The Only Thing That Matters · accomplishments. We proudly list them on a resume, or as credentials...
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6745 Margaret Street / [email protected] / 850.623.8191 www.margaretstreetchurchofchrist.org Welcome! We're glad you are here! Su n d ay D ecem ber 10 , 20 17 by Troy Spradlin We Americans like to accomplish things. We boast of our ?great achievements?such as building the Panama Canal, putting a man on the moon, inventing the Internet, flying the first airplane, victory in W orld W ar II, and countless other successes. We also like to measure ourselves, individually, by our accomplishments. We proudly list them on a resume, or as credentials on social media. Social stature is expressed in college degrees, vocational experience, trophies, net worth, and material acquisitions such as luxurious homes, automobiles, yachts, and airplanes. Somehow, we allow these things to become more important than anything else in our lives which often translates into how ? important?we may consider ourselves in comparison to others. However, the Bible does not measure importance or accomplishments in the same manner. Paul wrote, ? If you area follower of Christ Jesus, it makesnodifferencewhether you arecircumcised or not. All that mattersis your faith that makesyou loveothers," (Galatians 5:6 - CEV). In other words, your status in society does not matter; the only thing that is important is having faith and love. In reality, college degrees, vocational experience, and material acquisitions really mean absolutely nothing in comparison to weightier spiritual matters. Jesus taught, ?For what profit isit toa man if hegainsthewholeworld, and loseshisown soul? Or what will a man givein exchangefor hissoul?? (Matthew 16:26). So, what do these verses imply?W hat truly ISimportant in life?Consider this, we can lose our soul by not following the commandments of God. All the commandments of God can be summarized into two categories: (1) ? love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind,?and (2) ? love your neighbor as yourself,?(Matthew 22:37-40). Now consider that in order to love God and our neighbor, we can infer that we must have a viable relationship with them. Thus, our relationships are the only things that truly matter in this world. The Bible teaches that relationships are more important than any of our material accomplishments or acquired social status. It is always implied in the command to love one another. On Judgment Day, we will all stand before God. W hen that day comes, our accomplishments or acquisitions will account for nothing. None of those things will have any bearing on our eternal destination. God is going to evaluate your life on one criteria and one only: your relationships. He is simply going to ask, ?How much did you love me and how much did you love others??That?s why it is called the Greatest Commandment! Paul also adds that ?Wedidn't bringanythingintothisworld, and wewon't takeanythingwith uswhen weleave,? (1 Timothy 6:7). He is referring to material possessions because the only thing that you will be able to take with you are your relationships that you have developed during your lifetime. The Only Thing That Matters
Transcript of The Only Thing That Matters · accomplishments. We proudly list them on a resume, or as credentials...
6745 Margaret St reet / m argarst @bellsout h.net / 850.623.8191
www.m argaret st reet churchofchr ist .org
W elcom e!W e'r e glad you ar e h er e!
Su n dayD ecem ber 10 , 20 17
by Troy Spradlin We Americans like to accomplish things. We boast of our ?great achievements? such as building the Panama Canal, putting a man on the moon, inventing the Internet, flying the first airplane, victory in World War II, and countless other successes. We also like to measure ourselves, individually, by our accomplishments. We proudly list them on a resume, or as credentials on social media. Social stature is expressed in college degrees, vocational experience, trophies, net worth, and material acquisitions such as luxurious homes, automobiles, yachts, and airplanes. Somehow, we allow these things to become more important than anything else in our lives which often translates into how ?important? we may consider ourselves in comparison to others.
However, the Bible does not measure importance or accomplishments in the same manner. Paul wrote, ?If you are a follower of Christ Jesus, it makes no difference whether you are circumcised or not. All that matters is your faith that makes you love others," (Galatians 5:6 - CEV). In other words, your status in society does not matter; the only thing that is important is having faith and love. In reality, college degrees, vocational experience, and material acquisitions really mean absolutely nothing in comparison to weightier spiritual matters. Jesus taught, ?For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?? (Matthew 16:26).
So, what do these verses imply? What truly IS important in life? Consider this, we can lose our soul by not following the commandments of God. All the commandments of God can be summarized into two categories: (1) ?love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind,? and (2) ?love your neighbor as yourself,? (Matthew 22:37-40). Now consider that in order to love God and our neighbor, we can infer that we must have a viable relationship with them. Thus, our relationships are the only things that truly matter in this world.
