Are You a Disciple of Jesus?

In Luke 6:12-13 (NASB) we read these words,  “It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God. And when day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles.”

 

What is a disciple? 

The word translated “disciple” in our English Bible is from the Greek word for a learner or a pupil, it is the word “μαθητής”,  pronounced ma-the-tes. The standard definition of disciple is someone who adheres to the teachings of another. So a disciple is a follower or a learner. In today’s culture we might use the word “apprentice” for disciple. It refers to someone who takes up the ways of someone else for the purpose of learning from them. In the case of the passage above from Luke’s Gospel account we find that a disciple is a learner who is under the tutelage of a master teacher or Rabbi. 

 

Jesus emphasized the idea of a “follower” when He called the twelve from their busy lives to be His disciples. For example in (Matthew 4:18-19), we read these words, “And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Follow me, these words mark out an important aspect of discipleship. The pupil was to mimic the actions and teachings of the Master by following closely in His footsteps. To be a learner the disciple followed closely behind the Master, observing His life, and listening intently to His words (see I John 1:1-4).

 

Jonathon Parnell, pastor and teacher, said this of the disciples, “Applied to Jesus, a disciple is someone who learns from Him to live like Him — someone who, because of God’s awakening grace, conforms his or her words and ways to the words and ways of Jesus”  (see Acts 4:13). The disciple is constantly learning, and absorbing everything he can from the teacher, striving daily to walk in the footsteps of the Master, for the purpose that others would see “Christ in you the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). 

 

It would be no easy task to instruct and equip these twelve for the ministry that they had been called to. These “Ordinary Men” as they are described by John MacArthur, had many faults to overcome. For example, in the Gospel accounts we read that the twelve could be “slow of heart to believe” (Mark 16:14), that they had a defect of jealously (Mark 10:35-37), that they lacked faith when tested (Mark 9:17-19), that they lacked spiritual understanding (Matthew 15:16), and finally that they all deserted Jesus when He needed them the most (Mark 14:50).

 

The Gospels record the many failings, struggles, and doubts of these twelve men who followed Jesus Christ. They may have been slow to learn, but the disciples of Jesus did learn and as a result they became under Jesus the founders of the Church of the Living God. It has been truthfully said that you don’t have to be perfect to follow Jesus. 

 

After witnessing Jesus’ resurrection and ascension into heaven, the Holy Spirit transformed the disciples into powerful men of God who turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6). What accounts for the dramatic change? It is said of the disciples that they had “been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). My prayer is that the same may be said of us as we strive to follow in the footsteps of our Lord, Jesus Christ and to fulfill the work He has given us to do here at Gospel Baptist Church. 

 

Jim York,

Teacher, Berean Bible Study Class

You Have to Hate What’s Happened to Love

Love is a noble virtue.  The Bible plainly teaches its value and experience confirms its worth.  Love is the central theme in a multitude of historical and literary stories, including Abraham and Sarah, Boaz and Ruth, Romeo and Juliet, Anthony and Cleopatra, Pocahontas and John Smith, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, and of course, Popeye and Olive Oyl…not to mention the never-ending parade of Hallmark movies!  Plus, on a personal level, every couple that is, or plans to be, married has their own love story.  Yes indeed, “love is in the air,” especially during this month.

No other month flies under the banner of love as much as February.  The reason is the celebration of Valentine, a third century Christian pastor who highly valued the idea of the “courtly love” between a man and a woman.  As a result, ever since the Middle Ages, the date of Valentine’s death has come to be the day to memorialize love…not to mention its impact on flower, chocolate, and jewelry sales.

So, what’s happened to love?  Sadly, this most noble virtue has become a victim of a sham.  Indeed, what is promoted as love must be recognized and yes, even despised.  For what has happened to love is truly a tragedy and a catastrophe that is nothing less than, well…heartbreaking.

The culture has twisted and perverted love to the point that it’s almost unrecognizable.  The culture has long polluted love by expressing it in terms of lust…a mere physical attraction that ignites the hormones and stimulates a pounding heart.  But lust is a defiled substitute for love.  Lust is selfish and always wants something.  Lust is short-lived and is always looking for a new object of desire.  Lust is always misleading, wanting to think only of the moment and never caring about the future.  Abundant evidence can be easily found in pop and country music, which (sad to say) have long been the ballads that promote such perverted misrepresentations of love.

Love has been dishonored by the “happily ever after” story endings.  Regrettably, many interpret this to mean that there’s not supposed to be any bumps or difficulties along the road of life, at least not if it’s “true love,” and if there are problems, then it must not be love, so the relationship is abandoned.

