Warsaw Christian Church
How important is the church? I frequently run into people who declare their Christian faith but haven’t attended church in many years. I am in no position to pass judgment on those who do not see the importance of the church. It does, however, puzzle me that so many profess faith in the Savior but rarely are seen worshipping with the people of God. I have heard many “reasons” over the years as to why some avoid the church. “I was forced to go as a child.” “The church is full of hypocrites.” “I can worship God in my own way, without the church.” “Church is boring.” “I get my religion on the TV.”
Yes, there are legitimate reasons why some are absent on Sunday morning. People with poor health and some vocations call for Sunday work (police, doctors, etc.). My puzzlement pertains to those professing Christians who could be in church but choose not to come.
I like the old story of the deaf lady who was in church faithfully every Sunday. She could not hear a thing. One day, she was asked why she came to church since she could not hear. She responded, “I want Satan and everyone else to know whose side I am on.”
I am not the kind of pastor who tries to twist arms to get people to attend. The motivation to be involved in church should not arise from guilt or human manipulation. If people are not moved by the sacrifice of Jesus to participate in the church He established, nothing I can say would make any difference. What greater motivation could there be than the realization that through Jesus Christ, all our sins have been forgiven, and heaven is our destiny? If the glorious truth of God’s Word does not move us to the church, what could I say that would constitute a stronger argument?
If you are an unfaithful church member, I recommend that you consider who Jesus Christ is and what He has done for you. If that doesn’t inspire you to be as active as you can be in His church, what good would it do for me to try and lay a guilt trip on you? After all, the church is a “want to” event, not a “have to” duty.
From The Pastor's Desk
The Forgotten Verse
Baptists love to quote Ephesians 2:8, 9.
'For by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves
It is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.
We preach that almost every Sunday. That is our cherished doctrine of salvation, pure and simple.
Seldom though, do you ever hear of someone mentioning verse 10.
Baptists are criticized for our stand on eternal security, what the uninformed layman would call, "once saved always saved".
Well, if we don't preach verse 10, then they might have a case in saying we believe you can be saved and live like the world.
Last Sunday night, I preached on verse 10.
For we are his workmanship, created unto good works, whereby God has ordained that we should walk in them.
After that, we sang, "God is still working on me, to make me what I ought to be".
Preachers, you ought to preach on verse ten ever so often.
I am Johnie J. Logue, Pastor of Grace Baptist Church at 31046 Hwy MM in Warsaw MO. Call me at (660) 281-4775.
Unity Of The Lakes
Unity of the Lakes is blessed to have Rev. Laura Bennett as our guest speaker 3/17/24. Rev. Laura is a gifted speaker who has a depth of bible knowledge. She has many credentials along with having been the chair for biblical studies at Unity Institute. She is a second generation bible scholar and teacher. She is continuing our Lenten series from Keep A True Lent by Charles Fillmore with this Sunday's lesson, "The Overcomer". The scripture reference is John 20:19-31. Service is 11 am, dress is casual and all are welcome. Come for service and stay for refreshments and fellowship. We will fed you in every way. We are located 8 miles south of Warsaw on highway 65. Our physical address is 34948 Hwy 65 South. Follow us on Facebook.
Lincoln First Baptist Church
May the Lord shine upon you this week. It was a great day to be with the Lord. Bryce Kliaber celebrated a birthday. We wish him many more. Our worship service is growing. The Lord is working in His own time and we thank and praise Him for the many blessings. Our church will be hosting the community Good Friday service on March 29th at 7pm. Mark your calendars.
Pastor Jesse’s message was from the book of John Chapter 13. Pastor asked if any of us had ever been to a foot washing? He said he had and it was a humbling experience. Are you worthy for Jesus’ love? In this passage Jesus knew He wouldn’t have another Passover Meal with His disciples. Jesus also knew Judas would betray Him. In these verses Jesus washed their feet. He humbled himself to serve others. Jesus wants us to love Him. Through the foot washing the disciples saw the humbleness of Jesus. He was the Master and a servant. Jesus found the low to be His disciples. Jesus picked the broken people and in washing the disciples feet He was talking about service to others. Walk as close to Jesus as possible. Jesus gave us an example on how we should live. MAY GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU AND MAY THE SUN SHINE UPON YOU.
Hopewell Baptist Church
In Matthew 16:21- 28, Jesus Predicts His Death telling the disciples He will suffer, He will die, and in three days He will be alive again. Peter took Jesus aside, saying, never Lord, this shall never happen to You. How does Peter think he can keep it from happening? Jesus has a goal and a task, but the disciples want to keep Him alive. Jesus answers with, get behind Me Satan as if what Peter is saying is from the depths of darkness. Jesus tells Peter he is only thinking about the human scope of things. Peter has lost sight of who he is following. Jesus has a job to do. He’s going to suffer, He’s going to have a false trial, He’s going to die, and He’s trying to prepare the disciples for all this, telling them it’s going to be difficult for them and Him. Jesus is telling them clearly; they cannot prevent what is going to happen and they shouldn’t want to. My disciples must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me. Whoever wants to save their life will lose it and whoever loses their life for Me will save it. Peter wanted Jesus alive more than he wanted the will of God.
Our will needs to become God’s will. It’s not just one thing, it’s everything. Jesus wants every part of our lives. He’s calling us to lead our family in Godly ways. It’s not easy, but it’s the right thing to do. What good to gain the whole world yet lose our soul. What good to have everything we want with no Jesus. What impact is missed due to us not listening to what God wants us to do. The Son of Man is coming, and He rewards for what we’ve done. Our rewards are in Heaven, to spend eternity with the Father. We lived our lives the right way, we lived for Jesus, and made an impact. How would people describe what our lives are about? What we want, or the will of God? Jesus, we want it all to be about You.
Join us Sunday mornings for Sunday School at 10 a.m. with Worship at 11 a.m., and Sunday and Wednesday Bible Study at 6 p.m. Watch live at 11 a.m. each Sunday on Hopewell Baptist Church Facebook page.
