second coming Archives - Bethesda Baptist Church

February 24, 2014

STIRRINGS AT BETHESDA

A weekly publication of Bethesda Baptist Church

February 24, 2014

Recent Prayer Requests

* Elijah Mueller
* Alicia as she is nearing her due date
* Alicia’s mother
* Brida, recovering from a fall
* Brenda Koelling, relative’s funeral
* Meghan Bartner
* Zachary Mueller
* Cynthia Wordlaw, need for a kidney
* Dennis fighting kidney failure
* Marilynn Norvell
* Debbie, recovering from foot surgery
* Prayer for the conversions of the lost, especially those in our community
* Our church and need for revival

Upcoming Activities

1. Bible Study & Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
2. Men’s Breakfast, Saturday, 8 a.m.
3. Science Center Trip, Saturday, Noon
4. Sunday school, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
5. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
6. Discipleship Training, Sunday, 5 p.m.

Mission Trip

If you wish to help Julie Brandel’s financial needs associated with her summer mission trip to San Diego, you may do so by writing a check to Bethesda and designating it towards her trip.

This Sunday’s Message…

“Delay, Deception, Delusion” from
2 Thessalonians 2:5-12

Deacon Ordination

Brother Steve Brook will be ordained to the deacon ministry on Sunday, March 16 in the morning worship service. Please plan on attending this special service.

Bowling Fellowship

This is your last week to sign up for the Bethesda Baptist Bowling fellowship on Sunday, March 9 at 12:30 p.m. We need an accurate head count no later than next Sunday so we can be sure we have enough lanes reserved at the Harvest Lanes Bowling Alley for Sunday, March 9. If you wish to go, please sign the sheet in the foyer during the week.

Science Center Trip

This Saturday is our outing to the St. Louis Science Center and a viewing of “Jerusalem” in the OmniMax Theater. If you are interested, please contact Karla as soon as possible and she will provide all the details.

Bethesda Congratulations for the Week

Happy Birthday wishes this week to:

* Steve Brook – Friday

“… none can be termed apostates, but … such as have previously made a profession of Christ and the gospel.”
John Calvin

Men’s Breakfast

Men, bring your breakfast and join us this Saturday, March 1 at 8 a.m. for our monthly fellowship. We’ll begin a new book, one of my favorites and one which greatly influenced my Christian walk many years ago. The work is by a 19th century believer named J. C. Ryle and is entitled “Holiness”.

If you are coming and have not notified the pastor, please do so. This will enable him to make certain we have enough books for everyone.

See you Saturday at 8 a.m.

The Bethesda Academy

The Academy is returning! Our first session will be on Monday, March 17 (wear your green!) beginning at 6:30 p.m. We’ll meet in Fellowship Hall for an hour to an hour and a half. More details in next week’s newsletter.

This will be a very informal study so bring your Bible and enjoy our time together.

Sermon Extras

Verse 1 of our text yesterday described the “coming of our Lord Jesus Christ”. The New Testament utilizes multiple Greek words to describe the second coming. In verse 1 (as in 1 Thessalonians 4), the word “coming” is parousia (“being alongside”) and describes the Lord’s coming as his presence with his people.

Verse 8 of this chapter is an interesting one from this perspective. Three of the words frequently used to refer to Christ’s second coming are used in that one verse.

“And then the lawless one will be revealed (apokalupto), whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance (epiphaneia) of his coming (parousia).”

While used in this verse to describe the revelation of the Antichrist, apokalupto is used to describe Christ’s coming elsewhere (Luke 17:30). This word views the coming as a revelation, a revealing of God’s purpose and plan.

The word epiphaneia is sometimes translated manifestation and is used for the second coming more than once (e.g., Titus 2:13). Epiphany views the 2nd coming as a manifestation of the power and love of God.

Pastor’s Postscript

We have several upcoming events which consume much of our newsletter this week. So, I will be brief (if you can believe that!).

