Posted on

November 24, 2014

STIRRINGS AT BETHESDA
A Weekly Publication of
Bethesda Baptist Church

November 24, 2014

Upcoming Activities

1. NO Bible Study & Prayer Meeting this week.
2. Sunday School, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
3. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
4. Discipleship Training, Sunday,5 p.m.

Operation Christmas Child

As Pam reported yesterday, we packed 54 boxes and had extra items we could not pack since we ran out of boxes.  Nevertheless, those items were sent as well and will be used to fill boxes.  Thank you again for your generosity.

“Scottish minister Alexander Whyte was known for his uplifting prayers in the pulpit. He always found something for which to be grateful. One Sunday morning the weather was so gloomy that one church member thought to himself, ‘Certainly the preacher won’t think of anything for which to thank the Lord on a wretched day like this.’ Much to his surprise, however, Whyte began by praying, ‘We thank Thee, O God, that it is not always like this.’ 
Daily Bread, August 26, 1989.
Christmas Party

Yes, it’s that time of year again!  Our annual Christmas Party will be held on Saturday evening, December 13, beginning at 5 p.m.  Mark the event on your calendar and keep an eye on future newsletters and bulletins for specific information on the party.  Everyone who attended last year had a great time and this year’s event should be as much fun!  You don’t want to miss it!

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Southern Baptists have designated the Christmas season as the time when we collect funds to support our international missions endeavors.  This offering, named the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, goes entirely to the missionaries and their work. 

So as Bethesda Baptist begins our emphasis on this offering, I exhort you to seek the Lord as to what He would have you contribute this year to support international missions.

May God once again bless your generosity!

“Thanks to this Great, Sovereign Ruler for the eternal mercy He has.  Despite the rebellion of many of His subjects to His Lordship, He continues to offer His mercy to them even today.  Salvation is possible and available for He is a merciful God.”

Nominating Committee

The Lord has given each of His children spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ.  How does Christ want you to utilize your gifts through our church in 2015?  Please contact Sandy, Debbie, or David, our Nominating Committee, and share your thoughts with them.
Pastir’s Postscript

Our national annual celebration of Thanksgiving was a result of President Lincoln’s proclamation in 1863 which established the last Thursday of November as the date (later changed to the 4th Thursday).  Here is the proclamation in its entirety.

Washington, D.C.
October 3, 1863

By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widow, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

William H. Seward,
Secretary of State

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and direct your thanks to our blessed God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

May He watch over you this week.

 Pastor Bruce

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 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

November 11, 2014

Urgent Prayer Requests

* Pete Koelling, health concerns
* Brida’s daughter-in-law, Dawn
* Special prayer for Zachary
* Cynthia Wordlaw, need for a kidney
* Health of Cynthia’s mother and mother-in-law
* Dennis fighting kidney failure
* Sandy & Rachelle, working many hours (plus Rachelle is under the weather)
* Julie at Mizzou plus problems with ex-boyfriend.
* Dan, health concerns
* Mueller family, illness plus Alicia’s pregnancy
* Marilynn Norvell
* Gene & Lois Schulze at home
* Mark & Julie Johnson and the situation with their Illinois home
* Our church and need for revival

Upcoming Activities

1.  Ladies Book Study, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.
2.  Business Meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
3.  Sunday school, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
4. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
5. Discipleship Training (Elisha), Sunday,
5 p.m.

Operation Christmas Child

Thank you everyone who participated in this year’s Operation Christmas Child.  Our final tally is 39 boxes!  May the Lord be praised and the children receiving these boxes blessed!

Sermon Extras

1.  As I mentioned in yesterday’s message, the seven verses of the sermon’s text contain 8 commands.  Each of these commands is what is known as a present tense verb.  This implies these commands are not one time actions but on-going, continuous commands.  “Keep on rejoicing always”, “Constantly pray without ceasing”, and “Continuously give thanks in everything” are examples of what Paul was communicating.

2.  To “rejoice always” is certainly not an easy task if you think rejoicing is smiling, laughing, and being “upbeat”.  There are days in the life of every Christian where such behavior is not only inappropriate but also impossible.  Nevertheless, one may truly rejoice spiritually even in such days.  As Spurgeon once said, “There was a day when Job lost his cattle and his children and yet blessed the name of the Lord.  All days are not wedding days.”

Nominating Committee

How would the Lord have you serve Him through our church in 2014?  Contact the Nominating Committee (Sandy Brandel and Debbie Walker) and let them know.

