Abram's faith put him in right relations with God
l.esson Scripture: Romans
4:2-3.13-25
lesson Aims: to understand
righteousness, justification and
faith: to explain Abraham's right
eousness; and to appreciate being
joint heirs of the promise.
Background: Paul continued
to expound on the ideas of justifi
cation. righteousness, and faith.
We must remember that Paul's
aim for this epistle is to explain
God's universal righteousness.
For this study, let's examine each
concept closely.
Righteousness is being in
right relationship with God. God
is always righteous toward
humanity because He cannot liev
He is faithful on each promise. Ai
one time, humanity was "right!"
with God until sin was commit
ted. Anything that breaks rela
tionship with God is a sin. It can
be in thought, word, or deed.
When sin is recognized and
owned up to. something must be
done to "restore" the broken rela
tionship. God is love, mercy and
grace, which are given freely to
mend the wrong. Notice that
nothing is said here about doing
good neither long enough nor
well enough to fix things.
To get back to God, humani
ty must believe that He is all that
He says. Therefore, faith makes
people righteous, not their behav
ior.
Justification is the gracious
action of God accepting persons
as righteous in consequence of
faith resting upon His work
through Christ ("Oxford Com
panion to the Bible"). It is the
redemptive activity of God.
In the Old Testament, it was
through sacrifice. That blood
covered the sin. Now Jesus'
blood washed the sin away. God
provided this as the only avenue
to get back to Him. It was quite
costly but freely given! Here
again humanity must believe in
Jesus, because without that faith
there is no hope. Christ's blood
atones for sins and not keeping
the Law.
Our third concept is faith.
Hebrews 11:1 eloquently defines
the term. "The Bible Expositor
and Illumina
tor" states that
faith is the
acceptance of
testimony.
"UMI" says
that faith is
the abandon
ment of all
self-reliance
and complete
dependency
on God to
accomplish
His will in.our
lives. inoi
based on logic, faith is simply
believing. Faith comes from God
alone. It cannot be duplicated.
Faith is believing while in the
dark with no sign of light to lead
you out. Approach to God can be
done in no other way except by
faith
lesson: Let's examine Abra
ham. our patriarch, based on the
three concepts. Abram (Abra
ham) was called by God to fol
low Him in Genesis 12:1-3.
There is no explanation as to why
Abram and not another. Abram
believed in the voice and the
promises and thus was obedient
and left Haran.
Was he good enough? Did his
work speak volumes for his char
acter? If he were so good, did he
need God? The Scripture says
that he believed and is credited as
righteous. Abranfs faith put him
in right relations with God. Our
lesson today doesn't concentrate
on his life, but we know the story.
If you don't, read Genesis 12-25.
He believed but still sinned.
Even so, he continued to believe
in God and His promises. Abram
lived before the Law was written.
It was his faith that makes him an
heir, not obedience to the Law.
Ajbram and his wife even
attempted to help God w ith the
promise. They were not forsaken;
God blessed them and the son by
Hagar.
Abraham's faith eventually
matured (years later). The evi
dence comes when God tells him
to sacrifice his son, Isaac. There
was no hesitation, but God pro
vided! The promise becomes a
reality, and all humanity can
become heirs to it if they have the
faith.
God extends His grace and
mercy to justify us in order that
we may- commune with Him.
Like Abraham and so many oth
ers. we sin over and over, but we
are restored by our faith in God
and His redemptive activity.
All have sinned but God
remains faithful to His promise.
There can be no room for doubt.
God loves and provides for us.
We must keep the faith and the
promise is sure.
See you Sunday!
Mildred
Peppers
Sunday
School Lesson
Sara Allen Missionary Society of St.
James AME will hold Missionary Dav
SPECIAL TO THE CURDS l( I I
The Sara Allen Missionary
Society of St. James AME
Church will celebrate its annual
Missionary Day on Sunday,
March 17, at 11 a.m.
The speaker for the occasion
will be Evangelist Janet Pass
from Pearson Memorial AME
Church in High Point.
The Sara Allen Missionary
Society will recognize Nina
Jenerett for the number of years
she served, and a memorial serv
ice will be held for all missionar
ies who passed in the previous
year.
The young people's depart
ment will call the roll of family
members who are now serving in
the War on Terrorism. That will
be followed by a moment of
silent prayer for all the family
members who were affected by
the terrorists' attacks.
The Rev. Mary F. Peterson,
J J
pastor, will open the doors to
Christian discipleship. Other per
sonalities on the program are
Veronica Ford, president, and
Thelma Bridges, coordinator.
The Unity Choir will prov ide the
music, with James Smith as
organist.
The public is invited.
Mount Zion Baptist announces Summer Arts Camp
SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
Mount Zion Baptist Church,
under the dynamic leadership
of Dr. Serenus T. Churn. Sr.,
announces Summer Arts Camp
2002 for children ages 5 to 12.
