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!
Bethesda Baptist Church Logo
Showing posts with label 1 Thessalonians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1 Thessalonians. Show all posts
Monday, July 8, 2013
Monday, June 17, 2013
Stirrings at Bethesda - June 17, 2013
CHURCH PICNIC!
Join us for our annual summer picnic on Saturday, June 22nd! Please bring an item for grilling along with a side or dessert. The church will provide drinks, ice and condiments. Weather permitting, we'll also have a small pool set up for the kids, while the adults relax, kick back and enjoy some quality fellowship time. We may even get a couple of games going!
Grilling starts at 12:00 PM, so we hope to see you there!
Urgent Prayer Requests
* Tom, significant storm damage
* Pete & Brenda, their health
* Brazel family
* Mueller family
* 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
* Rachelle in California
* Our church and need for revival
“Christian thanksgiving is an act of GRACE when a servant of God, GRACIOUSLY saved by God, expresses his GRATITUDE to a GRACIOUS God for His GRACIOUS provision.”
Upcoming Activities
1. Bible Study (Brief Books) & Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
2. Church Picnic, Saturday, Noon
3. Sunday school, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
4. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
5. Discipleship Training, Sunday, 5 p.m.
Sermon Extras
In the opening verse of 1 Thessalonians, Paul addresses the church by writing,
“...to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”.
Some of the older translations put the preposition “in” before both “God the Father” and “the Lord Jesus Christ”. However, the autograph (the original writing) only contains the first preposition. Paul is teaching all who read this verse at least two important truths.
1. God the Father and Jesus Christ are on the same “plane”. They are co-equals. The attributes of God the Father are the same as those of Jesus Christ. In other words, Jesus is, indeed, God in the flesh.
2. The church (a reference to saved individuals, not to a building) is established in, grounded in, built upon God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Only the true followers of Christ comprise the local church.
“Grace, God’s kindness to man.”.
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 VI on the church, a Baptist distinctive.
VI. The Church
A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a local body of baptized believers who are associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel, observing the two ordinances of Christ, committed to His teachings, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth.
This church is an autonomous body, operating through democratic processes under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. In such a congregation, members are equally responsible. Its Scriptural officers are pastors and deacons.
The New Testament speaks also of the church as the body of Christ which includes all of the redeemed of all the ages.
Outreach Effort
There are a few of the bags containing energy bars remaining in the foyer. Feel free to take as many as you need and hand them out to various folks you meet during the day.
“Their living faith was clothed upon with work; it was not a belief dead, barren, and alone.”
John Eadie
Pastor’s Postscripts
In those opening verses of 1 Thessalonians, Paul notes the hope in Christ the Thessalonian Christians have. He recognizes this hope in them because it has produced endurance. They endure; they persevere even in the midst of persecution and suffering.
Many Baptists are quite comfortable with the doctrine known as the “security of the believer”. This doctrine is Biblical. Passages such as Philippians 1:6 (my favorite verse) and 2 Timothy 1:12 support this teaching. If you have truly been saved (born again) then you are secure in Christ. You WILL have an eternal home in glory with Him.
But the Bible also teaches endurance or what is commonly known theologically as the “Perseverance of the Saints”. For a person to actually have that eternal home in glory they MUST persevere in Christ; they must endure. This teaching is revealed in Matthew 10:22, Matthew 24:13, 2 Timothy 2:12, and Hebrews 10:35-36. You MUST endure if you are to have an eternal home in glory.
While these teachings appear to contradict one another, they are actually complements. The true believer will persevere as a result of the hope that is in them, namely Jesus. Those who wander from the faith during their journey here on earth are, most likely, those who were never truly born again.
Are you steadfast like the Thessalonians? Are you enduring in your faith? Are you persevering because of the hope you have in Christ?
Join us for our annual summer picnic on Saturday, June 22nd! Please bring an item for grilling along with a side or dessert. The church will provide drinks, ice and condiments. Weather permitting, we'll also have a small pool set up for the kids, while the adults relax, kick back and enjoy some quality fellowship time. We may even get a couple of games going!
