One of the foundational tenets of our American culture is freedom. From the beginning of our nation’s history, freedom has been paramount. We, as Americans, possess what has been called, The Freedom Documents— “The Constitution,” “The Declaration of Independence,” and “The Bill of Rights” all written during the infancy of our nation. They outline and address our freedom and rights as American citizens. In the Declaration of Independence we can gain some insight as to why freedom was so important to our Founding Fathers. Listen to these words from the Declaration of Independence.
Archive for August, 2008
Who’s Your Master?
Romans 6:12-23
Sunday, August 31st, 2008
Welcome Joshua Ivan Graves!!!
Wednesday, August 27th, 2008
I am thrilled to let you know that the Graves family have welcomed their newest gift from God into their family. Joshua Ivan was born Sunday night at Mercy. He weighed 9 lbs. 6 oz. and was 21″ long. Congrats to Renaldo and Trashanas and family.
Fall 2008 Bible Studies
Monday, August 25th, 2008Greetings Friends!! We have an exciting line up of classes for the Fall semester and there is still time for you to sign up. Here is a list of classes we will offer and a brief description of each one. If you or someone you know is interested in one of these studies, please contact the church office at 848-2046 so we can sign you up and get your study book to you. We also Sunday morning bible study every Sunday morning at 9:45.
Searching the Sermons
Facilitator: Mike Hays
Sunday Evenings, 6:00 p.m.
This study is designed to dig further into each Sunday morning message, and mine out invaluable insights while they are still “fresh on the brain”.
The Gospel of Matthew
Facilitator: Herman Stevenson
Sunday Evenings, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Workbook: $8
Matthew’s unique view interweaves a strong Jewish knowledge of the expected Messiah with a first-hand account of the actual Savior. Matthew demonstrates the qualifications of the Messiah: His miraculous birth, His response to the greatest test of His kingliness, the inauguration, as well as miracles and teachings of His public ministry.
Precepts: Isaiah (Part 1)
Facilitator: Karen Watson Facilitator: Linda Summers
Sunday Evenings: 5:00-7:00 p.m. Monday Mornings: 9:30-11:30 a.m.
If Jesus, God incarnate, honored this grand and glorious book so highly, then you and I ought to do the same. In Isaiah Part 1, we’ll meet the Holy One of Israel, and learn how He deals with those who claim Him as God but don’t honor Him as God in the way that they live.
Promise Keepers – Men’s Bible Study – The Book of James
Facilitator: Herman Stevenson
Tuesday Mornings, 6:30-7:30 a.m.
In this short and powerful book, the Apostle James gives us practical guidelines on issues that measure true living faith. Through an emphasis on spiritual fruitfulness, James calls all believers to live a life that demonstrates genuine saving faith measured by Godly behavior. Men, join us each Tuesday morning as we discover more applicable truths for our lives.
Grief Share
Facilitator: Lisa Curtis
Sunday Evenings, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
If you’ve lost a spouse, child, family member or friend, you’ve probably found there are not many people who understand the deep hurt you feel. This can be a confusing time when you feel isolated and have many questions about things you’ve never faced before. GriefShare groups help you face these challenges and move toward rebuilding your life.
In the Dust of the Rabbi
Facilitator: Mike Hays
Wednesday Evenings, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Workbook: $8
Visit ancient times, places, and customs, exploring what it meant to follow Jesus in the first century and what it means to follow him today. Learn how the culture and politics of the first century influenced the imagery and stories of the Bible, and see the Scriptures through the eyes of God’s chosen people, the Jews. Learn how to follow Rabbi Jesus so closely that his dust covers you!
Philippians – Christ, the Source of Joy & StrengthFacilitator: Herman Stevenson
Wednesday Evenings, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Workbook: $8
The people in the city of Philippi who received this letter from their friend, Paul, were suffering from two of Christianity’s greatest adversaries: self-sufficiency and complacency. While writing this letter from a Roman prison cell, Paul was able to provide a unique perspective on these enemies of our faith, for even as he faced horrific trials, Paul continued to encourage his brothers and sisters by declaring that his imprisonment was reason for joy.
Women’s Bible Study
Facilitator: Deana Basey
Wednesday Evenings, 6:00-7:15 p.m.
“I heard a rumor!”
Choir Begins Wednesday @ 7:15 pm
Monday, August 25th, 2008
Hi Everyone,
There’s a buzz all across the land this morning! It doesn’t have anything to do with Michael Phelps or Usain Bolt or the “Redeem Team.” There’s talk all right, but it’s not about Barack Obama’s new running partner or the latest John McCain ad. There’s a rumor on the street and I bet you’ve already heard all about it. The buzz that is stirring is about the beginning of the BCC Lighthouse Choir rehearsals that will begin this Wednesday at 7:15 pm.
I’m hearing that people from all over are planning on coming to choir practice on Wednesday night! There are folks who will be there who have been part of our choir for a long time, but the talk on the street is that there are some folks who are wanting to turn over a new leaf and make choir a part of their week for the very first time.
