Stirrings at Bethesda - June 10, 2013

Good Morning, Bethesda!

Despite our low attendance, it was obvious that the Spirit was present during our service yesterday.  There were at least 9 members out on vacation, another who was required to work, and yet another at home with a child.  Our prayers are with each one who was unable to attend and hoping to see everyone next Sunday morning.


Urgent Prayer Requests

* Tom, significant storm damage
* Pete & Brenda, their health
* Brenda’s father who is very ill
* Brazel family
* Mueller family
* Debbie, recovering from foot surgery
* Marilynn Norvell
* Cynthia Wordlaw, need for a kidney
* Aaron Wordlaw and his arthritis
* Dennis fighting kidney failure
* Gene & Lois Schulze at home.
* Anne Overton’s family
* Our church and need for revival

 
Upcoming Activities

1. Business Meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
2. Sunday school, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
3. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
4. Discipleship Training, Sunday, 5 p.m.




"Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ."
1 Corinthians 11:1



Statement of Faith

Bethesda’s statement of faith is “The 1963 Baptist Faith and Message” and may be read at http://www.sbc.net/bfm/bfmcomparison.asp.  Here is article V on grace.


V. God's Purpose of Grace

Election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners. It is consistent with the free agency of man and comprehends all the means in connection with the end. It is a glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable. It excludes boasting and promotes humility.
All true believers endure to the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit, will never fall away from the state of grace, but shall persevere to the end. Believers may fall into sin through neglect and temptation, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, bring reproach on the cause of Christ, and temporal judgments on themselves, yet they shall be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.


“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.”
1 Timothy 1:15


Sermon Extras

In verses 2 & 3, we have a brief explanation on Paul’s methodology for sharing the Gospel.  “... he REASONED with them from the Scriptures, EXPLAINING and PROVING...”.  A couple of observations on these verses:

1.  What Paul was doing in the synagogue on the Sabbath was reasoning with the Jews.  The word is dialegomai meaning “to speak through or with”, hence, “to converse or even to debate.  Our English word “dialogue” comes from this word.  This same word was used by Greek authors to describe Socrates method of teaching.

2.  The words “explaining” and “proving” in verse 3 tell us how Paul accomplished his “reasoning”.  Both words indicate this was an on-going activity, not a one time thing.  Sharing the Scriptures with the lost often require more than one attempt.

3.  The word “explaining” means “to open the mind”.  It is the word Luke used to describe how Jesus opened the minds of the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Lk. 24:32).  Luke also uses the word concerning Lydia in Acts 16:14 when he writes, “The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.”  Paul uses the Scriptures, not sad stories, inspirational music, or altar calls, to open the mind of the lost to Christ.


Concerning the Jews in Thessalonika, Dr. A. T. Robertson wrote:

“... this small group of Jews were given Paul and Silas by God’s grace.”


Outreach Effort

A reminder that the bags of energy bars in the foyer are yours free for the taking.  Each bar contains a Bible verse plus the church’s address and phone number.  Take a bad or two and pass out the bars to those you encounter during the day.  They serve as a very simple way to share some Scripture to those who may need Christ.


Our Graduates

We will briefly recognize our graduates during this coming worship service.  Congratulations to Meghan Bartner (Ft. Zumwalt West) and Julie Brandel (Francis Howell)!


Faithfest 2013

Bethesda’s praise band, Broken4One, will be performing as part of Faithfest 2013 this Saturday, June 15, at Diekroeger Park in Wright City.  They will begin between 10 and 10:30 a.m.


Pastor’s Postscripts

Since we are out of space for this week’s issue, my “postscripts” will be brief.  May our gracious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, richly bless you throughout this week!

See you Sunday with Bible in hand!