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Sunday 1/6/2013 Message “Legalism Vs Grace”

“Legalism Vs Grace”

Galatians 5:2-6

06 Jan. 2013

 

^Gal.5:2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. ³ And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. ⁴ You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. ⁵ For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. ⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor un-circumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

To keep us on the same page of music; we must remember that Paul is writing this letter to the Galatian believers; not non-Christians. 

The problem is that the Judaizers (false teachers) had taken control and were teaching that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ plus the keeping of the Law.

The book of Galatians isn't addressing the issue of "loss of salvation" as some have tried to say.

No, Paul is comparing the benefits of salvation by contrasting the Law to God’s Grace.

Salvation is gained by God’s grace alone.

Throughout Galatians, Paul has confirmed that there is only one way to heaven; and that it is by means of God's grace and not man's feeble attempts of good works and keeping the Law.

Here Paul is once again contrasting grace and the Law to show that there is only one means of salvation.

Sermon in a nutshell: You must accept one and reject the other.

It is either law or grace; works or faith; self-righteousness or the righteousness of God through Christ; circumcision or Jesus Christ.

What the Galatians are in danger of, is not losing their salvation: But of substituting the gift of grace for a salvation by works of the Law.

Paul’s warning is that Christ is becoming of no effect to them.

Two week from now; when we look at verse 7 we will compare the definition of "fallen" in verse 4 to verse 7 and it will become clearer that Paul is not telling them that they are in danger of losing their salvation! 

By trying to put themselves under the law; they are throwing their personal bond with Christ under the bus!

That means they are being hindered or pulled off course and fruitless in their Christian walk.

Paul’s argument has always been; if you could do anything to earn salvation then Christ death was for naught.

As a SBC we believe and teach that salvation is totally by God's grace and not by one’s own works.  

We are to stand on the word of God alone: Ephesians 2:8-9: ⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Remember our study in Galatians 2:16, "nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified."

How about Paul letter to Titus 3:5: He (Jesus Christ) saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit

As I shared with a former member: The promise of salvation by one’s good works is an empty promise; because we are not capable to saving anyone, not even ourselves.

Ask yourself what is the benefits of grace for the believer

Read verse ^5: For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

1^st looking at verse 5; we find that Christ’s grace provides us with real hope for righteousness.

Why is that important because only the righteous shall dwell with the Heavenly Father?

The apostle Paul has shown that the hope for the true believer is Christ’s righteousness not one’s own righteousness. 

For the legalist; it is all about working their way to righteousness; there is they have an eternal search for; what enough good works…

Believers are justified (meaning; declared "not guilty") before God the moment they trusted in Christ as their Savior.

We as believers receive the attributes of the Savior righteousness by faith when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

2^ndly verse 5 seen to agree that those living under the law have no assurance that God will declare them righteous.

Let’s look at 2 Corinthians 5:21 He (God) made Him who knew no sin (Jesus Christ) to be sin on our behalf; that we might become (put on) the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ.

3^rdly Paul tells us that through grace we don't have to hope in our own abilities to be righteous; because the Holy Spirit begins the transformation of the new believer into the likeness of Jesus Christ: Beloved we will be completely righteous when Christ returns for His own.

Philippians 1:6, "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."

In contrast with the legalists; who trust in their good works, the Christian trust is in God’s grace by faith (not works) and so we eagerly await the finish work of our salvation when the righteousness for which we hope will be fully realized.

At the coming of Christ all believers will be completely conformed unto all the requirements of God's Devine will. 

The legalist has; a "hope-so" based faith that is established on having done enough to earn their salvation.

The believer has a "relationship based hope" knowing that God is working in them daily until Christ comes to take us home.

Hear me; as believers, we are to have a “know-so” faith manifesting itself in the knowledge of Christ in our daily lives.

Verse 6 is a part of our assurance that faith manifests itself in the believer's daily life!  ^6: For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor un-circumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

Paul simply points out that circumcision conveys no spiritual blessing it just ties one to the Law.

1^st) Circumcision and dietary requirements of the Law have nothing to do with a person's personal relationship with God as they are works of the flesh.

2^nd) What God is seeking is our personal trust and commitment to Jesus Christ for their salvation.

When we put our faith in Christ; such faith will always manifest itself in our behavior and lead us into good works.

