The Champions Spirit
Volume 68, Issue 29
July 26, 2009
In This Issue
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
—Jesus
MISSION SUNDAY - AUG. 2, 2009
Each Sunday, we focus on the Lord Jesus and His will for our lives. Part of His will is that we take the Gospel to the entire world (Matt. 28:18-20, Mark 16:15). Next Sunday, we will focus on how this is being done in some specific ministries in which this congregation is involved. Be here to hear of great opportunities!
9 a.m. Bible Study
Speaker: Kevin Rhodes of World Bible School
10: a.m. Worship
Speaker: Craig Ford of Papua New Guinea
6 p.m. Worship
Speaker: Wes Smith, deacon Domestic Mission Efforts
FAMILY MATTERS...
We welcome all of our guests today. We hope that you are uplifted as we worship our God together. We would love to know more about you, so please complete one of the cards located either in the information package or in the holder next to the song books. God bless, and come again soon!
Where will you be, Sept. 13th?
We are thankful for the coming of the Kirshy family to be identified as Christians serving the Lord along with us at Champions. John and Melissa come with their two children Corren and Landon. If you haven’t met them, please do so and welcome them here. (Melissa is the daughter of Dennis and Gwen Crosby.)
What is happening Sept. 13th?
The ladies enjoyed their monthly RefresHER at the home of Janet Phelps and Nancy Burnett last Thursday evening. These monthly activities provide opportunities for the ladies of Champions to grow in love and support for one another.
What are you doing, Sept. 13th?
As noted in the e-mail handout last week, two of our own were chosen as the Ideal Campers at Sooner Camp last week! We congratulate Bayley Tolden and Thomas Smith for exemplifying Christ in their lives through their camping experience! They, and our entire youth group, are really special!
Who will you bring, Sept. 13th?
The Ford family will be here in a few days, Lord willing. Not only will Craig speak for us next Sunday but he and his family will be staying with us in the Richardson house for the next month. We will be blessed by their presence.
Parting Thought: To make peace with who you are, make peace with what you have.
HAVE A BLESSED WEEK!
John's Jogs
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...” —Matthew 28:19
A SORCERER AND A EUNUCH ARE CONVERTED
Next Sunday is promoted as “Mission Sunday” in which all the efforts of the day will be devoted to various phases of mission programs in which we are involved. In connection with that and in my class of “Walk Through the New Testament,” we are in the book of Acts. Therefore, I’m doing a series of articles on the conversions that take place in the book of Acts.
Philip became the first person to take the message of Jesus outside Judea. He went to Samaria and encountered a magician referred to as “Simon the Sorcerer.”
His followers could see the contrast between Simon and Philip. One presented Christ and the other himself. Many of his followers believed and were baptized. Then Simon himself believed and was baptized.
An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, “Go south to the desert road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza," so he started out. A eunuch, the treasurer of Candace Queen of Ethiopia was traveling this road. The Spirit said to Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” Philip ran to the chariot and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah.
Philip entered into a Bible Study with the eunuch by asking: “Do you understand what you are reading?” – “How can I unless someone explains it to me?” The eunuch said and invited Philip into the chariot. He was reading this passage: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.”
He asked Philip if the prophet was talking about himself or someone else. Philip began at this scripture and preached Jesus to him. From previous sermons of Peter, John and Stephen we know that message: Jesus was sent from God, He was crucified, buried, resurrected and exalted. As they traveled along the road they came to a body of water.
The eunuch said, “Here is water, why shouldn’t I be baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. They went down into the water and Philip baptized him.
The eunuch went on his way rejoicing and the Spirit caught Philip away.
Bowling: Heather was our star last Sunday with a 230 game.
—John Qualls