May 2007
Download a Copy for your Self May 2007

     Starting with this Chimes and for several more I will use the front page for teaching five of the most important beliefs in Christian thinking. What are these five? Well the first one sounds rather technical but it really isn’t. A Biblical view of man portrays him as sinful. The term for that is “radical corruption”.  

   You might be thinking, “What do you mean by radical corruption?” Some in the history of the church, such as John Calvin, referred to it as total depravity. This does not mean that mankind is as wicked as can be. For example, Adolf Hitler, who often serves as the paradigm for human evil, surely had some behavioral patterns that were not utterly base. He might have loved his mother and was possibly kind to her.

    Radical corruption refers to the effect of sin to the whole person. To be totally depraved does not mean to be totally wicked. It is to suffer from corruption which poisons the whole person. Sin affects every aspect of our being: the body, the soul, the mind, the will, and so on. Sin then arises from the center of our being. It flows from what the Bible calls the “heart” or core of our being.

    Jesus used a tree to illustrate this truth. He spoke of a corrupt tree yielding corrupt fruit. In that light, sin flows from a corrupt human nature. R. C. Sproul states it quite well. “We are not sinners because we sin. We sin because we are sinners.” This can easily be seen in the life of a young child. A child doesn’t have to be taught how to lie or cheat. Children learn those things naturally. A child does, though, have to be taught the value of honesty and hard work. The core being of a child, even from birth, is predisposed to sin. Another phrase for that is original sin.

    In Genesis 3, we encounter the “fall of mankind” with Adam and Eve choosing evil over good. Since the fall, human nature has been corrupt. Our acts of sin flow out of this corrupted nature. Original sin is not the first sin committed by Adam and Eve but the result of the first sin. Original sin is the corruption visited on the progeny of our first parents as punishment for the original transgression.

   With this in mind, the Apostle Paul quotes from Psalms in his letter to the Romans 3:10-18. It is a stunning description of mankind. 

            There is none righteous, not even one.

There is none who understands.

There is none who seeks for God.

All have turned aside.

Together they have become useless.

There is none who does good.

There is not even one.

Their throat is an open grave.

With their tongues they keep deceiving.

The poison of asps is under their lips whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.

Their feet are swift to shed blood.

Destruction and misery are in their paths.

And the path of peace have they not known.

There is no fear of God before their eyes. 

      Sin in this light is a weight or burden to bear. It presses downward on the human soul. It brings the whole human race before the tribunal of God. Scripture indicts us without exception, save for Jesus.

     This is precisely where Christianity parts company with popular trends. The idea of mankind’s basic goodness is a cardinal tenet of humanistic philosophy. Many Christian leaders were startled to hear the results of a recent Gallop Poll that showed the majority of professing evangelicals indicated their agreement with the proposition that people are “basically good”.

    Most people want to pick and choose what they believe from the Bible. They want Genesis 1 and 2 but not chapter 3. Without the story of the “fall” in chapter 3, we could agree that mankind is basically good. Before the fall, Adam had the ability to sin and the ability to not sin. After the fall, he had the inability to not sin. He and Eve were simply unable to live without sinning. Something huge had changed.

    Yes, we bear the image of God. That is Genesis 1. That does portray us as good, as superior to other creatures. But to have the teaching of the whole Bible, we can’t stop there. We must read on. We must contemplate the fall of man and the resulting consequences. We must come to grips with our own moral dilemma.  We need more than just an occasional correction, a pep talk or a sermonette. We need to be transformed by the power of God through his Holy Spirit.

    The story of the Old Testament shouts the need for humanity’s moral transformation. Get to the New Testament and hear the words of John the Baptist – repent. Hear Jesus say, “Unless you are converted and become like children you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.” …… Unless you repent you will all likewise perish”.

     You …… think about that. Hope to see ya Sunday.

                                            Pastor Curry

PULPIT FORECAST

"To regularly avail oneself to the public exposition of the Holy Scriptures is one of the highest and holiest habits one can ever attain in this life."

    “Equal in Eden” will be my theme for the first three Sundays of May.

    The role of women in marriage and in the church is certainly one of the most contentious subjects within Christian circles. Most Baptist groups and most Catholics don’t agree on many things……, but they do agree on the role of women at home and in the church. In the home, woman is to submit. In the church, the woman is to be quiet.

    Those who dare question the patriarchal view of the Scriptures on this matter are many times quickly accused of being liberal, of compromising the Bible, etc. It used to upset my applecart a lot when people would disagree with me. Call it maturity. Call it stubbornness. Call it what you will, but I am more and more concerned about being right before God than pleasing the Bible-thumping pc crowd.  

