Greetings, 

At this present time, we are all being impacted by the coronavirus that has spread around the world affecting the lives of millions either physically or financially; some being impacted in both areas. As I reflect back to the start of the year and how many believers entered with high hopes and great expectations, I remember the word of God to the members of Build Ministries to get our houses in order (2 Kings 20:1-2). Since then we have been caught off guard yet again by events that shocked the world. The development of the COVID-19 coronavirus seemingly came out of nowhere and has caught the world of guard and unprepared for its spread.  You may remember the attack on the World Trade Center in 2001, or the housing crisis of 2008 that many were saying that we have recently begun to recover from. Now, in 2020, we are yet again caused to take a sobering look at life while we give thanks to God for the lives we have. 

Being aware of how life has changed following the previously mentioned events, it should be expected to see adjustments to our way of life following this latest series of occurrences with the COVID-19. Following 2001 we have seen changes in travel and airport access. The housing crisis saw an impact on employment and the wages people now earn. Yet with all that has happened, God has never left nor forsaken his children as we have seen his continued care and blessing morning by morning. 

Presently we are studying about the Kingdom of Heaven as taught in Matthew 13. In the last segment we examined verse 44 where the man found treasure in a field. After finding it, he hid it then sold all that he had so he could buy that field. The question posed is what is it that we are willing to give up, sacrifice, let go of, in order to gain the treasure that is the Kingdom of God? 

Jesus said that we are to deny ourselves if we are to follow him and we must do this continuously (Matthew 16:24). There have been reports of some people defying the recommendations from health officials and other experts regarding social gatherings. In a sense, it is as if they are shaking their hands in the faces of those who understand wisdom. Now, elected officials from state to state are calling for, and even mandating, the closure of such establishments that bring people together such as restaurants, bars, etc. These are the very places many insisted on continuing to frequent because, for some, it is important to continue to live their lives.  

In Mark 10:21-22 we read, ‘Jesus looked at him, loved him, and said to him, “There is one thing you lack: Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” But the man was saddened by these words and went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth’. The question must be asked again; What are you willing to give up for the treasure of the kingdom? 

In conclusion, we will get through this. What it will look like on the other side has yet to be seen. However, to this I can testify that I was once young but now am old, but I have never seen the righteous forsaken nor is seed begging bead. What God has for those who love him is far better than what we may lose. 

Pastor. Earon Hill

Hello everyone! As we are an outreach oriented ministry, we take time each Fifth Sunday to be the church rather than go to church. This is time when members can call, visit, or find something to do that will bless and benefit others. It is how we demonstrate our application of the scriptures by being doers of the Word and not hearers only.

“But the judgment of God is upon the church as never before. If today’s church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century. Every day I meet young people whose disappointment with the church has turned into outright disgust.”  (Martin Luther King, April 16, 1963. Letter from a Birmingham Jail.)

When reading these words from Martin Luther King, I reflect upon the letter to the church at Sardis and compare its relevance even to the church of this present day. Revelation 3:1 says,

And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

Many churches today have become more program oriented rather than being people centered. It is hard to believe that a congregation that puts on grand celebrations and programs with numerous guests and popular speakers can be seen by God as being dead. Yet he declares that he knows the works of this church. They are doing something, but that something is not acceptable to God.

The Apostle John goes onto write in verse four, Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. There are many who can find comfort knowing that God does not condemn the entirety of the congregation with his indictments. Within many dead congregations there exits those who can see things for how they really are and choose to follow the true path of righteousness instead of falling in with fulfilling the status quo. King, in his letter, strikes a similar parallel when he writes:

But again I am thankful to God that some noble souls from the ranks of organized religion have broken loose from the paralyzing chains of conformity and joined us as active partners in the struggle for freedom. They have left their secure congregations and walked the streets of Albany, Georgia, with us. They have gone down the highways of the South on tortuous rides for freedom. Yes, they have gone to jail with us. Some have been dismissed from their churches, have lost the support of their bishops and fellow ministers. But they have acted in the faith that right defeated is stronger than evil triumphant. Their witness has been the spiritual salt that has preserved the true meaning of the gospel in these troubled times. They have carved a tunnel of hope through the dark mountain of disappointment.

Throughout history there have been, and will always be, people who will stand out from the common to serve the Lord fully with our spirits and hearts; not just our lips. There were those who were deemed worthy to wear white in Sardis just as those whom Dr. King wrote about in his letter surely can be considered worthy of the same. Even today, there are many who choose to walk the same path as those who came before them. The hope for those in the church who have been defiled is that they too can wear white for John writes in Revelation chapter three verses three through five, “ Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent^. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment.” The same sentiment can be seen in Dr. King’s letter with this line, “I hope the church as a whole will meet the challenge of this decisive hour.” It is my hope that the Body of Christ rises to the occasion and resume performing the good works of loving and edifying each other so that men will know that we are true disciples of Christ and glorify our Father who is in Heaven.

Pastor Earon Hill

Hello everyone! Don’t forget to check the “calendar” tab in the main menu to see where service will be held that week!

 

Written on June 15, 2017

As believers, we are not ignorant of the truth that there are things we must endure as we walk daily with Christ. It is common knowledge that the things we must endure are temptation from the devil and persecution from the world. There has been plenty of encouragement and exhortation to the end of hanging in there when it comes to facing such challenges. Yet there is one area that is often overlooked and sometimes misunderstood with regard to experiencing the challenges of the Christian life, and that is the area of sound doctrine.

The Apostle Paul, being very much aware of the condition of man, shares words with Timothy directing him in how he is to handle the Word of God. In II Timothy chapter four verses three and four Paul writes, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”

It is difficult for many to think of sound doctrine as something to be endured for we, as followers of the way, conduct our lives according to this very doctrine; or at least we should. Doctrine that is sound is doctrine that is without error. For people not to endure is an indication of their unwillingness to continuously receive truth. It is not said that people will not put up with false doctrine. It is the doctrine that is right and without error that many will not be able to live through.

The scripture has embedded in it the implication that there was a time when this very sound doctrine was accepted. However, over time, people will not be able to hold up under what was once received with joy. Over time many will begin to entertain their lusts of desiring to hear something different, though what they want may still be the Word of God. There are many who come to church to hear a word that encourages, uplifts,  and causes them to feel good. What is often missed are the words of Paul to Timothy just prior to verses three and four when he says that he is to reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all long suffering. If all scripture is truly inspired by God, then all scripture is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness; not just for encouragement. Sometimes it will hurt.

What will happen is that they will soon reject truth all together and turn to hearing fables which translated means speeches and stories. There are times when a good story will impact the lives of believers. The church today is ripe with men and women who are great story tellers who have the ability to relate to and connect with believers on a very personal level. There is room for encouraging words that work to uplift spirits. Never-the -less, the entirety of the Word of God cannot be supplanted nor compartmentalized because it is not what the people came to hear. Jesus himself even said that he did not come to share what he wanted. Rather, what the father  has spoken, that is what he must speak. People didn’t always like it, but he had to say it. So hang with me y’all and don’t faint. For we will all receive a reward if we endure to the end.

Written by: Pastor Earon Hill