A SAD EXCUSE TO MISS A GREAT BANQUET

While at a dinner table, Jesus responds to a self-righteous Jew who spoke as though they were blessed or entitled to eat bread in the Kingdom of God. In the Parable of the Great Banquet, Jesus responds to his statement with a story comparing the Kingdom of Heaven with a great banquet, in which the guests gave excuses to reject the host’s gracious invitation. Selected passage Luke 14:15-24

The Great Banquet – Luke 14:15-17, Isaiah 1:18, 2 Cor 6:2

The Great Excuses – Lk 18-20, John 6:37, Heb 7:25

The Great Invitation – Lk.14: 21-24

The Great Commission – Matthew 28:19-20

Excuses, excuses. God is inviting both Jews and Gentiles to come to Christ and taste of His eternal grace and the goodness of the Kingdom of God. Those who offer excuses and reject God’s invitation to believe on His Son will never taste of God’s offer of eternal salvation but will remain under the wrath of God forever. So, what will you do with your invitation?

Previous Pulpit Points messages: Ordinary People (audio archive)

Pulpit Points on Youtube

In preparation for you tomorrow, the grounds have been inspected and cleaned. The below images were taken earlier today. But be reminded the temperatures are expected to drop below the freezing mark tonight so there will be some patches of ice. EXTREME caution is to be used if you plan to attend in person.

Prayer, Praise & Preaching Fellowship Service

Service will begin in Prayer promptly at 9:00 am, followed by Praise in songs, hymns and spiritual songs. Then we will have the Preaching of God Holy Word by Minister DeWayne Cason.

As with all of our In-Person services, our “Safe Fellowship Protocols” are in effect for the safety of us all. Masks or facial coverings, the practice of distancing during fellowship is encouraged.

We will also transmit the morning service live from the parking lot on your FM frequency 107.5

(If you need assistance, contact Trustee Barnes)

Thank You for Joining Us Here at New Berean !

Due to the current inclement weather conditions, our “Sunday Prayer, Praise and Preaching Service” has been cancelled for January 23rd, 2022. As important as fellowship and gathering together is, we are equally responsible and aware for the health and safety of our family and guests. As the Lord leads, stay safe and check in on those you were expecting or hoping to see tomorrow.

Utilize our library of resources here at New Berean to stay spiritually refreshed, on guard and ever-growing in the things of our Lord.

Pulpit Points

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IMPORTANT: MAINTAIN YOUR HEALTH BY BEING SAFE DURING THESE WEATHER CONDITIONS

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Ministry Leaders, let’s begin planning out this year’s events. Let us know how we can coordinate and collaborate to minister, bless and encourage God’s people and reach the community with the Gospel of Christ. Meeting date TBD

Over the past year, as we all can attest, have had our share of distractions. Some we could not avoid and other we could only minimize. God’s word reminds us “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit serve the Lord” (Rom. 12:11). It is our intent at New Berean to provide you and our guests a blessed worship experience and a place where we can all fulfill our calling through the preaching and teaching of his word. We can and will do this with a deliberate plan to protect you from all forms of distractions and adhering to these guidelines.

The safety of our worship facility is one we have and will continue to prioritize so we can minimize the risk of your health. Our signages, postings and verbal instructions are intended to be in compliance with the federal, state and local recommendations and directives. But more importantly it is to be in alignment with God’s words to attend to the needs of the people of God, especially those of the household of faith (Gal. 6:10). Our guidelines and expectations will remain in place until further notice.

New Berean Ministry still offers alternatives for those who are unable to come inside the building. We are grateful to the Lord for the things He has provided for us during these challenging times. We are always seeking ways to keep our church family and friends connected to the “Commission of Our Father’s Business”.

Pastor Cason’s Sunday morning messages are recorded and posted to our website under the “Inspiration” tab entitled Pulpit Points. Along with this we have our weekly ZOOM Ladies Bible Study, Pastor Cason’s Mid-Week Lessons series, the Sunday School Devotional and Pause-N-Pray. Pause-N-Pray is simply a mid-week reminder to join in with our Prayer Warrior’s to pause for a moment at the throne of grace and share with our Heavenly Father the things on our heart. We also have live FM transmission of the Sunday Morning service beginning at 9:15 am. If you have any questions, concerns or comments about your church, inquire with any one of the Officials or your respective Ministry Leaders

Just as it was for the saints of the early Church, being scattered is just another opportunity to spread God’s word outside the walls, encourage others in their faith and point people to the hope we have found in Christ Jesus. Nothing is impossible with God (John 19:26). While we are looking to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith, let us encourage others to do likewise

Reach out to us at nbbcMinistry@yahoo.com

Pulpit Points with DeWayne Cason

In today’s message “A Tale of Four Preachers“, we learn that towards the end of the time of the Judges, God had been silent to Israel for decades. The priests are corrupt. The surrounding countries continued to jeopardize the land’s safety. Even Eli, the high priest and judge of Israel, was not faithfully serving God and the people. Israel needs more than a judge. Israel needs the Word from God. Israel needs a prophet, a Man of God. But who would God choose? Let’s find out in this is a tale of four preachers.

