Announcements for April 27-May 3-08

MICHELLE BENEDICT--It is our joy to publicly announce that Michelle Benedict has been received as a member of our church by the elders of Greenville Grace. Michelle has made a public profession of Christ through water baptism, has attended the “Welcome to Grace Class” and wished to make her commitment to the church public. We are excited to have you “officially” in the family, Michelle!

EVANGELISM HELP--"Way of the Master” has provided a great “You-Tube” clip that could be used to begin an evangelism discussion with others. Also, Bob Nilsen has some great encouragement about sharing our faith (“Because Christ has paid the penalty for our sin in His own blood, there is nothing that we need to do except PREACH THE WORD AND PRAY! We don’t have to depend on personality, seminary education, money, good looks, persuasive words, nothing in ourselves. Just the simple preaching of the Word of God”...just a piece of it). Both these tools are available on our church blog (ggbcnews.blogspot.com). Check them out!

PRAISES--Did you miss the news about Elizabeth Pierce and Yosi Nilsen? Weren’t able to make the baptism last week and hear the testimonies? Check out our Grace Blog (ggbcnews.blogspot.com) to catch these updates!

VBS: Yes it’s that time of year to start thinking about and planning for VBS. The dates for this year’s VBS will be: July 7th-11th. The theme will be “Things Hidden” which is a study on the kingdom parables found in the Gospels. At this time we are beginning to put together a planning team for VBS and would love to have your help. If you’re interested in helping, please see Matt or email him at matt@greenvillegrace.org. We would greatly appreciate your ideas and insight! There is a tentative meeting set for Saturday, May 17 immediately following Men’s Prayer Breakfast.

BABY DEDICATIONS: If you’ve noticed the large number of babies, but wondered when the dedications happen, we are not storing them all up for Mother’s Day. In the past, we’ve had special services (once or twice a year) where most of the dedications took place. However, with the large number of children the Lord has blessed our church with, they could feel impersonal and cause us to miss the point. We would like to focus on one family per service in a dedication, that way the church is reminded more clearly to pray for the entire family and support the parents as they raise their children. If you are interested in having your baby dedicated, we encourage you to grab an information brochure over at the coffee bar and then contact the office.

SUMMER PLANS?--Each summer, we provide Sunday evening classes to help equip you in your pursuit of Christ. So, keep your eyes (and Sunday evenings) open for the announcement of this year’s “Summer Studies.” Classes will begin June 15 through August 3rd.

BAPTISM--Were you interested in baptism but couldn’t participate in the service last week? We are in the process of planning another baptism. Contact the church office to set up an appointment.

Great Evangelism Tool

Can email, You-tube and even The Moment of Truth be used to reach people for Christ?

It can here.

In the above video (which you could copy the address and paste it in an email to others) Ray Comfort examines how we can consider ourselves to be good, even after we confess multiple sins. Comfort presents the gospel (as Way of the Master always does) in a clear, simple and engaging way.

Using this video could be an interesting way to start a gospel conversation with someone you love.

Encouragement from Bob Nilsen

Received the following encouragement from Bob Nilsen, one of our missionaries from Grace serving in the Dominican Republic:

REDEMPTION ACCOMPLISHED REDEMPTION APPLIED

I wish to borrow the above title of a book written by John Murray for the purposes of this short encouragement. Another book title I would like to borrow is “THE INCOMPARABLE CHRIST” written by J. Oswald Sanders. These two titles express the central person of missions-the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ is the agent of our redemption and the sole person able to accomplish it. There is no other person even capable of redeeming mankind. Of all the persons claiming to be able to redeem man:

Only Jesus is perfect man Hebrews 2:9-14
Heb 2:14 Since then the children are sharers in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same;
Heb 2:16 For verily not to angels doth he give help, but he giveth help to the seed of Abraham.
Heb 2:17 Wherefore it behooved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren,

Only Christ is completely God Hebrews 1:8-12
Heb 1:8 but of the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever

Only Jesus Christ is the God-Man 1 Timothy 3:16
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Only Jesus is absolutely sinless II Corinthians 5:21
Him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

Only Jesus was a willing and sufficient sacrifice I Peter 2:24
who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed.

Only Jesus Christ rose from the dead I Corinthians 15:1-8
1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Co 15:4 and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures;
1Co 15:5 and that he appeared to Cephas; then to the twelve;
1Co 15:6 then he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain until now, but some are fallen asleep;
1Co 15:7 then he appeared to James; then to all the apostles;
1Co 15:8 and last of all, as to the child untimely born, he appeared to me also.

