Women’s Ministry & Fellowship (WMF) Dinner Bath Road Baptist Church December 6, 2011

 Review our PLANTER of Praise!  Devotional: “A” is for “Admirable”  Ending Administration

 Pure Whatever is...

 Pure  Lovely Whatever is...

 Pure  Lovely  Admirable Whatever is...

 Pure  Lovely  Admirable  Noble Whatever is...

 Pure  Lovely  Admirable  Noble  True Whatever is...

 Pure  Lovely  Admirable  Noble  True  Excellent Whatever is...

 Pure  Lovely  Admirable  Noble  True  Excellent  Right Whatever is...

 Pure  Lovely  Admirable  Noble  True  Excellent  Right  Praiseworthy Whatever is...

 Pure  Lovely  Admirable  Noble  True  Excellent  Right  Praiseworthy Whatever is... Think about such things (Phi 4:8).

“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Phil 4:9)

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the people of God may be equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim 3:16)

 “P” is for “Pure”  “L “is for “Lovely”  All power point slide presentations are now on the Bath Road WMF website!!!  Today: “A” is for “Admirable”

 Definitions from Society and Scripture  Biblical Examples of what God describes as admirable.  Lessons for us.

 Webster’s Dictionary: Arousing delighted contemplation of something worthy, beautiful, or excellent; worthy of respect and esteem.  Greek: Of good reputation/report (1 reference in NT)

 Webster’s Dictionary: Arousing delighted contemplation of something worthy, beautiful, or excellent; worthy of respect and esteem.  Greek: Of good reputation/report (1 reference in NT)  What does it mean to “be of good report”?

What does our society deem admirable?

 Wealth  Beauty  Power  Prestige  Fame  Talent  Personal fulfillment  Happiness  Freedom What does our society deem admirable?

 Wealth  Beauty  Power  Prestige  Fame  Talent  Personal fulfillment  Happiness  Freedom What does our society deem admirable?  Wisdom  Hard Work/Achievements  Honesty  Kindness  Generosity  Charity  Joy  Peace  Goodness

How does the Bible define “being of good report”?

 Solomon was praised for “being of good report”!  “When the Queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the Lord, she was overwhelmed... The report I heard about your achievements and your wisdom is true!” (1 Kings 10:4-6)

 Great Wisdom  Hard Work (built palace)  Provided for himself & his officials (food on his table)  Cared for the needs and dignity of others (servants clothed in fine robes)  Attended to the Lord (burnt offerings) Solomon’s list of admirable attributes:

Continued:  His men were happy (v. 8)  Good leader (v.8)  Governed with wisdom (v.8)  Maintained justice & righteousness (v.9)  Glorified God with his life (v.9) Solomon’s list of admirable attributes:

 What does this mean for us as women?  We know that God wants us to be of good reputation to all people (1Tim 3:7)  The To-Do List approach? Do we need to earn a certain number of checkmarks to please God and others each day?

 What does this mean for us as women?  We know that God wants us to be of good reputation to all people (1Tim 3:7)  The To-Do List approach? Do we need to earn a certain number of checkmarks to please God and others each day? NO!

 Basic Principles: 1. Seek God’s wisdom!!! “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be given unto you.” (Mt 6:33)

 Basic Principles: 2. Live with faith believing in God for His promises. “The ancients obtained a good report through faith.” (Heb 11:2)

 Basic Principles: 3. Act accordingly by walking in obedience. “Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says!” (James 1:22)

 Basic Principles: 1. Seek God’s wisdom. 2. Have faith in God’s promises. 3. Act in obedience.  If we hold to these principles we will be of good report to God and others regardless of our station in life.

 God cares about our reputation!!!  Commandment #9: “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour” (Ex 20:16)  “These men responsible for spreading a bad report about the land were struck down and died of a plague before the Lord.” (Num 14:37)

 Why does God cares about reputation!!!  Our conduct must be according to God’s will so that outsiders “will not profane the name of the Lord” and so that they will “know that He is the Lord!” (Ezekiel 36).  We are God’s witnesses on the earth! We are His testimony. Our purpose is to glorify Him!

 Wealth  Beauty  Power  Prestige  Fame  Talent  Personal fulfillment  Happiness  Freedom If we could really comprehend how much God loves us, and the true meaning of the cross, how many of these attributes would we possess?  Wisdom  Hard Work/Achievements  Honesty  Kindness  Generosity  Charity  Joy  Peace  Goodness

 Thank you to all the volunteers who helped with this evening  Special thank you to the guys in the kitchen and upstairs with the kids!!!  Next meeting: January 3, 2012.