Lake Murray Baptist Church

This Man Called Jesus, 2012

Dear Church Family,

After weeks of prayer and discussion, Mike Bedenbaugh, Joan Bedenbaugh and Pastor Rob have jointly concluded that the 2012 production of "This Man Called Jesus," the 25th year, will be the final production.  

Together as a church, we rejoice in the Lord for what He has done for the glory of His Name through this ministry over the last 25 years.  Hundreds of thousands of people have attended and been blessed by this telling of the Gospel story.  We've witnessed the power of the Holy Spirit at work year after year: saving repentant sinners, convicting believers of indwelling sin, and comforting Christians with the truths of the Gospel.  Additionally, rehearsals and performances have done much to build community and unity among church members over the years.  Praise the Lord with us for this and more that He has done through the ministry of "This Man Called Jesus!"

As has been the practice in years past, Mike and Joan will be working to create this year's rehearsal schedule based upon the following performance schedule.  Please mark your calendars with these performance dates, and look for more rehearsal details later this summer.

• Sunday, December 2, at 2:30 (Special Needs Performance)
• Friday, December 7 at 7:30
• Saturday, December 8 at 2:30 and 6:30
• Sunday, December 9 at 2:30 and 6:30
• Friday, December 14 at 7:30
• Saturday, December 15 at 2:30 and 6:30
• Sunday, December 16 at 2:30 and 6:30

In addition to these final performances, we also look forward to worshipping the Lord and celebrating all He has done through Lake Murray Baptist Church in this ministry.  Closer to the Christmas season, we will make intentional efforts to highlight the impact of this ministry on individuals, the community, and the church.  We will also have an opportunity to give thanks to God for those individuals that He raised up to give of themselves in an exceptional way to this ministry over the years.

Finally, we ask that you join us in prayer for the following things:

• Give thanks to God for bringing church leaders together in making this decision.
• Pray that God grants us continued unity throughout the church body, not only in the wake of this decision, but for years to come.
• Pray that church leaders will have a clear vision of God's will for the church regarding ministry during the Christmas season in 2013 and beyond.
• Pray that church leaders will have a clear vision for the youth and drama building and its resources moving forward.

God is good!  We can only imagine what He will do through us over the next 25 years as we take this first obedient step of faith!

 

Grace to you!

Mike Bedenbaugh
Joan Bedenbaugh
Pastor Rob

 

It's Drama Time!

With so many new members at Lake Murray over the last few months, many are likely unfamiliar with the dramatic presentation called "This Man Called Jesus."  Because the drama is a ministry of the church, and because it's size and scope is so vast, I want to share with our church family, especially those that have joined us in the last several months, a few of the reasons one should participate in this year's production of "This Man Called Jesus" (TMCJ).

1. TMCJ dramatically narrates what pastors preach, Sunday school teachers teach, and what we all live and share in our daily lives:  THE GOSPEL.  By giving a dramatic, visual account of this story, we give aid to both our own personal evangelism, as well as the church's discipleship programs.  In short, the drama is a useful event for illustrating what we are living and teaching throughout the year.  It's not a replacement for these things, but it is very helpful in our mission to make disciples through the year.
2. TMCJ is a strong point of unity for much of our congregation.  Members who might feel "disconnected" at various times at Lake Murray, especially newer members, spend a lot of time working together to accurately portray the Gospel message, and the result is a united cast and crew: united not for the drama, but for the Gospel through the drama.
3. The community views TMCJ as a highlight of its Christmas season.  When moving here, I visited numerous retail locations, struck up conversations, and eventually got to share that I was the new senior pastor of Lake Murray.  When I asked others what they knew of Lake Murray, one thing ... and only this thing ... came to mind:  TMCJ.  "It blesses me every year" ... and other similar comments ... demonstrate the value TMCJ brings to our community.

I could go on, but my hope is that these three realities whet the appetite of all of our new members to participate in this year's production of TMCJ!  

To make your commitment, CLICK HERE, and enter the password "TMCJ" (in all caps!), then click on "Commitment Form" under the "Online Forms" column!

It's Drama Time at LMBC!