I’m not making any promises but I’ve heard that even though Amy may have said, “No, no, no” to going to rehab, she is saying, “Yes, yes, yes!” to coming to choir! I’ve even heard the rumor that Jay Z may be turning over a new leaf and singing a new 
song come Wednesday night! I guess you’ll never no unless you join us.
I few weeks ago I asked you to pray about something you could do throughout the Fall to be a blessing. Remember? How’s your prayer time been going? Maybe some of you have thought about joining the choir. Well, now is the time and Wednesday night at BCC will be jumpin’ with the melodies of heaven. I hope you will join us.
In His Steps,
Mike
What A Day!
Sunday, August 24th, 2008Hi Everyone,
I told you Sunday was going to be special! I am continually amazed at how the Lord keeps blessing us at BCC. It seems like each week we see His hand at work in our midst in so many ways. Today was no exception.
We had such an awesome “All Church Breakfast and Education Fair” this morning. I want to thank the men who worked so hard to put together a breakfast that would make Rachel Ray blush with humility! Thanks guys–you are the best! I also want to thank the Education Committee and Pastor Herman as 
they have put together the best slate of classes that I can ever remember since coming to BCC. We have 17 classes that will be offered this coming semester. Many of you signed-up for a new Bible study this morning, but there is still room for those of you who were not able to make it today.
Last of all, the icing on the cake of a scrumptious day was getting to share in the baptisms of five folks in our second service and welcoming Crystal Drwenski to the fellowship of BCC! I want to welcome Lana, Taylor, Loren, Rashonda, and Tabitha and I pray that your baptism will always be a constant reminder to you of the deep, deep love that the Lord has for you.
I also want to ask you to pray for Crystal as she gets ready to leave this Thursday for Sierra Leone as she continues her work for the “4 Him Ministry” here in Oklahoma City. Crystal has been working on pulling together an agreement between Oklahoma State University with a local college in Sierra Leone that will help provide resources for the students of Sierra Leone. The partnership will be a huge blessing to all of those involved, but especially to the students who are in such need. Please keep Crystal and all of those involved in your prayers.
I hope you have a great week and that you will join us next Sunday as we continue our study of Paul’s letter to the Church in Rome.
In His Steps,
Mike
“The People’s Prayer”
Ephesians 3:14-21
Sunday, August 24th, 2008
Sunday’s Comin!
Thursday, August 21st, 2008Hi Everyone,
I can’t wait until Sunday! I want to invite every one of you to our “All Church Breakfast and Education Fair” this Sunday at 9:30 am. We will have an awesome breakfast prepared by our Promise Keeper’s Men’s Bible study guys. While you are eating you can take a peek at all of the new Bible studies that we will be offering this Fall. Don’t miss this opportunity to get involved in one of these awesome Bible studies.
In His Steps,
Mike
What a Great Day at BCC!
Sunday, August 17th, 2008Hi Everyone,
It was a super Sunday at BCC this morning and I hope you were able to be with us. There is so much that is happening that it is hard to keep up! We had our first meeting for those who will be going with us on the Spring Break Ski Trip to Sunlight Mountain in Colorado today after worship. I am so pumped I can’t wait for the snow to begin to fall! If you weren’t able to join us then be sure to get in touch with Ryan Fisher and get your name on the list. The 50 spots will fill up fast so don’t wait.
We also celebrated with Ruth Ross and her daughters as Ruth was celebrating her 91st birthday. Can you believe it?! 91 years! Think of the changes that Ruth has experienced during her lifetime! Ruth has been a member of BCC for many years and she says that these are the best days she has ever experienced since she began attending BCC.
During our second worship service we had the opportunity to pray for a lady named Lana who has recently been told by her doctors that she has stage 4 cancer. That is news that will shake you to 
your core and yet the news has led Lana to church to seek strength and comfort from God. It was such a blessing to have Lana come forward at the end of our service to commit her life to Jesus Christ. Two of Lana’s friends, Loren and RaShonda, have chosen to walk with Lana through this difficult time of her life. Lana and her daughter, Taylor, have moved in with Loren and RaShonda so thhey can help take care of her. What a picture of the love and mercy of our Savior! Loren and RaShonda came forward with Lana at the end of the service to commit their lives to Jesus Christ as well. I will be visiting with all of these new friends of ours in the upcoming week as we plan their baptisms. Please keep Lana and her daughter, Taylor, as well as Loren and RaShonda in your prayers.
In His Steps,
Mike
How Can I Win The War?
Galatians 5:19-26
Sunday, August 17th, 2008
Many years ago there was a missionary who was moved by God to share the Gospel with a group of Native-Americans on a reservation that was close by. The missionary prayed and prayed and over the course of time the Lord opened a door for him to befriend the Chief of the tribe. As the two men got to know one another the missionary was able to share his faith in Jesus Christ. The missionary had prayed for the Chief for months and the day came when his prayers were answered and the Chief accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.
