GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME!
NORTH CAROLINA CHURCH OF CHRIST
March 24, 2024
Hospital: Pam Hamner, NAMC/5206
Home: Jennifer Davis
Services for Claude Henry were held yesterday. Please
keep this family in your prayers.
Cedar View: Barbara Parker
El Reposo: Eldora Clemmons/104
LCNH: Prue Kelley/1
SHUT INS: Freddie Davis, Stacy McCormack, Evelyn
Newton, Betty Scott, Glen & Vicki Wright.
Please remember those in the nursing homes and our
Shut-Ins
ISAIAH’S CALL: Please continue to bring Hamburger
Helper Meals or give your donations to Amy, Ann, or
Pat.
The Lesson for next week in the Auditorium Class is
Eve, the Mother of All Living.
Men – The material for the Auditorium Class for the
Spring Quarter is on the table in the foyer. Please look
at the lessons and sign your name to teach. The lessons
are inside the folder.
Please check the Bulletin Board for cards, etc.
The Contribution report for February is on the table in the Library.
The 5th Sunday Fellowship Meal on the 31st has been cancelled.
That date is also Easter.
REMEMBER IN PRAYERS
Our Prayer List continues to grow. Please keep these
folks in your thoughts and prayers.
Michelle Bernstein, Alma Butler, Billy Bryant, Vicki Burbank, Donnie Carroll, Tom Childers, Jane Clark, Mitch Clemmons, Jim Clemmons, Brandon Cody, Caitlyn Dennis, Tammy Dial, Devin Faires, Dakota Garney, Bridgett Gattis, Carter Glascock, Kayla Hamner, Pam Hamner, Lori Hargett, Shirley Harmon, Cypress Hayes, Taylor Hendrix, Vickie Herston, Lana Hines, Christine Holden, Cindy & David Holden, Cindy James, Jewel Jaynes, Josh Jones, Joan Kell, Brock Killen, Don Lakey, Andy Lee, Franklin Lee, Madalyn Littrell, Brenda MacDonald, Charles Miller, Porter Mitchell, Peggy Montgomery, Luke Oliver, Tracy Pace, Micah Parker, Ethan Pennington, Kenzie Perkins, Dennis Phillips, Tamika Powell, Mike Prince, Linda Rickard, Lazaro Ruiz, Mike Schmidlkofer, Jean Symore, Steve Shelton, Barbara Smith, Betty Sparkman, Kevin Springer, Earl Tank, Brad Tank, Judy Tays, Patrice Tucker, Rene Voser, Luke White, Donna Wilkerson, Joyce Word, Glen & Vicki Wright
DOGS, SWINE AND DUSTY FEET
The words of Jesus are so powerful and are designed to help us enjoy Bible truths which demand we take time to slowly read the text. Think about these words from the Sermon on the Mount. “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet and turn and tear you in pieces” (Matt. 7:6).
Can you imagine how strange these words sounded to those who first heard them. Just before talking about this, our Lord talked about motes and beams, specks and logs, inside men’s eyes. He then turned his attention to puppies and pigs.
It is remarkable how easy it is to understand these words when you read the rest of the Bible. Casting pearls in the feet of swine becomes so understandable when you read more of the words Jesus later used. When he sent out the apostles on the commission limited to the Jews, He said, “And whoever will not receive nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet” (Matt. 10:14). The holy message they were trying to deliver had so obviously been rejected by “dogs” and trampled under the feet of “swine.”
Isn’t that what Jesus did when He was on trial. For three years He had given the Jews that which God sent Him to deliver. What did He do when He was being mocked? The Lamb of God lead to the slaughter did not open His mouth. His holy message as precious as pearls had been rejected.
Isn’t this what Paul did at Antioch. After His first message in the synagogue the whole city, both Jews and Gentiles, came to that place the next week. When the Jews saw this, they were envious and began interrupting him, contradicting, blaspheming and opposing Paul. His response to these Jews? “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles” (Acts 13:45-46). They had openly rejected the holy message, and Paul told these “dogs and swine” they had trodden that message under their feet.
So do not blame yourselves when others say to you, “Don’t ever talk to me about Jesus, quit wasting your time.” Do not think that you are a failure. You saw the value of their souls, but by their fruits you can know that you have done all you can—at this time. It is a waste of time to give the holy message, precious as costly pearls, to those who openly reject it. Perhaps later they can be taught, but not at this time.
Our commission is for all mankind, and every person we know needs to hear the message. Do not feel guilty when you are rejected. They even rejected Jesus!
Dan Jenkins
Via: Palm Beach Lakes Church of Christ
Palm Beach Gardens, FL