The Sermon Sequel

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2012-02-02T16:32:00.004-05:00

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2012-01-30T10:26:00.001-05:00

Acts 13:46,47 – “God’s vision for the church is seen through the eyes of individual service.”
John 8:12 – “Darkness is the absence of light, sinfulness is the absence of a Savior”

2012-01-24T14:34:00.001-05:00

Acts 17:1-4 – “A changeless message + a changing method = “The Lord adding daily to the Church those being saved”

John 6:48 –“ Nothing satisfies the hungering soul like the Living Bread”

2012-01-17T12:40:00.001-05:00

From Acts 1:8 – “Someone’s mission was to bring you to Christ, now Christ brings a mission to you.
From John 4:23 – Jesus said “I am”, not “I was” or “I will be”; He is a present tense Saviour and Master.

2011-12-19T12:22:00.001-05:00

Amos 3:7 – Only the true God will risk His reputation by revealing the Future
Psalm 147:1 – Music is the heart of the believer

2011-12-01T07:22:00.001-05:00

From Exodus 20:20 and Romans 6:2 – “The Law demanded that man not sin; Grace brings a desire not to sin”
John 3:16 – “There is no illusion with the Gospel – Jesus saves”

2011-11-21T15:26:00.001-05:00

From Genesis 12:1-3 – “Life needs 2 things to follow God; His faithfulness and our faith. God has never let us down (Faithful) but we disappoint Him (faith)?”
From Exodus 20:1-20 – “If our doing the Law hasn’t left us a guilty, ruined sinner in need of a Savior, we don’t understand it’s purpose”

2011-11-07T11:49:00.001-05:00

2 Timothy 2:15 – “Diligent study with a dispensational approach cuts a straight line through the Bible!”
Genesis 2:17 – “Adam sinned and we now continue in his image as defiled, guilty sinners from conception to salvation”

2011-10-31T07:40:00.001-04:00

From Titus 3:15 – “God’s good work in us is producing God’s good works out of us by our willing work of discipleship!”
Philippians 1:3-5 – “To experience God’s family to it’s fullest we must have a “born again” faith and the faithfulness of attendance”.

2011-10-10T07:00:00.001-04:00

From Titus 1:4 – “When God wants to show the world real religion He saves a person and then shows him off to the world.”
Titus 1:5 – “For a church to be effective in the world it must have good leadership and Godly people”

2011-09-28T07:02:00.001-04:00

Genesis 3:1-3 – “Death is the Christians chance to shine in the brightness of our hope in Jesus.”
Matthew 6:24 – “Money will mark and reveal who is the master of our life.”

2011-09-12T08:02:00.001-04:00

Psalm 42:11 – “Beating the blues puts a twinkle back in my eyes, a smile on my face, a dance in my feet, love in my hands, and joy in my heart.”
Proverbs 12:25 – “the good word of God’s Word is the healing word that the hopeless need”

2011-09-05T09:57:00.000-04:00

From Philippians 2:1-3 – “Conflict is the Christian’s opportunity to show the world the mind of Christ”
From Philippians 1:6 & Nehemiah 6:3 –“ God’s work in us is good and His work with us is great”

2011-08-22T15:11:00.001-04:00

From Ephesians 4:18 – “Anger is a God given emotion for our good but must be managed and controlled by obedience to God’s Word and submission to the Holy Spirit”.
From the Harford Fair – “Are you a fan of God? Then be a God fanatic!”

2011-08-08T09:13:00.001-04:00

Psalm 119:169-176 – The heart request of every Christian with the Bible ought to be “let it happen” (vs. 169,170,173,175)
Psalm 119:15 & 16 – If you want to fall in love with the Bible practice meditation. Meditation is like worry, it repeats it over and over in our mind; only it’s focus is on the solution not the problem.

2011-07-12T08:25:00.001-04:00

Psalm 119:105 - The Bible clearly illuminates the way we are to walk with God and personally illuminates our way as we take each step on the path.

2011-07-04T12:14:00.001-04:00

Psalm 119:89 – The Bible is true, trusted, and timeless.
Psalm 144 – Music is a reflection of the heart of freedom – a caged bird can’t sing!

2011-06-27T09:49:00.001-04:00

Psalm 119:67, 72, 75 – “Afflictions in my life as a Christian cause me to leave my backsliding, learn my Bible, and lean on the best support available, the everlasting God and His Word.”
Psalm 119:73 – “I am made by God a special person and fashioned by God for a specific purpose”

2011-06-13T07:34:00.001-04:00

From Psalm 119:25-32: “In the hard times of life the Bible is our hope giver, our “get up and go”, and our anchor during the storms of life”.
“The Bible is our book of courage, of hope, and light; it keeps us going when the going is tough so we read it, retain it, remember it, and above all rely on it! It makes the difference when we’re down for it lifts us up!

2011-06-06T10:42:00.001-04:00

Psalm 119:4 – “Getting into God’s Word and God’s Word getting into us brings God’s smile on our Life”
Psalm 119:2 – “God’s blessing is being in the place where God can do for us all of the good He desires”

2011-05-31T06:26:00.001-04:00

Joshua 4:7 –“memorials create opportunities to tell of the greatness of God.”
1 Peter 3:8 – “we can for weeks without food and days without water but not even seconds without hope”

2011-05-24T09:35:00.001-04:00

A.M. message – “A Transparent example of Christianity is the first step in leading someone to Christ” (Acts 20:18)
P.M. message – “Prayer is not telling God what to do but accepting what He does.”

2011-05-16T10:53:00.000-04:00

May 14 a.m. – “the man who has nothing and no one but Christ is richer than the one who has everything and everyone but Christ.” (1 Timothy 6:14)

May 14 p.m. - “The person who follows Christ makes Matthew 28:19,20 his great commission not his great omission”
an extra from our S.S. concern – “I feel a blessing coming on and when it does I’ll give it away!”

