Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / July 1, 2004, edition 1 / Page 19
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JUL f I # A W V-* ?? i nu vnRuniv- lc God's hands are tied if we remain babes in faith ? .rvMiii ,-H.Tipiure: HeDrews 5:11-6:12 Lesson aims: lo recognize the need for spiritual growth, to understand that this process is ongoing, and to commit to spiri tual growth. Background: Expounding on Jesus being the High Priest in 5:1-10, the writer abruptly halt ed his discourse and began to rebuke them for their lack of growth. Several terms come up in this lesson that need some clarification. Perfection here means maturity, not living a sin less life. The other term, aposta sy, deserves a little more than one sentence. UMI Direction says that it refers to the defec tion from or revolt against God. The Scriptures use the phrase "falling away." Hebrews men tions this concept in 2:1; 3:12: 6:4.6; 10:26,29,39: and 12:25. Each reference needs to be stud ied within its own context, but their common strand suggests a warning against "falling away." There are at least three views on the matter. The first interpre tation says that some profess Christ but don't possess Him. In other words, they show their beliefs by giving lip service and works without a change from Mildred Peppers Sunday School Lesson within. These people are lost! It is impossible to fool God. The second view implies a "repro bate" mind. This means that one accepts Him and then chooses to reject Him. These people are considered evil. The third posi tion is somewhat similar to the first. Proponents here believe that ultimately if one "falls away," he or she loses the rewards of God's eternal rest. Think back to the Jews that didn't make it to the Promised Land. In other words, believers must grow in the faith or lose out on the fullness of the prom ise. ' ^ Lesson: The readers are admonished for not growing. They've been in the number for some time yet they haven't made any progress. Probably second-generation believers, the writer feels that they should be teaching by now but instead they remain at the elementary stage of growth. He desires to speak of ?weighty matters but can't due to their immaturity. They must go beyond the rudimentary doc trines listed in the text. Grouped in three pairs (Bible Expositor and Illumina tor), they represent repentance and faith (don't rely on legal ism). The second pair centers on rituals. There must be a change within a person. The final pair centers on their faith in the gen eral resurrection and the final judgment. He calls for them to become mature (perfection) in their faith. This maturation process is ongoing and requires faith and patience. Their strength to accomplish this comes by the grace of God (II Peter 3: 17,18). They are presented with a practical illustration. God waters the whole earth, yet some lands are fruitful while others produce thorns and briers good for burn ing only. This means that people can decide for themselves. Their fruits will bear witness to their decisions. His tone changes and the writer begins to encourage them by stating that God will not forget their good works (done for the right reasons). He urges them to mature for a greater wit ness for the High Priest and God and to inherit the promise of rest. Application: For nine months anticipation runs high. Is it a girl or boy? Who will the baby look like? How will it act? In the fullness of time, the blessed event comes to fruition. Baby gets what that delicate sys tem can handle. Twenty years later, this child is still on milk! Something is wrong. In my imagination, I see God disap pointed in our lack of spiritual maturity as these parents are. A large number of us haven't grown beyond the basic doctrine of the faith. We are stuck on the material things of this world. Have we stopped to ask our' selves can we take them to glory? Like babies at first, we were fed on the simple things (Bible stories, recitations, and children's songs). As time goes by we should progress to the heavy stuff (meat). God has great things in store for us, but His hands are tied if we choose to remain babes. Yet, at the point of acceptance we are saved, but