Bible Center Church - Charleston, West Virginia

Crossing the border

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:05:00 +0000

I vividly remember the first time I was outside of the United States and was crossing the border back in. I was a teenage and with my family had crossed the bridge that connects El Paso, Texas, and Juares, Mexico. In those days a passport was not required but you had to verbally declare to the border patrol officer the nation of your citizenship. I enthusiastically stated that I was a citizen of the United States because I was proud to be, but also so I would not be stranded on foreign soil!

In a spiritual sense, we are citizens of one “country” (Phil. 3:20) but are currently residing in another (John 17:16). As we continue our Bible study series, “Amazing Reasons to Trust God’, this Sunday’s study in the Word will help us see more clearly our spiritual connection and help us overcome the fears that our “alien status” sometimes causes us. I also trust as we can focus more on our spiritual connections that we will be enthusiastic in our declaring before others that we are part of the kingdom of God, and that they too can enjoy the benefits of citizenship through faith in Christ.

If you want to get a head-start on this study read Luke 12:22-34 / If you missed any of this series, you can get caught up at www.biblecenterchurch.net

Jesse Waggoner

Amazing Reasons To Trust God

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:49:00 +0000

In case you haven't noticed there are many reasons to fear, in fact it seems like just about anything can scare us. God obviously knows this, for more than 60 times in the Bible we are told not to fear. If you would like some help in this area I want to invite you to go along on a spiritual journey over the next two months.

We are going to use these "fear not" passages to uncover some amazing reasons to trust God. You will be blessed -- and perhaps you know of someone who is needing some encouragement that you can invite to join you. Make plans to be part of this encouraging study in these troubling times.

Sundays 9:00 and 10:45 p.m.

Fear’s greatest nemesis

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:09:00 +0000

In our worship services this Sunday, I will be sharing on the topic of fear and how that emotion, if pervasive, can weaken our faith and affect our testimony. Fear can have a corrosive and powerfully negative impact on our lives. When we are held captive by fear, we forego the abundant life on this earth that Jesus Christ desires for us.

Fear’s greatest nemesis is faith. When we strengthen our faith in our great God, fear retreats. As we review Daniel 3 this morning, we’ll examine three “twenty-something” faithful young men who refused to cave in to fear. Instead of retreating in fear, they stood behind the God that they served. Rather than fearfully denouncing God, they were willing to give their lives faithfully for God. These three men of God weren’t supernatural heroes; they were frail humans like you and me. Yet they displayed faith during the most fearful of circumstances. That made all the difference.

Sometimes we reduce God to the size of our biggest fear. That’s faulty thinking. Our God transcends our fears and wants us to stand with Him when fear strikes. That’s when fear retreats.

Dr. Bill Tanzey
Associate Pastor of Community Ministries

Missions Sunday

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:29:00 +0000

October 4, 2009, 9:00 or 10:45 AM and 6:00 PM

Join us for our Annual Missions Sunday, this Sunday, October 4. We have the privilege of featuring Dwight and Gloria Lehman as well as Jonathan and Becky Mott. Dwight is the International Director for the Americas for CrossWorld, an organization that serves the church around the world by mobilizing teams to make disciples and train leaders. Dwight will be speaking to us in both AM services, as well as in the evening service.

Jonathan and Becky Mott minister and serve in Kazakhstan as church planters and grow relationships within the communities and multiplying churches. Jonathan and Becky will be reporting in the 9:00 AM ABF class (room 3105/06), in the 5:00 PM ABF (room 2104) and also in the evening service.

Don't miss out on this special opportunity we have to fellowship, pray with and learn from some of our own missionaries. We will also be distributing our new 2009-2010 Missionary Directories. Pick one up and use it as a reminder to pray, to reflect, or perhaps even to give.

Jennifer Rothschild and Kathy Troccoli at Bible Center Church

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 23:59:00 +0000

Fresh Grounded Faith Conference, 9-11-2009

What Defines You?

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:57:00 +0000

Video used to introduce the fourth message in the Extreme Makeover: Soul Edition series.

Life Universty Classes Annouced for Fall 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:03:00 +0000

We are pleased to announce the seven classes that will be offered in the Fall Session of our Wednesday Night Life University. Classes begin Sept. 9 and end November 11. Offering a wide range of interest topics, Bible Study and practical studies, you are sure to find something that will be of value to you. Please share this opportunity with others and make plans to take advantage of Life University. For more information use the link below.

Life University

New Connections

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:05:00 +0000

Always on the lookout for new ways to allow the Bible Center family to connect we are pleased to let you know of two social networking tools to allow you to do so. We are offering daily (at times more) daily updates (tweats) on Twitter and we have created a Bible Center Fan page on Facebook. If you use either of these services or would like to, use these links.

