LEBANON ROAD CHURCH OF CHRIST

2307 Lebanon Road Nashville, TN 37214 Non-Profit Org US Postage Paid Nashville, TN Permit 2464

Lebanon Road

Church of Christ
2307 Lebanon Road; Nashville, TN, 37214 * (615) 883-6918 www.lebanonroadchurchofchrist.org

Volume 59, No.51

December 18, 2011 Elders

Joe Adams 773-2331 Johny Baker 758-7654 Ralph Brewer 871-4849 Wayne Davidson 758-2705 Earl Flynn 889-1659 Steve Ledbetter 889-8614 Jim Schroeder 754-8990 Cliff Wilson 889-6477

Contradictory Messages
Recently, while listening to a denominational pastor, I was surprised by part of what I heard. For some time, I have listened to this man preach via podcast from time-to-time. Regularly, he makes mention of the Christmas story, and reminds people that this time of year is important to many because they are recognizing the birth of Christ. Knowing that he held to that belief, I was quite surprised when I heard him make the announcement to the congregation that there would be no worship services on Christmas Day! All their services (and they have quite a few, since the congregation numbers over 10,000 members) would be moved to Saturday, so families could enjoy Christmas together. The point of this article is not to talk about whether or not we should celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday. It is also not to talk about worshiping on days other than the first day of the week. Those are both important discussions, but they are not in view of this article. The point of my thoughts here is having a consistency to our message. How is it possi-

Adam Faughn
ble to talk about celebrating the birth of Christ, then moving an opportunity to celebrate that as those who claim to follow Him? Where is this mans consistency? This is just one example of many we could list where it is so easy to teach one thing and then contradict that same teaching with our actions. For example, If we are going to teach that Christ said to go and teach, we must follow that command. If we are going to teach that worship must be in spirit and in truth, we need to bring a positive, uplifting, and excited attitude with us to worship. If we are going to teach that baptism is necessary to salvation, then we must try to reach our friends and loved ones who have never been baptized, because they are lost. We could easily expand this list, but the point is clear. We must not only say things, we must follow up on those teachings with our works. Are your actions around your friends, neighbors, classmates, and coworkers befitting the words you claim to follow? If not, why not?

Or Current Resident

Worship With Us Sunday: Worship 9 AM & 6 PM * Bible Classes 10:20 AM Wednesday: Bible Classes 7 PM

Some Important First Things (Part 2/2)

NOTE: Part one of this article appeared in this space last week. This is the conclusion of brother Pollards excellent article.

Neal Pollard

Matthew 8:21-22 provides a third priority for our consideration: First, what Christ wants and then what you want. A man came to Jesus and requested permission to bury his father before following the Lord. At first, it may have seemed compassionate for the Lord to have granted his request, but Jesus knew the man's heart. He knew he was just making an excuse to delay his commitment. We frequently do the same thing. We say that we will become a disciple of Jesus provided we are given the opportunity of doing "our own thing" first. A self-centered person goes his own way instead of the Lord's way. There is only one answer to each of the following questions: Why do you con-

tinue that doubtful habit? Why do you pursue that harmful relationship? Why do you allow that crooked method in business? Why do you continue to use profanity? Why do you still visit undesirable places? Why do you not obey the gospel of Christ? The answer to each of these questions is the same. At this time, you do not want to put the Lords will first in your life. Jesus chastised the hypocritical Pharisees for outwardly conforming to Gods will while they inwardly neglected submission to His will (Matt. 23:25-26). The Christian life is not just an outwardly reformed life; it is primarily an inwardly cleansed life. When the inward cleansing is thorough, the outward transformation is soon evident. God does not want merely outward confession, but He desires inward possession. Daily Bread e-newsletter Denver, Colorado

Pulpit Minister
Adam Faughn 973-4483

Outreach Minister
Harry Middleton 292-3164

Sunday Sermon Preview

AM: Gods Grace (Ephesians 2:1-10) PM: What is Your Pleasure for 2012?

Youth Minister
JD Buckner (731) 336-4768

Sick List
Jack Billington was hospitalized for a few days and is now at McKendree N262, PH 871-8323. Norma Dean is recovering at home following lung surgery. No Visitors Please. Carlos Denny is recovering at home. Bertha Garcia is at Summit in room 718. No Visitors Please. Estelle Pirtle is at Centennial room 4105 following stomach surgery. No Visitors Please.