   Within our own church conference there are basically two views held as to this subject. Some clergy and some churches are “patriarchal” and some clergy and churches are “egalitarian”. When one of our churches chooses to ordain a woman, we have agreed as a conference to not refuse her ministerial standing solely on the basis of gender. This was a big decision for the CCCC and certainly anything but a unanimous vote. Some pastors have since chosen to not affiliate with the CCCC for that very reason. Just a few years back, I supported and participated in the ordination of Adele Calhoun of Christ Church of Oak Brook. I have never regretted doing so. To my knowledge we are the only denomination with “conservative” in its name that will allow the ordination of women.

    Over the course of the next three weeks, I will express my view of Genesis 1,2, and 3, which is the foundational Scripture for this question. If you have a Baptist or Catholic background, I only ask you to be patient as we search the Scriptures together.

MAY MESSAGES

 6^th   Genesis 1-31 with an emphasis on 26-28 – “The Image of God – Male and Female”. We will also serve Holy Communion and have a congregational meeting after the service.

13^th – Genesis 2:1-25 with an emphasis on 20-25 – “The Principle of One Plus One Equals One”. Mothers will also be recognized.

 20^th – Genesis 3:1-24 - “Battle of the Sexes – Round #1” Rev. Thomas Mathew and wife, Mary, of the Aravali Tribal Mission will be our special guests.  

27^th – Hebrews 11:22-31; 12:1-2 - “A Reminder of the True Picture”. The memory of those among us who have passed away this past year will be honored – Priscilla Stump, Harry Bartlett, Jean Trawinski, and Carol Huber.

NEW BUILDING UPDATE

The Building Committee (Katie Margison, Jim Lyons, Roy Mauck, Mae Backovitch, Joe Martin, Jim Pillars, and Anne Lyons) is working hard to get the new entrance finished now that the doors are installed. They are asking for our patience. They know we have several people who need the lift platform.

            Thanks to all who contributed this past month.

Our building fund contributions for April totalled $1,588.28! We continue to trust the Lord month by month.

We are hopeful that in the coming year the funds to finish the inside of the building will come.

ON THE RADIO EVERY SUNDAY 98.3

      Know of a shut-in who might enjoy our service? Make sure to have them tune in every Sunday. 

        At the end of each service, Calie Lyons and Jim Pillars make a fast trip to the radio station to be on the air at 12:00 noon.               

        People who live out of the area can tune in on the internet by visiting www.wrlr.fm . Look to the left side of the page and click on “on-air audio stream”.

WHAT IS CBD?

    Christian Book Distributors (CBD) is one of the links on our church’s web page. It is like walking into a Christian Book Store. You can find really balanced Bible stuff with CBD but keep in mind they also market books from authors that are close to the edges of whacko Christian. I’ll let you decide what I mean by “whacko”.

Generally speaking CBD offers really good products. It is within the protestant, evangelical broad tent.

    Our church does get a 10% rebate on everything purchased through our web site link.

   If you ever wonder about a book or Christian product, please don’t hesitate to ask me (Pastor Curry). I will give you my biased opinion.

    Amazon.com is a good choice for finding books if you know authors. The availability of books by certain authors on amazon is much greater than CBD. Keep in mind it is secular so you need to know what you want. A few really super authors that you might check their books out as follows. I have put an asterisk by the ones I am not quite as familiar with. Those not marked are authors I am very well acquainted with their writings and hold them in high esteem, though I may not agree with them on everything.

 CHRISTIAN LIFE: Max Lucado, Ravi Zacharias, Steve Brown, Charles Swindoll, Henry Blackaby, Rick Warren, John Ortberg, Bruce Wilkenson

CHRISTIAN VIEW OF GOD, JESUS, HOLY SPIRIT

Walter Kaiser, R.C. Sproul, Steve Brown, James Kennedy, Ravi Zacharias, Aida Spencer, John

Piper, Philip Yancy, Neil Anderson, Robert Coleman, Howard Hendricks

MISSIONS: Ruth Tucker, Ralph Winter, Don Richardson, Patrick Johnstone, Steve Hawthorne

MARRIAGE & FAMILY: Gary Chapman, *Les & Leslie Parrot; James Dobson 

WOMEN AUTHORS ON CHRISTIAN LIFE: Jill Briscoe, *Beth Moore, *Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Stormie Omartian

VACATION FROM GOD THIS SUMMER?

