Milan Church of Christ
Find us on Facebook or email us today!
  • Home
    • The Church of Christ
  • Bible Class
  • Preacher Corner
    • Dennis' Articles
    • Sermons
  • Missions/Works
  • Photo Gallery
  • Events Calendar
  • Useful Links

3 Trees

12/20/2019

Comments

 
PARABLE OF THE 3 TREES (Author unknown.) 
Once there were 3 young trees that longed to become something important.
 
The first tree wanted to be used as part of the furniture in a royal palace. One day people came to the forest and cut the first tree down. It was hewn into rough pieces and nailed together to form a manger to feed cattle. Eventually it was sold for a pittance and placed in a stable in Bethlehem. The tree was heartbroken because it was relegated to feeding animals. However, one night Mary carefully laid her firstborn child - JESUS - in the manger. The manger trembled with delight.  "This is wonderful!  I never imagined that I would provide a bed for the Son of God!”
 
Years passed, and more men came to the forest to chop down the second tree. This tree dreamed of becoming a royal vessel for transporting kings. But instead it became a small, leaking fishing boat. Eventually a man named Peter obtained it for his trade. The little boat was not happy. But one day, as it sat on the shore of the Sea, Jesus of Nazareth stepped into it and began teaching a large crowd.  "This is wonderful!" it thought. "I never imagined that the Son of God would use me to preach His word."
 
More years elapsed, and Romans soldiers came to cut down the third tree. This tree had hoped to be used in the construction of a temple or synagogue in which people could worship and glorify God. The Romans, however, had other ideas. They chopped and chopped until only two long, thick beams remained. They then connected the beams to form a cross. The tree was horrified. "All I wanted to do was glorify God, and now they are going to use me to kill someone!”
 
Shortly afterwards, a large crowd lined a street in Jerusalem. In the middle of the crowd was Jesus, carrying this tree. Eventually, He was nailed to it. As Jesus was dying, the tree heard Him speak words of compassion and forgiveness. Jesus then died, and the earth shook. Only then did the tree realize the significance of the moment. "This is wonderful! I never imagined that I would glorify God by enabling His Son to die for the sins of the world."
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Never forget that God has a SPECIAL PURPOSE for you and me. “…being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you WILL COMPLETE IT until the day of Jesus Christ.." (Phil. 1:6)
 
Jesus, always Jesus!
 
Dennis
Comments

I Might Be Wrong, But..........

12/12/2019

Comments

 
CAN I BE WRONG?
 
“O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.” Jer. 10:23
 
One of the biggest obstacles to accepting truth is man’s prideful tendency to assume that he is always right.
 
A wealthy man had a large painting of the leaning tower of Pisa prominently displayed on a wall. But nearly every morning he noticed that it was hanging crooked. He eventually found out that his maid was adjusting the frame to “straighten” the tower. Many people attempt to do the same with God’s word. If they encounter something that does not match up with their lives or beliefs, they try to twist God’s word to harmonize with their beliefs, as opposed to adjusting their beliefs to conform to the truth.
 
Some years ago a man in Oklahoma ordered an expensive barometer. After receiving it, he noticed that the gauge on the barometer indicated severe storms, although the weather outside was beautiful. Believing it to be defective, he packed it up, intending to return it to the manufacturer. Late that day, severe storms moved in, producing a tornado that damaged many homes in his neighborhood. In a similar way, the Bible warns that the world will be destroyed by fire without warning  – 2 Pet. 3:10. Yet millions of people firmly believe the world will go on forever.
 
In a more tragic case, a woman got up in the middle of the night to get her husband some sleeping pills. In the dark she got the wrong bottle and gave him strong antibiotics, to which he was allergic. The next morning he was rushed to the hospital, but pronounced dead upon arrival. His wife was inconsolable and refused to believe that he was dead. It was only after the drug mix-up was discovered that she accepted his death as reality. Many people today trust their feelings to get them to heaven. Even when they are shown that they are living in contradiction to the scriptures, some refuse to believe that they are lost. This is the most tragic mistake possible.
 
ALL of us can be wrong at times. Admitting this that will help us to keep an open mind as we read and heed God’s inspired word – 2 Tim 3:16-17.
 
Jesus, always Jesus!
 
Dennis
Comments

Don't Miss Church Service Because....

12/7/2019

Comments

 
DON'T MISS CHURCH SERVICES BECAUSE...
 
It’s snowing outside. Unless there is a travel advisory, most of us still go to work, school or the grocery store when it snows.
 
It's cold outside. As stated above, most of us still go out for groceries, doctor’s appointments, and even attend sporting events on cold days. (By the way - our building is heated.)
 
No one personally invited you. Most of us do not hesitate to go to a restaurant, department store, gas station or bank without receiving an invitation.
 
You have young children. They will not learn about Jesus Christ or the importance of worshipping God while watching cartoons at home. Besides, we have a nursery and Bible classes for all ages.
 
You don’t like the preacher. Neither did the masses care much for the prophets, apostles or even Jesus Himself. Yet the messages they shared were essential for salvation.
 
There are too many hypocrites in the church. Hypocrites are all around us, yet their presence does not deter us from going to a cinema, shopping in mall or eating in a restaurant.
 
You have guests visiting. So invite them to attend church with you. Should they prefer not to do so, they will admire you for putting God first.
 
You need your rest and relaxation. Who doesn’t? Regardless, worshipping God with the saints refreshes the soul and revives the spirit.
 
Your clothes are not fashionable. Worship is not a fashion show, it is a time to praise and adore God.  
 
You are struggling with too many issues. Everyone has issues. Will avoiding God and His saints really solve your problems?
 
*********************************************************************************
 
“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the LORD.’" (Psa. 122:1)
 
Jesus, always Jesus!
 
Dennis
Comments

    Preacher's Corner

    Articles & insight provided by Dennis Swindle

    Archives

    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    August 2014
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly