Service Times
Worship Service
Sun. 9:30am – 10:30am
Sunday School
Sun. 10:45am – 11:20am
Prayer Meeting & Bible Study
Wed. 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Crusaders Club (Seasonal)
Thurs. 3:00pm – 5:30pm
Crusaders Teens (Seasonal)
Thurs. 6:00pm – 8:00pm
|
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:04:18 — 58.9MB) Subscribe: Outline for the message by guest speaker, John Tierney
- Did God want this to happen? If so, why did He want it to happen?
- Did God make this happen? If so, why did He make it happen?
- Did God just let it happen? If so, why did He let it happen?
- Is there simply no God at all and everything in the world just happens by chance?
Sometimes we ask why…
- Exodus 3:18-20; 5:1-3; 5:21-6:1
- Judges 6:1-13
- Psalms, Proverbs, Revelation
- Job 1; 7:11-20
- Conclusion
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:44 — 51.0MB) Subscribe: Mark 3:16-19
We invite you to worship with us on Sunday mornings at 9:30. We think you will be glad you did! We are concluding our study on the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19, 20) by looking at some examples of how Jesus taught His disciples. Just because information is shared with someone doesn’t mean the listener has been taught. Teaching happens when the student does what the teacher said the way the teacher said to do it; and – when the student does whatever was taught on his/her own as a way of life. From a Christian perspective when a student follows the teacher’s instruction only when the teacher is present it’s fraudulent. When the student follows the teacher’s instructions as a way of life it is friendship. Read John 15:13-17.
Let’s peruse Mark’s Gospel and see how Jesus taught His disciples.
- In 1:21, 22 there are two principles – First, Jesus went to Church weekly. To teach otherwise is heresy! Second, Jesus taught with authority. To teach with such authority one must live what is being taught in daily life.
- In 1:35 we see just one of the many times Jesus was found to be a Man of prayer. Your disciples need to see you pray.
- In 2:1-12 we learn that if one way to Jesus is blocked, we can make another. Also learn that Jesus never left anyone guessing about His ministry for them. Finally, learn that our ministry should be in full view of everyone. If we are ashamed of Christ, He will be ashamed of us!
- In 2:18, 19 Jesus answered questions with real answers. Jesus never said “go ask the pastor.”
- In 3:13, 14, Jesus wanted His disciples with Him. That means He was willing to invest time in them so they would learn.
- In 4:33 we see Jesus teaching in parables, which are earthly examples of heavenly truths. There are no better parables that the ones Jesus provided.
- Notice in verse 34 it is often in our quiet time that God gives us insight.
- In 5:21-43 there are two principles; First, believing faith must overcome unbelieving fear (35, 36); Second, we should not be surprised when God honors our faith and answers our prayers.
- In 6:7-12, Jesus provides us with a leadership principle by giving authority and power to His disciples. We shouldn’t seek to cast out demons or heal people! The point is that the authority and power was given to them when He decided it was right – and it was right when they weren’t expecting it.
- In 7:1-30 Jesus shows us how to teach grace, not legalism.
- In 8:2, 3 we learn that without compassion we will all collapse along the way.
- In 9:14-31 the principle is ultimately humility. Our belief is to emanate from our hearts and be seen in our lives. If we want to be part of a miracle all we have to do is disciple someone to focus their life in and on Christ and watch Him make them a miracle—just like He did us.
- In 10:17-31 the principle is that God wants and will provide everything we need to rid ourselves of all our worldly encumbrances so we can follow Him.
- In 12:1, 2 God’s presence shows His great love for us and that He wants all to be saved.
- In 12:18-24 we learn that not knowing the Scriptures always leads to error.
- In 14:27-31 Jesus teaches that pride can arise and become arrogant. Arrogant pride isn’t aware of the cost of discipleship.
- In 14:43-49 we learn the Holy Spirit is ready to teach us every day. The question is: are we ready to learn? There are more techniques in Mark and all of Scripture. As Christians all of us have disciples; therefore, all of us are responsible and accountable to teach them exactly as Christ taught His disciples.
