March 23 “Advertising for Christ” Matthew 5:16
ANNOUNCEMENT: Just a reminder all Church Members! We are making a new church directory and are encouraging all church members to sign up to get your picture made for the directory. The benefit for you is that you get an 8 x 10 portrait absolutely free, and a church directory, if you get your picture made for the directory. Picture dates are April 13, 14, and 15. Pictures will be taken in the Family Ministry Center by professional photographers that work for Universal Church Directories. To sign up you can do one of the following:
1. Go to ucdir.com, click the "Photography Appointment Scheduling Login" button. Enter the church code nc436 and church password photos. Then follow the instructions to sign up.
2. Call the church office at 919-365-5558 between 9 and 12, Monday thru Friday and ask the Church Secretary to sign you up.
3. Someone will sign you up on Sunday Morning in the Education Building, Assembly Room prior to Sunday School and directly after Church.
The more families that sign up, the better the church directory will be. Please sign up! If you are not a member, and have been attending our worship experiences, please have your picture included in the new directory! We want a complete and accurate directory of all the church members.
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
During my extended retail career, I experienced many competitors that would advertise products that they didn’t have, nor were they going to sell those products. Many were creating the wrong impression, about the products, just to lure folks into their stores. I have always thought that this was a sad and deceptive practice, and it usually ends in disappointment. This reminds me of a poem that Daddy used to make a point about impressions. It is called, “The Lion and the Rabbit.” “A lion met a tiger as they drew beside a pool, Said the tiger, ‘Tell me why you’re roaring like a fool.’
‘That’s not foolish,’ said the lion with a twinkle in his eyes. ‘They call me King of all Beasts because I advertise.’
A rabbit heard them talking and ran home with a streak; he thought he’d try the lion’s plan, but his roar was just a squeak.
A fox came to investigate – Had luncheon in the woods, so when you advertise, my friend, be sure you’ve got the goods!”
The Lord commands us to “advertise,” “Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature…” Jesus Christ tells us, in our passage for today, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.” In the secular world, advertising is used to draw attention to a product or a service and there are various methods for that purpose. We live in an age in which most of the peoples may be experiencing “Brainwashing,” due to so much false advertising. Could it be possible, that in the Spiritual World, that there is “False Advertising?” Saying that we are one thing and acting like another. Why Advertise? We do it to attract people to our products, services, or ideas. In the Christian Life, advertising is essential to honor God’s Calling. Unfortunately, there are many that label themselves as Christian, but their lives indicate “False Advertising!!” If an investigation were made of your life, as a Christian, could you be sued for “False Advertisement?” Christ told us to go and lift Him up as the Key to Eternal Life in Heaven, but perhaps we have lifted-up other things. What a shame!! There are those that will spend their entire life lifting-up the wrong things, maybe leading folks into a religious circle of activities, yet never leading them to “CHRIST!!” Several months ago, I wrote a devotion called, “Old Time Religion,” and I truly believe that we need to keep it fresh and vital before folks and allow the Spirit of God to draw them into His Saving Grace! Remember this? “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to Me.” True Advertising…Here Are the Facts: When this lost and decaying world sees that we love when we are hated, and that we return good for evil, then they will surely know, as we speak boldly for Jesus Christ, that He has the Power to Change Hearts and Lives! Believer, because of your truthful advertising, the sinner will know that you are acquainted with the ONE who has the kind of Power that they need to live a life that is pleasing to God! Please Dear Lord; let our advertising be true and effective! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! Stay Strong, Stay Focused… Remember, THE BEST IS YET TO BE!