Archive - December 19, 2009

Wrigley Baptist Church

December 19, 2009 in Uncategorized with 2 Comments

I was just reading a biography of Adoniram Judson. As the author spoke about his childhood it brought my own childhood to memory.

As a small boy my family attended the Wrigley Baptist Church in Lyles-Wrigley, Tennessee. This is a very small place in Hickman County, Tennessee.

The pastor of our church was Carlton Flowers. I can’t find any information about him anywhere. But as I remember he was a very tall man, probably just 6 foot but then I was only a small boy. He preached the gospel every week at our church.

On May 6, 1962 I finally surrendered my life to the Lord Jesus and got saved. The pastor had preached on Calvary. I don’t remember much about that day except knowing that I didn’t deserve His love and forgiveness.

I couldn’t believe that someone would suffer and die like that for me. I went forward in that little country church. The auditorium was on the second floor. That day I got saved. It is something that I will never forget and haven’t now these nearly 48 years. I was just about to turn 8 in August.

The next Sunday I was baptized in Mill Creek and became a member of Wrigley Baptist Church.

I wish that some day I could see Carlton Flowers. I thank God that he was used to preach the gospel and I got saved that day.

What’s your story? When did you get saved and where?

What will you give the Lord Jesus this Christmas?

December 19, 2009 in Reading Notes with 0 Comments

As you prepare for Christmas I hope that you have considered what you are giving to the Lord Jesus. We lament the fact that commercial establishments will not use the words Merry Christmas. We say that they are taking Christ out of Christmas. We say that they have forgotten the reason for the season.

Yet I doubt that the majority of believers, Christians, have taken thought for what they will give to the Lord Jesus. They say that this is His birthday yet He is the last one thought of as we scurry about getting and preparing gifts.

We prepare gifts for the mailman, the people who pick up our garbage, our family, our friends, but in all honesty Jesus is rarely on the list.

What do you mean on the list? If it is about Him then why all the fuss about each other and not about Him? Have you even remotely considered how you will honor Him this Christmas.

If I could look at your bank account I would be able to find out what is important to you. I would see where you invest your money.

If I could look at your Christmas list I would find out who or what is important to you. You have spent months preparing for this. Getting gifts for the ones you love.

I am all for it. But my question remains, What will you give the Lord Jesus this Christmas?

Matthew 2:11

I. Give Him your life

A. Before you give any offering to the Lord give Him yourself 2Corinthians 8:5
B. Quit living for yourself 2Corinthians 5:14-15
C. Present yourself to Him, it is your reasonable sacrifice Romans 12:1
D. Yield every part of you for His honor and glory in your life Romans 6:12-13
E. Give Him a broken and contrite heart Psalm 51:17

II. Give Him thanks and praise

A. This is a sacrifice that pleases God Hebrews 13:15-16, Psalm 116:17, Psalm 107:22
B. Praise glorifies Him Psalm 50:23
C. Thank Him for making us fit to be saved and get a heavenly inheritance Colossians 1:12, Revelation 19:4-6, Colossians 3:16-17, Ephesians 5:19-20

III. Give Him glory

A. With your good works Matthew 5:16, 1Peter 2:12
B. Bearing much fruit, souls, a good testimony, John 15:8, Philippians 1:11
C. Being a faithful administrator of the gospel and what God has given you 1Corinthians 4:1-2

IV. Give Him acceptable sacrifices 1Peter 2:5

V. Give Him crowns Revelation 4:9-11

The Gift of Christmas

December 19, 2009 in Reading Notes with 0 Comments

John 3:16

I. God gave His Son

A. Because He loved us 1John 4:9-10
B. He loved us first 1John 4:19
C. He loved us while we were still sinners Romans 5:8, Ephesians 2:4-5
D. He made His own Son sin for us 2Corinthians 5:21

II. Jesus gave His life

A. He came to the world to die Matthew 20:28
B. No one made Him die or forced Him to give His life John 10:17-18, Ephesians 5:2
C. He died for us when we were ungodly and without strength to save ourselves Romans 5:6
D. He showed the greatest love that anyone can show John 15:13
E. He did it all to save sinners 1Timothy 1:15, Mark 2:17

III. The Holy Spirit gives His life and ministry

A. To convince us of our sin John 16:7-11
B. He stays with us and in us John 14:16-17
C. He gives us the power to change our lives Romans 8:9-11
D. He seals us and is the earnest of our salvation Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:30, 2Corinthians 1:22
E. He gives us the testimony that we are the sons of God Romans 8:16

Special invitation

December 19, 2009 in BCWE Events with 0 Comments

Many people have been preparing a very special Christmas drama for tomorrow evening. It will have great music, great truths, and a passionate desire to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ.

It will start at 6 pm at Vision Baptist Church. We are still at our old location. I hope you will come and will invite your friends to come with you.

Thank you to all of you that have worked, prayed, practiced and done so much to make this a reality. I am anticipating a very special evening.

God bless each of you.

Responsibility

December 19, 2009 in Uncategorized with 0 Comments

There was a most important job that needed to be done,
And no reason not to do it, there was absolutely none.
But in vital matters such as this, the thing you have to ask
Is who exactly will it be who’ll carry out the task?

Anybody could have told you that everybody knew
That this was something somebody would surely have to do.
Nobody was unwilling; anybody had the ability.
But nobody believed that it was their responsibility.

It seemed to be a job that anybody could have done,
If anybody thought he was supposed to be the one.
But since everybody recognised that anybody could,
Everybody took for granted that somebody would.

But nobody told anybody that we are aware of,
That he would be in charge of seeing it was taken care of.
And nobody took it on himself to follow through,
And do what everybody thought that somebody would do.

When what everybody needed so did not get done at all,
Everybody was complaining that somebody dropped the ball.
Anybody then could see it was an awful crying shame,
And everybody looked around for somebody to blame.

Somebody should have done the job
And Everybody should have,
But in the end Nobody did
What Anybody could have.

Charles Osgood

As you read the poem above I hope that you thought of all that we have going on at the church now! We are moving into our new building. It is a lot of work for a lot of people. I thank God for everyone that has done so much to keep things moving.

Now as we move we will be looking for everybody, anybody, nobodies included, somebody, and you to help us get so much done. Lord willing, we will be ready to move in the next week or so. On Monday, Lord willing, we will move lots of things into the building. I hope you will volunteer to help.

This move is a great thing for Vision but it comes at a difficult time of the year. Everyone is busy. Everybody is spending their money on Christmas etc. Will you ask the Lord if He might have you to step in and do something extra this month.