The time for high school graduation is upon us. Some will graduate from college in the next few days; some have already completed that this past week. I was reading an article about graduation that talked about things graduates might not have been taught in school and I would like to summarize that article. A high school graduate will have invested over 15,000 hours in graduating from high school in addition to time spent studying. One who graduates from college with a bachelorÕs degree will have spent almost 2000 more hours in formal classroom instruction, with many more added to that number as a result of studying. The state and you will have invested a great deal of money to reach this point. What we need to realize is that graduating from high school or college is not the end of our learning. You have just begun the journey of knowledge. There are a lot of things you have not learned in this formal setting.
You need to realize that you can be rich without money. Many graduates would tell you they
completed their study in a particular field because they wanted to make a lot
of money. There is nothing wrong
with making money, with making a lot of money, but if that is your primary
goal, problems may arise. Paul
said to Timothy, ÒBut they that will be rich fall
into temptation and a snare, and into
many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after,
they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many
sorrowsÓ (I Timothy 6:9,10). Later in that same chapter we read, ÒCharge them
that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in
uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to
enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute,
willing to communicateÓ(I Timothy 6:17,18).
We need to realize that way up is
down. When you finish school, you
are ready to climb the Òsuccess ladder.Ó We need to be very careful about
pride, about the way we treat others. Take time to look up some of the
references to the word pride. Make
sure your attitude complies with GodÕs standard.
No book written by man has so many simple words as the New Testament. There is an air of simplicity about the biographies of Jesus which, like the breezes from the Galilean hills, blows upon our sophisticated minds. The gospel has not been recorded in philosophical phraseology, scientific terms, complicated sentences, or the dialects of angels; but it has been expressed in the simplest terms so that children can understand.
Man has muddied the stream of divine thought by theological and ecclesiastical terms and phrases until it is much more difficult to understand the doctrines of men than the simple teachings of the New Testament. The gospel of Jesus contains the truths of God's will so plain and clear that the untrained minds of innocent children can catch and follow them.
Teachers often confuse by their explanation, when, if they would just let the New Testament speak, the simplicity of thought would be gained. While on earth, Jesus replaced the traditions of men with respect to the law by his simple teachings. The instructions given to Christians as to how to live the Christian life can be understood. No one has a just complaint to make against the requirements of the New Testament toward a simple life.
The Gospel Was Understood When It Was First Heard
The proof of the simplicity of the gospel is seen in the record of the conversions. When the multitude came together on the day of Pentecost and heard the miraculous manifestations of the apostles speaking in tongues, they were astonished and accused the apostles of being drunken. Peter stood up with the eleven and gave a simple explanation of what had occurred.
He calmly pointed to the prophecy of Joel and recited that prophecy to the people. He then called attention to what they had observed. In a simple way, he pointed out the facts and showed that what they were observing was a fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel. With that out of the way, he then proceeded to unfold to them the claims of Jesus of Nazareth, and by the quotation from David showed that should have expected just what had transpired. Since the prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus, he must be what he claimed to beÑthe Son of God, the promised Messiah. Step by step, argument and conclusion closely following each other, Peter convinced many that Jesus was the Saviour of the world.
These astonished and confused Jews soon became believers in the Christ. About 3,000 heard this profound, yet simple, sermon that Peter preached, and were convinced. This was the first time that a gospel sermon had been preached in its fullness. Of course, Peter spoke as the Spirit gave him utterance; hence, he spoke in such simple terms as the people could hear and understand the first gospel sermon that they had ever heard. Surely Peter must have spoken simply for so many of the common people to understand and accept what he presented.
Those who did not accept the gospel on Pentecost refused it not because they did not understand it, but because they refused to believe it. Their unconverted state was a result, not of a misunderstanding, neither of their inability to understand, but a failure on their part to believe what they did understand. Prejudice and other things may have had a bearing upon them, but the chief thing was that they refused to believe what they heard.
The Ethiopian eunuch had been to Jerusalem to worship (Acts 8). He was returning and riding in his chariot. He had presumably worshipped according to the law of Moses at Jerusalem. He had never heard of the Christ or, if he had heard of him, it was an unfavorable report. Philip joined the chariot and, as he rode along, preached to him Jesus. (Acts 8:35).
This was the first gospel sermon the eunuch ever heard, and probably the first time he had ever heard of the Christ. But Philip preached the simple gospel in simple terms so that the eunuch understood him. He believed the gospel and was baptized and went on his way rejoicing in the new-found salvation.
