Providence Baptist Church

United to Christ

Romans 7:1-12 (June 28, 2020)

What significant things in your life have failed you?

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What ways did you find to replace the things that failed you?

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As sinners against the Law we do not need or want justice. We need mercy and grace.

One of the most important teachings in Scripture is that God created us to be dependent upon Him, not independent and going at life on our own.

We do not become followers of Christ to then measure ourselves against the Law. We become followers of Christ to make disciples and love God and others.

In the Likeness of Christ

Romans 6:1-11 (June 14, 2020)

Does more sin equate to more grace?

Believers are not only baptized into God’s grace but also into Jesus’ death.

We were raised from death into newness of life. How has your life been new?

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How close do you feel that you live to the likeness of Christ?

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How “dead to sin” would you rate yourself?

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Prayer request list 200614

Brice Starks – rehab for injury from RZR accident
Kaden Morely – Nelson Co. teenager in rehab for seizure incident
Stella Prewitt –preschooler from Bloomfield-leukemia; not doing well

Will Terry – bike accident with head injury

Daphine Gosser

Barry McKinley – family
Jessica Dudgeon – AML
Laura Larkin – cancer (given only weeks to live)
Rebecca Masdon – cancer
Kyle Burchett

Garrett Milby – Shauna Milby’s cousin; car crash
David Latham, Jr.
Miranda Hatcher – anxiety; also for her mother and children
Rose Lee Grace’s family – friend of a parent of one of my students
Tony Rankin – kidney functioning
Chandler Wright – put on kidney transplant list
Ted Johnson
J. W. Stilts – fell off a building
Linda Williamson – shoulder injury from falling
Jimmy Williamson – COPD
Bradley Miller – bike wreck; lungs and ribs
Jimmy Downey
Joyce Biggs – requested by Natalie Marcum
Lorrie Brandi Bush

Stevie Hood
Sandy Foley’s FB friend – stroke
Harry Foley – had surgery; doing well
Garnieta Squires
Janeatte Kelsay’s mother-in-law
Sandy Bottoms Coffey – shoulder pain and back pain
Praying for people affected by the pandemic
Praying against hatred and injustice
Praying for revival and the lost

It Was Only a Piece of Fruit

Romans 5:12-21 (June 7, 2020)

We are all guilty of sin because of the sin of one man, Adam. We do not get to choose if we think that is fair or not. God set the rules for his perfect plan.

As inconsequential as the sin of eating a piece of fruit may seem, we are taught the seriousness of sin through the consequences of Adam and Eve’s disobedience to God.

God’s justice is perfect. Because the sin of Adam dictates that everyone is guilty of sin, the death of Christ ensures that everyone may be saved from the penalty of their sins.

Justification (v. 16) – God sees us as just and righteous if we have accepted the death of Christ as payment for our sins (free gift).

Sin resulted in perfect death. We are guaranteed to die. Christ’s “one act of righteousness” resulted in life “to all men” who accept the free gift. (…the many will be made righteous.)

The purpose of the Law was to condemn man. The purpose of grace is to justify and redeem man. We must choose under which system we will be judged.

Justified and Reconciled by Faith

Romans 5:1-11 (May 31, 2020)

The foundation for all the Bible is found in one word: LOVE

The manifestation of love is hope, hope in the glory of God. Our greatest desire should be that the Lord Jesus Christ is glorified in the things we do.

Jesus died for all of us regardless of our life situations.

Justification – to cause someone to be released from personal or institutional claims that are no longer to be considered pertinent or valid, make free/pure

William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 249.

Reconciliation – reestablishment of an interrupted or broken relationship

William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 521.

Prayer request list 200531:

Brice Starks – brain functioning

Kaden Morely – Nelson Co. teenager

Stella Prewitt –preschooler from Bloomfield-leukemia

David Latham, Jr.

Tony Rankin – kidney functioning

Chandler Wright – put on kidney transplant list

J. W. Stilts – fell off a building

Linda Williamson – shoulder injury from falling

Jimmy Williamson – COPD

Jimmy Downey

Junior Hatcher – hospital in Illinois

Lorrie Brandi Bush – grandson born premature

Sue McGaha

Travis Keltner

Kyle Burchett

Mary Sue VanArsdale – surgery June 9 to repair screw in ankle

Stevie Hood

Sandy Foley’s FB friend – stroke

Harry Foley – upcoming surgery

Rebecca Masdon – cancer                     

Garnieta Squires

Janeatte Kelsay’s mother-in-law

Sandy Coffey – shoulder pain

Praying against hatred and injustice

Praying for revival

Brenda Wooldridge – June 1

Doug Vines – Lacy and Jimmy Dudgeon’s brother-in-law

What God Promises, Not What We Want for Him to Promise

Romans 4:13-25 (May 24, 2020)

God has entered into several covenants with man: Noah, Abraham, Moses, David

When God promises, He always delivers. (v 17)

Even though Abraham and Sarah had some doubts, they still trusted God and had faith. (v. 20)

God knows that we may have doubts sometimes.

