A Sad Day... A Glad Day

Today the Supreme Court of the United States decided to ignore God, Christianity, and the Bible. Today the Supreme Court of the United States decided that they have the ability, right, and power to overturn truth that God has declared from the very beginning of creation.  Today the Supreme Court of the United States decided that same-sex marriage is legal in all 50 states.

It is a sad day for America.

Although it's been true for some years now that the United States as a nation is non-Christian, it has never been more clearly confirmed than it was today.  And that confirmation brings a sense of profound sadness to those of us who love our country and weep over its downward spiral.  Where once we were boldly declared to be "one nation under God" we now find ourselves living in the land of the Judges, where "there was no king... and every man did that which was right in his own eyes."  And sadly, any student of history knows that no such nation survives long.  A Godless nation is a weak nation without His protection and guidance, and many are the foes circling and watching as it grows weaker and weaker.  Sodom and Gomorrah are but two examples of places where God's rule was supplanted by man's, to man's destruction.

The Old Testament book of Judges described how "every man did that which was right in his own eyes", but not to glorify it.  Rather it showed the resulting distress in vivid colors, as anarchy and bloodshed and immorality grew stronger and stronger to the destruction of its architects.  Over and over the downward spiral would occur as men and women turned away from God until the resulting judgement made them realize their mistake and drove them back to Him.  And over and over when they would turn to Him, He would heal their pain.  The book of Judges is clear that man's way brings destruction, and only in turning to God is there hope and peace.  But today, SCOTUS declared that there is no God... no King... and that they each will do what is right in their own eyes.  A sad day.

The first chapter in the book of Romans describes how this has always been the progression of sin, both in nations, and in individuals.  It is a downward progression... a downward slide... and it results in nothing good, and in the judgment of God.

It is a sad day for America, for it confirms what we already believed, that we live in a nation where there is no God, and where "every man does what is right in his own eyes."  It is a sad day in America, for it seems we now live amongst a people whom God has "given over" (Romans 1) to their sin.

BUT...

It is a GLAD day for Christians... for believers in the Lord Jesus Christ... for His church here in America!

How can that be?  Well I can think of several reasons to consider it a good day for the church:

1.  The church will be sifted, and therefore strengthened.  Only fools believe that the Supreme Court ruling will have no impact on the churches in America.  It will affect every church, and we will have to decide whether we will conform to the gods of this land (SCOTUS) or to the God of all lands when it comes to marriage.  Some Christians and churches will follow SCOTUS, and will be revealed as the tares they have always been.  Others will follow the God of the Bible and will be revealed as the wheat they have always been.  The result will be a stronger and purer church, albeit at the cost of persecution and trial.

2. The opportunities for Christians to witness will only increase.  Last week a deranged gunman walked into a church and killed 5 people.  The Christians who suffered such devastating loss and pain were soon seen publicly offering forgiveness to the killer.  And the world was stunned that such would be the response.  Just like the world is always stunned when the love of Christ is shown against the dark backdrop of this sin deadened world.  And as the agenda of the same-sex crowd continues to move forward with its ultimate goal of pushing God completely out of their lives and world, the church will continue to proclaim the love of God, and the saving grace of Jesus Christ, and the hope that only the gospel brings.  Jesus "could not be hid" when He walked on this earth, despite the best efforts of the SCOTUS of His day.  Neither will His gospel be hid today.  The darker it gets, the brighter that gospel will shine.

3. The church will be raptured soon.  So soon now.  Since the United States of America is nowhere mentioned in the Biblical end-time narratives, and since it is incongruous to think that the greatest nation on earth would be absent from the worldwide conflicts described therein, it seems clear that the "greatest nation on earth" must not be around when those prophecies are fulfilled.  Or at least it must have declined into a state of irrelevancy.  As we sorrow over the destruction of America... as we watch its once-so-great status disappear before our eyes... as we listen ashamedly to our leaders turn their backs on and thumb their noses at God... we realize that we are seeing something that must happen, happen!  America must decrease, if the Biblical prophecies are correct.  They are correct.  America is declining into irrelevancy on the world stage and the rapture is just around the corner!

What should Christians do in light of today's Godless ruling by the Supreme Court?

1.  Keep praying for America.  Even though it seems too late to turn the country back to God, we know that nothing is too hard for our God.  And we also know that God's Word says "first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. (‭1 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭1-3‬)  Pray, Christian.  Never quit praying.

