January 27, 2010 Volume 3 – Issue 4
A word from our Pastor:
Confession is Good for the Soul
One of the chief murderers of intimacy with our God is pride. I cannot in this short article demonstrate
all of the sneaky ways that pride creeps upon us unawares, but I will say that pride is at the heart of
much sin that besets us in the flesh. Indeed, pride causes other sins to fester because it keeps us from
the sure remedy: confession.
Pride works like this: say a brother or sister has a besetting sin problem. Just as an example, let’s say a
couple’s married life is in shambles. They fight and quarrel and resent one another terribly, and they
can barely stand to be in the same house with one another. Yet, everyone in the church is under the
delusion that they are a perfectly happy couple. Why is that? Why doesn’t anyone find out until it is
too late? Pride. Pride whispers, “If everyone knew who you really are, then they would shun you! Theywouldn’t esteem you. You’d look like a hypocrite. Just tough it out. You can do it! Keep up the godlyappearance you have so carefully cultivated so people won’t think less of you!” That, beloved, is a
death sentence if you listen to that voice. It will strangle you to death in misery. Do. Not. Listen.
Here is what James says, “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be
healed” (James 5:16). Confess to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed. Ohhow sweet it is to be free from the tyranny of pride! Our crafted personas are more fragile than glass. It
is such work to keep up appearances. God’s Word counsels us to dash that idol of self to pieces
through the humility called confession.
Does every sin need to be told to another person. No, probably not. Here is the wise counsel of John
Calvin: Therefore, let every believer remember that, if he be privately troubled and afflicted with asense of sins, so that without outside help he is unable to free himself from them, it is a part of his duty
not to neglect what the Lord has offered to him by way of remedy. Namely, that , for his relief, he
should use private confession to his own pastor; and for his solace, he should beg the private help of
him whose duty it is, both publicly and privately, to comfort the people of God by the gospel teaching.
(Institutes Book 2, Chapter 4, Section 12). What a great pastor Calvin proves to be. When should we
seek help? When we cannot get free without help. With such a besetting sin, it is our duty to seek help,and it is the duty of the one sought out to help! And how is the pastor (or friend) to help? To comfort bygospel teaching
. And what is the gospel? God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners,Christ died for us. (Rom. 5:8). Oh yes, dear brother and sister, Christ died to save you. No matter howawful your sin makes you appear, Christ’s forgiveness is more glorious still.
So here is how freedom begins. First, you find a trusted brother or sister to meet with to speak of
spiritual things. You meet to pray together and for mutual encouragment. Somewhere along the way,
you will confess. “Brother/sister, I have a problem with _________.” To which they say, “Oh my
friend, Christ came to save you from this. Let’s pray together and be encouraged. Know for certain that
‘No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you
be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that
you may be able to endure it’ (1 Cor. 10:13). Jesus is our sure escape. You are not alone. He will save
you from all your sins.”
Church, I pray that we will cultivate such relationships with one another. Find a brother or sister to
pray with and to encourage. Work together to believe the gospel more. And may the Lord help us
apply the gospel remedy to all our afflictions.
Announcements:
• Marriage Retreat –Shocco Springs on Feb. 26-27. Check-in will be that Friday at 4:00, and we willfinish up on Saturday at around 3-4pm. We will have dinner, breakfast, and lunch prepared for us
there. The cost is $170. Sign up online or at the church.
• Crisis Pregnancy Center is raising money and you can help. There are baby bottles in the churchoffices that they are asking us to fill with spare change. See Jennifer Dixon if you have any
questions.
• Sunday Morning Snacks – Please see Denise Bledsoe to sign up to bring snacks for Sundaymorning.
• Track Ministry – If you would like to help with the Track Ministry, please see Ron Champion.
Women’s Announcements:
• SPECIAL Women’s Fellowship – Tuesday, February 9 at 6pm. It’s Nicaragua Night! BringMexican dish. The Pastor’s Wife from a local Hispanic church will be speaking. She may bring
some ladies from her church as well. Please come and fellowship with them.
• Hospice- Ladies, Please sign up to deliver food to hospice. The sign up sheet is in the middlebuilding. We also need food for the box.
• Ladies True Woman Conference – March 25 – 27 in Chattanooga. Speaking will be Nancy LeighDeMoss, Mary Kassian, Dannah Gresh, and others. Worship leaders are Keith and Kristyn Getty.The price is $129 plus hotel accommodations. Let Lisa Spence or Amy Williams know if you are
interested. Here’s a link: http://www.truewoman.com/?id=760
Praise/Prayer Requests:
• Pray for Penny Roney, Steve Hellums’ sister. She is recovering from surgery to remove a tumor onher pituitary gland. They were unable to remove the tumor and the doctors are now looking at other
options. Please pray for the doctors that the Lord will lead them to the best treatment.
• Pray for the Seckel’s grandson, Ethan, who has been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
• Pray for Gloria Childress’ brother, James Pierce, who is in kidney failure and not doing well.
• Pray for Jeff and Suzanne Davis as Suzanne is pregnant and considered high risk and is havingsome major health issues.
• Pray for Denise Bledsoe’s mother, Shirley McLendon, who is in congestive heart failure. Pleasepray for Denise as she is trying to help her mother as much as possible.
• Pray for Ruth Thompson, Wanda Parker’s mother. Pray for her husband, Dalton, as he cares forher.
• Pray for those with cancer: Linda Duran.
Missions:
M.U.D. Ministries:
Please pray for those who are going to Nicaragua on February 6. These include Jimmy Barnard, Matt
Colvin, Jennifer Dixon, Charlie Fields, Todd Gregg, Lisa Spence, and Amy Williams.
M.U.D. is raising money to buy land and build houses in Nicaragua to build houses for orphans. If you
would like to donate money, please contact Eric Hixon at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Volunteers for this week:
Sunday Morning:
1’s and 2’s – Jim Parker/Chris Knight
3’s and 4’s – Amber Knight/Nathan Spence
Food - Sweet – Marsha Garrison
Salty – Regina Gregg
Last Sunday Stats – January 24, 2010:
Attendance: Worship Service - 61
Offering: General - 2,761.80
Missions - 150.00
Birthdays:
Monday, February 1 – Nathan Spence
New Covenant Baptist Church – www.DiscoverNewCovenant.com
104 W. Alabama Avenue, Suite A - Albertville, AL 35950
256-849-2454
Sunday:
9:30am – Sunday School
10:30am - Worship Service
6:00pm – Community Groups
Wednesday:
11:30pm – Men’s Bible Study
6:00pm - Children’s Activities
6:00pm – Student Activities
6:00pm – Adult Bible Study
Pastor – Brad Williams Family Pastor – Drew Dixon
Our mission and passion at New Covenant Baptist Church is to glorify God by becoming a community that
fosters the love of God with all of the heart, soul, mind and strength, and by learning to love one another as Christ
Jesus has loved us. The answer to every heart's need and the satisfaction of all our longing is found in Jesus Christ
our Lord, who is Himself the very image of Almighty God. We exist to adore Him, and to spread the knowledge
of His greatness to the ends of the earth.
