Brother Jason and Sister Amber Parham are requesting volunteers to sign up for the Hospitality Ministry.  From time to time, there are events where meals are needed, whether it’s the birth of a baby, someone is in the hospital or a time of death.  It is during these times that we demonstrate our love for one another and provide meals and loving care for those in need.  If you are willing to help with this ministry, please add your name to the sign-up sheet on the back table in the sanctuary or speak with the Parhams.  They will greatly appreciate your help!

Pastor

Is Your Ear Pierced?

Exodus 21:1-6

Intro: There’s a lot of body piercing places around town.  You can get your body pierced just about anywhere, and tattoos as well if that’s what you want.  Of course a Spirit-filled child of God wouldn’t dream of it but it is available for the unbelievers and ignorant believers.

This passage deals with a lot more than a body piercing that was done out of peer pressure, some perverted craving for pain or desire for acceptance.

This was a serious event in someone’s life.  Let’s look at it and I want to know tonight, “Is YOUR Ear Pierced??”

I. A Purchased Destiny – vs. 2 If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve:

• 1 Cor. 6:20  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
• 1 Cor. 7:23  Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

II. A Personal Decision – vs. 2b and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing

            Rom. 12:1 – Present your bodies a living sacrifice.

            Nobody can make you serve him; you can go out free if you want to

III. A Plain Declaration – vs. 5 And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free

            It’s not complicated; it all boils down to LOVE.

1. Love for His Fellowship – being with the Master; near Him and His work
2. Love for His Family – doing what’s best for your family
3. Love for His Furnishings – there’s no other place to serve with these benefits!

IV. A Public Display – vs. 6a Then his master shall bring him unto the judges;

• The word “judges” in this verse is the Hebrew word, elohiym, which is translated 2,346 times “God”.  Here it is translated “judges” because when you make a commitment to God to serve Him, others will be able to see it!

V. A Permanent Distinction – vs. 6b Then he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.

            There will be a noticeable, distinction marking you as a servant of God.

            There will be a noticeable, distinction marking your place of service! (mark on the door of the Master’s house)

Conclusion:

• Are you serving the Lord?
• Do you love Him enough to give your life for Him? 
• Do those around you know it? 
• Have you allowed Him to make that noticeable distinction in your life? 
• Have you left your “mark” on the door of your Master’s house??

Take advantage of this great opportunity and get in on the classes. They are guaranteed to change your life.

We had a good number of men and boys out last night for soulwinning.  Praise the Lord for those that promised to come.  Don’t forget – Operation Saturation tomorrow at 2 PM.  We’ve got plenty of places to go, so bring the family and let’s get the seed out of the barn!!

Oh, by the way… The missionary family that was here Wednesday night, the Truels to Dominican Republic, welcome as many as wants to go with me on the missions trip later this year.  We’re still working on the dates, but it looks like it might be in November.  You’ll need a passport, so go ahead and get that while we’re waiting on the details.  You will need about $600 to cover airfare and meals, etc, so go ahead and gets started on that too.  I’m talking with the Truel’s pastor, Brother Stephen Williamson about when he’s going, because he’s the one that asked me to go.  Many of the church folk came to me after the service expressing a desire to go, so I’ll let you know when we’re going as soon as I get the info from him.  The passport can take a while, so don’t procrastinate. 

Go to http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html to find out how to get started. 

Pastor

As always, we will be setting up camp in the afternoon of October the 29th and staying until somebody cries UNCLE and heads for the safety and comfort of home with the women-folk!

Plan on a great time of : (drumroll)

1. helping each other try and figure out how to put up that blasted tent

2. watching Pastor split firewood while everybody else watches Pastor split firewood

3. constantly scolding some guy’s neglected, unsupervised brat for playing in the fire

4. trying to cook your own meal with homeless, hungry, irresponsible men hovering around, eating off of your plate while pretending to “help you get it just right”

5. shooting all varieties of firearms into the woods, praying we don’t kill one of Stewart Jordan’s cows

6. riding all over creation on somebody else’s four-wheeler or dirt bike, praying they thought to fill it up with gas so you could ride it more than them

7. having a time of spiritual renewal and revival around the campfire, or at least getting a verse to “meditate” on all night, since you know you won’t be sleeping

8. trying to sleep on the ground, in a sleeping bag that is too small and too thin, with everybody around you talking and laughing, making you look like a wimp for going to bed before sun-up

9. cooking breakfast over a cold fire after getting about 3 hours of repeatedly interrupted “sleep”

10. trying to get that blasted tent back in the box it came in and finding all of your kid’s clothes and camping stuff that is strewed all over the field and woods

11. driving away exhausted, dirty and starving, but already planning next year’s Father-Son Campout, thanking God for a Pastor with such a great vision and such wonderful, bonding, crucifying-of-the-flesh ideas!

We look forward to seeing you there!  This event is a total blast and is a great event for members and non-members.  If you know a family that is lost or not in church, by all means invite them to come.  If they can survive our Campout, they might actually make it here at Pleasant View Baptist Church!!

