STANDING STONE BIBLE

WEEKLY

October 2, 2023

A Point from pastor

"The most powerful thing that can be done in life is to create an image - the next most powerful thing is to destroy an image. Television has been creating and destroying images of manhood for decades with dangerous results." That quote from Ed Cole was written 40-years-ago. My, how the images have continued to degrade our society!

Yesterday, the middle school Sunday school classes considered the danger of media - these images. Television is powerful. Music is powerful. The internet is powerful. Stories presented are powerful. The images created in our minds are powerful!!! Your modem and router are gateways into your home. Cable and fiber optics are gateways into your home. Your cell phones are gateways into your homes. The mailbox is a gateway into your home. Or are they? A wide open gate is not really a "gateway" is it? "Absalom used to rise early and stand beside the way of the gate. And when any man had a dispute to come before the king for judgment, Absalom would call to him... So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel" (2 Samuel 15:2, 6). David failed to guard the gates and lost his son.... and weakened the kingdom!

What about a gate for the home? How about a Philippians 4:8 filter? What if everything that comes into your home was filtered by God's standard?: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. It is your home (or cell phone) - thus, you need gates! If it doesn't pass through Philippians 4:8, then shut the gate, slam it closed!

THIS WEEK

Here are the highlights of classes and events THIS week

WICK - This women's apologetic study is tonight at 7pm. All gals are welcome.

Youth Girls' Study - Girls, grades 6-12 are invited to a Bible study at church - meets Tuesday night at 6:45 pm.

Wednesday Oa:sis - Wednesday night is a meal (for a donation) followed by activities for all ages. This is a great mid-week pause for the whole family.

LG Notes - LGa will now be meeting on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 10am. LGw will begin the "Spirit of the Antichrist - the Gathering Cloud of Deception" video series this Thursday at 7pm (Linda W's home).

upcoming events

Make note of the classes and events available in the near future

LIGHThouse Girls - LIGHThouse girls (6th to 12th grade) have an upcoming sleepover at the church beginning October 12 at 6:30pm.

Baptism - If you have considered baptism, we are considering a 3-week class to share about being baptized at SSB. Let us know of your interest.

Women's Bonfire - Friday, October 27th is a ladies bonfire with s'mores, singing, and a devotional. Gals, plan on coming!

And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

- Jeremiah 31:34

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

- Ephesians 6:10-11

For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.

- Hebrews 6:10

the Lord's day

We opened with the sermon considering a proof that one is born again: That he believes Jesus is the Christ (1 John 5). So many believe in a god of their own making. But those who believe that Jesus is the Christ... the Messiah who came to save man and give eternal life - if they truly have confidence in that truth and their life reveals that, they are born again!

We shared in Communion after praising God in song. What a great need we have of salvation and what a great God we have that saves! As "we do this in remembrance of Him," we investigated the idea of memorials in Scripture. So often we see God "remembering" in the memorial. He sees the rainbow (Gen. 9) and remembers His covenant with us. So, in communion, as we do this in remembering Jesus, may we also remember that God remembers.

View Past Worship Services

This Month in Christian History

In October of 1247, a vial of “Christ’s blood” was imported into England, brought to Westminster Abbey. King Henry III brought this relic in and, it was “official"; Bishops in the Holy Land affirmed its authenticity. It was also sealed by the Knights Templars, the Knights Hospitallers and the Patriarch of Jerusalem. This was, amazingly, a vial of drops of Christ’s blood. Or was it?

If you are familiar with relics then you should understand they are clearly unbiblical. When the Israelites would treat the ark of the covenant as a relic, believing that it contained power as an object, it did not go well for them. Idolatry is a major issue that stems from the veneration of relics; relics are worshiped! They are a huge moneymaker as well.

This was not the only relic that was said to contain Christ’s blood. A similar flask was brought to Hailes Abbey. This vial’s “blood” was examined in the 16th century. It contained clear honey mixed with saffron coloring. This “blood” was better authenticated than Westminster’s. We need not make pilgrimages to see relics when Christ truly lives in us. There is no power in them. Even when we sing of the “power in the blood,” it is Christ we are singing about. Worship Christ in spirit and in truth (John 4:24), not in relics!

“God is not producing or promoting evil means to attain a good end. He is permitting them. A good parent permits a possible accident every time he permits his teenager to drive the family car; however, he is not promoting it. Likewise, no reasonable person beats his head on a wall because it feels so good when he stops; however, one does permit the pain of the dentist chair in order to produce the good results. God allows evil to produce the greater good.”

- Norman Geisler

Prayer Prods

1. Sue P having surgery tomorrow. Kathy P has an infection; her surgery is postponed.
2. Barney recovering from ER visit and ICU - returning this week.
3. Holly S's mom with uterine cancer (and spots in lungs)
4. Jessica Manna to Houston for cancer helps - cancer spreading
5. McFarling's continued legal process
6. Janet B and Shelley H recovering at their homes post-surgery
7. Mary Scott - missing Danna
8. ABC next steps

Weekly Prayer Prods