Spurgeon Archives - Bethesda Baptist Church

September 1, 2014

STIRRINGS AT BETHESDA
A Weekly Publication of
Bethesda Baptist Church

September 1, 2014

Upcoming Activities

1. NO Bethesda Academy, Monday
2. Ladies Book Study, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.
3. Bible Study and Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.
4. Deacons’ Meeting, Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.
5. Football Team Dinner, Thursday, 4-7 p.m.
6. Men’s Breakfast & Book Study, 8 a.m.
7. Sunday School, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
8. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
9. Discipleship Training, Sunday, 5 p.m.

Missouri Missions

Yesterday marked the beginning of our emphasis on Missouri state missions and our collection of the South Mission Offering. Our church’s goal is $500 with the church matching the first $500. Please prayerfully consider what the Lord would have you give and then be obedient to His leadership.

Congratulations

* Happy Birthday to Dennis DePriest celebrating a birthday on Tuesday, September 2.
* Happy Birthday to Aaron Wordlaw who celebrates his birthday on Wednesday, September 3.

Ladies Book Study …

continues TOMORROW evening (Tuesday, September 2) at 6:30 p.m. with lesson 3!

Men/Boys Camp Out

The camp out is Friday, September 12 at the church beginning at 7 p.m. If you intend to be a part of this event and did NOT sign the sheet in the foyer, please call Karla as soon as possible.

Church Work Day

The Trustees have scheduled a work day on Saturday, September 27. Meet at the church around 8 a.m. and help with some minor maintenance so that we may be good stewards of the facility the Lord has given us.

The love and the reverential fear of God, which are the true principles of obedience, have been effaced from the mind; but a degree of knowledge of His justice, and the consciousness that the violations of His law deserve and will be followed by punishment, have been retained.
Robert Haldane

Spurgeon Speaks

In another place he speaks of our Gospel, thus using a possessive pronoun, to show how Believers identify them-selves with the Truth of God which they preach. He had a Gospela definite form of Truthand he believed in it beyond all doubt. Therefore he spoke of it as, my Gospel. Herein we hear the voice of faith which seems to say, Though others reject it, I am sure of it and allow no shade of mistrust to darken my mind. To me it is glad tidings of great joyI hail it as my Gospel. If I am called a fool for holding it so, I am content to be a fool and to find all my wisdom in my Lord.

Should all the forms that men devise
Assault my faith with treacherous art,
Id call them vanity and lies,
And bind the Gospel to my heart.

Is not this word, my Gospel, the voice of love? Does he not, by this word, embrace the Gospel as the only love of his soulfor the sake of which he had suffered the loss of all things and did count them but dungfor the sake of which he was willing to stand before Nero and proclaim, even in Caesars palace, the message from Heaven? Though each word should cost him a life, he was willing to die a thousand deaths for the holy cause. My Gospel, he says, with a rapture of delight, as he presses to his bosom the sacred deposit of Truth.

My Gospel. Does not this show his courage? As much as to say, I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God onto salvation to everyone that believes. He says, my Gospel, as a soldier speaks of, my colors, or of, my king. He resolves to bear this banner to victor y and to serve this royal Truth even to the death.

Pastor’s Postscript

Have a very blessed week as you strive to be obedient to His commands in all that you do!

June 30, 2014

STIRRINGS AT BETHESDA

A Weekly Publication of Bethesda Baptist Church
June 30, 2014

Upcoming Activities

1. Bethesda Academy, Monday, 6:30 p.m.
2. Bible Study & Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.
3. INDEPENDENCE DAY, Friday
4. Sunday School, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
5. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
6. Discipleship Training (“The Attributes of God”), Sunday, 5 p.m.

Special Prayer Requests

* Cynthia recovering from surgery.
* Pam has knee replacement surgery on Wednesday.
* Rich and the family in the loss of his uncle. The funeral is Tuesday.

Coming Sunday…

This Sunday we deal with the theme of the book of Romans as we look at verses 16-17 of chapter 1 in a message entitled “The Power of the Gospel”.

