Posted on

November 17, 2014

STIRRINGS AT BETHESDA
A Weekly Publication of
Bethesda Baptist Church

Pastor:  Bruce D. Walker
Worship Leader:  Steve Brook

Upcoming Activities

1. Operation Christmas Child Packing Party, Monday, 6:30 p.m.
2. Bible Study & Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.
3.  Sunday School, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
4. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
5. Thanksgiving Dinner Fellowship, Sunday, 12:15 p.m.
6. Discipleship Training, Sunday, 5 p.m.

Operation Christmas Child

Tonight (Monday) is our Operation Christmas Child Packing Party beginning at 6:30 p.m.  Bring some soup or salad to share and join us for dinner and then help us pack our boxes.

CONGRATULATIONS!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to SANDY BRANDEL who turns another year old today, Monday, November 17.

“An heir doesn’t work for his inheritance; an heir simply believes in the promise of the one leaving the inheritance.”

Church Phone Directory

If you have not picked up your new church directory, there is a copy for you on the table in the church foyer.

Thanksgiving Fellowship Dinner

Our annual Thanksgiving fellowship is scheduled for next Sunday, November 23 following the morning worship service.  We really encourage every member to be present for a great time of fellowship.

The church is providing the meat for the dinner.  Each family should bring 2  side dishes, a dessert, and a drink to share.  Then plan on spending some time eating some delicious food and enjoying wonderful fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ.

“The covenant promise was for the ‘seed of Abraham’, which seed we, believing Gentiles, are, through faith in Christ (Gal. 3:26-29).”
Sam Storms

“Canaan … was but an emblem of the heavenly country, of which last only Abraham could have an everlasting possession; for he was a stranger on the earth, and Canaan was to him ‘a strange country’.”   
Robert Haldane

Pastor’s Postscript

In anticipation of Thanksgiving, my columns over the next two weeks will share some information on this great holiday.

The first Thanksgiving in our land occurred in the fall of 1621.  The colonists of Plymouth Plantation celebrated their first harvest with feed and feasting.  The Indian chiefs Massassoit, Samoset, and Squanto all joined the celebration along with ninety of their men.  The “party” lasted three days.

The first recorded Thanksgiving was held on June 29, 1671 at Charlestown, Massachusetts.  The town’s governing council issued a proclamation in conjunction with the celebration.

Such observances occurred in various states at different times during the ensuing years.  The first national proclamation of Thanksgiving for our nation was issued by George Washington on October 3, 1789.  Take some time to read it!

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and
Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me “to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness”:
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the Beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted; for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplication to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our national government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a government of wise, just and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally, to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best. Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, AD 1789 George Washington
Next week we share some more on this important holiday.  Meanwhile, as Thanksgiving Day 2014 approaches, let us make certain we turn our thoughts to our great God who has provided all we have and blessed us infinitely more than we will ever deserve!

May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ bless each of you this week in ways you never imagined!

Posted on

November 10, 2014

STIRRINGS AT BETHESDA
A Weekly Publication of
Bethesda Baptist Church

November 10, 2014

Upcoming Activities

1. Bethesda Academy, Monday, 6:30 p.m.
2. BUSINESS MEETING, Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.
3.  Sunday School, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
4. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
5. Discipleship Training, Sunday, 5 p.m.

Operation Christmas Child

Next Sunday is your last opportunity to contribute gifts for Operation Christmas Child.  A week from today, November 17, we will meet at the church at 6:30 p.m. for our packing party.  There is a sign up sheet in the foyer so you can specify what type of food you would like to bring to that fellowship (soup, salad, or dessert).

Business Meeting

Our monthly business meeting is this Wednesday at 7 p.m.  Everyone is invited and encourage to attend.  Please join us and help us discern God’s will concerning the business matters facing our church.

“Whatever parallel exists between baptism and circumcision as here stated by Paul argues for faith before baptism and for baptism as the sign and seal of the faith already had before baptism.”
A. T. Robertson (on Romans 4:9-12)

Church Phone Directory

The revised church directory was distributed yesterday.  More copies are available if you did not pick one up.

And, yes, we already have a correction!  Bobby’s home telephone number was incorrect.  This was my error.  Sorry, Bobby!

Please update your copy with the correct number:

Bobby Henson – 636-486-2160 (H)

The Bethesda Academy

Tonight (Monday) is our final Academy meeting for the fall.  We will conclude our study of the book of Revelation and look forward to a new study next spring.

”So baptism is unmeaning without a prior and real remission of sin. Being really saved, we may picture symbolically that salvation in a memorial. Otherwise it would be like Bunker Hill Monument without a previous battle to commemorate.”
B. H. Carroll  

Thanksgiving Fellowship Dinner

Our annual Thanksgiving fellowship is scheduled for Sunday, November 23 following the morning worship service.  If you have not added this date to your calendar, please do so.  These times of fellowship are very precious to believers!

