Published: October 25, 2008 02:50 pm      

Don’t make Christianity harder than it is

“Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the gentiles are turned to God.”

(Acts 15:19)

Sometimes we try to make Christianity harder that it really is. That is not unusual. This is exactly what the Jewish Christians were trying to do with the Gentiles. It was not simply grace for salvation, it was grace plus circumcision.

We may do similar things. We may make either explicit or implicit expectations that grow out of customs, personal preferences or prejudice. Others may say folks must stop listening to secular music. Others may say you must wear or quit wearing certain types of clothing.

We must understand as the early Christians finally understood. We can do no more for our salvation than to trust wholeheartedly in Christ. External things are not nearly as important as the internal change that occurs in our hearts when Jesus comes in. We humans do not need to make tough rules. When Jesus comes into a heart he changes the person into his image. Amen.

We greet you today is the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who is the author and finisher of our faith.



Thought for the week

“Men have always found it easy to be governed. What is hard is for them to govern themselves.”



Choir anniversary

At 6:30 this evening, the Pleasant Green Predestinarian Baptist Church Senior Choir will celebrate its anniversary at the church in Waco. Choirs, gospel groups and soloists from all across the area will appear on the program. The community is invited. Elder John Settles is the host pastor. Sis. Nora Campbell is the choir president.



Family & Community Fun Day

From noon to 3 p.m. today, the Farristown Baptist Church is hosting its annual Family & Community Fun Day. Come and join us for a fun-filled afternoon that includes activities for children, vendor booths, hay rides and much more.



Men & Women’s Day

Peytontown Baptist Church will observe its annual Men & Women’s Day on Sunday. The special guests at 3:30 p.m. will be Pastor Ralph Morton, choir and congregation of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church of Georgetown. Dinner will be served and everyone is invited. The host pastor is Clifford Campbell.



Country ham breakfast

From 1 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, the Men’s Fellowship of First Baptist Church, corner of Francis and Collins streets, will sponsor a country ham breakfast. The breakfast donation is $6. For more information, call 624-2045. The host pastor is Dr. Robert R. Blythe.



‘Male Gospel Explosion’

At 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, the Pleasant Green Predestinarian Baptist Church in Waco will present a “Male Gospel Explosion.” The program will feature male gospel groups and male soloists from across the area. Men, women, boys and girls are all invited. Sis. Vel Covington and Sis. Beverly McKay are the sponsors. Elder John Settles is the host pastor.



Ashler Lodge #49

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, Tennessee takes on Kentucky as Ashler Masonic Lodge #49 presents a big “Chili Cook-Off.” This cook-off will feature Tennessee’s finest hot and spicy chili, with all the fixings, and Kentucky’s laid-back mild and delicious chili complete with all the fixings. This event will be conducted at the Masonic Lodge Hall at 432 Francis St., across from St. Paul A.M.E. Church. Proceeds will benefit the Ashler Lodge Christmas shopping spree. The lodge will take several less fortunate Madison County area children on a shopping spree. Come and enjoy a hot delicious bowl of chili while at the same time helping deserving children. For tickets, contact any lodge member.



Pastor’s anniversary

Sunday, Nov. 2, the Concord Predestinarian Baptist Church, Charlie Norris Road, will celebrate the pastoral anniversary of Elder Anthony Phelps. The 11:30 a.m. guest preacher will be Elder Virgil Gardner, associate minister of the Richmond Predestinarian Baptist Church. The special guests for the 3:30 p.m. worship service will be elder Barry Bowman, choir and congregation of the St. Paul Predestinarian Baptist Church of Lancaster. Dinner will be served.



Upward Bound Ministries

Secrecy: Even though delusion helps us justify our sin, we know that others would not approve of what we are doing, so some of us develop a secret life. This life hides our guilt and prevents those who care for us from helping. Life-controlling problems grow in the soil of secrecy.

Secret lives are deadly to the spiritual well-being of individuals and churches. Unless people have a safe place where they can deal with the sin that may entangle them, they will continue to be crippled by their guilt and shame, The ministry gifts that could contribute to the cause of Christ will be lost, and the whole church will suffer.

Come to Upward Bound Ministries “Turning Point Group” and experience true deliverance from addictions and behavior issues that cause people to live secret lives. The group meets every Friday at 7 p.m. at the Church of the Rock, 1049 Richmond Road, Berea. Be sure to tune in to “Lifeline” Upward Bound Ministries drug prevention telecast which airs every Thursday at 6 p.m. on Time Warner Access Channel 5. Visit the Upward Bound Ministries Web site at www.upwardboundministries.org.



Until next week

May the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus stay fresh in your minds until we meet again.