Could You Have "Older Brother"Disease?
In Luke 15 we read the Parable of the Prodigal Son. It’s a parable about a son who leaves his father and home to go and live a life of sin. It’s an amazing story of grace when the son returns home. This passage has been studied, preached and loved for years. The part of the story that is often left out is found at the end of the chapter. The older brother refuses to celebrate his brother’s return because he feels that his younger brother doesn’t deserve to be forgiven. I think many of us find ourselves sometimes in the place of the older brother. This spot is just as spiritually dangerous as the role of the younger or "prodigal"son.
"Older Brother Disease"is a terrible spiritual sickness that can only be cured by repentance, softening your heart to God’s
word and understanding God’s amazing grace. You may have the spiritual disease and not even realize it! How do you
know if you have "older brother disease?"Here are some of the symptoms…
Do you question others motives when they repent of sin?
Do you continue to hold their sin against them even though they’ve asked for forgiveness?
Do you treat them differently because of their past sin?
Do you consider their sins worse in God’s eyes than your sins?
Do you feel God likes you better because you’ve never publicly sinned?
Do you feel that you’ve earned your love and acceptance from God because of your faithfulness?
Do you think when someone repents they ought to be on "spiritual probation"till they prove they’re worthy to once again
work in the church?
If you answered yes to any of these...you may have "older brother disease!”
I must be honest with you and admit that I have had this disease before. In the past when I have seen people repent, I have looked for a secret motive or have placed them in a category of sinners who need to be watched closely. But when we dwell on God’s grace, we see that all sinners have a special spot in God’s Kingdom when they repent. When we return to the Father, he meets us on that doorstep and welcomes us home as a son—just as he did the prodigal son. Every member of the family needs to treat our brother in the same way.
Let’s celebrate God’s grace. He saved even me, a sinner!
Mark Ray
Sympathy
We express our sympathy to the family of Robert Holland, friend of Juli Marshall. Robert died early Thursday, October 25th. Juli expressed her gratitude for the prayers on the family’s behalf and has asked that we continue to pray for them.
We also express our sympathy to the family of Helen Jones a sister in Christ from the Kermit congregation. Helen passed
away Thursday, October 25th. Her funeral services were held on Monday, October 29th. She was a friend of Sharon Bell.
Current Concerns
Mildred Heslip was scheduled for hip replacement surgery on November 2nd at Alliance Hospital.
Billy Kilgore suffered a stroke on October 8th and is still recovering. He has weakness on his right side and is having some trouble with his left leg. He also had a pacemaker put in.
Prayer List
Alvie Adams; Bill Arbuckle; Fran Arbuckle; Kiah Bayless; Rachel Cunningham; Janet Gray; Mildred Heslip; Helen Jones;
Doc King; Bessie Millwee; Patsy Sanchez; Baby Ava Camille Simmons; James Smith; DeLora Wood.
Shut-ins
Mildred Bell; Mary Dunn; Fay Gann; Cecil and Mildred Hext; Wilma Mitchell; 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. This week’s
topic will be entitled, " Prepare to Meet Your God.”
John Wood will be taking a trip to McKittrick Canyon on November 10th. He is willing to take high school grades and any parent willing to take their younger children with them. This particular trail is a rough terrain and you will need to wear
well supported shoes and also bring a jacket along because of the cooler air. If you are interested in going, please let him
know. It will be a day trip. There is a sign up sheet in the foyer if you plan to go.
Our next Ladies’ Night is scheduled for November 13th at 7:00 p.m. in the annex. We will be making college care packages
for our college students. There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board for items needed, please be sure to sign up for one or more items. There is a bucket provided under the bulletin board for your items.
FYI
The title of Wednesday’s morning Bible Class lesson is entitled "Encourage One Another." Hebrews 13:12-14
There are more copies of Burt Groves’ commentary on Luke. They are $10.00 each.
We are still working on the CD’s for the gospel meeting. They should be ready in the very near future. Thanks for your
patience!
We will be having a Thanksgiving (potluck) dinner following our November 14th Wednesday morning bible class.
Please come and enjoy two feasts; one from God’s word and then Thanksgiving dinner afterwards.
Youth
Allen and Christy Weakland will be hosting a teen devotional on Sunday, November 11th after evening services. Boys bring drinks, girls bring Fritos. Invite your friends.
NOTE: We will be having a meeting on Sunday night, November 4th after services for all those who are attending Bible Search.
Please be here.
Birth Announcements
Congratulations to Marcus and April Rocha on the birth of their son Ryan Paul Rocha. Ryan was born on Saturday,
October 27th in Katy, TX and weighed 6 lbs 3 oz. Proud aunts are Barbie Martinez and Kristal Sanchez and Proud
Great-great grandmother is Cecilia Bethune.
Congratulations to Emma and Rudy Ochoa on the birth of their great grandson, Issak Joel Nunez. Issak was born on
Sunday, October 21st. He weighed 4 lbs. and 6 oz.
Thank You
Debbie Marrs for getting cabinets for the kitchen;
to the ladies who painted them and to the men who put them up.
Thank you so much for the prayers, the food, and the visits. It really helped make our days.
Please keep up the prayers as I am still dealing with pain and discomfort every day, since my back surgery on the
9th of Oct. I feel my back is getting stronger, but now I suffer from leg pain 24-7.
Thank you so much for your love and care.
May God bless you, Yolanda Carson
Office News
Our food coordinators for the month of November are Christy Weakland and Keely McFarland.
| November 4, 2007 | Morning | Evening |
|---|---|---|
Announcements |
Lon Howard |
Lon Howard |
Song Leader |
Ronnie Lane |
Rudy Ochoa |
Sermon |
Steve Horton |
Steve Horton |
Opening Prayer |
Lon Howard |
Lon Howard |
Scripture |
Billy Carson |
John Carroll |
Second Prayer |
Ben Ellison |
Mark Ingram |
Closing Prayer |
Harmon Rex |
Don Easlon |
|
||
West |
Tony Marrs |
Cameron May |
East |
Alex Martinez |
Ezekiel Martinez |
Other Responsibilities: Elder: Lon Howard ~ Deacon: Don Easlon ~ Pulpit: Bill Butler
Table: Larry May ~ Song Leaders: Ronnie Lane
Sunday AM "Lifting Up Christ" (John 3:14-17) Sunday PM "Why the Common People Heard Jesus” (Mark 12: 35-37)
Our Records
Bible Class... 90
Morning Worship... 153
Evening Worship... 108
Wednesday... 105
Contribution $4459.26