Tanglewood Church of Christ

Larry and Holly Conway and their family are missionaries in Nairobi, Kenya. Our Wednesday night Bible class helps in a small way to help support their work in Kenya. Tonight Larry has come to visit and speak to us about their work. Click the blue button to hear his report. We are especially thankful to Jim and Sue Tillets for helping us keep in contact with the Conways, and for providing a place for Larry to stay while in town. To learn more about the Conways’ work, visit www.made-in-the-streets.org.

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.  Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, "Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!"
     The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:25-30)

The question asked by the jailer at Philippi is one of the most important questions ever asked! Today we talk more about what led to this question… and the answer that was given to it. Click the blue button to listen.

(Pictured are the remains of ancient jail in biblical Philippi! Original is on the website of Luther Seminary.)

“What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26) As we begin a new year and a new decade together at Tanglewood, we want to rededicate ourselves to God’s purposes for us. During these rocky financial and political times, it is easy to be distracted by these serious but lesser things. We must not give in to the single-minded pursuit of financial security, personal success, or political influence. Where is our faith and confidence? Is is possible some have already exchanged their "souls" for these things? Click on the blue button to listen to our message.

"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.’" (Matthew 2:1-2) If Almighty God had been planning the arrival of His Son into the world since time began, how would He announce that arrival? The "announcement" was both understated and awe-inspiring. We read the details in both Matthew and Luke’s Gospels, each giving us information we would not otherwise know. Our message today focuses on Matthew’s account. To hear about Bethlehem, the Magi, the Star, and God’s care for those who are far away from Him, click the blue button to listen!

"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?" (Psalm 8:3-4)

Long before Galileo’s telescope showed us the immensity of space, mankind already marveled at the beauty and majesty of the night skies. For King David, author of the eighth Psalm, they demonstrated the truth of the creation by Almighty God. But a God who had such awesome power, such great intellect, and such a wondrous sense of beauty. . . why would such a God stoop down to be involved in the lives of sinful, weak, rebellious men? AND YET GOD WAS INVOLVED! That was David’s confidence, and that is our faith as well. To hear more, click this blue button.

The book of Isaiah is set in the historical time when Jehovah God allowed the nation of Israel to be swept away by the Assyrians, and the nation of Judah was beginning its rapid spiral downward to destruction. Both nations would be destroyed because of idolatry, the worship of things which were "gods," but not God! In Isaiah 44:6-8 God speaks to say, "Other than me, there is no God… Is there any God besides me?" He then mocks those who make images of deities out of metal or wood which neither speak nor hear, nor can they do anything at all! Sadly, men still make gods of their creations, while neglecting the one true God! Hear more by clicking on the blue button. (An image of Dagon, the fish-god of the Philistines from www.bible-history.com.)

In Luke 17:11-19 we read the story of ten lepers who sought healing from Jesus. Perhaps they had heard of others before them whom Jesus had healed. In this lesson we particularly notice four key words Luke uses to illuminate the story. The lepers begged Jesus to have "pity" (compassion) on them. As He sent them to the priest they were "cleansed." Only one came back "glorifying" God. Of him, Jesus said his faith had made him "well" (literally, "saved" him), indicating he had received something more than the others. This a story about gratitude and thankfulness for both physical and spiritual blessings. Sadly, it is not only the Jewish people of Jesus’ time who take God’s blessings for granted. Click the blue button to hear the rest of the story! (This painting of "The Ten Lepers" © James C. Christensen and  © The Greenwich Workshop®, Inc. See more at www.greenwichworkshop.com)

"I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town" – Matthew 10:15. This is our final message in the series on The Real Truth According to Jesus. One of the most vivid stories from the Old Testament is the sin and destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah found in Genesis 18 & 19. Jesus said there was something even worse than the sins of those cities! Something which would bring a more severe judgment from God than even Sodom and Gomorrah will receive on the last great day! To hear more about what Jesus had to say about the Final Judgment, click on the blue button to listen. (Pictured is John Martin’s 1852 painting, "The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.")