The church will provide the meat for the dinner.  We are asking each family to bring a couple of side dishes, a dessert, and a drink to share.

Pastor’s Postscript

A few days ago, I was sitting in a McDonald’s drinking a soda and doing some Bible translation work in preparation for an upcoming sermon.  A gentleman whom I did not know saw my Greek Bible opened and asked me if I was studying the Bible.  When I said yes, he then went into a 5 minute diatribe to which I could merely listen.  He congratulated me for studying my Bible because he said most people don’t.  He then said that he has really studied the Bible over the years and, in doing so, his study convinced him to leave “The Baptist Church”.  He told me he became a Pentecostal until further study taught him they were wrong too.  So, he switched again and is now a member of the only TRUE church of Christ.  Yep, he is a member of the Church of Christ!  Not being able to get a word in edge-wise, I continued to listen as he claimed they are the only true church because they are the Church of Christ.  In other words, his studying the Bible has proven to him that the only true church is the church which is named the Church of Christ!  He finally excused himself saying he had a friend to meet and, with that, our “conversation” ended.

I wanted to ask him for the reasons he left the Baptists (by the way, there is no “The Baptist Church”) but never had the opportunity.  He did mention predestination and, for a brief moment, I thought that was the issue.  Surprisingly, though, he said he believes in predestination so I assume whatever Baptist church he had been in did not or he simply didn’t get the message there.  So I will never know for certain why he left Baptists.

It is a true shame, though, that an individual hooks up with a denomination (or church) simply because they call themselves the “Church of Christ”.  I wonder if we changed our name to “The Bethesda Baptist Church of Christ” if that would draw more people?

Of course, I am not serious.  Joining a church is an important decision and should be a careful matter of prayer.  One should examine the beliefs of the congregation to see if they are consistent with your understanding of the Bible.  Forget the name of the group.  In God’s kingdom, the name of any local church or even a denomination (e.g., Southern Baptist Convention) is non-consequential.

Looking for a church?  Do your homework and pray to the Lord.  But by all means, a believer should always be a member of a local church.

May God bless you this week!

Posted on

November 3, 2014

STIRRINGS AT BETHESDA

A Weekly Publication of
Bethesda Baptist Church

November 3, 2014

Upcoming Activities

1. Bethesda Academy, Monday, 6:30 p.m.
2. ELECTION DAY, Tuesday
3. Bible Study & Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.
4. Deacons’ Meeting, Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.
5.  Sunday School, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
6. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
7. Discipleship Training, Sunday, 5 p.m.

Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child continues through Sunday, November 16.  Also, our packing party is Monday, November 17 in fellowship hall beginning at 6:30 p.m.  Bring some soup and salad, enjoy some fellowship, and then help us pack the boxes!

Congratulations!

Happy Birthday to Noah celebrating a birthday this Thursday!

Deacons

Our deacons are meeting with the pastor this Wednesday evening in preparation for our business meeting next week.  If you have anything you would like us to discuss, please let one of us know.

“Happiness is a temporary condition; Blessedness is a permanent state.”

Church Phone Directory

Our revised member phone directory will be available next Sunday morning.  Thank you to everyone for reviewing the directory and providing updates.

The Bethesda Academy

Our study of the book of Revelation resumes this evening (November 3).  We will conclude our study next Monday evening, November 10.  Join us at 6:30 p.m.

November Election

Tuesday, November 4 is election day and our church fellowship hall is a polling place.  I encourage every member to exercise your right and privilege and vote.  But I also exhort you to study the issues and candidates as well as you can before you go to the polls.

There are individuals who vote for a candidate simply because they are affiliated with a specific party.  “My dad always voted …”.  The time for voting one party or the other is over.  We need to use godly wisdom and elect those men and women who best reflect our Christian values and principles.

Vote but vote intelligently and wisely!

“It is in the final analysis not faith considered by itself but the righteousness of Christ which is imputed in the sinner who, in genuine faith, has fled to God for refuge.”
William Hendriksen
 

Pastor’s Postscript

Recently I received a tract titled “Eight Lies You Hear on Campus and in the World.”  It is very well written and very brief in its length.  I have heard each of these 8 used many times in both the business and education communities.  I suspect many of you have as well.

While I do not have space to share the entire tract, here, in summary form, are the eight lies.

1.  In order to believe the Bible, one must commit intellectual suicide.

2.  Evolution is a reasonable explanation of the origin and present makeup of the universe.

3.  Christianity is basically the same as the other religions of the world.

4.  Money, power, pleasure, and prestige are the things that give real meaning and purpose to life.

5.  Jesus never claimed to be God.

6.  The accounts of Christ are not reliable since they were written long after His death.

7.  Man is basically good.

8.  God saves good people.

Notice how nicely lies 7 and 8 tie together.  Also, my experience has taught me to be prepared for lie 1 if someone throws lie 2 your way.  Many people in our society have been taught that if you do not believe in evolution then you are an idiot.

