The BIBLICAL MESSENGER

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The
BIBLICAL
MESSENGER

VOLUME XX SEPTEMBER 17, 2002 NUMBER 25

9th & Main

CHURCH OF CHRIST

San Angelo, Texas

ELDERS
John Mayfield
Ed Roper

EVANGELIST
John Hobbs

ASSEMBLIES

SUNDAY
Bible Classes                     9:30 .a.m
Morning Worship             10:30 .a.m
Evening Worship               5:00 .p.m

WEDNESDAY
Bible Classes 7:00 pm

In SEARCH of the Lord's Way

each Sunday morning at
8:00 a.m.

KIDY-TV 6 (Cable Channel 10)

Thank God Your Hut is Burning!

        The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for god to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements and to store his few possessions.
        One day, after scavenging for food, he returned home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger.
        "God, how could you do this to me?" he cried.
        Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island. It had come to rescue him.
        "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers.
        We saw your smoke signal," they replied.
It is easy to get discouraged when things in our lives seem to be bad, but we should not lose heart because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering.
        Remember, the next time your little hut is burning to the ground, it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.

(Copied from "The Church & Family"

Office: main@9thandmaincoc.org WebSite:http://coc901.home.att.net WebEditor: main@9thandmaincoc.org

COMING EVENTS

October 6 All church potluck. Plan to come and invite someone to come with you.

October 6 Men's business meeting following the potluck meal.

The decision has been made to schedule the men's business meetings on a bimonthly basis to coincide with the potluck meal. If there is urgent business at other times, a meeting will be called.

Week of October 6 - 10 New Mexico Children's home grocery truck will be here. they are requesting cereal, juices, crackers and pastas. They will also accept monetary donations

Glynn Langston's latest newsletter is posted on the bulletin board..

       The Medina Children's Home is looking for Christian couples to serve as house parents. Applicants should be mature Christian couples with high school diplomas.
        They also need a truck driver to make their food and clothing runs throughout Texas.
        They offer an attractive salary and benefits package.
        If anyone is interested, please contact the church office.

We want to express our appreciation to Branyon May, who so capably filled in in conducting our song service this past Sunday.
We look forward to having Jim back next Lord's day.

Special Days - October 2000

Birthdays

Anniversaries

The (Tom Green county) Genealogical society meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 P.M. in our fellowship room.
They have extended an invitation to all of us to attend any or all of their meetings. So, if you have an interest in the history of the area, or if you have an item of interest yourself, you might enjoy spending some time with these folks.

Bro. Phillip Neal, our brother who is serving in Korea, sends his greetings to everyone. (via email)

        The Sonora church of Christ is having a Ladies day on October 12. The program will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 1:00 p.m. Patsy Shero will be the guest speaker and her message will be entitled "Life is a three ring circus."
        All ladies are invited

From the pen of JOHN HOBBS....

Calvinism in the Church of Christ

Calvinism is false doctrine! PERIOD! Calvinism has several basic principles. Historically, those in the church of Christ have rejected Calvinism - and rightfully so! One basic principle of Calvinism is that the Holy Spirit will call and save only the elect, only those who God has selected for salvation.

Unfortunately, Calvinism has reared its ugly head in the Church. Some would deny this, but Jesus said, "Therefore by their fruits shall ye know them." (Matt 7;20) when you listen to brethren talk, their speech reveals their Calvinistic beliefs. What a terrible shame!

I asked one brotherhood preacher how big was the church where he was preaching? He replied, "The church is just as big as God wants it to be. I don't have anything to do with it." Brethren, this is Calvinistic!! We do have a part in the growth of the church. Paul said, "I planted, Apollos watered and God gave the increase." (I Cor. 3:5) Notice the need for humans to plant and water! We are needed in the salvation equation. (Romans 10:9-17) If we do not plant and water the church will not grow. God has made our efforts absolutely essential.

Some preachers glory in the "smallness" of the churches for which they preach. They think the smaller -- the holier. They see no need to work hard for church growth. They are content to be small. In fact, they are proud of it. Brethren, this type of attitude is ungodly! God is not pleased with this mindset.

Remember, the church that does not reach out will soon fade out! How true! At Ninth & Main we are reaching out! Our Bible School, Visitation, and Bible Correspondence programs are our main avenues for outreach.

In Christian Love,
John Hobbs

"THE BIBLICAL MESSENGER" is published weekly by church of Christ, 901 N. Main St., San Angelo. TX 76903-4057.