ONLINE CHURCH BULLETIN

DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU

Jesus taught: many great spiritual truths in parables. A parable is simply an earthly story or illustration with a heavenly meaning. We can teach and learn much from modern day parables. The following parable, penned by someone unknown to me (we'll call him Mr. Selected), is so very simple — but teaches such a profound truth.

IT IS A FACT:

Take a leafy branch of a tree. Lay it carefully aside and watch. Slowly the color fades — the leaves go limp, curl up, and it is...DEAD!

Take a fish out of the lake. Lay it carefully on the shore and watch. Frantically it twists, struggles, gradually weakens, moving its gills slower and slower, then quivers and it is...DEAD!

Take a church member. Carefully let him or her be separated from God in worship. . . fellowship... prayer.., and active service. Gradually his conscience quivers as it misses the Lord's Supper. He frets at himself for missing as questionable activities began to occupy his time. Soon, there are many hypocrites in the church — the church is always asking for money — generally he takes a stand against Christian living — and he is... DEAD!

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU! There are many who were active members of our Lord's church — who have isolated themselves — and DIED SPIRITUALLY. Brethren, DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU!

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord " (I Cor. 15:58).

For His Cause,
Tim Woodward