Calvary Baptist Church of Holden
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      • What Will Wake People Up To The Gospel?
      • But Now Bring What You Need
      • Disappointment
      • Occupy Til I Come
      • Enduring Rejection to Win Souls
      • Beware of Dainties
      • Proactive & Reactive Faithfulness
      • The Three Forms of Church Govt
      • True Faith
      • What is Saving Faith?
      • What Mom Wants Most
      • Repent!
      • Hope and Peace for Your Soul
      • Rejection of the King
      • Daily Life During the Millennial Kingdom
      • Government During the Millennial Kingdom
      • The Literal, Future Kingdom of God
      • When To Leave A Church
      • Punishment and Rewards
      • Wisdom for Realities
      • The Futility of Life without God
      • Sometimes Life Costs Too Much
      • Godliness
      • Illusions of Wealth
      • Thanking God
  • Past Livestreams
    • This World Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet, Part II (YouTube)
    • This World Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet (YouTube)
    • The Rapture of the Church (YouTube)
    • Your Final Living Place
    • Shoot for Eternity (YouTube)
    • What Do We? (YouTube)
    • Behold How He Loved (YouTube)
    • When God Seems Two Days Late and an Answered Prayer Short YouTube
    • Struggling to the Truth YouTube
    • A Flourishing Christian Life YouTube
    • On Deaf Ears Video
    • Accept the Present (YouTube)
    • Why We Need Light Youtube
    • Others' Sin Sparks Reflection Within (YouTube)
    • Convincing the Almost Saved YouTube
    • The Best for Others YouTube
    • Crossing the Line YouTube
    • Spiritual Wisdom Lasts Forever YouTube
    • Let Jesus Onto Your Boat YouTube
    • The Four Principles of Missions
    • How Godly Moms Love their Children
    • Only the Hope God Provides Can Satisfy the Soul (YouTube)
    • Reverence for Jesus Christ (YouTube)
    • The Offer of Eternal Hope (YouTube)
    • The Authority of Jesus Christ YouTube
    • Fiddling While Hell Burns - YouTube
    • Reasons for Believing in Time of War
    • Worship Continues in Time of Crisis
  • COVID-19 Sermons
  • How to Know God
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  • Missions
  • Where We Meet
  • Contact
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    • 1-12 Creation - Cain & Abel
    • 13-24 Flood-Ten Commandments
  • Pastor's Study
    • Older Sermons >
      • 2018 Sermons >
        • When Life Costs Too Much
        • Meaning in the Monotony
        • What Makes a Satisfying Life?
        • Disappointment
        • Persecution
        • By Faith We Can See
        • Worship
        • Spiritual Gifts
        • Responding to Suffering
        • Orienting the Family Around the Local Church
        • In the world but not of it.
        • Behaving Like a Genuine Believer
        • Our Minds Need Renovation
        • Let's Get Rid of the Old Man
        • Turning Worry into Rest
        • The Battle For Your Mind
        • Eternal Security
        • The Necessary Name
        • How to Reach This Generation
        • Repent
        • Understanding Today’s Reprobate Minds
        • Characteristics of Mature Believers
        • Characteristics of a Godly Mother
        • Living With Wisdom
        • Hope-filled Lives Matter
        • Living with Conviction
        • Trapped?
        • God is in Control
        • The Devoted and Emptied Believer
        • Law and Order
        • Power
      • 2017 Sermons >
        • Worship; More than a Word
        • Slump
        • Where's Your Mar's Hill?
        • Trusting God Entirely
        • Thankful Where Caught
        • Evidence of the Holy Spirit Leading
        • Temperament
        • Deeper Questions
        • Preparing For Our Departure
        • Helping New Converts
        • Refusing Honor
        • Longing for Truth
        • Yielding to Holy Spirit
        • Desiring God
        • Sympathy
    • Blog
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      • Bible Foundations 22
      • Sunday, 11/4/18
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      • What does Fundamentalist mean?
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      • The Difference between Evangelicals and Fundamentalists
      • Bible Foundations 21
      • Bible Foundations 20
      • Why I Preach 45-Minute Sermons
      • Simple Christianity
      • A Note From the Pastor
      • Lesson 19
      • Bible Foundations 18
      • From Whom Are You Learning?
      • Bible Foundations 17
      • Lesson 16
      • The Thanksgiving Proclamation
      • Bible Foundations 15
      • Lesson 14
      • Lesson 13
      • Video: Holdenites
      • Holdenites Can't be Good Enough
      • Lesson 11
      • Lessons 1-12
      • Trials101
      • Why You Might Like (or Not Like) our Church
      • But I Have Other Things to Do
      • Report of First Public Service
      • Our First Public Service!
      • The Difference Between Reading the Word and Meditating on the Word
      • New Beginnings for Baptist church in Holden
      • Newsletter Signup
  • What is Fundamentalism?

Holdenites Can't be Good Enough

Picture
     According to the United States Census Bureau, there are 18,799 people living in Holden. 14.5% are over 65. 25.4% are under 18. We have soccer moms, office workers, engineers, accountants, doctors, football coaches, and police officers. We’re a financially successful town with only 3.1% living below the poverty line compared to Worcester’s 22.4%.  In Holden, 95.6% graduated high school and 51.7% have bachelor’s degrees.

