The Tomb is Empty

Posted on March 27, 2016 by Clark Bunch

March 27, 2016     |     text: Luke 23:50-24:9

Is Jesus the sheep or the shepherd? A hired hand may run away if danger presents itself but a shepherd loves and cares for his sheep. Jesus described himself (John 10) as the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. He had compassion for those hurting and in need and saw the multitudes of people coming to him as sheep without a shepherd. The Bible also describes him as the Lamb of God and the sacrificial lamb, similar to the Passover lamb of Exodus 12. Jesus is the Good Shepherd and also the Lamb of God that was slain. He is the bread of life and living water. He is the rock that gives water in dry places, the rose of Sharon, the Lily of the Valley, the bright morning star, the solid foundation on which the wise build and the stone the builders rejected which has become our cornerstone. All of the metaphors help us paint a portrait as we attempt to understand who and what Jesus is. He is really the Son of God that loved us when we were unlovable, lost in our sins and enemies of God. When we could not come to God he came to us, gathering those that were willing to himself. Why he would do that is mind boggling and that’s why we need the images. Continue reading →

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He Cannot Save Himself

Posted on March 20, 2016 by Clark Bunch

March 20, 2016     |     text: Mark 15:21-47

I was spoiled in some ways during our time at OBI (Oneida Baptist Institute). We met in the middle of each day for a 30 minute chapel service and – no kidding – twice on Sundays. That gave us the opportunity to do Passion Week/ Holy Week up right. There were several preachers on staff as well as drama, music and art students and teachers. We had a morning and evening service on Palm Sunday, five daily chapel services throughout the week, and two more Sunday services on Easter Sunday (plus a sunrise service for those interested). We spent the week not only preaching but using all the talents and media at our disposal dealing with Jesus’ final week. The Triumphal entry, Last Supper, lesson of the fig tree, washing the disciples feet and false trial could each get their own day. We could preach/teach/share the crucifixion on Good Friday, then celebrate the resurrection on Easter morning!

We will do the best we can with the time we have. Our text this morning is a portion of Mark 15 but it wouldn’t hurt to read all of chapters 13, 14 and 15 this week or the corresponding narrative in Matthew and Luke. Only two Gospel accounts record the birth of Jesus but it’s worth noting that all four share his death, burial and resurrection. Continue reading →

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Easter Egg Hunt

Posted on March 18, 2016 by Clark Bunch

Screenshot 2016-03-16 at 2.17.53 PMJoin us Saturday, March 26th at 1 pm. Come for the Easter Egg Hunt, stay for snacks, refreshments, fun & games.

UPDATE: Praise report on the weather! Click here for pics via Unity’s Facebook page.

 

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Christians and Voting

Posted on March 14, 2016 by Clark Bunch

Published in The Calhoun Times Saturday, March 5th. 

Screenshot 2015-09-23 at 2.19.54 PM - EditedLet me begin by saying that I do not tell my congregation how to vote or who to vote for and I’m not even going to suggest to my readers how they should vote. I feel very strongly that you should vote but even I have lost some faith in the system over the years. I want to address Christians and voting more than this specific election cycle. Continue reading →

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Whoever Receives You Receives Me

Posted on March 13, 2016 by Clark Bunch

Part 4 in the Things Jesus Said series.

March 13, 2016     |     text: Matthew 10 

We have been reviewing some of the things Jesus said in preparation for the Passion week and celebrating Easter. For the past few weeks we have looked carefully at many of the lessons from the Sermon on the Mount. There’s a lot of good stuff in there. I have pined over what to do with this final sermon. Four weeks ago I thought about Jesus’ final words from the cross, such as when he prayed for those crucifying him or told one of the thieves he would be with him in paradise that very day. One of my favorite New Testament verses is when Jesus says “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” I preached that sermon in Kentucky but haven’t used it here; yet. A four part sermon series sounds like a lot but I have discovered when dealing with the words of Jesus it isn’t nearly enough.

We need a passage of scripture this is powerful and relevant for the church today, that inspires and motivates God’s people to act, and that shares the Gospel message. Please direct your attention to Matthew 10:40. “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.” Continue reading →

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Subscribe via Email

Posted on March 11, 2016 by Clark Bunch

Screenshot 2016-03-11 at 12.36.53 PMSocial media websites like Facebook and Twitter also use email to stay in touch with their users. Blogs, businesses and churches use email to communicate with their customers/members and receive feedback. Some people do not use social media or read blogs and rely on email for everything, business and pleasure. Unity Baptist Church is building an email subscriber list and will soon begin using email in our ongoing effort to reach new people and stay in touch with old friends.

We would like to offer two different levels of email communication. Continue reading →

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The Luke 15 Parable

Posted on March 7, 2016 by Clark Bunch

Screenshot 2015-09-23 at 2.19.54 PM - EditedLuke 15:11-32 is well known to most people as the Parable of the Prodigal Son. That title is something of a misnomer but “The Parable of the Forgiving Father” is not likely to catch on anytime soon. Like so many other things, the people that named it didn’t ask me what I thought. The Lord’s prayer should be called the Disciples’ Prayer or perhaps the Model Prayer, but that’s another subject for another day.

Most of us use the word prodigal incorrectly. (It is prodigal, not protical by the way). Anytime someone leaves and comes back we call that person a prodigal child. Prodigal refers to the way he spent his money, frivolously wasting it away. If he spent all he had and died in the pig slop he would still have been the prodigal son. Those little subject headers, if your Bible has those, are helpful but not words of scripture. Just like chapter and verse numbers, those were added later by various publishers. In this case the result is unfortunate. Continue reading →

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Build Your House on the Rock

Posted on March 6, 2016 by Clark Bunch

Part 3 in the Things Jesus Said series.

March 6, 2016     |     text: Matthew 7

“Money is the root of all evil.” “God helps those that help themselves.” “This too shall pass.” What do all of these sayings have in common? They are either misquoted or wrongly attributed to the Bible. Let’s add “Do not judge” to the list then go to Matthew 7 for context.

Judging others is the section headline in the ESV; the NKJV titles the same text “Do Not Judge.” If we only read verse 1, then we might conclude judging others is always wrong in every case. By reading all the way to verse 5 we see that hypocrisy, not judgement, is what is being forbidden. Recall that three in Matthew 6 Jesus warned not to be like the hypocrites are, and this chapter is a continuation of the same sermon. Continue reading →

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Easter/ March Calendar

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Clark Bunch

There is a lot going on in the month of March!
Here’s a handy guide to what’s up at Unity.

March 11th – 12th
North Georgia Men’s Conference at Trinity Baptist in Calhoun. Click here for more.

March 13th
Daylight Saving Time begins (spring forward one hour).

March 19th, 1 p.m.
Community Easter Egg Hunt. Bring the whole family for egg hunt by age group, plus snacks, dogs and beverages. Continue reading →

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Lay Up Treasures in Heaven

Posted on February 28, 2016 by Clark Bunch

Part 2 of the Things Jesus Said series.

February 28, 2016    |     text: Matthew 6

Screenshot 2016-02-26 at 11.39.40 AMDo not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. -Matthew 6:19-21

Understanding treasures on earth should be pretty straightforward. Treasure used to be a wooden chest filled with gold coins and jewels. Today it looks more like a healthy IRA with a diversified portfolio but some things never change. Rust and moth can corrupt physically tangible treasures, and a bad turn of the stock market can wipe out a profitable 401-K. The key to understanding treasures in heaven is Jesus statement “Your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” He gave three specific examples of how to put Matt. 6:1 into practice. Continue reading →

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