Ashlea Gardens
Church of Christ
180 Club Avenue
Ashlea Gardens
Tel: 012 997 1983 A
Do you want to be popular or Biblical?
Consider two opposing lifestyles – one based on the soothing comfort sayings of the so-called
Christian world, the other on a deep, self-searching study of Scripture.
Which one are you living?
Culturally acceptable Christianity is
a religion based on human logic, a “feel-
good” experience and popular interpre-
tation of Scripture. Biblical Christianity
is different and involves a personal
relationship with our Lord and Saviour,
Jesus Christ.
John 17 records Jesus’ prayer to His
father, in which He talks about those
who believe in His message – a direct
referral to Christians today. He prayed
specifically for unity, that there would
be no divisions, and ‘may they also be
in us’.
How can God be in us if we want
everything, including worship of Him,
done our way, and according to our
will? God will not entertain deviation
from His Word, or apathetic worship; He
wants us to serve Him in truth and with
a sincere motive.
Popular or Biblical Christianity?
The popular view of the Bible is that
it is a collection of guidelines, myths
and stories, which are useful for good
living. But 2 Tim 3:16-17 declares that
“all scripture is God-breathed… that we
may be thoroughly equipped”. We don’t
need anything else today, because “the
word of the Lord stands forever” (1 Pet
1:24-25).
Popular Christianity says people’s
approval and political correctness are
ELDERS
Fred Bergh Chris Gerber Hennie Mulder
mbassador 29 May 2011
By Fred Bergh
God has the power
to do far better than
we. We are nothing
without Him. We are
Christ’s ambassadors
and everything we
do must be to glorify
God and not to el-
evate ourselves.
Popular Chris-
tianity views sin as
a normal part of
growth, but accord-
ing to Rom 6:23,
“the wages of sin is
death”.
important; Biblical Christianity declares Popular Chris-
God’s approval as the goal – to know tianity says it’s okay to bring people to
Him, do His will, walk in His ways, and Church occasionally, as long as we don’t
live each moment in fellowship with offend them. The Bible, however, com-
Him by His grace. Are we trying to mands us to visit the sick, and trust God
please man or God (Gal 1:10)? to meet their needs by praying for them.
Popular Christianity promotes man’s Popular Christianity says it’s fine to
abilities first, followed by God’s help, challenge God’s power and purpose,
while Biblical Christianity acknowledges argue and be annoyed (or even angry)
God’s unlimited grace and power (Phil with Him. But 2 Cor 1:3 tells us to trust
4:19). When we go to Him because we God to help us throughout our lives.
love His ways and want to live by them, A diligent study of the word of God
He meets our needs. will enable us to examine ourselves to
Popular Christianity says we are see if we are in the faith. Appeasing
strong and capable if we have confi- Christianity does not work because it’s
dence and believe in ourselves, but not true Christianity.
the Bible teaches that “My power is God is unfailing in His promises. Try
perfected in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9-10). biblical Christianity - it works!
YOUTH LEADER
DEACONS
Sean Bowes Henk Taljaard Alan Page Marcel Bergh

• Theo Rappard writes: “We saw the
oncologist and received the first bit
of positive news, medically speaking.
Treatment will attempt to shrink Esme’s
tumour, which in turn will give us more
time for continuing treatment. The rest is
up to our Father. We are deeply hum-
bled and grateful for His mercy and your
unbelievable support. Theo can be sms’d
on 083 608 8221.
• Good news from Andy Jooste is that
Freda’s new pacemaker is working, and
the additional transfusions have also
raised the critical blood levels. Andy can
be emailed at ajooste@juno.com.
Men’s Retreat
When: 19-22 August
Where: Linga Longa
Cost: R480 (adults),
R240 (boys U12)
RSVP: Owain
Study
to show thyself
approved
Monthly Singing
Tuesday @ 19h30
Church Building
Ladies
Wednesday @ 10h00
Venue to be announced
If you are visiting with us today
please sign our visitors book.
Part One of exciting DVD series to
be shown tonight
The first in an internationally ac-
claimed three-part DVD series will be
shown at the church building tonight.
Entitled The Case for Faith, The
Case for a Creator and The Case for
Christ, the DVDs are based on the
books of the same name by New York
Times best-selling author Lee Strobel,
a well-educated legal journalist who
sets out to prove that Christianity
is false because he feels threatened
when his wife becomes a Christian
and he is afraid of losing her.
Strobel constructs a method of
investigating the case for Christ just
as he would in a court of law.
He gathers evidence from Chris-
tian scholars and puts hard questions
to them as to the validity of the Bible
and Jesus’ claims of being the Mes-
siah. The viewer is taken on the step-
by-step journey which Strobel made
which converted him from atheism to
Christianity.
Parts Two and Three will be shown
next month and after the school
holidays.
Don – 31st
Deon T – 3rd
Nadine – 4th
Privileged to Serve in Worship
Today (29 May)
Opening prayer: Henk Taljaard
Table: Chris Gerber
Servers: Deon Taljaard
Sean Bowes
Willem Lombard
Byron Harding
Reading, prayer: Owain Bowes
Closing prayer: Gavin de Steur
Sermon am: Fred Bergh
pm: Marcel Bergh
Key, money orderly: Deon Connoway
Security bs: Hendrik Pieterse
am: Mdu Mhlophe
pm: Bernie Meyer
Tea duty: Hannie & Kristel
Table preparation: Yolande & Melissa
Flowers: Vivien
Prayers of Supplication
Esme Rappard has been diagnosed with
pancreatic cancer.
Freda Jooste has had a pacemaker fitted.
She is still in the care home.
Jana Kruger’s mother is undergoing
preventive radiation therapy for cancer.
Don Wilmot continues to struggle with his
heart function.
Isabell Harding has chronic back pain.
Izak Connoway is working in Saudi
Arabia.
Deon Connoway and Isak’s partner,
Henk at the company and workshop.
Paula Heger (family of Krista), as well as
several members of our congregation
are urgently looking for work.
Jabu Manzini’s son, Siya is going through
a difficult time.
The elderly: Vivien Bloem, Salmon Ger-
ber, Chris and Heillie Gerber, Dorothy
Kruger, Tina Verwey, Danie and Pat
Fourie and Hedda Botes.
Christo (Salome’s nephew in Belgium)
has colon cancer.
Next Week (5 June)
Opening prayer: Gavin de Steur
Table: Debri van Wyk
Servers: Liam de Weerdt
Sean Bowes
Owain Bowes
Charl Greeff
Reading, prayer: Deon Taljaard
Closing prayer: Athan Page
Sermon am: Fred Bergh
pm: Henk Taljaard
Key, money orderly: Bernie Meyer
Security bs: Don Wilmot
am: Christo Gerber
pm: Mdu Mhlophe
Tea duty: Kim & Dinah
Table preparation: Krista & Kathy
Flowers: Yolande