The Jewish Passover was near so Jesus was in Jerusalem. In the temple area He saw many things taking place that had turned His Father’s house into a marketplace.
The problems were:
Loss of reverence for God
People had lost cost of serving God
Loss of the sense of the Gentiles’ needs
The temple leaders were upset and wanted a sign from God to show the authority with which Jesus spoke. Jesus told them to destroy the temple and He would raise it up in 3 days, referring to His own body.
If there is anything in our own life that is not right, look to Jesus to change it. Do people we see each day see Jesus in us? In the way we act and the words we speak? What do we need to do to reach others?
Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. 2 Corinthians 7:1
My thoughts from Sunday’s message: This world will try to pull us away from God so we must be very diligent in our walk with Him. When you are truly sorrowful for your sins, you should come to Christ for forgiveness. Sorrow that lacks repentance results in spiritual death. God remembers when you came to him trembling and in fear and that you accepted Him into yourself. So we are to aim to be more like Jesus. Yes, it is hard but so much worth it. Our Father is with us every minute of every day. God is never away from you!
This was the title of Pastor David’s wonderful message.
Later that same day, Jesus left the house and went down to the shore, where an immense crowd soon gathered. He got into a boat and taught from it while the people listened on the beach. He used many illustrations such as this one in his sermon: “A farmer was sowing grain in his fields. As he scattered the seed across the ground, some fell beside a path, and the birds came and ate it. And some fell on rocky soil where there was little depth of earth; the plants sprang up quickly enough in the shallow soil, but the hot sun soon scorched them and they withered and died, for they had so little roots. Other seeds fell among thorns and the thorns choked out the tender blades. But some fell on good soil, and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as he had planted. If you have ears, listen!” Matthew 13:1-9
“Now here is the explanation of the story I told about planting grain: The hard path where some of the seeds fell represents the heart of a person who hears the Good News about the Kingdom and doesn’t understand it; then Satan comes and snatches away the seeds from his heart. The shallow, rocky soil represents the heart of a man who hears the message and receives it with joy, but he doesn’t have much depth in his life, or persecution begins because of his beliefs, his enthusiasm fades, and he drops out. The ground covered with thistles represents a man who hears the message, but the cares of this life and his longing for money chock out God’s Word, and he does less and less for God. The good ground represents the heart of a man who listens to the message and understands it and goes out and brings thirty, sixty, or even a hundred others in the Kingdom.” Matthew 13:18-23
The parable of the soul and the soil. This is the first of 7 parables given by God. Are you a Good Listener? To listen is an active process. Jesus says…
“Listen”
There are four ways we receive God. 1-Don’t bother me, I’m busy with the crowd (v. 19) 2-Hip-hip hoorah for Jesus! No deep roots – fizzle out (vs. 20-21) 3-I love Jesus, But I love the world more- caught up in life, but this life doesn’t produce much truth. (v. 22) 4-I am willing to grow! I want to live my life for Jesus. Truly invested in the Kingdom of God. (v. 23) This life will produce fruits of the Holy Spirit. They are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
If we are believers, our fruits should show in us. Compare your life with these 4 types of soil…
What type of soul are you? Are you willing to LISTEN and do God’s will? Are you a child of God and do you have a relationship with HIM?
We celebrated the Senior Adults on this beautiful May Sunday morning. We have quite a few at CSBC.
Our message was entitled STAY THE COURSE, as there is no retiring from God. Life is a race to the finish line. There is no letting up as we become older. Our text was taken from Psalms 71:5-18, Isaiah 46:3-4 and Romans 15:13.
Pastor David spoke of days from the past that us older folks would remember, the ways we went to school, shopped, and worshiped. We seniors grew up in very different times and ways. Back in those days being asked to do something at church was an honor. We are told to love the church because God loves us. We must continue to work and never stop praising God for his faithfulness. We all have pain, sorrows, disappointments and struggles. Keep praising him in the midst of all these!
GOD is our one and only HOPE.
Pastor David reminded us to be aware of our duty to the next generation. We have a responsibility to proclaim the goodness of God and communicate what He has done for us. It shouldn’t end with us. Proclaim God’s might to those coming up behind you!
GOD is our one and only HOPE.
I came to Clear Spring when I was thirteen years old from my home Church of Reedy Fork. Here I had so many wonderful SS teachers ,GA leaders and many others that continued to nurture my Christian development. In my mind, I thought these wonderful people were old. They were not at that time, but I observed them for many years as they continued to serve this church. When they were no longer able to serve physically, they became prayer warriors for those that could. I want to give thanks for those that have already finished the race and heard these words…
“You have fought the good fight and finished the race. Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
As Pastor David said, “Don’t slow down, run the race to the end and bust down that tape!”
What is your Gospel? You may be confused with that question, but it really is a simple question. The word Gospel means “Good news.” The reason that the Gospel is good news is because of what Jesus did on the cross. He died for our sins so that we could have an eternity in Heaven with him instead of an eternity in Hell without him. This is good news.