Worship Leaders
Sunday Morning (Contact: Carlos 889-3185) Opening Prayer: Mark Pugh Read Scripture: Lynn Wright Closing Prayer: Steve Ledbetter Sermon: Adam Faughn Song Leader: Richard Roberson Serving Lords Supper: (Contact: David 754-7085) Fred Kennel 1 Bruce Reid 2 Cary Clay 3 Ralph Brewer 4 Philip Denny 5 Bill Myers 6 Jim Oakley 7 B J Turner 8 Sunday Evening (Contact: Cary 883-5909) Opening Prayer Wes Carnahan Closing Prayer: Gavin Hammers Read Scripture: Greg Holland Sermon: Adam Faughn Song Leader: Richard Roberson Serving Lords Supper (Room) Sammie Hunter 1 Harry Middleton 2 Wednesday, December 21st (Contact: ) Read Scripture: Al Cravens Opening Prayer: Sonny Gossett Speaker: Harry Middleton Song Leader: Lynn Wright Announcements: JD Buckner - Steve Ledbetter Nursery Attendant: Laura & Andrea Grigsby

by Harry Middleton
PLAY BALL
I like to talk on this subject. It is scriptural. Paul frequently used the sports of his day to illustrate the truth he was teaching. In writing to the Corinthians he said, Every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things (1 Cor. 9:25). He said to Timothy, Bodily exercise is profitable for a little; but godliness is profitable for all things (1 Tim. 4:8). The writer to the Hebrews makes us think of one of our great football stadiums when he says, Seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us (Heb. 12:1). I think, therefore, that we have the sanction of the Bible for using the games of our day to illustrate and interpret the truth we are endeavoring to teach In the next place when I speak about, Playing Ball nearly everyone knows what I am talking about, and I dont have to explain my jokes or illustrations. However, I did hear of a young lady who went to a baseball game with a young man, and arrived late, about the third inning. She said, I wonder what the score is? He looked at the scoreboard and said, Nothing to nothing. She exclaimed, Thats fine, we havent missed anything yet. Most people, however, understand ball games---whether baseball or football. In the third place, if I could get every man and woman to practice the same Christian principles that ball players practice, society would soon be transformed, and the world be a heaven in which to live. This is a strong statement, but I believe it can be proven. (James Whitcomb Brougher, Sr. in Life and Laughter, pages 43-44)

JDs Jargon

Hello everyone, I hope this holiday season is not too hectic for you. I know this time of year is very busy will all the gift getting, traveling, and event planning. I hope you will be able to enjoy some time with family and friends. I want to thank the families who served in the progressive dinner. Thank you for preparing our meals and opening your homes to us. The progressive dinner is always a great event and it is because of our wonderful families at Lebanon Road. Please remember we will be going ice skating this Tuesday at 10 AM. Also, please meet at the building on Wednesday at 8:30 AM to help at the Second Harvest food bank. Anyone going to Second Harvest needs to fill out a release form. Thank you very much! --JD :)

Thank You
Your kindness and concern have meant so very much and will always be remembered for the visits, cards and beautiful flowers at the death of my brother. Bob Butler and Family

Kids Christmas Caroling

Today For Pre-school - Bible Bowl classes Children will be singing Christmas carols to Lebanon Road members who live in the Heartland neighborhood. We will leave from the church building at 4:15, and we will return to the fellowship hall for pizza and class. All Story Hour and Bible Bowl classes will meet in the fellowship hall.

Hilltop Chapel/Bordeaux Hospital

Once again this year we have the opportunity to assist our friends at Hilltop Chapel at Bordeaux Hospital. They have requested money for some specific needs of the residents, as Christmas gifts this year have already been received. For those who wish to participate, you may give any monetary contributions to Steve Ledbetter or one of the Elders by Wednesday, December 21st.

New Ladies Class

Beginning on January 4th, a new ladies' class will meet on Wednesday nights. This class is for all adult ladies of any age. For the first quarter, the topic studied will be Christian maturity, and the elders will provide class members with copies of the book that will be used. If you plan to attend and would like a book purchased for you, please sign the list in the foyer.

Mark Your Calendar...

Today: Heartland services at 4:00 led by Philip Denny, Philip Autry and Jack Steele Today: Kids Christmas Caroling Pre-school - Bible Bowl Tonight: Visitation team #1 will meet tonight following services December 21: 2nd Harvest Food Bank Work Day

Christmas Day Services

On Sunday, December 25th our morning service will remain the same with worship at 9:00 a.m. and classes to follow. Our evening service will be an abbreviated service including a devotional and serving the Lords Supper at 6:00p.m.

The Record
Wednesday Night 12/07: Sunday Morning Worship Sunday Evening Worship: Sunday Bible Study: Contribution: 170 309 235 216 $11,769.00

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