Autryville Baptist Church

04/08/2026

Are We All in Agreement?

Romans 7:16

And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.

Thoughts for Today:

I used to serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for a corporation located in California. Whenever the By-Laws of the Company required approval by the Board for a particular action, I would call for a vote during one of its meetings. It went som**hing like this: "May I have a motion to approve so and so?" One of the Directors would make the motion. I would then ask: "May I have a second?" Another Director would second the motion. A vote would be called: "All in favor?" "All opposed?" Provided the motion was responded to favorably, I would conclude: "Motion carried." In other words, we were all in agreement.

In our passage today, Paul tells us we come to agreement with the Law a little differently -- backwards in fact: We approve the goodness of the Law when we do what we don't want to do. It's very odd. We know and understand the Law's rightness in our hearts, and might even have the desire to follow its standards; however, in spite of our best intentions we often times find ourselves doing just the opposite. And every time we fail, the "motion carries" -- so to speak -- and we prove Paul's point.

Questions to Ponder:

Do you "know" right from wrong? Do you always do what you know to be "right"? Why not? Do you understand why? Answer: It is sin living in us. In Romans 3:23, Paul wrote: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." I think this is one of the fundamental problems with the human race. We don't want to admit we sin. Instead we ignore God's Law because the alternative is to face our conviction as sinners before His Holy Court. We make our own rules for living because it is so much easier for us to excuse breaking those rules than God's. It's just another lie we tell ourselves. Will you admit that you are a sinner? If we can come to that fundamental understanding, then the path to Jesus is clear. Are we in agreement? Good! Now will you come to Jesus?

04/08/2026

Romans 10:17 NLT

So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

04/07/2026

Competing For Control

Romans 7:15

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.

Thoughts for Today:

If you will notice, there are a lot of "I"s in our passage today, so let's identify each one. The basic idea is the conflict we all experience between our two natures: the old and the new. The first "I" ("I do not understand what I do") is the old nature when it asserts its demands. The second "I" ("For what I want to do") is the good intention of the new nature. "I do not do" is the old nature's rebellion against the new nature's desire to do what is right. "What I hate to do" is the old nature having its way in the end. Sounds pretty hopeless, doesn't it. Dieters, can you relate? I sure can.

I got up a few mornings ago and climbed on the scale. It was som**hing I have been avoiding for weeks because I knew it was going to report bad news. Sure enough, the bathroom scale confirmed what my pants have been telling me all along: I have now reached the heaviest weight of my life.

I resolved to make some changes: First, I exercise regularly, but I decided to double my routine. Then, I faced what I considered to be the real source of my problem -- eating, or rather over-eating. I told my wife: "No food will cross these lips except vegetables until I am once again below 200 pounds." Then I asked: "Do I look fat?" She didn't really answer the question, instead offering: "You look really strong and very broad." That's wife-talk for "You could lose a few pounds."

The first day I did well, that is until the afternoon when I arrived home from an errand. I wasn't particularly hungry, I just wanted to eat. And the only thing that was going to satisfy my craving was one of those chicken tamales in our refrigerator. My wife asked: "Can I make you a salad?" "No," I answered, "I think I'll have a tamale." True to her nature she didn't criticize or judge. Instead she said: "Then let me make it for you."

I have to admit that tamale tasted really good -- until this morning when I climbed on the scale again. Disappointment set in and I repeated in frustration Paul's words from our passage today: "For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." Confusing isn't it? Sometimes I feel so out of control. Can you relate?

Questions to Ponder:

Dieting may or may not be your particular problem. In fact, some people may even be offended I picked such a silly example (dieting and tamales) to make a serious point about the harmful influence of the sinful nature. But is dieting ridiculous? Doesn't over-eating lead to death just as sin does? We may consider over-eating or smoking ci******es to be suicidal related to the health of our physical bodies, yet how much more so is sin to our spirit nature if left untended? Paul will reveal the answer to our question of frustration with our competing natures in the next several verses -- so stay tuned. Let me give you a hint: His initials are J. C.

04/07/2026

John 5:24 NLT

“I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.

“I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.

04/06/2026

The Problem is Not the Flesh, It is Just Sin

Romans 7:14

We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.

