The Weekly Bulletin of the Livingston Church of Christ

Meeting at 639 2nd Street, Livingston, CA 95334

Office: (209) 394-3511 | Preacher: Jovan Payes
Subscribe & Email: info.livingstoncoc@gmail.com

Forgive Me this Wrong” | Jovan Payes February 20, 2011

Mistakes; how they multiply. Like Sebastian says, from Disney’s The Little News and Notes
Mermaid (1989), “you give them an inch, they swim all over you.” Of course,
he was referring to teenagers, but the language aptly describes the A Note to Our Visitors:
consequences that come with the blunders we make as humans. Welcome! We want you to
Mistakes, however, are not insurmountable; yes, they can be overcome. know you are our honored
They do not need to “swim all over you”; instead, they can be forgiven and
guests. Let us know how we
forgotten. Mistakes can even be worked through, where trust and honor can
can serve you. We have free
be rebuilt. Consider how Paul admits to making a mistake, and also take note
on how he overcomes it. biblical literature and offer
free home bible studies.
Paul’s Mistake in Corinth
The ever diligent apostle Paul had on many occasions provided for his O’Hara Family | Pat
own needs; however, he affirmed, “the Lord commanded that those who O’Hara’s (Rob’s mother) is at
proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel” (1 Cor. 9.14). home on hospice. Keep the
Despite this Divine ideal that churches should support heralds of the word, family in prayer.
Paul chose not to be supported by the Corinthian church (1 Cor. 9.15); but
instead, received it from other churches (2 Cor. 11.8). Continue to keep Rozella in
Eventually, this proved to be disastrous for their relationship (2 Cor. prayers, as well as her family
12.11-13). Some in the church used this lack of support as a proof that Paul (Shelly and Tammy).
was not a genuine apostle. Paul does lament the situation in the following Remember in Prayer: our
words: “For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches,
Dreams, Bill and Marilyn
except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!” (12.13).
Hinds newborn daughter
Paul Overcomes his Mistake Lauren (weak heart and
Paul cuts through the politics of where his finances derived from, and kidneys), Richard and Carol
centers his readers to his real concern – the Corinthian Christians (2 Cor.
Maxfield (injury), Victor
12.14-21). Despite the strain on their relationship, Paul affirms that his actions
Barrios (grieving), Fred
were out of love of his brethren. No matter what they thought or think about
him, Paul’s driving force in his ministry among them is the creation of a holy (neck), Linda (knees), Gerald
community of Christian believers in the city of Corinth. (recovery), Hazel (recovery),
Paul (1) accepted his “wrong”, (2) apologized, and (3) overcame it with Rose Mary, Mike (back),
placing the purpose of Christ ahead of his own imperfections. Not much is Shelly (foot tendons),
known about the relationship between the congregation and Paul following Connie Payes (dialysis), Elsa
this correspondence. One thing is for certain, Paul promised to arrive with Avalos (Alzheimer’s).
the intention to build up the church (2 Cor. 13.10). Moreover, he was coming
to make sure the congregation had been “returned” back to its moral and Feb. 17-20 | Marriage and
spiritual moorings (2 Cor. 13.1-9). Family Seminar at the Airport
church of Christ with Dan
Final Thoughts
“To err is human” is the lesson here. Mistakes; they come with the human Jensen.
turf of our existence. Some mistakes are errors, others are sins. In both cases, Feb 26 |Ladies Day at the
Christians can overcome them by an honest confession of errors and sins (1 Hayward church of Christ.
John 1.5-10), an apology to those wronged coupled with fruits of repentance
(Luke 3.8, 17.1-4), and a renewed commitment to the cause of the kingdom of Feb. 26 | Hughson Christian
Christ (Matt. 6.33). May humility and grace be our guide. Fajita Night and Salsa
Competition (6 PM).
 Schedule of Services Adultery and the Old Testament (3) – A Brief Note (Concluded)

Sunday Services [We will conclude our study with a look at Jeremiah’s woe upon Ahab and
Bible Class 10 AM Zedekiah.]
(Classes for All Ages) Adultery and Jeremiah
Morning Worship 11 AM In Jeremiah 29.1-28 the prophet sends a letter from Jerusalem to the
Evening Worship 5 PM captives in Babylon encouraging them that they will return after 70
4th Sunday Services years, rebukes those who oppose the truth of God’s punishment upon
Bible Class 10 AM Judah. Moreover, following these words, Jeremiah makes an oracle
regarding the false prophets Ahab and Zedekiah (Jeremiah 29.20-23).
(Classes for All Ages)
Morning Worship 11 AM The Lord promises that these two would receive Babylonian
Birthday Fellowship Meal execution in fire (Dan. 3.6). This would be orchestrated by the Lord’s
providential hand (Jer. 29.21). In fact, their treachery and sinful behavior
Afternoon 1:30 PM
would become a curse among the exilic Israelites:
Wednesday Services
Bible Classes 7 PM The LORD make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of
Babylon roasted in the fire, because they have done an outrageous
(Classes for All Ages)
thing in Israel, they have committed adultery with their neighbors'
Daily Bible Readings wives, and they have spoken in my name lying words that I did
2/20 Psalm 12 not command them. I am the one who knows, and I am witness,
2/21 Psalm 13 declares the LORD. (Jer. 29.22-23)
2/22 Psalm 14 This language is as transparent as Leviticus 20.10 where Moses writes, “if
2/23 Psalm 15 a man commits adultery with the wife of his neighbor, both the adulterer
2/24 Psalm 16 and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.”
2/25 Psalm 17 And, too, the Lord assures Jeremiahs readers that Zedekiah and Ahab
2/26 Psalm 18 would receive the death penalty even in Babylon. Representing the Lord
falsely as a prophet (Jer. 29.21) and making adulterous conquests (Jer.
29.23) were met with divine hostility.
Conclusion
The Old Testament and New Testament are two testimonies that
share the same conception of adultery, a behavior that Russell describes
as, a “special and aggravated case of fornication.”[1] In a literal sense,
adultery is sexual activity between a married person and a person who is
not their spouse. As a spiritual metaphor, adultery is spiritual and moral
activity contrary to God’s teaching and will – a spiritual betrayal.
This concept has not been altered or distorted through the passing of
time; consequently, we have no right to redefine it in modern times,
contemporary times, or in any subsequent generation to come, for God’s
truth endures to all generations (Psa. 100.5). He means what he says.
Heaven help us to keep it secure and unaltered in our minds.

Monterey, CA
March 31 to April 2 Source
[1] Emmet Russell in Zondervan’s Pictorial Bible Dictionary, (Gen. Ed.
JOVAN’S OFFICE HOURS Merrill C. Tenney. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1967) 17.
Tuesday to Friday
9:30 AM to 3:30 PM