STANDING STONE BIBLE

WEEKLY

January 27, 2025

A Point from pastor

"All is ready. At any moment, Jesus can come to take us to be with Him. In the meantime, keep one eye on the mission field around you and one eye on the clouds above; keep one hand on the plow and one hand lifted in praise to Him."¹

Colossians 3:1-3 says, "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." God clearly tells us to not let our hearts be divided. We cannot love this world and love Him. Sunday's message instructed each of us as a believer to "hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life" (Luke 14:26). Love for Christ must be supreme - so much so that all other love seems like hatred in comparison.

Although this love of Christ, at times, can draw out deep emotions, we must be careful to not let this "emotional" love reign supreme. To do so places us on a potential roller coaster of feelings. You find folks riding near the top saying, "I feel so close to God right now" and then, another time in a valley, claiming, "I don't feel God's presence." Feelings.

Ephesians 2:8-10 tells us, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Our feelings do not save us. By grace we have been saved. Through our faith in the grace of God to make us alive with Christ through His atoning sacrifice we have been saved. This can sure generate feelings at times. But we are not to walk by feeling; we walk by faith!

The opening quote suggested that, while we wait for Christ to return, we should keep a hand to the plow while lifting the other in praise. Likewise, one eye on the mission field while the other is on the clouds above. Seems awkward. Makes me feel a bit cross-eyed and contorted. If we are led by feelings, we can often only look to the clouds and remain only in praise (except when we don't feel like that - we then waste a lot of time waiting for the feeling to return). If we are led by our faith, with eyes looking to Jesus, praising Him as we go along, we can serve Him in the "mission field" with one hand on the plow. Be faithful.

^{1. Amir Tsarfati, Has the Tribulation Begun, © 2023}

Church Notes...

The annual meeting is Sunday evening, February 2nd. SSB members will be approving the 2025 budget and electing the 2025 elders and assistant treasurer. Members, if you will not be able to attend, you may ask for an absentee ballot that will need returned to a member of the nominating committee prior to the meeting.

THIS WEEK

Here are the highlights of classes and events THIS week

Baptism Classes - For anyone interested in being baptized or learning more of how SSB practices this ordinance, attend these three sessions beginning this Sunday (February 2nd) during the SS hour, 8:45 am.

Annual Meeting - This Sunday evening, February 2nd is our annual meeting. Pizza at 5:30 followed by the meeting. Very important as we will vote for elders and our annual budget.

upcoming events

Make note of the classes and events available in the near future

Valentine's Banquet - Friday evening, February 14th is our annual One Another / Valentine's Banquet. Express your interest in attending this free event by sending a note to Jettie and/or Whitney W.

Four the Master - Sunday evening, February 16th is a special Four the Master concert at SSB at 6pm. They will also be ministering at Silver Ridge on 2/13 and Richmont Village on 2/22.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

- 2 Corinthians 12:9

But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

- Romans 11:6

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus

- 2 Timothy 2:1

the Lord's day

We spoke about the "self-esteem" doctrine that has helped to diminish the gospel. It is important to rightly think about mankind and who we are as God's image bearers. Mankind is in need of a Savior!

We worshipped God in song - praising Him for the blood that will NEVER lose its power! He is so mighty, so holy, so wonderful - Such an Awesome God!!!

The message from Luke 14 encouraged us to disciple and be disciples. We must love Jesus supremely and carry our cross. There is a cost to following Him - we are to give up everything! Yet, there are consequences for not being an obedient disciple. We daily die.... So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple (v. 33). Following Jesus, being discipled by Him, is about being transformed into His image. We are "covering ourself in his dust."

View Past Worship Services

BIG Words

Apocrypha

See Deuteronomy 4:12; Jeremiah 15:16; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12-14. Apocrypha means “hidden away” as in not meant for common use. It is a collection of books written primarily in the time between the Old and New Testaments. The writings first appeared in the Septuagint. Israel treated the writings with respect but they were never accepted as Hebrew scripture. The early Christian church, as well, found the writings suspect. Catholics officially declared most of the Apocrypha as inspired at the Council of Trent (mid-1500s), mostly in response to the Reformation. It is also important to realize that some decidedly Catholic doctrines such as purgatory and a heavenly treasury are supported by some of these writings. From a historical standpoint, there is value in the information about some events (e.g. the Maccabean revolt). Unfortunately, the writings also have portions that are unorthodox in addition to containing historical inaccuracies. As Greg Koukl wrote, the 66 books of the Bible is a “list of authoritative books, not an authoritative list of books.” We do not, as people, get to determine what is Scripture. We recognize what God has already caused to be written. As we read Scripture, the Holy Spirit works to convince us that the books we have in Scripture are all from God and are His words to us. The 66 books of the Bible, throughout the ages, have been that list of authoritative books that speak to our hearts like no other writings.

“Twice in the book of Revelation we are told that the door to heaven will be opened. It is first opened to receive the church into heaven at the time of the Rapture: "After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven (4:2). The door swings open a second time for Christ and His church to proceed from heaven on their militant march back to earth (19:11, 14). The first opening is for the Rapture of the saints; the second is for the return of Christ!”

- Dr. David Jeremiah

Prayer Prods

Connie V, losing her son
Steve P - surgery Friday
Tami recovering from surgery (lung blocked)
Joyce B's eyes
SSB annual meeting on 2/2
Kathie P - third round of chemo started
Linda W has a deposition on Friday
Gerald B is 95 on Thursday!

Weekly Prayer Prods