SEBRING PARKWAY CHURCH OF CHRIST

December 12th, 2004 3800 Sebring Parkway   -   Sebring, FL 33870   -   Phone: (863) 385-7443

A FORGOTTEN WORD: DUTY

             "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

            Our society invents new words constantly. The term "chad" (as in Florida election ballots) can’t even be found in a 1901 dictionary, while "gay" and "ecstasy" are there but with meanings quite different from what is found in a current dictionary. Sometimes all these new words and definitions can cause us to lose sight of some older terms that help define and describe our service before God.

            This week we need to think about the word "duty." A more important word (for Christians) can scarcely be thought of, yet rarely does one hear it spoken. When was the last time you heard a sermon on duty? Do you ever ask yourself "What is my duty here?" Is anybody doing his or her duty anymore, or is this just an outmoded, forgotten word?

            The Oxford American Dictionary tells us that duty is, "a moral or legal obligation, a task that must be done, action required from a particular person." Can I shorten that down some? Duty is "doing despite." Doing what you are supposed to do (that "moral or legal obligation") despite hardship, despite fear, despite opposition, despite anything or anyone. Duty is doing despite it all. Duty is the recognition that the obligation is more important than anything else and so the obligation must be fulfilled.

            Noah serves as a fine example of this idea. He was asked to build an ark. He did this duty, despite opposition and despite a lack of perfect understanding on his part. He performed this duty despite its inconvenience. Over and over the text emphasizes that Noah obeyed God exactly (see Gen. 6:22; 7:5). He did his duty.

            What does any of this have to do with our walk with God? Simply put, God has given His people certain "moral obligations" and "tasks that must be done." Those tasks must now be accomplished despite the times and environment we live in. We must do our duty.

            Young people today have many moral obligations. They are obliged to be morally pure, to read their Bibles, to obey parents, to worship, to teach others the Gospel and more. Do you take those obligations seriously? Do you stop to consider "What does God want me to do? What is my duty to Him?"

            Duty is oft forgotten in our me-first society. Rarely do we see people who bravely struggle on doing their "moral and legal obligations" despite so many other factors. Dare we allow such to be said of our spiritual lives? Remember, Solomon came to understand that serving God was the "whole duty of man" (Eccl. 12:13). Are you doing your duty to God? Are you doing what God commands you despite every reason not to? Let’s remember our duty!

By Mark Roberts

 

WELCOME VISITORS:

     We are so glad you decided to be here today!  We have been praying that God would allow us to meet today and worship together.  You are an answer to our prayers and an encouragement to our service.

FOR THE CHILDREN:

     Attended Nursery for infants through age two. Parents may leave their children in the nursery before the worship service begins.

     A Training Room for parents to use anytime during the worship service is also provided across the hall from the attended nursery.

OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW:

     We have free Home Bible Correspondence Courses, Video Bible Courses, and offer a personal Bible Study with one of our elders and our evangelist.  Anyone who would like to learn more about the Bible or about the church of Christ, please feel free to ask.

FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE:

   Hearing aid devices are available and may be received from the attendant in the sound room at the rear of the auditorium.

FREE BIBLE STUDY
BY MAIL

If you would like to receive the first lesson, send to:

Sebring Parkway Church of Christ

3800 Sebring Parkway

Sebring, FL  33870

Name    ______________________

Address ______________________

             ______________________

Age Range:

  [ ]      0 - 10 yrs    [ ]    11 - 17 yrs
  [ ]    18 - 50 yrs    [ ]    51 - ?? yrs

Things God Won't Ask...

God won't ask what kind of car you drove, but will ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation.

God won't ask the square footage of your house, but will ask how many people you welcomed into your home.

God won't ask about the fancy clothes you had in your closet, but will ask how many of those clothes helped the needy.

God won't ask about your social status, but will ask what kind of class you displayed.

God won't ask how many material possessions you had, but will ask if they dictated your life.

God won't ask what your highest salary was, but will ask if you compromised your character to obtain that salary.

God won't ask how much overtime you worked, but will ask if you worked overtime for your family and loved ones.

God won't ask how many promotions you received, but will ask how you promoted others.

God won't ask what your job title was, but will ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.

God won't ask what you did to help yourself, but will ask what you did to help others.

God won't ask how many friends you had, but will ask how many people to whom you were a true friend.

God won't ask what you did to protect your rights, but will ask what you did to protect the rights of others.