I’m thrilled to host  our first Staff Retreat.  We are looking forward to being together in an environment free from the pressures and stress of the day-to-day ministry.  It is my desire to simply show my appreciation to our wonderful staff members and let them know how grateful I am to have the privilege to labor alongside of them here at Pleasant View. 

For the most part, we will be relaxing and just “going with the flow”.  However, there are a few scheduled events that we will be doing together, and we welcome you to join us.

Thursday

Departure from the church – Thursday, September 30^th – 8:00 AM

Check-in at Spirit of the Smokies Lodge – between 3 and 4

Supper at The Apple Barn – 6:00 PM

• Apple Valley Road off U.S. 441 at Traffic Light 12.6 
• Ph. 865-428-1222 
• http://www.applewoodfarmhouserestaurant.com/home.html

Friday

Devotion/Ministry Challenge by Pastor – Friday morning October 1, 10 AM

(Conference room at the Lodge)

Breakfast/Lunch at the Cracker Barrel nearest the Lodge immediately following the Devotion.

The time in Pigeon Forge will be a time of relaxation and fellowship.  We look forward to spending this time with you.  If you have any questions, please feel free to call Bro. John Porter, Event Coordinator at 803-840-4916

Thanks!

Pastor Shiflett

Pastor

Dying Like A Fool

2 Samuel 3:33  And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?

Introduction:  This has always been a puzzling verse to me.  After reading the life of Abner, I found out some very interesting things.

Taking the meaning of his name, and the situation surrounding the end of his life and his death, we are going to make an application and use Abner as the type of a believer, more specifically, a new convert.  Notice the similarities as we make this analogy.

            A. Abner’s Condition– I Samuel 17:55 – he is servant to the enemy of David; (a sinner)

            B. Abner’s Confrontation– I Samuel 26:14 – here he is told by David that he deserved to die

            C. Abner’s Conviction – II Sam. 3:7-11 – this would be his ‘conversion’ ; a change of heart

                        1. Of Ishbosheth’s Desire – II Sam. 3:7 – realized his master was cruel and hurtful

                        2. Of God’s Desire – II Sam. 3:9 – he knew God’s will all along; been fighting God’s will

            D. Abner’s Covenant – II Sam. 3:21 that they might make a league with thee

            E. Abner’s Communion – II Sam. 3:20 a great feast

            F. Abner’s Carelessness  – II Sam. 3:27 his fatal mistake – he was “saved” for less than a day!

David said of Abner’s death, Died Abner as a fool dieth?

Fool – Hebrew ‘nabal’ means stupid, foolish, senseless : Abner – my father is a lamp; enlightened

Contrast Abner, which means ‘the enlightened’ with Abner; the ‘fool’.

Why Abner died like a fool. (a picture of a new convert that falls to Satan’s devices)

I. He was Foolish in his Demeanor – vs. 21

            A. He was Proud

vs. 10 – to translate the kingdom…. to set up a throne of David

vs. 12 – make a league with me???  What about can I make a league with you??

vs. 12 – and my hand shall be with thee to bring about all Israel unto thee

            B. He was Pushy – vs. 17, 18 – communication with the elders of Israel – instead of David

He was a new convert; trying to be the leader and tell everybody what to do instead of LEARN!

             C. He was Presumptuous – vs. 21 – I will arise and go and gather all of Israel

He failed to realize that he needed David A LOT worse than David needed him!

He was like a lot of people; more concerned about RESULTS than with RELATIONSHIP.

II. He was Foolish in his Departure – vs. 21 he left in ‘peace’

            A. Notice the Problem of his Departure

He had left Ishbosheth, and had pledged his commitment to David. His place was with David! (notice vs. 10) 

He demonstrated a commitment to the kingdom, but not to the KING!

Application:  Just as Peter answered the Lord, Where will we go?, we should realize that we need to stay with God.  Will ye also go away?  I’m determined to stay!  I need God!!

We can blame David for sending him away, but Naomi also tried to send Ruth away, but she refused.

• Ruth 1:16  And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

She was committed to Naomi and she had no place else to go.

Elijah tried to send Elisha away 3 or 4 times in II Kings 2, but he refused to leave him.

Abner wasn’t committed to David because he left.  He had his 20 friends, and figured he didn’t need David.  He was mistaken!! There is no peace apart from God!

If you are going to attempt something for the king – TAKE HIM WITH YOU!!!

            B. Notice the Place of his Departure – vs. 20

He should have known where he belonged, considering his circumstances and his vulnerability.

In Joshua 20:7, Hebron was a city of refuge. Hebron also means “fellowship”.  The safest place Abner could have found was Hebron, and he left!

Application: He left the security of other believers. (type of the church).  When you get saved, stay in the fellowship!!!  Don’t leave.  Don’t wander off!  Don’t look around.  God put you there, now stay!

            C. Notice the Path of his Departure – vs. 26

By the way, the well of Sirah means : ” the turning”.

It comes from the Hebrew word CUWR (pronounced soor – it means: to cause to turn aside, cause to depart, remove, take away, put away, depose  

It makes interesting consideration when you realize that the well of Sirah was only 2 ½ miles from Hebron.  They departed in vs. 21, and by the time Joab had returned, delivered all the spoil, had an audience with David, made his plans and sent his messengers, Abner and his men were only 2 ½ miles away!  They had no purpose, no concern, no awareness of the impending danger.  Taking it easy, relaxing, enjoying the rewards of their ‘feast’ with David and their new found ‘treaty’.

