What Belongs to us in Christ?

1 Corinthians 3:21-23 (ESV)  21 So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, 23 and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.

In Christ, everything that is needed belongs to the believer: 

a. Preachers. no matter who they are, belong to the believers. All preachers exist to serve and minister and meet the needs of God's people. If a church or a believer takes advantage of only a few preachers or of only one or two types of preachers, the church and the believer are limiting their chances to be enriched and blessed. They are limiting their growth.

b. The world, the physical universe, belongs to believers. God is going to remake the universe, that is, the heavens and the earth; and believers are to inherit it all, ruling and administering the functions of it all with Christ Jesus. 

c. Life belongs to the believers. This means real life, abundant life—a life with purpose, meaning, and significance—a life that triumphs and gains the victory over the trials and sufferings of this life.

"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10).

d. Death belongs to the believers. That is, death has no sway or hold over the believers, but instead, the believer holds death in his grip through the Lord Jesus Christ. Death has been conquered by Christ.

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life" (John 5:24).

"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?" (John 11:25-26).

e. Present and future things belong to the believers. The believer is the heir of the world, the heir of God Himself.

"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together" (Romans 8:16-17).

Let us live for the One through whom we have been given all things!

- Bro. Dave

Beef Festival and Thanks...

I want to thank all of the men from our Brotherhood who worked hard on the Beef Festival this past weekend. The “Fattened Calf” BBQ team is Mike Riley, Darryl Peavler, Dwain Hahn, Varney Reed, Rudy Burgess, and Terry Honnaker. They won 1^st Place in the Hamburger competition, 2^nd Place in the sauce competition, 3^rd place in the People’s Choice award, and they received the Grand Champion Award for best overall performance. Lauren Hahn received 2^nd place in the youth competition. Our team beat out 22 teams for the top award, which included 6 professional teams! In the process of competing, hundreds of people were invited to our church, and all of the kids received an invite to our VBS. I praise God that while our men love to cook and eat meat, they love Jesus Christ more! Our men’s Brotherhood meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 7PM. 

I want to thank everyone for all of the cards, notes, visits, pranks, gifts, hugs, cookies, and calls that I have received from members of the church as congratulations for finishing my doctorate. I do not know of any pastor who has had more support and encouragement than I have received as I journeyed through this stressful process. I could not have pursued the degree without the backing and support of the deacons and the church, and I am grateful for the opportunities for which you have enabled me.  I want to thank those who worked hard in the kitchen on Sunday night and all who brought some cookies for the fellowship. I especially want to thank Donald Logue and Linda Devine who helped to plan the event. I am completely overwhelmed by your generosity and encouragement, and I give all the glory to Jesus Christ for His faithful work in my life.

This upcoming Sunday we will be hosting two teams for the Kentucky Changers ministry that is coming to Mercer County. These students have given up a week of their summer and paid money to go and work hard in the hot sun to show the love of Jesus. Be sure to shake their hand and keep them in your prayers this week as they minister. 

Praise God for all of the gifts and promises that are ours in Christ Jesus!

-       Bro. Dave

William Wilberforce and 1 Corinthians 2:14

1 Corinthians 2:14 (ESV) 
¹⁴ The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

The truth of 1 Corinthians 2:14 has sometimes been illustrated by a story about two British statesmen, William Wilberforce, leader in the movement for the abolition of slavery, and William Pitt, the Prime Minister. Both were brilliant men, both politicians, and they were very great friends. But Wilberforce was a Christian while Pitt, though a churchgoer, was not truly converted.

This bothered Wilberforce, and at length he persuaded Pitt to go with him to hear popular evangelist Richard Cecil, who was preaching in London. Wilberforce was thrilled, and that evening Cecil was at his best. The great preacher flung out the gospel with eloquent power, his message crystal clear, his voice reaching every corner of the hall. Wilberforce, lifted to the heavens, could hardly contain himself; but he wondered how his friend Pitt was responding.

He soon found out. As they left the building, Pitt turned and said, “You know, Wilberforce, I have not the slightest idea what that man has been talking about.”

