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!

Posted on

September 23, 2013

Urgent Prayer Requests

* Bill Sugar, friends of the Diamonds, Lymphoma
* Brenda, more tests on her heart.  Also pray for Pete’s health.
* Zachary recovering from gall bladder surgery
* Cynthia Wordlaw, need for a kidney
* Dennis fighting kidney failure
* Sandy & Rachelle, working many hours (plus Rachelle is under the weather)
* Dan, health concerns
* Mueller family, Alicia’s pregnancy
* Marilynn Norvell
* Aaron Wordlaw and his arthritis
* Gene & Lois Schulze at home
* Mark & Julie Johnson and the situation with their Illinois home
* Julie away at school at Mizzou; pray she remains in good health
* Our church and need for revival

Upcoming Activities

1. Bible Study (Brief Books) and 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 (Elijah), Sunday,
5 p.m.
5.  5th Sunday Q & A Fellowship, Sunday,
6 p.m.

“It is amazing how much wisdom people have about other people’s affairs and so little interest in their own.”
A. T. Robertson

Sermon Extras

Verse 9 of chapter 4 reads:

“Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves HAVE BEEN taught by God to love one another.”

The phrase “taught by God” is actually one word, a word only used here in the New Testament.  As I mentioned in the message, it means the believer is taught by God via the indwelling Spirit to love one another.

I highlighted the words “have been” in the text.  The ESV reads as though this lesson from the Spirit is a past act, perhaps LONG past.  Actually, a better rendering would be “…you yourselves ARE taught by God…”.  Paul is telling us such teaching is an ever-present, continuous lesson of God’s Spirit throughout our sanctification.

Check out some other translations and notice which ones use the present tense “are” instead of “have been”.
MMO

Next Sunday is our last one for you to contribute to the Missouri Missions Offering for 2013.  Please seek the Lord for what He would have you give.

 

5th Sunday Q & A Fellowship

Sunday evening, September 29, marks our next 5th Sunday Q & A Fellowship.  We spend an hour munching on snacks while the pastor attempts to answer questions on the hearts and minds of our members.  Normally it is an informal hour of fellowship and I encourage you to attend even if you have no questions at this time.

If you would like to ask a question but prefer no one knows it is from you, simply write your question on a piece of paper and place it in the container on the table near the front door.  Also, if you are coming to the fellowship, please bring a snack and drink to share with others.

See you Sunday at 5pm for Discipleship Training and 6pm for our Q & A Fellowship!
Ladies’ Book Study

Our ladies begin a new book study in just over a week on Tuesday, October 1st.  The study is entitled “Duty or Delight?  Knowing where you stand with God” and will meet for 7 consecutive Tuesdays, each week at 6:30 p.m.

If you have an interest in being a part of this study and have not yet registered, I encourage you to do so by calling Pam DePriest so she will know how many books will be required.

Ladies, come and be a part of this fun and challenging study!

“Mutual love among Christians is an inbred quality.”

 

Pastor’s Postscripts

I want to share with you some specific prayer requests.

First, please pray for our Trustees: they have several items “on their plate” at the moment.  Foremost among them is the bringing of a proposal for a new church sign.  Pray they would have God’s wisdom to guide them in their selection so that our church ultimately has the proper sign at a reasonable price.

Second, pray for our church when we consider their proposal!  I suspect their recommendation will be made during the October business meeting in a couple of weeks.  Churches have split over matters such as carpets, pew Bibles, etc., and we do not want a church split over a new sign!  So, be in prayer that God will give each of us a discerning spirit but also a spirit of love as we consider the Trustees’ proposal.

Third, we are concluding the Missouri Mission Offering this Sunday.  Pray for wisdom on what the Lord wants you to give, then do so!  Also pray for our upcoming Operation Christmas Child effort which will begin in just a matter of weeks.

Finally, praise God for all the blessings He has poured out on our church these first 9 months of 2013!  He has sent numerous visitors. He has given us new members. He has blessed us with financial abundance.  He has inspired members to reach out to the lost.

