Russellville, Arkansas

What The Bible Says Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

What The Bible Says Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

What The Bible Says Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

What The Bible Says Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

Dr. Dick Webster Matt. 16: 13-19 November 9, 2023 Jesus Builds The Church.

How groups like Hillsong learned to let go of the literal in favor of creative collaboration.The refrain “He is for you” doesn’t translate neatly into Spanish. In the English version of Elevation Worship’s song “The Blessing,” the phrase repeats and builds with each repetition. But in Spanish, the line is “Él te ama” or “He loves you.”“I’m glad the translators did that,” said musician and translator Sergio Villanueva, who pastors a Hispanic congregation at Wheaton Bible Church in Illinois. “To convey that idea in Spanish—‘He is for you’—you would have to use a lot more words. Spanish is a beautiful language, but we use more words and longer words.”The translation choice in “The Blessing” (“La Bendición”) reflects a growing interest among English-speaking worship artists in producing thoughtful, singable, and culturally informed translations of their music.Often, artists are intent on using translations that are as close to word-for-word as possible. But as influential songwriters and megachurches expand their reach, teams of translators are helping produce new versions of popular worship songs that are faithful to the originals without trying to replicate wording that isn’t as accessible or evocative in another language.“You have to honor the intention of the original songwriter, even if that means changing exactly what the words are saying,” said Villanueva, who has translated for Keith and Kristyn Getty, Sovereign Grace Music, and Kari Jobe.The international distribution and transl ation of English-language worship music has accelerated over the past four decades, but not consistently.In the 1980s and early ’90s, Integrity Music began releasing ...Continue reading...

? Temple Baptist Church - 4-24-2024John 15:12-17? Introduction:? ? A.? Another great benefit of abiding in Christ is that of friendship with Christ.? I find this amazing as we consider just Who this Friend is.? Three times in these three verses, Jesus Christ called His children friends!? 1.? Someone once said that if you end up with 5 True Friends in a lifetime, you are wealthy.? 2.? Here, we fine the possibility of having Jesus Christ as our Friend.? B.? The Value of our Friend.? 1.? Our Friend is Almighty Jehovah God, Creator and Sustainer of all things.? Our Friend created us for His pleasure and fellowship.? John 1:1-4? In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.? (2)? The same was in the beginning with God.? (3)? All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.? (4)? In him was life; and the life was the light of men.? 2.? Our Friend became our Propitiation.? Our Friend died in our place, bearing our sin and our shame.? He gave His life as He became sin for us Who knew no sin that we might be made the righteous of God in Him.? John 1:14? And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.? John 1:29? The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.? 3.? Our Friend is our Mediator between us and God the Father.? Our Friend makes peace between God the Father and us.? 1 Timothy 2:5? For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;? 4.? Our Friend is our Advocate with God the Father.? Our Friend speaks on our behalf when we cannot speak for ourselves.? 1 John 2:1? My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:? 5.? Our Friend is our High Priest.? Our Friend continually cleanses us from all sin and defilement with His own blood.? Hebrews 7:25-26? Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (26)? For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;? 