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Can't
Have It The story is told of a Bible School teacher who was teaching a class of boys about the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16. He described the rich man as being clothed in purple with all the money he needed. Then he drew a mental picture of poor Lazarus with sores, lying on the floor, begging for the crumbs from the rich man's table. Then he completed this story telling that the rich man died and was tormented in flames, but Lazarus died and was comforted in Abraham's bosom. At this point, he asked the boys, "Which one of these men would you rather be?" One young man replied, "l would rather be the rich man while I live, and Lazarus when I die." This may bring a smile,
but doesn't it represent the thinking of so many in our nation today?
There are those who want to Jesus taught that it is impossible to have it both ways! He said, "No servant can serve both masters" (Luke 16:13). Who are the two masters that He had in mind? He explains that the two masters are God and riches! You cannot serve riches while you live, and be pleasing to God when you die! Why? Because the flesh and the Spirit are going in different directions. Paul sums it up this way, "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be" (Romans 8:5-7). Then he sums this up by writing. "So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God" (vs. 8). How do we teach our Bible students that they can love the world in the sense of loving God's creation, without loving the sinful things of the world? When John wrote, "Do not love the world or the things in the world' (I John 2:15), he was not referring to God's beautiful creation! Certainly, God wants us to-admire and appreciate His handiwork of creation. Today, when an artist paints a beautiful picture, he or she is pleased when others admire it. God must feel the same way about His masterpiece. Therefore, John was referring to the fleshly, sinful things of the world. How do we know this? Because he explains, "For all that is in the world- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - is not of the Father but is of the world' (vs. 16). One of the important aims of all Bible teachers should be to help the ones they teach, to learn that you CANNOT live in the flesh and die in the Spirit! Paul forever settles this in these words, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life" (Galatians 6:7). No, we can't live like the rich man and die like Lazarus. The narrow way described by Jesus is the ONLY way to reach God and have eternal life! |
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SERMON:
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We rejoice with the angels in Heaven at the response of sister Jerry Hill, who came forward last Sunday morning asking for forgiveness and the prayers of the congregation. We are encouraged and strengthened by Jerry's courage and dedication. New
Members! STEARSMAN,
Daniel & Katrina. . . . . . . . .////// ///////// Ladies'
Work Group Change
For Children |
Our
hearts go out in deepest sympathy to brother James Huggins, as well
as the family and friends of sister Wanda Huggins who passed
away this past Friday morning after a lengthy illness. The viewing
is scheduled for 2-4pm today (Sunday) and the funeral is at 2:00pm
tomorrow (Monday) at Kersey's.|
Keely
Watkins, Jeff Brooks, B.C. Carr, Jean Clark, Janella Ash,
Robert Cox, Barb Faught, Latanea Sims, Theresa Chadwick, Sue Church, Norris Clark, Ervin & Alma Eubanks, Jewel White, Macon Cox, James & Dot Thornhill, Travis Thornhill, Robert West, Bob Hodgdon, Minnie Stout, Terry Tribble, Vannie Dowdy, Vera Willis, Juanita Ashley, Sherry Hobbs, Mattie Hughs, Virgie Liles, Olivia Miner, Alzonio Rhodes, Frances Black, Frances Austin, James Howell, Doc Anderson, Elizabeth Gillespie, Floy Murphy, Talmadge Royal, George Willis, Victoria Wooster |
