May 31, 2020

Rick Bright - preacher

churchofchristmo.blogspot.com

rbrightlr@gmail.com

Cell: 417-468-8194

Cathy’s Cell: 599-8980

Office: 468-4161

Sunday

Online

Worship: 10:30 AM

Wednesday

Online Bible Study: 7 PM

Thursday

7 p.m. Skype Bible Class

Sunday Morning

Radio & TV

KOOL 104.7 FM Answers 9:00 AM

Hardy, Arkansas Live stream

www.myhometownradiostations.com

Channel 10

Search 7:00 AM Living Word, 7:30 AM

Channel 33 Know Your Bible, 10:30 AM

Marshfield church of Christ

610 S. Marshall P.O. Box 458 Marshfield, MO 65706

(417) 468-4161

churchofchristmarshfield.org www.facebook.com/

marshfieldchurchofchrist

Liberty to Eat Out by Dining In

I Corinthians 8:9 But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. Delicious, mouth watering, seasoned perfectly, cooked to perfection, with each enticing bite begging for another. It is pure delight to eat the fresh appetizing food grilled just right over an open fire with a beautiful blend of hardwoods to provide the enhanced taste of fruitwood blended with just the right spices. The finest food prepared by the most experienced chefs to make for an overwhelming dining experience of the best cooked food money can buy! Nothing better than the liberty to eat out by dining in!

However, despite the joy and pleasure found in every savory bite, everything is just not perfect in Corinth. Sadly, despite being the finest and best place to eat in and to dine out in Corinth, every diner is surrounded by symbols of pagan Idolatry. The cooks, servers and servants are all in the employ of the pagan temple. Even more unsettling and detestable, the majority of the pagan Idol’s priests and priestesses are really nothing more than prostitutes. But no matter, because as a strong christian in Corinth, it is understood that Idols are not God, Idolatry means nothing, and only God is God and there is none other! And just as the apostle Paul proclaimed, God created all food to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth (I Timothy 4:3-5).

Paul, in addressing the Corinthian christians, declared, “Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live” (I Corinthians 8:4-6). But Paul doesn’t stop his instructions to the Corinthians, he goes on and says, “However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled (I Corinthians 8:4-6). And then in verses 9 and 10, Paul addresses an issue that arises because christians used their liberty to eat out by dining in a pagan temple. “But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols?”

The liberty to eat out by dining in an Idol’s temple is an option in life that must never be utilized to create a problem for brethren who don’t see things the way we do. Paul put it this way, “And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble (I Corinthians 8:11-13).

It is easy for us to feel very strongly and be selfish about our liberties and our knowledge. And it is so easy to forget about the feelings and thoughts of others who are not as knowledgeable nor see things the way we do. Thus, it becomes a challenge to yield to those who don’t think like we do by surrendering our “liberty to eat out by dining in.” But as loving children of God, Paul declares we must “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another” (Romans 12:10).

I wonder how many Corinthian christians sorely missed the sizzle and smoke of the grill for the sake of their brethren?

Rick Bright

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Continued on p. 4 www.churchofchristmarshfield.org

Marshfield Church of

Christ

It’s God’s Plan for Man

Believe: Hebrews 11:6, Mark 16:16, Acts 8:36-37, Acts 16:31

Repent: Matthew 4:17, Acts 2:38, Acts 17:30

Confess: Romans 10:9-10, Acts 8:37

Be Baptized: Acts 2:38, 1 Peter 3:21,

Galatians 3:26-29, Acts 8:36-38,

Acts 22:16, Romans 6:3-4

Live Faithfully: Romans 6:4, Matthew 7:21,

Matthew 28:20, Revelation 2:10

Heaven A minister announced that the topic of his sermon would be “Heaven.” He received a letter from an old man who was very ill. The letter, a beautiful expression of faith, read in part:

“Next Sunday you are to talk about Heaven! I am interested in that land because I have held a clear title to a bit of property there for 55 years. I did not buy it: It was given to me without price, but the donor purchased it at a tremendous sacrifice to himself. I am not holding it for speculation, since the title is not transferable. It is not a vacant lot - I have been sending material out of which the greatest builder of the universe has been preparing a mansion for me.

“Termites can never undermine its foundations; they rest upon the Rock of Ages. Fire cannot destroy it, nor floods wash it away. No locks nor bolts will ever be placed upon its doors for no vicious person can enter that land. There is a valley of deep shadows between the place where I now live and that to which I shall journey in a short time. I cannot reach my home in that city of God unless I pass through that valley, but I am not afraid because the best friend that I ever had went through that valley long ago and drove away all the gloom. He has stuck by me constantly since we first met 55 years ago, and I hold His promise in printed form, never to leave me alone. He will be with me as I walk through the valley of the shadows: I shall not lose my way….ever.” (Author Unknown)

Remember in Prayer: The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16 * indicates local member at Marshfield

Joe Burney, Randy Hyder’s uncle, is suffering from cancer. David Burton, Debra Chafin’s cousin, is in a special forces

group and has been sent to an undisclosed location. *William Dill continues to suffer from frequent severe

migraines. Jean Haddock, Pat Cruise’s aunt, has a brain tumor and

dementia. Shanda Hahn, a relative of Becky Hyder, has stage 4 cancer. Sid Heistand, Elvis’s father, had surgery last week and will

be undergoing further treatment and possibly more surgery.

Karen Helms, a friend of the Chafins, has cancer. Dean Horning has been ill at home and not doing well. Terry Lafferty, a friend of the Lewises, has had a return of

his prostate cancer. *Bobby Lewis continues to fight a battle with seizures and

other related health problems. *Missy Lewis is having ear problems and is asking for your

prayers. Jerry McCormack, Christina Hopkins’s father, has several

health problems. Leslie McCullough, a friend of the Brams, would

appreciate prayers for the stressful situation her family is currently going through.

