"Confessions of a Presbyterianizer"

 

¹⁴When I (Paul) saw that they were not acting in line with the truth

of the gospel, I said to Cephas (Peter) in front of them all,

"You are a Jew,  yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew.

How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?"

 

 ¹⁵"We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles

¹⁶know that a person is not justified by the works of the law,

but by faith in Jesus Christ.  So we, too, have put our faith

in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ

and not by the works of the law, because by the works

of the law no one will be justified." (Galatians 2:14-16)

 

     This spring I was looking for a short book of the Bible that would make for an easy summer sermon series - Galatians I thought. That fits into the summer schedule quite nicely, I thought. I started to study and something happened, I found myself in the text. Perhaps finding yourself in the text seems pretty normal to you. After all, isn't it good to identify with the text? It turns out the answer to that question is yes and no!

     Let's start with the positive aspects of scripture study; the yes! Scripture is the Word of God in written form. We believe that Scripture is inspired by God; through the work of the Holy Spirit. (This truth is Sunday school stuff, especially for Presbyterians, who love scripture so much.) But let's face it, the Bible is a very big book and it is in the act of study, alone, that we learn it, and learn to know God better. That is what is so great about preaching every week; the opportunity is there to dig deeper into God's Word.

     But scripture carries a warning too. In the letter to the Hebrews 4:12 it says, "For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." This sermon series, this letter to the Galatians has pierced my soul; convincing me of one thing, If Peter was a Judaizer. Then I am a Presbyterianizer."

     This brings me to the no portion of that first question. Identifying with the text can be risky. I learned this the first week of our summer series when I revisited the reality that faith is by Grace in Jesus Christ - ALONE. In our text, those who didn't live by Christ alone but who believed that to be a real Christian you needed to practice all of the laws and customs of Judaism were called Judaizers. The consequences of this belief . . . people who were not living in the Jewish way (Gentiles) were not seen as full Christians. As you can imagine, this was beginning to cause a lot of disunity and distrust in the Church.

     If I am completely honest, I have fallen into that trap too. All of my life I have had an "us vs. them" faith mentality. Being Presbyterian was the best understanding of Jesus Christ; I believed. (After all Presbyterian is Greek for elder isn't it?) Don't get me wrong. The Reformed, Presbyterian understanding of Christianity is beautiful. But am I too proud of my PRESBYTERIAN HERITAGE? Am I living too much off of the stories of what my ancestors did; missionaries, elders and ministers galore, and not enough in the light of what Jesus did for me?

     After studying chapter one of Galatians, the question I have to ask myself is, "Do I love the Presbyterian expression of Christianity more than I love Jesus Christ?" Am I excluding Christians or ranking them in my mind because they practice their faith differently or look differently?

     If I am completely honest I have to say yes. Yes, I want them to worship how I want them to worship, believe how I believe, look like me, act like me. Problem is, that is not Jesus' gospel. Problem is, I don't get a say in salvation's definition, because my denomination, my skin color and my theology didn't save me, Jesus Christ's life, death and resurrection did; by his grace alone.

     I hope this hasn't shocked anyone too much. Yes, we will be having a Presbyterian styled service this week in church. We will not be changing our polity either. But the Word of God is alive and active in this place and it has caused me to look at my life and faith anew, confessing to you that, "I am a Presbyterianizer." The question is, "Will I realize the nature of my mistake, as Peter did, and repent?" Repentance meaning of course, "to turn around and go in a different direction?" Will I serve Christ alone - first and foremost? Oh, yes, I think I will, but only by God's grace!

     How about you, "Are you a Presbyterianizer?"

Humbled yet grateful, Ellen

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The flowers in the church sanctuary this Sunday, June 28th are given by Jean Brown to the Glory of God and in loving memory of the wedding anniversary of her parents, Dot and Jim Brown, June 30, 1946. 

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Congratulations and best wishes to Hannah and Adam Jackson who were married on Saturday, June 20th, at Jimmie and Frank Melton's mountain home, "Heaven on the New," in Laurel Springs, N.C. 

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July 3:  Independence Day Holiday, church office closed

 

July 5:  Young Adult Pot Luck at the Paxton's

 

July 11, 9:00 AM:  Men's Prayer Breakfast in the BPC Fellowship Hall

 

July 12, 9:55 AM:  Worship Service with Communion

 

July 18, 10:00 AM:  Charlotte Presbytery meeting at First PC, Rockingham

 

July 19 - 31:  Rev. Ellen Campbell Gardner out of office for vacation

 

July 19 - 25:  Senior High Youth attends Montreat Youth Conference

 

July 20 - 24, 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM:  Girls Scout Day Camp at BPC Facilities

 

July 24 - 25:  Girl Scout sleepover in BPC Fellowship Hall

 

July 27 - 30, 5:30 - 8:00 PM:  BPC & LMCS Vacation Bible School

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Senior Helpers and other sponsors will be presenting a free seminar, "Why Do They Do That? Understanding Symptoms & Behaviors in Dementia." The seminar will be held on Monday, July 13, 2:00 until 5:00 PM in the Hamrick Theatre at CMC Northeast, Concord, NC. Nationally renowned dementia expert Teepa Snow will be presenting a special Alzheimer's and dementia seminar for family members caring for loved ones with dementia. For more information, visit www.regonline.com/concord2015fam or call 704-792-1001.

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Bethpage Church, together with the congregation of Latin Mission Christ Savior, invite all children to gear up at Camp Discovery Vacation Bible School. At Camp Discovery VBS, your children will learn how Jesus works through them in their everyday lives. Discover His plan! Discover His purpose! Campers discover five Bible truths that excite and challenge them. Jesus, their True North, gives them the wisdom and the courage to step out in faith and serve - whether they're at school, playing with friends, or helping out at home. The fun begins Monday, July 27^th and ends on Thursday, July 30^th. The schedule for each night will be - supper beginning at 5:30, followed by the program starting at 6:15 and ending at 8:00 PM. The adventure includes fun songs, crazy crafts, yummy snacks, awesome games, and more!

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Worship Bulletin

Serving Sunday

Lectionary

Church Calendar

6/21/2015 Sermon

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More Info

 

 

OUR ATTENDANCE STEWARDSHIP
6/21/2015 Sunday Morning Worship Service - 88 Sunday School - 39
OUR FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP
	6/21/2015	Year-to-date
General Budget Giving   Weekly Budget Needs	$3,286.00    $4,620.95	$102,506.29   $115,523.75
10¢-A-Meal Offering received for 2015: $1,810.02

            

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Rev. Ellen Campbell Gardner's sermon from Sunday, June 21, 2015.

"Preserving the Gospel - An Elder's High, Holy Calling"  Galatians 2:1-10

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