Due to the increase in Covid - 19 transmission and the oppressive heat situation, we are canceling church for July 24th and July 31st. We will continue with services on August 7th. During the last couple of weeks, several church members have had issues related to Covid. We are praying that everyone continues to stay healthy by limiting our physical contract. I am look forward to seeing everyone when we resume services.
February 6th, 2022 - See you at Dickson Baptist Church
Just a reminder
We will be returning to church this Sunday @ 11:00am. Also, we will be having Sunday School @ 10:00am. Looking forward to seeing everyone there tomorrow.
Church Canceled
Due to the rise in COVID cases, church has been canceled for January 23rd and January 30th. We plan to continue meeting in person on February 6th. Look forward to seeing you then.
Operation Christmas Child
Thank you to all who gave shoe boxes to Operation Christmas Child. We collected 33 shoe boxes for children for this Christmas season.
Happy Thanksgiving from Dickson Baptist Church
Happy Thanksgiving
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." 1 Chronicles 16:34
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15
"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Colossians 4:2
"I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus." 1 Corinthians 1:4
Ezekiel 34: God is Against the Shepherds Who Scatter His Sheep
Ezekiel 34:10 (MEV) — 10 Thus says the Lord God: “I am against the shepherds.”
God called Ezekiel to be a “watchman” for the house of Israel.
” Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.” (Ez. 33:7) He prophesied judgment, through Ezekiel, to the people and the leadership, to the sheep and the shepherds. In Chapter 34 God speaks through him to the religious leaders who were accountable for the physical and spiritual well-being of God’s people.
34:1-5 The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. The week you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness, you have ruled them. So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts…”
The Lord said He was against the shepherds who scatter His flock all over the mountains and on every high hill. His sheep are scattered with no one to look for them. He said His sheep have become food for all the wild beasts since there was no shepherd to care for them, but, instead, the shepherds have fed themselves.
Every pastor should remember the words of the Lord, “I am against you,” as they mistreat, abuse, and use his people for their own financial and political gain.
34:1-5 The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. The week you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness, you have ruled them. So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts…”
It is a privilege to serve the people of God and not be taken lightly. As ministers of the gospel, we had better not scatter the people of God so that they become prey to the wicked one. We are meant to be servants, not the served. We are to care for the sheep, not to fleece them. Most pastors imagine themselves as “Jesus” standing up to the Pharisees in the Temple, when, in actuality, they are more likely one of the Pharisees that Jesus is telling, “Woe to you, hypocrite”.
We are called to heal, bind up, bring back and seek out the people of God. But instead, we have ruled with force and harshness. This causing them to scatter and become prey for Satan.
7 “Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: As I live, declares the Lord God, surely because my sheep have become prey, and my sheep have become food for all the wild beasts since there was no shepherd, and because my shepherds have not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves, and have not fed my sheep, therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: Thus says the Lord God, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.”
And what was God’s solution to this wrong being committed by leadership?
“For thus says the Lord God: I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out.” (34:11)
“I myself will be the Shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God.”
That is why Jesus came; to seek out the lost sheep of Israel. To do what couldn’t be done by wicked man. Just like Jesus is the second Adam, he is also the Good Shepherd. He did what non of us could do. But the warning against the self-appointed shepherds is still the same today, just read Acts 20:28.
Remember, even when we have no shepherd, we have the good shepherd. The good shepherd will feed us. The good shepherd will look for us. The good shepherd knows our name and he calls us to follow him.
Sunday, April 11th, Church Service
We will be meeting in the fellowship hall on Sunday morning @ 11:00 am. However, the fellowship hall does not have water. The restoration company is working on the main church building and we will not have access to the sanctuary.
Please note this when you come. Since we are only going to be meeting for an hour or less. I hope this will not be a major inconvenience.
I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.
Pastor James
Warnock vs. Jeffers: Dumb and Dumber
We all tend to say some very stupid things. We have all done it at various times. One time, I heard a person say to another, “Please stop saying stupid things”. Did this help? I do not know.
Both Warnock and Jeffers have said and written some stupid things they both probably wished they had not. Jeffers said that he did not want Jesus for President. He probably wished he could get that one back. Warnock said that Easter was bigger than Jesus and that we could save ourselves. I guess he wishes he could have that one back too.
