“For the Lamb in the midst of

the throne will be their

shepherd, and he will

guide them to springs

of living water.”

Revelation 7:17

March 25, 2018 Dripping Springs Church of Christ

PO Box 1

Dripping Springs

Texas 78620

(512) 858‐4500

dschurchofchrist.com

dscofcoffice@gmail.com

Sunday 

Bible Class 9:30am

Worship 10:30am

Worship 6:00pm

Wednesday 

Bible Class 7:00pm

Church fights almost always are the result of at least someone being too friendly with the world. At least, that’s what James 4:1-6 says. If envy, jealousy and selfish ambition fill the hearts of Christians (the wisdom from below – James 3:13-18), then wars and fights are bound to occur in churches (James 4:1-3). James does not hold back in addressing the seriousness of this matter. Getting too friendly with the world can lead to spiritual adultery and to becoming God’s enemy (James 4:4). When God charges anyone with infidelity or spiritual unfaithfulness, that should grab our attention!

James begins chapter 4 with two questions: (1) “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you?” (2) “Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?” Interestingly, James is NOT so interested in the particular person(s) who started the conflict as he is in the real source and characteristics of the conflict. The real source is “passion” or “pleasure,” an expression that often refers to sinful, self-indulgent desire (cf. Titus 3:3; Hebrews 11:24-25; 1

Peter 2:11). A conflict among brethren often finds its roots in what is going on within (inside) them! As has often been said, “the heart of the problem is a problem of the heart.”

In James 4:2-3, he gets even more explicit concerning the nature of conflict in the church. The way the ASV, NASB and ESV bring this out seems to better represent the flow of argument: “You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel.” This structure places the emphasis on the fact that frustrated sinful desire often leads to friction and to violence. Murder, fights and quarrels are the result. Recall how even a good man like David committed murder due his sinful passion for Bathsheba? (2 Samuel 11:2-17). And while envy, jealousy and selfish ambition do not always lead to literal murder and violence, they almost always DO lead to character assassination, brutal family feuds and to fractured, broken lives. Yes, there are some battles which must be fought by the people of God (1 Timothy 1:18;

Extending the Right Fist of Fellowship M i k e V e s t a l

6:12). However, no battles should be fought while surrendering Christian virtues like love, integrity and patience.

What we truly treasure, we love and praise. What we really treasure, we talk about and are passionate about. And as Jesus said, “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-24). Do we truly treasure

God, Scripture and what is pure and holy? Is the Lord our delight and exceeding joy? (Psalm 37:4; 43:4). Do we have a great love for the church purchased with His precious blood? (Acts 20:28). Do we allow the sins of envy, jealousy and selfish ambition to afflict the body of Christ? Do we allow these sins to grow in our own hearts? It is far too easy for us as Christians to be torn between two loves.

James calls it being “ double-minded” (1:8; 4:8), and it is about being “two souled” – a form of spiritual schizophrenia which treasures BOTH God and the world; it treasures BOTH heavenly wisdom and earthly. And it won’t work! It will terribly hurt our relationship with God and may well have devastating effects in the church too (cf. 2 Corinthians 12:20).

Sermon Outline Who God Says You Are: Your Past

We o en determine who we are, by who others _________________________ — we gain our iden ty by

our __________________________.

Who you have been must be _________________________ before you can become who you want to be.

Key Thought: ________________________ is the _________________________ of who you were

without Jesus to who you are in Jesus.

Jesus gave us a tangible person as an example to show the transforming power of His saving grace over

our past—and his name is __________________________.

Jesus is greater than the _________________________ of your past.

Within the ____________________________ Jesus crucifies the past—all of the guilt, fear, hate, anger—

all of that is done away with through the unimaginable grace lavished upon us.

Within Christ our “__________________________” past becomes a ______________________ one.

Joseph didn’t deny the hardships he endured but recognized that the ______________________ who re-

deemed them was far greater; that it was ____________________________, not guilt or grief, which was

the determining factor in who he was and who his son would be.

NOTES:___________________________________________________________________________________

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Elders: Tracy Frisinger Bill Hyde Roland Merz Kelly Miller

Deacons: Randy Banks Stephen Estrada John Gray Damon Hyde Jay Kelsey Winston Kinser Matt Walker Joel Wilkinson Brian Wilks Robert Wright Tim Wright

Ministers: Steven Akin Jacob Rutledge

Mission Works Joshua Ankiah South Africa

Daniel Sackey Liberia, West Africa

Peter Chin Far East Evangelism (Singapore)

Tom Jackson Lancaster, New Hampshire

Life Verlooy Rice Lake, Wisconsin

John Moore Bible Passages

Troy Spradlin Paraguay Mission Work

Hensel Youth Camp

Southwest School of Bible Studies

World Video Bible School

For the Record Week of Mar 11 Sunday AM ........................ 175 Contribution ............. $10,207

Week of Mar 18 Sunday AM ....................... 166 Contribution ............... $6,947

Ladies Bible Study March 27th

6:30 pm

At the home of Melissa Lovelace Map is on the Back Table of the Auditorium

Dinner is Provided

Privileged to Serve Sunday, March 25 Morning Announcements .......... Damon Hyde Scripture Reading..... To Be Selected Song Leader ................... Tim Wright Opening Prayer ............. Paul Brown Sermon .................... Jacob Rutledge Closing Prayer ................ Gavin Valle

Lord’s Table Tracy Frisinger ............ Ryan Bonne Jay Kelsey ...................... Paul Brown Randy Banks ..................... John Gray Joel Wilkinson ........... David Nuckels

