The Auburn Beacon
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

A Website dedicated to the Restoration of New Testament Christianity
 

Home | About Us | Directions | Bulletins | Sermons & Audio | Cross Of Christ Studies | Classes | Student and Parent Resource Page Dangers Facing the "Non-Traditional"


Click Here for the Latest Edition of the Auburn Beacon


 Sign up for our Email Newsletter
Type Your email address here
Email Newsletter icon, E-mail Newsletter icon, Email List icon, E-mail List icon

The Beacon is sent weekly

Thoughts To Ponder

How desperately
difficult it is to be
honest with oneself. It is much easier to be
honest with other
people.
 

 


University church of Christ

 

Assembly Times

 Sunday

   Bible Classes (9:30)

   AM Worship (10:20)

   PM Worship (6:00 pm)

 Wednesday

   Bible Classes
(7:00 PM)

 

Location

449 North Gay Street

Auburn, AL 36830
Click Here for Specific Directions

 

Evangelist

Larry Rouse
1174 Terrace Acres Drive
Auburn, AL 36830

Cell:    (334) 734-2133
Home:
(334) 209-9165

Contact Us

 University
church of Christ

449 North Gay Street

Auburn, AL 36830

 

Or directly e-mail us at:
LarryRouse@aubeacon.com


A Study of the Local Church
Wed. Night Adult Bible Class by Larry Rouse
Download the outlines:
Lesson1 - Attitudes Towards Open Study and Resolving Differences
Lesson 2 - The Need to Find Bible Authority
Lesson 3 - The Local Church and the Individual Christian
Lesson 4 - The Work of a Local Church
Lesson 5 - The Organization of a Local Church
Lesson 6 - The Fellowship of a Christian

Click Here for Audio and Other Files

 

Click Here to Hear:

A Friendly Discussion on Mormonism

Held at the University church of Christ -
February 17, 2011

 


Following the Footsteps of Jesus
Bible Class by Larry Rouse

Download the current outlines:
Lesson1 - Follow the Footsteps of Jesus in Baptism
Lesson 2 - Follow the Footsteps of Jesus in Praying
Lesson 3 - Follow the Footsteps of Jesus in Teaching
Lesson4 - Follow the Footsteps of Jesus to the Cross

Lesson 5 - Follow the Footsteps of Jesus to Heaven

Click Here for Audio and Other Files
 


Building a Biblical  Faith

College Class

 Click Here for Outlines, Audio and Other Files

 

A Study of Evangelism
(Studies in the Cross of Christ)
College Bible Class by Larry Rouse

 

A Study of the Life of Joseph



Adult Bible Class by Larry Rouse

Click Here for Audio and PowerPoint Files
 

Building a Biblical Home Bible Class Series

Click Here for Audio and PowerPoint Files

 

 

Build, Keeping Emotions in Balance

by Ferrell Jenkins

"How large is your church?" This is one of the more common questions that I am asked by outsiders who learn that I am a preacher. We hear of phenomenal growth among certain denominational churches, especially those which put undue emphasis on emotionalism. Examples of unusual and rapid growth are also cited among churches of Christ from time to time.

Don't misunderstand! This writer is opposed to neither growth among the Lord's people nor the proper use of emotions. Growth based on the truth of God is an ideal for which we should long (Eph 4:14‑16). We are concerned, however, about growth which is accomplished by maintaining a high peak of excitement or through techniques which are more appropriate to sales promotions than to the gospel of Christ.

Keeping churches small is certainly not our goal. Every person in attendance represents a soul destined for eternity. Churches need to grow, and they will as souls are saved by the gospel of Christ (Rom 1:16‑17). The method by which the desired growth is achieved is extremely important. Simply preaching and teaching the word of God often seems to yield slim results. In an effort to grow, we are sometimes tempted to use methods which, if not unscriptural, are at best questionable. Here we wish to look at a few of these. questionable methods which involve the improper use of emotion.

1. Super Salesmanship Techniques. The church which uses such methods must be highly organized into groups with leaders who are responsible for keeping each group motivated. The group must make so many "sales." Everyone must remain excited about the work. Excitement, or enthusiasm, becomes addictive… the group must constantly be "high." The assembly can become a "pep rally" with the elders, the preacher, the announcer, and perhaps even the song leader taking part.

Brethren need to be active in the work of the Lord, but these "super salesmanship techniques" keep one enthused but do nothing to provide a foundation on which to build.

Without this foundation we are sure to fall (1 Cor 3:10‑15). Christians are to edify (build up) one another. Notice Paul's instruction along this line even during the days of miraculous gifts (I Cor 14:12,26). The religion of excitement won't do this.

If we want to learn how to motivate Christians we should spend our time studying the methods of Jesus and the apostles rather than the line of books, tapes, videos, and seminars used to motivate sales people. When our assemblies or group meetings sound more like a pep rally for a ball game, or for a sales promotion, than an opportunity to praise God and study His word, we need to become concerned. The narcotic of activism may be lulling us to sleep.