Lie 3 is seen throughout our land today, often expressed as political correctness.  Furthermore, this lie is often accompanied by lie 5.  You see, if you believe Jesus is God then lie 3 becomes more difficult to believe.    Plus, if you attempt to debate lie 5, be prepared for lie 6 for your opponent will do whatever he can to “disprove” the Scripture.

May you and I be faithful servants and witnesses for Christ.  When we are in the presence of one or more of these lies, may God grant us the wisdom, words, and will to stand up and share the truth.

Posted on

October 27, 2014

Stirrings at Bethesda
A Weekly Publication of
Bethesda Baptist Church
October 27, 2014

Upcoming Activities

1. NO Academy Monday
2. Bible Study & Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.
3. Men’s Breakfast & Book Study, Saturday, 8 a.m.
4.  Sunday School, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
5. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
6. Discipleship Training, Sunday, 5 p.m.

Daylight Savings Time…

… ENDS on Sunday morning!  Remember to set your clocks BACK one hour on Saturday evening before going to bed.

Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child is underway!  You may help in several ways.

1. Pray
2. Pack a box or two.
3. Donate gifts for the packing party.
4. Give financially to help with the postage.
5. Be at the packing party and help pack some boxes.

We close out our role in Operation Christmas Child with a Packing Party on Monday, November 17 beginning at 6:30pm in Fellowship Hall.

Congratulations!

Happy Birthday to Dan who turns another year wiser on Tuesday!

Church Council

Our final Church Council meeting is this Saturday, November 1, at 9 a.m.  The Council is primarily a scheduling body and we have several items to place on the church calendar.

If you are a council member and will not be present, please find someone to represent you at the meeting this Saturday.

Men’s Breakfast & Book Study

Men, bring your breakfast and join us at 8am on Saturday. We’ll spend 15-20 minutes sharing with one another and then resume our study of the book “Holiness” by J. C. Ryle.  Even if you missed all of our previous sessions, you are more than welcome to join us.

Missouri Baptist Convention

Every year, delegates from the various Southern Baptist churches in Missouri meet to  conduct business related to all Missouri Baptists.  This year the convention is meeting at Tan-Tar-A in the Ozarks.  David and Christy Diamond were elected by our church at the last business meeting to represent us there.  Please keep them in your prayers as they express our church’s conscience at the meetings this week.  The convention meets Monday through Wednesday.

“If there be granted for you to trust in your own righteousness, then all that Christ did to purchase salvation, and all that God did to prepare the way for salvation, is in vain.”   
Jonathan Edwards

The Bethesda Academy

We will not meet tonight (October 27) but will resume next Monday evening in Revelation 20.  Our final Fall session will be on Monday, November 10.  I’m open to any suggestions for a topic to cover next Spring.  If you have something you would like us to examine, please let me know soon.

“God did not look at Abraham and say, ‘Abe, you have a lot of faith.  Therefore, I am going to make you righteous.’  Faith is the means, the instrument by which God declares us to be just.  It does not cause God to save us.”

It was on October 31, 1517 (497 years ago) that Martin Luther, a German monk, posted his 95 protests against the Roman Catholic Church practice of indulgences on the Castle Church door in Wittenberg.  This “nailing of the 95 theses” ignited what became known as the Protestant Reformation (protests against the church in an effort to reform her). I believe it is almost impossible to overstate the impact of this movement in the history of the Western World including our our nation. The 19th century essayist, editor, and novelist Charles Dudley Warner wrote, “The United States, Great Britain … are to-day what they are largely because of the life of Martin Luther.”

Pastor’s Postscript

Thank you, everyone, for yesterday’s breakfast and the cards and gifts.  You are a very kind and very generous people and I am blessed (and honored) to be your pastor.  A special thank you to Karla for organizing the breakfast and picking up the food.

May Christ bless you for such kindness and grant you a wonderful week.

Posted on

October 20, 2014

STIRRINGS AT BETHESDA
A Weekly Publication of
Bethesda Baptist Church

Upcoming Activities

1. Bethesda Academy, Monday, 6:30 p.m.
2. Bible Study & Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.
3. Outreach Day, Saturday, 9 a.m.
4. Sunday School, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
5. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. Including the Lord’s Supper
6. Discipleship Training, Sunday, 5 p.m.

Outreach Day

Our first Outreach Day is this Saturday beginning at 9 a.m.  We’ll meet at the church and organize into teams.  Then we’ll move into the neighborhood off Highway N and leave packets at the door of every home, if possible.

