Are You A 'Lord, Lord' Christian?

As we drove to church, we noticed the dogwood as their blooms begin to peek through. It reminds us of the story of the dogwood and the sacrifice Jesus made for us. Our altar was adorned with Easter lilies and a tulip bouquet thanks to Darlene Mitchell who was also celebrating her birthday. Gene Gardner opened our morning worship service with prayer.

It was good to have Linda Jarvis back with us. David Collingsworth thanked everyone for their kindness and prayers during his recovery and praise from Eileen Hawkins. Preparations are being made for our "Pioneers for Christ" church entry in the Southwest City Old Timer's Day festivities. Thanks to Jimmy, Jeanette, Wayne and Bill for their work on it and the ladies were reminded to wear their Easter bonnets next Sunday. Special prayers were requested for Nancy Grigsby, Frosty Easter, Mike Jefferson, Nancy Zeorlin, John Davis, Bill Emmanuel, Wayne Johnson, Phyllis Hatfield, Mildred Sharp and Don P.

Jeanette Easter read "Why Did Jesus Fold His Napkin," an appropriate Easter story from the gospel of John 27. Bro. Mark reminded us to sign up for Wednesday evening home visits and announced that Mandy Evans would have special music for us the Sunday after Easter and Keith Stephens will sing for us the following Sunday.

We were blessed by special music from Wayne Holly and Karen Gardner, who sang "In The Garden" and Bob Obenshain who sang "Were You There" with piano accompaniment from Becky Johnson.

Tyrel Lett asked God's blessing and then he and Mitchell Lett served as offertory attendants.

Bro. Mark Hall began God's message for us by asking "Are you a Lord, Lord Christian?" as he continued his sermon series, "What Does A Christian Look Like." Bro. Mark's sermon with scripture from Acts 9:1-6 looked at how Saul went from Lord, Lord to Paul a servant of God with scripture from Titus 1:1-4. As he talked about how Saul got knocked off his horse and his pride hurt, Bro. Mark reminded us that we need to remember who is serving whom. "If you know Jesus, you know you work for Him, not Him for you. Most of our prayers begin Lord, Lord, because we need something. It shouldn't be Lord, Lord, what can you do for me when you pray. It should be Lord, forgive me. What can I do for you. If you take care of God's business, He takes care of you. When we have a crisis in the U.S., everyone hollers, Lord, Lord. It should be Lord, what would you have us to do. People can know who Christ is and not know Him. Eighty percent of America is supposed to be Christian. Really? If it were, things would be different. Look at the Ten Commandments. God spent six days creating the heavens and the earth. We have spent the last 4,000 years trying to get Him to work for us."

After reading Acts 26:12-19, Bro. Mark said that obedience made Paul an apostle for God. "He used to work against God until he got knocked off his high horse and repented. Have you been obedient to God. If you will ask, God will let you know what you can do for Him. He wants to make His will known to you, but you have to stop praying, 'Lord, Lord, only when you need something.' Have you been listening to Him. Have you tried listening to Him? If the 80 percent of Christians in the U.S. would listen to God, what would the world be like? If you say you are a Christian, act like one and listen to God's will. A Christian looks like Paul. Your prayers should not be 'Lord, Lord' they should be 'Lord what would you have me do for you.'"

Our hymn of invitation was "I Need Thee Ev'ry Hour" and Wayne Holly gave the benediction.

We encourage you to be in prayer and come worship with us next Sunday on Easter. It is a time to thank God for the sacrifice He made for us. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. and worship service at 11 a.m. Everyone is always welcome and you will receive a blessing from Bro. Mark's sermon. Mill Creek Baptist Church is located 3.5 miles east of Noel just off Highway 90.