r V W t ’lrl Page 4...The Portland Observer...October 30,1991 I P o rtla n d O b s e rv e r Scripture o f the Wkefi RELIGION Young Men, Did You Know? Give Your Best To The Master BY MICHAEL LINDSEY D ean of North Portland Bible College The text fo r the Sunday School lesson (International Series) fo r next Sunday is A cts 20:17-31. We encour age yo u to jo in in a class this Sunday at a local church where the Bible is taught. Y o u 'll be glad you did. O ur w hirlw ind study o f the life and acheivem ents o f Paul the Apostle con tinues this week, with a look at Paul’s fatherly adivce to the elders of the E phesian church. How much Paul and his m issionary band had accom plished since the last lesson! They have labored for three years in the city of Ephesus, establishing the gospel of C hrist in that capital and in many sm aller cities of A sia M inor. It seems that Paul trained m en and quickly sent them forth to surrounding places. O ne of these men, E paphras, began the church in Colos- sae, only 50 m iles away, but a city Paul him self never visited (Col 1:7-8; 2:1). He did not actively preach in Troas, the seaport, but there was a church there by the close o f his three-year ministry in Ephesus (Acts 20:6-7). Probably many o f the churches addressed in Revela tion 2 and 3 were also founded during this time. Follow ing a major riot, brought on by the idol-m akers o f Ephesus (19:23- 4 1 ),P a u lto o k a fe w months to visit and encourage the churches in M acedonia and G reece—churches we know like Philippi, Thessolonica, and Corinth.l From Paul’s letters we know he was also collecting a special offering for the poor saints in Jerusalem (compare 1 C or 16:1 -4; 2 C or 8 - 9 ; and Rom 15:25- 28). He had not planned to stop in or near Ephesus after putting the churches’ offering together, but he apparently had to lay over for several days in the port o f M iletus, 30 miles from Ephesus. So he called »he elders of Ephesus to gether for a spiritual “ retreat,” hastily called together while he waited in Miletus (20:15-16). It would have taken at least three days to summon them and get them out to Miletus, so we know there was some unforseen delay. Notice how «. 4 * . • > * M • ?/»?= S’ ' • X • '< C hurch • 4 • . **•< "..5 ’ / • ' / 1 <?.’ * »/ •V-. . / • A ». ; W 3908 takes a lot of work, and prayer, and highly they valued this kind of retreat; study, to know all that the Lord has some of us would have been unwilling com m anded, and to apply it straightfor to invest those three days for spiritual wardly for the people o f God (compare growth, even if we didn’t have to walk Malt 28:19). Are we willing to apply to get there! ourselves, so that our teaching and preach As Luke summarizes Paul’s m es ing makes a difference? sage in our Bible lesson, we see Paul Second, Paul was a man o f excel emphasizing the things he did to make lence in bravery. He often had to escape his own ministry in Ephesus a success. for his life from the plots o f Jewish He avoided the trap of false humility, opponents of the faith, but he kept coming o f denying his own part in accom plish back for more (19,22-23). He would not ing the work the Lord had given hinvto be intimidated by government, nor by do. He sets before the elders his own charges o f religious bigotry, nor by life as an example of excellence in physical persecution. Followers o f Je ministry, and challenges them to be sus Christ today face exile, prison, and ready for the predictable attacks o f the death for proclaiming the same gospel enem y, after he is gone. Paul taught--in Moslem, Buddhist and May I be blunt here? I tear that officially atheistic countries. Do we many times we who are called m inis possess that kind of dedication? ters of God through Christ, are content Third, Paul was a man o f excel to be ordinary, mediocre men. W edon’t lence in disciple-making. In three years want to challenge our thinking, or dis the Apostle had developed a strong cadre cipline our minds, our bodies, and our o f leaders, men who could serves well schedules, in order to set an exam ple of as “ overseers” and “ shepherd” ). He godly excellence for G od’s people. And prepared them for the realities of lead as a result, the believers are also con ership, and prepared them to succeed tent with mediocrity, no m atter how (29-31). Are we faithfully preparing a much we preach and scold and com new generation of leadership, and giv plain. ing them the experience they will need But the Lord wants us to be men to become the future pastors, m issionar and women of excellence, ready to see ies, evangelists, and teachers of the stumbling blocks as stepping sto n e s- church? ready to “ expect great things of God, Finally, Paul was a man of excel and attem pt great things for G od,” as lence in personal integrity. He would W