Welcome

1. Welcome To The Services Of The Dunlap church of Christ We Are Thankful For Your Presence!

2. Welcome To The Services Of The Dunlap church of Christ Questions? Just Let Us Know!

3. Acts 10:30-35 “And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,”

4. (31) And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. (32) Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; He is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side:”

5. “Who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. (33) Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.”

6. (34) Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: (35) But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

7. The Desire Of The Disciple? “It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord.” Matthew 10:2 “The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect (thoroughly instructed, fully trained) shall be as his master.” Luke 6:40

8. The Desire Of The Disciple? How Well Are We Doing? “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” II Timothy 3:12 “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;” Titus 2:12

9. Romans 2:11 How Well In This Particular Area? “There is no respect of persons with God.” The Creator & Sustainer of the universe treats every single person as someone special, showing no favoritism or respect of persons.

10. Frail Human Beings However, on occasion partiality raises its ugly head in our lives. • Sometimes it’s difficult to avoid acting partially. • Surely we do not intend to pre-judge a person without knowing the facts of his life and character. • Neither do we desire to mistreat or slight others due to our preconceived ideas.

11. Can We Be Held Responsible? “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.” James 2:1 “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.” ESV

12. Can We Be Held Responsible? Sinful? “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.” James 2:1 “But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.” James 2:9

13. I Peter 3:8 • “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:” • That is what the Lord expects of me, regardless of the people with whom I am dealing. • If I am to love my enemies (Matt.5:44),those I barely know surely rate kindness.

14. How Do We Rate? James 2:2-4 “For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;”

15. (3) And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: (4) Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?”

16. How Do We Rate? What about a person’s family background? If neither of the sisters is responsible for her family’s past choices, whether good or evil, why the partiality in how we treat them? Ezekiel 18:10-28

17. How Do We Rate? What about a person’s educational background? Less intelligent? Better quality person? “If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.” Mark 9:35

18. How Do We Rate? What about a person’s language skills or the lack thereof? People who do not understand us or who cannot express themselves well in a particular language are not the scum of the earth! They deserve to be treated with human dignity & a kind spirit just like anyone else!

19. How Do We Rate? • One sister’s skin is very pale. • Another’s is a bit darker. • A third has skin that can only be described as “pure black.” • Is one of these three deserving of preferential treatment due to her skin color? • Should one of these 3, simply due to the genetic makeup which she inherited, receive our disdain, sneers, and prejudice?

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24. How Do We Rate? • Which of the four deserves more respect and kindness from other members of the Lord’s church? • Basing our treatment of others on something as trivial as one’s mode of transportation does not demonstrate the spirit of the Christ, Who treated all humans with dignity, kindness, & respect.

25. Romans 1:14-17 “I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. (15) So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.”

26. (16) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (17) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”

27. God’s Simple Plan HEAR (Romans 10:17) BELIEVE (John 8:24) REPENT (Luke 13:3) CONFESS (Rom.10:9-10) BAPTIZED (Gal. 3:27) ADDED TO THE CHURCH (Acts 2:41,47)

28. Are You Wayward? “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.” (Acts 8:22) “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16)