Grilling starts at 12:00 PM, so we hope to see you there!
Urgent Prayer Requests
* Tom, significant storm damage
* Pete & Brenda, their health
* Brazel family
* Mueller family
* 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
* Rachelle in California
* Our church and need for revival
“Christian thanksgiving is an act of GRACE when a servant of God, GRACIOUSLY saved by God, expresses his GRATITUDE to a GRACIOUS God for His GRACIOUS provision.”
Upcoming Activities
1. Bible Study (Brief Books) & Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
2. Church Picnic, Saturday, Noon
3. Sunday school, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
4. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
5. Discipleship Training, Sunday, 5 p.m.
Sermon Extras
In the opening verse of 1 Thessalonians, Paul addresses the church by writing,
“...to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”.
Some of the older translations put the preposition “in” before both “God the Father” and “the Lord Jesus Christ”. However, the autograph (the original writing) only contains the first preposition. Paul is teaching all who read this verse at least two important truths.
1. God the Father and Jesus Christ are on the same “plane”. They are co-equals. The attributes of God the Father are the same as those of Jesus Christ. In other words, Jesus is, indeed, God in the flesh.
2. The church (a reference to saved individuals, not to a building) is established in, grounded in, built upon God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Only the true followers of Christ comprise the local church.
“Grace, God’s kindness to man.”.
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 VI on the church, a Baptist distinctive.
VI. The Church
A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a local body of baptized believers who are associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel, observing the two ordinances of Christ, committed to His teachings, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth.
This church is an autonomous body, operating through democratic processes under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. In such a congregation, members are equally responsible. Its Scriptural officers are pastors and deacons.
The New Testament speaks also of the church as the body of Christ which includes all of the redeemed of all the ages.
Outreach Effort
There are a few of the bags containing energy bars remaining in the foyer. Feel free to take as many as you need and hand them out to various folks you meet during the day.
“Their living faith was clothed upon with work; it was not a belief dead, barren, and alone.”
John Eadie
Pastor’s Postscripts
In those opening verses of 1 Thessalonians, Paul notes the hope in Christ the Thessalonian Christians have. He recognizes this hope in them because it has produced endurance. They endure; they persevere even in the midst of persecution and suffering.
Many Baptists are quite comfortable with the doctrine known as the “security of the believer”. This doctrine is Biblical. Passages such as Philippians 1:6 (my favorite verse) and 2 Timothy 1:12 support this teaching. If you have truly been saved (born again) then you are secure in Christ. You WILL have an eternal home in glory with Him.
But the Bible also teaches endurance or what is commonly known theologically as the “Perseverance of the Saints”. For a person to actually have that eternal home in glory they MUST persevere in Christ; they must endure. This teaching is revealed in Matthew 10:22, Matthew 24:13, 2 Timothy 2:12, and Hebrews 10:35-36. You MUST endure if you are to have an eternal home in glory.
While these teachings appear to contradict one another, they are actually complements. The true believer will persevere as a result of the hope that is in them, namely Jesus. Those who wander from the faith during their journey here on earth are, most likely, those who were never truly born again.
Are you steadfast like the Thessalonians? Are you enduring in your faith? Are you persevering because of the hope you have in Christ?
Monday, June 3, 2013
Stirrings at Bethesday - June 3, 2013
Good Morning, Bethesda!
We are thankful God protected our facilities on Friday night as the tornado passed nearby. Also, we praise the Lord there were no fatalities or serious injuries from the storm.
As of this writing, we are aware of only one church member who suffered loss and that’s brother Tom. His house was significantly damaged and it will take some time before he and his children are able to return to it as their home. Please keep him in your prayers and, if there is any way you may be able to help him out, please do so. Thank you to those men who have already been to the house to help him out.
Urgent Prayer Requests
* Tom, significant storm damage
* Pete & Brenda, their health
* Brenda’s father who is very ill
* Brazel 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
“For I know that the Lord is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps.”