Men’s Breakfast

Men, bring your breakfast on Saturday at 8 a.m. and we’ll spend some time in fellowship before turning to J. C. Ryle’s book, “Holiness”.

All Christians are but God’s stewards. Everything we have is on loan from the Lord, entrusted to us for a while to use in serving Him.
John MacArthur

Spurgeon Speaks

“Beloved, I believe that every Christian person should follow Christ in the waters of baptism, and, having done that, should join the Church of Christ, not so much to follow the Church, as to follow Christ. We are not to follow men, even the best of men, any farther than they follow Christ; but we must take care that we do boldly stand up as adherents of his cause, so that, if it be asked, “Who is on the Lord’s side?” we may put in an appearance directly, and avow ourselves as his followers. … If you would really serve Christ, come right out from the world, and say, “Let others do as they wilt as for me and my house we belong to Christ, and we will never hide our colors. We will bind the scarlet thread in the window, and we will let all who come by this way understand that here live those who have been redeemed with precious blood, and who therefore cannot, dare not, and will not conceal the gracious fact.” “If any man serve me, let him follow me by taking up my cause, and working for it with all his heart.”

Happy Independence Day!

“The general principles on which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity.”
John Adams

The Bethesda Academy

We complete chapter 1 of Revelation this evening (Monday) and begin chapter 2 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Come out and join us.

For the LORD is our judge; the LORD is our lawgiver; the LORD is our king; he will save us. Isaiah 33:22

Pastor’s Postscripts

A couple of notes concerning our July calendar:

1. We have a swimming fellowship scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 26 at the Diamonds. You don’t have to swim to enjoy the fellowship. Mark the date on your calendars.

2. Our business meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 9.

3. You will notice on the church calendar that Dr. Curtis McClain is preaching on Sunday, July 13. Debbie and I will be out of town from the 10th through the 15th and Curtis will fill in for me on that date. We are finally making the Indiana trip we had to cancel back in January. I appreciate you supporting Dr. McClain’s labors.

I do hope each of you have some plans for July 4th. Despite the current “goings-on” in Washington, we live in a great country. God has blessed us with the freedom to worship Him as citizens of this land, a freedom many around the world have lost. That’s a good reason to celebrate our nation’s birthday even if you can’t think of any others.

Our family has always enjoyed the day. We’ll take in the St. Charles parade Friday morning and end the day somewhere watching fireworks. Romans 13 teaches that it is God who has ordained governments. Furthermore, it is God who has put you in this country at this time in history. So celebrate our nation’s birthday.

As you enjoy the 4th, please pray and (1) thank God for giving us our nation and (2) ask God to heal our land. Government can not fix the problems we are experiencing in America. We need a sweeping move of God’s Spirit to bring revival! Changed lives, lives that have been born again, will change the direction we are headed.

May you enjoy the 4th of July with family and friends. May our Lord turn the United States back to Him. And may Christ bless you throughout the remainder of the week.

I look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday!

June 23, 2014

STIRRINGS AT BETHESDA
A Weekly Publication of
Bethesda Baptist Church
St. Charles, MO

June 23, 2014

Upcoming Activities

1. Bethesda Academy, 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. Discipleship Training (“The Attributes of God”), Sunday, 5 p.m.
Special Prayer Requests

* Cynthia sees the doctor today about further surgery.
* Betty Lesley is at home under hospice care.
* Debbie has additional foot surgery tomorrow (Tuesday).

Coming Sunday…

Next Sunday, the Lord willing, we examine Romans 1:11-15, “Preaching the Gospel”.

“Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual. … Continue steadfast and, with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to take from us.”

