Is the Lord at Your Finish Line? well done my good and faithful servant

Palm leaves adorned the altar as we gathered to worship on Palm Sunday at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Special prayers were requested for Goldie Hatfield, Debbie Taylor, the Marland Brown family, Steve Killion, Debbie Ellis and Richard. Linda Abercrombie read thank you notes from the Area Agency on Aging/Meals on Wheels, the Missouri Baptist Children's Home and Watered Gardens. We recognized Shelley for Pastor's Wife Appreciation Month. We appreciate all that she does for our church.

Tryel Lett asked God's blessing upon the offertory. He and Rick Lett served as ushers. Congregational hymns were led by Karen Gardner and Becky Johnson. We were blessed with special music from Susan Cory, who sang "Heaven Came Down," and read Psalm 97:6. An inspirational song, "Had It Not Been," was sung by Jerry and Linda Abercrombie.

II Timothy 4:7 -- "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" was the scripture for Pastor Mark Hall's message "Finishing Well, The Good Fight, The Finish and The Faith." He began by asking, "We get a lot of jobs started during the day. Do we get done what we want to get done? We measure our physical growth. Do we measure our Christian and spiritual growth? It is a fight to maintain spiritual growth. Leaving a legacy is not important. What is important is when you stand before the Lord and He says, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.' It's not how you start, it is how you finish that matters. Catching a fish doesn't get it in the skillet. The race is won at the finish line."

Brother Mark referred to II Timothy 4:8 when he talked about the end of the race and the crown of righteousness. "Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." In the scripture, Paul talks about the race, the finish line and what it means to get there. There were four people in the race with Paul.

Verse 10 talks about Demas. Brother Mark said, "Demas is everywhere. Demas gets hot for God, then cools off. God is not a habit for him but a hobby. He loves the world more than God. Demas has a social relationship with God, not a spiritual one. Defeat doesn't finish a man. It is quitting that does."

Verse 11 talks about Luke. Brother Mark told us that Luke was a good friend of Paul and loved the Lord. "Luke was never in the spotlight, he held it. He just does what needs to be done without being seen. He didn't toot his own horn. Lukes are essential to the work of the Lord."

Verse 11 also talks about Mark, who was in the race. "Mark was a quitter and repented. Paul didn't want a quitter, but if they love the Lord, they will repent and get back in the race," said Brother Mark.

Verses 14-15 talks about Alexander, who didn't want anything to do with God. Paul warned them about Alexander. Brother Mark said, "God will take care of the Alexanders in the world" and read verses 14-18.

Brother Mark told us that if you finish the race, there will be some lonely times when you think you are running by yourself. But verse 17 tells us that we are never alone for the Lord will be with us. "We get too dependent on other people. God gives us our mission. He will stand by you to run and finish the race and stay out of the mouth of the lion. A lot of people drop out of the race when they think they are running alone. Are you willing to fight the good fight to finish the race? Paul kept the faith and finished. How is your race going? If you marked the wall with your spiritual growth last year, have you grown any? Is the Lord at your finish line? Do you need to get in the race or back in the race? We don't know where or when our finish line is. Be ready. Fight a good fight and keep the faith."

Our hymn of invitation was "I Surrender All," and Rick Lett gave the benediction. After the morning service, Brother Mark and Shelley hosted the Widow/Widowers Luncheon and Business Meeting that was held at 7 p.m. Next Sunday, there will be an Easter Egg Hunt for the children immediately following the morning worship service. Ladies remember to wear your Easter bonnet! We invite you to share in the glory of a risen Savior and join us Easter Sunday to worship and remember what Jesus did for us on the cross.

Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. and the worship service at 11 a.m. Everyone is welcome. Mill Creek Baptist Church is located three and one-half miles east of Noel, just off Highway 90.

Religion on 03/29/2018