I am grateful to be the pastor of such a group of saints that make up Bethesda Baptist! March 15 makes 5 years since my first sermon from this pulpit. It is a humbling and challenging responsibility to be a pastor. But, church members such as you have made these 5 years a true blessing. May the Lord continue to bless each of you and our church as we strive to serve Him in all we do.

May the Lord protect you this week and permit us to worship together once more next Sunday.

October 14, 2013

Urgent Prayer Requests

* Petra Lau and her family, friends of Karla – her father was murdered
* Bill Sugar, friends of the Diamonds, Lymphoma
* Brady Bounds, neck injury
* Brenda & Pete, health concerns.
* 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
* Aaron Wordlaw and his arthritis
* Gene & Lois Schulze at home
* Mark & Julie Johnson and the situation with their Illinois home
* Wednesday’s business meeting as we consider a proposal for a new sign
* 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. Sunday school, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
4. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
5. Discipleship Training (Elijah), Sunday,
5 p.m.

Ladies’ Book Study

The 3rd night of the Ladies’ Book Study is tomorrow (October 15) at 6:30 p.m.!

Sermon Extras

Often those who teach on the Second Coming paint a picture that everyone will be surprised and caught off guard when our Lord returns. They repeatedly quote 1 Thessalonians 5:2 where Paul says the Lord will come as “a thief in the night”.

However, often overlooked are verses 4 & 5. Paul reminds the Thessalonians (and EVERY believer) that we are “sons of light” and “sons of the day”. We are not in darkness and do not live in the domain of the night. No thief is catching us off guard. Translating verse 4 and adding appropriate emphasis, Paul says,

“BUT YOU, brothers, are NOT in darkness, so that THE day might take you down as a thief.”

As born again followers, we have spiritual light. We have light in the daylight of God’s written Word and His indwelling presence. We know what He has said about “THE Day” (i.e., “The Day of the Lord”, the moment of our Lord’s return). Therefore, when Christ does return, we are not caught off guard, we are not surprised, rather, we are expecting his return and prepared for it.

The moment of the Lord’s return will not bring “shock” to our system. Rather, it will be a great moment of joy! Not only will we be reunited with all followers of Jesus but we will receive our glorified, resurrected bodies, no longer subject to sin! We will find ourselves with out Lord and will be with Him forever and ever (see 1 Thessalonians 4:17)!

Praise the Lord, He WILL return soon!
Deacons

Our deacon election was a week ago and it was a “first” from what I know of Bethesda deacon elections! Both Dan and Steve received exactly the same number of votes from fellow members to serve as a deacon beginning in 2014.

Since our Constitution and Bylaws provide no direction when the election is a tie, the deacons and I discussed the matter and came to the conclusion the Lord must want both men to serve as deacons. So, we will begin 2014 with 4 deacons: Rich, Dennis, Dan, and Steve!

Of the four, only Steve has not been formally ordained by the local church. Therefore, an ordaining council will be formed to interview Steve and be convinced that he has the necessary qualifications to serve as a deacon. Once that council has met with Steve, we will schedule an ordination service (much like the one we had for Dan in 2012) and then officially set Steve aside for the office of deacon.

Thank you to everyone who sought the Lord’s direction and cast a vote for deacon and congratulations to both Dan and Steve on being selected to serve! 2014 promises to be an exciting year for Bethesda!

“They who are watching do not require to be told when the hour is to be, for they are ready at all times.”
Johann Albrecht Bengel

“They (the lost)” will be rejoicing in a fancied security right up to the very moment of the disaster.”
F. F. Bruce

Pastor’s Postscripts

I confess that I did little singing during our morning worship yesterday. Since my voice had been so weak for several days, I decided to save what voice I had for the sermon. The Lord was gracious and my voice remained strong enough to preach the entire message.

But, since I did not sing, I did listen and it was a wonderful sound! Sometimes just listening to the people of God singing praises to our Heavenly Father is a blessing to the heart. Such singing enabled me to worship the Lord without singing a word!