John Hancock
1st Signer of the Declaration of Independence

Spurgeon Speaks

“Man’s intellect seeks after rest, and by nature seeks it apart from the Lord Jesus Christ. Men of education are apt, even when converted, to look upon the simplicities of the cross of Christ with an eye too little reverent and loving…the temptation with a man of refined thought and high education is to depart from the simple truth of Christ crucified, and to invent, as the term is, a more intellectual doctrine. …whoever you are, good reader, and whatever your education may be, if you be the Lord’s, be assured you will find no rest in philosophizing divinity. You may receive this dogma of one great thinker. or that dream of another profound reasoner, by what the chaff is to the wheat, that will these be to the pure word of God. All that reason, when best guided, can find out is but the A B C of truth, and even that lacks certainty, while in Christ Jesus there is treasured up all the fullness of wisdom and knowledge. … Jesus satisfies the most elevated intellect when He is believingly received, but apart from Him the mind of the regenerate discovers no rest. ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.’ ‘A good understanding have all they that do His commandments.’”

“The Bible … is a book worth more than all the other books that were ever printed.”
Patrick Henry
Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution

5th Sunday Q & A Fellowship

Bring a drink and snack to share and join us for our next 5th Sunday Q & A Fellowship this coming Sunday evening at 6 p.m. immediately following Discipleship Training. I recommend you come at 5 and join us for both sessions!

Congratulations…

* Happy Birthday to Austin Wildgrube who celebrates his birthday on June 26.
* Happy Birthday to Ian Carapella who celebrates his birthday on June 29.

The Bethesda Academy

Tonight, with the introductory material behind us, we move into chapter 1 of the book of Revelation. So it is not too late to join us in our journey through this final book of the Bible. We meet for an hour beginning at 6:30 p.m. so come and study God’s Word with us beginning this (Monday) evening.

“While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.”
George Washington
1st U.S. President

Pastor’s Postscript

Thank you to Brother Carl Schaefer for being willing to “pinch hit” for me yesterday morning. It is such an encouragement to find a fellow preacher who, on very short notice, is willing to step in the gap and proclaim the Word of God on behalf of another!

I guess I had some type of “bug” which lasted about 36 hours or so. I’m still not convinced part of my lunch on our way home from Springfield on Saturday didn’t have something to do with it! But I am much better this Monday morning other than being a little tired. I really missed not being with you for worship yesterday.

Debbie told me the service went well. Thank you, Brother Dan for leading the Scripture reading. Praise the Lord for the visitors we had.

Since I was unable to do so yesterday, let me say “CONGRATULATIONS” to Jon and Kate Bounds on the birth of their 3rd son, Samuel Philip, last Monday! Keep both the baby and his mother in your prayers over the coming weeks.

The Lord is good and greatly to be praised. May He bless your week!

May 12, 2014

STIRRINGS AT BETHESDA, A Weekly Publication of Bethesda Baptist Church

LADIES TEA PARTY!

LADIES, you are invited to a Ladies Tea at the church on Saturday, May 24 beginning at 2 p.m. Please invite your mothers, daughters, sisters, neighbors, friends to join you at this event. All ladies are welcome but, for obvious reasons, we need a very accurate head count. Please sign the signup sheet in the foyer during the coming week and/or contact Debbie Walker and let her know how many will be attending. This event is for all adult ladies. No child care will be provided.

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 (“The Names of God”), Sunday, 5 p.m.

“Not what we must do but what God in Christ has done for us is the most prominent part of the good news.”
William Hendriksen

Julie’s Mission Trip

Julie leaves for her mission trip to San Diego in two weeks. If you wish to contribute, please write your check to Bethesda Baptist and note that it is for “Julie’s Trip”. By the way, Julie will personally provide us with information on her upcoming trip during our worship service on May 25.

The Bethesda Academy

The Academy will resume on Monday, June 9 at 6:30 p.m. as we begin a study of the book of Revelation. Mark your calendars and plan on attending.

Recent Prayer Requests

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

Congratulations to…

Meghan Bartner, celebrating a birthday on Friday, May 16. Happy Birthday, Meghan!

LADIES Book Study

This Ladies will meet for their final session in their current study this Tuesday, May 13, at 6:30 p.m. Don’t miss it, Ladies!

Coming Sunday…

We continue our look at the salutation to the Epistle to the Romans as we examine “The Promise of the Gospel” from Romans 1:2.