The Bible teaches that relationships are more important than any of our material accomplishments or acquired social status. It is always implied in the command to love one another. On Judgment Day, we will all stand before God. When that day comes, our accomplishments or acquisitions will account for nothing. None of those things will have any bearing on our eternal destination. God is going to evaluate your life on one criteria and one only: your relationships. He is simply going to ask, ?How much did you love me and how much did you love others?? That?s why it is called the Greatest Commandment! Paul also adds that ?We didn't bring anything into this world, and we won't take anything with us when we leave,? (1 Timothy 6:7). He is referring to material possessions because the only thing that you will be able to take with you are your relationships that you have developed during your lifetime.
The Only Thing That Mat t ers
N EW S & I N FO RM AT IO N
ADMINISTRATION- Deadline for all bulletin items: Thursday, by noon.- Sign-up sheet for "2018" service opportunities is at
the information station. This is for Preparing Communion, Cleaning Baptismal Garments, and Nursery Attendants. Please sign up if available to help in those areas.
BENEVOLENCE- Our Food Pantry helps feed over 200 people in our
community every month. We need your help to serve our community! Please call Dennis for information, (850) 983-8913. Food items needed: dry beans, mac/cheese and can goods.
FELLOWSHIP- Visitors: Thank you for coming. Please take a few
moments to fill out a visitors card so that we might have a record of your attendance.
WORSHIP- Service Rosters for December are now available on
the Welcome Desk and on the Margaret Street website (listed under "Archives")
- If you are having problems hearing the sermon, there are "LISTEN" devices available in the Armoire that you can sign out and return after services. *Please remember to clean the headphones with an alcohol wipe when you are done.
MINISTRY ANNOUNCEMENTS
- SNAC in Fellowship Hall TONIGHT. Mense's will be providing food and Troy will be doing the devo. Teens bring normal items.
- YG Christmas Progressive Dinner has been moved to Sunday, December 31st, beginning at 5 pm. Dirty Santa game will be played w/ $15 gift cards and don't forget to wear fun, yet modest Christmas Pajamas. Everyone needs to sign up by December 17th.
- Exposure is December 27th-30th. There will be a brief meeting on Wednesday, 20th, after Bible Study, to finalize details. Bus will be leaving @ 9 am on Wednesday, 27th.
STAIR-STACKERS- Christmas Party on Thursday, December 14th @
5:30 pm. See Chris Davis for details.
YOUTH & FAMILY MINISTRY
Workshop TODAY!Oral Bible Reading - 1:30 - 2:20
Puppets - 2:20 - 3:10Song Leading/Songs of Praise - 3:10 - 4:00
Speech - 4:00 - 4:50Bible Bowl - 4:50 - 5:40
IMPORTANT DEADLINE: All Hurdles, Pre-Convention events and $40 registration is due, no
later than, January 14th.
Be looking for updates on the L2L Bulletin Board & FB page. Please see David or Jeanna with any questions.
LADS TO LEADERSBuilding Godly Leaders
SPECIAL CCW CLASSThere will be a special Concealed Carry Weapons
Permit Class on Saturday, December 16th at 10:00 am here at Margaret Street. The cost is $65.00 per person.
(Payable in cash or check at end of class). If you will require time at the range, it will be scheduled with the
professor at a later date. For more details see Troy.
Elders, deacons, preachers, ministry contacts, and group leaders: please check your slots in the mailbox in the foyer regularly for church communications. Thank you!
Good Samaritan Opportunity!December 17th at 5:00 PM, socks will be wrapped for the nursing home residents and given to them at the Christmas Party on 22nd. See Renee Ray for details.
