstorm sermon ideas. We soon invited other friends and someone said, This is great! We should tell others. We did and invited a speaker to discuss sermon preparation and give sample sermons. Interest increased; more speakers were invited. We moved to a hotel conference area. We dreamed big. Let s invite the best speakers in the brotherhood and see who we can get. They came. Wives wanted in, so we added women s classes. While these great speakers were assembled in one place, we decided to offer classes for elders. They loved it. People began coming from all over the country. Youth workers and deacons became interested. We added tracks for them. PTP moved to a larger event center in the Smoky Mountains. Attendance approached 1,000. Christians from other nations began coming. Why don t you have classes for regular members? we were asked. So we added the Spiritual Renewal Weekend, as well as tracks for members, teens, and children. Attendance passed 3,500. That brings us to today. What does God have in store for PTP? Come and see! Several have asked about Polishing the Pulpit (PTP), so I thought I would post their description. It is a great week of Refreshing, Renewing, and Recharging. Tiring? Yes. It is a wonderful opportunity to hear lessons on many different subjects and to renew acquaintances of those you know. I think this will be my eleventh year to attend. I appreciate the opportunity. L. Cole WHICH LAW? Much confusion exists in the religious community as to the place of the law of Moses in God s plan. Most people believe that the law of Moses is still in force, at least in part, for people today. Perhaps a few points of contrast would help us see clearly the difference between the law of Moses and the law of Christ, and help point us to God s law for men today. 1. MEDIATOR - A study of Hebrews 9, especially verses 15 & 19, points one to Christ as mediator of the New Testament, while Moses was mediator of the old law. Would you prefer Moses or Christ as your mediator? 2. WHAT According to I Kings 8:9 & 12, the Lord made a covenant with the children of Israel. In Hebrews 9:15-17 & 10:9-10, He taketh away the first (covenant), that he may establish the second (testament). By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 3. TO WHOM Deuteronomy 5:2-3 & 15 speaks of us at Horeb, a reference to those who had been delivered from Egyptian bondage. In contrast, the new law is to be preached to every creature, Mk. 16:15, not just the Jews. Notice also the whosoever in Rev. 22: WHEN GIVEN The writer of Hebrews 8:9 states that the law of Moses was given when God took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt. Then in Hebrews 9:16-19, the same writer states that the New Testament was in force after the death of the testator (Christ).

2 5. WHERE GIVEN Nehemiah speaks of the commandments, including the holy Sabbath, as being given upon Mount Sinai, Neh. 9: According to Isaiah 2:1-3 and Acts 2, the new law was given in Jerusalem (Mt. Zion). 6. HOW LONG Paul makes it abundantly clear in Galatians 3:16-19 that God intended for the old law to last only till the seed (Christ) should come. When Christ came, the time God allotted for the old law ended. Yet in Hebrews 13:20, the new law is called the everlasting covenant. 7. DEDICATED The law of Moses was dedicated by the blood of animals, but the new law was dedicated by the blood of Jesus Christ. Note Hebrews 9:9-25 and 10:10 as reference to this. 8. JUSTIFICATION For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins (Heb. 10:1-4). However, under the law dedicated by the blood of Christ, we are justified by his blood and we shall be saved from wrath through him. Do you prefer to live under the law that provides no forgiveness or one where forgiveness sis available? 9. LIFE-DEATH The law of Moses is referred to as the ministration of death (2 Cor. 3:7-8), while the law of Christ makes one free for the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2; 2 Cor. 3:6) 10. HEAR Those under the law of Moses were to hear Moses (Jno. 7:19; 1:17). Those under the New Testament must hear Christ (Acts 3:22; Matt. 17:1-5). Surely, these few simple contrasts would show the open-minded person that we would never even want to go back to the law of Moses. What we have in the New Testament, the law of Christ, is so much better. As a matter of fact, throughout the book of Hebrews, the writer uses the word better repeatedly to show that what we have today, under the law of Christ, is so much better that what those who lived under the law of Moses had. He speaks of a better hope, better promises, better covenant, better sacrifices and better things for us Paul, in Galatians 3 makes it plain that the law was a schoolmaster and then says, We are no longer under a schoolmaster. How much plainer could anything be? Study also Romans 7:1-4 in which Paul says we are dead to the law. --Sidney White, Christian Messenger, 12/04, 2003 I WISH YOU MUD PUDDLES AND DANDELIONS When I look at a patch of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that are going to take over my yard. My kids see flowers for Mom and blowing white stuff you can wish on. When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me, I see a smelly, dirty person who probably wants money and I look away. My kids see someone smiling at them and they smile back. When I hear music I love, I know I can t carry a tune and don t have much rhythm, so I sit self-consciously and listen. My kids feel the beat and move to it. They sing out the words. If they don t know them, they make up their own. When I feel the wind on my face, I brace myself against it. I feel it is messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk. My kids close their eyes, spread their arms and fly with it, until they fall to the ground laughing. When I pray, I say thee and thou and grant me this, give me that. My kids say, Hi God! Thanks for my toys and my friends. Please keep the bad dreams away tonight. Sorry I don t want to go to Heaven yet. I would miss my Mommy and Daddy. When I see a mud puddle I step around it. I see muddy shoes and dirty carpets. My kids sit in it. They see dams to build, rivers to cross and worms to play with.

