Julington Creek NEWSLETTER News about the collective work at the Julington Creek church of Christ and updates on individuals and families. Volume 2 Issue 16April 21, 2013 SMOOTH PREACHING “What I really need is a translation that won’t leave me feeling guilty, convicted, or in need of making some kind of decision.” When I saw the cartoon at left while browsing the Web, I immediately thought of the words of Isaiah in chapter 30:10. Who say to the seers, "You must not see visions”; And to the prophets, "You must not prophesy to us what is right, Speak to us pleasant words, Prophesy illusions. I wonder how many people are looking for a Bible translation that will leave them feeling warm and fuzzy, but never guilty or convicted. And, sadly, there is probably a publisher out there somewhere who would gladly oblige these people by producing a translation that has been neutered and is now free from all “hard teaching.” These human efforts to change God’s truth to something more palatable (humanly speaking) are nothing new. After the Lord claimed to be the true manna from heaven and therefore greater than all that God had done for their fathers in the Old Testament, even many disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” (John 6:60). Many withdrew from Jesus at that point. You might say that “hard teaching” separates the men from the boys. That will always be true. The general tenor of religious teaching today is that of sidestepping all the hard issues of life. In place of real conviction and a determination to do what is right in all situations, we find an ecumenical philosophy that says that agreement among people is more important than finding truth. In fact, absolute truth has all but disappeared from 21 st century American life. Truth makes people feel “guilty,” or “convicted,” or “in need of making a decision” in life. “Live and let live” is our new motto for life. Marriage and divorce, same-sex marriage, cohabitation among unmarried people, and a hundred other moral issues are smoothed over so that everyone can agree and “love” everyone for who they are. In the face of this “lie to us” attitude that people have today, we must stand on what God has said, and preach it more strenuously than ever. Concerning His “hard teaching” Jesus told the people, Does this offend you? The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life (Jno. 6:62-62). No apologies! dlf

CONTACT US Julington Creek Church Of Christ 1630 State Road 13 N. St. Johns, FL Phone: Or, Denny Website: julingtoncreekchurchofchrist.net GATHERING TIMES SUNDAY Bible Classes :30 AM Morning Worship :30 AM Evening Worship :00 PM WEDNESDAY Bible Classes :00 PM We love visitors! C. V. Alexander – Confined to home. Eddie Goff – At Westminster, Alzheimer's center. David Evors – Baptist South, Room 674. Doctors will remove his right kidney that has a cancerous tumor. Darlene Jessup – Recovering from hip replacement at home. Ina Putnal – In rehab at Westminster; Room 2A. James Taylor – Feeling tired and run down from heart condition; unable to get out right now. Prayers WEDNESDAY NITE BIBLE CLASS: Different topics and teachers. SUNDAY SERMONS: AM – The Bible and Morality (1) Reading: 1 John 2:15-17 PM – The Bible and Morality (2) LADIES BIBLE CLASS: Thursday mornings at 10:30. PowerPoint slides are available for viewing/download on church website. SUNDAY AM CLASS: Romans 15. Teacher: Steve McCain. CHILDREN’S CLASSES: Posted in the hallway. BIBLE CLASSES: MEN: The next quarter of classes on Wednesday nites will deal with the “Flesh and the Spirit.” A list will be posted; please help by signing up. Sick & confined L. A. Mott in his move to Bangor, Maine to preach and teach the gospel of Christ. Inmates at Lawtey C.I who have obeyed the gospel and those studying the Bible