Bible Center on Twitter

Bible Center on Facebook

Twitter is a microblogging service where users can post brief (140 characters) updates of their thoughts and activities. You can choose to follow others and others can follow yours as well.

Facebook is the largest Social Networking service in the world with more than 250 million users. You can must sign up for a free account for most activities on Facebook but you can view the content of our fanpage without becoming a member, to add content you must be a member. So give a try to these new ways to connect.

Trail Map, Sunday Nite Bible Study for Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:15:00 +0000

Beginning Sunday night August 16th elementary aged children can participate in the evening Bible Study by using a Trail Map, this interactive Bible study sheet will bring them into the study of God's word. Many parents use Sunday nights as an opportunity to worship with their children and with this added resource it can be even more fun and valuable for your family.

Just have your children pick up a trail map near the front doors and use it during the service. After the service they can show it to one of the guides at the front door "Mailbox" and select a small prize as a reward for a job well done. We hope to see you and your children there. Nurseries for preschool children and youth programs will continue to meet on level one on Sunday nights.

Download a sample Trail Map Sheet

Fresh Grounded Faith Conference Sept. 11-12

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 13:34:00 +0000

Go Team

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:34:00 +0000

Have you seen the logo for one of our GO Teams and wondered what “GO” stands for? It represents Global Outreach and describes one of our short-term mission teams ministering in some part of the world.

In the last sixty-six years, Bible Center has sent many short-term teams around the globe. Why do we do this?

1) To glorify God in various parts of the world
2) To produce maturing followers of Jesus around the world
3) To encourage our own missionaries who request a visit
4) To accomplish needful projects for our missionaries
5) To serve our brothers and sisters in other cultural settings
6) To bring their spirit of sacrifice and service back to our own church
7) To create an appetite for future missionaries sent from our church

The world is a global village. We have the money, planes, and visas. We can go and should go. We need the influence of our fellow missionaries and Christians from other countries as much as they need us.

Please prayerfully consider ministering with one of our upcoming GO Teams (specific locations and dates coming soon). You are needed more than you think.

Matthew Friend

A Beacon in the Darkness

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:52:00 +0000

A Beacon in the Darkness
Sunday Morning Teaching Series
Dr. John King

This series on the life of Elijah will expose the bold light that he was in a time of great darkness in Israel's history, and the parallels to our opportunity to shine clearly for the Lord in the encroaching darkness of our day.

So plan on being part of this series on Sunday mornings at Bible Center Church beginning August 2, 2009

Exteme Makeover: Soul Edition

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:51:00 +0000

Extreme Makeover: Soul Addition
Sunday Evening Teaching Series
Pastor Jesse Waggoner

It is no secret that mankind needs a radical makeover; that we need to be remade from the inside out. The good news is that through Christ just such a makeover is in progress in the life of a follower of Jesus. Come and learn about who you are destined to be in Him and learn how you can cooperate with the process of change that He wants to accomplish in you.

So join us Sunday evenings at 6:00 p.m. beginning
August 9, 2009.

Additional Helps for Fathers

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 00:58:00 +0000

Here are the books I mentioned in my Father's Day sermon. Any or all would be a blessing to you and your family.

Thoughts from Dad

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:01:00 +0000

Children do seem to grow up fast- this year my youngest crossed the line into being a twenty-something. This has happened in a blur of time. In fact, I now find myself telling young parents to enjoy every moment with their little ones because they will blink and the kids will be heading out the door.

As I have watched my children grow and change, I have to wonder if my Heavenly Father can see growth and change in me. I want to be a father and person who stays on the growing edge of life. I want my life to display constant growth in the Lord.

As we approach Father's Day, may each of us be reminded, especially those of us who are fathers, to continue to grow and change so that our Heavenly Father will be pleased with how quickly we’ve grown; and our children will follow in our footsteps.

I also invite you to service at Bible Center on Sunday we are going to be looking at Eph. 6:4 in a message entitled, What's a Father to Do? I hope to see you there.

Jesse Waggoner

Flag Day

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:00:00 +0000

June 14 is Flag Day, while not an official Federal Holiday it does commemorate the day in 1777 that congress adopted the United States Flag. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day and in August 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress. The week of June 14 is designated as "National Flag Week." During National Flag Week, the president typically issues a proclamation urging U.S. citizens to fly the American flag for the duration of that week. I never tire of seeing the Stars and Stripes flying and so appreciate all that our Flag represents of our great nation.

Psalm 60:4 tells us that God has given us a Banner (flag) of truth. It is our allegiance to the truth that should be on public display before an often skeptical world. You have taken one step today to let your banner fly, you have come to hear God’s Word proclaimed, and for that I thank you. We must also live out God’s truth the other six days of the week.

So get your flags flying.

