Following Jesus (includes audio)

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons (Mark 1:35-39).

Because we are disciples of Jesus, we must follow Him.

1. We must follow Him in prayer.
2. We must follow His way of dealing with people.
3. We must follow Him in purpose.

Click below for sermon audio:
Mark 1:35-39

Announcements for the Week of August 30

Men’s Bible Study (evening edition) will be this Wednesday at 7 PM in the JIBC Office. Come for some good food, fellowship and Bible Study.

Attention Men! You are all invited to attend one of our two regular Men’s Bible Studies. One is our evening edition which meet’s every other Wednesday at 7 PM in the church office. The other is our lunch time edition which meet’s every other Wednesday at 12 PM in the Ratu Plaza Outback Steakhouse. We are just beginning a new series in Ephesians. Come enjoy good fellowship, Bible Study, food, and prayer! This week is the evening edition.

Updates for youth events are available via e-mail. If you would like to receive the weekly JIBC Youth Group News Letter, please send an e-mail to jillsharp1@gmail.com with the address you would like the newsletter to be sent to. Updates include weekly and upcoming events to help you plan.

Friday Youth Fellowship is celebrating the conclusion of another six weeks of study with a get-together at the St. John home for dinner, games and fellowship on September, 4th. The event is 6:00 - 9:00 pm. For directions, please call Jill Sharp at 08118200783. Anyone 11-16 yrs is invited to attend. Regular FYF meetings will resume September 18 at the church office.

Food Gathering Next week for Street Children’s Ministry and the Ministry of our sister Indonesian Language congregation. Please come with non-perishable food items or cash donation.

Keep Yourselves from Idols

“While Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols” (Acts 17:16).

Someone has referred to the human heart as an idol factory. People want to worship and nothing will stop them. This is why our city is full of Mosques. But it is also why our city if full of shopping malls. It is natural for human creatures to look for something they can bow before including wealth, power, luxury, fame, and even human relationships. Like ancient Athens, the city and the world is full of idols.

This being the case, we Christians must beware of two things:

First, we have the good news that sets people free from idols. Paul preached it in Athens telling the people about Jesus, who was sent by God to bring salvation and eternal life (Acts 17:16-34). We too should share this greatest of all messages with those who are trapped in false worship. Like Paul, we should be wise in our approach. He spoke to the Jews like a Jew. He spoke to the philosophers like a philosopher. But he did speak and so should we!

Second, we must beware lest we make idols in our own hearts. Oh yes, even the Christian can be guilty of this. Jesus knows it, so he warns us not to attempt serving God and money (Matthew 6:24). Of course money is not the only thing that traps us. Anything that begins to take the place of God in our lives is an idol. We must be watchful so this does not happen to us..

“Little children, keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21).

Your servant,

Stephen

Rev. Stephen St. John
Pastor/Elder

Youth Sunday, August 23

Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart! Psalm 32: 11

On every month with five sundays, the Youth Group leads one sunday morning worship. In August 23, Rachel, Gisella, Jemimah, Allen, Dominik and Andrew served as Praise Team and ushers. Thank you, and to God be the Glory!

The King Has Come (includes audio)

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him. And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are— the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee. And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them. That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him (Mark 1:14-34).

Because the King has come, we must embrace His kingdom.

1. We must respond to His calling.
2. We must uphold His teaching.
3. We may receive His healing.

Click the link below to listen to sermon audio:
Mark 1:14-34

Announcements for the Week of August 23

Men’s Bible Study (lunch edition) will be this Wednesday at 12 PM. We will meet at Outback Steakhouse in Ratu plaza. Come for fellowship and Bible Study.

Girl’s Only Bible Study will meet on Saturday, August 29 at 11:30 am for lunch at Darmawangsa Square Mall. Grand Canyon Cafe has closed, so we will meet at Tator and discuss where we would like to meet in the future.

Attention all Bowlers! There will be a JIBC bowling tournament on Saturday, August 29 at the Plaza Senayan Lanes. The church will sponsor three eight player teams: Youth Group Team; Young Adult (YAF) Team; and Adult Team. Trophies will be awarded for the winning team, the best player, and the worst player! If you don’t want to be on a team, you are still invited to come and cheer while enjoying good fellowship and fun. To sign up, or for more information, please see Dina or Ian Beech

Members and Regular Attendants, please fill out the JIBC data form for the 2009 church directory found on the welcome table in the back. Everyone over sixteen needs to complete a form, even if your spouse or parent has already completed one. We need individual information from members, associate members, and regular attendants. Please give completed forms to Dina.

Announcements for the Week of August 16

Men’s Bible Study (evening edition) will be this Wednesday at 7 PM in the JIBC office. Come for some good food, fellowship and Bible Study.

Looking for a way to serve the church? Rod MacKay is in need of an assistant for the Children’s Church toddler class. The class is held during the service for toddlers up to five years old, and teenage or adult volunteers are welcome. Please talk to Rod MacKay if you are interested.

Friday Youth Fellowship will meet in the church office on Friday, August 21 from 6:00 - 9:00 PM. Uran The will be the guest speaker, and dinner will be provided. Please come for Fellowship and Bible study!

RBI Students may pick up their class information starting today. Please see Dina or Pastor Stephen for more information.

Attention all Bowlers! There will be a JIBC bowling tournament on Saturday, August 29 at the Plaza Senayan Lanes. The church will sponser three eight player teams: Youth Group Team, Young Adult Team, and Adult Team. Trophies will be awarded to the winning team, the best player, and the worst player! If you won’t want to be on a team, you are still invited to come and cheer while enjoying good fellowship and fun. To sigh up, or for more information, please see Dina or Ian Beech.

Member and Regular Attendants, please fill out the JIBC data form for the 2009 church directory found on the welcome table in the back. Everyone over sixteen needs to complete a form, even if your spouse or parent has already completed one. We need individual information from members, associate members, and regular attendants. Please give completed forms to Dina.

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