Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / Feb. 19, 1998, edition 1 / Page 10
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Contending for the faith I Lorn Scripture: Judc 3-4, 17 ?25 f Lesson Aims: To remember the kneed for constant vigilance against {heresy, to distinguish between false J teachers and the real ones, and to 'acquire more accurate knowledge \ of God Background: Today our study tcomcs from one of the shorter {books found in the New Testament {- Judc Along with James, he is the half-brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:5$ and Mark 6:3). In these Scriptures, he is referred to as Judas (not the betrayer). From Nazareth, he too was probably a carpenter. Me didn't initially accept Jesus as~the Christ. Once he believes, Judc becomes an avid defender of the faith against apos tasy (abandoning one's beliefs). False teachings corrupt the faith. The interpretations are laced with pagan views. A common heresy of the day was "antinomionism." This doctrine held that the material and spiritual were sepa rate; therefore one could yield to the flesh and develop a strong spir itual life at the name time (UMI). Not so ! The early church was seri ously threatened by the heresies of the day. The message found in this epistle was originally to Jewish Christians, but it applies to all. The challenge to believers is to contend (struggle) against heresies and to keep the faith. Jude, like Peter, wastes very little time getting to the heart of the matter. After a brief intro duction of himself, he gives his purpose. He desires to write about the nature of their salvation, how ever, he is led in another direction. Jude warns them that godless men have slipped into the body (congre gation) to change God's grace into a license for immorality and to deny the sovereignty of Jesus Christ. Verses 5-7 give historical examples of judgment of rebel lious unbelief ? death of the adults after Mt. Sinai, judgment of fallen angels, Sodom and Sunday School Lesson Mildred Peppert t Gomorrah. Beginning with verses 8-13 and 18-19, they are given a description of false teachers. Here he links moral pollution with refusing to recognize valid authority (Richard's Complete Bible Handbook). These false teachers not only pollute their bodies but their behaviors resemble that of animals (acting on instinct). Self serving they boast a lot; are always trying to impress others; and cause division. Again, the writer calls to their remembrance an Old Testament example ? Enoch/ Genesis 5: 19-24 recalls his life and Hebrew 11:5-6 speak* of his faith. The believers are also reminded that the apostles told them of the coming of scoffers They're response to them is to build a firm foundation upon their faith, continue to pray,and to live godly lives. Their faithful living,by the aid of the Holy Spirit will empower them to stand and God will bless their lives. The believers' life style will serve as an example for others who may falter and as a rescue for the sinners. The rescue is motivated by Christ's love yet they are to remain cautious not to fall to sin them selves. Finally, the doxology is an excellent description of Jesus Christ. He is the One who saves ux He presents us spotless before God. To Him be glory (praise), majesty (sovereign power), power (jurisdiction) and authority (dominion) now and forever more Application: Everyday of our lives, we encounter confusion brought on by the confused. Very often they are seeking truth, securi ty, and acceptance. Unfortunately, some claim to have found it all by rebelling against God. They have "sweet mouths" as old folks used to say and are very convincing to those who don't know. The obser vant believer relies on their knowl edge of Scripture and the Holy Spirit to discern truth from a lie. The knowledge of Scripture serves as a light in darkness. Our daily battle is a spiritual one (read Ephesians 6:10-12). No, we aren't going to shoot up the place or bomb it (Ephesians 6:13 17). Our victory is not based in intellect, physical strength, nit' working or the like. The victories achieved by keeping the fani knowing the Word of God afd being guided by the Holy Spty. False teachers have always b|rn around - thery're waiting on 'us tomorrow! The lesson today aiuJ JI Peter teaches us what to look for These scoffers make very little of God's grace; Christians appreci ate it and live in the spirit of holi ness (controlling the flesh). Opr witness is awesome. God doesn't want us to fall away. The bodylof believers is under siege. We mlist keep the faith, study the Word, <frd follow the Spirit. Our study fr aud prayer life strengthens <^ir faith; thereby empowering us^o remain loyal to God in all thirds. To paraphrase Jude 24-25. Art me close by saying "to the One tnt sustains us, and stands with us!