illiam Carey, the father o f modem not compromise his message to favor missions, once proclaimed. Some of one group of another (21). He would not the pastors here in Portland are begin let the natural honor which believers ning to meet together is small groups to bestow on the preacher, turn into a means encourage and challenge and “ sharpen” of getting rich (33-34). Rather, he would each other, with a purpose to build work hard in order to help others in need strong, growing, holy churches o f be (35). Are we more concerned with our lievers. These are noble aims, and we personal com fort and prosperity, or with ought to be quick to encourage one helping those who are truly in need? another with our works. Are we concerned to be people who W hat were the standards of excel keep their word, who tell the truth, who lence which Paul used to challenge the are faithful to their friends and to the leaders o f Ephesus? First, Paul was a Lord? man of excellence in teaching the Word. Paul was a man o f excellence, and He taught the Scriptures in public he wanted his elders to be men of excel meetings and in private homes, holding lence, too. W ouldn’t it be great to be a back “ nothing that was profitable unto part of a church of people who were you” (20:20). He declared to them “ I striving for excellence? It’s really up to have not shunned to declare unto you us! all the counsel o f G od” (27). Now this allory of C hrist NE M A L L O R Y ; AVENUE SUNDAY SCHEDULE Bible Study 9:30 am. Morning Worship 10:45 am. Men’s Training Leadership Women’s Bible Class 5:00 pm. •-«i •.%•< ?•: ■Í:' *•*» ( ' •*<■ * ■ Ì <' » ■ I - <4 * /• <*- ’ t <7 Evening Worship ¿ . - t ' 6:00 pm. Attended nursery for all services Wednesday prayer meeting and bible study 7:30 pm. ’L i f e / V» f e iÜ , Minister Gregory Fobbs Radio Ministry Each Sunday, 11:00 AM - KBMS 288-1092 R E S TO R IN G N E W TESTAMENT C H R ISTIAN ITY BY MATTIE ANN CALLIER-SPEARS The future o f the human race rests in the hands of our young men. Satan is so busy creating one snare after an other. He is trapping, kidnapping, snar ing and coercing young men into one evil situation after another. Open your eyes! But — if you have Christ, in your life, you can not only see with your physical eyes — but, you can also see with your spiritual eyes. Why are spiritual eyes necessary? Because - - with Satan as your enemy, you need spiritual sight; with the aid of the Holly Spirit. Ephesians 6:12 states, “ For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without b o d ies-th e evil rulers o f the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes o f dark ness who rule this world; and against huge numbers o f wicked spirits in the spirit w orld.” Yes, you will be dubbed as being a very foolish man if you think that you can fight against these forces all by yourself. G od is closely watching you, and He weighs carefully everything you do. ADVICE FROM THE PRO V ERBS, Chapter 6: Son, if you endorse a note for someone you hardly know, guarantee ing his debt, you are in serious trouble. You may have trapped yourself by your agreement. Quick! G et out of it if you possibly can! Swallow your pride; don’t let embarassm ent stand in the way. go and beg to have your name erased. D on’t put if off. Do it now. don’t rest until you do. If you can get out o f this trap and have saved yourself like a deer that escapes from the hunder, or a bird from the net [DO NOT CO-SIGN] Take a lesson from the ants, you lazy fellows. Learn from their ways and be wise! for though they have no FU N ERA L D IR E C T O R S Family Owned and Operated Since 1954 Serving the City of Portland for over 37 years In your hour of need Vann &Vann are there to serve A Centennial Music Fest is sched uled for 6:00 pm, Sunday, November 3, at Woodlawn United Methodist Church, 1425 NE Dckum Street. The choirs from University Park Cleodus Vann 503/281-2836 United Methodist Church and from Celebration Tabernacle will participate along with other choirs and special music presentations The Rev Eldred M on daine’ will bring a brief message. As winter nears, blankets, heavy coats and other cold-weather clothing are once again atop our list of desperately needed items. Among the other needs: workboots, rain gear and tents (for the homeless), blankets, pillows, bedsheets, baby blankets, pots, pans, dishes, kitchen utensils, tables and chairs, chests of drawers. For details: 284-6878. \ '■>? fr* - * ‘ ' * • • ' • • * "■ • * KM 4:13 W hen television, school, the com munity and even some family members seem to be pressuring you into areas - you know to be wrong, you m ust seek assurance from the Holy Scripture. Seek out the truth from an elder o f the church; who is entrenched in G od’s Word. Appropriating the real truth, by faith, is what counts. G od is truth. Young