Embrace the Agenda of Christ

Mark 11:27-33 (English Standard Version)

27 And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, 28and they said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” 29Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me.” 31And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 32But shall we say, ‘From man’?”— they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet. 33So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Since Jesus is the ultimate authority in the universe, then we must listen to Him.

1. We must beware of our own agendas.
2. We must embrace the agenda of Christ.

Click below for sermon audio:
Mark 11:27-33

Announcements for Sunday August 29, 2010

Pastor Dave Atkins, our Candidate Pastor for Worship and Family, will be our worship leader today. More information about Dave can be found inside this bulletin and at www.theJIBC.org

There will be a congregational meeting on Sunday September 26 after the Worship Service.  The purpose of this meeting is to elect new Ministry Directors, approve proposed changes to the Church Constitution, and a couple of other items.  Nomination forms for Ministry Directors are available at the Welcome Table along with the proposed Constitutional changes.  NOTE: The nomination form does not list ALL the church ministries.  Only those that are led by a Ministry Director. Some ministries are lead by committees, pastors, etc.

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 donations.

Godliness with Contentment is Great Gain

Dear friends,

“Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world” (1 Timothy 6:6-7).

These verses teach us how to relate to wealth in this world. However, there is a broader and more general meaning as well. Not only should we seek “godliness and contentment” outside of money, but also other things such as pleasure, rest, fame, fitness, and worldly success. “Godliness” begins when we place our trust in Christ and have our sins washed away. It continues as we strive to love and honor Him by obeying His commands. “Contentment” comes from valuing and appreciating our relationship with the Lord more than anything else in this life.

Many people chase after the toys of this world and find that peace and happiness always elude them. This is because everything in the world will eventually spoil, perish, and fade away. Only the soul lasts for ever and only a Christ possessed soul will be prepared for heaven. This is why the greatest gain comes when we find salvation and satisfaction in Him.

“Worldlings prize their gems of beauty,
Cling to gilded toys of dust,
Boast of wealth and fame and pleasure;
Only Jesus will I trust.

Since my eyes were fixed on Jesus,
I’ve lost sight of all beside;
So enchained my spirit’s vision,
Looking at the Crucified.”

Your friend,

Stephen

Rev. Stephen St. John
Pastor/Elder

Announcemets Sunday, August 22

Today we welcome Pastor Dave Atkins, our Candidate Pastor for Worship and Family, along with his wife Sharon. More information about meeting Dave while he is here can be found inside this bulletin and at www.theJIBC.org

The JIBC ladies Bible study, Daniel: Lives of Integrity, Words of Prophecy, will begin this Wednesday.  Come and explore the thrilling prophecies from the time of Daniel through the second coming of Jesus Christ.  This is part 2 of the Daniel study started earlier this year.  However, you needn’t have participated in part 1 of the study to join us.  The ladies will meet Wednesday evenings from 7-9 pm at the home of Julie Spake. A sign up sheet is available at the welcome table.

A Special Youth Event for ages 13 and up will meet this Friday at the Beech’s home at 7 PM. Dinner is included and Pastor Dave Atkins will be leading. Maps to the Beech’s are available at the welcome table.

Our Next Baptism Service will be on Sunday, September 12 at 2:30 PM. If you are interested in baptism, please speak with Pastor Stephen, contact the church office, or email JIBCmembership@gmail.com

It’s time to select new ministry leaders! There will be a brief congregational meeting on Sunday September 26 after the Worship Service. The purpose of this meeting is to elect new Ministry Directors, approve proposed changes to the Church Constitution, and perhaps a couple of other items to be announced soon. Nomination forms for Ministry Directors are available at the Welcome Table along with the proposed Constitutional changes. These items are also available on the church website (www.theJIBC.org).

Pray Bigger Prayers!

Mark 11:22-25 (English Standard Version)

22And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

Jesus wants us to have complete trust and faith in Him.

1. We must pray in faith.
2. We must forgive in faith.
3. We must expect the impossible in faith.

Click the link below for sermon audio:
Mark 11:22-25

Announcements for Sunday August 22, 2010

Today we welcome Pastor Dave Atkins, our Candidate Pastor for Worship and Family, along with his wife Sharon. More information about meeting Dave while he is here can be found inside this bulletin and at www.theJIBC.org

The JIBC ladies Bible study, Daniel: Lives of Integrity, Words of Prophecy, will begin this Wednesday.  Come and explore the thrilling prophecies from the time of Daniel through the second coming of Jesus Christ.  The ladies will meet Wednesday evenings from 7-9 pm at the home of Julie Spake. A sign up sheet is available at the welcome table.

A Special Youth Event for ages 13 and up will meet this Friday at the Beech’s home at 7 PM. Dinner is included and Pastor Dave Atkins will be leading. Maps to the Beech’s are available at the welcome table.

Our Next Baptism Service will be on Sunday, September 12 at 2:30 PM. If you are interested in baptism, please speak with Pastor Stephen, contact the church office, or email JIBCmembership@gmail.com

It’s time to select new ministry leaders! There will be a brief congregational meeting on Sunday September 26 after the Worship Service. The purpose of this meeting is to elect new Ministry Directors, approve proposed changes to the Church Constitution, and a couple of other items. Nomination forms for Ministry Directors are available at the Welcome Table along with the proposed Constitutional changes.

BSF starts the study of Isaiah this week. Come and see: intellectual, applicable, fun, and challenging.  Worth your time.  Men (Monday night) and women’s (Thursday morning) classes both open at community churches.   Contact Jack or Jan Harkless  21- 719-0737 for more info.

Open Up for the Lost

Mark 11:12-21 (English Standard Version)

12 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. 13 And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it. 15 And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 16And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. 17And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” 18And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching. 19 And when evening came they went out of the city. 20 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.”

Jesus came to remind us of God’s love for the whole world.

1. Jesus came to Jerusalem to do some house cleaning!
2. Jesus came to Jerusalem to have an open house!

Click below for sermon audio:
Mark 11:12-21

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