Heartbeat INDIAN HILLS COMMUNITY CHURCH August 26, 2018

Transcription

1 Heartbeat INDIAN HILLS COMMUNITY CHURCH August 26, 2018 Welcome to Indian Hills Community Church, and to the worship of our Lord and fellowship with the people of hope. Whatever your circumstances, we welcome you. Perhaps you ve messed up badly and blown it with your spouse, kids, or parents, and wonder if there s any hope for you. The answer is yes. No matter what has happened in our lives, no matter how unfaithful we have been, Jesus Christ promises us hope. His invitation is extended to all: Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30). Be encouraged to come to Christ today. By turning from our sins and placing our faith in Jesus death and resurrection, we are born into God s family. Jesus yoke is not heavy and yet we often refuse to be yoked with Him because our flesh wants an easy, comfortable life. We want to do things our own way. (A yoke is a wood log, shaped to harness two oxen. The yoke keeps the oxen locked together so they share the load being carried.) However, without yielding to Jesus and submitting to His will, how will we learn from Him and become the person He wants us to become? When our will is yoked together with the Lord s, He is our gentle teacher. Our load is light, and we find rest for our souls. Mike Hulinsky Thank you Mike for your ministry of the Word at The Hills last Sunday. We were well-fed from the Scriptures. May God bless your ministry in LeMars and bring you back soon to share the Word with us. Are You Anxious? The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety George Muller Have a Good Week Thank you for worshiping with us this morning. We worship the living Savior, Christ Jesus, and desire all to come to know Him. Heartbeat 3

2 Jesus Christ: Conquering Sin and Death John Carey The other evening a lady declared she didn t care what happened to her after she died. This sad attitude reflects a popular worldview, that death is simply built-in to a godless, random, trial and error, cycle of life that death is natural and inevitable. We live. We die. That s all there is. But the Bible tells us that death is not the outcome God intended for creation. Genesis 1 and 2 tell us creation was made very good, rich, purposeful, productive, robust, teeming with life, and that man had unbroken fellowship with God. What destroyed this perfect creation and unbroken fellowship with God? Sin. Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned (Romans 5:12). Death did not exist until man sinned. Death, corruption, and sin have plagued the world ever since Adam and Eve fell. Yet the world has been trying to blame God for these consequences. It is no surprise the world tries to gloss 4 Heartbeat over sin with futile speculations and philosophies, but the Bible tells us the problem with evil in the world starts with the evil that is in men s hearts. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man (Mark 7:21 23). Man brought sin, death, and corruption into the world. Sin is lethal and fatal. Sin is never a small issue. See how quickly its contagion spreads. In Genesis 3, on account of man s sinful disobedience, God cast Adam and Eve from His presence, cursed men with pain and toil, and cursed the material world with corruption and decay (also see Isaiah 59:2). Ultimately, unbelieving men will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of God. Thanks be to God that as quickly as God dealt with the sin of Adam, He also quickly promised the remedy for sin

3 and death. In Genesis 3:15 He prophesied that one day the serpent (the father of lies) would have his head crushed by the seed of the woman. Christ Jesus would leave the glories of heaven, and Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:8). Yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach (Colossians 1:22). This ought to be Good News for a lost and dying world. The world does not understand the linkage between sin and death: they are inseparable. But the problem with death can be dealt with if we deal with sin. When we share the gospel, we are speaking with people who are blinded and hardened by sin. We are not speaking to innocent souls. God is clear about the universal and despicable nature of sin. It renders all men helpless (Romans 5:6); enemies of God (Romans 5:10); and spiritually dead before God For the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). The Bible is clear. The only way to avoid sin s death sentence is to come to the only One who paid sin s penalty. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4 that Jesus Christ: died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. Christ died in our place. Acts 20:20, 21 tells us Paul: did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us prayerfully and solemnly consider our role in sharing the Good News about a relationship with Jesus Christ, who overcomes sin and death for those who will believe. John and Marti Carey Heartbeat 5

4 Embarking on a New Journey Duane Nelsen What is your new journey? My plan is to earn a Master of Divinity degree through Temple Baptist Seminary of Piedmont University. I started taking classes in March How did the Lord lead you to this journey? I ve thought about working toward an M.Div. over the years. After graduating from UNL in 2009, I started taking seminary classes online for personal growth not credit. I enjoyed reading the textbooks and watching the lectures. Now, with the flexibility of online classes, the Lord is leading me this way. To have the freedom to remain in the ministry while taking classes is a good fit for me. Why did you choose Temple Baptist Seminary of Piedmont University? Temple Baptist is appealing to me because of its strong dispensational stance. It holds a firm distinction between Israel and the church based on literal hermeneutics. I appreciate that they take the Bible at face value and do not allegorize it. How did the Lord bring this about? As Laura and I talked, we realized that taking classes at a 6 Heartbeat brick and mortar school was not a good fit for our family. The catalyst was when Adam Flaugh completed his research and discovered a seminary with all online classes. What is your goal? My goal is to please and honor the Lord, and serve His church. The Lord has me at The Hills and I love it here. I want to continue to grow and to be used of Him. Obviously, I don t need to pursue an M.Div. to study the Word, but the online classes will focus my time to study languages, Bible, theology, ministry, evangelism, apologetics, and preaching. How long is this study? The M.Div. program is about a three-year course. It allows for a lot of flexibility, so I can go faster or slower depending on life. Since I completed some language courses in the past, I will be receiving some advanced credit. How does school work? The classes are presented in seven-week sessions. I am to complete the required reading, watch the video lectures, interact in the online discussion group, take tests, and write a couple papers each session. Continued on page 7

