Huffman: If Any
Elder Mark Huffman and his family joined us for worship services while visiting family in Georgia. Elder Huffman, associate pastor of Oak Hill Primitive Baptist Church in Austin, preached from the second chapter of Philippians. In this chapter Paul teaches us to look to Christ as our consolation, and to the work and fellowship of the Son and Spirit to motivate us in unity and charity toward each other.
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Harter: Paul at Philippi
Elder Harter exposits Acts 16, following Paul’s missionary journey to Galatia and Philippi. Traveling with Paul, we can learn many lessons applicable to our Christian journey today.
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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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Harter: Paul and Barnabas in Conflict
At the end of Acts 15, Paul and Barnabas begin planning a return to the cities they visited in their first missionary journey together. Paul proposes the trip, and Barnabas agrees–but the agreement ends there. Elder Harter in this message explores the rift that arises between Paul and Barnabas, and finds valuable lessons for us today when we encounter differences of opinion.
A young man named John Mark (later referred to simply as Mark) was the root of contention between these two preachers. Barnabas favored bringing Mark on the return journey to the newly planted Gentile churches. Paul, however, still recalled with hot displeasure how Mark had abruptly abandoned them on the first journey to those same cities. The bible records that “the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other.” Both Barnabas and Paul made return journeys to some of the young churches, but took different routes with different companions. Barnabas took Mark via ship to the island of Cyprus; Paul invited Silas to accompany him overland via Syria and through the mountains of Cilicia.
As he studies the working out of this disagreement between Paul and Barnabas, Elder Harter finds three lessons for facing and resolving conflict.
- Seek to understand the perspectives of others
- Be gracious when confronted with differences of opinion and practice, particularly in non-critical areas
- When differences are settled, put them behind you–get over it!
Later in his life, in a letter to the young minister Timothy, Paul demonstrated a much better opinion of Mark, calling him “profitable.” Differences are inevitable in this life, and a generous measure of grace and forgiveness is crucial to us as we journey together.
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