July 16, 2000


Volume XX - Number 29  


The Door of Opportunity Is Marked
PUSH!
______________ K E N    W I L L I S________________

Several years ago when automatic opening doors were being introduced at supermarkets, drugstores, etc. a preacher acquaintance told of stepping in front of a door and just standing there. It was not an automatic door. He said he felt like a dummy just standing there. While many doors do open automatically today, as supermarkets, drugstores, Wal-Mart, etc., all doors do not pop open. Resident and car doors do not open automatically, neither do the doors of opportunity, doors to self-improvement, doors to success and other such doors. We can't just stand there waiting for something to happen. We have to make them happen.

Don't stand there hoping and waiting that a recent visitor will come back another time, or come into the church. In nearly 40 years of preaching, I've never known of people just drifting into the church. They need to be taught, encouraged, assisted. Don't just stand at the door, PUSH!

Don't stand there waiting for Bible classes to become more interesting. Spend time reading God's word at home. Prepare your lessons for Sunday and Wednesdays. Pray for the teachers. Don't just stand there, PUSH.

Don't stand there waiting for some dynamic preacher, super prayer, and fantastic singers to make the worship service more inspiring. Improve your preparation before coming to worship, your attitude, and participation in worshiping God in spirit and in truth. Don't just stand there, PUSH! Do your part.

Don't wait for the Lord to somehow miraculously speak to you about surrendering your life to Him. Hear His word, believe the Gospel, confess Christ as Lord, repent of your sin, and put Christ on in baptism. It's your move. It's up to you to make the push!

The door of opportunity, the door to growth, and the door to successful Christian living are marked "PUSH!" They do not just pop open automatically. Also, let's do what we can to hold the door open for others


AM SERMON:
"Beneath the Cross"
(John 19:23-28)
Carlton Hyde
PM SERMON:
"Come Let Us Go to the Cross"
(John 12:32-34)
Carlton Hyde


O
ur hearts go out in deepest sympathy to the T. J. and Margie Brooks family in the death of their son, Jeff Brooks, this past week. The address for the Brooks family is posted on the bulletin board in the foyer.

Tonight!!

Remember that we meet each Sunday afternoon at 5:30 in classroom #3, for prayer. Try to attend and participate.
O
ur youngsters meet at 5:40 for a period of story and song. Parents, please see that yours are able to be here.

FSOP Extension Class

The Florida School of Preaching will be offering an extension class here at the Orange Street building starting on August 24th. The class will be taught by brother Blackman and will meet each Thursday evening from 7:00 to 9:30. Those interested in enrolling, should fill out one of the registration forms and return it to one of the elders. The course will be 1st and 2nd Corinthians. There is a $5.00 registration fee and checks should be made out to Orange Street church of Christ.

Add To Your Directory

We are pleased to welcome the new members, who have recently placed membership with us here at Orange Street. Please add the following information to your directories:

Deaton, Maury & Frances. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .///-////
    ////////// //////////////////// ///////// - ////////////////// /////////////
Birthdays: Maury - 07/11    -    Frances - 11/03     -     Anniversary: 12/18/55

Hilborn, Juanita. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .///-////
     //////// ///////////////////////// /////// ///////////////////////////



Courtesy, counsel, and consideration are three important "Cs" of marriage. Someone said "forget yourself" I say, "Remember yourself - enough to know who your heart needs, then give that longed-for tenderness". A lifetime of happiness awaits a husband or wife who give their thoughts to each other, and their children and themselves to their God. Have the whole family in worship Sunday.

Mary Garrett, Don & Sheila Adkins, Juanita Ashley, Frances Black,
B.C. Carr, Sue Church, Norris Clark, Pansy Sims, Tammy Amidon, Robert Cox,
Earl & Vernon Wilkes, Macon & Wilda Cox, Vannie Dowdy, Frances Austin,

Ervin & Alma Eubanks, Mona Howard, Sherry Hobbs, Mattie Hughs, Olivia Miner,
Cliff Powell, Alzonio Rhodes, Latanea Sims, Sherry Taylor, Ray McNeely,

Vera Willis, Vernon Wilkes, Doc Anderson, Elizabeth Gillespie,
Talmadge Royal, Victoria Wooster