A Good Testimony
Ruth Briggs and Lou Durbin were celebrating birthdays as we gathered to worship Sunday morning at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Special prayers were requested for June Sherman, Dick Lett, Paul Bates, and Linda Abercrombie and family, who lost her brother. Doug Cory shared a praise. Business meeting will be at 7 p.m Sunday, July 10, and we are collecting items for Christmas in July for the Noel senior citizens.
Linda gave the devotional for July 4 and read Psalm 85:9. She talked about the awe and wonder of watching a fireworks show over water. “There is one thing that will be more glorious than that, and that is Christ’s return to earth.” With help from veterans Jimmy Easter and Wayne Johnson, we pledged our allegiance to the American and Christian flags, and Brother Mark offered prayer for our country. More than anything, we need faith.
We joined voices in singing patriotic hymns including “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee,” led by Karen Gardner and Becky Johnson, and we were blessed with special music from the Cory grandchildren who sang “Jesus Loves Me.” Tyrel Lett asked God’s blessing upon our offertory, and he and Mitchell Lett served as ushers.
Brother Mark Hall brought us God’s message, “A Good Testimony,” with scripture from Hebrews 11:5. “By faith E’noch was taken away so that he did not see death, and was not found, because God had taken him; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” Brother Mark began by telling us that everyone should have a good testimony.
“It takes few words to describe someone you know well. E’noch was only mentioned twice in the Bible. He pleased God because he took God at His word and lived his life accordingly. Genesis 5:21 says E’noch walked with God for 365 years. When you walk with someone long enough, you walk and think like them. You get to know them that well and you have that connection. E’noch didn’t die. God took him. The Bible doesn’t tell us about E’noch’s life, only that he walked with God. Most of people’s lives are lived in vanity. What a testimony to be known to walk with God. It is hard to walk with someone if you don’t agree with them. God doesn’t have to agree with you; He is God.”
Brother Mark continued by asking, “How would you describe your testimony? Would it please God? What does please God?” Brother Mark talked about the seven things that pleases God.
First is faith. Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
The second thing that pleases God is to be spiritually minded. Romans 8:6 says, “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
Third, we should fear God, not because it is good for Him, but because it is good for us to protect us from sin and ourselves. Psalm 127:11 says, “The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy.”
Fourth, it pleases God to follow in His example.
The fifth thing that pleases God is to obey His word. Brother Mark made reference to 1 Samuel 15:22, which talks about obeying the voice of the Lord.
Sixth, it pleases God to do His will. Hebrews 13:21 tells us “Complete every good work to do His will, working in you what is well-pleasing in His sight.”
It also pleases God for us to do good and share. We tend to forget it’s not God’s job to please us. It is our job to please Him. Hebrews 13:16 says “But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”
In closing, Brother Mark told us we were created for God’s pleasure. “In order to have a good testimony, be like E’noch and live those seven things that are pleasing to God. Have you been pleasing God? What is your testimony like? There is nothing more powerful in church than someone sharing their testimony. Our biggest testimony is how we live our life. Talk the talk and walk the walk. When people see you walk with God, they see your testimony. Even people that don’t know God see that. Have you been pleasing God? What is your testimony?”
Our hymn of invitation was “Trust and Obey,” and Jerry Abercrombie gave the benediction. We invite you to worship and fellowship with us on Sunday mornings at 11. Everyone is always welcome. Mill Creek Baptist Church is located 3.5 miles east of Noel, just off Highway 90.