Good works that are a living faith expresses itself in love!  As Paul says: "but faith working through love"

Someone wrote: Love does not add anything to faith, but simply gives it a base to operate from.

Our faith is based on Christ’s love and His works through love; and such love is encouraged by God’s grace, not by the law.

Scripture say in 1 John 4:19: We love him, because he first loved us.

How do we apply all this to our lives in 2013: We are to share Christ’s love with believers and non-believers alike!

We are to share that it is God who first loved us and gave His only begotten Son for us and for, the-who-so-ever.

Happy New Year 01/01/2013

Sermon 30 Dec. 2012

The Gift of Christmas That Keeps on Giving

Galatians 5:1 ~ 30 Dec. 2012

Let me start by reading Galatians 5:1 NKJV - Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage … Let’s pray

This verse at first may not sound very Christmassy, but this time of the year people are always asking:  What did you get for Christmas?  When I am in my best pastoral mode my answer is; I got closer to the Lord and the freedom He brings.

 Well as I studied Galatians 5:1 Paul’s statement stand fast in the liberty by which Christ has made you free; it caused me to think about the gifts of the 1^st Christmas.

 Inside the Bethlehem stable we can see the spiritual Christmas tree.

Looking under this spiritual Christmas tree of life we can see the gift of Christ’s liberating grace wrapped with loving care.

We see that God has wrapped Himself in the baby Jesus; and the gift of freedom that frees us from the yoke of bondage!

 Two weeks ago we looked at chapter 5:1 as the conclusion of chapter 4; but today we see it as a stand-alone verse.

 As the children of Promise have been liberated by God through faith in Jesus Christ by God’s gift of grace.

 As I read and reread verse 1 this is how I translated and punctuated it that I might share it with us today: “Because Christ’s freedom has set us free; we are to stand-fast and not return “again” to a yoke of slavery!”

That about captures this 1st Christmas message in a nutshell

Paul’s theme has always been Christ’s gift of grace and the freedoms it brings.

Let’s focus on the 4 freedom gifts the 1^st Christmas brought

1^st of all we need to think back to our study in Gal. 4:4–5 recalling that God sent forth His son … to redeem those who were under the law”   

 We are all are born into sin and all born under the Law

 That means that all mankind needs to be redeemed; so looking under the spiritual Christmas tree of life we find that the 1^st Christmas brought us God … wrapped in a baby … clothed with the gift of “redemption and lease.”

 We have been redeemed and released from the power of sin.

No one will ever understand the full impact of Christian freedoms unless they are aware of the entrapment of humanity.

In our humanity we are trapped by our sinful nature that leads us to an eternal life apart from God.

 Back in Romans 8:22 Paul said; “creation groans and labors.”

 Beloved God response to the needs of His created was a cosmic birth of freedom!

 What God did was to wrap Himself in His Son; born of a virgin, hung on a cross, to reveal the suffering heart of God; on that first Christmas Day.

Did I hear and Amen? I know this is heavy, but we are talking about God’s gift of Spiritual Freedom here!

 It started with the fall of Adam; there mankind’s sin caused pain in the heart of God and put tears in His eyes.

Today all are born in bondage to sin and only by the gift of grace can one be set free.

Church, until one receives God’s crucified Son as Lord and Savior by faith they can never be released from their sins; because no one is good enough on their own; it takes God’s gift of grace!

  2^ndly the 1^st Christmas brought us the gift of Reconciliation with God.

There is no greater bondage than that of being shut up in oneself and shut off from God’s love!    The world needs to wake up … Guns don’t kill, but those estranged from God do

 The 1^st Christmas brings mankind an ongoing chance to be reconciled with God, through the simple act of faith in Christ.

3^rdly the 1^st Christmas brought us the gift of new vision.

When Jesus preached His opening sermon at Nazareth, He took for His text Isaiah 61:1–2!

You all may know that, but did you know that Jesus inserts into his message a verse from the Servant Song of Isaiah 42:7, “to open blind eyes.”

Look at John 9:39 there Jesus says to the man born blind: “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.”

Christ has blesses us with a new vision; we who were blind now have a new vision for 2013 and beyond.

We see that all human beings are spiritual creatures, with physical bodies, and in Christ there is unlimited potential for spiritual growth.

But to grow spiritually one must use their new vision; the old is washed away.