Both of these statements are wrong. Both are heretical. Both men should repent of their sinful statements. However, one might have said something stupid. The other might have confessed their unbelief in Jesus as the Savior of the world. Either way, they are not helpful to the cause of Christ.
1 Corinthians tells us that love suffers long and is kind. We all need to be kind to one another; It might show the love of God to someone who needs it. The Bible tells us that when we sin against the brethren and wound their weak conscience, we sin against Christ.
“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers a multitude of sins.” (Prov 10:12)
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.” (1Peter 4:8)
Another Gospel
Galatians 1:6-8
I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you, in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but some pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.
Paul warns the churches in Galatia about false gospels. Here are three wrong teachings that seem to pervade today’s churches. Be careful of :
Salvation by works, not faith.
Paul warns the Galatians, “Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?” (Gal. 3:3) As you spend time with Him, he changes you by the power of the Holy Spirit. The changes come at His timing and His will. We believe first, repent of our sins and put our faith in Jesus, then He saves us, then His Spirit changes us, but we will never be perfect until we “see Him face to face” in Heaven. Our good deeds are a product of knowing Him. They do not save us because they are “as filthy rags to the Lord.” The Fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control) is not something you do, it is a by-product of who you are connected to, The Lord.
We can not save ourselves. Jesus does not provide a way for self-salvation. Do not ever believe this false teaching no matter who says it.
Teachings that demote Christ to the level of man.
I remember Kenneth Copeland saying that Jesus was “just a man full of the Holy Spirit” and that any man with enough faith could have died for the world’s sin. ( I know, Shock face!) This teaching is more prevalent than you realize. Jesus was not “just a man full of the Holy Spirit.” He is the Son of God, sinless and holy with no beginning and no end, fully God and fully man.
The gospel message should not promote man to the level of Christ.
Though we are grafted into the vine and joint-heirs with Christ Jesus through His death and resurrection, we are not the Godhead. We were created by Him and for Him. We are the clay and He is the potter. He gives us standing and a title that we have never earned. Any Biblical interpretations that speak of God as “replicating Himself throughout the world”, or Jesus “creating little Jesus’ through disciple-making” is heretical. He created a way for us to be reconciled back to Him and it is our job and honor to forever worship and serve Him.
Easter Service
Looking forward to seeing everyone on Easter Sunday @ 11:00 am @ Dickson Baptist Church.
Pastor James
The Greatest Conspiracy
The resurrection of Jesus Christ was considered a conspiracy.
The Pharisees said Jesus’ disciples had stolen his body.
In his dialogue with a nonbelieving Jew, Justin Martyr (AD 100–165) also refers to these early attempts to explain away the empty tomb of Jesus: “Yet you not only have not repented, after you learned that He rose from the dead, but, as I said before you have sent chosen and ordained men throughout all the world to proclaim that a godless and lawless heresy had sprung from one Jesus, a Galilean deceiver, whom we crucified, but his disciples stole him by night from the tomb, where he was laid when unfastened from the cross, and now deceive men by asserting that he has risen from the dead and ascended to heaven.”
When people call every thing they disagree with a “conspiracy theory” it usually means it is just easier to believe the majority opinion than to stand against the crushing weight of political, satanic power. Be careful of taking the path of least resistance to ease your life’s journey. Remember, this world is not our home. They hated our Master so they will hate us more, and like Moses, we need to reject the treasures of this world, and the favor of this world and all that is offered to us in exchange for our soul. The disciples gave their lives for a “conspiracy” that the world tried to stamp out, but that fire went on to change the course of history and grant eternal life to all who believe.
EASTER SUNDAY: April 4th, We Will Meet in the Dickson Sanctuary @ 11:00
Matthew 20:17-19
17 Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, 18 “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day, he will be raised to life!”
What is a "Son of Peace" (Luke 10:6)
The word “peace” is a well-known one among 1st century Jews. The Old Testament context for this kind of language runs deep and wide across the revelation given to our fathers by the prophets. The Hebrew “Shalom” is a word of blessing. The supreme blessing is reconciliation with the LORD. This is seen clearly in the famous Aaronic blessing.
