News From Walnut Street

We will be having a fellowship lunch after our Sunday morning service October 26th. It is the sixth anniversary of Bro. Paul's first sermon at Walnut Street. On Monday, October 27th, Bro. Paul and Sis. Janie will be leaving for Paris, France. They will be spending a week with our missionary, Jason Clark, and his family. Bro. Clark plans to give a full report of their trip upon their return.

The picture is of Bro. Paul preaching on a Sunday Night at Walnut Street Missionary Baptist Church.

From the Pastor

The picture is of our pastor standing next to figures of Abraham Lincoln and his wife and son. Our pastor is distantly kin to Mary Todd Lincoln. This picture was taken while he attended the Amercian Baptist Association a few years ago.

“A Ladies Meeting” (Acts 16:13) And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted [thither].
In this text Luke tells of an occasion when he and the Apostle Paul were in the city of Philippi and went out to the river side where they met a congregation of women. These women had met together each Sabbath day not to gossip but to pray and worship God together. Paul sat down and spoke with these women. One of them was a woman named Lydia. She heard Paul speak and accepted Jesus Christ as her savior. She was baptized along with her whole household. The saving of this family began with a lost woman attending a Ladies meeting. She had been worshiping the true God with the other ladies at this regular meeting but she did not know about Jesus Christ. Men are suppose to be the spiritual leaders of their household. The Philippian jailor of this same city would come to know Jesus as his savior and would lead his household to the Lord. But here Lydia takes the lead and her household was saved. When a group of people meet for such a Godly purpose, as was the case with this ladies meeting, then good things happen which bring lost souls to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

From the Pastor for September 28, 2008

The picture is of our pastor teaching the Adult class at our Mid-Week Bible School.

From the Pastor:
Psalm 112:7 “He shall not be afraid of evil tidings.”
Child of God, you ought not to dread the arrival of “evil tidings” because if you are distressed by them, then you are no better off than those who do not know the LORD of hosts. Others do not know the God of your hope. They have never proved His faithfulness as you have done, and it is no wonder if they tremble with fear but you profess to be of a better spirit. You have been begotten again unto a lively hope, and your heart lives in heaven and not on earthly things. If you are seen to be fearful and worried as other men, what is the value of that grace which you profess to have received?
If you should be filled with worry and fear, as others are, you would be led into the same sins so common to unbelievers when they are under trying circumstances. The ungodly, when they are overtaken by evil tidings, rebel against God; they murmur, and think that God deals hardly with them. Will you fall into that same sin? Will you provoke the Lord as they do?
Unsaved people put their trust in the wrong things when evil tidings come their way. They trust in self rather than in God. Evil tidings will come our way and how we react to them shows our faith. Trust in the Lord, and wait patiently for him. The plan of action is to do like Moses at the Red Sea, “Stand still and see the salvation of God.” For if you give way to fear when you hear of evil tidings, you will be unable to meet the trouble with that calm composure needed in times of adversity. How can you glorify God if you are overcome with fear? Take courage, and relying in sure confidence upon the faithfulness of your covenant with God, “let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

From the Pastor for September 21, 2008

The picture is of our pastor preaching on a Sunday night at Walnut Street.

From the Pastor:
(1 Kings 1:5) Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king...
Self exaltation is strongly condemned in God's Holy Word. It never comes out for good. Adonijah showed little interest in his father's failing health. King David was on his death bed while his son Adonijah was making plans to take over the kingdom. Adonijah made alliances with highly influential men of David's kingdom and spent his time positioning himself to be King. There is no record of his visiting or sitting with his father who was very near death. It were as if he cared not for his father but would be overjoyed to see him die so that he could have the kingdom. There is no love in the heart of one who is this self-centered and selfish. Not only would he not be king by exalting himself he would be dead because of his attempt to exalt himself.
Reader, be advised, and learn from the failure of this son of Haggith. If you seek to exalt yourself you will be brought low. The Lord said to take the lowest seat at a feast and not the highest. The key to greatness and exaltation is humility and service. The Lord loves the heart of a servant. By serving our Lord, humbly and lowly we will one day hear Him say “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” and we will receive from Him a crown of righteousness which fadeth not away.

