Glory To God In The Highest
“You can miss out on a lot of blessings by not being there and you can get a lot of blessings by
being there.”
It was a picturesque snowy drive as we gathered to worship at the church on the creek Sunday morning. Doug Cory greeted the Mill Creek Baptist Church congregation, and special prayers were requested for the Roger Zeorlin family, Jimmy Easter, the Greg Chaney family, Finley Holly, Jeanette, Susan’s uncle and Shelley’s son and family.
Shelley Hall taught the adult Sunday school lesson, “Conceived,” a study of Luke 1:26-38. “In His incarnation as Jesus Christ, He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.”
Wayne Holly led the congregation in singing songs of the Christmas season, “Silent Night” and “Away in a Manger,” with Susan Cory at the piano.
Pastor Mark Hall brought us God’s message, “More Than I Had Coming,” with scripture reference from Luke 2: 14: “Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Brother Mark told us that there is nothing better than buying something and getting more than you expected. “From Jesus’ birth on, everyone who encountered Him got more than they had coming. When you come to Jesus with high expectations, Jesus will always blow your expectations away. When you come to God’s house on any given Sunday morning, the expectations you come with will dictate how you leave. It is more than singing and hearing preaching. It is seeing the power of Jesus.”
Brother Mark referred to Mark 2:1-12 about the paralytic that was healed.
“When it got out that Jesus was there, there was a crowd. You can’t keep real believers away when they hear Jesus is there. The paralytic had four friends who took him to Jesus with high expectations.
Jesus saw their faith and not only did he heal the paralytic man but He also saved Him and forgave him of his sins. They came with high expectations and Jesus blew their expectations away.
You can miss out on a lot of blessings by not being there and you can get a lot of blessings by being there. Do you have friends that you need to bring to Jesus with high expectations? Your faith will be rewarded.”
Brother Mark referred to Mark 2:5-6, “When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts.”
Brother Mark told us, “Do not get distracted by all the scribes and Pharisees. They are everywhere. They can kill your blessings. They complain, criticize and condemn. Their job is from the devil and it is to squash your expectations.”
Brother Mark continued by reading the parable of the sower from Matthew 13: 24- 43 and said, “Don’t let the tares ruin your high expectations. Jesus said leave them alone and He will take care of them. If you try to move them, you will uproot those around. That is not your job. Jesus will take care of the tares. Your job is to spread the seed. The world is full of people with high expectations. The tares ruin the expectations. When you come to Jesus with high expectations, you get more than you ever bargained for, just like the paralytic. As we begin a new year, we don’t know what to expect, but we do with God.”
Our hymn of invitation was “Wherever He Leads I’ll Go.” Doug gave the benediction.
We invite you to join us next Sunday for our annual Christmas program directed by Terry Lett. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. followed by the Christmas program during our morning worship service at 11 a.m. Come join us at Mill Creek Baptist Church as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
We are located 3½ miles east of Noel just off Highway 90. Everyone is welcome.