Only Christ is the meditator between God and Man I Timothy 2:5
For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, himself man, Christ Jesus,

Only Christ is our sin bearer II Corinthians 5:21
Him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

Redemption has been completely ACCOMPLISHED in our behalf!
REDEMPTION is APPLIED to our hearts only by faith in His finished work.
Eph 2:8 for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
Eph 2:9 not of works, that no man should glory.
Tit 3:5 not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

THIS MAKES THE CENTRAL MESSAGE OF MISSIONS CLEAR !
Rom 10:13 for, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Rom 10:15 and how shall they preach, except they be sent

Because Christ has paid the penalty for our sin in His own blood, there is nothing that we need to do except PREACH THE WORD AND PRAY! WE don’t have to depend on personality, seminary education, money, good looks, persuasive words, nothing in ourselves. Just the simple preaching of the Word of God!
1Co 1:17 For Christ sent… to preach the gospel: not in wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made void.
1Co 1:18 For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God.
1Co 1:19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the discernment of the discerning will I bring to nought.
1Co 1:20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
1Co 1:21 For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom knew not God, it was God's good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save them that believe.
1Co 1:22 Seeing that Jews ask for signs, and Greeks seek after wisdom:
1Co 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, unto Jews a stumbling block, and unto Gentiles foolishness;

Which program we use is not the issue. We can use the Roman’s Road; Evangicube; 4 Spiritual Laws; gospel blimps; stand on a street corner with a placard; or never leave the preaching of Jn. 3:16, but we must do something!

Someone has said:
“Your either a missionary-or a mission field”
“Millions dying have never heard-because millions here have never cared!”
“God commands: “$end missionaries“-
Take away $-end missionaries”
“The church’s goal has not been reached-until the unreached have been reached!”
“Jehovah’s witnesses don’t believe in hell-and neither do most Christians!”
"Christians don't tell lies they just go to church and sing them" - A.W. Tozer

Is it possible we have a problems with missions? Is it possible we do not like how much it costs to send missionaries to live in foreign lands? Is it possible we not want to send our sons and daughters to labor among the lost? Is it possible we not wish to go ourselves and leave the comforts of the our modern world?

Missionaries need not sell themselves. Our goal is not to build big churches, and certainly not to build American churches all over the world. Our goal is not to have fine houses or make ourselves famous. “We preach Christ crucified and risen!” He is the one who has Accomplished our redemption. “We preach the foolishness of the cross.” It is only by the application of the blood to the door posts of our hearts that Redemption is applied to our lives. It is the Incomparable Christ that is at the heart of missions. He is the Head of the body. Missions is about Christ.

Of course you are sending sinful missionaries abroad. Of course they lack wisdom. Of course they are often ‘rude and crude.’ Of course they get sick. But what else does Christ have to work with in this earth other than sinful creatures-vessels of clay-like ourselves- saved by His grace? What you send are ambassadors in whose hearts dwells the Spirit of the living God. Do they fail you? Do they disappoint? Of course they will. Tell me, Who will carry this message of the Incomparable Christ if they do not? Beloved, you send Christ to them when you send missionaries. Never forget that. If you want a better representative-go yourself! Hey, now there's a novel idea.

Announcements for April 20-27

BAPTISM SERVICE: We hope you plan to join us for our baptism service tonight 6pm at Bible Fellowship. Baptism is not "just" a personal privilege, but it is a joy for the entire church to experience a person's baptism. This service, we have the extra joy of joining with four other area churches. If you consider yourself a disciple of Jesus, yet you have not obeyed Him in baptism, we encourage you to contact the office...there's still time to be baptized at this service! (April 20th, 6pm @ 7757 Greenville-Celina Road)

SCORE UPDATE: We praise the Lord for the SCORE team that recently traveled to the Dominican Republic. Though it has been a couple weeks since their return, we wanted to make sure you heard how God used them (and you, through your support) to faithfully proclaim the “glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” We also praise God for the faithful ministry of the Nilsens and Wolfes and are thankful that God has allowed them to see much fruit. Mike and Linda Fourman travel to the Dominican twice a year (at least), so there is always a chance for you to join them. If you’re interested in joining the next Dominican team, please contact Mike or Linda or the office.

BABY DEDICATIONS: If you’ve noticed the large number of babies, but wondered when the dedications happen, we are not storing them all up for Mother’s Day. In the past, we’ve had special services (once or twice a year) where most of the dedications took place. However, with the large number of children the Lord has blessed our church with, they could feel impersonal and cause us to miss the point. We would like to focus on one family per service in a dedication, that way the church is reminded more clearly to pray for the entire family and support the parents as they raise their children. If you are interested in having your baby dedicated, we encourage you to grab an information brochure over at the coffee bar and then contact the office.

Unlimited Fun Outing for Your Unfinished Originals: Ladies, come craft, scrapbook or just fellowship with other ladies. Bring a snack and have some fun, April 25, 6:30 pm.

VBS: Yes it’s that time of year to start thinking about and planning for VBS. The dates for this year’s VBS will be: July 7th-11th. The theme will be “Things Hidden” which is a study on the kingdom parables found in the Gospels. At this time we are beginning to put together a planning team for VBS and would love to have your help. If you’re interested in helping, please see Matt or email him at matt@greenvillegrace.org. We would greatly appreciate your ideas and insight!

PRAISES

ELIZABETH PIERCE UPDATE: If you have not heard, Elizabeth Pierce (Daniel/Teressa’s daughter-in-law) is about five months pregnant. When the pregnancy was discovered, she was immediately advised to go off of chemotherapy. At that point, there was an obvious concern that her brain tumor would return. Elizabeth had an appointment this week which discovered there are absolutely no signs of the cancer in her body. Doctors were left to scratch their heads as they have ruled her “cancer free.” No further treatments are necessary after the baby is born and doctors said there is no reason to assume the cancer will ever come back. God has truly shown His grace to this family! There will be more tests this week to determine if the baby’s kidney function is normal (a possible side effect from lingering chemo), but otherwise the baby looks healthy as well! Join us in thanking God for His mercy to the Pierce’s and we’d encourage you to send them a card, letting them know we celebrate with them:
Daniel and Teressa Pierce
P.O. Box 71
Murphy, NC 28906

YOSELIN NILSEN UPDATE: David and Lyndie are not in our midst today because they received a call this week to come pick up their daughter! Please pray for travel mercies as they go to Guatemala and back. Please pray that all paper work would be expedited and that the process would work quickly and smoothly. But also, please take time to thank God for Yoselin and for His sovereignty placing her in the Nilsen family. As a believer, this is also a perfect time to be reminded of the glory of being adopted into the family of God and praise Him for that undeserved gift.

Heidi Dutter Testimony

Heidi shared the following at her baptism Sunday night:

I was born and raised in Georgia and through a rough childhood with an abusive dad and broken home, I came to the decision that God didnt care. I moved to Ohio a couple of years ago and through the help of some of the best friends ever and about a year and a half of searching, I realized God had never left me alone. He had always been there stretching his hands out just waiting for me to cry out to Him. Its hard to believe that Jesus would die on the cross for someone like me, but He did! And the least thing I can do is accept His forgiveness of my sins and live my life for Him. Through faith in my Savior, I hope and pray that I can live my life to show the world the love of Jesus and just how merciful and amazing He is. To show the hopeless there is a way and to show those that feel forsaken they never were and never will be alone.

Laura Everman Testimony

Laura shared the following at her baptism Sunday night:

I am a believer that everything happens for a reason. God has the ultimate plan for each and every one of us. Sometimes we don't understand the plan and we question Him. My struggle started about a year and a half ago when our son was diagnosed with leukemia.

I have been a Christian most of my life and was baptized at a young age, but at this point in my life, I felt like He had let me down. I distanced myself from My Savior. A few of the last words that Dylan asked me were, "Momma, Jesus is Our Savior, right?" With that question he opened my eyes that God had never let go of my hand through all my struggles, but that I had fallen short in my faith in Him. Christ has called me closer to Him through Dylan. Without the strength and love that He has instilled in my heart I would have never made it through. I have been saved by His grace!

I am being re-baptized this evening to celebrate the rededication of my life to Jesus Christ.

God watched His only Son die on the cross for our sins. I can only live my life to try and give back to Him what He has given me! God is my strength!!

Alysha Everman Testimony

Alysha shared the following at her baptism Sunday night:

I have been a Christian my whole life, but there has been a point in my life where I thought I couldn't take any more and that was just this past year or so. I got so down sometimes that I just didn't want to take the time to realize how much in my life I was missing out on and who I really needed to turn to. That all began to change when Pastor Dan came to visit at the hospital during chemo treatments with my little brother Dylan. We did a lot of talking and I realized that I needed to talk to the One who mattered most, Our Savior, Jesus Christ. I have fallen short of what He expected of me.

He has a plan for all of us and I ask the question all the time, "Why did it have to be my little brother instead of me?" But God is trying to teach me something. Through the good times and the bad I know that I can count on Jesus. I have grown close and gained more faith in Him through my little brother because he was a firm believer.

I am being baptized this evening to celebrate my dedication of my life and my walk of faith with Our Savior. God is our strength and our Light. God watched His one and only Son die on the cross for the payment of our sins. I want to live my life to give back to Him.

Together for the Gospel

I mentioned Sunday morning how blessed Jason, Matt and I were at the Together for the Gospel Conference.

The blessing extends, however, because they have now placed the audio on the internet for free. Below are links to the speakers (in case you want to know more about them) and to their messages. I've put them in order of preference (mine) and give a slight explanation of each message:

John MacArthur: The Sinner Neither Able Nor Willing: The Doctrine of Absolute Inability
If our discussion that it is only possible to love God when He intercedes in our life (1 John 4:15-19), this message will help clear a lot up. MacArthur speaks clearly and joyfully about how this doctrine should cause us to enjoy our salvation and God's grace all the more.

CJ Mahaney: Sustaining a Pastor's Soul
Could easily be called Sustaining a Believer's Soul. CJ shows from Philippians how Paul ministered with joy, gratefulness and compassion.

John Piper: How the Supremacy of Christ Creates Radical Christian Sacrifice
The answer is not a program, a discipline, a new paradigm or new thought. The answer is a Person.

[I hope they load the panel discussions at some point. Piper participated in a panel discussion after the message which wonderfully covered a Biblical understanding of suffering...very good.]

Thabiti Anyabwile: Bearing the Image: Identity, the Work of Christ, and the Church
Thabiti proposes that the distinction of biological race categories is unbiblical, and then lays out how different ethnicities can mutually bring glory to God. A challenging message for all, even in our fairly homogeneous community.

RC Sproul: The Curse Motif of the Atonement
We usually think curses are reserved for superstitious religions or magic and wizards. But Sproul reminds us that the Scripture clearly teaches Christ became a curse for us. To fully understand blessing, we must also understand curse.

Mark Dever: Improving the Gospel: Exercises in Unbiblical Theology
Dever maps out for us errors we can make, when with good intention, we make efforts to "improve" the gospel. For when we adapt it, we lose it.

Ligon Duncan: Sound Doctrine – Essential to Faithful Pastoral Ministry
Duncan reminds us that every person is a theologian--either a good one or bad one. It's important that as we study, we consider what Scripture is teaching us about various doctrines and topics. But being a careful student of Scripture is not a chore, it is a joy.

Al Mohler: Why Do They Hate It So? The Doctrine of Substitution
Just because it is listed last, it should not lead you to think it's not worth the download. On the contrary, it shows you what a strong conference it was! There are some who believe the gospel should be about other things than Christ taking our sins away on the cross. Mohler walks you through many different views and why some people would deny the cross is primarily about our sin being taken away.

If you have an ipod, this kind of audio should be on it. If you don't have an ipod, buy one and then load this audio onto it.

Announcements for April 13-20-08

ELDER COMMISSIONING--It is our joy to recognize Monty Stump as an elder of Greenville Grace! Monty has presented himself for examination by the elders and church body and has shown himself to be above reproach. We're excited this morning to affirm to not only affirm Monty's character but to express he has already been a shepherd to people at Grace and trust he will continue to do so. Scripture tells us we should pray for our elders, and we encourage you to specifically pray and praise God for Monty and his lovely wife Krista. We are delighted to have him "officially" on the team!


SUMMER PLANS?-- Each summer, we provide Sunday evening classes to help equip you in your pursuit of Christ. So, keep your eyes (and Sunday evenings) open for the announcement of this year's "Summer Studies."


Learning to Discern: Looking for a good book to read that is faithful to the Spirit of Christ? Sometimes the options seem overwhelming and a recommendation would go a long way. Did you know that this is one of the things our blog offers? Check out http://ggbcnews.blogspot.com to get book recommendations, church updates and additional information. You can also find the blog by following the link from our main website (greenvillegrace.org).

