“the Whole Story” Series

“Remember What God Has Done” – 1 Peter 2:9-10

1 Peter 2:9-10

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

While the early church faced many trials and temptations, Peter reminded them of God’s grace and mercy. He used specific language from the Old Testament to reference the story of Israel. God didn’t choose Israel because of their great power or numbers. He chose them through His own mercy – “Because the LORD loved them” (Deuteronomy 7:7-8). God brought them out of the darkness of slavery and redeemed them with His mighty hand. God made them a holy people to himself. He chose them to be a priesthood, a people for His own possession. 
Peter wanted the believers to understand that just as God called the Israelites out of slavery to be a people holy to God, He also chose those in the early church, by his grace and mercy, to be holy and set apart. However, unlike the Israelites who wandered as exiles in the desert and fell into temptation, the believers, themselves exiles, were to abstain from the passions of the flesh. (1 Peter 2:11)
Peter reminded the believers that once they were not a people. Once they were in slavery. Once they had not received mercy. But now, God was showing them mercy. He had brought them out of darkness into His marvelous light, SO THAT they would be God’s own holy people, proclaiming His excellencies. 
So, remember your past slavery to sin and darkness. Remember that God called you by his grace and mercy and not by your good works. Remember that you are now God’s holy people. Therefore, don’t go back into being slaves of your sinful desires. Instead, be a holy people, eager to proclaim the excellencies of God’s salvation to all people. We are destined for HIS purpose. (Revelation 5:9-10)

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:

  • Ponder your salvation and praise God for his grace and mercy towards us!
  • Are you living in the passions of your flesh, or as holy people? 
  • Are you proclaiming the excellencies of God’s salvation to all people? 
  • Are you sharing with your neighbor? How about your co-worker? What about a worker you see often at the grocery store? 
  • Who would God have you pray for and share with this week or month?
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 
Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?
Kevin Jordan, Missionary
Kevin and Wendy serve in an undisclosed country 
with their children and are related to some of our 
Belmont folks. Please keep them in your prayers. 

 

Original photo by Kent Banes on Unsplash

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“What Would You Sacrifice?” – Psalm 50:23

Psalm 50:23 

“Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me,
and to the blameless I will show my salvation.”

I am very picky about the instruments I play and purchase. Over the years God has provided wonderful items to enhance the music ministry. 

  • A church member gave me a collectors Gibson guitar in the late seventies when my first 12 string guitar fell apart. 
  • I sold my 88H Elkhart trombone in the eighties to purchase my 12 string Ovation guitar. 
  • In the nineties, I traded an electric guitar from my teen years to purchase my first bass. 
  • The Lord gave me back a trombone – this one belonged to my father-in-law before WWII. 
  • Treva and I found a professional trumpet at a garage sale that was dirt cheap because of a crinkle dent in the bell. (Now repaired.) 
  • I traded basses locally when someone didn’t pick up their pawn and traded old books and DVDs for a ukulele. 

For years I searched for a classical guitar that played wonderfully, sounded great, and was affordable. Most sounded horrible, and others that sounded great could not be purchased with my wallet. I played hundreds of classical guitars. Then one day it happened, I picked up a used classical guitar and it was the one. The only path was to trade my precious 12 string ovation for the classical. I was willing to sacrifice something very special. My family blocked my plan and later surprised me with this gift. 

Sacrifice is something special for something special. We offer praise to the Lord when we feel like it, and most of all, when we don’t feel like it as a sacrifice of praise. We search for that conversation with the Lord when we play the instruments of praise, prayer, sacrifice, meditation, the study of scripture, and obedience to His leadership. Those special times of His still, small, voice transform your life. What praise are we willing to sacrifice for a conversation in the glory of His salvation and to be satisfied in His presence?

In the conversation of a love-struck couple, she asked, “Would you sacrifice all your possessions for me?“ He answered. “You know I would!” She inquired, “Would you search the world to find where I am?” Again he said, “You know I would!” Then she asked, “Would you give your life for me?” He answered, “My love is an undying love!”

Use the HEAR method with today’s passage: 

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 
Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Jim Sellers, Minister of Music and YAH Director
 
Original photo by Kent Banes on Unsplash

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“Church Shoes” – Leviticus 20:26

Leviticus 20:26

“You shall be holy to me, for I the Lord am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine.”

We let Toby, our little terrier out into the backyard several times a day so he can get a little exercise, bark at the neighbor’s dogs, and of course, do his business. It’s this last reason that there are some shoes I wear when I go out back, and some that I don’t. You would never catch me in the back yard wearing dress shoes, or brand new shoes. As I get older, I can no longer count on perfect vision to avoid messy missteps, so the shoes I want to keep clean I set aside and keep separate. My worn-out and grass-stained shoes pull backyard duty and when they come off, they stay in the garage. My nice shoes stay in the closet when I’m not wearing them to work or church (in my case, of course, that’s the same thing). 
This is the idea of holiness. To be holy means to be separate, set apart for something special. Holy things are not to be mingled in with the mundane or muddied. This doesn’t mean that we are to be sequestered away from the world. We are to live in the world, but in a way that glorifies and testifies to a Holy God. There should be a noticeable difference in our lives from the rest of the world – our attitude, our outlook, our relationships, the words that we speak, the activities that we participate in, and the way we use our time and resources. Many of the laws and practices that God set aside for His people were to teach them how to be holy so they could honor Him and represent Him. Although we are no longer bound to the law, we honor and represent God when we live differently from those who don’t yet know Him.  
While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions: 
  • What things should you avoid in order to live as holy and set apart for God? Why? 
  • What things should be a priority? Why? 
  • Is holiness the same thing as perfection? Why or why not?  
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 
Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?
Jon Price, Associate Pastor
Original photo by Kent Banes on Unsplash