The Message:

1. An Unusual Group of Preachers 1Sam 2:12-17
2. An Undisciplined and Unfit Priesthood – 1Sa 2:22-26
3. An Uncompromising and Upset God – 1Sa 2:27-36, 1Sa 3:11-14
4. An Upended People – 1Sa 4:1-22

In conclusion, we see that Israel was witness to God’s uncompromising stance. He wants His creation to worship Him in His way from the pew to the pulpit. Perhaps we should take this tale of four preachers as a warning to all who serve God in his Church. Are we like Samuel, or like Hophni and Phinehas or their father Eli? Have we dealt with the sacraments of God with fear and trembling? Have we served Christ in every person over whom we have charge properly? Have we devoted ourselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and the prayers? Or has the Church become fat from comforts of finances and praises of men, lax in our duties or become self-serving in our leadership positions. Let us serve our God in such a way that when we serve the flock of God, we do right before God, before His people and before world who watches what we do.

Visit Pulpit Points, our archive of more preached messages from the pulpit of New Berean Baptist Church

Update: Information

With our ever-changing world, it is imperative we know what options are available to help keep us and our families safe. We should want to know what we can do to stay healthy at home and at our local assemblies of worship. In light of the more recent changes in our communities, we are providing information to you from the CDC Community, VDH and other medical experts. This “Safe Fellowship Protocol” plan is specific to guests and visitors of the New Berean Baptist Church facility primarily but can be applied elsewhere. Listed below are several initiative measures we want to use to re-emphasize things you should expect when you attend (please use the links for additional information).

We all need and want fellowship. Fellowship is biblical and practical, but we must do it in consideration to our current health environment. We also must be considerate to the health of our sisters and brothers with who we want to fellowship. Maintain safe distancing practices and encourage others to the same while in the facility. Minimize times of close contacts and maximize your distance.

Frequently wash, clean or sanitize your hands as often as necessary. Being that these viruses are communicable and we touch surfaces, it is important we make sure our hands are clean. Simple safe practices can greatly decrease the risks in spreading viruses. For your connivence we have provided hand sanitizers throughout the facility.

While inside the facility of New Berean, masks are to be worn at all times. It is founded the use of masks help reduce the risks associated with communicable viruses (mask usage). We have implemented the use of wearing masks and by the grace of God, we have adjusted and minimized these risks. No, it is not as comfortable as it used to be in places of worship, but things have changed, We are always educating ourselves so we can provide a high level of confidence and safety for our guests. The symptoms of COVID can be similar to those of the flu virus. Take very good notice of your health, monitor, and seek medical advice if conditions warrant.

Staying healthy is always a challenge. But as believers, we are reminded our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 6:19). God expects us to manage his dwelling place faithfully (I Cor. 4:2). So as we apply these biblical principles to our lives take the necessary precautions to monitor and maintain your personal condition. We will continue check body temperatures of our guests. Anyone with a surface body temperature >100 degrees F we’re going to ask you reconsider coming in the facility. To help us be considerate of the health of others around you we are still using our transmitter service.

Thank you for praying for us and adhering to our plan as it is designed to provide us with a safe worship environment. We want everyone attending our fellowship to be safe and confident as they gather for spiritual encouragement. The Lord reminds to “exhort one another daily as we see the Day approaching (Heb. 10:23-25).

If you have any special concerns, share them with us. Thanks

The Garment of Praise – In today’s message, Pastor Cason shares from Isaiah 61 which begins as a passage about God’s promises to the post exile children of Israel. He tells them he would bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of heaviness or despair in Isaiah 61:3.

Message Points:

– God’s Promise for Salvation and a Garment of Praise – Isaiah 61:1-3

– God’s Power to Deliver Us From the Spirit of Heaviness – 2 Samuel 12:15-21

– God’s Plan for Future Blessings on His People – Isaiah 61:3

In conclusion, Pastor Cason asks, “has life got you on hold? Has despair robbed you of hope? No desire to spend time with God? Is the spirit of heaviness weighing you down? The Word of God tells us to exchange that spirit of heaviness for a garment of praise. When we do and begin to praise the Lord in spite of our circumstances, others will begin to see it in our lives. And as we begin to experience the joy of the Lord again, God will get the glory.

Blessing Bags in the making…The Missions Ministry of New Berean are making it happen for those less fortunate and in need. We are grateful to all of you who gave and participate in this precious opportunity of ministry. Unto good works which we have been ordained to do (Eph. 2:4-10) … May the Lord be glorified and the people blessed.