The Right Leader - The Right Destiny
Jesus said, "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it"(Matt. 7:13, 14). In this passage, Jesus tells us of two gates, two ways and two destinies. What is certainly implied is the fact of two leaders: Christ and Satan. Whom you choose to follow will determine what gate you enter, what way you travel and what destiny you'll inherit! So, as Joshua said long ago, "...choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve..." (Josh. 24:15). This writer assumes that we all desire the right destiny; thus, we must follow the right leader: Christ!
First of all, let's examine the "narrow gate". What happens when you arrive at a narrow bridge with oncoming traffic? You put both hands on the steering wheel, slow down, and take every precaution! Likewise, when one decides to enter the gate that leads to eternal life, it requires much more than a hap-hazard entrance. There are certain things that you must do! One must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (John 8:24; 20:30, 31), which is made possible only by reading the Scriptures (Rom. 10:14, 17). One must then repent (Acts 17:30), making a change in his life - no longer living a life of sin (Col. 3:5-9). Upon repentance, one must confess his faith that Jesus is the Son of God (Acts 8:37; Rom. 10:10). If all of this you have done, still you stand outside the gate. These steps bring you to the gate and apart from these steps you cannot approach the gate, but you are still on the outside! The step that leads one through the gate is baptism - in the name of the Father of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19) for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). The gate that leads to eternal life is narrow, for one must do these things in order to enter!
Secondly, let's consider the "difficult way". We in the Lord's church emphasize the narrow gate, but sadly fail miserably when it comes to teaching others how to stay in the "difficult way". Friends, it's possible to enter though the right gate but to stray from way the right way; consequently, leading you to the wrong destiny! The Scriptures are filled with warning after warning. From Hebrews we read, "Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God"(Heb. 3:12). The warning is to the brethren-to those who have entered through the narrow gate. It's possible for a Christian to fall away and be eternally lost! Therefore, in order to remain in the "difficult way"one must "Walk in the Spirit"(Gal. 5:16)- one must live his life in accordance with the New Testament (John 12:48). We must put into practice what was revealed by apostle Peter in 2 Peter 1:5-11. READ! If these things "abound"in our lives, we will never fall away!
If you fail to enter the narrow gate and remain in the difficult way, you will fail to inherit eternal life! Let's close by giving credit to whom credit is due: to God! "...thanks be to God, who gives us the victory though our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 15:57; cf Eph. 2:8,9).
- David Boren
Prayer List
Bill Arbuckle; Betty Branson; Mark Brewer; Darwin Carroll; Ireba & Troy Chaffin; Toni DeCristofaro; Harvey Garvin;
Marion Lee; Justine McCollum; Wilma Mitchell; Ruth Norman; Bessie Peevy; Jackie Rex; Jim Reyna; Janelle Shirley;
Nell O'Beth Willoughby, Delora Wood.
Shut-ins
Mildred Bell; Ruby Brown; Mary Dunn; Sharon Fisher; Fay Gann; Cecil and Mildred Hext; Lela Jo McElroy; Virgie Price;
Charles and Pearl Tucker
Events
Watch In Search of the Lord's Way with Mack Lyon every Sunday morning at 7:30 am on CBS, channel 7. On Sunday,
January 28, the lesson will be titled "Be Holy Because I Am Holy."
The Somebody Loves You Banquet and the Progressive Dinner will be combined along with a talent show this year on
February 16th at the Slater Park Community Building. It will begin at 6:30 p.m. If you have any questions regarding this
upcoming event please contact Lana Howard or Sonia Wood. They are asking that if you are planning on attending that
you respond by Friday, February 9th. We will post new information for this event as it comes available.
Baby Shower honoring Stacy Register and Grace has been rescheduled (again) for Sunday, January 28th, 1:30 to 3:30 pm
in the Fellowship Hall. Selections are at Target and Toys R Us. All ladies invited.
FYI
We, at Eisenhower, have an opportunity to help those in need at the local hospitals. We will be providing snack baskets to
the relatives of hospitalized patients as they patiently wait during there loved one's surgery or ICU confinement. There are
many individuals who do not have opportunity to leave or choose not to leave that will greatly benefit from this work.
If you would like to help provide snacks or baskets that we can use for this purpose, please sign up (in the east foyer) and
bring them to the church building. There will be a box provided in the foyer to collect these items. Thank you in advance
for your help.
Thank You
Dear Christian Brothers and Sisters,
Once again I am behind in thank yous for the prayers, food, gift basket, cards visits, phone calls, and words of
encouragement to Charles and me. I appreciate you remembering me after the car wreck and numerous procedures
at the hospital in the last 2 1/2 years! I seem to be stuck with "live with the pain and take the pain pills."It could always
be worse! Thank you for the support and prayers for Charles as he strives to be a good Biblical Elder!
Love,
De Lora Wood
Thank you to all who sent cards, letters and especially for the prayers. They have helped and are really appreciated.
Please continue to keep me in your prayers for my spiritual and physical health.
Jason Nunley
To the ladies of Eisenhower Church of Christ:
Thank you for the baskets of goodies - It was wonderful. - Oleta Ikard
Office News
Our food coordinators for the month of January are Betty Gerig and Maxine Newton.
We are having a sale on lectureship books as well as other books. There are some great deals and you won't want to
miss out on your opportunity to purchase one of these wonderful study aids at such a great price! Look out for them in
the foyers. Also take advantage of last years already recorded tapes, a bargain at .75 cents each.
If you have picked up tape orders that have not been paid for, we ask you to take care of this as soon as possible.
| January 28, 2007 | Morning | Evening |
|---|---|---|
| Announcements | Charles Wood | Charles Wood |
| Song Leader | Rudy Ochoa | Cameron May |
| Sermon | Burt Groves | Burt Groves |
| Opening Prayer | Charles Wood | Charles Wood |
| Scripture | Jack Wright | John Bethune |
| Second Prayer | C.M. Riggs | Halley Brookshire |
| Closing Prayer | Charles Watson | Mike Roemisch |
| Lord's Supper | ||
| West | Bill Bayless Jeff Wesson Jesus Herrera Jr. Munoz |
Marcus Crain Jeff Wood |
| East | Lon Howard Johnny Warren Tom Sorenson Tony Marrs |
Trini Wood |
Other Responsibilities: Elder: Charles Wood ~ Deacon: Don Easlon
Pulpit - Bill Brown ~ Table - Bill Butler ~ Song Leaders - Ronnie Lane
Sunday AM ~ The Messenger or the Message (2 Corinthians 4:3-7)
Sunday PM ~ Learning to Live (Hebrews 5:8-14)
Our Records
Bible Class...129
Morning Worship...186
Evening Worship...125
Wednesday...Canceled
Contribution... $5,329.80