As the children of promise we are to reach-out to the unredeemed: The spiritually blind cannot see that their greatest need is redemption.

The world is depraved and drowning in immoral darkness; there is light that can only be seen with new vision.

Now that we have focused on the freedoms of release, reconciliation, and our new vision let’s look at the final gift of that 1^st Christmas: God placed beneath our spiritual Christmas tree; the gift of belonging.

Recalling the words of Gal. 4:7:“You are no longer a servant but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ”

On that 1^st Christmas God placed the gift of belonging.

We are walking in a new life of belonging; Like the song says: Now I belong to Jesus, Jesus belongs to me, not for the years of time alone, but for eternity.

Beloved, if I know anything it is the pain of not belonging.

There is no greater pain that not belonging, praying to belong.  Looking in all the wrong places in a million strange faces and knowing you don’t belong.

It was only when I asked Jesus Christ to be my Lord and Savior did I find my family. Prayer: Today Lord, I want to pray for those who have not gone to the spiritual Christmas tree and opened your gifts of redemption, reconciliation, new vision, and belonging.

 

JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON AND FOR LIFE
FOR HE IS LIFE ETERNAL

IN JESUS IS LIFE ETERNAL

Rising Above Our Limitations

 My Message for Sunday Dec. 02, 2012 Galatians 4:12-14

 ¹² Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all. ¹³ You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. ¹⁴ And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

 

Most people today would say that Paul had no limitations; but beloved they are wrong as today’s message will tell us. 

It is not the starting point but how you finish the race or as they say back home it is not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog!

 I can hear Paul says: Brethren, I urge you to become like me” (v. 12).

 

Most people would say; “What an arrogant bold plea.”

But as an old gospel preacher once said; the gospel must be seen in the person who seeks to communicate it.

Here we see Paul’s willingness to reveal his humanity and his physical condition and illness must have been serious.

 While we do not know what his affliction was, we do know that it was chronic, very painful, repulsive, and humiliating.  

 Why do I say that: Because in (v. 14) that Paul actually rejoiced in the fact that the Galatians did not “despise” or “reject” him.

 Looking at the Greek we find that that v.14’s literal translation is to; “spit out or spit upon.”

 In other words the Galatians did not spit in Paul’s presence which was the custom in that day: When people wanted to ward off an evil spirit or turn away from lepers.

 This kind of language indicates the extreme nature of Paul’s affliction and points to the fact that it must have been very repulsive.

 What Paul actually says here is, “You did not shun me and you did not spit, although my physical condition was trying to you.”

 With all this going against Paul still he pleads: “Become as me.”

 It is Paul’s final request: “Here me for I have become one of you.  This reminds me of the true story of Father Damien: who say to the lepers in Hawaii; “we lepers.”   

 The gospel is always personal as the call of the gospel is from person to person, addressing our very personal secrets places of our lives.

 The gospel message dives deep in to the core of our being: toe the secret places where we live; touching our like and dislikes; to our decision making and our compromises;  when we weep and where we rejoice.

 The gospel is always personal: The issues of the gospel; is much more that just: heaven and hell; peace and justice; good and evil; divisions and reunion, sin and righteousness.

 All dimensions of the gospel in our lives are personal in the response to the demand of holiness the gospel brings through Jesus Christ.

 We can clearly see that “personal” must not be mistakenly interpreted as private or self-indulging.

 Remember that Jesus’ sharpest condemnation was against those who saw spirituality as self-indulgent - religious discipline rather than a loving concern for the poor and suffering.

 Matt. 23:23 Holman Christian Standard Bible) Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin, yet you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. These things should have been done without neglecting the others.

Jesus makes it clear that the central concern of religion is not self-indulgent, but loving service for others.  

 Christianity bring peace, love, and joy through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and it brings more often than not, the strength to bear our pain when our thorn in the flesh is not removed.

 Christianity brings meaning to our lives and the lives of others as we travel down the Jericho road called life.

 In other words; like the traveler who we identify with the one in need! 

 As we lend our hearing ears to the crying and our helping hands to strangers in all in Christ’s love.

 It is not the size of the church in Christ, but the size of Christ in the church:  As Christians our holiness is to be personal but not to be private.

 Just as our personal holiness must find expression in social holiness, not just meeting our selfish needs or the needs of our church

 The true task of a Christian church is to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and to share the one true gospel as we fulfill the Great Commission.

