6B
RELIGIONAKt CJatlotte
Thursday, July 20, 2006
TVue believers should race to win favor with Gk)d
Continued from page 4B
Christian life and athletics
that can help us live faithful
ly for God? Whicii similarity
do you find to be most impor
tant? What hidden dangers
are there?
One similarity is the single-
minded focus required for
success. Becoming a world-
class athlete in many sports is
a full-time job. Similarly our
development as disciples
requires that we make spiri
tual issues the hipest of pri
orities. The physical and
mental exertion required to
develop athletically is paral
leled by the extreme effort
required for spiritual maturi
ty We are sometimes lulled
mto thinking that Christian
maturity can come without
grea,t effort. But Paul
describes the process as very
hard work.
But tiiere is a pitfall: a few
people focus so much on being
spiritually minded that they
no longer are able to “connect
with” the unsaved. Shuffling
off to join a monastery (house
for monks), either physically
or just in one’s thoughts, does
n’t help!
5. What did Paul mean
when he said he wanted to
avoid being a “castaway” (v
27)?
Using himself as an exam
ple, Paul said that he was not
like a man running aimlessly
He sov^ht to stay on course
and not become distracted by
those things that might pull
him off the chosen path (cf 2
Tim. 4:7).
Changing the figure fi'om
running to boxing, Paul said
that he was not merdy shad
owboxing, either. He was
attempting to land blows
where they would count.
As all athletes know, the
human body must be brought
into subjection. Thebodymay
want food or drink that may
not be best for athletic train
ing. The body may want to
stay up late when it needs
rest. The body may want to
quit when the coach says to
go on. So it is in the Christian
life. The believer must live a
fife of self-disdpline. ‘Whoso
ever will come after me, let
him deny himself, and take
up his cross, and follow me”
(Mark 8:34), Jesus said.
Even though Paul had
“preached to others” (1 Cor.
9:27), he knew that he had to
persevere to the end; other
wise, he might become a
“castaway” This word meant
rejected, disqualified, or not
standing the test.
Paul is not only a Christian
preacher, he is also one who
plays in the game. That is, he
not only preached the Gospel
but he also lived by the
Gospel’s rules. Thie Chris
tians, while confident of God’s
sovereign grace, are neverthe
less conscious of their own
battle against sin” (Barker
and Kohlenberger).
Their Examples (1 Corinthi
ans 10:1-5)
6. How was Israel ‘baptized
unto Moses” (1 Corinthians
10:2)? How does this relate to
Christian baptism?
Having ^couraged faithful
ness by using athletic illus
trations, Paul now turns to
the example of Israel to stress
the same point.
Although many of the
Corinthians were Gentiles, it
was appropriate to refo- to
the ancient Israelites as “our
fathers” (v 1). There is a con
tinuity between the Old Tfes-
tament saints and New T^a-
ment believers. Indeed, those
who trust in Christ are “Abra
ham’s seed, and heirs accord
ing to the promise” (Galatians
3:29).
After the tm plagues were
visited on Egypt, Mos^ led
the Israelites out of bondage
and on their journey toward
the Promised Land. “The
Lord went before them by day
in a pillar of a cloud, to lead
them the way and by ni^t in
a pillar of fire, to give them
light; to go by day and night”
(Exodus 13:21).
The first major obstacle on
the journey was the Red Sea.
At God’s command, Moses
lifted his rod, tiie sea parted,
and the people passed
through on dry land.
“The waters were a wall
imto them on their right
hand, and on their left” (Exod.
14:22).
That the people of Israel
were ‘baptized unto Moses” (1
Cor. 10:2) simply means that
they submitted themsdves to
the authority and leadership
of Mdses. Similarly those who
trust in Christ submit to His
authority by being obedient
followers of Christ (Matthew
28:18-20). As the Hebrews
were ‘baptized rmto Moses”
under the old covenant (1 Cor.
10:2), so those rescued fixim
spiritual bondage under the
new covenant are ‘baptized
into Christ” (Gal. 3:27). Chris
tian baptism portrays what
the blood of Christ performs
(Romans 6:3-4).
7. Who was the “spiritual
Rock” (v. 4) that accompa
nied Israel in the wilder
ness?
Once they passed throu^
the Red Sea, the Hebrews
found themselves in the
wildemess. During their
long and difficult joximey
they relied on God to provide
them with both food and
diink. While God sustained
them physically, they were
also being spiritually nour
ished.
ADVERTISEMEOT
Civil rights legend dies at age 83
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
ATLANTA—The Rev. Joseph Boone, a well-
known civil rights leader, died on Saturday, his
dai^ter said. He was 83.
Andrea Boone confirmed that her father died
fi’om complications with diabetes in his home
in Atlanta.