   What a bunch of foolish creatures we are sometimes. Want to throw your children some major mixed messages? Teach them to take a break from God. By your example, let your life say that following the Lord is punishment and we need an occasional break from uncomfortable habits. Then plan on your kids having a messed up view of God. Mark my word, it will surely happen.

    Is that the message of Christ? Not in my religious life, and I hope not in yours. By our decisions in our life, let’s teach a different message. Our summer theme for both preaching and Christian Life Groups will be “Finding Your Unique Place in God’s Plan”.

    Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz have put together a teaching booklet on Paul’s letter to the community of faith at Corinth. Pastor Curry will be using the Bible and that booklet as a resource for his messages in June, July, and August. He is suggesting all the Christian Life Groups of the church to have that focus as well. Listen to some of the topics for each week.

You’ve God to Change the Way You Think

Being a Christian in a World That Isn’t

Answers About Singleness, Marriage, and Divorce

Love Limits Liberty

Worshipping God the Way He Deserves

Wrap Your Spiritual Gifts in Love

God Will Get You Through

Agents of Reconciliation

Firm Convictions Withstand Criticism 

   If you don’t have a Christian Life Group, why not? What excuse is good enough? It is called spiritual growth through the prayers and ministry of others who stumble along just like you. It is called structuring your week to be vulnerable enough to discuss your Christian life with others, receive the prayers of others, and learn to pray with and for others. It is called a Christian Life Group.

NEW WEB PAGE???

   Yes, our church has a new look for its home page. We are planning on expanding it a lot. Check us out at www.ichooseJesus.net

COFFEE HOUR

5/6  Dawn Brtek & Joyce Richter

5/13 Linda Martin & Mae Backovitch

5/20 Donna Kramer & Joyce Richter

5/27 Joyce Richter & Carol Lawrence

USHER SCHEDULE

5/6 Open for now

5/13 Joan Auippy & Donna Langel

5/20 Jim Lyons & Dan Schlabach

5/27 Ken Cooper &

FRIENDS OF HOPE BANQUET

   Ten years ago, Pastor Curry and a few other pastors and Believers started a mission agency called Friends of Hope. It was started to provide funding for the children of Hope Home in India. Little did they know the home would quickly grow to over 100 children and that also they would fund pastor/missionary training in India.

    On Sunday evening, April 15^th, at a church in Warren, Indiana, Friends of Hope held its second annual banquet with about 35 present to share in an Indian meal and hear presentations about the ministry of Friends of Hope.

   The Currys took the Pillars as their guests. It was a really neat inspirational and informational evening.

   At a nearby hotel, the board of directors met on Monday morning.

   We praise the Lord for his blessings on this ministry! Our church supports Hope Home by several of its people sponsoring children and by funding through the Outreach Committee.    

USE OF CHURCH BUILDING AND CHIMES CALENDAR??  

            The calendar in the Chimes each month only contains the events of our church life. It does not list all the groups using the church facility on different dates. If you wish inquire about using the facility, please call our Facility Coordinator, Jim Pillars. 

RETURN TO FAITH CAMP

            Yes we are returning to Rock River Bible Camp for this year’s camp, Jun 24^th –30^th. What about you? Can you carve out the week and be there?

            Pastor Curry, Jim Lyons, and Erik Disch of Abundant Life Church are directing the camp. Many of the same counselors will be back. Get registered now!

COUNCIL REPORTS from the most recent meeting are always available at the back of the church in the wooden rack at the top of the steps. Don’t hesitate to pick one up if you have interest. Council Meetings are always open to our members. We meet the first Tuesday evening to conduct church business and the third Tuesday evening to pray. Please contact Council President Mike Johnson if you wish to attend or speak at any meeting. 

CELEBRATING 75 YEARS!

        This year will be extra special for us as we highlight the many years God has given us to be a witness of Christ in the Round Lake area. At the recent Council Retreat, several special things were planned for our faith family with the first of those being a special Sunday evening service, June 10^th, at 7:00 P.M. Mark your calendars now!

        We also plan to have a special meal and celebration in the Fall and to do a photo directory possibly in November or December.

MAY BIRTHDAYS

7: Cindy Fazekas

8: Beth Rainer

9: Katie Margison   

14: Patty Summers

19: Doris Beamish

21: Dawn Brtek

23: Liz Evans

25: Joe Martin

28: Mae Backovitch

30: Jasmine Cortes

If you know of anyone who is not on our list, contact Randy Margison.