Scripture at Sunrise 3.18.2013

“And they shall be Mine,” saith the LORD of hosts,” in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” -Malachi 3:17

You are a jewel. He loves you! Bask in it. Speak about it often. Meditate on it. -Bro. Sherl Thomas

**We were so blessed to have Bro. Sherl Thomas, Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Irvine, Kentucky, preach for our 16th anniversary celebration this morning. He truly encouraged our hearts with the Word of God and challenged us to see everything as an opportunity God has given us. Both messages today were great (as always) and can be listened to at the links below. 

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 
Sermon Audio

Morning: Be Encouraged (Malachi 3:14-4:2) | Bro. Sherl Thomas

Evening: Intro to Ruth (Ruth 1:1) | Pastor Steve Wainright

BFM Spring Conference (Monday Night)

The 51st Annual BFM Spring Conference kicked off tonight at Thompson Road Baptist Church! We were blessed by two sermons about “Pressing Forward for the Glory of God.” I’ll do my best to recap them here.

Bro. Sherl Thomas from Emmanuel Baptist Church of Irvine, Kentucky
Pressing Forward for the Glory of God (2 Thessalonians 1:3-12)

1)Suggests there’s a worthy endeavor involved…
2 Thessalonians 1:11- interlinear=”that YOU would count worthy of the calling of God” (see Colossians 1:12…you have been made worthy by His finished work!)

Why missions is a worthy endeavor:
-It’s a scriptural mandate (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16…)
-Because of the depraved condition of fallen man (condemned, dead in sins, at enmity with God…only hope is the Gospel)
Matthew 9:10-13- They don’t need a band-aid, they need a heart transplant. God never saved anyone who never knew they were lost. Must see your sinful condition and need for a Savior.

2)Suggests there are obstacles involved…
Satan hinders.
1 Thessalonians 2:17-18- Paul’s hindrance was his absence; His solution was to send Timothy (1 Thessalonians 3)
We may be hindered by being physically absent from our missionaries, but we can support them by praying and giving.

3)Every worthy endeavor requires that we be motivated.
We keep pressing if there’s motivation. (2 Thessalonians 1:12)
Our motivation is the glory of God! Everything we do should be done to bring glory to God!

Bro. Greg Waltermire from Heritage Baptist Church of Lexington, Kentucky
Grapes or Gripes? (Numbers 13:23-29)
Same evidence, but different mindsets.

vs. 23-27- Grapes
Their report: Everything God told us is true! They brought back a single cluster of grapes, an example of God’s faithfulness and evidence of His providence. “Yes, there’s challenges, but look at these grapes!”

vs. 28-29- Gripes
“Nevertheless” (Hebrew for “uh-oh” hahaha!)

What do you see in ministry? Something too big to hit or too big to miss? (Example: David saw Goliath as something too big to miss while everybody else saw him as something too big to hit.)
Do you see opportunity or do you see problems?
Do you see discipleship or do you see drudgery?
The providence of God will either please your spirit or plague your flesh.
Do you see the value or the cost?