2011-05-02T11:06:00.000-04:00

From April 24
Acts 1:1-3 – “The greatest and most convincing proof of the resurrection is the men and women who lived for and was willing to die for the resurrection fact.”
John 20:19 – “the resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of all our Christian faith”

From May 1
1 Peter 3:15 - “ a missionary is a hope- giver in a hopeless world.”
Acts 14:16-28 – “Missions month is a rehearsal of God at work!”

2011-04-18T08:57:00.001-04:00

From Acts 27 –“ Hope is all the help we need to make it through the storms of life that destroy our ship”

Acts 28 – “God wins”

2011-04-11T14:38:00.001-04:00

From Acts 21:11 –“ God’s will is not only about the big decisions in our lives but is also about making the everyday choices and habits that please God and let Him smile on our lives.”

Acts 26 – “When the mind of the man of God wanders it wanders to the God of the man and tells the great things He has done.”

2011-04-05T10:10:00.001-04:00

Acts 19:20 – “God’s Word is life-giving and life-changing for all who believe.”
Acts 20 – “the Christian’s footprints are made for others to walk in.”

2011-03-30T16:42:00.001-04:00

From Acts 17 – God has given His Word not to pass a test by gaining knowledge but to live a life by wisdom.
From Acts 18 – God has provided all we need for the Christian service of hospitality; a house, food, and a heart. Since we have them are they our opportunity or excuse?

2011-03-23T08:00:00.001-04:00

From Acts 15 – “Disagreements and difficulties in the Church and among God’s people ought to lead to bonding and strength not hurt feelings and division”.
From Acts 16 – “There are many paths to the door of salvation but only one door; believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.”

2011-03-06T04:48:00.001-05:00

From Sunday morning 2/20/2011 – The person who is participating in personal spiritual growth will be picked by God to serve the people of God. (Acts 6:1-7}
from the evening service – The person who has almost nothing in this world’s good but has Jesus has everything, including great happiness.
From Wednesday night – Relationship with Jesus radiates our face! (Acts 6:15)

2011-03-02T08:31:00.000-05:00

From the new CD by Soulfire –“ If I can continue with what I’m doing right now when the Lord Jesus comes I am ready for His coming.”
From Acts 8 – “A disciple follows His master wherever, whenever, without reservation or question”
From Acts 9 – “Only the Gospel of Jesus Christ answers the questions of “who are you Lord?” and “what do You want me to do””.

2011-02-14T09:59:00.001-05:00

from Acts 4:13-32 - "God will never have us in a place where prayer will not restore boldness by the power within us."

from Acts 5:1-14 - "God may never expect us to be sinless, but He does expect us to be holy and honest."

2011-02-07T11:13:00.001-05:00

From Acts 1:8 - Our yesterday is a verse written in Acts 29, our today is the verse we are writing, our tomorrow is it's completion! I have power, I am His proclaimer (witness), in His place.

From the super bowl - Sometimes the best team comes in second but will not quit and will return to the game again!

2011-01-17T12:06:00.001-05:00

From Ezra 4:1 - In every door God opens for His people is Satan working his best to trip us up and close the door by desecration, discouragement, despair, or division. The sad truth is that sometimes he is successful.

2011-01-12T16:40:00.001-05:00

From "God's Work supplied" - Ezra 1:1-9 " When God moves and opens a door to do His will, He stirs in men's hearts to serve and supplies the needs by others giving money & materials so all have a part and God's work is completed" or as Hudson Taylor said, "God's work, done God's way, never lacks God's supply"

From "Doing God's work" - Ezra 3 "There comes a time in our service for the Lord where we move from available willingness to actual work."

2011-01-03T17:55:00.001-05:00

Behind every "open door' of opportunity stands our God ready to help us and say at it's end "well done".
(Revelation 3:8)

We carry the "burden" of God's message not as a weight to get us down but as a gift to share" (Malachi 1:1)

2010-12-27T10:17:00.001-05:00

Yesterday Pastor James shared the Word of God by explaining Dispensationalism. It is so good to see from the Word of God that God has a plan for the ages, for the times we know that run from eternity to eternity. We were encouraged in our faith as we were able to see the faithfulness to God, combined with His mercy and grace, meet the need of man's unfaithfulness. In every dispensation man failed but God provided a substitute for us for our sin until Jesus came and provided our "once for all", nothing more is needed, sacrifice for sin. It is so good now that we have this message of salvation to give out to others that they, too, can be filled with the blessed hope of a coming Savior. So we say we great desire "come quickly, Lord Jesus", Great is our God and His faithfulness! Amen!!

2010-12-20T07:06:00.001-05:00

His name shall be called Wonderful, He is marvelous, surpassing, extraordinary, beyond words, awesome!!! He is the joy of our life, the goose-bumps of our body, the happiness of our heart, the twinkle of our eyes, the song of our soul, the clap of our hands, and the smile of our face, He’s all we ever dreamed of and more! Amen???

2010-12-08T06:52:00.002-05:00

Well, it happened again last night at the hymn sing. Faces left church radiating with smiles because they had joy in their hearts. It was our Christmas hymn sing and people esthetically lifted their voices in praise to God and it made our hearts happy. Music is such good therapy for the soul, it just replaces the gloom that life might bring and restores the soul. God's music is so much different from the world because it's all about a God who loves, cares, and gives us hope. So the lesson learned last night was simple, if you want your spirit lifted and your joy restored, get together with God's people and bellow out praise to God! It's guaranteed to put a smile on your kisser, and don't forget, if you'll do this, sir, life won't be miserable. Don't believe me, check out James 5.

2010-11-22T17:55:00.001-05:00

One of the points of last's message about Ezekiel the watchman was that when someone gives a warning there is a call for a decision. After all what good is a warning if there isn't a response to it. In our post modern culture this is almost a thing of the past; invitations are seldom given, Bible studies express comments not commitments, praise music doesn't have songs of invitation, it's culturally taboo to "go forward" any more, no one likes to be put on the spot. Yet if our message is true, it must have a call of decision, or the message is just another idea. agree?

