I have resisted writing this post for over three weeks to allow time to pass and some healing to occur. However, even though I am no longer the pastor of Bethesda Baptist Church, I feel compelled to jot a brief post on Rich Norvell to this blog.
Rich entered eternity unexpectedly on February 24th as he was preparing to leave home for church. Although he was eighty years of age, both his appearance and his energy betrayed this fact. He was a charter member of Bethesda Baptist Church and the most familiar face among the congregation.
Rich served on the pastor search committee that recommended me to the church body as their pastor in 2009. He was the chairman of the deacons during my entire seven-year stay. And, of course, he led all efforts in building repairs, often handling those repairs himself. How many times did that gracious man answer security alarms even in the middle of the night?!
When I would step into the pulpit, I would see Rich sitting in his seat on the back row just to the right of the aisle. He would usher every Sunday he was present, assisting in the collection of the offering. And, in seven years, he always gave me an encouraging word even after a sermon I had preached which I considered to be a "flop".
What I remember most about Rich is his smile. I do not recall him ever losing his temper even once during my tenure as pastor. He may not agree with me on some matter but he always kept a very pleasant demeanor. It was a joy to serve our Lord together! I consider him as a brother in Christ and a friend.
His family composed one of the nicest obituary notices I have ever read and I believed it truly captured Rich from the perspective of his family. He did love the church, but he loved his family even more.
Rich will be greatly missed by family, friends, Bethesda Baptist, and me.
Bethesda Baptist Church Logo
Tuesday, March 19, 2019
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!
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.
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
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
Monday, July 8, 2013
Stirrings at Bethesda - July 8, 2013
Good Morning, Bethesda!
Praise the Lord for a great Lord’s Day yesterday! Our worship service was a blessing and our discipleship training class in the evening was quite lively! Mark your calendar and join us next Sunday evening at 5 p.m.!
Urgent Prayer Requests
* Cynthia Wordlaw, recovering at home; also need for a kidney
* Tom, significant storm damage
* Pete & Brenda, their health & personal needs
* Brazel family
* Mueller family
* Marilynn Norvell
* Aaron Wordlaw and his arthritis
* Dennis fighting kidney failure
* Gene & Lois Schulze at home
* Mark & Julie Johnson and the situation with their Illinois home
* Anne Overton’s family
* Rachelle in California
* Our church and need for revival
Upcoming Activities
1. BUSINESS Meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
2. Bethesda Men Breakfast & Book Study, Saturday, 8 a.m.
3. Sunday school, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
4. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
5. Discipleship Training, Sunday, 5 p.m.
6. Skating Fellowship, Great Skate Skating Rink in St. Peters, Sunday, 5:15 – 7:15 p.m.
Statement of Faith
Bethesda’s statement of faith is “The 1963 Baptist Faith and Message” and may be read here. This is the 9th article concerning the Kingdom of God.
IX. The Kingdom
The kingdom of God includes both His general sovereignty over the universe and His particular kingship over men who willfully acknowledge Him as King. Particularly the kingdom is the realm of salvation into which men enter by trustful, childlike commitment to Jesus Christ. Christians ought to pray and to labor that the kingdom may come and God's will be done on earth. The full consummation of the kingdom awaits the return of Jesus Christ and the end of this age.
Outreach Effort
Energy bars are still available on the table in the foyer. Please take some and hand them out to those you encounter who have a need for them.
“A witnessing Christian can not do so without sharing the Word and living the Word.”
“The Apostle employs a word never used anywhere else in the New Testament to describe the conspicuous and widespread nature of this testimony of theirs.”
Alexander Maclaren
Roller Skating Fellowship
Sunday, July 14, 5:15 p.m.
Contact Karla if you are planning to attend and let her know if you are planning on skating.
Sermon Extras
1. In verse 8 of 1 Thessalonians 1, Paul says the word has “sounded forth” and the Thessalonians faith in God “has gone forth”. Both of these verbs are written in a form which indicates a completed action with results which continue on. So I might loosely translate this verse something like this to communicate this aspect of the verb form:
“For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you and continues to ring out in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere and continues to impact others even today...”
2. In verse 9 Paul notes that others from around the Empire are talking about what has taken place in Thessalonica. He writes, “For they themselves report”. The word “report” literally means “to proclaim” and Paul says they continue to do so. The reports on the Thessalonians keep coming in and those proclaiming it keep talking about it! What a significant work the Lord accomplished in that city!
3. Here is the quote from William Hendriksen on Paul’s use of the word “turned” in verse 9:
“When God converts a man, he changes the entire person, not only the emotions, so that one regrets his former manner of life (cf. the idea which predominates in the verb metamelomai), but also the mind and will, with respect to which he experiences a complete change-over (cf. the thought that is placed in the foreground by metanoia), and all of this becomes apparent in his outward conduct (this being the main import of the verb used her in 1 Thess. 1:9).”
