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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.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOW TO BE A NEW CREATURE IN CHRIST

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IF YOU’RE IN CHRIST, YOU ARE A NEW CREATURE

By Ken Blue

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17.

The Lord Jesus Christ was born without a sinful nature, just as Adam was created without a sinful nature. Although Adam is called the Son of God, it is by virtue of his direct creation. Jesus is the Only Begotten Son, because of His unique birth. However, Jesus was just as much a man as was Adam.

Jesus was human and had every need that man has. He was hungry, thirsty, weary, sleepy, sorrowful, in agony, wept, felt pain, bled and died. There was nothing about his earthly existence that could provide payment for our salvation. His teaching, example, and wonderful life could save no one. To be saved, we must become new creatures.

When Jesus went into the grave, His was a dead, helpless, and lifeless corpse. After three days, He arose in a new glorified body that required none of the Adamic needs. He was not a new creation; He was a new creature, the last Adam, and the head of a generation of new creatures who are in Him.

[pullquote align=”left” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Church, denomination, sincerity, sacrifice, or martyrdom can never save you.[/pullquote]

That is why all the religion and good works in the world can never save any person. Your church, denomination, sincerity, sacrifice, or martyrdom can never save you. You must be in the glorified, risen Christ and be a new creature, as He was.

How is that possible? When Jesus died on the cross, He was dying in your place, as your substitute. He took all your sins and guilt on Himself, and God saw you in His Son! Thus, His death was your death. His burial was your burial, and His resurrection into newness of life was your resurrection. He was made sin for you, and you are made righteous in Him! Therefore, every believer who appropriates His death and resurrection as his own is a new creature in Christ.

If you are not saved, now would be a perfect time to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. If you believe what He died for you and you will accept it by faith, He will save you and make you a new creature in Him. All you need to do is accept Him and tell Him you accept Him as Your Lord and Savior. He will do the rest.

“ That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation… 13. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:9-13.

WHY NO BAPTIST CAN OBEY THE “GREAT COMMISSION.”

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WHAT THE GREAT COMMISSION IS NOT
commission

By Ken Blue

“Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:16-20.

If I have one Baptist friend left out there in “blog land,” this article will probably be the end of that relationship. I don’t write these to make enemies; I have enough of them. I need any friend I might have. However, there are some subjects that must be confronted and dealt with scripturally.

Although I have chosen Matthew 28 as the “great commission,” we must be honest and admit that it is no greater than Mark 16. “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Mark 16:15-18. (See also Luke 24:46-49; Acts 1:8).

What is the truth about this commission?

  1. They were given to the eleven disciples.
  2. They were to make disciples throughout the world.
  3. They were to observe whatsoever He had commanded them.
  4. Signs would be evident in their ministry.
    • They would cast out devils.
    • They would speak in new tongues. (Not unknown tongues).
    • They would handle snakes.
    • No deadly poison will hurt them.
    • They will be able to lay hands on the sick and the sick will recover.
  5. The following was also given to His seventy disciples. “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19.

Now if anyone would like to go through the four gospels and see what Jesus had commanded His disciples, and then show that they are doing those things, we will eat this page. In fact, the only thing Baptist are doing, found in the great commission, is going and baptizing. They do not teach what He had taught His disciples, they cannot do one of the miracles promised them. and they don’t have the power to blow fuzz off a peanut. The same goes for every Charismatic impostor.

Finally, if these fulfilled their commission, why was Paul saved, commissioned, and called “the Apostle to the Gentiles?” Who were the eleven to preach to? what was the content of their gospel? Why was Paul the writer of the church epistles, and why would he say he was not sent to baptize, when the command in Matthew 28 is the heart of that commission?

It’s ok to speak up and explain to us how you do, or do not obey the great commissions. The world is waiting.

NOTE: CHECK OUT THE AUDIO SERMONS AND SONGS

WILL WE EVER “GET IT” FROM THE CHILDREN OF THIS WORLD?

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LEARNING FROM THE CHILDREN OF THIS WORLD

childrenBy Ken Blue

Today, Joyce and I took a stroll a few blocks down the street to the Wall-Mart Super Store. I rode my motorized wheel chair and Joyce “strolled” behind. Boy was I tired when we got there!

However, my purpose is not to write about our walkabout, but to share with you my first impression upon entering the store. The “children of this world” were preparing for a special day.  Now, you may not agree with me on special days or promotions, and that is fine. But, as I looked around I was reminded of a Bible verse that I believe might be relevant here. “And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.” Luke 16:8.

Upon entering the store, everywhere you looked you were struck with the fact that a special day was approaching, and they were insuring that the customer did not miss it. Heart-shaped balloons were everywhere. Boxes of candy, cookies, and flowers graced the end of each aisle. Special Valentine cards were within easy access. They were trying to appeal to the customer’s interest, and they were confident that the customer would also browse the rest of the store. Of course Wall-Mart is trying to “sell” their commodities. The sad reality is that many churches can’t “give” theirs away.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]For the life of me, I can’t understand pastors who refuse to meet the needs of people in order to get them in the door.[/perfectpullquote]

For the life of me, I can’t understand pastors who refuse to accommodate, please, serve, appeal, help, assist, comfort, and meet the needs of people in order to get them in the door. If we can get them in the door, perhaps we can convince them to accept the “free gift” we have for them.

I’m aware that it is none of my businesses what you do. This is just my observation. If you are doing nothing and it works for you, keep doing nothing. But, for those who think they could learn something from the “children of this world,” we submit this Wall-Mart example.

LET GOD USE YOUR INFIRMITY

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GOD CAN USE YOUR INFIRMITY

InfirmityBy Ken Blue

“But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;” Philippians 1:12

Last week I received a phone call from a lady whose fiancé has ALS. Her doctor is a member of Open Door, and she suggested I be contacted because I too am afflicted with this terminal neurological disease. We set a time for a meeting at the church.

When I first met Charles, it was obvious that he was very ill and troubled. I spent some time getting acquainted and sharing my story and history of ALS. I explained how I became a Christian and why I have perfect peace concerning my death and meeting the Lord Jesus Christ. I assured him that I am not looking forward to the process, but I am sure of heaven after I die.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]God wants to use your infirmities to help win others to Christ.[/pullquote]

After presenting the simple gospel story, I ask if he too would like to accept Jesus as his Savior. Again, I made it clear that this would not change the nature of his disease, but would change his destination at death. I also reassured him that it is acceptable to trust Christ, even when one is dying. It does not mean he is praying a “foxhole prayer.” I told him of the thief on the cross and that he was saved that very hour.

Charles agreed that he wanted to accept Jesus as his savior and in faith bowed his head and accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. I showed him a couple of assurance verses and we rejoiced together.

Two things I would like to ask you to do. One, please pray for him and his family as Charles nears the time of his departure to be with the Lord. Next, don’t complain about your misfortunes; God wants to use them to help and win others if you will be available. Believe me, I am not glad I have ALS; but if this one soul will be in heaven because of it, then I thank God that He could use it to win others to Him.