By Emily Agee

“When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord and Jesus said unto her, neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. The Pharisees therefore said unto him, thou bearest record of thyself: thy record is not true. Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true; for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. Ye judge after the flesh, I judge no man. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me. Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also. These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come. Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come. Then said the Jews, will he kill himself? Because he saith, whither I go, ye cannot come. And he said unto them, ye are from beneath, I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. Then said they unto him, who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, even the same that I said unto you from the beginning. I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him. They understood not that he spake to them of the Father. Then said Jesus unto them, when ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.” John 8:3–29

Announcements

Worship services at Holly Grove Baptist Church in Jemison began with praise service led by the male chorus directed by Jennifer Peoples and Julian Lowery. The scripture was read by Perry Nunn with prayer by Pastor Dukes and Robert Callen.

Songs sung were “Glory Hallelujah,” “Our Father in Heaven” and “God’s Word Is Like Fire.”

The morning message was given by Pastor Dukes with his theme “Being a Christian.”

Love your neighbor, love God and love people. Everything else is easy.

Why are we not one body in Christ? Why are we not winning this fight? It’s simple: love God and people. If you do that, every other commandment is carried out.

Love God—Do your actions and show that love with your heart, all of it and all of you (your unseen self, not just the surface).

God already knows you. There is no escape. Love your neighbor as yourself. Be concerned about others and care what happens to them.

Who are you in Christ? Do you love negative people? Be yourself; don’t be a phony person.

Love God first, then others. Learn to get along with people. Realize who God is. Fellowship was by Pastor Dukes, deacons and congregation.

On our sick list this week, we ask you to remember in your prayers: James Singleterry, Sam and Vivian Hicks, Harold Frazier, Dorothy Sims, Lee Anna Worthey, Dixie Stoudemire, Emma Cleckley, Martha Binion, Von Harris, Janice Floyd, Robertha Lee and Versa Davis. May God heal, strengthen and keep them in his care is our prayer.

—Emily Agee is a religion columnist for The Clanton Advertiser. Her column appears each Thursday.