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Spare Change - June 2023

James calls Christians to not just be hearers of God’s Word but doers also.  In James 1:19-26 he challenges followers of Jesus to live in obedience to God’s Word.  This seems like it would be so obvious that we do not need to be reminded about it; however, many Christians either do not live according to the Bible or they seek to soak up Bible knowledge and never apply it to their lives. 

This reminds me of the college experience.  Students attending college can look at their time in college in one of two ways. They can see their time as a temporary stop so they can acquire knowledge that can then be applied to a future job.  Or they can look at it as an opportunity to learn and continue to learn, simply filling their head with knowledge they will never use in a practical sense.  In my opinion, the goal of college should be to take your skills and knowledge and apply them to a job so you can contribute to society. The same idea applies to being a follower of Jesus.

If we simply are in a relationship with God so we can learn and increase our knowledge, we are missing out on so much. Our job is not to sit and soak as spiritual sponges.  We are to learn so we can apply the truth to our lives.  Look at what Jesus says in Matthew 5:19, “Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”  Notice this verse has a negative and positive statement with punishment or reward attached to them.  The second statement is the positive statement which encourages believers to not only know the commands of the Bible but to obey them.  The emphasis is on obedience and teaching others to do likewise. That is the highest goal for believers in the kingdom of God.

This is similar to what Jesus said in the Great Commission before He ascended into heaven. In Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  Notice that the Great Commission is telling us to make disciples.  Which means our goal is to multiply followers of Jesus.  The way we do that is to teach the disciples but not just to fill their heads with Bible knowledge, rather we are teaching them to obey the commands.  Again, the emphasis is on obeying God’s Word.

If we truly want to do what Jesus has commanded us to do, we must seek to live out the commands of God in our lives.  Robby Gallaty in his book Replicate says, “Our goal is not just to read [the Bible] for information.  We should read the Bible for greater intimacy with God.  God is not going to quiz us in heaven on how many Bible facts we know…Discipleship is not, contrary to what some people think, about learning the Bible.  It is about applying what we learn in the Bible to our lives.  Our learning should lead to action.”  We must be people that are known for our love of God’s Word, which means we must learn it.  The question is never should I read and study God’s Word, the answer to that question is a resounding, “YES!”  The question should be what do we do with what we are learning?

First, we must apply it to our own lives.  This means that we seek to live according to God’s Word no matter what it says.  If we find that our lives are opposed to God’s Word at any point, we must submit and shape our lives accordingly.  Second, we must seek to teach others. This means we are making disciples by helping others to know and live out the Bible.  This does not mean everyone will be a Bible teacher or preacher, but everyone can teach someone else the truths of the Bible in a discipleship relationship.  

One of the saddest verses in the Bible is Hebrews 5:12, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,” The author of Hebrews was speaking to seasoned Christians; however, they were not mature in the faith because they were not living out the truth. They needed it taught to them again and again when they should have been teaching others. I pray that you will hear the encouragement from the Bible and seek to obey it in your life. There is no higher calling for the Christian than to live by God’s Word and teach others to do the same.

Women On Mission - June 2023

A BLAST FROM THE PAST

Indiana Baptist 4/19/72 - “Oakhill to Expand Parking, Building”
The approval of a bus ministry and of improvements to the church facilities came at the April business meeting of Oakhill Baptist church, Evansville. The existing rear wall of the church auditorium will be removed to accommodate more people in worship services. The church parking lot will be enlarged to the north. A church bus will be purchased and a bus ministry begun. William Carter is pastor of the church.

Indiana Baptist 4/19/72 - “Breaking SS Records Becomes Oakhill Habit”
Breaking Sunday School attendance records has become a habit at Oakhill Baptist Church, Evansville. The church’s record was broken five successive Sundays. The year-old Sunday School attendance record was 170, when a new one was established March 5th of 172; the next Sunday attendance was 175; then 193, next 194, and finally 216 on April 2nd. The March average was 50 more per Sunday than March of 1971.

Indiana Baptist 4/19/72 - “Summer Worker Named by Evansville Church”
Miss Cindy Boultinghouse, a student at Georgetown (KY) College, has been called as part-time youth director of Oakhill Baptist Church, Evansville. She will be working this summer with children ages 4-8. Pastor William Carter says that another summer youth director will be secured to work with youth, ages 9 and above.

Northside Reporter, 4/12/72 - “Choir Dedication Service Scheduled”
The Adult Choir of Oakhill Baptist Church will observe a Choir Dedication Service at 7:30 pm in the church at 4615    Oakhill Road. The Candlelight Service will feature special music by the choir, under the direction of Mrs. Marian Thomas. Organist is Mrs. Darlele Knight. The public is invited to attend. The choir will sing three selections, Feed My Lambs, Kum Ba Yah, and Shepherd of Love. The Rev. William Carter, pastor, will have the sermon for the service.

Northside Reporter, 5/17/72 - “Softball League Will Get Underway May 19th”
The Slow-Pitch Softball League, sponsored by Oakhill Baptist church, will get underway for the season on Friday, May 19th. Over 100 northside boys, ages 8 to 14, will be participating in the church-sponsored league. The playing season is May 19th to July 24th.  The boys will play every Friday and Saturday at the baseball diamond at Oakhill Baptist, 4615 Oak Hill Road. Churches sponsoring teams in the league include, Bethlehem United Church of Christ, Oak Hill Presbyterian,   Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran, Olivet Presbyterian, and Oakhill Baptist, which sponsors two teams. Coaches for the teams are Bethlehem, Leroy Blankenship; Oak Hill Presbyterian, Charles Wright; Shepherd of the Hills, George Roeder; Olivet, Rev. Onesimus Rundus; and Oakhill Baptist, Bob Davis and Bill Whitmore. The Rev. William Carter is pastor of Oakhill Baptist Church.

We can all work together to assist the world’s hungry families by giving sacrificially to the Global Hunger Relief Fund. World Hunger banks will be available for each family on Sunday, June 4th. They will be returned Sunday, August 27th.

Women on Mission will meet Thursday, June 1st at 1:00 pm in the Grace classroom. All ladies are invited to join us.