Boone was inducted into the International
Civil Rights Walk of Fame at the Martin
Luther King National Historic site where his
footpririts were imprinted in January this year.
He was appointed by the Rev Martin Luther
King Jr. as chief negotiator for Op^ation
Breadbasket, the economic development area
of the Southern Christian Leadership Confer
ence.
• With a network of SCLC branches in over 30
cities across the country, he was responsible for
coordinating the efforts of more than 200 min
isters.
But perhaps some of his best work came
while he was director of the PJ. Woods Center
for the Blind and Elderly where he established
a drug therapy community whidi consisted of
three 24-hour residential facilities within the
center.
Known as the ‘picketing preacher,” Boone
lived by the motto, “Find something worth
dying for as well as worth living and die for it
daily”
“He was my hero,” Andrea Boone said. ‘He
tau^t me how to live unconditionally He
never put things ahead of the family”
Boone is survived by his former wife Alethea
Williams Boone; another dau^ter Jolaunda
Boone Campbell; two grandchildren; brother
John O. Boone and sister Lois Montgom^y,
who are all of Atlanta.
Boone will be buried at the Jackson Memori
al Baptist Church on July 22.
The Prophet’s Column, Inc.
6183 NC109 South
Wadesboro, NC 28170-9533
“THE TEACHER’S CLINIC” (Part II)
J.M. Little, Teacher
Q; You teach that God loves some and hates others, I can’t conceive of God hating anyone. What
are you going to do about John 3:16?
A: In John 3:16, when my Lord used the word "world", He was not speaking of everyone
“headcount". The word "world” is used in the Bible nearly 300 times. The word "world” does not
always have the same meaning, (e.g. In Jn, 17:9: “I orav for them: I pray not for the world." To the
natural mind, or natural man, these Scriptures contradict each other. But there are no
contradictions in God’s Word. The word "world” in Jn. 3:16 means the elect only. The word “world”
in Jn. 17:9 means the non-elect. In Rom. 9:13: “As it is written, Jacob have I loved but Esau have I
hated.”
Q: But my Bible teacher said the reference is to nations in Rom. 9:13.
A: Individuals make up nations. Read your Bible and see for yourself that God said this of the two
children before they were born. (Rom. 9:11)
Q: Why are you always judging folks in your teaching?
A: The word “judge” and two other related words are used nearly 300 times in your Bible. The
word “judge", tike the word “world", does not always have the same meaning, (e.g. "But he that is
spiritual iudoeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man." (I Cor. 2:15) The words "judgeth"
and "judged” in this Scripture means to understand or discern. When God’s servant sets forth the
truth as it is in Christ, the natural man feels condemned and always accuses the Lord's servant of
judging because the natural man is blinded by the god of this world and stands before God
unforgiven.
Q: You say you are right, and Dr. So and So says he is right. I don't know whom to believe.
A. Ask the Lord to open your heart. (Lk. 16:14)
Q: Do you believe the Word literally?
A: Yes. And you will, too, before you are ever saved, if you ever are to be saved.
"Helping persons to realize God's creative intent for his or her
life as designed by God’s Word in the areas of evangelism,
worship, discipleship, ministry and fellowship.”
Antioch Missionary Baptist Church
232 Skyland Ave. • Charlotte, NC 28205 | mtlffllfTflrri—1
704-332-4951 • Website: www.antiochfamily.org
Rev. Donnie R. Garris, Pastor
You’re Invited To Join Us;
Sunday Worship 8 & 1 la.m
Sunday School 9:45a.m.
Wednesday Prayer, Praise & Study 7p.m,
Weeping Willow AME Zion Church
“Mirtlng From SdraBon To Dfa:^esW|)”
2220-Mihcfi Rd.«Chartoiie. North CatotiHa
Wonthi^: StWAM
nmKM
Stmday Schooli 9;3I1AM
Wed. Pr^ & Prau-r: 7;(ta PM
(704)532*9125
■TO£ CHbRCH nmcutfS'
Wjnk-J tisvsMO
(greenbillc JBcmorial ?l.iro.€, Hiou C|)iirtl)
“A Teaching Ministry Making Spiritual Disciples”
Sunday Worship Service lOA.M. Sunday School 9A.M.
Bible Study: Tuesday 7 PM. & Wednesday 12 Noon
Child Development Center
6116 Monlieth Dr. Charlotte, NC 28213
(Ph) 704-596-4742 (Fax) 704-597-8314
“A Word of Hope” Television Ministry
Wednesdays @ 8 p.m. Channel 21 (Public Access TV)
Rev. Dr. Sheldon R. Shipman, Senior Pastor
Jfirfit jUt. 2ion papttsit Cljitrtl)
1515 Remount Rd. • {Tel.)332-8335 (Fax)372-7548
^ 28208
I Sunday Morning Worship Services... 8:30-9:30- !l:00am
I Sunday School 9:45 - 10:45am
I Singles Ministries (Mon.) 6:30-7:30pm
I Senior Citizens (Mon.) 10:30 - 4:00pm
Dr. C.V. Owens
Office Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9:00am - 4:00pm
You are,cordially invited to worship with us!