“Ours is an undisciplined age. … Above all, the discipline of divine grace is derided as legalism or is entirely unknown to a generation that is largely illiterate in the Scriptures. We need the rugged strength of Christian character that can come only from discipline.
V. Raymond Edman

Thanksgiving Fellowship

A reminder that our Thanksgiving Fellowship this year will be a potluck dinner following the morning worship service on Sunday, November 24.  The church is providing all the meat.  So, bring a side and dessert (and yourself) and enjoy a time of  thanksgiving, fellowship, and food.

“If Jesus is yours and you are his, have you not cause for rejoicing and praise and thanksgiving and love?”
John A. Broadus

Pastor’s Postscripts

Now that we are nearing the end of our exposition of 1 Thessalonians, a couple of members have asked me “What’s next?”.  The Lord is certainly free to change my direction at any time but, for now, here is how I believe He is leading us in terms of His Word.

* This Sunday we will complete 1 Thessalonians.
* On November 24, the Sunday before Thanksgiving, I will bring a message of thanksgiving based on a text from Revelation chapter 4.
* The remainder of 2013 (5 Sundays) will be messages on the birth of Christ as well as the exposition of some Psalms.
* We will begin 2014 by opening the Word to Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians.  That should take us through the first quarter of 2014.

Please keep me in your prayers as I seek the Lord for the word He wishes us to have each Sunday morning.

Also, we are planning a Christmas Eve service for December 24.  It will be less than an hour in length but hopefully a time of inspiration and worship in light of our Lord’s birth.  Please plan on attending this special service.

Finally, on a personal note, most of our church family is aware that I am no longer fully employed.  This past July my previous employer, IBM, decided my position was no longer needed.  So I was part of a large work force reduction (i.e., layoff).  Since then I have continued to serve as your pastor, continued teaching at Missouri Baptist University, and began collecting my pension.  Also I have spent much time looking for another full time job and have applied for many with no success to date.

Well, some anonymous individual(s) blessed Debbie and me Sunday with a significant monetary gift.  From the bottom of our hearts we thank whoever this was!  The gift was quite a surprise and we are very, very grateful.  May the Lord pour out blessings upon you!

I continue to ask church members to pray that the Lord will lead me to the position He has for me.  May He be praised for all the blessings we have.

Have a wonderful week!

Posted on

November 4, 2013

Urgent Prayer Requests

* Pete Koelling, health concerns and special request for prayer.
* Test results for Jimmy’s knee.
* Brida’s daughter-in-law, Dawn
* Glenda Averett, stress test
* Special prayer for Zachary
* Cynthia Wordlaw, need for a kidney
* Health of Cynthia’s mother and mother-in-law
* Dennis fighting kidney failure
* Sandy & Rachelle, working many hours (plus Rachelle is under the weather)
* Julie at Mizzou plus problems with ex-boyfriend.
* Dan, health concerns
* Mueller family, illness plus Alicia’s pregnancy
* Marilynn Norvell
* Gene & Lois Schulze at home
* Mark & Julie Johnson and the situation with their Illinois home
* Our church and need for revival

Upcoming Activities

1.  Operation Christmas Child Packing Party,
Monday, 6:30 p.m. at the Walkers
2. Ladies Book Study, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.
3. Bible Study (Brief Books) and 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. Discipleship Training (Elisha), Sunday,
5 p.m.

“… happy is the church family in which pastors and people recognize that God calls different believers to different ministries, exercise their own ministries with diligence and humility, and give to others the respect and love which their God appointed labour demands!  They will live in peace with each other.”
John R. W. Stott

Operation Christmas Child

The Packing Party is this evening (Monday) beginning at 6:30 p.m.  The party will be at the Walkers (233 Cole Blvd.; St. Charles).

Call the pastor if you need directions (636-233-0645).

Sermon Extras

1.  It is interesting how the various translators render the second description of the leader in verse 12.  Here are just a few:

ESV:  “and are over you in the Lord”
KJV:  “and are over you in the Lord”
NAS:  “and have charge over you in the
Lord”
NIV:  “who care for you in the Lord”
HCSB:  “and lead you in the Lord”
AMP:  “your leaders who are over you in
the Lord”

In the message yesterday, I mentioned the original word behind these translations meant (1) “rule over” as a government office (church government does include the office of pastor) and (2) to care for, have sincere interest in the welfare of those who are ruled.

