TO OUR VISITORS Our goal in the church of Christ is to be the New Testament church, which you can read about in the Bible. We invite you to ob- serve our worship assemblies, the doctrine that is taught and the structure of the church organization. Make a close comparison with your “church” and the church of the Bible -- The Church of Christ. We also invite you to join us as we strive to be the church of the Bible and restore New Testament Christianity. PRAYER REQUESTS Prayer for Health: Deonna Cole; De’Ante Horton (knee surgery– June 14th); Priscilla Bogan; Dollie Jones; Ruby Cole; Carolyn Johnson; Deborah Smith (April’s sister) hit by a bus; Lois Amos (rehab at Friendship Village); Diane Cole (Lyle) impending surgery; Rachel Blanks; Alfred Willis (tests); Richard Melson, Jr. (fractured leg); Catherine Anderson; Nicole Elmore; Richard Melson, Sr (feet and an- kles); Katherine Willis (ankle and feet); Gerald Wil- der (heart); Willis Blackshear; Traveling: Prayers: Family of Dean Lovelace Repentance: Baptism: _____________________________________ June 4, 2017 MESSENGER Page 4 Webster St. Church of Christ PO Box 60789 Dayton, Ohio 45406 Place Stamp Here Visit our website at www.thelordsway.com/websterst June 4 BRETHREN TO SERVE AM BRETHREN TO SERVE PM Opening Prayer Norris Cole, II Norris Cole, II Lead Singing LaMarr Cole LaMarr Cole Scripture Reader William Bogan William Bogan Prayer Norris Cole Norris Cole Sermon Richard Melson Richard Melson Taking Responses Richard Melson Richard Melson Center Lord’s Table Patrick Thomas Patrick Thomas Serving—1st Prayer Lyle Cole Lyle Cole Serving– 2nd Prayer Alfred Willis Alfred Willis Closing Prayer Ryan McGahee Ryan McGahee Announcements Richard Melson Richard Melson RECORDS YOU HELPED MAKE Bible Class NA Attendance AM NA Attendance PM NA Wednesday PM 28 A.S.A.P. = Always Say A Prayer “Pray without ceasing” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Vision Statement We are a congregaon of the Lord’s people dedicated to glorifying the Father through the proper study and applicaon of the Scriptures, that our lives may be given to teaching the gospel and in service of Him in the Miami Valley and the world. Kevin W. Rhodes Every society has its own concepon of the ideal ruler, the one against whom all others are judged. In America people idealize presidents according to the traits they appreciate most, whether Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt, or Reagan. In the Roman Empire, every emperor was compared, favorably or unfavorably, to Augustus. For the Jews, David filled the role of the ideal king. However, when the sons of Korah penned Psalm 45, they intro- duced something unheard of in history—the ideal ruler who is yet to come. While the events of the day surely played into the wording of this psalm, it nevertheless points to something and Someone far greater. For in this psalm the sons of Korah point to the Mes- siah, the One anointed by God to rule on behalf of God. Where all previous kings had failed to live up to the standard of David, the Messiah would exceed that standard and raise the bar completely out of reach. Is it any wonder, then, that the psalmist embraces the theme with excitement and joy (Psa. 45:1)? This ideal King speaks as a king (Psa. 45:2) and carries Himself as a king (Psa. 45:3a) with the majesc presence of a king (Psa. 45:3b). But more than this, His character avoids all the pialls of previous leaders and exceeds even the most virtuous of followers because “truth, humility, and righteousness” are mainstays of His heart (Psa. 45:4a). He guides the people through instrucon (Psa. 45:4b) and leads them into bale (Psa. 45:5). He excels in everything required of a leader. But with this leader, there is something different even then. The psalm records, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteous- ness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; There- fore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your compan- ions” (Psa. 45:6-7). The ideal King is God Himself, ruling from a throne in eternity and rul- ing on the basis of righteousness rather than polical power. He achieved this authority and place from divine appointment because of the character He showed in life. Thus, the ideal King is Jesus, God who became man, who rules based upon righteousness in a king- dom not of this world, having been granted authority from the Father because of the per- fecon of His life. This was a far different and far greater King than the Jews had imagined, yet they would be the first to enjoy its blessings (Psa. 45:8-16). Today, we take all of this for granted. But how powerful is the tesmony that the Holy Spirit provided centuries before the incarnaon! The promise of an ideal Leader was something difficult to grasp in all its grandeur. As a result, the Jews reimagined Him in the image of David and missed the One who was the express image of God (Heb. 1:3). Jesus now rules from a heavenly throne, and righteousness is His standard (Ma. 6:33; Rom. 1:16-17). He welcomes all into His kingdom who submit to righteousness but rejects those who refuse the standard of heaven. He is thus worthy of all honor and praise, as the psalm closes, “I will make Your name to be remembered in all generaons; Therefore the people shall praise You forever and ever” (Psa. 45:17). Volume 32 June 4, 2017 Issue 23 Church of Christ P.O. Box 60789 Dayton, Ohio 45406 [email protected] www.TheLordsWay.com/websterst Fax: (937) 401-0286 Meeting location: Louise Troy School 1630 Miami Chapel Rd Dayton, OH 45417 Schedule of Services Sunday Bible Study 9:30 Worship 10:30 A.M. 4:30 P.M. Fourth Sunday No 4:30 PM service Wednesday Bible Study 7:00 P.M. Preacher Richard D. Melson 937-321-3973 [email protected] Ministers All Members Supporting Christian Courier on The Web Southwest School of Bible Studies: Austin, TX Memphis School of Preaching Greater Midwest Lectureship Dayton, OH A SCEPTER OF RIGHTEOUSNESS