Love has been disgraced by the idea that love is just an emotion.  This is the view that you know it’s love when it “feels right.”  To which the question must be asked, what does it mean to “feel right?”  If there was ever a reason for a false positive, it’s the “feel right” view of love.  Eventually, the “just follow your heart” feeling goes away, and then what’s left?  Sadly, this too is the reason why many relationships are begun and abandoned…only to see individuals go to look for another emotional high.  The world of music promotes this lie with their variations of “how can it be so wrong when it feels so right” and “hooked on a feeling” songs.  The Bible warns of this trap when it says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).

The worst of all desecrations of love is the idea that love has no ethical boundaries.  Love that is disconnected from biblical ethics is love that is truly perverted.  Love grows best and matures most when it’s exercised within the bounds of God’s intended framework of purity, marriage, and family.  Love outside of those boundaries is a gross misrepresentation of all that God intends love to be.

Without a doubt, love involves an attraction, an emotion, and an anticipation of wonder and excitement.  However, love was never intended to be led by attraction, emotion, and anticipation.  This is because love that reflects the best of God’s intentions will always be patient, kind, truthful, hopeful, enduring, and never failing.  It will not boast, be proud, dishonoring, selfish, or angry (see I Corinthians 13:4-8). 

This type of love is based upon a commitment, one best described in Matthew 22:36-40, where Jesus said to first love God and then to love others.  Extending from this is the love of a husband and wife (Ephesians 5:21-33), the love of a family (Ephesians 6:1-4), the love of other Christians (Galatians 5:13), and the love of other people (Galatians 5:14).  Indeed, the Bible instructs us to be “…rooted and grounded in love (Ephesians 3:17).  So, beware of how the culture always seeks to defile, dishonor, disgrace, and desecrate love, because you have to hate what’s happened to love.

Dr. Harlie Miller,

Executive Pastor

New Beginnings, New Seasons, New Habits

 With a New Year comes new expectations. No doubt we will hear many New Year’s resolutions, whether it be to shed a few pounds or to open our Bibles daily. The new year for many represents a time of change and a brand-new start to improve ourselves. Some of us will find ourselves in a different season of life. No matter what season you find yourself in 2022 remember Ecclesiastes 3:1.

“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven…”

Whether in the depths of a valley or on the mountain top this next year, let’s make a resolution. Not just to reach some goal we set for ourselves to be a better follower of Christ.

Not just to read a certain number of chapters a day in God’s Word, or to pray a certain number of times a day. But to pull up to God’s table, put our eyes on Him, and let Him make the change. For who are we to know what God’s final image is for us? Who are we to change ourselves?  Is it not Jesus that died for us that we might be clothed in righteousness? Is it not He who changes hearts, breaks chains, and breathes life into dry bones? So, let’s not trust ourselves to make and reach some unobtainable goal this year. Instead let’s trust in Him. Let’s set our eyes on God and make Him the priority in our lives. Too often the clay tries to mold itself rather than submit to the gentle hands of the potter.

With this in mind I urge all of you, as brothers and sisters in Christ, to remember that whether it’s the New Year, the 4th of July, or whether you are turning 16 or 90; every day is a new day in Christ Jesus! 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!”
(II Corinthians 5:17)

We live in newness every day in Jesus. God didn’t provide new life for us so that we would walk in old ways. The Lord came down for us that we might set our sights on Him and have our chains broken. So, in this new year, let your chains fall and set your eyes on God. Don’t let doubt and anxiety whisper lies about what you must do to be better but rely on God’s strength to accomplish the plans He has for you in 2022.

May each one of you have an amazing New Year that is Christ-centered!

Kobie Heath,

Youth Director

Immanuel: God With Us

Thanksgiving has come and gone.  But as followers of Christ, we strive to practice a heart of gratitude and thanksgiving daily, especially at this joyous time of year.   Let’s celebrate and rejoice in God’s most glorious gift: a baby born in a manger, who forever changed the world. How thankful we are for our Immanuel, “God with us,” the true meaning of Christmas!

 

Have you noticed that stores have been playing Christmas music since before Thanksgiving?  This time of year approaches with much anticipation, excitement, sentimentality, and hope.   No doubt as the month of December begins, we ourselves will be singing some familiar Christmas hymns with meaning and depth as well as some of the fun songs about reindeer, chipmunks and snow falling.  

The sights, sounds, smells, traditions, stories and memories of Christmas past, may bring lots of different emotions to our hearts.  But as we focus on the true meaning of Christmas, we will find our hearts able to rejoice even in the midst of difficult memories. 

 

So let us intentionally focus on Christ, “the reason for the season” as they say.  As we participate in, and look forward to all of our annual Christmas traditions, let’s keep Him as the center of our JOY and celebrations.  

