The Lord’s Supper

On the evening of November 22, at six o’clock, we will observe the Lord’s Supper. We will take precautions to guard the health of all who participate. In the last three years we have taken communion on the Sunday before Thanksgiving and the Thursday before Easter. This year, due to the lockdown, we were unable to come together to the Table at Easter. This means we have not observed this solemn ordinance in a year. We should not wait longer to memorialize our Lord’s sacrifice, as He commanded us to do.

Read more...

The Last Supper

Enjoy tonight’s extra hour of sleep. We should all be fresh and well rested tomorrow for church! Our text will be Mark 14:12-21. We will go from supper at Simon the Leper’s house to the Last Supper in the upper room. We are just hours away from Judas’ betrayal and Jesus’ crucifixion. As always, the Master is in control of the situation. All of it. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow. Sunday school is at 10am and the worship begins at 11am.
 
Also, don’t forget that tonight from 6-8pm on the church parking lot is our Trunk or Treat event.

Read more...

All for Jesus

This poem from the pen of the English missionary C.T. Studd is not only a tremendous challenge and blessing, but will prepare our hearts for tomorrow’s message from Mark 14:1-11.
 
Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
 
Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
 
Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
 
Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
 
When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
 
Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
 
Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
 
Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
 
Follow this link (click here) to read the church bulletin for tomorrow. 

Read more...

Cosmic Conflict

This evening we return to the book of Daniel, and we will fins ourselves in chapter 10. This is one of the most fascinating chapters, not just in Daniel, but in all of scripture. Daniel 10 pulls back a curtain. We are given a glimpse of cosmic conflict. The scene is truly amazing. It also calls to mind Ephesians 6:12. There we read that “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” 
 
There is a pit to avoid here, however, and that is to miss the point of this passage. We may easily be caught up with talk of Michael the archangel, the (demonic) princes of Persia and Greece, and become so focused on these truly amazing scenes that we miss the majesty of Christ and the power of His Word. Let’s learn all that scripture has to say in this chapter, but let’s guard ourselves against running down dead-end paths. 
 
The point of this passage is not angelic being or warfare. We will not study this chapter to tickle spiritual fantasies or raise unanswerable questions. Our focus will be the timeless truth that Daniel has recorded under the Holy Spirit’s inspiration. Once we learn and live that truth, God will be glorified and we will be strengthened to accomplish His work. See you tonight at 7pm.
 
SHinE Kids and G.O.E. Teens will also meet at 7pm in the Family Life Center.

Read more...

The Backbone of Biblical Prophecy

In his book The Handwriting on the Wall, Dr. David Jeremiah tells the story of Leopold Cohn. He was a Jewish man born in Berezna, Hungary, in 1862. Cohn became a rabbi. The focus of his studies centered on the Messiah’s identity and  coming. He wanted to know when the scattered people of Israel would be regathered to the Promised Land under the Messiah’s rule. His search led him to the prophecy of the seventy weeks from Daniel 9:24-27.
 
On the basis of verses twenty-five and twenty-six specifically, Cohn concluded that the Messiah has already come. This new conviction confounded Cohn and created conflict with other rabbis. Eventually, Cohn took his family and left Hungary for the United States. Maybe that was because he wanted to immigrate to land of religious freedom, or because one fellow rabbi had told him that while he didn’t know where the Messiah was, he thought Cohn should look in New York City! Maybe both of those reasons are right. At any rate, once in NYC, on one Sabbath morning Cohn walked past the open door of a building that was adorned with the cross as well as a sign, written in Hebrew, that said “Meeting for Jews.” He entered. Found a seat. Heard the preacher proclaim that Jesus Christ is the Messiah. He was given a New Testament in Hebrew. Back home around eleven that morning, Cohn opened the book and began reading at the beginning. “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ [Yeshua the Messiah], the son of David, the son of Abraham” Matthew 1:1. He read until one-o’clock the following morning, at which time Rabbi Leopold Cohn committed himself to Jesus of Nazareth as the Jewish Messiah. In due time, Cohn bought a stable, cleaned it out, set up some chairs, and began to hold his own gospel meetings. That was the first outreach of what was to become Chosen People Ministries. All started because a rabbi read Daniel nine.

 Daniel’s 70 Weeks

Tonight at 7pm we will prayerfully study the backbone of all Biblical prophecy – Daniel’s 70 Weeks from Daniel 9:20-27. Don’t miss out, and don’t forget that SHinE Kids’ and G.O.E. Teens will also be meeting at 7pm in our Family Life Center.
Come with the entire family, just as you are, tonight at 7pm.

Read more...

One Praying Prophet

There is no doubt. We live in peculiar times. Between concerns for physical health, political agitation, and social deterioration, many are tempted to run and hide or stand swing a club. Neither option is optimal. Ask any pilot, like Bob Randolph for example, and he will tell you that when visibility is bad, you must fly by the instruments.
 
We must be confident in God’s Word and continue in the same. Armed with a biblical perceptive we will remember God’s past blessings which should stabilize us in present troubles and encourage us for future deliverance. In our Wednesday night study of Daniel we are learning from the prophet’s pattern of prayer. Join us tonight at 7pm for this study, and for a time of praying together.
 