There will be a lot of walking but, the more we have the less walking it will be!  If you intend to go, please let the pastor know as soon as possible.

If the weather is bad on Saturday morning, we will postpone the event until another day.

See you at 9 a.m. on Saturday.  Dress appropriately for walking and visiting.

“The Gospel of the grace of God is the best vindication of His Law.”
Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Operation Christmas Child

Next Sunday marks the beginning of our collection for Operation Christmas Child.  We will have shoe boxes for you take home and pack.  Or, you may bring some items and place them in the big box.  We will have a packing party next month and put all of those into boxes.  Or, you may do both!

“Sinner, you think that because of your sins and your infirmities that I cannot save your soul.  But behold, My Son is by Me and upon Him I look, not upon you, and I will deal with you as I am pleased with Him.”
John Bunyan

Martin Luther’s Definition of Faith
Faith is not what some people think it is. Their human dream is a delusion. Because they observe that faith is not followed by good works or a better life, they fall into error, even though they speak and hear much about faith. “Faith is not enough,” they say, “You must do good works, you must be pious to be saved.” They think that, when you hear the gospel, you start working, creating by your own strength a thankful heart which says, “I believe.” That is what they think true faith is. But, because this is a human idea, a dream, the heart never learns anything from it, so it does nothing and reform doesn’t come from this `faith,’ either.

Instead, faith is God’s work in us, that changes us and gives new birth from God. (John 1:13. It kills the Old Adam and makes us completely different people. It changes our hearts, our spirits, our thoughts and all our powers. It brings the Holy Spirit with it. Yes, it is a living, creative, active and powerful thing, this faith. Faith cannot help doing good works constantly. It doesn’t stop to ask if good works ought to be done, but before anyone asks, it already has done them and continues to do them without ceasing. Anyone who does not do good works in this manner is an unbeliever. He stumbles around and looks for faith and good works, even though he does not know what faith or good works are. Yet he gossips and chatters about faith and good works with many words.

Faith is a living, bold trust in God’s grace, so certain of God’s favor that it would risk death a thousand times trusting in it. Such confidence and knowledge of God’s grace makes you happy, joyful and bold in your relationship to God and all creatures. The Holy Spirit makes this happen through faith. Because of it, you freely, willingly and joyfully do good to everyone, serve everyone, suffer all kinds of things, love and praise the God who has shown you such grace. Thus, it is just as impossible to separate faith and works as it is to separate heat and light from fire! Therefore, watch out for your own false ideas and guard against good-for-nothing gossips, who think they’re smart enough to define faith and works, but really are the greatest of fools. Ask God to work faith in you, or you will remain forever without faith, no matter what you wish, say or can do.

Pastor’s Postscript

I encourage those who are able to do so to join us this Saturday as we distribute the Gospel as well as information on our church to our neighbors.  It has been some time since we engaged in such an effort and I am excited about doing so.  I realize there are some members who are not healthy enough to participate in all the walking and I am sorry you will be left out of that part of the effort.  HOWEVER, even if you can’t walk and hand out the material, we would REALLY appreciate your prayers!  See, you will be helping us after all!

Again, if you plan on going Saturday, please let me know as soon as you can.  I hope I see many of you there!

May Christ bless you in all you do this week.

Posted on

October 13, 2014

STIRRINGS AT BETHESDA
A Weekly Publication of
Bethesda Baptist Church

October 13, 2014

Upcoming Activities

1. Bethesda Academy, Monday, 6:30 p.m.
2. Bible Study & Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.
3. Church Bonfire, Saturday, 6 p.m.
4. Sunday School, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
5. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
6. Discipleship Training, Sunday, 5 p.m.

Wednesday Evening

This Wednesday evening at the beginning of our prayer meeting time, we will give those present an opportunity to share a testimony of how God is presently working in their life.  We don’t do this enough so we are going to incorporate it into our Wednesday program, probably once a month.

So, if the Lord is at work in your life (and, if you are a Christian, He must be), come out this Wednesday evening and share what He is doing with your brothers and sisters.  Your testimony does not have to be lengthy, just recent.

“It is Christ’s death which saves us from the wrath to come.”

Operation Christmas Child

We begin our annual Operation Christmas Child collection in just 2 weeks.  If you find some bargains which may be included in the boxes, go ahead and bring them to church now.

“It is not that God cancels those sins; He liquidates them.  It is not that He sweeps those sins under the carpet; He visits the penalty and the condemnation of that sin on the person of Jesus Christ so that the penalty and condemnation has been swallowed up in Christ.  It doesn’t exist any more for us.”
J. Ligon Duncan

Did you know that there is an election in 3 weeks?  Find out the issues and people on the ballot.  Get all the information you can on what you will be voting on.  Do your research now and be ready to vote according to your conscience on election day!

