Pastor Larry Writes:

Special Meetings
Camden Baptist Church
March 28, 2012

Last night was our second night of special meetings. A total of 95 were in attendance to hear Pastor Daniel Dark preach to us from I Peter 3:15 on the topic of “Thinking Differently About Christ”. We were treated musically to a song by the choir entitled “Rain Down” and Pastor Bill led the congregation in singing some old hymns of the faith.
Gina Clark shared a brief testimony about what she called “the trial of her life”. She told how God had sustained her over the last year as she battled cancer and that she is grateful that God has brought her through this physical trial. She went on to clarify, though that the trial of her life was not cancer as she originally thought. The struggle she faces is to save her marriage. She is praying for restoration and reconciliation. Please pray with her as she seeks to honor God and remain a good testimony for Jesus Christ in the midst of this trial.
Below are some notes and quotes from Pastor Dark’s sermon.

Introduction:
· The different aspects of sanctification.
o Positional sanctification - God sets us apart positionally at the moment of salvation.
o Glorified sanctification - God sets us apart from the effects and presence of sin at the moment we enter heaven.
o Progressive sanctification – God gives us the ability to set apart Christ in our lives by making Him front and center.
§ Illustration: A sleeping cat can be awakened by the smell of raw meat waved in front of his nose – that’s revival.
As we set apart Christ…
1. We do not fear
· We will live in a world filled with fear.
· What do we have to fear when God is our God and we know He’s in control?
o David did not fear Goliath because He had God in the right place.
o The reason I fear is because my God is not big enough. Fear dissipates when we see God as big.
2. We will be ready with an answer
· We will know the Word of God and we will know God.
· We need a revival of the Word of God.
o Illustration: Killing a python with his knife while growing up in Africa. His point was that the Word of God is useless unless we use it like he used his knife. Take it, use it, apply it.
3. We will submit to Authority
· Submission to God…it is one of the most difficult things.
· We are totally dependent on God.
o Illustration: Pastor Dark was allowed to take the controls of a plane while flying. He then had to give the pilot back the controls to fly and land the plane.
· Quote: “God is the only One who has ever lived your life before.”
o It means God knows every moment of our future. Doesn’t it make sense to give Him the controls of your life?
o The reason we don’t submit to God is because we don’t trust Him.
o Romans 12:1-2 – When we submit to God we are willing to place ourselves on the altar.