Spurgeon Speaks

“I do not think that we are called to have anything to do with party politics, or social problems, or any such questions—we are set apart for this purpose—‘separated unto the Gospel of God.’ There are plenty of people who can attend to those things better than we can. If we mind our own business, or rather, if we mind our Master’s business, we who are ministers will have quite enough to do.”

Sermon Seconds

Yesterday’s text, Romans 1:1, is only 10 words in the original. They easily divide into the 4 facets I presented in my message on the preacher of the Gospel. “Paul” presents the human identity of the preacher who wrote the letter and, with the mention of his name, one immediately reflects on his
reputation both before and after his conversion. “a servant of Christ Jesus” points to his rank as a preacher. He is a servant or slave of His master, Jesus Christ. “called to be an apostle” delineates his responsibility as the preacher. God has called him to the office of Apostle, the authoritative representative and messenger of Christ. Finally, “set apart for the gospel of God” reveals his
role as the preacher. He has been set apart for one specific task: the good news of God, namely, the person and work of Jesus Christ.

The phrase “set apart” translates one word which means “appointed”. The word is in what is known as the perfect tense in Greek. Paul has been set apart; it is a completed action. Yet this action has results which continue into the future. I see in this phrase (along with Galatians 1:15) Paul’s
understanding that his appointment is from God’s eternal plan.

The phrase also has what is known in Greek as the passive voice. Paul was set apart; he did not doing the “setting”. Rather, it was done to him. Clearly Paul is referring to God’s actions. Paul was not seeking God or Christ. He was not seeking to be an officer in the church of God. But God had different plans for him. As a result, we are the benefactors of a great blessing: the possession of the book of Romans written by this Apostle for Christ!

Pastor’s Postscript

I trust all the mothers had a great Mother’s Day. You are well deserving of our honor and recognition for all you have done over the years for us and for the children. May God richly bless you ladies in the years to come for your faithfulness to Him!
And may God bless Bethesda Baptist Church as we continue our mission to magnify and glorify the name of Jesus Christ throughout our community and to wherever the Lord sends us!

Have a wonderful week!

Pastor Bruce
636-233-0645
TheSaxonHus@hotmail.com
Church phone: 636-447-2121
Church web site: www.bethesdabc.org

May 5, 2014

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

LADIES Book Study

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

Upcoming Activities

1. Bethesda Academy, Monday, 6:30 p.m.
2. Ladies Book Study, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.
3. Bible Study & Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
4. Deacons’ Meeting, Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.
5. Sunday School, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
6. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
7. NO Discipleship Training this Sunday.

Julie’s Mission Trip

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

The Bethesda Academy

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

Recent Prayer Requests

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

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

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

Coming Sunday…

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

Sermon Seconds

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

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

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

Spurgeon Speaks

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

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

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

Pastor’s Postscript

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

March 24, 2014

LADIES Book Study

The Ladies Book Study begins tomorrow evening, Tuesday, March 25, at 6:30 p.m. in the church’s Fellowship Hall. If you did not sign up but would like to attend, contact Pam DePriest and let her know.

Recent Prayer Requests

* Elijah Mueller – recovering at home
* Alicia’s mother
* 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
* Prayer for those involved in North American missions.
* Praise to the Lord for our visitors
* Our church and need for revival

The Bethesda Academy

The Academy continues its look at future events this evening (Monday) at 6:30 p.m. Come and join us for some study as well as fellowship.

“As it is the business of tailors to make clothes and of cobblers to mend shoes, so it is the business of Christians to pray.”
Martin Luther

Julie’s Mission Trip

Another reminder that Julie is preparing for a 10 week mission trip this summer. Your prayers for her trip are appreciated as is any financial help you may be able to provide. You may give with a check by making the check out to Bethesda Baptist and noting it is for “Julie’s Trip”.

Upcoming Activities

1. Bethesda Academy, Monday, 6:30 p.m.
2. Ladies Book Study, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.
3. Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
4. Sunday School, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
5. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
6. Discipleship Training (Ruth), Sunday, 5 p.m.
7. 5th Sunday Q & A Fellowship, Sunday, 6 p.m.