5 How do you see yourself serving the Lord after you complete your studies? My life is not my own. Jesus purchased me with His blood and I belong to Him. My desire is to serve Him faithfully all the days of my life, and throughout eternity. When my studies are complete, I anticipate that I will be serving the Lord in a similar capacity as I serve now. How has the Lord prepared you for this adventure? The Lord has prepared me in many ways, over many years, through many saints, beginning with my parents. God has been with me each step of the way and put various individuals in my life to instruct and model faithfulness. I m thankful for the proclamation of the truth through Gil and other godly men. It s a blessing to serve alongside the men and women at Indian Hills and grow together. How would you like the church to pray for you? I would appreciate prayer Summer Pulpit September 2 Duane Nelsen Teaching AM James Pelton Teaching PM for diligence, faithfulness to the Word, growth, understanding of the vast riches of Scripture, wisdom, and holiness. How do you fit studying into your day? I study whenever I find time, that may be early mornings, late nights, or weekends. I am blessed because there s an overlap between school and ministry. Part of the privileged responsibility of my ministry is that I get to study and proclaim God s precious Word. Some of the studying overlaps with school work. Duane and Laura Nelsen with Isaiah, Paxton, and Abigail Heartbeat 7

6 Mentors for Teachers Tom Price Are you interested in teaching the Word, but don t think you re ready for a regular Sunday School class or Home Bible Study? The Nursing Home Ministry is willing to help you out. As part of a new venture, regulars at Nursing/Retirement Homes will mentor any man willing to volunteer one hour a month. Come along to one of the services on a Sunday afternoon and work your way into a teaching role. Mentors can answer your questions as they have years of experience at local institutions. They can show you how to prepare a lesson, what lessons work best at these locations, and how to interact with the residents. There are many locations in Lincoln to choose from. The time commitment is minimal, but the rewards are eternal. Mentors Perry Beard, ; Jim Pelton, ; and Tom Price, ; will gladly assist you in a smooth transition. Contact one of them today. 8 Heartbeat

7 Fundamentals of the Faith Gordie Coffin and Jeff Horn will be teaching the Fundamentals of the Faith class starting on September 16. This class runs during the Sunday School Hour and will meet in Room The class is intended to provide a good foundation for several important doctrinal areas. The topics to be presented are: The Bible God s Character & Attributes The Triune God God s Plan of Salvation The Church Spiritual Gifts Spiritual Disciplines Prophecy Angelology The class generally runs about four months and is open to everyone. If you would like to get an overview of these important doctrines please join us on Sunday, September 16. Overview of the Bible Are you a new Christian seeking to learn more about the Bible? Have you been saved for a while, but the Bible still seems like a loosely knit group of unrelated stories? Beginning Wednesday, September 12 at 7:00 p.m., Rob Schmidt will be teaching an Overview of the Bible in Room 1417 of the Bible Learning Center. This class will provide a basic understanding of the Bible and how its contents relate to one another, the progression of God s dealings with mankind, and the basic geography of Bible lands. For more information, contact Rob at Heartbeat 9

8 Family News Hospitalized. Brad Southwick was hospitalized and is now home. Hospitalized. Loree Westenberg was hospitalized and is now home Hospitalized. Jon Daharsh was hospitalized and is now home Children s Studies Children s Church. The Alpha Omega group is teaching our young people through September 2, so our dedicated Children s Church workers can take a muchdeserved break. Information Potluck Today in Section H. Hosts are Steve and Gail DeRiese. Girls Choir will begin Wednesday, September 12. Our first rehearsal will be open to all returning members, parents, and girls considering joining Girls Choir. Come, observe and ask questions. All girls in fourth through twelfth grade are welcome. We meet in the upstairs choir room from 5:00 to 6:15 p.m. Choir begins Wednesday, September 12 at 7:00 p.m. in the upstairs Choir Room. We will rehearse 1 hour and 15 minutes every Wednesday and sing every other Sunday morning. Anyone high school and older is welcome to join. 10 Heartbeat Orchestra will resume on Wednesday, September 12 from 6:00 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium. Orchestra also rehearses on Sunday from 8:00 8:45 a.m. If you are interested in playing in the orchestra, contact Aaron Nicholson, for an audition. Boys of Faith registration will be held Sunday, September 2 and 9 in the south lobby before and after morning services. Children may also be registered online at ihcc.org/signup. Girls of Grace registration will be held Sunday, September 2 and 9 in the south lobby before and after morning services. Children may also be registered online at ihcc.org/signup. Sunday Night Nursery needs several adults and junior helpers. If interested, contact Joanna Andrews at (home) or (cell). AWANA registration will be held Sunday, September 2 and 9 in the south lobby before and after morning services. Children may also be registered online at ihcc.org/signup. AWANA begins Wednesday, September 12 at 6:45 p.m. and kids four years old through fifth grade are welcome. AWANA needs many workers this year. If you can help, contact Galen Pfeiffer at or gk5fer@gmail.com.