The camp will run from June 3
until July 26 and operates from
the church. 905 File Street. The
hours of operation will be 7
a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
Campers will be provided a
wonderful mix of spiritual, edu
cational. recreational and cul
tural activities, in addition to
academic and arts classes. Aca
demic classes will include
math, reading and writing skills
building, and ^'Self-esteem
Through Culture Leads to Aca
demic Excellence." an Afrocen
tric social studies curriculum.
The arts curriculum will
include dance (African and
modern jazz); music (the
recorder. African drumming,
trap drums and piano); arts and
crafts; and creative writing. The
camp also will provide for
weekly field trips and organ
ized sports, including swim
ming.
The tuition includes a regis
tration fee of 525 and a weekly
fee of $60 per child. Parents
with two or more children par
ticipating are eligible for a dis
count. Government vouchers
are accepted.
Students will be provided
breakfast, lunch and a snack.
Early registration is encour
aged. as the number of spaces is
limited to ensure a small stu
dent/teacher ratio.
For an application and addi
tional information, call the
church at (336) 722-2325
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. or
Dr. Gladys W. Bray, the camp's
director, at (336) 723-5758.
Clark S. Brown & Sons
from pa fie BI
daughter. Juanita Wilson, and her grandchildren. Kutherine and Nate
(Jr.) Wilson; four nephews, five nieces, a host of other relatives and
friends.
The funeral was held March 11 at 2 p.nt. at Clark S. Brown & Sons
Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Dr. Lillie L. Travis officiated. Burial fol
lowed at Evergreen Cemetery. Clark S. Brown & Sons Funeral Home
directors were in charge of the arrangements.
HUNTLEY
Mrs. Esther B. Huntley, age 87. 122 N. Dunleith Ave., passed
away on March 3 at Silas Creek Manor. She was bom the fourth child
of Thomas and Nannie Robinson Brewer in Pageland. S.C.. on Aug.
5. 1914. She learned the discipline of hard work on that farm w ith her
parents and siblings, and. as a child, she earned a reputation for work
ing well with her hands. She attended Chesterfield County public
schools, earned her high school diploma from Brainerd Institute in
Chester. S.C.. and completed her bachelor's degree in elementary edu
cation at Winston-Salem Teachers College (now. Winston-Salem State
University). She taught in Marlboro County. S.C.. public schools a
number of years before her marriage to Berlin Huntley and her move
to Winston-Salem. After her move. Mrs. Huntley taught in Winston
Salem/Forsyth County Schools for a number of years and retired in
1976. She joined Goler Metropolitan AME Zion Church and was
faithful in serving with the Class Leaders. Gospel Choir. Usher Board,
and Sunday school Class 7. She was also a member of the Alpha Mu
Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.. the North Win
ston Senior Citizens Club. Meridian Chapter 308 of the Eastern Star,
and the Dunleith Avenue Good Neighbor Club.
She is survived by: one sister. Mrs. Vashti Brewer Dargan of Page
land, S.C.; two nieces. Dr. Margaret J. Washnitzer of Washington.
DC., and Mrs. Nannie Brewer Young of Fayetteville. N.C.: one
nephew . Dr. William T Dargan of Durham: a beloved "daughter." Mrs.
Dorothy S. Moore: her caretaker and devpted friend. Mrs. Shirley
Peoples: and many more grand- and great-grandnieces and nephews.
The funeral was held March 6 at I p.m. at Goler Metropolitan
AME Zion Church. Dr. James M. Sloan officiated. Burial followed at
Evergreen Cemetery. Clark S. Brown & Sons Funeral Home directors
were in charge of the arrangements.
OLIVER
Ms. Emma E. Oliver, age 90. formerly of 209 W. 14th Street,
passed away on March 2 at John Sticht Center. She was bom Feb. 19.
1912. in Germanton. N.C.. to the late Henry McLean and Ollie Rier
son Oliver. She attended the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County public
schools. Ms. Oliver was employed by Harry Lee's Laundry. She was
a fun-loving person who enjoyed life to the fullest. She was a faithful
member of Beulah Baptist Church, where she was involved with the
Missionary Society and "Mother of the Church."
She was preceded in death by her daughter. Kay Saundra Oliver
Foster.
She is survived by: two daughters, Mrs. Nancy (Thurnell) Dargan
Sr. and Ms. Johnnie Mae Woods; 10 grandchildren: 15 great-grand
children; and a host of other relatives and friends.
The funeral was held March 7 at 2 p.m. at Beulah Baptist Church.
Rev. L. Bruce Ford officiated. Burial followed at Evergreen Cemetery.
St. Mark celebrates anniversary
SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
Si. Mark Baptist Church
family is celebrating the
anniversary of Pastor James
Fulwood and First Lady Ful
wood. having 28 years of serv
ice with St. Mark Church. Sev
eral events will take place to
celebrate this great occasion.
