February 2014 SLCC Newsletter

The
SOUTH LOUISVILLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
FEBRUARY 2014 – EDITION SIX, ISSUE TWO
E-NEWSLETTER
A Christian Church for South Louisville
Over the next few months there will be an
unprecedented number of new faith-based
movies released, due in part to the great
success of the History Channel mini-series
“The Bible.” Christians continually complain
about the quality of the movies these days,
but if faith-based movies do not do well at
the box office Hollywood will not make
more, and vise-versa! Realistically, movie
producers have not suddenly been converted
to Christianity, but they have discovered that
many more Christians watch movies than
they realized! Each episode of “The Bible”
was viewed by 10-13 million people! Watch
for these new movies this year:
Gimme Shelter – now in theaters. The
true story of teenage mother who wants to
keep her baby, helped by a Christian shelter.
Son of God – A film about Jesus’ life that
should attract church-going Americans. This
one may be the box office barometer for the
other movies! Premieres February 28th.
Noah – The cast includes Russell Crowe, as
Noah, as well as Anthony Hopkins, Jennifer
Connelly and Emma Watson.
Heaven Is For Real – Based on the New
York Times bestselling book by the same
name and stars Greg Kinnear, Kelly Reilley
and Thomas Haden Church. This is the true
story of a little boy’s life-after-death
experience, to be released just before Easter.
This Month’s
Events
Put Up, or
Shut Up!
 February 7, 6 – 9 PM –
“Jr./Sr. High Guy” Event
 February 8 & 22 – Food
Distribution
 February 15, 9 AM – Day of
Service
 February 15 – 5:30 PM –
Couples Movie Night
 February 28, 6 PM – “Meet
The Parents” Event
By: Joe Douthitt
Exodus – Christian Bale will star as
Moses, and Sigourney Weaver will costar.
Mary, Mother of Christ – The
long-awaited follow-up to “The
Passion of The Christ” is scheduled to
arrive in theaters before Christmas,
after many delays. The cast includes
the late Peter O-Toole, Ben Kingsley,
Julie Ormond, and a 16-year-old
Israeli newcomer, Odeya Rush as
Mary.
The real question is not whether or
not Christians will watch faith-based
movies, but will they pay to watch
them? Here’s hoping Christians will
put their money where their mouths
are and buy movie tickets that will
encourage Hollywood to continue
making quality, faith-based movies
and not just more movies about
zombies, werewolves, and vampires!
.

South Louisville Christian Church
3845 Southern Pkwy.
Louisville, KY 40214
www.southlouisvillechristianchurch.com
A Gospel Minister and His Work
By: Jason Horn
A gospel minister is a Christian who has taken up a
special, public duty of service in the church characterized by
preaching, teaching, evangelizing, mentoring and nurturing
faith in the lives of others for the glory of God. Before he can
render such service he must first have himself a deep
commitment to personal holiness. He must have a calling for
the ministry.
For those who have watched the minister only from the
pew, they would not know what all is involved in the life of a
minister and his work. We have all been to weddings, funerals
and fellowshipped occasionally with the Christian minister…but
what does it really mean to be a minister and what does God’s
Word say concerning the Gospel minister and his work?
There is an absence of a detailed account of the
organization and practical working of the Church of the first
century, which leaves us in some uncertainty as to the functions,
and positions of evangelists, elders, deacons, etc. On the other
hand, there is enough information given specifically and by
implication that we are caused to question some of our old
established beliefs and practices. This is certainly true when it
comes to a study in the life and work of the “evangelist” seen
the New Testament or what we sometimes refer to today as the
“gospel minister.”
We are a chosen race. “But you are a chosen race, a
royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own
possession, that you may proclaim excellencies of Him who
called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter
2:9). The idea that all God’s people are called to be “priests”
has been debated for many years. In the 1500s Martin Luther
introduced an idea into Christendom, proclaiming the idea of a
“universal priesthood of believers,” while not using that exact
phrase, he ordered to dismiss the medieval view that Christians
in the present life were to be divided into two classes: "spiritual"
and "temporal." He put forward the doctrine that all baptized
Christians are "priests" and "spiritual" in the sight of God.
Martin Luther did not get this idea from an inner epiphany but
from the Word. Not only does 1 Peter 2:9 tell us we are priests,
but there are other places in Scripture that give us this
knowledge: Exodus 19:5-6, “…you shall be a kingdom of
priests and a holy nation”; 1 Peter 2:4-8 “…chosen and
precious…a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood”;
Revelation 1:4-6, 5:6-10 “…made us a kingdom of priests to
His God and Father; …you have made them a kingdom of
priests to our God”. Do not take the word of Martin Luther,
take the Word of God, over and over again we are called His
kingdom of priests. What does this calling mean to us? What is
a priest in the eyes of our Lord? For starters, it means we are
called to Christian service. To serve in the name of the Father,
to show His grace and character to all those lost and found.
Throughout the book of Hebrews, the writer encourages that
Christ is greater than any angel, priest, or old covenant
institution; that each reader, rather than leaving such a great
salvation, is summoned to hold on by faith to the true rest found
in Christ and to encourage others in the church to persevere.
Hebrew’s author goes on to offer us an example of a priest that
we can follow and mimic, that is the person of Jesus Christ, we
find this in Hebrews 1:3, 2:10-18, 4:15-16 and 9:11-10:19. God
has called us to be priests and has given us the perfect role
model and mentor in Jesus Christ.
We are called to be priests. A foundation of believers
built from character, with service to others, love for others,
sacrifice, submission and to attend to the needs of our family and
flock, all with the purpose of Glory unto God. A holy building
made of “priests” with Jesus as the Cornerstone and High Priest.
