church bulletin

1. Prayer Requests: For instance, there were about equal numbers
Johnny King: Everything went well with
of men and women who became Christians.
And people from different races were
represented in percentages that aren't far
The Mary Street
his surgery. different than the general population.
Joe Napier: For full recovery from heart
surgery.
Danny Dillard: as he deals with health
The age of new converts showed an interesting
trend. The highest percentages were among
men and women from 20 to 40 years old. And
Church of Christ Bulletin
troubles. among these, the highest numbers were for
Charlie Gant: That his health will
married people. This should tell us that we
ought to be especially targeting young married
September 18, 2011
continue. people with the gospel message.
Joey Streety: That he will be able to have
help for his health issues.
The second largest age group for converts was If We’re Hungry For Goodness
for those under 20 years old. Most of these Gary Henry
The Szaloys: On their way home. were children of existing members. This is an
Those who have moved Frankie extremely important group, and we should “Oh, that men would give thanks to the
never fail to pay special attention to the We wish to welcome you to our
Maynard and Jana Nelson, that they may Lord for His goodness, and for His
conversion of our „own‟ children.
transition well in their new homes. worship services. Visitors at our wonderful works to the children of men!
Without a doubt, the most strikingly obvious For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills
Attendance Info: 9/11/11 statistic is that new converts are, by far, most assemblies are honored guests!
the hungry soul with goodness”
Class: 22 often among people who are friends or
We are encouraged that you may (Psalm 107:8,9).
relatives of those who are already Christians.
Worship: 35, 23 In fact, a look at the numbers shows that fully have interest in what we consider WE SHOULD STAND AMAZED AT
Offering: $1021.00 80% of conversions are among those that we GOD‟S PATIENCE WITH US.
already know. Only 4% were reached by the most important issues of time
Wed. 21 In Malachi‟s day, for example, the people
advertising efforts, and just 1% contacted by and eternity. complained about the scarcity of God‟s
door-to-door work.
September We are confident that you can learn blessings, but God invited them to take
What does this tell us? It's clear that we need Him seriously and then see what would
Birthdays to be working hard to teach and convert our to share our faith and hope in Jesus. happen: “„Bring all the tithes into the
own family members, our friends and co-
9th Pam King workers, our neighbors and other
storehouse, that there may be food in My
We hope you will decide to study house, and try Me now in this,‟ says the
acquaintances. Four out of every 5
WHERE DO WE FIND conversions are likely to come from these and grow with us each time we Lord of hosts, „if I will not open for you
NEW CONVERTS? folks who are already known to us. And yet meet! the windows of heaven and pour out for
Greg Gwin we continue to target people we don't know you such blessing that there will not be
with ads and door knocking. Let's change that. If you are a first time visitor, please room enough to receive it‟” (Malachi
A recent survey of several churches of Christ Let's get more efficient. Let's work 3:10).
turned up some interesting statistics about the energetically to teach and convert as many as fill out a visitor card and give it to a
people who are being converted to Christ we can - especially those we already know. member of the church. One of our difficulties is that we fail to
Some things didn't seem to matter much.
God bless you. recognize the depth of goodness that is

2. available to us in God. “Oh, that men
would give thanks to the Lord for His
Jesus Said: ask how can we be happy when we are
“mourning?” Yet, the Holy Spirit through
save an undeserving mankind from a
devil‟s hell. I believe that our
“Blessed (or happy) are the poor in spirit: the Hebrew writer, explains how that, “All
goodness!” Marvelous satisfactions are understanding of mercy is further
waiting for us, but we don‟t have the eyes for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” chastening seemeth for the present to be developed by our own experiences in life.
to see how truly satisfying these things can (Matthew 5:3). not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it There are times in all our lives when we
be. Nor do we have the character to be yieldeth peaceable fruit unto them that extended kindness to another or withheld
grateful for what is available to us. We are have been exercised thereby, even the fruit it when it was in our power to do so.