Evening Song Leader .............. David Nuckels Opening Prayer .......... Ryan Bonne Sermon .................... Jacob Rutledge Closing Prayer ................ Kelly Miller

Wednesday, March 28 Prayers ..................... To Be Selected Song Leader .......... Monthly Singing Speaker ..................... Charles Smith

Sunday, April 1 Morning Announcements ....... Robert Wright Scripture Reading..... To Be Selected Song Leader ................ Keith Mauck Opening Prayer ........ Tracy Frisinger Sermon .................... Jacob Rutledge Closing Prayer ....... Stephen Estrada

Evening Song Leader ............ Wayne Mansur Opening Prayer .......... Tom Pawelka Sermon .................... Jacob Rutledge Closing Prayer ........... David Nuckels

Ushers Denny Williamson ....... Daryl Burrell

Building Lockup Tracy Frisinger. ................... Bill Hyde

Communion Prepara on David Lovelace ..........Gerald Sherrill

Ladies Room 101 Duty April: Carol Nelson, Carrie Nelson, Lori Simone , Mary Williams May: Marilyn Wilkinson, Phyllis Joiner, Carla Moore, Carolyn Rutherford June: Tara Hyde, Leslie Speir, Jeri Belyea, Doyla Burrell

Announcements Prayer List Church Family: Opaline Bonner, Ryan & Nichole Bonne , Paul Brown, Marvin & Mary Crumley, Sarah Crumley, Peggy Hinseley, Dennis Joiner, Norman & Be y Starling

Shut‐ins & Other Needs Nelawyn Dalley, Lore a Knox, Alene McNair

HCC Resident Nancy Wallace

Lavender Springs Residents Marvin & Mary Crumley

Bereavement The Armstrong Family Family & Friends of Church Family Cyndi & Kelly Arbuckle, Pat Balderas, Tom & Judy Barthel, Donald Ferguson Family, Ray Frisinger, Carol Hiennman, Lura (Stovall) Lyles, Elizabeth McKenzie, Monty & Linda McNair, Gary & Sandra Montgomery, Mary Moore, Edward O’Daniel, Avis Yates Rivers, Andrew Sanchez, Regina Sanchez, Shirley Sco , Mary Sharp, Lisa Shepard, Dennis Tilley, Barbara Valle, Don Walker, Gary Williamson, Tommy Williamson

New to Prayer List Tom Armstrong, husband of Sister Pam Armstrong passed away suddenly Wednesday morning. We have no funeral details at this me but will keep you updated. Please keep Pam and her Family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult me.

Lisa Shepard, sister of Jay Kelsey is having extensive surgery at MD Anderson in Houston, TX on Monday, March 26th for colon cancer. Please keep Lisa in your prayers during this

me.

Elizabeth McKenzie, a friend of Tim & Jamie Wight has fallen ill and could use our prayers at this me.

Announcements Joel Wilkinson’s Fellowship Care Group will meet today following morning worship.

Easter Egg Hunt at the Church building Wednesday, March 28th. Every child please bring 1‐2 dozen filled eggs. Dinner will start at 5:30pm & the egg hunt will begin about 6‐6:15pm.

Mark Your Calendars TODAY ‐ Stephanie Gray Baby Shower; 2‐4pm in room 101 (Stephanie is Registered at Target & Amazon)

Mar 27 ‐ Ladies’ Bible Study; 6:30pm at the home of Melissa Lovelace; dinner will be provided

Apr 1 ‐ No First Sunday Focus or Fellowship Potluck due to Easter

Apr 5 ‐ Good Samaritans; 9:30am in room 101

Apr 6‐7 ‐ Ladies’ Retreat; Horseshoe Bay Resort

Apr 14 ‐ Bridging the Gap Ice‐Cream Social; 3:00pm in Room 101

Apr 19 ‐ Good Samaritans; 9:30am in room 101

Apr 21 ‐ Reagan Gray Wedding Shower; 2:00pm at the home of Tammy Hyde; (Reagan is registered at Bed Bath & Beyond, Macy’s and Amazon)

Jun 25‐27 ‐ VBS; Jesus Christ: Chief Hero of Faith

Youth Calendar Youth Singing Class & Dinner Every Wednesday @ 5:45 Dinner/6:15 Class

Friends in Faith Dinner Every Wednesday @ 6:15pm in Room 101

Prayer & Coffee (High School) Every Tuesday @ Starbucks 7:45‐8:15am with Steven

Bible Study “Sharpen The Sword” every Monday @ the home of Steven & Catherine Akin ‐ 6:30pm Followed by Ul mate Frisbee

TODAY ‐ Pew Packers today following morning worship

TODAY ‐ Bible Bowl Prac ce @ 4:45pm in Room 101

Mar 28 ‐ Easter Egg Hunt; 5:30‐6:45pm

Mar 30 ‐ Apr 1 ‐ Lads to Leaders Conven on

Apr 8 ‐ Lads Cake Celebra on; following evening worship in room 101

Apr 14 ‐ Bridging the Gap Ice‐Cream Social; 3pm in room 101; more details to follow

Apr 20‐21 ‐ F.U.E.L Youth Rally; hosted by Mid‐Town CofC; see details on youth bulle n board in foyer

May 13 ‐ Gradua on Banquet; following evening worship

Jun 10‐15 ‐ Camp Hensel

Jun 25‐27 ‐ VBS; Jesus Christ: Chief Hero of Faith

Jul 22‐27 ‐ Peach Valley Camp

Lesson Titles for Today A.M.— Who God Says You Are: Your Past P.M.— Reign of Grace, Part 6