When you look at these 6 translations, the NAS clearly emphasizes the government perspective.  However, the NIV emphasizes the watch care element.  The other translations are not as precise, leaving the door open for either definition.

In reality, there is always an element of “ruling” (authority) when it comes to leadership.  I believe Paul is teaching us that the pastor is the God-ordained authoritative leader of a local congregation and that he is to lead in a sincere, caring way.

2.  Notice also that Paul strictly limits the domain of the pastor’s “rule”.  He writes, “and are over YOU IN THE LORD”.  First, “you” implies the pastor’s rule is applicable only to “brothers”, fellow Christians and, I believe, Christians of a specific local flock.  Second, “in the Lord” clearly specifies the extent of the pastor’s rule.  His authority is valid only within the sphere of the Lord, in other words, in matters taught in God’s Word.

“Such ruling (that of a pastor) is not with an iron hand but with a humble heart.”

Nominating Committee

The function of our church Nominating Committee is to seek out the Lord’s will for the coming year in terms of the various offices we have in our church and who should fill these positions.  The function of the church membership (that’s you and me) is to seek the Lord’s will as to which positions we could best serve the Lord in through our church next year.

Therefore, if you believe you know the specific ministry (or ministries) in which the Lord would have you serve in 2014, contact the Nominating Committee (Sandy Brandel and Debbie Walker) and let them know.  If you are uncertain as to your 2014 role in our church then consider the position mentioned to you by the Committee if they contact you.

The New Testament knows nothing of an inactive Christian/church member except to correct them concerning their idleness.  Join with the other members of Bethesda in preparing to step in and serve the Lord through our church in 2014!

“Those who have weak faith need to know there are brothers who will cleave to them during spiritually tough times.”

Pastor’s Postscripts

The holiday season is, once again, knocking at our door.  Thanksgiving is only 3+ weeks away.  In fact, our Thanksgiving potluck fellowship is 2 weeks from next Sunday (November 24)!

This year Christmas is separated from Thanksgiving by the fewest number of days possible (27, I believe).  About the time you manage to digest your turkey it will be time to celebrate the birth of our Lord!  So, just a couple of “heads up” concerning December this year.

We will have a Christmas party (not program) on Saturday, December 21.  Please update your calendar and reserve the date.  Specifics, including time, will follow.  We do plan on caroling as part of this fellowship.

We will also have a Christmas Eve service again this year on December 24 (a good date for one since it is Christmas Eve!).  Again, mark your calendar and plan on attending.  It will be a brief service but hopefully an uplifting one.

I do pray our gracious God gives each of you a wonderful week!

Posted on

October 28, 2013

Urgent Prayer Requests

* Petra Lau and her family, friends of Karla – her father was murdered
* Bill Sugar, friends of the Diamonds, Lymphoma
* Pete Koelling, health concerns and special request for prayer.
* Special prayer for Zachary
* Cynthia Wordlaw, need for a kidney
* Dennis fighting kidney failure
* Sandy & Rachelle, working many hours (plus Rachelle is under the weather) & Julie at Mizzou
* Dan, health concerns
* Mueller family, Alicia’s pregnancy
* Marilynn Norvell
* Gene & Lois Schulze at home
* Mark & Julie Johnson and the situation with their Illinois home
* Our church and need for revival

Upcoming Activities

1. Ladies Book Study, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.
2. Bible Study (Brief Books) and Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
3.  Men’s Breakfast and Book Study, Saturday, 8 a.m.
4.  Church Council Meeting, Saturday, 9 a.m.
5. Sunday school, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
6. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
7. Discipleship Training (Elisha), Sunday, 5 p.m.

”If God has thus wondrously provided for the fulfillment of His own gracious appointment … then surely we need not, we must not, we dare not, doubt His ability ‘to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him.’”
John Lillie

Operation Christmas Child

This Sunday is the last one available for you to contribute to this year’s Operation Christmas Child.  All shoeboxes need to be returned on Sunday.  Any donations you wish to be made (gifts and/or cash) must be turned in on Sunday.

Monday evening you are invited to the Walker’s home for a Packing Party.  The event begins at 6:30 p.m.   If you want to participate but do not have directions, please talk with the pastor in person or call him at 636-233-0645.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME

Daylight Savings Time ends this coming Sunday morning at 2 a.m.  Please make certain you set your clocks BACK 1 hour before going to bed on Saturday evening.

We are “falling back” this weekend which gives you an extra hour of sleep Saturday evening into Sunday morning.  Everyone will be well rested for morning worship (and Bible Study at 9:15!).