2. Continue to stand for the truth.  The Supreme Court does not define what is right, God does.  The Supreme Court does not have the final say, God does.  Stand on God's Word.  Order your life around it just as you always have.  Determine what is right and wrong by what it says, and not by any other means.  Stand.  And having done all, STAND!

3. Keep loving people to Jesus.  There will be increased opportunity to show those confused by same-sex error that Jesus loves them, and we love them.  It is the height of stupidity to suppose that disagreement over an issue indicates a lack of love.  Disagreement often is a result of concern and love, and we will find increased opportunities to prove that.  We need to stand unblinkingly against error, and we need also to love unendingly those for whom Christ died.

4. Look up!  Watch the clouds.  There are endless headlines today declaring victory for those who don't want God in their lives.  But the real victory is just around the bend - Jesus is coming soon.  We've all read the end of the book and we know the ultimate truth - we win.  Jesus has already won the victory.

What Would You Like?

In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. (‭1 Kings‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬ NKJV)

If God were to appear to you and ask the same question He asked Solomon, how would you answer?  We will talk about this tonight in Prayer Meeting.  Will you join us?  FBC prays together as a church every Wednesday evening at 6:30.  It's a vital 45 minutes in each week... vital to our church... vital to each of us who participate.

We pray for one another.  We pray for our country.  We pray for our church.  We pray for our world.  We pray for our neighbors and friends.

We pray.  Will you pray with us tonight?

One More Night

This evening is your last opportunity to experience Willie's Redneck Rodeo. Join your friends at 6:00 for the last installment of VBS this year!

A Great Tribute to Elisabeth Elliot

John Piper's tribute to a warrior for Christ

Weekend Update

Saturday Afternoon - CHICKs Tea - 1:30 in Fellowship Hall.

Sunday Services - We continue with our flood-adjusted schedule for one more week. Adult classes will combine in the auditorium, and the kids classes will meet upstairs.

Sunday Afternoon - Fire up the hog and meet us at the church at 1:30. We will head south for a few hours of riding in the twisties and hills. Bring some money for lunch, as we will stop somewhere along the way. We will be back well in time for the men's Bible study at JohnsonAcres. See the pastor, or Jay Comyns for details / questions.

Sunday Evening - Men's Summer Bible Study Under The Sky - Brothers, join us as we meet at JohnsonAcres around the fire pit and study the scriptures together. Bring your Bible and a lawn chair.

Weekend Update

Some important information for this weekend's activities:

Friday Evening - Don't miss the first Campfire Fellowship of 2015.  Gather at Johnson Acres at 6:00 PM.  Bring a lawn chair and optionally a dish to pass.  The fish will be biting in the pond, so bring a fishing pole if that interests you.  And you may find yourself challenged by the horseshoe, corn hole, or volleyball games!  Get to know your church family!  

Saturday morning - It's the first Saturday of the month, and so we will be serving at the Haven of Rest in Akron.  Meet us there at 10:00 and help us serve the homeless of the area.  You'll be done by 12:00 knowing you served the Savior by serving others in need.  Oh... wear a hat.

Saturday morning - Men's Prayer Breakfast is CANCELLED for June, due to the flooding in Fellowship Hall.

Sunday morning - We will follow the same procedures for Sunday School and Jr. Church as last Lord's Day.  All adults will meet in the sanctuary for a combined class, and the children will meet upstairs.  There will be no Jr. Church.

Sunday morning - We will be baptizing at the conclusion of the worship service.  If you have questions about this service, please contact the church office.

Let Us Pray

One of the most important days of the week is upon us - PRAYER MEETING DAY. Will you set aside 45 minutes this evening and join us?

God PROMISES to hear and answer prayer. He PROMISES that when Christians join together in prayer, He pays special attention. Imagine what He might do if our entire church family gathered and prayed together.

6:30 in the sanctuary.

We will share. We will learn. And we will PRAY.

Will you join us?

Amazing Grace - as originally written by John Newton

Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound) 

That sav'd a wretch like me! 

I once was lost, but now am found; 

Was blind, but now I see. 

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, 

And grace my fears reliev'd; 

How precious did that grace appear, 

The hour I first believed! 

Thro' many dangers, toils and snares, 

I have already come; 

'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, 

And grace will lead me home. 

The Lord has promis'd good to me, 

His Word my hope secures; 

He will my shield and portion be, 

As long as life endures. 

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail, 

And mortal life shall cease, 

I shall possess, within the vail, 

A life of joy and peace. 

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, 

The sun forbear to shine; 

But God, who call'd me here below,

Will be forever mine.