Question Received > How do you addresses a released or retired pastor ?

QUESTION RECEIVED:

If a pastor relinquished or steps down from his post in his own will, is he still considered as a pastor or called a pastor?  (ASIA MALE 18-34)

MY ANSWER:

Romans 11:29

New King James Version (NKJV)

29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

The call to preach is from the Lord.

People can serve as evangelists and not necessarily a pastor who is the shepherd of the flock.

A church calls a man to pastor.

Why would we disrespect a man once called by God and a church.

Sometimes for bad reasons pastors have to be let go or relinquished.

Why would we be ungracious to a person God has called.

Show respect to God called ministers.

QUESTION RECEIVED> USA Flags in Church? Is this OK?

QUESTION RECEIVED:

Is it biblical to display the American flag, a symbol of a worldly nation, in

church?

 I doubt Paul would put Caesar's insignia in the Temple or churches, so

what biblical basis do we have for American flags in our churches?

MY ANSWER:

Is it biblical to have an American flag in church?

This is a loaded question.

There was no USA when the Bible was written.

Is it wrong to have a flag in church?
it is if the state forces you to have one.

Let’s look at separation of church and state from our American heritage.

The answer lies in why would you have a flag in worship and where and why is it displayed and for what reason?

We Americans believe in the separation of church from the state or any state.
Christians should support this value to protect our church and gospel proclamation so it will be untainted and unrestricted by the government.

Where did the term separation of the church and state come from?
It was in a letter from our 3^rd president Thomas Jefferson to protect Baptists from the state.

Why did Jefferson write this letter?

He wrote the letter to support the Danbury Baptist Association so the state government would protect these Baptists and not allow them to be forced into a state supported church system.  In their worship tradition they would be law breakers if they were not protected to be separated from the government.
The Baptist wanted government to leave this independent church system alone and not have the state government regulate what Christian denominations would be allowed to operate in their state.

If you cannot run a post office profitably you cannot run a church.

Thomas Jefferson wrote this to the Danbury, Connecticut Baptist Association 

Baptist Association on January 1^st 1861 - “Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, ……"make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & State. “ 

Why? 

Jefferson was pro expression of religion and in this letter in particular he supported these Baptist and their religious freedom.  He signed off  “I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection & blessing of the common father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves & your religious association, assurances of my high respect & esteem.”  

Here is a link from the Library of Congress if you want to read the whole letter.

http://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/9806/danpre.html

To sum up this civics lesson this preacher and teacher will give an interpretation of Jefferson.

GOVERNMENT STAY OUT OF OUR CHURCH BUSINESS!!!

Is it wrong to have a flag in church?

Let’s look at this from a Christian perspective.

The answer lies in why would you have a flag in worship and where is it displayed and for what reason?

We do not court favor of endorsement of our Christian beliefs from the government.
Why?
We say God gave them to us.

We do not worship the state.

We know we are citizens of Heaven.

We are a nation like all “Under God” whether we or anyone likes it or not.

Am I going to pitch a fit if a flag is in a church sanctuary?

No.

Why?

My job is to promote Jesus.

The flag is a symbol and it might be there for a non-offensive reason like for specail prayer for our nation or our warriors or a national tragedy.

Am I going to pitch a fit if God almighty is not the center of worship because of His gift of gracious salvation through His Son Jesus Christ at a church?

YES!

If I could impose my will on all churches I would say leave the flag on the flag pole or in the lobby. (Narthex for you high church folks.)
If a flag is displayed it should be clear that this nation represented is under God. 

I am for the liberty of church bodies to decide this for themselves.

If Christ is honored above all then your church can what you want in your worship area.
You do what you feel led to do in your sanctuary.

The church is to worship, make disciples and evangelize.

Every nation one nation or another and under God if they like it or not.

Why does every nation need to know they are “Under God”?”

The nations will be judged.

Psalm 9:19

Arise, O Lord, Do not let man prevail; Let the nations be judged in Your sight.

Many nations will not like the result of judgment.
The church promotes Jesus.  The state is not to prevent this expression.  

Revelation 11:18

The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth.”

Do not get legalistic on where a flag rests.

Make sure Jesus Christ is lifted up.

That is the God given –and for now- state given right you have.

The Holy Spirit will clear up confusion on worship practices.

Let’s devote our time to the salvation of the nations.

Good News at Noon Today in Spring 2013

MR.B is still ministering and amazing us!!!

Good News at Noon Today in Spring 2013

Many of my friends now know I am the Pastor-Director of Ministries and Public Relations for Good News at Noon as of April 1st.

My duties are to preach on Sunday mornings, minister to our Good News people, involve ministries and organizations and to get the word out about Mr. B’s Good News at Noon.

Why get the word out?  This ministry founded by Gene and Margie Beckstein in 1987 is well known.

It seems everybody in north Georgia has been blessed by GN@N.

We serve supper at 7:00 and lunch every day at noon 365 days a year at lunch and at 11:00 on Saturday.  We have a Sunday service at 11:00 and then provide a meal to worshipers.

“Mr. B” is still there each weekday at Noon and at Thursday Family Nights at 5:30  and Frank “Sinatra” Moore still sings ‘I’ll Fly Away” and ‘Beulah Land’. 

But……………..  Our finances are hurting.  Our facilities are worn out.  We need more beds.  We need new or newer vans to transport children and people to the doctor.   We need to build to meet the future. Let’s look at now for GN@N.

