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
 

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Thoughts To Ponder

For this reason I will not be negligent to
remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the
present truth.

(2 Peter 1:12)
 

 


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

 

Elders

Larry Rouse
1174 Terrace Acres Drive
Auburn, AL 36830

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

Walker Davis
1653 Millbranch Drive,
Auburn, AL 36832

Cell:    (334) 703-0050
Home: (334) 826-3690


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

 

 

Longsuffering  
 

by L. A. Stauffer

Someone noted that “longsuffering” is the ability to “suffer long” with people and circumstances; to put up for long periods of time with disagreeable relationships and situations. It is relatively synonymous with our use of the word “patience.”

It is the word that describes God’s patience with a world of sinners. God, he has told us, hates sin and he is prepared by his very righteous nature to punish it. But though he hates sin, God loves sinners and in His longsuffering is putting off the day of judgment to provide transgressors time to turn from their iniquity. The apostle Peter tells us: “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet 3:9).

As disciples seek to imitate the love of God Paul teaches them that love “suffers long, and is kind.” In the apostle’s descriptive portrayal of God’s greatest commandment, he also notes that love “is not provoked,” or as another version says, “is not irritable or resentful” (1 Cor 13:5, ESV). All brethren appreciate the longsuffering and patience of God, but, as the brethren at Corinth, are often short of it when relating to one another (see 1 Cor 3:1-3).

We sometimes struggle with it when relating to newborn babes in Christ. We too often expect them in the early weeks and months of their lives in Christ to have all the character of a mature saint. But in longsuffering we must patiently work with them to nurse them, to spoon-feed them, and to speak daily words of encouragement over a considerable span of time. As long as we see in them signs of belief, indications of effort, openness to reproof, and elements of spiritual life—there is always hope that with longsuffering and nurturing these babes will mature unto the measure of the stature of Christ. That is the goal of every local church in its work of edification (see Eph 4:11-13).

I recall when I was first selected and appointed to the eldership, I was easily discouraged by the response of some to my visits and words of encouragement. And it was important to keep reminding myself that these things take time and that there were other avenues I needed to explore in trying to reach these brethren. I remembered the words of Peter and Paul and counseled myself to be “patient” and to be “gentle” in seeking to reach the hearts of weak brethren and implant within them the seeds of faith and hope and love that bear the fruit of faithfulness and devotion to God.

What is so easy to forget is that many folks have spent years messing up their thinking, perverting God’s design for their lives, and digging themselves into a deep pit of self-centered and worldly behavior. Let us not think that a few home studies, baptism into Christ, and a couple of exhortations are going to set everything right in a newborn’s life in Christ. It is easy when sinners obey the gospel to forget about the demands and difficulties of repentance.

Repentance demands an entirely different way of thinking, calls for a completely new lifestyle, and requires a commitment and devotion to One I must permit to control me totally. Bringing forth fruit worthy of repentance is no small task and if God sees the need to be “longsuffering” with sinners, who am I to take this quality of life lightly.

And so it is with all of us brethren. We must keep trying to teach our erring brethren. We need to call on them, send them cards of encouragement, and pray for God’s help in reaching them. Elders cannot accomplish the work of restoration alone. We have recently received the help of many members and have seen signs of encouragement in some of our weak members. Longsuffering is good, but is not just sitting and waiting for brethren to repent. It calls for patient effort to bring them to repentance.

 

 

Other Articles

New Controversies Being Raised
Many Sparrows
Sins of Ignorance
What is Truth? - A Question for the Ages
Learning From the Instrumental Music Controversy
Larimore and Tant
Reactions to Truth
Preaching the Cross







 

Healing A Wounded Spirit

Sunday Morning Adult Bible Class by Larry Rouse
Download the current outlines:
Lesson 1 - God is in Control
Lesson 2 - Choose to Make God's Thoughts Your Own
Lesson 3 - Do Not Flee From What is True
Lesson 4 - Put god in the Center of Your Life
Lesson 5 - Allow God's Wisdom to Heal Your Wound

Click For Audio

 


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

 


You are Invited to Hear
Dee Bowman of Pasadena, Texas

In a Series of Bible Lectures
August 21-24, Sunday - Wednesday
at the University church of Christ in Auburn, AL

 

For More Details Click Here

 


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 (Isaiah 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

 

Hear Mark Broyles on "Marriage as God Designed It"

Click Here for Audio and PowerPoint Files

 

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
 

 
 
 
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