eJuly Broadcaster by Bethany Baptist Church

“Lethality of Legalism” cont’d

The Lethality of Legalism

Dr. Ritch Boerckel

There is therefore now no worship of God in the church. condemnation for those who Legalism is a lethal problem are in Christ Jesus. For the law for us. Many forms of legalism of the Spirit of life has set you are deceptively subtle. So free in Christ Jesus from the much so that the legalist law of sin and death. For God seldom recognizes that he is has done what the law, one. The legalist believes weakened by the flesh, could himself to be zealous for not do. By righteousness. sending his own “Many forms He does not see Son in the that he is of legalism are likeness of sinful straining out flesh and for sin, gnats and deceptively he condemned swallowing subtle. So sin in the flesh, camels. in order that the much so that How can I tell if I righteous am a legalist? requirement of the legalist This set of six the law might checks helps me seldom be fulfilled in us discern a (Romans 8:1–4, recognizes legalistic spirit in ESV). my own life. I that he is one.” The Law of God pray it assists you is good. Yet the too. Law is insufficient to help us Check #1: A pride in moral worship God and live for Him. achievements. Legalism As long as we look to the Law deceives us into thinking that to help us live for God, we will we measure up to God’s be enslaved to sin. A focus standard for a righteous life. upon God’s Law pushes us Such self-righteousness away from Jesus as our source reveals that of righteousness and toward a we do not understand how self-produced righteousness ... perfect God’s righteousness is. which is really no Check #2: A defensive spirit. righteousness at all. This is The legalist hates correction why legalism is so very harmful to the Christian, and is and instruction. He resists humble confession. If sin is so very damaging to the

confronted, the legalist becomes angry and moves forcefully to proclaim his innocence in the matter. He breaks relationship from those who seek to restore him to practical righteousness. He feels justified in withdrawing love from those who approach him to discuss sin issues. Check #3: A critical spirit of others. The tongue of the legalist is quick and sharp. Hang around a legalist very long and his dagger will eventually pierce your heart. In a strange way, the legalist is particularly sensitive over the sins in others that enslave his own soul. He readily casts erring people out of his life. His harsh fixation upon the sins of others helps him to ignore his own sins. Check #4: A lack of joy. There are no happy legalists. The legalist is the classic frowning Christian who grumbles about the moral state of the world and of the church. He has no Gospel joy. He is often filled with spiritual discouragement, defeat and even depression. He does not blame his unhappiness upon the disrepair of his own soul. He blames it on the sorry state of others. Check #5: A long list. The legalist loves lists. He wants to be very clear on what is acceptable and what is not. Thus, the legalist creates long lists of extra-biblical standards

that he imposes upon others with the surety of Mount Sinai’s stone tablets. The legalist on one hand requires less than the Bible by diminishing the internal requirements of the Law and on the other hand requires more than the Bible by adding to the external requirements of God’s Law.

Discovering Church Membership Saturday, July 9 — 8-11am Make plans to join us for this class on if you are interested in joining the church or learning more about Bethany. Please call the church office at 692-1755 to sign up.

Check #6: A mask to hide behind. The legalist cannot be transparent with others. He is more concerned about external reputation than he is about internal character. So he creates a public persona that does not match his private life. Sometimes he shows his real self to his own family, but some legalists are skilled at hiding their inner world even from their own family.

Hats of Hope Work Night

Do any symptoms of legalism appear in your life? If so, run to Christ Jesus in faith. He alone can deliver our hearts from sin.

Sunday, July 31 at 12:30pm in the Gym

The answer to the problem of persistent sin is not the Law, but the Lord; not regulations, but our Redeemer; not cold commands, but the risen Christ! Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30, ESV). 

Tuesday, July 19 — 6-9pm Help make hats for cancer patients. All ladies are invited to come and use your talents in sewing and knitting, or simply to cut fabric and make fabric flowers. For more information, please contact Holly Miller at hlm112770@aol.com.

