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Sunday 5.25 2pm through 6pm

Please come join us for fun, fellowship, praise & a message!

What to Bring: A main dish and side or desert

Lawn chairs

What’s Provided: Dishes, cups, and silverware

What’s Happening: Games for the kids (And Adults!)

Bouncy House (need some volunteers)

Questions: Call Randy Whitman @ 291-5050 or 981-8434

Directions: From the North: I-75 South to 370 East. Follow 370 to downtown Bellevue. Take right on Hancock. Becomes Harlan Lewis Rd. Follow south, take left at the sign to base lake, right at “T” and follow around lake till you see the campground. Pavilion #3 on left.

From South: I-75N, take La Platte Rd East, left on Harlan Lewis Rd to Base Lake sign.

Link to Google Maps for more specifics

We are moving from what I consider my ideal home; open floor plan, parquet floors (cf Boston Garden), a nice backyard view, affordable mortgage, centrally located in Omaha, and easy access to the interstate. I really like this house. But at the same time God seems to be making it clear that we are to move so that we can move forward with a church plant some 25 miles south of us. So perhaps some of my emotion comes from an unbalanced earthly attachment to this structure, but I tend to doubt it; I have come to grips with the need to move.

Instead I think there are a couple of other factors at work here. One of which has been the recent push by so many within our church family to help get our house ready to sell. Now I should say that my handyman skills rival a blind camel; I have little to nothing to offer. This does not mean that I don’t work hard, it’s just the effectiveness and success that I have trouble with. As a result we have had a steady stream of people at our house over the last 60 days or so. These folks are doing everything from putting in a new front door, to installing lights, to cleaning windows, to plumbing, to landscaping, to painting, to cutting wood, and on the list goes. The fact of the matter is, I simply could not have done what needed to be done. People with far greater talent and skill are working hard to help us move and be better situated for ministry at the new campus.

To make matters better, so many folks want to talk about how great our Lord is. I love this. They come and work and brag about Christ’s greatness! Christie and I have been repeatedly floored by the effect of God’s grace in the life of so many people. God has been pleased to wed service with a Christ-centered joy that produces in us such sustained rejoicing.

This causes me to think about the effect of preaching and teaching the Word of God. To the extent that we truly serve one another to the glory of Christ we do so by the attendance of the Spirit of God to the Word of God in building up saints of God to serve, ultimately for the glory of God. When people serve it should motivate pastors and teachers to study harder, for God is doing something in these people’s lives.

I think the other emotional extreme is the reality that we are doing this (moving and planting a church). Of course I have not been in denial, but this helps things to become really tangible. I know that I never will know what it really is like to give birth (nor do I desire to) however, the countdown to the first Sunday does seem to parallel the various trimesters. One thing is sure, July 13th is coming fast and will be here before I know it.

The reason for this post is ultimately to brag on Christ. He is doing amazing things both in our lives and the lives of those around us. We are praying that we would truly think like missionaries and pursue the expansion of the gospel into this community. We know this is the right thing to do. At the same time, it is refreshing, convicting, motivating, and worship-provoking to be surrounded by so many who are yelling with their hands of service, prayers, and words of encouragement to work hard and fill that city with Christ’s teaching (Acts 5.28).

As we conclude our study of the ‘I Am’ statements of Jesus and look forward to an exciting season in the next few months with the start of Sunday services, we are going to come together as a large group and enjoy some fun, food and fellowship on May 25th at the Offutt Base Lake (a detailed map forthcoming). The plan is to begin at 2pm. There will be a time of exhortation from the Scriptures as well as some singing.

The plan is to have everyone bring some food to share (a main dish and a side or a dessert). There are also some grills available for us there, but you are welcome to bring your own as well. Paper plates and napkins will be provided along with drinks. There are chairs and benches available there, but feel free to bring outdoor chairs.

We will rent the bouncy house for the kids to play in while also having access to large grassy areas for football or other recreational activities. So come ready to have fun!

>> Please note:: We do need to have a somewhat reliable head count. You may RSVP via your care group or by just leaving a comment here giving us the total number in your party.

This should be a great time, so save the date and let’s have a great time!

OK…First off, we have a great opportunity this weekend after Care Groups to get a tour of the facility at Bellevue West High School. Bruce will have the building opened up at 8:30 and we’ll be able to walk through and get a good idea of what we are looking at in terms of space. You will no doubt be amazed and encouraged as you see the great facility that God has provided us to do ministry. In anticipation of the question, the answer is yes, kids are welcome to come too.  We will meet at the High School West entrance–the door to the left of the Commons sign (nearest US 75).

Secondly, I want to give you the schedule for what we are looking at for Sunday mornings. We will have Sunday School available for all ages (just like OBC) however, we’ll merge the jr and sr high group. We will also have Fundamentals of the Faith, a Getting Started Class, and a general session class that promises to be an encouraging and edifying time for believers. You will have more details on this shortly.

