Lebanon Road Church Of Christ

LEBANON ROAD CHURCH OF CHRIST 2307 Lebanon Road Nashville, TN 37214

Non-Profit Org US Postal Paid Nashville, TN Permit 2464

Lebanon Road

Church of Christ 2307 Lebanon Road; Nashville, TN, 37214 * (615) 883-6918 www.lebanonroadchurchofchrist.org

Volume 57, No.32

Current Resident or

August 9, 2009

But It’s SO Long! The Bible is the greatest book ever written. Even if one considers it as nothing more than “another book,” it is the greatest piece of literature ever penned. Worship With Us Sunday: Worship 9 AM & 6 PM * Bible Classes 10:20 AM Wednesday: Bible Classes 7 PM

The Sanitized Bible Thomas Jefferson was a deist. He believed that God created the world, but he did not believe that God was/ is involved in the affairs of men. He and other deists rejected Jesus as God’s Son. To illustrate his beliefs, he produced a New Testament that was devoid of any miracles. He also deleted any reference to Jesus’ deity. The result was a very thin New Testament…and a very distorted view of God’s word. The idea of editing the Bible is blasphemous to Christians. We are familiar with Revelation 22:19: “…and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.” We hold up the Bible as the infallible word of God. God’s will is not contained in the Bible; it is the Bible. “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness” (II

James Hayes Timothy 3:16). Although we maintain a deep reverence for God’s word, it is easy for the Bible student to edit His word, nonetheless. There are many forms of editing. One might use certain passages to his or her favor in order to avoid responsibility. That person is quick to say, “Judge not lest you be judged,” but he or she will ignore other passages that deal with the stain of sin. Another Bible student might categorize passages as “The Ones That Matter” and “The Ones That Do Not Matter.” John 3:16 matters because it connects belief and salvation, but other verses that discuss baptism, the organization of the church, and hell are insignificant. God decided what was important so we would not have to. He does not need us to be editors. The most pervasive form of Bible editing is the kind that happens in our minds as we envision Bible accounts. I am afraid that we often

sanitize the Bible. Read the Old Testament. Put a dot beside every verse that describes a war, a murder or an execution. Then put a dot beside every verse that describes a sexual sin. Finally, note the verses that recount a theft, a lie or some sort of treachery. If the Old Testament were filmed as a documentary, it would be rated “R.” But that is not how we see it in our mind’s eye. We see it through a children’s story book. We see clean, freshly groomed people who speak in KJV, NASB or NKJV. We do not see blood or disease or famine. We do not see the violence. But it’s there—right in front of us. It is as if God is saying, “Look how disgusting sin is.” Read the Bible for all it is worth. Do not just read the edited, sanitized version.

—Joelton, TN

But it is far more. The Bible is God’s breathed out Word (cf. Second Timothy 3:16), and the “power” to save (Romans 1:16). It is where we learn about God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Church, sin, salvation, the cross, heaven, hell, and scores of other life-changing subjects. Some, though, don’t read the Bible. They might say, “It’s so long! I can’t find anything in it.” Others might say, “I just read a few favorite passages,

Adam Faughn because I’m familiar with them.” We can do better, and we should. This morning, we are going to begin a series from the book of Revelation. Seven times in that final book, there are “beatitudes” listed. Seven “blessed’s” are there, and we want to see what they are. The first is “Blessed are they that read.” Think of that! If we are blessed by reading that difficult book, how blessed will we be if we take the time to read the entirety of God’s Word! Many of you are taking that challenge this year, but others need to see what

can come from doing this. Let’s think about it this morning.

∞ We were so pleased to welcome Joel and Carol Green to the Lebanon Road family last Sunday. They have been with us for some time, but we’re glad they decided to make this their church home. Monday night, Chris Presson came by my office and desired to be restored to faithfulness. After studying and thinking together, we prayed that God would forgive his sins. Chris wants this to be known so we all can bring his name before God’s throne in prayers of encouragement and help.

Elders Joe Adams 773-2331 Johny Baker 758-7654 Ralph Brewer 871-4849 Wayne Davidson 758-2705 Earl Flynn 889-1659 Ted Fox 754-7607 Steve Ledbetter 889-8614 Charles Myers 883-6837 Jim Schroeder 754-8990 Cliff Wilson 889-6477

Pulpit Minister Adam Faughn 973-4483

Outreach Minister

Sunday Sermon Preview

Harry Middleton 292-3164

AM: Beatitudes of Revelation #1: “Blessed Are Those Who Read” (Adam Faughn)

Youth Minister

PM: Report from Beech Island, South Carolina (J.D. Buckner)

JD Buckner (731) 336-4768

The Sick

Worship Leaders

David Adams, husband of Emily Adams, is at Centennial in room 5121. Sarah Adcox is at Trevecca Health & Rehab, room 307A. Juanita Bradley is at McKendree room 287N. Felix Gower is at Donelson Place in room 229. Mary Catherine Thompson had knee surgery on Tuesday.

