It was a beautiful January Sunday as we gathered to worship Sunday at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Special prayers were requested for Janice Mason, Janet Chaney, Don Tiffany, Bill Emmanuel, Mona Lee Collingsworth, Anna Harmon, Linda's niece, Vernie Cook, Randy Cornell, Carrie, George Buttram and Aspen. We heard praise and thanks from Janice Mason and Renae Sherman. We will have a graduation luncheon for Mitchell Lett and Hailie Allison after our worship service next Sunday morning.
Becky Johnson and Karen Gardner led our hymns of praise and we enjoyed special music from Bob Obenshain, Wayne Johnson and Karen. Tyrel Lett asked God's blessing and he and Gene Gardner collected the offering.
The text for Bro. Mark Hall's sermon was taken from Exodus 20:8-11 and was titled, "The Father's Day." He began by saying that we live and look for one special day to the next like the opening of trout season, deer or elk season or Christmas. "We plan things to look forward to which help us get through the work week. Everyone has different days they look forward to. Is Sunday God's day for you? Studies show that the number one thing that tells others you are a Christian and how devoted you are is how you spend Sunday."
Bro. Mark talked about the Sabbath and what it means and referred to Exodus 31:12-18. "First, the Sabbath is a sign. What you do on Sunday is designed to be a sign to others. What you do on the Sabbath tells friends, family and neighbors what kind of a Christian you are. Second, the Sabbath is a sanctuary. We do not have a clue what will happen tomorrow especially in these times. We have never lived in a time where tomorrow is as uncertain as it is now." As Bro. Mark referred to Isaiah 68:13-14, he said, "I have never come up a day short giving God His day. He gives me everyday."
"Thirdly, the Sabbath is my security." Leviticus 58:2 says, "You shall keep my Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary." Bro. Mark said there is no such thing as economic security. "It doesn't matter how much you have. It comes down to content and discontent." And fourth, the Sabbath is a safeguard against sin. "If you have a Sabbath problem, you will have a sin problem. There are two main sin problems in the world today -- idolatry and social injustice. Ezekiel chapter two talks about idols and describes our country today. This is what happens when we forget about the Sabbath."
In closing, Bro. Mark said, "God didn't give you the Sabbath to make you feel guilty. He gave it to you to rest and get close to Him and spend time with the God of the universe. The Sabbath is the Father's Day. You will never know contentment and happiness until you know God."
Our hymn of invitation was "Without Him" and Steve Mason gave the benediction. We invite you to worship with us next week as Ron and Amy will be our guests and bring us special music. Mill Creek is located 3.5 miles east of Noel just off Highway 90 on Upper Mill Creek Road. We are the little white church on the creek bank where everyone is always welcome.
Religion on 01/22/2015