2010-11-15T08:41:00.001-05:00

Yesterday brought a challenge to get on board with Jesus and His purpose for the church today. Soul-winning should be our number one purpose, baptizing people should be our mark of distinction, and teaching the Bible our continuing task. Agree? Wow, that's great, so who will you share the Gospel with today and encourage to continue on in the Words of Jesus. Let's be doers of the Word and not agreers only!!

2010-11-08T08:01:00.001-05:00

Last evening we celebrated the Lord's table, remembering His sacrifice, our salvation, and His second coming. It is always a special time and a scared event that leaves the believer joyful and standing in awe. We are asked to look back to God's love shown at the cross and remember this was done "for us". We are told to look in and search out our walk with the Lord, lest we trample on His body and blood and treat it as an unholy thing. The whole celebration is about a living Lord who conquered death and so we're told to look up and expect His coming again. But the best look with the table of fellowship is when we look around and see our brothers and sisters and "tarry with one another". It's all because of our Lord Jesus we have the family of God, we're blessed with God's wonderful people, and we're His body. I guess that's my favorite part of communion, what's yours?

2010-11-01T10:10:00.001-04:00

It was so good yesterday morning to see and hear our ministry team present the Gospel with a clear cut invitation to repent of sin and be saved. Last night as we looked at Jeremiah 23 one of the failures of the false prophets was to rebuke sin and encourage repentance. It is so apparent in our Christian world today that we have make a distinct turn away from a sin Gospel to a Son gospel lest we offend people. With little mention of sin today we invite people to ask the Son (Jesus) into their life so God can bless them and give them eternal life. It's time to get back to why Jesus came, that is, to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:12) and wash us from our sins by His blood (Revelation 1:5)..I'm only a sinner saved by grace!

2010-10-25T16:54:00.001-04:00

One of the blessings of yesterday was the afterglow of the services. As it is on most Sundays I was at church a good half hour watching people just stand around and talk. It is so good to see this, that people take time with one another, just to chat. From the church then, several journey to McDonalds or some other place and continue to visit over a "goodie". There is nothing like the friendship of the people of God, it's good when life is going great, but is great when the times are not. So if you haven't ever taken the time to stop and speak try it the next time you are at church. Remember a blessing is waiting for you, both to receive and give! Share with us if you have ever experienced this special part of fellowship.

2010-10-19T05:47:00.000-04:00

Yesterday's message was from 1 Thessalonians 5:12-23 and was about making a "to do" list. The wonderful thing is that lists do help us do many of the things that we want and need to do. In this passage there are a dozen things that we should be doing as Christians but for one reason or another we just don't get round to it. List making is helpful but a list doesn't cause us"to do" the things that has to do with our want to and our will do; in other words living for Jesus has to do with the heart. So will you, from your heart, make the list, do it, and share with me and the other readers the one thing on the list you need the most encouragement to keep on doing? It will be great someday to hear a "TA Da" from our Lord!

2010-10-12T09:35:00.001-04:00

Every once in a while a pastor will hear someone say, "that was a good sermon or that was a great message". Pastor's strive for that response from the people because it indicates to them that the message was heard and, we hope, received. The word good usually means beneficial and when the Word is received in a good for me attitude God is pleased.
The word great, however, puzzles me a little bit. Great can mean a lot of volume, or stuff, or lengthy. So does it mean the message was too long, stuffy, and loud? I guess maybe it could mean excellence. In that case we pastors are thankful for this is what we strive for in the preaching of the Word. It's a goal to do what we do for the Lord with excellence.
Sometimes people will leave and say "nice tie, pastor". Now that comment sets a pastor back a little because it carries the idea that the person didn't get much from the message that day but wanted to say something nice.
Last night the pastor had a nice tie on but the message was good, great and excellent, exalting our living God, edifying the Saint, evangelizing the sinner. What do you say to the pastors about the Word when you hear it?

2010-10-05T17:46:00.001-04:00

Last night we were blessed to have an evening of "Spirituals". It was informative and inspiring and created and evening of joy and happiness through an evening of great music. The old negro spirituals came out of the hardest of times yet were filled with hope and foot tapping, hand clapping, heart moving rhythm. It left the people who wrote and sang it happy when they were done. So last night the people who were there left with a smile on their face and a bounce in their step.
Yet as I thought about the evening there were two things that went through my mind. The first is common to pastors and that was simply how can I convince God's people to come to our services? The attendance was good yet it could have been better. The benefit to God's people was wonderful as we learned how God used music to encourage and build up the lives of people living in the worst of conditions and times. It was an encouraging evening. I only wished more of God's people could have been blessed.
The other thing that went through my mind was how God's people have fought over music throughout the history of the church. This music was never allowed in our white churches in the days of slavery because it came from heathen Africa. Little did we know that some of these slaves had been reached with the Gospel before there were taken into slavery. It seems in every generation God's people struggle with music rather than to let music bless them and grow them in the faith.
We were blessed last night and thanking the Lord for people of faith who wrote and sang of this faith from their heart and soul. Will you let music encourage you and build you up, even if it move your foot before it moves your heart?

2010-09-27T06:26:00.000-04:00

I like that worship service! I hear that once in a while and can't help but wonder if our God could ever say that about the service. In our seeker sensitive services we try so hard to have a worship service that people like I can't help but wonder if we don't leave God out of the picture. It seems the music has to be to our taste, the order of service needs to please us, (please nothing different) and everything within a certain time slot or we're upset. Why is it what we get out of the service and not what God gets out of it? Do we come to give God His rightful honor or come to take from Him another blessing? Maybe it's time to change our attitude toward worship and make it about God and not us. Isn't He worth it?

2010-09-20T09:19:00.001-04:00

After the message yesterday someone asked me why life is so full of vanity. I replied that life isn't but life without God at the center is vanity and empty. Many times in the pursuit of experiencing life's things we are so busy and intense it doesn't seem this way but at the pauses it floods in on us. Life has shown so many people successful "under the sun" who are restless with what they have and are and just have to go on and try something new hoping that the new thing will quench the thirst for meaning in their life. Only when God is in His proper place in a life does that life find fullness. Jesus said, "I have come that you might have life and have it in it's fullness" (John 10:10). Have you ever known anyone who tried and was successful in finding what the world offered but was still empty?

