Bolton Community Friends Church

A NEW YEAR, A NEW LOOK!

2012-01-25T09:24:00.001-06:00

THE BOLTON COMMUNITY CHURCH BLOG has taken on a new look. You can now scroll through the past and see where we've been.
Check out the menu bar at the top of the page (classic, flipcar, etc). Click on one and see the different layouts.
Enjoy and if you find something that makes you laugh, ponder or even cry (if it's a picture of you) then we have met our goal. (gm)

"Laughter is the closest thing to the grace of God." -Karl Barth

BEST OF THE CARTOONS!

2012-01-25T09:16:00.002-06:00

Cartoons from The Joyful Noiseletter

Reprinted with permission

January 2012

2012-01-25T09:10:00.001-06:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Christmas Program December 18, 2011

2011-12-13T07:30:00.003-06:00

For Unto Y'All!

2011-12-13T07:21:00.000-06:00

"So in an effort to bring a little joy into their miserable existence, folks'd have holidays with dances..."

December Calendar

2011-12-09T15:48:00.001-06:00

KIDS CLUB HALLOWEEN PARTY

2011-10-26T14:20:00.000-05:00

A GREAT TIME WAS HAD BY ALL!!

October Calendar

2011-10-07T10:10:00.000-05:00

Kids Club Has Started!

2011-10-07T10:03:00.000-05:00

September Calendar

2011-09-21T04:06:00.000-05:00

KIDS CLUB COMING SEPTEMBER 28, 2011

2011-09-21T03:59:00.000-05:00

Are you ready for some KIDS CLUB?

Well, it's time to start a new season.

Christmas program!

Just a lot of fun!!

Cartoons From The Bulletin

2011-09-21T03:43:00.000-05:00

August Calendar 2011

2011-08-22T11:10:00.001-05:00

Back To School - Already

2011-08-22T11:02:00.001-05:00

BACK TO SCHOOL! CAN'T BELIEVE THAT SCHOOL HAS STARTED FOR THE 2011 - 2012 YEAR!

CANEY HAS ALREADY STARTED, INDEPENDENCE STARTS ON THE 30TH.

I UNDERSTAND THE KIDS ARE SO EXCITED TO RETURN!

July Calendar 2011

2011-08-22T10:54:00.001-05:00

Cartoons From The Bulletin

2011-07-21T18:33:00.000-05:00

Calendar for June 2011

2011-06-24T10:34:00.000-05:00

Cartoons From The Bulletin

2011-06-24T10:13:00.000-05:00

May Calendar 2011

2011-05-14T22:10:00.000-05:00

FOLLIES CANCELLED!

2011-05-13T13:10:00.002-05:00

THE FOLLIES HAVE BEEN CANCELLED.

Graduation

2011-05-13T13:06:00.001-05:00

We have three graduates this year!

Madison Bush

Caitlin Shepard

Kelsey Goodman

Congratulations Madison, Caitlin and Kelsey!

SPRING ACTIVITIES

2011-05-10T07:33:00.003-05:00

What a great time we had celebrating Easter this year! Even though we never saw the sun at "Son" rise service we experienced Him in our hearts.
Kids Club ended with the usual fun time at the Roller Dome in Coffeyville. We had a good group and I noticed everyone was having fun.

Kids Club Easter Egg Hunt.

Skating Party

How Low Can You Get?

Lower!

Now That's Low!

Cartoons From The Bulletin

2011-05-10T06:49:00.002-05:00

All Cartoons are from The Joyful Noiseletter, reprinted with permission

April Calendar

2011-04-13T22:07:00.000-05:00

All Church Skating Party

2011-04-13T21:35:00.001-05:00

Time for the ALL CHURCH ROLLER SKATING PARTY!

Invite a friend (or friends) and join the party!

(did I mention it's free?)

April 27, 2011

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Coffeyville Roller Dome

Pie Auction 2011

2011-04-13T21:22:00.000-05:00

This was fun!

Cartoons From The Bulletin

2011-04-12T17:04:00.000-05:00

MARCH CALENDAR

2011-03-24T04:55:00.000-05:00

FELLOWSHIP DINNER & PIE AUCTION

2011-03-24T04:50:00.001-05:00

FELLOWSHIP DINNER AND PIE AUCTION

FOLLOWING MORNING WORSHIP

MARCH 27, 2011

BOLTON FRIENDS CHURCH

MONEY WILL BE USED TO SEND OUR KIDS

TO CAMP QUAKER HAVEN THIS SUMMER

WORSHIP: 10:30 A.M.
DINNER: 12:00 P.M.
AUCTION FOLLOWING DINNER

What's Happened In Kids Club?

