Our Stand-In

Bryson Smith recalls reading an article about movie stand-ins. They’re the people who replace movie stars in scenes that are dangerous or just uncomfortable. An example is Glenn Duhigg, an ex-lawyer who worked as the stand-in for Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible 2. Glenn reckoned, “It sounds very glamorous saying you’re the stand-in for Tom Cruise, but I don’t think many people realize the long hours and constant demands that deflate your ego very quickly. The days are long. Whatever scene Tom was in, I would be the one standing there, being him sometimes for ages as the crew set up the shot – getting the lighting just right and the props just so. I’d be standing there for hours out in the weather, getting drenched in the rain or sun stroke out in the heat. And then Tom would just walk on the set from his air-conditioned caravan or out of his beautiful sports car once the scene was ready.” As one of the other stand-ins said, “I realized very quickly the difference between being a star and being a stand-in.” *

We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Because of our sins, we deserve sin’s punishment: “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Imagine being convicted of a capital crime in the 1st Century in the Roman Empire and being sentenced to death by crucifixion. The criminal would be nailed to a wooden cross through his wrists and his feet. The cross would be dropped into a hole so that the victim would literally hang on that cross in utter agony until death, usually by asphyxiation because he would be unable to push and pull against the nails in his hands and feet in order to exhale. This is what we deserve because of our sins.

This is exactly what Jesus, the Son of God, did for us. He died, not for His own sins, but for the sins of the world, for your sins and for mine (1 John 2:2). He did this because He loves us and in order to save us, for only He – the sinless Son of God – could pay the price for our redemption (Ephesians 1:7).

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit” (1 Peter 3:18).

On the cross, Jesus Christ was our stand-in. He endured the pain and the punishment from God, all in our place. He suffered the full wrath of God against sin on our behalf so that we can be saved and receive the gift of eternal life. Then, having died for our sins and being buried, He victoriously arose again on the third day, defeating Satan and death (Hebrews 2:14-18).

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

Jesus, the sinless Son of God, the King of kings and Lord of lords, was our stand-in. He died in our place so that we might live. “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24).

He did it for YOU. Won’t YOU accept His offer of salvation and eternal life on His terms?

-- David A. Sargent

* Source: “Standing In” by Bryson Smith, as published on www.perspective.org.au. Perspective Vol. 8, No. 4, 2001, from an article published in the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, Sunday Life Section, Sept 17, 2000.

WELCOME TO CREEKWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST

We would like to welcome all our visitors to Creekwood! Please sign the guest register in the foyer. We also invite you to stay for our Bible classes immediately following morning worship services.

Creekwood Church of Christ “Conservative in Theology • Liberal in Love • Progressive in Ministry”

• DEACONS • Joey Adams

Jonathan Brooks Bruce Englund

Lyndell Farmer Ross Gallaher

Glen Hall

Scott Hardy Terry Livingston Bud McDonald

Sammie Morris John Sims

• SERVICES •

Sunday Morning Worship 9:00 AM Morning Bible Class 10:15 AM Evening Worship 6:00 PM Wednesday Morning Bible Study 10:00 AM Evening Bible Study 7:00 PM

1901 Schillinger Road S, Mobile, AL 36695 • (251) 633-2931 • (251) 633-3037 • Fax (251) 633-2936

Web site: www.creekwoodcc.org • E-mail: creekwoodchurchofchrist@comcast.net

April 21, 2019

TODAY’S MESSAGES:

AM –“Blessed Assurances of the Resurrection” PM – “A Secret Disciple”

Listening Devices for the Auditorium are available in the Control Room.

Minister Interim Youth Minister Family Enrichment Minister Missionary (India)

David A. Sargent Matt Presley Ricky Butts Jaya Paul

• ELDERS • Ricky Butts Michael Eddlemon Greg Hall Chris Presley Glenn Sargent

Know Your Bible on the WHBR station on Mediacom channel 13/Comcast channel 7; Sundays at 6:00 PM CT.

Getting To Know Your Bible on Sunday on DirecTV-Uplift Channel 379 10:30 a.m. & Dish-Folk TV Channel 218 8:30 a.m.

Both of these broadcasts are co-sponsored by the Creekwood Church of Christ.