6.? Our Friend is our soon coming King of kings and Lord of lords.? Our Friend said that if He would go away, He would come again and take us home with Him.? When He comes back to set up His Kingdom, He will bring us with Him to rule and reign.? Revelation 19:11-16? And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.? (12)? His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.? (13)? And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.? (14)? And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.? (15)? And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.? (16)? And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.? C. And people relish friends in high places?? We have the Almighty, completely Sovereign, All Knowing, owns Everything, can do Anything, can Forgive anything God who just happens to Love us.? D.? True friendship is a valuable and rare commodity! We make many acquaintances as we pass through this life, but only very few true and genuine friends. In this passage, Jesus reveals something about the nature of His friendship with His people. When you have Him for your Friend, you have discovered a friendship that knows no limits. He is, by definition, the ultimate Friend.? Proverbs 18:24? A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.? E.? In a true friendship, there must be:? 1.? Investment.? While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.? The greatest love ever shown was at Calvary. There has never been a greater, nobler, or more costly display of love than that selfless moment when Jesus died for us on the cross.? 2.? Intimacy.? These disciples were Christ's inner circle.? They were privy to the most intimate discussions and sharing that only Christ could give.? True friends have a very personal and close relationship with each other.? A closeness that makes for personal sharing of our thoughts and lives.? 2 Samuel 1:26? I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.? 3.? Involvement.? These disciples could share their inner most thoughts, fears, and cares with Christ.? Friends deeply care for what their friends care for.? Someone once said, “A burden shared is half a burden!”? There is more to intimate sharing than just listening.? ? John 11:33-35? When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,? (34)? And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.? (35)? Jesus wept.? F.? The Values of a having Christ as your True Friend:? 1.? A true friend loves at all times.? Unconditional love.? Proverbs 17:17? A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.? Psalms 41:9-10? Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.? (10)? But thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them.? 2.? A true friend always builds you up and never tears you down.? ? 1 Corinthians 15:33? Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.? 3.? A true friend is always standing by you.? ? Hebrews 13:5? Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.? Psalms 27:9-10? Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.? (10)? When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.? 4.? A true friend cares deeply about you.? ? Hebrews 4:15-16? For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.? (16)? Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.? 1 Peter 5:7? Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.? 5.? A true friend makes you a better person.? ? Proverbs 27:17? Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.? 6.? A true friend gives you godly counsel.? ? Proverbs 27:9? Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.? Isaiah 25:1? O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.? 7.? A true friend will tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.? ? Proverbs 27:6? Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.? Ephesians 3:20-21? Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,? (21)? Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.? 8.? A true friend gave his life for us.? When I think of this, I think of the Medal of Honor, our nation's? highest military award for valor.? Due to the nature of this medal, it is commonly presented? posthumously.? ? John 15:13? Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.? Conclusion:? What a Friend we have in Jesus!? He gave His all for His Friends!