like a complacent people who live just a of righteousness” (Heb. 12:11). (Prov. 3:27) -- F.M.
few miles from the shore of a vast ocean. Matthew 5:5 says “Blessed are the meek:
Others have told us what great things for they shall inherit the earth.” Most
await us there, but if we‟ve even bothered scholars agree that the word “earth” here Exploding Book!
to go see what lies so near us, we‟ve done should be understood as “land” i.e., “land
little more than dip our toes into the most God‟s Book has power. I‟ve seen it
of Canaan” (Clark) and not the world as
convenient edges of the water. We‟ve “explode” and blow beer out of a man‟s
we know it today. Understood in this way,
come back complaining: “The water was refrigerator. I‟ve seen this book “explode”
it is easy to see the spiritual benefit of
cold. It was too far to travel. We had to and blow the hate out of a man‟s life. I‟ve
entering into Canaan or the “Kingdom of
miss our favorite television program!” seen this book “explode” and transform
To define “poor in spirit,” we have but to God.” In Old Testament times, the Jews
people‟s lives.
The thing that we are lacking is a hunger look at our Lord Jesus Christ. Born in a understood this expression to mean, “any
The power of the Bible is amazing.
manger because there was no room at the great blessing” or the greatest blessing of
for what God has to offer: GOODNESS. If When it‟s preached, the Bible is like a
inn, raised on earth with humble all, to enter into Canaan which was a type
our taste runs in other directions, we hammer that breaks the rocks in pieces (cf.
beginnings, Jesus was rejected of his of heaven. Other ideas may be added to
shouldn‟t be surprised that what God Jer. 23:29). It penetrates our deepest
“own” (Matt. 13:57)), “despised among this word “meek” such as gentle, mild, or
offers is unimpressive. But for those who consciences and exposes our sins,
men”, “a man of sorrows, acquainted with “soothing disposition” (Vine). I have
“hunger and thirst for righteousness” stubbornness, hypocrisies,
grief” (Isa. 53:3). Certainly the Lord does always understood meek to mean
(Matthew 5:6), there simply are no words misunderstandings, and
not expect us to live under the same submission to authority or bearing
to describe the depth of our fulfillment. In motivations (cf. Heb.4:12).
circumstances He endured, but rather to adversity patiently. Jesus was meek and
fact, while it is obviously true that God emulate those attitudes in our own lives. lowly in heart (Matt. 11:29) and Moses I know that the Bible is true because many
“satisfies the longing soul, and fills the We must have a humble opinion of was meek above all men (Num. 12:3). years ago, God saved a 19-year old
hungry soul with goodness,” there is ourselves. In the very next teaching, Jesus boy whose life was going astray. He‟s the
another sense in which God‟s satisfaction says, “Blessed are they who mourn: for “Blessed are they that hunger and thirst one who‟s writing this article to you
of our needs only enlarges our capacity to they shall be comforted.” Barnes thinks after righteousness: for they shall be today. And in the years I‟ve been studying
enjoy Him even more. this “mourning” here could have two filled” (Matt. 5:6) and “Blessed are the the Bible, I have seen this book change the
possible meanings. “Either that those are merciful: for they shall obtain mercy” lives of so many different people.
For those who‟ve progressed a little way (Matt. 5:7). Although our life‟s sermon
blessed, who are afflicted with the loss of It can change your life, too.
down the path of spiritual growth, one of
friends or possessions, or that they who has already been preached, we shall need —Howell Ferguson, Bells, Tennessee
the most intense delights of life in God is all the mercy we can get in the judgment.
mourn over sin are blessed.” The two
that just when we think He has filled our The ultimate understanding of mercy is the “The gospel of Christ ... is the power of
principles of “poor in spirit” and
cup to the brim, He gives us a bigger cup. fact that God sent his only begotten son to God unto salvation” Romans 1:16
“mourning” go together. Someone may