May 21, 2017
Issue #16
“Where the Message and Mission are Divine”
What is
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Organized 1950
ewsletter
FORGIVENESS ? Pastor Larry J. Mouton, Jr .
Forgiveness in the Bible is a “release” or a “dismissal” of something. The forgiveness we have in Christ involves the release of sinners from God’s just penalty and the complete dismissal of all charges against us (see Romans 8:1). Colossians 1:14 says that in God’s beloved Son “we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” The Amplified Bible translates the last phrase like this: “the forgiveness of our sins [and the cancellation of sins’ penalty].” God’s gracious forgiveness of our sin is to be the measure of our gracious forgiveness of others (Ephesians 4:32). To some people, forgiveness may seem like weakness or letting an undeserving person win, but it has no
connection to weakness or even to emotions. Instead, forgiveness is an act of the will. Forgiveness is not granted because a person deserves to be forgiven. No one deserves to be forgiven. Forgiveness is a deliberate act of love, mercy, and grace. Forgiveness is a decision to not hold something against another person, despite what he or she has done to you.
What is Forgiveness? (continued from page 1)
What is Forgiveness in relation to salvation?
What is Forgiveness of others?
. Forgiveness is an integral part of salvation. When Jesus forgives us, our sins, trespasses, iniquities, and transgressions are erased, wiped off the record. Forgiveness of sin is comparable to financial debt being erased. When Jesus said, “It is finished,” from the cross (John 19:30), He was literally saying, “It is paid in full” (tetelestai in Greek). Jesus took the punishment we deserved, so, when God forgives us of our sins, we are free; we no longer live under that debt. Our sins are wiped out. God will never hold that sin against us (Psalm 103:12).
Forgiveness is also an essential part of the life of believers. Ephesians 4:32 commands, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Similarly, Colossians 3:13 says, “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” The key in both passages is that we are to forgive others as God has forgiven us. Why do we forgive? Because we have been forgiven!
It is impossible to have salvation without forgiveness. Salvation is God’s deliverance from the consequences of sin. God’s salvation in Christ is the ultimate example of forgiveness. Have you accepted forgiveness from God?
The Bible tells us that we are to forgive those who sin against us. We keep no record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5) but forgive as many times as necessary (Matthew 18:21–22). Refusing to forgive a person demonstrates resentment, bitterness, and anger, none of which are the traits of a growing Christian
God promises that when we come to Him confessing our sin and asking for forgiveness, He freely grants it for the sake of Christ (1 John 1:9). Likewise, the forgiveness we extend to others should know no limits (Luke 17:3–4).
Pastor Larry J. Mouton, Jr.
Church Office: 813-236-3611
Comments to:
[email protected]
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Autopsy of a Deceased Church By Deacon Ron Peterson
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My Church has Symptoms of Sickness
The author states that there is no miracle cure for a church that has symptoms of sickness that leads a church to closing its doors. It has to be a cry (fervent and sincere prayer) to God to intervene and to create a willingness on the part of church members to be obedient to God’s guidance. The author estimates in America the health status of churches as 10% healthy, 40% symptoms of sickness, 40% very sick and 10% dying. We will focus on those churches that are in the 40% sick category. One of the sickness might be taking hold includes a pervasive attitude in the church that the best days are in the past. Although numbers are not everything, they can be telling of a potential sickness. If membership has declined over the past 5 years. This is a sign that the church is in the early stages of sickness. The ministries and programs of the church start to shift internally to the members of the church, rather than an outward focus on evangelism. While some new members may be added each year, there is no true sense of discipleship making taking place. In other words there is no effective teaching and training of new members. In fact there is no clear plan for making disciples and teaching them. Many of these churches have a lot of programs and ministries. There is much busyness and activity, but a great deal of it has no meaningful purpose. Most of these activities contribute little or nothing to the making of disciples. The primary reason those programs and ministries continue is simply because “that’s the way we have always done it”. The Great Commission is not the focus (Matthew 28:19-20), its church work, that is, busy work and not the work of the church. The author offers some suggestions on addressing the symptoms of sickness. He emphasizes that these are not quick-fix solutions. Each church is different so the suggestions have to be adjusted to the church’s personality. 1.
Pray that God will open the eyes of the leadership and members for opportunities to reach into the community where the church is located. Jesus told his followers in Jerusalem just before his ascension that they were to be witnesses, Acts 1:8: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon
Church Office: 813-236-3611
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you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” The first mandate is to impact your local community. Take an honest audit of how church members spend their time being involved. In most of these churches, the members are involved in ministries for themselves, often to the exclusion of ministries beyond the church. The church loses outward momentum when the members start forming holy huddles. Take an audit of how the church spends its money. Again as churches become ill, they are more likely to use funds for their own members rather than reaching the community. Balance is the key, and most churches are out of balance. Make specific plans to minister and to evangelize your community. You have done the analysis in steps 1 through 3 above. Now is the time to develop specific and concrete plans to impact the community. The author provides an example; one church leader went to a principal of a nearby public elementary school. He asked the principal what the school needed most. That next summer, over 100 members of the church were painting walls in the school. The community ministries grew from that one commitment. There are many opportunities in the community around New Hope that the church family can make a difference.