Here is the schedule:

0900 – 0945 Sunday School (All Ages)

1000 – 1130 Morning Service

I must say, while we are talking about schedule, that the mobility team will be unloading the trailer from 0700 until 0800 and then loading it back up from 1145 or so until it is done. I know that Bob is recruiting many for this endeavor, so please see him to get involved in this crucial ministry.

This is truly and exciting time! Join me in rejoicing in our infinitely worthy and glorious God through Jesus Christ our Lord. And friends, even as I type that word ‘our’ I am again struck by the possessiveness of it. Jesus is our Lord. And the only reason why he is your Lord is because he has died for our sin and he has graciously and powerfully laid a hold of us…and made us his! Let us continue to rejoice in the great God who has glorious truth, even anchored in little words!

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I am speaking of those dear saints who have made it their practice to come to a meeting, a phone conversation, a meal, an email, or wherever, and instead of just talking about ‘stuff’ they have spoken to me of our Savior, of his cross, of the gospel’s power, of the Scripture’s truthfulness, of God’s character, etc. These dear saints are gusts of gospel breeze into my sails. They are friends indeed.

In light of the immense need for encouragement and the infinite value of Christ himself, here is a charge to fellow believers…

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I need you. I need you to help me. I need you to live your life in such a way that it intends to draw my attention to the glory and greatness of our God. I beg you not to sleep in tomorrow morning but instead to get up and read your Bible. Discover afresh the beauty of God in the sacred text. Dwell upon his faithfulness to his own promises. Muse upon his glorious gift of grace in the salvation of sinners like you and me. Write the Word of God upon your own heart so that it produces reverence for God.

Also, I urge you to spend time on your knees in prayer. And whatever you do, don’t fall asleep, don’t let your mind wander; don’t stop praying until you start praying. Drive yourself into humble submission before the great and infinite reservoir of grace that you might find help in your neediness.

As you leave and go about your day, please preach the glories of the gospel to yourself. Tell yourself afresh of the glorious gift of grace, the Lord Jesus Christ, that incarnation of holiness and love; hear again the words of John the Baptist, “Behold, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1.29) Watch him obey the Law in your place, see his perfection in both speech and in deed. Hear him say afresh, “I always do what is pleasing to my Father” (John 8.29). Watch him march resolutely to the cross to purchase our redemption. See him pray for his executioners, evangelize his fellow cross-bearers, gasp for breath, commission his disciple, proclaim it is finished, and then give up his life. See him here and marvel. But don’t stop here! Run with the disciples to the tomb and stoop with them and see, see ‘the linen cloths by themselves’ and you too come away ‘marveling at what had happened’ (Luke 24.12). Rejoice at the reality of the living Savior who has given his life to vindicate the glory of God and rescue a people for himself.

Now as you leave, sing the doctrinal praise along with Paul “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph. 1.3ff) in tune with Peter with “joy inexpressible” (1 Pet. 1.8).

And now believer, come and talk to a Christian like me and tell me something. Tell me something eternal (Ps. 92.8)! Give me something for my soul (Matt. 4.4)! Tell me what impresses you about Christ (Matt. 8.27)! Tell me of the gospel’s power (Rom. 1.16)! Tell me of Christ’s success as a high priest (Heb. 7.27)! Tell me of his impending return (Matt. 24.30)! Tell me of the divine purpose in trials (Jam 1.3-5)! Tell me the perseverance of the saints (Jude 24)! Tell me of the ultimate success of the church (Matt. 16.18)! Tell me God’s gracious work in your life (2 Cor. 3.18)! Tell me of the purity and power of the word of God (Ps. 19.7ff)! Tell me of how you are praying for me (Col. 1.9ff)! Please…I need you to do this. My heart needs to hear continually of why Christ is so great (2 Pet. 1.12). So please Christian, don’t forget to tell me. Please…be a good friend (Heb. 3.13ff). And by the grace of God, I will return the favor to you.

Your brother in the fellowship of the Lord Jesus Christ,

Erik Raymond

We just finalized our agreement with Bellevue West High School to lease their facility. For those of you familiar with the school you no doubt join me in excitement. For those of you who are unfamiliar, we will utilize the large auditorium (approx. 400 seats), cafeteria (ability to be divided), and commons area. This wide open space really meets our expectations and needs.

So now we can say that, Lord willing, we will begin services on Sunday morning, July 13th at Bellevue West High School.

We are so thankful to God for this obvious answer to the prayers of many. Join me in rejoicing with God-centered anticipation!

Here is a map of the location…

What a blessing to study together the great ‘I AM’ statements of Jesus! Jesus Christ makes such bold claims about Himself because He is nothing less than God-incarnate! He is the great I AM, the all-sufficient God.

This week we studied – Jesus is the Door.

