| JUNE 14, 2020 WESTFIELD CHURCH OF CHRIST 1610 WESTFIELD LOOP, HOUSTON, TX 77073 ELDERS: James Fillyaw: 713-560-5104; Hubert Crowson: 281-732-9606; Jerry Loyd: 713-775-5377; Church Office: 281-821-8531 CHURCH SERVICES NOTICE: Church services have been put on hold for a period of time. We will still put out a bulletin and send it to all members. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as you see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR JUNE 1st John Higgins; 5th Jai Walker; 18th Thomas Lee; 24th Ethan Higgins; 30th Willia Osby; HAPPY ANNIVERSARY FOR JUNE 2nd Jim & Sande Endy; 24th Steven & Cyndi Middleton; READING THE NEW TESTAMENT: SECOND THESSALONIANS: Chapter 2:1-17: Man of Lawlessness: Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things? And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word. (More Next Week! Stay Tuned!) Identifiable Marks Of The New Testament Church By Jason Trick, Herty Church of Christ, Lufkin, Texas Today it seems that there is a church building on every corner. This should challenge the truth seeker to ask the question, “Which church characterizes the New Testament Church”? What identifying marks should one look for as they search for the right church? Let‘s examine a few “identifying marks”: The Church “Must” Belong to Christ. It is the Lord’s church – not someone else’s (Matt. 16:18). Jesus promised to build one church. Far too many religious institutions claim to follow Christ but wear another name and follow another idea. When we examine whether a church is the true church ask yourself: is this church from heaven or from men. The Lord’s church is divine in origin. Whereas: denominations are made of human institutions. Can any church built by man claim to be the true church? The Psalmist says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it? (Psalm 127:1). When we observe different churches in the area and in our nation, who erected them? Was that church established by the Lord, or men? If not the Lord, the Bible states that it is worthless. Can any man pour a foundation and claim it to be the Lord’s church (1st Cor. 3:11)? The key is to build on the right foundation: Jesus Christ! Think of all the different foundations that have been laid by religious groups. Will one accuse Jesus of laying different foundations? If one founder is as good as another then one can confidently attend the church of his or her choice. What man shed his blood for the church (Acts 20:28)? Who would presumptuously proclaim that his blood purchased the church of Christ? The Lord’s church was not purchased by the blood of any human being. Is the shedding of any person’s blood as good as the shedding of the blood of Christ? If the church belongs to the Lord, then it must wear His Name! It “Must” Be Sound In Doctrine. A church cannot be sound unless it is sound in its teaching. Paul says, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus . . .” (Col. 3:17). What a church teaches is its doctrine! Is it sound in what it teaches? Can I find everything that is being practiced and taught in the pages of the New Testament? Just because a church wears the right name, teaches the right plan of salvation, and engages in the right kind of worship does not make it a sound church. Some say, “I don’t agree with everything that is taught where I attend,” then why do you attend there (2nd Cor. 6:17; 2nd John 9:11)? We cannot continue in error and continue to follow Christ. We must teach the “oracles of God” (1st Peter 4:11). We must respect the teaching of Christ. We must have a thus saith the Lord, in what we teach. We must teach what Christ authorizes. Members “Must Maintain” The Purity of The Church. Living a life contrary to the gospel standard makes our religion worthless and endangers the purity of the Church (James 1:27; Rom. 12:1; 8:6-8). James speaks of the importance of the tongue. A double-tongued person illustrates a hypocritical life. Our influence will either bring glory to Christ or cause Him and His church to be blasphemed. Are we worldly minded or spiritually minded? The church must not become unbenevolent and overrun with wordiness and be unsound. There must be two types of teaching in order to keep the church pure. There needs to be both instructive discipline (1st Cor. 15:33), and corrective discipline (1st Cor. 5; Romans 16:17). Do you belong to a sound church? The Westfield Church stands ready to prove to you that we are spiritually minded and sound in the Gospel. “There are depths of love that I cannot know till I cross the narrow sea; There are heights of joy that I may not reach, till I rest in peace with Thee. Draw me near – er, nearer, blessed Lord, to the cross where Thou hast died; Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, to Thy precious, bleeding side. ATTENTION: Our next open-pantry day has been put on hold for a few months. Let’s not forget to restock the pantry. NOTICE: The program, ‘In Search of the Lord’s Way’, airs on Sunday mornings: On DISH Network, 7 to 7:30 a.m., local TV channel 57. On Uverse, 6:00 a.m., Sunday, ch. 1180. Check your provider if different. ATTENTION: The worship service at Village on the Park, on Sundays, has been put on hold for an unspecified time. It shall return soon. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ TEST YOUR BIBLE KNOWLEDGE! ‘Bible Riddles’ You Should Know (Easy From the O.T.): 1.He died at the age of 110, amid many Egyptian moans; Instructions he left Israel for the taking of his bones. 2.Silently I prayed before the Lord, a vow I made sincere and true; Give me the son for which I yearn, and I will give him back to You. 3.The Israelites settled in Egypt, in the region Pharaoh chose; The very best Egypt had to offer; Where was this, do you suppose? Answers to Last Week’s ‘Bible Riddles’: 1. Gideon (Jud. 6:27-32); 2.Elisha (2nd Kings 6: 1-7); 3.Israel (Jacob) (Gen. 32:22-31). <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Our memory verse for JUNE comes from the New Testament book of Romans. Only one verse. Easy and familiar. Repeat it over and over, ten times ten. You can do it. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). REPEAT IT AGAIN; THEN AGAIN; TEN TIMES TEN REMEMBER IN PRAYERS…. Norma Hicks; Sharon (Norma’s dtg.in-law); Violet Kendrick & family; Jean Williams; Kenneth Bone; ‘Ro’ Higgins (Roy Higgins son); Selena Baker; Louise Drake; Ramona Jackson; Ed Walker; Ken, Beverly, Kamryn Fillyaw; Ronnie Weaver; Suzie Stephens; ‘Cotton’ Weaver; Evalette Dunbar; Jim Endy; Amelia Williamson; Rebecca Stone; Faye Stephens; Billie Nelson; Henderson family; Ethel & Hubert Crowson; Charles Melvin; Don Blackwell; Mildred Edmonds; Maya Briggs; Jonathan O’Brien; SPECIAL PRAYERS TODAY FOR…. Sis. Ethel Crowson was admitted to the Tomball Hosp. for observation No visitors. Hold up on the phone calls. Remember her in your prayers. Bro. Hubert Crowson has been under the care of his heart doctor due to some problems. It has been decided that what is needed is a pacemaker. Last Friday morning one was installed and everything seems to be running much better. Just a day or so makes a difference. Remember him in prayers. Bro. Jonathan O’Brien doing well. Remember him and family in prayers. Bro. Jim Endy doing better at home. Remember the family in prayers. Sis. Evalette Dunbar having some tests. Remember her in your prayers. Baby Maya Briggs doing better. Remember her and family in your prayers. Sis. Mildred Edmonds is fighting cancer. Remember her in your prayers. Sis. Rebecca (Becky) Stone needs our prayers. Sis. Billie Nelson needs our prayers. Remember Ken, Beverly, and Kamryn Fillyaw in your prayers. Remember Bro. Cotton Weaver in your prayers. Sis Amelia Williamson doing better. Remember her in prayers. Bro. Kenneth Bone doing well and still needs our prayers. Ronnie Weaver still needs our prayers. Ed Walker still needs our prayers. Bro. Shawn Henderson & family needs our prayers as they deal with illnesses. “. . . The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (James 5:16b). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ |
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