We do more for God when we listen to his promises and look forward to them rather than praying for our wishes to become God’s promises.

Salvation Has Always Been by Faith

Romans 4:1-12 (May 17, 2020)

Abraham’s faith being credited to him as righteousness is cited 6 times in Scripture: (Gen 15:6; Rom 4: 3, 9, 22; Gal 3:6, Jam 2:23). It is no accident that this important concept was reinforced multiple times, both in the Old and New Testaments.

We need to focus less on being “good” and more on being “faithful”. Good in our eyes is sometimes governed by the moral relativism prevalent in contemporary society. Being faithful to God is explained in Scripture and easier for us to translate into action.

Consider if the following people had decided to be good people instead of faithful:

Noah

Moses

David

Paul

Pray for faithfulness to be strengthened in your heart and the good will naturally follow.

May 11, 2020

Providence Baptist Church Family,

It has been quite a while since we have been physically together to worship. But God has been faithful and good to us so that we may still worship as a church. The positive takeaway is the number of visitors we have had on our Facebook page joining in with us on Sunday mornings! There has also been great participation in the prayer meetings for Brice Starks and others. We are going to continue having prayer for Brice and all other requests on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings this week at 8:00 pm CDT. Thank you all for your participation.

Church leaders have been given guidelines for reopening of churches. As of now, Providence Baptist Church plans to physically reopen on Sunday, May 24 at 10:30 for worship service only. We have been advised to abstain from having Sunday School until after June 15. All dates are subject to change.

Many of the CDC guidelines do not pertain to churches the size of PBC, however I have included the guidelines here for you to use as you make your decisions when to return to worship on campus. Thank you for your time and attention to these matters:

Hygienic and cleaning practices

• Encourage use of flexible or virtual options whenever possible for all non-worship activities (e.g., counseling, volunteer meetings).

• Follow specific CDC guidance for childcare or educational programming for children and youth.
  
  
• Encourage use of a cloth face covering at all gatherings and when in the building by everyone except children aged less than 2 years old. (Not using a cloth face covering may also be appropriate at times for some individuals who have trouble breathing or need assistance to remove their mask.)
  
  
• Have adequate hygiene supplies, such as soap, tissues, no-touch trash cans, hand sanitizer (with at least 60 percent alcohol).
  
  
• Consider posting signs on how to stop the spread of COVID-19 and promote everyday protective measures.
  
  
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at least daily and shared objects between use. Avoid use of items that are not easily cleaned, sanitized, or disinfected. Ensure safe and correct application of disinfectants and keep them away from children.
  
  
• Ensure that ventilation systems operate properly and increase circulation of outdoor air as much as possible by opening windows and doors, using fans, and so on. Do not open windows and doors if they pose a safety risk to children using the facility.
  
  
• Take steps to ensure that all water systems and features (for example, drinking fountains, decorative fountains) are safe to use after a prolonged facility shutdown to minimize the risk of Legionnaires’ disease and other diseases associated with water.

Promoting social distancing

• Limit the size of gatherings in accordance with the guidance and directives of state and local authorities and in accordance with RFRA.
  
  
• Consider video streaming or drive-in options for services.
  
  
• If appropriate and possible, add additional services to weekly schedules to maintain social distancing at each service, ensuring that clergy, staff, and volunteers at the services ensure social distancing to lessen their risk.
  
  
• Consider holding services and gatherings in a large, well-ventilated area or outdoors, as circumstances and faith traditions allow.
  
  
• Space out seating for attendees who do not live in the same household to at least six feet apart when possible; consider limiting seating to alternate rows.
  
  
• Consider whether other gatherings may need to have attendance limited or be held virtually if social distancing is difficult, such as funerals, weddings, religious education classes, youth events, support groups, and any other programming.
  
  
• Avoid or consider suspending use of a choir or musical ensemble during religious services or other programming, if appropriate within the faith tradition. Consider having a soloist or strictly limiting the number of choir members and keep at least six feet between individuals.
  
