How to Deal with Accusers

Sunday, January 20, 2013
Elders
Ronald Barker
Dick Holt
Deacons
Dan Amar
David Close
Jim Hubbert
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Osby Riley
Jerry Thompson
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Wayne Close
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Mark Mitchell
Ken Robison
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David South
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Volume 57, Number 2
How to Deal with Accusers
Peter gave instructions to those who were about
to suffer severe persecution for their faith (1 Peter).
He gave instructions on how to deal with those who
accused them of wrongdoing (3:14-15). This can also
help us as we face detractors. Note four steps:
1.
Do not be intimidated (14). “But even if you
should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be
blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled...”
Never allow those who oppose the truth to intimidate
you so that you cower. Rather, live in confidence of
your faith.
2.
Sanctify Christ in your heart (15). “...but in
your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy...” The
phrase “regard as holy” could be translated
“sanctify.” The point seems to be that Christ should
be “set apart” in your heart. That is, make sure he
has the place of honor above all else in your thinking
and devotion.
3.
Be prepared to answer (15). “...always being
prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you
for a reason for the hope that is in you...” Know what
you believe and why. Knowledge of God's word
brings the confidence needed. Put in the required
effort to know God's will.
4.
Live right (16). “...having a good conscience, so
that, when you are slandered, those who revile your
good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.” Make
sure that any charge of wrongdoing has to be a lie.
See you Sunday, ready to answer...
--David
2 Peter: Understanding False Teachers (Chapter 2)
David South
One step in avoiding the dangers posed by false teachers is to understand them and
how they work. That seems to be the intent of 2 Peter chapter 2. The material can be
organized into four categories:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Their Conduct (1-3)
Their Condemnation (4-10a)
Their Character (10b-16)
Their Claims (17-22)
Their conduct (1-3). This appears to be a generic description of the methods used by those
who teach error. Not every teacher will use all the methods described. Peter gives six
descriptors of those methods.
1. They masquerade of as one us (1). “But false prophets also arose among the
people, just as there will be false teachers among you...” Peter had referred to the
Old Testament prophets at the end of chapter 1. He pointed out that there were also
false prophets back then. In the same way, he warned that there would be false
teachers “among” the Christians. The danger for the church is not only from without.
(See Acts 20:29-30 and 1 Jn. 2:18-19). One need not panic, but neither should one
ignore the threat. The Christian cannot accept the teacher just because he claims to
be of us. One must always put the teacher to the test of Scripture (Acts 17:11).
2. They move secretly (1). “...who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even
denying the Master who bought them...” The phrase “secretly bring in” comes from
a Greek word which literally means “bring in alongside of.” In the movies, the hero
sometimes has to sneak into the enemy's territory by hiding alongside the cattle or the
delivery truck. False teachers slip error in alongside the truth. This is part of what
makes it so dangerous. Just enough truth is usually included so as to make the heresy
hard to spot. These teachers were going so far as to deny the Lord who bought them.
This does not mean that this is the only error that was being taught; it simply is given
as an example of how far they will go. This is the sense of the word “even.”
3. They mislead many (2). “And many will follow their sensuality...” The simply
word “many” indicates the extent of their influence. This is not a small problem.
The “many” will follow the sensuality advocated by these teachers. The word
translated “sensuality” (aselgeia) is sometimes translated “lasciviousness” or
“debauchery”(Gal. 5:19; Jude 4). The word is quite broad, meaning the lack of
restraint. These teachers were trying to remove restraints. The contexts in which the
word is found in the New Testament are usually contexts of sexual sin. Thus, the
word is often understood as a lack of restraint when it comes to sexual morality.
Some teachers led many astray to a lifestyle that is unacceptable to God – all the
while claiming to serve God.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
There will be an important meeting for Elders,
Deacons and Staff on Sunday, January 27th at 4:00 p.m.
OUR PRAYER & SHUT-IN LIST
(Please let the church office know of friends and family
that you would like to be remembered in this section and
please remember to let us know when their names need to
be removed.)
Our Members who are ill or need prayers: Bill Barfield
(moved to Slidell, LA this past Tuesday), Gaythel Fisher,
Gayle Forsythe, Mal Mauney, James Sain, Peggy Tines
Our Friends/Relatives: Edd Marie Agnew, Max Betts, Scott
Borders, Ruth Brandige, Billy Brown, Gilbert Brown, Jan
Burks, Patricia Caldwell, Ramona Carter, Todd Collier,
Gabbi Cook, Sharon Davis, Jerry Dunaway, Pearl Dunn, Jim
Edmonds, Rose Franklin, Helen Gosnell, Mollie Green,
JoAnne Gutowsky, Martha Harris, Kristy Hearn, Brooke
Henderson, Lori Hodgin, Ray Kelley, Chris Kerstell, Carol
Larson, Betty Lusk, Charity Lynn, Pete Meadows, Pearl
Miles, Chris Mitchell, Roy Nichols (recent heart attack),
Marian Overton, Russell Rast, Waynetta Rodgers, Keith
Ricks, Louise Smalley, Sharon Smith, Bill Stewart, Diane
Towe, Viktor Tretiakov, Corey Turner, Mary Dean Wages,
Abigail Weaver, Eli Williams
In Assisted Living: Germantown Plantation, 9293 Poplar
Ave., Germantown, TN 38138: Essie Brown (Apt. 315),
Janice Doerflein (Apt. 107), – SomerOak Senior Living,
10790 Hwy 64, Somerville, TN 38068-6062 - Madie
Hunsucker, Virginia Holland SomerOak Senior Living,
10790 Hwy 64, Somerville, TN 38068-6062, Clemmie
Allison, 2782 Star Landing Rd. E, #306B, Southaven, MS
38672, phone 901-297-6175.