From the Pastor for September 14, 2008

The picture is of our pastor and his parents a few years ago at one of our fellowships at Walnut Street.
From the Pastor:
Leviticus 19:36 “Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have.”
Balances are commanded to be just, Weights and measures are also commanded to be kept just or accurate and fair. Surely no Christian needs to be reminded of this in his business, for if righteousness is not found anywhere else on the earth it can always be found in the hearts of the children of God. There are other balances besides those used for commerce. These weigh and measure moral and spiritual things, and these often need to be examined.
The balances in which we weigh our own and other men’s characters, are they accurate? Do we turn our own ounces of goodness into pounds on one hand, and then on the other turn other's bushels of kindnesses into pecks? Make sure you use the same measurement for yourself as you do others. The scales in which we measure our trials and troubles, are they according to standard set by the Apostle Paul? He had more to suffer than we have, and called his afflictions light, and yet we often consider ours to be heavy. Surely something must be unjust with our weights. Let us rather measure our suffering and that of others by the One who suffered for the sins of us all, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When a rich man gives no more to the cause of God than the poor is that a just ephah and a just hin? When the poor are despised, while ungodly rich men are held in admiration, is that a just balance? Find out and destroy all unrighteous balances, all unjust weights and measures. Weigh works in the light of truth found in God's Holy Word.

From the Pastor for September 7, 2008

Our Pastor with one of the boys from our church at Bogg Springs Camp in Arkansas.

From the Pastor:
(Revelation 3:9) Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
Jesus is pleased to vindicate His children. The preaching of the Gospel is foolishness to the men of this world; but to those who believe, it is the power of God unto salvation. I heard a man on the radio a few years ago vehemently denying the existence of God. He was absolutely convinced that there was no God at all. He further stated that men do not have a soul. It is unfortunate that there are many people who do not believe in God. There are some that say they believe in God but by their actions they deny His existence. John records in our text that there will come a time when we shall see such men bow down, right there in front of us, and worship the Lord God. (Romans 14:11) For it is written, [As] I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. One day I will see this man whose voice I heard on the radio. When I see him he will be on his knees worshiping God. I hope that between now and then he will come to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. If he does not repent he will be force to bow and acknowledge that there is a God indeed. Take heart child of God for you may be counted foolish by this present world but in the world to come men shall see how much God has loved you!

From the Pastor for August 31, 2008

This picture is of our pastor and his wife during their dating days. This picture was taken just a few days before their engagement on August 25, 1973.

From the Pastor:
(Song of Solomon 2:1) I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.
Acceptance is a thing that is desired and needed by every human being. People need to be loved. This verse is not spoken in pride but is a statement of delight. The young lady who speaks here expresses her elation at the fact that someone thinks that she is the rose of Sharon and the lily of the valleys.
I remember during our dating months the first time that I heard that Janie thought I was “so handsome.” No one had ever felt that way about me before. I suddenly became the rose of Sharon to someone and it made my heart fill with joy. My grandkids think that I am something wonderful and they are so excited every time they get to come to my house and see me. I am to them the rose of Sharon. It is nice to love and to be loved.
The best love of all is the love of Christ. His love for us is more important than any other. He looked down through time and loved us so much that He came into the world to give His life a ransom for us.
Whether we ever have the love of any other human being or not we have the love of the greatest person who ever walked on the earth. He made us and He loves us. He wants to do great things for us and through us. We need to share His love with those around us. We need to love one another with that same love with which He loved us.

From the Pastor for August 24, 2008

The picture is of our pastor and his wife and mother and father. It was taken at his graduation from Seminary in 2003.

