unrelentingly call for their jobs. (Meanwhile, it s still perfectly acceptable to disrespect the

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1 The Standard Green Meadows Baptist Church July 2017 Freedom's True Enemy Pastor Josh Greene We live in an era of indignation. Most of it is the unholy indignation of special interest groups that believe they are suffering from a lack of consideration. This indignation is exemplified by the 2013 lawsuit brought against Barronelle Stutzman in Washington state for refusing to provide flowers for a homosexual wedding because it violated her Christian beliefs. Indignant people turned the president s election into an embarrassing series of protests. Indignant people flood our courts with ridiculous discrimination lawsuits. Indignant people make it very difficult for a person with biblical values to operate a successful business, run for political office, or be employed in certain industries, like the entertainment industry. There are a number of conservative Christians in professional sports, for example, who are simply unable to speak out about their beliefs on social issues because their employers would fine them, the media would vilify them, and indignant people would unrelentingly call for their jobs. (Meanwhile, it s still perfectly acceptable to disrespect the American flag, the national anthem, and all the American lives they represent.) To be indignant is to show anger at what is perceived as unfair treatment. Recently, though, indignation has taken a dangerous turn. Indignation has become the vilification of anyone who does not share your worldview. The Always- Indignant have cast anyone who disagrees with them as their mortal enemy, and the goal is to drive them (read: us) to extinction. But this article is not about the moral ills facing our nation, nor is it a lament about unfair treatment at the hands of our countrymen. Instead, I intend it to be a wake-up call for believers, because indignation has crept into the church! We look at the spiritual crisis our society faces and we are guilty of thinking of people, like the Always-Indignant, as enemies. I am as guilty of it as anyone. Some of the behaviors that have been normalized sicken me. I detest the fact that you can t have a primetime network television show without celebrating Changing the World for Christ (continued)

2 homosexuality. It s hard for me not to see some of the people responsible for things like this as enemies. And that s just not like the Jesus I serve NC Highway 801 North Mocksville, NC Join Us! Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Classes for all ages Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m. 6:00 p.m. Family Nights Every Wednesday (unless otherwise announced) 5:45 p.m. Fellowship Meal 6:30 p.m. Kids on Mission 6:45 p.m. Bible Study Visit Us Online greenmeadowsbc.org facebook.com/greenmeadowsbc Our Staff Rev. Josh Greene Senior Pastor Rev. James Buchanan Associate Pastor Christina Bobo Ministry Assistant I was reminded of this while reading Acts 13 last week. In this chapter, we see Paul confront a man nicknamed Elymas who is described as a Jewish false prophet AND a sorcerer. Paul s words to him shock the reader because they stand out in stark contrast to much of what we read elsewhere in the Bible. Paul pulls no punches, calling Elymas you son of the devil you enemy of all righteousness Paul then calls down judgment from heaven on him. The implication of the text is that what set Elymas apart for this kind of condemnation was that he was not opposing the gospel out of ignorance, but evil. In other places in Scripture, we see that so-called enemies acting out of ignorance deserve compassion. We are instructed to care for our enemies when they hunger and thirst (Proverbs 25:21), and to love our enemies and pray for them even as we are persecuted (Matthew 5:44). Jesus prayed for His enemies forgiveness on the basis of their ignorance: Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing (Luke 23:34, emphasis mine). Ignorance is not an excuse for sin, but those who have never trusted Jesus are serving a different master and he is freedom s true enemy. He seeks to enslave men in bondage to sin, under the guise of freedom and equality. Most people are not truly our enemies. They are lost in the darkness, deceived, and ignorant of the true consequences of their actions. As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4, the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ Because of the Lord Jesus, we see and understand the world with unveiled minds. Jesus has granted us true freedom: where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17). Our task is not to make enemies but to win souls. Like Jesus, let us go forth with love, compassion, and grace to shine light into the darkness. We need to be reminded that fighting fire with fire doesn t work: Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). Focus your attention, but not on perceived enemies, nor on the true enemy of freedom, but instead on Jesus. Contact the Church Office phone office@greenmeadowsbc.org Contact Pastor Josh mobile josh@greenmeadowsbc.org WOM Meeting Tuesday, July 11 6:30PM The Women on Mission will be meeting on Tuesday evening, July 11th at 6:30PM. All women of Green Meadows are invited to attend.

3 Thank you! THANK YOU to everyone who helped out with this year's Vacation Bible School! We reached hundreds of children with the gospel and had a great time of fellowship. A special thanks goes out to our VBS director, Melinda Riddle for coordinating this great event! God and Country Celebration Our God and Country celebration service and cookout will be Sunday, July 2nd. Feel free to dress casually in your red, white, and blue. There will be a cookout following the morning worship service. Everyone is encouraged to bring a dessert to share. Youth Ministry Summer Missions Please be in prayer for our students traveling to minister in Beulaville this month. Pray that they would grow in the Lord through their acts of service and that the hearts of the people would be touched by their work. Upcoming Activities Sunday, July 9 Destination Unknown Meet at 5:30PM!! No Cost Friday, July 21 DASH Game No cost for game - bring money for food. Youth meetings weekly Sundays at 6:00PM. There will be no youth meetings on July 2, 23, or 30th due to other scheduled church activities. Many Thanks... Pastor Josh Greene and Green Meadows Baptist Church, Thank you so much for thinking of me during this time and for the graduation gift! Christina Hall Women on Mission Newborn Kits The Women on Mission are collecting new and gently-used newborn baby clothes/onesies and new cloth diapers to be used in layette and birthing kits for Honduras. We will be collecting these for several months. Please place donations in the box located in the Welcome Center.

4 Senior Adults Thursday, July 13th 11:30AM This month, our senior adult ministry is having a Patriotic Picnic here at the church. This is sure to be a great time of fellowship! Please sign up in the Welcome Center by July 9th if you d like to attend. Pinewood Derby Wednesday, July 19th 6:00PM There s still time to register for this great event! Registration cost is $25, which includes racing kit. There will be races for all ages! Even if you don t enter, be sure and come out for the races! There will be a spaghetti supper by donation that evening for anyone who would like to attend. Proceeds from the event benefit the Elijah Hall family. The Pinewood Derby takes the place of our regularly scheduled events that evening. Women on Mission Workday On July 22nd, from 9:00AM-12:00PM, the Women on Mission will be having a workday. We will be working in our classroom. If you have a sewing machine, feel free to bring it. We will be working on assembling birthing kits for Honduras. All women are invited to participate! Toothbrushes and Toothpaste Collection The Women on Mission are collecting toothbrushes and toothpaste for A Storehouse for Jesus this month. Please place your donations in the box located in the Welcome Center. Baby Shower Saturday, July 29th 2:00PM-4:30PM (floating) Join us for a baby shower in honor of Olivia Clark! The shower will be held in the Fellowship Hall. Olivia is registered at Babies R Us and babylist.com. It s a boy! Honduras Mission Trip 2018 Sign up now for the 2018 Honduras trip! Dates: January 12-21, 2018 This cost for this trip is $750 for active church members, due by July 30th. Sign-up forms with further instructions are available in the church office. Important Calendar Dates There will be no evening service or activities on Sunday July 2, 23, or 30th. July 30th is a 5th Sunday and committees are encouraged to meet. The church office will be closed on Tuesday, July 4th. There will be no evening service on Wednesday, July 5th.

5 Celebrating 50 years! July 23rd, :30AM Join us for our 50th Homecoming Celebration! This special morning worship service will feature messages and prayers from several pastors who have been part of Green Meadows Baptist Church history. Catered lunch to follow the morning service. Come celebrate God's faithfulness to our congregation!