2. Humor. Humor is an interesting and worthwhile human activity. It often occurs naturally or spontaneously when we least expect it. it might be during the Lord's Supper, like when the child standing in the pew beside his mother exclaims aloud, "Wow, I could have had a V‑8!" That's one thing! But intentionally to try to make things funny in order to keep a group excited is improper. A friend told me of visiting a congregation where nearly everyone who took part in the public service began with something "cute" ‑ This, I think, is inappropriate.

3. Physical Contact. Some churches fall into the habit of stressing physical contact. Leaders sometime teach this by their example. Saints greet one another with a hug because we are the "family" of God and are supposed to love one another.

In New Testament times, the kiss was a typical form of greeting, even as it still is in the Middle East today. Christians were exhorted to salute one another with a "holy" kiss (Rom 16:16). There is nothing wrong with a warm, fervent greeting, per se. We must not make the mistake of assuming that this proves that we "love" one another. Love (Greek: agape) is best expressed by deeds of kindness done for those in need. Christian men and women need to be careful how they embrace one another. Emotions are stirred easily, especially in young men. The attitude can be developed which thinks that others who do not show their love in the same way are not spiritually‑minded Christians.

Conclusion: When the seventy disciples returned from their first mission, they rejoiced because of the miraculous power they had seen demonstrated even at their own hands. Jesus said, "Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven" (Luke 10:20). Their emotions led them in the wrong direction. Our past criticism of the denominational emphasis on emotion has been proper. Now we should examine ourselves to see whether our emotions are balanced with fact and reason. My observation has been that churches which go wild over excitement are just waiting for the fall. Another writer has somewhere pointed out that mushrooms grow overnight, but it takes longer to grow an oak.

 

Other Articles by Ferrell Jenkins
The Restoration of the All-Sufficiency of the Church
 

 

 Would you like others to read this article?

                    Please share!

 

 

Student Sunday Night Home Study and Singing

 

Making God Real to Us by Joshua Carter - Nov. 27, 2011
Outline
Audio of Lesson
Audio of Singing

The College Christian by Harold Carswell - Nov. 6, 2011
Outline
Audio of Lesson (Part 1)
Audio of Lesson (Part 2)
Audio of Singing

My Struggle as a College Student by Kyle Gibson- Oct. 23, 2011
Audio of Lesson
Audio of Singing

"I Press" by Dee Bowman
Aug. 21, 2011
Audio of Lesson
Audio of Singing

When Evolutionist Tell the Truth by David Tant
Outline
PowerPoint
Audio of Lesson
Audio of Singing

Situation Ethics by Caleb George - March 30, 2011
Audio of Lesson
Audio of Singing

 

 


Studies by David Tant at the University church of Christ

Click Here for Audio and PowerPoint Files

 


How to Study the Bible
College Class

Click Here for Audio and PowerPoint Files

 

Monthly Bible Study in Lagrange
at the Eastside church of Christ in LaGrange, Georgia

Overcoming the Present Apostasy by Larry Rouse

 

Saturday October 9, 2010


9:30 AM
- How do We View the Bible?

Outline
PowerPoint
Audio

 

Saturday December 11, 2010

9:30 AM - How Do We View the World?

Outline
PowerPoint
 

Saturday May 14, 2011

9:30 AM - How Do We View God's Order for Leadership?

Outline
PowerPoint
 

Saturday June 11, 2011

9:30 AM - How Do We View the Local Church?

Outline
PowerPoint
Audio

 

Saturday July 9, 2011

9:30 AM - How Do We View God's instruction on Fellowship?

Outline
PowerPoint
 

 


Messianic Prophecies in the Book of Isaiah
Adult Bible Class by Larry Rouse
Sunday Mornings at 9:30
Download the current outlines:
Lesson 1 - The Time and Reign of the Messiah
Lesson 2 - The Servant Songs (Isaiah 42)
Lesson 3 - The Servant Songs (Isaiah 49)
Lesson 4 - The Servant Songs (Isaiah 50)
Lesson 5 - The Servant Songs (Isaiah 52-53)
Lesson 6 - The Virgin Birth (Isa. 7)

Click Here for Audio and Other Files

 


Sermon Series on the Book of 1 John
by Robert Harkrider

Click Here for Audio and Other Files

 

Themes From the Life of David
Sunday Adult Bible Class by Larry Rouse

 

A Study of Religious Beliefs

Wednesday Night College Bible Class

Download the current outlines:
Lesson 1 - Introduction and Approach
Lesson 2 - The Roman Catholic Church
Lesson 3 - An Overview of Islam
Lesson 4 - An Overview of Mormonism
Lesson 5 - An Overview of Pentecostalism
Lesson 6 - An Overview of Calvinism

 


Student Sunday Night Home Study and Singing

 

 

For Additional Information and Past Audio and Outlines Click Here
 

 
 
 
  © 2011 - University church of Christ - All rights reserved!