Greater Gethsemane A.M.E. Zion Church
'The Church wiOt the CommunHy at Heart"
531 Campus Street • Chariot^ NC 28216
(7(m375-3900 ■ Fax3720614
Worship Service 11:00AM
Sunday School: 9:30AM
Bible Study: Wed. 10:30AM £r 7PM
Daycare £f Afterschool A vailable
E-ntail: gamezSSl €>b€llsouth.net
The Reverend Dr. CaMn L Miller - Pastor
Reverend Pr. Karen Robots Milter - Spouse
SIMPSON-GILLESPIE
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
4 "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors’
A - -Join Us For Service •
yr Sunday School. 9;30am • Sunday Worship, 11am
Wednesday: Bible Study, 7pm
T 1st lk 3rd Saturday: ''Contemporary'Worship,'' 6pm...'jeans Allowed”
Rev. Walter Pegues, Pastor
,3545 Beatties Fd Rd, Char,,NC 28216 • 704-399-2717 • VanMinisti^'
"We Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Us”
Macedonia Baptist Church
of CHARLOTTE, INC.
"A Ministry of Love and Excellence"
Dr. John H. Walker, Pastor dr
Minister, Rosie Walker
New Sunday lOeim Worship Experiettce
“Family First Worship”
"As For Me and My House
We Shall Worship The Lord
SUNDAY
■ Physical hood - (serving breakfasc.)
■ Spiritual Food - Christian Education School.
'■ Main Course - “Family First Worshio
WEDNESDAY
"Ftour of Power” .Midday "Won^hip
WO.W. - Word On Wednesday Bible Studv.
TVand RADIO BROADCAST MINISTRY:
CMPAC 21 - TUr^i- • Rejoice Radio 1370am - We
704-392-8496 •1300 Hacteras Ave..* wvAv.macedoniaofchaflotte.org
Mayfield Memorial Baptist Church
"A Church Putting Love Into Action ”
700 SUGAR CREEK ROAD. WEST
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA 28213
Sunday Church School 9;30a.m.
Worship Service 11:00a.m. and 6:00p.m,
Baptist Training Union 5:00p.m.
Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesdays 7:30pm
Office (704)596-7935 • Fax (704)596-1204
Residence (704)597-1249
Greater Myers Chapel
PENTECOSTAL FELLOWSHIP MINISTRIES
- You ’re Invited to Worship With Us -
Intercessory Prayer. 8:30am
Victory in The Word 9:15am
Worship 10:3(lani
Sunday Evening Total Praise 7:00pm
Hour of Power/Tutorial avail.Wed....7:OOpin
p. Ptt4Co>t
Visit our WehSite: www.greaterniyerschapel.org
600 Jordan Place, Charlotte, NC 28205
“WAR Fellowship Ministry Covenant Partner"
^or Van Ministry
704-377-1799
BAPTIST CHURCH
I lis last
commandment is
oiir first
assgiiment
MmsiONAKY Baptist Chuhch
Senday Ser'i'SeeB.^,..
WfidiuisdMy..
u.StiMiafa r lliOftiia * tkdripia -
JVcoROasr WarsWp
1600 Noaria Avc. * NC 28206 * FAXi 375-8397
PARKWOOD INSTITUTIONAL
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
802 Tom Hunter Road • Charlotte. NC 28213
704-921-4915 (Ph) • 704-9214917 (Fax)
Wedsite: www.Darkwoodcme.com
Sunday Worship 8:00 & 11:00 AM
Sunday School 9:30 AM
Bible Study
Wednesday 12 Noon Thursday 6:30 PM
TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE
Roderick D. Lewis, Sr.
Pastor
To advertise your
". i'A'S
.'■•■■.■A'' .-
church,
call 704 376 0496
St. Paul Baptist Church
Our Purpose: “To convince the unconvinced
to be convinced and make disciples”
Sunday Worship at 7:30 A.M. and 10:30 A.M,
Sunday Morning Breakfast 8:45 A.M.
Sunday School at 9:25 A.M. -10:25 A.M.
Radio Broadcast Sunday 11:00 A.M. (1370 A.M. Dial)
Bible Study Wed, 12 Noon - 6:45 P.M, - 8:00 P.M.
Youth Church 2nd & 3rd Sunday 10:30 A.M.
■
Gregory K. Moss Sr.