The ³tree of the knowledge of good and evil² (Gen. 2:17) symbolized the
separation between God and man. Man is created in the image of God (Gen.
1:26, 27), but he is subject (not equal) to God (Isa. 55: 8, 9). Satan¹s
temptation for man was for man to rebel against God¹s supremacy and
authority and for man to think he was equal to God (Gen. 3:5). Satan,
himself, is a rebel and does not submit to God¹s instructions, neither do
his followers regardless of what the command may be.
Restriction denotes a relationship between a superior and a subordinate.
The truth is that man is totally dependent upon God, therefore, His
subordinate. The tree represented that spiritual truth for Adam and Eve; the
New Covenant does for you and me today. The devil did not want Adam and Eve
to eat fruit per se. He wanted them to disobey God; he wanted them to
believe a lie and reject the truth that they were subordinates to God, and
the only means he had to use was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
This is deception through disobedience to God. Jesus offers truth (John 8:31, 32) giving man
strength to overcome the evil one. Man is fully responsible for whom he
believes and will be held individually accountable by God. Man has free will
today just as Adam and Eve did then, and we will be held accountable for our
choices of belief or disbelief of the commands in the New Testament.

Measure Your Religion
L. D. Harless

1. The day of worship in the Christian dispensation is called: a) Sabbath;
b) First day; c) Lord¹s day; d) Sunday.
2. The Lord¹s Supper is to be observed: a) Annually; b) Semi-annually; c)
Quarterly; d) Monthly; e) Weekly; f) Daily.
3. Baptism in the New Testament times was administered by: a) Sprinkling; b)
Pouring; c) Immersion.
4. In the New Testament church priests were: a) A clergy class; b) Simply
Christians; c) Special officers.
5. The alien sinner must come to Christ: a) Believing, repenting, confessing
Him as God¹s Son, being baptized in His name; b) Join a church of his
choice; c) Believing, repenting, confessing; d) Believing he is already
saved and then be baptized into the church.
6. Originally the local churches were governed by: a) a plurality of elders
or bishops; b) Councils; c) One bishop; d) Pope.
7. The creed that Christ wants all believers to follow is: a) The Apostle¹s
Creed; b) Any creed; c)The Last Will and Testament of Christ; d) The New
Testament plus one¹s own denominational creed.
8. The head of the church which Jesus established is: a) The Pope; b)
Christ; c) Peter; d) The Apostles.
9. In regard to church affiliations the Bible teaches that: a) One church is
as good as another; b) A multiplicity of churches and creeds is in keeping
with the will of God; c) There is one undenominational church or Kingdom; d)
Christ died to establish all churches or denominations.
10. In regard to final destiny the Bible teaches that: a) There are many
roads or ways to heaven; b) God is pleased with religious division of our
day; c) There is one way to heaven and one rule by which to walk; d) Paul
championed the ³many roads to heaven² theory.
11. Faith: a) Is a mysterious, unfathomable process; b) Comes by hearing the
word of God; c) Comes from within the individual; d) Is something we have or
do not have and over which we have no control.
12. To be saved one must: a) In faith obey God¹s commands; b) Possess faith
only; c) Follow conscience; d) Understand that obedience was required under
Mosaic Law but not under Law of Grace.
13. I pray: a) Daily; b) Only in sorrow or distress; c)Upon receipt of a
special blessing; d) Only during the formal worship.
Answers:13) A; 12) A; 11) B; 10) C; 9) C; 8) B; 7) C; 6) A; 5) A; 4) B; 3)
C; 2) E; 1) B, C, or D.

VOLUME 39 NUMBER 48 DECEMBER 9, 2002

OUR SICK

Charlene Mauldin¹s mother is in Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro with a
broken wrist and hip. She is doing fair and is expected to be moved to Rehab
sometime this week.
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THANK YOU

I¹m glad I love to read, for I have been busy this week. I didn¹t know that
getting to be 90 years old, and receiving about 52 cards to read over and
over again, and have a laugh about some event they brought to mind, could be
such fun! Thank all of you for your love and good wishes! I¹ll see you
around! Opal Snow.
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SHUT-INS

Please remember our Shut-Ins with a card or visit this holiday season. They
are: C.Y. Blakeney, Regional Nursing Center Room 204, 22515 Interstate 30,
Bryant, AR 72022; Pearlie Baldwin, 109 Greencrest Drive, Little Rock, AR
72204; T.F. ³Buck² Brooks, Riley¹s Oak Hill Manor, Woodland Hills
Rehabilitation, 8701 Riley Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205; Lois James, 5917
Stagecoach Road, Little Rock, AR 72204; Sam Hutton, 11116 West Baseline
Road, Little Rock, AR 72209; Opal Snow, 4216 Fox Ridge Drive #508; Bryant,
AR 72022.
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A reminder to have your Wal-Mart gift cards for the Children¹s Home in to
Rick by Wednesday, December 18th.

SERMONS FOR DECEMBER 15

Morning
Everyday Christianity (Acts 2:46-47)
Evening
Scott Perry
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LADIES PARTY

All ladies are invited to a party at Nancy Leslie¹s home on Monday, December
16th at 7:00 PM. Please bring something homemade for exchange.
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SEARCH
Week of December 15
WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS
It is being reported that 91 percent of the women and 85 percent of the men
of America say they pray every day. That is more than I would have expected,
how about you? If it¹s true, do you suppose the state really can ban the
practice of prayer in the schoolroom or on the athletic field? The poet
asked, ³Pray? Why pray? What will praying do?²

EVENTS OF INTEREST

December 14....Adult Class Party at Brad & Jill Horton's home
December 16. ..Ladies Party at Nancy Leslie¹s home

OUR RECORD DECEMBER 8, 2002

A.M. WORSHIP 195
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 168
P.M. WORSHIP 152
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 122

CONTRIBUTION 5510
BUDGET 5570
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MEN TO SERVE
December 15, 2002

Nicolas Lowe Richard Lowe
Waymon Minor Jim Mauldin
Dale Morris Mike Moore
Nathan Moore Devin Long

Evening Greg King
Tim King
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WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR

December 18 Darren Gowen
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USHERS FOR DECEMBER

Morning Gary & Blake Poole
Evening Cliff Boyd
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GREETERS FOR DECEMBER

Lori & Caty Douglas
Ray Wehunt
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ELDER CHAIRMAN

December Harold Pigue
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