Rising Above Our Limitations 

 Another great lesson here is that our limitations do not have to limit God to use us.

 We would not say that Paul was limited in the scope of his ministry and yet; we know that Paul suffered a great affliction. 

 We may not know for sure what it was, but whatever it was, we know it was bad and we also know in that day sickness was regarded as God’s punishment for sins, it would have been natural for the Galatians to treat Paul as if he were an evil man and not a messenger of God.

 It must have been that Paul handled his affliction in such a Christ-like manner that even his limitation became an asset. (V. 14 “You received me as an angel of God, even as you would Christ Jesus himself.”

 What one does with their limitations is not only a measure of their faith, but determines the effectiveness of their ministry and witness.

 Here it is in the life of a modern saint who refused to be limited by her limitation, as recalled in a sermon by Mark Trotter: Lizzie Johnson made thousands of bookmarks. At thirteen Lizzie injured her back in an accident, and she was to spend the rest of her life, twenty-seven more years, flat on her back. Her only view of the world was from a mirror mounted above her head.

But she still wanted to do a great thing with her life, so when she heard in those days that you could free an African slave for $40, she made a quilt and tried to sell it for $40. Nobody would buy it. So she turned to making bookmarks, and she raised $1,000 a year for each of the twenty-seven years remaining in her life. She gave every penny of that to projects in this world that go to building up rather than tearing down.

What about the quilt? One day a bishop from India was traveling through Illinois and she gave it to him. He took that quilt with him on his speaking tour around the country, and he told the story of Lizzie Johnson. Then he asked people if they would place an offering for missions in the quilt. He raised $100,000 for missions. You talk about how God creates miracles through modest efforts! One day after Lizzie Johnson had died, her sister, Alice Johnson, heard that a man named Takuo Matsumoto was coming to Champaign, Illinois, to speak. He was one of the most prominent Japanese Christians after the Second World War. He had been principal of the Methodist Girls’ School in Hiroshima during the bombing. In John Hersey’s book about tragedy, he is mentioned prominently as one of the heroes of those days.

Alice Johnson remembered that her sister had given money to support the education of a young boy in Japan named Takuo Matsumoto, and she wondered if this was the same person. She resolved to go to Champaign to hear him speak, but she got sick that day and had to stay home. That night someone told Mr. Matsumoto about her, and he said, “You mean that she is Lizzie Johnson’s sister? All that I am I owe to Lizzie Johnson.” That night he went to see Alice Johnson, and he went from there to the cemetery to put flowers on the grave of a woman who could not leave her bed, who was weak and helpless, but who stitched up her love in bookmarks and quilts and said, “Thank you, God,” by loving others. Limitations do not have to limit; if we don’t let them.

Rest In The Lord

Zip-lineing up-side-down does not make you go any faster, but it sure does make the ride a lot more fun.  Resting in the Lord does not make life go any more faster but it does make the trip a lot more fun.  The Lord makes life sweeter as we lean on Him.  May your ride be one filled with His Peace, Love, and Joy... as you zip line through life...

The Experience of Son-ship

Here is a new work that I will be adding to as time allows. It is my prayer that it will be a blessing to you as it is to me. Peace, Joy, and Love and the greatest is His Love...

The Experience of Son-ship (Chapter 1)

In Romans chapter 8 the Apostle Paul teaches the manifestation of the Sons of God. This is the great revelation of the children of God as they become more like Jesus. Today there are more and more people recognizing their personal relationship with the Lord and with one another has brought them closer to the ultimate earthly relationship with the Heavenly Father.

I believe and teach that God sees us in the reflection of Jesus Christ; therefore as sons. And I further believe that as we as Christians establishment a personal relationship with the Heavenly Father through the Lord Jesus Christ and with the empowering of the Holy Spirit we experience the son-ship. In this new awareness of our Son-ship found in Romans 8, we are laying claim the manifestation as the sons of God, and our resurrection life in Jesus. Perhaps for the first time since the day of Acts chapter 2 the followers of Christ are seeking to be all they can be in Jesus.

Beloved I truly believe that God is raising up a new spiritual priesthood today as the Sons of God take to the highways and by-ways of life. We are singing “Onward, Christian soldier marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before.

