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God takes notes too!

Notes, John asked us to write a blog about the sermon notes, so that is what I am doing, the sermon tied in perfectly with what has been on my mind lately, so I hope you bear with me here. I have been visiting local churches for several months, and want to share from the perspective of those perhaps that are outside, looking in.

So that you can get a feel, I hope, of where I come from, I have been in one particular denomination for a long time, since I was a small child. Licensed to preach by them in the 1980's through now, more as an evangelist or laypreacher, though I have not preached since the early 1990's. Taught many Sunday school classes, youth and adult, for many years over the past 30 years. Ordained a deacon in 2003, so this gives some background.

I am seriously considering leaving this denomination, in that I have seen many problems in peoples lifestyles because of their doctrines, they are far too comfortable with their condition, thinking they are saved and ready, and nothing is going to change that, and I do not care to go any deeper than that here. I am so serious that I am willing to walk away from all the titles in this denomination, and count them as dung (borrowed from Paul).

The text of the sermon was Luke 10:30-33. The levite and priest who went by the man on the road, who had been beaten and robbed, and left for dead. And the Samaritan who stopped to minister to him. The message was on compassion. This blog is to the pastors, evangelist, elders, teachers, deacons, choir, older church members who have been with their church a long time, hoping I left no title out.

Many times we can get so caught up in our duties and responsibilities, that we walk by those who need us, face to face. I am not judging, just trying to get these things in focus, to what is truly most important. I went into the church this morning, was greeted by the greeters assigned, they did their duty well. I took a seat in the back next to the doors. A few came by to shake my hand and say hi, as they went about their routine, and that was nice of them to do that.

The pastor was busy checking the microphone, and his remote he would use to do a screen presentation, doing his duties. But walked by without a hi or handshake. The choir members lined up and made their entry well-organized and on time, but walked on by. The ushers handed out the offering plates, missing no one, but no smile or word, as they too, did their duty.

Don't get so involved in your duties and responsibilities, that you forget the people you are serving. When a stranger comes in, you go speak to them, actually talk to them, show you care about them and you are glad they are here. How well you treat them will speak much louder than your words and duties you are concentrating so much on.

Your duty is to go to them, they are not to come to you! Actually listen to what they say, show that you really care about them, and are concerned that they feel welcome, and loved. As I left the Sunday school class, I passed by an older man and lady as they talked, they obviously knew each other and had both been members for a long time. She asked the man, "How is your Mother?" He replied, "Oh, Mom has been dead for five years now." Does that not speak volumes?

The levite and priest most likely were concentrating on their duty. It may very well be that this man appeared very close to death, and to touch a dead person would have meant they could not perform their duties. Though the intentions were doing their duties as their titles required, they passed one by, who actually needed them greatly. When we do our duties where we worship, be careful we do not pass one by, God has sent to you. People after all, are MOST important! God Bless.

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posted: 02/07/2010 09:05am by billyb View: Backlinks, Permalink Total Views: 150 ShortURL: http://christianblog.com/0fad Category: Sermon Notes	Print This Blog Entry
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Author: billyb
Location: Columbia Tennessee USA
Gender: Male
Age: 55
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i am one of many who have a testimony like this, i professed faith in christ at an early age, when i was 13, i am now 55 years of age and can say that christ has always been faithful to me, and there were many times i was not... view full biography

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i study constantly about different bible subjects, and compare how the different groups teach them as doctrines, lately i have been studying the subject of baptism. water baptism, spirit baptism, as they are mentioned in the bible. here are a few of my thoughts and i invite others. baptism typically... view full testimony

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Thanks for sharing a apparent very close and personal issue.
A issue that should concern all of us.

Isn't there something about our duties are to edify one another.
I understand having a lot on ones mind (in doing ones duty) and over looking seemingly unimportant matters for a time that are very important to others. That isn't what you show here though but it is not my place to comment further on that of your Church. It is something I must consider of my own self and perhaps share with others of my Church.

So think you for sharing a most important topic.
HR

Posted 02/07/2010 10:07am
Author: harkrider

Actually, this was a church I was visiting, and the worship service was fine. But we do these things, and people are what it is all about. Not judging anybody, been there, done that, that is why it came home to me. God Bless, friend, billy

Posted 02/07/2010 05:27pm
Author: billyb

I love the title!!!

