I mentioned in the lesson Sunday night the reference by Jude to the gainsaying of Core (Jude 11). This has reference back to an Old Testament example of rebellion against GodÕs instructions. The context would go back to Numbers 13 where twelve men were sent into the promised land to spy out the land. Ten of those men said we are not able to go up against the people in that land for they are stronger than us. Joshua and Caleb said the people were well able to overcome and take the land. The people listened to the majority and would not go up to possess the land. They blamed Moses and Aaron and wanted to return to Egypt. Moses informed them that they would have to wander in the wilderness for forty years as a result of their rebellion and disobedience to GodÕs instructions.
When we come to Numbers 16, Korah, Dathan and Abiram have decided to question the authority of Moses. Their words were ÒYe take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?Ó (Numbers 16:3). Who made you ruler over us? Who gave you such authority? Why should we be listening to you? After Moses went to God in prayer, he told Korah to come tomorrow and the Lord would reveal who was his. God had given Korah and his descendants word to do in the tabernacle, but they evidently were not happy with that work. They evidently wanted to be in charge. They wanted to be the leaders. Moses would ask them, ÒÉseek ye the priesthood also?Ó (Numbers 16:10). There are some people who are not satisfied with the role God has given them. God has given all of us work to do, but some are not happy with that arrangement. Some want to be elders and deacons, even though the scriptures give clear qualifications for such in I Timothy 3. Some want to be preachers, even though this role has been reserved for the men. The people that Moses addressed in Numbers 16 lost their lives as a result of their rebellion. Even after the people saw this with their own eyes, the next day they murmured against Moses and Aaron. The result was 14,700 more died. Rebellion against the will of God is a serious matter. There is more than enough work for all of us if we will simply do what GodÕs instructs us to do.
"HERE ME"
In the third volume of his series ÒThe Search for
the Ancient Order,Ó Earl West told an endearing story from the early life of
J.W. Jackson (1840-1901), a Texas preacher and later an owner and writer for
the Firm Foundation. Before becoming a Christian, Jackson served as an officer
in the Confederate army during the Civil War. There was a particular young man
serving under his command that had become notorious for fearfully and
discretely abandoning the rest of the men just before a battle was to begin.
Just before the battle at Chancellorsville began, Jackson called the young man
to his side and informed him that he had given orders to shoot him if it was
noticed he was running from the battle. And to impress upon the young man his
seriousness, Jackson repeated the order to two other soldiers while he was near
by. The young man became pale with fright, but as he entered the battle he
fought bravely. Later after a bitter campaign at Gettysburg during which many
casualties were suffered, Jackson led the remainder of his men onto the
battlefield to recover any wounded. Soon the same young man from
Chancellorsville came limping up to Jackson tired, dirty, and wet from the
battle and proudly said, ÒHere me, LieutenantÉ!Ó The young man had overcome his
fear and cowardice in the face of battle and had once again fought
courageously.
GodÕs people have always faced fierce opposition,
perhaps no more intense than during the times of the prophets. The Hebrews
writer summed up the fate of the prophets by informing us they: Òhad trial of
cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they
were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword:
they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted,
tormentedÓ (Hebrews 11:36-37). Cruelty was the name of the game as the ancient
Jews sought to show their displeasure to these spokesmen of God. And yet amidst
this fearful reality, those men stepped up to the task every time. In the midst
of one of the most perilous and ungodly times in all of the history of Israel,
God asked Isaiah, ÒWhom shall I send, and who will go for us?Ó (Isaiah 6:8a).
Isaiah could have realized the danger and discouragement he would face by
accepting such a task and just as that young man had, slip away shunning any
and all duty. But boldly IsaiahÕs response was, ÒHere am I; send me!Ó (Isaiah
6:8b). Any fear that might have been felt was immediately pushed to the far
recesses of his mind and Isaiah accepted this task that eventually would cost
him his life. Isaiah proudly proclaimed, ÒHere me, Lord!Ó
Our God is still seeking brave workmen who will go
out into fields and help bring forth the increase (John 4:35; 1 Corinthians 3:6-7).
Yet the task is not easy. Those who accept the task will face rejection,
mockery, heartache, and threats. ÒAll that will live godly in Christ Jesus
shall suffer persecutionÓ (2 Timothy 3:12). Will we fearfully flee, rejecting
any accountability for the great work that lies ahead? Or will we, like Isaiah,
step forward and accept our task? We must throw fear to the wind, step forward,
and in word and deed loudly and proudly proclaim, ÒHere me, Lord! Here me!Ó
-Andy Brewer, Plumbline
Perspectives, 03/24/10
Reasons I Love My Bible Class
I have a lot of reasons why I
enjoy being a part of a Bible class. Here are just a few.