What might He do in the last 3 months of 2013?!  PRAY!

Posted on

September 16, 2013

Urgent Prayer Requests

* Bill Sugar, friends of the Diamonds, Lymphoma
* Brenda, having a card cath on Tuesday.  Also pray for Pete’s health.
* Zachary recovering from gall bladder surgery
* Cynthia Wordlaw, need for a kidney
* Dennis fighting kidney failure
* Sandy & Rachelle, working many hours (plus Rachelle is under the weather)
* Dan, health concerns
* Mueller family, Alicia’s pregnancy
* Marilynn Norvell
* Aaron Wordlaw and his arthritis
* Gene & Lois Schulze at home
* Mark & Julie Johnson and the situation with their Illinois home
* Julie away at school at Mizzou; pray she remains in good health
* Our church and need for revival

Upcoming Activities

1. Trustee Meeting, Tuesday, 7 p.m.
2. Bible Study (Brief Books) and 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 (Elijah), Sunday,
5 p.m.

“Sanctification is that life-long process in which God works within a true believer to conform him to the image of His Son, the Lord Jesus.  The believer is daily separated from sin unto holiness in all avenues of his life until that day he is finally and forever with his Lord.”

Ladies’ Book Study

A new ladies book study begins on Tuesday, October 1st.  Ladies will meet at the church each Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m. for 7 weeks.  The book being studied is “Duty or Delight?  Knowing where you stand with God” by Tammie Head.

Our sister Pam DePriest has once again agreed to lead the study.  If you have an interest in joining the study and the fellowship, please sign the sheet in the foyer so Pam will know how many books to purchase.

This will be a great study as well as a good time to get to know one another. There are 9 ladies already registered!

CHURCH WORK DAY!

This Saturday morning (September 21) beginning at 8 a.m.  Come and help out.

“A Christian engaging in sexual immorality is telling the lost world God’s Word has no authority.”

Sermon Extras

Verse 4 has challenged Bible scholars for centuries.  The two most viable translations of the verse are as follows:

(1) that each of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor…

(2) that each one of you know how to take a wife for himself in holiness and honor…

In the message yesterday I briefly discussed the two words which make this verse somewhat difficult.

“control/take” – has more of the idea of acquire or get

“body/wife” – is actually the word vessel

If the latter word refers to one’s own body then “acquiring or getting one’s own body” really makes little sense.  And since “vessel” is used elsewhere in the New Testament to refer to wife, I prefer the 2nd translation.

In defense of the first translation, though, “acquire” could be viewed in the sense of “possessing”.  And if you possess something, you “control” it.  If you translate that word “control” then surely the second word should be rendered “body”.  Otherwise our translation would be “that each one of you know how to control his own wife…”

Oh, my, that would really get me into trouble!

“Marriage is for Promoting the Honor of your Partner and the Holiness of God, not your Personal Happiness.”

We have 2 Sundays remaining for you to contribute to the Missouri Missions Offering for 2013.  Our church goal is $500 and our church will match up to that amount.

Please pray and give as the Lord directs.

Pastor’s Postscripts

A big thank you to all who helped make yesterday’s fellowship such a success.  I include those who prepared and brought the food, those who set up the tables, and those who helped clean the facilities afterwards.

Sunday evening, September 29 at 6 p.m. will be our next “5th Sunday Q & A”.  This is an hour of informal fellowship where the pastor attempts to respond to questions from our members.  You may submit questions early by writing them out and placing them in the container on the table in the foyer (no name required).  So, if anything is on your mind, get your questions ready and I will do my best to answer them.  However, I reserve the right to say “I don’t know!”

Also, please pray for our Trustees as they close in on a proposal for a new church sign.  The committee’s goal is to bring a recommendation to the church in our October business meeting.  This is a major investment for our church and we certainly want to do the Lord’s will in this.

See you Sunday, Bible in hand!