And you are so right on. As my work transferred me across the US, I've had the distinction of having to find a new fellowship in many places. It is a sad day to validate what you say in your blog. There were many times my heart ached for those sitting in their 'reserved' seats and singing the hymn "I shall not be moved". They took it too literal!

Churches would do themselves a huge favor by taking away 'titles'. Perhaps go to something less lofty...i.e. door watcher, pamphlet passer, shepherd, babysitter, youth grower, sunday school learners, and the list could go on.

God bless you in your decision and I know He will reward you in your decision. Perhaps not another 'title', but He will reward you in His way which will far surpass anything man can give. His responsibilities come with job benefits that can't be touched by any church doctrine

Many prayers and blessings in your continued search for the truth and where He wants you planted for a time such as this billy.

2G

Posted 02/07/2010 11:14am
Author: 2gvhmpraz

p.s. it is also sad to see a very similar thing happen here in CB. We are to be blessed and to bless others...that means each other. Can you count on no more than two hands who supports who by seeing who reads your blogs and comments or recommends them? Cliques in churches are no different...they just have titles

Posted 02/07/2010 11:18am
Author: 2gvhmpraz

Thanks for your comment 2G. I have been guilty at both places. It is so easy to forget what the REAL task is. God Bless, billy

Posted 02/07/2010 05:30pm
Author: billyb

Three years ago I was where you are. I was about to leave the domination I had grown up in and a congregation of less than 50 people. The faces changed some over the 50 years the local church had been organized but basically, people just came to replace ones who left. In other words, no growth to speak of. They would tell themselves that was because they had high standards and the "world" didn't want those standards. To make things even more difficult, my mother goes to church there and... my cousin was and still is the pastor. Was I "burned-out" after all of these years? Probably but I was even more tired of stagnation!

When we moved a bit further away, we decided to check out the churches in our new community rather than make the 45-60 minute commute to the old one. Ironically, as soon as we moved in, we received a DVD and information from a church just down the road. Intrigued by it, we decided to visit the church which owns a former warehouse rather than a traditional building. They ran about 1,200 people. I did not know it at the time but my husband had determined that if he was not greeted by anyone upon arrival, he was going.

The doors were opened up for us by a couple of greeters. We stepped into the building and there were a few more. There was a big sign to the left of the front door which said Welcome Center. You couldn't miss it. You also could not miss the cafe with free coffee and donuts. As we got some donuts, we were welcomed. People in the foyer stopped and said, "Hello, I don't believe we have met before. I'm..." As we went into the sanctuary several ushers were at each door with welcoming smiles and offers to find seats for us if necessary. The pastor took time to welcome any visitors and invite them to stop by the welcome center after the service as they would love to meet us and had a gift for us (it was a choice of five different books carefully selected for both men and women in all stages of life). Taking a moment to introduce yourself/greet people around us was a part of the service.

We instantly feel in love with this church and didn't look any further. Three years later, there are four weekend services, we had nearly 2,800 people at the services and we have a "satellite campus" in a town about 30 minutes away. That church had been running about 30 people and was about to shut down when the members asked us if we'd be interested in coming in and taking over. That was in the spring of 2008. They are now running 450 people and have recently gone to two services... in order to make room for more visitors.

This just goes to show you, the size of the church does not matter. It is the heart of the church. If your church is not vibrant and alive, if it is not growing, if it is not impacting it's community, it is not the community's fault... it is the fault of the local church.

Blessings!

K :princess:

Posted 02/07/2010 11:33am
Author: kreynolds

Thanks K, appreciate the comment. And I see you kicked it up a notch with your blog about actually doing something, instead of just offering. I am guilty there too. I always excused myself thinking they would ask if they wanted help, and I should be offering it. God is moving here. Thank You, God Bless, billy

Posted 02/07/2010 05:34pm
Author: billyb

"I want to make a difference, Lord" each time I step into a church or fellowship. Perhaps someone needs ministering today or just a word or handshake of encouragement. That was my attitude when I returned to my home church for good on retirement after 14 years of Asia Pacific wandering on the job. It had been my home church for 40 years where my father and siblings still worship. They are now a self contained church each person knowing what to do and doing it well. I found I could not minister or make a difference. I prayed and asked the Lord to send me to a church which needed me. I did not want to go church hunting.

It took three years of prayer and self searching..and then I felt it time to move. I opened my laptop to the directory of churches in the location where I live and asked the Lord to lead me to that church where I can make a difference. It was time to move. I had set 3 criteria for me to know it was going to be the church for me.

