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The Most Terrifying Scripture

ajones — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 21:30:15 +0000

I once heard a minister say that we need to take 1 Corinthians 13 more seriously. He noted that although it is often read at weddings as a sweet and charming description of love that the first three verses of the chapter are the most terrifying in the Bible. I have also come to believe that the first three verses are terrifying and address the root of most of the problems I have as a person focused on good works: “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” -1 Cor. 13:1-3 It is striking to me that the passage in no way belittles the works themselves; conversely, it describes these works in utterly spiritual terms. Surely a person who can speak in the tongues of men and angels is spiritual. Surely someone who can prophecy or who has all knowledge is the epitome of spirituality. Surely someone whose faith can move mountains or gives all of his earthly possessions to the needy has a perfect faith. All of these people are doing good works, even great works, but it is of no use to them because their works lack love. Did you notice that? He didn’t say their works were fruitless because they lacked correct knowledge or because they didn’t get it “right” in some other way. In fact, some of them had “all knowledge.” These people are condemned for doing good works, perhaps in God’s name, without love. You might read this and say, “Yes, but works are important.” I certainly agree, but this passage tells us something more. It tells us that they are not the most important, and they are, in fact, worthless without love as their motivation. Imagine the impact we have on our hearts and the hearts of others when we display our “godliness” without love. How must it seem to those who do not know Christ when we are doing great works in his name without love? What if I want to prevent abortion and in working against that I don’t show love toward the women who seek abortions or toward the doctors who perform them? It is possible that I might win them over to my point of view, but without love, I will never show Christ to them. I can also easily deceive myself because I will have accomplished a seemingly “godly” task without godliness at all. And this is the scariest part to me: I can fool everyone else into thinking I am godly because of my seen works, and I can even deceive myself into thinking that because I “stood up for the truth”, but I cannot fool God. He says that without love as the base motivation for works in His name, I am nothing.

by Melanie Basham

Living the Holy Life

ajones — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 21:29:59 +0000

I Thessalonians 4 offers instructions on how to live the holy life, pleasing to God. Afterall, our aim in life should be to please Him. (So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.
2 Corinthians 5:9 ESV)

To live the Holy Life, we simply need to:

1. Be Sanctified

2. Abstain from Sexual Immorality

3. Use Self-Control

4. Show Brotherly Love

1 Thessalonians 4: 1-12: Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

Special Lesson Series

ajones — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 01:26:59 +0000

Please join us Sept. 18th -21st for a special lesson series presented by Josh Creel of Orlando, FL.The study will focus on living in gratitude. Times and topics include:

SUN 10AM – Why We Should be Grateful

SUN 5PM – Grateful Christians Come Out of the World: A Culture of Perversion

MON 7PM – Grateful Christians Come Out of the World: A Culture of Stuff

TUE 7PM – Grateful Christians Come Out of the World: A Culture of Anger

WED 7PM – Grateful Christians Come Out of the World: A Culture of Pride

We hope you’ll join us!

Click Here for the Flyer with additional information.

New Year, New Bible Classes

ajones — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:50:21 +0000

It’s a new year and we’ve begun new Bible classes. Come join us!

Daily Challenges to Christian Living

Sundays @ 9am & Wednesdays @ 7pm in the auditorium

Everything that means anything is in Christ. For that reason, the aim of this study is to enrich your Christian experience and defeat our adversary, the devil. Discover help and encouragement with overcoming sin and the problems of today – temptation, selfishness, pride, worry, addictions…

Ladies Class: Crazy Love

Sundays @ 9am – Classroom

Make your New Years Resolution to love God more. Ladies, join us for this life-changing study in a small group atmosphere to refresh, challenge and grow your faith. Fall in love with God – all over again or for the very first time. Become overwhelmed by God’s relentless love. Read more about the book here: http://www.crazylovebook.com/

The Road to Higher Education

ajones — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 01:39:41 +0000

We have several young people who are soon going away to college. Some have been home for the summer and are about to return for a new semester. We love you all and we’re very proud of you. We miss you when you’re gone.

The road you’re about to travel is at once an exciting and dangerous one. The road to higher education is laced with great possibilities, while at the same time offering pitfalls you will want to avoid at all costs. I just want a few minutes of your time to suggest some things to help you as you travel this new road and are immersed in this new environment. Is that OK?

My admonitions are based on the Psalm 119:9-16.

Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way?” it asks.

Stay close to God’s word (vs. 9). “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanses his way?” That is the question. And the answer is forthcoming. “By taking heed thereto according to thy word.” No matter what you do this year, don’t stray far from the word of God. Keep it close. It’s your protection against evil inclinations and cultural temptations.

Seek the Lord whole-heartedly (vs. 10). “With my whole heart have I sought thee.” Some changes are inevitable, but that doesn’t mean everything needs to change. Some things need to stay as they are. You don’t want to change what you are. You’re a Christian. You decide what you’re going to do—and that’s well and good—but plan to seek God with your whole heart, no matter your plans. Keep your faith above all keeping. No change is needed there.

Take the word with you (vs. 11). “Thy word have I hid in my heart.” You’ll be going some places that are new to you; and some of those new places are dangerous. Hide His word in your heart so that you are armed against the invasions of evil you no doubt will face. What a good way to begin this new time in your life—with His word in your heart.

