1/17/2021 Sunday’s Sermon by Nick Perez
The Sinfulness of Sin
Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. Romans 7:13, ESV
***Join us at the church for a Drive-In Service 10:45, OR streaming on YouTube.
Taking Thoughts Captive
Several passages in Scripture speak about the importance of holiness in our thought life. One passage, in particular, offers a clear battle plan to accomplish the mission of maintaining purity of mind. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians, “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ” (10:4–5, ESV). Three steps arise from this text to aid us in our
struggle for a clear conscience before God.
The first thing we must do is diagnose the problem. The weapons of this war are “not of flesh” because this war is for our minds and is spiritual. The fight takes place with arguments, opinions, and thoughts. We must identify whether our thoughts are holy or unholy, right or wrong, good or bad. Once we accurately diagnose the problem…
The next step is to disclose those unholy and evil thoughts to God in prayer. In other words, confess those sins to God. Agree with God that these are “strongholds” built up in your mind which you have constructed in order to keep Him out. But in truth, nothing is hidden from His sight and He knows every careless thought which we have entertained. So come clean about these sins so that God might clean you of them.
The third and final step is to dispose of those strongholds in our minds. “Destroy” them so that disobedience might be eliminated from the mind. Christ takes control of our minds so that our thoughts no longer control us. “Take every thought captive” denotes that this is ongoing, continuous action. Holiness and sanctification are lifelong processes that began when we obeyed the gospel and end when we either die or Jesus comes back, whichever comes first.
~Nick Perez
Online Resources
Fairmont Park Church of Christ (Midland, TX)
Live Streaming & Recorded Sermons & Bible Classes
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FPCOFC/
Website: https://www.fmpchurch.com/
App: (Apple & Android) Fairmont Park Church of Christ
*Children’s resources now available
The Christian Chronicle
The Christian Chronicle has compiled a list of Churches of
Christ nationwide offer live streaming services.
https://christianchronicle.org/churches-of-christ-offeringlivestream-worship/
“Let the Bible Speak” – YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/LetTheBibleSpeak
Coronavirus Response
- We are complying with state and county guidelines
- Sunday morning worship is now open, and still online
- Sunday Bible classes canceled until further notice
- Junior Worship canceled until further notice
- Wednesday Bible classes canceled until further notice
- Potlucks canceled until further notice
- Food Pantry by appointment only
- Travelers Motel – food service only
- Shower Shuttle canceled until further notice
- Recommendations – Those who are over 60 or have underlying health conditions are encouraged to stay home.
- Guidelines – If you are sick, stay home. Wash your hands. Cough and sneeze into a tissue or your elbow.
Contact Info for our Shut-Ins
- Jewel Cherry, 2117 Bridgewood Way, Modesto, CA 95355
- Nadine Greff, Vintage Faire, 3620 Dale Rd, Rm. 25, Modesto, CA 95356
- Betty McGoldrick, 13754 Jasper St., Lathrop, CA 95330
- Russ Ortloff, 511 East D Street, Oakdale, CA 95361
- Evelyn Wood, Bethel Assisted Living, 2345 Scenic Ave., Apt. 323, Modesto 95355
***Please submit additions, corrections & updates to the office.
NOTE: Our Shut-ins are not allowed visitors at this time. Please take the time to send them a card or note of encouragement if you can.
Mourning the loss of loved ones
Gertrue Smith – sister Louise
Paula Meler – friend Marla’s nephew
Jim & Brenda Smith – friend Don
Traci McEnery – cousin Randy
The Williams/Corley Family – Neil Williams
The Cowan Family – Laura’s parents
The Patton Family – Herman Patton Sr
Recovering from Surgery
Pam Vanderford – daughter Tammy
Eddie Vargas – cousin Vance
COVID-19
John Ford – 30+ employees at City of Modesto Transportation bus company, including one fatality
Jim & Cathy Dixon
Mike Ruskamp – Graham & Brianna Clifford and Alec Hobbs
Matthew Gray – the Dellamaggiore family
Linda Teixeira – relatives Val, Bill, Betty & John
Battling Cancer
Brenda Smith – friend Judy has stage 4 cancer
Monte & Sharon Corley – daughter-in-law Mandy starting chemo, upcoming surgery
Cathy Dixon – sister-in-law Nancy
Lyn Brocco – lung cancer
Jacqui Coulter – father, Gene Fisher diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer
Patton Family – assistant high school basketball coach Leo Griggs
Mason – a teenager in Ripon
Sheila Walls
Grace Whited – 6-year-old at Murphys Church of Christ
Dee Rambo
Other Requests
Julie Vergara – grandson Bryce having another bone scan earlier than planned, swollen lymph nodes
Bob Hinton – awaiting biopsy results
Leslie Wilde – having biopsy & tests
Julie Payne – mom Sharon possibly in her last days
Paula Meler – diabetes out of control
Melissa Shook – depression
Eddie Vargas – nephew Noah deployed for 3 yrs to Japan; Dora under Hospice care; Vicki’s sister-in-law is a front line worker & pregnant
Nick Perez – grandmother Ruth Lehnick has congestive heart failure
Helen Potterf – Hospice care
Tonya Barnard – waiting for surgery to be scheduled
Kari Laguna – leg not healing correctly
Leadership / Essential Workers / Unemployed
