PECULIAR PEOPLE

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people. That ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness sin to his marvelous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy” (I Peter 2:9,10). Peter is talking to Christians who had been scattered about as a result of persecution. Christians are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a peculiar people. There is one other occasion where the New Testament refers to Christians as peculiar people. Titus 2:14, “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

A modern Dictionary gives the definition of “peculiar” as: odd, strange, eccentric, different from the usual.” The way the word is used in the New Testament is different. Most modern translations will have “possession” or “God’s own possession” in the place of peculiar. The word seems to carry this idea in the Old and New Testament. Other references in the Old Testament are Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 7:6; 14:1, 2; 26:18, 19. God views us as special, as a treasure.

We are not to be different just for the sake of being different. The differences we exhibit come from the life that Jesus called us to live. We are different because we live by a different standard. The person that is God’s own possession is to conduct themselves with integrity, purity and godliness in every walk of their lives. We dress modestly because the Bible teaches us to do so, not because we just want to be different from everyone around us. Our work and daily conduct will be quite different from our neighbors who are following the pattern of the world. We may appear odd to them, but not because we have purposely done things that are strange. The apostle Peter stated that the world will thing you are strange when you no longer engage in the things you formerly did (I Peter 4:1-5). Christians are a special possession of God. Conduct yourself like you belong to God.

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DON’T LOOK BACK

The Savior instructed us to “remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:32). In this context, Jesus was describing what would transpire at the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. When they saw the signs of impending destruction, they were to flee from Jerusalem, not stopping to look back. It was in this connection that Jesus calls attention to Lot’s wife. You will recall that during the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen.19), Lot’s wife looked back as she was fleeing the cities of the plain, only to be turned into a pillar of salt (19:26). What can we learn Lot’s wife? What can we learn about the dangers of looking back?

Looking back shows I do not take God at His word.

When God instructed Lot and his family to flee the cities of the plain, specific instructions were given that none should look back (19:17). This warning, as well as others, was attached to the punishment “lest thou be consumed.” Such should have served as a sufficient deterrent for casting a glance backwards. Perhaps Lot’s wife thought no real harm would befall her for simply looking back upon the home from which she was fleeing. However, God meant what He said! A terrible demise was the result of her failure to take God at His word. Oh, how many more face a far worse fate in the day of judgment because they refuse to believe what God has said!

Looking back shows my heart is still tied to what is behind me.

God called upon Lot and his family to flee the city of the plains so that they might not “be consumed in the iniquity of the city” (Gen.19:15). Had they been allowed to remain in that place, they likely would have been influenced for evil (note how Lot’s married children reacted). Christ taught those who would follow him to forsake all, and don’t look back: “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). We must sever all ties with that which would pull us away from God (Jas.4:4). To those who are tempted to cast a glance over your shoulder at what you have left behind for the Lord (Mt.19:27), remember the words of Paul: “... forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before...” (Phil.3:13-14).

Looking backs shows a lack of trust in God’s promises.

Often our attention is turned back to the things we left behind because we do not trust that God will care for us as He says He will do. It is always the case that God will reward those who do what is right. When we are called upon to leave behind father, or mother, or children, or houses or lands for the sake of the gospel, God will surely take care of us in every day and in every way (Matt.19:28). Those who will “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matt.6:33) have every assurance that God will take care of our needs.

Looking back forces me to take my eyes off of what lies ahead.

When we turn to view those things we have left behind, we are not able to see what lies ahead. There are temptations to resist, pitfalls to avoid, a path on which we must remain. Looking over our shoulders makes us unable to “look{ing} unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb.12:2). Can we honestly sing that we are “constantly looking to thee” when we are looking back, longing for what we have supposedly left behind? --Patrick Morrison sixthavenuechurch.org

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THE “WRITE” DIRECTION

Just getting through the day in this sinful world can sometimes be terribly difficult. As Christians, we must see the importance of encouragement, of inspiring one another to greater hope, love, and service in the Lord (1 Thess 5:11; Heb 10:24). We should try to take advantage of encouraging others through every possible medium–our words, actions, and prayers.

After preaching a sermon on the value of written encouragement I received a note from a little girl named Micah, who is only eight or nine. She had not just written me, but several others too! I got another note from her just the other day, and it included this precious line: “You are doing better now than the first time I wrote you.” I couldn’t help but laugh. But you know she’s exactly right! Written encouragement from Christians is like a spiritual blood transfusion– it lifts up and strengthens those who might be “running low” (Rom 14:19; 15:2). Surely this is one of the reasons why Paul mentioned so many people by name in his epistles. Why should we practice the art of written encouragement?

