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This site contains information and articles that should help us grow spiritually, including sermons that were videotaped at the Dunlap Church of Christ in Dunlap, TN, or other local congregations. You will not find man-made doctrines or creeds, only God's Word as taught directly from the Bible - the inspired Word of God. We encourage you to open your Bible and read along so that you may see the truth for yourself.
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"No Ma'am, I Won't - Ever!"
I saw him in the church building for the first time on Wednesday. He was in his mid-70's with neat hair and a neat brown suit. Many times in the past I had invited him to come. Several other Christian friends had talked to him about the Lord and had tried to share the Good News with him. He was a well-respected, honest man with so many characteristics a Christian should have. Yet, he had never put on Christ and would not even enter the doors of the church building.
"Have you ever been to church services in your life?" I asked him a few years ago. We had just finished a pleasant day of visiting and talking. He hesitated. Then, with a bitter smile, he told me of his childhood experience some 60 years earlier. He was one of many children in an impoverished family. His parents had struggled to provide food with little left for housing and clothing.
When he was about 10, some neighbors invited him to worship with them. The Sunday school class had been very exciting. He had never heard such songs and stories before. He had never heard anyone read from the Bible. After class was over, the teacher took him aside and said, "Son, please don't come again dressed as you are now. We want to look our best when we come into the Lord's house." He stood in his ragged, un-patched overalls. Then, looking at his dirty, bare feet, he answered softly, "No, ma'am, I won't - ever." "And I never did," he said, abruptly ending our conversation.
There must have been other factors to have hardened him so, but this experience formed a significant part of the bitterness in his heart. I'm sure that Sunday school teacher meant well. But did she really understand the love of Christ? Had she studied and accepted the teaching found in James 2:1-4 ..."have not the faith of our lord...with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; and ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing...Are ye not then partial in yourselves and are become judges of evil thoughts?"
What if she had put her arms around that dirty, ragged boy and said, "Son, I'm so glad you are here, and I hope you will come every chance you get to hear more about Jesus." I reflect on the awesome responsibility a teacher or elder or a parent has to welcome little ones in His name. How far reaching his/her influence is! I pray that I might always be open to the tenderness of a child's heart, and that I might never fail to see beyond the appearance and behavior of a child to the eternal possibilities within.
Yes, I saw him in the church building for the first time on Wednesday. As I looked at that immaculately dressed old gentleman lying in his casket, I thought of the little boy of so long ago. I could almost hear him saying to me, "No, Ma'am, I won't - ever."
And I wept.
- Shirley Ward
----from the bulletin of the East Ridge Church of Christ Vol. 39 - March 9, 2011 No.10
Why Doesn't She Understand?
I went to visit and encourage a woman to attend the Services of The Church. She was very unfaithful. As we talked, she said, "I just don't understand The Bible." On the coffee table lay mystery magazines, detective books and Readers' Digest. She whined, "I just don't understand The Bible." The Bible says, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.." (IITim. 2:15 KJV) Too many "Christians" don't "understand" The Bible because they read everything else instead of the The Bible..
----from the bulletin of the Dunlap Church of Christ Vol. XVII No.11
God Will Help
We say, "It's impossible."
God says, "All things are possible" (Luke 18:27)
We say, "I'm too tired."
God says, "I will give you rest" (Mt. 11:28-30).
We say, "Nobody loves me."
God says, "I love you" (John 3:16)
We say, "I can't go on".
God says, "My grace is sufficient" (IICor. 12:9).
We say, "I can't figure things out.
God says, "I will direct your steps" (Prov. 3:5-6).
We say, "I feel all alone".
God says, "I will never leave you or forsake you" (Heb. 13:5).
----from the bulletin of the Dunlap Church of Christ Vol. XVI No.47