God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived, but will ask how you treated your neighbors.

God won't ask about the color of your skin, but will ask about the content of your character.

God won't ask how many times your deeds matched your words, but will ask how many times they didn't.

When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out God is all you need.

What’s Happening This Week

Today from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Ronald and Amy Horton’s Open House.  Everyone is invited to attend. 

Tonight at 6:00 pm Singing Night.

Tuesday at 10:00 am, Ladies, we have finished our book.  This Tuesday we will meet and finish the cookbooks that had been started.  We will begin our new book in January.  Please make plans to attend.  Our new lesson book will be Leading Ladies, Willing Hearts, Willing Hands, by Teresa Hampton.  If you would like to teach a lesson, please see Teresa Naugle.

Wednesday at 7:00 pm, Mid-week services.

Thursday 9:00 – 11:00 am, Clothing Give-away.  

Friday at 5:30 pm, the CEO will be eating at Sonny’s.  Anyone wishing to know the December schedule, there is a copy on the bulletin board in the hallway.

In The Mail

Thank You, Your Thoughtfulness Is Greatly Appreciated. 

The flowers you sent to our mother’s funeral were lovely.  We appreciate your concern and your thoughts for us at such a time in our lives.

Joanne Cope and June Shehan

 

To all of our Christian Brothers and Sisters at the Sebring Parkway Church of Christ,  May all the days of the Christmas season and the coming year be happy for you.

In Christian Love,  Allen and Cathy Stitt

            One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that was going on inside himself.

            He said, "My son, it is between two wolves. One is evil: Anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self- pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego. The other is good: Joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

            The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"

            The old Cherokee replied simply: "The one I feed".

New Members

Please welcome Ed and Sandy Robson.  They have expressed the desire to place membership with the Sebring Parkway Church of Christ.  Their address is:

Ed & Sandy Robson

425 Holly Dr.

Sebring, FL  33876

Name Tags Available

If you would like to purchase one of the magnetic name tags, they are $4.00 per name tag.  Write your name on a piece of paper and then write how you would like the name to appear on each name tag.  Turn this in to Ron Click.

Yearly Bible Reading

The new year will be upon us quickly.  Would you be interested in reading the whole Bible in one year.  If so the Bible’s are in and on the table in the foyer.  The version selected is the English Standard Version. It is a word for word translation.  The cost is about $18.00 per copy.  It is divided into 365 daily readings.  There are some of the Old Testament, the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs in each day’s reading.  It will take about 15 minutes to read each day’s reading. 

HEAR

But He said, "More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" (Luke 11: 28).

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10: 14).

BELIEVE

"He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned (Mark 16: 16).

And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20: 30).

REPENT

Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”
(Acts 2: 38).

"…but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance (Acts 26: 20).

CONFESS

"Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 10: 32).

But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10: 8 - 9).

BE BAPTIZED

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen (Matthew 28: 18 - 20).

"And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22: 16).

Sebring Parkway

Church of Christ

3800 Sebring Parkway

Sebring, FL 33870

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MEET WITH US

Sunday Morning Bible Study

9:00 AM

Sunday Morning Worship

10:00 AM

Sunday Evening Service

6:00 PM

Wednesday Evening Bible Study

7:00 PM

SHEPHERDS

Dave Marcum...... 385-8899

(Treasurer/ Administration/ Membership Directory)

Olin Shinholser..... 382-1060

(Worship Services/ Education)

Paul Talbert.......... 385-3756

(Building & Grounds/ Benevolence/ Membership Services/ Directory)

EVANGELIST

Bryan Naugle....... 382-6799

DEACONS

Chris Fowler......... 386-4661

(Youth Director/ Services Director/ Substitute Teacher Assignments)

Roger Gurganus... 453-3939

(Building & Grounds Maintenance (Outside)/  Transportation/ Communion)

Teles Oregon........ 386-0966

(Spanish Ministry/ Timothy Class)

Tracey Stalter....... 471-9736

(Building Maintenance (Inside)/ Membership Directory/ Pews)

Phone: (863) 385-7443

Website: http://www.sebringcoc.com

General Email: sebringparkway@sebringcoc.com

Secretary's Email: secretary@sebringcoc.com

Preacher's Email: preacher@sebringcoc.com

The Sebring Parkway Church of Christ is a group of non-denominational Christian believers dedicated to the restoration of simple New Testament Christianity

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Bulletins

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Our Record December 5th

Bible Study

Sunday Morning Worship

Sunday Evening Worship

Contribution

Wednesday Evening Study

Building Fund

87

156

114

$3151

103

$35

Visitors December 5th

Shan & Trudy Wood

Elizabeth Calloway

Jeff McAninch

Rick & Linda Cochran

Ed & Sandy Robson

 

Please remember to invite others to our services.  There are cards available in the foyer to help you invite others.