IT SHOWS PURPOSE.

Writing to someone shows the investment of time, doesn’t it? (Ephesians 5:16). Often the mere thought and the expense of effort mean more than the actual words written. God Himself showed deliberate purpose in giving us His word, the greatest word of encouragement ever written (2 Tm 3:16-17; 2 Pt 1:19-21).

IT SHOWS PRACTICE.

How often have we had good intentions about writing others, but simply never got around to it? God blesses the faith that works through love (Gal 5:6). When written encouragement is done, it’s done. There’s something concrete about it.

IT SHOWS PRECISION.

Most of us cannot say things we can write. Written encouragement allows us carefully to choose our words and to say exactly what we desire to say. Written encouragement is powerful encouragement in the right direction! A postage stamp is still the bargain of the century for the encouragement it can give.

-Mike Vestal–From The Friend of Truth, Oct 8, 2000

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MONTROSE FAMILY NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Jan 31, 2010

THOSE PRIVILEGED TO SERVE

WORSHIP----SUNDAY---9:00 AM

Co-Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Billy Halliburton

Announcements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Glen Reece

Scriptures Reading......I Cor 13:8-13.. . .

Song Leader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . Brian Harville

Opening Prayer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harold Smith

Lord’s Supper-Preside: Jacky Carver, Sr.

Serve: Jimmy Smith, Steve Anderson,

Ricky Kirby, Brian Smith

Closing Prayer.......................... Tim Hommrich

Greeter— Ricky & Janie Kirby

Greeter— Jimmy & Melanie Smith

Count Offering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jacky Carver, Sr.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kaleb Bush

AM Sermon— The Lord is my Shepherd (Psa.23:1)

PM Sermon— Young Men Conduct Services

WORSHIP---SUNDAY---6:00 PM

Announcements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TBA

Song Leader. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TBA.

Scripture Reading.. I Cor. 14:1 - 5… . TBA

Opening Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TBA

Speakers;

Lord’s Supper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .TBA.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TBA

Closing Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TBA

BIBLE STUDY WEDNESDAY---7:00 PM

Song Leader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jimmy Smith.

First Prayer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ricky Kirby

Opening Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Harold Smith

Closing Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Larry Kemp

Prepare Communion for January

Karen Halliburton

Note: If you are not able to fulfill your assignment listed above, please notify the coordinator so that he can find a replacement.

We are asking each family to bring items for the pantry to be used for needs in the community as they arise: Items for week: We cleaned out the pantry so we really need non-perishable items of your choice.

MONTROSE BULLETIN BOARD

NURSING HOME: Lucille Smith,

Those on the sick list:

Donald Chaffin (Zion) Lou Gehrig’s disease

Hoss West

Vaughn Allen

Barry Wayne Kemp

Pat Davis- step-sister of Janice Pinckley (cancer)

Ruby Sutton—NHC, Franklin TN.

Terri Loftis recovering from knee surgery.

Roger Draper—hip replacement surgery

OUR RECORD OF LOVE FOR CHRIST 01/24/10

Wednesday. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Worship Sunday AM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Bible Study Sunday AM .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Daily Bible Readers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Worship Sunday PM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Offering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1961.00

The entire contribution for the 5^th. Sunday (01/31/10) will go toward relief effort in Haiti. Please give generously. We have already sent $2,500.00 to help with the relief effort in Haiti.

Cody Anderson’s address is:

RCT Anderson, Cody Hix

3^rd BN, Lima Co, PLT 3026

P. O. Box 13005

MCRD Parris Island, SC 29905

Please send letters only.

BIBLE READING SCHEDULE FOR FEB

01 Lev. 12-14

02 Lev. 15-17

03 Lev. 18-20

04 Lev. 21-25

05 Lev. 26-27

06 Num. 1-4

07 Num. 5-7

08 Num. 8-10

09 Num. 11-13

10 Num. 14-16

11 Num. 17-21

12 Num. 22-24

13 Num. 25-27

14 Num. 28-30

15 Num. 31-33

16 Num. 34-36

17 Deut. 1-3

18 Deut. 4-8

19 Deut. 9-11

20 Deut. 12-14

21 Deut. 15-17

22 Deut. 18-20

23 Deut. 21-23

24 Deut. 24-26

25 Deut. 27-30

26 Deut. 31-34

27 Joshua 1-3

28 Joshua 4-6