From the Pastor:
John 11:4 “This sickness is not unto death.”
Week before last I was sick for four days. I ran a low grade fever and did not feel well. I never felt that my illness was life threatening. There are many names on our prayer list of people who are suffering from various illnesses. From the story of Lazarus and our Lord’s words we learn that there is a limit to sickness. The word “unto” in this verse is a great comfort for it contains the ultimate restraint from which sickness can not break free. Lazarus might pass through death, but death was not to be the ultimate end of this particular sickness. In all sickness, the Lord says to the waves of pain, “Hitherto shall ye go, but no further.” God's purpose in our sick times is not to destroy us but to instruct us and bring glory to His name. Let us be encouraged by the following:
1. We may be encouraged when we consider that the limit of our sicknesses is comprehensive, covering every aspect of it. God in His providence has limited the length, the intensity, the repetition, and effects of all our sicknesses. Each throbbing pain we feel is decreed, each sleepless hour predestined, each relapse commanded, each moment of depression foreknown, and each sanctifying result ordained of God. Nothing great or small escapes the ruling hand of the One who made man's tongue and numbers the hairs of our head.
2. We may be encouraged to know that this limit is wisely adjusted to suit our strength, to accomplish the divinely set purpose, and to match the grace of God which is sufficient for our every trial. Afflictions come but when they do each blow they deliver is carefully and accurately measured. God who made no mistakes in creating the heavens and the earth, commits no errors in measuring out the cure of our ailments that beset the soul and body. It is not possible for us to suffer too much nor be relieved too late.
3. We may be encouraged to know that the limit is tenderly appointed. “He doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.” A mother’s heart cries, “Spare my child”; but no mother is more compassionate than our gracious God.

From the Pastor for August 17, 2008

The picture is of Bro. Paul Clark at the Messenger meeting of the American Baptist Association.

From the Pastor:
Job 29:2 Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me;
Many Christians look back on the past with pleasure, while regarding the present with dissatisfaction. They look back upon the days which have passed which they spent communing with the Lord as being the sweetest and the best they have ever known. Their present circumstance, like that of Job in this text, may be gloomy and devoid of the glory of the past. Once they lived near to Jesus, but now they feel that they have wandered from him, and they say, “O that I were as in months past!” They complain that they have not present peace of mind, or that, as was the case with Job, those who surround them have no connection with the Lord of Glory. Christians may say, due to present circumstance, that they and those around them have not so much zeal for God’s glory. The causes of this sad state of things are varied. It may arise through a comparative neglect of prayer, for a neglected of private prayer is the beginning of most spiritual decline. Or it may be the result of idolatry. The heart and mind have been occupied with something else, more than with God; the affections have been set on the things of earth, instead of the things of heaven. In the case of Job, his longing to be as he was in months past was not due to these at all but to the workings of Satan and Job's so called friends. Christian, if you are not now as you “were as in months past,” do not rest satisfied with wishing for a return of former happiness, but go at once to seek your Master, and tell him your sad state. Ask his grace and strength to help you to walk more closely with him; humble yourself before him, and he will lift you.

From the Pastor for Sunday August 10, 2008

The pictture is of our pastor and his wife at the Texas Baptist Institute Alumni banquet.

From the Pastor: PERSIS
(Rom 16:12) Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.
The names mentioned in this verse are feminine in the Greek language. It is to be understood that these were women. It is said of the first two that they labor in the Lord. This means that they worked and that their work was Godly work. Work done in the Lord is done for the Lord. These had no doubt done many good and kind deeds. They had helped the sick. They had helped the poor. They had helped widows and orphans. These acts of kindness were done because of the love that they had for the Lord and they did them for His honor and glory. Women such as these help the cause of Christ. These two ladies labored in the Lord.
Persis also labored in the Lord but it is said of her that she labored MUCH in the Lord. There are some who are able to do more work in the Lord than others. The Lord has, perhaps, put them in such a circumstance that they are able to work long hours for the Lord. The Lord may have given to Persis the talent or ability to do things that not every woman could do. Some women can sew better than others. Some cook better than others. Some teach better than others. She used her talents for the Lord. She may or may not have had children of her own. A woman who is raising children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord is laboring in the Lord. To raise godly children is to labor in the Lord. The virtuous woman as described by Solomon is one who takes good care of her family and home. She is to be praised for she labors in the Lord. She is doing the work the Lord has put her on earth to do. Women truly are a vital part in the work of the Lord.
Men, let us learn from these women. May it be said of us that we labored much in the Lord.

From the Pastor for August 3, 2008

The picture is of our pastor and his grandson at pinesprings baptist camp July 2008.