2010-09-13T11:48:00.001-04:00

Nothing to follow up the sermon from yesterday, is it possible? "Some people are like seed along the path, where the Word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan come and takes away the Word that was sown in them". (Mark 4:15) Did this ever happen to you? God wants us to do "Better"!

2010-09-06T08:26:00.001-04:00

I didn't go to church yesterday because of my fall so I attended by way of the computer. It was great! I sang to the top of my lungs, I bowed my head and prayed with the Pastor, I listened attentively to the message and even heard Pastor Barbee say "the most miserable Christian is the one who tries to live without Christ". I would have even given some money if the ushers could have gotten an offering plate in front of me. I praise the Lord for our times and the electronics of our day.
Yet I sensed a missing ingredient of Church. Part of our "coming together" is touching one another. Whether it's just greeting each other with a handshake or giving a hug, fellowship includes a touch. I have heard people say so often when given a hug "I needed that". Yesterday when I attended church I was so blessed but really missed the touch of God's people. How about you? Have you ever felt that way? And just think, I'm not a "huggy" person.

2010-08-23T19:53:00.000-04:00

In most of our sermon sequel blogs we're reminded of something in a message that we can practically live out in our lives. This one is a bit different, yet it is something we need to be reminded of often. The Bible tells us that angels visit us once in awhile to encourage us to be gracious hosts of others and strangers. Well this isn't about angels but about brothers and sisters who attend our services. Yesterday we had a couple who stood in our foyer after a service just waiting and wanting someone to speak to them. As it often happens most of us we busy talking to our friends and just didn't see this lonely couple so after standing alone awhile they left. Our sequel reminds us that those we don't know don't bit and just need a friendly "hi". Will you try it this week, just say "hi" to someone you don't know? Share the results on this blog...o.k.?

2010-08-16T08:13:00.001-04:00

There was a reminder yesterday that one of the joys of being a Christian is to involve ourselves in the lives of others. Following the example of Jesus who responded to the needs of those around Him, taught the disciples, and came "for us", we need to put off self and serve others. All of us have been encouraged and made happy by someone who helped us we ought to do the same. The bottom line remains - will we? Try it this week and your neighbor will like it (Romans 15:1, 2)

2010-08-09T07:21:00.001-04:00

Last night several teens gave praise to the Lord about their experiences on the missions trips. It was a blessing to hear of people saved, compassion shown, and lives challenged. It was a joyful night.
Pastor James shared with us two things that stuck with me. One was how this group of teens worked together, adapted, filled in, and emphatically worked together. He reminded us of 1 Corinthians 12 and the working of the body and it's likeness to our working together as believers. It was refreshing to hear of several working together toward a common goal, without grumbling, evening doing things outside their comfort zone and spiritual gifts. This why God blessed and was a good example for us.
the second thing he said was that we have a special and unique group of youth who are sold out for our Lord and His service. We need to pray for them and encourage them in any and all ways we can. So this is the week to speak to a teen, send them an e-mail, write on their facebook, give them a hug, take them out for lunch, or encourage them in any way you can. Agree? Amen?

2010-08-02T08:03:00.003-04:00

Last night I asked the question "what is your favorite Psalm"? Many stood up and shared how during times of struggle God brought a Psalm to them and encouraged them in their faith. All of God's Word does that very thing but the Psalms even more. As people left so many of God's people spoke of a Psalm that was their favorite. It is so true, the Psalms are were we live, they touch the emotions of our hearts, they are God's listening ear of sympathy. It's no wonder God said, "feeling happy, sing a Psalm" (James 5:13). What's your favorite?

2010-07-19T08:46:00.002-04:00

Yesterday's message was from Psalm 20, "Trusting God, My Crutch". I will trust because the troubles of life make me weak, the truth of the Bible says my God will help me, and the testimony of the saints' experience verifies it works. No rubber crutch for me, Jesus never fails! Amen!!!!!

2010-07-12T11:33:00.000-04:00

Yesterday we began a series of messages from the Psalms. Chapter one is almost an introduction to the other 149 chapters. They are devotional in nature, full of relationship experience between redeemed man and his God. They are full of emotions, both positive and negative. They will take in the past, present, and even some prophecy of the coming Messiah. Saints over the centuries have been encouraged, comforted, corrected, challenged, and grown in the faith because of them. So I ask you to respond to this sequel by sharing with everyone your favorite or favorites, I love Psalm 73, as did my friends Junior Warner and Doug Hatulata. Bert Branius loved Psalm 121. What's yours?

2010-06-28T18:02:00.001-04:00

"and he went on his way rejoicing" (Acts 8:39) He went on his way with an inward bubbling gift from God that made his eyes twinkle, his feet hop, his hands clap, and his mouth praise his new found God and Savior, Jesus Christ. What he experienced is the same for all who believe in Jesus and we're given the Holy Spirit and His fruit is joy.
When I was a child in Sunday School we were taught to spell joy this way, Jesus, others, and you. It's true, when Jesus is first in all I do, when others come before me, and I'm not forgotten but in my proper place I'm living a joy filled life. Agree? Has this been your experience? Share it!

2010-06-21T17:58:00.001-04:00

Yesterday we had two special events at our church, a baby dedication and a baptism. What makes them special is a willing spirit to show a commitment public. Neither of them have any saving merit, yet both of them are connected to salvation. In the first is a parents desire to bring a child up in the things of the Lord so the first thing they will seek is the salvation of their child. The second is a confession of the salvation they have experienced and the desire to walk in the fruits of salvation.
It is encouraging to see things done public. In our days of "personal" commitments it's good to see the choice of public commitment. Agree?

