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FAMILY NEWSSUNDAY NIGHT SERVICE continues tonight at 6:00 P.M. This is a very different lesson with a discussion of how we know the Bible is the inspired Word of God. Not much archaeology in this lesson, but vital information. CORRECTION: I can always count on Richard to point out any mistake in my sermons. My reference to the 10 Commandments was incorrect. The statement I was referring to and the quote Jesus made was Deuteronomy 6:5. It does not change my point, but the reference was incorrect. WALLACES AND BED BUGS: The diaper service brought material to Shane and Mandy that had bed bugs in it, and that resulted in an infestation. Richard spent many hours helping them work at getting rid of the bugs, but it has been a major problem and an expensive one. There may be some more help needed with this, so stay tuned. FREE STUFF: We have magazines, calendars, and various food stuffs that are leftovers. They are in the fellowship room. The items are things that are leftovers from various ministries and gifts from people we have worked with. Help yourself. TODAY'S LESSON
INTRODUCTION — HISTORY
A. Originally called “All Hallows Day.”
I. HUMANS HAVE USED LIFE AFTER DEATH.
1. Celebrated the end of harvest in Ireland.
B. Catholic church made it a church observance
2. Was a Celtic holiday — a feast with games. 1. 606 — Pope Boniface — celebration of martyrs
C. America — first “guising” in 1911
2. Pope Gregory III made it a “holy day.” 3. 825 — Pope Gregory IV — praying for the dead 4. 1200 — Church bells and purgatory 5. See THE BACK PAGE below. 6. Departure in Doctrine and Worship handout. 1915 — Guising and pastries A. Egypt — Black magic — Exodus 7:10-12
II. JESUS SHOWED POWER OVER SPIRITS.
B. Exodus 22:18 — God commands punishment. Deuteronomy 18:10-12; Acts 8:9-10 A. Matthew 10:1; 1 John 3:8; Colossians 2:15; Zechariah 13:1-14
III. MISUSES OF THE BIBLE
B. Instructions to the church — James 4:7; Ephesians 6:12-18 C. Luke 8:26-40 — Miracles included mental illness. D. Philippians 2:12 — God has left us with power over evil. A. Witch of Endor — 1 Samuel 28:12
IV. SO WHAT CAN WE DO ON HALLOWEEN?
B. Revelation 2:8; 3:9 — “Synagogue of Satan” 1. Used 56 times in N.T. 2. Gathering place for worship — no military use A. Relax — 1 Corinthians 10:13 B. Colossians 2:16 to Colossians 3:10 C. Make sure fantasy is not confused with reality. Hollywood caters to extremism.
D. Make it a teaching moment.
1. Death — a one way street — Luke 16:24-31
Lazarus was a miracle with a purpose.
2. Life is about love, not fear — 1 John 4:18THE BACK PAGETHE HISTORY OF THE CHURCHHalloween gives us an opportunity to be reminded of what has happened in the past. Most of our Halloween activities originate in Scotland and Ireland, but a few of them originated in Catholicism and continue to be observed by some congregations of the Catholic church. Purgatory, for example, was initiated by Pope Gregory in 593 in which people were told that there was a temporary punishment for sin, but that evolved into teachings that people could come out of purgatory so that there would be another chance for salvation if certain requirements were met. In 1190 people were told they could pay in advance for a sin they wanted to commit. This was called indulgences, and was used to justify a great deal of abuse. The teaching that one could confess sins to a priest and do penance and the priest could forgive the sin began in 1215. The current struggle within the Catholic church with sexual abuse precipitating lawsuits is related to the celibacy issue, but marriage was not forbidden to the clergy until A.D. 1015. It is interesting to see that the Bible predicted this in 1 Timothy 4:1-4. It is tragic that the history of the Catholic church has been marred by politics and power struggles among human beings. Our hearts go out to our Catholic friends and family as the history of Christianity is presented on our television sets by a variety of public service channels. Every congregation of the Churches of Christ has had similar problems. Most division in the church has taken place over opinions of individuals. The only way to avoid all of this is to rely on God's Word and only on God's Word. Read 2 Timothy 3:12-17 and understand that while we can enjoy costumes and bobbing for apples, we must not attach religious significance to any seasonal celebration. Neither should we fear any attack from Satan that we cannot have an escape from. God promises us this (1 Corinthians 10:13). — John Clayton Our sign by the street! Scripture links/references are from BibleGateway.com. Unhighlighted scriptures can be looked up at their website. www.dowagiaccoc.org |
