Church News
THE
JOURNAL, Thursday, August 26, 2010 - C3
'T
The Church of Christ in Perkins
We have just completed a study based on the book, "Crazy
Love" by Francis Chart who says, "a s I see it, a lukewarm Chris-
tian is an oxymoron; there is no such thing." He warns, 'q'o put
it plainly, churchgoels who are 'lukewarm' are not Christians.
We will not see them in Heaven." Revelation 3:15-18. Not
everyone of those who consider themselves "Christians" will
want to hear that or even come to Bible studies to consider it,
but no book that I can remember, except the Bible, has caused
me to do so much heart felt soul searching.
For two weeks, I have shared concerns of others about the con-
tentment and lack of holy fire exhibited by many who claim to
he"Christians." Last week I shared how many young Christians
today say they yearn for a deeper understanding of God's word
and are ready to serve the Lord wherever He leads them. When
13 year olds are climbing Mt. Everest, sailing around the world
by themselves, and 16 year old boys are leading a revolution to
get other young people to be real disciples of Christ, it is time
for us older folks to encourage them and be good examples of
what citizens of Heaven are put here to be and do.
It is encouraging to see so many mature Christians who are
leading the way. After helping to send others to the mission
field, when Tom Spoonts retired, he and his wife sold their
possessions and went to Belize as missionaries. For 50 years,
Aaron and Sylvia Duncan have opened their home to interna-
tional students and taught many about Jesus. Victory Christian
Center is spearheading the building of 1,000 houses in Haiti
for those who were ravaged by the big earthquake. Teaching
about Christ is a part of the project, and many other churches are
getting involved. They have already shipped millions of meals
and other supplies to that devastated country. Over the last few
years our little church has helped with several relief efforts both
local and in other places, and we support a couple of mission
efforts overseas. Many Churches of Christ are deeply involved
in teaching Bible correspondence courses to people all over the
world. We have lost all track of how many students we have
had. Most of my Bible students today are in prisons all over the
place. The August issue of the Christian Chronicle hi-lighted
evangelistic efforts in jails and prisons, where many inmates
are receptive to these studies. The Airport Church of Christ
in Crestview, FL baptized 42 inmates and sent 11,000 Bible
courses last year. Jeffrey Dahmer, America's most notorious
serial killer was converted and witnessed to others until he was
murdered in prison. Last month it was my privilege to visit with
S. Kay and Betty Neal who, in their mid-60's, were selling their
possessions and getting ready to enter the mission field.
There was a time when I was heavily involved in the work
God put me here to do, but frankly I'm embarrassed about how
little I have done for the Lord lately. Can we talk about this
one more time?
We invite you to come study with us about what God has done
for us and what He expects of us. We meet back in Lover's
Lane. Times are posted.
Rrst United Methodist Church, Perkins
l_zst Sunday morning, Pastor Kip taught our adults in the first
of two Sunday school classes on spiritual gifts. Using Charles
V. Bryant's book, Rediscovering Our Spiritual Gifts as his text,
Pastor Kip taught an informative session on what spiritual gifts
are for, who has them, what spiritual gifts are not, and what
they are. Following a discussion session, Pastor Kip passed
out copies of Bryant's Spiritual Gifts Inventory so we might
all find out what our particular gifts are. In the second and final
session, we will share what we have discovered about our gifts,
and ways to use them in our congregation and the community.
We are focusing on spiritual gifts so we might become more
effective as ministers and disciples of Jesus. As Bryant points
out, everyone has spiritual gifts, and the body of Christ does not
function properly unless those gifts are being used. About 40
people attended the first session, and it encourages our hearts to
see so many actively pursuing a deeper commitment.
August 28 marks a special day in the life of our congrega-
tion. This is the day we have set aside for our annual all-church
Planning Retreat. Every year at this lime, we meet together as a
church family and look at the calendar for the next year, brain-
storm, and make special plans. We look forward to this time
together, because it gives us a chance to hear from all ages about
possible directions for the various groups. The meeting will last
about four hours, with a light lunch between the two two-hour
sessions. It is exciting to anticipate where the Lord will lead us
for the coming year!
Beginning Tuesday September 7, our United Methodist
Women will host a month-long study open to all members of the
church and the community. The study is on the Native American
history and culture and is entitled, "Giving Our Hearts Away."
