We have plenty of slots open to give blood tomorrow at the church building from 12-4pm. Supplies are very low right this moment, and Covid-19 patients especially are benefiting from blood transfusions right now. Your gift of blood could literally be used to help save your neighbors’ life. What a great gift to give for Valentine’s Day! Just click here to sign up between 12pm-4pm.

• • • Jim Nantz – In high school he was co-captain of the basketball team and golf team, going on to play golf for the University of Houston!  One of his famous commentator quotes is “Sometimes when you think you can’t, you can!” in the 1999 basketball championship game.  What’s better is his last name rhymes with pants!
    • Tracy Wolfson – Close to the action, she’ll be a sideline reporter. Her accolades include the extreme accomplishments of being selected to do sideline reports in the NCAA College hoops 2008 edition on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 game consoles!
    • Evan Washburn – His noteworthy accomplishments are, he got married in 2014, and he played college Lacrosse!  At least there’s a goal in that game right?  It’s kindof like football!
    • Tony Romo – 14 seasons with the Dallas cowboys as quarterback where he played six post season games and won two of them! Needless to say, he’s never been in a SuperBowl position, but he sure would have liked to! 
    • Jay Feely – He played the game, was a least a PlaceKicker!  He sets the ball on a tee and gives it the boot!  He’s been traded to the Tampa Bay Storm, Falcons, Giants, Dolphins, Chiefs, Jets, Cardinals, and Da’ Bears.  Did you know he even did so well as to become a Pro Bowl alternate with the Giants in 2005! 
    • Gene Steratore – His occupation is as a rules analyst!  He came on the field as a referee in 2006, and 12 years later entered into retirement.  Now he’s come out of that retirement as a commentator just for you!
    • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl_LV

WELCOME: To Central Church of Christ, not a place or a building, but a people called out for God’s purposes of Show His Love, Telling His Story, and Being His Family.  Today, we are in our fourth message about Meat & Tators. It all began when my son Ethan, decided not to his his french fries one day, but asked for a second hamburger instead.  Which got me to thinking, some of us lead a Christian life like the tators on the side, a life of fluffy filler, but no real substance. Too much of the fluffy stuff on the side makes the Christian life and the church bloated, gaining a lot of size, but no strength or health.  Don’t be like the tators on the side.

Love God and love your neighbor! (Matthew 22:37-38)

BACKGROUND on PHARISEES: After giving the greatest commands, Jesus talks to the Scribes and Pharisees, people who were more Commentators on the life of religion rather than participators in a life of faith!

“The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, 3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. – Matthew 23:2-3

There were about 6,000 Pharisees in that day, with many more who were followers but not full members of the group.  (Josephus – Antiquities of the Jews 17:42)

• • • THE FIRST WOE

‘Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.’ Matthew 23:13

• • • THE SECOND WOE

‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You devour widows’ houses and make long prayers just for show. This is why you will receive a harsher punishment.’ Matthew 23:14

• • • THE THIRD WOE

‘Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are. ‘Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.’ You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gift on the altar is bound by that oath.’ You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? Therefore, anyone who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. And anyone who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it. And anyone who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who sits on it.’ Matthew 23:15-22

5 When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” 7 And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. – Romans 8:5-8

Mark 7:8-9

8 You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.”

9 And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!

• • • THE FOURTH WOE

‘Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.’ Mathew 23:23-24

Micah 6:6-8

6 “With what shall I come before the Lord,

    and bow myself before God on high?

Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,

    with calves a year old?

7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,

    with ten thousands of rivers of oil?

Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,

    the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”

8 He has told you, O man, what is good;

    and what does the Lord require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

    and to walk humbly with your God?

• • • THE FIFTH WOE

‘Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.’ Matthew 23:25-26

 

Clarksville TN – A one-of-a-kind sermon – Cleanliness Layer of Comfort

Throughout the week, Willie Lyle kept a small journal of what he was experiencing. These notes become the foundation for the sermon he delivered June 23 at Sango United Methodist Church, a sermon that caught the congregation off guard.

Only four people at the church knew what their new pastor was doing.

Early in the morning June 23, Willie Lyle lay under a tree on the church lawn covered in a big overcoat. He still had not shaved or combed his hair.

