| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “Character and integrity” Our Bible verse for today: “Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies (dedicating all of yourselves, set apart) as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical and intelligent) act of worship. And do not be conformed to this world (any longer with its superficial values and customs), but be transformed and progressively changed (as you mature spiritually) by the renewing of your mind (focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes), so that you may prove (for yourselves) what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect (in His plan and purpose for you.)” Romans 12:1-2 (Amplified Bible) Our thought for today: “Choose your church carefully” This morning I want to return to our discussion from yesterday regarding the fact that we are living in an increasingly post-Christian society. Ours is a society where the majority of the population is not active in a church, and Biblical values are having a smaller impact on our culture than ever before in our history. How do committed Christians protect themselves and their families from being swept up and carried along with those bad cultural influences? The Apostle Paul answers that for us in Romans 12:1-2 (above). I’ve quoted that passage from the Amplified Bible because this translation uses all the English words necessary to capture Paul’s full meaning as originally expressed in Biblical Greek. A truly committed Christian man or woman of character and integrity will be fully surrendered to God, seeing their life as a living sacrifice offered up to God; living a holy life that honors and pleases Him is our ongoing act of worshipping Him; and to do that, we do not conform to the influences of the culture we live in, but we stand firm on Biblical principle, modeling godly values and ethical behaviors. But many Christians today do not live that way. And many churches today do not teach sound Biblical doctrine. Instead, it’s the cotton-candy gospel that is popular. It is light and fluffy and sweet to the taste, but it has no substance and no nutritional value. In such churches the teaching is all happy, happy, joy, joy, and hot-button social issues are studiously avoided. In other churches the Word of God is twisted and perverted to more readily conform to what is culturally acceptable. Entire denominations have given in to the pressures of the culture and have tailored their teaching and the practice of their faith to more easily fit in with cultural expectations. Theirs is a deeply flawed theology and some key doctrines are twisted and perverted. Christian men and women who are determined to maintain godly character and strong integrity will choose their church carefully. No cotton-candy preaching and teaching; no flawed theology and perverted doctrine; no path-of-least-resistance faith practices. In the Bible God said exactly what He meant, and His Word applies to all people, in all places, at all times, without exception. I encourage you to attend church this Sunday. But choose your church carefully. Make sure you are in a church that is fully committed to Biblical truth – without compromise. God bless, Pastor Jim |
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Oak Hill Baptist Church 
Amen.