If we can help you answer your spiritual or scriptural questions call us at (574) 643-9419.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:13 — 50.5MB) Subscribe: We invite you to join us on Sunday morning for worship at 9:30. We think you will find the spiritual connection you’ve been looking for. Our current study is the Great Commission and our need to practice it as Christ intended. This week we are going to focus on “teaching” God’s way and as Christ used the word in the Great Commission. First let’s consider:
- PRINCIPLES INVOLVED IN BIBLICAL TEACHING. Biblical teaching (all real teaching for that matter) has three distinct steps/processes that are clearly seen in Scripture. 1—imparting or passing on knowledge or skills. In this sense there are two distinct goals of imparting: A) insight or opening the understanding of the student; B) knowledge presupposed to the teacher. In the discipleship idea it is the desire of the student to receive the insights of the teacher, and the desire of the teacher to pass those insights to the student. For this process to work both the student and teacher must have an intense heart desire for the information/skills to be passed and received. For us as Christians that means Christ can desire with all His heart to teach us God’s Law, but if we aren’t willing to learn, He can’t teach! The idea of imparting leads to 2—increasing in knowledge. The constant and consistent sharing of the teacher with the student naturally resulted in the student incorporating both the principles and practices of the teacher into the daily life of the disciple. For us as Christians that means for us that every day there ought to be a greater likeness to Christ as we allow Him to teach us in our hearts. These two principles naturally lead to the third which is 3—incorporation of all that is taught into the life and lifestyle of the disciple. Superficial imitation is not the goal. When Paul says in Eph. 5:1 “be imitators of God” he is telling us that we are to be so deeply affected by the principles of Scripture that they influence our thoughts and permeate our entire life, not just certain parts we display on Sunday. When we apply these principles they result in:
- PRACTICES INVOKED BY BIBLICAL TEACHING. One of the primary purposes God intends is that His saving grace will not just clean a sinful heart but will also soften it so it absorbs all His Law teaches. The truth that he who hears God’s law also lives God’s law is woven all through it. What does God really expect from those of us who become alive through His saving grace? 1—immediately after getting off their knees asking for salvation a person must become a disciple of the One Who cared enough to share salvation with them. That means that we should never lead a person to Christ just to put another notch in our Bible. We must be prepared to disciple them for the rest of our life. 2—from the day of salvation God expects total immersion or baptism in His Law. From beginning to end God tells us to be fully involved/immersed in His Law allowing it to penetrate every part of our life. 3—Jesus tells Christians to teach converts “all things that I have taught you.” He taught them all the Law of God. We as fundamental Biblicists should learn a lesson in discipleship from those who often act contrary to Scripture by immersing their “disciples” in their own cause or mission. How many fundamental Bible believing Christians do you know that would actually die for their faith? It is one thing to say it and quite another to live it. Many Christians aren’t willing to die to self and allow Christ to live through them. Let’s show those who need Christ’s salvation that we can be good students of the Word.
If we can help you with answers to your spiritual questions, call us at 574-643-9419.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:21 — 50.7MB) Subscribe: John 14:15-20
If you don’t have a church home or attend church we invite you to come worship with us on Sunday morning at 9:30. You will find a warm welcome and solid, fundamental teaching from The Bible. We are studying Christ’s mandate to NT local churches which is found in Matt. 28:18-20. This week we are focusing on “immersing” or baptizing those people God has put into your life to teach to follow Christ. Let’s consider how we can be completely surrounded in Christ.
- REMIND yourself daily that you have been immersed in Christ spiritually. Read 2Cor. 13:5; Gal. 2:20; Eph. 3:17; Col. 1;27; and Rev. 3:20. One of the blessings of our salvation is that we are completely in Christ and He is completely in us. A large part of our responsibility and accountability to God is to show outwardly, physically in every part of our daily life that we are completely immersed in Christ and His righteousness.
- UNDERSTAND the effect our baptism is a lifelong process, not just a one-time event! Even though our salvation makes total and immediate surrender possible, God knows we aren’t going to take advantage of it! He also knows exactly when we are ready to give Him more control of our daily life; and at exactly the right time the Holy Spirit prompts us to release that part of our life to Him – FOREVER!
- ACKNOWLEDGE to God that you know He has made you ready to surrender to Him, then ask Him to show you specifically how He wants to work in you. Read Ps. 119:9-16. Be warned however, that when you give God greater control in new areas of your life, Satan will work overtime to discourage you there. Don’t give up!
- STAY in the Word. Read Josh. 1:8. Reading just one of the “letter” paragraphs of Psalm 119 each day is also a great help. You might consider adding those little sections to what you are already studying in your daily quiet time. Make sure it’s QUIET time. Don’t try to read on the fly and expect to hear that still small voice! You don’t always have to read Scripture to get the deep theological and doctrinal teachings. It is good to read it quietly and let God speak to you as you read. Many times God has opened doors and led me through the dark valleys as I sat quietly reading just to read! I like to have a pencil handy to make notes when those glorious events happen. If you don’t have a problem writing in the margin of your Bible, those little notes can become big revelations.
