From Colossians 2:10 Elder Gowens began Bethany’s annual spring meeting by highlighting how completely Christ meets our needs for a life of service and devotion to Him. He completed the work of salvation, the revelation of scripture, and the the church. By His grace he supplies our needs as we face the challenges of the day. In Him we are sufficient.
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The prophecy of Hosea begins with a startling commandment from God. Hosea was instructed to marry an unreformed harlot. Of course his wife was unfaithful, in a very public and humiliating fashion particularly painful for a holy man called by God as a prophet.
The pain of Hosea’s mismatched marriage is precisely the point God seeks to convey to His children. Sin is more than a personal failing to be regretted. It causes God intense pain. Marriage is a metaphor for the close relationship and intimate fellowship God desires to have with His children. God has demonstrated perfect love toward His children. How do we return that love? What are our priorities? What comes ahead of fellowship with God in our lives?
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In this message Coy Thomas presents a framework for interpreting the book of Hebrews. While the prophecies and the temple worship of the old covenant were good, the writer of Hebrews points the early church to something far better. In these last days, God has spoken directly to His people through the person of Jesus Christ, His son. As Peter wrote, this message directly from God’s Son is “a more sure word of prophecy” (2 Pe 1:19).
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Jesus Christ is given many titles in scripture. He is called Lord or Jehovah, the great “I am,” for he is the creator and supreme ruler of all things. He is the Prince of Peace, because He made peace with God for our sakes. He is our Passover, sparing us from the death that is God’s judgment upon sin. He is our Righteousness, in contrast to our own works of righteousness which are but dirty rags in God’s sight. He is our Shepherd; He is our High Priest. Elder Mozingo touches briefly on these titles, but focuses on one in particular: Christ is our Life (Col 3:4).
In Him we live, and move, and have our being. When we consider the years of our natural life measured against eternity, we recognize our time on earth is immeasurably small. James said our life is a “vapor,” soon passing away. But if Christ is our life, and He lives in us, we will not despair at the fleeting and inconsequential nature of our existence. Rather, we will live for Christ now, enjoying a life filled with purpose and meaning.
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“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Cor 7:1).” In the previous week’s message, Elder Mozingo showed that holiness is beautiful in God’s sight. In this message, he makes a practical application of this truth. How can we make ourselves more desirable to our heavenly Father so that He will want to commune with us?
We start by examining those things we most desire. Do we lust after fleshly and carnal things, or do we hunger and thirst after righteousness? Those who seek righteousness will be filled with the fruits of the Spirit. If instead we pursue the affections of the flesh, we can achieve them–but will experience leanness of soul as we neglect the fellowship of the Father.
If you desire closer communion with God’s Holy Spirit, a holy life is essential. Yet as Elder Mozingo will demonstrate from the scriptures, the holiness God seeks will never come from our own efforts. Our holiness comes from Christ. It comes when we reach the end of our own strength and rely on God’s.
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Using Psalm 27, verse 4 as a text, Elder Mozingo magnifies the “beauty of holiness.” God seeks this beauty in those who worship Him. Holiness is purity of life, as exemplified by Christ. Worldly ideas of beauty are centered in appearance, but God desires His children to adorn themselves with good works flowing from a heart of thanksgiving.
Our righteousness is like filthy rags. The works of legalism undertaken to prove our own merit are smoke in the nose and eyes of the Lord. Only the imputed righteousness of Christ pleases God. Learn how you can put on the robes of Christ’s righteousness and know the joy and peace that comes from fellowship with your Lord.
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We previously shared the sermon preached by Brother Will Martin on the morning of his ordination. Now we have made available a condensed form of the entire ordination service, both morning and afternoon services.
Elder Lonnie Mozingo, Jr. expounds Titus 3:3-8. This message reminds us that God loved us while we were not lovable. As it is written in verse 5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.” And so it is that God can have a people “out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Rev 5:9). Nothing can prevent the movement of God’s Spirit in His sovereign work of regeneration. The Bible teaches that all of God’s children will one day be in heaven, even though many will never hear a sermon preached on this earth. So eternal salvation is entirely secured by God’s grace, and all the glory belongs to Christ.
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The Lord blessed us with His presence during the ordination of Elder Will Martin on Saturday, February 9, 2008. During morning services, Brother Martin preached from the gospel of Matthew, chapters 15 and 16. He pointed out the distinguishing characteristics of the New Testament church established by Jesus Christ in Matthew 16:18.
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From Bethany’s 2007 Annual Fall Meeting: Elder Sonny Pyles, Friday 10/26 (Download)
Elder Pyles opens by warning briefly of the dangers of “moralistic, therapeutic Deism” arising lately in America. His main subject is the need for believers in God to do what they can even as they pray for His aid. This message is an antidote to fatalism and a beautiful study of providence in practice.
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