Num. 6:24 The LORD bless you and keep you;
25 the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
26 the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
There is no greater blessing than to be at peace with God. The people of Israel longed for the day that this great benediction would be fulfilled in their coming Messiah. The covenant of peace the Messiah brings shall endure forever (Isa. 54:10). Peter taught Cornelius that God sent this word to Israel, “preaching the good news of peace through Jesus Christ” ( Acts 10:36). Paul taught that through faith in Christ “we have peace with God” (Rom. 5:1). A “son of peace” is a reference to someone to whom the “peace” of the Lord Jesus belongs (Luke 10:6). The phrase “son of peace” is a description of someone who, upon hearing the gospel preached, receives the gospel, and thus “peace” belongs to them and they are reconciled back to God. They are no longer “at war” with their Creator, but are at peace with Him through the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
Gathered Church Cancelled on March 28th - Palm Sunday
After assessing the church building situation due to the recent water damage, we have come to the conclusion that the building is not able to be occupied at this time due to the restoration work being performed.
While we hope that we will be able to use the church building for Easter, this decision has not been made. I will send out a message post next week to let everyone know.
I hope everyone is doing well and that you are in good health. May the Lord bless each and everyone of you. May the Lord grant you peace.
In Christ,
Pastor James
March 21st and March 28th
Jack will be at the church from 11:00 am to 11:30 am on March 21st for anyone that would like to financially contribute to the church. Thank you for your support.
Also, March 28th, we will be resuming our regularly scheduled services. It will start at 10:00 am with Sunday school. Jeana is planning to teach the women’s class. Jack will teach the adult class and I will teach the youth.
We will have Sunday School in the sanctuary. We will break off in groups.
I look forward to seeing everyone of you next week for Palm Sunday.
Blessings in the Lord,
Pastor James
Service - Sunday, February 28th
We are planning to have a service next Sunday, February 28th @ 11:00 am. If you would like to financially support the church, Jack or myself will be at the Dickson, Sunday, February 21st, or tomorrow between 11:00 am to 11:30 am.
Also, several water pipes burst at the church on Saturday afternoon. There was a burst in the hallway in front of the men’s bathroom. Also, there were several burst pipes in the education building. I would like to thank Peggy for giving notice of the massive leak. Also, I would like to thank the men of the church who help clean up the mess.
We still have a long way to go in cleaning up the church. However, I believe we will have the church in order for our service next week. We probably will not have water. Therefore, the bathrooms will not be available. This will not be the first time we did not have bathrooms.
We have talked about a workday at the church for several years. It looks like now is the right time.
Also, from the report from Bennie, the Falls Creek cabin is just fine. No problems to report related to the cabin. Apparently, it made it through the storm just fine.
Thank you for all you do. May God bless you and yours. I look forward to seeing everyone next Sunday.
In Christ,
Pastor James
February 7, 2021
Jack will be at Church on Sunday, February 7 to collect any offering from 11:00 am to 11:30 am. Thank you for all your support.
We are planning to have our next service on the last Sunday of February. We are assessing the current COVID situation. We will provide an update if anything changes. We pray that everyone stays healthy and safe.
Thank you for all you do.
Pastor James
Service - Sunday, January 24th, 2021
Looking forward to seeing everyone who is able to attend tomorrow at Dickson @ 11:00 am.
See you then,
Pastor James
Sunday, January 17th
Jack will be at the Dickson on January 17th from 11;00 am to 11:30 am for anyone who would like give their offering. Thank you for all your financial support.
We will have has a service on January 24th @ 11:00 am. I look forward to seeing everyone who will be able to attend.
Thanks for all that you do.
Pastor James
Christmas Church Service - December 20th, 2020
Dickson Baptist is planning to have a Sunday Morning Service on December 20, 2020, @ 11:00 am.
This will be our Christmas Service. The service will last around 30 to 45 minutes. We will try to limit our time due to COVID.
We will not be passing out a bulletin. We will ask everyone to not stand at the entryway. We ask everyone to find your social distance pew as quickly as possible. As usual, we will not be greeting one another.
We will not have a Christmas Eve Service as this Sunday Morning Service will be the replacement of the Christmas Eve service.
As always, please follow us on our Facebook page - Dickson Baptist Church.
In Christ,
Pastor James