Also at 7pm, our SHinE Kids (grades K-5) and G.O.E. Teens (6-12 grades) will meet in the Family Life Center.

Read more...

Another Appeal

Our text this morning is Mark 11:27 – 12:12. The parable in this text, and the reaction to it, teaches us that to hear the gospel routinely preached is simultaneously a blessed and a dangerous thing. Dangerous because there is no neutrality with the gospel, and regular exposure to it will either soften or harden your heart. Blessed because only the gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation!

The original hearers of this parable had hearts as hard as stone. These hard-hearted religious rulers rejected their Messiah and would have arrested Him but for their fear of the fickle crowd’s reaction (Mark 11:18). Instead, they left Him and went their way.

By now, their hatred for the Lord Jesus was palpable. Their contempt was no longer concealed. While some men were drawn to Jesus, these men were repulsed at Him. They heard the same marvelous words. They witnessed the same miraculous works, but there was no broken-hearted, joyful acceptance of the Lord for them. Instead there was only anger fueled by arrogance. He had not sought their approval. He did not toe their line. He did not behave according to their code. He ignored their traditions. He disrupted their domination of all things cultural and religious. He had interrupted their lucrative business enterprises in the Temple. Follow this Man? Not hardly. They wanted Him destroyed. They would not honestly compare His words and actions with the scriptures. Instead, they would present an accusation that masqueraded as a question.
 
Be tuned in on facebook.com/BBCMountVernon at 11am this morning to follow along.

Read more...

One Sick Prophet

Except for Jesus Himself, there are no better examples of commitment despite difficult circumstances that Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Their story of  faithfulness in a faithless age is told in Daniel one through six. That is where we find those famous passages of the fiery furnace, the writing on the wall, and the lion’s den.

Daniel 7-12 is mostly prophecy, and nearly all of it was future prophecy when Daniel first received his visions. While much of what he saw has been fulfilled, some is still on front of us. God gave Daniel a glimpse of where history is headed. All things are headed to an appointed end, and everything is on schedule. The history that unfolded before Daniel’s eyes while in the spirit, on the banks of the Ulai River in the city of Shushan, made him physically ill. By the end of chapter eight, Daniel is one sick prophet.

That’s because he saw three men, represented by three horns: a large horn, followed by a little horn, and then the last horn. The first two dictators were historical previews of the final false messiah, a man whose evil behavior is greater even than any before him. Now this is a good spot to be reminded that many prophecies in Scripture have dual characteristics to them. That is an immediate and an ultimate fulfillment. That is the case in Daniel eight. While all three of these men were in the future when Daniel received his vision. As far as we are concerned, the first two have come and gone long ago. The last one is yet to be revealed.

One Sick Prophet

Why would God give Daniel a vision so terrible that it made him physically sick? I think there are at least three reasons:

  1. Prepare them for persecution. Things will get worse before they get better.
  2. Warning not to panic. Don’t be confused by historical trends. History is happening according to God’s design.
  3. The Kingdom is coming! The Ancient of Days will deliver the Kingdom to the real Messiah, and all false messiahs will be finally and utterly put down and out forever.

Tonight we finish our study of Daniel 8. There is much to learn from the vision that made Daniel sick. Be tuned in tonight at 7pm on Facebook Live to follow along. Remember, a Facebook account is not required to view a live-streamed video on the church’s Facebook page. Click this link to be directed there.


Read more...

Jesus in Jerusalem

This morning at 11am we will be in Mark 11:11-26. The King had entered Jerusalem. Without doubt, His procession was the lowliest and meekest of any monarch in history, but the timing and the manner of His coming were according to the Divine plan. We must not confuse the meekness of Christ with weakness. Jesus was the master, not only of Himself but of every situation. Today’s text reveals His awesome authority and His burning zeal for the things of God.
 
Christ’s cursing the fig tree and cleansing the Temple are well known events. They also may seem confusing or even contradictory. We will allow the text to teach us important truths from a cursed tree and a cleansed Temple. Be tuned in at 11am on Facebook or through this website. 
 
We will not be have in-person services again until Wednesday, August 12.

Read more...

In Person Services Postponed

From Wednesday, July 29 through Sunday, August, 9 the Bible Baptist Church will not hold in-person services. Our online presentations will be Sunday mornings at 11am and Wednesday evenings at 7pm during those two weeks. 
 
Several folks from the church have recently tested positive for COVID-19. This has prompted the schedule change. Our desire is to minimize the virus’ spread within our congregation and community. These cases have come at once instead of spread out over time. That increases my concern, and prompts this action.
 
For over two months we have gathered on Sunday mornings. We have slowly and systematically re-engaged our other services and ministries over that time. Suspending our in-person gatherings is taking two-steps backwards. That rarely feels right, but this decision has not been made based on a feeling. Sometimes we have to step back so that we may move forward better. That is what we are doing. 
 
These are unusual days. While pandemics are not new to humanity, this is the first time we have been forced to walk this path. Let’s go forward with a united voice and spirit, trusting our good, wise, and sovereign God all the way. Let’s pray and sing as King David did: “Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.” Psalm 86:11-12

Read more...