I would venture to guess, based on my observations, that we have a lot of good people in town. Holdenites give to others in need, volunteer their time, donate to good causes, and participate in town government. We pay our taxes, respect the flag, and respect the law.

With all the good our residents do, we might think that we don’t need God and certainly don’t need church to be good, moral people.  It’s certainly true that God gave man a conscience. And we inherently know, usually, what’s good and bad, right and wrong.

But did you know that Biblical Christianity is not just about being a good, moral person?  There’s something much more important than morality at stake. Of course morality is a fruit of Biblical Christianity but it’s not the primary emphasis.  All religions except Biblical Christianity preach salvation by good works. Biblical Christianity preaches Salvation by the undeserved favor of God, otherwise known as grace.

The Biblical fact is that we won’t be going to heaven if we base our goodness on our works.  We cannot earn God’s acceptance by trying to be good people.

I know this is hard for some of today’s populous people to swallow, but if we’re really serious about knowing what the future holds for us, we cannot rely on just whatever we think or whatever society deems politically correct at any given time. We have to know what the Bible says because the Bible is God’s Word, written through men God inspired to write down what He wants us to know. The Bible’s pages came from many different men over thousands of years all under the influence of God’s Spirit.

And what does the Bible say? The Bible says, “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Rom 3:10). “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23).  “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 6:23). “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Eph 2:8-9).

So you see, that’s a lot different than thinking our good deeds will outweigh our bad deeds. The Bible says we’re all sinners and not only experience physical death, but eternal death – a death which separates us from God for all eternity. This is the default position of all of us because the effects of the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden have been passed down through all generations. Our good deeds won’t change that. What we need to understand and accept is that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for sin which we could never pay. Justice requires penalty and our God is a just God. 

The Bible says, “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”  Part of that “many” is you and me. “The Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).  According to the Bible, there aren’t a lot of people in the world who will experience eternal life with God after death. The Bible says, “Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:14).

While it’s noble that so many folks do good things and make society better in some ways, morality is not the key. There are many false teachers out there who say God will accept you for being a good person. Where do they get that? It’s not in the Bible. Perhaps it’s just what seems right to them. The Bible speaks to that too. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12).

Who would you rather trust?  Your own ideas of what’s right and wrong? The words of men?  Or the Word of God?  If you’d like to know more of what God says about salvation, then visit our website,Calvary4u.net, and click the link called “How to Know God” at the top of the page. “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor 6:2).

You’re also welcome to join us for church Sunday mornings at 11 AM. We’re now meeting at the Holden Municipal Light Department, One Holden Street in Holden, MA and we’d love to have you visit. Our services are very traditional and orderly. We sing hymns, read the Bible together, pray to God, and hear a sermon based on God’s Word. The building is handicapped accessible and everyone is welcome. So please take this as a personal invitation to you. I appreciate you reading and keep everyone touched by our ministry in prayer. May God bless you now and through all eternity.