When Vision Baptist Church was officially started in March of 2006 we had all the dreams and desires of most church plants. We prayed that God would use our combined efforts to see people come to know Christ and become followers of Him. It was also our desire that God would use our new church […]The post Discipleship builds a church. appeared first on Vision Baptist Church of South Forsyth.

How to Serve the Volunteer Teams You LeadJacob FlemingThu, 03/28/2024 - 00:05 Nothing compares to the privilege of serving in the house of the Lord! My heart echoes David's: “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness” (Psalm 84:10).Along with that privilege comes responsibility; and when that responsibility includes leading others, it is imperative that we have a plan. My pastor, mentor, and friend, Dr. Paul Chappell, says, “Churches struggle when they establish goals without a strategy and ministry without structure.” Unfortunately, many times our volunteer teams never reach their full potential because of a lack of structure.? Following are five simple principles that can help you serve the volunteer team you lead and establish a culture that promotes the forward momentum of God's work.? Strategically Recruit? To lead a volunteer team, we must first have willing and able volunteers. Some volunteers will do just that—volunteer. Others, we need to recruit. And then, we must have the wisdom to place each volunteer where they will have the most impact on a weekly basis.? As leaders, we should have a personal goal to set each volunteer up for success. One of the most helpful ways to know where specific volunteers will be successful is to learn what their spiritual and natural gifts are and then involve them in areas where their gifts will be put to the best use. In addition to gifting, different areas of ministry require different levels of oversight and discernment. For instance, stocking guest tables or preparing refreshments for an event wouldn't involve the extensive background checks verifying childcare workers would require.? The fact is, God has created every person precious and unique, fitted to serve Him. As ministry leaders, we want to help our volunteer teams reach their potential by serving in their naturally gifted areas. Generally speaking, it is much easier to take a little time and effort to discern the right position for a volunteer than it is to make an adjustment when someone is already actively serving in the position that you have (mistakenly) placed them in.Think, for example, of a church member volunteering for “whatever you need me to do.” At the moment, you happen to need door greeters for the first impressions team. This volunteer, however, has an introverted personality. Should you place this volunteer in the door greeter position? Most likely, that wouldn't be the best fit. But this volunteer could shine in many other areas. Perhaps they could still be on the first impressions team, but doing the work of stocking supplies, treats, etc. On the other hand, there may be more extroverted people who would be happier to greet, knowing that the more tedious work of stocking supplies is cared for.? Equip with Resources? As ministry leaders, we are to equip “the saints for the work of the ministry” (Ephesians 4:12). One of the greatest ways you can encourage your volunteer team to reach their potential is to equip them with the training and resources they need to excel in that specific ministry. Here are four areas in which you can equip your volunteers:? Job descriptions: Write out a purpose statement for each ministry with key responsibilities for each volunteer position. (The book Order in the Church by Paul Chappell has some helpful sample descriptions.) If you have not provided clear communication to a volunteer, don't get frustrated when they don't serve exactly how you desire.? Clear expectations: Volunteers want to be told what is expected. A great way to frustrate your volunteer team is to leave your expectations open-ended or fuzzy.? Contact information: If a volunteer has questions or an emergency on the day that they are serving, who do they call? Give them your phone number and the phone numbers of any other people they should turn to for help.Periodic training: Strategically schedule ministry meetings throughout the year during which you can provide further training. For instance, you may train your first impressions team three weeks before Easter so everyone has a fresh reminder of the ways to serve first-time guests.? Reward Regularly? It is impossible to encourage the wrong person. Volunteers sacrifice time and often finances to actively participate in serving our Lord. It's a good thing to recognize their sacrifice and encourage them to keep up the great work. Regular recognition can put wind in the sails of your team members. Here are some suggestions:Yearly: Recognize a ministry team in a Sunday night service.Quarterly: Write a thank you note with a candy bar.Monthly: Have a bite-size treat, waiting at their serving station.? Weekly: Verbalize your gratitude with a heart-felt “thank you.”Value the Team's Response? Your volunteer has strategically been placed, equipped with resources and training, and is feeling encouraged by serving. By now, there's a great chance that they have gleaned knowledge in their ministry and have ideas that can make their specific ministry even better. To be effective leaders, we must take the time to listen to their input.It's easy to receive compliments. But leaders are willing to receive complaints too. Make sure the compliments don't go to your head, and make sure to handle the complaints prayerfully and responsively.? Empower Responsibly? The purpose of delegation is not for you to do less, but for you to get more done effectively. The leader should always be watching for a volunteer team member that potentially could step up and help co-lead a part of the ministry. Be willing to share the ministry and allow well-trained volunteers to be empowered to help make decisions.? The person who builds by himself won't accomplish nearly as much as if he had a team of leaders helping him build. Can you imagine Nehemiah building the walls by himself? He would have ended up in the place many of us have found, or nearly found, ourselves: blown up, burned out, or quitting in discouragement. Build your volunteer team, and build with your volunteer team.It is my prayer that these five principles will encourage you as you serve your volunteer teams.? Strategically Recruit? Equip with Resources? Reward Regularly? Value the Team's Response? Empower Responsibly? Category Pastoral Leadership Ministry Resources Order in the Church Order in the Church Dr. Paul Chappell Guided by Grace Guided by Grace Dr. Paul Chappell Tags Local Church Church Service Leadership

