The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1051754
The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, November 14, 2018 C-1 CHURCH Submit church items: Call: 812-354-8500 Email: news@pressdispatch.net or bring in a hard copy: 820 E. Poplar Street, Petersburg To many people, it just doesn't seem right that God would punish someone in hell for all eternity, and so they look for loopholes in the Bible's clear teaching about eternal damna- tion (Rev. 14:11, etc.). They mean well, but they remind us of what the Lord said about the rich man in hell, who pleaded that Laza- rus be sent to warn his five brothers, "lest they also come into this place of torment" (Luke 16:28). It is often argued from this that this man had repented, and only a God who was a monster would refuse to release him. As we compare Scripture with Scripture, however, we believe otherwise, especially when we com- pare the torments of hell to the torments of the Tribulation. There are many ways to show that the Trib- ulation will be a time of hell on earth, but per- haps the simplest is found when we read that "in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it" (Rev. 9:6). What a picture of hell! You would think that everyone on the receiv- ing end of the unfathomable torments of that day would repent in the hope that God would relent and spare them further torment. Yet de- spite the fact that men will be "scorched with great heat" (Rev. 16:9), in John's vision, they "blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not… of their deeds" (vv. 9,11). In light of all this, we feel the rich man's re- quest to warn his five brothers was not an in- dication of any repentance on his part—far from it. Like many incarcerated men, he was looking for a loophole in the prosecution's case against him. You see, if Lazarus was sent from the dead to warn his brothers, he could argue that he never benefited from such a supernat- ural warning, making his conviction unjust. Add it all up, and a more accurate picture of hell appears. Hell is not filled with cries of repentance to which God turns an unfeeling deaf ear. Like the description of the Tribula- tion we just read, the air is rather filled with the sound of blasphemy, voiced by men who are eternally convinced that God is wrong and they do not belong there. Fortunately, dear reader, you do not have to go there. Just admit that God is right, that you are a sinner (Rom. 3:23) who deserves to die an eternal death for your sins (Rom. 6:23; Rev. 20 :14), but that Christ died for your sins so that you don't have to (I Cor. 15:1-4). "Be - lieve on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). Missed out on helping with the truck this past week on both loads they had at Some- body's Place. I had to go to dentist to have a couple fillings put in my teeth. If I had known then what I know now about taking better care of my oral hygiene I sure would have done better. We finished up with the decorations at Hornady park by erecting the toy soldiers arch. The city let Allen Tegmeyer come out with the bucket truck to help us tie them to- gether and that sure helped us. I must give Allen a good comment about being safety aware and the wearing of necessary har- ness and lanyard. Good job, Allen. With a couple acres of leaves to get under control my vacuum system went bad after just three loads. It has serviced my needs for 14 years with very few problems so I or- dered a new one and if I get as good use out of it as I have the old one I doubt to ever need another. I can't see doing the leaves at 84 years old. Our Sunday school covered the decep- tion Jacob and his mother pulled over on Isaac to steal Esau's rightful blessing due to his being the eldest son. Isaac seemed to know the difference between Esau and The Church Page is made possible by the following Firms and Businesses: Amber Manor Care Center Petersburg — 812-354-3001 Benner & Co. Heating and Air Petersburg — 812-354-3433 Computers Plus Radio Shack Petersburg — 812-354-9633 DougGlass DBA Hold Everything Self Storage — 812-354-1110 Four Star Fabricators Petersburg — 812-354-9995 www.fourstarfab.com Harris Funeral Home 7th and Walnut Streets, Petersburg Phone: 812-354-8844 Play & Learn Preschool Campbelltown — 812-354-3999 Solar Sources Coal for Steam and Industrial Market Petersburg — 812-354-8776 Baptist Baptist Baptist Assembly of God CHURCH CHURCH Notes Notes Notes Continued in next column Ramblings of my mind by Lowell Thomas The Importance of Love Looking For the Loophole Religious Viewpoint by Clyde Dupin Minutes with the Bible by Pastor Ricky Kurth Continued on page 2 There is something missing in our culture and even in the church. The mission of the church is to spread the Gospel and share love. Our pagan culture is dominated by selfishness and pride. Whenever we turn our televisions on or read a magazine it is filled with stories about violence, sexual immorality, corrupt pol- iticians and evil of every kind. One may won- der how did America drift so far from its Chris- tian roots. We should be showing love, kind- ness and have a caring attitude. The church should teach the great princi- ple of love, kindness, caring and giving. It is so easy to allow ordinary things to crowd out the important things in life. One important message of the church is love. Our elaborate programs, gigantic facilities, good music or eloquent preaching do not make us as a disci- ple of Jesus. Our distinguishing mark is love. God's love is the greatest gift and most pow- erful thing in the world. God's love is the ul- timate mark of true Christianity. We may at- tract great crowds to our churches and de- velop new marketing strategies, but with- out love we miss the mark. We often think of I Corinthians Chapter 13 as the love chapter in the New Testament. In St. John 13:35 Jesus said, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." A true Christian will be a loving person at home, in the workplace and at church. All our good works, programs, and crowds cannot become a substitute for love. It is ur- gent that we preach and experience God's love. Let us push aside some good things and seek the best love. Jacob but finally gave the higher blessing to the wrong son. The only thing you can definitely see in