Reformation Sunday

Yesterday we briefly recognized Reformation Sunday which is always the Sunday before October 31.  Many Baptists, to their loss, are unaware of this day or the importance of October 31.  Allow me briefly to recap the events which we remember at this time of the year.

Martin Luther was born in Germany in 1483.  His father wanted him to become a lawyer and he was attending a university working to achieve that objective.  However, when he was caught outside in a violent thunderstorm in 1505 and almost struck by lightning, he vowed to become a monk if the Lord spared his life.  Later that year he entered the monastery.

Luther was always under conviction of his sins.  He would confess his sins to a priest, walk away, and then return to confess some more.  He punished his own body and was fearful of God.  Nothing in his religion brought him any peace to his soul.

In 1510 he was sent by his superiors to Rome, the home of the pope.  While there he relized something was terribly amiss with the practices of the church.

In 1511 he was sent to teach at a new university in Wittenberg, Germany.  While studying for his lectures on the book of Romans in 1515, Luther realized that a right relationship with God was not possible by works, confessions,  money, or the Pope.  Rather, one need only trust Christ by faith to be saved.

Pope Leo was a great lover of the arts and exhausted the Vatican’s wealth on the purchase of art and the creation of new works.  He desired to leave Rome more glorious than he had found her and one way he intended to do so was by the building of St. Peter’s Cathedral.  This, of course, required money which was borrowed from European financiers.  In order to repay the loan, Leo began selling various new indulgencies.  One of these indulgences promised that those who purchased it would be totally forgiven of all their sins and avoid purgatory (the place where a dead soul must go until all his sins were paid according to the Catholic Church).  In fact, one could purchase an indulgence for a deceased relative.

Johann Tetzel, a Catholic preacher, was sent into Germany to preach this indulgence and collect the revenue.  He was very, very good at his job and the Vatican treasury was receiving a strong income.

Luther was greatly concerned about the false hope indulgences gave to people, upset at Tetzel stealing the money of his countrymen, and certain the Pope, if he knew what Tetzel was doing, would stop the Catholic preacher.  On October 31, 1517, Luther posted 95 theses against indulgences on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg.  The theses were written in Latin and this was the typical method for publicizing a request to debate.  Luther never intended to split from his church.  He was sure, however, his arguments against indulgences and other current Catholic teachings would be heard and agreed to by the church leaders.

Needless to say, Luther underestimated the impact of his action.  The theses were translated into German and spread rapidly throughout the land.  The Pope and other church officials saw a drop in the sale of indulgences and began efforts to quiet Luther.  Ultimately, he was excommunicated from the church and declared an outlaw of the Holy Roman Empire in 1521.

Many in Germany, Switzerland, and other European countries followed Luther in his attempts at reform.  These protesting reformers (hence, Protestant Reformation) preached that salvation was by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone to the glory of God alone according to the Word of God alone.  As a result, new churches came into existence across Europe and England opposed to the Roman Catholic Church.  Included among these reformers were men who taught that baptism is only for those who are true believers in Christ and that the local church is to be a body of gathered believers evidenced by their baptism.  These men are the spiritual ancestors of Southern Baptists today.

So, October 31 marks the anniversary of Luther nailing his 95 theses, the match which ignited the Reformation.  We thank those who have gone on before us for their courage, their commitment to the Word of God, and their devotion to Jesus Christ!  Reformation Sunday provides us with an opportunity to remember all they accomplished for us and for the glory of God.

Pastor’s Postscripts

This week’s edition is a bit longer than usual but I thought the brief explanation on the Reformation would be worthwhile.  If you are unfamiliar with this period of church history, I strongly encourage you to do some reading on the period and/or some of the personalities involved.  There are many biographies on Martin Luther alone.  If you have an interest, talk with me and I will point you to some good works on the subject.

A reminder of our Church Council meeting this Saturday at 9 a.m.   This is an important meeting because, among other things, we need to discuss our plans for Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays.  Also, we will get an update on our church sign plus I have some news to share with you about some musical instruments.

Men, we will meet at 8 a.m for breakfast and our book study.  Bring your breakfast and join us for this time of fellowship.  Sometimes I think we spend more time sharing than we do examining the book but that’s an important part of fellowship as well!  Even if you have not been a part of our study in the past, come out anyway and join in the fun.

May the Lord grant you a wonderful week!  See you Sunday morning (remember, set your clock back an hour!).