2010-06-14T17:42:00.001-04:00

Yesterday our message was from John 21 and was about "the love question". It's an important subject and one I believe is so important in our relationship with God. Yet in our response to the question it's important not only to say to our God often "I love You" but to show it. Peter was to fulfill the role of pastor/teacher which the Book of Acts confirms that he did well.
Saul (Paul) was to be a witness of Jesus before the Gentiles and kings and the last chapters of Acts confirms he did with diligence. He also testified that his motivation was the love of Christ and his life revealed it was his love for Christ.
The good Samaritan displayed his love for a stranger by stopping and helping, taking the time, paying the costs, and binding up the wounds.
So the sequel is obvious, what is the evidence that you love Jesus? Could any open door of need be an opportunity to show that we love Jesus? Could it be something as needed as directing children's church, providing a meal for a brother, helping in VBS, or giving toward the dept reduction?
What's your answer to the "love question"?

2010-06-01T18:15:00.001-04:00

On Sunday afternoon we had a commissioning service for Brandon and Megan Collins. It is a great joy in a Church to see young people grow up in our church, be saved, dedicate their life to the Lord, and follow the call of God. Such is the case of Brandon and we are happy with his faithfulness to the Lord.
Although the service was special, joyful, and exciting I was disappointed. Our attendance was at an all time low for a service like this or for any service we have had lately. I hope and pray it wasn't discouraging to them. When we send missionaries from our church they like to know the church is behind them and one of the best ways is to see human bodies.
I could come up with a lot of excuses as to why this happened, one being that it was memorial day weekend and it was time to party with friends and family. Well I can't change what happened Sunday but I can hope and pray that in the future our party time doesn't come before special times like these. But then again, our Lord Jesus said that when He comes back we'll be surprised because we would be partying.

2010-05-24T21:00:00.001-04:00

Yesterday's morning message "Change" from Colossians 3 and last night's from John 8 went together even though we were not together as we prepared them. What a truth - come to Jesus and you're life will change! Jesus said to the sinner woman "go and sin no more". To all who follow Him, "put off the old man and all his sinful, fleshly deeds and put on the new man who is made like Jesus" . What a privilege, to be changed and to be like Jesus. Oh, the power of the blood, the plan of our God, the "new man" in Jesus. Are you changed and changing?

2010-05-17T06:56:00.001-04:00

Yesterday reminded us that Jesus sought and found an indivisible (John 4). His challenge to us was to do the same, so this sequel is short and specific - who will you seek and find? When will you do it? (the next 9 days maybe) What will you say to this person? (I have found the Messiah would be a good start) Why will you do it? (Because the love of God flows through us and it compels us to go and bring others to Jesus is the best reason). I look forward this Sunday to hearing about the person you are "finding" at the well and meeting them.

2010-05-10T07:14:00.001-04:00

In yesterday's sermon just mentioned in passing Timothy's mother and grandmother (referred to in 2 Timothy) and the influence they had on Timothy's life. Yet the thing I like the most about them was the assurance their lives gave to the Scriptures they taught him. In 2 Timothy 3 the Bible tells of the difficult times in the end and how the courage and confidence to withstand the evil days comes from "continuing in the things learned and been assured of, knowing of whom you've learned them" (vs.14-16) I remember my mom and grandmother I am thankful that their lives supported the Bible they taught me. Anyone else had that experience of a mother teaching the Scriptures by her life?

2010-05-03T09:19:00.000-04:00

Authority or advice? So many of us who believe say we accept the Bible as the final authority in all that we believe and how we behave yet do we?
Authority requires obedience, advice is optional. Authority is without question, advice is open to revision. Authority will bring judgment, advice will go unnoticed. There is a world of difference so how do you receive the Bible -advice or authority?

2010-04-26T17:39:00.001-04:00

On Saturday night the pastor said, commenting on the Pharisee and the publican, "a skunk thinks it smells better when it finds a garbage can!" The comparison game that the Pharisee played when he compared himself to the publican may have made him think he was better but he wasn't. He was still a sinner in need of mercy.
Yet sometimes even Christians get into the comparison game to feel better. We, when convicted about a sin, often find someone who has 2 sins; when neglecting a service we find someone who misses 2 services; It doesn't change the wrong but we try to feel better.
Next time, why not confess the wrong, ask for mercy, and be cleansed. It's God's way so it should be our way.
Skunks don't smell better when compared to a garbage can - They both stink!

2010-04-19T08:22:00.000-04:00

In yesterday's message about discipleship I said that all that's needed for building a life of discipleship is provided by Jesus. He has given us the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8) for our courage and power, the Scriptures for our construction and blueprints (2Timothy 3:15,16), and the Saints for our companionship and help (Galatians 6:3-10).
All of what Jesus provides for our building and battle is of no use however if we are not filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 4:18), reading and doing the Bible daily (Joshua 1:8,9), and attending the fellowship of the believers (Hebrews 10:25). It's like going to a gas station, not filling up, and then wondering why we run out of gas!
Awesome, isn't it, that Jesus referred to us as His personal, present, possessive disciples!!

2010-04-12T07:12:00.001-04:00

Yesterday's messages were good and nobody said I like your tie! Yet as I sit here Monday morning I ask myself if I received the Word as the Holy Spirit wanted me to receive it. What fruit should result from the hearing of the Word yesterday? How will I measure it?
The Bible says the fruit can be up to 100% in my life or maybe 50% or as little as 25%. Yet the important fact is that the is fruit if I have received the Word.
So how did a message about prayer effect my life Do I look for a longer time spent in prayer, a different way to pray, or perhaps a change in my attitude of prayer. I will look for something new in my prayer knowledge and begin to put it into practice.
What about being God's man for God's time? Will I seek to be like David and slay the giants in my life? Will I seek to live up to the calling God has given to me? I can learn from the man after God's heart.
The question of this sequel is about the hearing of the Word. Should we be able to see visible fruit result from the Bible every time we hear it? Or will it just naturally be produced in our live over time and show itself to others? One thing is for sure....the Bible will produce fruit in us! What do you think?

