I have discovered that outside the church people are increasingly becoming anti-Christian.  Just like the Bible predicted it would.  The recalcitrant looks at the Christian with disdain. Have you noticed the increase of suicides, fratricides, patricides and matricides?  Have you noticed the ease of talking about killing others?  Have you noticed the increase of entertainment with items of the occult, supernatural beings, mysticism and metaphysics?

The gentrification of the Nation’s Capital is decreasing the number of storefront churches and historical places of worship.  The new residents don’t go to church, and they want their parking spaces back. The older congregations are moving to Maryland by choice and default.

There are quite a few reasons for this.  We are not politically correct.  We have a problem with the GLBT community.  Christians biblically can’t support gay marriage.  We are at odds with abortion, and some with stem cell research.  We believe in God.  We believe in the Bible.  We believe in heaven and hell and want to keep our friends out of the latter.  We don’t like the theories of evolution or the big bang.  We want prayer in schools and before public functions.  We have started wars over doctrine.  We make it easy to be disliked.

We have Christian leaders that are basically, pimps. Some preach prosperity and hide it by tickling the ears of the congregants.  There are still scandals, church fights that discredit the work, testimonies and salvation that have been done.  We steal, lie, cheat and covet worse than anybody else.  We would rather follow the bylaws than the Bible.  There are still power plays between church personalities and preachers.  Our dress is the joke, in the skit and cartoon.  We collectively still prefer to be entertained that educated.  Praise and worship has become a music industry.  It has become just a stepping stone for some, or a scam to others.

I know where I am in all of this; but I wonder if you have given it any thought?  Where do we go from here?

I’ll give you five:

1. You were planned for God’s pleasure.
2. You were formed for God’s family.
3. You created to become like Christ.
4. You were shaped for serving God.
5. You were made for a mission.

If you have been hurt, put off, marginalized, or offended by someone in church, they were not working for the Lord.  

Don’t put your trust in princes, princesses, or people in general.  Don’t let your spirit get suckered in.

Do trust in the Lord.  He will not fail you.

1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 1 Timothy 2: 1-8

Here at Historic Berean Baptist Church I take the same instruction from the Lord.

In a time of gimmicks, flash, show and hype, and then the need to finance such foolishness to please men, the Word of God gets a second.

We are a humble church seeking to please God. I am trying to teach in truth (verity) with prayer and supplication, and that we should not be ashamed to praise Him, without fluff, just faith.

I invite you to become a part of this family of God located on the corner of 1400 Montana Avenue, NE, in a little brick building that used to be a bank. Our worship begins at 10 am.

Today I celebrate my fifth year as pastor and my seventh year serving at this church. It would be nice to see you.

I could see the sadness in his face and told him that there are some old folks that don’t know what you just asked. We sometimes think we are the only ones confused. We sometimes think nobody else has ever questioned their existence.

I can’t tell you want you are here for but I do believe that God doesn’t make mistakes. Everyone is here on purpose. The number one purpose is to give God glory.

Each one of us is born with unique talents, gifts, and abilities that if we did and gave God thanks for would benefit others and probably sustain us.

Our talents are necessarily what the world esteems as a whole but you are important. There are no cosmic accidents, only Divine Incidents. You are one.

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Revelation 4:11

Today we gained a new member and I have the opportunity to baptize by immersion two men. It’s a wonderful thing when you get more soldiers in your camp.

The men of our church sang today.

Historic Berean Baptist Church, 1400 Montana Avenue, NE WDC 20018
Saturday, March 3, 2012, Noon-3PM
Donation: $25

Featuring Ms. Natalie Carter, accompanied by Calvin Fields, David Carr – percussion, and Pastor Kenneth Blanchard-guitar

For tickets call the church

The Message was from the “Beatitudes,” found in Matthew 5:1-12. Pastor explained how the Sermon on the Mount, is still relevant today. How it is an encouragement to the people of God that trust in Him.

But one that grieves the Holy Spirit is the sin of unbelief. There are many people that don’t prescribe to “organized religion,” from some hurt, or don’t believe all, and as a result are guilty of this sin. It doesn’t matter how great a deed one does, or how “righteous” they seem to us, we don’t have a heaven to keep them out of or a hell to put them into. Faith is the key.

“Without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is” (Hebrews 11:6).

The worship has been on fire. The church club donated money to get a new wireless microphone and audio system. The music has been great and there are a few new faces from the neighborhood. God is glorified.

I heard a couple of nice things today at church. I heard a man testify that he loved his wife and appreciated her after being married to her for almost 61 years. Then he said he didn’t want to tell her personally cause she might get a big head and “start gaming the system.” I knew what he meant, and thankful to God for seeing a change in an senior saint. Love is good at every age.

Todays message comes from Matthew 22:35-37 and is provided in audio below. I had to compress it a little and shared it on my In The Wilderness Ministries Podcast.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/kennblanchard/87_ITWM.mp3