Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church

05/06/2026

10/25/2024

We invite you to be a part of our special weekend. Come and experience a time of fellowship, fun, and community. We can't wait to see you Here!

10/15/2024

“But who may abide the day of his coming?”
—Malachi 3:2

When Jesus came to earth for the first time, it wasn't with a big show of power, but it still had a big impact. Many people, like Herod and others in Jerusalem, were stirred up by news of his birth. Even those who said they were waiting for him ended up rejecting him when he arrived. His life on earth revealed people's true beliefs and intentions.

Now, think about what his second coming will be like. It's hard for sinners to imagine. The Bible says he'll defeat evil with just his words. If his humble presence made soldiers fall back, imagine how powerful he'll be when he returns in all his glory. His death had a huge impact on earth and heaven, so his return will be an even more amazing and powerful event.

I hope the thought of this encourages people to forsake their sins and follow Jesus, so they don't face his anger. He is both gentle and strong, and while he comforts those in need, he will also bring justice to his enemies. No one can hide from his judgment. His followers look forward to his return with joy, knowing they will be safe.

Today, let's examine ourselves and make sure we're truly following Jesus, so we can be confident and unafraid when he comes back. Let's get rid of any hypocrisy and live sincere lives that please him when he returns.

09/13/2024

Luke 15:2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

Observe the condescension of this fact. This Man, who towers above all other men, holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners—this Man receiveth sinners. This Man, who is no other than the eternal God, before whom angels veil their faces—this Man receiveth sinners. It needs an angel’s tongue to describe such a mighty stoop of love. That any of us should be willing to seek after the lost is nothing wonderful—they are of our own race; but that he, the offended God, against whom the transgression has been committed, should take upon himself the form of a servant, and bear the sin of many, and should then be willing to receive the vilest of the vile, this is marvellous.

“This Man receiveth sinners”; not, however, that they may remain sinners, but he receives them that he may pardon their sins, justify their persons, cleanse their hearts by his purifying word, preserve their souls by the indwelling of the Holy Ghost, and enable them to serve him, to show forth his praise, and to have communion with him. Into his heart’s love he receives sinners, takes them from the dunghill, and wears them as jewels in his crown; plucks them as brands from the burning, and preserves them as costly monuments of his mercy. None are so precious in Jesus’ sight as the sinners for whom he died. When Jesus receives sinners, he has not some out-of-doors reception place, no casual ward where he charitably entertains them as men do passing beggars, but he opens the golden gates of his royal heart, and receives the sinner right into himself—yea, he admits the humble penitent into personal union and makes him a member of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. There was never such a reception as this! This fact is still most sure this evening, he is still receiving sinners: would to God sinners would receive him.

09/06/2024

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version, Philippians 2:15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

We use lights to provide visibility. A Christian should shine in their life so brightly that anyone living with them for a week would undeniably recognize the gospel's influence. Their conversations and daily actions should reflect their faith, making it clear whom they serve.

Lights guide those in darkness, and as Christians, we are called to help those around us find the light of truth. By sharing the Word of God and offering guidance, we can direct sinners to the Savior and provide comfort to the weary. We must be ready to explain the teachings of the Bible, the path to salvation, and the importance of living a godly life.

Lights also serve as warnings, helping us avoid danger. As Christians, we should be aware of the many false teachings in the world and be committed to sharing the true light of the gospel to help others navigate life's challenges. By pointing out the consequences of sin and guiding others toward righteousness, we can be a positive influence and help save souls.
Finally, just as lights bring cheer and warmth to a space, Christians should spread kindness, sympathy, and happiness wherever they go, providing comfort and encouragement to those in need.

Pray with me one of the prayers of C. H. Spurgeon in London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1896.

Gracious Spirit dwell with me;
I myself would gracious be,
And with words that help and heal
Would thy life in mine reveal,
And with actions bold and meek
Would for Christ my Saviour speak.

08/22/2024

“I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick of love.”
—Song of Solomon 5:8

This is how a believer feels when they deeply long for closeness with Jesus—they feel like something's missing in their life. Those who truly love Jesus never feel completely at peace unless they're close to him, because when they're not, they lose that sense of calm. The closer they are to Jesus, the closer they are to the perfect peace of heaven; the more they connect with him, the more their hearts are filled with peace, life, energy, and joy—all of which come from constantly interacting with Jesus.

Just like how the sun is crucial to the day, the moon to the night, and dew to a flower, Jesus is essential to us. He is like food to the hungry, clothes to the naked, or the shade of a rock to a tired traveler—that's how important Jesus is to us. So, if we don't feel connected to him, it's no wonder we feel like something's missing.

This deep desire for closeness with Jesus is a blessing, because Jesus himself said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness." It's a sacred feeling to crave that closeness with Jesus. Even if we don't get to be completely fulfilled by having a strong connection with Jesus, it's still a beautiful feeling to have that desire in our hearts.

If we long for Jesus, we will be satisfied—that's a promise. Jesus will fill the emptiness we feel and bring us joy. When he comes to us and answers our prayers, it will be an incredible experience.

08/21/2024

“He that watereth shall be watered also himself.” —Proverbs 11:25

We learn an important lesson here: in order to receive, we must first give; to gather, we must scatter; to find happiness, we must bring happiness to others; and to strengthen our own spirit, we must seek the spiritual well-being of others. When we water others, we are also watering ourselves. How? By using our energy and resources to help others, we discover our potential for creating positive change.

We all possess hidden talents and abilities that only surface when we step out of our comfort zone to face challenges. In trying to console others, we discover our capacity for empathy and compassion. Often, in attempting to teach, we find ourselves learning and growing. While caring for the sick or helping the less fortunate, we realize how little we know and how much we can still learn.

Offering support to others fosters a sense of humility as we discover the presence of grace where we least expect it. We gain insight into divine truth, and our comfort increases as we help others. In giving, we open ourselves to receiving. Give generously, and you will receive abundantly in return.

07/11/2024

🎉🎊 Celebrate with Us! 🎊🎉
Join us for a spectacular Anniversary Celebration at Bethesda Anderson! Experience heartfelt worship, inspiring messages, and the warm embrace of our church family. All are welcome, so spread the word! 🙏🌟

05/15/2024

Recapping chapter three:

In his first epistle, the Apostle John weaves together a powerful message on love, truth, and fellowship. He emphasizes that genuine love is more than just words—it is demonstrated through deeds and truth, rooted in the Gospel. As followers of Christ, our love for God is reflected in our love for one another, and it serves as an assurance of our salvation.

John highlights that while good deeds can be done by anyone, for believers, such actions are born out of our affection for God and our desire to follow Christ's example. Despite our imperfections and occasional failures, God sees our true intentions and knows when we genuinely seek Him. His love and grace transcend our self-condemnation and limited understanding.

Fellowship, derived from the Greek word "koinonia," plays a crucial role in the lives of believers. It represents the communal relationship between Christians and God and is exemplified in the love and unity among believers. John encourages us to embrace this fellowship by allowing our deeds to be our words and our speech to be authentic, grounded in the truth of the Gospel.
In summary, John's message in 1 John calls for a sincere and Gospel-centered love that manifests in our actions, fostering unity among believers and cultivating a deeper relationship with God.