 

Thank you to those who participated in Operation Christmas Child with Samaritan’s Purse to reach children all over the world this holiday season. We also provide the opportunity to serve  in our Outdoor Live Nativity as we give to our community a” Living Christmas Card” to bless them with visuals of what Christmas is really all about.  Most of our church family will enjoy giving in the Birthday offering for Christ so that we can help those in need this season.  Many of us will enjoy going Christmas Caroling to be a blessing to our shut-ins.  Our church family will delight in watching our children perform their Christmas program.  All of these events are traditions of our church to celebrate our Savior’s birth and share the Gospel.

 

In the words of one of our Christmas hymn, Oh Come All Ye Faithful, Joyful and Triumphant, Come let us adore Him!” Oh come let us adore Him, Christ our King! He is not only the baby in the manger but this promised baby is the omnipotent Creator of heaven and earth. To adore is to regard with the utmost esteem, respect and honor.  He deserves our adoration!  

 

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:17

 

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  Is. 9:6

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  Phil. 2:10-11

 

The shepherds adored Him, and the angels praised Him.  We are reminded to come and worship the King of Kings! The Wise Men saw the star, rejoiced with exceedingly great joy, fell down and worshiped Him.  Then they presented their gifts to Him. (Matthew 2:10-11) Let’s praise and worship Him!  Let’s rejoice with much joy at such great a salvation He has provided!  What a privilege to present Him with the gifts of ourselves in service, our time, using our talents to help others and to point them to Christ, all for God’s glory! 

 

May each of you enjoy a Christ-centered Christmas season!  I am praying for you.

 

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Paul, Senior Pastor

I Would Not Have You to be Ignorant Brethren

The Bible is criticized, biblical truth is condemned, and Christians are cursed.  This is not unique to our country or our time.  Opposition and violence toward Christians has been happening from the very beginning.  Even today, there are countries where being a Christian can result in imprisonment or death.  In some places, Christians are targeted for attack.  Many people die each year only because they are Christians.  These realities, matched by the vulgarities of the abortionists, the atheists, and the anarchists reflect a fulfillment of the warnings of Christ to His followers:

·  “Ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.” Mark 13:13

·  “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.” Luke 6:22

·  “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” John 15:18

Thus, we are not surprised when mobs aggressively seek to silence Christian voices, promote lies about what the Bible teaches, or discredit historical fact in favor of hysterical fancy, even if it means using violence and destroying private property or public displays.

So, the questions arise…What should a Christian do? And what do we need to know moving forward?  (Especially an American Christian in the year 2021)

Into such a culture of confusion and condemnation we seek the wisdom of Christ, who said in Luke 6:27, “Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you.” Love is indeed the response that Christ requires.  However, it’s an impossible task if we undertake it in our own strength.  We must ask the Lord for His strength to respond in love and not to respond in kind.

Additionally, we need to be informed regarding the cultural trends and strategies of anti-Christian voices. We need to hear the admonition of the Apostle Paul, who wrote to the Christians in Rome, Corinth, and Thessalonica, “I would not have you to be ignorant brethren…”  We cannot influence our family, our community, or our culture by being ignorant.  That’s why Christians must engage the Bible daily, it is the only source of truth that impacts our temporal and our eternal mindsets.  We cannot become “religious ostriches” and hide our head in the sand.  Rather, we must intentionally combat ignorance as we encounter the cultural and spiritual battles of the day. 

The two books below provide biblically based perspectives regarding the issues, challenges, and insights necessary to avoid being ignorant.  As we stand equipped with the truth of the Bible and the facts of history, we will be prepared to confidently present the Gospel and courageously defend the faith.  You can find these books at your favorite online book seller, or you can download and listen through Audible.  I highly recommend both as resources to help clarify the issues and responses needed in this time of cultural, political, and spiritual uncertainty.

                    Dr. Harlie Miller, Associate Pastor

We Will Not Be Silenced: Responding Courageously to Our Culture’s Assault on Christianity,  

by Erwin Lutzer

Fault Lines:

The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism’s Looming Catastrophe,

by Voddie T. Baucham, Jr.

Turning Point

 I don’t know about you, but for me October signals a natural turning point. I, with gratitude, turn a year older. Fall has begun. I hone in on finishing the year well. I begin to look forward to all that comes in the final quarter of the year. After all, fall festivities, Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner. Our family vacation coming up in December (the first in two years!) now seems like a reality. As with each and every eventful season of our lives, our God proves faithful and good. This October in particular will surely bring change for me. My departure from Gospel marks a beautiful end to what has been the honor and privilege of serving alongside a beautiful family of God and an exciting beginning to freely broaden my horizons and potential in the path of ministry the Lord has laid out for my life. With this in mind, I want to share with you a little about just one of the divine appointments I have had, one that served as just one more affirmation from the Lord who makes our paths straight.