* praise, majesty, and honor now and forevermore. Amen! 'J, ___________________________ --? Leaders from N.C. join in concern over environment ? * J Raleigh ? More than 100 lead ers from the corporate, civic, scien tific and academic sectors have ^joined forces to form Save Our ; State, which hopes to draw atten ; tion to environmental problems in ? North Carolina and encourage [conservation of the state's natural J resources. ? Steve Neal, the former ?Congressman and current presi dent of the Z. Smith Reynolds [Foundation, said Save Our State's {mission is "to ensure economic 'development that is consistent J with preserving a high quality of ; life, including a healthy environ -ment." The foundation, which has I focused much of its grants making '.on environmental issues,has taken ;a leading role in developing the Save Our State initiative. , A majority of the charter mem .bcrs of Save Our St/dp attended the group's inaugural meeting In -Raleigh today and received a brief ling on water quality in eastern ; North Carolina from a panel of six ^experts. Wayne McDevitt, North ?Carolina's Secretary of [Environment and Natural [Resources, was the luncheon ijkeynote speaker. ? With members from all parts of wNorth Carolina, Save Our State [charter membership includes for mer Congressmen, a former [United States Senator and [Governor, corporate chief execu tive officers, award-winning scien tists and other academicians, and (personalities form the arts and lit {erary worlds I Hoping to influence public pol icy through education. Save Our (State plans a series of briefings on "varioiia environmental concerns. * The initial briefing in Raleigh ?focused on water quality in eastern (North Carolina. Degradation of [water quality, caused primarily by ?enormous hog operations and ?inadequate municipal waste treat ment plants, poses a serious threat 30 streams, rivers, and sounds in Jthe east and threaten the whole state's image nationally and inter nationally, Neal said. Gerry Hancock of Raleigh, an attorney and former legislator who represents the Travel and Tourism Coalition of North Carolina, told fellow Save Our State members ?that the problems caused by water and air quality degradation could [have a devastating effect on travel and tourism. North Carolina's sec ond largest industry, i "Tourists choose North [Carolina largely because of our [reputation for clean air, clean water, beautiful natural and his toric resources and world class recreation. That reputation is a priceless asset, and it belongs to [every citizen." ' Speaking broadly about the state's image, Hancock said the toss of this reputation could pro duce irreparable economic damage ^throughout the state. "This poten tial economic damage would not -be limited to the eastern counties [featured in recent press articles. [Outsiders judge the state as a ?whole and assume the problems ?they read about are statewide, not [regional. ; Hancock praised the General Assembly for taking strong action -on this issue in the 1997 session. [ "That legislation makes it clear [we all had a role in creating the problem, and we all have u respon sibility to fix it. Hog producers and [growers, other agricultural inter ests. cities, towns, industries, busi ness and all the rest of us have a role to play in cleaning up the envi ronmental problems we have helped to create. I am confident North Carolina will respond to the challenge. We have no other choice," Hancock said. Douglas N. Rader, senior scien tist with the North Carolina Environmental Defense Fund, told Save Our State members that "North Carolina is blessed with coastal resources that are among the most important in the world." He