Bloyd: Honor Thy Father and Mother (Fall ‘09)
Elder Steven Bloyd delivered the final message of Bethany’s 2009 Fall Meeting. In Ephesians 6 we read, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” Elder Bloyd reminds us that we can honor our parents and grandparents all of our lives, and that many blessings attend this scriptural admonition.
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Lee: The Clarity of Election (Fall ‘09)
Elder Stan Lee lays out a clear defense of the biblical doctrine of eternal election and answers some common, opposing viewpoints. God’s sovereign predestination of His elect people is a stumbling block for many today in an age of self-will, but the bible clearly teaches that God chose His children before time began. His choice was based on His love for us, and was not based on our actions–rather, He chose us despite our sinful ways.
Does election exclude sinners who desire God but were not chosen? No, the desire for God is a fruit of the Spirit that He places in our hearts. Does election put only a small number in heaven? No, God’s Spirit is far more capable than the feeble voice of man and will always reach His children: no language barrier, no oppressive government, no adherence to false religion, no failed plan of man will keep one of God’s chosen from reaching glory.
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Hall: Hidden in the Lord (Fall ‘09)
Elder Dan Hall stirs us to desire a place of refuge in the presence of the Lord, tracing that theme through the Psalms. David knew what it was to need deliverance and shelter from the strife and foolishness of men. He also knew that such sanctuary can be found in God’s presence, and he earnestly desired to enter into that presence. We can face the chaos and difficult circumstances of life with greater peace when we remember this lesson and continually seek fellowship with God.
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Hoskins: Regeneration and Conversion (Fall ‘09)
Elder Marty Hoskins presents four proofs that redemption, also called regeneration or the new birth, is the immediate, sovereign work of the Holy Spirit. This position is distinctive of the Primitive Baptist faith, and is in contrast to the more common Christian teaching that the new birth is the result of a decision by the convert, or is the result of gospel preaching. Elder Hoskins points out how immediate, Holy Spirit regeneration is the only position consistent with the total depravity of man.
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Painter: The Seal of the Spirit (Fall ‘09)
Elder Dolph Painter explores the seal of the Spirit in scripture. He examines several seals familiar to us today, all signifying a completed action: birth, marriage, adoption. Likewise in scripture, the Holy Spirit seals the child of God after the new birth.
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Bloyd: He Will Go Before Us and With Us (Fall ‘09)
Elder Steven Bloyd opens the scriptures to consider a question we are all tempted to ask in response to the challenges of this life: why? Why do God’s children suffer? Why do God’s children fall away, leaving only cemeteries and empty buildings to remind us that a church once met in that place? Why do we sometimes feel far from the Lord, when the Lord has not moved?
The scriptures tell us in Isaiah that God’s thoughts and our thoughts, His ways and our ways, are as far removed as the heavens from the earth. Even when we do not understand our circumstances, we can trust Him.
In Matthew 27, Christ on the cross also asked why: “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?” That is one question we will never need ask. No matter how we feel, we have the promise that God will never leave us or forsake us, and that He will give us the strength and grace we need for our days.
Though He did not promise we would understand, He promised that He would go before us, and with us. Let us take comfort in that promise and place our trust in Him.
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Melvin: Pervasive Holiness (Fall ‘09)
Elder John Melvin of Camp Creek Church opened our Fall 2009 meeting by giving us motivation to conform ourselves to the image of Christ in every moment and in every place.
In the days of temple worship before the birth of Jesus Christ, holiness was limited to specific places and people. The temple was holy, and its various parts were ascribed different degrees of holiness. Certain offices were holy, others were not. Certain activities, foods, and items were classified as holy; others were not.
Today, God has spilled out of the temple! The veil containing the holiest of holies was rent when Christ died; the common and unclean things are cleansed if they be in Christ. This means no buildings, no people, and no places are ordinary if God is present. As His children, our mission is to share our father’s love with everyone around us–be ready at all times to recognize holiness, delight in it, and react to it.
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Sermons from Spring 2009 meeting now available
After long delay, all the sermons from Bethany’s spring meeting in March, 2009 are available. They are all identified with the spring 2009 tag. This meeting was the last one held in our sanctuary on Lawrenceville Highway. Visiting ministers were Elders David Pyles of Jackson, Mississippi; Vernis Stanaland of Tyler, Texas; and Lasserre Bradley, Jr. of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Bradley: Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled (Spring ‘09)
Elder Lasserre Bradley, Jr. closes out the 2009 Spring Meeting at Bethany with a most encouraging message drawn from John 14:1-3, beginning “Let not your heart be troubled.” Elder Bradley ably shows the scriptures to teach that a troubled heart will distort our view of circumstances and rob us of the peace that should come from trusting God with all of our hearts. One day we will be like Him and see Him as He is, and that promise alone can strengthen us through the challenges of this world. The road is rough indeed, but it leads home.
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Stanaland: A Double-Minded Person (Spring ‘09)
Elder Vernis Stanaland considers the marks of a double-minded person, as referenced in James 1:8. He contrasts the double-minded man and his hidden agendas with the singleness of purpose and transparency that come from a commitment to following God.
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