2011-03-24T04:44:00.000-05:00

Cartoons From February Bulletin

2011-03-12T06:17:00.000-06:00

February Calendar

2011-02-09T06:28:00.001-06:00

Your love relationship orbits around God even as the moon moves around the earth. God keeps your relationship moving, fluid, dynamic. Always remember that your heavenly Father is the One behind all the love you give and receive. "For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined." Psalm 66:10

Kids Club Off With A Great Start

2011-02-08T13:06:00.000-06:00

January Kids Club has been going great! The weather has not helped. We had to cancel on February 3rd because of the big snow storm. But in spite of all the bad weather we've had some great times learning about Queen Esther from the Book of Esther.

Cartoons From The Bulletin

2011-02-08T12:35:00.001-06:00

January 2011 Calendar

2011-01-06T04:21:00.000-06:00

Cartoons From The Bulletin

2011-01-06T03:45:00.003-06:00

December Calendar 2010

2010-12-03T08:03:00.000-06:00

Christmas Program, December 19, 2010, 7:00 p.m.

2010-12-03T07:55:00.001-06:00

"ARREST THESE MERRY GENTLEMEN"

A Christmas Musical created by Steve Moore, Rob Howard and David Guthrie

"We got ourselves a '4-5-6-6-7-3-2-A'...Merry Gentlemen with intent to celebrate!"

Thanksgiving Fellowship Dinner

2010-12-03T07:21:00.000-06:00

"Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow!"

Cartoons From The Bulletin

2010-12-03T06:56:00.001-06:00

Cartoons From The Bulletin

2010-11-06T07:23:00.000-05:00

October Calendar

2010-10-06T13:27:00.000-05:00

October here already. So much going on so little time. We've been having some great Fall weather. God bless!

Kids Club Off To A Great Start

2010-10-06T13:09:00.002-05:00

Off and running. The opening Kids Club was a bustle of activity from start to finish. Lots of food, and the games were well received. The apple bobbing was the most popular. Something about water, apples and getting to stick your head in water. The tug of war was popular also. I think the kids out pulled the adults. It was a good evening!

Cartoons From The Bulletin

2010-10-06T12:44:00.000-05:00

September Calendar 2010

2010-09-13T08:50:00.000-05:00

Cartoons From The Bulletin

2010-09-11T05:22:00.007-05:00

August - ALREADY!

2010-08-07T04:32:00.003-05:00

AUGUST!
Fair and Rodeo time,
Back to school.....

Have you started your Christmas shopping?

An American Genealogy: The Copeland Family of Montgomery County Kansas

2010-08-07T04:19:00.002-05:00

The book, An American Genealogy: The Copeland Family of Montgomery County Kansas, by Cousette Copeland is availabe for sale.
The book includes photos of the Lindleys and the Woody's who helped found the Harrisonville, and then the Bolton Friends Church, along with the Copelands and the Finneys.
The book will be on Amazon.com by next week.
The book cost is $25.00. Autographed copies will be available August 19, 2010
As a 'release special' shipping is free to the lower 48 states through September 2010.
After September the shipping charge is $3.30

http://anamericangenealogy.blogspot.com

Cartoons From The Bulletin

2010-08-07T03:54:00.002-05:00

July 2010 Calendar

2010-07-02T13:38:00.003-05:00

Where did June go? Here it is July already!
What was that? A "back to school sale"!

Here's to hoping that this Summer is going
perfect for you.
"A perfect Summer day is when the sun is
shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are
singing....and the lawn mower is broken."
-James Dent

Happy Birthday America!

2010-07-02T12:52:00.004-05:00

God Bless America,

Land that I love.

Stand beside her, and guide her

Thru the night with a light from above.

From the mountains, to the prairies,

To the oceans, white with foam

God Bless America, my home sweet home.

-Irvin Berlin

Cartoons FromThe Bulletin

2010-07-02T09:00:00.001-05:00

SENIORS 2010

2010-06-11T08:59:00.003-05:00

Aaron McKellips, Laken Davis
Brandon Howland

Cartoons From The Bulletin

2010-06-11T08:22:00.003-05:00

CONGRATULATIONS SENIORS 2010

2010-05-14T07:53:00.006-05:00

(click on image for larger view)

Congratulations to Aaron McKellips, Brandon Howland, and Laken Davis - Seniors 2010. We wish you the best and God bless!