We are called to proclaim the gospel. Speaking words can stir up
a riot or start a revival. Words by a comic in a cocktail lounge can
get an audience roaring with laughter. Words by a minister in a
chapel can bring worshippers face to face with God. The words of
John the Baptist brought “many of the people of Israel…back to
the Lord their God” (Luke 1:16). The words of Peter were given
that men “might hear from (his) lips the message of the gospel and
believe” (Acts 15:7). The words of Paul enabled men “to come to
knowledge and truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). In preaching, God reveals
himself.
Words have power. The words of sermons can disturb a
conscience, kindle a mind, strengthen a will and transform a life.
Preaching has the awesome power to confront, convict and convert
a hearer, for the words are used by God. Sermons confront
intellects to inform and convince. They address emotions to
stimulate, inspire and persuade. They speak to the will, exhorting,
challenging and appealing. The Scriptures remind us that “the
Word of faith can only come to they (who) hear…someone
preaching to them…(for) faith comes from hearing the message”
(Romans 10:8,14, 17). Wherever the gospel was preached, “many
who heard the message believed” (Acts 8:12). It was that way in
Iconium, as Paul and Barnabas “spoke so effectively that a great
number of Jews and Gentiles believed” (Acts 14:1). The cause
and effect order continued in Achaia, where “many of the
Corinthians who heard…believed” (Acts 18:8). In Jesus’ ministry
it was said, “even as he spoke, many put their faith in him” (John
8:30). His prayer was, “I pray also for those who will believe in
me through their message” (John 17:20).
Ministry encompasses a multitude of actions and work. It
is not just preaching but for me it has been the focus of my desire
to work within the church. Preaching is love in action. Because of
love, man’s creator communicated with His creatures. Because of
love, Jesus gathered round Him disciples and taught them.
Because of love, God has given His Spirit and His Word to enable
His messengers to have both the story and the strength to tell it.
Although preaching is central in the work of a gospel
minister, ministers must perform other duties. These duties can
vary depending on the church, its size and its cultural setting.
Ministry put simply is service. Ministry is something that we all
do. The church has in part failed to reach the world because we
have left the ministry to a few people. All should be involved in
ministry. If we want to see the world lead to Christ then every
believer must see himself/ herself as a minister in the great cause
of Christ.
God’s servants in the midst of change, turmoil and
confusion believe that God has called him to the Kingdom to
contribute all he/she can to that kingdom’s work. With childlike
faith, the servant believes, he/she can be used by God to make a
real difference in the world. There are eight basic dreams of the
person with a servant’s heart: 1.The servant’s dream is to be
chosen to serve. 2) The servant’s dream is to use the gifts God has
given him/her. 3) The servant’s dream is to know what is expected
of him/her. 4) The servant’s dream is to involve other people in
this ministry and equip them so the church will be built up. 5) The
servant’s dream is to be more and more like Jesus. 6) The
servant’s dream is to keep dreaming. 7) The servant’s dream is to
fulfill the kingdom of Jesus. Jesus spoke of his kingdom over 80
times. And 8) the servant’s dream is to reproduce the faith of the
first century church for the 21st century.
(Cont. next page)
(Cont. from previous page)
The privilege to minister to others and serious
responsibility is love motivated. In no other world
religion but Christianity does ministry have such a central
role. The religion of Christ is the world’s greatest love
story. Sometimes the telling of God’s love gets
acceptance (Acts 17:11) and at other times rejection (Acts
28:24), even active opposition (Acts 13:50; 18:6). But
always the message in ministry is love in a fire that cannot
be quenched. Ministry should be Christ-centered, peopleconcerned and love-compelled that cannot be stopped.
Love “always perseveres” (1 Corinthians 13:7). Resist
every discouragement. Turn from every side road. Press
on toward the goal. Until Jesus returns and ends “the time
of God’s favor…the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
Until that day, minister and “preach the Word”
(2 Timothy 4:2)!
Jesus calls us to follow him. Jesus called his
disciples and said they would be fishers of men. That is
still the call today. Ministry is for all disciples, some are
paid and some are not. Some are missionaries on foreign
fields and some stay home, but all are to be disciples for
Christ.
Hymn Highlight
By: Carl Henry
All Hail the Power of Jesus Name has been hailed
as the "National Anthem of Christendom." It was
written in 1779 by Rev. Edward Perronet (17261792) The music was composed by Oliver Holden
(1765-1844). The hymn has been translated into
almost every existing language.
Reverend E. P. Scott was a missionary to India in
the 1800s. He was determined to share the Gospel
with a dangerous savage tribe. Heeding the
prompting of the Holy Spirit but against advice of
his fellow missionaries, Scott set out alone to visit a
remote village. Along the way, he was surrounded
by a large group of warriors, each pointing a spear
towards his heart. Expecting to die, Scott decided
to use his last few breaths to glorify God and hoped
in the process to stir something within their hearts.
He took out his violin (which he always carried on
him), closed his eyes, and began to play and sing
All Hail the Power of Jesus Name, in the native
language of the warriors.
After singing the first verse, the second, the third,
and then beginning the fourth, Rev. Scott realized
he was still standing, and that all around him was a
peaceful quiet. Opening his eyes he saw every
spear lowered. There stood those mighty warriors,
with tears in their eyes. Throughout the remainder
of his life, Scott spent much time with this tribe,
sharing the love of God.
From ShareFaith.com, “All Hail the Power of Jesus, the Song and the
Story,” by Connie Ruth Christiansen.
Food Pantry Needs for
February
 Cereal
 Spaghetti
 Macaroni and Cheese
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT we need YOUR
help! Even though we receive some nonperishables from Dare to Care, we don’t
receive everything we need to help the
people who are coming to us! Please give
donations to LaVon Able or the Myers.