From the Pastor:
(Psa 73:25) Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
The psalmist asks the Lord a question. The Lord certainly knows the answer to all of our questions. This question is a matter of the heart. There is but one person that this and every child of God desires and for which he longs. In all of heaven there are literally millions of people and tens of thousands of angels. Among these are many who are notable and outstanding. It would be amazing to speak with the apostle Paul, or Peter, Moses, Elijah, Enoch. It would be awesome to speak with Gabriel or Michael the arc angel. It would be a joy indeed to speak with grandfathers who you never knew here on earth. It will certainly be wonderful to speak with those loved ones which we watched as they pasted from this life to the next. Far above these is our desire for the Lord. In all of heaven there is none to be praised like the Lord. Indeed all the inhabitants there direct our accolades toward the only one worthy of our worship and praise, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The psalmist also relates that there is none on earth as desirable as the Lord. Living on the earth today are some six billion people. Some of these are notable and might well be worth meeting. Some human beings on earth have done benevolent and courageous things. There are some who might well deserve the praise of men. For the Child of God there is none that compares to our Lord. He stands supreme above all of those persons, places, and things about which we care. He is the one who has saved our souls, who has loved us with the greatest love that man has ever known.

From the Pastor for July 27, 2008

This picture is of our pastor hiking which is one of his favorite things to do.

From the Pastor:
Psalm 42:9 “Why go I mourning?”
Can you answer this question, oh child of God? Or has the question no application to your life and experience. I have never met a man or woman who has not at some time or other in their life mourned for one reason or another. I have mourned over my own failures and sinful ways. I have mourned with those who were smitten with grief due to death or illness. It is OK and even expected under certain circumstances to mourn. The Apostle Paul spoke of a godly sorrow which works repentance to salvation. Mourning is good if the reason is good. Thus the question raised by the psalmist is a valid question. It does matter why you mourn.
When my father died I did not go mourning about as those who have no hope. My father is in heaven and of this I am confident. I am confident that I will see him again for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. I do not mourn for the loss of his influence on my life for he continues to influence me by the example he set for me while he lived. I do not mourn the loss of his company for the Lord has taken him away and I will not mourn over that circumstance which comes about to the glory of God. I place my confidence in the promise of God that all things work together for good to them that love the Lord and are the called according to His purpose. This confidence forbids me to go mourning. I rather rejoice that the Lord reigns and am moved to go praising rather than to go mourning.

From the Pastor for July 13, 2008

The picture is of our pastor at Pine Springs Baptist Camp taken right before he got up to preach.

From the Pastor: Luke 15:2 “This man receiveth sinners.”
Can you see in this verse the great condescension of God? This Man, who towers above all other men, holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners, this Man receiveth sinners! This Man, who is none other than the eternal God, before whom angels cover their faces with their wings, this Man receiveth sinners! It needs an angel’s tongue to describe such a mighty stoop of love. That any of us should be willing to seek after the lost is nothing wonderful or marvelous because they are of our own race. But that He, the offended God, against whom the transgression has been committed, should take upon himself the form of a servant, and bear the sin of many, and should then be willing to receive the vilest of the vile, this is indeed marvelous!
“This Man receiveth sinners” not so that they may remain sinners, but he receives them that he may pardon their sins, justify them, cleanse their hearts, preserve their souls by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and enable them to serve him, to show forth his praise, and to have communion with him. None are so precious in Jesus’ sight as the sinners for whom He died. This fact is still most sure today, he is still receiving sinners. Would to God sinners would receive him.

From the Pastor

Our Pastor and his wife on His 20th birthday one week before they were engaged to be married.

From the Pastor: (2 Kings 6:25) … an ass's head was [sold] for fourscore [pieces] of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove's dung for five [pieces] of silver.
When men become desperate, their since of value changes. Things that are of little value during good times can become of great value when life is threatened. I was once offered a homemade tamale which had been made from the head of a hog which had been boiled for that purpose. I turned my nose up at the thought of eating such a thing. One of my Aunts offered me some tripe which she explained to me was the stomach lining of a cow. I turned my nose up at this as well. If your life depended upon eating such things you would not only accept them but might well pay a rich sum for them. The men of Samaria had been under siege and a famine prevailed. They were willing to pay more for the head of an ass than they would pay Judas for betraying our Lord, Jesus. They would pay as much for a gallon of dove’s dung as they paid for the Savior of Men. Men often come to the point of death before they see the value of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. When death is near men begin to value that which they have for years rejected. What price would you pay for eternal life if it could be bought? What value do you place on the forgiveness of sins? Is there any price you would not pay to escape everlasting punishment in Hell? Is your Savior worth more to you than anything in the world?

