Coe Church of Christ October 2022 Newsletter

Intentional Christianity

Back to the Basics:
How to Understand the Bible 101: Lesson 2: The Plot of the Bible

What if every verse of Scripture could not only be understandable but also bring hope and wis-
dom to you when you need it most? What if what seems to be boring lists, peoples’ family trees
listed in the Bible, could help you to learn how your life could improve not only here and now but
also eternally? What if learning about the Southern Kingdom of Judah going in captivity (Jer. 25:1-
11) could give you hope in your times of despair? What if the judgments described in the book of
Revelation could help to make sense of a world which seems to be falling apart? What if you could
have answers to life’s most difficult questions? The answer to these questions is a resounding, yes!
When the Bible is properly understood, life just makes sense. And when a person applies a handful
of simple concepts, the living Word of God begins to transform their lives.

At first glance a person may think that the Bible is just a book of random stories which do not
relate to each other. However, this month’s lesson deals with the plot of the Bible. This is what ties
every verse of Scripture together. The plot of the Bible is found in Genesis 3:15. There God says to
Satan “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring (Satan’s demonic
host and those who are not believers) and hers; He will crush your head, and you will strike His
heel.” Here God promises to send Jesus Christ into the world. God promised to do this in order to
reconcile mankind to Himself. The plot of the Bible is this declaration of war between God and Sa-
tan. The history of those who are involved in this battle and moral lessons of how God expects
those who are on His side are also included. Every passage of Scripture points to this Great War.

The reason for this battle originates in the Garden of Eden when mankind decided to listen to
Satan and gave into temptation. Our world suffered the consequences which God said would hap-
pen (Gen. 2:17).

It was at that moment that sin came into the world severing the close relationship man-
kind enjoyed from God, and causing disease, corruption, hardships, suffering, and death to
come into the world. This is the explanation of a lot of the pain and difficulties which we ex-
perience today. This was never God’s plan for mankind (Gen. 1:31); rather it was the result
of Adam and Eve’s own choice (Gen. 3:16-19).

Likewise, we often suffer as a result of others choices. Consider the innocent mother and
children who were killed by a drunk driver, or the young girl who is molested by her father.
This mother and her children, and girl who was molested, did not chose this path for them-
selves, yet they suffered on account of it. Therefore, God declared war Satan the tempter.

From Genesis 3:15 on, the Bible reveals God’s plan to restore His relationship with man-
kind and reverse what sin caused, while Satan’s attempts to prevent what God promised
from being fulfilled. The following are a few highlights God’s plan and Satan’s response.
First, in Genesis 12, God promises that Jesus would be a descendant of Abraham (Gen. 12:1-
3; Acts 3:25). Yet Satan attempted to stop Abraham and his descendants (Gen. 12:17-
20). Second, God promised that Jesus would be a descendant of David (2 Sam. 7:12-16).
And Satan responded by attacking David (1 Chron. 21:1). Third, Satan attempted to stop Je-
sus (Matt. 4:1-11). Yet Satan could not stop Jesus from accomplishing His purpose of com-
ing to reconcile mankind back to God through His death on the cross (2 Cor. 5:21; Gal.
3:13).

And Satan tries to stop us as Christians (1 Pet. 5:8). Yet he cannot overcome us. Even
though the victory is secured, Satan will continue to wage war until Jesus returns (Rev.
19:11-21; 20:10). Yet even so, he cannot overcome us. Satan at his strongest cannot over-
come people coming to Christ (Matt. 16:18; Rev. 12:9-11). And when we resist him, he must
flee (James 4:7). Therefore, when you are struggling with temptation, and Satan continues to
hound you, you can have confidence knowing the end of the story. The Bible plainly de-
clares our victory as Christians.

May these words encourage you to stand strong regardless of what opposition may come
your way. May they inspire you to put on the full armor of God, picking up the sword of
Spirit to slice through the attacks of evil one (Eph. 6:10-20). And may these words bring you
hope as you look forward to the day when Satan nor the causes which sin brought into this
world will never be able to hound you again (Rev. 21:1-7).