Vote but vote conscience, not party.

Theological Words

King Kong and the “propitiatory” sacrifice.

“Propitiation” is one of the words covered in yesterday’s text and message.  It means “to appease” or “to placate”.  Often used to describe the attempt to appease an offended deity and turn aside the deity’s wrath.

Scripture uses the word in this way as well.  God’s wrath rests upon sinners (John 3:36) and, at some point, will be poured out on them.  This is the result when sin is confronted by God.

For us to stand righteous in God’s presence, we need His wrath averted.  Something must appease Him, must placate Him, so, instead of releasing His wrath upon us, He welcomes us into His presence.

Well, we have no such propitiation to offer.  So, as Paul notes in Romans 3:25, God provided His own:  His only Son Jesus Christ.  The death of Christ is a propitiation, an appeasement of the wrath of Almighty God.  As a result on behalf of His own people, God’s wrath against them has been satisfied.  Those for whom He died no longer need fear the wrath of God for it has been turned aside by Christ’s atoning sacrifice.

Outreach Day

The Deacons have suggested we have an outreach day in one of the neighborhoods near the church.  So, on Saturday morning, October 25 join the deacons and me as we walk through one of the neighborhoods handing out the Gospel and information on our church.

If you plan on participating please let the pastor know so he can make certain we have enough material for everyone to distribute.

Pastor’s Postscript

While yesterday saw us down a little on attendance and a gloomy sky outside the building, the Spirit was present and the worship time together was refreshing!  I encourage you to invite those you meet to come and join us for next Sunday’s service.

May Christ be with you this week and give you comfort, courage, strength, and blessing!

Posted on

October 6, 2014

STIRRINGS AT BETHESDA
A Weekly Publication of
Bethesda Baptist Church

October 6, 2014

Upcoming Activities

1. Bethesda Academy, Monday, 6:30 p.m.
2. BUSINESS MEETING, Wednesday,7:00 p.m.
3. Church Bonfire, Saturday, 6 p.m.
4. Sunday School, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
5. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
6. Discipleship Training, Sunday, 5 p.m.

Church Bonfire!

Our annual church bonfire is scheduled for this Saturday, October 11 beginning at 6 p.m.  The church is providing the wood for the fire and the meat.  Bring a side dish, a desert, and a drink to share.  Also, bring a lawn chair (or blanket if you prefer).  If you have “roasting sticks”, it would probably speed the cooking process a bit if you brought them as well!

See you on Saturday evening.

“the chief point, and the very central place of the Epistle and of the whole Bible”
Martin Luther on Romans 3:21-31

Some Theological Terms

Our text for next Sunday morning introduces a couple of theological words, which require attention.  I’ll focus on one, namely “redemption”.

“To redeem” is to ransom someone from slavery or captivity.  In the Old Testament, the most famous example of redemption is the exodus.  God’s people, Israel, had been in bondage for centuries as slaves.  Using Moses, God redeemed His people.

Exodus 15:13 – You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed.

Deuteronomy 7:8 – … the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

Of course the exodus and other Old Testament acts of redemption all foreshadow and illustrate the ultimate redemption, Christ’s redemption of His people by way of the cross.

Ephesians 1:7 – In him we have redemption through his blood…

Colossians 1:14 – In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

1 Peter 1:18-19 – knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

Hebrews 9:12 – he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.

Clearly the New Testament teaches that Christ redeemed His people by means of His blood on Calvary.  Most of the passages I quoted above reference the blood.  The purchase price for our redemption from sin was the death of Christ.  As Jesus Himself said,

Matthew 20:28 – even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

So redemption has been accomplished!  It is a completed act!  The price was paid on Calvary.  There is no further payment to be made.  As the Hebrews text above states, “by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.”

If Christ’s life was given as a ransom, if His blood paid the debt owed by our sins, and if this debt was completely paid at Calvary, one might ask the question, “For whom was this payment made?”  I would answer “For millions.”

Others would claim Christ’s death paid the price owed for every sin of every man.  That would mean every man has been ransomed.  Then I would ask the question, “Why do some find themselves in Hell if the penalty for their sins was paid for by Jesus at Calvary?”  Certainly the answer is not, “Because those people refused to believe Jesus and receive Him as their Savior” for disbelief is a sin meaning these men did not have all their sins paid for on Calvary.

Essentially the question is “What was God’s intent for Christ’s redeeming and atoning death?  Did God intend to redeem all or some?”  If God’s intent was to redeem all then Christ failed in His mission.  Not all are redeemed.  I cannot believe Christ failed.  Furthermore, I cannot believe Christ’s blood was shed for those who refused Him and are now in Hell.  That would imply His blood is ineffective.

