Northeast Family Update

“Above all, love each other deeply” (1 Peter 4:8)

 

March 13, 2005

AGE  SHOULD  SPEAK

by Dennis Loyd, Associate Editor Gospel Advocate February 2005

 

 In Job 32, Job's three friends finished their speeches and left his predicament unre­solved. Finally, a younger man named Elihu, who had waited quietly, could restrain him­self no longer. His words, spoken rashly and ill-advisedly, are still an indictment of those older ones who neglect their opportunities. Elihu said, "I am young in years, and you are very old; Therefore I was afraid, And dared not declare my opinion to you. I said, 'Age should speak, And multitude of years should teach wisdom'" (vv. 6-7 nkjv). He was waiting to hear the wise understanding he believed age should offer.

Youth has the right to expect from age experience and wisdom based on that ex­perience. What Elihu heard from Bildad, Zophar and Eliphaz offered none of the above. Because their failure disappointed him, he boldly declared his own evaluation and solution. "Therefore I say, 'Listen to me'" (Job 32:10).

The contrast between the judgments of youth and age are frequently substantial be­cause of the varying experiences of the two age groups. When those of years fail to take a stand or to accept a responsibility, those of fewer years feel neglected. Those who should set the standard often withdraw from the field, leaving the young direction­less. As a result, the young often turn to themselves or to their peers and receive bad advice, sometimes even fatal advice.

For that reason, the Bible presents by pre­cept and by example the importance of the older teaching the younger. No clearer state­ment can be found than the instruction of Paul in Titus 2. Paul identified four age groups and indicated the responsibilities each faced. Although the implication exists that the older men should serve as examples to the younger men, the direct statement is made concerning the older women and the young women. He identified the older women as "teachers of good things" who were to "admonish the young women" (Titus 2:3-5). What they were to admonish included family responsibilities, personal traits and respect for God's Word. With such models before them, all young Christ­ians should benefit and mature spiritually.

In this issue, a series of articles focuses on understanding the great need to mentor * the young and showing how that work is being done in a number of churches. A few decades ago, churches began such an inten­sive focus on the needs of youth that virtu­ally all attention was turned to their classes, activities, development and problems. The implied but never stated comment was that older people have no problems, no lacks, no needs. Neither did they have any contri­bution to make to the forward movement of the church other than a financial one. More recently we have learned that such an as­sessment was wrong. This renewed focus on older members is aimed not just at solv­ing problems. We have learned what a tremendous force for good is at our disposal within and among our older age group.

Out of their vast experience, they teach, I encourage, assess, admonish and challenge. The church needs older members who are vastly better than those three friends of Job. We need older members who will provide   • the assistance Elihu sought but never found. Out of his frustration, he spoke more foolishly than he might had he been aided by those he regarded as mentors.

Some assessment of the value of older members of the church may be found in a rather significant event shortly after the birth of Jesus. Mary and Joseph took the in­fant to Jerusalem to the temple to present    _: Him to the Lord and to offer a sacrifice (Luke 2:22-24). The first named individuals to see Jesus were two older people - the man Simeon and the woman Anna. Out of all the contacts that might have been identi­fied, the Holy Spirit led Luke to select those two, perhaps to show that although God's Son came to save all people, the wis­dom, experience and devotion of the older were given special consideration. Simeon had been told he would not see death until he saw the Lord's anointed, and Anna had shown an unwavering faith and truth in God. As they respectively blessed Mary and Joseph and Jesus, age was indeed speaking and multitude of years was teach­ing wisdom. May God grant that each of us age well and use our age to perpetuate the -. great truths of God. Gospel Advocate

 

Wednesday Bible Class

“Golden Rules”

@ 7:00 P.M.

Make plans to attend

 

 Reaching Out

Last Monday evening the Deacons and Elders decided that we as a congregation would begin an outreach into our area. They made the decision that we would make available the publication House to House/Heart to Heart to every home in Sentinel, Dill City, Rocky, and the North Rural Route out of Lone Wolf. This will be on a one year basis.

