First Baptist Church of New Carlisle, Ohio has a rich and unique history in our community. Since 1955 we've been establishing ourselves as a lighthouse for Jesus Christ in our hometown of New Carlisle, Ohio.

We have Bible Study at 9:15 am and Worship Service at 10:30 am every Sunday. Childcare/nursery provided for all services. Wednesdays we have Prayer Meeting at 7:00 pm and Revive Student Ministries for youth at 7:00 pm

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Let's Talk About Something Else

By Pastor Rick Shoemaker

Recently, a fellow grandparent was babysitting for her two grandchildren. Grandma had been upstairs for a while and when she came down; she noticed that the bottom of the aquarium had been generously landscaped with fish food.
Confiscating the now empty fish food box, she tracked down her grand kids and sternly said, “Kids, there is something we need to talk about.” Two pair of guilty eyes gazed up at grandma. She sternly stated, “How many times have I told you not to feed the fish? They only need a little pinch of food and someone poured out the whole box! Do you have anything you would like to say?” Her quick-witted four year old replied, “Yes, Grandma, let’s talk about something else!” When was the last time you talked about where you will spend eternity?  We talk about the weather, sports, television shows and other trivialities, but when the subject of eternity is broached, we seem to protest, “Let’s talk about something else!”

Why are we so reluctant to take time to consider our eternal destination?
Every day everyone gets ever closer to the end of this life! Doesn’t it make sense that we should be sure that when the time comes to leave this world that we are prepared for that most important trip? What could be more important to talk about than how to be sure of Heaven and how to avoid Hell? 

A few years ago, I knew a man who was dying of bone cancer. A highly intelligent man, he had lived most of his years confident he didn’t need God. But in those last months, struggling with that dread disease, and missing his then departed Christian wife, I asked him if he would like to talk about how to be sure of Heaven. He readily agreed.
For two hours, we discussed a topic he had sadly avoided most of his life. We spoke of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross. We examined the fascinating evidence for Christ’s resurrection.  When I asked Vince, “Would you like to receive the gift of eternal life that Jesus died and rose again to provide for you?” without the slightest hesitation, he said, “Oh, yes! How can I do that?” In his hospital bed, he sincerely prayed to invite Jesus to become his Savior and Lord. Vince lived about three or four months after that decision. Two weeks before he died, he said, “Pastor, I wish I had considered Jesus long ago when I was still strong and healthy! I could have done something in return for all He did for me.”  He was sorry he had not discussed it long before. Still I am glad that this time when I asked Vince if he wanted to talk about Heaven, he didn’t say, “Let’s talk about something else.”

When Christians decide to obey the command of Jesus to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel (good news) to every creature,” many react to those efforts negatively. But some, like my friend, Vince, welcome such discussion.
He died in peace knowing that Heaven would be his destination. 

If you lack that assurance today, I pray you will not be foolish to ignore such a crucial conversation.  Jeremiah 29:13 promises, “”You shall seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart!”

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Confusion & Winter Continues - Pastor Rick Shoemaker

Today is Groundhog Day. I’m not sure how I ought to celebrate. I’m not sure if I ought to celebrate. I suppose it depends on whether or not that pesky rodent saw his shadow this morning.
I have never been quite sure if it is best for him to see his shadow or not see his shadow. So I decided this year to do some research. And now I know! “If Groundhog Day is clear and bright, Winter’s cold will stay and fight!” So, if today was bright and sunny, that giant rat saw his shadow and we will have six more weeks of winter.
But, “If Groundhog Day was cloudy and gray, winter will soon go away!” No shadow means an early spring! At least that is the theory behind this tradition.

Unfortunately, according to statistical data, Punxsutawney Phil, the premier prognosticator among groundhogs, has been right only 38 percent the time! Which means he is wrong 62 percent of the time.
I am so confused! I want an early spring. So if the groundhog did not see his shadow “the day was cloudy and gray and winter will soon go away. That sounds good. But if he is only accurate 38 percent of the time then that means that he was probably wrong! I don’t know if I should get my golf clubs cleaned or buy a new snow shovel!
There are very few things in life that are certain. Benjamin Franklin is credited with the old adage, “In the world nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes!

However, in light of Franklin’s first mentioned certainty, I am grateful that the Bible promises we can be sure of eternal life. Would it not be tragic to remain in the shadow of doubt when it comes to the single most certain experience in our life?
I read a story of a Sunday school teacher who asked her class, “Who knows why we celebrate Easter every year?”
One child chimed in, “Oh, that’s when you go sit on the big bunny rabbit’s lap and tell him what you want in your Easter basket.”
A  second child agreed and added, “Yes! The bunny brings a basket full of chocolate eggs and jelly beans!”
Disappointed, the teacher interrupted and gently said, “Those are good guesses. But does anyone know the real reason we celebrate Easter? The class “theologian” nodded her head. “It’s when Jesus was crucified. He died, and His disciples put His body in the grave. Then, on the third day, the stone rolled away ...”
The teacher was really encouraged that at least one of her class knew these important details!
Her young student continued, “And then the entire town would come out by the grave, And if  Jesus came out and saw his shadow, they knew there would be six more weeks of winter!

In light of the fact that everyone must one day travel what the Bible calls, “the valley of the shadow of death,” one of the saddest realities is how few people have assurance of a home in Heaven.  Most folks have some kind of muddled theory of trying to be good enough to get in but are really clueless as to how good is good enough to qualify. The truth is, “There is none righteous. No not one!” (Romans 3:10) But self-righteousness has never been good enough to gain a place in Heaven. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.” (Titus 3:5)
The way to Heaven is found in Christ and His empty tomb. He promises, “I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish.” I believe He is a Man of His word! I trust Jesus absolutely. And when it comes to eternity, He offers a 100 percent guarantee! That is good enough for me!