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Sunday, August 19, 2012
Here’s a rundown of what we studied yesterday at First Baptist Church of Leonard!
Sunday morning we began the last chapter of the Book of Daniel. And what a great study it has been! Daniel 12:1-3 says:
Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
We learn from Daniel’s vision of the great tribulation that is going to take place. Of course this particular subject has various views concerning Israel and the Church. Daniel, within the context of this book, is primarily speaking of his own people, the Jewish people. It teaches us that God has a specific plan for His people, those who believe Him unto salvation. Another lesson that we learn is that there is a great resurrection that is going to take place. This resurrection is in response to the faith and faithfulness of God’s people. Finally, there is a great reward for God’s people. Those who lead many to righteousness shall shine like stars in the imperishable glory of heaven.
Sunday evening was another exciting evening as we studied Genesis 43. Joseph’s story is incredible. In this chapter we see how he has his brothers who sold him into slavery in his home for a meal. Then he serves his brothers from his own table. What an incredible story of not holding the sinful action of his brothers against them. Rather, it is evidenced that he forgave them and let the offense go. It is also a picture of how God through Jesus Christ has forgiven those who have believed Him unto salvation and now has a seat for us at His table.
Thanks be to God for His faithfulness, His mercy, His grace, His forgiveness and His blessing. To Him belongs all praise, glory, honor and blessing!
Traditional Marriage Petition*
With all of the hullabaloo about President Barak Obama’s support for same-sex marriage, the Southern Baptist of Texas Convention (SBTC), under the leadership of Pastor Terry Turner, President of the SBTC, has written a petition that you can sign in support of traditional marriage. The following is the Resolution passed by the SBTC Executive Board:
SUPPORT FOR TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE
WHEREAS, the marriage covenant, defined as being between a man and a woman, was created and ordained of God (Genesis 2:21-25; Matthew 19:4-9); and
WHEREAS, the Baptist Faith and Message states in Article XVIII, “Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in the covenant commitment”; and
WHEREAS, the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, in November of 2008, affirmed this traditional definition of marriage; and
WHEREAS, this traditional view of marriage is under attack from some political leaders, business leaders, and other opinion makers; and
WHEREAS, President Barack Obama has added his voice to these attacks by voicing support for same sex marriage—support never before offered by a sitting U.S. president; now, be it therefore
RESOLVED, that we, the Executive Board members of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, meeting August, 7, 2012, in Grapevine, Texas, do affirm the biblical witness regarding marriage and sexual morality; and be it further
RESOLVED, that we agree with the Word of God that all sins, including all sexual relations outside of marriage, incur the wrath of God; and be it further
RESOLVED, that we acknowledge that all men are sinners who need God’s redeeming love—people with whom we must share God’s message of new life in Christ; and be it further
RESOLVED, that we support the right of individuals and corporations to express opinions that represent their convictions on any subject they consider pertinent; and be it further
RESOLVED, that our support of free speech implies a responsibility to be informed Christian consumers who patronize businesses that stand for biblical morality, and who may also deny our patronage to businesses or individuals that stand against biblical morality; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that we respectfully implore our president, Barack Obama, to reconsider his unprecedented endorsement of same sex marriage and instead maintain his former support for traditional marriage.
You can add your name to this petition by signing the petition at: http://sbtexas.com/marriagepetition.
(Permission has been granted by the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention to be copied and posted in this blog. The Resolution has been copied from http://sbtexas.com/marriagepetition.)
D.J. Gorena 