What is this new expression that has crept into our vocabulary in recent
years? It is one Sunday out of the year that has a unique designation
because of a football game. To a growing number of brethren that particular
Sunday is not just the Lord¹s day anymore ­ it is ³Super Bowl Sunday,² with
emphasis on ³Super Bowl.² It is the day when some congregations adjust
their evening worship hour in order to avoid conflicting with the big game.
Other congregations, steeped even deeper in liberalism, find other ways to
make their evening worship subservient to a grand party. It¹s easy to see
the real attraction ­ keep the sermon short, roll out the TV, pass the
chips, bring on the party!
A Little Rock area congregation ran an ad in a local newspaper touting
their ³Super Bowl party.² This party features ³a large-screen television
set,² along with prizes to be ³given away after each quarter.² As if that
isn¹t enough of a crowd pleaser there is this added bonus: ³Those attending
are asked to wear team colors. Refreshments will be served.² Where is New
Testament Christianity in this? And where is New Testament authority for
it?
Now, it¹s fine to watch the Super Bowl if it doesn¹t interfere with
worship. But, after all, it¹s only a football game. Winners and losers
will quickly fade from memory. But, the Lord has set aside one day as a day
of worship and service to him (Acts 20:7). Nothing else ought to draw us
into the assembly of the saints on that special day.

HOW LONG BEFORE WE ANSWER?
Dennis Gulledge

Habakkuk asked the Lord: ³O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt
not hear! Even cry out unto thee of violence and thou wilt not save!² (1:2).
The question was, ³How long, O Lord, will you tolerate oppression, violence,
strife and contention in the land?² The answer was, ³I am raising up the
Chaldeans who will march through the land and possess what is not theirs²
(1:6). This raised another issue with Habakkuk, ³How can God use a wicked
nation to punish another nation less wicked than itself?² (1:13). Must the
wicked prosper while the righteous suffer?
In all the rhetoric of war surrounding North Korea and Iraq we should
not forget how many times in history God has used one disobedient people to
punish another rebellious nation. Habakkuk complained of rebellion, violence
and false religion in Judah. Can we not see similar atrocities in our own
land? It would be a mistake to overlook the problems within our own shores,
for the United States is a nation largely in rebellion against God.
q How long before we answer for the violence against the unborn? When
comparing heinous crimes involving bloodshed we cannot ignore the legal
practice of abortion that kills between 1.2 and 1.5 million human beings
annually. Evil tyrants may exterminate their thousands or millions with
guns, bombs and nerve gas, but we do it in ³respectable² abortion clinics
with the sanction of law and sometimes tax dollars. We mask numbers of
unborn dead far beyond anything attributed to Adolf Hitler or Saddam
Hussein. God still hates hands that shed innocent blood (Prov. 6:17).
q How long before we answer for the crippling of the home and family? The
home is still at the center of the moral fabric of any nation. As goes the
home, so goes that nation! God¹s law protecting marriage is for the
preservation of the home and family (Mt. 19:1-9). Single parent families,
no parent families, stepfamilies and ³gay² families attempt to offer viable
substitutes for what God intended for the home. ³From the beginning it was
not so² (Mt. 19:8). The deep departure that we have seen in our generation,
from what the Bible teaches about home and family, is a cancer in the soul
of our nation.
q How long before we answer for the radical rebellion to God¹s word? If
anything is the object of hatred and derision in our country these days it
is the word of God on any subject. Morality, chastity and heterosexuality
are areas of thought most often targeted for ridicule. The name of Jesus is
anathema in our society. There is acceptance of any way in religion except
for the one way in Christ (Jn. 14:6).
We certainly have the right to go after evil and eliminate it for the
protection of our own people (Rom. 13:1-7). But before we imagine that God
is with us in these world conflicts, it might be well for us to take a close
look at ourselves (Prov. 14:34).

VOLUME 40 NUMBER 3 JANUARY 20, 2003

OUR SICK

Peggy Bokony has been moved to room 902 of Baptist Hospital.
Mildred Eakin, Michele Smith¹s stepmother has been diagnosed with lung
cancer. The prognosis is not good.
Susan Booer, mother of Tyler Vodehnal, is in room 502 of Baptist. She is
scheduled for surgery for a brain tumor on Tuesday, January 21st. Cards will
be appreciated.
*********************************
THANK YOU

I want to thank everyone for the calls, cards and prayers after my recent
surgery. A special thanks to Joanna and Tawni for the wonderful meal. It¹s
so wonderful to have Christian love from a Christian family. John Griffin
and family.
*********************************
CLOTHING NEEDED

We are in need of children¹s clothing for the clothing room for babies up
through teenage.
*********************************
BIBLE BOWL

There will be a Bible Bowl Practice/Parent-Student Competition on Friday,
January 31st, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. The Bible Bowl will be on Saturday,
February 1st, at Cullendale in Camden. The van will leave at 7:00 AM and
return about 5:00 PM. Mabelvale is responsible for drinks.
*********************************

SERMONS FOR JANUARY 26

Morning
The Lord¹s Day (Revelation 1:9-10)
Evening
Zephaniah ­ The Prophet of Judgment and Blessings
*********************************
ALL COMERS CLASS RESUMES

The All Comers Class will resume on Tuesday, February 11th, at 10:00 AM. We
will begin a study in the book of Joshua.
*********************************SEARCH
Week of January 26
³IF I BE LIFTED UP²
Have you noticed in medical clinics, hospitals and doctors offices a symbol
which portrays a serpent around a staff? Are you familiar with its origin
and its symbolism? Surely there must be some meaning to it. The truth is, it
has a religious origin that Jesus, Himself, mentioned and from which He drew
significant lessons.

EVENTS OF INTEREST
February 1.......Bible Bowl
February 2-7...FHU Lectures
February 11,,,,All Comers Class Resumes at 10:00 AM

OUR RECORD JANUARY 19, 2003

A.M. WORSHIP 206
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 178
P.M. WORSHIP 141
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 128

CONTRIBUTION 6017
BUDGET 6351
***********************************
MEN TO SERVE
January 26, 2003

Robert Overbey Blake Poole
Gary Poole Gene Sullivan
Stan Smith Doug Parker
Harold Pigue Bob Jarrell

Evening Scott Perry
Doyce Tarkington
***********************************
WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR

January 29 Bill Boyd
***********************************
USHERS FOR JANUARY

Morning Mike & Nathan Moore
Evening Ray Wehunt & David Gulledge
Wednesday Jim & Shawn Wallace
***********************************
GREETERS FOR JANUARY

Jim & Charlene Mauldin
Anita & Jason Griffin
***********************************
ELDER CHAIRMAN

January Gene Sullivan
***********************************