DEDICATED TO BRINGING GLORY TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

COLLEGE LAKES BAPTIST CHURCH

4704 Ramsey Street
Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311-1615
Church Office 910-488-8344
Church Cell Phone 910-977-4704

www.collegelakeschurch.org
R E T U R N S ERVICE R EQUESTED

T HE
C OLLEGE L AKES

Challenger

News From College Lakes Church

A Message from Reverend Lanier. . .

Why Every Christian Needs a

Church Home
Dont Be a Lone Ranger Christian
by Tim Christoson
Occasionally, I am asked why a Christian
should become a member of a local church.
Some insist that membership is merely a
technicality, not seeing much difference
between attendance and membership. Some
argue they can worship God on their own
disconnected from a church family. Others
feel qualified to invent their own definition of
the word church in an attempt to release
themselves of responsibility.
Simply put, membership is about making a
commitment. Its a commitment to a body of
doctrine, to a body of people, to the body of
Christ. To become a member is to join arms
with others of like faith and to join God in
His redemptive work in this world. Being a
member of a local church
Gives me an environment in which to grow
spiritually. Hebrews 10:2425 explains this
fundamental need of every Christian: And
let us consider one another to provoke unto
love and to good works: Not forsaking the

May 1, 2014

assembling of ourselves together, as the

manner of some is; but exhorting one another:
and so much the more, as ye see the day
approaching.
Identifies me with fellow believers.
Ephesians 2:19 and 1 Peter 2:910 remind us
what a great privilege it is to partner with the
family of God.
Allows for genuine friendships, healthy
relationships, and voluntary accountability.
The importance of godly friendships and the
difference that right influences can make in
our lives must be understood by believers
(James 5:16; Proverbs 27:17).
Enables burdens to be shared and loads to
be lightened.
Bear ye one anothers burdens, and so
fulfil the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).
Builds a prayer network for mutual
intercession. The story of Peters miraculous
deliverance from prison, while other
Christians prayed for him is a powerful
testimony to the value of intercessory prayer.
The Bible contains many requests from
Christians to other believers for prayer (see
Romans 15:30; 1 Timothy 2:1; 5:5).
Places me under the spiritual protection of
godly leaders.

2 New s From College Lakes Church

Obey them that have the rule over you,
and submit yourselves: for they watch
for your souls, as they that must give
account, that they may do it with joy,
and not with grief: for that is
unprofitable for you.Hebrews 13:17
Take heed therefore unto yourselves,
and to all the flock, over the which the
Holy Ghost hath made you overseers,
to feed the church of God, which he
hath purchased with his own
blood.Acts 20:28
Provides a means to honor God financially
by supporting local and world evangelism.
Paul, speaking to the Philippian church,
commended them for their generous giving
(Philippians 4:1418).
Serves as a place for me to bring others, so
they may hear the gospel. The Great
Commission gives a command, and the
church gives us the ability to carry out this
command.
Now when they had passed through
Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came
to Thessalonica, where was a
synagogue of the Jews: And Paul, as
his manner was, went in unto them,
and three sabbath days reasoned with
them out of the scriptures, Opening
and alleging, that Christ must needs
have suffered, and risen again from
the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I
preach unto you, is Christ. And some
of them believed, and consorted with
Paul and Silas; and of the devout
Greeks a great multitude, and of the
chief women not a few.Acts 17:14
Creates an opportunity to discover and
exercise my spiritual gifts. The church is
composed of many different types of people
who, with the Lords help, are united to
create a uniquely gifted body of Christ.
Having then gifts differing according
to the grace that is given to us,
whether prophecy, let us prophesy
according to the proportion of faith;
Or ministry, let us wait on our
ministering: or he that teacheth, on
teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on
exhortation: he that giveth, let him do
it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with

May 1, 2014

diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with

cheerfulness.Romans 12:68
Connects me to something eternal and
more significant than myself. The local
church serves as a powerful reminder that we
are not created just for this temporary life on
Earth (Romans 12:45).
The one institution Jesus set out to build was
the church (Matthew 16:18). Jesus loves the
church (Ephesians 5:25). The church belongs
to Him, and our existence was made possible
through His sacrifice (Acts 20:28). May we
avoid the gravitational tendency to lower our
esteem for Gods choice organization. May
we recommit ourselves and redouble our
efforts of worshiping, growing, and serving
together as a local church, so much the more,
as we see the day approaching.

Ushers for May 4

A.M. Jerry Adams
Michael Williams
John Johnson
John Hughes
Billy Tyson
Sonny Alvarez
P.M. Ken Triplett
Creation vs. Creator
Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that
the tree was good for food, and that it was
pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired
to make one wise, she took of the fruit
thereof... and they did eat. The important
part of mans choice in the Garden concerning
the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil,
was that man chose Creation over the
Creator. When Eve through temptation chose
the tree (Creation), she chose to have
knowledge apart from God instead of
depending on God for everything. Hence,
mans deepest problem stems from rejecting
Gods loving guidance and choosing earthly
pleasure instead. Mans nature is to love the
creation, over which he was commanded to
have dominion (Genesis 1:26), more than he
loves the Creator. Lets choose God!
Mothers Day
Let us be mindful of Mothers Day, May 11.