William Wilberforce realized afresh that the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him. The message that bore him to the skies had only bored his unsaved friend. It was meaningless to him, for Pitt was tone deaf to the spiritual. Richard Cecil had might as well preached to a dead man.

We need to pray for God to work on the hearts of our unsaved friends so that they may respond to the Gospel message and understand it when it is presented. My pastor, Jerry Vines, used to preach that “you cannot touch a lost person to God until you have first touched God for that lost person.” May our prayers be filled with the names of the unconverted! 

This week, may God bless you with “the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe. …” (Ephesians 1:17–19).

- Bro. Dave

The Solid Rock – The Life Behind the Hymn.

The Solid Rock – The Life Behind the Hymn.

I am proud of all of our graduates and look forward to seeing them fulfill God’s plans for their lives. As we looked at the Sermon on the Mount Sunday and reflected on lives that are built on Jesus, I want to provide the background to the hymn, The Solid Rock. This hymn, which is my favorite, was written by English Baptist Minister Edward Mote in 1836. The following comes from the devotional Amazing Grace, written by Kenneth Osbeck.

“Life with Christ is an endless hope; without Him a hopeless end.”

The Bible likens our life to a house. Some homes are built to last while others crumble easily in strong wind or rain. The difference is not in the severity of the storm but in the quality of the foundation upon which the structure is built. The author of this hymn text wisely chose “the solid rock” on which to build his own life, and he rested on Christ’s “unchanging grace” until his homegoing at age 77.

Edward Mote knew nothing about God or the Bible as he grew up in London, England, the child of poor innkeepers. At the age of 16 he was genuinely converted to Christ. Mote later settled in a suburb of London where he became known as a successful cabinet maker and a devoted church layman.

After a time, a Baptist chapel was built in Horsham, Sussex, England, largely because of Edward’s efforts. The grateful church members offered him the deed to the property. He refused it, saying, “I only want the pulpit, and when I cease to preach Christ, then turn me out of that.” Here Mote ministered faithfully until forced to resign because of poor health one year before his death. He commented, “The truths I have been preaching, I am now living upon and they’ll do very well to die upon.”

During his busy life as a minister, Edward Mote wrote more than 150 hymn texts. In 1836 he published a collection titled Hymns of Praise and included “The Solid Rock” in it.

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace; in ev’ry high and stormy gale my anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood support me in the whelming flood; when all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in Him be found, dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.

Refrain: On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand—all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand.

May we listen to and obey the words of our Lord Jesus, and build our lives upon Him!

-          Bro. Dave

Bible Verses on Guilt.

Do you ever struggle with guilt over your past? Does guilt keep you from joy in serving God today? There are some wonderful promises in God’s word that address the guilt we feel over our past. I praise God that Jesus not only died to remove our sins, but also our guilt. If you struggle with guilt, take some time and meditate on the following passages of scripture:

Romans 8:1 (ESV) 

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Proverbs 28:13 (ESV) 

13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

Psalm 32:5 (NIV) 

5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"-- and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah

Hebrews 10:17-18 (NIV) 

17 Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." 

18 And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.

Hebrews 10:22 (NIV) 

22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

Acts 24:16 (NIV) 

16 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

Praise God that we are forgiven in Jesus! Let us live in obedience to the one who has forgiven us!

-          Bro. Dave

14 tips for successful Bible reading (Part 2)

In a continuation of last week’s article – I want to finish up my series of 14 tips for successful Bible reading:

8. Read the whole Bible.

Go through the Bible from cover to cover. By reading every section of the Bible, you give yourself a broad familiarity and perspective that will help you shed preconceived ideas about doctrinal subjects.

9. Take notes.

Jot down notes and explanatory comments in your Bible or a notebook. This will help you remember key ideas or related scriptures. Some people use a marking system, with colors or symbols, to keep track of key verses by categories (doctrine, correction, prophecy, etc.). This can help you save time when looking for a particular section of Scripture.