(Not pictured Brandon Howland)

The church will host a reception for our graduates May 30, 2010 following fellowship dinner.

May Calendar

2010-05-06T13:44:00.002-05:00

All Skate Skating Party

2010-05-04T16:08:00.007-05:00

The 2010 skating party was mega fun. There were lots of thrills, and chills and bruised knees and elbows (not to mention a" little" hand holding as well.
A good turn out (over 60) always helps. The party is the end of our Kids Club season before the summer gets too hot and heavy with activities.

Kids Club

2010-05-04T09:44:00.002-05:00

Kids Club was a great time this season. We had some great kids and lots of great help to get us through. Thanks to: Carolyn Irvine, Jesse and Sarah Kerstetter, Crystal Leyda, Carol Miller, Patty O'Shields, Kathy Smith, Cathy Tucker for doing refreshments, teaching and helping in the lessons. Thanks to all you parents who sent your kids. Have a great summer and we'll see you in September.

Kids who are not pictured are: Brooklyn and Mackenzie Thiessen.

Cartoons From The Bulletin

2010-05-04T06:18:00.001-05:00

April Calendar 2010

2010-04-01T18:59:00.001-05:00

Kids Club Easter Egg Hunt

2010-04-01T18:20:00.006-05:00

She took my Easter egg!

Pie Auction 2010

2010-04-01T04:08:00.006-05:00

Here are a few potential campers headed for Camp Quaker Haven this summer. Each summer the cost of camp goes up a little bit making this year's cost $200.00 for Senior and Jr High Camp, $160.00 for Jr and Kids Camp. We appreciated all who participated in the pie auction. It is an investment in our youth. Thanks to all!

Pie Auction Raises $1300.00

"OK, who will give $5.00 for this-what kind of pie did you say this was?"

Louise Click and Kathy (Click) Bush. Louise is the daughter and Kathy is the granddaughter of Alvin and Trinnie Clark. The pie auction is held in Alvin and Trinnie's memory.

Cartoons From The Bulletin

2010-04-01T03:45:00.001-05:00

March Calendar 2010

2010-04-01T03:34:00.002-05:00

Pie Auction March 28, 2010

2010-04-01T03:08:00.001-05:00

Smile If You Love Me!

2010-03-05T04:51:00.005-06:00

"Made you smile!"

"Smile if you love Me!"

Jon Miller, Debra Waddle

Kara Tucker

Cathy Tucker

Trinnie Bush

Alex Tucker

Aubrey Waddle

Haley Tucker

Cartoons FromThe Bulletin

2010-03-03T08:20:00.001-06:00

February Calendar 2010

2010-02-06T10:45:00.005-06:00

All great people were born in February,

George Washington, Abraham Lincoln.....

1 Month Down, 11 To Go

2010-02-06T10:12:00.002-06:00

So how is the new year going for you so far? Are you holding to those resolutions you made at the beginning of 2010 (that is if you made any)?
The ground work I believe to a successful year are these:

Spend time alone with God and develop your relationship with Him. Psalm 46:10, "Step out of the traffic, take a long loving look at God." (MSG)
Strengthen your faith. "By faith, Abraham obeyed..." Hebrews 11:8. "One of the most difficult questions to answer in Christian work is, 'What do you expect to do?' You don't know what you are going to do. The only thing you know is that God knows what He is doing." -Oswald Chambers
Grow up in Christ. Go on to maturity. "Leave the preschool fingerprinting exercises on Christ." Hebrews 6:1 (MSG). "You don't get a well-fed church from serving fast food." -Bill Hybels
Know that we are called to belong to Jesus. "You are who you are through this gift and call of Jesus Christ." Romans 1:7 (MSG). "Personal holiness is an effect of redemption, not the cause of it. If we place our faith in human goodness we will go under when testing comes." -Oswald Chambers

The center point for a successful year is Jesus Christ our Lord!

Kids Club

2010-02-06T09:52:00.002-06:00

Ethan Doyal Harris

2010-02-06T09:47:00.002-06:00

Congratualtions to:

Adam and Chelsea Harris

Ethan Doyal Harris

Born January 6, 2010

Weighing in at 8 lbs

Kaden William Holmes

2010-02-06T09:03:00.005-06:00

Congratulations to:

Tanner and Maranda Holmes

Kaden William Holmes

Born January 8, 2010

Weighing in at 6 lb, 13 oz

Cartoons From The Bulletin

2010-02-06T08:50:00.001-06:00

2010-01-18T13:14:00.001-06:00

January Calendar 2010

2010-01-16T15:08:00.004-06:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The Christmas County Spelling Bee

2010-01-16T13:27:00.005-06:00

Church Decorating Party

2010-01-16T11:34:00.006-06:00

Cartoons from the Bulletin

2010-01-16T11:07:00.007-06:00

December Calendar 2009

2009-12-07T09:45:00.001-06:00

Candle Light Service December 20, 10:45 a.m.

