Jesus Christ is the greatest friend we will ever have.  As we come together on Friend’s Day 2012 we will study lessons concerning our friend Jesus.  The Bible teaches that no one can show greater love than to give his life for his friend; Jesus gave His life for each of us (John 15:13).

Welcome to Friend’s Day 2012 at the Logan Martin Church of Christ.  If you are visiting with us you are our honored guest.  We pray that our time together will be enjoyable and beneficial.  You have been invited to attend these services by a friend who loves and cares for you and your soul.

The family of God at Logan Martin is very benevolent in their service to God.  We help many individuals and families in their time of need because of the example and commands given by our Lord Jesus Christ.  The greatest concern that Jesus had for others was the salvation of their souls.  We at Logan Martin strive to follow in the footsteps of Jesus by showing concern for the physical needs, and more importantly the spiritual needs, of those in our area.

As our friend, we desire for you to enjoy the blessings that we have in Christ Jesus.  The greatest blessing of all that we have at the Logan Martin Church of Christ is salvation in Christ.

Jesus said, The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10).  What is Jesus offering to those who will faithfully serve Him?

Jesus is offering HOPE.

The world seeks hope, especially in times of despair, and fails to find it.  The reason the world does not find hope is because they look in the wrong place.  True hope will only be found in Christ Jesus.   To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).  If one is to have true hope one must have Christ.

Jesus is offering LOVE.

The song writer was correct, “What the world needs now is love sweet love”.  As was true with hope, it is also true with love.  The world has desires, infatuations and lusts, but it fails miserably when it comes to love.  The world wants love, the world needs love, but the world fails to seek love where true love can be found.   For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).  If one is to have true love one must have Christ.

Jesus is offering PEACE.

All reasonable thinking men seek peace.  Mankind desires peace from war; mankind desires peace from conflict; mankind desires peace of mind.  Peace is sought internationally, nationally, locally and within the home.  Peace is sought through alliances, agreements and laws, but only God offers true peace.  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27).  God offers peace in this life and the life to come; God offers peace even in death.  If one is to have true peace one must have Christ.

Many people bring temporary hope, love and peace into our lives.  Jesus is the only friend who provides eternal hope, love and peace.

                                                                                                Tim

 (John 15:13)

Elbert Hubert had this to say: “A friend is one who knows you, and loves you just the same”. I don’t know if I could have come up with a better statement to describe a true friend than that. The Bible spends a lot of time discussing friends. Solomon reminds us that “the man who has friends must find himself friendly” (Proverbs 18:24). We would state the phrase this way in our modern conversation: “you have to be a friend to have a friend”.  Friendships are relationships that are two way streets; there is give and take on each end, and there are sacrifices for all involved. But there are also benefits for each individual as well. Think back to some of your closest friendships, some you may have had for years, and you understand the sacrifices made at times to continue certain friendships, and you are well aware of the benefits you reap from a close friendship.

While our friendships on this earth with others are important and valuable, there is one relationship which is worth far more than one with any individual on the earth, and that is our relationship with Jesus Christ. The principles of friendship are the same, and the benefits are eternal.  Jesus said, “I came that they might have life, and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). The life that is promised here on this earth for those who are Christians is said to be an “abundant” life.  The concept of abundance is so familiar to all of us in this country; it means to have more than is necessary, or to have an advantage. The word used here is “perissos” which takes the concept even further to mean “exceedingly abundant”.  The abundance has nothing to do with our finances, and it has nothing to do with the “things” we have. But the abundance Jesus came to give promises that things in this life will be better because we KNOW our eternal position.

The “abundant” life is a life made available to all those who are friends of Jesus. We are reminded by the Hebrew writer that Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all those who “obey” (Hebrews 5:9). Jesus said Himself that “you are My friend if you do what I command you” (John 15:14). Our friendship with those in this life is conditional on so many things, and no different, our relationship with Jesus is based on the condition of obedience.

God, like many of our close friends, knows us so well. Jeremiah, speaking of God’s knowledge of us, says He knew us before He formed us (Jeremiah 1:5). Not only does He know us, but loves us so much that Jesus went to the cross so we can have the hope of spending eternity with Him (John 3:16). No matter what your state in life, that abundant life is available to each and every individual. If you are here because of your friend, then thank God for that friend; they love you and care for your soul. We hope to see you again soon!

Ande Z

]]> http://lmcoc.com/2012/05/20/friends-day/feed/ 0 http://lmcoc.com/2012/05/20/may-20-2012/ http://lmcoc.com/2012/05/20/may-20-2012/#comments Sun, 20 May 2012 00:09:15 +0000 Cindy http://lmcoc.com/?p=850

“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister,

Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.” (John 19:25)

You can say it how you will; there is no denying the fact. I am, without question, a “momma’s boy”. Contrary to what most guys would have others to think, many are momma’s boys. There is something special about a mother, something that no one else can replace, and in all ways they are irreplaceable. My mom has provided me comfort when I needed it, she has provided me great joy and laughter when I needed it, she has been a best friend to me when I needed one, she has fixed boo boo’s, scrapes, and “doctored” all kinds of problems. The old saying is true: “there is nothing like a mother’s love”. How true.