The study will meet every Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. Becky
Morton is coordinating the study, and says the UMW hope to
include one or more Native American pastors in the presentation
of the study. Set aside these dates to broaden your understanding
of our Native American brothers and sisters. Again, this is open
to anyone who wants to come.
Good News Church
Check out our website at goodnew .com. Sunday
morning service at 10:00 A.M. at the comer of Third and Kirk
meeting at the comer of Third and Kirk.
Bob Johnson's sermon Sunday morning was on Romans 8:
1-14. 'qherefore, there is now no condemnation for those who
are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the
Spirit oflife setme free from the law of sin and death." (NIV) He
concluded his sermon with these words: "A soul that comes to
the fullrealizxttion that he ought to be in hell but that in reality the
Lord Jesus took his hell, and that there is therefore, now, now,
NOW, no condemnation for him because he is in Christ Jesus,
is likely to be quite moved by the truth. If the members of the
human race are permitted to yell because their team won a foot-
ball game, because their candidate won an election, because they
have won fifty dollars on a horse race, because their drilling has
produced a gusher, let us shout for joy because we are in Christ
Jesus, there is, therefore, no condemnation for us NOW."
Next Sunday's sermons Romans 8:14-39"New Life In
Christ"
Ladie's study Wednesday evening 7 p.m. at 806 Methodist.
"Walking by Faith: Lessons Learned in the Dark" is a DVD
study presented by Jennifer Rothschild an internationally known
Christian teacher. Jennifer who lost her sight as a teen presents
this study of the bible with wit and wisdom as she applies God's
word to the challenges of a woman's every day life. Created
especially for women, this interactive Bible study promises to
be an eye-opening experience. This is a seven week study with
viewer guides to help in daily study.
NOTE: The Juice box opens this Thursday from 3-5 PM for
Junior High students
Four Sunday School classes will begin September 5 at 9:20
AM. These will cover our basic age groups.
Bob Johnson Minister, Box 615, or 405-747-0448, Brent
Niles Youth Minister
Christian Church of Perkins
By Ralph Martin
Sunday, our Minister, David Massey, brought a message "Our
God is Able" from Acts 20. Acts 20 tells about the .last few
weeks of Paul's third missionary joomey. Paul was in a hurry
to get to Jerusalem. He felt the Holy Spirit was telling him he
must go there soon even though he would be imprisoned and
experience suffering. Paul's traveling companions included
men representing churches Paul had started in Asia. Each
one carried an offering to be hand delivered to the believers in
Jerusalem. Paul had missed the Passover but was anxious to
deliver this gift to the Jertlsalem believers during Pentecost be-
cause it was a day of celebration and thanksgiving to God for his
provision. Paul's party was traveling by ship and was staying
ovemight in the port of Miletus - some eighty miles South of
Ephesus. To expedite gelling to Jerusalem, Paul summoned the
elders of the church of Ephesus to come down and meet with
him- which they did.
The meeting, by necessity, lasted all night. One young lad
named Eutychus, sitting on a windowsill, dozed off and fell
three stories to his death. Paul took the boy in his arms and
through Holy Spirit found him to be alive and unhurt. Paul's
massage to the elders was cleat. They were never going to see
him again. They must now feed and shepherd God's flock- his
church purchased with his blood over which the Holy Spirit has
appointed them as elders. To beware of false teachers - even
among themselves.
To remember the three years he had served them humbly
and "with tears" - never quitting or giving up no matter how
rough the going got. And although he preached in both private
and public settings to different audiences, the message was
always the same: Tum away from sin and turn to Christ by
faith. In conclusion, Paul commended the elders to God's care.
God, who was able to create the world, save the world from sin
and the only one able to save souls. God, who can do anything
he desires. God, the Father, who promised never to leave or
forsake us. The Father who loves us whether we deserve it or
not. - who's love sent his Son to die for our sins. The Father
who is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with
others of his choosing. And lastly, Paul commended them to
the wordofHIS grace- God'srichesatClaist'se . Paul's
farewell ended with prayer and many tears as both parties felt
See CHURCH, page C4
Phone: (405) 547-4064
Bank
Use.
246 S. Main, 547.2414
Steve & Kelley Myers
See you in church Sunday
Open Mon.-Fri. 7:30-5:30 p.m.
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