The greatest opportunities afforded man are those arising from his problems.  President John F. Kennedy was once asked how he became a war hero.  His response was:  “It was quite easy.  Somebody sank my boat!”  Of course, he couldn’t allow himself to sink along with the boat.  In order to take advantage of the opportunity, he had to act upon the problem.  A great obstacle the church faces is the carelessness of false teaching.  Below are some opportunities that can arise from this problem.

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Robert Louis Stephenson once wrote, “So long as we are loved by others, I would almost say that we are indispensable; and no man is useless while he has a friend.”  Friendship is invaluable.  Just look at all the people who became great because of their friends.  Where would Ruth be without her mother-in-law, Naomi?  Where would David be without his best friend, Jonathan?  What would Paul have done without Barnabas, Silas, and Timothy?

For some, friendship comes easily.  Unfortunately, this is not the case with everyone.  But there is good news.  Friendship is at least possible for everyone.  Not only that, but there is no reason why every person cannot have the greatest man who ever lived for their friend.

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God’s men had a desire to serve His purposes before they became “God’s men.”  Notice two examples.  Moses grew up in comfort and luxury, but it was his heart that often moved him to his Hebrew brothers and sisters.  Prior to meeting God and becoming Israel’s deliverer we read that he “went out to his brethren and looked on their hard labors” (Ex. 2:11).  We’re not sure how many trips he made there, but we already see in him a passion for deliverance.  Paul stood trial before the Council in Acts 23 and reflecting upon his life he stated, “Brethren, I have lived my life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day” (v. 1).  Of course, steeped in Judaism, Paul had far removed himself from God’s will, but he was also passionate about doing what was right (cf., Acts 26:9).  Fortunately, he listened to the ones God put in his path.  Because of passion, Paul became a “chosen instrument” to teach among the Gentiles (Acts 9:15).

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Three presidential debates and one vice-presidential debate have concluded, and the pundits are in unanimous agreement over the results. For the most part, if you were in support of Obama before the debates, you are supporting Obama now.  And if you were a McCain supporter prior to the debates, you are probably still supporting McCain.

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The Lord’s church is doing good works, and, hopefully, we’re working as hard as we always have.  A single, average congregation of the Lord’s church participates in evangelistic campaigns, church retreats, foreign missions, friendship evangelism, and fellowship opportunities.  But with the mindset to work and the single greatest news known to man as our message, why isn’t Christianity flourishing throughout the world?  It might be because we wrestle with the task of prayer.

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It’s finally upon us!  The 2008 Fall Festival is scheduled for November 1st from 3 pm to 6 pm.  Plans are already underway, and sign-up sheets are posted in the foyer.  The event is for the entire congregation, plus friends and family.  In addition, because this is the same weekend as our Friends and Family Day (Nov. 2nd), we hope you can bring your visitors to also enjoy Ashville Road’s Fall Festival.  We always have a big crowd, and many volunteers are needed to help make this happen.  Here are five ways everyone can help prepare:

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Another week of bad news has gone by, leaving Americans uneasy and uncertain about the future.  Despite the $700 billion bailout bill that was passed through Congress, the economy is not picking up much steam.  The Presidential debates force us out of the contented states of our daily lives into national issues, and as we focus on these concerns, we are reminded that there are gloomy prospects on the horizon in addition to our financial woes: great social divides, the heartless slaughter of the unborn, homosexuality’s threat to the traditional family, terrorists who want to kill us, the possibility of more wars and attacks on American soil.

In times like these, America needs citizens who are brave.  William Barclay writes about an old family from central Scotland, the Buchanans, who had the motto Audaces iuvo, “I help the brave.”  This could be reworded in the popular proverb, “Fortune favors the brave.”  There is no doubt that the brave are rare, but good things abound wherever they can be found.

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A worry that has consumed man’s thoughts for years has been money, and now it seems possible to become even more concerned.  The recent signs of instability in the market have brought much anxiety in the hearts of Americans.  We’re worried about the future quality of our lives and the lives of generations to come.  Furthermore, it is disheartening to watch our leaders and experts struggle with these problems.  There are currently steps being taken, and we know that our nation has bounced back from obstacles of this measure in the past.  So, as we see the country attempt to collectively work together, what can the individual do?

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This being a political season, the airwaves are congested with frenzied rhetoric declaring that the end has come.  Both presidential candidates argue that America is headed for certain doom.  Each says that the only thing that will save us is his election.

Our current economic situation is a perfect example.  Politicians favoring the “bail-out bill,” as it is called, predict a dire future if it is not passed, invoking scenes from the thirties of bread lines and soup kitchens.  This is not to say that the situation is not serious—it is—but you can’t blame me for being a little skeptical about the sincerity of these speeches.  We’ve heard all this before, and yet the hype never seems to move us forward, no matter what the current crisis may be.

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It is little use to talk about church growth without emphasizing Bible study.  The apostle Peter writes, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Pet. 2:2, KJV).  The word of God is a Christian’s nourishment (Mt. 4:4).  Without it, his soul becomes weak and emaciated, and if the spiritual fast is not eventually broken, he will die.

This is why it is important for churches to have a sound Bible school program.  Bible class is the best place for Christians of all ages to receive the nourishment they desperately need.  This is where they put down roots, where they develop deep convictions that will keep them from falling away in tough times.  Elders who invest in a vigorous Bible school program are wise.  They know it is vital to the strength and stability of their congregations.  Ira North was fond of repeating the saying, “As goes the Sunday school, so goes the congregation.”

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