2010-04-05T06:53:00.001-04:00

Yesterday as I preached I pointed out the fear of the disciples. It's true that the storms of our life often bring fear with them when we think that we are in danger of perishing. It's a natural reaction to real or imagined danger. Yet with Christ in the vessel we are safe and in His time the storm will pass and peace will return.
Yet it was the "fear" that came when the disciples realized who it was that was in the boat with them that was the best fear of all. They were in the presence of the almighty creator God, the all powerful one, the eternal, all-wise, never late, holy God and master Jesus Christ. It was in His presence they felt the awe, wonder, reverence of the dirty creature before this awesome God. It was this fear that caused Manoah to say "we are doomed to die, we have seen God", Isaiah to cry out "unclean", and John to fall at His feet as dead. What a wonderful (awesome, fearful) day it will be when we experience this "fear" in the presence of our resurrected Lord and faith becomes sight.

2010-03-29T08:00:00.000-04:00

The morning message yesterday was taken from the Bible Book of Judges, the up and down story of the people of God. We were reminded how we often find ourselves in the cycle of fellowship with the Lord, then falling away from the Lord, chastening of the Lord, and finally repentance and restoration to the Lord. We have all have been caught in that cycle, some continue in it and have a disappointing Christian life, while others find Romans 6 -8 and break out of it and live a victorious life. The grace that restores is also the grace that triumphs! What is your experience today? Do you agree that they can be continuing victory in our Christian lives? Is there ever a point of no return?

2010-03-22T17:40:00.001-04:00

Last night's message was about the angel's answer to Mary's question of "How can this be?". If you recall the Scripture the Angel said "don't worry God is big enough to keep His Word". This awesome truth connects a mighty God who can do anything to the mysterious "I don't know how" events of our daily living. So when we have a word from God, a little faith, and a big problem we have a God big enough to provide a solution even though in the end we can't explain how He did it. (Can you explain to the skeptic the virgin birth?). Has God done anything like that in your life? Share with us by your comment.

2010-03-15T07:52:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, after announcements and during the announcements, I thought about the pay of coming to church. The old saying is that they
"pay" me to go to church but it "pays" you to come to the services. The wealth of church going can't be measured in dollars but can be in spiritual profit.
The first is the education of the Word. The training of the believer to be complete, furnished to good works, is the value of the preaching, teaching, and receiving of Biblical truth. Yesterday's messages were just that; for us to see the cross in the Old Testament and to understand the unity of the Trinity in the Scriptures, and to be reminded of the person of Christ in the Old Testament not only improves our witness to the Jews but enriches our lives as well.
The singing is a blessing as it expresses the grace of our heart and the merriment of our life. It also teaches us and encourages us in our walk with Jesus.
The giving allows us to express thanks to God for being a good provider and enables us to be a part of God's work. Remember Ezra 1?
The presence of those of like faith is an encouragement that God is at work in lives today. The smile, handshake, and conversation as we share things in common lifts our spirits.
Some riches money just can't buy but can be ours by a little effort. Sometimes I think we are like the child who chooses the nickle over the dime because it's bigger. When we choose to do something other than come to church; we may have something of value but loose out on the thing of greater value. It pays to come to church, even Sunday night!

2010-03-08T08:36:00.002-05:00

It was our joy last night to have the Jacob Brothers with us. They have been singing Gospel music for nearly 50 years. It was a joy to hear some songs of our faith. I saw a lot of smiles afterward and heard a lot of words of satisfaction.
At every concert the old question raises itself, was this edification or entertainment? Is it alright to be entertained? What's the difference?
As I thought about it I tried to understand it this way. If I was entertained, I had a happy, feel good time that lasted, if I was lucky, until I went to bed that night. In the morning I might remember the feeling but few of the lyrics of the songs.
If I was edified I felt good, or maybe felt reproved, corrected and a pinch of guilt and made things right between the Lord and me, and enjoyed the night. The next morning I still had the words of a song in my mind and the blessing continued.
So which is it, entertainment or edification? Both are good, but I would expect something that lingers and lasts is better. By the way this applies to our Sunday worship and the preaching of God's Word , too.
What do you think? Comment please.

2010-03-01T08:07:00.002-05:00

Yesterday's message from the Gospel of Mark reminded us of 2 important facts. The first one is that Jesus cares about us and our food needs and the fears life brings. What an encouragement to know that Jesus "feels our feelings" (Hebrews 2:18). It is so good to know that our God understands the hurts of life, that within itself makes a difference. We're not alone in our need of help.
The second one is that Jesus heals, helps, and meets the need. It may be with a simple lunch and great satisfaction or with a supernatural word of His power to still the storm and remove the fear but our Jesus does make the difference. It may not always happen the way we tell Him to do it, or with the means we expect, or in our timetable but He does make the difference by His power. What more could we ask for in our life?
These 2 things are enough to make a Baptist shout!!! AMEN, AMEN!

2010-02-22T08:57:00.001-05:00

This week during Sunday School I was asked to visit the teen girls class. One of the questions I was asked was "what encourages me as a pastor" and I replied that it is to see and hear people continuing to learn God's Word - to take time to ask questions about things they heard, to talk with others about what they learned, to put into practice the things they heard. So, today, I ask you to share in comment something you received from the Word yesterday. May God bless you this week.

2010-02-15T06:51:00.000-05:00

Last night Pastor Barbee preached the best message on Leviticus I have ever heard. At the conclusion of it he reminded us that as Christians we are not only declared to be holy by God but we are to act holy by how we live each day. This morning in our Bible reading God says that we are not to act like our neighbors who don't know God. I know that sometimes in our practical daily holiness we can be legalistic and measure holiness by what we don't do (Luke 18) but I think we ought to see holiness as it really should be - fellowship with God. So remember there are some things in this world God wouldn't do, some places He wouldn't go, and some things He wouldn't say. So, if holiness is to be practical, try walking with God. What do you think?

