God Has a Plan

When Joseph was sold by his brothers into slavery, it was a part of what God was doing. Jesus’ death on the cross was part of God’s plan of salvation. God has a plan. He is faithful and just concerning his promises, and he is willing and able to punish the wicked and save the righteous. All things work together for good but that does not mean that each individual event in our lives is good at the time. I think of it like making biscuits. It takes a few minutes to get there but hang in there.

The Problem with Religion

This is, for the most part, the very first sermon I preached at Unity back in 2014. I preached this sermon, took a week off, then came back and preached a second time before they called me as pastor. There was no church website until 2015 so unless you were there that day you haven’t heard this one yet.

The Day of the Lord

We ended last week with “The Lord is not slack concerning his promises” and pick right up in this sermon with “The Day of the Lord shall come.” Heaven and earth will dissolve as the elements melt. With that in mind, how ought we to conduct ourselves as we wait for new heavens and a new earth?

The Lord’s Promise

In 2nd Peter 2, we are reminded that God is willing and able to punish the wicked and save the righteous. In Chapter 3 we are warned that just because God has not judged yet does not mean he is never going to. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise; he is patient and longsuffering. Do not confuse his patience with laziness.

The Truth of False Teachers

We continue this week through 2nd Peter 2, which includes a look back at one of the most interesting Old Testament prophet stories found in the Bible. You might say Balaam got the truth straight from the donkey’s mouth.

False Teachers

Peter explains to New Testament Christians that in the past there were false prophets and in the future there will be false teachers. God is able to save the godly and punish the wicked, and he used specific examples from the Old Testament to prove it. He mentions Noah and Lot by name and there are lessons we can learn from them as well.

 

A Short History Lesson

This afternoon our local association of churches will have their annual meeting. I’m going to share a bit of history here to avoid a rambling speech later.

In 1955 Plainville Unity Baptist remodeled the sanctuary. A new Sunday School wing and basement fellowship hall had been added in 1949. The sanctuary we meet in today was constructed in 1889; it was remodeled in 1955 and the entire building was wrapped in brick at that time. As part of the refresh, the church invested in a new pulpit podium and a new communion table. When the old podium was removed from the sanctuary part of it was refashioned into a gavel and given to the association leaders. Plainville Unity is second oldest church in Gordon County still meeting today, and was a founding member of the association that formed in the 1930’s. The church was 73 years old when the gavel was donated and that was 64 years ago.

I am celebrating five years as pastor of Plainville Unity this month. At the 2019 annual meeting later today, I will call the meeting to order by sounding that gavel. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, I think it’s really cool. We thank God for what he has done and look forward to what he will do. Peace and God bless,

Clark J Bunch,
Plainville, GA

The Prophetic Word

Peter reminds his audience that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not myth or fable but he and the Apostles are eyewitnesses to the glory of God. He refers to the transfiguration that he, James and John were presented for when they heard the voice of God the Father.

Total Recall

Our series on 1 Peter is finished. Welcome to 2 Peter!

There are many similarities between the ministries and the letters written by Peter and Paul. Peter was the leader of the Christian church in Jerusalem, Paul’s letters were written to church plants and church leaders being mentored in Greek and Roman city-states of the Roman Empire. We are blessed to have such a large collection in the New Testament. The list of characteristics Peter wants his listeners to remember echoes the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5.

Shepherd the Flock; Resist the Devil

1 Peter 5 offers instructions for church elders and younger members; or in other words leaders and followers. Well known warning to be sober and vigilant for “your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” This is the end of our 1 Peter series.