TOP 10 GN@N FACTS Folks Are Surprised To Learn

1. Good News at Noon is not connected in anyway with the now separate Good News Clinic.

The clinic has a separate board, funds and location.  They separated from us in around 2005.

     No you do not support Good News at Noon at work with United Way donations as we are a Jesus always based ministry and never will receive government funds or grants.

2.New folks to Hall County do not know who or what we are. 

              We are needed now more than ever.

3.We take clothes and furniture as well as donations as well as needed money at 979 Davis Street.

Mail Checks to Good News At Noon-PO Box 1577-Gainesville,GA 30503

4.We still serve men, women, children in deed and Word at our facility across from Melrose apartments. I will baptize one of Women’s Ministry director Sue Pope’s ladies soon.

5. To lift Jesus up (John 12:37) in deed and Word.(Col 3:17) is our theological position.

6.We are at a critical need for bulk food donations.  We have been cut off by some major national grocers.  Can you help with a solution for our need?

7.We have a Spanish speaking chapel.

8.We have 4  meal slots open for a church, business or family to provide a meal once a month.

9.We can put your church, business or motorcycle gang to work on facilities, food service, music recreation.  We can make it happen if it is for the sake of the gospel.

10.You have not visited us ever or recently.  Here is your invitation.  Contact me.

TOP 10  THINGS THAT HAVE REMAINED FOR GN@N

1.Mr. B, he turns 91 this June, is still working for the Lord.

2.Thomas Ramirez our on-site director

3.Mike Robinson in Operations

4.Willie Alexander – keeping it real!

5.Too many others to list-come meet them!

6.A great board

7.A generous Community

8.Generous churches

9.The Lord’s Blessing- Pray for a move of the Holy Spirit as we age and grow.

10.The lost, poor and dying people –male female, old, young, red,
yellow, black and white and tan that are precious in His sight.

We have church support from Episcopalians, Baptists, Methodist, Pentecostals, Lutherans, Presbyterians and independent churches.  We got our theological position from our founder Mr. B who got it from Jesus.  “Lift Jesus Up”  in deed and always the Word. 

We will never separate these.  We are a Christian ministry.  I lead or arrange Christian services. Again we need financial blessings. Our facilities are worn out. We need more beds.  We need new or newer vans to transport children and people to the doctor.   We need to build to meet the future.

     Contact me.

Lift Jesus Up!

(John 12:32)

Fletcher Law

Pastor

Director of Ministries and Missions

Good News at Noon

979 Davis Street (Mail donations to PO Box 1577)

Gainesville, GA 30503

Cell- 770 561 2609

fletcherlawandgrace@yahoo.com

Bible Study- 1 Thessalonians 1

1 Thessalonians 1  (NKJV)

Greeting

1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, 3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, 4 knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. 5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.

6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. 8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. 9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

Good News- Positive News –We need it-we win!

Vs. 1 -3 Give folks GOOD NEWS when it is deserved –do not be like the old farmer who never tells his wife he loves her - he said he said it once and would let his wife know if he ever changed his mind.

Vs. 4 We have won –are winning-going to win –Christ already won-we are playing it out to get more elect- C.H. Spurgeon “God save the elect and elect some more.”

VS. 5 the gospel is real and it works- With power!

Vs 6-The word comes in our affliction-He hears our cry!

VS7- 8  It matters how you live to unbelievers.  Actions speak with words.

Vs.9-10  Your actions become the talk of the town. Redeemed lives helped convert other people. The Colossians turned from idols to God and they are known citizens of Heaven who will miss the wrath to come.  What wrath? The wrath of God poured out on sinners.  Jesus took the wrath of all those who repent and believe.    

Bishop Mack Stokes said there were 3 reasons for the church 1) Maintenance of worship,  2) Edification or discipleship –this includes missions and ministries. 3) We are fortunate to participate in the evangelization of the world.

Question> Are Special Days At Church Goofy Or Biblical?

QUESTION RECEIVED:

Is it wrong or a sin for a church to use special promotions to have big days or to grow the church? For example, Chuck E. Cheese Sunday, Goldfish Sunday, Christmas-in-July-Sunday, Potluck dinners, etc. Are there any examples in the Bible of promotions for church growth?

Profile: Male 18-30 North America

MY ANSWER:

Growing the church was a priority of the church since the day of Pentecost in the book of Acts.

Does It Matter if Jesus never sinned? To avoid HELL YES!

QUESTION RECEIVED:

What does it mean Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God? (Hebrews 9:14)- (NKJV) Hebrews 9:14 “how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

Profile: Female Over 60 North America

MY ANSWER:

Jesus Christ is the subject of Hebrews 9:14.

Question from Asia on > Getting Hurt At Church

QUESTION RECEIVED:

I had a very bad experience with a church that I used to attend to. To make a long story short, instead of getting healed I was accosted and angrily shouted at to point of confusion. I never talked back and sought forgiveness, but in my memory, they refused to. I have been seeking the Lord ever since. I was told by a friend that the Pastor used my name as an example of a "dangerous man", to be "beware of him", in the sermon. Is this biblical? Are pastors allowed to do that?

Profile: Male 31-45 Asia

MY ANSWER:

Getting healed?  Were you there only for a physical healing and not to give glory to God or be saved?

Was the pastor mad because you were not getting healed?