10. Use Bible study aids.

Many Bible study aids are useful. They can provide valuable historical background or point you to other scriptures that add clarity to what you are reading. Aids include concordances, lexicons, dictionaries, maps and commentaries. However, always keep in mind that such resources are not Scripture and can be wrong.

11. Review and meditate.

Take time to ponder what you have been learning during your Bible Study. If something seems hard to understand, take some time to consider its meaning, using what you have already learned as the starting point. Reflect on what the Bible is saying and on how you can apply the verses in everyday life (Psalm 1:1-3; Psalm 119:97-99; Psalm 139:17-18).

12. Seek guidance.

It is always best to seek help from qualified people in any field of study. God has commissioned His servants to guide people into a fuller understanding of His Word. If you have questions, feel free to contact us. We have literature available on a wide variety of biblical subjects (Proverbs 11:14

; Nehemiah 8:8; Acts 8:30-31; Acts 18:26; Romans 10:14-15).

13. Prove God right.

Put God's Word to the test by practicing the things you are learning. Acknowledge how His ways bring positive change in your life. The best way to determine that God's commands and teachings bring true peace and blessings is by living them (1 John 3:22; John 10:10; John 8:31-32; Malachi 3:10).

14. Hold fast.

Once you have proven something to be true, don't allow yourself to be lightly convinced out of it. While new evidence may overturn your previous conclusion, this must be the product of serious study in God's Word. And always beware, because false teachers can lead you astray. Ask God to help you remain true to His teachings (1 Thessalonians 5:21; 2 Timothy 3:13-15; Colossians 1:22-23; Psalm 119:10-16).

May we endeavor to encounter God daily in His Word!

-          - Bro. Dave

14 Tips for Successful Bible Reading (part 1)

I want to thank Mike Riley and the Brotherhood for a great weekend! The men’s conference was a smashing success and everyone involved could sense the work of the Holy Spirit. I rejoice in the wonderful testimonies we heard Sunday and I am thankful that God is at work in our midst!

I have been asked to write about how to have a successful time studying the Bible. I would like to spend two weeks sharing 14 tips for successful Bible reading. :

1. Recognize that the Bible is inspired.

The entire Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is the inspired Word of God. During your Bible study, keep in mind that He inspired the words you are reading; God is directly speaking to you through them (2 Peter 1:21; Philippians 2:5; John 6:63).

2. Plan time for Bible study.

It's easy to let everyday concerns interfere, so schedule Bible study time and try to maintain it. Over time you will look forward to this daily experience (Ephesians 5:15-17).

3. Pray for understanding.

Before you even begin, ask God to guide and show you His will. Remember that it is the Creator who gives true understanding through His Word. You cannot gain it on your own (Psalm 119:33-40; Proverbs 3:5-8; Jeremiah 9:23-24).

4. Keep an open mind.

Be willing to admit when you are wrong and change, even if it means letting go of a long-held belief or tradition. If you can successfully apply this one principle, you will be far ahead in the race for spiritual truth (Acts 17:11; Isaiah 8:20).

5. Seek instruction and correction.

Approach the Bible study with a teachable, humble attitude. The Word of God judges our innermost thoughts. It can show us who we really are. It can reveal every flaw in our character. So be ready to heed its correction (Jeremiah 10:23-24; Isaiah 66:1-2; Isaiah 66:5; Romans 8:6-9; Matthew 5:48).

6. Let the Bible interpret itself.

If something seems confusing or even contradictory, let clear biblical passages shed light on those you find difficult to understand. Scriptures do not contradict each another; they complement each other. Also, to properly understand a verse in the Bible, don't force your personal point of view into it. Instead use the context and other relevant scriptures to find the correct meaning (2 Peter 1:20; John 10:35; John 17:17; Isaiah 28:9-10).

7. Bible Study topics.

Concentrate, at various times, on one subject, doctrine or book. Use a concordance or other Bible study aid to put together all the scriptures relevant to a subject. This will allow you to see all that God has to say about a particular topic (2 Timothy 2:15, KJV).

May we spend quality time this week with Jesus as we encounter Him in His Word!

-          Bro. Dave