"Christ Loved the Church" - srf
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave
Himself up for her; 26 that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of
water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory,
having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and
blameless." (Eph. 5:25-27, NASB).
Christ' love for the church was a caring love. He cared about His bride and did
what he did for her welfare and honor: "that He might sanctify her . . . that He
might present . . . the church in all her glory . . . that she should be holy and
blameless." His love was not a selfish love.
Christ' love for the church was an active love: "gave Himself up for
her." He did not just talk about it; he demonstrated his love in action.
Christ' love for the church was a sacrificial love: "gave Himself up for
her." His sacrifice proved His love was the greatest love: "Greater love has no
one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." (Jn. 15:13). How much one
is willing to sacrifice for the good of another is a measure of love.
Christ' love for the church is the standard and example for a husband's love for his
wife: "Husbands, love our wives, just as Christ also loved the church."
Husbands who love their wives in this manner care about their wives‹their needs,
their honor, their moral and spiritual purity. They actively care, choosing and doing the
things that will reach toward these goals. They sacrifice themselves, their time, their
energy, their means, and whatever else is necessary to nourish and cherish their wives.
They do it because they care‹because they love.
"Preach the Word" - srf
"I solemnly charge you in the
presence of God and of Christ Jesus...PREACH THE WORD..." (2 Tim. 4:1,2)
What if it makes people uncomfortable? "Be ready IN SEASON AND OUT OF
SEASON," or, as the Amplified Version puts it, "Keep your sense of urgency
(stand by, be at hand and ready, whether the opportunity seems to be favorable or
unfavorable, whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether it be welcome or
unwelcome...)"
Should the preacher of the Word be trying to change people's lives? "REPROVE,
REBUKE, EXHORT," in other words, "(...you as a preacher of the Word are
to show people in what way their lives are wrong) and convince them, rebuking and
correcting, warning and urging and encouraging them..." (Amp. Ver.)
Dealing with the ignorances, prejudices, and traditions of people could make this
frustrating, couldn't it? That may be, but you must be "unflagging and
inexhaustible in patience and teaching." (Amp. Ver.)
Will people tolerate this kind of preaching? "For the time is coming when [people]
will not tolerate (endure) sound and wholesome instruction, but having ears itching [for
something pleasing and gratifying], they will gather to themselves one teacher after
another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the
errors they hold, and will turn aside from hearing the truth and wander off into myths and
man-made fictions." (vv. 3-4, Amp. Ver.)
What then should God's preacher do? "As for you, be calm and cool and steady,
accept and suffer unflinchingly every hardship, do the work of an evangelist; fully
perform all the duties of your ministry." (v. 5, Amp. Ver.)
Pray for preachers who will, "Preach the Word!"
News of Interest
Evelyn Evans was admitted to the hospital with a heart
attack. She was released Thursday and will be staying with her daughter, Beverly
(281/354-7840) for a few days . . . Genia Rice's mother, Ruby Jones, had to
be admitted to the Memorial Herman hospital in the Woodlands hospital last Thursday. She
was to have a MRI and pending the results she may be transferred to M.D. Anderson . . . Evelyn Lowrance has a sixteen year old niece who was
involved in an auto accident. She was in serious condition but is doing better . . . Evelyn
Lowrance's tests came back OK . . . John Lowrance's tests showed he has some
blockage and will probably have a heart cath next week, maybe on Wednesday . . . Preaching
today: AM, Gregg Hutson; PM, Kris Emerson . . . New Reports: Carlos
Capelli; Leon Cathey . . . A new feature has been added to the web site called
"Recent News." There you can find current information relating to the
congregation. You won't have to wait and read about it in the bulletin or hear it in the
announcements. The latest news on who is undergoing tests and the results, who has been
hospitalized, or other pertinent information relative to the members can be posted there.
Should you have been absent last class, you can find out where the class will begin next
class period. You can help make this more useful by submitting information you think might
be useful to the congregation. A form called "Feedback" is provided on the main
screen at the web site in order to do so. It is very simple to fill out and submit. What
will actually be posted is at the discretion of Wally Ottersbach (col.blip@big
foot.com), who maintains the web site. Why not check it out? The web site is at: http://www.kingwoodcable.com/colblip/
humblechurchofchrist/ . . . Gospel Meetings: Apr. 11-16 - Neuens Rd. - Different
speakers; Apr. 16-18 - Southside, Huntsville - Rick Moore.
Transportation for Zelma Bobbitt
< April >
Sun., 11, am - Fontenot pm - Hurst
Wed., 14, pm - Schindler
Sun., 18, am& pm - Dwight & Andrea Osteen Wed.,
21, pm - Rocky
Sun., 25, am - Legg pm - Rice
Wed., 28, pm - Michael Gove
Wednesday, April 14