RRBAI Youth Auxiliary Meeting

Place:  Martin Webb Learning Center

Time: 11:00 AM

Purpose: Youth Activity Planning Meeting

Post Valentine’s Musical Tea

Place:  Greater Mt. Calvary Baptist Church

Time: 3:30 PM

Presented by The Reedy River Baptist Women's Auxiliary and The Enoree River Baptist Women's Ministry

Road Trip: Miami

Place:  Shady Oak Baptist Church

Doors Open at 6:30 PM

Sponsored by The Reedy River Baptist Association Youth Auxiliary

Featuring Brittney Brackett (click here for more detail)

GSGF 9th Annual Charity Golf Event

Place:  Hejaz Shrine Golf Club

Registration and fees are due by March 24

Notes From The Pastor's Desk.

The Ministry of Kindness

    Today's news media is filled with acts of violence, and senseless crimes that reveal the lack of regard for the life & welfare of others. As we read the papers or watch the evening news, we shake our heads and say, "it seems that the whole world has lost its mind". But in truth, it is the spirit-inspired quality of Christian kindness that has been lost.
    In today's world, there are so many people that have become preoccupied with their own personal pursuits. They have developed the mistaken notion that their education, their fame, and their fortune can take them where they want to go. Because of their dogged pursuit of these things their relationships with - friends, family, and God suffer.
    And so we find ourselves amid a world full of unkind, calloused, and self-centered individuals. How does this hostile environment affect us as followers of Christ? How do we rise above this predominantly self-indulged attitude to shine as lights in a darkened world? What is the benefit that comes from allowing the Holy Spirit to work within us and thus produce the fruitage of kindness?
    Ephesus was a commercially profitable town and known for paganism. Perhaps the Christians there were being unduly influenced by the attitudes around them. Some were possibly indulging in selfish pursuits and neglecting to display the Godly qualities of a true Christian. Whatever the case, Paul placed heavy emphasis on unity in his letter. It stands to reason that if the church was unkind, uncompassionate, and unforgiving the unity would be sorely disrupted.
    The text says, "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." Paul is imprisoned and so he is unable to be present in body. But he writes the Ephesians in hopes of encouraging, exhorting, and readjusting. Paul is concerned that may have been influenced by their environment and are no longer walking or living in a manner worthy of Christians.
    They had a reputation and an assignment that needed to live up to. The fact that they were not living up to the set standards became a distraction to the unity and peace of the congregation. Therefore Paul began to reinforce the way that (children of God should act towards each other)
    Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Humble: not proud or arrogant; but modest:
* Proverbs 3:34 surely he scorns the scornful. But he gives grace to the humble.
* Proverbs 16:19 Better to be of a Humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

    The acts and the actions of the people of God were not giving off the lasting impression that God intended for his people to give. But if we can stay true to our calling and do as the calling requires, God will continue providing our every need. 1 Peter 5:6 suggests, that if we Humble ourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, he may lift us up in due time

Gentle: kindly; amiable (having or showing pleasant, good-natured personal qualities; affable: an amiable disposition)

    As we view the body of Christ as a whole, the question becomes are we treating each other with a gentle sprit. What qualities are we showing each other, are we walking this walk together? For at the end of the day whatever you do unto the least of them Christ says that you have done it unto Him. BE GENTLE!!!

Be Patient: (longsuffering) enduring injury, heartaches, let downs:

    As the Christians at Ephesus watched the ungodly progress in the land they found themselves impatient. They wanted to enjoy the luxury of the land along with the common people of the land. However the Christians at Ephesus were peculiar people.
    If you don’t learn how to walk in patience you will find yourself in positions that are out of the will of God. Isaiah informs us to WAIT ON THE LORD…….. AND HE WILL….

“Bearing with one another in love”

    The word of interest in this text prior to the word love is the word “bearing” the manner in which one conducts or carries oneself, including posture and gestures….
    Paul reminds God’s children that they were missing a key ingredient that is necessary in their walk as children of God. That is Love. Why is it so important that we show LOVE in our daily acts and occupations- because He first loved us.

Ephesians 4:1-32

Sermon Titles For February 2012

"Love, Healing and Restoration"

What’s Love Got To Do With It

Hosea 14:7a

Joy and Pain, Sunshine and Rain

Genesis 29: 16-20

Ain't No Mountain High Enough

Isaiah 40:4

Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing

Genesis 29: 10-30