On the weekend of November 9th I had the joyful experience of being with friends in Bradenton, FL, to share in Bethel Baptist Church’s 50th anniversary. It was a sweet time! I am grateful to Bethel Baptist because the people there patiently loved and cared for me as Rynette and I ministered among them fresh out of seminary as their inexperienced assistant pastor.
On Sunday morning my dear friend, Don Windmiller, preached a great sermon about being a warrior for the Lord from Judges. I loved hearing Don again! Bethel’s present pastor, Joey Mimbs, graciously gave me ten minutes to speak that Sunday morning. I could have shared warm memories of our time at Bethel from 1979-85. But the Lord helped me to point the church to the importance of the Word of God as they looked ahead on their big anniversary. Here’s the outline of what I said?
- Bethel has always faithfully preached and taught the Bible. May it always be so! And I asked the preachers and teachers of the church to stand and receive the charge of Jeremiah 15:19—“Therefore thus says the LORD, ‘If you utter what is precious and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth.’” What an awesome privilege for God’s people—to share in the declaration and reception of and life response to God’s precious truths.
- Be people who are ravenous for the Word. I chose the term “ravenous” deliberately. We must be ravenous for God’s truth because without it we shrivel and die. The Word is life to us! “It is no empty word for you, but your very life.”
- Be people who obey the Word—for joy! Jesus said, “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:10-11).
- And be people who tremble at the Word because we need God to be for us, not against us. God said in Isaiah 66:2, “But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.”
I pray this for Bethel Baptist in Bradenton and for ourselves at Rocky Bayou Baptist Church!
Pastor Carey and precious Rynette <><
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful it is to know that you pass on your ravenous appetite for the Word of Life and the joy that you have in Christ through your obedience and your trembling at HIS Word <><
I cannot thank God enough for you and I pray for you with love and joy in Jesus CHRIST your KING <><
Ravenous for the WORD of GOD with you :-)))trembling and joyful in Christ forever !!!
His Anna
Indeed - this is an imposrtant charge for Christians everywhere, especially as our country faces a promised "change" from a liberal administration. We need to stick fast to the immutable Word which never changes and always satisfies!
ReplyDeleteBless you Pastor Carey!!!