In John 10:9-10, Jesus said, “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

Notice he says in verse 9, if anyone enters through Me he will be SAVED. Jesus is the only way of salvation from sin and hell. This sounds reminiscent of John 14:6 “…I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” It’s narrow; it’s exclusive, but that’s where it starts. If you have not entered through Jesus, through His substitutionary atonement on the cross, you are under divine wrath. You need to be saved, rescued, and delivered from your sin! If you trust in Jesus by faith, Jesus says in John 10:27-28 “…I give eternal life to [My Sheep], and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”

As a result of entering through Jesus, He says His sheep will go “in and out and find pasture” (v9). Jesus is the door through which ‘the sheep enter the safety of God’s fold and go out to the rich pasture of His blessing’. Jesus also says that He came “…that they may have life, and have it abundantly”(v10). The Greek word for “abundantly” describes something that goes far beyond what is necessary; something that is excessive.

What is excessive about the life Jesus gives? It’s means more than having infinite quantity of days to live, though that is true. Rather, the abundant, eternal life is about KNOWING GOD HIMSELF!

In John 17:3 Jesus defined eternal life like this. He was praying to his Father in heaven, and said: “This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.“

Eternal life is summed up in a personal, intimate knowledge of the God of the Universe and His Son Jesus! John Piper said it this way, “[Eternal life] is NOT like an inoculation against the disease of death, that works unconsciously like a spiritual antibiotic. It is a conscious experience of knowing and relating to God.” (emphasis mine)

Jesus is the door to knowing Himself and the Father – that’s abundant, excessive, eternal life! Paul was awestruck by this prospect when he described the “…the unfathomable riches of Christ” (Ephesians 3:8) and that in Christ “…are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3).

In Philippians 3:8-10, we see Paul’s heart to know Christ,

“I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death”

Knowing Christ (v8), gaining Christ (v8), that I may know Him (v10), including His death, resurrection, and sufferings (which is a study in itself)…that’s what it all about.

Life in Jesus Christ is abundant and satisfying because it’s about knowing Him in both this present life and the life to come. Are you finding your satisfaction, Believer, in anything but Him? Spend time this week praising Jesus Christ as the door to knowing God because of His incarnation, death, and resurrection.

The changes result from 1) Resurrection Sunday (3.23) and 2) A Baptism Service at OBC on Sunday 3.30. One of our dear friends, Denise Ball will be getting baptized, so make plans to come and encourage Denise and be impressed with the work of divine grace in her life.

We plan to be back on schedule with the 2nd and 4th Sunday nights in April.

My family home had a ship’s clock hanging on the wall. It reported ‘bells’ on the half-hour rather than chiming on the hours. If you have not heard the ships bell system, it rings in a series of eight rather than the familiar 12 hour system. The ‘eight bell’ system was designed to direct the functions of the sailors on duty sailing and tending a ship on a series of four hour watches.� (Eight Bells completed every 4 hours when sounding on the half-hours)

Bells are interesting. Some historians report that the largest known bell weighed over 600 thousand pounds and was lost in Myanmar by the Portuguese who had taken it from a local temple. The largest functional bell still in existence is the Mingun bell in Mingun, Myanmar which weighs in at just over 200 thousand pounds.

I am sure that through your life you have heard various bells in churches and schools. Bells are often sounded for a purpose. Bells can remind us of the time or perhaps remind us of events such as weddings, victories, or calls us to worship and/or prayer.

Consider this email the ringing of a great bell. The bell tolls a loud and constant call for prayer for the ministries of Omaha Bible Church in the Sarpy County area. In your personal and family devotions, small group meetings, care groups or other gatherings, I ask you to purposely pray for the following.

Pray that God will be glorified in all activities relating to OBC South
Pray for the leadership of OBC, the pastors, elders and others who are seeking God’s Wisdom and direction for the ministry
Pray that God will provide the place and things needed to begin services at OBC South
Pray that God will raise up gifted individuals to fill the needs of the church
Pray that each individual’s focus will be on Christ, His Church and His Kingdom
Pray for God to grant love, patience and understanding to all who are involved in preparations for the new ministry
Pray that Bellevue, Papillion and the surrounding area would be impacted by the preaching and teaching of God’s Word to His glory
Pray that God would change hearts, and call His own to worship and obedience
Pray that the Holy Spirit would lead draw all of us to God’s Word as the perfect source of knowledge, understanding and correct action in planting a church

I would ask you to pray all the above and anything else the Spirit lays upon your heart to pray in support of the church plant. We are to encourage one another to love and good works. I ask each of you to encourage one another in praying for this ministry. Please pray for this church planting effort whether you plan to attend services in the Bellevue/Papillion area or not.

The bell is sounding-it is our ‘watch.’ May our great God and King be glorified by our prayers and our desire to serve Him.

Your Brother in Christ,
Hank

PS If you will commit to praying regularly for this ministry, please see me on Sunday morning and I will give you something to help you in this endeavor.