warned the gtoup, however, "This vast heritage is now clearly at risk. "Burgeoning coastal popula tions, urbanization in coastal watersheds, intensifying agricul ture and forestry, and ever-more intense fish harvesting threaten the essential water quality which pro vides the foundation of this estuar ine richness. "Ah of these problems ? the fish kills, the algal blooms, the con taminated fish and oysters ? serve 9s evidence that the jewel in coastal North Carolina's crown is very much at risk," Rader said. "Only concerted action now by cit izens to demand action in their name can begin to reverse the tide of water quality degradation. Only prompt action can begin the long task of protecting and restoring our coastal natural legacy," he warned. Micheile Nowlin. an attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center in Chapel Hill, addressed the specific problem of agricultural wastes as a source of pollution. "The majority of the nitrogen entering the Neuse River comes from agricultural activities, including intensive animal produc tion facilities. This type of pollu tion has proved the most elusive to control. "In particular." Nowlin said, "ncm-point source runoff from the state's hog farms continues to add pollutants into the state's waters. With the state's hog population topping 13 million, it is essential that the state take advantage of the current moratorium on new farms to develop and exercise greater controls over the hog industry's waste disposal practices." David McNaught, executive director of the state's recently formed Clean Water Management Trust Fund, was a panelist at the briefing also. "The citizens of North Carolina deserve a clean and healthy environment. Traditional water quality pro grams have not proved sufficient to protect or - where necessary - restore water quality in the rivers, lakes, creeks and estuaries of North Carolina. Several progres sive initiatives to supplement tradi tional water quality programs have recently been implemented in North Carqlina, but even these programs will not, in themselves, assure desired water quality stan dards. "What these programs do," McNaught said, "is offer a won derful opportunity to discover and foster the next generation of water quality protection strategies." Save Our State is composed of citizens who want to safeguard North Carolina' s natural and human resources while encourag ing sustainable economic growth. Its members represent all geo- ! graphic regions of the state and come from rural areas, small towns, and urban centers. E^.^, Prices! FOOD LION Seedless j California Navd| Oranges^ Prloo Without MVP Card $4.99 f CounjnN g %| Whole?) Sirloin *y Tip fP J Pork OOc Boston Butt Roast ww u$ R*g. S1.88 tokinsfflL^Oc W$BR.%WM33?mKfM. iMm^omm ? I fc ? Gisp Romaine Lettuce^ i ?' Eg> 59( Pf\om Without MVP Oard Mi WBon.le?B?( (t I QQ Rlbey Steak .A* *|ii 12 PK. 12 az. 6 Pk. 24 Ox 6 Oz. Bag - Selected Varieties 2/5.00 $o qq Ruffles JC Potato Chips Mtn. M? P^u |MVP 4% , xsl rasp) v?( yssj/ 7 7 P'?t 7-UP Prtoo Without MVP Oord 91.49 Roast Beef g^*3" Prto* Without MVP Ord f4.fi Swiss Cheeses m$oH tMjp Ma Prte> Without MVP 6?rd <4.W izi mc=. | MEALS H Si M IN A HURRY ; ? p.pact FOR PEOPLE lSlpAM| IN A HURRY ; U ? SAVER MEAL CEHTER 12 P?ck Northern Ultra Bath Tissue ^?/*5 p^g/ j 11 22 Oi. Sunlight Dish Detergent ?79< Ph?? Without MVP Oard Ma Eaoh Sfc]S? J" ?\ m Jlr*k ^ mps 15 Ox. Kcllogg's Corn Pops ^$?99 Prtoo Without MVP Oord I2 N i^B fi'I'JfC'ir V BP bII HIP 96 Oi. WW* C*lduni/Hom?tlyit Tropicana Season's Bast t>??5 nn? WHtwmiawowauaaMii Mool Mm* and OH tho koy Ingrodlonta you nood to make a groat ;j horn* oookad moal In about 20 minutaa. ;S fflsls hheat?neai[ Value added foods that are ?; ready to Heat 'n Eat % US fresh i M?H SALADS i A wide selection of fresh packed salads, a variety of i salad dressings and all the ;? fixings In one convenient t location. :? Pries* In thta ad imrnnM F^^'-h-I _ *"s,or***"?* i PH1!lCTMil!n I's"I"I'tbmihi gsspi ^ssr GBl ????HHliHHHlA -> We reserve the right to BBmMb limit quantifier ? ????
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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Feb. 19, 1998, edition 1
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