A baby picture of our pastor

From the Pastor:
“A cake not turned”
(Hosea 7:8) Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned.
The northern kingdom of Israel is described in this text as a cake not turned. Picture a pancake poured out on a hot griddle. Now picture not turning it over but allowing it to burn on one side and be uncooked on the other. It is not an appetizing thought is it? The picture is of inconsistency, Neither side is good of a cake not turned. Ephraim was not consistent. They were on one hand God's chosen people but on the other hand they were worshipers of Idols. They would see the power of God displayed and cry out, as they did when Elijah called down fire from heaven to consume the water soaked altar and sacrifice, “The Lord He is the God, The Lord He is the God.”
A people of faith who walk by sight are a cake not turned. They are inconsistent and not fit for the master's use. When we live wickedly like the world during the week and come to the house of God and worship as if we had done no wrong we are a cake not turned.
Jesus said “If the salt hath lost it savor wherewith shall it be salted.” He went on to say it was good for nothing. If we live before the world a life that is not consistent with the teachings of God's word we are a cake not turned. Living outside the will of God causes us to be ineffective in winning the lost to Christ.
By diligently doing all things for the glory of God, by being obedient to God's every command, we present to the world the consistency that will cause them to see our unchanging God. When God is real to us and we really fear Him we will not be a cake unturned but rather a vessel unto honor in the cause of Christ.

From the Pastor

A picture of our pastor in a field in Hill county Texas.

From the Pastor: (Gen 21:6) And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.
God did for Sarah a heretofore unimaginable thing. She would, even in her barren and elderly state, have a son. God caused her to have great joy and all that would hear of her blessing would joy with her. God is a giver of joy. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights.” Joy is certainly a good and perfect gift. The apostle Peter described the joy of the believer as “unspeakable and full of glory.”
Notice that Sarah said “God hath MADE me to laugh.“ God knows what it takes to bring us real joy. Joy is not found in the things of this world but comes as a gift from God. God longs to make His children to have and express joy.
Notice that Sarah gave the purpose for which God has caused her to laugh when she said “so that...” Our joy is intended to help others to have joy as well. When the world sees the joy we have in God it will stir them to desire that joy. Joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit. Believer, there dwells within you the Holy Spirit of God. When you are following the leadership of the Holy Spirit you will have and express joy.
Notice that Sarah said “ALL that HEAR will laugh with me.” The joy we have and share with this world will only impact the lives of those who will hear. Sadly there are many who will not hear of the grace of God. They will not hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and will never know the joy of the Lord.
God wants to make you laugh. He wants you to share that laughter with those around you. Share your faith in Jesus Christ with everyone you know.

From the Pastor for June 15th

Our Pastor at his graduation from seminary in 2003. He is standing with his former pastor Bro. Harold Davis.

From the Pastor: “Waiting for the Bus”
2Timothy 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
When I was a child I spent a lot of time waiting for the school bus. We had a general idea as to when it would arrive and knew it would not be very long. We usually spent the time playing around, throwing things or waving at the passing cars. Sometimes we would use the time productively like studying for a test or reading.
The Apostle Paul was nearing the end of his time on earth. And in this second letter to Timothy he expresses his feelings about his time here on earth. Paul spent his last days on earth in prison. His eye sight was bad and his health was failing. Even in this state he used his time to encourage young Timothy. He was waiting for the bus that would take him home to heaven. He used this waiting time productively.
Should you find yourself near the end of your days on earth with your health failing and unable to go and come as you once could, follow the example set by this beloved Apostle. Use what limited strength and freedom you have left to be a blessing to those around you. Be an example of the believer. As you wait for the bus to take you home share with those who will one day follow you all that God has done for you.
No matter what your age you do not know when the bus will come. Spend your time as if that bus was going to be arriving soon. The time of your departure may be at hand. Serve the Lord each day so that you too may be able to say “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

Our Pastor 37 years ago

This picture is of our pastor 37 years ago. This is "From the Pastor" for June 8, 2008:

