Reflections From Our Spring Outreach with Don Currin

             

 Psalm 127:1 Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain..."                 

      This past weekend Pleasant Hill Baptist church held our Spring Outreach for 2013. This is a special emphasis in evangelism and out reach to our community with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Just to let folks know PHBC is alive and is about the Father's business  We do this by going door to door several weeks in advance sharing Christ with others, giving out tracts, and passing flyers for our upcoming meetings. I know what you are thinking you should do this everyday, I agree, and I try to share with our people our evangelism should be done "as you go." But, we place a heavy emphasis on getting out in our community to do evangelism during these meetings and at other times of the year as well.                 

      This year we were blessed to have Don and Cindy Currin of Don Currin Ministries come and minister God's Word. Don preached on Friday, Saturday evening, and Sunday morning twice. Cindy spoke to the women at their annual Women's Conference. Although we had enough rain to float a boat, I believe God was honored this weekend by the ministry of His Word and by the peoples desire to come and hear God's Word.

 I just want to share a few of my thoughts, as I reflected over the weekend of meetings.
Don's messages (click the title to listen to sermons):

1. "Love or Die"  Don preached this message the very first night, reminding PHBC our need to love others in Christ. PHBC should not be inward focused, but rather reaching out to our community with the gospel of Christ. Such a timely message, as me and some of our men has been praying for God to lead us to be more effective in our outreach ministry at PHBC. One other thought, I share with out congregation often, "we might not be the largest church, have the most money, but we can be the most lovingest (if that is a word) church, for God's glory!

2. "Cultivating a Conscience Dependence Upon the Holy Spirit" Simply one of the most profound sermons I have ever heard preached upon the Holy Spirit. We live in a time and day, especially in Baptist circles where we are afraid of speaking of God the Holy Spirit. We fall victim often to relying more on the flesh than the Spirit. I was reminded the Holy Spirit is sovereign and does whatsoever He chooses to do whenever He chooses to do it. I must submit to Him and pray diligently for Him to move and to help or I am sunk. As Spurgeon said, "I believe in the Holy Spirit."

3. "A Heritage of Holiness" This message was preached during our Sunday school hour. A message which confronted men to step up and be godly leaders of their families. A very convicting message concerning fathers. Through this message God convicted me in many areas of my life in the rearing of my boys. God was gracious in allowing me to talk with my family and repent in some of past sin in leading them as their father and husband. I was so grateful to hear this message and thankful to God for the convicting power of the Holy Spirit. Such a joy to be shown your sin and the privilege to repent of them.

4. "A Bruise Reed" This was the final message of our time together with Brother Don. The message was  one filled with the gospel of Christ. We were introduced to the "true bruised reed" who could identify with other bruised reeds in their sufferings. This sermon was filled with the gospel of Christ, hope for the hopeless, and help for the helpless! I am thankful that there is still hope for those who can not help themselves. The gospel of Christ brings a person to see their utter need for someone who can relate to their suffering and trials and that person is Jesus Christ.
This was such an encouraging message reminding me of my need for Christ everyday. It is a blessing knowing that He knows exactly where I am at in my struggles and trials. For He is the "true bruised reed."

     Cindy Currin (Don's wife) spoke to our women at PHBC Women's Conference. She exhorted the women both young and old from Titus 2 on "Portrait of a Godly Woman." A very timely message concerning older women teaching younger women. Teaching them to dress modest, to love their own husbands, to be keepers of the home. So thankful for Cindy's ministry to the women at PHBC. We were also blessed with one of Don and Cindy's daughter Hannah, as she made the trip with her parents from Alabama for the weekend.

A Word of thanks and gratitude:

     There was alot of prayer, time, and labor put into this past weekend. As the pastor of PHBC I would like to say thank you to all who participated. From the home prayer meetings every night of the week, to taking the garbage off after our meals. I am grateful for the people of PHBC for investing their resources and committing themselves to these meetings. I believe by God's grace this weekend will have an impact on souls for eternity, for God's glory in our community, and to the ends of the earth, via internet!
    Therefore, as the apostle Paul reminded the church at Corinth: Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain (1 Co.15:58).