Jesse Waggoner

Unity

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 02:09:00 +0000

Just when you think you have the Bible nailed, you haven’t. We need to let it nail us. We might think we have internalized God’s Word, and then we come face to face with Ephesians 4:1-6. Here we find a recipe for unity among Christians; a recipe that requires each ingredient (many of which are difficult) to be mixed together for true unity to occur:

Humility – In Greek culture humility was a vice. Paul says we are to be completely humble.

Gentleness – In our culture gentleness is seen as weakness. For Christians, the opposite is true.

Patience – We live in a world of impatience. Yet unified Christians are to be patient with one another, long suffering and slow to retaliate when wronged.

Bearing burdens – This means making every diligent effort to reach out to other Christians with help.

Peaceful – Peace is the glue that bonds the unity. We are to live in peace within our church family.

Note what happens when these ingredients are combined: Oneness – Now that’s unity!

May we always have unity in our fellowship.

Bill Tanzey

Feeling Small

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Thu, 28 May 2009 17:35:00 +0000

When we express size we often use comparisons to do so. Expressions such as "big as a whale", "small as an ant", or "the size of a breadbox" all communicate size. But if we can make it a little more personal, what comparisons do we use to determine our size? If you have stared at an amoeba through a microscope you no doubt felt quite huge; while peering into the Grand Canyon or viewing the ocean will make you feel quite small. Such experiences tend to put us back into our place.

The Psalmist David describes such an experience in Psalm 8. The thing that made him feel small was considering the extent of God's creation. He wrote: "When I consider the heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained: What is man, that Thou are mindful of him?"

When was the last time you felt small in the presence of God? Perhaps this summer would be a great time to seek out some place to experience the awesomeness of God's creation. So pack your lunch and your Bible and head out to be impressed with who God is and what He has done. Seek to reach that point of feeling small, and while you are in that reduced condition, offer words of praise for His immeasurable grace.

Jesse Waggoner

Rewards

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:25:00 +0000

Webster says that a reward is something given in return for good or for service or merit. In our lives we are motivated by rewards. The most obvious is the paycheck we receive for work. There are three major kinds of employee payment. The first is a salary. This is a fixed payment at regular intervals for work performed. The second is hourly, whereby a person is paid a fixed rate per hour worked. A third is piece work where payment is made strictly on the basis of production.

In I Corinthians 3:8-9 God tells us that -"every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are laborers together with God:" It seems as if God's rewards are most like piece work. I This labor is not to get us to heaven but is the product of a life transformed by God's grace as one labors because he is on his way to heaven ( see Ephesians 2:8-10).

It is worth thinking about what rewards may await us at God's throne. All of us who are part of God's family are to be involved in the service of our Lord. Remember His Word to us --"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Rev. 22:12

Jesse Waggoner

Are you Fat?

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Wed, 13 May 2009 18:03:00 +0000

A few years ago, from a pool of 10,000 applicants, Harvard University accepted 1400 into their incoming freshman class. One applicant, a young woman, answered one question differently on the application: Are you a natural leader? She checked “No”. Yet she was proudly accepted into the new class. Arriving on campus, she asked her advisor why she was accepted, despite admitting that she wasn’t a leader. Her advisor smiled broadly and explained that there were 1399 accepted who answered “Yes” to seeing themselves as born leaders, so in the midst of all those leaders, they felt they needed at least one follower!

Ultimately God is looking for that kind of faithful follower. You need not be a superstar or theological expert; He’s simply looking for servants who are F.A.T:

Faithful
Available
Teachable

In Sunday's message we’re going to examine four such “FAT” servants. These four were so committed to their disabled friend; they went to extreme lengths to lead him to Jesus the Savior.

Oh, that we all can become F.A.T. Christ followers!

Bill Tanzey

Feeling Small?

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 20:36:00 +0000

Considering the astounding immensity of the universe might leave one feeling insignificant and puny:

· The Hubble Telescope sends images of galaxies that are twelve billion light years away. In case you’re wondering, that’s twelve billion times six billion miles!

· Astronomers now conservatively estimate that the number of stars in the universe equals the number of grains of sand on all the beaches in the world!

· One of those stars, Eta Carinae, is five million times brighter than our sun!

· The star Betelgeuse has a diameter of 100 million miles, which is larger than the earth’s orbit around the sun!

Yes, this stunning vastness of the galaxies can cause anyone to feel irrelevant and inconsequential. That’s the tiny perspective. Now for the massive perspective: We can personally know the universe’s Commander in Chief. If you have trusted Jesus Christ, He knows your name, He walks with you where you are, and He loves you personally. He hears your requests, blesses you with His Spirit and will abide with you forever.

If you’re not sure about your relationship with Jesus, call on any of our pastors today. I guarantee your perspective will change!

