“The Significance of the First

Day of the Week”

By: Larry Yarber

“And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread,

Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until

midnight” (Acts 20:7).

The church was established on earth upon the first day of the week. Pentecost was a

feast of the Jews which was observed fifty days after the Passover feast. The Jew was to count,

beginning from the first day after the last Sabbath of the Passover unto the morrow after the

seventh sabbath, fifty days. This day was to begin the celebration known as Pentecost,

“pentecostos (4005), an adjective denoting “fiftieth,” is used as a noun, with “day” understood,

i.e., the “fiftieth” day after the Passover, counting from the second day of the feast, …” (VINE,

pg. 465). “And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that

ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven Sabbaths shall be complete: Even unto the

morrow after the seventh Sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat

offering unto the Lord” (Leviticus 23:15-16). It was upon this day that the Holy Spirit fell

upon the disciples, “Now when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one

accord in one place. … And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with

other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1-4). Later Luke writes of these

early Christians, that they were, “Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the

Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47). This is the first time the

Continued on page 3…

Cla

ss &

Ser

mon

Tit

les

9/6

/20

15

Su

nd

ay

AM

Cla

ss

“E

ph

esia

ns,

Ch

ap

ter

6”

Su

nd

ay

AM

Ser

mo

n

“T

he

Sig

nif

ica

nce

of

the

Fir

st

Da

y o

f th

e W

eek”

Su

nd

ay

PM

Ser

mo

n

““

Qu

esti

on

s/A

nsw

ers”

”

Wed

nes

day

PM

Cla

ss

9/9

/15

“1

Co

rin

thia

ns,

Ch

ap

ter

15

”

PR

EA

CH

ER

La

rry

Ya

rber

Ho

me:

41

7-9

62

-52

29

larr

yy

arb

er@

cen

tury

tel.

net

E

LD

ER

S

Jim

Gro

ves

4

17-2

56

-509

2

Jam

es T

. G

un

ter

4

17

- 2

57

-77

85

K

erry

H

uet

er

87

0-3

78

-62

40

L

arr

y H

all

4

17-

25

6-8

51

3

To

m M

cGo

ldri

ck

4

17-2

56

-344

5

DE

AC

ON

S

Bil

l A

lsu

p

4

17

-29

3-5

62

5

Mic

ha

el C

ock

rum

4

17

-27

4-3

29

5

Ch

uck

Hu

bb

ell

8

70

-37

8-7

60

9

T

on

y K

erle

y

57

3-7

14

-20

96

Cla

y M

orr

iso

n

4

17

-25

6-3

65

7

Hen

ry P

erry

417

-256

-21

09

Cli

ff S

hip

ley

4

17

-25

7-8

99

1

La

nce

Sh

iple

y

4

17

-29

3-9

36

5

Bil

l S

tin

e

4

17

-293

-00

16

Aa

ron

Sy

do

w

4

17

-24

7-1

97

1

Jef

f W

ood

417

-274

-15

05

Cu

rry

St.

Ch

urc

h o

f C

hri

st

11

1 S

ou

th C

urr

y

Wes

t P

lain

s, M

O

65

775

Ret

urn

Ser

vic

e

Req

ues

ted

No

n-P

rofi

t O

rg.

U.S

. P

ost

age

PA

ID’

Per

mit

No

. 9

5

Wes

t P

lain

s, M

O

65

775

Gary Barr, Loeta Barr, Helen Batterton,

Floyd & Marcella Brown, Reagan Bryan,

Wilma Cobb, Faye Dawson, Imogene

Dold, Larry Grisham, Wayne & Udean

Halford, Mearl & Louise Harris, Mary

Henry, Minnie Hicks, Lucy Jo Hubbell,

Everett Johnson, Kelly Marsh, Mary Sue

Marsh, Bettie Maxwell, Phil Martin, Pat

& Opal McFarland, Gerry Roberts, Eddie

Robinson, Betty Sage, Bill Stine, Linda

Taylor, Linda Ward, Leona Willard, Gail

Wolff & Sibyl Wright.