More of Him less of me,

Matt

Coe Church of Christ Schedule of Events

Contact: • Oct. 3—CMCMF Family Night at
10152 East Coe Road Rock Lake Christian Assembly
St. Louis, MI 48880 6:15pm
989-681-3185
[email protected] • October 7-9—Junior High Retreat
at Rock Lake Christian Assembly
Preaching Minister:
Matt Boughan • Oct. 9—Missions’ Sunday, Carry-
989-710-1116 in luncheon, Elders and Deacons
Meeting
[email protected]
Office Administrator: • Oct. 27—Central MI Ministers
Meeting at Coe 10:30am to Noon
Jan Fowler
989-388-7041 • Oct. 30—Singspiration
Assistant Office Administrator:
Faith Best Sermon Series: Wisdom for Living
989-763-5068 • Oct. 2—#3: The Uncommon
[email protected]
Eldership: Sense (Pro. 2)
Phil Leonard (chairman) • Oct. 16—#4: The Decision of a
989-388-1935
Lifetime (Pro. 3)
Dennis Fowler • Oct. 23—#5: The Comfy Chair of
989-763-5579
Deacons: Life (Pro. 4)
Jack Dougherty
Don Engler Regular Service Times:
Roger Freeze
Bruce Leonard Sunday: 9:00 am
Steve Leonard Sunday School 10:00 am
Darryl Quidort Worship

Monday:
Ladies Bible Study 1:00 pm

Wednesday:
Adult Bible Study 6:30 pm
(Child care provided)

Ministerial Office Hours:
Wednesday-Friday: 9:00 am-12:00 pm
Additional times available by appointment

“Coe Church of Christ exists to reach out to the lost, and to train people to maturity in Christ through disci-
pleship, worship, and fellowship, completely following God’s Word.”

Missions Moment: His House Christian Fellowship (Campus Ministry)

Whenever you think of Campus Ministry, the name of Gary Hawes comes to mind. He was the
first campus minister. When he was approached to start a ministry on campus he had no idea what
he was suppose to do or how God was going to grow it. After the first week he had no idea where
his first paycheck was coming from until he was told he had to go out and find churches to support
him and his family. Campus ministry began in 1969 at MI State University and is now on campus
at Central MI University, 1972; Western MI University,1976; Lake Superior State Universi-
ty,1977; University of MI, 1979; Ferris State University, 1987; Northern MI University, 1989;
Grand Valley State University,1995; MI Technological University, 2000; Saginaw Valley State
University, 2000; Eastern MI University, 2002; and Northwestern MI College, 2013.

Scott Austin is now the Executive Director. This is some of the comments he has expressed.

“I love campus ministry! His House Christian Fellowship has been an amazing part of my life
for over 25 years In 1994, I was introduced to His House as a student at MSU. God changed me so
much through the ministry that after graduating, I served as a campus ministry intern at MSU.

After that year I felt a call to go to MTU where I was at for 20 years. Also during those 20
years God blessed me with a wife and four children, In 2019 I became the new Executive Director
for His House.

Thanks to over 1,500 financial partners His House is debt-free and I am thankful for our staff,
students, prayer warriors, supporters, and board, all working together to change the lives of college
students. Thousands have been influenced for Christ.

Students need to hear the Good News about Jesus more than ever before. More than one third of
the incoming freshman have indicated in surveys that they are either atheists, agnostics, or have no
religious preference. Many of the influences surrounding college students are destructive and stand
in opposition to the life and peace that Jesus offers.

I attended a student activities fair at one of our universities, and one of the booths was hand-
ing out coupons for 3 bars, a marijuana store, an adult novelties shop, and a smoke shop. Satan has
filled college campuses with destructive ideas and influences.

Your financial gifts helps put positive, God-honoring resources on campus, so that students
can be led to spiritual and relational wholeness. Here's how His House does this:

We build mutually encouraging friendships with students; We share the Good News about Jesus
with them; We invite them into a personal and transforming relationship with Jesus; We work to
surround those students with a community united around Jesus.

Without the support of your church and others we would not be able to accomplish our goals.
Thank You.”