Hopewell Baptist Church
In Matthew 13:31-35 Jesus tells two simple, short parables, the Kingdom is like a mustard seed and yeast. When planted, the mustard seed grows into a great bush, some so large birds can land in it. Some plants start small and grow, and this is what Jesus says the Kingdom of God is like. The yeast gets into the flour, it infects the whole thing, and mixed with water, it rises. The Kingdom of God is like the mustard seed and the yeast. The Kingdom of God starts out small, yet it continues to grow, and you might not be able to see it because it begins in our hearts. Jesus says the Kingdom of God is something that grows.
The seed gets planted and grows and grows if we notice it or not. It takes a while for outward things to change, it doesn’t happen all at once, it’s in the hearts of people. We get focused on how we think the Kingdom of God works and we miss what is going on. The Kingdom of God grows, but so often we are distracted by the awful things in our world and don’t see the Kingdom of God unfolding before us. We’re missing all the beauty of God’s Kingdom unfolding. We get so narrowly focused, we’re distracted, and we don’t see the mustard seed grow or the yeast work in the flour.
We shared communion today as a remembrance of Jesus’ time on the cross, taking the opportunity to refocus our life to make it all about Jesus. It’s not about the juice and the cracker, it’s about the Kingdom growing all around us. Jesus is still King. Take a few minutes to get resettled on what really matters. Jesus died for our sins, loves and cares for us so much, He took the cross so we can have eternal life with Him. We need to focus back on who this is all about – Jesus. If you’ve never asked Jesus into your heart, there is no better time than now. Let’s not be afraid to follow what Jesus wants for us.
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.
Lincoln First Baptist Church
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE. 2024 is here. Praying that the churches will fill with new believers this year. There will be a Youth group starting in January on the 2nd and 4th Sunday evenings at 6:30. Bring your friends and learn about our Savior. We lost another long time member of our church this week. Margaret Kaiser went to be with the Lord this last week. She was a very devout Christian and served the Lord faithfully.
Genesis 32. The story of Jacob. Jacob was the youngest and was deceitful toward his brother. He stole Easu’s birthright and got the blessing from his father that was meant for Easu. Rebecca, his mother, was also deceitful because she helped him to steal the birthright.
Jacob was sent to live with his uncle Laban where he acquired 2 wives, children and lots of livestock and servants. Through this time God was building up Jacob. He didn’t want to return home because of the fear that his brother would kill him. Jacob left with nothing but came back with a lot. Jacob went to be by himself where he wrestled with God. Jacob’s hip was wrenched out of socket because he wouldn’t let go until he got a blessing from the one he was wrestling.
Esau saw Jacob from afar and went and hugged him. When working out things go to a place where it is just you and God. When have you wrestled with God? When have you cried when praying for your family and friends who are not saved? Get alone with God and pray with all your heart.
In the new year draw closer to God. May God bless you in 2024. Attend Church. You will get a blessing. See you soon.
Warsaw Christian Church
I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. -Revelation 21:1
In 1950, I was 14 years old. For some reason, I wondered if I would be alive in the year 2000. I would be an old man, 64 years old! Well, I made it to the year 2000 and am still kicking in the year 2022. God is good.
John anticipates something better than a new year. He sees a new heaven and a new earth. He catches a glimpse of what God has planned for the future. This old world as we know it is marked for destruction. A new earth is coming. I guess that is what we call “heaven.” Part of the newness will be in the fact that sin, evil, disease, and death will be banished forever. It will be what Milton called “Paradise Restored” in his 1671 poem.
This present life is good, especially for those who trust in Jesus. They know an even better day is coming. It will not be a new year but a new world. I can’t imagine the details of what this new world will be like, but I hope to find out. The admission price is simple.
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.
-Acts 16:31
But is it true? If you have a better plan, let me know!
From The Pastor's Desk
The Translators
I have been reading everything I could find for the last two hours refreshing my memory about the translators of the 1611 King James Bible. I have thought about writing this article for several weeks.
However, just today, I have been bombarded on how mistakes made by people in authority can affect our lives. Common mistakes like typos, things lost in the mail, wrong addresses and such can alter our way of living and cause undo stress.If the KJV authors made huge mistakes translating the scriptures, then we are of all men most miserable.
In spite of what the critics say, the some 45-50 translators of the KJV were perhaps the greatest group of Bible scholars and masters of Biblical languages to ever be assembled.
Let's start with a boy genius, Rev John Bois. At the age of 5, he could read Hebrew and at 6, he could write the words and at 12, some say he had the Hebrew Bible memorized.
Dr. Richard Brett was skilled in eight languages including Hebrew and Greek.
Dr. Miles Smith could speak six languages. He was a noted scholar and considered one of the best of his day.
Professor Edward Lively was known as one of the best linguists in the world.Not just in England but in the entire world.
Launcelot Andrews was skilled in 15 languages. I repeat, 15.
John Bois was taught Greek by his father when he was 5 years old and entered college at 14.
Of Dr. John Reynolds, it is said had a perfect photographic memory.
We could go on and on but you get the point. These are just seven of the hand picked scholars chosen by the providence of God for this extraordinary project. Seven of the greatest minds on their day and perhaps even of all time.
Now, the KJV has been tremendously criticized and is said to be full of contradictions, discrepancies and errors. King James character has been ripped apart. They say there are better manuscripts today that the KJV scholars didnt have access to. Their job wasn't to make a new Bible but make a good one better.
They had the William Tyndale Bible plus five previous good Bibles and the Textus Receptus for the N.T. and the Masoretic text for the old.
It has been said that the KJV men were bias, doctrinally opinionated and verbally handcuffed by the Church of England. That statement is perhaps true to a point. Many say the language is outdated and words have changed their meanings. Some truth there too. Some of the authors were Calvinists. No denying that.
In summation, they were just men prone to sin and very flawed. Yes, we all are.
In my opinion, God had his hand in this work. My faith is in God and I believe God has preserved His Word. I can't answer all the questions and certainly dont understand it all.
I am Johnie J. Logue, pastor of Grace Baptist Church at 31046 Hwy MM in Warsaw. Call me at (660) 281-4775.
Unity Of The Lakes
Unity of the Lakes invites you to join us on Sunday 1/7/24 for our White Stone service. Rev. Sandra Duncan is our guest speaker and this service is certain to help you enter 2024 on a positive note. If you have never been to a White Stone service you owe to yourself to experience this moving and special service. Service is 11 am, dress is casual and all are welcome. Please join us for service and stay for food and fellowship. We are located 8 miles south of Warsaw on highway 65. Our physical address is 34948 Hwy 65 South. We look forward to seeing you.
