We typically associate the word surrender with defeat - giving up or giving in to the demands of others. However, the word surrender takes on a new meaning in the context of being a follower of Jesus. Have you yielded control of your life to Jesus and his mission?

Work can be stressful, bosses trying, commitments hard. Enough so, that we want to quit. But how do we know when God wants us to toss in the towel or when He wants us to keep dealing with difficulty? It's not an easy choice, but today we'll look at what Paul did when he had to leave his role in the Ephesian Church and the questions we need to ask before we leave our roles in our work.

Presentation from Senior Pastor Wayne Smith, and Treasurer Ron Pruet regarding Bethel's mission update and financial standing for 2015.

Presentation from Senior Pastor Wayne Smith, and Treasurer Ron Pruet regarding Bethel's mission update and financial standing for 2015.

Today's passage references the phrase "elders of the church". We're going to take a closer look at what the term "elders" refers to and why it is relevant to Bethel in 2015.

A unique account is recorded in Acts 20 that we can't pass up without some commentary. Let this be a warning!

NOTE: The first 10 minutes of this sermon was recorded via external audio device due to lack of electricity during the worship service.

What is the folly? What is the foolishness? It is the cross. You might think to yourself, “The gospel is really offensive. It could be better received if we weren’t so hard on sin.” The trouble with this is when we pull on that string we unravel the whole thing! There are sharp edges to this gospel. There is blood, death, wrath, sin, greed, and anger. You can’t sand that down without losing it all. Paul continued to preach Christ and him crucified (even though he knew it was perceived as folly in Ephesus) precisely because he knew that this same (foolish) gospel was also the saving gospel.

A presentation of the Bach & Brahms Concert performed on Sunday, October 25, 6 pm.

This concert is an offering to the Lord for His goodness and love, and to express appreciation for Bethel’s music ministry.

ARTISTS: Adrienne Fry, organ; Brandon Pafford, piano; Lynelle Rowley, soprano/choral director; Matthew J. Detrick, violin; Hae-a Lee, violin ; Meredith Harris, viola; Clement Chow, cello; Brian Briones, oboe; The Bethel Choir

A presentation of the Bach & Brahms Concert performed on Sunday, October 25, 6 pm.

This concert is an offering to the Lord for His goodness and love, and to express appreciation for Bethel’s music ministry.

ARTISTS: Adrienne Fry, organ; Brandon Pafford, piano; Lynelle Rowley, soprano/choral director; Matthew J. Detrick, violin; Hae-a Lee, violin ; Meredith Harris, viola; Clement Chow, cello; Brian Briones, oboe; The Bethel Choir

A presentation of the Bach & Brahms Concert performed on Sunday, October 25, 6 pm.

This concert is an offering to the Lord for His goodness and love, and to express appreciation for Bethel’s music ministry.

ARTISTS: Adrienne Fry, organ; Brandon Pafford, piano; Lynelle Rowley, soprano/choral director; Matthew J. Detrick, violin; Hae-a Lee, violin ; Meredith Harris, viola; Clement Chow, cello; Brian Briones, oboe; The Bethel Choir