Newcomer’s Lunch If you are a new attender at Bethany and wish to learn more about us, meet our pastors, and ask questions, you are invited to join us for this lunch. Please call the church office at 692-1755 to sign up.

Directory Photos are Coming Soon! Make plans to be a part of our new family directory. We are excited to capture this moment in our 125 year history and we want YOU to be a part of it. Photo appointments will be offered the last week in July and the first week in August. Watch your bulletin and email inbox for sign up details.

For information on SummerFest, contact josh@bethanycentral.org or aaron@bethanycentral.org.

Plus these additional youth events during July:

July 8-9: Sr. High Man Camp July 11-15: Serve at VBS July 13: Youth Lunch, 12pm

Address Service Requested

PERMIT NO. 917

PEORIA, ILLINOIS

P A I D

Dirk & Liz Arends, Stephanie Brattin, Dorothy Magnuson, Muriel Unseth. Plus Dave & Beth Robinson from BCC and John & Megan Finney from LHCC.

Open To Kids In K-6th Grade! Students are registered based on the grade they will be entering in the fall. There is no cost for VBS. (Nursery and Pre-K provided for children of volunteers.)

Pray for Uganda Team Traveling from July 16-30. Trip Focus: The Uganda trip will focus on developing a new HopeAlive! school property, and minister to the staff, children and mentors of HopeAlive, including our GO-Partner Catharine Coon.

Avoid the walk-in lines! Register online at www.bethanycentral.org/vbs Online registration closes July 4.

Bethany Baptist Team Members

Pray for VBS! Join us for First Prayer on Wednesday, July 6 at 6:00pm as we focus on VBS. We will pray with VBS volunteers attending the training event then go out to the gazebo to continue our prayer time.

Gordy, Sandi, Gabe & Luke Cross; Tim Delaney; Jairus Lin; Jim Ommen; Steve, Hannah & Logan Queen; Joy & Chase Siebenborn, Bekah Smith, Taylor Washburn. Plus Dana & Adaline Pace from BCC. You Can Help: We are collecting items to take to Uganda: Rack-O chess, Concentration, Old Maid, Set, Spot It, Qwitch, Jenga, Rubik’s cubes, soccer balls with needles and pumps, school supplies, bright colored pencils, books from pre-K up to 3rd/4th grade level. Donations bins are located in the foyer. Follow the team online at: uganda2016-07.blogspot.com

*water activities +If weather conditions are poor, we will meet at Bethany Baptist.

Bethany Baptist Team Members

July 2016 issue of

Wednesday, July 27  6:15-9:00pm Identity Corrupted with Jimmy Houck Party on the Lawn (Dress for outdoor games) Last Names A-H bring: frozen treats The Christenberryʼs (1202 W Hicks Hollow, Edelstein)+

Trip Focus: This team will help our GO-Partners, Sam & Jamie Hornbrook with an outreach VBS for neighborhood children in the church’s new location. One of the aspects of the VBS will be a daily English class.

7422 N. Heinz Lane Edwards, IL 61528

Wednesday, July 20  6:15-9:00pm Identity of Women with Bob & Markie Castle Olympics (Dress to compete)* Last Names R-Z bring: Inter’l food The Plattnerʼs (2818 N Taylor Rd, Hanna City)+

Pray for the Mexico City Team Traveling July 14-25.

The Broadcaster

Wednesday, July 6  6:15-9:00pm Identity of Men with Chris & Sandra Larson America Night (Dress patriotic)* Last Names I-Q bring: chips, potato salad, pasta salad Bethany Baptist Church (7422 N Heinz Ln, Edwards)

U.S. POSTAGE

NON-PROFIT ORG.

All Jr. & Sr. High Students are invited to join us for SummerFest!

Set-Up: Sunday, July 10 after 2nd service and a pizza lunch Tear-Down: Friday, July 15 at the end of VBS after a gondola lunch

VBS Training Sessions

July 3 or July 6 at 6:00pm Attention all VBS volunteers, please help us offer a safe, fun, Gospel-centered VBS by attending a training session.