"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint," (Isaiah 40:28-31)
N EW S & I N FO RM AT IO N
Special - Brooks Singley - still recovering from surgery- Glenn Smith- death of Kay Smith
Cancer - Ensley Webster- Jenny West's niece- Melody Samborn- Burnham's daughter- Megan Sanders- Friend of Blisse Hatcher- Mary Smith- friend of Mary McGriff - Bruce Burnham- Jan Sweeney's son- Paul Meacham- member at Panama St coC- Brooks Singley- Vicki (Moon) Mayo-friend of Kenya Longmire- Zee Christopher- Sandi Coppedge- friend of Jeanna English
Military- Andrew Atchley ? Deployed- Cody Davis ? Ft Benning, GA- Drayton Hale ? Virginia- Anthony Ramsey- Minot AFB, ND. - Ni Mack- Missouri
Nursing Home / Assisted Living - Forsyth House - Stella Prince* - Pruitt - Gertrude Dickerson*, John Bird- Victorian Manor - Ed Howell*- Terrace, Jay - Faye Smith
Other Health Issues - Stephen English - knee injury
- Eddie Longmire- Dusty Rhodes - Friend of Winston/Lola; in hospice- Rickey Bingham- Troy Vonada- David Kreus - back injury- Geneva Blanchard- Mary McGriff- Linda Mann- Zebadee Hamilton- Brenda King - Member at Susan St., heart problems- Gale Thames - recovering from a stroke- Jack Locklin Sr. - Nevaeh Hayes- Jim Blazier - recovering from surgery - Jack Hendrick-back injury- Rhett Autrey - car accident- Julie Harrington-eye difficulties- John Broadfoot - Allen Brazell- David English - Deana Wilson- Dixie Gorham- Anita Caraway-mother of Susan Cotton- Ted Russell
Expectant Mothers- Blisse Hatcher- due March 14th- Andrea Weekley - due April 18th - Sydney Lewis- due June 2018
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER LIST
UPCOMING EVENTSBe sure and mark your calendars
December 12 - Adult Christmas PartyDecember 14 - Kids Christmas PartyDecember 17 - Sock Wrapping at 5:oo pmDecember 16 - Special CCW Permit ClassDecember 19 - 20 Something's Christmas PartyDecember 22 - Nursing Home Christmas PartyDecember 22-26 - Office ClosedDecember 27-30 - Exposure Youth CampDecember 31 - 5th SundayDecember 31 - YG Christmas Party
SERVI N G W I T H H O N O R
MORNINGOpening Prayer ................................................. Rick Bird Song Director ............................................ Casey Bearden Serving Communion:Larry Coen .................................................... Glenn Smith Kyle Harter .................................................. Phillip Webb Eli Whitney .................................................. Allen Brazell Joe Wilson ................................................. Spencer GableComments ..................................................... Joe Wilson Scripture Reading .......................................... Greg Lewis Closing Prayer .............................................. Allen Brazell Securing the Building ...................................... Jim LoftinPreparing Communion ................................ Pace Family Nursery ................................................. Lily Weathersbee ............................................................ Stacey WeathersbeePowerPoint ......................... Phyllis Blazier/ Larry Coen
EVENINGOpening Prayer .................................................. Jeff Scott Song Leading .............................................. Blake Hatcher Scripture............................................................ Jack Webb Comments ...................................................... John Bartell
WEEKLY REPORT:Sunday Bible Class ....................................................... 153 AM Worship ............................................................... 185 PM Worship ............................................................... 155Wed. Night Bible Class................................................ 137 Contribution ........................................................... $7,589
TIMES OF SERVICE:Sunday AM Bible Class .................................. 9:00 am Sunday AM Worship ................................... 10:00 am Sunday PM Classes and Worship ................. 6:00 pm Wednesday PM Bible Class ........................... 6:30 pm
Scripture Reading ....................................... John 5:1-17
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10Troy Spradlin ......................... Evangelist / Minister
Ph: 910-2868 / [email protected] Casey Bearden ................................. Family Minister
Ph: 706-889-3222 / [email protected] Hatcher ................................. Church Secretary Ph: 850-625-8911 / [email protected]
STAFF
Rick Bird ..................................................... 994-3148 ......................................... Email: [email protected] Joe King ....................................................... 623-3783 ................................ Email: [email protected] Doug Lee ...................................................... 516-4570 ................................... Email: [email protected] John Pace ..................................................... 736-2521 ................................. Email: [email protected]
ELDERS
Administration ..................................... Troy Spradlin Benevolence........................................ Dennis Maduell Building & Grounds ................................ Greg Lewis* Education ............................................. Oscar Locklin* Evangelism ............................................ Troy Spradlin Fellowship ........................... Chris Davis & Jeff Scott* Golden Agers ................................................................. Involvement ................................................................... Lads to Leaders ..................................... David English Missions ..................................................... Mike Scott Visitation ...................... Bob Locklin & Rick Martin* Youth & Family ............ Casey Bearden, Joe Wilson*, ...................................... Chris Davis, & Blake Hatcher Website ......................................................... Jim Pitts* Worship ......................................... Darrell Bozeman*
CONTACT ELDERS FOR DECEMBERPrimary ......................................................... Doug LeeSecondary ..................................................... John Pace
DEACONS* & MINISTRIES