Pastor David S. Rogol
​September 11, 2017


"He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30
  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • Purpose
    • Beliefs
    • Pastor
  • Radio
    • 2020 Sermons >
      • This World Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet (Radio)
      • What Do We?
      • Behold How He Loved
      • When God Seems Two Days Late and an Answered Prayer Short
      • Struggling to the Truth
      • How to Live a Flourishing Christian Life
      • On Deaf Ears
      • Accept the Present But be Open to the Future
      • Why We Need Light
      • Others' Sin Sparks Reflection Within
      • Convincing the Almost Saved
      • The Best for Others
      • Crossing the Line
      • Spiritual Wisdom Lasts Forever
      • Let Jesus onto Your Boat
      • Four Principles of Missions
      • Satisfaction for the Soul
      • Mother's Day 2020
      • Reverence for Jesus Christ
      • The Authority of Jesus Christ
      • The Offer of Eternal Hope
      • Fiddling While Hell Burns
      • Reasons for Believing in Time of War (radio)
      • Worship Continues in Time of Crisis
      • The Most Pressing Need in the World
      • Believe or Die
      • Capturing the World's Attention
      • The Unpredictable in Life
      • From Spectator to Believer
      • Being A Saint Who Serves
      • Real Life on the Mission Field Congo Part 2
      • Real Life on the Mission Field Congo Part 1
      • Three Ways People Follow Christ
      • Letters From God
      • Following God
      • Lasting Changes
    • 2019 Sermons >
      • Why We Celebrate Christmas
      • The Meaning of King in our Christmas Carols
      • Time is Son-ey
      • The Thought Life of a Faithful Believer
      • How to Keep Your Church Going Strong
      • The Day of the Lord
      • The Rapture
      • The Temperament of a Church
      • What is Man?
      • Living for Christ
      • The Powerful Word of God
      • Adopt-a-Sinner
      • Practical Tips for Winning Souls to Christ
      • Key Ingredients for the Successful Presentation of the Gospel
      • The Working Mechanisms of a Healthy Church
      • By Faith We Can See
      • Meaning in the Monotony of Life
      • How Can a Believer Be a Good Example?
      • What Will Wake People Up To The Gospel?
      • But Now Bring What You Need
      • Disappointment
      • Occupy Til I Come
      • Enduring Rejection to Win Souls
      • Beware of Dainties
      • Proactive & Reactive Faithfulness
      • The Three Forms of Church Govt
      • True Faith
      • What is Saving Faith?
      • What Mom Wants Most
      • Repent!
      • Hope and Peace for Your Soul
      • Rejection of the King
      • Daily Life During the Millennial Kingdom
      • Government During the Millennial Kingdom
      • The Literal, Future Kingdom of God
      • When To Leave A Church
      • Punishment and Rewards
      • Wisdom for Realities
      • The Futility of Life without God
      • Sometimes Life Costs Too Much
      • Godliness
      • Illusions of Wealth
      • Thanking God
  • Past Livestreams
    • This World Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet, Part II (YouTube)
    • This World Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet (YouTube)
    • The Rapture of the Church (YouTube)
    • Your Final Living Place
    • Shoot for Eternity (YouTube)
    • What Do We? (YouTube)
    • Behold How He Loved (YouTube)
    • When God Seems Two Days Late and an Answered Prayer Short YouTube
    • Struggling to the Truth YouTube
    • A Flourishing Christian Life YouTube
    • On Deaf Ears Video
    • Accept the Present (YouTube)
    • Why We Need Light Youtube
    • Others' Sin Sparks Reflection Within (YouTube)
    • Convincing the Almost Saved YouTube
    • The Best for Others YouTube
    • Crossing the Line YouTube
    • Spiritual Wisdom Lasts Forever YouTube
    • Let Jesus Onto Your Boat YouTube
    • The Four Principles of Missions
    • How Godly Moms Love their Children
    • Only the Hope God Provides Can Satisfy the Soul (YouTube)
    • Reverence for Jesus Christ (YouTube)
    • The Offer of Eternal Hope (YouTube)
    • The Authority of Jesus Christ YouTube
    • Fiddling While Hell Burns - YouTube
    • Reasons for Believing in Time of War
    • Worship Continues in Time of Crisis
  • COVID-19 Sermons
  • How to Know God
  • Church Bulletin
  • Missions
  • Where We Meet
  • Contact
    • Mailing List
  • TV
    • 1-12 Creation - Cain & Abel
    • 13-24 Flood-Ten Commandments
  • Pastor's Study
    • Older Sermons >
      • 2018 Sermons >
        • When Life Costs Too Much
        • Meaning in the Monotony
        • What Makes a Satisfying Life?
        • Disappointment
        • Persecution
        • By Faith We Can See
        • Worship
        • Spiritual Gifts
        • Responding to Suffering
        • Orienting the Family Around the Local Church
        • In the world but not of it.
        • Behaving Like a Genuine Believer
        • Our Minds Need Renovation
        • Let's Get Rid of the Old Man
        • Turning Worry into Rest
        • The Battle For Your Mind
        • Eternal Security
        • The Necessary Name
        • How to Reach This Generation
        • Repent
        • Understanding Today’s Reprobate Minds
        • Characteristics of Mature Believers
        • Characteristics of a Godly Mother
        • Living With Wisdom
        • Hope-filled Lives Matter
        • Living with Conviction
        • Trapped?
        • God is in Control
        • The Devoted and Emptied Believer
        • Law and Order
        • Power
      • 2017 Sermons >
        • Worship; More than a Word
        • Slump
        • Where's Your Mar's Hill?
        • Trusting God Entirely
        • Thankful Where Caught
        • Evidence of the Holy Spirit Leading
        • Temperament
        • Deeper Questions
        • Preparing For Our Departure
        • Helping New Converts
        • Refusing Honor
        • Longing for Truth
        • Yielding to Holy Spirit
        • Desiring God
        • Sympathy
    • Blog
    • Posts >
      • Final Words
      • Bible Foundations 22
      • Sunday, 11/4/18
      • Newsletter
      • What does Fundamentalist mean?
      • Apostle Paul was a Fundamentalist
      • The Difference between Evangelicals and Fundamentalists
      • Bible Foundations 21
      • Bible Foundations 20
      • Why I Preach 45-Minute Sermons
      • Simple Christianity
      • A Note From the Pastor
      • Lesson 19
      • Bible Foundations 18
      • From Whom Are You Learning?
      • Bible Foundations 17
      • Lesson 16
      • The Thanksgiving Proclamation
      • Bible Foundations 15
      • Lesson 14
      • Lesson 13
      • Video: Holdenites
      • Holdenites Can't be Good Enough
      • Lesson 11
      • Lessons 1-12
      • Trials101
      • Why You Might Like (or Not Like) our Church
      • But I Have Other Things to Do
      • Report of First Public Service
      • Our First Public Service!
      • The Difference Between Reading the Word and Meditating on the Word
      • New Beginnings for Baptist church in Holden
      • Newsletter Signup
  • What is Fundamentalism?