Cedar Grove Church

Pastor Jeff Carroll used text from John 9:14-16 for his sermon titled “Division,” and he laid out four types of division:

Division between Jesus and the Pharisees:

“Now it was the Sabbath when Jesus made the clay and opened the blind man’s eyes.”

The Pharisees were the religious leaders of Jesus’ day, and they were to see that people kept the Jewish laws. They said Jesus was not from God because he did not keep the Sabbath, but others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them.

Spiritual division in families: This occurs when one family member is a Christian and the other is not (mother against daughter, father against son, etc.).

The Lord’s division: This refers to the separation of the sheep from the goats at the second coming of the Son of God.

Satan’s separation: Division is not of God. In 1 Corinthians 1:11, Paul is warning the church of Corinth about letting human wisdom divide the body of God’s church, that this is the carnal nature of Satan trying to take control. The church family has to be of one mind and one body, in one accord and in unity. How can we proclaim to the world and our community that we are Christians United for Christ if we are outside of God’s will? This has to stop.

Upcoming events:

Aug. 23: Homecoming with the group Broken Vessels will begin at 10:30 a.m. Bro. William Short will preach the message. Everyone is invited to attend. Invite someone to come with you.

Prayer concerns: Church family, pastors, those in hospitals and nursing homes, spoken and unspoken requests, Jeremy and Sarah Alberts.

Submitted by Naomi Gillespie

Calvary Independent Baptist Church

We want to thank everyone who attended services this past week.

Sunday morning services included a message from Philippians 4:1-3 on being thankful for the grace that saves. We looked at how the brethren were precious to Paul, particular to Christ and partial to the work and people whose names were written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

The true church is made up of true yokefellows and are the trusted help in the work of the ministry as the church. We hope you are saved and serving as a true yokefellow and are a help in the ministry of a local Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church near you.

Sunday night services included a message from 2 Timothy 4:1-8 titled “The Church May Be Leaving Soon, But Where Is It Now?”

The Church is where the word of truth is proclaimed, where the witnesses are being prepared, where the war is being won and where the way is always clear. We always need a few more good soldiers who are willing and ready to fight the battle. It is not a battle of flesh and blood, but of spirit and truth.

We hope you have a desire for the teachings of sound doctrine and are able to stand for the truth that is in Christ.

If you are looking for a church to visit, we would love for you to visit with us this Sunday at Calvary. For services and events, check us out on Facebook, Twitter or visit our website at www.cibc-clanton.com.

Submitted by Oscar Mims