ARE YOU READY TO TEACH?
Jesus once stated, "For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required" (Luke 12:48). One of the great responsibilities that becomes ours when we are added to the body of Christ is the responsibility to teach. But before one can assume this duty he must be adequately prepared. In one of the great texts of the Bible the writer of Hebrews penned some important thoughts regarding our need to grow in Christ that we might reach the point at which we can teach others. Please read Hebrews 5:12-14 before proceeding.
The problem with the Christians to whom Hebrews was written was not necessarily that they were refusing to take advantage of opportunities to teach others per se. It was a deeper matter. The problem was that they could not have taught someone if they had the desire to do so. The writer is rebuking them for their lack of spiritual growth and maturity. To be a teacher requires one to be able to think and act maturely-something these brethren were not able to do. The phrase "ought to be" means, "you are required to be." It is not only a privilege and a blessing to grow in Christ and be ready to teach others, it is an obligation (cf. 2 Pet. 3:18).
Notice also that the writer says "by this time" they should have been more mature. One expects new Christians not to be as firmly grounded in the truth as those who have been Christians for many years. The problem with these brethren had nothing to do with the time factor. Enough time had elapsed since their conversion that they should have been much more knowledgeable than they were. They should have been "teacher material" by that time. But they were going backward. They were still in need of someone to teach them. What's more, they needed someone to teach them the "first principles of the oracles of God." The word translated "first principles" means "the basic elements." The writer is saying that they needed to be taught again their spiritual "ABC's." Instead of being able to understand deeper principles of Christianity, these brethren had not yet grasped the first principles-the foundational truths upon which one may build further knowledge. The analogy of milk and meat as it relates to spiritual growth is used on other occasions in the New Testament (I Cor. 3:1-3; Eph. 4:13-16; I Pet. 2:1-2).The kind of spiritual food that the writer wanted to give them would be too much for their delicate spiritual digestive systems. But, it was their own fault.
Those that partake only of spiritual milk are those who are without experience with regard to God's word. They are spiritual infants. But, solid food belongs to those who through constant use of their discerning abilities have matured. Babies are not able to distinguish what is proper food and what is not. In fact, what do most infants do when they pick up something off the floor? They try to eat it.
Mature people, however, don't have that problem. Through experience they come to know what is good food and what is not. That discerning ability is not inborn; it only comes through long use and experience. The same is true spiritually. Mature Christians should be able to discern what is good (right; true) spiritual food and what is bad (wrong; false). Are you ready (mature enough) to teach? The Eisenhower congregation has a great door of opportunity open to it to reach the lost with the gospel and to build each other up through Bible teaching-but walking through that door will require people who are "ready to teach." If you are not ready, why not decide today that you will make the necessary preparation? Your soul and the souls of others hang in the balance.
Eddie Parrish
Current Concerns
Linda Lane, Ronnie's Stepmother has been diagnosed with Leukemia and is in Hendricks Hospital in Abilene.
Prognosis is not good.
Patsy Sanchez, sister of Estella Morolez is in the Lubbock Hospital with heart problems. She will be receiving a heart
fibrillator. Please keep her in your prayers.
Jackie Rex is in Odessa Regional. She has diabetic ulcer on her right foot. She may not have to have surgery at this time.
She is in Room 317.
Harvey Garvin fell at home and is in Medical Center Hospital-CCU Room 3.
Doug Duncan, brother-in-law of Lee Roy Bell is in Alliance Hospital-CCU Room 6.
Prayer List
Epimenia Armendariz; Ruby Bivins; Betty Branson; Mark Brewer; Darwin Carroll; Fannie Copeland; SRuLonna Edwards;
Harvey Garvin; Burt Groves; Marion Lee; Kayli Martell; Justine McCollum; JoAnna Minter; Wilma Mitchell; Ruth Norman;
Jim Reyna; Janelle Shirley; June Turnbow; 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. Sunday's
sermon will be "The Goodness and Severity of God."
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 plan on attending this event,
please sign your name on the bulletin board in the east foyer. We are requesting that you respond by Friday, February
9th so we will know how many will be attending. Please indicate if you will need a ride. If you have any questions, please
contact Lana Howard or Sonia Wood.
Remember Ladies Night - February 13th at 7:00P.M. in Annex. Please bring salads. We will be working on the hospital
baskets.
The Odessa Christian School will be having a Spaghetti Dinner on Friday, February 9th, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Adults $6.00 - Children $3.00. Carry outs are available.
FYI
The New Mexico Christian Children's Home will be here on March 5th. Some of the items they have requested are canned
meats, tea bags, and chap stick. Monetary donations are also accepted and appreciated.
Office News
Our food coordinators for the month of February are Robbie Butler 362-7486 and Nancy Easlon 363-0350.
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.
Several of you have been asking for an updated directory. We are hoping to have one printed for you by next week.
It has been a difficult task considering that we are not 100% sure of everyone who has changed their membership.
Thank you for your patience.
| February 11, 2007 | Morning | Evening |
|---|---|---|
| Announcements | Lon Howard | Lon Howard |
| Song Leader | Steve Horton | John Carroll |
| Sermon | Burt Groves | Burt Groves |
| Opening Prayer | Lon Howard | Lon Howard |
| Scripture | Juan Morolez | Scot Straw |
| Second Prayer | DJ Ray | John Bethune |
| Closing Prayer | John Bethune | George Warren |
| Lord's Supper | ||
| West | Bill Ryan Roelf Ruffner Ruben Chacon Alex Martinez |
Marcus Crain Jeff Wood |
| East | Ronnie Lane Steve Horton Victor Martinez Jr. Munoz |
Trini Wood |
Other Responsibilities: Elder: Charles Wood ~ Deacon: Charles Watson
Pulpit - Bill Brown ~ Table - Bill Butler ~ Song Leaders - Ronnie Lane
Sunday AM ~ Convenient Seasons (Acts 24:24-25)
Sunday PM ~ Shamefully Crucifying Christ Today (Heb 6:1-6)
Our Records
Bible Class...112
Morning Worship...186
Evening Worship...108
Wednesday...Cancelled
Contribution... $5638.82