2009-12-07T09:38:00.002-06:00

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." Isaiah 9:2

"In Him was life, and that life was the light of men." John 1:9

Christmas Program December 20, 2009, 7:00 p.m.

2009-12-07T09:19:00.002-06:00

This program has it all: Singing, Drama, Scandel, Laughter,

Laughter and More Laughter.

The Christmas County Spelling Bee

Created by Celeste Clydesdale and David T. Clydesdale

Adapted by Grady Miller and Cast

December 20, 2009

7:00 p.m.

Bolton Friends Church

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow!

2009-12-07T09:11:00.002-06:00

"Dear Father, our hearts are filled with thanksgiving;

We praise You and worship You;

We give You thanks today.

Amen"

-Gary Rhodes

Thanksgiving Fellowship Dinner

2009-12-07T08:56:00.001-06:00

Cartoons From The Bulletin

2009-12-07T08:48:00.002-06:00

November Calendar 2009

2009-11-11T09:51:00.001-06:00

Neewollah Celebration

2009-11-11T09:32:00.006-06:00

I just love the Kiddie Parade at Neewollah!"I wish the band would slow down! This thing is heavy!"

Kids Club Halloween Party

2009-11-10T23:12:00.010-06:00

Our dedicated hard working staff waiting to serve you.

"Remember scarecrow, I have all the brains!"

"We Ain't got the money for the mortgage on the cow! Oh, no! Oh no!"

Cartoons From The Bulletin

2009-11-10T23:07:00.002-06:00

October Calendar 2009

2009-10-13T08:07:00.002-05:00

Kids Club!

2009-10-13T07:49:00.010-05:00

Food and Fun and Games!

Cake Walk and one happy winner (Bailey Miller won 2 cakes)

Bailey Miller ate it all by herself!

Cartoons From The Bulletin

2009-10-13T07:22:00.004-05:00

September Calendar

2009-09-12T10:37:00.004-05:00

Click on images for larger view

Summer and Beginning of Fall

2009-09-12T08:39:00.011-05:00

Hot Dog Rage!

Summer Fun!

Hole In One

The Agony of Defeat!

No They're Not Done! Go Away!

Ice Cream Social

Pool Party

Cartoons From The Bulletin

2009-09-12T08:08:00.001-05:00

A Review of August

2009-09-10T03:30:00.002-05:00

An Act of Faith
Hebrews 11
August 30, 2009

Focus: Faith in Christ is salvation

I. God’s Role
A. The fundamental fact of existence (MSG)
1. the substance of things hoped for (KJ)
2. being sure of what we hope for (NIV)
The firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. (v.1)
B. Our role
1. Conviction – “This trust in God”
“Our role in faith is to be convicted (pound our fist) over the assurances of God.” - Christopher M. Nerreau
II. By Faith
2. “It’s our handle on what we cannot see”
a. the creation of the world
b. “what we see created by what we don’t see.”
II. An Act of Faith
A. Abel
1. Brought a better sacrifice (Genesis 4)
2. It was what he believed
3. That’s what God noticed and approved as righteous
4. Conviction – “This trust in God”
B. Cain
1. “Brought produce from his farm.” (Genesis 4)
2. I compare this to:
a. the health, wealth and prosperity theology
b. the Christian who never develops maturity in their faith – only, “Jesus came to earth only to get me into heaven when I die and to keep me good until I get there.” –Larry Crabb
“I want to follow Jesus in His crucifixion by dying to self-interest so I can resurrect with Him into a new way to live, loving God and loving others, loving myself for God’s sake by loving others for their sake.” –Larry Crabb

Do You Trust God?
Proverbs 3:1-10
August 23, 2009

Focus: Are you interested in making the crooked paths of your life straight today?