It was also a blessing to see several of our members back with us. The Brandels were there as well as the Brooks after being gone the weekend before. And our sister Marilynn Norvell was able to return to church for the first time in several weeks. Praise God! It was a good morning of worshiping our Lord and Savior.

Today marks the 4th anniversary of being called as your pastor. I am so grateful to God for allowing me to serve as your shepherd. May He continue to bless our church as we continue to serve and worship Him!

I look forward to seeing you again on Sunday. Bring your Bibles!

October 7, 2013

Urgent Prayer Requests

* Petra Lau and her family, friends of Karla – her father was murdered
* Bill Sugar, friends of the Diamonds, Lymphoma
* Brenda & Pete, health concerns.
* 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
* Aaron Wordlaw and his arthritis
* Gene & Lois Schulze at home
* Mark & Julie Johnson and the situation with their Illinois home
* Wednesday’s business meeting as we consider a proposal for a new sign
* 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. Autumn Bonfire, Saturday, 6 p.m.
4. Sunday school, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
5. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
6. Discipleship Training (Elijah), Sunday,
5 p.m.

“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.”
1 Corinthians 15:52

Ladies’ Book Study

TOMORROW (October 8) evening at 6:30 p.m. BE THERE!!!

Business Meeting

Our monthly business meeting is this Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. One item on the agenda is a proposal from the Trustees for a new church sign. I encourage ever member to attend the meeting and have a voice in this selection.

Autumn Bonfire

Our annual bonfire will take place this Saturday evening beginning at 6 p.m. behind the church. Please bring some firewood (if you have any), some goodies to eat (hot dogs, chips, marshmallows, etc.), something to drink, and your lawn chair!

Sermon Extras

The main thrust of my message yesterday was to convey some certainties concerning the future of Christians like you and me. These certainties, as Paul notes in verse 18, are to bring encouragement. I shared with you 5 certain future events outlined in these paragraphs: the Lord returns, the dead are raised, the living are raptured, a reunion occurs, and eternity begins.

Concerning the rapture, the common teaching of our day is that the Lord will return prior to 7 years of great tribulation on the earth and remove his followers via the rapture. Following the tribulation, Christ will come to earth in His second coming to essentially end history and deal with the lost.

In this view the rapture is seen as a quiet affair. Jesus comes, raises his dead followers, and takes his living followers with him back into the air. The lost world “awakens” to find many missing people but no good explanation for their disappearance.

I once held this position. However, the more I have examined the 1 Thessalonians passage as well as others, I do not see the “rapture” text as a quiet affair. As I said yesterday, you must read INTO the text this quietness. The Lord descends with a cry of command, the voice of an archangel, and the trumpet of God.

Speaking of trumpets, notice the following verses:

1 Thess. 4:16 – the Lord returns with the trumpet of God and raptures the living.

1 Cor. 15:51-52 – “Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the LAST trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised, imperishable, and we shall be changed.”

There is no doubt Paul is referring to the same event in these two letters. It is the event we call the rapture. So the trumpet call is the “last” trumpet call.

Now read Matthew 24:29-31 and note the presence of the trumpet call. As I understand Scripture, the rapture of the living believer takes place at the Lord’s second coming, not some 7 years before it.

While we may disagree on this, two things we may agree on are these: Jesus is coming back and ALL his followers will be forever with Him!

Pastor’s Postscripts

I am grateful for everyone who attended our service yesterday morning. We are not a large congregation and, when two or more families are out of town on the same Sunday, their absence is keenly felt! Furthermore, I appreciate the band leading us in singing despite missing 40% of their members! And it was also a blessing to have Audrey back with us and even singing a special song as part of our worship service. Thanks to each of you for utilizing your gifts in the service of Christ!

I’m certain many of you are sharing Christ with those who are lost and I encourage you to continue to do so. But, if you seem to be making little progress, at least extend them and invitation to attend church with you on Sunday. The Lord uses multiple methods for bringing His sheep into the Kingdom. As Paul wrote, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” Perhaps your testimony to your family, friends, and acquaintances is the planting. And perhaps their attendance at church will be their watering. Perhaps then God will be pleased to provide their growth into a child of God!