BrookeHaven Sue Ellen Moore

NHC Velnora Wilkening

Udean Halford

Pleasant Valley

Manor Louise Cook

Leota Crawford

Joe Powell

West Vue Elsie Croney

JoAnn Eagleman

Bobby Jo Gish

Hazel Henry

Helen North

Lois Shelton

Dennis Smithson

Lucy Tackitt

Charlie Ward

Those We Love

In Need of Prayer

Members in

Nursing Homes

Room 201

Room D8

Room C9

Room 505

Room 206

Room 404

Room 215

Room 404

Room 412

Room 713

Room 211

Room 807

Room 411

Room 602

Room 808

CHURCH OF CHRIST …for the perfecting of the saints *Maturing

…for the work of the ministry *Serving

…for the edifying of the body of Christ *Growing

111 South Curry St.

West Plains, MO 65775 www.cschurchofchrist.church

417-256-3925 E-Mail: currycofc@centurytel.net

Office Hours 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. / T - F Volume 29, No. 36, September 6, 2015

COME JOIN US IN OUR

WORSHIP!

Sunday Bible Study 9:30 a.m.

Classes for all ages!

Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.

Evening Worship 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday

Bible Study 7:00 p.m.

KJV Requested For Pulpit, Classrooms and Scripture

Reading.

SEARCH A WORD

Proverbs 6

P P D I S C O R D R R Y O T R V

E R E E R L F G E B T S H G U C

R H E A L I U D U E P Y P N L T

S E R L N I I G R I S E S I E E

O Y V G W S V U G E D E E D R R

N T E N N O S E L A G E M L A E

Y R B O E M F F R Y R N N O S B

S E C R E E S R E V O D A F X M

H V F H E Y T W F O N E N R C U

U O R A S H T E I Y A E H P T L

M P I R T D I I T S K E U D R S

B S E V I H I H M C E X N N W U

L I N E C S G L I A T H T U O M

E H D S I U S R E O L N E O R M

E I I T A T T I S Y G A R W D E

O M O N D S S N A R E D C I S R

CALAMITY OVERSEER CONSIDER PERSON

DELIVER POVERTY DISCORD RULER

EYELIDS SLEEP FINGERS SLUGGAR

FOLDING SLUMBER FOWLER SNARED

FRIEND STRANGER GUIDE STRICKEN

HARVEST SUMMER HUMBLE SURETY

HUNTER THYSELF MISCHIEF WISE MOUTH

WORDS NAUGHTY WOUND

Congregational News A Warm Welcome

To Our Visitors! We want to welcome each and every one of

you to our worship services today! We

hope you will stay after services, so that we

may become better acquainted with you! If you would, please fill out an attendance card

located in the pew in front of you and drop it

into the collection plate, so that we may have a

record of your attendance.

Ladies: There will be a

short meeting about our

October Ladies’ Day in

the north wing immediately

following evening services.

On Saturday, September 12

th, Sue Ellen

Moore (Sue Willard’s mother) will be

having her 95th

birthday. It would be

great for her to hear from her friends

from Curry St. She is at Brookehaven,

Room 201, 1410 Kentucky Ave. West

Plains, MO.

***Any woman that is interested in sewing

pillow cases for ConKerr Cancer (Cases

For Smiles), we will meet in the small

auditorium on Tuesday, September 15th

from 9 – 12 a.m. We will work together to

make pillow cases for children suffering

from catastrophic illnesses including cancer. If you have fabric to donate or need more info

please contact: Terri Wood, Patsy Atkinson or

Doreen Bridges.

Holding One Another

Up in Prayer

*Continue in prayer for

Judy Griffin as she recovers from her

heart surgery.

*Keep Phil & Debra Martin in your prayers

as Phil will be going through kidney

dialysis soon.

Thank You Thank you so much for all that you

have done, we are forever grateful. Reagan, Andrew, Mandy & William Bryan

*The elders are giving away more sermon

cassette tapes. Please take as many as you

like from the table in the foyer.

**Men’s Retreat at

Hammond Camp

**Friday, October 2nd

**Saturday, October 3rd

.

**See Cliff Shipley, Lance Shipley, or Jim

Davidson with any questions you may have.

September Birthdays

& Anniversaries

Sunday – Vernon & Donnie Holloway

Leona Morrison

Tuesday – Jim & Emma Lashley

Wednesday – Chuck Hubbell, Chase

Johnson, Clay Johnson

Friday – Marilyn Sikes

Saturday – Max & Anna Lou Fox

Kenneth Green, Ayden Hollis

Sue Ellen Moore - 95 years young!

