EAST TAMPA CHRISTIAN CHURCH
7824 S. 24th Ave., Tampa, Fla. 33619 / (813) 626-2507
Terry Tyree, Minister
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Announcements
Prayer
Sermon
Invitation Song
Communion Song
Communion / Offering
Praise Songs
Your Love for Me
How He Loves
Great Are You, Lord
Closing Prayer
“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
ON THE CALENDAR
Sunday: Sunday School: Adults / Children, 9 a.m. Worship / Nursery, 10 a.m.
Tuesday: Hunger-Free Mission food sharing, 10 a.m.
Wednesday: Bible study and prayer meeting, 6 p.m.
October 4: Fall Festival outreach event, 1 p.m.
THIS AND THAT
Meditations next week: Terry Tyree
Nursery today: Carole Tyree
Nursery next week: Pat Swindle
FROM THE WORD
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.
Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Ephesians 4:25-3
ADDITIONAL
WHAT DOES EPHESIANS 4:29 MEAN?
Paul transitions from a contrast between stealing and hard work (Ephesians 4:28) to contrasting corrupting speech with encouraging speech. In both cases, his intent is to explain how Christians need to make a conscious effort to live differently than in our pre-salvation days. Just as stealing is associated with unbelievers, so also corrupting talk is associated with those who do not know Christ.
Interestingly, Paul specifically indicates that we do indeed have control over what we say: “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths.” This contradicts the common excuse of “I couldn't help saying it.”
According to the Bible, we are accountable for the words we use (Matthew 12:36). Only a tiny proportion of people suffer from medical conditions which interfere with control of vocabulary. And, even such people can be expected to use whatever control they have, as much as they can. Christians do have control of our words, which are a powerful influence in how the world perceives us.
Instead of using “corrupting” or negative talk, Paul provides two guidelines for how to speak. First, we are to speak in beneficial ways about meaningful things. Second, we are to speak in ways appropriate to the situation we are in.
What might be completely acceptable in one circumstance might be rude or unkind in another. The goal is to show grace to those who are listening to our words. We are not supposed to prioritize our own feelings, but make it our intent to help others through our words.
TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION
The invitation at the close of each worship service extends an opportunity for anyone outside of Christ to unite with him and become a Christian through belief (John 3:16); repentance (turning away from sin,
Acts 2:38); confession of belief in Christ (Romans 10:10); baptism into Christ for forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Romans 6:1-8) and devoting the rest of your life to
Christ (Matthew 10:22).
The Lord’s invitation also is open to anyone desiring to rededicate his or her life to Christ; to baptized
believers wanting to transfer their membership to this congregation, or to request prayer support.
ABOUT US
For more than a half-century, we have been a restoration plea fellowship in unity with other independent New Testament church bodies. Certainly, we are not the only Christians, but we are Christians only.
In that regard, we assume no denominational name. We observe the Lord’s Supper every Sunday to honor him and reflect upon his great sacrifice on our behalf (Acts 2:42, 1 Corinthians 11:23-28, Hebrews 10:25).
We teach directly from the Bible. Where it speaks clearly – such as the Gospel plan of salvation and other directions or commands – we seek unity. In matters of opinion, where the Bible does not expressly speak, we seek liberty. In all things, however, we speak love for one another, just as Jesus loved us and laid down his life for us!
If you agree with these matters, please join us to proclaim salvation and unity to those who need to hear it in the name of our blessed Lord and only Savior, Jesus Christ. We urgently invite you to do so since his glorious return is imminent.
OUR ELDERS
Jim Fairchild (813) 361-7809 jfairchild@famins.com
Dan Hefner (813) 244-9843 danshirlh@msn.com