Sisters Brunch--FOR LADIES ONLY! Please join us on Saturday, April 19th from 10am - noon for a time of food and fellowship. Bring your favorite breakfast food with 4 servings to share. This will be a casual, informal time to get to know your sisters-in-Christ at Grace Church! If you have any questions, please call Lois Jones @ 548-6965.

Men’s Prayer Breakfast-- April 19th, 7am


BAPTISM SERVICE--We hope you plan to join us for our baptism service next Sunday night. Baptism is not "just" a personal privilege, but it is a joy for the entire church to experience a person's baptism. This service, we have the extra joy of joining with four other area churches. If you consider yourself a disciple of Jesus, yet you have not obeyed Him in baptism, we encourage you to contact the office...there's still time to be baptized at this service! (April 20th, 6pm @ 7757 Greenville-Celina Road)


Unlimited Fun Outing for Your Unfinished Originals--Ladies, come craft, scrapbook or just fellowship with other ladies. Bring a snack and have some fun, April 25, 6:30 pm.


VBS: Yes it’s that time of year to start thinking about and planning for VBS. The dates for this year’s VBS will be: July 7th-11th. The theme will be “Things Hidden” which is a study on the kingdom parables found in the Gospels. At this time we are beginning to put together a planning team for VBS and would love to have your help. If you’re interested in helping, please see Matt or email him at matt@greenvillegrace.org. We would greatly appreciate your ideas and insight!

American Idol Adjustment

I know this blog is not intended as a location for my own personal commentary, but I wondered how many noticed:

I was shocked to hear "American Idol" was going to end their "Idol gives back" episode with Shout to the Lord.

They sang all the lyrics and changed no words...except the second word:

My Shepherd, My Savior
Lord there is none like You

The original lyrics are:

My JESUS, My Savior
Lord there is none like You

Question becomes:

1. Why would they do that?
2. What can WE learn from that?

Announcements for April 6-13

JOY FELLOWSHIP: Friday, April 11 @ 6:30 pm, Oakley House dining room, 1275 Northview Dr. Bring a dessert, drinks will be provided.


Junior Jam: Parents, please have your children here in the church parking lot by 8am on Saturday and you can pick them up at 5:30pm.


Youth Bowling Night: Come join the fun on Sunday, April 13th from 6-8pm. Cost is $5


Sisters Brunch--FOR LADIES ONLY! Please join us on Saturday, April 19th from 10am - noon for a time of food and fellowship. Bring your favorite breakfast food with 4 servings to share. This will be a casual, informal time to get to know your sisters-in-Christ at Grace Church! If you have any questions, please call Lois Jones @ 548-6965.



Baptism Service--Please join us at Bible Fellowship Church, April 20th from 6:00-7:30 pm. See insert for more details.


Unlimited Fun Outing for Your Unfinished Originals
April 25, 6:30 pm - 10:30 pm



FINANCIAL REPORT
Average Weekly Giving thru 3/30: $6566
2008 Average Weekly Need: $6147

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday...

Because I'm a firm believer in people being familiar with the text being preached, I want you to know what text we'll be in this Sunday so you can be reading and preparing with me. This Sunday we'll be looking at Psalm 1 and discussing "The Blessed Life". Please, take time to look at and study this Psalm in preparation for our time together Sunday morning. Looking forward to our time of worship together.

Announcements for March 30-April 6

Women’s Brunch--FOR LADIES ONLY! Please join us on Saturday, April 19th from 10am - noon for a time of food and fellowship. This will be a casual, informal time that we as ladies can get to know one another.


Attention 3rd-6th graders: Come join the fun at “Junior Jam” being held at Cedarville University on Saturday, April 12 from 9-4 pm. See insert in bulletin for more details.


Youth Bowling Night: Come join the fun on Sunday, April 13th from 6-8pm. Cost is $5


Baptism--The baptismal service has been rescheduled for April 20th at 6pm. If you are interested in being baptized, please contact the office.


Unlimited Fun Outing for Your Unfinished Originals
April 25--6:30 pm - 10:30 pm


Slideshow Help--Bible Fellowship’s AWANA program has asked for our help. They are in need of someone to make a picture slideshow on a computer so that they can review the entire year. The pictures are all on disc and provided you have a capable computer, it should be a relatively simple process. If you can help, please contact the office.