Many others like the eunuch heard and understood the terms of salvation, and obeyed the gospel the same hour of the night. In fact, the people in the long list of conversions recorded in the Acts of the Apostles obeyed the gospel the first time they heard it. There was no delay, but prompt obedience to all the commands of the gospel marked their belief in the simple gospel.
Its Simplicity Brings Heavier Condemnation
Since the gospel is simple enough for all to understand the terms of salvation and the requirements of Christian living, all are condemned who do not accept the terms of salvation and live as the simple gospel of Christ requires them to live. The condemnation of the ignorant and illiterate would not be just if the gospel was not presented in such a simple way that they could understand it.
Every Spirit-guided speaker and writer in New Testament times expected the hearer to understand, and passed condemnation on him if he did not believe. In giving the commission, Jesus said, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature," but he also added, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:15-16). The condemnation of the disbeliever is just because he can understand the simple requirements of the gospel.
The gospel was given to be understood. It was preached in simple language and the Holy Spirit has recorded it in simple terms. Hence, our condemnation is just if we do not believe it.
The Christian life is a simple life and all of its requirements are simple. "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; For I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matt. 11:28-30). --H. Leo Boles, gospelpreceptor.com
MONTROSE FAMILY NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
May 16, 2010
WORSHIP----SUNDAY---9:00
AM
Co-Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Glen Reece
Announcements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Roger Draper
Scriptures Reading..I Pet.2:13-17 Addison Halliburton
Song Leader . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . .Brian
Harville
Opening Prayer. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .. Harold Smith
LordÕs Supper-Preside:
Mitchell Brooks
Serve: Jimmy Smith, Ricky Kirby,
Brian
Smith, Billy Halliburton
Closing Prayer.......................... Tim
Hommrich
GreeterÑ Billy & Karen
Halliburton
GreeterÑ Jimmy & Melanie
Smith
Count Offering. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . Jacky Carver, Sr.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
Kaleb Bush
AM SermonÑ Love the Brotherhood
PM SermonÑ Church Involvement in Community
Announcements . . . . . . . .
. . . . . .. . . Roger Draper
Song Leader. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . .Jacky Carver Sr.
Scripture
Reading..Matt.5:14-16 Addison Halliburton
Opening Prayer . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . É . Jimmy Smith
LordÕs Supper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Robert Hackett
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kaleb Bush
Closing Prayer . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . Larry Kemp
BIBLE STUDY WEDNESDAY---7:00 PM
AnnouncementÉ . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . Roger Draper
Song Leader . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . .
Kaleb Bush
First Prayer. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Ricky
Kirby.
Opening Prayer . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . Mitchell Brooks
Closing Prayer . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . Billy Halliburton
Prepare Communion for May
Teresa & Susanne
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: Bars of Soap
NURSING HOME: Lucille Smith,
Those on the sick list:
Donald Chaffin (Zion) Lou GehrigÕs disease
Hoss WestÑSmith County Health Care
Vaughn Allen
John William LeonardÑspine
problems
Francis KempÑICU Vanderbilt
Wednesday. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Worship Sunday AM . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . 98
Bible Study Sunday AM .. . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Daily Bible Readers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. 35
Worship Sunday PM . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Offering . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . .
$2420.00
Cole Bush will graduate from
Gordonsville High School Friday, May 14th. @ 7:00 PM.
Presli Dickerson will graduate from Smith County High School Saturday, May 15th.
@ 7:00 PM.
Our church picnic will be
June 5th at the Barn
Gospel Meeting with James
Watkins will be June 20-25th.
VBS will be July 5th
Ð9th.
Jackson/Smith County Youth
Camp will be July 18th- 24th.
The 5th. Sunday contribution
will go toward the compound we are building in India.
01 II CHRON
28-30
02 II CHRON
31-33
03 II CHRON
34-36
04 EZRA 1-3
05 EZRA 4-6
06 EZRA 7-10
07 NEH 1-4
08 NEH 5-7
09 NEH 8-10
10 NEH 11-13
11 ESTHER
1-3
12 ESTHER
4-6
13 ESTHER
7-10
14 JOB 1-4
15 JOB 5-7
16 JOB 8-10
17 JOB 11-13
18 JOB 14-16
19 JOB 17-19
20 JOB 20-24
21 JOB 25-27
22 JOB 28-30
23 JOB 31-33
24 JOB 34-36
25 JOB 37-39
26 JOB 40-42
27 PSALM 1-5
28 PSALM 6-8
29 PSALM
9-11
30 PSALM
12-14
31 PSALM 15-17