  
• Consider having clergy hold virtual visits (by phone or online) instead of in homes or at the hospital except for certain compassionate care situations, such as end of life.
  
  
• Consider temporarily limiting the sharing of frequently touched objects, such as worship aids, prayer books, hymnals, religious texts and other bulletins, books or other items passed or shared among congregants, and encourage congregants to bring their own, if possible, photocopying, or projecting prayers, songs, and texts using electronic means.
  
  
• Modify the methods used to receive financial contributions. Consider a stationary collection box, the mail, or electronic methods of collecting regular financial contributions instead of shared collection trays or baskets.
  
  
• Consider mitigating the risk of transmitting COVID-19 posed by close physical contact among members of the faith community during religious rituals as well as mediated contact through frequently touched objects, consistent with the community’s faith traditions and in consultation with local health officials as needed.
  
  
• If food is offered at any event, have pre-packaged boxes or bags for each attendee whenever possible, instead of a buffet or family-style meal.
  
  
• Avoid food offerings when it is being shared from common dishes.
  
  
• Train all clergy and staff in the above safety actions. Consider conducting the training virtually, or, if in-person, ensure that social distancing is maintained.
  
  

Monitoring and preparing

• Encourage staff or congregants who are sick to stay at home. Plan for when a staff member or congregant becomes sick.
  
  
• Identify an area to separate anyone who exhibits COVID-like symptoms during hours of operation and ensure that children are not left without adult supervision.
  
  
• Establish procedures for safely transporting anyone who becomes sick at the facility to their home or a health-care facility.
  
  
• Notify local health officials if a person diagnosed with COVID-19 has been in the facility and communicate with staff and congregants about potential exposure while maintaining confidentiality as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other applicable laws an in accordance with religious practices.
  
  
• Inform those with exposure to a person diagnosed with COVID-19 to stay home and self-monitor for symptoms and follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.
  
  
• Close off areas used by the sick person and do not use the area until it after cleaning and disinfection; wait 24 hours to clean and disinfect to reduce risk to individuals cleaning. If it is not possible to wait 24 hours, wait as long as possible before cleaning and disinfecting. Ensure safe and correct application of disinfectants and keep disinfectant products away from children.
  
  
• Advise sick staff and congregants not to return to the facility until they have met CDC’s criteria to discontinue home isolation.
  
  Maintain healthy operations

• Implement flexible sick leave and related flexible policies and practices for staff (e.g., allow work from home, if feasible).
  
  
• Monitor absenteeism and create a roster of trained back-up staff. Designate a staff person to be responsible for responding to COVID-19 concerns. Employees should know who this person is and how to contact them.
  
  
• In the event a person diagnosed with COVID-19 is determined to have been in the building and poses a risk to the community, it is strongly suggested to close, then properly clean and disinfect the area and the building where the individual was present.
  
  
• Communicate clearly with staff and congregants about actions being taken to protect their health.

Some of these guidelines will make worship seem unusual to children who are used to the familiar practices at PBC. It will be important for children to understand before entering the building that they should not be allowed to sit with other families during the reopening period. I am providing these guidelines for each person to use as they will with regard to managing their own attendance and the behavior of their children, where appropriate. I am not going to be the policeman or ultimate enforcer of the rules. But I will offer advice to those who ask. I look forward to seeing those who wish to attend on the 24^th. And I understand if you still do not choose to come for a few more weeks as this pandemic remains uncertain. I will continue to supply resources on social media as they are needed by the congregation and also others who may not yet be opening their churches.

Serving others during this pandemic through providing online sermons and prayer events has been rewarding and challenging. I am encouraged by the number of people who have taken advantage of social media to facilitate and enhance their worship during the isolation period. I hope we can continue to provide worship experiences for all who wish to partake and enjoy.

If you have need or questions, please leave a comment or call me: 502-507-4369. Thank you for your support and prayers. I look forward to seeing you all soon.

Byron W VanArsdale, pastor

Providence Baptist Church

We Are All Guilty but We Can All Be Saved
Romans 3:9-26 (May 10, 2020)

Happy Mother’s Day!

Paul was explaining that some had falsely accused followers of Christ of doing bad things so that they could claim forgiveness, despite their evil.

Bad things happen in the world today because there is little fear of God.

All the world is accountable to God whether under the Law or under grace. There are no exceptions for those who do not believe in God or who believe in other Gods.

God has shown great patience with his people throughout history. But for those who can understand the gospel message and have been exposed to the gospel, there will be no forbearance when faced with judgment. God will not pass over our sins if they are not forgiven through faith in Jesus Christ.