Bethel Mennonite Church - Gladys VA

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Brendon began his sermon from Ephesians 4:25-32 with an introduction from Chapter 2:1-10 where there is an emphasis on grace, and God’s acting on men’s behalf before we even had a chance to do anything, right or wrong. This chapter emphasizes what God has done and there is not much about us. The fact is that if God has made us his children we should act like it; but we don’t become His children by our actions! Chapter 2 is foundational as we look at chapter 4, where there is an emphasis on what holy living looks like. We were led verse by verse through this passage with practical insights on what living in truth looks like, including looking out for others instead of self, releasing anger while loving our enemies, working good with our hands, edifying or building up instead of tearing down, and cooperating with the Spirit in putting on kindness as we actively put away bitterness. Brendon closed by summarizing our actions as children of God by reading the first verse of chapter 5, where we are told to be imitators of God. Children often follow the example of their parents in their actions and Christians are called to do likewise as we grow in our Christian life. This challenging message spoke to all of us judging by the numerous testimonies shared at its close. The post The New Man appeared first on Bethel Mennonite Church - Gladys VA.

Matthew 16:13-28 – Cross-bearing is required for being a follower of Jesus, and involves rejecting ourselves as master, giving up things we’d like to have, and doing things we don’t want to do. The post Following Jesus appeared first on Bethel Mennonite Church - Gladys VA.

In many ways the work of the Holy Spirit in our personal lives and in the life of the church seems mysterious. It’s very similar to Christ’s comments to Nicodemus in John 3: the Holy Spirit moves like the blowing of the wind and accomplishes things, but we don’t know how. The Hebrew and Greek words translated “spirit” mean “wind, breath, spirit.” The Spirit is not under our control. The Holy Spirit led and gifted individuals in the OT, but this seems to be at specific times for specific purposes and was not constant. In the NT the Holy Spirit accompanies conversion, is constant, convicts, encourages, guides into truth, reveals the Father, and accomplishes many other tasks on our behalf. The post The Holy Spirit appeared first on Bethel Mennonite Church - Gladys VA.

In order to communicate who He was, Jesus used metaphors. John records seven of these “I am” statements of Jesus. Sheep and shepherds were familiar to Jesus’ audience, and they were often used as an illustration of God and His people in Hebrew scripture (Jeremiah 23:1-6, Ezekiel 34, Isaiah 40:11, Psalm 23, Psalm 95:6-7). These scriptures speak of God’s care and guidance as well as His promise to send an offspring of David who would be the good shepherd that many of Israel’s leaders failed to be. Jesus tells his audience in John 10 that the Good Shepherd owns the sheep, knows them by name, provides both protection and pasture, and cares for them to the extent that He lays down His life for them. The defining characteristics of His sheep are that they hear His voice and follow Him. Like sheep are vulnerable to predators, we are no match for the devil who is working for our destruction (I Peter 5:8). However, we have a Good Shepherd, who is strong (I Corinthians 10:13) caring (Isaiah 43:1), and eternal (John 10:18). Our Good Shepherd is calling us. Are we hearing His voice calling us to salvation (Isaiah 53:6)? Are we hearing His voice every day through our conscience, Christian friends, and scripture (Hebrews 3:12-15)? Ignoring His voice makes it grow fainter and leaves us vulnerable to temptation. Listening to His voice leads us to a closer walk with Him and increasing maturity. Hebrews 13:20-21. The post I Am The Good Shepherd appeared first on Bethel Mennonite Church - Gladys VA.

We have many stories in the Bible who experienced the presence of God. Examples are Abraham, Hagar, Jacob, Moses, Joseph, Isaiah, Daniel, Jesus’s parents, John the Baptist’s parents, Paul, and others. Christ is present with us too. He promised to be present in Matt. 18:18-20 and Heb. 7:24-25 says Christ can be present with us because he is risen from the dead and ever lives. Romans 8:16ff also assures us that Christ is present and will preserve our salvation as we follow him. The post Experiencing the Presence of God appeared first on Bethel Mennonite Church - Gladys VA.

Psalm 63 teaches us that fellowship with God brings a satisfaction and joy that cannot be found anywhere else. For this to become our reality, we need to develop a longing for God Himself that goes beyond wanting Him to fix our problems. This longing can be developed by pursuing and experiencing God through a pattern of worship, praise, and meditation. The post Longing for God Himself – Psalm 63 appeared first on Bethel Mennonite Church - Gladys VA.

Covenants are between two people. Some covenants are conditional, and some are unconditional. God made a covenant with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Israel (Levitical). The ultimate and complete covenant that supersedes all others is the New Covenant in Jesus Christ. This covenant does not require keeping the 613 laws, but it is the covenant of faith working through love that results in the transformation of the person who trusts in Christ. The post Getting to Know God as a Covenant God appeared first on Bethel Mennonite Church - Gladys VA.

When we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, we remember Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection; unity among believers; covenant of grace; and spiritual nourishment. When we celebrate Christ’s sacrifice we remember that Christ bore our sins in His own physical body on the tree, and our sins were judged and died with Christ when he died on the cross. In the shedding of Christ’s blood on the cross, Christ gave his life for the remission of sin, and in his resurrection Christ secured our justification. When we celebrate the Lord’s Supper we remember the unity of the one body of Christ, unified because we are reconciled to God and each other by the remission of sin provided by the death and resurrection of Christ. When we celebrate the Lord’s Supper we remember that we have entered the new covenant of grace established by Christ’s death and resurrection. This new covenant is the promise of a transformed heart and life, made available by the death and resurrection of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit. This Covenant of Grace is not opposed to good works; it is opposed to earning by doing. When we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, we remember that Christ is our sustenance. Within our union and fellowship with Christ we are nourished by Christ’s life in us. The post The Meaning of the Lord’s Supper appeared first on Bethel Mennonite Church - Gladys VA.

Sunday schools began in England in the 17780s when Robert Raikes became concerned about the many children and even adults who could not read and had little knowledge of the Bible. As the availability of public education increased, the focus of Sunday school shifted to Bible instruction. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Anabaptist and Mennonite groups tended to resist having Sunday schools. Except for Old Order Amish and a few other groups, this view has largely changed. A primary value of Sunday school is the study of Scripture. This presents a challenge because Sunday school requires teachers and students, and not all teachers are equally gifted. Biblical teaching requires understanding and presenting the meaning of the text. It also requires application of the text to life. Another value of Sunday school is that it can include participation of students. This can be helpful in both interpreting and applying the Scripture. Participation also helps students apply Scripture to their lives. This sermon included many helpful ideas for teachers and students. The post The History and Future of Sunday School appeared first on Bethel Mennonite Church - Gladys VA.