Jesus' Answer to Overcoming AnxietyDr. George CrabbThu, 02/01/2024 - 02:00 A Biblical Treatment for the Anxious Mind All of us desire to live with greater faith in God. We want to “trust in Him”—not just as a mantra, but as a way of life. Yet, for many believers, crippling anxiety has become their norm. Over and over, anxious worries play at their minds, stuck on an unwelcome? repeat.? Where do we turn when anxiety takes hold? And how can those of us who serve as biblical counselors guide anxious Christians to a renewed trust in the Lord?? There are many passages throughout God's Word that redirect our thoughts from worry to trust, from fear to faith. But perhaps my favorite passage to turn to and to walk others through is Matthew 6:25–33. In fact, I would encourage you to take a moment to read this passage before reading the rest of this article.? One encouraging observation from this passage is that the very fact Jesus included this topic in His “Sermon on the Mount” in Matthew 5–7 tells us that worry and anxiety are common struggles and ones that God cares to help us overcome.? Three Gentle RemindersJesus begins with statements and rhetorical questions that point to the futility of anxiety. Read through the passage, and then notice these points He makes:? Anxiety is senseless. Anxiety is a lot of work for no positive return. We expend an enormous amount of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual energy when we allow anxiety into our lives with no benefit gained. Anxiety drains and immobilizes us. It doesn't empower or motivate us.? Anxiety is sinful. According to Jesus in Matthew? 6:30 anxiety is a fruit of unbelief. It is a lack of faith, and as such, it dishonors and displeases God. Anxiety envisions circumstances which may never occur while forgetting the realities of God's nature which has never changed. God's provisions are powerful and plentiful. God deserves more than little faith; He deserves our complete trust.Anxiety is slanderous. A continually anxious Christian is a poor witness to a watching world. It indicates that God cannot or will not provide for our needs. In reality, God will always provide for our needs. In fact, remembering His plentiful faithfulness is part of the answer to overcoming anxiety.? Three Needful Actions? Thankfully, Jesus didn't only point out the shortfalls of worry; He also prescribed a treatment for the anxious mind. Notice these three parts to the prescription:Renew your mind. Throughout this entire passage, Jesus renews our thinking as He puts our anxious thoughts into a perspective of the faithfulness of God. (Philippians 4:4–8, another passage that is so helpful in fighting anxiety, follows a similar pattern.)? A stable, non-anxious mind thinks biblically; it rests upon the sure foundation of God's Word. On the other hand, an anxious mind dwells on things that are not God-centered or Christ-exalting. We must move toward a mind that is settled upon the truth found in God's Word.? Isaiah 26:3 makes a similar point: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” As we focus our mind on God, He gives us peace.Reevaluate your priorities. Jesus began with the admonition, “Take no thought for [all of the things you tend to worry about].” And then He pointed His listeners instead to consider the “fowls of the air” and the “lilies of the field.” And why are we to consider these things? Because God meets all their needs without their help worrying. Jesus then poses the question, “Are ye not much better than they?”? Our Savior's argument is simple: anxiety arises when we place a high value on the wrong things. This is further seen as the passage closes with a verse many of us know but sometimes forget its context: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto? you.”Jesus is instructing us not to overvalue the temporal and undervalue the eternal. The disciples were anxious about food and clothing instead of about their lives and walk with God. They needed a fresh understanding of what God deems significant which is a deep, dynamic, and daily fellowship with Him. When we grasp this truth, it will stop our fussing and fretting.Remember your Heavenly Father. As Christians, we have a relationship with God the Father through the finished work of His Son, Jesus Christ. We are His children, and, as Jesus pointed out earlier in the same sermon, He is “Our Father which art in heaven . . .” (Matthew 6:9).? Remembering the relationship we have with our Heavenly Father builds our faith. “And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee” (Psalm 9:10). As we focus on God's lovingkindness and faithfulness, we realize we have no need to be anxious. Our Heavenly Father knows what we need, and He has the ability to supply it (Philippians 4:19).? More grace is what we all want and need, and God will give us the perfect amount of grace at the perfect time (2? Corinthians 12:9). In light of this, we can live moment by moment without anxiety, because the same Father who takes care of all creation knows what we need before we are even conscious of it. Our Heavenly Father will breathe out grace upon us, perfectly proportioned to cover our needs as we prioritize Him in our lives and passionately pursue fellowship with Him.? Careful or Considering?Perhaps because of the commonness of anxiety or perhaps because of the stranglehold it so easily develops on our minds, many Christians write anxiety off as something to simply be endured.? Yet, the Bible is clear that we are to “Be careful for nothing . . .” (Philippians 4:6). The word careful means “to be full of care.” It's the perfect word for what Jesus warned against in Matthew 6. There are no ifs or buts in this command. Anxiety is not a personality trait; it is a lack of trust in God. It amounts to a kind of functional atheism—thinking and living as if God does not exist, or at least as if He is not concerned with my? needs.? The way to combat this anxious, full-of-care tendency so many of us fight is to instead consider what is true. Consider God's care for the birds and the lilies and His love for you. And then, with these realities in mind, follow the instruction of Philippians 4:6 to take every one of your cares to Christ in prayer: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”When you find yourself full of care, remember instead to consider your Father's faithfulness and His care for you.? Category Christian Living Tags Biblical Counseling Stress Worry