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Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Prayer for the church

I understand there are some issues impacting the pastor search committee at the church as they seek a new pastor.  From what I have heard, there is a disagreement about the theology of the future pastor.

To anyone reading this post, I ask that you pray for their committee.  Ask God to remind them to study the Scripture and to remember that their future pastor should be a man who believes what the Scripture teaches, NOT what THEY want the Scripture to teach.

God is sovereign, whether we like it our not.  Man is depraved.  Christ has died to save His people.  Those the Father has given to Christ will come to Him for the Spirit of God, in time, will draw them to Him.  And, once regenerated by the Spirit of God (not by their profession), they will persevere for eternity.

May Christ be praised!


Monday, October 31, 2016

"My Words are Spirit and Life": A Sermon Outline for Sunday, April 10, 2011

“My Words are Spirit and Life”
John 6:60-65

Proposition:  True religion is an inward, spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ.
Transition:  The passage for this morning teaches us 4 facts concerning true religion.

I.  True Religion is Disturbing to Man. (vv. 60-65)
A.  We Have Our Own Views of
        Religion. (60)    
            B.  Our Views are Confronted by
                         Christ’s Words. (60)
C.  The Lord Knows Our Hearts. (61)
D.  Holding Onto Our Views Leads to
        Sin. (61-62)
           
II.  True Religion is Found in Christ. (v. 63)
            A.  True Religion is Not in Externals.
B.  True Religion is Spiritual.
                        1.  We Must Be Born by the Spirit.
2.  We Must Worship in the Spirit.
3.  We Must Live by the Spirit.
            C.  True Religion is Found in Christ’s
                        Words.

III.  True Religion is Received by Faith. (v. 64)
A.     Some with Jesus Do Not Believe.
1.  You likely are deceiving others.
2.  You likely are deceiving yourself.
3.  You cannot deceive Christ.
            B.  True Religion Must be Believed.
                        1.  It is a Personal Act.
                        2.  It is a Responsible Act.
                        3.  It is a Necessary Act.

IV.  True Religion is Given by God. (v. 65)
            A.  Ultimately, We Do Not Have Faith
                         to Believe.
            B.  The One Who Believes is a Choice
                         of the Father.
            C.  Such Faith is a Gift of God.
            D.  Your Faith and Your Coming is to
                         Christ.
1.  To come to Christ is to leave all
  else.
2.  You come to Christ and not
  someone or something else.

"The Door": A Sermon Outline for Sunday, October 23, 2011

“The Door”
John 10:1-10

Proposition:  Jesus is the way into the presence of God.

Transition:  I want to share with you 4 thoughts about this door.

I.  Think About the Nature of the Door. (v. 7)  
 A.  A Door is Simple.
 B.  A Door is Required.
 C.  The Door is Singular.
 D.  The Door has Character.
 E.  The Door is Personal.

II.  Think About the Users of the Door.  (vv. 7,9)
 A.  The Door is for the Sheep. (v. 7)
 B.  The Door is for Anyone. (v. 9)

III.  Think About the Use of the Door. (v. 9)
 A.  Here are some ways NOT to use the Door.
   1.  Admire it.
   2.  Knock on it.
   3.  Proclaim it.
   4.  Guard it.
 B.  Here is how you SHOULD use the Door:  ENTER IT!
   1.  Entering a Door is a Simple Act.
   2.  Entering a Door is a Fast Act.

IV.  Think About the Privileges of the Door.  (v. 9)
 A.  They Will Be Saved.
   1.  Note the Need of this Privilege.
   2.  Note the Certainty of this Privilege.
   3.  Note our Action in this Privilege.
 B.  They Will Have Freedom.
   1.  Their Freedom is to Go into God’s Presence.
   2.  Their Freedom is to Go Out into the World.
 C.  They Will Have Nourishment.

"The Door": A Sermon Outline for Sunday, October 16, 2011

“The Door”
John 10:1-10

Proposition:  Jesus is the way into the presence of God.

Transition:  I want to share with you 4 thoughts about this door.

I.  Think About the Nature of the Door. (v. 7)  
 A.  A Door is Simple.
 B.  A Door is Required.
 C.  The Door is Singular.
 D.  The Door has Character.
 E.  The Door is Personal.

II.  Think About the Users of the Door.  (vv. 7,9)
 A.  The Door is for the Sheep. (v. 7)
 B.  The Door is for Anyone. (v. 9)

III.  Think About the Use of the Door. (v. 9)
 A.  Here are some ways NOT to use the Door.
   1.  Admire it.
   2.  Knock on it.
   3.  Proclaim it.
   4.  Guard it.
 B.  Here is how you SHOULD use the Door:  ENTER IT!
   1.  Entering a Door is a Simple Act.
   2.  Entering a Door is a Fast Act.

IV.  Think About the Privileges of the Door.  (v. 9)
 A.  They Will Be Saved.
   1.  Note the Need of this Privilege.
   2.  Note the Certainty of this Privilege.
   3.  Note our Action in this Privilege.
 B.  They Will Have Freedom.
   1.  Their Freedom is to Go into God’s Presence.
   2.  Their Freedom is to Go Out into the World.
 C.  They Will Have Nourishment.

Monday, October 24, 2016

End of BLOG

I began this blog several years ago while serving as pastor of Bethesda Baptist Church in St. Charles, MO.  Our church web site was being upgraded so during that period I placed church related blog information on this site.  Included were many editions of our church newsletter.  Once the church site was ready, I resume posting there and abandoned this site.

I am no longer the pastor of the church and, since this web site was specifically for the church, I do not believe I should post further notes within it.  Therefore, I am terminating operations of this specific blog.  I will no longer monitor it and, once I have made certain all the information in it has been preserved for the church, I will delete it.

Bethesda's web site is:  bethesdabc.org