“I believe the doctrine of election, because I am quite certain that, if God had not chosen me, I should never have chosen Him; and I am sure He chose me before I was born, or else He never would have chosen me afterwards; and He must have elected me for reasons unknown to me, for I never could find any reason in myself why He should have looked upon me with special love.”
Charles Spurgeon

Bethesda Congratulations for the Week

Happy Birthday wishes this week to:

* Luke Bounds – Tuesday

“You must understand that your faith and salvation rest entirely on God’s election (cf. Acts 13:48). And yet the day you came to Jesus Christ, you did so because of an internal desire — you did nothing against your will. But even that desire is God-given — He supplies the necessary faith so we can believe (Eph. 2:8).”
John MacArthur

Sermon Extras

Part of my preparation for yesterday’s sermon took me to a message preached by the former pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas, W. A. Criswell. I did not quote from this passage yesterday but I do want to share it with you this morning. Dr. Criswell was an excellent preacher as you will see in how he closes the message.

“To that little flock in Thessalonica—just a little band of feeble Christians in a Roman world of brutality and godlessness and darkness and heathenism—Paul saying to them, “God hath elected you, little flock. It is His good pleasure to give you the kingdom, little flock. Weak lambs, God hath chosen you. Be of good courage. Comfort your heart. Lift up your faces. God hath chosen you.” Oh, what it is to be in the elective will and purpose of the Lord. However the day, whatever the fortune, we are in Him and He is in God and the whole world shall turn for His elect into victory and triumph and glory, both now and for ever. No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly, that love and trust Him. The world is yours. And in the fortunes of life, if He takes it from the earth before He comes—to face that future in glory and in triumph, to live like a Christian, and to die like a child of Jesus—unafraid, in the glory of the hope and the presence of the Lord.”

North American Missions

We are getting closer to our goal of $1200 for the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. is $1200. All the monies received towards this offering goes to support North American missions. We will continue collecting to support North American missions through the month of April. Please contribute as the Lord leads you to do..

Pastor’s Postscript

Easter is only a month away. I want you to be aware that we will hold another Good Friday service this year on Friday, April 18. Pastor Bill Savage of St. Clair Southern Baptist Church in St. Clair, MO will deliver the message. I encourage you to add the date to your calendar.

Thanks to all who prayed for me over this past weekend and yesterday morning. I spent most of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in bed feeling miserable. But the Lord was gracious and enabled me to attend worship and preach the Gospel. I am feeling somewhat better this morning but extremely exhausted. I do appreciate your prayers.

I am also very grateful for the visitors the Lord continues to send our way. Furthermore, yesterday was probably the first Sunday in 2014 where most of our members were able to join together for worship at the same time! Praise the Lord!

May He richly bless your week!

January 27, 2014

STIRRINGS at BETHESDA, the weekly newsletter of Bethesda Baptist Church

January 27, 2014

Recent Prayer Requests

* Pam and her family in the death of her father
* Brenda Koelling
* Meghan Bartner
* Zachary Mueller
* Alicia Mueller’s mother
* Cynthia Wordlaw, need for a kidney
* Dennis fighting kidney failure
* Marilynn Norvell
* Debbie Walker, recovering from foot surgery
* Steve Brook and meeting with ordination council
* Our church and need for revival

Upcoming Activities

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

January Bible Study

Our January Bible Study of the book of Colossians is now in chapter 2. Plenty of time for you to join us this Sunday evening at 5 p.m. as we continue our examination of “Christ is All You Need”.

This Saturday …

Several activities are taking place at our church this Saturday which need special attention.

1. The men will meet at 8 a.m. for our monthly breakfast and book study. We were snowed out last month and will, therefore, discuss the last 2 chapters of Dr. Whitney’s book this weekend. Bring your breakfast and any suggestions/interests you may have for a new study and enjoy some fellowship.

2. Our church council meets at 9 a.m. If you are on the council please plan on attending our first quarterly meeting of the year. If you are unable to do so please arrange for someone else to represent you. All church members are welcome to attend.