Autumn is now here and the holidays are rapidly approaching. Please join us this Saturday for our annual bonfire, somewhat a mark of the approaching end of the year. It’s always a good time of fellowship.

See you then or, at least, on Sunday!

September 30, 2013

Urgent Prayer Requests

* Bill Sugar, friends of the Diamonds, Lymphoma
* Brenda & Pete, health concerns.
* 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
* Aaron Wordlaw and his arthritis
* 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. Deacons’ Meeting, Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.
4. Bethesda Men’s Breakfast & Book Study,
Saturday, 8 a.m.
5. Sunday school, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
6. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. &
Deacon election
7. Discipleship Training (Elijah), Sunday,
5 p.m.

“The more a Christian knows of his religion, the better for his peace and for his happiness.”
Charles Haddon Spurgeon

As Pam noted yesterday, we exceeded our $500 goal for the Missouri Missions Offering. We thank the Lord for the generous people of Bethesda Baptist Church! Your giving will help spread the Word of the Lord throughout the state!

Deacon Election

I call your attention to the choosing of the first deacons in Acts 6. Here is how Luke recorded this event:

Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty … And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose…

1. The “brothers” (members of the church in Jerusalem) did the choosing.
2. The men they chose were to be of good repute, full of the spirit, and full of wisdom.
3. They chose men from among the congregation.
4. By implication, some men were not chosen.

Given the size of the church in Jerusalem (thousands) there were surely more than 7 men who possessed the stated qualifications. Just because a man was not chosen did not mean he was not qualified to serve at that time.

This Sunday we will do likewise. Our membership will choose one man (not seven) to fill our open deacon position. That man should be one of good repute, full of the spirit, and full of wisdom from our congregation. Two such men have been nominated by our congregation for this position: Dan Repperger and Steve Brook. Our task is to seek the Lord’s will to discern which of these two men should be our 3rd deacon at this time. As was the case in Jerusalem, whichever man is not chosen does not mean that man fails to meet the qualifications. It simply means our church believes the Lord does not intend for him to serve as deacon at this time.

So I call on each member to pray about their vote this coming Sunday. We are not engaged in a popularity contest. Rather, we are seeking the Lord’s will for our church. Both men are Biblically qualified to serve. Both are willing to serve. Choose the man you believe the Lord would have serve at this time in the life of our church.

Ladies’ Book Study

The next ladies book study begins TOMORROW (October 1) evening at 6:30 p.m.!

If you have an interest in being a part of this study and have not yet registered, call Pam DePriest and let her know. If you forget to call Pam, just show up for the study!

“If Jesus wept at the graveside of his beloved friend Lazarus, his disciples are surely at liberty to do the same.”
John R. W. Stott

Pastor’s Postscripts

First, I have been asked why I did not deal with verses 15-18 yesterday. Simply put, there’s just too much material in the paragraph for one message. If the Lord wills, I’ll address those verses this coming Sunday morning.

Second, please make certain you read the article on our deacon election this coming Sunday. This is an important day for our church and I want everyone “prayed up”!

Third, I am skipping the “Sermon Extra” section this week given the lack of space. Since I am dealing with the same text next Sunday, we’ll share some extras on the passage in next week’s newsletter.

Fourth, Praise the Lord, we reached our church’s goal for the South Mission offering! I am so grateful to the Lord for your willingness to give. Thank you and may He bless your generosity!

Fifth, Ladies, your book study begins tomorrow (Tuesday) evening. I’m certain Pam is ready to go and I hope you are. Meet at the church at 6:30 p.m. and have a great study and a great time of fellowship!

Sixth, thank you, also, to those who attended our 5th Sunday Q & A session last night. I enjoyed the time together and I hope I provided some reasonable answers to the questions which were asked.

Lastly, men, bring your breakfast on Saturday morning at 8 a.m. and join us for fellowship and study!

May the Lord grant you a great week!