Beautiful fall flowers adorned the sanctuary as a reminder that fall is just around the corner as we gathered to worship Sunday morning at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Doug greeted the congregation and special prayers were requested for the Cole Mitchell family, the Howerton family, Diane Penn Cope, Lexie, Katie, Shawnda, Del Hawkins and Rhonda Hazelton's sister.
Linda shared the devotional, "What Good is Worry," with scripture from Psalm 56:3. It is hard to eliminate worry from our lives. Worry is problematic because it takes everyone from reality to imagination. God deals in reality. Worry puts everyone out of touch with reality. Worry happens when God's presence is subtracted. Don't let worry become a way of life. Let it be a call to action to prayer to God.
Tyrel Lett asked God's blessing upon the offertory and he and Wayne Holly served as ushers. Congregational hymns included "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow," led by Susan and Karen. The congregation was blessed with special music from Jerry, who sang, "I Know A Man Who Can."
Pastor Brother Mark Hall, brought God's message, "The Next Level," from 1 Peter 1:13-16. Brother Mark began by talking about learning to swim in the creek by starting in shallow water. "Then we just keep getting in deeper water to the next level. By then, we don't want to go back to shallow water and just splash when we can swim at the next level in deeper water." Brother Mark compared the swimming to the next level as Christians. His sermon also talked about auditing a class without making a commitment. "The book of James speaks of people of audit Christianity. They are hearers of the word, not doers of the word and don't take it to the next level." Brother Mark talked about how to get to the next level and what keeps us from getting to the next level.
In 1 Peter 1:13, Peter tells us how to get to the next level as Christians. "Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest upon the hope fully on the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." Brother Mark said, "To get to the next level, first, get your mind set on what is need to do. Second, be sober and in control of oneself. Don't be drunk on things like possessions, pride or our own opinions or deceive yourself. Third, you must rest your hope fully on grace. Why is it hard to trust grace? Because the want is to keep one finger on the control. How many times has grace stayed, when making all the wrong decisions? Trusting in God's grace will see thee through the times at the wheel. The need is to follow grace like a two-week-old calf follows its Momma."
Brother Mark talked about what keeps everyone from getting to the next level as Christians. "Because people are different and difficult, politics are corrupt, things are expensive, there is no time. There are so many reasons. People aren't going to change and they should. Priorities need to change. There are two people, the old one and the new one. The old one wants to change the new one; and the new one wants to change to the old one. The old one can't be turned loose when no one is around and things go wrong because the old one might still be loose in public.
In Romans, chapter 7, the Apostle Paul wants to do what is right. What is so hard to do right? It is not because there is sin around but because there is sin in people. Thank God for Jesus. He is the boss if we are to live the abundant life. The secret to getting along with a boss is to do things his way. People who audit Christianity think Jesus follows them when they need Him. Christians follow Jesus, He doesn't follow everyone. Jesus is Lord. That is non-negotiable. Jesus is Lord of all or not at all. Your righteousness is just as good as Jesus' but only because Jesus is righteousness. Holiness is simple. It is doing God's will and being just what God wants His children to be. That is the next level."
Everyone is welcome to come worship at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. and morning service at 11 a.m. 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.
Religion on 09/12/2019