Beloved, I know for some it is strange to be called a son, why not just a child of God. The problem here is Jesus; who is the only begotten Son of God. And if we are being raised up in His image; not as a man or woman, boy or girl; but as Jesus Himself, a Son of God. The Holy Spirit inspired the Apostle Paul to identify us with Jesus as a son of God. We are to taking on the identical image of the Lord Himself.

The Man In My Mirror

As some of you know I have been preaching an expository series on Romans doing verse by verse. I try to take each passage from Romans and break it down. I try to take myself and the church on a journey in the Spirit that brings us closer to the Lord. Because I know that Holy Spirit has a special message us. Something that builds us up as Christians, as a body of believes, and keeps us in line with teaches of the Holy Spirit.
For those who are not acquainted with expository preach, simply put it is just explaining what a verse or word means. The advantage of expository preaching is that it keeps me from getting stale in my preaching by preaching on the same topics over and over again.
As you know Romans is written by the Apostle Paul who is being lead by the Holy Spirit. Paul pushes all the buttons as he makes one look in every dark closet of one’s life. So the pastor who preaches Romans verse by verse is forced to preach messages that are just a little harder and a little closer to home than many people might like, but I have never been one to run from anything.
Every day, I have to look at the man in my mirror and answer the same old question. Lord, how did I measure up! There are times when I have to ask the Lord for forgiveness and seek to do better today. Looking at the man in our mirror is really about soul searching. I think we could call it the hypocrite check. It is not fun or even pleasant, but it is something men and women do to see who and where they stand as a person, or in my place as a Christian. May be Jesus said it best in Matthew 23: 23-36. As once a year, the tombs (graves) in Jerusalem were repainted. They were made to look new and polished so they would be attractive as people walked by. But they may be clean and attractive on the outside. But that did not change what was on the inside. They were still tombs (graves) and inside the still stunk as they still held the bones of the dead. Remember the “Law” stated that anything dead was unclean. If a Jew touched a dead person or their bones, then they would be considered just as unclean until they go to the priest and was cleansed; Jesus called them “whitewashed tombs.” Jesus was pointing out to them that they were not only ceremonially unclean; but they were unclean in the eyes of Almighty God. Yes, they talked the talk, but they could not and did not walk the walk. At the end of the day; it is not about what others think. It comes down to the man in our mirror. Seeking forgiveness and asking for forgiveness daily. Everyone lives in a glass house.

As For Me and My House We Celebrate Christmas

I Celebrate Christmas

I celebrate at Christmas because Jesus really came.

And I believe the message that the angels sang.

I believe the story that the shepherds told.

And I believe the Wise Men brought their gifts of gold.

I celebrate because I believe.

The world could be a “Christmas Time” of peace and joy,

If each of us would take as King God’s baby Boy.

I believe we all can know forgiving love,

When we receive the Savior sent down from above.

Yes, I celebrate because I believe.

Christmas is about eternal hope and cheer.

About the gift of life and light to those who’ll hear.

To the Christ of Bethlehem be true and bold,

And help me tell the greatest story ever told.

To the Christ of Bethlehem be true and bold,

And help me tell this greatest story every told.

Yes, I celebrate because I believe.

May you too believe and have a Merry Christmas...

Key Peninsula Baptist Church

Scripture: Matthew 16: 13-18 Looking at Simon Peter and seeing the Rock
Only the Lord Jesus Christ could see a Rock in that miry hunk of clay.

Scripture in a nutshell: Going from diapers to training pants is always trial and error!

Sunday Praise and Worship Service is at 10am come and be a blessing and be blessed.

