It was a beautiful Sunday morning as we gathered to worship at Mill Creek Baptist Church. The blooming jonquils and the hint of green in the grass reminds us spring is just around the corner as God begins a new season for us to enjoy. Happy anniversary to Jimmy and Jeanette Easter who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, and to Tom and Mildred Sharp on their 73rd wedding anniversary. Special prayers were requested for Barbara Cory, Jeff, Johnny's family, Julie, and unspoken requests. Frankie Garvin expressed thanks.
Janet Chaney led the congregation in the responsive reading, "Christian Giving," and shared information about the Annie Armstrong Easter offering from "Sending Hope," the 2019 prayer guide. The offering supports 5,000 missionaries. There are 14 religions and 350 languages in the world. Janet read 1 Peter 1:3 and a prayer for the elderly.
Mitchell Lett asked God's blessing upon the offering, and he and Tyrel Lett served as ushers. With Susan Cory at the piano, Karen Stroud led the congregational hymns, including, "The Family of God" and "At Calvary." Karen sang, "Fill My Cup, Lord."
While next Sunday's message will be "What God Loves," this Sunday's message was "What God Hates." Brother Mark Hall read Isaiah 59:1-3. Proverbs 6:16-19 tells us the six things that God hates, "a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies and one who sows discord among brethren."
As Brother Mark spoke about each one, he began by telling us that God hates a proud look. "You can't see Jesus in a proud look. There is no warmth or compassion. Only the world loves a proud look." Proverbs 16:5 says, "Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; though they join forces, none will go unpunished." Brother Mark said, "Pride is not self-esteem or confidence. A child of God should be confident. Pride is not being happy about an honor or satisfied with a job well done. Pride is an attitude of independence from God. It is when you are too strong and independent to need God."
The second thing God hates is a lying tongue. Brother Mark told us that a lying tongue brings cheating, deceiving and destruction like Satan. "Lying is totally contrary to the nature of God. God doesn't just tell the truth, He is the truth." Proverbs 12:22 says, "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight."
Third, God hates hands that shed innocent blood. Brother Mark read Ezekiel 33:1-9, which tells of Ezekiel as a watchman, and asked, "Have you told your friends and neighbors about God? They will be accountable for their salvation one day. But did you tell them about God?"
Brother Mark talked about the fourth thing that God hates, and that is a heart that devises wicked plans, and said, "Man looks at outward appearances, God looks at the heart." In Matthew 15:19 Jesus says, "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies."
Fifth, God hates feet that are swift in running to evil. Brother Mark said, "We see evil and wicked doings all around us, but what about gossip and character assassination?"
Brother Mark talked about the sixth thing God hates, which is a false witness who speaks lies. Proverbs 19:5 says, "A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who speaks lies will not escape." Brother Mark told us that it seems now everyone wants to destroy someone else. "Why tear someone down with little fact and then fabricate the rest to really do them in?"
The seventh thing that God hates is one who sows discord among the brethren. Brother Mark told us this is the biggest danger to the New Testament church because it is an inside job. "This is an example of the devil wanting in. We need to take care of one another and stay strong so the devil doesn't have an inside man to do his dirty work and divide. The one who sows discord will cause others to leave, but the one who sows the discord usually stays."
In closing, Brother Mark read John 13:34 where Jesus says, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another." Brother Mark told us that the greatest commandment is to love Jesus and, if we love Him, we will love one another. "Not all the world knows love for Jesus because they don't know Him. But they see us love one another and that's how they find a love for Jesus. The proud look disappears when you love Jesus. The humble and loving look will melt the proud look."
Before the hymn of invitation, Brother Mark told us that being saved is trusting Jesus with our eternity for the forgiveness of our sins. "Our sins separate us from God, but Jesus died for our sins."
"He Was There All the Time" was the invitation hymn, and Wayne Holly gave the benediction.
Before dismissing, Brother Mark reminded us of the fellowship dinner on the evening of Saturday, April 6. We invite you to celebrate the season of Easter in remembering what Jesus did for us on the cross and His resurrection.
Mill Creek Baptist Church is located 3½ miles east of Noel or 8½ miles west of I49 just off Highway 90 on Upper Mill Creek Road. Everyone is welcome. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. and worship service at 11 a.m.
Religion on 03/21/2019