The Killing Of A King

Thursday, May 18, 2017

We were greeted by Wayne Johnson as we gathered to worship on Mother's Day at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Special prayer was requested for Doug Cory. Janet Chaney led the congregational reading from Proverbs 31:10-30 about 'the virtuous wife' and gave a humorous reading "A Woman's Prayer" as the devotional in honor of our mothers. We also recognized all the mothers in the congregation and presented them with a gift. We thank God for our Christian mothers.

Rick Lett asked God's blessing upon the offertory and he and Tyrel Lett served as ushers as Becky Johnson played "Precious Memories." We were blessed with special music from Susan Cory who read Isaiah 53:4 and sang "At The Cross." Karen Gardner also sang about the sheltered arms of God.

Brother Mark Hall gave the children's sermon from Isaiah 66:13 "As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem." He talked to the children about a mother's comfort when her child hurts. "A mother feels her child's pain and happiness just like Jesus feels ours."

"The Killing of a King" was the title of Brother Mark's sermon with scripture from John 12:24-25 as Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in the world will keep it for eternal life."

Brother Mark told us that the killing of a king -- our self-centered self -- has to take place for us to grow, follow and live for Christ. "We are self-centered by nature. We have to get over the me-attitude. We cannot have the abundant life Jesus wants us to have unless we get over ourselves and love one another. To die in our self-centered self we must get over the me-ology and get into the right theology. Me-ology says 'I know what the bible says, but.... We must do God's will, not our will. We get consumed with our own honor instead of honoring God. We become self-seeking, assertive, indulgent, and never apologize. We claim to be self-made, self-confident and we can do all things with me-ology. When we are on the throne, Christ is on the cross. When we are on the cross, Christ is on the throne. You don't wear the cross, it wears you."

Brother Mark read Matthew 16:24-25 when Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it."

Brother Mark read Romans 17:18 and said, "We must crucify ourselves to get rid of the me-ology so we don't follow king-self. Perhaps we don't do that because we are afraid God won't want us to have more and bigger than our neighbor. If we surrender to God and crucify king-self, God will give us the abundant life He wants us to have. We need to quit trying and start trusting in God. If we will give up for God, he will give us more. We need to die in ourself everyday, dump the me-ology and get into the theology."

Brother Mark continued by telling us about the good theology and read Philippians 2:2-5 "Fulfill my joy by being like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." Brother Mark told us the Bible tells us we are to love one other, receive one another, greet one another, care for one another, endure one another and be kind to one another, it shouldn't just be about 'me.'

How do we get rid of the me-ology? Brother Mark referred to Philippians 2:1-8 and told us we are all to look out for number one.

"But who is number one? King-self or King Jesus? The difference between the two makes all the difference in the world in relationships.

We need to crucify king-self to get rid of the me-ology and put King Jesus number one. Take up the cross, follow Jesus and get over yourself."

Our hymn of invitation was "I Surrender All" and David Collingsworth gave the benediction.

Jimmy and Jeanette Easter and Janet Chaney shared praises and it was announced that we won first place with our church float "Oh Brother, where art thou?" in the SWC Old Timer's Day Parade. The Gideons will be with us next Sunday to share their work.

We invite you to worship with us each Sunday morning at 11. Sunday school begins at 10:00. Everyone is welcome at Mill Creek Baptist Church.

Religion on 05/18/2017