9 Church Directory Update. Please go to and fill out one form per family member. If you don t have access to a computer, please call the church at and we ll add your information to the directory. Issues in our Contemporary World starts Wednesday September 12 (7:00-8:00 p.m.) in Room Our subject will be The History of Evangelicalism, covering the 19 th and 20 th centuries. Donald Goertzen is the teacher. All are welcome. Have you been looking for a ministry in the body? We have a number of young couples wanting to be mentored by godly Christian couples. If interested, please call Lynn Young, Summer Music Camp meets at 6:00 tonight. The finale is Sunday, September 2. Questions? Contact Andrew Thomas at or Andrew.Thomas@ihcc.org. Van Drivers and Riders. We need three drivers and four riders to transport kids to church. Contact Dalton Dowding at for more information. Cleaners Needed. If you would like to clean a section of the church once every five weeks, please call Tami Coffin at Gardening in the church flower beds begins each Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. in the south parking lot. Tools and gloves are provided. Bring water and a hat. Door 2 Door Evangelism (in the neighborhoods of Lincoln) meets each Monday at 6:15 p.m., weather permitting. Meet at the north entrance of IHCC (by the security desk). Everyone is welcome to attend. If you ve never been out before, we will pair you up with someone who has experience and you can learn by observing. If the weather looks unpredictable, please check the church website, for instructions. July 2018 Report Print Media Distributed: 131 booklets Audio Media Outreach Sermon Audio: 1848 downloads & streams Last Week s Message August 19 AM. Mike Hulinsky. MHU 3. The Generosity of God. Genesis 1:26-31; 2:7-25 August 19 PM. Mike Hulinsky. MHU 4. How to Know God s Blessings. Genesis 3:1-15 Heartbeat 11

10 This Week s Events Sunday Duane Nelsen Teaching AM Section H Potluck Sunday Night Church 6:00 p.m. Adam Flaugh Teaching PM Summer Music Camp 6:00 p.m. Sonshine Kids 6:30 p.m. Monday Door to Door Evangelism 6:15 p.m. Pickleball 6:45 9:00 p.m. Sisters 7:00 p.m. Wednesday Flower Garden Workers 9:00 a.m. Praise Team, Band 6:00 p.m. Thursday Alpha Omega Study 7:00 p.m. Heartbeat August 26, 2018 Vol. 26, No. 31 Editor: Gale Engle Publisher: John Scholle Future Events September 2 Duane Nelsen Teaching AM Music Camp Finale James Pelton Teaching PM September 3 Labor Day Church Building Closed September 9 Gil Rugh Teaching AM Fun for the Family 3:30 p.m. (Southeast Parking Lot) Free Picnic Meal 5:00 p.m. Worship Service 6:30 p.m. September 11 Titus Tuesday 9:15 a.m. September 12 Girls Choir 5:00 6:15 p.m. Orchestra 6:00 p.m. Awana 6:45 p.m. Issues... World 7:00 p.m. Overview of the Bible 7:00 p.m. Choir 7:00 p.m. September 16 Boys of Faith Begins 6:00 p.m. Girls of Grace Begins 6:00 p.m. It s time to update our Church Directory Please go to and fill out one form for each family member. If you don t have access to a computer, call the church, , and we ll add your information for you. 12 Heartbeat

11 Sept. 9 Fall Kick Off Fun for Everyone 3:30 p.m. Activities for the whole family in the southeast parking lot Free Picnic Meal 5:00 p.m. Burgers, hot dogs & fixin s under the northeast Canopy Worship Service 6:30 7:30 p.m. Come be encouraged and kick off a new ministry year. No nursery (bring your little ones to the service). Interpreted for the Deaf Cornhole Tournament (junior high adult) / Cornhole (all ages) Beginning at 3:30, we will run a pairs double-elimination cornhole tournament with early sign-up. Additional boards available for individuals not interested in playing in the tournament. Mini Bounce House (under age five) This 12 x 12 bounce house will cater to the younger children and is located in a shady spot near the Wee-Care park. Peddle Cars (must be 42 tall to reach peddles) Four cars will be available to peddle through an obstacle course, either at a leisurely pace or in a race against a friend. Nine-Square (older elementary adult) This game has a top square and you attempt to navigate thru the nine squares without hitting the ball out of play. Gaga Ball (older elementary thru adult) This game utilizes a four-square ball and each person attempts to remain in the pit without getting hit with the ball. Adrenaline Bounce House (age five and older) This is a challenge course where racing friends is encouraged, but can also be navigated at a leisurely pace. Football Toss (all ages) Attempt to throw football through different sized and shaped holes. Horseshoes (all ages) Walk-up games of horseshoes with rules of play displayed by the pits. Clown (all ages) Balloon animals and entertainment. Face Painting (all ages) Car/Motorcycle Show (all ages)