Noteworthy News

(Current events in the light of Scripture)

Hello, Americans! Your President Is On Trial

By Patricia Wilson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Historical or histrionic? Solemn or soporific? The Senate trial of President Clinton began in earnest on Thursday to the delight of lawyers, pundits and historians and the

indifference of almost everyone else.

When the stooped and silver-haired Rep. Henry Hyde lumbered to the ordinary wooden lectern to open the prosecution's case, the nation did not stop.

How many will remember precisely where they were when the Illinois Republican intoned, “We are brought together on this solemn and historic occasion to perform important duties assigned to us by the Constitution”?

Not Max Stuckey of Washington. “Is that on today?" he asked. "I've lost interest. There's no surprises. They're not going to kick him out.”

In downtown Washington, the weather was causing more concern as freezing drizzle iced roads and persistent sleet closed schools in the suburbs.

“I don't care about it,” a young Washington woman said. “I'm more worried about getting home.”

Even Clinton did not pause in composing his State of the Union address to watch. It was the ultimate in the president's legendary detachment, the White House wanted Americans to believe. Clinton will be filled in later by one (or all) of the seven or more lawyers who were in the Senate on his behalf.

The public is suffering Monica malaise. Every poll shows it is tired of -- and bored with -- the tacky relationship between the 20-something intern and the 50ish leader of the free world.

In a new CNN survey, 79 per cent of respondents said they believed Clinton lied under oath about the affair, but they did not care enough to want him removed from office.

COMMENTARY (Joe R. Price)

On Tuesday night the President of the United States will address a joint session of Congress and the nation in his annual State of the Union address. What an ironic picture that will be! If we believe the polls, Americans, in general, have lost interest in truth and justice. Why such a lack of concern? Reminds me of a campaign slogan used some years back: “It’s the economy, stupid!” People are content with corruption if their life and livelihood are not affected.

But, our lives and livelihood are affected! (Not to mention our souls!.) When a nation casually ignores sin and injustice, that nation is in serious trouble before its God (read Prov. 14:33; Hosea 4:1-6; Amos 5:10-15).

If Christians will not speak out for justice, truth and righteousness, who will? Will you? Will you pray that moral sensibilities guide our country’s leaders? Will you demand honor, honesty and justice from those in authority? Or will our comfort and a “strong economy” win the day over truth, righteousness and the rule of law? “The king who judges the poor with truth, His throne will be established forever” (Prov. 29:14). God help us. God help our country.

Assignments

January 17, 1999

Announcements: Ed DeWispelaere

Opening Prayer: Ed DeWis / Willie Golightly

Closing Prayer: Jess Bass / Gary Bass

Song Leader: Dan Head / Clarence Gardner

Scripture Reading: Philip Price / Shane Bass

L. Supper: Morris B / Chris H / Wesley H

Building Cleanup: Shane & Justina Bass

[With the Super Bowl just a couple of weeks away, many denominational churches will be having special activities arranged around the big game. This light-hearted look at worship using football as an analogy has a serious point: What value do we place upon worshipping God when compared to other things? Is our own comfort and convenience uppermost on our minds? Think on these things (2 Cor. 13:5; Heb. 10:24-25; Matt. 6:33; Eph. 5:16). -jrp]

Christian Football

Quarterback Sneak - Church members quietly leaving during the invitation.

Draw Play - What many children do with the bulletin during worship.

Halftime - The period between Sunday School and worship when many choose to leave.

Benchwarmer - Those who do not sing, pray, work, or apparently do anything but sit.

Backfield-in-Motion - Making a trip to the back (restroom or water fountain) during the service.

Staying in the Pocket - What happens to a lot of money that should be given to the Lord's work.

Two-minute Warning - The point at which you realize the sermon is almost over and begin to gather up your children and belongings.

Instant Replay - The preacher loses his notes and falls back on last week's illustrations.

Sudden Death - What happens to the attention span of the congregation if the preacher goes “overtime”.

Trap - You're called on to pray and are asleep.

End Run - Getting out of church quick, without speaking to any guest or fellow member.

Flex Defense - The ability to allow absolutely nothing said during the sermon to affect your life.