At Large and In Charge

See You Later Oki-chan

On May 20th 2009, Regina and I said “see you later Oki-chan” for the last time this side of glory. He was our pug of almost 13 years! What a stoic, cobby, compact tank of a dog. At time you would swear that he was all head with big beautiful eyes. (By the way Oki only had eyes for his Mommy, Regina!!!) He had a fawn coat that shed like a dog ten times his size. He had a lazy uncurled tail, and he was in no way show quality. You have heard of a heat seeking missile, well he was a “comfort seeking” dog; always looking for a lap to get on or someone to nap with.
Oki-chan was a lot of dog in a small package. I never said we owned a pug, no one owned him as he was loyal to himself. He was originally from Okinawa, Japan. When he wanted, he was playful, mischievous (not hateful or mean), easy going, highly intelligent, and again, I must say stoic. We never had to punish him, but he was often distant or charming in a sneaky kind of way. His motto seemed to be “I am at large and in charge”! Children loved him, but he was aloof with them, unless they were eating, and then he wanted them to share with him.
We took a number of pictures of Oki, but my favorite was one of him wearing my old Green Beret from Vietnam (which I still have). He looked so cool! This is the last picture we took of him with Regina and me. The old guy was stoic as always.
I guess I said all this to answer the question I as a Pastor have been asked many times. My answer to it is always the same. “Do dogs go to heaven?” The Bible does not speak of dog or cats in heaven, but it does speak of horses and other animals. So I believe, yes our beloved pet will be with us in heaven. I also believe that there will be animals, fishes, and birds of all types. I believe our Creator God has a plan for all His creation and created beings. I pray that you will someday have the joy of being owned and loved by a pug. God’s Blessings Always, Pastor Butch
PS… Yes there are tears in my eyes and on my keyboard
The American Kennel Club: “The Pug is well described by the phrase "multum in parvo" which means "a lot of dog in a small space." They are recognized for their even-tempers, playful personalities, and their outgoing, loving dispositions. This square and cobby breed comes in fawn, silver fawn, apricot fawn or black, with a well-defined "mask" on his muzzle. A popular companion dog, the pug also excels in the show ring”.

Key Peninsula Baptist Church

Key Peninsula Baptist Church
By Pastor Butch Hall Sermon OL May 17, 2009

I AM UNASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL Romans 1:16-17 “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the Righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith.”

The Apostle Paul took great pride in the Gospel of Christ:

· Because of the PERSON the Gospel of Christ ADVOCATES
Jesus Christ is God made visible, audible, and in a tangible form.
· Because of the POWER the Gospel of Christ REVEALS
It is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes.
· Because of the PURPOSE the Gospel of Christ PROVIDES
Salvation of all mankind is the Purpose, the Provision, and the Product of the Gospel.

The Apologetics Study Bible

The reason I enjoy studying The Apologetics Study Bible is basically; if ever there was ever a time in which we needed to study apologetics it is now. The facts are over whelming as see Christianity being under attack not only by the world, but also many denomination, and so called Christian churches.
There are far too many Christians who know little about fighting the good fight of the faith. To many Christians and churches had rather switch than fight! It is only through a sound study of apologetics that we will have rational, intelligent, and relevant explanations of their faith in Jesus Christ and have the ability to stand up to the critics of Christian and the prejudiced of nonbelievers. I hope you will join me in the study of God's word and use Ephesians 6:10-20 to see just how strong you are in your walk with the Lord. Love and Blessings Always, PB

Thank You Last Mission Report

Beloved Saints,

Awesome! Thank you all for your prayers and support. No mission out-reach is ever as good or as rewarding as the last one. Beloved, it is with awe and wonder that can I say: “It is finished! And now we start to work on next year’s trip to the Philippines!” I pray that you will consider joining us for the 2010 mission trip.

The 2009 mission was an enormous success and surpassed expectations in all areas as the tally shows. Lord willing and your prayers and support the 2010 mission will even be better.

Many of you have asked; “Pastor Butch how can I help.” If you want to become a team member or you want to partner with me in prayer, provide financial support, or contribute to the needs of the medical and dental outreach, please contact me or Christians in Action Ministries International cinamissions@christiansinaction.org. My email is pastorbutch@gmail.com and my blog is http://pastorbutch.blogspot.com/. Again I truly thank each of you that partnered with me through your prayers and finances.

Team pictures: I have a disk containing all the team pictures, if you would like a copy please contact me by email and I will send you a disk.

The team saw signs, miracles, and wonders as we saw extremely high blood pressures dramatically drop after praying for many patients. The Lord worked His blessings as we were obedient to His task at hand.

The Filipino men, woman, boy, and girls found Joy, Peace, and the Love of the Lord, as the team reached out to them on behalf of Christ. The Christians in Action team and the many local volunteers worked extremely hard all for the glory of the Lord! Here the total numbers:

Total number of sites: 7 Total People registered: 4,449
Total medical patients: 3,423 Total dental patients: 1,097
Total decisions for Christ: 3,141