With so many new members at Lake Murray over the last few months, many are likely unfamiliar with the dramatic presentation called "This Man Called Jesus."  Because the drama is a ministry of the church, and because it's size and scope is so vast, I want to share with our church family, especially those that have joined us in the last several months, a few of the reasons one should participate in this year's production of "This Man Called Jesus" (TMCJ).

1. TMCJ brings to life what pastors preach, Sunday school teachers teach, and what we all live and share in our daily lives:  THE GOSPEL.  By giving a dramatic, visual account of this story, we give aid to both our own personal evangelism, as well as the church's discipleship programs.  In short, the drama is a useful event for illustrating what we are living and teaching throughout the year.  It's not a replacement for these things, but it is very helpful in our mission to make disciples through the year.
2. TMCJ is a strong point of unity for much of our congregation.  Members who might feel "disconnected" at various times at Lake Murray, especially newer members, spend a lot of time working together to accurately portray the Gospel message, and the result is a united cast and crew: united not for the drama, but for the Gospel through the drama.
3. The community views TMCJ as a highlight of its Christmas season.  When moving here, I visited numerous retail locations, struck up conversations, and eventually got to share that I was the new senior pastor of Lake Murray.  When I asked others what they knew of Lake Murray, one thing ... and only this thing ... came to mind:  TMCJ.  "It blesses me every year" ... and other similar comments ... demonstrate the value TMCJ brings to our community.

I could go on, but my hope is that these three realities whet the appetite of all of our new members to participate in this year's production of TMCJ!  

To make your commitment, CLICK HERE, and enter the password "TMCJ" (in all caps!), then click on "Commitment Form" under the "Online Forms" column!

TMCJ @ LMBC

Friends and Members of LMBC:

I praise God for all that have made yet another year of TMCJ a great success.  I've read numerous emails and had countless conversations with people from a variety of places regarding the blessing our telling of the story is to them, and how it impacts lives to the glory of God.  From the parking lot to the trash pick-up: all of your efforts contribute to the work of God saving people.  

As I left this evening, watching members of our parking lot crew turn people away, I was warmed by the fact that God was gracious enough to LMBC to allow us the privilege of being used by Him to bring glory to Himself.  In seeing some not be able to participate in tonight's performance, I could rest in the sovereignty of God, knowing that He would bless someone else with the privilege of being used by Him to bring Him glory.  

Thank you for being obedient and faithful through the season.  I thoroughly enjoyed my time with many of you over the course of the presentations, and look forward toward building on our experiences this season into ventures the Lord has for us in the spring and summer of 2010 (Ephesians 2:8-10).

Merry Christmas!  See you at our family-friendly Christmas Even service at 5:30!

Jesus' Ancestry

We bought the book for this this past weekend (it comes with a great CD recording and fabulous art work). What a great tool for memorizing Jesus' ancestry and for overviewing the Old Testament with your kids!  

Drama Devotion #4 - The Road to Bethlehem

As I carefully read the Christmas story this season, I'm finding great joy in the insights God reveals. Consider Luke 2:1-3.  

"In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when (or "before") Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town."

Contemplate the enormity of what Caesar Augustus is forcing on all the known world under the authority of the Roman Empire.  Consider the complexities of travel in this ancient age before hotels were numerous and considered safe ... before vehicles or airplanes ... etc.  To require this kind of life upheaval for EVERYONE communicates one thing very clearly: I AM POWERFUL.  Though the call to a census had the primary purpose of registering everyone for taxation, the move was also intended to not-so-subtly communicate the strength and might of the Roman Empire embodied in Caesar Augustus.  He was seeking to make a name for himself.

Little did Caesar know that his attempt to make a name for himself was being used by God to make a Name for Himself.  While all discussions revolved around the Roman Empire, God was quietly at work in the life of a teenage Jew who was publicly shamed in her pregnancy, but privately right with God, rejoicing in what He was about to do.  

The implications for this truth abound in my life.  God's power is unfailing, but often in forms that appear weak and fragile.  Think about the vast number of powerful entities in our culture, but be not afraid: God is at work in the humble.  

Drama Devotion #3 - Joseph's Dream

Consider Matthew 1:18-25.

¹⁸Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. ²⁰But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." ²² All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
 
 ²³ "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us). 

²⁴When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, ²⁵but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Several things are worth taking note of in this mysterious yet straightforward text, but consider only the following.