He left the SUPPER with the king and ended up drinking out of the SEWER of the world!!

He had just left a feast; why was he even at the well in the first place?  Didn’t they have canteens?

III. He was Foolish in his Discernment – vs. 26

            A. His Discernment of People

He failed to recognize the enemy. He felt safe and secure and was not in the least concerned about his welfare.  When we saw these men, he trusted them and believed them.  He was gullible, and showed a huge lack of discernment, considering his former position as a captain of Saul’s army.  Here he is acting like a complete idiot. He didn’t question anybody or double check anything.  He just went.

• Psalms 55:21  The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.

Application:  Abner made the fatal mistake of trusting Joab because they were both on the same team!  Just because somebody says they love God and serve God and are a Christian, that doesn’t mean they are concerned for your well being!  They may have deadly intentions.  BEWARE!!

            B. His Discernment of his Past – vs. 27

He apparently forgot his previous trouble with Joab.  In II Sam. 2:22, he realized that when he killed Asahel, he would never be able to face Joab again.  But for some reason, he didn’t fear Joab anymore.  He failed to realize that because of his past, he was vulnerable and couldn’t be around certain people and go certain places.  Just because he had made an agreement with David, that didn’t erase his past!!

Application: Just because you’re saved doesn’t mean that you can do what you want to and go where you want to and hang around anybody you want to.  Your past makes you vulnerable!! If you had trouble with booze, stay away from it!  If you had problems with lusts, stay away from anything that will feed that lust! Beware!!! 

            C. His Discernment of his Position – vs. 27  he was INCHES away from safety when he died

You don’t walk up to your worst enemy and share secrets in the gate of the city of refuge!!  He failed to realize his vulnerability.  He wasn’t prepared for Joab’s knife.  So close, but so far away.  No armor, no discernment, no caution, no protection.  He had walked away from all the protection a person could desire, but it did him no good.

Application:  Satan is out to destroy you.  No doubt about it.  If you don’t wake up, and realize the seriousness of the situation, you will die as a fool dieth!

Conclusion:  David wept and lamented Abner’s foolishness.  Then he further elaborated on why it was so foolish!  It had been his own choice!  Nobody was to blame but himself.  He was a fool.

• 2 Samuel 3:34  Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him.

Will the people of God weep over your foolish decision?  Will you die like a fool?

Getting ready for tomorrow, and expecting God to do great things. This month of prayer and fasting has opened the eyes of many of our folk to the undeniable fact that this power cometh only by prayer and fasting.  God’s done amazing things, and I’m convinced that many people that have never fasted before on a regular basis will be doing so after this month.   It works.  No doubt about it.

Keep Brother Dave Hughes and Zachary in your prayers.  They are visiting family and friends and witnessing to many on the West Coast over the next 10 days.  They’ve already had the opportunity to witness to several and God really opened doors, so keep praying for them.  I have lost track of how many hours of soulwinning were spent this week at Pleasant View.  The Backers witnessed to a Hispanic woman for 2 hours one night, and several of our men talked to a Catholic man for probably an hour on Thursday morning.  It’s amazing how many people around here are lost!

Let’s pray for many salvations during the next few weeks.  Let’s keep the MAIN THING THE MAIN THING!!

Pastor

PS. When you read something in all caps, thats not me hollering – that’s me PREACHING!!!

We’re gearing up for the start of our third year in the Institute.  So far, we’ve got about 15 students enrolled in the Fall Semester.  I’m excited about the upcoming classes and the potential that this ministry has to impact the kingdom of God.  I’m also looking forward to diving into the subject of the Local Church this fall.  I will be producing my own curriculum on this topic.  The angle that we will be studying is Paul’s words to Timothy; ” But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” I Tim. 3:15  The behavior of the Layman, the Pastor, the Leaders, the Missionaries, the Evangelist, etc.  The bottom line will be biblical ethics and having a Christlike relationship with the church.  I believe this class could produce enough notes and teaching to one day compile into book form.  I’d love to write a book one day entitled, “Biblical Behavior in the Church”.  Make this a matter of prayer will you?

We had a good time last night on visitation.  The Lord opened the door for the men to talk to several people about the Lord.  I am amazed at how many people do not go to church and live less than 3 miles from here!  It’s unreal.  But God is allowing us to meet these folk and present the gospel and get some seed in the ground, and I’m confident He will honor it.

Here’s a verse to chew on today. I Thess. 5:24 “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” AMEN!!

Pastor

334 Andrew Corley Rd
Lexington, SC 29072

If you have any questions, let me know. 

I’m rejoicing in the great services today.  Great liberty to preach, and it was a joy to welcome Brother and Sister John Porter and their 4 boys, and also Brother Stephen Raub to our church family!  Let’s keep praying and fasting and trusting God to do what He does best!  Oh, by the way, the new bluegrass group is awesome.  I love it!  Ya’ll learn a lot more songs – you are going to need them!

Pastor