Mildred Sharp was celebrating a birthday. "Happy birthday" to Fred Hall this week. Special prayers go out to Jeanette Easter, the Zeorlin family, Marilee Todd's family, the Shellenberger family and Del Hawkins. Becky shared a thank you from Jim Stauber, and Eileen Hawkins thanked everyone for their concern and prayers.
Janet Chaney shared the devotional, "Who Is Jesus?" as she talked about the wonders of Jesus, the greatest man in history. Among many things, He is a teacher with no degree and a doctor with no medical license. In history, He is the beginning and the end. We need to let others know of His wondrous works.
Wayne led the congregation in a moment of silence as Sunday marked the 15th anniversary of 9-11.
After asking God's blessing, Tyrel Lett and Rick Lett served as offertory attendants. Becky Johnson and Karen Gardner led the congregational hymns, including "Heaven Came Down and Glory filled My Soul."
Sunday's sermon concluded the series on Romans 12 and Christian Citizenship. Brother Mark Hall's sermon was entitled "Do's and Don'ts." He began by talking about what a transformed person looks like, acts like and what they do and don't do.
"It all deals with the witness of the church -- God's church. We are all individuals, but we all belong to God's church. What we do and what we don't do all deals with the witness of the church. People evaluate the witness of our church as one body. What we do reflects on our church as one body. If we follow the pattern of the world, then we are no different from the world. What is the pattern of the world? The pattern of the world is an indifference toward each other and indifference toward God. When something like 9-11 happens, we get very spiritual for a while because we begin thinking about our own mortality. That doesn't change your life. Loving Jesus changes your life, which brings about transformation in your life."
Brother Mark continued by telling us, "Our culture today negotiates what is good and evil. As a Christian citizen, good and evil are non-negotiable. It is what Jesus says it is. As a child of God, we live by a different standard. Romans 12:10-19 gives us a list of do's and don'ts to measure our witness to Christ. In a nutshell, it is eagerness, respect, hard work, reverence, joy, patience, disciplined prayer, generosity, gracious hospitality, openness, empathy, fairness, quality, humility, peacemaking and forgiveness.
Romans 12:16 says, "Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion."
Brother Mark told us, "No one knows your weaknesses better than the devil, and he uses it against us. Like fishing for frogs, the devil dangles pretty things before us and then he hooks us. Our lives are not only influenced by what we believe, but also by who we associate with."
1 Corinthians 15:33-34 says, "Do not be deceived; Evil company corrupts good habits. Awake to righteousness and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame." 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 tells us "Test all things; hold fast to what is good. Abstain from every form of evil." Romans 12:16 says, "Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion."
Brother Mark told us, "There are those who have a problem with others who do not have the same opinion as them. To protect the witness of our church, avoid all forms of evil. We are God's church, not just Mill Creek Baptist Church."
After reading Romans 12:18 - "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." Brother Mark told us, "Some people will always be opposed to you, and there is nothing you can do about it.
"When all efforts toward peacefulness fails, the Christian citizen is to make certain that they aren't at fault when peace breaks down. Have you done all you can do? Did you swallow your pride, control your temper and hold your tongue?"
Romans 12:21 tells us, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
In conclusion, Brother Mark said, "We live in a violent and rotten world. Turn your eyes to Jesus."
Fall fellowship will be at 6 next Sunday evening at David and Kitty Collingsworth's.
Worship with us at Mill Creek Baptist Church on Sunday mornings at 11. Sunday school begins at 10. Everyone is always welcome.
Religion on 09/15/2016