Upcoming Birthdays

Bob Parnett

Kaye Fraley

Ann Horn

Beth Horn

Victor Oregon

Elizabeth Tubbs

Mary Hargrove

Ed Garcia

Wayne Perry

Tonya Price

Robert (Bob) Adams

Roger Gurganus

12/12

12/13

12/13

12/13

12/13

12/15

12/18

12/19

12/19

12/20

12/20

12/22

Upcoming Anniversaries

Paul & Sara Talbert

Joe & Liz Hargrove

Dale & Linda Brewer

Wayne & Judy Perry   

Frank & Shirley Henry 

Chapman & Bonnie Chamberlain

Carl & Nancy Adkins

Philip & Lou Ormsby

Ebert & Vera Cribbs

Dwain & Jeanette Chambers    

12/12

12/14

12/16

12/19

12/19

12/20

12/20

12/22

12/22

12/22

Prayers Needed

            Please continue to remember the missionaries and families that we support.  The work in the Ukraine and Guyana. 

Prayers Needed-Continued

Marvin McElwain, Flavil Miller, Carmie Green’s brother, Jesse Underwood, brother of Robert Underwood, Becky Burford, sister-in-law of Richard and Wathada Thomas, Floyd Nickerson, friend of Wayne Welsh, and Wayne Strasser are undergoing treatment for cancer.

            Teresa Naugle, platelets continue to drop, therefore medicine will stay the same.

    Jean Click, Ron Click,  Betty Stitt, mother of Tottie Hupp, Ruth Tubbs, and Mary Welsh are recovering from surgeries.

            Jean Neel, is at The Palms in Room 206.

            Kaye Fraley is in Kenilworth Care room 123.  She hopes to return home Thursday. 

            Wanda Barns, friend of the Lazzell’s, has serious health concerns. She is in very serious condition. 

            Robert Underwood, health concerns.

            Timothy Tejpaul, the son of Anil and Cameal,awaiting surgery due to cyst in the ear. 

            K.P. Mitchell, brother-in-law of Lula Powell-Pearce, has been put in the extended care unit of the hospital in Illinois and is doing a little better. 

            Tori Gurganus, received test results and will be placed on medicine.

            Dale Naugle, placed on medicine for blockage.

            Joey Rugenstein to undergo 2 days of tests on his heart. 

            June Garcia, continues chemo treatments.   Received good news on Thursday her tumor markers dropped another 200 points.

            Wendell Harris has received word from the doctor that he has cancer of the lungs, liver, and bones.  He is currently undergoing tests and seeing doctors.  At the present time they are not sure what they will be doing.  Please keep Wendell and Madeline in your prayers. 

            Several members are battling colds and virus.

            Remember Frank and Shirley Henry and others needing our prayers.

SCHEDULED TO SERVE

REMINDER:

THIS SUNDAY 12/12

Prepare Communion:

Allen & Marie Barber

Greeters:

Ron Horton

Henry Hargrove

Bill Sweeton

Mary Hargrove

Pick Up Cards:

Forest Ritenour & Austin Ritenour

Control Room:

Bill Benton

Announcements:

Tracey Stalter

Pick Up Communion Cups:

Troy Talbert & Nicholas Stalter

Secure Building This Week:

Bill Benton

 

Song Leader:

Mike Tubbs

Opening Prayer:

Wayne Anderson

Lord’s Supper:

Preside:

Chris Fowler

Serve:

1.

2.

3.

4.

Clyde Bush

Robert Adams

Billy Nix

Cliff Blain

5.

6.

7.

8.

Don Yost

Jim Burton

Harlen Drew

Bill Cole

Closing Prayer:

Carl Adkins

 

Sunday Evening

Song Leader:

Opening Prayer:

Singing Night

Dale Naugle

Lord’s Supper:

Closing Prayer:

Chris Fowler

Al Overfield

 

Wednesday Evening 12/15

Song Leader:

Invitation:

Bryan Naugle

Don Ware

Closing Prayer:

Al Overfield