Keith McHenry has passed all of his tests and is now on the list for a kidney donor.

Tye McMasters is continuing to improve. *Leon Moon had no blockage and has been referred to a

heart surgeon on June 10. They will run more tests and determine the next step, likely to be open heart surgery if Leon is considered healthy enough for it.

Willow Nelson is doing well and continuing treatment at Children’s Hospital.

Eli Peak, a friend of Alex Heistand, has lung cancer. *Judy Phillips still has pain in her shoulder. She expects to

see her doctor later this month. *Roy and Judy Phillips are battling several health issues.

Donna Plummer, Marcie Marchand’s mother, has not been feeling well recently.

James Taylor, a friend of the Hyders, is battling cancer. Liz Barrows Taylor, friend of Leon Moon and daughter

Patty, is confined to a walker with rheumatoid arthritis. Charlotte Ziebarth has been going through cancer

treatments and is feeling really down right now.

Remember The Care Bound Judy Barrow (Webco)

Faye Blazer (Marshfield Care Center)

Bonnie Doherty (Webco East)

Pat Lamb (Webco)

Zoe Lawless (Webco)

Please pray for all, especially our brothers and sisters, who have and will be losing their jobs and all who are suffering from the virus physically and emotionally. Also pray for our medical professionals.

Welcome Back: Shayla Brownsberger has returned for June and July. We look forward to having her back with us in worship and fellowship. She has been greatly missed.

Medical Update: Leon Moon’s cardiac catheterization revealed no blockage in his heart. He will see a heart surgeon on June 10. At that time, they will run more tests and determine the next step. This will likely be open heart surgery if Leon is considered healthy enough for it. Please continue to pray for Leon.

Ladies Bible Class will resume on Thursday, June 4, at 9:30. Beverly Bram will be teaching chapter 11 of our class book. Covid-19 guidelines and social distancing will be observed.

Worship Opportunities: Starting next week, June 7, there will be two Sunday morning worship assemblies, one at 9:00 and one at 11:00. Everyone is encouraged to follow the recommended safety guidelines and safe distancing. We will not be resuming Bible classes at this time. For more information, contact Terry Cruise.

Birthday Celebration: Bob Lewis’s 80th birthday has come and gone, but the postponed celebration will be Saturday, June 6 at the Lewis home, beginning at 3:00. Plans are to eat about 5:00. Please bring finger foods and beverages. Also, please bring lawn chairs; weather permitting we will plan to be outside. Social distancing will be observed regardless. (There will be a music jam practice at the Bob Lewis home on Friday, June 5, at 6:30.)

Wednesday Summer Series: As last year, any men who would like to present a lesson on Wed. evening please contact Rick for details, scheduling and a lesson copy. As of now we will be live streaming the lessons.

Communion Supplies are available in the resource room for anyone who needs them. If you need access or delivery, or have other needs, contact Ron Thompson or Terry Cruise.

Wednesday Bible Class and Home Bible Study will continue with II John. (In order to promote home Bible study, please take the time to read II John each day and answer the following questions.)

1. To whom is this epistle addressed – v1? (Compare to the introduction of 3 John.) 2. How long will truth be with us (v2), and what can we learn about God’s preservation of the Bible? 3. What blessings did John seek for them (v3)? 4. What must we do with the truth (v4), and what does this mean? 5. What command did John write in v5? 6. How is love described in v6, and where else have we learned this? 7. Explain the connection between v6, v4, and 1 John 1:7; 2:3-6. 8. What danger is brought up again in v7? 9. What warning is given in v8? 10. What lessons does v8 teach about obedience and about falling from grace? 11. Why is it necessary to abide in the doctrine of Christ – v9? 12. How should we treat people who “bring not this doctrine” – v10? 13. What does it mean to receive or greet such people (v10, v11)? (Study also 3 John 5-9) 14. What is our condition if we receive or greet these people? 15. How does John close his letter (v12,v13)?

Can’t make the Livestream work? Remember that on Channel 10 you can worship along with the Search program at 7:00 a.m., followed by the Living Word program at 7:30 a.m. each Sunday.

News and Announcements:

Jacob Marchand 5/31 Steve Crews 6/3

Helen Buman 6/5

Dena Kanengieter 6/08

Rick Bright 6/10

Justin Kanengieter 6/12

David Haffner 6/13

Dean Buman 6/16

Cathy Bright 6/18

Beverly Bram 6/19

Dale Graves 6/19

Brock Henslee 6/22

Judy Phillips 6/23

Robert Comer 6/24

Miley Fisher 6/26

Ron & Jill Peck 5/31 Rick & Cathy Bright 6/28

Scot & Diana Greer 6/29

John & Norma Nash 6/29

Due to the shortfall in our contributions, please

consider mailing in your contributions if you

have not done so as of yet. This will allow us to

continue to keep our budgeted commitments.

Thank You.

Contributions can be mailed to: Marshfield

Church of Christ, P.O. Box 458, Marshfield,

Daily Prayer List Additions

1. That God will bless the congregation with continued growth

2. That our ongoing home Bible studies will bear fruit

3. That our God will provide an Eldership

4. That our faith, unity, peace and harmony will remain strong together in Christ.

It is all about lost souls! Luke 19:10

June 6—Bob Lewis 80th Birthday Celebration June 7—Worship Assemblies October 2-4—Gospel Meeting October 4—Friends and Family Day