2010-02-08T07:17:00.001-05:00

Waiting, watching, and working for the Kingdom are the things we ought to be doing in light of the coming of Jesus. Sounds good Sunday morning in a sermon but how about Monday morning in life? Waiting for breakfast, watching TV, and working at the job to put food on the table seems to be more like it on Monday morning. How do we put Sunday's message and Monday's reality together? Share with everyone how they go together in your life.

2010-02-01T10:21:00.001-05:00

Last evening as Pastor Barbee was preaching on the permanency of marriage and it's relationship with Christ and the church my mind wondered a bit and I thought of Christians and the local church. We know that membership in the universal church is made actual and real by membership in the local church. So, in my wandering mind, the wondered, why don't we have or ask for lifetime commitment in the local (not a) church?
It seems when we become a little dis-satisfied, offended, or unhappy and can't have our way, the first thing we do is divorce ourselves from the local fellowship that loved, helped, and grew us and find a new one. So I asked myself, if God wants marriage to be for a lifetime, and wants us to work things out rather than divorce, could he want the same of the believer and the local church?
What do you think?

2010-01-25T10:12:00.001-05:00

Yesterday our speaker said that the first part of "the good Life" was to remember the good things that God has done for us (Joshua 23:1-5).I have to admit that there are sometimes that I see the things the devil is doing to hurt and destroy God's work here and my heart hurts and my day is blue. Yet if I just take the time to remember what God has done and to see what he is doing it does change everything and makes life good! So how about it people of God at SNMBC has God done any good things and is He doing any good now? Your comment please and your testimony of praise! May God bless your socks off today.

2010-01-18T09:48:00.000-05:00

In the last point of yesterday's message we pointed out that when God meets our temporal needs He often will meet others needs too through His goodness to us. In our obedience to do things His way, according to His Word, we have so much others share in the blessings of God on us. Yet the final point of the final point was how God was doing even greater things in our lives. For Joseph, it wasn't just the temporary food for him and the provision of food need for Egypt and other nations but all of it was about God reuniting him and his brothers. Do we recognize the eternal in the temporary? Do we see that the "all things" of Romans 8:28 carries the eternal with the temporary? Can you share today how God provided a temporary need, how others were blessed by it, and how something greater that the temporary was achieved through it all?

2010-01-11T08:42:00.000-05:00

This sequel isn't about a sermon preached in the pulpit by one of the pastors but of several preached in the pews by the people. Last night we had a time of testimonies, praise and thanks expressed vocally to our God in the presence of God's people. One spoke of God's answers to prayer, another learning about unanswered prayer, and still another spoke of taking time to pray before making a decision. There were others too that spoke of the goodness of God. They were encouraging and helpful to God's people and will long be remembered. May today you can comment with a simple word thanks or praise to our wonderful Lord Jesus. I'll guarantee it will lift a brother or sister up!

2010-01-04T08:21:00.000-05:00

The Sequel - Yesterday, while preaching about the flood, I mentioned how the flood is one of the skeptic's delights. They take issue with a worldwide flood (not enough water to cover the mountains), the size of the ark, (not enough room), and the geological evidence. Many of the questions raised are easily answered by common sense and the Scriptures but some remain unanswered. My challenge to most of you is to get into the Scriptures and answer the skeptics and to explain to them the warning of 2 Peter 3. For your comment answer this question - Does it bother you or your faith if some questions remain unanswered at this time and need to be accepted by faith in the truthfulness of God's word?

2009-12-28T09:22:00.001-05:00

The mind of Christ in us was the subject of the sermon and Scriptures yesterday. The challenge was that this mind of submission, giving up, of others before me, would be our mind. It's not natural for "Me first" , "I" centered humans but should be for the blood-washed, changed believer. The challenge of the sequel is to name someone who has been seen by you showing the mind of Christ. Maybe someone like Timothy or Epaphroditus (Philippians 2) or Jim Eilott or __________. You fill in the blank, hopefully using your name.

2009-12-21T07:12:00.001-05:00

"Adoration to the King of Kings" was the name of last night's cantata. The music was wonderful, the message of the music even better. I left feel that I needed to lift up my King, love Him, seek Him, surrender to Him, and above all serve Him. He is worthy; He's my creator, sustainer, and salvation, He supplies my needs, He strengthens my weakness, and allows me to walk with Him. "All Hail, King Jesus"! Amen.

2009-12-14T08:23:00.001-05:00

I'm so glad that the Christian's hope doesn't imply doubt. We are as sure as our future as God is true. It is for certain that Jesus is coming again, that Heaven is our home, and that we will be rewarded or suffer the loss of reward. Since that's all for sure let's get ready by watching, working, and waiting. Amen?

2009-12-07T17:29:00.001-05:00

The sequel this week is not to a sermon but from an adult Sunday School paper (Power for Living) and is a "you comment" sequel. The story is about Tim Tebow, an outstanding quarterback for the Florida gators. How would you advise him is the sequel. Suppose he felt called by God after college to be a missionary or pastor and yet had on his table a multimillion dollar contract to play professional football and he asked you what to do - what would you tell him and why? Think about it and write a comment.

2009-12-02T07:12:00.001-05:00

Sunday morning the message was about being rich in this world's goods. Most of us would say that we are not rich but does stale, moldy bread say we are? How about leftovers we end up throwing out instead of eating? How about clothes in our dressers we haven't worn for months? Do they say we are rich and selfish too? When was the last time we gave some food or clothing to our Jesus? Think about it just a little and read 1 Timothy 6:8-20.

2009-11-23T07:03:00.002-05:00

"God is a giver of daily bread, so we ought to be a giver of daily thanks". That's what the preacher said yesterday and then he went on to say, "It's a great insult for the creature to receive substance from the hand of the Creator and not say thank you.". All of God's people ought to at least say "Yummie" to our God even if we forget to say thank you. Agree?

2009-11-16T07:20:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I heard a message where the pastor said we live in "a freaked-out world" but we should expect the world to become like this (Matthew 24:4-12). He then said "but don't worry, God is still in control and He can be trusted". Good, isn't it?