Psalm 135:5-6
Outreach Effort
The Outreach Committee has provided church members with bags containing energy and/or granola bars. Each bar contains a Bible verse plus the church’s address and phone number. Please take one or more bags and pass out individual bars to those you meet who have a need. For example, if you pull up to a light and a person is asking for money, hand him a bar.
The bags are located on the table in the foyer.
Upcoming Activities
1. Bible Study (Brief Books) and Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
2. Deacons’ Meeting, Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.
3. Bethesda Men Breakfast & Book Study, Saturday, 8 a.m.
4. Church Council Meeting, Saturday, 9 a.m.
5. Sunday school, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
6. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
7. NO Discipleship Training
“God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don’t understand
When you don’t see His plan
When you can’t trace His hand
Trust His Heart.”
Babbie Mason
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 the article on Salvation.
IV. Salvation
Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, sanctification, and glorification.
1. Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God's grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of grace. Repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and commitment of the entire personality to Him as Lord and Saviour. Justification is God's gracious and full acquittal upon principles of His righteousness of all sinners who repent and believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer into a relationship of peace and favor with God.
2. Sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God's purposes, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual perfection through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. Growth in grace should continue throughout the regenerate person's life.
3. Glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed.
Saturday, June 8
Men, bring your breakfast and join us for some fellowship and study this Saturday beginning at 8 a.m. We’ll fellowship for 15-20 minutes and then continue our study of Dr. Whitney’s book. Even if you have been unable to attend in the past, join us this Saturday.
Our church council will meet at 9 a.m. this Saturday to discuss and schedule upcoming activities. If you are on the council and cannot attend, please ask someone to take your place.
Pastor’s Postscripts
To those who attended Sunday, thank you for your attentiveness during the message. For a variety of reasons, I had great difficulty in delivering this Sunday’s sermon. But God is good and His Word powerful!
This Sunday we begin a new series. We’ll take a look at the Thessalonian church by working our way through Paul’s letters to them. We’ll begin this series, however, not in 1 Thessalonians but in the book of Acts. This Sunday we examine “The Beginnings of a Local Church.”
I look forward to seeing you there! God bless!
We are thankful God protected our facilities on Friday night as the tornado passed nearby. Also, we praise the Lord there were no fatalities or serious injuries from the storm.
As of this writing, we are aware of only one church member who suffered loss and that’s brother Tom. His house was significantly damaged and it will take some time before he and his children are able to return to it as their home. Please keep him in your prayers and, if there is any way you may be able to help him out, please do so. Thank you to those men who have already been to the house to help him out.
Urgent Prayer Requests
* Tom, significant storm damage
* Pete & Brenda, their health
* Brenda’s father who is very ill
* Brazel 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
“For I know that the Lord is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps.”
Psalm 135:5-6
Outreach Effort
The Outreach Committee has provided church members with bags containing energy and/or granola bars. Each bar contains a Bible verse plus the church’s address and phone number. Please take one or more bags and pass out individual bars to those you meet who have a need. For example, if you pull up to a light and a person is asking for money, hand him a bar.
The bags are located on the table in the foyer.
Upcoming Activities
1. Bible Study (Brief Books) and Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
2. Deacons’ Meeting, Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.
3. Bethesda Men Breakfast & Book Study, Saturday, 8 a.m.
4. Church Council Meeting, Saturday, 9 a.m.
5. Sunday school, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
6. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
7. NO Discipleship Training
“God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don’t understand
When you don’t see His plan
When you can’t trace His hand
Trust His Heart.”
Babbie Mason
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 the article on Salvation.
IV. Salvation
Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, sanctification, and glorification.
1. Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God's grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of grace. Repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and commitment of the entire personality to Him as Lord and Saviour. Justification is God's gracious and full acquittal upon principles of His righteousness of all sinners who repent and believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer into a relationship of peace and favor with God.
2. Sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God's purposes, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual perfection through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. Growth in grace should continue throughout the regenerate person's life.
3. Glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed.
Saturday, June 8
Men, bring your breakfast and join us for some fellowship and study this Saturday beginning at 8 a.m. We’ll fellowship for 15-20 minutes and then continue our study of Dr. Whitney’s book. Even if you have been unable to attend in the past, join us this Saturday.
Our church council will meet at 9 a.m. this Saturday to discuss and schedule upcoming activities. If you are on the council and cannot attend, please ask someone to take your place.
Pastor’s Postscripts
To those who attended Sunday, thank you for your attentiveness during the message. For a variety of reasons, I had great difficulty in delivering this Sunday’s sermon. But God is good and His Word powerful!
This Sunday we begin a new series. We’ll take a look at the Thessalonian church by working our way through Paul’s letters to them. We’ll begin this series, however, not in 1 Thessalonians but in the book of Acts. This Sunday we examine “The Beginnings of a Local Church.”
I look forward to seeing you there! God bless!
Monday, May 20, 2013
Stirrings at Bethesda - May 20, 2013
Good Morning, Bethesda!
The music and singing yesterday morning was simply inspiring and Christ exalting! Thank you to our musicians and to everyone who sang from their hearts!
Urgent Prayer Requests
* Pete & Brenda, their health
* Brenda’s father who is very ill
* Brazel 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.
* Caroline, Anne Overton’s sister-in-law, and family – terminal brain cancer
* Our church and need for revival
Upcoming Activities
1. Ladies Fellowship. Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.
2. Bible Study (Brief Books) and Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7pm.
3. Sunday school, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
4. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. including the Lord’s Supper.
5. Bowling and Late Lunch Fellowship, Sunday after morning worship.
6. NO Discipleship Training
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.”
Ephesians 5:1
Ladies Fellowship!
Ladies, an evening of fellowship will begin Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the church’s fellowship hall. All ladies are welcome to attend and join in the fun!
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 the 3rd part of the article on God.
3. God the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God. He inspired holy men of old to write the Scriptures. Through illumination He enables men to understand truth. He exalts Christ. He convicts of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. He calls men to the Saviour, and effects regeneration. He cultivates Christian character, comforts believers, and bestows the spiritual gifts by which they serve God through His church. He seals the believer unto the day of final redemption. His presence in the Christian is the assurance of God to bring the believer into the fulness of the stature of Christ. He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism, and service.
“A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.”
Luke 6:40
Sermon Extras
Jesus’ remark concerning John expressed in verse 22 was misunderstood by many to mean John would not die until the Lord returned. John set the record straight in verse 23, indicating that was not what the Lord was saying. And, of course, John ultimately did die prior to Christ’s return. Yet there is a comment on these verses by Arthur W. Pink which speaks truth:
“The ministry of John actually goes on to the end, for in the Revelation he treats at length of those things which are to usher in the Lord’s return to the earth, aye, and beyond to the new heaven and the new earth!”
Outreach Effort
The Outreach Committee is asking church families to donate energy or granola bars for an outreach effort. We are going to add Scripture verses to these bars and then make them available to church members to hand out to homeless individuals or anyone who has a need for some food and the Gospel.
We’ll start our collection this Sunday. So if you would like to provide some energy or granola bars for this simple outreach effort, please bring them to church this Sunday.
Pastor’s Postscripts
This Sunday marks a minor milestone relative to my ministry at Bethesda. If the Lord wills, we complete our exposition of John’s Gospel which we began on April 11, 2010. After 3 years and 128 messages, we will put John down (for now) despite there being so much more in the Gospel to discuss.
Since coming to Bethesda, we have moved through John, Ruth, and Colossians together. Combined with my previous pastorate, God has given me the privilege of preaching through a total of 11 books now (1/6th of the Bible). As a math geek, I calculated that, at that pace, I would have to live to the age of 377 to complete an exposition of all 66 books! Holy Methuselah!
I sought the Lord’s direction on where in the Word we should now turn. Repeatedly my mind turned to the local church. God’s Word has much to say on the church and I believe one great way to do that is to examine a specific New Testament church. So, beginning in June, we move from the work of the Lord while on this earth to the work of the Lord through His church. And we will do this by looking at the church of the Thessalonians.