Invite divine instruction (vs. 12). “Teach me thy statutes,” he says. You will be getting considerable new information about how to live life in your new educational career, but you should not forget to invite some new instruction concerning your eternal career. Being a good Christian is more important than being a good engineer, or a good nurse, or a good anything else. Learn about Him and you get the best of all educations.

Don’t be ashamed of who you are (vs. 13). It’s easy to get caught up in this new life. And it’s easy to just follow along with others, some of whom don’t share your convictions. Don’t let that happen. It’s important that you make it known early on that you are different. Don’t be ashamed. Be glad about who you are and let others know. Declare it with joy and without timidity.

Don’t be dismayed at the discipline of God’s word (vs. 14). It’s easy, when you’ve just been loosed from the rules of home and you’re in charge of your life, to be a little loose about the discipline of God’s word. Instead of treating the word of God with rejoicing, you may feel somewhat hemmed in by it. Remember, God’s word never requires anything or restricts anything that is not for your good. “I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies,” says that you understand its discipline to be for your good.

Keep in mind the really important things in your life (vs. 15). No matter how good the education you get, it’s not as important, nor is it as functional, as is knowing and loving God and His word. “I will meditate on thy precepts,” the psalm says. Don’t get so busy with your new life that you don’t take time to contemplate the eternal, to muse about the spiritual, to remember what has true value and lasting consequences. Meditation takes time. Take the time.

Delight in His word and don’t forget its influence in your life (vs. 16). Of all the books you can study, none should delight your mind more than the word of the Lord. It’s the first thing you need to live a happy life, first before any other book. When it’s coupled with the good education you will no doubt achieve, it can bring you a totally satisfying life. Without it, you can never be truly happy. “I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy ways.”

We love you, gang. We’re proud of you—every one of you. You continue to be a joy to all of us. As you leave, please remember who you are, from whence you are come, and where you’re going. And come home again soon.

- Dee Bowman

Rules of the Spiritual Road

ajones — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 04:43:43 +0000

“I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me” Psalm 119:30

We enjoyed an excellent series of sermons April 18-23, presented by Phil Robertson. The Rules of the Spiritual Road is a powerful message, guidance for our spiritual journey, listen to all the sermons below:

Rule #1 – I am Responsible for All My Actions

Rule #2 – Fear God

Rule #3 – I Must Surround Myself with Godly People

Rule #4 – I Must Embrace the Role of a Servant

Rule #5 – I Must Lead a Disciplined Life

Rule #6 – I Must Not Think Highly of Myself

Click here to view the flyer

Gospel Meeting November 8-13, 2009

ajones — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:09:24 +0000

We have a special series of lessons coming up November 8th-13th with Sewell Hall.

Having been born in Birmingham, Alabama in 1930, he eventually met and married Caneta Philpot in 1950. They have five children, four daughters and a son. His son works with many of the Spanish speaking churches in the New York City area.

Brother Hall has labored for the Lord with congregations in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Michigan, New Jersey and New York. He has considerable experience in preaching the gospel and has conducted meetings in 30 different states. He lived and preached four years in Nigeria, West Africa and two years in England. He also preached on several brief occasions in other countries as well.

We look forward to seeing you at our meeting. For more information, click here to see the flyer or call us at 251-675-2255.

VBS – Rome: Paul and the Underground Church

ajones — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:33:42 +0000

Nero is Emperor. Paul is under house arrest but is still free to welcome visitors into his home. Christianity is spreading quickly, but expressing a belief in “the Way” is growing increasingly dangerous. This Vacation Bible School will immerse learners of all ages in the life and culture of ancient Rome, allowing them to explore what it might have been like to live, work, and worship Jesus in Rome during the early 60s AD.

Each night will begin and end with a brief time of singing. Groups will gather in their “Roman family”, put on their Family sashes, look at the day’s Bible lesson, and prepare for their travel through Rome. Each day Families will visit Paul, sneak off to the underground church, and visit the Marketplace.

Along the way, Families will encounter Roman guards, a Senator, and a slave, and many other characters. Each day a “real life” drama will take place, connecting the Bible lesson to their experience in Rome. The book of Romans will serve as a framework for the Bible lessons.

Don’t miss it! Kids ages 3-18 are invited to join us as we “make ourselves at home in Rome”!

July 13 – 17, 2009

6:30pm – 8:00pm

UPDATE – Our VBS this year was a great success. Thanks to all the volunteers and visitors from the community. We are already making plans for next year!

The Ethical teaching of Jesus – Jim Jonas

admin — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 19:30:51 +0000

“Rabbi, we know that thou are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that thou doest, except God be with him.” John 3:2 ASV

April 26th – May 1, 2009 Topics Include:

A Teacher Come from God
The Foundation Commandments
First Shall Be Last
Love Your Enemies
Handling Doctrinal Disagreements
Fishing for Men
Preserving Marriage

Your Spiritual Stimulus

admin — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 13:58:42 +0000

How do we stimulate our spiritual life. All this talk of how to fix our economic woes, are most often rooted in some underlying spiritual and emotions issues. A few recommendations:

Talk to your debtor – Spend time in meditation and prayer
Pay your debts – do something good for someone day and live more like Christ
Save for the future – Focus on others and not yourself
Educate yourself – develop a habit of reading your Bible daily for 30 mins