A Glorious Church

Bethel just had it's 70th Anniversary.  It was a great day.  We had the joy of singing old songs and new, heard a choir of former and current members, and listened to testimonies of His faithfulness.  The text for the sermon came from Hebrews 13:8 which was posted over the church on Vickery street before they moved to the new location.  Jesus did promise to build His church. He is still building His Church.  Churches that celebrate anniversaries have one thing in common: They are still having church!

Many today are in-between churches.  They can't seem to find the right fit. That's understandable in an age where everything is taylored to our liking.  Customer service and church membership do not always go hand in hand.  I just think there's nothing better than Church.

Church is where children are taught that there are others who live for Jesus in every situation and station in life.

Church is where the people of God gather to worship and receive instruction in the word of God.

Church is the vehicle by which people hear the call of God for ministry and vocational service.

Church is a missionary sending agency.

Church is where the Gospel is preached, the saints are taught, and the mission is started.  Jesus did NOT say I will build my empire, my business, my retreat, or my culture.  Jesus said "I will build My Church"

I know I'm not objective because I think Bethel is the greatest church on the planet.  What constitutes a good church?  Scripture says Christ is returning:


Ephesians 5:27 (KJV)
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Ephesians 4:11-16 talks about the gifts that God has provided for His Church.

Wherever you may be attending church, know this:  God will use you if you make yourself available.

Great churches are built on great relationships with great people in relationship with God.  Hebrews says:


Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)
25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Whose anniversary will you be a part of? See you in Church! :-)

As You Wait for the Revealing

The Corinthian church was full of problems.  God still loved them.  Two of the 66 books in the Bible were written to the Church at Corinth.  Every chapter, especially in 1 Corinthians, is an introduction to a different disfunction.  Paul the apostle was careful in how he dealt with the church, but always highlighting the best news in the world, the Gospel of Jesus.  It's interesting how he opens his first book, and herein we discover one of the many great points of how to grow in Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:4-9 tells what the apostle viewed, should be the attitude of a believer in a city that conveyed anything but godliness and righteousness.

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, ⁵ that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— ⁶ even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— ⁷ so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, ⁸ who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Notice in this thanksgiving section what the apostle says:  "as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ".  This is the point in our day.  The current culture suggests that it is all about me and mine and now.  For the believer, it's about the future.  Stock experts are always quick to point out that the value of a stock is not in what it sells for now so much, but what is it's growth potential?

Believers have a certain future in Christ!  The NT authors frequently referenced the hope of heaven.  Consider what else Christ does for the believer:

who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God is more than able to sustain you and I!  This is a sustainment in Christ that is free of guilt!  To God be the Glory!  

Verse nine sums it up well, even before Paul begins to address all the problems in that church:

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Whatever is in your future, you can be sure that in Christ you will ALWAYS find God to be faithful.

Prayers That God Won't Answer

The book of James talks about prayer.  In this book, the half-brother of Jesus says for instance, the prayer of the righteous avail much (James 5:16).  That's an encouragement to pray!  The praying that we do has an effect if it's in accordance with God's purposes. (James 5:15).  There are, however. some prayers that are not answered.  Earlier in the book of James, when he's instructing his readers to ask in faith, nothing wavering (James 1:6), he makes the point that the one who wavers, or doubts should not expect to receive anything from the Lord (James 1:7), an empty prayer that won't be answered.  The writings of Charles Spurgeon reminded me to day that we are just in good of shape when God doesn't answer our prayers as when He does. Elijah prayed that God would take his life. (1 Kings 19:4).  God did not answer that prayer because it was prayed during a time of depression.  He hears our prayers!  But thank God He does not always answer them.  What is especially interesting about this passage is the point that Spurgeon makes.  Elijah did NOT die!  Could it be that when we are in situations where there seems to be no answer, God not only knows the answer, but has ordained that in our future (whether we realize it or not) the thing we are concerned about, or pray about may not happen at all?  God is in control!  In, through and around our prayers.

William Cowper must have understood the power of God's Mysterious ways when he penned these words:

God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform; He plants His foot-steps in the sea and rides upon the storm.

You fearful saints, fresh courage take: The clouds you so much dread are big with mercy, and shall break in blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust Him for His grace; behind a frowning providence faith sees a smiling face.

Blind unbelief is sure to err and scan His work in vain; God is His own interpreter, and He will make it plain.

Thank God for His protection!  Thank God for His provision!  Thank God for His mercy!, in answered as well as unanswered prayers!