An Evangelistic Display

Weekly Update – August 6th, 2026 

As First Baptist Church, we believe that we are to strive to be the community that God has designed his people be within the church. All other clubs and organizations gather based upon preferences, talents, or other demographics, but the church is the gathering of people who are united together based upon their commonality in Christ. When that is the case and the community of the church is adamant about Christ being the central factor and focus, then every service and ministry will reflect it. As a result, the gathering and the community life of the church becomes its greatest evangelistic witness. 

Most churches will agree that evangelism is important. Vacation Bible Schools, special services, door to door outreaches, etc., all reflect the desire that the church has to draw in people. Members are further encouraged to proclaim Christ to people in their work place, their neighbors and their friends. Within the Southern Baptist Convention, of which our church is connected, this theme reigns clear every time representatives from member churches meet. We need to be fervent in sharing the gospel. But as important as that is, and as active as we should be in that mission, how Christians interact with one another inside the church will either make or break their evangelistic witness. In other words, we need to proclaim the truths of God and what he has done for us in Christ, but we also need to display these same truths within the community of the church too. 

Consider these verses from John 13:34-35:  “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another:  just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” The world will know that what we believe is true by the way we live with one another in the church. If we strive for love, partnership, and forgiveness, then we will show the world something countercultural to what they experience in their own lives. But if we fight, bicker, divide or just passively come and sporadically serve, then any evangelistic message we might proclaim is made void by our actions.  When the church strives to function as the community of Christ, and people are committed to living out the principles of the gospel with one another, then the church continually displays its greatest evangelistic strength. 

Let me offer a few specific ways that we can display the gospel to the world around us by being committed to the community of the local church:

1. Place the gospel message first with every other matter second. What the church preaches is more important than whether or not there is a guitar on stage.
2. Join a church. Tell the world that you are a part of a group that may have several differences from you, but that you love Jesus and proclaim his truth and that is enough.  
3. Know the church covenant and seek to live it out.
4. Respect authority within the church.
5. Give and receive forgiveness.
6. Take care of the physical needs of members
7. Pray for each other.
8. Practice hospitality with others. Have other members in your home, get to know them, eat with them, pray with them, and let them get to know your kids. 
9. Arrange your life around the life of the church. Say “no” to opportunities that take you away from the main gathering of the church and “yes” to opportunities that connect you with other members.   
10. Commit to live near and remain with the church for the long term. If you are able, try to live in the same area as the church. Imagine telling others that you moved so that you could be closer to your church, or that you turned down a job, so that you could remain with your church. 

To faithfully love one another, partner with each other, forgive one another, suffer with and comfort each other and so on, we must live in close community together. We must commit to one another, strive for peace and unity and keep Christ as the foundation of all that we do. A commitment to the local church shows a true desire to make Christ known. Let us live as the community that God has placed us in, allowing us to be the gospel made visible. 

Serving Him with You,

Pastor Michael Nelson

Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson

Fighter Verse for the Week

"[And] do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell."  Matthew 10:28

Announcements:

Collegiate Impact: As college students prepare to start the fall semester, we have an opportunity to partner with Collegiate Impact in reaching out to them with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Consider praying for this ministry and those they will seek to reach as well as bringing non-perishable, individually wrapped food items to aid in outreach. You can get an idea as to how to pray and what to bring HERE

Clothing Giveaway: On August 15th, from 8:00-11:00am, we will open up our basement to the community to giveaway tables of clothes. We always need lots of help for this event. Consider joining us on this day.

Evangelism Workshop: On Sunday, August 16th, we will have Brent Longnecker with us to lead a workshop titled “How to Evangelize.” Plan to join us for the Equipping Hour, Worship Service and Sunday night.

Members’ Meeting: Following the morning service on Sunday, August 30th, we will have a snack bar and members’ meeting. Bring a snack to share.

All Church Work Day: On Saturday, September 5th at 8:00am there will be an all church work day. Come and help us clean, make minor repairs and get our building ready for all of the fall activities that will take place.

All Church Picnic: An end of summer church picnic will be at 5pm on Sunday, September 6th, at Mapleview Park. More information to come…

Home Groups: Home groups typically meet on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. We will have sign-ups available in the hall throughout the month of August if you are interested in joining a group.

Family Discipleship Guides: These guides are designed to help equip parents further engage with what our children and youth are learning. You can find a guide for AWANA, HERE and for our Youth, HERE.

Men’s Study: Our Men’s study meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday nights at 8:00-9:15pm. The book for this study will be The Case for Christ. See Matthew Klika for more information.

Building Remodel: If you would like to give to our remodel fund, there are commitment cards available in the welcome center. Feel free to pick up one and return it to one an available basket. If you would like to give a one time or a reoccurring gift, you can do so HERE and select “building remodel.” You can also give through one of the offering boxes at church. Be sure to mark your envelop, “building remodel.” Check out a video highlighting the work done so far.

Food Pantry: The food pantry is currently in need of some food items. For a complete list of food pantry needs, click HERE.

Awana Bible Club

Awana is officially on summer break. Clubs are typically held on Wednesdays throughout the school year. Dinner is at 6:00pm with Awana Clubs starting at 6:30pm. Children can be registered HERE.

Equipping Hour

We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. “A Survey in Church History” meets in the Sanctuary, a study in Isaiah in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the Old Testament meets in the classroom next to the nursery. You can find more information HERE.

Giving

To Give Online, Go HERE. 

You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030

Home Groups

Home Groups typically meet on the first and third Sunday of each month. Please contact Pastor Michael if you would like to join a Home Group. You can find more information HERE.

Prayer

An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE.

Prepare for Sunday

Guide for Worship can be found HERE.