Will You Take The Challenge?
Tuesday, August 12th, 2008Good Morning,
We had our monthly Board meeting last night at Britton Christian Church. I announced that we will not have any Sunday evening activities from now until the Fall schedule begins in September. I told our Board that we are making plans for a great Fall and that I wanted to challenge them to do two things. After I got home last night I began to think about the challenge and the thought hit me that this challenge needs to go out beyond the leadership of our church to all of us who are followers of Jesus. I want to give you the same challenge I gave our leaders. The challenge is two parts.
First of all, I want to challenge you to pray during the next three weeks for the Lord to show you one way that you can be a blessing during the Fall semester. You don’t have to be a theologian to be a blessing. You don’t have to know Greek and Hebrew to be a blessing. You don’t have to make a “good” living to be a blessing. You don’t have to have a college degree to be a blessing. You don’t have to have some extra time on your hands to be a blessing. You don’t have to be a good public speaker to be a blessing. You don’t have to have any of these things to be a blessing, but you do have to have a willing heart to be a blessing. I want to urge you to pray, “Lord, will You show me one way that I can be a blessing throughout the Fall?” I know some friends who were a blessing this past week. What did they do? Well, one group of friends took the time out of their schedule on Saturday morning to help a single woman move into a new neighborhood. She had been broken into two earlier was having a hard time sleeping or even being in her home. These friends came to her aid and now she is sleeping like a baby at night. What a blessing!
Another group of friends took time out on a Sunday morning to give up their own time of worship so they could go downtown to feed the homeless and lead them in worship. What a blessing! How will God use you this Fall to be a blessing?
My challenge consists of two parts: The second part of the challenge is this: Pray for the Lord to show you one way you can consistently stay in His Word each week. Last night when I was speaking to our leaders I took a water bottle and held it up as if I was pouring it out. I told them, “If someone was thirsty and you gave them a drink, how would you keep from running out of water?” The answer is quite simple, water has to continue to fill the bottle. And so it is with you and me. If you are going to commit to serve this coming semester then you must have some resource to continuously fill you up. The only way for us to continuously be filled as we are pouring into the lives of others is to stay in God’s Word. I want to urge you to pray about getting involved in a small group Bible study. We have many Bible studies that meet throughout the week that I would love for you to get involved in, but if know of another Bible study that you would want to join then by all means get in there and get busy studying God’s Word.
Jesus was speaking to the woman at the well when He told her that there is a difference between drinking the water that we are use to drinking and drinking of the Living Water that only Jesus can provide. Jesus said,
13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13-14 NIV)
How do you stay consistent? How do you keep from becoming “burned out?” The answer lies in the verses we just read. For us to commit to a life of servanthood, being a blessing, we must drink deeply from the well that will never run dry.
I hope that each of you will accept my challenge and begin to pray about these two things. If you would like to get together to talk about opportunities to serve or Bible studies that are available for you then please contact me and I would love to sit down and talk. I will promise you that if you will accept my challenge and begin to pray–God will lead you and bless you as you bless the lives of others.
No Turning Back
Romans 6:1-11
Sunday, August 10th, 2008
For the past two weeks we have been studying Romans 5. Paul left nothing to our imagination: we are united in Adam by birth and we are united in Christ by grace through faith. Throughout Romans 5, Paul showed us that death has reigned since the time of Adam and that sin increased with the giving of the law during the time of Moses. With the giving of the law people became much more aware of their sin like we become aware that we are speeding if we are driving down the highway and we see a sign that says, “Speed Limit 55,” while we look at our speedometer and see that we are driving 70. Sin increased with the giving of the law, but Paul wrote in Romans 5:20, 20 …But where sin increased, grace increased all the more… (Romans 5:20 NIV)
There is no doubt that some of Paul’s listeners were like some of the folks that hear Paul’s words today and their minds begin to whirl. Their thinking goes something like this: “If sin increases the grace of God, then why wouldn’t we want to sin as much as we can so that God’s grace will come by the truck load?” Paul wasn’t naïve. He knew how wayward the human heart can be, so he addressed this twisted logic in Romans 6. Take a look at Romans 6:1-11 with me.
Grace That Overflows
Romans 5:12-21
Sunday, August 3rd, 2008
We began our study of Romans 5:12-21 last week. In these verses we are witnessing the depth of humanity’s sinful identity in Adam and the glorious transformation of our identity in the new humanity, through Jesus, for those who will believe. Last week we spent much of our time taking a look at the phrase “…death came to all men, because all sinned…” If you will remember our study last week then you will remember that we learned that it is Adam’s sin that brought death into the human experience. All of us sin, there is no questioning that, but it was the sin of Adam imputed to each of us, or placed upon each of us who are his descendants, that is the reason for the certainty of our separation from God and our future physical death.
Enough of death, let’s move on to the next section of our Scripture. Let’s go back and read Romans 5:12-21 once again so that we can set the context for our study of Romans 5:15-21.