He wondered how many people would approach him and offer him food, invite him to sit inside an air-conditioned room, or just see how they could help. Twenty people spoke to him and offered some type of assistance.

The title of his sermon was The Least Used Parts of the Body, based on I Corinthians 12:12-15.

“Often the least used parts of the body are the ones that mean the most, like our heart and mind. We need to understand that there are no small or least used parts in the body of Christ,” Willie Lyle told the congregation that was started about 10 miles outside of downtown more than a century ago. “Too many of us only want to serve God one hour each week. That doesn’t cut it. That is not God’s plan.”

While he preached, his daughter-in-law cut his hair and his daughter helped shave off his scruffy beard. He changed shoes, and beneath the overcoat, he was wearing his Sunday clothes. He put on a tie and his suit coat, all the while continuing to preach his message.

Before the 200 people gathered that morning, he went from looking like a homeless person to the new pastor of the congregation.

“I wanted everybody to know what I had been through, what I had learned and the physical and emotional discomfort I experienced and that I am still dealing with. And I made sure to mention more than once that Christ was not comfortable on the cross.”

From <https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/07/24/pastor-homeless-experience/2583241/>

• • • THE SIXTH WOE

‘Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but, on the inside, you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.’ Matthew 23:27-28

DAVID’s HEART

1 Samuel 16:5-7 – 5 And he said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

6 When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him.” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 

• • • THE SEVENTH WOE

‘Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous.’ And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ So, you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. Go ahead, then, and complete what your ancestors started!’ Matthew 23:29-32

These guys had been living life as a Tator, a Commentator for so long, they had no hope of ever getting in the game!

‘You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? Therefore, I am sending you prophets and sages and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town.’ Matthew 23:33-34

‘Truly I tell you, all this will come on this generation.’ Matthew 23:36

Sign up at http://www.bloodassurance.org/CCOC

Jesus lovingly gave His blood from his Heart to save our eternal lives.  We have an opportunity to give blood from our heart to save lives as well.  Many around Valentine’s Day will give gifts of love to others.  What will our gifts of love be?

1. One hundred ten pounds (110 lbs) and at least 16 years old makes you eligible to give blood.

2. Tell at least two friends who may be eligible to give blood about our blood drive.  

3. Three is the number of Upper Cumberland neighbors potentially saved by a volunteer donor’s unit of blood.  With at least 26 donor openings, our drive could potentially save 78 lives!

by: Topher Wiles

• Teach the idea of “Honor all people.” This mantra is more than a trite saying, it’s a way of life that needs to be repeated often, shouted from the rooftops, and shared with your children.  Most people don’t realize that this is a command handed down through the last 2000 years by one of the most prideful and impetuous disciples of Jesus. In the middle of a discussion about relationships between wives and husbands, slaves and masters, government and citizens, Peter says these direct words, “Honor everyone.” 1 Peter 2:17a. Jesus sets that exact precedent when he chides the religious elite for hypocrisy saying, “As you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.” Luke 6:31-33.  Purposely set this command as one of your primary family rules and remind your children of it often.
• Display the positives and negatives of unity. Years ago my beautiful bride made a poster from a photograph of young Gabriel and Ethan walking down the road together holding hands. She captioned the bottom with “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brother’s dwell together in unity.” Psalm 133:1. Her goal was to remind our growing boys that the best moments of life come from their common bonds rather than their divisions. In contrast, whenever she questions the kids after a squabble, she has this perfect method for displaying the negatives of division. She asks, “Ethan, how does Clara feel right now? What emotion is on her face? What thoughts are running through her head?”  Invest time with your children in the midst of triumph and trial to reflect on the positive and negative displays that come from unity and division.  
• Train Complementors, Not Competitors. Boys have this ingrained sense of aggression, competition, and war that starts ooze out of their pores at an early age fueling many fights in families.  When left unchecked it can build into unbridled resentment causing fissures in families many decades later. That innate childhood aggression can be good when turned the right direction, so Ashley and I redirected it. When they were young our boys were not allowed to wrestle, spar, or box with each other, but only with me.  The result was that Gabriel often used his height to attack my upper body while Ethan’s complementary shorter, stockier build to take out my legs! The boys learned the deep abiding truth that they are stronger together than apart. Today, in sporting events such as ping-pong, basketball, and tennis, we still teach them that their job in head-to-head play is to train each other for success against other opponents. Over time their play takes on a new complementary height when they realize they are complementary and not competitors.
• Model unity at home. Parents, children will do what you do before they do what you say. Do your absolute best to be kind to your wife, in-laws, boss, and community leaders in all moments, especially inside the four walls of your home.  You can voice differing opinions and be strongly opposed to a platform without using inflammatory words or unkind actions.  Your children will see the union you have with others despite your differences and they will follow your example. When they see and seek unity, your family will be blessed for generations to come.  

