The Champions Spirit
Volume 68, Issue 30
Aug. 2, 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 Schedule:
Bible Class:
Kevin Rhodes
World Bible School
Morning Worship:
Craig Ford
Missionary
Papua New Guinea
Evening Worship:
Wes Smith
Champions Deacon
Domestic Missions
Missions!
Missions... The word means different things to different people.
For some,
- Missions are particular tasks assigned in a military action—i.e. “The pilot flew five missions.”
- Mission is a place where religious activities are conducted—i.e. “The Alamo is one of several old missions located in the San Antonio area.”
While “mission” can be defined in these ways and more, Christian mission has a much greater meaning.
Christian mission is not limited to a particular task, which when once accomplished, can be filed as “mission complete.” Instead, its scope involves sharing of the Good News with the entire world! (Matt. 28:18-20; Mk 16:15)
Christian mission is not just a place to which we might “go.” Instead, it involves that which drives us. It is the passion that caused Paul to say he would give his own soul for those of his countrymen. (Rom. 9:1-3)
Mission is an engrained and integral part of Christianity. Mission is the heart of the Christian’s lifestyle, a natural, inner drive to share the Good News with all the lost. What a great word and emphasis for this day! Missions!
—Larry Keele
FAMILY MATTERS...
Our guests are always welcome at our services. We are pleased that you have chosen to be with us and hope that we will be mutually blessed by our time of worship together.
We welcome two additional families to Champions! Ronald and Ashley Seals (and their infant daughter, Evie) and Max and Myrtle Malone have both decided to work with this portion of the Lord’s family. Be sure and meet them.
Don’t forget the Astros game on Friday! See Danny Mize for more information. The bus will not run as it will be in the shop for repairs.
It is great to have Craig and Jeri Ford with their children (Hannah, Caleb, and Elizabeth with us through the end of August. Take advantage of the opportunities presented to get to know them and their fine work better.
Parting Thought: “The wheels of progress are not turned by cranks.” (Charles Hodge)
BE AT CHAMPIONS DAY! SEPT. 13TH!
HAVE A BLESSED WEEK!
Jeremy's Junction
This past week we returned home from Lithuania. Aubri, Luke Sandhop, Rachael Reed, Candice Keetch, Brett Toldan, Jordan Fontenot, and C. J. Johnson went with me to Lithuania to help conduct a church camp for teenagers. The week was truly epic. The singing was amazing at our camp. We would sing our songs in different languages including Lithuanian and Bele-Russian. It was loud and full of spirit. To see these teens just eat up the Word of God as if they were starving for it, and to sing songs so fervently put tears in our eyes on more than one occasion.
Over the next several weeks I plan to share several stories with you regarding our mission work.
Our boys all had an opportunity to speak at this camp. Luke Sandhop was a key-note speaker one evening. I will say it may be the finest sermon ever heard in that country. People came up to me following his lesson, expressing their appreciation for his words which were "real and needed"!
Jordan also delivered a devotional talk. I have heard Jordan give some great talks, but his delivery of this devo was on a completely different level.
One evening, we all hiked out to a beautiful spot by the lake. We circled up for the devotional. Following a few songs, Brett Toldan stepped from the circle and spoke about Philippians 4:13. Many of us have memories of a small shy boy who was terrified, especially of speaking in front of others. He spoke of how he didn't like me very much due to all the fears that I had made him face. The crowd laughed along with him. Once he had delivered his thought on how everyone there had the ability to do anything they wished, as long as Christ was their focus, captured everyone. Several of us who were standing together in the circle were brought to tears due to the immense pride on how far this young man has come.
There are several more stories pertaining to this trip and the others that I will be sharing over the next few weeks. Our teens have done so much this summer. Let them know you are proud of them.
—Jeremy Geurin
John's Jogs
SAUL’S CONVERSION — ACTS 9:1-31
PRE-CONVERSION – PAUL WAS A ZEALOUS ANTI-CHRIST.
Suddenly the church has an arch enemy in this young man Saul (9:1-2). It seems that he will stop at nothing to persecute the Christians, even until death. Saul is a perfect example of an honest, sincere, dedicated individual who was misdirected and miserably LOST. He was a man ready for an encounter with Jesus.
CONVERSION ENCOUNTER WITH CHRIST
Three distinct divisions:
Jesus and Saul (Acts 9:3-9)
Saul saw a great light - fell to the ground. He heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” He responded, “Who are you Lord?” – “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” He can no longer plead ignorance – he has now had the truth presented to him. He has now come face to face with Jesus. Now he must make a decision – to accept or reject the Savior. His response is very similar to those on Pentecost after Peter’s sermon. – He said, “Lord, What shall I do?” (Acts 22:10) It’s that total surrender that Jesus wants... Lord what....
- “Get up and go into the city and you will be told what you MUST do.”
- Note that Jesus did not tell him what he must do – he left that to man.
He was led to the city and was three days without sight, food or water.
Jesus and Ananias (Acts 9:10-16)
a) The Lord – “Ananias go to the house of Judas on Straight Street – ask for Saul of Tarsus for he is praying.
b) Ananias (giving the Lord some advice) – “Lord I have heard many reports about this man. He has done much harm to the saints in Jerusalem and has authority to arrest believers here.”
c) The Lord – (ignoring advice) –“Go – I have chosen him to carry my name before Gentiles, their kings and the people of Israel...I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
d) How many of us have Ananias-itis?
By looking at the life a person has lived, we conclude that they are not for Christianity. How wrong we are! Many who are far away have become ardent proclaimers. The key was Saul’s, “WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?”
Ananias and Saul (Acts. 9:17-19)
Ananias came to Saul and said, “Brother Saul, Jesus has sent me that you might see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately he received his sight and was baptized. Saul asked the question, “What Do You Want Me To Do?” Jesus said, “In the city you’ll be told what you MUST do.”
Ananias said, “GET UP and BE BAPTIZED–wash away your sins.” In all the chapters dealing with Paul’s conversion this is the only thing he is ever told to do. Thus, we must conclude that the Lord answered Saul’s questions, “What do you want me to do?” with, you Must be Baptized to wash away your sins.
Bowling: We were all stars in the first game. Even I had a 220. Fred carried us in a loss of the second game. The second game star was Lonnie Reed, our opponent. He was the last bowler in the last frame. If he got a strike, they won, if not we won. We really put the pressure on him as he had struggled all night. He got the strike and came off grinning.
—John Qualls