This is AMAZING NEWS!
In the Book of Galatians, Paul is dealing with this. The people that he is writing to are being swayed by false preachers and are accepting false gospels. The false gospel being presented to them was Jesus plus something else. Or your works can somehow get you into heaven. Because of these false gospels there were many people who were turning away from their faith in Jesus Christ.
Think about this…What is the one thing that comes to your mind that would make you happier than anything else. This is your ultimate good news. If that thing makes you happier than your relationship with Jesus, then you are living your life for a false Gospel.
It’s not wrong to be happy about good news. It’s not wrong to have desires other than your desire for Jesus. We all have desires. This is normal. It becomes a problem when your desires become your source of salvation. Jesus plus something else is nothing it all. It’s all or nothing with Jesus. Jesus will not play second fiddle for anyone or anything.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is supposed to be good news. But why is it that we sometimes treat it like anything but? Why is it that we get more excited over a football game? Why is it that we get more excited about the stuff that we accumulate that will only fade over time? We show more excitement over things that ultimately don’t matter and will fade away over the one that will never fade. The one who is eternal and that’s Jesus.
The gospel is HIGH STAKES. My fear is that there are many people who are living their lives for a false gospel. A gospel that promises happiness but only leads to eternal ruin. Your gospel will either carry you to Heaven or drag you to Hell.
Ultimately there is only one true Gospel. That is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Do you truly know this Gospel? Is it enough for you? If it’s not then it may be time for a heart check.
What an amazing morning of worship as we celebrated our 220th birthday!
Pastor David reminded us to “Pass the Baton” on to the next generation using Matthew 6:31-33 as a text. To stay on course as an individual and as a church we must seek God’s will, preach, share and obey His word.
Our world is a mess.
Our nation has opened the door to a lot of corruption BUT God is still in control. He encouraged us not to worry because when we worry it takes our focus off God, our True Master. As Christians we should seek the kingdom of God because we are part of His kingdom. We should live righteously (having God’s approval on what we say and do) with our time, energy and money.
Bottom line – We are not in control but should trust the One who is – GOD. We know the end of the story. God has already won! Praise be to our Lord and Savior!
It all came together beautifully this Sunday, as we had fellowship as a family of believers at Clear Spring Baptist Church.
Our church bulletin on Palm Sunday was titled “Easter Brings Hope.” The choir sang “Hope has a Name.” As they sang about the glorious name of Jesus, with all of His names such as Messiah, Holy Almighty, the Light of the World, Hosanna in the Highest, Blessed Redeemer, and Our Savior and Lord. This gives us Hope.
Pastor David continued to connect our theme of Hope with his sermon titled “Welcome King Jesus.” Our hope is that Jesus is able to save and he does. Our hope is that Jesus came to give us peace. Our hope is that we can have a relationship with Jesus and to trust him. Our hope is also knowing Jesus offers eternal life. Our hope is in Jesus, the Savior of the world.
As I reflect on the message Pastor David presented, the phrase I think of is “Our Witness”.
We all present a witness every day to our family, friends, co-workers and strangers. We as Christians might consider the challenge question, “Is my witness a reflection of Christ our Lord?”
Pastor David shared God’s word from 1 Peter 3:15-16 which provides guidance to apply this truth to our everyday life.
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear, having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.“
Pastor David taught us that from this scripture we (the church, Christians) are being instructed and comforted in our hope for the future and during suffering. As we have accepted Christ as our savior He becomes our Lord. God has control over everything, however our daily walk with or without him is a CHOICE. God’s word in Romans 12:1 reads “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.” With this scripture we might ask ourselves, “How do we worship Him?”
Each day one or more of us will experience challenges as we proceed through life. Even though we may not be called to be a formal evangelist, we are called to share the truth of God’s word. See, others are watching us whether we know it or not. Should we face these challenges with signs of faith, hope and confidence we may be presented with an opportunity to explain from just where that faith, hope and confidence comes. This is when we follow God’s purpose for our walk to share our faith and belief in God. God will do the rest! It’s really that simple. Just remember as verse 1 Peter 3:16 states, we are instructed to share this truth in love. Another supporting scripture Pastor David shared is from John 3:17 which states “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
In summary, we must remember to live our witness in faith, hope, and love with the confidence provided by our salvation and be prepared to explain it in love and let God speak to the heart of the receiver.
Our Children’s Sunday School class was busy yesterday learning the books of the Bible and searching for answers to questions from the Bible. As a church family we want our youth to turn to the Word of God when they are looking for answers. These two worked hard diving into the Bible. We’d love to have your children join us for fun learning during the Sunday School hour!
With Spring right around the corner our thoughts turn to Easter – a time when we remember the crucifixion and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior. The choir had a time of fellowship as we listened to Easter music is preparation to lead in worship.
They will begin sharing Easter specials in a few weeks as we prepare our hearts for Easter.
