Riverside Church Of Christ, Burlington, OK

08/27/2026

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08/27/2026

08/27/2026

Story 386. There was a family of donkeys that lived on a farm between the towns of Byron and Burlington. There
was a mom and a dad. The mom’s name was Gertrude and the dad’s name was Horace. There were three young donkeys named Mary, Scott and Sam. There was also Grandma and Grandpa, their names were Raymond and Doris. Finally, there was also an orphan donkey that lived with them, his name was Oliver.

Farmer Smith was planting flowers by the fence when he dropped his geranium seeds. The seeds spilled on the ground when the bag of seeds fell out of Farmer Smith’s hand. Farmer Smith picked up the bag but left the seeds on the ground. Mary saw the whole thing happen. She took a bowl in her mouth and scooped up the seeds and took them back to the barn.

“Mom, I’ve got some flower seeds. Can we plant them?” said Mary.

“Sure we can,” said Gertrude as she walked out of the barn with Mary.

They carefully planted the seeds and watered them.
Mary went out every day checked to see if the seeds had sprouted and every day she came back disappointed.

“Mom, I don’t understand. It’s been six days since I planted the geraniums and they still haven’t sprouted,” said Mary.

“It takes about two weeks for them to sprout Mary. It’s worth the wait they’ll be beautiful. Jesus compared the church to planting seeds. Jesus said, ‘What can I use to show you what the kingdom of
God is like? What story can I use to explain it? The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed. The mustard seed is the smallest seed that you plant in the ground. But when you plant this seed, it grows
and becomes the largest of all the plants in your garden. It has branches that are very big. The wild birds can come and make nests there and be protected from the sun.’ (Mark 4:30-32) The church
was small when it started, but it grew and spread to shelter all kinds of people from the world,” said Gertrude.

Song: Jesus Loves Me
Scripture Reading: Mark 4:32
Question: Were there always lots of people in the church? (No, it used to be small.)

08/27/2026

There Is More

I wonder if a fish raised in an aquarium knows that there is more to the world than their tank. They spend their time swimming in circles while examining the same surroundings that they will see daily until their unfortunate end and water burial in the commode. We live in an amazing world but most of us spend our days examining a small piece of it and much of our life can be compared to swimming in circles. The unnoticed truth is that the creation we see is just a piece of the creation that is. God created this world as a temporary place for humanity to live. Paul wrote, “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God”. (Romans 8:20-21) Beyond this world is the rest of creation. Beyond this world is the place where we can live forever. The Book of Revelation states, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away. And He who sits on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’”. (Revelation 21:4-5) So many people are happy to swim in circles and happy to see the different things in this world. I want you to know that there is more. Beyond this world is another more amazing world. Through Jesus our death can be a transition from this part of creation to the rest of creation. People become lost like fish swimming in circles. By following Jesus we can be found.

By Douglas J. Graham

08/26/2026

Story 385. Scott and Gertrude were eating some hay when they saw a grouchy cow kick a baby calf.

“There sure are mean animals in this world mom. I
wish God would just get rid of them now,” said Scott.

“You can’t tell which ones will become good Scott. Jesus told a story about a farmer who had w**ds in his field. The farmer waited until harvest to get rid of the w**ds. Jesus said, ‘The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The w**ds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. As the w**ds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will
be at the end of the age, The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will w**d out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.’ (Matthew 13:36-43) Don’t worry Scott. One day God will get rid of the w**ds. Just make sure you are following Jesus and not the Devil,” said Scott.

Song: The Gospel Chariot
Scripture Reading: Matthew 13:36-37
Question: Who are the good seed? (The ones following Jesus)

08/26/2026

Remember

When Jesus asks you do something, you would have to conclude that it is important. Just before the cross was the first communion. Luke records, “And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, ‘Take this and share it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.’ And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’. (Luke 22:17-19). The crucifixion was getting ready to happen and Jesus asks us to remember. Is this request reasonable? Jesus died for us on the cross. It would seem that any request would be reasonable. The church was asked to gather and take of the bread and fruit of the vine to remember the cross. It is easy to rationalize skipping church or for congregations to limit their offering of communion, but is it keeping with faith? Paul wrote, “Therefore when you meet together, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper…” (I Corinthians 11:20). Acts records, “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread…” (Acts 20:7) The example in scripture was churches meeting on the first day of the week to remember the cross by having the Lord’s Supper. It may not be convenient but each believer has the duty to search out and take the Lord’s Supper on Sunday. By Douglas Graham

08/25/2026

Story 384. Sam was watching Farmer Smith get home after being gone most of the day.

“What was Farmer Smith doing?” Sam asked Horace.

“He was doing church work. They are having a Gospel Meeting the next few days and Farmer Smith was putting flyers out door to door,” said Horace.

“He was gone a long time. I bet they will have a lot of people at the Gospel Meeting,” said Sam.

“Well, the truth is Sam that most people won’t come. All we can do is plant the seeds in their hearts. We can’t make them follow Jesus. Farmer Smith just wants to make sure that they have been invited,” said Horace.

“I wonder why everyone doesn’t follow Jesus,” asked Sam.

“Jesus told a story about why everyone doesn’t follow. He told a story about planting seeds. He said some seeds fell along the road. Some of the seeds he said fell on rocks and other fell by the thorns. But some seeds fell on good ground. Jesus’ students
didn’t know what He meant by the story, so Jesus explained it to them. Jesus said, ‘So listen to the meaning of that story about the farmer. What is the seed that fell by the path? That seed is like
the person that hears the teaching about the kingdom but does not understand it. The Evil One comes and takes away the things that were planted in that person’s heart. And what is the seed that fell on rocky ground? That seed is like the person that
hears the teaching and quickly accepts that teaching with joy. But that person does not let the teaching go deep into his life. He keeps that teaching only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the teaching he accepted, then he quickly quits. And what is the seed that fell among the thorny
w**ds? That seed is like the person that hears the teaching but lets worries about this life and love for money stop that teaching from growing. So the teaching does not make fruit in that person’ life. But what is the seed that fell on good ground? That
seed is like the person that hears the teaching and understands it. That person grows and makes fruit, sometimes 100 times more, sometimes 60 times more and sometimes 30 times more.’ (Matthew 13:23) Sam don’t get discouraged when
you tell people about Jesus. Most people will not listen,” said Horace.

Song: The Lord’s Army
Scripture Reading: Matthew 13:23
Question: What is the seed on good ground? (The one that grows and makes fruit.)