Please Remember Those Listed Below In Your Prayers;

And With Other Expressions Of Love (Cards, Phone Calls, Visits)

OUR COUNTRY & THOSE SERVING: Chris Campbell (Sicily), Nick Marcet, Chaz Carpenter (Hawaii) Marines, Dylan Jones Coast Guard, Greg O’Connell Coast Guard

OUR MISSIONARY: Jaya Paul

EXPECTING MOTHERS: Chelsea Fowler (??) April, Angie Goff (girl) June

PRAYER REQUEST for our Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes and adults who will be traveling back from Orlando today. Please pray for a safe return.

PRAYER REQUEST for Tim Howell who is scheduled for surgery on his neck April 24th. Please pray for Tim and Barbara.

PRAYER REQUEST for Bennett Gibson (former member) called asking for prayers. He has a torn bicep and rotator cuff. The doctors are recommending physical therapy before they consider surgery. Let's pray for Bennett!

PLACING MEMBERSHIP-Please welcome John III and Mary Barganier to the Creekwood family.

PRAYER REQUEST for Ken Grisham who is now home from the hospital after battling pneumonia. Please pray for Ken, Anna and their family.

PRAYER REQUEST for Dan McDonald, the son of Bud and Joy who is scheduled to undergo back surgery on Tuesday, April 23rd. Please pray for Dan and his family.

PRAYER REQUEST for Lisa Andrews, the sister of Sheila Marcet. They have found a spot on her lung. Please pray for Lisa and her family.

PRAYER REQUEST for Sue Cade who is residing at Mobile Nursing & Rehabilitation. She loves cards and visits.

MEMBERS: Lorene Fuller, Patrice Sargent, Joy McDonald, Margaret Gill, Kathy Stacy, Sue Cade, Helen Parham, Cecil Wiggins, Bonnie Crabtree, Ken Grisham, Richard McDonald, Pat & Ernie Smith, Pat Parenteau, Betty Wheeler, Martha Franks, Marietta Faulkenberry, Ricky Butts, and Tony Musick

FAMILY & FRIENDS OF MEMBERS: Cheryl Dooms (stroke, Dante’s mother), Tammy Bernal (cancer, friend of Shawn Cobb); Joe Williams (son-in-law of (Betty Carolyn Love); Sally Tindell (sibling of Nancy Moorer); Elizabeth Giddens, Boots and Murdock Carson (parents of Gina Englund and Ka Kinman), Shirley Autrey (Mother of Traci Moorer), Vivian Walker, Pat Clay (sister of Peggy Buckley), Lanette Girod (cousin to Laurie Hinote), Alona Gobble (mother of Penny Davis), Kellen Franks (grandson of Bill & Martha Franks), Don & Billy Wayne White, brothers of Celeste Chandler, Sanford Flach, cousin of Laurie Hinote

SHUT-INS – J.T. Montgomery, Retha Capps, Bonnie Crabtree, Helen Parham,Barbara Roley, Ernie & Pat Smith, Pat Parenteau, Cecil Wiggins, Patsy Rogers, Margaret Gill

CAN YOU HELP-Linda Adams fell recently and hurt her back. X-rays have revealed several fractures, but they are not sure if they are new fractures. Transportation will be an ongoing need for Linda & Lucion. This includes rides to the grocery store, to doctor's appointments, etc. If you would be willing to help with transportation, please let David or Dawn know. If you would be able to sit with Lucion also please let David or Dawn know. We will try to give as much notice as possible when the need arises.

MENS’ BASEBALL GAME April 26th 7:00 p.m. Field C Regency vs. The Cross (Some of Creekwood members play on Regency’s team.)

LADIES DAY at Central on Saturday, April 27th. The speaker is Laura Boyd “Choosing the Better Part” Registration/Breakfast 8:30 a.m. Lunch Provided. RSVP 251-675-2752.

BRIDAL SHOWER for Haley Sargent and Tucker Presley on Sunday, April 28th at 4:00 p.m. everyone is invited to attend. They are registered at Target and Bed, Bath and Beyond.

MOBILE CHRISTIAN CHORUS will be at Creekwood on Sunday evening, April 28th. There will be a devotion service and the chorus will sing after the service.