 

Mrs. Denya, in partnership with Youth for Christ, runs a young ladies bible study on Friday mornings with students from Northern High School. As I do, I would pop in unannounced and give them all a good morning scare each week. This eventually turned into a short 10-minute worship session for a couple of weeks. One week, just before music time, I caught the end of their lesson and it has stuck with me. Hear this from a mother who learns a valuable lesson in giving all to God in every moment in this book, What Happens When Young Women Say Yes to God:    

 

“What moments have you had like this? The kind where you are certain that God’s fingerprints are all over them. Live in expectation of experiencing God and hearing His voice. Record these times in a journal. Look for answers to the prayers you’ve prayed and understanding from the steps of obedience and faithfulness God has called you to take. See how he weaves everything together in wonderful ways.”

 

         In this season of change, don’t forget to abide in Christ (John 15) and look for his leading, not neglecting to see the beauty of His purposeful weaving in each of our lives. He’s there, working all to our good. He’s there orchestrating while we are often times unaware. He is good. He is God. He is for us and not against us. He never sleeps or slumbers. He is able.

 

         A HUGE THANK YOU from the Wilson family to each of you who were so generous, kind and supportive during our final days at Gospel!! So many of you wrote cards, called, texted, gave gifts, visited with us, cried with us, rejoiced with us and more. Words just cannot express enough gratitude or reciprocity of love. Another HUGE THANK YOU to all those who put in the work to execute a farewell fellowship! That farewell fellowship was so beautiful and so humbling. I know the work it takes to pull off something like that, and we don’t take it lightly-thank you. I’ll never forget how honored and loved I felt in those moments- thank you. Thank you, church family, for the precious gift of that Martin guitar. It represents so much, not that I intend to idolize an object, but there’s a lot of miles in worship at the church and in the community that I will fondly remember upon every strum. The signatures and notes you all placed on the back are priceless and precious. Love you all!!   

• Pastor Jason Wilson

Remember

In the Bible, God’s people found ways to “remember” important events in their lives. They remembered, memorialized and celebrated ways in which God had helped them, worked miracles and blessed them. 

The word “remember” is used 217 times in the Bible.  Some of the annual feasts and celebrations of God’s people would include:  Sabbath when they would remember creation by resting. Passover helped them to remember the exodus from slavery in Egypt. Unleavened bread helped them remember the hasty exodus from Egypt. Firstfruits helped them remember the blessing of God‘s bounty. Weeks (Pentecost, harvest) helped them remember the harvest blessings. Trumpets helped them remember to seek God’s blessing in the new year.  Atonement helped them to remember to seek God’s forgiveness. Tabernacles helped them to remember the journey from Egypt to Canaan. Purim helped them to remember the deliverance of the Jews from the genocide in Persia. 

The desire to remember what God had done motivated the Israelites to create memorials. Exodus 12:7 – 8, Joshua 4,  Exodus 14, 1 Samuel 7:12

We are instructed in the Bible many times to remember God and His works! To list a few: 

• Psalm 20:7 “Some trust in chariots and some in horses but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.”

• Psalm 77:11, “I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember the wonders of old.”

• Psalm 105:5 “Remember his marvelous works that he has done.”

• Psalm 143:5 “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.” 

Even Jesus at his final Passover meal said “Do this in remembrance of me.”

1 Corinthians 11:23 - 26 We as a church remember Christ’s sacrificial death until he comes again through communion.

In America most of us celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, achievements like graduations and other special events. We celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas and July 4th as well as many others!  These national holidays are to remember, they have a purpose. We should remember blessings and sacrifices that have allowed us to prosper and survive as a nation. We should remember and be proactive in celebrating what God has done for us as a church and as well as each one of us personally. 

Let us remember His Sacrifice, the price He paid!  “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

Remember where we came from!  “Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature old things are passed away;” 

2 Corinthians 6:17-20 

Remember what He has done for us personally! “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 10:17, “…remember that thou was a bondman in Egypt and the LORD thy God redeemed thee.” Deuteronomy 24:18

So on Celebration Sunday we encourage each of us to REMEMBER & CELEBRATE:

1. God‘s goodness to Gospel Baptist Church

2. God has truly worked miracles for us at GBC

3. To praise him and thank him for his continued blessings

4. To recognize that God is in control and that he wants to continue to use us for his eternal purposes

5. To teach our children that they might know and recognize the hand of the Lord.  Joshua 4:6, 22, 24

God Worked A Miracle For Us, In Relocating Us To This Location. We Don’t Want To Forget!  We Praise Him For His Continued Blessings On Gospel Baptist Church. Since Last September, We Remember & Celebrate Because:

We paid off the facility during COVID! We baptized 13! Made improvements to our playground area, built a new stew shed that includes a grill and smoker. We added 6 new members! We have had at least 63 professions of faith in our services, children’s ministries, VBS, GAP, outreach ministries & in funerals!  All to God’s glory!  

Pastor Paul Luttrell, Senior Pastor