On April 5 at 7:30 p.m..
Pastor Samuel Cornelius and
members of New Jerusalem
Baptist Church will open this
celebration with a worship
service. A banquet will be
given in their honor at the
Ramada Plaza Coliseum on
April 6 at 6 p.m. Pastor John
Parks of New Hope Baptist
Church <vill be the guest speak
er that night.
On April 7 at 4 p.m.. Pastor
Robert McGowen and mem
bers of Galilee Baptist Church
will the guests to close this cel
ebration.
All ' pastors and area
churches are invited to attend
all of these services.
St. Mark Baptist is at 1100
Manley Street. Rev. Dr. James
Fulwood is pastor and teacher
New Hope holds singles program
SPEC1A1 ID THE CHRONICLE
Covenant Keepers singles
ministry's Alone But Not
Lonely, Part 2, will be held
March 16 at 11:30 a.m. at New
Hope Missionary Baptist
Church, 1201 New Hope Lane.
Singles, come join Pastor J.C.
Parks in this powerful rap ses
sion. We will explore ques
tions that you've always want
ed to know but afraid to ask.
Married
couples
are wel
come too.
Lunch
will be
served
immedi
a t c,l y
after thel
rap ses- |
sion.
Rev. Parks
Wt Olive Baptist Church
1301 E. Betews Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
336-724-5842 or 721-1959
Listing of Services
Sunday School 9:30 A.M.
Worship Service 11:00 A.M.
Wednesday 12:00 Noon &
Bible Study 7:00 P.M.
Pastor & Mrs. C. E. Gray "Let God Be God"
Piney Grove Baptist Churdi
4715 Indiana Ave. ? Winston-Salem, ?C 27106 ? 1336) 767-4044
? Sunday School 9:30 a.m.
? Morning Worship 11:00 a.m.
<> Evening Services 4:00 p.m.
Bible Study Every Wednesday 10:00 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.
Mission Statement:'*A Saving Station for Lost Souls and
Enrichment Center for Christians"
Wcbshe: wVw.pinevgrovtinc.org ? E-mail: pgbc2005(" belLsouth.net
James F. Linville
Pastor
Pentecostal Uigtjttjouse Saptist Ctjurct) of ?B-&, 3nc.
4349 Kernersville Road
Kernersville, NC 27284
336-650-0033
Sunday Morning Worship.. 8:00a.m.
Sunday Evening Worship... .6:00 p.m.
Monday Study Class 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday Bible Study .7:00 p.m.
Wednesday Children s Choir Rehersal 5:30 p.m.
Thursday: Bible Study and Preach Night 7:00 p.m.
Dr A. Thomae Griffey III
Paetor/ Teacher
"To Love, To Know, To Serve and To Grow God's Kingdom!"
Upcoming Events
New Hope Missionary Baptist Church
1201 New Hope Lane ? Winston-Salem. NC 27105
Rev. John C. Parks. Pastor
(336) 724-5401
Church Events For March
March 10th
Deacons/Deaconess Day - 4:00 p.m.
Pastor A.T. Griffey - Pentecostal Lighthouse
March i?th
Women's Fellowship - 7:00 p.m.
March 24th
Gospel Explosion - 4:00 p.m.
Pastor Michael Linville - Cedar Creek Baptist Church
March 3Vth
Senior Citizens Workshop - I 1:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Sunday School 9:30 a.m.
Devotional Service 10:45 a.m.
Morning Worship .11:15 a.m.
Morning Service - Videos <? Tapes Available - Van Senice Available
"A Church Striving To Make A Difference "
Galilee Missionary Baptist Church^fe
Upcoming Events
48th Church Anniversary, March 17, 2002 \ ?
> Guest speaker for 8:00 serxice ~
: Rev. Paul Lowe
Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church
! Guest for the 10:30 service f
: Rev. James Potts of the ?,
Mt. Prospect Baptist Church, Villa Rica, OA
Spring Revival, March 19-21
7:00 p.m. Nightly
Pastor Joseph Samuels :
: St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, NC
Galilee Missionary Baptist Church
575 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Phone: (336) 724-3857
"Snoot" Productions Presents
"The Upper Room To Calvary"
(Easter Passion Play)
, W ritten and Directed By Rev. & Mrs. C.E. Gray
Saturday, March 23,2002
At The
Mt. Olive Baptist Church
5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Dinner ? 6:30 p.m. Concert ? 7:00 p.m. Play
Come Witness The Resurrection!
Concert Features St. Stephen's Combination Chorale
For tickets call (336) 721-1959 or (336) 767-4738
Dinner & Play $12.00 * * Play Only $7.00
Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 1301 East Belews Street, Winston-Salem, NC