It had to be nearer to my home than my previous church. It had to be only English speaking. It had to be where I could serve in a capacity where my past professional experience could be shared in evangelization to the lost. My new church met each criteria.

My new church was a "dead" church with people such as Billy reflected. It is a different denomination though I verified with the Pastor it was not against the move of the Holy Spirit in personal lives in the doctrines. It stated not every one needs to speak in tongues. That is OK for me for it did not say it will not accept speaking in tongues. I wanted to make the difference with the help of the Holy Spirit.

The first day I went I was early half an hour and I found there was parking space for me. Had I been five minutes later I would have had to search outside the area of church location for parking. I was welcomed into the church dutifully when the Pastor asked who in the congregation was new. He asked me who brought me and I heard myself say "the Lord" as I knew nobody there. There was a gasp in the congregation. Then I sat down through the preaching. The announcement came and they were looking for accountants to share with budding accountants the gospel in English. Spot on.. it was the Lord telling me I was to make a difference there. I found out that they had never announced that need before and it was specifically for me as though someone there knew I was coming and my criteria for remaining in the church.. and I had not known till the day before, Was it not the Spirit of God preparing me for ministry for the next 20 years of my retirement? I knew it was.

It was not long when the Lord opened the rest of the church to my personal ministry from Pastor to visitor - no I do not preach from the pulpit.. I just make myself available to speak to anyone the Lord sends my way each Sunday, from Council member to Sunday School kid to visitor. Therre has been a quiet move as we have begun to move into prayer as a church, to pray for not only personal needs but planting and rooting the Word into lives of members who have grown stagnant in the Word, prayer for the Pastor who today battles a spiritual warfare with a month's medical leave due to an unknown source of internal bleeding. There is a spiritual battle going on in the church and we have to take cover under the Blood. There is a new work that is birthing we know it in our hearts and lives.

There is a new Hospitality corner for visitors set up by the ladies of the church. within the last six months, . and each week we are seeing some visitors.

This past Christmas, my new church which has been in existence for 30years and never had a Christmas Concert, rallied together and presented a Concert with only 2 months of preparation. They were led by the revived Worship Team leader and his core of worship singers who now raise their hands in worship during worship singing time. They rented an auditorium to seat 300 people ie. about twice our Sunday congregation. At the last minute, the school authority took away that hall and gave us an 800 seater. There was immediately faltering faith - many felt it was stretching our faith too far and we would be disappointed for the hall will be less than half full. Then someone suggested God is bigger than that 800 seater hall.. and the rest is history.. yes that hall was filled with more than 650 people beyond our wildest imagination.

That bonding, experience, that Spirit led and Spirit moved Concert is still worth talking about as we will be intiating a church-wide Bible Study never before done with Worship service preaching integrated to Sunday School church wide study of the preached subject from the youngest to the oldest starting in April. There is no limit what God can do when people are once again being rooted in the Word.. it will be just another start..this April. Yes we still want to see the day of the Lord in our midst when people will come streaming in to seek the Lord.

Last Saturday we had a pre Chinese New Year steamboat dinner for the young non-Christian budding accountants who had come to Singapore to study from around the region - China, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia. There were 30 non-Christian students and 35 Christians as buddies to help out in this self service dinner environment. It was praise to the Lord as our church attendance is only about 140 adults and children every week. ..that was a third of the Church membership involved and energised to do evangelism. Praise the Lord one step at a time He leads to inspire as we as a church move on... there are many foreign students crying out for help so we learned last Saturday... and the Lord has sent the foreign mission to our door-step as our church shares the same building with the largest school where accountants are being trained - yes, one step at a time we are moving in the Spirit in a Baptist church to see some of the things the Lord has promised to His children in our day, in our lives again.. and it only takes a spark to get the fire going.

Praise the Lord.. let Him send you where He wants you to make an impact for Him.. not to just receive but to give as He gives to you. There is no experience to replace that feeling that you are in the centre of His will in ministry... so start praying. You must be sent to be accepted .. but it wont take just moving in.. it will be a spiritual battle.

Let us exhort one another to do the will of the Father..in His time, in His place.. but we must be ready by His empowerment to make the difference .

ptl2008

Posted 02/07/2010 02:31pm
Author: ptl2008

PTL, Thank You for your comment. I am so glad the LORD put you right where you were needed. And also glad you are a member of this site, God Bless, friend, billy

Posted 02/07/2010 05:36pm
Author: billyb

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