Linda Abercrombie and Hailie Allison were celebrating birthdays as we gathered to worship Sunday morning at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Special prayers were requested for Renae Sherman, Don Tiffany, Janice Mason, John Garvey, Slats Lester, Bill Towery, Aspen and Russell. In announcements, we will have a business meeting at 6 p.m. and will honor Mitchell Lett and Hailie Allison with a graduation luncheon on Jan. 25 in the fellowship hall after our morning worship service.
Becky Johnson and Karen Gardner led our song service with hymns of praise and we enjoyed special music from Jerry Abercrombie, who sang "The Family Bible," and Karen Gardner. Tyrel Lett asked God's blessing upon our offering and he and Mitchell Lett served as ushers.
The text for Bro. Mark Hall's message was taken from Acts 19:11-20 and was entitled, "The Most Dangerous Game." He told us that the most dangerous game is playing games with God and trying to use the name of God for profit, prestige and power. There is an old saying that "absolute power corrupts absolutely." Bro. Mark asked, "Can you imagine having that kind of power? Jesus does. Jesus is the divine healer. Everyone wants the power of Jesus, but don't understand the purpose." In Acts 8:14 Peter prays he never wants the power of Jesus for money. "Being a believer doesn't always mean your heart is right with God. You start out right, but see other things that can be gained by using the name of God." Bro. Mark referred to Acts 19:14-16.
Bro. Mark told us that when you play games with God and do not have the power of God and the purpose of God in your heart, two things will happen. "You will either become humiliated or dead. The Bible says God will not be mocked. Paul never did anything in his name, only in the name of Jesus."
As Bro. Mark talked about the purpose of God, he read text from Acts 19:17-20 and said, "First, the name of the Lord Jesus must be magnified. It's all about Jesus. We need to stop magnifying our churches and magnify Jesus. The second purpose of God is to confess and believe. It is then that you will have the purpose and power of God in your heart. The third purpose of God is to change lives. What's getting between you and God? Where is your money going? When you add the first, second and third purpose of God, people notice and then the word of the Lord grows mildly and prevails which is the fourth purpose of God. When one, two and three don't happen, number four doesn't happen and the purpose of God is not being carried out and the power of God is not evident in our life."
In closing, Bro. Mark asked, "Have you told God you were going to do something and then didn't? God takes vows seriously. Don't pledge something to God and then not do it. Don't play games with God. Have you tried to use the name of God to your advantage? That is the most dangerous game. Lives will change when people believe and confess."
"I Surrender All" was our hymn of invitation and Bob Obenshain gave the benediction. We invite you to worship with us on Sunday mornings at 11 a.m. as Bro. Mark brings us God's word and direction for our lives and daily living. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. Mill Creek is located 3.5 miles east of Noel, just off Highway 90 or nine miles west of old Highway 71 just off Highway 90 on Upper Mill Creek Road. Just follow the signs. Everyone is always welcome.
Religion on 01/15/2015