Newsletter April 20th

GREETINGS FROM BARBEE’S GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH

Easter is here. It is that time of the year when we especially focus upon the Crucifixion and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. This week I would like to expand upon a recent sermon. It is my understanding that certain churches and certain denominations have decided to “sanitize” their message. They say that people are repulsed by a “bloody” religion. Thus, they don’t say much about the cross and no longer sing hymns like, “The Old Rugged Cross”, “Power In The Blood”, or “Nothing But The Blood”..

When I see all the violence and blood advertised these days in video games, TV programs, and movies, I feel that these churches are just proving the truth of 1 Corinthians 1:17-25. It is not “blood” in general that is the problem. Like men of all ages, they are offended by the Blood of Jesus and by our need of that blood for salvation and eternal life.

Let’s consider:
   …”For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”. Romans 3:23
   …”The wages of sin is death”. Romans 6:23
The bad news is this, that not a “few”, or “some”, but “ALL” of us are sinners. Sin is the nature with which we are born. Because of our sin, there are consequences [wages]. These consequences are physical death, spiritual death, and eternal separation from God. That is our dilemma. Is there a cure, a solution? Praise God, there is a wonderful God-given answer.
   …”And almost all things are purged with blood, and apart from the shedding of blood there is no remission [forgiveness, release, cancelation] of sin.” Hebrews 9:22
   …”Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He [Jesus] entered in once into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption for us”. Hebrews 9:12

The cross, the Crucifixion of Jesus, His blood shed for our sins, is an absolute essential necessity for our salvation. We must never, never, never, disregard or downplay what Jesus did on that cross 2000 years ago. No, we must live a life of thankfulness, a life that honors Jesus and His shed blood. Fanny Crosby got it right when she wrote:
“Jesus keep me near the cross
There a precious fountain
Free to all, a healing stream
Flows from Calvary’s mountain

In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever
Till my raptured soul shall find, Rest beyond the river”

Remember, our power over sin, evil, and the devil, is also found in the blood of Jesus. Revelation 12:11 says, “And they overcame him by the Blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto death”.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Easter Sunday  – 6:40 am Sunrise Service
   7:00 am Breakfast for all
   8:00 am Easter Celebration Service
2. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
3. April 27- Quarterly Church Conference
4. $ 995 is the latest total for the Annie Armstrong Offering for Home Missions. Easter is the last Sunday to give
5. April 27-May 11 we will be giving for our Baptist Children’s Homes Spring Food Drive

Jesus shed His Blood! Jesus is alive! Jesus is soon coming again! Praise the Lord!

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church