December 14, 2014

Were You There When... By: Matt Clifton (via: bulletin digest)

It was a fact that Jesus was innocent. Pontius Pilate, so stated himself after having examined Jesus personally

(John 19:4). Jesus never even committed a single sin (Heb. 4:15). And yet, He was crucified. He bore His cross to a place called Golgotha, where they crucified Him (John 19:17-18). The Bible tells us about the state of mind of

some of the people who were there.

Soldiers. These Roman men oversaw the crucifixion. They were of cruel mind (Mark 15:16-20), mocking Him even

as He hung on the cross (Luke 23:36-37). They were also hard-hearted and indifferent, as shown in John 19:23-24,

where they cast lots for Jesus’ clothing. This act was foretold in Psalm 22:18. Jesus forgave these men

(Luke 23:34)!

Mary. Also there at the crucifixion was Mary, the earthly mother of Jesus (John 19:25-27). The Bible doesn’t say

much about her state of mind, but every mother can easily understand the pain she must have felt looking upon her son hanging on that cross, slowly and painfully dying.

Priests. These men were full of hatred toward Jesus (Matt. 27:41-43). They admitted Jesus had “saved others,”

likely referring to those He had healed. They now torture Jesus with their words, saying, “If He is the King of

Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.”

Thieves. Two robbers were crucified on either side of Jesus (Matt. 27:38). One was full of blasphemy, the other

humility, admitting his own guilt (Luke 23:39-43).

Centurion. Though he was part of the soldiers, this man made a startling admission. His state of mind was

acceptance that Jesus was the Son of God (Mark 15:39).

You. Not personally, of course, but representationally. Jesus bore your sins

in His own body on the cross (1 Peter 2:24). As He hung there dying,

surrounded by heartbroken supporters, vicious gawkers, grim soldiers and

proud religious leaders, He did so as a perfect offering to God for each one

of them, and for each one of us. Since He died for you, will you live for Him?

December

12/9 Davey Sentell

12/11 Barbara Littleton;

12/13 Matthew Holland; Haley Koger

12/15 George Wallace

12/18 John & Linda Weaver

12/21 Alfred & Sue Thomas

12/21 Alfred Thomas

12/24 Jenny Williams

12/26 John Weaver

HOW DO I KNOW THE BIBLE IS THE

WORD OF GOD? Its wonderful unity convinced me.

The Bible is not really one book; it is 66 books. There are 39 books in the Old Testament and 27 books in the New Testament. If you were to print them on average 20-pound paper, with average margins, use an average size font, put them in an average binding, they would fill an average shelf. They were written over a period of about 1500 years by at least 40 different authors, and in at least three different languages. They were written by people of all walks of life. Some were poets. Some were shepherds. Some were kings. Some were herdsmen. Some were farmers. Some were prophets. Some were preachers. And some were priests. In many instances the one had not read what the other had written. Yet when you gather these materials together, they don’t read like 66 books. They read like one book.

How is that possible? God planned His Book from the beginning. “Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:21).

—Howell Ferguson, Bells, Tennessee

Baby Food Canned Fruit Box Potatoes

This Week’s Pantry Items

PRAYER REQUESTS

OUR SICK

Alfred Thomas, recovering from shoulder surgery

Vivian Compton, suffering severe back issues

Jimmie Ann Brown, moved to Lifecare of E. Ridge

FRIENDS & FAMILY

Barbara Frei, relative of Chris Young

Ed Sitton, member at Lookout Hall

Debbie Cameron, Jimmie Cameron’s daughter

Clint Dodd; member at Mountain View

Kelsey Cannington, Joy & Norma’s cousin

Rick Taylor, friend of Jimmie Cameron

Michael Allmond, friend of Walter Jackson

Davey Sentell, Mike Sentell’s son

Stan Bettis, Walter Jackson’s brother

UPCOMING EVENTS December 14 House to House Folding

Party After PM Service

Response

Jim Silvers responded Wednesday evening requesting forgiveness and prayers. Please encourage Jim and remember him and his family in prayers.

Please Note:

Dorcas will not meet in December, but will resume in January.

Ladies Devotional Breakfast will not meet in December, but will resume in January.

Men’s Study and Monthly Devo will not meet in December, but will also resume in January.

Lesson NotesDecember 14, 2014

GET CONNECTED // chickamaugachurch.com // //

Online Visitor’s

Info

The people had not heard from God for 400 years, not since Malachi had promised the coming of Elijah (Mal. 4:5–6). In our lesson today, we will see how God broke His silence.THE SELECTION // Luke 1:5-10David divided priests into 24 divisions; each served twice a year for one week (1Chron.24:4–19). There were so many priests at this time that each offered incense only once in his lifetime; others, not at all. THE SCARE // Luke 1:11-12The altar of incense was in the center of the holy place right beside the veil that separated the holy place from the Most Holy Place. An angel of the Lord appeared to Zachariah. Zechariah was troubled. THE STORY // Luke 1:13-17The incense he was offering to God was a symbol of prayer. The angel Gabriel told Zachariah his prayer had been answered and that he and Elizabeth would have a son. This son would be the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and would prepare the way for the Messiah. THE SILENCE // Luke 1:18-25Zechariah had doubts about what he was told and asked for a signs. Be careful what you ask for. Comparing verse 22 with verses 62-63, the context would suggest Zachariah was both deaf and mute.

• No matter who you are, or where you are, the Lord has a plan for you - Zachariah

• No matter who you are, or what you’ve done (de-served or undeserved); God will take away your reproach - Elizabeth

GET INVOLVED //going on this week

Today // House To House Folding Party following PM service Tuesday // Hospital LunchWednesday // Tips For Better Bible Study

Word SearchMalachi 4

“For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up,” Says the LORD of hosts, “That will leave them neither root nor branch. 2 But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves. 3 You shall trample the wicked, For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet On the day that I do this,” Says the LORD of hosts. 4 “Remember the Law of Moses, My servant, Which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, With the statutes and judgments. 5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. 6 And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.

The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982. Print.

Scripture ReadingMalachi 4:1-6