Why We Pray

The Joy of Going to Church

How does God want me to be saved?

Will Hell be your Final Legacy?

Excuses

I read some statistics the  other day and thought it was  worth sharing.
Someone has estimated that  the average member of the  church has heard 6,000  sermons, 8,000 congregational  songs and led zero people to  Jesus Christ!

Here is the way the problem stacks up in a Church with

• 200 members: 20 are too old to work, that leaves  
• 180 left to work. But of the rest, 18 are too timid to accept much  responsibility. That leaves
• 162 left to work, but 12 are out of town or away for school. That leaves 
• 150 left to work, but 25 of those work long hours six or seven days a week. So, that leaves 
• 125 left to work, but 20 of those are tied down with children. That leaves 
• 105 left to work, but 20 of those are unable to work because of poor health. That leaves 
• 85 left to work, but 55 are unfaithful, do not attend regularly, or don’t care.... That leaves 
• 30 left to work.20 of those will attend church...but they refuse to work.... That leaves 
• 10 left to work.8 of those are very tired of doing all the work and have asked to be relieved. That leaves 
• 2 people – you and me... But I’m too busy with other things, so you do the work. 

There is always an excuse if you look for one. But the truth of the matter is - no matter how young or how old, how busy or how tied down - we were never meant to be spectators. When Jesus told his disciples be lights of the world (Matthew 5:16) and to go make disciples (Matthew 28:19), he was talking to us too. So the question for you is, what have you been doing for Christ lately - or are you just sitting on the sidelines making excuses?

Where "U" Are Needed...

"U" are needed in Bible ST_DY, but not in IGNORANCE.
"U" are needed in S_PPORT, but not in NEGLECT.
"U" are needed in _NITY, but not in DIVISION.
"U" are needed in D_TY, but not in IRRESPONSIBILITY.
"U" are needed in B_ILDING, but not in TEARING DOWN.
"U" are needed in CH__RCH!!

Total Commitment

The late Sam Shoemaker stated, "To be a Christian means to give as much of myself as I can to as much of Jesus Christ as I know."

Early Acappella "Sail On".mov

Works

James 2:14-17, 19, 24, 26
John 12:42
Galatians 5:6
Acts 10:34-35
Matthew 7:21
Hebrews 5:9

Kinds of Works
1. Works of the flesh—Galatians 5:19-21
2. Our own works—Acts 7:41; 2 Timothy 1:9
3. Works of the law of Moses— Galatians 2:16

The Importance of Obedience

Matthew 7:21

Acts 10:34-35

2 Thessalonians 1:7-9

John 14:15 & 23

1 Peter 1:22-23

Hebrews 5:8-9

1 John 2:4 & 5:3

Romans 6:16

James 2:24

Sin

What is sin?
1 John 3:4
James 4:17

"All have sinned"
Romans 3:23

Sin is not inherited
Ezekiel 18:20
Matthew 18:3
Mark 10:13-15
Romans 14:12

Lord's Supper - Communion

Matthew 26:26-28
1 Corinthians 11: 23-29
"Upon first day of the week" —Acts 20:7
Note: This is the same wording used for the weekly contribution—1 Corinthians 16:1-2 and for the Sabbath—Exodus 20:8

Kingdom of God

"At hand"—Matthew 3:2
To come in first century with "Power"—Mark 9:1
But "Power" to come with Holy Spirit—Acts 1:8
This happened on the day of Pentecost—Acts 2:1-4
The Kingdom was in existence in Paul's day—Colossians 1:13.
It is the Church—Matthew 16:18-19.

Judgment

Hebrews 9:27
Acts 17:30-31
Matthew 25:31-46
Luke 11:31-32
2 Peter 2:9
2 Corinthians 5:10-11

Bible Inspiration

2 Timothy 3:16
2 Peter 1:21
1 Corinthians 14:37
1 Thessalonians 2:13
Galatians 1:11-12
Matthew 10: 19-20
Luke 1:68-70
Galatians 1:8-9

What Does The Bible Says About False Teachers?

2 Corinthians 11:13-15
2 Timothy 4:2-4
1 Timothy 4:1-3
Matthew 24: 24
Acts 20:28-30
Galatians 1:7-9
Deuteronomy 18:21-22.

To Support is Sinful:
2 John 1:10-11

God's church which Jesus is the Head

Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 5:23-27, Acts 20:28
The Church is the "Body of Christ," Ephesians 1:22-23, Colossians 1:18 & 24
There is one body = Ephesians 4:4-6, 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Colossians 3:15
"Churches of Christ" Romans 16:16
Saved "Added by the Lord" not "Voted In," Acts 2:47, 2 John 1:9-10
Religious division is sinful.

Bible Authority

2 Timothy 3:16
Deuteronomy 18:20
Revelation 22:18-19
Deuteronomy 4:2
Numbers 24:12-13
Luke 16:15
Proverbs 14:12

The final revelation
Galatians 1:8-9
John 16:13
2 Peter 1:3

Righteousness

People are often unreasonable,
Illogical, and self-centered;
Love them anyway.

If you are kind,
People may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful,
You will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank,
People may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building,
Someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness,
They may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today,
People will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have,
And it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis,
It is between you and God;
It never was between you and them anyway.

FOUR LEVELS OF MATURITY

FOUR LEVELS OF MATURITY

John Maxwell has identified four levels of maturity for Christians. They are given in progressive order with the least mature viewpoint listed first:
(1) I'm going to do what I want, regardless of any thought for God;
(2) If God gives me what I want, then I will give him what he wants;
(3) I will give God what he wants, with faith that he will give me what I want; and
(4) I will give God what he wants, regardless of any thought for myself.

Many Christians spend the balance of their life at level two or three but the greatest joy is found at level four.