It was Jesus who taught us a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. Mark 3:24. Our Lord didn’t direct us to lose our identity, forget our opinions, or quietly submit to every whim of society. Instead, Jesus modelled for us how to honor everyone and live together in unity despite the differences. Friends, the cure for our divisive illness was shared long ago and it is best administered through the family. May you be blessed with unity, peace, and family forte.

 

We want to give a big shout out to our tech guys! These men volunteer to make sure that worship services are accessible to everyone in the parking lot and on the live stream…every…single…Sunday! Special thanks to John Smith, Doug Hensley, JD Prater, David Smith, Gabriel Wiles, and Drew Young for regularly making this happen. Church family, show them some love and say a prayer of thanks to God for our tech guys!
In the photo, Doug & JD are working the livestream graphic overlays; David Smith is on the worship slideshow display for the parking lot, and Gabriel is monitoring the sound mixer board.  We love these guys!

• Scripture Reading: Luke 9:23-27

• PROCRASTINATOR – Quotes

https://www.elephantontheroad.com/15-funny-and-relatable-quotes-about-procrastination/

Hey There Delilah:  – By Tim Hawkins

Hey there Delilah

This is your ex boyfriend Samson

And I know you thought that lifting weights

Made me so buff and handsome

You were wrong

It’s cause I let my hair grow long

That makes me strong

Hey there Delilah

You came in while I was sleeping

And I couldn’t feel you cutting

And I didn’t hear you creeping

Out the door

You left my hair piled on the floor

While I just snored

Oh, what you did to me

Oh, while I was asleep

Oh, I’m a Nazarene

Oh, but you shave me clean

Delilah you’re so mean

I killed a lion big and mean

And slaughtered many Philistines

All with a donkey’s jawbone that’s no lie

But now I’m chained up to the wall

And I can’t cry no tears at all

Because they came and gouged out both my eyes

Why’d you grab your clipping shears

And shave my head like Britney Spears

And now I’m standing here in total shame

And you’re to blame

Hey there Delilah

Why did you have to deceive me

And it’s hard for me to think

Not long ago I wanted you to be my bride

But you took too much off the sides

Hey there Delilah

When you die,

Just tell the Devil I said hi

And he’ll know why

Oh, it’s what you did to me

Oh, now I feel so weak

Oh, I look like a freak

Oh, Delilah you’re a geek

Oh, God, one more time give me my strength.

From <https://www.newreleasetoday.com/lyricsdetail.php?lyrics_id=74260>

 

Judges 16:28-31

28 Then Samson called to the Lord and said, “O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes.” 29 And Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and he leaned his weight against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other. 30 And Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” Then he bowed with all his strength, and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people who were in it. So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he had killed during his life. 31 Then his brothers and all his family came down and took him and brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. He had judged Israel twenty years.

From <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%2016&version=ESV>

 

Samson gives new meaning to the phrase, “It’s all fun and games till someone gets their eye poked out.”

2 Corinthians 6:14 – Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

Ephesians 5:15-17 – Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

 

• HEROD AGRIPPA (Hesitator): Acts 26 –  Religious his whole life.
  • Herod Agrippa, also known as Herod or Agrippa I (Hebrew: אגריפס‎; 11 BC – AD 44), was a King of Judea from AD 41 to 44. He was the last ruler with the royal title reigning over Judea and the father of Herod Agrippa II, the last king from the Herodian dynasty. The grandson of Herod the Great and son of Aristobulus IV and Berenice,[1] he is the king named Herod in the Acts of the Apostles 12:1: “Herod (Agrippa)” (Ἡρῴδης Ἀγρίππας).