Halfback Option - The decision of 50% of the congregation not to return for the evening service.

Blitz - The rush for the restaurants following the closing prayer.

-Supplied by Kent E. Heaton, Sr.

No Place To Hide Notes

(Scripture Reading: Revelation 6:12-17)

Rev. 6:12-17: Judgment scene of wicked. Judgment is unrelenting

(v. 12-14); inclusive (v. 15) & inescapable (v. 16-17)...Day of wrath....

no place to hide! (Lk. 8:17; Acts 17:30-31; Heb. 2:1-3).

I. “SECRET PLACES” ARE NOT SAFE HIDING PLACES - 6:15; Num. 32:23.

A. The Secret Place Denial Of Sin Seeks - cf. Isa. 59:12.

B. The Secret Place Fear Of Sin Seeks - Gen. 3:10.

C. The Secret Place Not Knowing God Seeks - cf. Exo. 5:1-2 (12:31).

II. DARKNESS IS NOT A SAFE HIDING PLACE.

A. Sin Loves Darkness - Jno. 3:19-21 (Eph. 5:7-14).

B. Darkness Doesn’t Hide The Sinner From God - Isa. 29:15; 1 Cor. 4:5.

III. IGNORANCE IS NOT A SAFE HIDING PLACE.

A. “I Didn’t Know” Is No Security Against God’s Just Judgment Against Sin

- Acts 17:30, 25-28; Rom. 6:23; 1:28-32; Acts 3:17, 19.

B. Sinners Must Hear & Obey Truth To Escape - Acts 3:22-23.

IV. PRETENSE IS NOT A SAFE HIDING PLACE - Lk. 12:1-2 (cf. Rom. 2:3).

A. Hypocrisy Is A Deceptive Place To Hide! - Matt. 23:25-28; Acts 5:3-4, 9.

V. THE PREPARATIONS OF OTHERS IS NOT A SAFE HIDING PLACE.

A. We Won’t Ride Somebody Else’s Coattails To Heaven - Matt. 25:6-9; Exo. 32:33.

VI. OUR OWN DEVICES ARE NOT A SAFE HIDING PLACE - Prov. 14:12; Jer. 10:23.

A. Neither Our Own Ingenuity, Scheming, Wisdom, Emotions, Etc. Will Cover Our

Sin In The Day Of Judgment - Acts 26:9-11, 14; Rom. 4:5-8; Matt. 7:21-23.

VII. DEATH WILL NOT BE A HIDING PLACE - Rev. 6:16.

A. Some Expect Death To Be Their Escape From Accountability & Punishment

For Sin - cf. 1 Cor. 15:32; Heb. 9:27; Jno. 5:28-29; Matt. 10:28; Jas. 4:14-15.

Jesus of Nazareth: The Master Teacher (Part 9)

(Scripture Reading: John 8:21-30)

I. A TEACHER WHO CAME FROM GOD - Jno. 3:1-2.

A. Jesus’ “Teaching Certificate” - Jno. 6:26-27; Jno. 3:2; Acts 2:22; Jno. 3:11-12;

8:23-30; Matt. 28:18-20; 2 Tim. 2:2.

B. Yet, Many Did Not Accept His Teachings - Jno. 6:60, 66; 12:37-38.

1. Jesus did not become discouraged with teaching - Jno. 4:35.

2. Rejection of His message did not mean Jesus was a failure as a teacher - Jno. 17:4.

II. HIS CHARACTERISTICS & METHODS AS A TEACHER.

A. A Burning Desire To Teach The Word Of God - Jno. 9:4-5; Heb. 5:12.

B. Jesus Taught With Humility & Also With Authority - Lk. 22:27; Jno. 12:49-50;

2 Tim. 2:24-25; Matt. 7:29; Titus 2:15; 2 Tim. 4:2; Gal. 1:8-9; Phil. 4:9; 2 Tim. 2:2.

C. Jesus Taught Without Respect Of Persons - Matt. 22:16; Jno. 7:32, 45-46;

Acts 20:20; 1 Tim. 5:21; Matt. 10:27-31.

D. Jesus Taught With Genuine Concern For The Lost - Matt. 9:10-13; Lk. 15:1-2, ff.