Posted on

August 26, 2013

Urgent Prayer Requests

* Cynthia Wordlaw, need for a kidney
* Dennis fighting kidney failure
* Pete & Brenda, grieving over loss of her father; their health
* Dan, health concerns
* Mueller family, Alicia’s pregnancy & Jeff’s need for work
* Marilynn Norvell
* Aaron Wordlaw and his arthritis
* Dennis and Pam on their upcoming trip to Texas
* Gene & Lois Schulze at home
* Mark & Julie Johnson and the situation with their Illinois home
* Julie away at school at Mizzou
* Our church and need for revival

Upcoming Activities

1. Bible Study (Brief Books) & Prayer
Meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
2. Sunday school, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
3. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
4. NO Discipleship Training this Sunday!
5. LABOR DAY, Monday

And Old Quote But Still Applicable

“There has been times, brethren, in the history of the church of God, when they that believed ‘continued steadfastly’ in attendance on her instructions and her prayers; whereas now it often happens that, out of perhaps a hundred disciples, scarcely a dozen can be mustered to a weekly prayer meeting or lecture, or a monthly missionary concert.”
John Lillie (1860)

Deacon Elections

This Sunday is your final opportunity to nominate one or more men for the position of deacon in our church.  If you wish to nominate someone, write the name of your nominee(s) on a piece of paper (or nomination form), sign your paper, and give it to one of the deacons or the pastor.

Sermon Extras

1.  1 Thessalonians 3:10 begins “as we pray most earnestly night and day”.  Literally the verse begins “night and day earnestly imploring”.  I referred to the word “earnestly” yesterday in the sermon.  It is formed from an adverb (perissou) meaning “abound”, prefixing a preposition (ek) meaning “out of”, and then prefixing another preposition (huper) meaning “over” (in English huper is “hyper”).  That gives you some idea as to the sincerity Paul put in his pleading to God to be able to visit the Thessalonians.  He pleaded “overly out of abundance” to be able to see the Thessalonians again.  He leaves no doubt as to how much he loves them!

2.  Verse 6 begins “But now” describing the arrival of Timothy and his report.  Verse 8 begins “For now” describing the “jolt in the arm” Paul received from the report.  Interestingly, Paul uses two different words in these verses translated “now”.  Greek scholars claim the two words were pretty much used interchangeably by the 1st century.  The “now” in verse 6, though, sometimes carried the idea of “immediately” (“at this time”).  I believe Paul used this specific word (arti) in this verse to indicate Timothy had just arrived, promptly the writing of this letter.  Good news demanded a quick reply, hence, 1 Thessalonians.  Maybe there is a lesson here for us.  When we receive good news, let us respond promptly with thanksgiving and encouragement.

3.  Verse 8, one of my favorites in the book, literally reads “because now we live if you are standing firm in the Lord”.  A couple of observations on this text:

(1) The word “live” is the verb “zao” which often refers to spiritual life, the highest form of living.  Knowledge that the Thessalonians are standing firmly in the faith has really encouraged and excited his soul.

(2) At first glance, the “if” in the sentence appears to raise some doubt.  However, for those interested in Greek, the construction of the sentence is known as a 1st class conditional sentence.  This simply means the “if” is actually a reality.  That’s why some translators (e.g., NIV) translate the “if” as “since”.  Paul is saying he now lives because he has heard that, yes, the Thessalonians are standing firmly in the faith!

“… in these two words he comprehends briefly the entire sum of true piety.  Hence all that aim at this twofold mark during their whole life are beyond all risk of erring; all others, however much they may torture themselves, wander miserably.”
John Calvin (on the words “faith and love”)

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 16:

XVI. Peace and War

It is the duty of Christians to seek peace with all men on principles of righteousness. In accordance with the spirit and teachings of Christ they should do all in their power to put an end to war.

The true remedy for the war spirit is the gospel of our Lord. The supreme need of the world is the acceptance of His teachings in all the affairs of men and nations, and the practical application of His law of love.

