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GOD IS MY STRENGTH

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(Hear audio songs and sermons)

 

 

By Ken Blue

Oh, my soul, why art thou cast down,

When God’s blessings everywhere abound?

The windows are open; love flows down.

Oh, my soul, why art thou canst down?

 

Oh, my soul, why are thou disquieted in me?

Is it some physical infirmity?

Is it because friends are removed from me?

Oh, my soul, why are thou disquieted in me?

 

I will say to my soul, lift up thy head,

To the Great Healer with wings overspread.

My lot is not forever, in this sick bed.

I will say to my soul, lift up thy head!

 

God is my strength in my time of sorrow.

His grace is sufficient today and tomorrow.

All His precepts are true, from them l will borrow.

God is my strength in my time of sorrow.

 

So, if your lot is a sick bed,

Say to thy soul, lift up thy head.

The Healer’s wings are overspread;

Say to thy soul, lift up thy head.

IS THERE A SOCIAL GOSPEL?

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What is the Social Gospel?

Social Gospel

 

By KenBlue

Definition: “Social gospel. 1 : the application of Christian principles to social problems.  2  a movement in American Protestant Christianity especially in the first part of the 20th century to bring the social order into conformity with Christian principles.” Merriam-Webster’s 11th. Collegiate Dictionary.

The first thing I noticed in the above definition is, that the gospel is nowhere mentioned. In fact, I do not believe there is any such thing as a “social” gospel. If there is, I don’t know what it is. As far as I am concerned, there is only one gospel. It is clearly defined in I Cor. 15 and defended in the book of Galatians. The gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ died, was buried and rose again the third day for sinners. This salvation is for anyone who will accept it by faith. This is the only true gospel, and all other gospels are not the gospel at all.

Now, what of the definition given for the social gospel? It appears that some churches are working to get society to accept Christian principles. I noticed that on the Courthouse lawns there are monuments with the Ten Commandments on them. Should these commandments be allowed or removed? Do we want unsaved people to learn Bible principles about life before they are saved? Many would say “no.”

Should a church get involved when a national disaster strikes? Should they feed and clothe the naked and the hungry? Should we withhold the soup until they profess Christ as Savior, or are we allowed to give a bowl of soup in hopes that we can get the gospel to them? What about skid row mission work, orphanages, and helping the sick? Do we have a responsibility to help these, even if they aren’t saved?

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ died, was buried and rose again the third day for sinners.[/pullquote]

What about your neighbor, would you help him repair his fence in hope you could witness to him? Would you get his car or animal out of the ditch if he was not saved?

I am fully aware that the number one goal is to get people saved. Is it unscriptural and anti-scriptural to use these avenues to get the gospel to the lost? I don’t think so.

There is no social gospel. There are social programs that any church could get involved in, in order to better their community and get the gospel to a lost world. For example, Open Door Baptist Church used the public school system to get thousands of invitations to the community. Who would fault them for doing that?

Don’t be afraid to get involved in community activities if it will better your community, help people, and open doors for witnessing. Remember, there is no social gospel.

If you can give a clear Scriptural definition of a social gospel, please do so.

 

FINDING THAT WHICH WAS LOST

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ByKenBlue

 

 

 

 

 


 

A certain man had a hundred sheep.

He counted them every day.

But in the process of time,

One wandered away.

 

And so he left the ninety and nine,

In the safety of the fold.

While He searched all through the night,

Till the lost He did hold.

 

Come ye my friends and rejoice with me,

I did gladly pay the cost.

My searching all through the night,

Was to save the lost.

 

Was a certain woman with ten coins;

But one was lost or misplaced.

To go in public without it,

Would be a disgrace.

 

She lit a candle and used a broom,

Searching every darkened place.

She found it in the darkness.

It adorns her face.

 

Come all my friends and rejoice with me,

I did gladly pay the cost.

My purpose for all the toil,

Was to find the lost.

 

Was a loving father with two sons,

But one left and went astray.

So, he patiently waited;

For that special day.

 

The lost son said, coming to himself,

“My Father has bread to spare.

I will now go home to Him,

He is waiting there.”

 

Come now My friends, and rejoice with Me,

I have paid in full sins cost.

All my joy is now fulfilled,

I’ve found what was lost.

 

(Hear audio songs and sermons)

THE WOLF AND THE SHEEP

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ByKenBlue

 

(THREE NEW SONGS)

 

 

The way you can tell a wolf from a sheep,

Is how they talk, and what they like to eat.

 

You would think appearance, would be enough.

But the wolf is clever, covered with fluff.

 

The sheep is simple, trusting, and naive.

The wolf is masterful, born to deceive.

 

They have different motives, and different ends.

True, they may feed together, but not as friends.

 

The wolfs appetite is for another sheep.

Pastors are best; to him the kill is sweet.

 

The wolf has learned the talk; if you’re listening;

You’ll hear some words, with the sound of hissing.

 

The wolf is known by his words and his diet.

Put the sword through him while the time is right.

 

The sheep is known by his diet and fleece.

You’re the shepherd; his knowledge must increase.

 

Feed them Gods Word so they won’t be asleep,

And they will know a wolf, from another sheep.

 

IT CAN BE DONE, EVEN IN THE SUMMER SLUMP!

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH OR SUMMER SLUMP

Summer SlumpOnce again Pastor Jason Murphy and church members have demonstrated that you can reach your community for Christ, even in the summer slump, if you are determined to do so. Below are some pictures and comments by Pastor Murphy.

“Praise God for a great day at Open Door. Last Sunday we had our annual “Freedom Celebration.” It was such a blessing to see our church work together to reach the community. These are some of the benefits I see by having community outreaches in a local church.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]You can reach your community for Christ.[/pullquote]

1. It involves our members in inviting their lost friends, relatives, coworkers and neighbors.

2. It gives them a chance to serve in multiple capacities: Set up, clean up, manning a booth, cooking food or simply running the visitor booth.

3.  They get involved in praying for the lostSummer Slump

4. It helps the church to not grow inward and become complacent

5. It helps develop a spirit of unity for the body as they serve together with one goal in mind. To bring honor and Glory to Jesus Christ and to fulfill our Biblical command of reaching the lost.

Summer SlumpBy God’s grace last Sunday we had just over 700 in attendance 240 first time visitors 7 professions of faith. Now, we as a church have the opportunity to follow up and these souls God has brought us into contact with.”