Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins

Looking for a "Church Home"? When people drive by our building it is clear that Christians meet here who are, to some degree, prospering. Some who drive by our building these days are “looking for a church home.” We often receive a visitor’s card marked “I’m looking for a church home.” Some of them, however, even after our visits, calls and letters, end up somewhere else. As the retailers say, they “looked” but they did not “buy.” The media are saying “religion” is on the rise. Many are looking for answers to the tough questions of life, and they know God has answers for those tough questions. “Baby-boomers” are looking. Disgruntled members of big denominations, unhappy with their politics and bureaucracy, are looking. Parents with young children are looking. Shopping around. Many are looking, but what do they expect to find? What are they looking for that they do not find here? “You are not friendly enough.” If you have ever been on the road and stopped for worship in an unfamiliar area, you may know what it means to be ignored. Are we unfriendly? Do we take time from our visiting with each other to greet and speak kindly to our visitors? Frankly, I have never known a more friendly and warm group of Christians than those who meet here. But it won’t hurt for us to keep on working on our “friendly.” It can always be better. “Your doctrinal stance is too strict.” Yes, some churches do teach doctrines that God did not authorize. Then there are others who teach that there are New Testament doctrines that we don’t really have to obey. If we ever do either of those things here in Dripping Springs we will need to fix it. But no one has given us any reason to believe that we do not teach and preach the Bible here. In fact, every class has an open Bible for its foundation! Maybe some are really looking for “feel good” preaching, not Bible preaching. The gospel is truly good news. It calls man to a life in which God’s love and grace give us the means by which we can have the hope of heaven. But the gospel also makes some demands on man that many do not want to obey. We will always be wise to “examine” ourselves and what we teach to make sure we preach God’s truth, 1 Timothy 4:16. But we also must remember that some do not want truth, that some have “itching ears,” seeking to satisfy themselves, not God, 2 Timothy 4:3. We must not try to force God’s Will into a mold of our making, but to mold our will into God’s Will. He is the potter. We must be the clay. “There are too many old people there.” Now that’s hitting a bit closer to home these days, but there’s nothing wrong with being “old,” however you define it. True, in some places the pews are filled with mostly gray haired folks, but not here in Dripping. We have many young families who vitalize and motivate us to greater service. Young, old or in between, every soul is equally valuable in God’s sight. “The worship and the sermons are boring.” I know what “boring” means. Some of us preachers are more talented than others, and some sermons less “exciting” than others. But how can singing about the love of God be boring? What about hearing scripture tell us of eternal life? And what are we supposed to do to keep them from being “boring”? More humor? A joke now and then? O. K., but some may prefer a lot less Bible and a lot more entertainment. Maybe a little more Mayberry or Peanuts, and a little less Ephesians or Luke? David’s attitude toward worship was, “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day,” Psalm 119:97. Is that attitude not better than Snoopy or Charlie Brown. Others: The air conditioning (or heating) was not set to their liking. Or, the cushioned pews were too hard and uncomfortable. Maybe this one: “I saw hypocrites there!” Is it not possible that some are just “shopping around” for a church that suits them, and are not concerned about what is pleasing to Christ? Could it be that our best effort will never be enough for some, and especially so if we keep trying to be the church described in the Bible as the “bride” of Christ? Whom should we seek to please—man or God? If we fall short in our greetings or welcome, let’s make that right. We must be willing to show genuine interest in our visitors, for how we deal with them may be the deciding factor in where they dwell eternally. If you are looking for a church home, we are willing to take the Bible and study it with you, making sure that our views are in harmony with the Bible. We want to help you and others, but we will never compromise God’s message for any reason, certainly not to increase our attendance……or our contribution. Carl B. Garner

QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN LOOKING FOR A CHURCH HOME: Is God’s word and authority respected by those who teach and lead in that church’s program of work? Colossians 3:16-17. Is their worship, organization, attitude and emphasis in harmony with what we find in the Bible? John 4:24, 1 Cor. 11. Are those in leadership positions truly qualified? 1 Tim. 3:1-13. Do they really teach the Bible in their “Bible classes”? Will I be challenged to live as Jesus lived, reminded of the love, mercy and grace of God? 1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 John 5:2-3. Do I want what God wants? Or what I want?

CAN THIS SINNER BE SAVED? "Dear brother Clem: I read the Bible constantly, but there is a passage that really bothers me. Could you please explain 2 Peter 2:20-22? I have sinned, so does this mean I am now lost and without hope?" Let us first notice the text: "For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire" (2 Peter 2:20-22). Notice what this text teaches. First, it is clearly written to Christians, saved people who "have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of Jesus Christ." Second, these folk had "turned back" (apostatized) from the Lord's commandments. Third, this state is worse than "the first" (which clearly means their state before they became Christians). This is not speaking of one who, through weakness, commits a sin. It is speaking of one who deliberately "turns back" from the Lord. For such people, "there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin" (Hebrews 10:26). That simply means that when one turns back from Jesus Christ, there is no other sacrifice that can save him. But when one is striving to live for Christ, even though he may often "fall short" (Romans 3:23), he is constantly being cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ (1 John 1:7). That means, as Paul expressed it, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). Not everyone who sins is guilty of "turning back" as Peter uses that expression. All of us sin (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8). And even for those who do "turn back," there is still the possibility that they may repent and return to the Lord. by Clem Thurman