3 I wonder if we are given kids to teach or to learn from? No wonder God loves the little children!! Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. Just a reminder about the important things in life. I wish you mud puddles and dandelions! Via the Internet, Bridgeport Bulletin MONTROSE FAMILY NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Aug. 21, 2016 THOSE PRIVILEGED TO SERVE WORSHIP----SUNDAY---9:00 AM Coordinator Steve Anderson Announcements Kaleb Bush Scriptures Reading Rom. 8:1,2 Alex Armour Song Leader Glen Reece Opening Prayer George Clay Lord s Supper-Preside: Mitchell Brooks Serve: Jacky Jr., Roger Draper Brian Smith, Billy Halliburton Closing Prayer... Jacky Carver, Sr. Greeter Jacky & Jacqueline Carver Greeter Jimmy & Melanie Smith Count Offering Jacky Carver, Sr Kaleb Bush AM Sermon Kaleb Bush speaking PM Sermon Tim Smith (India work) WORSHIP---SUNDAY---6:00 PM Announcements Kaleb Bush Song Leader Jacky Carver, Sr. Scripture Reading Matt. 28: Alex Armour Opening Prayer Mitchell Brooks Lord s Supper Roger Draper Billy Halliburton Closing Prayer Glen Reece BIBLE STUDY WEDNESDAY---7:00 PM Announcement Kaleb Bush Song Leader Alex Armour First Prayer Billy Halliburton Opening Prayer Mitchell Brooks Closing Prayer Jacky Carver Sr.

4 Prepare Communion for AUG Vickie Cole Note: If you are not able to fulfill your assignment listed above, please notify the coordinator so that he can find a replacement. MONTROSE BULLETIN BOARD NURSING HOME: Huey Smith, Opal Agee, Pearl Anderson Pat Dyer Bob Dillehay Kasel Dillehay Those on the sick list: Brandon Powell Gladys Bowling Vickie s mother Kathy Harville Cindy Bennett Gaye Yeaman Jimmie Faye Cole W.A. Gibbs OUR RECORD OF LOVE FOR CHRIST 08/14/16 Wednesday Worship Sunday AM Bible Study Sunday AM Daily Bible Readers Worship Sunday PM Upcoming Events Aug th. Polishing the Pulpit Aug. 28 th. Fellowship Meal Sept. 03 rd. Women s Breakfast at the Barn SCHEDULE FOR AUG 01 Isa Isa Isa Isa Isa Isa Isa Isa Isa Isa Isa Isa Isa Isa Isa Jer Jer. 4-6

5 18 Jer Jer Jer Jer Jer Jer Jer Jer Jer Jer Jer Jer Jer