Thoughts for Today:

The phrase from our passage today: "but I am unspiritual", is translated from the original Greek: "but flesh am I". The word "flesh" comes from the Greek word "sarkinos", and it means the meat which covers the bones of our bodies.

Think about it this way, these bodies of ours are neutral and can be used for any purpose, whether evil or good. It would be like an automobile in the hands of NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson versus an underage and inexperienced driver. Or the result of baking a cake by either my nine year old daughter or my wife. The automobile or the cake ingredients may be the same, but who is in control is the determinant of outcome.

So too, our flesh is not the problem, rather it is our sin-provoked nature that drive the negative results in our lives.

Questions to Ponder:

Too many people look at a "thing" as the problem with our lives. It can be a bottle of alcohol, prescription medication, an abusive spouse, loss of a job, or an unpleasant experience from their childhood. It's almost as if we say: "If I could just remove this one thing, then all my problems would be over." But the Bible tells us that is not the case. Our problem is not with things or the flesh; rather it is sin living in us. If one problem is removed, then the next will just come rushing in to fill the void. Who or what is in control of your flesh -- sin or Jesus Christ? Jesus is the only one step program to recovery from whatever problems we may have. Will you accept His healing today? Don't put it off any longer.

04/06/2026

Unmitigated Genius

[ 1 min read ★ ]
. . he will teach you all things—John 14:26

What’s the Holy Spirit like? Well, we know he’s a genius, but not the kind we’re used to. His genius is “not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age” (1 Corinthians 2:6 ). His genius is beyond human discovery. He “searches everything, even the depths of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10). He’s an unmitigated genius. A perfect genius.

We also know, he’s here for us. He was sent by God the Father, at the request of our King, Jesus Christ, to bring truth “out into the open” and “make everything plain”—all to “bring out his best in us” (1 Corinthians 2:6-10; John 14:25-27 MSG). He was sent to take you and me “by the hand” and guide us “into all the truth there is” (John 16:12-15 MSG). Think about that . . . “all the truth there is” . . . suffused into our lives. Well, that’s his mission.

So, the only question is, what do we do? The answer is, not that much, actually. We just give him a chance, by doing the simple things Jesus taught: meditate, pray, study, fast, serve, confess, repent, worship, celebrate. He does everything else. Of course, the more we do, the better—though, even one of those, even imperfectly done, allows the Spirit to introduce some of his genius into our lives. When we fail to do even a little, though, it doesn’t: “The unspiritual self, just as it is by nature, can’t receive the gifts of God’s Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:14-16 MSG).

Okay, so what do we do?

Do som**hing, brother, right now. Even som**hing small. Let’s all do som**hing—and allow the Spirit to inject a bit of his genius into our lives, this day. He’s waiting. He’s right there, right inside your very being, right now . . . excited . . . waiting.

Your brother in Christ,

|| Men Like Us Like Things Like These ||

Stephen McWhirter was 17 when he was first introduced to crystal m**h, and his life quickly spiraled downward. But God didn’t leave him there. He shares his story on Rapt, and says: “Remember, pain and addiction aren’t where it ends. Your story isn’t over either.” Do you believe this?

Have you ever frozen when your kids were hurting and needed you emotionally? There’s a reason for that, and you’re not the only one. This Manhood Journey article explains why dads tend to freeze and how to overcome it.

Working out may not seem like a spiritual habit. But the truth is, God only gave us one body, and he calls us to care for it. It’s not just about working out, though; it’s about guarding against what tries to master us, building discipline through movement and rest, and taking responsibility for our daily choices.

If these words impacted you today, send them on!

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04/06/2026

Matthew 28:19 NLT

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

04/05/2026

Egg hunt after church service...hard to tell who had more fun....the kids or the adults!!!! Come next Sunday as we continue to Worship our Risen Savior Jesus....hope to see you all then.....have a Blessed Easter to you all.

04/05/2026

service

04/05/2026

Matthew 28:6 NLT

He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.

He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.

04/04/2026

Easter begins at 8:00 am tomorrow at Autryville Baptist
8:00 The Son is Risen Service outside
8:30 Breakfast fellowship hall
9:30 Sunday School we have a place for you
10:30 Worship Service sanctuary
Children's Egg Hunt following Service
THIS IS YOUR INVITATION TO JOIN US,,
find JOY
With ABC

04/04/2026

1 John 3:16 NLT

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.