Pastor’s Postscripts

Thank you to the unknown gift giver for the “giraffe” paperweight!  It is now comfortably resting on my desk at home.

See you next Sunday!  Don’t forget your Bible!

Posted on

August 19, 2013

Urgent Prayer Requests

* Cynthia Wordlaw, need for a kidney
* Pete & Brenda, grieving over loss of her father; their health
* Dan, health concerns
* Mueller family, especially Alicia
* 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
* Our church and need for revival

Upcoming Activities

1. Bible Study (Brief Books) & Prayer
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.

Deacon Elections

You have 2 weeks remaining to nominate men to serve as a deacon for the next three years.  Write the name of your nominee(s) on a piece of paper (or nomination form), sign your paper, and give it to one of the deacons or the pastor.

“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith.  Test yourselves.  Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test?
2 Corinthians 13:5

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 15:

XV. The Christian and the Social Order

Every Christian is under obligation to seek to make the will of Christ supreme in his own life and in human society. Means and methods used for the improvement of society and the establishment of righteousness among men can be truly and permanently helpful only when they are rooted in the regeneration of the individual by the saving grace of God in Christ Jesus. The Christian should oppose in the spirit of Christ every form of greed, selfishness, and vice. He should work to provide for the orphaned, the needy, the aged, the helpless, and the sick. Every Christian should seek to bring industry, government, and society as a whole under the sway of the principles of righteousness, truth, and brotherly love. In order to promote these ends Christians should be ready to work with all men of good will in any good cause, always being careful to act in the spirit of love without compromising their loyalty to Christ and his truth.

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

“Such faith to believe in Jesus is not found in the heart of a lost man. That man needs a new heart to believe.  He needs a spiritual birth.”
Reminders

1.  The “prayer stars” are available on the board in the foyer.  Please take one home, attach it to your refrigerator, and pray for that family all week.

2.  Next Sunday is the last one for giving to the baby collection for Lacey Mueller.  She specifically needs diapers and wet wipes.

Sermon Extras

1.  One of the more interesting aspects of 1 Thessalonians is trying to determine the movements of Paul, Silas, and Timothy during their 2nd missionary journey.  For example, Acts 17 tells us Paul left Berea for Athens but Silas and Timothy remained.  Yet, in our text from yesterday, Paul is sending Timothy to Thessalonica with words that imply Timothy was in Athens with him.  Paul also uses the plural pronoun “we” in our passage yet notes at the end of verse 1 says he has been left alone in Athens.  And where is Silas through all of this?  I challenge you to read through 1 Thessalonians and then sit down with Acts 17 and see if you can piece together a reasonable explanation for their movements (there are multiple possibilities)!

2.  The latter part of verse 5 is very interesting as well.  The ESV reads:

“for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you, and our labor would be in vain.”

First, Paul uses both the verb and noun forms of the word “to tempt”.  It’s quite appropriate to call Satan “the temper” since he is so good at “tempting”.  Williams Hendriksen said of Satan:  “His manners consists especially in this, that he first tempts a man into sin and then accuses him of it!”

Second, Paul states the reality of the temptation (“had tempted”) but only the possibility that his work would have come to nothing (“would be”).  The NIV better translates the last part of the verse as “our labors MIGHT have been in vain.”  It’s a fact we will be tempted.  It is only a possibility we might prove to be a false believer!

3.  In verse 3, Paul teaches that we are “destined” for affliction.  The basic meaning of the word is “to recline, to appoint.”  The idea of “destiny” may be seen by its use in Luke 2:34 when Simeon, upon seeing the infant Jesus, says:

“Behold this child is APPOINTED for the fall and rising of many in Israel.”

Pastor’s Postscripts

Thanks to everyone who made our fellowship such a success yesterday:  Karla for planning it, bringing the pizza, and helping with the cleanup.  Tom for all his efforts in cleanup.  Pam for bringing the salad.  And, of course, to everyone who brought the ice cream, toppings, and fruit!  I thought it was an enjoyable time and I hope everyone else did as well.

