Mars Hill Baptist Church

Bro. William Short’s message this week was taken from Luke 19:1-10. The story of Zacchaeus is familiar to most of us. We learned about him as a child in Sunday school and sang a song about him climbing the tree to see Jesus; yet there is more to the story than a childhood song.

Zacchaeus was chief tax collector, a rich man, and because of his standing, a hated man. As Jesus headed toward the town where Zacchaeus lived, Zacchaeus wanted to see who Jesus was. He knew there would be a crowd surrounding Jesus. Zacchaeus was a short man, so he made a plan: he picked out a sycamore tree to climb in order to get above the crowd to be able to see Jesus. As Jesus came that way, he passed by the sycamore tree, looked up and saw Zacchaeus. Jesus said to him, “Make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” Zacchaeus plan was successful! He came down from the tree and received Jesus joyfully! He confessed his sin, committed to giving half his goods to the poor and restoring four-fold to anyone that he might have taken anything from by false accusation. Verse 9 tells us that Jesus said to him, “Today, salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham, for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Zacchaeus’ plan was motivated by his desire to see Jesus. He was committed to the plan and he was convicted of the need to see Jesus. Because of this conviction, Zacchaeus found salvation that day! How many of us have a plan to see Jesus? Do we even plan to be at church next Sunday or Wednesday night? Are we motivated by our desire to please the Lord, to carry out his mission for the church? Are we committed Christians? Are we committed to anything at all?

It took effort for Zacchaeus to climb that tree. What kind of effort are we making for Jesus? When Jesus sees us making an effort, showing commitment and conviction, he will call us down from our tree. He has something for us if we but make an effort to take it. A gift, even when it’s free, still has to be taken, accepted and made use of before it will do us any good. That is what Jesus has for us, the free gift of salvation, we just have to reach out and take it!

Be a Zacchaeus today; make a plan and follow through with the plan. Jesus did, and he is coming again soon!

Next Sunday is Pastor Appreciation Day and lunch will be served. We love our pastor and Mrs. Cindy.

Our Fall Festival will be held on Oct. 26 from 1-3 p.m. Please bring your candy.

Please continue to pray for our church, our pastor, the sick, the lost, the hurting, our country, our troops, our schools and our children. God is good, all the time! Amen.

Bethsalem Baptist Church

Bro. Bobby opened our day of worship with ministry opportunities and by welcoming everyone. Great songs were sung by the congregation.

The Celebration Choir sang “Just Tell Them When You Saw Me,” with soloist, Charlene Yeargan. She did a beautiful job. Mikayli Glasscock sang “You Can Know Him.” It is a beautiful song and, Mikayli, you did great!

Bro. Bobby preached from John 15:9-14: Welcome home to Bethsalem, where friend help friends follow Jesus.

The evening message came from Hebrews 9 about the tabernacle, which is called the “Holiest of All.”

Hunter Moore did a wonderful job giving his testimony Sunday night.

Wednesday: Potluck supper: 5:30 p.m., prayer meeting for adults: 6:30 p.m., Team Kids for children and Student’s Outlet.

Happy birthday to Johnny Kelley, Dale Scott, Colton Chison, Lee Woodfin, Kim Carroll, Austin Barber, Somer Granier, Regain Parris, Cameron Wright, Brandon Blow, Destin Ellison, Bean Battagle and Natian Emerich.

Pray for Sid Griner, Rebecca Martin, Rex Kent, Christy Harmon, Debbie Burch, Hayley Boyd, David Johnson, Larry Bynum, Charles Bryant, J.R. Cullum, the Hunt family’s adoption, our shut-ins, our Pastor Search Committee, the Crawford family, Pete Barber, Hunter Moore, Elridge Townsend, Lillianna Thompson, Katrina Thrasher, Billy and Diane Sanders, Jennifer and Brandon Teel, Tyler Barnes, George and Diane Williams and Betty McGee.