Prayerful Commitment 12 Lord, let me see my church with honesty and open eyes. Help me to grasp where we have gotten out of balance with inward and outward ministries. And give our church a vision to make a difference in our community .Even more, God use me to be a catalyst and instrument for the changes that must take place in our church. Many of these suggested steps sound similar to some of the activities that our Shepherd, Pastor Larry J Mouton, Jr. is taking steps to do. Let us all be prayerful and be led by the Holy Spirit to follow our Pastor as he follows Christ. Sincere commitment is needed from all of us. Let us continue to be a beacon of light in the community that God has stationed us in. To God be the Glory!
Comments to:
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a HEART for HEALTH
MAY is
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Deidre Wilson Allen, RN, CCRN, PCRN NHMBC Health Care Ministry Chairman
African-Americans have nearly twice the risk for a firstever stroke than Caucasians and a much higher death rate from stroke, according to the American Heart Association /American Stroke Association. Stroke, is the No.5 cause of death in the U.S. and is a leading cause of disability. Stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so it starts to die. In 2015, stroke claimed the lives of nearly 20,000 African Americans. While stroke can affect anyone at any time, African Americans are at a higher rate. The ASA states that nearly 80% of strokes could be prevented if certain risks factors are controlled. • Making small changes: Eating better: Be sure to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables • Increase activity: At least30 minutes of exercise a day, and more if possible. • Quit smoking: If you smoke. • Reduce blood sugar: Especially if you are a diabetic • Controlling cholesterol: Stay away from high cholesterol foods. • Manage blood pressure: 120/80
To help save lives from stroke, the American Stroke Association encourages everyone to learn the acronym F.A.S.T. to remember stroke symptoms. Together, we can use some BRAIN POWER to raise stroke awareness
Church Office: 813-236-3611
F. A . S . T Face Drooping: Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the mouth lopsided or uneven?
Arm Weakness: Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Speech Difficulty: Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “The sky is blue." Is the sentence repeated correctly?
Time to call 911: If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get them to the hospital immediately.
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NHMBC Youth Ministry & Brotherhood Ministry Sponsor
Mother’s Day Breakfast On Sunday, May 14, 2017, the Youth and Brotherhood Ministries prepared a scrumptious breakfast for mothers. Mothers were also pampered with hand massages. View the complete set of photos on NHMBC’s FB page - https://www.facebook.com/New-Hope-Missionary-BaptistChurch-111636415538246/
Church Office: 813-236-3611
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Long Inducted to Undergraduate Health Sciences Academy at Morehouse School of Medicine Danielle Long, is an incoming sophomore majoring in Psychology with an academic track for physical therapy and sports medicine at Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia She was inducted into the Inaugural Undergraduate Health Sciences Academy for 20172020 at Morehouse School of Medicine.
Danielle Long
During the 2016-2017 academic school year at Clark Atlanta University, Danielle set her sights on becoming a physical therapist and an academic powerhouse. Her drive and determination to be one of the best academically paid off by receiving recognition of being on the Dean’s List and Honor Society her first semester and inducted into Morehouse School of Medicine’s Undergraduate Health Sciences Academy, where she will receive a stipend during the summer and has been granted a monetary Scholarship for the next four years.
Danielle continued to seek out campus opportunities for hands-on experience as a physical therapist by volunteering with Clark Atlanta University’s Sports Medicine Department as a student athletic trainer. Her year long experience afforded her the opportunity to travel and work/treat athletes on the football, basketball and baseball teams She performed hands-on care in the areas of upper and lower bottom stretches, wound care and athletic taping. Academically, Danielle is no stranger to putting her mind and talents to achieve extraordinary greatness, along with balancing leadership guidance. She is a 2016 Honor Graduate of Howard W. Blake School of the Arts. She served as vice president and president of the Precious Pearls Youth Group. This youth group is sponsored by Gamma Theta Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Danielle has a bright future ahead and numerous career goals that include obtaining a Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy with a concentration in Sports Medicine; and ultimately being an athletic trainer for an NFL Football franchise.
This summer, Danielle will return to Tampa and intern (job shadowing) with Physical Therapists at St. Joseph Hospital and Florida Hospital. Danielle is the proud daughter of Deacon Anthony & Sister Yvonne Long, sister to big brother James “Doug,” and granddaughter of grandparents, Deacon Lenton Douglas Sr. & Sister Edna Douglas. Family and Friends extend Best Wishes and Congratulations to you Danielle on all of your accomplishments! Pray God Blessings upon you as you continue your journey and shine through God’s Amazing Grace!! Church Office: 813-236-3611
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2017 Mission Trip
MISSIONARIES NEEDED! REQUIREMENTS • • • • • •
05.31.17 Application Deadline – submit to NHMBC office Valid Passport 15+ years of age unless accompanied by a parent or guardian Lodging and transportation expenses paid by NHMBC Meals & other incidental expenses responsibility of Missionary Contact Sister Deb Barnes @ 813.714.9555 with questions
SOLES FOR JESUS
SERVICE PROJECT Church Office: 813-236-3611
Comments to:
[email protected] 7
Check Out NHMBC’s Facebook Page!!!
https://www.facebook.com/New-HopeMissionary-Baptist-Church-111636415538246/
Church Office: 813-236-3611
Comments to:
[email protected]
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