& Lucy Tackitt

Hear: Romans 10:17; Matt. 7:24, 25

Believe: Hebrew 11:6; John 3:16

Repent: Acts 2:38, Acts 17:30 Lk 13:3

Confess: Matthew 10:32; Acts 8:36, 37

Be Baptized: Acts 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:20, 21; Mark

16:16; Galatians 3:27

Remain Faithful: Revelation 2:1

Ladies Day

Mountain Home Church of Christ

380 North College Street

September 12, 2015

Theme: “Recipe for a Sweet Life”

See flyer on bulletin board.

THE CLOCK

The “clock of life” is wound but

once, and no man has the power,

To tell just when the hands will stop

At late or early hour.

To lose one’s wealth is sad indeed.

To lose one’s health is more.

To lose one’s soul is such a loss

That no man can restore.

39 people died while you read this

short poem.

Every hour, 5,417 go to meet their

maker.

You could have been among them.

Sooner or later you will be…

ARE YOU READY?

Matthew 7:21

Not everyone that saith unto me Lord,

Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of

heaven, but he that doeth the will of my

Father which is in heaven.

Fall Ladies Day

Saturday,

October 17th

Author Unknown

“The Significance of the First Day of the Week” By Larry Yarber

church is spoken of in the Bible in the present tense as being here on earth. Jesus was

resurrected on the first day of the week, “Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the

week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils” (Mark

16:9). This day is also referred to by John as the Lord’s day, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s

day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,” (Revelation 1:10). Of this verse

Hailey comments, “The Ante-Nicene writers who wrote after John followed a consistent

pattern in considering “the first day”, “the Lord’s day”, “the resurrection day”, and the day of

meeting, Sunday, as identical” (Homer Hailey, Revelation, pg. 107). Since Jesus was

resurrected on the first day of the week, it is only appropriate that the church would also be

established on this same day.

As indicated by our opening verse, (Acts 20:7), it was upon this day that the disciples

assembled to break bread and to preach to one another. They were also to give of their means

on this day, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the

churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by

him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come” (1st

Corinthians 16:1-2). In addition to all of the above, they also sang and prayed unto God in

these assemblings, “What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the

understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also” (1st

Corinthians 14:15). Therefore, to forsake this day is a serious offence in the sight of God. The

Hebrew writer says, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting

one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin willfully after

that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins”

(Hebrews 10:24-26). Much has been said about “the day” of this passage. Some believe it to

be the destruction of Jerusalem, some any day of assembling, and yet others the first day of the

week. Whatever view one holds, I believe all will freely admit that it is an admonition which

warns us against a habitual neglect of assembling when and as commanded.

Thus, in it we should see and understand the significance of the first day of the week.

****

By: Jesse Stephens

The majority of “religious” people believe that grace is that soft, warm, fuzzy baby blanket

that covers everything and makes us feel warm and secure. In their eyes God’s grace is given

to man without any conditions. However from the first time grace is mentioned in the Bible to

the last time, it is always conditional on the recipient’s action.

The first time grace in mentioned in the KJV is in Genesis 6:8, where we are told, “Noah

found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” God displayed His Grace by giving Noah instructions for

the building of the ark 6:14-16. Noah, however, had to respond to God’s grace by not only

building the ark but building it according to God’s pattern 6:22. Ezekiel 14:20, says, “though

Noah, Daniel, and Job…they should but deliver their own souls by their righteousness” (ASV).

The last time grace is mentioned is in Revelation 22:21, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ

be with you all. Amen.” In this passage the grace is displayed by giving the words of this

prophecy (22:18) and accepted by doing His commandments (22:14) without adding to or

taking away from the words of Revelation 22:18-19. Between these references the word grace

appears 168 times. In each of these some action on man’s part is stated or implied.

Nowhere in the Bible, either directly or implied, are we saved by GRACE ONLY OR

FAITH ONLY. Ephesians 2:8-10 shows how grace and faith work together. “For by grace

have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, (it is) the gift of God; not of

works, that no man should glory. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for

good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them.” (ASV) In this passage

we are told God’s grace is a gift to man. Man’s response of God’s grace is faith (obedience).

When God’s grace and man’s obedience come together, we are created in Christ for good

works, which we walk in.