Finally, I do hope each of us have taken the time to examine ourselves per the commandment of Paul in 2 Corinthians 13:5.  If you have not then I encourage you (and, as your pastor, exhort you!) to do so.  Make certain your spirit and the Spirit of God agree that you are, indeed, a child of God.

We continue with Philemon on Wednesday evening.  Join us for study and prayer time!

Pastor Bruce

Posted on

August 5, 2013

Urgent Prayer Requests

* Cynthia Wordlaw, need for a kidney
* Pete & Brenda, grieving over loss of her father; their health
* Brazel family
* Mueller family, especially Alicia
* 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
* Rachelle in California
* Our church and need for revival

Upcoming Activities

1. Bible Study (Brief Books) & Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
2. Men’s Breakfast & Book Study, Saturday, 8 a.m.
3. Church Council Meeting, Saturday, 9 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.

Deacon Elections

Deacon nomination forms are now available.  You may nominate more than one man to fill the only deacon position opening at the end of the year by (1) writing your nominations on a piece of paper (2) signing your paper, and (3) handing it to one of the deacons or the pastor.  Nominations are open through Sunday, September 6.  We will vote to fill that position in early October.

Sermon Extras

Of the Thessalonians, Paul says they “accepted” the Word not as “the word of Men but as what it really is, the word of God”.  The word “accepted” means “to welcome” as I described in the message yesterday.  Paul writes this word in a way implying a decisive event.  The Thessalonians welcomed the Word.  They grabbed hold of it once and for all.  They have received it as the Word of God and that conviction remains with them.

But Paul doesn’t just describe the impact of the Word upon them in this one time event.  He then continues by adding “it is truly the word of God, which also continually energizes (works) in you, in the believing ones” (my translation).  Paul’s statement is true for the believer only.  The Word is constantly energizing the believer for its author, the Holy Spirit, dwells within us.  It is a work which began when the Word was received (regeneration, new birth, i.e., when you were saved) and continues to work each and every day.

I like the remarks of John Jewell, Bishop of Salisbury, who lived from 1522-1571:

“If there be any, in whom it worketh not this effect, if there be any which (though they hear it) believe it not, nor are thereby renewed in their minds; it is a token, that they have not received the love of the truth of the Gospel; they despise the word of salvation, and it shall judge them in that day.”

May those of us who profess Jesus as Lord see the working of God’s Word in our lives every day!

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 13:

XIII. Stewardship

God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. Christians have a spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardship in their possessions. They are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talents, and material possessions; and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others. According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute of their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer’s cause on earth.

“(The Word) is the voice of God—the very breath, so to speak, of His infinite essence—in itself, therefore, a higher, more Divine thing, than any product of creative power.”  
John Lillie

Other Items to Note

1.  We are collecting diapers and wet wipes for Lacey Mueller who is expecting her first child in September.  If you can help, please place your contribution in the box on the table in the foyer sometime this month.  Lacey is the daughter of Jeff Mueller.

2.  The “prayer stars” are available on the board in the foyer.  Please take one (or more) home and attach them to your refrigerator.  Then, every time you see the family name on the star during the week, take a moment to prayer for that family.  Bring the star back to church on the following Sunday, attach it to the board, and take a different star for the next week.

Let’s keep one another in prayer at all times!

Pastor’s Postscripts

I don’t believe there was any better place to be yesterday at 10:30 a.m. than in the auditorium of Bethesda Baptist Church!  What a terrific time of worship and what a wonderful presence of the Spirit!

A reminder to our men to bring their breakfast (McDonald’s is always a good choice though some may prefer Chick-Fil-A!) on Saturday morning at 8 a.m. for a brief time of fellowship and study.  We’ll continue our examination of Dr. Whitney’s book.  And, if you do not have a copy of the book, do not let that keep you away.  Our time is an informal one and you are very welcome to join us!

And to our church council members, we need you present at 9 a.m. this Saturday to discuss upcoming events including Thanksgiving and Christmas.  If you are a council member and unable to be there Saturday, please have someone take your place.

Praise God for all He has done in, with, and by our church!  See you next Sunday, if not sooner, with my Bible in hand.