Bethany Baptist Church

Bethany Baptist’s services began with the song “Precious Memories.” We then had a devotion from Philippians 4:13 titled “All Things Through Christ.”

To understand the true meaning of this verse, we must go back to Verse 11, where the apostle Paul had put aside all wants and cares of the world. He had enough, but had no real home and very few possessions. He was looking toward spiritual, not physical, things.

We are strengthened to do God’s will, which is making sure the lost world knows the plan of salvation. We are strengthened to do the work of witnessing for Christ through tribulation in our lives. While going through tribulation, we do not rejoice, but if we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we will be made stronger than we were before our problems began.

The “all things” Paul is speaking about is praising God through tribulation, and he had more tribulation than most of us will ever endure during our lifetime. We can have as much strength to do the work of the Lord as the apostle Paul had, because in Verse 13, we see that through Christ, we can do all things according to his will. We can have the same ability as Paul had to spread the Word of God to a lost and dying world.

We were dismissed with a prayer; then we sang “Where We’ll Never Grow Old, “In the Sweet By and By,” “The Home Over There” and I’ll Fly Away.” Bro. Aubry made announcements and asked for prayer requests, and then gave message from the Bible

John 4:43-54 was the text, and “Evangelism” was the subject of the message.

Jesus Christ was the greatest evangelist who ever lived. In our age, most people want to be left alone when it comes to spiritual messages. Often when going door-to-door on church visitation, when people see you with a Bible in hand, they will not answer the door.

The world doesn’t want to be bothered with things to do with church. John 3:36 tells us that when a person believes on the Son, he immediately has everlasting life, and he that does not believe the Son does not see life, but the wrath of God is on him.

God’s plan was for the Israelites to spread the message of salvation to the world, but when they did not do this, God turned to the Gentiles for the work of the Lord to be carried to the world. The essential tools of evangelism are to be willing to go, and to go now.

Jesus began the ministry of evangelism when in Samaria. He was resting at Jacob’s well when a woman came to draw water. He witnessed to the woman about her necessity for salvation, and she spread the message to all the men of the city who came to see Jesus; many believed the message of salvation and were saved.

Our job today as saved people is to do God’s will and finish God’s work, which is more important than eating. In verse 35, Jesus says there are four months until the harvest of wheat, but the fields are now white and ready to be harvested—not for wheat, but for the lost souls of the world.

We need to be concerned about the people who are lost. If they do not accept Jesus as their Savior, they will die and go to hell. Jesus could come at any time, as the prophecy of Matthew 24:37 has been fulfilled.

We should share the Word of God, which must be heard before one can be saved. We may not live to see the person to whom we have witnessed become saved, but we must plant a seed in people’s hearts and minds. Share the plan of salvation; God will use the Holy Spirit to convict the person of the need to be saved, and Jesus will save that person if the person will admit he is lost, believe and ask Jesus to come into his heart. Accept the free gift of salvation.

The man in verses 43-54 of our text believed that Jesus could save his sick child from death, and Jesus saved the son from physical death. The man had enough faith in Jesus Christ to heal his son, but he also believed in Jesus Christ for spiritual salvation as well. He believed and was saved, and he taught his family about Jesus and they were saved as well. Jesus will save you if you will ask him into your heart. Be saved today!

We closed with a prayer and the song “I Need Thee Every Hour.”

Our prayer list includes our church, Bro. Aubry, Shirley, Jackie Neeley, Grace R., Debbie R., Jrankie, Jeanette, and their entire family, J.C., Mary K., Lisa R., Jenny H., R. Allen D., Vikii, Glenda W., Bro. Greg B., missions and missionaries, especially Journey and Bro. Paul Armstrong’s family in Calera, Colyn, and last but not least the unsaved.

Submitted by Jane Vines

Mountain Springs Church

On Sunday morning, the congregation sang the following hymns: “I Want to Know More About My Lord,” “Keep on the Firing Line,” “Fill My Every Day With Love” and “Living by Faith.”

Trey Coker brought a devotion from Isaiah 4:6-8. God’s Word will stand no matter what, and we should always stand in God’s Word.

After Sunday School, Bro. Don Vanderslice preached from 2 Peter 3:9-14. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us, and he will come back for us to take us to heaven.

The judgment of God is coming. A godly heart is the way we should live. Our life shows where our heart is. Our heart needs to be on heavenly things. Our minds need to be on the Lord because we are going to glory one day.

On Sunday night, Bro. Kenneth Moates led the congregation in the hymns “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms,” “Where the Soul Never Dies” and “Just a Little While.”

Ricky Coker brought a devotion from Matthew 5:14-16. He first explained that on Christmas tree lights, if one bulb is out, it causes the whole strand to not work. The same thing can happen in the church: If we’re being a bad bulb, it can cause the whole church to not work. Are you being a good bulb or a bad bulb?

Kandice Cleckler, Kadie Coker and Savannah Parrish sang “Room With a View.”

On Sunday night, Bro. Don Vanderslice brought his sermon from Genesis 18:11-14. Much like Sarah, if we are going through a trial in which we need God to move, if someone tries to offer us some encouragement, we may “laugh” on the inside because we think it may be too difficult or too big for God to do.

Don’t forget that the same God who created the world out of nothing can most definitely supply your need; the same God who parted the sea can make a way in your life.

No matter the need, God is able. God can do anything; nothing it too hard for God. Do you need strength, encouragement, guidance, forgiveness? God can do it.

Jeremiah 32:17 (KJV) reads: “Ah Lord God! Behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.”

Submitted by Savannah Parrish