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!

 

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