I. Love and Loyalty (v.3)
A. Don’t lose your grip on them.
“ Love God, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that's in you, love him with all you've got!” Deuteronomy 6:5
“For in Christ, neither our most conscientious religion nor disregard of religion amounts to anything. What matters is something far more interior: faith expressed in love.” Galatians 5:6
“Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God's Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we've embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God.” 1John 4:16
II. Trust God
A. From the bottom of your heart
1. Our lives our reason all we do and all we are!2. Our finances our health our whole hearts3. Our loved ones our Futures our eternal life
“If we can put our trust in a 16 year old fast food cook, can we not trust in God?” –Christopher Nerreau
“To trust in God with your whole heart means we must do an overhaul on the system we have in place now.” –Christopher Nerreau
III. Don’t Assume That You Know It All
A. Run to God
1. Do not prop yourself up into the position of God
2. We have limited knowledge of situations, people and motives.
3. Consider God in every single decision we make regardless of how small or how large.

Take Nothing for Granted
Ecclesiastes 11; 12:1
August 9, 2009

Back To School Sermon!

Focus: “life is not meant to be monotonous. Life is meant to be an adventure!” -Brian Atwood

I. Life Is Full Of Risks
A. Don’t get stuck in a rut
A sign along the Alaskan Highway that reads, "Choose your rut carefully, you’ll be in it for the next 200 miles."
1. Be generous (v.2)
2. Don’t make excuses and do nothing (vv. 3, 4)
3. Beyond understanding, more faith. (vv.5, 6)
II. While You Are Still Young
A. Each day is a gift (vv. 7, 8)
1. Don’t take them for granted
2. Take the good along with the bad
a. How you look at the bad days
3. Pursue your dreams (v.9)
4. Not everything goes.
5. We will answer to God
“The trappings of youth are only temporary but eternity is forever!” –Brent Atwood
III. Look At The Big Picture
A. God – your Creator
1. Honor and enjoy Him while still young.
2. Don’t wait until you are old and stiff.
3. Life is full of meaning
4. Life if full of hope
5. Life is abundant

A Life of Pleasing God
2Peter 1:3-11
August 2, 2009

Focus: “Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. (v.3)

I. Be Aware That ‘Everything…has been miraculously given to us.’
A. God’s divine power
1. Everything we need is available to us which pertains
to life and godliness.
2. That power comes from the Holy Spirit. (2Timothy 1:7)
Everything of God gets expressed in him (Jesus Christ), so you can see and hear him clearly. You don't need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him. When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too. His power extends over everything.
Colossians 2:9-10
II. We Were Given
A. Terrific promises to pass on to you
1. To participate in the life of God
2. To turn our back on a world corrupted by lust.
III. Build On What You’ve Been Given
A. 8 building blocks
1. Faith (v.5)
2. Good character (v.5)
3. Spiritual understanding (v.6)
4. Alert discipline (self-control) (v.6
5. Passionate patience (v.6) - So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. (James 1:4; “Finished product”)
6. Reverent wonder (v.6) – Godliness cannot be fabricated. It comes from God Himself.
7. Warm friendliness (v.7)
8. Generous love (v.7)

August Calendar 2009

2009-08-10T14:41:00.001-05:00

Cartoons From The Bulletin

2009-08-03T08:37:00.001-05:00

2009-08-03T08:29:00.003-05:00

July In Review

2009-08-03T07:01:00.002-05:00

Full Of Faith And The Holy spirit
Acts 6, 7
July 5, 2009

Focus: The Word of God prospered. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased dramatically.

I. The Problem
A. 2 groups of people responding to the Holy Spirit
1. Palestinian Jews
2. Greek speaking Jews
hard feelings developed among the Greek-speaking believers—"Hellenists"— toward the Hebrew (Palestinian)-speaking believers because their widows were being discriminated against in the daily food lines.
B. The solution
1. The Twelve called a meeting of the disciples.
choose seven men from among you whom everyone trusts, men full of the Holy Spirit and good sense, and we'll assign them this task.
II. Stephen
A. brimming with God's grace and energy,
1. was doing wonderful things among the people,
B. But they were no match for his wisdom and spirit when he spoke.
1. Dared to be bold
And you continue, so bullheaded! Calluses on your hearts, flaps on your ears! Deliberately ignoring the Holy Spirit, you're just like your ancestors.
III. The Face Of An Angel
A. full of the Holy Spirit,
1. Hardly noticed—he only had eyes for God,
2. whom he saw in all his glory with Jesus standing at his side.
3. "Master, don't blame them for this sin"—his last words. Then he died.
That set off a terrific persecution of the church in Jerusalem.