The primary mission of the church council is to plan upcoming events so one group’s schedule does not impact another’s schedule. This coming quarter will involve the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering (NAMB activities) and Easter weekend observances.

3. The deacons will meet with brother Steve at 10:30 a.m. concerning his election to serve our church as a deacon. Please be in prayer for Steve and this group that the Lord’s will be faithfully accomplished.

“We exist by His grace, we continue to live by His grace, we are redeemed by His grace, we are regenerated by His grace, we are justified by His grace, we are sanctified by His grace, we are preserved by His grace.”

Sermon Extras & Pastor’s Postscript

Our text yesterday was fairly straightforward. There are no unusual words in the original text nor verbs used in some special way. As I shared with you, I had thought of “jumping over” these verses to 3 & 4 but was then convicted by the Lord to preach on them instead. The Lord used the word “church” to grab my attention and draw me back to this part of the text. Many people no longer see a value in the local church. They choose not to unite to one. Others divert all their Christian efforts to “para-church” organizations, essentially making them their church.

Here are a few words from the great Baptist preacher Charles Spurgeon on joining a local church.

It seems to have been the custom in the earliest times for persons who had been converted to Christ to join themselves with the church of Jesus Christ.

From that fact, I feel persuaded that they did not conceal their convictions. It is a strong temptation with many to say, “I have believed in Jesus, but that is a matter between God and my own soul, there is no need that I should tell this to others. Can’t I quietly go to heaven and be a Nicodemus, or a Joseph of Arimathea?” To which I reply, Yes, you can quietly go to heaven, and we hope you will do so, but that is a different thing from being cowardly and ashamed of Christ. We will not object to your being a Nicodemus if you will go with him when he carries spices to the grave of Jesus; and you may be a Joseph of Arimathea if you will attend him when he goes boldly to Pilate and begs for the body of Jesus. Neither of these two brethren were cowards after the cross had been set up before their eyes, neither were they ashamed to identify themselves with the crucified Christ. Follow them, not in the infancy of their love, but in its more mature days. Remember, dear friends, the promise of the gospel runs like this, “He that believes in his heart, and confesses Christ with his mouth, will be saved.” Do not, I charge you, neglect half of the command!

It is quite clear, too, that believers in those days did not try to go to heaven alone. However, there has been a great deal said in these days about simply being a Christian and not joining any particular church, this is clearly a piece of hypocrisy, and in all cases a mistake.

This idea of not joining any one particular church, and instead simply belonging to the “church at large” is often advocated in the name of unity, and yet it is clear to everyone that it is just the opposite of unity, and is intended to put an end to all visible church fellowship. The good people mentioned in our text immediately join the church of the Living God in Jerusalem. I dare say that even in those days, had they criticized the church, they would have found faults in her, certainly within a few weeks there were great faults that had to be remedied; but these converts felt that the group of Christians at Jerusalem was indeed the true church of Jesus Christ, and, therefore, they joined it. All of you can find true churches of Jesus Christ if you choose to look for them. If you wait for a perfect church, you must wait until you get to heaven; and even if you could find a perfect church on earth, I am sure they would not admit you to their fellowship, for you yourself are not perfect. Find those people who are nearest to the Scriptures, who hold the truth in doctrine and in practice, and are most like the apostolic church, and then join them, and you will be blessed for it. Consider the matter, and reflect that if it would be right for you to remain out of church fellowship, it must be right for every other believer to remain in the same condition, and then there would be no visible church on earth at all, and no body of people banded together to maintain and teach Christian commands and practices. Christian fellowship, especially the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, and the maintenance of an evangelistic ministry, would become an impossibility, if no one openly declared the Savior’s cause. Act then according to your duty, and if you are a Christian, join with Christians; if you love the Master, love the servants; if you love the Captain, unite with the army, and join that regiment of it which you think adheres the closest to the Master’s word.”

The full text of this message, “Additions to the Church”, may be read here if you have further interest:
http://www.spurgeongems.org/vols19-21/chs1167.pdf .

May the Lord grant you a terrific week!