Eisenhower Church of Christ The Wolf Shall Dwell with the Lamb During a recent Gospel meeting it was requested that we have a question and answer period during each service. This was the general practice of former years and we rejoice to see those interested in its return. It is beneficial to those whose questions are answered by the Bible and in understanding the thoughts of the audience and their needs. One question answered concerned the prophetic words of Isaiah 11:6-7, And the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. the question was, To what does this refer? Is it literal language? The rationalist and pre-millennialist refer to this literally as what will happen in the coming millennial period, or that perhaps it has already literally happened in the time of Isaiah. Evidently they think, in some unknown way to us, this would be beneficial to mankind for the wolf to dwell with the lamb literally, etc., but when asked of what possible benefit this could be to man they have no answer. Clearly, this beautiful and figurative language is prophetically to be understood. The several metaphors and allegorizes are spoken while looking forward to the rule of Christ. The lessons pictured of peace in the kingdom of Christ are to be learned from these rich truths. The wolf is known for being an uneasy, ravenous animal, which attacks the sheepfold! The lamb is usually devoured by the wolf. The leopard follows or stalks a kid in order to overcome and finally kill. It is a known fact that the lion, the king of the beast, is able to kill and carry away an ox. For these to dwell or lie down together would represent one of the greatest of changes in the known practices of these animals. From the context we understand that the Messiah is described as the shoot out of the stock of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1) which shows that He is from the Royal Family of David, son of Jesse. Centuries later, Christ came, as also predicted in Micah 5:2. These figures represented men who conducted their lives like these animals. Then is given the description of the Kingdom where men who formerly acted like wild beasts, as Saul of Tarsus, would grow tame, with peace and resulting in Christ, in the church! for the earth shall be full of knowledge of Jehovah as the waters cover the sea (Isaiah 11:9). This corresponds with Jesus giving of the Great Commission and saying in the Sermon on the Mount, the meek: for they shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5), that is, by their teaching. Even the angels said at His birth, Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men in whom He is well pleased (Luke 2:14). Among those who formerly were as dangerous as deadly reptiles, after conversion and entering the Kingdom, the most helpless are safe,
because of the wonderful effect of the Gospel in the hearts of men under our Savior s rule (Romans 6:16-18). We exhort all who have not entered the Kingdom by obedience (John 3:5) to obtain these blessings for their own. Gary Colley Prayer Requests Patty Montgomery, the mother of Devida s niece, has been diagnosed with colon cancer. She is scheduled for surgery December 13th followed by chemotherapy and radiation. Prayers are being requested for her. Concerns Update Ben Ellison s wheezing was diagnosed as dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing). He was given exercises to do which should help strengthen his throat muscles. Ben is home. Janis May received a mild concussion from an incident at school two weeks ago. The CT scan did not show any serious head trauma. Burt & Anna Groves have been moved from the regular assisted living quarters to the Memory Care unit at Parks Retirement Village. They are now ready to receive visitors, one or two at a time, for short midafternoon visits of about 15-20 minutes. Anna s room is #611, but she will probably be with Burt in his room which is #616. For more information or directions, contact Jane Seabolt. Evan Rector was moved to Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital and will hopefully receive prosthetics in three months. Evan s wife is a close friend to Jacey Dennard. Kelly Wells went home from the hospital to continue her therapy at home. She is doing better and able to walk with a walker. Kelly is Carolyn Wilkerson s step grand-daughter. Prayer List Elaine Armentrout; Frank Bell; Mildred Bell; Velma Betts; Susan Bosse; Elsie Bradford; Betty Branson; Keema Brookshire; Beth Carrell; Neva Carrigan; Hazel Cavanaugh; Neva Carrigan; Linda Collum; Amber Couch; Ruby Davis; Dayton Dennard; Jewell Bettes-Dennard; Doug Dowell; James Drake; Ben Ellison; John Ford; Hattie Gilmore; Burt & Anna Groves; Jean Hambright; Lon Howard; Samuel King; Susan Lee; Shannon McAfee; Elder McCarty; Anna McGlothlin; Caleista Millican; Juan and Estella Morolez; Judy Phillips; Evan Rector; Elvia Ruckman; Inez Salcido; Teresa Simmons; Sandy Singleterry; Nancy Slife; Thelma Smith; Richard Sowell; Marilyn Upshaw; Lisa Wells; Janet Wesson; Shut-Ins Mildred Bell; Roberta Hamil; Janice Laminack; Kathy Marshall, Janelle Shirley, Lester Whisenant. FYI Denny Wilson is hosting a weekly radio program called Take Aim at 6:30 each Tuesday night. Please go to www.christiantakeaim.com where you can tune into a live discussion on the chat box. Feel free to pick up a business card on the youth table in the foyer. Watch In Search of the Lord s Way every Sunday morning at 7:30 am on CBS, channel 7. Also, tune in to hear a message from the Brown Trail Church of Christ on the Speaking the Truth in Love program every Sunday at 8:00 a.m. on ABC. Youth Bible Quiz Question The sins of the Jews What book and chapter? Last Week s Answer The sins of the Gentiles Romans 1
Events The Andrews Church of Christ is hosting the Area Wide Youth Fellowship Sunday, November 9th between 4:30 7:00 pm. Young people, please make plans to attend. The New Mexico Christian Children s Home will be here December 9th for their last food pick up for this year. They are requesting Chicken Broth. Our Fall Festival will be Saturday, November 15th between 5:00 7:00 pm. in Annex. We need people to bring cookies and cupcakes as well as individually wrapped desserts for the cake walk. Family Bible Study is on Sunday, November 16th- 6:00 p.m. at the Wood s home. Boys bring drinks. Thank You The family of Reba Adams wants to express their thanks for the out pouring of love shown to us. We appreciate the meal provided to our family and the sweet ladies that served and worked in the nursery. Thank you for taking such good care of us. We love you all. Lon & Lana Howard, Jimmy & Kathy Nunley, Joni Bates Office News Strengthening the Family Group #1 will meet at Tom & Bonnie Sorenson s home following the A.M. service, November 2nd, for a potluck luncheon and group meeting. Odessa Christian School has two faculty openings. An afternoon, part-time music teacher is needed. An upper-level class room teaching position is also open. Please contact the school if you are interested in either opening. Our Food Pantry needs to be replenished badly. Donations of any canned or non-perishable food items will be greatly appreciated. Monetary donations are also accepted. Food for Thought Some drink deeply from the fountain of knowledge; others just gargle. November 2, 2014 A.M. P.M. Announcements Charles Wood Charles Wood Song Leader John Carroll Clint Titlow Sermon Allen Weakland Allen Weakland Opening Prayer Charles Wood Charles Wood Scripture Jack Wright Josh Weakland Second Prayer Bill Tolbert Harmon Rex Closing Prayer Jr. Munoz Bill Ryan Lord's Supper West... Scot Straw Craig Wesson Jeff Wesson Communion Dylan Straw (In Library) East Cody Wesson Richard Siler Jr. Munoz Other Responsibilities: Elder : Charles Wood 550-3605 Deacon: Rudy Ochoa 381-0759 Pulpit: Chris Butler 362-7486 Table: Craig Wesson 561-5302 Song Leaders: Andrew Schwarz 405-315-2990 Recording Duties: Ed Fisher 563-0349Contributions: Richard Siler 362-1392
Sunday AM The Scarlet Line (Joshua 2:21) Sunday PM Called, Sanctified, Preserved (Jude 1:1-2) Our Records Bible Class...55 Morning Worship...123 Evening Worship 80 Wednesday 79 Contribution $4,653.03