PRAYER FOR THE SICK
Dennis Gulledge We as a congregation are asked, on a regular basis, to pray for the sick. Why? It goes without saying that the God who made us can heal our bodies.
There are different types of healing. First, there was a time when God healed miraculously (Mk. 16:17-18; Cf., 1 Cor. 13:8-10; Heb. 2:2-4). Second, there is healing in the body's design to repair injuries and fight diseases (Psa. 139:14). Third, there is spiritual healing (1 Pet. 2:24).
Some important questions need to be asked: First, it's not a question of yesterday, but of today (Cf., Heb. 13:8). There was a time when God healed miraculously (Acts 4:22). There were times when miraculously endowed apostles did not heal supernaturally (1 Tim. 5:23; 2 Tim. 4:20; 2 Cor. 12:1ff [Paul didn't heal his own thorn in the flesh]). The question is what is God doing today?
Second, it's not a question of God's power. God has the power to make pecans grow on watermelon vines if he wants. God keyed nature to operate according to law (Gen. 1:11). The question is what is God's law on healing?
Third, it's not a question of divine healing. Certainly any healing that occurs is divine in nature. The question is how does God heal – miraculously or by and in keeping with natural law?
Fourth, it's not a question of prayer. We believe that it is right to pray for the sick (Jas. 5:16). Otherwise, we deny the power of God to do anything. THE HOME IN CRISIS
Dennis Gulledge You have heard the old adage, “As goes the home, so goes the nation.” This is a truism that is understood by Christian and non-Christian alike. Solomon said, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34).
We live in an especially critical time for the home and family. Society seems bent on dismantling, destroying and redefining the home, as we know it. Should we care? We didn't just wake up yesterday and find the home in crisis. Since the sexual revolution of the radical 1960s, a new worldview has emerged telling people that they are better off with no restrictions on their behavior. This worldview is at the heart of Supreme Court decisions: Roe v. Wade is about more than abortion – it's the idea that we can do what we want with no strings attached. Lawrence v. Texas (2003) said that homosexual conduct cannot be restricted by law.
The home begins with the joining together of a man and woman in marriage (Gen. 2:18-25). Jesus repeated this divine plan for the home in Matthew 19:4-6. We are hearing a lot these days about “same sex” marriages. Marriage may mean nothing more than “an intimate or close union” (Webster). By this definition same sex marriage might be allowed. In this connection Barbara Streisand recently said, “When two people form a deep bond there is usually a soul connection and the soul has no gender.” But, God (not Streisand or Webster) is our moral and spiritual governor.
The marital bond is basically (not solely) for the purpose of procreation (Gen. 1:28). Apparently, homosexual and lesbian couples seek to fulfill this basic need by adopting children. Homosexual “marriage” is, therefore, an oxymoron – no such thing in the eyes of God. Cultures have degenerated in the past, but not like the current American scene. Ancient Greece and Rome, at their moral worst, never legalized sodomy. No western civilization prior to today ever recognized it. But, currently in this country it is being decided that homosexual couples have a right to marry.
Why are we seeing the push to legalize homosexual unions? Basically, it is so that these people can feel good about their immoral behavior (Rom. 1:26-32). Their wish is to have the law on their side saying “you can't legislate morality,” and that only bigotry and hatred would raise a voice against it.
The only aspect of God's creation that was “not good” was man alone (Gen. 2:18). Adam was not incomplete simply because he lacked human companionship. He lacked female human companionship (Gen. 2:19-23). The word of God categorically condemns homosexual behavior period (Lev. 18:22; Rom. 1:26ff; 1 Cor. 6:9ff). What was sin and unnatural 2,000 years ago remains so today. All the toleration, laws, declarations, sitcoms, celebrities, music and news stories promoting it will not make it any less wrong. VOLUME 41 NUMBER 12 MARCH 22, 2004 OUR SICK John Boyd (Bill & Lori's son) had surgery on Sunday for a broken foot. He was expected to be in Baptist Hospital overnight.
Robert Overbey is at home.
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SYMPATHY We extend our sympathy to Brenda Henson and family on the loss of her mother, Pauline Berry. The funeral is today (Monday) at the Airport Church of Christ in Hot Springs.
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THANK YOU Thank you so much for my care package. It really brightened my stressful week. It's so wonderful to be thought of while away at school and I am appreciative of your loving gesture. I look forward to seeing everyone again before long. Rose Boyd.
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EVANGESTICALLY SPEAKING LECTURESHIP The 5th Annual Evangelistically Speaking Lectureship at the Mars Hill Church of Christ in Vilonia will be April 2-4. Speakers will include: Neale Pryor, Richard Kirkland, Mike Knappier, Marty Knight, Bill Green, Alex Mills, David Riley, and Ted Knight.
********************************* SERMONS FOR MARCH 28 Morning
The Church At Corinth (Acts 18:7-8) Evening
Faith And Reason (2 Corinthians 5:7) Scott Perry
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March 28 TO WHOM SHALL WE GO Despite the fact that the common people heard Jesus gladly, some of His teachings were hard and even offensive, and some turned back and stopped following Him. When asked if they, too, would turn back, the apostles answered through Peter, “To whom shall we go, Thou hast the words of eternal life.” To whom do we turn for the words of eternal life?
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
March 30……………...All Comers Class
April 2-4……..Evangelistically Speaking
Lectureship at Mars Hill in Vilonia
April 4……...Bible Bowl Practice at 3:30
April 6………………...All Comers Class
April 24.Ladies Day at Jessieville Church
of Christ, Annette Cates speaking
April 13……………….All Comers Class OUR RECORD MARCH 21, 2004 A.M. WORSHIP 226
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 191
P.M. WORSHIP 147
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 130 CONTRIBUTION 7798
BUDGET 6845
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MEN TO SERVE
March 28, 2004
Nicolas Lowe Darrell Orick
Jeff Linker Dale Morris
Doug Parker Jim Mauldin
Waymon Minor Robert Overbey Evening Mike Moore
Nathan Moore
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WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR March 31 Alan Caudle
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USHERS FOR MARCH Morning Bill Boyd & John Boyd
Evening Gary Poole & Blake Poole
Wednesday Brad Horton & Darrell Orick
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GREETERS FOR MARCH Roger & Sue Horton
Regina & Troy Threet
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ELDER CHAIRMAN March Johnny Boyd
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