Dennis Gulledge

On June 24, 1519, at the opening of the Leipzig debate on the relations of grace and free will, disputants argued over rules. John Eck opposed having stenographers record the debate for fear that they would interfere with the spontaneous heat of the arguments. Philip Melanchthon suggested that the truth might fare better at a lower temperature. So it does! Truth often does fare better where there is more light than heat.
Where there is more heat than light the truth suffers. Churches are divided by those who are contentious (2 Cor. 12:20). Strife is of the work of the flesh (Gal. 5:20). It is part of that wisdom which is not of God (Jas. 3:14, 16).
The word translated contention, or strife, in the New Testament has an interesting derivation. It comes from the Greek word eritheia, which originally meant, “labor for wages.” It came to mean the kind of work that is done with a single motive: What’s in it for me? It denoted the politician who served solely for his own profit. It came to identify those vying for position and power in political party squabbles, both secular and religious. Finally, it took on the idea of the purely selfish ambition of one seeking position and power.
Selfish ambition is often responsible for factions in the church. They result from men driven by a wrong ambition. Often their ambition serves more for their own supremacy than the supremacy of Christ (3 Jn. 9-11).

SUMMER SUNDAY EVENING WORD STUDIES

Dennis Gulledge

The Bible student knows the wealth of information available from Bible study, whether that study is of books, chapters, verses or words. I never cease to be amazed at the treasures that can be found in a single verse of scripture. A sermon on one verse can yield more than one might imagine. That fact is no less true of the words of the Bible.
Jesus Christ was God’s Word made flesh (Jn 1:1). The Bible is the word of God (Heb. 4:12; 2 Tim. 3:16-17). Nothing less than verbal (word) inspiration can meet the demands of the case that the Bible presents for itself. Paul said, “And those things we also speak; not in words that man’s wisdom teaches, but in words that the Spirit teaches, combining spiritual things with spiritual words” (1 Cor. 2:13, English Study Bible).
For the summer months of June through August I plan to preach a series of sermons comprising word studies. These lessons will be non-technical in nature. We will not trace Hebrew or Greek origins any more than is necessary to clearly define a word. We will not follow its technical use in Classical Greek, or other sources outside the Bible. We will not look at the modern usage of a word, except as valuable contrasts may be drawn. That which Jesus and the inspired writers meant in the word under consideration is all that will claim our attention in this series of studies.
In order that you may have some idea of what to expect in these lessons, here are the studies as I anticipate them.:

Covenant — Agreement Between God and Man
Hardened—A Serious Heart Condition
Salvation—Eternal Deliverance from Sin
Fear—Phobias Good and Bad
Pilgrim—A Christian’s Relation to This World
Sin—Missing the Mark
Gospel—The Good News
Hypocrisy—Acting a Part
Called—The Divine Summons
Offense—An Obstruction in the Way
Atonement—The Payment for Sin

As these studies are planned for Sunday evenings, I realize that they will not go uninterrupted. I fully anticipate carrying this series on into September. My prayer is that we will have a profitable summer of Bible study, focusing on these words of Scripture and their meaning to our lives. I hope that you will have your Bible, pen and pad in hand and plan to grow in your appreciation of these important matters.

VOLUME 40 NUMBER 21 MAY 27, 2003

OUR SICK

George Blythe, husband of Thelma Blythe, is ill at home.
Anna Lee Poindexter, sister of James Smith, is seriously ill.
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RESPONSE

Baptized on Sunday, May 25th, Breanna Gulledge, daughter of Dennis & Kathy.
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SYMPATHY

We extend our sympathy to Johnnie & Charlene Bishop on the death of his father. The funeral was last Tuesday in Jonesboro.
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WELCOME FOR BREWER’S

For the past several months we have enjoyed having Wayne Brewer and his family working with us here in our Hispanic program. They have been living in Sheridan and commuting back and forth. Last week they got moved to a home on Sardis Road, and we rejoice in having them nearby and want to welcome them with a “housewarming,” “pounding,” “shower” of groceries and other household items. A table for this purpose is in the foyer.
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WEDDING

A reminder of the wedding of Shawn Wallace and Kimberly Walsh on Saturday, May 31st at 6 o’clock here at the Mabelvale Church building.
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SERMONS FOR JUNE 1

Morning
Women In The Church (Philippians 4:1-3)
Evening
Covenant-Agreement Between God And Man (Hebrews 8:7-13)
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NEW ADDRESSES

Wayne & Susan Brewer, 11325 Sardis Road, Mabelvale, AR 72103, phone 455-3397. Doyce & Lana Tarkington, 609 S. E. 2nd Street, Bryant, AR 72022, phone 653-2156.
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SEARCH

Week of June 1
MARRIAGE IS HONORABLE
With about one-half of American families being made up of unmarried couples, we feel it is time that the church take a public stand on the honor of marriage. We want to go on record as favoring marriage over the “domestic partner relationships” being pushed by unbelievers. Join us.
EVENTS OF INTEREST

May 31…...Walsh/Wallace Wedding
June 7……..Farm Fest trip for Teens
June 15-21………Sardis Lake Camp
July 13-16………………...Our VBS
August 1-8...Mission Trip to Arizona

OUR RECORD MAY 25, 2003

A.M. WORSHIP 206
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 170
P.M. WORSHIP 183
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 148

CONTRIBUTION 5548
BUDGET 6351
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MEN TO SERVE
June 1, 2003

Richard Butler Henry Brooks
Phil DePriest Keith Golden
Ray Bryan James Goode
Wally Davis Chuck Farris

Evening Johnny Boyd
Alan Caudle
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WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR

June 4 Alan Caudle
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USHERS FOR JUNE

Morning Doug Parker & Darren Gowen
Evening Michael Wilson & James Goode
Wednesday Ken Sullivan & Nathan Moore
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GREETERS FOR JUNE

Doyce & Lana Tarkington
Audrey Oliver
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ELDER CHAIRMAN

June Harold Pigue
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