It is the hope that this outreach will open doors of opportunity for us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with our friends and neighbors. With this in mind there are a few things that we must consider:

1. Our preparation to follow-up on the mailings every other month. It will be important that we are ready to share our faith with others. That we are ready for visitors in our Bible Classes and Worship. People will have questions concerning the publication and we must be ready to give an answer. Just sending out this publication is not an end unto itself; it will take a lot of work from everyone. This is just the beginning.

2. Our comfort zone will be broken down. It is easy to do nothing because no one will encroach upon our comfort and we like to be comfortable. But when we begin doing God’s outreach we must face the reality that things will never be the same.

3. There will be opportunities for every one of us to be involved in this work no matter how young or old you are. We will need to grade Correspondence Courses, send cards, make phone calls, make visitations, lead Bible studies, etc. If this is to be successful every one must put in the time and energy to make it so.

4. We also desire to assist the congregations in our area with this publication. In order to make this available we had to send out at least 1000 copies. For us to do this we were able to share our work with the congregations in our area such as Dill City and Lone Wolf. It is our hope that they will be blessed with this outreach.

5. For us here it is a great step of faith in our own abilities and talents. This outreach will cost around $1,900.00 for one year plus other related materials such as BCC, Tracts, etc. This is a penance when we think of the importance of just one soul.

Please keep this outreach in your daily prayers and begin today in your own preparation to make it a great success. All it takes is ONE precious SOUL!

 

 

 

Sunday Evening Sermon Series

Thessalonians

 

Textual Insight

 

 

 Ladies ThursdayBible Class

Each Thursday @ 9:30 A.M.

“Esther”

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  Upcoming Events

March Fellowship Meal

March 13, 2005

After Morning Worship

Come and bring a friend!

—————

Singing Practice

March 13, 27, 2005

@5:30 P.M.

In the Auditorium Everyone is encouraged to attend

Those in Need of Our Prayers

 

Della Akins, Marie Whinery, Letha Sperling, Esther Willis, Opal Hopkins,

Ann Womack, Francis Day, Ray & Inez Broadhurst, Edna Mayfield, Dub Chandler, Alene Davis, Bill Cofer, Ronnie Gray, Dwayne Wilson, Bill Spain, Joyce Crockett, Curtis Chandler, Virginia Martin, Courtney & Baby Kreiger. Robert Boggs,

Wanda & Frank Ketola, Clyde Cole, Vincent Hernandez, Max Sullivan,

Jennifer Womack, Mary Wilson, Junior Blanton, Dan Reiter, Tabatha Davidson, Dana & Baby Church, Emily Cassada, Christy Cannon , Brenda Jennings, Carla Brittion,

Thomas Jennings, Connie Thompson, Comer Buford, Joyce McAlister

 

Christian Plan of Salvation

 

Hear the Gospel - Rom. 10:17; Jn 6:45

 

Believe in Jesus - Heb. 11:6; Jn. 8:24

 

Repent - Acts 2:38; Lk. 13:3

 

Confess Jesus as Lord - Ro. 10:9-10; Mt. 10:32

 

Be Baptized - Mk. 16:15-16; 1 Pt. 3:21

 

Lord Adds To Church - Acts 2:47

 

Live Faithful - Gal. 5:16-26; Rev. 2:10

 

 

Our Elders: Junior Blanton (674-3987), Otis Martin (393-4936)

                                    Leland Womack (666-2243)

 

 

Our Deacons: Curtis Chandler (393-2167), Tommy Hagen (393-4542),

Ron Morris (486-3574), Bud Robinson, (393-4560),

Jackie Todd, (393-4383), Robert Whinery (674-3463),

 

 Our Minister: John E. Werhan (393-4898 office) (393-2264 home)

 

 Our Address:

Northeast church of Christ

1111 E. N. Boundary

P.O. Box 357

Sentinel, OK 73664

[email protected]