From the Pastor: “Their Champion”
1 Samuel 17:51 “...when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.”
The Philistines put their trust in the size, power and skill of their champion, Goliath of Gath. They knew of no one that could beat their undefeated champion. They were completely confident that their champion could defeat, destroy, and kill any foe he faced. One moment they were reveling in and cheering on their their champion and the next they see him dead. Their hope was gone and so the fled away in abject fear and were themselves overcome.
We have a champion who also died. Our champion, unlike their champion who this day lies dead in the dust of the earth, rose from the dead. Unlike their champion ours gained victory by his death. Their champion met his match, one stronger than he, but our champion has no equal and none is superior to Him. Their champion was awesome in his appearance before men but our champion was like a root out of dry ground and had no form nor comeliness and when seen there was no beauty that we should desire him. Their champion cursed his enemies and spoke blaspheme and wished harm to those who opposed him but our Champion blessed his enemies and cried “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” Their champion was arrogant, conceited and proud our Champion is meek and lowly washing the feet of sinful men. Their champion let them down and put them to shame. Those who put their trust in our Champion will never be ashamed. They were disappointed by their champion but we will never be disappointed in ours. Our Champion is Jesus Christ and He wants to be your champion too.

From the Pastor for June 1, 2008

From the Pastor: Passing over the brook Kidron.
2 Samuel 15:23 “... the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron,...”
In our next lesson from the book of John we will see these words recorded: (John 18:1) “When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron”. Jesus walked the same path as did King David. Like David, Jesus was leaving Jerusalem and would be soon followed by His enemies. Like David, Jesus would have the victory over His enemies. Like David, Jesus knew what it was like to be betrayed by a friend.
Have you ever passed over the brook Kidron? Have you ever been persecuted? Have you ever had the victory over those who sought your life? Have you ever been betrayed by a friend? If so, dear reader, you are in good company. Jesus was tempted in all ways like as we are yet without sin. He has tread the same path as you and I and this makes Him our perfect intercessor and also our perfect judge. He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. He understands for He has made us and was himself made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death that we might have life and have it more abundantly.
The brook Kidron was at the lowest point in the valley between Mount Olives and Jerusalem. When you, like David and like Jesus reach the valley of the shadow of death know that you can and will be victorious as were they, when you, are “a man after God's own heart.” Faith is the victory that overcomes the world. Jesus Christ the righteous is our salvation. Those who put their trust in Him will never be ashamed.

Sermon for Sunday May 25, 2008

This Sunday we will recognize our graduates and also say good bye to Bro. Josh Bazar. Below is a brief outline of the sermon I have prepared for Sunday. Hope to see you there.


Daniel 1:1-21 “Where You Go From Here”

Introduction: Today is indeed the first day of the rest of your life. Graduates leave high school behind and the question fills their minds “Where do I go from here?” When one leaves home behind to pursue a new career they often face an uncertain future asking the question “Where will I go from here?” In our text today we shall learn how to answer these questions and find strength and assurance as we face life's journey which lies before us.

Where you go from here is allowed by God. Vs. 1-2
Where you go from here will depend on how you have been where you are. Vs. 3-4
Where you go from here can be a hazardous environment. Vs. 5-7
Where you go from here may cause you to take a stand for right. Vs. 8
Where you go from here depends on God giving you favor and blessings.
Where you go from here may require you to put God to the test. Vs. 10-16
Where you go from here depends on God's gifts. Vs. 17-20
Where you go from here depends on your faithfulness. Vs. 21

Sunday Sermons

I am considering publishing the Sunday Morning Sermons on this blog. This would give those visiting here a preview of what to expect on Sunday. Bro. Harold Davis use to share his sermons with me every Tuesday night after visitation and it made me look forward to the Sunday morning services. I will give this a try. God bless you.

Here is a brief outline of the sermon for Sunday May 18, 2008

John 17:20-26 “Jesus prays to the Father about the Outcome of his work”