No, I believe Scripture teaches God’s intent was to ransom MANY and, praise God; He has done so by the death of Christ!  Jesus was so named as the angel said, “He WILL save HIS people from THEIR sins” and He has done just that.  As the design for Moses’ work in the exodus was to redeem God’s people, not all people, it was God’s design in the work of Christ to redeem all of God’s people, each and every one of them, but not all people.

Such a thought makes one want to sing along with the words of that great hymn written by Fanny Crosby.

Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the lamb;
Redeemed thro’ His infinite mercy,
His child, and forever, I am.

I think of my blessed Redeemer,
I think of Him all the day long;
I sing, for I cannot be silent;
His love is the theme of my song.

Redeemed, redeemed,
Redeemed by the blood of the lamb.
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child, and forever, I am.

“there is not probably in the whole Bible a passage which sets forth more profoundly the righteousness of God in Christ.”
John Calvin on Romans 3:21-31

Operation Christmas Child

We will begin our annual Operation Christmas Child collection in a couple of weeks.  When you are out shopping, be on the “look out” for some bargains that you might include in some of the shoeboxes.

“Scripture teaches that the righteous shall live by faith.  Man will never attain the righteousness required by God’s law.  His own attempts to become righteous will fail and, as a result, instead of being justified before God, he will be condemned.  God’s wrath will be poured out upon him because of his sin.  And all are guilty, Jew and Gentile.”

Pastor’s Postscript

I have gone a bit long again this week so I will close with a few reminders:

1.  We have a business meeting this Wednesday.  One item we will vote on is the election of 2 messengers to the Missouri Baptist Convention.  David and Christy Diamond have graciously volunteered so our church needs to officially recognize them as our messengers, permitting them to represent us in all the voting that takes place during the meeting.

2.  The church bonfire is this Saturday at 6 p.m.  We have held these for several years and they are always a great time of fellowship.  Plan on joining us this Saturday.

I hope to see you on Wednesday but, if not, please come out Saturday!

May Christ grant you a blessed week!

Posted on

September 29, 2014

Upcoming Activities

1. Bethesda Academy, Monday, 6:30 p.m.

2. Ladies Book Study, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.

3. Bible Study & Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.

4. Deacons’ Meeting, Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.

5. Men’s Breakfast & Book Study, Saturday, 8 a.m.

6. Sunday School, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.

7. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.

8. Discipleship Training, Sunday, 5 p.m.

Church Bonfire!

Our annual church bonfire is scheduled for Saturday, October 11 beginning at 6 p.m.  More details will follow in Sunday’s bulletin and next week’s newsletter!

Missouri Missions

We have finished collecting for the South Missouri State Mission Offering.  Your giving was amazing!  We passed our goal by at least 20%.  May the Lord bless your generosity. Another mission opportunity begins soon with our annual Operation Christmas Child project.  Stay tuned!

“Sin is not something that just scratches the surface.”  R. C. Sproul

Some Theological Terms

The next theological word demanding our attention is “justification”.  Here are some thoughts from others on this important subject.

Thomas Watson:  “Justification is the very hinge and pillar of Christianity.”

Timothy George:  “Justification is the presupposition of the Christian life.”

John Calvin:  Justification by faith “is the main hinge on which religion turns.”

Next, some explanations:

Criswell Study Bible:  “… justification is a legal term designed to picture the believer’s new status before God.  As a result of the redemption in Christ, God’s grace provides man with a righteous standing before God.  As a sinner, man is guilty and must be condemned.  However, the vicarious death of Jesus on the cross paid the penalty of sin, and on that basis God declares men of faith to be justified, i.e., treated as though innocent before God.  The moving cause of justification is the grace of God.  The ground upon which justification is accomplished is the blood of Christ.  Justification, like all other aspects of salvation, is appropriated by faith.”

Wayne Grudem:  “An instantaneous legal act of God in which he (1) thinks of our sins as forgiven and Christ’s righteousness as belonging to us, and (2) declares us to be righteous in his sight.”

John Murray:  “Regeneration is an act of God in us; justification is a judgment of God with respect to us.  The distinction is like that of the distinction between the act of a surgeon and the act of a judge.  The surgeon, when he removes an inward cancer, does something in us.  That is not what a judge does—he gives a verdict regarding our judicial status.  If we are innocent he declares accordingly.”

Ladies Book Study

Tomorrow (Tuesday) is the final class of the current Ladies Book Study.  I have heard only good reports from those who have been attending.  As pastor I want to thank all the ladies who have been a part of this successful study.  I especially want to thank Pam for all her time and effort in leading you ladies! May God bless each of you and use the material you have learned for His glory!