The relationship between grace and faith are beautifully merged together in Titus 2:11-

14, “For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us, to the

intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and

godly in this present world; looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the

great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us

from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good

works.” (ASV) God’s grace instructs man. Man responds to God’s instructions by living

godly, soberly and righteously in the world. This is done through obedience, Phil.2:12-13,

“So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now

GOD’S GRACE IS UNIVERSAL BUT

INDIVIDUALLY ACCEPTED

much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God

who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.” (ASV)

Love is the motivation behind God’s grace. John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that

he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have

eternal life.” (ASV) God’s grace was given to all mankind because of His great love for us.

Love becomes man’s motivation for acting on faith, John 14:15, “If ye love me, ye will keep

my commandments.” (ASV) Simply put, if faith isn’t put in action (obedience), we do not

love God thus we are not under the protection of his grace.

Matt 7:17-23, “Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but the corrupt tree

bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree

bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into

the fire. Therefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord,

Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in

heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and

by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? And then will I

profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (ASV) ~~~~

DO YOU KNOW GOD?

By: Clint Yarber

In the book of Genesis God said of Abraham, “For I know him, that he will command his

children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and

judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.”

(Genesis 18:19). The word that is translated as “know” in the verse above is very comprehensive

in meaning. It is “a primitive root; to know (properly to ascertain by seeing); used in a great

variety of senses, figurative, literal, euphemism and inference (including observation, care,

recognition; and causative instruction, designation, punishment, etc.) [as follow] :- acknowledge,

acquaintance (-ted with)…” (Strong’s Greek and Hebrew Dictionary). Thus the verb “know”

implies that God had more than just a mere knowledge of Abraham. Yes, before Abraham was

ever formed in the womb of his mother and before he ever came into this world, God knew him

(Jer. 1:5). God knew Abraham’s name (Gen. 17:5) and He also knew the number of his hairs on

his head (Matt. 10:30). In fact, God knew Abraham backward, forward, left, right, inside and

outside. But the statement “I know him” means much more than just God knowing all about

Abraham; it means that Abraham had an acquaintance or association with God. God knew him

in the sense that they enjoyed a relationship together.

There is no greater compliment that could be paid to us than that God knows us and that we

know Him. Whenever God spoke to Satan of Job, He said, “…Hast thou considered my servant

Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God,

and escheweth evil” (Job 1:8)? Notice that God said Job was His servant. It is implied within

this verse that God had a personal relationship with Job, just as He did with Abraham. But

someone may ask, “Can we really have the same kind of special relationship that both Job and

Abraham had?” Absolutely! John said, “3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep

his commandments. 4

He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar,

and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:3-4). Usually when there is an “eth” ending on a verb in

the King James Version, it means that the word is in the present tense. This is true with the verb

“keepeth” in the above passage. Thus the verse means that we can enjoy a personal relationship

with God if (conditional) we keep on keeping His commandments. John said that if we say that

we know Him and we are not keeping His commandments then we are liars. Some may deem

these words as harsh or cruel but they are no less true. We simply cannot enjoy a relationship

with God separate and apart from obedience. No man can “know” God or God “know” him

without his keeping the commandments of the Father (Matt. 7:23).

There have always been those who claim to know/have a relationship with God, but in reality

they do not. Paul spoke of a group of people who, “…profess that they know God; but in works

they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate” (Titus

1:16). Notice that their claim to have a relationship with God was nullified by their works or

actions . Our actions are evidence of whether or not we have the same kind of relationship with

God as Abraham did. “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and

it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God” (Jam. 2:23).

Notice that Abraham was called the friend of God. But, it is important to understand when

Abraham was called the friend of God. Back up just a few verses and you will read: “Was not

Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar” (Jam.

2:21)? Abraham was called God’s friend whenever he sacrificed his son. Or in other words

whenever he did what God commanded him. We too can enjoy a friendship with God just as did

Abraham. Jesus Himself said, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John

15:14).

If we are doing what God has commanded, then we are His friends/He knows us. But on the

other hand, if we are not doing what God has commanded us, then we are not His friend/He does

not know us. While we may claim to know God, if we are not doing what He says, the Bible says

that we are liars. So the question is, “Do you know God?”

“God’s Grace is Universal But Universally Accepted” By Jesse Stephens