- NEVER stop meeting with God DAILY. Never allow yourself to miss your quiet time once in a while either! Read James 1:2-5 and persevere! Nowhere does Scripture ever tell a Christian to go on a spiritual diet!! If Satan can get you to start missing or suggest reasons you don’t need your quiet time — He wins! Don’t make excuses, say you will make it up later (you won’t), or worse yet just give up out of frustration! One of Satan’s favorite tricks to cause you to stop is to feed you his favorite snack-food – “busyness!” Finally,
- SHARE your newest spiritual adventure with a loved one who is walking with The Lord. Once again, Scripture never tells us to keep our spiritual walk a secret. “Two are better than one”, “a three strand cord is not easily broken”, “walk in unity” are all good reasons to share your spiritual concerns. By the way, this is not a suggestion to brag – it’s a suggestion to be accountable and responsible to another Christian as we are told to do. We are more likely to actually let God work in us, if we know another godly Christian is praying for us and will ask us about our walk. To be a true disciple of The Lord Jesus you must allow Him to completely immerse you in His life and lifestyle. When you do that—God does. Jer. 33:3.
If you would like Biblical answers to your spiritual questions call us at (574) 643-9419.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:46 — 43.7MB) Subscribe: Matt. 28:19, 20
If you don’t have a church home, we invite you to worship with us on Sunday morning at 9:30. In our current study we are taking a close look at the Great Commission Jesus gave as a mandate for the Church. We’ve learned that Jesus extended a personal invitation to each disciple He called. We’ve also learned that discipleship is a continuous process of learning and focusing only on God’s Law as a way of life. In this lesson we are going to focus on the word “baptizing” as it appears in the Great Commission. Let’s start by…
- ANALYZING BAPTISM! Beginning in Acts 2 and throughout most of the Book, we see that people were baptized into the membership of the NT local church; sometimes even by the thousands (Acts 2). It is a sad testimony to our local churches today that it doesn’t happen that way. Baptism means (especially for a Baptist) “to immerse, or dip under.” The early historian, Josephus, used it meaning “to dye as in dye material.” It is used in Rev. 19:13. The point or idea here is that a disciple is to be immersed, or saturated with the teachings of The Law of God or “those things I have taught you.” Water baptism is not a NT “invention.” It is used throughout ancient literature as a part of cultic rituals. Interestingly enough it is almost always used to symbolize devotion or commitment to a cult, societal ritual or practice. In OT Judaism baptism is used for dipping a morsel of bread into wine as in Judges 2:14; or dipping feet in the Jordan as Joshua 3:15 or dipping a finger into blood as in Lev. 4:16, 17. It is vitally important to the NT meaning of baptism to see that everywhere in and out of the OT the act of baptism is used to symbolize complete association with and devotion to the community being joined. If we allow Scripture to influence our thinking about baptism, we will come to the conclusion that when a person came to point of baptism, they had already given their heart and life to the cause into which they were being baptized. So how does that apply to the Great Commission? To understand, we must consider our…
- ADVERSITY TO BAPTISM! It is interesting to note how many mainline fundamental churches omit baptism of their members as Jesus intended! We preach baptism by immersion theologically, but all we do is sprinkle in practice! Think that’s an exaggeration? Consider this: in the past week did you open your Bible at least six times in a quiet moment when God could speak to you? Did you spend just 30 minutes each day (1 sitcom) memorizing Scripture? Did you speak to someone you know who is lost and invite them to be saved? Did you spend time on your knees before God in prayer each day this past week? Get the picture? We aren’t immersed in our beliefs enough to make them a way of daily life. We can create an entirely different picture by…
- ADAPTING TO BAPTISM! I strongly believe that as fundamental Christians we can become totally immersed in, surrounded by, and consumed with/in Christ, His life, and God’s Law and still have more fun than most people can imagine. In fact, Scripture teaches that if we allow God the freedom to do all He wants to do in and through us, He is able to do more than all we could imagine! What could God do with/through you if you stopped being afraid of being baptized in His Word. It’s like getting into a bath or shower! It’s really hot at first, but if you go slow and steady, you get used to it and it becomes very comfortable.
If we can help you with your spiritual questions call us at (574) 643-9419.
|
|
