Baden Methodist Church

06/02/2026

Please reflect and leave your thoughts and comments.
May you experience God's blessing today and every day.

06/01/2026

SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT HYPOCRISY

One of the more damning indictments against a person professing faith in Jesus is the accusation of hypocrisy. The word “hypocrisy” comes from the ancient Greek word “hypokrisis”—which literally translates to “acting on a stage” or “playing a part.” The original word was ascribed to stage actors who put on a costume and played their role—often with such conviction that they helped the audience emotionally engage with the unfolding play. However, once the curtain falls, the actor is the same person they were before they donned the costume.

When people profess Christ, but simply “play the role, it can have a devastating effect. In the fifth chapter of Acts, we read the story of Ananias and Sapphira, a husband and wife who tried to play the part of being generous in their faith but were actually “playing the part” when they lied about something they did in Jesus’ name. Peter called out their duplicity and told them they lied to the Holy Spirit:

“When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.” (Acts 5:5-6)

This was the first church funeral and, to be honest, it was a bit spare. There was no liturgy, flowers, music, eulogy, or even a sermon—just a quick burial. Ananias died for the sin of hypocrisy. Three hours later, his wife died for the same thing.

The story of Ananias and Sapphira is a cautionary tale. Their hypocrisy ended up being deadly to their soul and body. It was also an important moment in the formation of the early church. The call to follow Jesus is not a costume we put on to play a part when the lights are on—it’s a reorientation of our life, being following Jesus as Savior and obeying Jesus as Lord.

Hypocrisy can not only have an eternal impact on our lives, it can also hurt others. The world is watching the way we live, and our unchecked hypocrisy can make it difficult for a person who lives far away from God to be open to crossing the line of faith.

Don’t just play the part, my friends. Live the life! People are watching!

Bishop Jeff Greenway

05/31/2026

Please reflect on these words as we prepare ourselves for worship. Join us for worship at 10:30 am. All are welcome!

05/30/2026

Here is the bulletin for Sunday, May 31, 2026.

https://indd.adobe.com/view/c7b5d00b-a90b-41ba-ac39-8a66a0a1a74c

We want you to know Jesus Love You.

05/28/2026

Take a moment to read this and be encouraged by God’s faithfulness…

SOME THOUGHTS ON GOD’S FAITHFULNESS

In the second book of Samuel, chapter 7, the people had firmly established David as king in Jerusalem, and he built himself a very nice home. But then he felt some conviction:

“Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent” (2 Samuel 7:2).

He wanted to build a house for God. David’s desire pleased God, who responded with this promise:

“The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you” (2 Samuel 7:11).

Sadly, things didn’t turn out the way David thought they would. In 586 B.C., the Babylonians destroyed the city of Jerusalem, blinded the king—David’s distant son—and took him back to Babylon. This appeared to be the end of David’s dynasty and was a terrible shock to everyone who had believed God’s promise.

Centuries later, however, Mary gave birth to Jesus, the son of David (Matthew 1:1). The angel said to Mary, “The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David...his kingdom will never end” (Luke 1:31-33). So when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, the people shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David" (Matthew 21:9), and "Blessed is the king of Israel!" (John 12:13). God was fulfilling His promise to David.

David wanted to build a physical house for God, but God would build David an everlasting household. What God’s people didn't know and couldn't understand was that David’s messianic Son had been ruling from heaven’s throne since before the beginning of time. From a human perspective, the collapse of David’s dynasty was a theological disaster. But from heaven’s perspective, this was no problem at all. David’s Son was the eternal king of heaven and earth—He just hadn’t been born yet.

The promises of God find their ultimate fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20). God gave David an everlasting dynasty through his great-great-grandson, Jesus Christ. And when Jesus returns, His kingdom will surpass David’s kingdom in every possible way, and it will never end. God always keeps His promises, even when they seem to fail.

Trust in God’s faithfulness, my friends!

Bishop Jeff Greenway

05/27/2026

Please watch Sunday's Worship Service, "What Makes It Work?"

What makes the church work? Come along today for worship as Pastor Jim digs into the Scriptures and teaches what our LORD God says about building. Welcome to...