May 5, 2014

STIRRINGS AT BETHESDA
Weekly Publication of Bethesda Baptist Church
May 5, 2014

LADIES Book Study

Ladies, you have two more sessions in your book study.  Plan on being there this Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

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 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.  NO Discipleship Training this Sunday.

Julie’s Mission Trip

Julie is about to leave on her 10 week mission trip to San Diego.  If you wish to contribute, please write your check to Bethesda Baptist and note that it is for “Julie’s Trip”.

The Bethesda Academy

This evening at 6:30 p.m. we begin our final three nights of our study of “future events” in the Academy.  We start a very high overview of the prophecy recorded by the Apostle John in the book of Revelation and compare it with our observations concerning the future we have made from other books.  Join us tonight (Monday) and be a part of our group.

Recent Prayer Requests

* Cynthia Wordlaw and her family in the death of her mother.  Also Cynthia’s need for a kidney.
* Elijah Mueller
* Alicia’s mother
* Meghan Bartner
* Zachary Mueller
* Dennis fighting kidney failure
* Marilynn Norvell
* Debbie, recovering from foot surgery
* Prayer for the conversions of the lost, especially those in our community
* Praise to the Lord for our visitors
* Our church and need for revival

Congratulations to…
Jon and Kate Bounds celebrating a wedding anniversary on Sunday, May 11.  Happy Anniversary!

“When peace like a river attendeth my way.
When sorrows like sea billows roll.
Whatever my lot thou hast taught me to say,
‘It is well, it is well with my soul.’”
Horatio G. Spafford

Coming Sunday…

“The Preacher of the Gospel” from Romans 1:1 is our text for this coming Sunday as we begin a new
adventure in the Scriptures.  This journey will last for some time, nevertheless, we will see many interesting (and important) truths along the way.

Sermon Seconds

One interesting thought on yesterday’s text is Paul’s use of the word “all”.  Remember, in the context of this 3rd chapter of 2 Thessalonians, Paul has dealt firmly with those who have ceased working and, instead, are “sponging” off the church.  In chapter 2 he had to correct some false teaching on the 2nd coming.  In other words, there were some “problem children” among the members of the Thessalonian church.Yet, in his closing prayer, Paul omits no one from his request, not even those with whom he has corrected in this letter.

* Verse 16 teaches the Lord gives us peace at ALL times.
* Also, He gives us peace in EVERY (the word “all” in the Greek) way.
* Then, Paul requests the Lord be with you ALL (yes, even the disobedient members).
* Even in verse 17, Paul notes that his signature (sign) is the same in EVERY (again the word “all”) letter.
* Finally, in verse 18, Paul requests grace be with you ALL

Five “alls” in 3 verses:  I think Paul has made his point!  I don’t know about you, but I am glad that he uses “all” and that “all” includes me!  Does “all” include you?  Do you know Jesus Christ?  Have you professed Him as Lord?

Spurgeon Speaks

Charles Haddon Spurgeon is considered the greatest English speaking Baptist pastor in history.  He pastured the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London for almost 4 decades in the 19th century.  The building would hold 7000 folks every Sunday to hear him preach the Gospel.  Here are two quotes from Spurgeon I read this week while preparing to preach on 2 Thessalonians 3.  I didn’t use them in my sermon but thought you might enjoy them.

“Numbers of professors are very fretful, excitable, agitated, hasty and fickle.  It should not be so, Brothers and Sisters—you ought to have more weight about you, more Grace, more solidity.  Your soul’s affairs are all right, are they not?  All is right forever—everything is signed, sealed, and delivered—the Covenant is ordered in all things and sure, and everything is in Divine hands for our good.  Well, then, why not let us be as happy as the angels are?”

“So whenever a Providence puzzles you, take it as a sign that the Lord does not mean you to understand it—and be content to take it upon faith.  When curiosity and other restless things are gone, peace is enjoyed.”

Pastor’s Postscript

Since this edition is almost full, let me say I will pray for you this week that the Lord of peace may give you peace at all times and in every way!  May you truly be blessed this week!

