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Agape Bible Christian Fellowship in Martinsville

Mid-Week ​Message 

Protect Your Heart 

Mark 7:14-16 NKJV

14 When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand: 15 There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. 16 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!”

Christ decides to bring clarification to the multitude of people who witnessed the discourse between Christ and the Pharisees.
Point 1: It was important for Christ to share that eating with unclean hands did not defile our heart, but what comes from our heart is what defiles us. In other words what we share with others defile us. Our heart is often the reflection of how we respond to certain situations. When I am upset, is it in my heart to be violent or remain peaceful. Often times we judge folk on how they look, opposed to their actions. Christ is saying its your intrinsic qualities that defines your character. What we consume exclusively in our stomach has little effect on how folk perceives us, compared to the issues that exists within our heart. 

Point 2: Christ is not giving us permission to eat whatever we want because the criticism was for the disciples eating bread with unclean hands. It was not Christ suggesting that we can eat any and everything we want, because within our community we have often found our bodies physically broken down because of bad dietary practices. 

Point 3: Finally this is not permission to tempt ourselves with lustful desires because scripture teaches us to yield not to temptation. Christ might suggest that what we consume when we watch television, listen to music, and search the Internet/use social media can cause us to fall into temptation. In fact, He is saying a heart after God’s heart will cause you to separate yourself from the traditions of men and obey the word, which is truth. For example, if you watch pornography, you should expect your heart to eventually contain adultery and lust. If you listen to music with ungodly lyrics, you can’t believe your heart want have a desire to be lustful, greedy, or even hate your brother or sister. You can’t spend hours on social media being nosey and not implant into your heart a desire to covet, be jealous, hate, and who knows what else. Christ is teaching those who have ears to hear; and learn to be ye holy, for I am Holy as stated throughout the Law of God. ​

On this day I encourage you to examine what you consume throughout your day. It is important to determine the ways that you are failing to protect your heart from things that pull you away from God. Truthfully, we have all sinned and fallen short of God's glorious standard. We must all be like our patriarch David, and ask the Lord, "To create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me." On this day, learn to protect your heart. 

Love, 

Elder J Hagwood

​If you would like prayer, call us anytime at (276)634-5522.

Dr. and Lady C. Lee Hagwood Sr.

Scripture of foundation

4"a new commandment i give to you, that you love one another; as i have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

UpComing Events @

 Agape Bible Christian Fellowship in Martinsville 

quarterly Calendar

​

APRIL 

4/1 Sunrise - Resurrection Service

8:00am

4/19 Pastor @ Friendship Baptist Church

7:00pm

4/22 Family & Friends Funday

9:00am

4/24 - 4/26 Spring Convocation and Renewal Summit

​Renewal Summit

6:00pm

Convocation Revival

7:00pm

4/25 Administrative Appreciation Day 

 MAY

5/7 Pastor @ Antioch Baptist Church

7:00pm 

 5/13 Mother's Day Recognition

9:00am

5/27 16th Church Annual Celebration

Rev. Ray T. Arrington, Guest Preacher

11:00am

Rev. Reginald Carter, Guest Preacher

3:00pm

5/28 Memorial Day 

JUNE

6/3 - 6/8 Hampton Minister's Conference

TBD - VBS Kickoff and VBS

6/17 Father's Day Recognition 

9:00am

6/24 Family & Friends Fun Day 

9:00am 

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Morning Worship in Martinsville

Sunday 9:00am

Bible study in Martinsville 

Wednesday 12:00pm and 7:00am

Community Meetings 

Wednesday Narcotics Anonymous 5:30pm

Thursday Parenting Classes 6:00pm

Contact us for information

**all events may not be listed at first glance so please be sure to check regularly. 

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