Do You Have Blessed Assurance?
July 27, 2010
There is an old hymn that many of us have sung that says, “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine, Oh what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of His spirit, washed in His blood”. Have you every thought about what a tremendous message of faith that is? The chorus then goes on to proclaim, “This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long!” How many times have you really thought about the message you are proclaiming when you have sung those words? If the song is new to you perhaps you can
see the power more easily than some who have sung it all of their lives.
The point I want to focus on is that there are far too many of us who wear the name “Christian” who don’t really understand or perhaps appreciate the meaning of that name to our lives. I ran across this quote by R. Garrison, which I thought was very appropriate. He said, “Christianity is Blessed Assurance, not dying with our fingers crossed”.
The apostle John wrote in I John 5:11-13 that far too many Christians don’t really believe. John said, “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”
Do you really believe and “know” you have eternal life? Really know? If you don’t then you fall into the category of “finger crossing Christians”. (Finger crossing is a symbol for “wishing or hoping something’s true or sometimes asking for ‘good luck’”). John however wrote that we can “know that you have eternal life,” so do you really believe that?
Paul wrote in Romans 8:15, “So you should not be like cowering, fearful slaves. You should behave instead like God’s very own children, adopted into His family calling Him ‘Father, dear Father.’”
So what are you afraid of today? How about uncrossing those fingers and really believing the Word of God! If you have been “united with Him” you will be “resurrected with Him.” All He asks is from that point on that you continue to obey Him as proof that you really love Him.
My prayer is that you truly have “Blessed Assurance”! - MFTH
God bless you all and have a great week! Michael
Sermon Notes for Seeing God Clearly
April 18, 2010
Open PDF of sermon slides here: Seeing God Clearly
Download PowerPoint slides here: Seeing God Clearly
People think of God as a Michelangelo’s painting in the Sistine chapel depicting a gray bearded man floating through the clouds with a host of angels attending. Others see him sitting on a throne surrounded by clouds. Probably the most popular answer is a vision of God on a Judges bench with a scowl and his finger point accusingly right at them.
This does not come close to representing the Biblical view of God.
Tuesday/Thursday School Registration
July 29, 2010
If you have a child who would like to attend T/T School or know of someone who has expressed an interest in signing their child up, registration will be Tuesday, August 10th, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon and 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. here at the building. You may contact Page Boyd or call the office for more information.
60th Wedding Anniversary
July 29, 2010
The family of Carol & Martina Best would like to invite everyone to a cake & punch reception on Sunday, August 8th, in the family center after evening service to help celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. Please bring your memories to share. Your presence is all that we ask, no gifts please.
Order of Worship
July 29, 2010
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Sermon: Michael Bryan
Song Leader: Burl McCoy
Opening Prayers: AM-Larry Gill PM-Billy Lucas
Closing Prayers: AM-Jim Goldsmith PM-Dustin Simmons
Lord’s Table: Jim Jacobs, Ronnie Hobbs, Dustin Simmons, Tim Walker, Michael Walker, & Odell Walker PM- Jim Jacobs
Pick-up Cards: Tyler Jones & Preston Jackson
Worship Helpers: Jonathan Juarez & Russ Russell
Nursing Home: Logan Cravens
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Devo: Lou David Allen
Song Leader: Shelton Boyd
Prayers: Opening-Jerry Russell Closing-Billy Bob Toombs
Wedding Shower
July 15, 2010
You are invited to a Wedding Shower in honor of Samantha Greer McCutchen Sunday, July 25th, from 2:00-3:30 p.m. in the Family Center. Selections have been made at Bed Bath & Beyond and Target. If you would like to donate money you may give your money to Rachael Valfre or Cynthia Taylor