this story is that God had plans for both of these boys but the great- est job was given to the one who could likely be more successful than the other. But you have to admit they sure went all the way to deceive Isaac. This likely plays a big role in the unrest of the middle east of present time because there were two blessings giv- en and both came to pass with some com- mon things given to both sons. I'm sure this has made for friction among both nations. Makes me think of the "Hatfields and the McCoys" and the feud their families held over each other for years. Our scripture was about preachers and the messages they deliver to their congre- gations as they do God's work. You might be a great orator but if God hasn't sent you your greatest message might never fall on receptive ears. Preachers should always be aware of the time they preach because after so long the attention gets distracted to oth- er concerns and you have lost their interest. If you are a God anointed preacher you will tell the plan of salvation to any who will lis- ten each and every time a door of opportu- nity opens. Most of all you should realize that they may not understand your high and mighty message but they can never misun- derstand how you live and get along in your walk of life. Big order live what you preach because you will be watched and if it is er- rant it will be noticed quickly. Have a great week and live your life with God beside you directing your steps. Be a blessing to others and tell someone you love them. offering an starting for four thursdays Advent Study NOVEMBER 29 • 6pm Max Lucado's study "Because of Bethlehem" If you want to attend, please call or text 812-582-1486 to order a book. Let's prepare for the King's birth through unity and scripture! 339 N. State Rd 61, Winslow, IN 47598 Pike County Center for Women's Ministries RIVER OF LIFE 342 E. CR 300 N. Petersburg Sunday morning worship 10 a.m.; Sunday evening worship 6 p.m. and Con- sumed youth group 7 p.m.; Wednesday evening Bible study 7 p.m.; Men's ministry meeting every other Thurs- day 10 a.m. If you would like a ride to WASHINGTON ASSEMBLY OF GOD 320 S. Meridian Street Washington Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; morning worship 10 :30 a.m.; Wednesday evening dinner and Bible study at 6 p.m. and from church services, call 812-354-8800. Jim Gidcumb, Pastor BETHEL G.B. CHURCH 4933 E. Co. Rd. 900 S. Stendal Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; morning worship 10 :30 a.m. and all Wednesday evening activities at 7:30 p.m.; first and third Wednesday of each month Bible study at 7:30 p.m. • Sunday, Nov. 18, Beth- el Harvest Day: Gaddabouts singing will be during the morning worship and spe- cial Harvest Day offer- ing. There will be a fellow- ship and meal following the morning worship service. Everyone is welcome. • Bible study, Wednesday, Nov. 21. We will continue the study of Zechariah 11-14. • Sunday, Nov. 25, fourth Sunday and morning wor- ship offering will go to the GR ACE G.B. CHURCH 1007 E. Union St. Winslow Sunday school 9:30 ; Sun- NEW LIBERTY G.B. CHURCH (Coe) 1820 S. Co Rd. 800 S. Oakland City Gary Pancake, Pastor 812-664-4716 Sunday school 9:30 a.m., Faron McLaughlin, Super- intendent, Ryan Edrington, WINSLOW G.B. CHURCH 600 E. Union Street Pastor 812.582.0290 Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; morning worship 10 :30 a.m.; Sunday evening soup and sandwich fellow- ship at 5:30 p.m.; Youth group, Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.; Wednesday, adult Bi- ble study at 6:30 p.m. Ev- eryone is welcome. First Wednesday of ev- ery month, Advisory Board meeting before Bible study and business meeting to follow. The next meeting is Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. We are so happy and blessed that pastor Gary Watson and his wife, Joanne, have decided to become our full-time pas- tors. May God always bless them and what they do. BIBLE BAPTIST CHURCH An Independent Baptist Church 4995 N. Co. Rd. 850 E. Otwell (Meeting in the Iva Union Church building) Sunday school for chil- dren and adults 9 a.m.; Sun- day morning worship ser- vice 10 a.m.; Sunday eve- ning service, Youth Group (6th grade through 19 years old), and Patch Club (four years old through 5th grade) 6 p.m.; Thursday, prayer ser- vice 7 p.m. Scott Fulcher, Pastor November 18 at 5 p.m. Thanksgiving dinner, meat provided. Bring a side dish and or dessert. All are in- vited. Thought for the week: Don't let your emotions be your decision maker! Stop and pray! One moment in God's presence changes ev- erything. Be in prayer this week, for the lost, the sick, our church, our country and leaders, and always each other. God's blessings on you this week. Try to be kind and show God's love because every- one is fighting some kind of battle. If you don't have a church home, we invite you to any of our services. Gary Watson, Pastor Kathy Henderson, Re- porter building fund. • Sunday, Dec. 2 will be Assistant Sunday. • Wednesday, Dec. 5, we will continue Bible Study of Malachi 1-4. • Sunday, Dec. 9, we will have a regular business meeting after morning wor- ship service for our election of officers. • Wednesday, Dec. 19, we will continue with Bible study of Malachi. • Sunday, Dec. 23 will be the Children's Christ- mas Program during morn- ing worship service at 10 :30 a.m.; Fourth Sunday and morning worship offering will go to the building fund. • Sunday Dec. 30, Fifth Sunday, we will have Com- munion service during the morning worship service. Bible Trivia Last week's answer to: Q: What was the name of Abraham's second wife? Answer: Keturah. Refer- ence: Genesis 25:1. Q: What does Zechari- ah say will happen when the Messiah's foot touch- es the Mount of Olives? Answer to come next week. Steve Selby, Pastor Elaine Barrett, Reporter day morning worship 10 a.m.; Sunday evening wor- ship 5 p.m.; Wednesday Bi- ble study at 5 p.m. Bill Chesser, Reporter Assistant and Sunday morn- ing worship at 10 :30 a.m.; Our message was "Hum- ble yourself before God." The scripture was from II Chronicles 33:1-20. God took the wickedness from Manassas and turned him into a humble man. Plans are underway for our Christmas play. Those wishing to help with the set should be at the church Wednesday evening at 6