March 17, 2014

STIRRINGS AT BETHESDA

Weekly Newsletter of the Bethesda Baptist Church

March 17, 2014

 

LADIES Book Study

Ladies, your new book study begins next Tuesday, March 25.  Pam will lead you as you look at the Sermon on the Mount in a study entitled “Living Your Life As A Beautiful Offering”.

If you would like to join the study but failed to add your name to the sign up sheet at church, contact Pam TODAY and let her know!

Recent Prayer Requests

* Elijah Mueller – recovering at home
* Praise to God for the birth of Olivia Mueller
* Alicia’s mother
* Meghan Bartner
* Zachary Mueller
* Cynthia Wordlaw, need for a kidney
* Dennis fighting kidney failure
* Marilynn Norvell
* Debbie, recovering from foot surgery
* Reppergers on vacation
* Prayer for the conversions of the lost, especially those in our community
* Praise to the Lord for our visitors
* Our church and need for revival

“A Christian whose inconsistent, hypocritical life belies biblical truth can’t be a deacon.”
Alexander Straech

The Bethesda Academy

TONIGHT is the return of the Bethesda Academy!  We meet at 6:30 p.m. for an informal study on the subject of future events.

Come join us tonight for an hour of fellowship and study!

Upcoming Activities

1.  Bethesda Academy, Monday, 6:30 p.m.
2.  Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
3.  Sunday school, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
4. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
5. Discipleship Training (Ruth), Sunday,
5 p.m.

Mission Trip

Julie is preparing for her 10 week mission trip this summer and needs our help.  Please keep her in your prayers.  And, if you are able, please help her with the financial cost of the trip.  You may with a check by making the check out to Bethesda Baptist and noting it is for “Julie’s Trip”.

Bethesda Congratulations for the Week

Happy Birthday wishes this week to:

* Sali Standley – Sunday

Sermon Extras

Verse 11 of yesterday’s text has been debated for some time.  Paul is obviously addressing women (the first word in the verse may be translated “women” or “wives”) but who are these women?  There are many good commentaries presently varied interpretations of this verse but, briefly, here are the top 3 views:

1.  Paul is talking about a church office in addition to pastor & deacon, namely, deaconess, a woman deacon.  I do not accept this view for a couple of reasons.  First, it makes little sense for Paul to insert one verse to describe this office sandwiched between verses referring to the office of deacons.  Verses 8-10 clearly are speaking to men who serve as deacons as does verse 12.  If Paul intended to introduce an office of deaconess, why not wait until you complete verse 12 to do so?  Second, a deaconess would represent a leader in the church and that would raise issue with Paul’s own words in 1 Timothy 2:11-15.

2.  Paul is talking about women in the church assisting the deacons.  Certainly the male deacons would run into situations where it would be very helpful to involve a woman.  This interpretation renders the first word of the verse as “women” in stead of “wives” and views other women in the church who assist the deacons in their work.  The same to reasons I gave to answer (1) above apply here.  Furthermore, it would be an extremely uncomfortable position (unheard of in the first century) for Christian men to work alongside Christian women who are not their wives.

3.  Paul is describing the wife of a deacon, assuming he is married.  Given the context of the passage, this interpretation makes the most sense.  It also answers the need for a woman to assist in certain situations yet removes the obvious difficulty of that woman not being the deacon’s wife.  I see the context as firmly supporting this understanding of the verse.

 

Think About It

“Seeker friendly” churches are those churches that try to make the lost visitor comfortable in their surroundings.  They use worldly attractions to draw them in and keep them there.  They have “give aways”, frequent promotions, and entertainers in place of true worship.  Such churches believe the best way to evangelize the lost is to make yourself more like the world.  The great British pastor David Martyn Lloyd-Jones disagreed.

“The glory of the gospel is that when the church is absolutely different from the world, she invariable attracts it.”

North American Missions

Our church’s goal for this year’s Annie Armstrong Easter Offering is $1200.  In two weeks you have graciously given $700 towards our goal!  Praise the Lord!

All the monies received towards this offering goes to support North American missions.  You have through the month of April to give.  Please seek the Lord and discern what He would have you contribute.

Pastor’s Postscript

Praise the Lord for our visitors!  Praise the Lord for our new deacon!  May God give each of you a terrific week!