Agrippa’s territory comprised most of Palestine, including Judea, Galilee, Batanaea and Perea[citation needed]. From Galilee his territory extended east to Trachonitis.

He was born Marcus Julius Agrippa, so named in honour of Roman statesman Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa. Josephus informs us that, after the execution of his father, young Agrippa was sent by his grandfather, Herod the Great, to the imperial court in Rome. There, Tiberius conceived a great affection for him, and had him educated alongside his son Drusus, who also befriended him, and future emperor Claudius.[1] On the death of Drusus, Agrippa, who had been recklessly extravagant and was deeply in debt, was obliged to leave Rome, fleeing to the fortress of Malatha in Idumaea. There, it was said, he contemplated suicide.[2]

LIFE: Known as being very very religious, going to bat for the Jews when dealing with the emperor. Known by Josephus for being extremely benevolent.

 

2 “I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 especially because you are familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.

4 “My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews. 5 They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, 7 to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king! 8 Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?

Acts 26

22 To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23 that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”

24 And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” 25 But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. 26 For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” 28 And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?”  29 And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”

 

“Almost persuaded” now to believe;

“Almost persuaded” Christ to receive;

  Seems now some soul to say,

  “Go, Spirit, go Thy way,

  Some more convenient day

    on Thee I’ll call.”

• DEATH: From Josephus, Antiquities 19.8.2 343-361: “Now when Agrippa had reigned three years over all Judea he came to the city Caesarea, which was formerly called Strato’s Tower; and there he exhibited spectacles in honor of Caesar, for whose well-being he’d been informed that a certain festival was being celebrated. At this festival a great number were gathered together of the principal persons of dignity of his province. On the second day of the spectacles he put on a garment made wholly of silver, of a truly wonderful texture, and came into the theater early in the morning. There the silver of his garment, being illuminated by the fresh reflection of the sun’s rays, shone out in a wonderful manner, and was so resplendent as to spread awe over those that looked intently upon him.

Presently his flatterers cried out, one from one place, and another from another, (though not for his good) that he was a god; and they added, “Be thou merciful to us; for although we have hitherto reverenced thee only as a man, yet shall we henceforth own thee as superior to mortal nature.” Upon this the king neither rebuked them nor rejected their impious flattery. But he shortly afterward looked up and saw an owl sitting on a certain rope over his head, and immediately understood that this bird was the messenger of ill tidings, just as it had once been the messenger of good tidings to him; and fell into the deepest sorrow. A severe pain arose in his belly, striking with a most violent intensity. He therefore looked upon his friends, and said, “I, whom you call a god, am commanded presently to depart this life; while Providence thus reproves the lying words you just now said to me; and I, who was by you called immortal, am immediately to be hurried away by death. But I am bound to accept what Providence allots, as it pleases God; for we have by no means lived ill, but in a splendid and happy manner.” When he had said this, his pain became violent. Accordingly he was carried into the palace, and the rumor went abroad everywhere that he would certainly die soon. The multitude sat in sackcloth, men, women and children, after the law of their country, and besought God for the king’s recovery. All places were also full of mourning and lamentation. Now the king rested in a high chamber, and as he saw them below lying prostrate on the ground he could not keep himself from weeping. And when he had been quite worn out by the pain in his belly for five days, he departed this life

• Ethiopian Eunuch – (Participator)

Acts 8:26-39

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the southto the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:

“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter

    and like a lamb before its shearer is silent,

    so he opens not his mouth.

33 In his humiliation justice was denied him.

    Who can describe his generation?

For his life is taken away from the earth.”

34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.

• • Finish – James 4:17 – So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

Luke 9:23-25 23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?

• •  

Your personal worship time is important to us with Central Church of Christ.  Our desire is for your praise and adoration of God to be rich all the days of the week, not just one.  

The following video by YouTuber David Wesley is sure to give you an appreciation for worship of God’s saints throughout the centuries.  We hope you enjoy and are inspired by his acapella compilation called, “Evolution of Worship.”  David has given me express permission to share his acapella efforts with you.  https://youtu.be/2SaBhN2idbM