The Art of Marriage

Good morning FBC Family,

As many of you have undoubtedly heard, FamilyLife's "Art of Marriage" is coming to Friendship Bible Church in just over two weeks. Marjie and I are hosting the event but truly, it's a video-driven event that even we will be a part of and anxious to see what we can learn to better strengthen our marriage and move towards "oneness."

Regardless of where you are this very moment in your life, marriage, or engagement, let me encourage you to pray about attending this event. In America especially, the Biblical definition of marriage is under attack and what we are called to do and be as husbands, wives, and parents. This much is for sure: Christ created the very institute of marriage, our physical bodies, our emotions, and He died on the cross because of how the original "perfect" marriage was destroyed by sin. That sacrifice represents so much and is the perfect model of how we are to love each other in marriage...sacrificially. Can you say that if Christ in Heaven above were to look at His nail-scarred hands then look down at you and yours, that He would point and say: "That's why I died." It's true. True forgiveness 2000 years ago and the model example of sacrificial love for our marriages.

Please consider joining us and other couples at The Art of Marriage. If cost is any issue, please just say so as scholarships are available. Don't hesitate another moment!

Nick Billock

nickruns26.2@gmail.com

330-281-1758

The Art of Marriage Resources

Website: http://www.artofmarriage.com

Topics Covered: http://www.familylife.com/events/featured-events/the-art-of-marriage/tell-me-more/topics-covered

Video Clips: http://www.familylife.com/events/featured-events/the-art-of-marriage/spread-the-word/video-clips

Schedule:

Friday, October 19th: start at 7pm at FBC

Saturday, October 20th: 8am - 4pm at FBC

Cost: $40 per couple, due by Sunday, October 7th (payable via check or PayPal bank transfer to nickruns26.2@gmail.com)

Event Site on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/391474497580530/?fref=ts

Wonderful Wednesdays!

Two great opportunities tonight:

1) Prayer Meeting at 6:30

2) Leadership Training Institute at 7:30

Join us! Pray with us! Learn with us!

You have Friends at Friendship Bible Church!

Calling all couples!

Don't forget that if you want to participate in the Art of Marriage event October 19-20, you need to get your reservation into Nick and Marjie by this weekend. And remember also, if cost is a problem, contact the church! Scholarships are available! We would love to see all couples benefit from this good opportunity.

Was Jesus Married?

The Bible contains no direct statement saying Jesus was either married or single. And yet, claims of a new historical finding have raised the question again, and they are the same claims that were presented some years back in the completely discredited and nonsensical book, "The DaVinci Code." I was reviewing a series of lessons I taught refuting that book, and came across this section, so relevant to the news story of the day:


Biblical reasons why I believe Jesus was not married:

First, consider the evidence of Jesus’ stated purpose and mission.

Jesus came to earth with a purpose, and everything about His life revolved around that purpose. Taking a wife would be inconsistent with that purpose.
Bible study - Matthew 20:28; Luke 4:43; 19:10; John 3:17; 10:10; 18:37

Even as a child, Jesus was single-mindedly fixed on His purpose, to the exclusion of all else, "And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?" (Luke 2:49)

Second, consider the evidence of Jesus’ abject poverty.

And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. (Luke 9:58)

This is not the description of a married man. Certainly it is not the description of a responsible married man. If Jesus treated His wife this way, He was a poor husband, and it is not possible for me to accept Jesus as being anything but perfect at anything He undertook to do.

Third, consider Paul’s argument about married leadership in the church.

Paul was unmarried: I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. (1 Corinthians 7:8)

And yet he argued that it was perfectly right and proper for church leadership to be married: Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? (1 Corinthians 9:5)

Wouldn’t Paul have used his best examples to prove this point? If Jesus, the founder and leader of the church had a wife, wouldn’t Paul have mentioned it here?

Fourth, consider Jesus’ words from the cross to John.

BIBLE STUDY - John 19:25-27

Jesus, in His dying moments, in the manner of the first-born son, remembered to provide for the care of His mother. Mary Magdalene was standing beside her at the time, but Jesus provided nothing for her.Wouldn’t He have provided for His wife, if He had one?

Finally, consider that the Bible DOES talk about Christ’s bride!

Jesus’ bride is not a person, but rather the Church.

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready (Revelation 19:7) (See also Revelation 21:2; 22:17

Summary
The recent claim that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married is fascinating fiction, but false history. Nothing about the claim is true.

The Bible teaches that Jesus, both during His earthly ministry, and even now, loves only one bride - His church.

Memories of Old Fashioned Sunday

Check it out - http://recordpub.com/news/article/5217040

Fantastic Fridays!!

Don't you love them? Fridays, that is. One of the best days of the week.

Of course some see Fridays only as the beginning of a weekend of play. But to us who are saved, it is so much more, for it means we are that much closer to the Lord's Day. His day. Our day of rest and worship and gathering. I always feel sorry for those who miss out on it, and throw away their weekends.

And for those at FBC, this weekend has even more to look forward to. Consider a few of the opportunities:

Saturday, 8:00 am - Men's Prayer Breakfast in Fellowship Hall

Saturday, 6:00 pm - Campfire Fellowship at the Home of the Turner family. Bring a dish to pass and a lawn chair to sit on, and enjoy a great evening of food, fun, and fellowship. This is the penultimate campfire fellowship of the year. Don't miss out!

Sunday, 9:30 am - Sunday School for all ages. Parents - don't rob your kids! And don't rob yourselves, either, of the opportunity to learn the Word of God.

Sunday, 10:30 am - Worship Service

Sunday, 6:30 pm - Israel recap and Q and A session.

OK... so maybe Friday ISN'T the best time of the week. But it leads right into it! Join your friends this weekend at Friendship Bible Church. You DO have friends here!

P and P

Every Wednesday evening some of us gather at FBC to pray.  And there is always plenty to pray about, isn't there?  If you're paying any attention to the news today, then you know that this week is no different. We have much to talk to the Lord about, personally, as a church, and as a nation.

But we also have so much to praise Him for, don't we?  

Tonight we'll be reminding ourselves of the wonderful story of the Passover, in Exodus 12.  And that wonderful phrase, "When I see the blood, I will pass over you" will be front and center.  Is there not much in that phrase for which to give thanks?

Join us this evening.  Come prepared for both P and P - Prayer and Praise.  

See you at 6:30!