Unless the Lord intervenes, my first message in June will be from the book of Acts in order to provide the background for the following weeks. Then, on June 9, we open the Word to the book of 1 Thessalonians and see what God had to say to that local church and how His Word applies to us at Bethesda Baptist today.
I began working on these messages a few weeks ago but I covet your prayers as we begin this new series. May the Lord bless our journey together with the Thessalonians as He brings to a close our study of the Gospel of John!
The music and singing yesterday morning was simply inspiring and Christ exalting! Thank you to our musicians and to everyone who sang from their hearts!
Urgent Prayer Requests
* Pete & Brenda, their health
* Brenda’s father who is very ill
* Brazel 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.
* Caroline, Anne Overton’s sister-in-law, and family – terminal brain cancer
* Our church and need for revival
Upcoming Activities
1. Ladies Fellowship. Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.
2. Bible Study (Brief Books) and Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7pm.
3. Sunday school, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
4. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. including the Lord’s Supper.
5. Bowling and Late Lunch Fellowship, Sunday after morning worship.
6. NO Discipleship Training
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.”
Ephesians 5:1
Ladies Fellowship!
Ladies, an evening of fellowship will begin Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the church’s fellowship hall. All ladies are welcome to attend and join in the fun!
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 the 3rd part of the article on God.
3. God the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God. He inspired holy men of old to write the Scriptures. Through illumination He enables men to understand truth. He exalts Christ. He convicts of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. He calls men to the Saviour, and effects regeneration. He cultivates Christian character, comforts believers, and bestows the spiritual gifts by which they serve God through His church. He seals the believer unto the day of final redemption. His presence in the Christian is the assurance of God to bring the believer into the fulness of the stature of Christ. He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism, and service.
“A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.”
Luke 6:40
Sermon Extras
Jesus’ remark concerning John expressed in verse 22 was misunderstood by many to mean John would not die until the Lord returned. John set the record straight in verse 23, indicating that was not what the Lord was saying. And, of course, John ultimately did die prior to Christ’s return. Yet there is a comment on these verses by Arthur W. Pink which speaks truth:
“The ministry of John actually goes on to the end, for in the Revelation he treats at length of those things which are to usher in the Lord’s return to the earth, aye, and beyond to the new heaven and the new earth!”
Outreach Effort
The Outreach Committee is asking church families to donate energy or granola bars for an outreach effort. We are going to add Scripture verses to these bars and then make them available to church members to hand out to homeless individuals or anyone who has a need for some food and the Gospel.
We’ll start our collection this Sunday. So if you would like to provide some energy or granola bars for this simple outreach effort, please bring them to church this Sunday.
Pastor’s Postscripts
This Sunday marks a minor milestone relative to my ministry at Bethesda. If the Lord wills, we complete our exposition of John’s Gospel which we began on April 11, 2010. After 3 years and 128 messages, we will put John down (for now) despite there being so much more in the Gospel to discuss.
Since coming to Bethesda, we have moved through John, Ruth, and Colossians together. Combined with my previous pastorate, God has given me the privilege of preaching through a total of 11 books now (1/6th of the Bible). As a math geek, I calculated that, at that pace, I would have to live to the age of 377 to complete an exposition of all 66 books! Holy Methuselah!
I sought the Lord’s direction on where in the Word we should now turn. Repeatedly my mind turned to the local church. God’s Word has much to say on the church and I believe one great way to do that is to examine a specific New Testament church. So, beginning in June, we move from the work of the Lord while on this earth to the work of the Lord through His church. And we will do this by looking at the church of the Thessalonians.
Unless the Lord intervenes, my first message in June will be from the book of Acts in order to provide the background for the following weeks. Then, on June 9, we open the Word to the book of 1 Thessalonians and see what God had to say to that local church and how His Word applies to us at Bethesda Baptist today.
I began working on these messages a few weeks ago but I covet your prayers as we begin this new series. May the Lord bless our journey together with the Thessalonians as He brings to a close our study of the Gospel of John!
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