1. It is Bible-centered. The classes of which I am a part are truly Bible
classes. Of course, we share other
thoughts, but we continually Òsearch the ScripturesÓ for our final answers to
all matters.
2. It is filled with Bible-lovers. The members of my classes want to be
fed by GodÕs Word, not by human opinion.
The Bible is the Òlamp to our feetÓ and the Òlight to our pathway,Ó so
we love the answers it alone gives.
3. It is a place for us to share triumphs and
tragedies. Of course, we wish our
classes were larger, but, being a smaller group, it is a place where we can get
to know one another. When someone
has a great moment, or a hard moment in life, our class can help him or her
through it in a great way.
4. It is a place of prayer. Often, our classes pause and pray. We sometimes have prayer requests and
we do our best to honor those. As
we grow closer together, we pray for each other more.
5. It causes me to study more. As the instructor, I am charged with
the responsibility to do my best.
However, I donÕt have all the answers (only God does!), so I want to
study more so the classes will be more helpful and effective. And, when our study is done, I am left
with more I want to study from a particular book or topic.
These are just five reasons why
I love my Bible class. If you have
not been involved in a Bible class in awhile (or never), or if you think they are
just a drudgery, look over this list again. Your Bible class has a seat waiting on you so you can learn
both the milk and the meat of the Word.
Come to our Bible classes, and
learn more of GodÕs Word!
By Adam Faughn, BulletinGold, Apr. 2010
MONTROSE FAMILY NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Apr 11, 2010
WORSHIP----SUNDAY---9:00
AM
Co-Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Billy Halliburton
Announcements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Glen Reece
Scriptures Reading....I Cor 15:.50-54ÉTim Hommrich
Song Leader . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Jimmy Smith
Opening Prayer. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . Jacky Carver Jr.
LordÕs Supper-Preside: Roger
Draper
Serve: Steve Anderson, Craig Anderson
Mitchell
Brooks, Brian Harville
Closing Prayer.............................. Harold
Smith
GreeterÑ Steve & Maria
Anderson
GreeterÑ Roger & Cynthia
Draper
Count Offering. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . Jacky Carver, Sr.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
Kaleb Bush
AM SermonÑErrick Crump
speaker-ETSPM student
PM SermonÑFamines and Earthquakes (Matt. 24)
Announcements . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . Glen
Reece
Song Leader. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . .. Harold
Smith
Scripture Reading.. I Cor.
15:55-58....Tim Hommrich
Opening Prayer . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .Mitchell Brooks
LordÕs Supper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .Jacky
Carver Sr.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Addison Halliburton
Closing Prayer . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . Jimmy
Smith
BIBLE STUDY WEDNESDAY---7:00 PM
AnnouncementÉ . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . Glen Reece
Song Leader . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
. Jimmy Smith
First Prayer. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . Jacky Carver
Sr.
Opening Prayer . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . Roger
Draper
Closing Prayer . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
. . . .Larry Kemp
Prepare Communion for April
Diana & Janie
Note: If you are not able to fulfill your assignment listed
above, please notify the coordinator so that he can find a replacement.
We are asking each family to
bring items for the pantry to be used for needs in the community as they arise:
Items for week: Pork & Beans.
NURSING HOME: Lucille Smith,
Those on the sick list:
Donald Chaffin (Zion) Lou
GehrigÕs disease
Hoss West
Vaughn
Allen
Wednesday. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Worship Sunday AM . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . 104
Bible Study Sunday AM .. . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Daily Bible Readers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. 47
Worship Sunday PM . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . .
61
Offering . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . .
$2939.05
SEVERAL EVENTS GOING ON IN APRIL.
Errick Crump, student at ETSPM will speak on April 11th.
Our meal and bowling in Cookeville has been changed to April 23rd.
Senior Night is April 25th.
Remember the Anderson family as they travel to CodyÕs
graduation from USMC boot camp this week.
Hope to see them Sunday.
01 I Kings 4-8
02 I Kings 9-11
03 I Kings 12-14
04 I Kings 15-17
05 I Kings 18-20
06 I Kings 21-22;
II Kings 1
07 II Kings 2-5
08 II Kings 6-9
09 II Kings 10-12
10 II Kings 13-15
11 II Kgs 16-18
12 II Kgs 19-21
13 II Kgs 22-24
14 II Kgs 25;
I Chr 1-2
15 I Chr 3-8
16 I Chr 11-13
17 I Chr 14-16
18 I Chr 17-19
20 I Chr 20-22
21 I Chr 23-25
22 I Chr 26-29
23 II Chr 1-4
24 II Chr 5-7
25 II Chr 8-10
26 II Chr 11-13
27 II Chr 14-17
28 II Chr 18-20
29 II Chr 21-24
30 II Chr 25-27