2009-11-09T08:13:00.001-05:00

Yesterday's message was about God as a giver of strength. It was taken from Philippians 4:10-20. In a sentence summary we said that in every aspect of our weakness God come through with sufficient strength for our need. This passage reminds us that God doesn't "zap us" but rather uses the Scriptures and the saints to strengthen us. For a follow-up to the message make a list of the times God has strengthen you and how He used the Scriptures and /or the saints to do it. When you have make your list thank Him for it and share one of those time with everyone who reads this sequel. Remember we are able to give thanks because God is a good, great, and generous giver!

2009-11-02T19:58:00.001-05:00

Everlasting life,God's gift to us. Yesterday I said that the greatest gift we could ever receive is the one we need the most. Yet all of us can remember times when we never thought that we needed salvation, the new birth. Yet God still made sure the gift was purchased and presented to us. How thankful we are today that someone, somewhere, somehow told us how much God loved us and had a gift for us to receive. All that to bring us to the sequel. Will we continue the offer and present the gift to someone this week?

2009-10-26T08:41:00.000-04:00

Will we say that missions month is over? As far as the calendar is concerned it is over but will it be over in our lives? We have a month of missions every year with the purpose of increasing our vision, involving of lives, and instigating new people to go to white harvest fields. So as a sequel we can ask ourselves these questions - Is there a need in a specific place for God to work? Will I pray, give, and even go that this place may have a better gospel witness? Would I answer "Here am I, send me" if we hear the voice of the Lord saying "Who can I send, who will go?" Missions month should never be over in our fellowship or our lives - will it be?

2009-10-19T10:36:00.001-04:00

Our speaker yesterday was a "home" missionary ministering to the Amish people of Ohio and the USA. In the morning he brought a wonderful salvation message explaining that so many religious people believe in Jesus, have been taught that from birth, but have never received Him and God's gift of salvation. This truth struck home as I was a good religious boy who learned all the things I was taught in Sunday School, church, VBS, and other places where the Word was taught but was blind to the fact that faith had a starting point, that I needed to receive a gift from God. PTL that happen to me when I was about 12 and God has never or will never ask or take that gift back from me. Anyone else like that?

2009-10-14T08:04:00.002-04:00

I don't know if anyone missed this sequel on Monday but it's a little like we are on Monday. We are at church on Sunday, hear a good message, enjoy good fellowship, make a good commitment to do what we have heard. Yet Monday comes and we just don't get around to it, Tuesday is busier so it's forgotten that day too. Sometimes by Wednesday we remember (Thank you Holy Spirit) and finally put feet on the message. The best part of all is that if we heard the Word it is there for the Holy Spirit to bring to our minds that we might do we have learned. So be faithful to coming to church and join in with a listening ear and a committed heart and you will be blessed.

2009-10-05T08:03:00.001-04:00

Yesterday's speaker used the Apostle Paul as an example of what can happen in a life that turns to Jesus. He said God will save us no matter what we had done, this salvation will change us from what we have been, and the world will hate us because of what has happened in our lives. It was a joy to me to realize that although my salvation experience was not exactly the same these 3 things happened in my life too. A sister came to me after the service and said that the message was so good and encouraging to her because of past "baggage" and present struggles. How about you today? Is salvation taking place in your life? Will your salvation story be an example to others? Let's hear it!

2009-09-28T08:59:00.001-04:00

I closed the message last night by saying "thus ends the epistles of Thessalonians AD 55 and begins the epistles of the Thessalonians 2009 AD. We are a living epistle read by the world around us and we are the best translation the world reads. So, what is the number 1 lesson God has taught you that you want to live in your life? Tell us by way of a comment.

2009-09-21T06:57:00.000-04:00

In last night's message I poked a little fun at the students of prophecy who make it their job to speculate. There is and always has been among us as Christians an interest in prophecy especially when it relates to what is happening around us. Yet we do need to be careful that we don't replace what God has revealed about something with something that we think he revealed. Hitler was a prime target for such thinking, he was proven to be the antichrist for many of the years he was alive and even now a few think he might be resurrected to become this character.
It's best to remember that God said He would unveil this person and we won't know who it is until God chooses to do this. In the mean time it's better to "abide in Him, so that when He comes, we'll not be ashamed at His coming" (1 John 2:28). Prophecy allows us to see the end so let's believe what God has said and allow prophecy to be used of God to give us endurance, growing faith, and abounding love. (2 Thessalonians 1:1-5) "Come quickly, Lord Jesus!"

2009-09-14T11:25:00.000-04:00

It was good this weekend to learn about the stars and the mighty God who created them and cares for them. It seems so easy in the day by day routine called life to forget to lift up our eyes and behold Him who created all this. When we do we receive a new appreciation of the greatness, might, and awesomeness of God. It's amazing that this great God who created also cares. Such was the great nature lesson of the book of Job who, when it was over, said "I know You can do everything". So take a look at the stars tonight and remember the one who created them is mighty enough for any problems we may have and cares enough to bear them (Matthew 6). Wonderful, isn't it?

2009-09-07T07:18:00.001-04:00

One of the blessings I have seen as a pastor is the truth that God works in and through us so that we can be doers. The list in 1 Thessalonians 5 would be impossible if it wasn't for the Lord. Just remember that so many times when we know God wants us "to do" and we say "I can't" it's really our self will coming through saying to our enabling God "I won't"! I hope this week you will come back to God's list and let God enable you to become a doer. You will be blessed, God will be glorified, and others will receive good. (Galatians 6:1-10)

2009-08-31T08:00:00.001-04:00

The two words that caught my attention yesterday in 1 Thessalonians 5 were comfort and edify. As I thought about these things I began to realize that to do this isn't hard but it does take time and heart. If I really "come alongside" of someone I will be opening my heart to them to allow God's love to flow out to them and that would be good. So I need to pray that the Holy Spirit would open my eyes to the need around me and act before being asked. Yet the big issue is time. If I reach out in love I will have to part with some precious time (maybe a lot) and that is where we often hesitate. Maybe I should see time in the light of love and it would be easier to find to time to care. Agree??