Faith and Confidence
1John 5:1-15
July 12, 2009

Focus: The person who wins out over the world's ways is simply the one who believes Jesus is the Son of God. 1John 5:5

I. Think Victorious
A. Every person who believes
1. That Jesus is, in fact the Messiah
2. Is God begotten
“Our faith in the character of God is the doorway that opens up our lives toward God. The result of faith is our relationship with God as His children.” –Earl Palmer
B. Do we love God?
1. Do we keep His Commandments?
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." Matthew 11:30 (MSG)
2. It is our love for, not a sense of obligation, that motivates us to obey His commands. (The book, “How To Keep God’s Law For Dummies”)
II. Every God-begotten person conquers the world's ways. (v.4)
A. By our faith.
“The power that the Christian has over the world is not a power or force that we control. It is our confidence that Jesus Christ has the authority. –Earl Palmer.
1. Peter got out of the boat, at first he focused on Christ not the storm, as his attention shifted he began to sink. (He pulled his manual, “How to walk on water for Dummies” It said, “Idiot, you can’t walk on water!”)
2. Jesus asked the lame man at the pool of Bethesda, “Do you want to be healed?” The man replied, “I have no one to help me.” (He was getting his advise from “How to stay miserable for Dummies "
Jesus said, "Get up, take your bedroll, start walking." (John 5:3-9
“It is our faith, our belief in Jesus, the Son of God that enables us to overcome. We have an inheritance reserved in Heaven for us.

Christ as Son is in Charge of the House
Hebrews 3:1-11
July 19, 2009

Focus: Jesus Christ is superior to every other option we have.

I. My dear Christian Friends
A. Companions in following this call to the heights.
1. Consider…..Christ (KJV)
2. Fix your thoughts on Jesus (NIV)
3. Take a good hard look at Jesus (MSG)
B. Jesus is the center piece of everything we believe.
1. A word of caution
“The danger is constantly in our way that we will stop taking a good hard look at Jesus and become more interested in other things and drift away from the word and perhaps never return, proving that we were never truly partakers of the “call to the heights.” So the danger is that we will drift away if we stop taking a good hard look at Jesus daily.” –Steven Smarowsky
II. Moses – a faithful servant
A. Moses did a good job in God’s house (v.5)
1. His calling
2. His leadership
3. Mistakes were made because he was a servant
B. Christ as Son is in charge of the house (v.6)
1. Jesus gets far more honor (v.3)
2. He owns the house of God
3. He rules the house of God
4. He provides for the house of God
5. No mistakes were made.
III. Keep a firm grip
A. If only we can
1. On this bold confidence
2. We’re the house (Psalm 131:1, 2)
“I think we, too often, think that we are doing God a favor by being a faithful servant. We are to only be a faithful servant out of reverence and love.” Steven Smarowsky

Psalm 131
1God, I'm not trying to rule the roost, I don't want to be king of the mountain. I haven't meddled where I have no business or fantasized grandiose plans.
2 I've kept my feet on the ground, I've cultivated a quiet heart. Like a baby content in its mother's arms, my soul is a baby content. (MSG)

Growing Faith and Love
2Thessalonians 1
July 26, 2009

Focus: Your faith is growing phenomenally; your love for each other is developing wonderfully. (v.3)

I. The Good News
A. The gospel (good news) of the cross
1. God’s work in our lives will take place regardless of:
a. hardship, trouble, persecution.
B. Faith and love
1. Is evident in spite of the hardships the church has been experiencing.
a. Persecution and intensified. (v.4)
b. They had received a letter from someone claiming to be Paul (2:2)
c. Some had quit their jobs to wait for the Rapture (3:11)
2. Paul claims “bragging rights” because of their:
a. Patience and faith
We're so proud of you; you're so steady and determined in your faith despite all the hard times that have come down on you. We tell everyone we meet in the churches all about you. (v.4)
II. Joys and Sorrows
A. The principle of retribution
1. God is punishing me for something wrong I did.
- If you displease the gods, they will get you … floods, famines, fire, disease are the result of the wrath of the gods.- If you don’t appease the gods, they will take it out on you.

THE TRUTH IS … you can be PLEASING God … and everything seems to be going wrong.- AND … you can be DISPLEASING God … and everything seems to be going right.
The Thessalonians Christians were under severe persecution … so they thought they must be doing something wrong. (Psalm 73)
B. Encouragement
Our God gives you everything you need, makes you everything you're to be. (v.2)
“A faith that cannot be tested cannot be trusted.”

July Calendar 2009

2009-06-30T23:43:00.002-05:00

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