there is so much more! Are you satisfied with a piece of candy? Why not the jar? If each day is to get sweeter than the day before, how can this happen if maturuy. is stagnant .' How can we help others if we remain on a milk diet? Spiritual maturity is the desired goal or it should be. God wants us to experience all of His power and sty, How cafi. we if we don't grow up? Become all that God wants you to be! I need your feedback ? mpep l>ers <s> hi/linail. i om. Tabernacle of Faith Church will hold Youth Empowerment Conference SPECIAL TO THECHRON1CI E The Youth Council of Taber nacle of Faith Church will have a Youth Empowerment Conference July 7- 1 1 . There will be a pre-con ference Praise Festival July 6 beginning at 7:30 p.m. Several youth choirs, step teams, dancers and gospel artists are scheduled to offer praise and worship to God during the preconference celebra tion. Tuesday through Friday serv ices will begin at 7:30 p.m. Youth Pastor Rondy Long Jr., Temple international Fellowship, Char lotte, will speak on Wednesday night to officially open the confer ence. He has more than 19 years of experienced in the ministry and has written three books, "Waiting, Dating and Mating"; "The S.A.T.: Are You Really Saved?": and "Where Are They Now?" Pastor M. Lamont Cooper Sr. will speak Thursday evening. He serves as the founder and execu tive director of Rapture Ready Ministries Inc. and pastor of the Millennium Revival Center COGIC. He is also the founder and executive director of the Visions Institute of Youth under the umbrella of the Raleigh Wake Leadership Foundation. He is the former youth pastor of Youth Room COGIC. one of Raleigh's leading ministries. Rev. Herbert C. Crump Jr. is the pastor and founder of Free dom Temple Ministries Inc. in Rock Hill, S.C. As a result of a devastating fire that totally destroyed their recently pur chased worship facility. God is using Crump to lead Freedom Temple through the process of erecting a new 1 ,200- seat worship facility. Crump participates extensive ly in community activities. For example, in an attempt to offer a solution to many of the socioeco nomic ills within the community, he established Saving Our Seed Inc., a 501-C3, nonprofit organi zation that encompasses a mental health counseling center, GED program, food bank, Saving Our Seed Summer Academy and Free dom Academy. Saving Our Seed also serves as the resource center for the Job Corps program, serv ing the upper region of South Carolina through the Department of Labor and the Freedom Eco nomic Development Division (FEDD). The resource center sup ports existing minority businesses and encourages future entrepre neurs. Pastor Albert Haskins and "Power' N-Da-Houz" Ministries out of Glory Center Ministries in High Point will facilitate chil dren's church on Thursday and Friday evenings for ages 2-9. Haskins and his team evangelize select neighborhoods in the High Point community. Elder Phillip McCloud Sr. will close the conference on Sun day at 1 1 a.m. In addition to his duties as the co-pastor of Taberna cle of Faith Church, McCloud serves as the youth pastor. In addition to this spiritual agenda, the Youth Council of T.O.F. Church has not neglected to include activities for fun. On Thursday after service there will be a Gospel Apollo Show. Those who wish to participate may sign up at any of the services before the Apollo Show. There will be a winning prize in addition to door prizes, games, food and fun. Fri day, a midnight skate party will take place at Skate Haven, USA in Winston-Salem until midnight. Tickets are free to Conference Covenant Partners only. All oth ers must purchase tickets at the church for $10 each. No tickets will be sold at the door of Skate Haven. On Saturday beginning at 11 a.m., there will be a Youth Olympics and Field Events com petition between local youth groups. All church youth groups are invited to register for this "Exercise your faith on the field" fun day. Events will take place at High Point City Lake Park on High Point Road in High Point. Covenant Partner packages are as follows: ? Ages 1 0 and up - a covenant seed of $50 or more (includes midnight skate party ticket, seat ing preference, a conference T shirt and conference gifts). ? Ages 1 0 and up - a covenant seed of $25 or more (includes seating preference, a conference T-shirt and conference gifts). ? Ages 9 and under - a covenant seed of $15 or more (includes an option between a ticket to the midnight skate party or a T-shirt, two carnival tickets and conference gifts.) ? Daily covenant seed of $10. ? For groups of five or more - a covenant seed of $20 per person (includes midnight skate party ticket, seating preference, a con ference T-shirt and conference gifts). 