“Lost people aren’t seeking God; they are seeking what they can get from God.  They want to escape Hell but they don’t want the God who can deliver them.  They want peace in this life but they don’t want the Prince of Peace.  They want a ‘Purpose Driven Life’ but they don’t want the God who sovereignly decreed their purpose in life.”  

“Stopping mouths is a difficult business.” A. T. Robertson

Happy Birthday!

* Gene Schulze celebrates another birthday this Wednesday, October 1.

* Glenda Averett also celebrates this week, on Saturday, October 4.

Pastor’s Postscript

The Lord was kind and gracious to us yesterday in sending another visitor our way.  We are always delighted and blessed when He does so! Make sure you note on your calendar the church bonfire which is less than 2 weeks away.  We always have a good time at this event and I see no reason why this year should be any different.  We want everyone to turn out and join in the fun! See you on Sunday if not before!

May our Lord watch over you this week and bless you in many ways!

 

Posted on

September 22, 2014

STIRRINGS AT BETHESDA

A Weekly Publication of
Bethesda Baptist Church

September 22, 2014

Upcoming Activities

1. Bethesda Academy, Monday, 6:30 p.m.
2. Ladies Book Study, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.
3. Bible Study & Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.
4. Men/Boys Camp Out, Friday, 7 p.m.
5. Church Work Day,, Saturday, 8 a.m.
6. Sunday School, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
7. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
8. Discipleship Training, Sunday, 5 p.m.

Missouri Missions

PRAISE THE LORD, we reached our church goal!  We have one more Sunday remaining in our collection of the Missouri Mission Offering.  Even though we made our goal, you may still contribute.

Men/Boys Camp Out

The camp out begins this Friday, September 26 at 7 p.m.

“The carcasses of all but two who came out of Egypt fell in the wilderness through unbelief.”
Charles Spurgeon

Some Theological Terms

Our exposition of Romans brings us to the middle of chapter 3 on Sunday.  Paul summarizes his teaching on human depravity and then begins his instruction on the doctrine of justification by faith.  It seems appropriate to me to include some remarks on these (and other) theological terms we will be reading and hearing over the coming weeks.  I begin with some thoughts on “Total Depravity”.
John Owen summarized Total Depravity by writing:
“It is an inherent evil, the fault and corruption of the nature of every man.  It is a thing not subject or conformable to the law of God, but hath in itself, even after baptism, the nature of sin.  By it we are averse from God and inclined to all manner of evil.  It deserveth God’s wrath and damnation.”

Thomas Gregory summarizes the doctrine of total depravity with 5 statements:

1. Sin is the responsible choice of man to violate God’s law.
2. Sin is a depravity of the whole nature of man.
3. Sin conveys guilt before God for man’s personal and Adam’s representational sin.
4. Sin is the actively developed apostasy of man against God.
5. Sin is a full warrant for eternal punishment.

Perhaps one of the best statements on the subject of depravity may be found in the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith.  Here is the entire section on the Fall of Man.

Chapter 6  Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof  

1 Although God created man upright and perfect, and gave him a righteous law, which had been unto life had he kept it, and threatened death upon the breach thereof, yet did not long abide in this honour; Satan using the subtlety of the serpent to subdue Eve, then by her seducing Adam, who, without any compulsion, did willfully transgress the law of their creation, and the command given unto them, in eating the forbidden fruit, which God was pleased, according to his wise and holy counsel to permit, having purposed to order it to his own glory.

2  Our first parents, by this sin, fell from their original righteousness and communion with God, and we in them whereby death came upon all: all becoming dead in sin, and wholly defiled in all the faculties and parts of soul and body.

3  They being the root, and by God’s appointment, standing in the room and stead of all mankind, the guilt of the sin was imputed, and corrupted nature conveyed, to all their posterity descending from them by ordinary generation, being now conceived in sin, and by nature children of wrath, the servants of sin, the subjects of death, and all other miseries, spiritual, temporal, and eternal, unless the Lord Jesus set them free.

4  From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil, do proceed all actual transgressions.

5  The corruption of nature, during this life, doth remain in those that are regenerated; and although it be through Christ pardoned and mortified, yet both itself, and the first motions thereof, are truly and properly sin.

“God’s faithfulness can be manifested in two ways.  It can be manifested in blessing on those who embrace His promises, or God can be faithful to punish and to judge those who reject His promises.”
J. Ligon Duncan

Pastor’s Postscript

Our Missouri Mission Offering collection ends this Sunday.  I am so grateful for everyone who has given to support Missouri missions!  For a church our size in our present economic conditions to donate over $500 for this cause is quite remarkable.  Thank you so much for your generosity.

I close my column this week with a prayer request.  Our dear younger brother, Zachary Mueller, could use your prayers.  I ask you to take a few moments even as you read this and  pray for him.  Ask the Lord to give Him both peace and purpose.  And, as you recall this request during the week, please continue to pray for him.

