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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
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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.
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Evening Worship
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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.
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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
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Lten/se Ft
B e ll. P a s to r
1 97211 t (503) 288-5173