Pastor’s Postscripts
A brief “thank you” to whoever gave me the picture of the giraffes. I truly appreciate the gift and your thoughtfulness. I apologize for not seeing it sooner but I have found that I am rather focused on the message in the moments before I preach it and often oblivious to things around me!
I intend to hang it in my church study since it was given by a church member plus the fact my “giraffe pen” at home is a bit overcrowded these days (not to mention that my wife has told me to transfer some of my giraffes from my home study to the church study!).
I guess if the picture was NOT intended to be a gift to me, whoever placed it by the pulpit will need to see me and reclaim it. Good luck with that!
See you Sunday with Bible in hand!
Praise the Lord for a great Lord’s Day yesterday! Our worship service was a blessing and our discipleship training class in the evening was quite lively! Mark your calendar and join us next Sunday evening at 5 p.m.!
Urgent Prayer Requests
* Cynthia Wordlaw, recovering at home; also need for a kidney
* Tom, significant storm damage
* Pete & Brenda, their health & personal needs
* Brazel family
* Mueller family
* Marilynn Norvell
* Aaron Wordlaw and his arthritis
* Dennis fighting kidney failure
* Gene & Lois Schulze at home
* Mark & Julie Johnson and the situation with their Illinois home
* Anne Overton’s family
* Rachelle in California
* Our church and need for revival
Upcoming Activities
1. BUSINESS Meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
2. Bethesda Men Breakfast & Book Study, Saturday, 8 a.m.
3. Sunday school, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
4. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
5. Discipleship Training, Sunday, 5 p.m.
6. Skating Fellowship, Great Skate Skating Rink in St. Peters, Sunday, 5:15 – 7:15 p.m.
Statement of Faith
Bethesda’s statement of faith is “The 1963 Baptist Faith and Message” and may be read here. This is the 9th article concerning the Kingdom of God.
IX. The Kingdom
The kingdom of God includes both His general sovereignty over the universe and His particular kingship over men who willfully acknowledge Him as King. Particularly the kingdom is the realm of salvation into which men enter by trustful, childlike commitment to Jesus Christ. Christians ought to pray and to labor that the kingdom may come and God's will be done on earth. The full consummation of the kingdom awaits the return of Jesus Christ and the end of this age.
Outreach Effort
Energy bars are still available on the table in the foyer. Please take some and hand them out to those you encounter who have a need for them.
“A witnessing Christian can not do so without sharing the Word and living the Word.”
“The Apostle employs a word never used anywhere else in the New Testament to describe the conspicuous and widespread nature of this testimony of theirs.”
Alexander Maclaren
Roller Skating Fellowship
Sunday, July 14, 5:15 p.m.
Contact Karla if you are planning to attend and let her know if you are planning on skating.
Sermon Extras
1. In verse 8 of 1 Thessalonians 1, Paul says the word has “sounded forth” and the Thessalonians faith in God “has gone forth”. Both of these verbs are written in a form which indicates a completed action with results which continue on. So I might loosely translate this verse something like this to communicate this aspect of the verb form:
“For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you and continues to ring out in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere and continues to impact others even today...”
2. In verse 9 Paul notes that others from around the Empire are talking about what has taken place in Thessalonica. He writes, “For they themselves report”. The word “report” literally means “to proclaim” and Paul says they continue to do so. The reports on the Thessalonians keep coming in and those proclaiming it keep talking about it! What a significant work the Lord accomplished in that city!
3. Here is the quote from William Hendriksen on Paul’s use of the word “turned” in verse 9:
“When God converts a man, he changes the entire person, not only the emotions, so that one regrets his former manner of life (cf. the idea which predominates in the verb metamelomai), but also the mind and will, with respect to which he experiences a complete change-over (cf. the thought that is placed in the foreground by metanoia), and all of this becomes apparent in his outward conduct (this being the main import of the verb used her in 1 Thess. 1:9).”
Pastor’s Postscripts
A brief “thank you” to whoever gave me the picture of the giraffes. I truly appreciate the gift and your thoughtfulness. I apologize for not seeing it sooner but I have found that I am rather focused on the message in the moments before I preach it and often oblivious to things around me!
I intend to hang it in my church study since it was given by a church member plus the fact my “giraffe pen” at home is a bit overcrowded these days (not to mention that my wife has told me to transfer some of my giraffes from my home study to the church study!).
I guess if the picture was NOT intended to be a gift to me, whoever placed it by the pulpit will need to see me and reclaim it. Good luck with that!
See you Sunday with Bible in hand!
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