May this week be a blessed one in Christ.

Posted on

September 15, 2014

STIRRINGS AT BETHESDA

A Weekly Publication of Bethesda Baptist Church

September 15, 2014
Upcoming Activities

1. Bethesda Academy, Monday, 6:30 p.m.
2. Ladies Book Study, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.
3. Bible Study & Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.
4. Sunday School, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
5. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
6. Discipleship Training, Sunday, 5 p.m.

Missouri Missions

Our emphasis on Missouri Missions continues through the month of September.  It’s not too late to contribute to our mission offering.

Men/Boys Camp Out

The camp out has been re-scheduled for Friday, September 26 beginning at 7 p.m.

 “”God didn’t say, ‘Keep the law, and I’ll bring you out of Egypt.’  He said, ‘I’m your God.  I brought you out of Egypt.  Now, keep the law.’””
J. Ligon Duncan

 Pastor’s Postscripts

I have something slightly different for you this week.  On Wednesday, we celebrate Constitution Day, 227 years since the Constitution of our nation was signed by 39 Founding Fathers.  Much has been said, in recent years, about our nation NOT being founded upon Christian principles.  Yet the lives of most of those signers imply otherwise.  So, in recognition of Constitution Day and the Christian roots of our nation, here are a few brief thoughts about some of the signers of the Constitution.

* Richard Bassett – Assisted in writing the Delaware state Constitution.  This document stated, “Every person who shall be chosen a member of either house, or appointed to any office or place of trust … shall … make and subscribe the following declaration, to wit: ‘I, ____, do profess faith in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, and in the Holy Ghost, one God, blessed for evermore; and I do acknowledge the holy scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by divine inspiration.’”

* Gunning Bedford – A funeral speech he gave for George Washington read, “Now to the triune God, The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be ascribed all honor and dominion, forevermore.”

* William Blount – He was a member of the Presbyterian Church who assisted in the creation of the Tennessee Constitution.  “No person who denies the being of God, or a future state of rewards and punishments, shall hold any office in the civil department of this State.”

* John Dickinson – Mr. Dickinson’s will read, “To my Creator I resign myself, humbly confiding in His goodness and in His mercy through Jesus Christ for the events of eternity.”

* Nathaniel Gorham – A Congregationalist and a man who assisted in the writing of the Massachusetts state Constitution. That document required a person to take the following oath to hold an office:  “I believe the Christian religion, and have a firm persuasion of its truth.”

* Alexander Hamilton – Hamilton proposed the formation of the Christian Constitutional Society, an organization to spread Christian government around the world. After the Constitutional Convention, he said, “For my own part, I sincerely esteem it a system which without the finger of God, never could have been suggested and agreed upon by such a diversity of interests.”

* William Samuel Johnson – Following the Revolutionary War, Johnson served as the President of Columbia University.  To the first graduating class after the War, Johnson said,  “Remember, too, that you are the redeemed of the Lord, that you are bought with a price, even the inestimable price of the precious blood of the Son of God.”

* Rufus King – He was selected as the manager of the American Bible Society.   When Missouri was requesting statehood, King made a speech in the Senate, saying, “I hold that all laws or compacts imposing any such condition [as involuntary servitude] upon any human being are absolutely void because contrary to the law of nature, which is the law of God.”

* William Livingston – Livingston once said, “I believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, without any foreign comments or human explanations… I believe that he who feareth God and worketh righteousness will be accepted of Him…”.

* James Madison – Madison, also our 4th President as well as a member of the Episcopal Church, once said, “The belief in a God, all powerful, wise, and good, [is] essential to the moral order of the world, and to the happiness of man.”

* Roger Sherman – Helped his church revise the wording of their creed to read, “I believe that there is one only living and true God, existing in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the same in substance, equal in power and glory. That the Scriptures of the old and new testaments are a revelation from God and a complete rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him.”

* George Washington – Yes, the general of the Revolutionary Army and 1st President.  He was a member of an Episcopal Church. During the war his army spent a horrible winter at Valley Forge.  Washington offered a prayer which included the following words:  “Almighty and eternal Lord God, the great Creator of heaven and earth, and the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; look down from heaven in pity and compassion upon me Thy servant, who humbly prorate myself before Thee.”

* James Wilson – Wilson not only signed the Constitution, he later served on the United States Supreme Count.  Wilson, an Episcopalian and a Presbyterian, said, “Human law must rest its authority ultimately upon the authority of that law which is Divine … Far from being rivals or enemies, religion and law are twin sisters, friends, and mutual assistants”

So that’s a sample of the authors of our Constitution.  But I’m certain their background and their faith played NO ROLE in their development of our Constitution!  (Written with my tongue firmly planted in my cheek!)

May the Lord bless your week!