Sunday Morning (Contact: Ralph 871-4849) Opening Prayer: Bill Myers Closing Prayer: Ricky Biggs Read Scripture: Steve Ledbetter Sermon: Adam Faughn Song Leader: Philip Autry Serving Lord’s Supper: (Contact: David 754-7085) Shane Williams 1 Bill Wolfe 2 Lynn Wright 3 Paul Tramel 4 Tim Roberts 5 Austin Nichols 6 Cliff Wilson 7 Tim Ledbetter 8 Sunday Evening (Contact: Cary 883-5909) Opening Prayer: Lon Keele Closing Prayer: Alan Witt Read Scripture: Wes Carnahan Sermon: JD Buckner Song Leader: Lynn Wright Serving Lord’s Supper (Room) Bill Ross 1 Steve Ledbetter 2

Thank You I want to thank everyone for the calls, cards, delicious food, and the many prayers that have been worded on my behalf during my recent back surgery. Your kindness and concern is most encouraging and greatly appreciated. In Christian Love, Linda Brewer Many thanks to the brethren here at Lebanon Road for your cards, calls, and food. Especially thank you for your concern for me while I am trying to recuperate. Eunice Petty Dear Friends, The past months have been very difficult ones for our family, but your love and concern have helped us through. Thank you for the many cards, visits, prayers, and every act of kindness shown to us during Jimmy's surgeries and at the passing of my Mom. You are truly a loving and caring church family. In Christian Love, Ruth and Jimmy Owen

Give Away Day

Saturday, August 8th 11:00A.M.-1:00A.M. Time Saver Supper Wednesday, August 12th 5:30-6:30 p.m. Chicken tetrazzini, cucumber salad, glazed carrots, rolls & dessert $4 per person/$15 family max RSVP on your attendance card

Golf Scramble Saturday, August 15th Ravenwood Country Club 12:00 noon

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by Harry Middleton

Wednesday, August 12th (Contact: Billy 642-6817) Read Scripture: Jarrod Barefoot Opening Prayer: Cary Clay Speaker: JD Buckner Song Leader: Song Service Announcements: Harry Middleton - Johny Baker Nursery Attendants LeAnn Fitzgerald & Amy Mullican

Chris’ Summer Column

I RESOLVE WITH ALL MY HEART: To be about my Father’s business. To keep a pure heart, a clear head, and a hand willing to do good work. To set my affections on things above, not on things of the earth. To keep myself from idols---those things which hinder me in serving the Lord. To be considerate of the rights, privileges, and the feelings of others. To fear nothing but sin and the danger of falling short of that which my Heavenly Father requires at my hand. To forget and forgive all the injuries rendered me. To be more interested on finding good than evil in the lives of those I meet day by day. To refrain my tongue from evil---the evil of gossip, of slander, or unjust criticism--and my lips that they speak no guile. To be my brother’s keeper, lifting him when he falls, supporting him when he is weak and restoring him when he strays from duty’s path. To the end that I may have strength to do these things, I will look unto God continually. He is my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. VISITATION TEAM #2 AND LETTER WRITERS WILL MEET AFTER WORSHIP SUNDAY EVENING!!!

I think the sounds of school bells are starting to ring in everybody’s ears. Whether we want to hear it or not, all the students have started, or are getting ready to start, classes. But even when classes get into full swing there is still plenty to do at church. There’s a devotional this evening, I hope that all the youth can come and be a part of that and escape from the world for a little while to fellowship and praise God. We also have meltdown on Wednesday for anyone who wants to head to church early afterschool. We all have different paths we walk. Whether we’re spending the hours of the week in a classroom, at a desk, on a job site, at home working, or wherever else God puts us, we need to ensure that we are constantly striving to represent Christ in it all. Paul writes, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:1-2 ESV). We are to be ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). We are to be the salt and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13, 14). Christians aren’t to just check in to work for 2 hours on Sunday and 1 hour on Wednesday. Christians are called to live a lifestyle that glorifies God. Sure we all mess up but we know God is faithful to forgive (1 John 1:9). Let us all continue the good fight and be as Peter writes, “As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:4-5 ESV). —-Chris

Mark Your Calendar... Monday: Elders, Deacons and Preachers Meeting at 7PM

The Record

August 12: Time Saver Supper Returns!

Sunday Morning Worship:

335

August 15: Golf Scramble at Ravenwood

Sunday Evening Worship:

—-

August 22: Blood Drive in fellowship hall 9:00-1:-00. Sign up to donate!

Sunday Bible Study:

257

Wednesday Night:

207

Contribution:

$14,548.00 Page 3