SERVING TODAY (1/20/13)
Song Leader
Dennis Sangster
Welcome&Announcements
David Close
Opening Prayer
Ron Barker
Prepare Communion
Bob & Pat King
Sermon
David South
Pick Up Cards:
Isaac Amar & Kaeden Whartenby
Serve Communion: Don Bennett, Darrell Dacus, Steve
Grantham, Ron Hinton, Trey Hughes, Alex Jones, Robert
Jones, Max Maxwell
AM Closing Prayer
Mark Mitchell
PM Song Leader
Dennis Sangster
PM Opening Prayer
Larry Knox
PM Sermon
David South
PM Closing Prayer
James Wilson
AM Nursery:
Lisa & Erin Greer
PM Nursery
Donna Mars
WORSHIP/LUNCH/WORSHIP
This Sunday will be our regular Third Sunday
worship, then a catered luncheon from Leonard's
Barbeque, then a brief devotional and then be dismissed
for the remainder to the day. We hope that you will plan
to stay at the luncheon, then share in a brief message with
us. If you have not purchased your tickets yet, please see
Larry Knox. Cost of adults is $6 and children 2 – 6 will
be $3.
SYMPATHY
We have just learned of the death of David Miller,
the youngest brother of Rhea and Tommy Miller. David
passed away due to a heart attack. He and his daughter
attended worship at the Millington Church of Christ.
Memorial services were last Thursday evening at the
Millington church. Our sincere sympathy is extended to
this family.
The Amar family has lost a loved one back in
their home country. Our sincere sympathy is extended to
them. Connie has gone back home for two weeks. Be
sure to remember her in your prayers.
OAKLAND EVENTS
You are also cordially invited to the Winter Series
at the Oakland Church January 22 – February 12 th. Guest
speakers for the remainder of the series are: 22 nd - Jim
Palmer, 29th - Raymond Jones, Feb 5 th - Charles Fulbright
and Feb. 12th Tim Alsup. Call the church for time of
services.
April 20th is the date for the Annual Ladies Day at
the Oakland Church of Christ. Speakers will be Karen
and Sharen Cypress and events will begin at 10 am and
close at 2 pm. For further information, call the Oakland
Church at 465-4294.
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
20 - Daniel Jordan
22 - Eudie Freeman
23 - Marvin Allison
23 - Hayden Riley
24 - Eli Kilpi
27 - Kathy Betty
28 - Mark Hillis
29 - Charles Bryson
30 - Heather Moderow
30 - Landon Norris
30 - Pat Slate
31 - Addie Mitchell
January Anniversaries:
21 - Jerry & Barbara Mathis
27 - Debra Knight & husband
ASSOCIATED WOMEN
FOR HARDING
On Saturday, February 2, at 6:00 p.m. the
Associated Women for Harding invite you to their annual
Soup & Chili Supper and Pie Auction. Enjoy the world
famous AWH Soup & Chili, bid on pies made by Memphis's
finest pie chefs for only $10.00 per person. Tickets can be
purchased ahead by calling 901-761-1355 or they will be
available at the door. All proceeds, including the cost of
your ticket, provide scholarships for Harding University and
Harding School of Theology students.
12 YEARS LATER...
Recently, Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a
victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton, CO,
was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee's
subcommitee. What he said to our nation's leaders during this
special session of Congress was painfully truthful.
They were not prepared for what he was to say, nor was it
received well. It needs to be heard by every parent, every teacher,
every politician, every sociologist, every psychologist, and every
so-called expert! These courageous words spoken by Darrell Scott
are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal. The following is a
portion of the transcript:
“Since the dawn of creation there has been both good and
evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of
kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful
daughter Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and
the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood
cries out for answers.
(continued ...12 Years Later...)
“The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew
his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he
used..Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The
true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be
found in Cain's heart.
“In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was
amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such
as the NRA. I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I
do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the
NRA – because I don't believe that they are responsible for my
daughter's death. Therefore I do not believe that they need to be
defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's
murder I would be their strongest opponent.
“I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a
tragedy – it was an event that should be forcing us to look at where
the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room.
Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers
themselves. I wrote a poem just four nights ago that express my
feelings best.
Your laws ignore our deepest needs,
Your words are empty air.
You've stripped away our heritage,
You've outlawed simple prayer.
Now gunshots fill our classrooms,
And precious children die.
You seek for answers everywhere,
And ask the question “Why?”
You regulate restrictive laws,
Through legislative creed.
And yet you fail to understand,
That God is what we need!
“Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of
body, mind, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part
of our makeup, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and
hatred to rush in and wreak havoc. Spiritual presences were present
within our educational systems for most of our nation's history.
Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This
is a historical fact. What has happened to us as a nation? We have
refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred
and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's
tragedy occurs – politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such
as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws
that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties. We
do not need more restrictive laws. Eric and Dylan would have been
stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop
someone who spends months planning this type of massacres. The
real villain lies within our own hearts.
“As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library
and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes, he did not
hesitate to pray in school I defy any law or politician to deny them
that right! I challenge every young person in America, and around
the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High
School prayer was brought back to our schools. Do not let the
many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move
into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that
violates your God-given right to communicate with Him. To those
of you who would point your finger at the NRA – I give to you a
sincere challenge...Dare to examine your own heart before casting
the first stone! My daughter's death will not be in vain! The young
people of this country will not allow that to happen!”
- Darrell Scott-