Friends of Faith Baptist of North Chili,
Reading in the book of Job the other day, I was reminded of a particular truth. Even when Job was so terribly afflicted, groaning and weak, he still understood God’s righteousness. He said (in Job 23:10), “But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” Do you have that confidence in God’s wisdom and love toward you?
Still looking for some help – several did send me their suggestions, it’s not too late for yours:
I am planning a Sunday evening message series! The aim of the series will be to develop a 6-week Bible study series you can then use with an unsaved friend, neighbor or co-worker. So I’m looking for topics that would resonate with the needs of an unbeliever, but would also address the needs that they truly have as identified in Scripture (today’s “felt” needs are often not what God says people really need – there’s a difference).
Think to yourself, “If I am an unsaved individual what questions do I have that the Bible might answer?” I will address these from Scripture and put together handouts that can be duplicated and used as the basis for a Bible study with the unsaved. The goal is to get people in the Scriptures and point them to a realization of their sin and need of a Savior. The old method of a Doctrine 101 type Bible study – “Who is God?”; “What is the Bible?”; “Who is Jesus Christ?”; etc. requires a level of Biblical awareness that our society no longer possesses. I would like topics that your neighbors would say, “I’ve been wondering about that! Sure, I’d like to meet with you and see what the Bible says about those things.”
Send me your ideas – this will be good for both of us!
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TIME FOR A SMILE
An old fellow came into the hospital truly on death’s door due to an infected gallbladder. The surgeon who removed the gallbladder was adamant that his patients be up and walking in the hall the day after surgery, to help prevent blood clots forming in the leg veins. The nurses walked the patient in the hall as ordered, and after the third day the nurse told how he complained bitterly each time they did. The surgeon told them to keep walking him.
After a week, the patient was ready to go. His family came to pick him up and thanked the surgeon profusely for what he had done for their father. The surgeon was pleased and appreciated the thanks, but told them that it was really a simple operation and we had been lucky to get him in time.
“But doctor, you don’t understand,” they said, “Dad hasn’t walked in over a year!”
A distraught senior citizen phoned her doctor’s office.
“Is it true,” she wanted to know, “that the medication you prescribed has to be taken for the rest of my life?”
“Yes, I’m afraid so,” the doctor told her.
There was a moment of silence before the senior lady replied, “I’m wondering, then, just how serious is my condition. This prescription is marked ‘NO REFILLS’.”
One evening after dinner, a five-year-old boy noticed that his mother had gone out and he asked his father, “Where did mommy go?”
In answer to his question, he was told, “Mommy is at a Tupperware party.”
This explanation satisfied him for only a moment. Puzzled, he asked, “What’s a Tupperware party, daddy?”
The man had always given his son honest answers, so he figured a simple explanation would be the best approach. “Well, son,” he said, “at a Tupperware party, a bunch of ladies sit around and sell plastic bowls to each other.”
He nodded, indicating that he understood this curious pastime…
Then he burst out into laughter, and said, “Come on, Dad! What is it really?”
PS – “Oops.” The funny story last week about the drunk man driving a cop’s car home – apparently that is an urban legend that has been circulating since the 1970’s and is unverified: http://www.snopes.com/autos/law/copcar.asp
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Sunday, April 15, 2007
* Family Bible Classes – 9:30am
* The Adult Class (meeting in the auditorium) continues the study “Crises and Crowns” — the Old Testament biographies of Samuel, Saul, David and Solomon. This week we will look at 1Samuel 16-17 (starting Lesson 5) in which we are introduced to David, God’s choice to be the next king of Israel.
* Morning Worship – 10:45am
* From John 3:1-8, this Sunday morning’s message title is “You Must Be Born Again!” A man by the name of Nicodemus came to Jesus (by night) and in the ensuing conversation Jesus said to him, “unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” He, of course, did not understand that statement and inquires if it involves re-entering his mother’s womb and being born a second time. Do you understand the explanation Jesus gives? Let’s study this together – it’s very important for our understanding of our salvation.
* Evening Celebration – 6:00pm
* We will begin a study of the prophecy of Nahum who has a “burden” against Nineveh which is at the same time a word of comfort (the name “Nahum” means “comfort) for Judah. In the first chapter we are shown an aspect of God that is usually downplayed today. The message of Nahum begins, “God is jealous….”
* 7:15pm – Monthly Business Meeting
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That’s all for this edition of FaithFriends. Pray with me that God’s people will be equipped and encouraged and the lost will hear the good news of the Gospel and trust Christ for their salvation!
Your faithful Minister of the Word,
Pastor Harriman
www.fbcnorthchili.org