Will You Be Ready When The World Stops Turning?
Kenneth and Sheri White were celebrating their 36th wedding anniversary as we gathered to worship Sunday morning at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Special prayers were requested for the residents of Texas, Julie Brooks, the Parish family, Mildred Cook and Korbin’s friend.
Janet Chaney gave the devotional “A Long Life” with scripture from I Samuel 16:7 “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him.’ For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Are you dissatisfied with yourself and wishing for recognition? Do you feel cheated in beauty, charm and riches? Do you harbor hatred and envy that you don’t possess what others have and sink deeper in distress? Don’t please the eye of man, but God. Man sees the outward appearance, God sees our heart.
Congregational hymns included “Sunlight” and “Down on My Knees” and Wayne Johnson and Karen Gardner sang “Troublesome Times.” Tyrel Lett gave the offertory prayer and he and Rick Lett served as ushers.
“When the World Stops Turning” was the title of Brother Mark Hall’s message with scripture from Revelation 20:11-21:7. He talked about death and Hades, being saved and having your name in the Book of Life.
“Live like you were dying” are lyrics of a country song. Brother Mark told us we are all dying — we are all going to, but after that we will have the judgment. Hebrews 9:27 says “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” Brother Mark said, “Stop worrying about hurricanes and world destruction and start preparing for the return of Jesus. If the Book of Life opened tomorrow, how would you be sitting? Would you live life differently if the world ended tomorrow?
“Jesus will come one last time. He came first as a baby, but he will come the second time on the throne to judge us. If you haven’t met the first Jesus, are you ready to meet the second Jesus? The first time he came on a donkey as the prince of peace, the second time he will be on a white horse to judge.” Revelation 19:11 tells us “Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.”
Brother Mark continued by telling us that the first time Jesus came, it was a celebration. The second time won’t be a celebration for everyone because many will meet their doom. “What would you do differently if you knew He was coming tomorrow? Would you be more forgiving, less judgmental, more careful about your words, careful not to give offense, more giving, more serving and take up your cross daily and follow Him?
“How do you know He isn’t coming tomorrow? If you did all of those things and He didn’t come back for a long time, would you regret doing any of them? Why then don’t we do them? When Jesus comes, if your name is in the Book of Life, he will wipe your tears, their will be no more sadness, pain or death.” Brother Mark then read the words of Jesus from Matthew 25:31-40 and Revelation 21:6 where He says “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.”
In closing, Brother Mark reminded us that Jesus came to seek and save the lost. “If the Book of Life opened tomorrow, how would you be sitting if the world stopped turning tomorrow?” Revelation 21:27 says “But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” Brother Mark told us that it is not hard to get your name in the book. You just have to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ in your heart, be saved and confess Jesus Christ is Lord. Your name will then be in the Book of Life. Do you know your name is in the book if the world stop turning tomorrow?”
Wayne Johnson gave the benediction. We invite you to worship with us on Sunday mornings at 11. Sunday school begins at 10.
Everyone is welcome at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Business meeting will be held the last Sunday of September at 7 p.m. and Bob Mackey will be with us on Sept. 16 to share information about the Missouri Baptist Home.