We were blessed to have several visitors with us Sunday as we gathered to worship at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Special prayers were requested for those traveling, Don Chaney, Skip, Wayne and for President Trump on this National President's Prayer Day.
Doug Cory opened our service with prayer and Linda Abercrombie shared the devotional, "Give It a Rest." Psalm 28:7 says, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him." We sometimes try to micromanage and have old habits of trying to control people and situations. Control doesn't end our anxiety; it just sets us up for failure since we really aren't in control anyway. To navigate life in this world, it takes the skill only God possesses. Ask God to show you how to step back and let Him take control.
Rick Lett and Tyrel Lett served as ushers and collected the offertory as Susan Cory and Karen Gardner led the congregation in singing hymns of praise. We were blessed with special and inspirational music from Jimmy Easter, who played "Victory in Jesus" on the banjo, and Jerry Abercrombie, who sang "I Can't Even Walk Without You Holding My Hand."
Scripture for Sunday's message was taken from Luke 18:9-14 as Jesus tells us about the Pharisee and the tax collector. Brother Mark Hall continued the "Quality of Walk" sermon series with Sunday's sermon, "Quality of Attitude." He referred to a basketball coach's goals for his players: first, to develop young players, improve their skills, to grow as players and to succeed as players; and second, as individuals to grow and succeed to be a part of the team and succeed. Brother Mark told us in comparison, as Christians, we should try to grow and improve individually for a more quality walk with God and corporately to be a more kingdom-focused church. "We can improve our walk with God as Christians or we can sit on the bench and watch others do the work for God or we can quit. We need to strive for that quality of the walk. Quitting is not an option and we can't sit on the bench if we want to grow in grace and knowledge."
Brother Mark talked about the common failures of Christians and told us that the Pharisee's attitude does more to damage the church than a lot of things. It is the attitude of superiority. "The Pharisee was so sure of his own rightness, he wouldn't even recognize that the verses in Luke were about himself. What he said about the tax collector he didn't say aloud, but God heard it. That's what makes it so dangerous. He didn't blurt it out, but God knows the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. Remember, right or wrong, people may forget your name, your face and everything you say, but they will never forget how you made them feel. The tax collector had nothing to brag about. He just asked the Lord to forgive him, for he messed up. This parable is an illustration for us from Jesus. The tax collector was looked down upon in society. He was not a prominent citizen, but Jesus died for all of us. The difference is that the tax collector repented for his sins. and what a difference that makes in heaven! The Pharisee could pray the same prayer as the tax collector did and still be forgiven, but he has to get honest with himself and God to do it. The same forgiveness is there for the Pharisee as the tax collector."
In Luke 18:14, Jesus says, "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted." 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Proverbs 20:9 says, "Who can say, 'I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?'" Brother Mark told us that only Jesus can do that. "He is the only one that can make your heart clean. But don't get the idea that you've made it and there will be no more sin. That is the easiest place to go and it is deceptive. Don't give Satan an inch. Just repent and get back on track with prayer."
In closing, Brother Mark read Matthew 7:13, where Jesus tells us, "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it." Brother Mark told us that "There is one good thing about the wide road -- you have plenty of room to turn around. That is easy. The hard part is admitting you need to. The wide road will lead to destruction. We never get so good that we never have to stop and turn around. Don't let pride keep you from it. You need to have that attitude to get turned around. Have you missed the turn? Stop and ask God for the direction He wants you to go. The Holy Spirit is like a GPS."
"Without Him" was our hymn of invitation, and David Collingsworth gave the benediction.
The business meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, June 23, and Vacation Bible School will be held Saturday, July 13.
Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. and worship service at 11 a.m. at Mill Creek Baptist Church, located 3 1/2 miles east of Noel or 8 1/2 miles west of I49, just off Highway 90, on Upper Mill Creek Road. Everyone is welcome to join us anytime.
Religion on 06/06/2019