It doesn’t take long to look into the word of God to see the importance of mothers. Paul reminds the young man Timothy of how his own faith was passed down from his “grandmother Lois and mother Eunice” (2 Tim 1:5). Mothers are vital in teaching their children the word of God, both through formal teaching and example.

A mother knows her child. There is no question the Mary knew Jesus was different. Mary was aware that Jesus was indeed a virgin birth as had been prophesied so many years before. Mary was amazed at the teaching of Jesus when He was found in the temple teaching those at only twelve years old, and the Bible recounts that as Jesus went home with his parents and was subject to them that Mary “kept all these things in her heart” (Luke2:51). She was well aware Jesus was different.

Mothers are there to support their children, and to provide direction for their children. Solomon, in all his wisdom, said to “train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is older he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6); mothers are vital in this process. They are there for correction if need be, and for encouragement and support when needed. Look at the numerous times in the Bible that it is recorded that Mary was there with Jesus. Mary was there as He performed the very first miracle turning the water into wine (John 2). Mary was there and brought Jesus back when He was left behind as He taught in the temple (Luke 2). Jesus’ mother was there in John 8 as He was teaching the multitudes. And Jesus’ mother was there as He was placed upon the cross of Calvary (John 19:25).

I don’t know where I would be in life without my mother. A mother is a wonderful thing. You know like I do, that just because someone “gives birth” does not make them a mother. And there are many “mothers” out there who did not give birth to those whom they are raising.

Thank you to each and every mother who takes time with your children. Enjoy your day, and may God bless each one of you.

Ande Z

I am almost positive if you have been outside your home in the last week you have noticed the steady increase in traffic all over the Pell City area. The eating establishments are fuller, the gas stations are fuller, the stores are packed, and traffic, well Pell City now has a traffic issue, at least for this week. The Talladega NASCAR race is in town this weekend, and accordingly, there are over 175,000 thousand seats to be filled, along with many who will park in the infield, and several who will never leave their tailgating spot. To put in perspective the number of people at the races, the population of Pell City is nearly 10,000. Some things are certain to happen at the race: cars will leave the starting line, cars will race full steam ahead, someone will wreck and will not reach the goal, and others will pass the checkered flag, but only one person will win the race.

Many times the Bible relates the walk of the Christian to a “race”. If you follow racing you well know that each driver looks ahead for the waving of the checkered flag. The race is long, the drivers are hot and tired, and the flag is a sign of accomplishment to each driver that they have reached their goal. The Hebrew writer reminds us that we are to “run the race with endurance” (Heb 12:1). The task in front of us is not easy, and the task in front of us requires our endurance and our perseverance. The weight of the world and the temptations of the world affect the Christian in many ways. Further, the Hebrew writer reminds us to be “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb 12:2). Much like those drivers at Talladega, our goal is clearly in front of us. The drivers each know no matter how difficult the race when they crossed the checkered flag, they can rest, and the Hebrew writer reminds us we are to keep our mind set on the goal.

Although 42 cars will start the race today, all will not cross the finish line, sadly. We are reminded to “remain faithful unto death” in order to receive the promised crown of life (Rev 2:10). There are those who will not keep their eyes on the goal, and who will not work diligently in seeking God. But while there may only be one winner at Talladega, Paul reminds us that we are all to run the Christian race in a way that we may “obtain” the prize (1 Cor 9:24). Heaven will be full of those who have lovingly and faithfully served God, and all who reach that goal are indeed winners.

Ande Z

You can try any way that you want to argue the point, but we DO have the best group of young people anywhere. I enjoy working with them so much, and there is no question that I am a better person for being around each one of them. In so many ways so many of them exhibit great leadership skills; many are leaders among their youth group, school activities, sporting activities, and most importantly in those things which are spiritual. Our young people consistently achieve high rankings in areas of leadership among their peers. I am reminded of what Solomon said that “whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might” (Eccl 9:10). We should all have that attitude in each thing we do, not only to do it with all our might, but to do it in a way that will bring honor and glory to God.

This afternoon is special; our young men will participate in leading the afternoon services. I know that so many times our young men are vital in the role of leading various aspects of our worship, but this afternoon they will take the leadership role alone. Ben Payne and Timothy Taggart will spend time speaking to us this afternoon from God’s word. Ryan Holcomb and Austin Huffstutler will lead us in singing. Other of our young men will use the opportunity to lead our thoughts in prayer.

What a great opportunity for these young men to participate in leading our worship services. It is often said that the young people are the church of tomorrow; I disagree with that statement, and believe they are also the church of today. Parents’ roles are to bring up their children in the training of the Lord” (Eph 6:4), and our children have the responsibility to remember their creator in the days of their youth (Eccl 12:1).  The young men participating in this service have spent a great deal of time in preparing for this. Where will you be? Make sure you are here to encourage them in this activity; you will never know the encouragement that these young men will receive from your being here. I know there is a multitude of activities you could participate in, but I am reminded of the benefits we receive from assembling with the saints (Heb 10:19-25), and I know the encouragement our young men will receive from you being here as well.

Thanks be to God for our wonderful young people and the work they do for us now!

Ande Z