0 For more information, call: ? 777- 1 1 1 3 - Youth Olympics and Field Events group sign up or general information. ? 777-1113 ext. 32, Confer ence Choir, directed by Cory Jones. ? 785-2805 or 777-1113 for general question and Covenant Partner forms. Tabernacle of Faith Church is at 1410 Attucks Street in Win ston-Salem. The conference host is Assistant Pastor and Youth Pas tor, Elder Phillip G. McCloud Sr. Eldress Brenda J. McCloud is the senior pastor. House of Faith will have women's revival this week Minister Boone The Chronicle The Choice for African American News and Information Lift Your Voice In The Chronicle Phone: 722-8624 SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE House of Faith Outreach Ministries will present a three-day women's revival June 30 through July 2 at 7 o'clock nightly. The guest speaker will he Minister Michelle Boone from Greater Grace Cathedral Church. The public is invited. House of Faith Outreach Ministries is at 1384 W. Sedgefield Drive. Stephan A. Jordan is senior pastor. For more information contact Deaconess Angel Cunning ham at 785-1181. Mt Olive Baptist Church 1301 E. Belews Street Winston-Salem, NC 27101 Dr. & Mrs. C. E. Gray "Let God Be God" 724-5842 or 721-1959 Sunday Morning Broadcast 6-63 QA.HQ' WUPN 48 Sunday School 9:30 A.M. Worship Service 1 1 :00 A.M. Wednesday 12:00 Noon Bible Study 7:00 P.M. www.letgodbegod.org Macedonia Holiness Church Of (iod Of The Apostolic Faith, Inc. Bishop R.L Wise. Sr. D.D.; S.T.D. ? Pastor Sunday Services Sunday School 9:45 a.m. >rning Worship 1 1:00 a.m. Y.P.U 6:30 p.m. ' Wednesday Services Prayer & Bible Study 7:30 p.m. 4111 Whitfield Drive Phone: 336-767-3700 Fax: 336-767-7006 United Progressive baptist dhurch PASTOR LEWIS E. DEVLIN Home Tel: (336) 767-7825 T Office Tel: (336) 724-1266 Sunday School - 9:30 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship 1 1 :00 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study - 7:00 p.m. Thursday (Grandparents Bible Study - 7:00 p.m. At E. 12th & Jackson Avenue 1122 Quincy Caldwell Circle Winston-Salem, NC 27101 Pastor Lewis E. Devlin and 1st Lady Mary E. bevlin Citadel of Faith rgj&t Christian Academy W Now Enrolling^ "Empowering children to reach their full potential" Ages 6 weeks to 1 1 Years Old offering before and after school child care Hours of Operation: 6am -6pm Offering Special Fall Enrollment Kates. For More Information contact: Ms. Aisha Joins, Director lOOO East Fourth St., Winston-Salem, NC Office 336-727-0893; Fax 336-727-0410 Dr. George B. Jackson, Owner Summer Praise Break "Let Freedom Ring" Hanes Mall - Iiclk Court Friday, July 2, 2004 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm If you continue in my word. ..yon will know the truth and this truth \IkiII be your freedom. John 8:31-32 Join us ;is we celebrate our liberties in song, music and dance! o Featuring from Union Baptist Church: F irst 1 1 ida\ Choir ? Shekinah Glory Praise Team ? Dance Ministries Soldiers 4 Christ Steppers ? Literary Arts Ministry Special Guests: l)i. Larry Keefauver, Ministries Today Magazine Lt. Colonel Fran/ D. Cone - Piper Galvin Crisp - Saxophonist Sophia Feaster - Contra-Alto Soprano Agape Faith Church Choir Pastor Mario Burgeos - El Camino Church Reserve the Date! First Friday, August 2. 2004, 7:00 pm Byron Cage and a Back to School Hype Night! Please bring toiletries for Deployed Ser vice \h ii & Women I nion lt;iptisl Church - " \ Church Determined to Live Jnr Christ" 1 200 North 1 1 i?U Strict ? \V inston-Salem, NC 27101 ? 336/724-9305 ? w w w.unionbaptistwsnc .org
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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