Bethany Baptist Church

We opened services with a hymn, “At Calvary,” followed by the devotional by Bro. Aubry Wallace. The title of the devotion was “Do Not Be Discouraged” from Philippians 1:27-29. Whatever happens in our Christian walk, we should not be discouraged, but stand for the faith. It is the church’s responsibility to carry the gospel of Christ. The pastor’s duty is to lead the church and guard against the false doctrines in the world today.

After a prayer and Sunday School, the church sang “Fill My Cup, Lord.” Bro. Aubry gave the welcome and announcements. Two more hymns were sung, “There is a Name I Love to Hear” and “The Old Country Church,” followed by prayer requests, a prayer and the offering. After singing one more song, “There is Power in the Blood,” Bro. Aubry brought the morning message.

The text for the message was Leviticus 16:5-10, 20-22. Leviticus breaks down the law, which is summarized by the Ten Commandments. Although we are no longer under the law, but under grace, the law does pertain to us today. Jesus is a wonderful Savior, and our Lord who takes away our burden of sin. He came to the earth to lift our burden of sin and take it away forever. Leviticus 16 gives the guidelines for carrying out the sacrifice on the Day of Atonement: Once a year, the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies. At this time every year, he would take two kids of the goats of the people. These were not the same as the sacrifice that had to be kept in a pen for a while, but were ordinary goats. One was for a sin offering for the Lord. Jesus was our sin offering when he died on the cross, shedding his blood for our sins. The other goat was the scapegoat. The scapegoat is one who takes our place in wrong doing. This is what Jesus has done for us.

Offerings in the Old Testament—the Atonement—symbolized Jesus Christ. Jesus wasn’t born on this earth with a silver spoon in his mouth, but was born to Joseph and Mary, who were just poor, ordinary working people like many more of the day (Isaiah 53:2). In Matthew 13:54, Jesus went into the synagogues in the area where he had grown up. The people who had known him while he was growing up were astonished at his wisdom and knowledge of the scriptures. They did not recognize him as the Son of God, only as the son of Mary and Joseph.

A scapegoat was deemed to be holy. In 2 Corinthians 5:21, Jesus was pure, perfect, and holy. Apart from Jesus Christ, none of us are righteous (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus faced the same temptations as everyone else, but without sin (1 John 3:5). In Leviticus, the Lord’s goat served as an atonement (covering) for sin. It did not take away the sins of the people, but pointed to Jesus Christ, who through his shed blood on the cross, became atonement for the sins of the whole world. Right now, Jesus is sitting on the right hand (place of authority) of God, making intercession for us. Once saved, we are saved forever. If not, Jesus would have to be crucified every time we sinned and lost our salvation. The scapegoat, the goat allowed to live, symbolizes the removal of our sins. Without the shed blood of Jesus, we would die and go to hell. Without Jesus defeating death when he rose from the grave and to live again, his death would be in vain. He doesn’t make us be saved, but will save us when we confess our sins to him, asking him to save us. Jesus alone has the power to remove our sins forever. Because sin is gone, we can be called God’s children.

After a prayer, and a hymn, “Is Your All on the Altar,” we were dismissed in prayer.

Our Sunday night service began with a hymn and Bro. Aubry read from Matthew 12:38-42 and 1 Kings 10:1-13. Jesus taught that one greater than Solomon is here. Jesus was talking about himself. He was even before Abraham, who was a mighty patriot of God. Jesus is God, and always has been. John 6:58, 10:30, 14:9, 14:6 and John 6:35 all speak about this. Jesus is God, and also the Son of God, our Savior. Miracles are not performed today as in the Bible days. We have the entire word of God (the Bible). Jesus, as Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights, was in the grave for three days and three nights. He then arose, a living person who lives today. Many times we do not want to share the gospel with “sinners.” Saved people do not need the plan of salvation preached to them; they already have salvation. Jesus came “to seek and save sinners.” Everyone is born a sinner. A baby sins every time he or she cries for no reason.

Jesus was greater than Solomon, in that although Solomon had much wealth and wisdom, Jesus owns everything. He can meet every need we have, both spiritual and physical. Jesus is on his throne in heaven, and unlike Solomon, will be there forever. Jesus laid down his life for us and rose again to live forever. Solomon’s bones will be found in a grave somewhere in the world, but when Jesus rose up out of the grave, his bones rose with him. Jesus lives today! One day, all of God’s children will be called home to have a feast with Jesus. Following a prayer and a hymn of invitation, we were dismissed in prayer.

Prayer list: Our pastor and his wife, Sis. Shirley, our church, Bro. Steve and Phyllis, Billie Neeley, Elwyn and Grace Robinson, Betty Biggs, Jeanette Jessop, J.C. Collins, James Gray, the lost, those having surgery for cancer this week and many unspoken requests.

Bethany will have a time of revival, with Bro. Jimmy Lancaster bringing the messages Oct. 14-Oct 16 at 7 p.m. each night.

Calvary Independent Baptist Church

We want to thank everyone for attending services this weekend. Sunday morning’s service included a message from John 9:21-38 titled “When the Outcast Met Jesus.” We hope you have a testimony for Christ and stand for the simple truths given to us through the word of God.

Sunday night’s service included a message from Romans 11 and other passages about the “Times of the Gentiles.” This is the political reign of the Gentiles, which began about 600 B.C., and will end at the Battle of Armageddon, which is at least seven years after the Rapture.

We ask everyone to be in prayer for two upcoming events:

On Oct. 20, we will celebrate our Old-Fashioned Day/Homecoming. Canaan Land will be guest singers. Everyone is invited. Also on Oct. 26, we will meet at Calvary for a Fall Harvest special event. Activities will include a cakewalk; fun and games for the kids; a hayride and bonfire, weather permitting; trunk or treat and Christian fun and fellowship. Visit our website at www.cibc-clanton.com to check out our latest news or listen to and download sermons. For other information, call 755-9399.