Bill Tanzey

Poor Alfie

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 19:24:00 +0000

There is a story told about an English gentleman named Alfie. Alfie could do nothing right. He bungled everything he ever touched. One day in a moment of deep despair and desperation, he attempted suicide. Alfie even failed at that. While in the hospital a friend visited Alfie and asked, “Alfie, why did you do it?” Alfie’s answer was so sad: “Because there is no good news anywhere. There can’t be any good news anywhere because if there was, surely someone would have come running to me to share it with me.”

Did you know the world is filled with Alfies - just waiting for someone to bring good news into their lives? You and I have the BEST NEWS; the Gospel of Christ that changes lives, brings hope from despair and has the power to eternally transform lives.

In a time of bad news; poor economy, high lay-offs and daily challenges, you and I are brushing shoulders with numerous Alfies who need to hear the Good News which is the power of God for salvation to everyone through the shed blood of a great Savior.

Now Alfie, there really is Good News!

Bill Tanzey

The Easter Sermon of John Chrysostom Pastor of Constantinople (~400 AD)

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 14:06:00 +0000

Is there anyone who is a devout lover of God?
Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival!
Is there anyone who is a grateful servant?
Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!

Are there any weary with fasting?
Let them now receive their wages!
If any have toiled from the first hour,
let them receive their due reward;
If any have come after the third hour,
let him with gratitude join in the Feast!
And he that arrived after the sixth hour,
let him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss.
And if any delayed until the ninth hour,
let him not hesitate; but let him come too.
And he who arrived only at the eleventh hour,
let him not be afraid by reason of his delay.

For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first.
He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour,
as well as to him that toiled from the first.
To this one He gives, and upon another He bestows.
He accepts the works as He greets the endeavor.
The deed He honors and the intention He commends.

Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord!
First and last alike receive your reward;
rich and poor, rejoice together!
Sober and slothful, celebrate the day!

You that have kept the fast, and you that have not,
rejoice today for the Table is richly laden!
Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one.
Let no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the cup of faith.
Enjoy all the riches of His goodness!

Let no one grieve at his poverty,
for the universal kingdom has been revealed.
Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again;
for forgiveness has risen from the grave.
Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Savior has set us free.
He has destroyed it by enduring it.

He destroyed Hades when He descended into it.
He put it into an uproar even as it tasted of His flesh.
Isaiah foretold this when he said,
"You, O Hell, have been troubled by encountering Him below."

Hell was in an uproar because it was done away with.
It was in an uproar because it is mocked.
It was in an uproar, for it is destroyed.
It is in an uproar, for it is annihilated.
It is in an uproar, for it is now made captive.
Hell took a body, and discovered God.
It took earth, and encountered Heaven.
It took what it saw, and was overcome by what it did not see.
O death, where is thy sting?
O Hades, where is thy victory?

Christ is Risen, and you, o death, are annihilated!
Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down!
Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is Risen, and life is liberated!
Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead;
for Christ having risen from the dead,
is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!

Wikipedia

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:40:00 +0000

Are you a fan of Wikipedia? For those who might not be familiar, Wikipedia is an extensive encyclopedia available on the internet for anyone to use absolutely free. What makes it special is that its content comes from whoever decides to write something. It can then be edited by whoever wishes to do so.

At first, this sounds like chaos and one might think the content could well be suspicious and unreliable. Turns out, just the opposite is true. I guess the dynamic at work is that if someone posts something incorrectly, six billion people around the planet have an immediate opportunity to fix it.

There are, no doubt, pros and cons about the whole concept, but one thing I have noticed about Wikipedia entries is that they tend to be sterile; that is, lacking in depth and emotion. Such is probably the nature of encyclopedias in general.

For example, look up Palm Sunday in Wikipedia and you get a “clinically” accurate, but bland and emotionless article. The facts are simple; read them in John 12:12-19. But beyond the facts, take a few minutes this morning to think about the reality: The vision of Jesus riding on the back of a borrowed donkey; the smell and feel of the crowd honoring Him by placing palm branches in His path; the knowledge we now have in retrospect that the same people who hailed Him on His arrival would, days later, call for His crucifixion.

Today, may Jesus’ determination and commitment to His purpose on earth, His death, and resurrection, be an example and blessing to us all.

Lee Walker

Praying for those in Authority

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Waggoner) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:09:00 +0000

We are commanded in 1 Tim. 2:2 to pray for those in authority. We usually apply this to include praying for our elected leaders. I would assume that most of us likely spend more time complaining about our leaders than we spend actually praying for them.

I have been reminded in the last few weeks of this need. A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to meet and share my best wishes with Governor Manchin and Wednesday I had the privilege of praying for the opening of the State Senate session. I had the opportunity to visit with several of our legislators and support staff and was reminded that these are not just folks whose names and pictures appear in the newspaper or on TV; these are real people with real needs and real problems and are in need of real prayer. It is our job to come through with the real prayer!

So let’s devote some time to pray for our leaders- national, state and local. God will be pleased.

Jesse Waggoner