VV. 18-19 point out that the young couple was "betrothed" and that upon discovering the pregnancy (that he clearly did not cause), Joseph was of such character that he did not want to put Mary in a position of shame.  "Betrothed" couples would have been referred to as husband and wife, but not considered officially married or having sex, because to do so would put the couple to shame, especially Mary, who would have been labeled an adulteress, worthy of the death penalty under the Mosaic Law (though it would have been unlikely she would face such judgment).  But keeping the divorce (remember, "betrothed" is essentially "married") quiet would have allowed Joseph to maintain his personal righteousness as well. There's no need to take away from Joseph's character and integrity, but we can't ignore that being quiet would have been good for him also.

Perhaps, then, this is one of the hidden lessons associated with the dreamy angelic visit Joseph had.  The fear Joseph has about his upcoming marriage is unfounded: wrapped up in a mystery only God can cause and explain.  The lesson: faith vs. fear.  Remember that Zecharias got a similar visit, doubted, and suffered the consequences (though they were a blessing in the end).  Joseph chooses faith over his fear and marries a pregnant woman.  Some would think they were both lawbreakers; some would know the baby wasn't his and he married her anyway.  Either way, Joseph chooses to live by faith and leads Mary with honor (though others may look at him with disdain).

And his faith teaches us another lesson.  His commitment to the life of a perceived adulteress imitates the life his son would soon live:  a life lived for the "sick" and socially unacceptable.  It would appear Jesus had a model earthly father to "learn" from.

Drama Devotion #2 - Mary Did You Know?

The story of Jesus entering the world takes place when all eyes are on politics.  Roman influence was an ever-present reality in the New Testament world, especially from 63 BC when Pompei marched into the Most Holy Place in the temple in Jerusalem, to the first Jewish revolt in 66 AD.  Yet while all eyes are justifiably focused on the dominant Roman Empire, God was at work somewhere else.

While Elizabeth is 5-6 months into her pregnancy with John the Baptist, Mary is visited by Gabriel who tells her of God's plan for her life:  a miraculous, virgin pregnancy with a child conceived by a part of the Trinity. And ... oh yeah ... Elizabeth is having a baby too (a different kind of miracle, but a miracle nonetheless).

As will be the case with all of these devotions, there's more to say than be said in a proper blog post about Luke 1:46-56 (and surrounding verses).  What particularly strikes me as I write this morning is that God is changing the entire course of human history ... not in the midst of the greatest political and military empire to ever exist ... but with two humble, obscure women:  one old and barren, one young and a virgin.

The sovereignty and love of God is at work everywhere, but perhaps less visibly in the public realm of the obvious than the private world of the lowly.  And it is in those lowly places where the course of human history is changed, whether it gets any media coverage or not.

Isaiah's Prophecy

Few Bible books are as intimidating as Isaiah's prophecy.  It's length alone can deter even sincere, devoted believers from reading it, not to mention the complexity tied to it's historical context and the fact that it contains no narrative line weaving through it.  Nevertheless, there are themes through the collection of prophecies Isaiah makes, and the central theme of the book is GOD HIMSELF.  Consider Isaiah 48, especially v. 11 - "For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned?  My glory I will not give another."  Every person, situation, or event is talked about in terms of its relationship to God Himself.  What a surprise:  it's all about Him!

The same is true, then, for Isaiah's prophecy of the Messiah in chapters 52 and 53 (there are others, but this is the most common).  53:4-6 are the real meat of the passage:  "Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.  But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned - every one - to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all."

There is so much here ... more than even a sermon or two can communicate well ... but permit me to point out one thing:  Jesus acted as our substitute with no support or understanding from us.  We, stupid and helpless (like sheep), were atoned for by God Himself.  

What undeserved grace!  What amazing love!  How can it be that Thou, my God, would die for me?  

Not because I was worth it, but because HE is worth it.  "For my name sake."  

This text gives me a clearer understanding that Jesus' death on the cross to atone for our sin was primarily about God and not us.  The life and death of Jesus is not a testimony to how great I am, but how sheep-like and unworthy I am, and how worthy HE is.

Therefore, as you consider the prophecy of Isaiah through each dramatic performance, know that He came for His glory.  "For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned?  My glory I will not give another."