Posts by Michael Nelson (Page 12)

Weekly Update – June 16th, 2022 This week, the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) convened in Anaheim, CA.  Every year during the second full week of June, Southern Baptists gather to vote on important matters that pertain to the mission of the convention (you can find their mission/vision HERE), as well as discussing new ways in which participating churches can connect to reach the world for Christ.  There are over 47,000 churches that partner together with the common goal of fulfilling…

Weekly Update – June 9th, 2022 As you all know by now, Vacation Bible School is just around the corner.  Every summer, First Baptist Church has a week where we specifically focus on teaching children about the gospel of Jesus Christ.  This year’s theme is titled: Monumental: Celebrating God’s Greatness. Within this theme, kids will learn about the God of the universe who created all things, visible and invisible.  He is a vast and great God, who is far above…

Weekly Update – June 2nd, 2022 On Sunday I gave a response to the events that are currently taking place within the Southern Baptist Convention. This response is meant to function as the position our church will take as well as hopefully provide you with a response in conversations you might have with others. Here is a summary of what I said: “Last June, the messengers of the churches representing the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) asked that an independent investigation…

Weekly Update – May 26th, 2022 This week, another horrible tragedy hit our nation.  The unimaginable became true once again as 19 children and 2 teachers were killed in a mass shooting.  Eighteen-year-old Salvador Ramos walked into Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX., barricaded himself in a classroom and opened fire.  But as we think about tragedies such as these, our first thoughts can’t be to blame others.  Many people are ranting and raving about new measures for gun control…

Weekly Update – May 19th, 2022 As we now approach the end of May, it is safe to say that summer is quickly upon us. This season is easily one of my favorites of the year.  I love the hot weather, the afternoon storms, the long evenings and the different pace that the season brings.  But with this season of leisure and refreshment there also comes a temptation.  The article listed below titled, “Setting Our Minds on Things Above in…

Weekly Update – May 12th, 2022 As Christians, we are all called to a type of ministry.  There is no such thing as isolating ourselves from other believers, just as there is no such thing as inactivity when it comes to serving the Lord.  We are to be actively investing ourselves into the lives of others, younger and older, mature and immature, similar to us or different.  Ministry isn’t only a call to those who are paid or to those…

Weekly Update – May 5th, 2022 The major news story of this week has been the leaked document from the Supreme Court about the upcoming overturning of Roe v. Wade.  In 1973, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Norma Leah Wilson (Jane Roe) essentially allowing abortion on demand.  On the same date, the Supreme Court ruled in Doe v. Bolton defining health as “anything that a woman defines it to be, even if it is nothing more than her…

Weekly Update – April 28th, 2022 After over a two-year hiatus, we will open up two new home groups this summer.  In the past we have had home groups, and in fact, even now, there is still one currently meeting over zoom.  These groups will be intentionally filled with a range of people, from children, to married couples, to singles and senior adults.  Our goal is to meet on Sunday evenings over dinner for fellowship, study and prayer.  There are…

Weekly Update – April 21st, 2022 The Great Commission is a well-known and popular call that many Christians are familiar with in the New Testament.  It says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I (Jesus) have commanded you….” (Matt. 28:19-20)  Typically when we read that verse, the first thought that comes to our minds is…

Weekly Update – April 14th, 2022 Since 2015, First Baptist Church has had a Maundy Thursday service the Thursday before Easter.  This night is primarily meant to function as a time to reflect and prepare ourselves as we remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Now when we say Maundy Thursday, there is still likely some confusion over its significance.  Good Friday we know, and of course, Easter Sunday we know, but what is so special about this day…

Weekly Update – April 7th, 2022 As we continue to watch the downgrade of our culture, we must remember how important it is for the church to remain counter-cultural to all that we see around us.  There is pressure from many angles to capitulate to what are quickly becoming the norms of society in terms of the sexual revolution, the idolatry of self, and the general acceptance of immorality.  Over the last few months in 1 Timothy, we have seen…

Weekly Update – March 31st, 2022 One of the hardest aspects of living in community with others is practicing forgiveness.  Someone says a wrong word against us, goes behind our back or tells others something untrue and it hurts us.  On many occasions the advice given to us might be to avoid the person who has wronged us, never trust them again, sit on the opposite side of the church and “warn” others about their sin.  But if we examine…