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
God of All My Days
You Say
Show You the Cross
Closing Prayer
“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
ON THE CALENDAR
Sunday: Sunday School: Adults 9 a.m., Children 9 and 10 a.m. Worship, 10 a.m.
Tuesday: Hunger-Free Mission food and clothes sharing, 10 a.m.
Wednesday: Bible study and prayer meeting, 6 p.m.
Thursday: Bible study, 10 a.m.
REVIVAL! FEBRUARY 25-28, 6 P.M.
March 1-2: Men’s retreat, Lake Aurora Christian Camp
March 7: Young at Heart Day, Lake Aurora Christian Camp
April 12-13: Women’s retreat 1, Lake Aurora Christian Camp
April 13-14: Women’s retreat 2, Lake Aurora Christian Camp
THIS AND THAT
General fund offerings: $2,196 (Jan. 14), $1,665 (Jan. 21)
Meditations next week: Bob Bellone
FROM THE WORD
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 4:29-30
ADDITIONAL
TALK THAT BUILDS UP
Foul words must never come out of our mouths. Such language is the language of the world. Our words must not sound like them. We use different words. We will not use curse words. We will not use filthy words. We will not misuse the Lord’s name. We will not use words that cause rottenness in the souls of others. This also requires the renewing of our minds.
We say the words we hear from others. This is a big reason why we need to stop exposing our minds and hearts to filthy television, music, and movies. These things change our hearts to want to say what they say. Words reflect our heart. We need a renewing of the heart and mind to be able to clean up our conversations. Being Christian is not just avoiding bad language. Being a Christian means saying words that build faith in others.
The Apostle Paul describes what our conversations should be. What must come out of our mouths must be “good for building up.” This is the first test of our mouth. The words must be good for other people. Will this statement build the person up or am I tearing a person down? Am I saying destructive words or helpful words? Are my conversations the words of healing or the words of harm? Our words to be encouraging to each other. Friends, our words must be this to each other and in our marriages. No harmful words can come out of our mouths.
Further, our words must “fit the occasion.” Not only must words be helpful, but our words must be timely. They are the words that are needed at the moment and words that are needed for the person.
Even more, our words are to give grace to those who hear us. Our words are to be a benefit to others. We are going to do good for the person. This is the purpose of our words. You have been given grace by God. Now you are to give grace to those who hear your words.
Ephesians 4:30 may be understood as the motivation for good words or may be a stand alone statement that covers all of these instructions in Ephesians 4 and 5. I believe this command is tied to the corrupted, unwholesome talk that is being condemned in this section. Paul says, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
West Palm Beach Church of Christ (edited for length)
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