The Press-Dispatch
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The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, Januar y 17, 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 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 Christians and the culture war John 3:16 Religious Viewpoint by Clyde Dupin Minutes with the Bible by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam Baptist Baptist Baptist CHURCH CHURCH Notes Notes Notes Assembly of God Continued in next column Continued in next column Ramblings of my mind by Lowell Thomas In 2018, the so-called culture war has become an important battleground in both politics and religion. This battle is fought at the national, state and local levels, It is sometimes seen at the church and school. Someone has suggested that whoever con- trols the culture controls the future. The two sides in the war are often seen as cul- tural liberals and cultural conservatives. Despite their rhetoric of freedom and choice, liberals seek to dominate society and politics. The battle between liberals and conservatives deals with issues like abortion, homosexuality, euthanasia, sex education, condoms in schools, pornogra- phy, school prayer and other moral issues. The cultural conservatives tend to be much more religious than cultural liberals. The heart of the conservatives movement seeks to preserve Christian values. They include both Catholics and Protestants. The heart of the liberal movement is found among secu- larists, media people, feminists and more liberal churches. The cultural liber- als have the advan- tage of the news me- dia. They dominate the "command posts" of America's popular culture. The national press and entertain- ment industry daily promote the liberal agenda. They dominate the more secular cultural realms such as universities and major publishing houses. The only way to win the battle for righ- teousness and morality is through the churches where Christianity has not been diluted. Christians must never surrender our families and society to a culture that makes no room for God. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever be- lieveth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Do you believe it? With all your heart? Do you believe that God gave His Son be- cause He loved the whole world? Do you believe that whosoever believes in Him receives everlasting life? Gentiles as well as Jews? Do you believe that John 3:16 applies to this age? So do we! –With all our hearts! We emphasize this because we have been charged of late with putting a dispensation- al question mark opposite John 3:16. We not only believe that John 3:16 applies to this age, but that it is more pertinent to- day than when our Lord first spoke it to Ni- codemus. But first let us turn to two other Scrip- tures, just as plain, though less frequent- ly quoted. In Matthew 15:24 we have the plain words of our Lord, "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." In Matthew 10 :5,6 we read "These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, say- ing, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." How can we reconcile these Scriptures with John 3:16? John 3:16, — "The world…whosoever." Matthew 10 :5,6; 15:24, — None but "the lost sheep of the house of Israel." The key to this question is found in Acts 3:25,26 where Peter says to the house of Is- rael, "Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, and in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up His Son Jesus sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities." The Old Testament abounds with proph- ecies that salvation would go to the ends of the earth through Israel. This is why our Lord confined His earthly ministry exclu- sively to the house of Israel. This is why Pe- ter said to the people of Israel, "Unto you first…" It was no secret that salvation would go to all the world, but remember that it was to go through the covenant people. We must not forget that John 3:16 was spoken to "a ruler of the jews." This makes the words of our Lord doubly significant. It would not be at all amiss to paraphrase them thus: "For God so loved the world, Nicode- mus — not only Israel, but the world— that He gave His only begotten Son that whoso- ever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Sad to say, the rulers of the Jews rejected Christ. The glorious message of John 3:16 would never have reached the Gentiles if God had waited for Israel to proclaim it. As a nation they themselves rejected God's Son. They even persecuted those who preached Christ and Saul of Tarsus became the leader of the opposition. It was in this crisis that God arrested Saul and saved him so that He might un- fold His secret purpose of grace to him and through him. We quote a few Scriptures from Paul's letters: "Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious; but…the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant…that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life ev- erlasting" (I Tim.1:13-16). "Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned…so might grace reign" (Rom. 5:20,21). "For God hath concluded them all in un- belief, that he might have mercy upon all. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past finding out! " (Rom.11:32,33). "For He is our peace, who hath made both one and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us…for to make in Himself of twain one new man…and that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross" (Eph.2:14-16). I wonder if the same people who com- plain about it being too hot are complain- ing about it being too cold? Makes little rea- soning sense to complain because the on- ly recourse you have is put on more clothes or take some off because your complaining only makes you more miserable. There were lots of churches that can- celled services this week and that was some- thing we can do about the weather and that is be sensible. I was fortunate to be able to have Bible study with good friends at Gold- en Living Center this past Sunday. The four of us were able to enjoy each others compa- ny as well as learn from God's word. We talk- ed about eternal life and how that the only way for us to have it is to ask for forgiveness. If you want to share your experience with Jesus you must make the most of your op- portunities with others. I sometimes think that perhaps it is time to quit pastoring and every time God impresses on me He is not done with me and that the work must go on. As I was walking away from our Bible study I realized while the numbers say I am a senior citizen I still think far young- er. No I didn't say I felt like Superman but I did feel like God was telling me to get over it and move ahead through whatever came our way because He and I together could handle it. You know the Bible does say we can do all things through Christ who gives us the strength to accomplish all things. The trou- ble with all of us is that we just don't realize when God is talking to us. Maybe we should pay attention to the things going on around us to see where we really fit in. Speaking of the weather I saw a post on facebook that said there are only 66 days until spring. Now that is the way to look at things in a positive approach. Hopefully we will get a break in the weather and each of us will feel more like getting out and mak- ing the most of things to come. As always be blessed and be a blessing. Continued on page 2 See MINUTES on 3 PETERSBURG CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE 118 W Pike Ave., Petersburg • 812-354-8851 COMMUNITY SOUP SUPPER THURSDAY January 18 4:30-6:00 PM SOUP AND DESSERTS SERVED Parking in rear ALL ARE WELCOME! RIVER OF LIFE 342 E. CR 300 N. Petersburg Sunday morning wor- ship 10 a.m.; Sunday eve- ning worship 6 p.m. and Consumed youth group 7 p.m.; Wednesday evening Bible study 7 p.m.; Men's ministry meeting every oth- er Thursday 10 a.m. If you would like a ride to and from church services, call 354-8800. Jim Gidcumb, Pastor AYRSHIRE VALLEY G.B. CHURCH 1947 E. Co. Rd. 375 S. Winslow Phone: 812-354-3862 Sunday school 9:30 a.m., Jim King, superintendent, Paul Couts, assistant; morn- ing worship 10 :30 a.m.; Sunday evening 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday evening Bible study 6:30 p.m. As we enter the New Year 2018, we all will reflect back on 2017 and ask where did the time go. As we begin a New Year, we must look for- ward not backwards. The decisions we will make in the New Year will decide what the year will be. As the Bible says, anyone who is in Christ old things are passed away behold all things be- come new. My hope and prayer for all people who read this is BETHEL G.B. CHURCH 4933 E. Co. Rd. 900 S. Stendal Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; morning worship 10 :30 a.m. Bible Study has been post- poned until further notice. Sunday, January 28 is the fourth Sunday and the FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 7th and Poplar Street Petersburg 812-354-6582 or 812-789-3162 Welcome! A "Full Word" church reaching out in these final days of the "age of grace." Praise Team practice Sundays 9 a.m.; Sunday school 9:30 a.m., for all ag- es; morning worship 10 :30 a.m. Men's fellowship study each Monday at 7 p.m. at scheduled locations. Wom- en's studies meet on se- lected days. Contact the church at 812-354-6582 for details. Wednesdays: 6:30 p.m. Kids' Club for two years olds through fifth grade; Jr./Sr. high youth group for MT. PISGAH G.B. CHURCH (Augusta) Broadway Street Winslow Pastor 812-582-0756 Sunday morning worship at 10 :15 a.m., children's Sun- day school during morning service; Celebrate Recov- ery Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Gathering Place in Winslow; Wednesday night prayer meeting and Bible study at 6:30 p.m. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy" (Romans 15:13). How often have you found that you will make a decision to confess the past, repent from your sins and accept Je- sus as this Savior and Lord. A New Beginning for a New Year. Your New Year will be filled with all the prom- ises and Blessings God has promised to those who are His in Jesus. Happy New Year. See our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Ayr- shireValleyGB. Frank A. Coleman, Pastor morning worship offering will go to the building fund. Bible Trivia Last week's question: Who was Barjesus? Answer: A false prophet and sorcerer. Reference: Acts 13:6. Q: Who did the people of Lycaonia believe Paul was? Answer will follow next week. Steve Selby, Pastor Elaine Barrett, Reporter sixth-12th grades and adult Bible study. All adults and children are welcome to come to Grub (a full meal) at 6 p.m. If you are looking for a welcoming church that stands on the Word of God, a church that declares its dependency in Christ, then First Baptist could be the church for you. Visit us soon. We would be glad to have you. Van Ministry, Wednes- day evenings. Need a ride? Call 812-354-6582 Dr. C. Baxter, Jr., Pastor what you were looking for in life, only to realize it didn't bring you the satisfaction you thought it would? Life's ultimate frustration is think- ing we will find fulfillment in the things of this world. But they can never bring lasting happiness. As one bumper sticker on a car ex- pressed, "All I want is a lit- tle more than I have now." We look for love, security and happiness through our jobs, our possessions, our relationships—but if they really brought lasting joy, wouldn't we have testimo- nies to that effect from mil- lions of people all over the world? Instead, we find emp- tiness, discontent and hope- lessness. Try putting Christ first and watch how your life is turned around. You will dis- cover that He alone is the source of the love, peace and joy for which you have been searching. If at any time you have no church to attend, feel free to join us for services. I'm