FINGER FOOD FELLOWSHIP on May 5th after the p.m. worship service to honor the Senior Class of 2019. Please bring your favorite finger foods and let these seniors know how proud we are of them Please bring extra food as we are expecting many family members of the seniors.

2019 GRADUATING SENIORS

Jake Brooks

Dylan Butler

Tayla Frazier

Autumn Smith

Nick Walker

WEDNESDAY NIGHT MEALS

April 24-Pancakes, bacon, Conecuh, fruit

May 1-Hamburgers with chips, baked beans and dessert

May 8-Taco Salad

May 15-Chicken Spaghetti- LAST MEAL till fall $3.00 for 11 yr- adult $2.00 for 3yr- 10yr Free for babies and guest

READING GLASSES FOR HONDURAS-Beth Brooks is collecting reading glasses to take to Honduras. They may be purchased at Dawes Pointe Pharmacy for .75 or Dollar Tree for $1. If you prefer you may give your donation to Beth Brooks and she will shop for you.

CROCK POT LID-Sandy Hall has a crock pot lid that does not fit her crock pot and believes they were accidentally switched at the fellowship meal. If you have it please bring the lid to her 2 year old class room and swap lids. Thank you!

A Secret No One Could Keep

Tim Woodward Dick Marcear writes about the beginning of the

Anaconda Mining Company. It all started long ago

when a group of prospectors set out from Bancock,

which was then the capital of Montana, in search of

gold. After many hardships they were overtaken by

Indians, who took their good horses and left them with

only a few limping old ponies. The Indians told the

prospectors to return to Bancock, and they threatened to

overtake and kill them if they ever saw them in their

region again.

They felt their efforts had been wasted. Discouraged

and heartbroken, they started back home. Along the

way, they stopped beside a creek. One man picked up a

stone from the creek bed, examined it, and, said, "It

looks like there may be gold here." The others heard

him, and together they panned about $50 worth, a great

sum in those days.

As they returned to Bancock they vowed not to tell one

soul about their discovery. No one else was to know.

Quietly they re-equipped themselves with tools and

supplies for a return trip to retrieve more gold.

But, to their surprise, when they left to go back to that

creek, three hundred men followed them! They

questioned each other. Which of them had broken the

vow? Each insisted he had told no one. When they

asked the men who followed them, the only explanation

they could ever find was that their beaming faces had

betrayed their secret.

Christians do not have a secret to hide, but a treasure to

share. We have found the true gold, the "pearl of great

price," and there is plenty for everyone. Let those

around you know it, not only by your words, but by

your beaming face and your life transformed by your

knowing Jesus. "Now when [the Jewish leaders] saw

the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they

were uneducated, common men, they were astonished

and recognized that these men had been with Jesus

(Acts 4:13)."

"You are the light-of the world. A city set on a hill

cannot be hidden. Let your light so shine before men,

that they may see your good works and give. glory to

your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:14, 16)."

Bad Company

Tim Woodward There was once a farmer who had a a real problem

with crows in his corn field. Nothing he tried worked

to keep them away. Even the scarecrow did not work.

The man was very frustrated.

This farmer had a pet parrot that he kept inside all of

the time who had learned to talk and was a great

source of company as he was alone. One day the door

was left open and the parrot flew outside. He

eventually ended up in the corn field with the crows.

Later in the day the farmer came into the yard from

another part of his farm and noticed, in the corn field

behind the house, a whole bunch of crows. He had

had enough. He ran inside the house and got his

shotgun. He then went into the corn field and started

shooting and killing crows. After he finished, he

decided to walk around and count how many he had

killed. He was so proud of his accomplishment.

As he added up the total he came across the pet parrot

that was lying on the ground at the point of death.

The farmer was now distraught and asked the parrot

what had caused his injuries which would cost him

his life. The parrot answered, "Bad Company. "

Bad company has been the downfall of many a good

person. They never intended to be destroyed by their

associations and, yet, as they continued these

acquaintances they were, very slowly, being

destroyed in spite of their original intent. The Bible

warns, "Be not deceived: evil companionship corrupts

good morals" (I Corinthians 15:33) One of the best

things that you can do for yourself is to surround

yourself with good people. They will help you to be

better. And, at the very least, they will not bring you

down.