men, Open Open your eyes and your hearts. Listen! See the truth! Be all that you can be in the eyes o f God Almighty! Did we in our own strength con- fide, O ur striving would be losing, W ere not the right Man on our side, The Man of G od’s own choosing. — Luther Study P h one 289-1911 Church Phone: 289-0147 Sunday Service 10:45 Sunday School 9:30 Bible Study 6:00 Evening Service 7:00 P.M. Fraser Rasmussen leaving us (almost) Long-time Board member Fraser Rasmussen resigned that post last month, but vowed to stay "as active as I can be" as a volunteer. MT OLIVET BAPTIST CHURCH WE ARE MOVING SUNDAY SERVICES TO Pastor. Rev James CE. Faulkner Them e: W h atever you're going to do for th e Lord, do it now Stone Tower Church, N.E. Sandy Blvd. & 3Oth W orship Services 8:00 A.M. & 11:00 A.M. C hurch School 9:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. Bible Study, Wednesdays, 116 N.E.Schuyler 10:30 A.M. and 6:30 P.M. I Peter hr.11 For God So Loved ± e world, he gave his only son for those who should not die but have everlasting life. John 3:16 M allory Avenue Christian Church Radio M in is try each Sunday. 8:00 A.M.-KBMS Church Office 116 N.E. Schuyler, D s c p i e s o f C h r s t God's Presence promises Power through Jesus Christ In Good Times and Bad Times Jesus Loves You! A/lcttheuj / / 2 8 CME Ck urch "Come to me all you who ore weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest" Psalm 34:3 4236 NE Eighth Avenue 9:45am 11 00am 7 ^Opm (corner of 8tti i Skidmore) Portland, Oregon 97211 Sunday School Morning (Worship Tuesday Bible Study ond Prayer Inter-racial Congregation (503) 287-0261 Phillip S. Nekon Pastor ■ * Members, friends and neighbors, as well as persons previously connected to Beech Street, Central, Patton, Patton- Central, or Woodlawn Methodist Churches, are invited to join in the celebration. 8101 N. Fiske Avenue Portland, Oregon 97203 126 N.C. Alberto 5211 N. W illia m s P o rtla n d , O r. 97217 À people. The young men, of today, are under so much pressure from their peers and from the world. Just rem em ber you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.” -P h ilip p ian s JBL Jíau l 43ft t s s in n a ri ^Baptist Opuxtf Cold-weather goods needed Allen Temp L on hot coals and not blister his feet? So it is with the man who com m its adul tery with another’s wife. He shall not go unpunished for this sin. Excuses might even be found for a thief, if he steals when he is starving! But even so, he is fined seven times as much as he stole, though it may mean selling eve rything in his house to pay it back. But the man who commits adultery is an utter fool, for he destroys his own soul. W ounds and constant disgrace are his lot, for the w om an’s husband will be furious in his jealousy and he will have no mercy on you in his day o f vengence. You w on’t be able to pay him off no m atter how m uch you offer. G od’s W ORD is as sharp as a two- edged sword. It goes forth with love. God only wants what is good for all his king to make them work, yet they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter. But you--all you do is sleep, when will you wake up? ’ ‘Let me sleep a little longer!” Sure,just a little more! And as you sleep, poverty creeps upon you like a robber and destroys you; want attacks you in full armor. [GET UP AND GET A JOB] Let me describe for you a w orth less and a w icked man; tirst, he is a constant liar; he signals his true inten tions to his friends with eyes and feet and fingers. Next, his heart is full of rebellion. And he spends his time think ing o f all the evil he can do, and stirring up discontent. But, he will be destroyed suddenly, broken beyond hope of heal ing. For there are six things the Lord h a te s-n o , seven: Haughtiness Lying Murdering Plotting Evil Eagerness to do wrong A false witness Sowing discord among brothers. Young men, obey your father and your mother. Tie their instructions around your finger so you w on’t forget. Take to heart all of their advice. Everyday and all night long their counsel will lead you and save you from harm; when you wake up in the morning, let their instructions guide you into the new day. For their advice is a beam of light directed into the dark com ers of your mind to warn you of danger and to give you a good life. Their counsel will keep you far away from prostitutes with all their flatteries. Don’t lust for their beauty. D on’t let their coyness seduce you. For a prostitute will bring a man to poverty, and an adulteress may cost him his very life. [OBEY YOUR PARENTS] Can a man hold fire against his chest and not be burned? Can he walk Woodlawn United Methodist Church A Teaching C hurch W ith A Reaching M in istry Dr. James E. M artin. Senior Pastor VANN & VANN John 3:16 r . . . ■ . r. Lten/se Ft B e ll. P a s to r 1 97211 t (503) 288-5173