Several Bethany Baptist Church folks got on the church bus, Friday morning, to go around business places in Ava with flyers announcing the Vacation Bible School that starts here Monday, July 18 and continues through to Friday, July 24. All the fun begins at 6:15 and goes through 8:30 each evening with singing, Bible lessons, crafts, games, snacks, and the big “Penny Race.” The adults will have classes starting and ending at the same times, Wednesday through Friday evening.
Pastor Bob Sorensen, Darlene, and Sally, his sister, Phyllis, niece, Lisa, and Lisa’s son, Brady, drove to Arkansas, Friday, for a visit with Luke Sorensen who is working as a blacksmith at the Ozark Medieval Fortress in Lead Hill, Arkansas.
The angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in the burning bush and said that he would send Moses to bring his people out of Egypt. Moses asked the Lord what he should say when the people asked for the name of the God of their fathers. God said unto Moses, “I AM THAT I AM:” He was to say that, “I AM” hath sent me unto you.
The great, “I AM” was with the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace, with Daniel in the lions’ den, with Israel as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, Abraham’s ram that was slain instead of Isaac, and the scapegoat in the desert.
When Jesus referred to himself as “I AM,” it was regarded as the ultimate blasphemy, but the “I AM’s” of Jesus define who and what he is. In John 6:35 Jesus said, “I am the bread of life: he that cometh unto me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”
Bread can supply the necessary nutrition for survival. Bread supplies a basic need of mankind. A person fed with bread and water can live indefinitely. When Jesus said, “I am the bread of life” he was saying, I am every thing that you need for spiritual life, you don’t need anything else. Like bread, Jesus will satisfy the hungry soul, bread is suited for all kinds of people all ages, all races, small or great, rich or poor, kings or slaves. Jesus died for all.
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” The light of the sun is essential to life on the earth. Plants must have sunlight to manufacture food which directly or indirectly provides for all the animals and mankind on the earth. Even so, Jesus Christ is essential to spiritual life. People who are in spiritual darkness are destined for hell if they do not find the Light of the world, Jesus.
Jesus also said, “I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.” There are no other doors to receive salvation. There are many doors that offer a false hope. These are the doors of good works, good character, sincerity, and church membership. All these doors are associated with salvation, but do not provide salvation. No one can do enough good works to obtain salvation. When the Philippian jailer asked how he could be saved, the answer was, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” There is much to be gained by going through Christ’s door. You gain provision, safety, and salvation when you come in faith and repentance to Jesus.