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“The Shadow of a Promise” – Hebrews 10:1-4

Hebrews 10:1-4

“For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices, there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”

“What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” Robert Lowry

Most people learn better if lessons include an example. I know I do! I almost failed a math class because the teacher never gave examples. Either that or I didn’t pay attention when she did. Don’t judge me! I see y’all from the pulpit when I preach!

Hebrews tells us that the law, the sacrifices of bulls and goats, and the offerings were examples or “shadows” of things to come. They did not actually take away the sins of the people. God in His wisdom instituted these as a continual reminder of their need for a savior.

The examples were not alternatives to Jesus. The Laws were given to help the people know how to exercise their faith. The Israelites had to be reminded they were sinners and the only way to be saved was through a substitute. They placed their faith in the shadow and a promise of something better and final to come. Then God translated their faith and obedience into righteousness.

What does that mean for me? Everything God does points to Jesus. The Old Testament points to Jesus. The tabernacle points to Jesus. The law points to Jesus. The Holy Spirit points to Jesus. If you believe God is speaking through a dream, it will point to Jesus.

Use the HEAR method (see below) while meditating on today’s passage.

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 
Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Pastor Stephen Williams 
Original photo by Kent Banes on Unsplash

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Introduction to Leviticus – Galatians 3:21-22

Galatians 3:21-22


“Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.”


After Israel constructed the tabernacle, God’s presence came down to dwell among His people. He then laid down a “few” laws for the people to survive and enjoy His glory among them.
God gave these laws for three specific reasons:

  1. To separate His people from the World
  2. To reveal God’s standard for righteousness 
  3. To move people to redemption and the cross, because no one can meet God’s standard.

Leviticus is where these laws get specific relating to priestly duties, worship, healthy living, holy living, and finding forgiveness. The laws are tough, but they reflect a way of life that assures God’s blessing and represents His relationship with humanity.

Many people mention the dread of reading this book. Yet, imagine a world where God did not tell us what He expects nor separate a people to Himself. So, Leviticus is paramount to understanding God’s expectations for righteousness and the offering for forgiveness. In His love, God lets the world know in detail what He is thinking.

Even more, God reveals a divine plan in Leviticus that Hebrews correlates to the atonement of Jesus Christ. J. Vernon McGee sums up the theme well when he says, “The message is twofold: 1. Leviticus teaches that the way to God is by sacrifice. The word “atonement” occurs 45 times. 2. Leviticus teaches that the walk with God is by sanctification. The word “holiness” occurs 87 times. 

And finally, surrounding nations could see God’s power, longsuffering, wrath, and providence through Israel. Why? Because God set them apart to be His. So, Leviticus details the requirements for that life.


Pastor Stephen Williams

original photo by Kent Banes on Unsplash


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“Is There A Priest in the House?” – I Peter 2:5

1 Peter 2:5

“You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”


When my children were very small, some friends gave us a week of their timeshare in Destin, Florida. It was a beautiful facility with an incredible staff. The friends who gifted this fabulous treasure always addressed me as Brother Jim. It didn’t take long to realize that there had been a meeting among the staff, and they had been informed that a minister was arriving for a week in this paradise. To the front desk, I was Pastor Sellers; to the beach attendant, I was Reverend Sellers, to the pool attendant I was Father Sellers, and to my room attendant, I was Bishop Sellers. Each addressing me from their own experience.
I Peter 2:9 makes the statement: “But you are a chosen generation (God chose us through His grace), a royal priesthood (God has adopted us into his royal family), and a holy nation.” We were chosen and adopted so that those around us can see the difference this holy relationship can make. Realize who you are through what God has done.
After ministering at a funeral, I went to the hospital, where one of the music family was recovering from surgery. I was dressed in monochrome: black shoes, a black suit, black shirt, and black tie. Arriving at the nurse’s station for directions, I was told that my friend was at the other end of the hospital. I started my journey when the door hundreds of feet away opened and a very large Spanish speaking family began their walk in my direction. Soon they were pointing at me and engaged in some conversation that seemed to involve me. When I was just a few yards away, the family all stopped, bowed toward me, and made the sign of the cross. As I passed I said, “I pray you have a blessed day!” The patriarch of the family said “Thank you, Padre!” and we went our ways. Little did they know they were just blessed by a Southern Baptist Priest.
Through what God has done, may you find a priest in your mirror.

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions: 
  • How does it change your view of yourself and your mission to see yourself as part of a holy priesthood? 
  • What does it mean that we are “living stones?” What could that mean in light of how we are to work with other believers? 

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 

Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?
Jim Sellars, Minister of Music and YAH Director 
Photo by Diana Polekhina on Unsplash

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