Introduction: I have divided this chapter and prayer into four parts as follows:
Jesus prays about His ONGOING work. Verses 1-3 (That being to bring Glory to His Father)
Jesus prays about the OBEDIENCE of His work. Verses 4-8 (Obeying the Father)
Jesus prays about the OBJECT of His work. Verses 9-19 (The household of faith)
Jesus prays about the OUTCOME of His work. Verses 20-26 (Unity, Glory, Love, Us)
Jesus has been speaking to His disciples as they have walked from Jerusalem to the brook Cedron. He has told them that they should pray to the Father in the name of Jesus and the Father will grant their requests. Jesus would no more say to them “I will pray the Father for you...” He has encouraged them with many words and given them what they will need to help them through the hours and days to come. In our text today Jesus has paused at the brook Cedron and in full view and hearing of His disciples continues His prayer. Let us remember an important fact; Jesus is praying to the Father audibly not for the Father's benefit nor for His own. He prays allowed for the benefit of His disciples and of us today. He wants them and us to know about His work and ours. He wants us to know that we have been chosen by the Father, we belong to the Father, the Father has given us to the Son and we are safe in Him.
In this section of His prayer we shall look at the outcome of His work. Let us define the term “the outcome of His work.” Webster defines the word outcome as “a final product or end result.”

Let us learn that the final product or end result of Jesus' work was:
1. The end result of His work would be A people who would win others to Christ.
2. The final product of His work would be a people of faith.
(20) Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
3. The end result of His work would be a people that are at one with God.
4. The final product of His work will be an opportunity for the world too believe in Jesus.
(21) That they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
5. The end result of His work is a glorified people.
6. Final product of His work is a unified people who love each other.
(22) And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
7. The end result of His work is a people who have Christ living in them.
8. The final product of His work is a complete and beloved of God people.
(23) I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
9. The end result of His work is a time when all of God's children will live with Him in Glory.
10. The final product of His work will be a revelation of the full glory of Jesus Christ.
(24) Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
11. The end result of His work is a people who know God.
12. The final product of His work is a people who understand that the love of God sent His Son.
(25) O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
13. The end result of His work is a people who have been taught the nature of God.
14. The final product of His work is a people loved of God showing the love of Christ to the world.
(26) And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare [it]: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

Conclusion: Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
We, who have been saved, are the workmanship of God. We are created in Christ Jesus and God has ordained, commanded, that we should do His Good work in this world. Jesus prayed for his disciples and for those who would believe through their words. He has prayed for us and for those who hear and accept our words about Jesus. His prayer is that all of His people, redeemed by His blood, will be kept safe, will be united, will be with Jesus where He is, and will see His glory. This prayer of Jesus for us was heard and answered by the Father.

From The Pastor for Sunday May 18th

Isa 40:11 “He shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom.”
The He of this verse is without a doubt THE GOOD SHEPHERD. Why would this shepherd carry the lambs in his bosom? Is it due to the love and compassion he has for the sheep? Does their infirmities, wounds, and helpless state cause His heart to melt. Their weaknesses, lack of understanding, and fears bring out in Him great compassion. It is the office of our Lord, as a faithful High Priest, to consider the weak. He is not a hireling for He is the owner of the sheep of His pasture. Having purchased them with His blood, they are his property. It stands the test of reason that he must and will care for that which cost him so much. He is bound by a covenant not to lose even one of them. They are all a part of His glory and reward.
In what sense or in what way does He “carry them?” He carries them by keeping them from enduring excessive trials. He carries them by providing a way of escape for them through His strength. He carries them by providing for their immediate and urgent needs. When their knowledge is limited yet they can say with the formerly blind man “one thing I know...” and that one thing will sustain them through any trial. Often He “carries” them by giving them a very simple faith, which takes the promise just as it stands, and with full trust runs at every sign of trouble straight to Jesus.
“He carries the lambs in his bosom.” That we may lean on the bosom of Jesus and be accepted in the beloved even though we are but dust, “a worm and no man” shows forth the great depth of His love for us. The Good Shepherd holds His dear one so near to Himself that nothing can separate them. When held thus by our loving Lord we are in perfect safety and none can hurt us there.
By what means can one come to this place of perfect peace? By what means can one be so tenderly protected in the bosom of the Lord and Shepherd? The means is GRACE and the way is Faith.

Walnut Street MBC has a blog

I have started a blog for our church which will contain information about our church and its various services and ministries. We will not post pictures of people without permission. It is my hope that someone will volunteer to maintain this blog and keep its information current. You will want to visit this sight to read about up comming activities and to see articles contained in our church bulletin. It is our prayer that this blog be a blessing to all those who visit here. God bless you. Paul Clark, Pastor, Walnut Street Missionary Baptist Church.