Posts by Michael Nelson (Page 14)

Weekly Update – November 25th, 2021 Thanksgiving is often a great time to catch up with friends and family members. Sometimes though, in the midst of trying to talk with someone you haven’t seen in a while, or sitting around a table with a bunch of people, it can get difficult to have real, meaningful conversation. Below are a list of questions, put together by Donald Whitney, to hopefully aid in meaningful discussions that fit the season. – What’s your…

Weekly Update – November 18th, 2021 As we have been examining the topic, “Why Church” on Sunday mornings, we answered the question, “Why Leadership” this past Sunday.  Now, I understand that this may not necessarily be a question that many people ask when they walk into a church.  In fact, many may not even know what form of leadership a church has.  But scripture is clear, especially in the New Testament, that the leadership structure given by God for his…

Weekly Update – November 11th, 2021 Over the last several weeks, we have been looking at why we do what we do as a church.  As we have said, in our Covid/Post-Covid climate, it is easy to become complacent or even confused about what the church’s purpose is and why the church does what it does.  Specifically, for us at First Baptist Church, we have asked many questions over the last several weeks such as:  Why Gather? Why Preach?  Why…

Weekly Update – November 4th, 2021 As always, we had a wonderful time this past Sunday night with our trunk or treat.  We estimate that we had around 300 people attend.   I am thankful that, as a church, we are able to not only provide a safe alternative for children and their families in Grandview, but that we also had the opportunity to meet and talk with many of our neighbors.  In addition to our trunk or treat, last Sunday also…

Weekly Update – October 28th, 2021 George Whitfield was a famous traveling evangelist in the mid 1700s. In fact, it could be said that aside from the apostle Paul, the church has never seen an evangelist quite like George Whitfield. A key point that he proclaimed in almost every message was the necessity of being born again. In fact, one time, a friend approached him after he spoke and asked him, “Sir, why do you tell us over and over…

Weekly Update – October 1st, 2021 Typically when the average church goer thinks of membership, it is usually with the idea of having your name put on an official role at the church in which you attend.  Some would agree that it is necessary, whereas others would see it as something completely optional.  There seems to be a sense among Christians (and rightly so) that being a part of a church is good, but yet as long as they are in a church,…

Weekly Update – October 14th, 2021 Many times the worship service may seem as a sort of break for tired and weary parents.  The worship service provides an hour for parents to refresh, listen and fellowship with others while their children are being cared for and taught by a loving teacher.  That is why on the outset, the idea of having children in the worship service may not always seem that appealing.  Some may think that it is an inconvenience to parents and…

Weekly Update – October 7th, 2021 Over the last few weeks, we have been asking different questions about who we are and what it is that we do as a church. So far we have asked, “Why Gather?”, “Why Preach?”, and “Why Pray?” All of these questions are meant to fit under the larger question of “Why Church?” Now we won’t be able to ask every single question, because if we did, our series would extend way beyond 12 weeks.…

Weekly Update – September 30th, 2021 When it comes to the topic that we considered last Sunday, the topic, “Why Preach?”, not only should we understand why it is that we value preaching as the central part of our service, but then, how do we actually listen and benefit from preaching. I wrote and posted this a few years ago, but in light of last week’s message, it seemed appropriate to post it again. Consider the following article: “Many times…

Weekly Update – September 30th, 2021 In the book of Ephesians, the apostle Paul is clear to say that God redeems us, as fallen sinners, into a family (Eph. 2:13-22).  There is no lone Christianity.  This is not a “Jesus and Me” type of salvation only.  Instead, we are made alive and re-made for corporate worship.  Then, as we gather together, we do so as a picture of what heaven will one day look like.  Revelation 7:9-10 gives us a glimpse:  “A…

Weekly Update – September 6th, 2021 Last Sunday, we began our series titled, “Why Church?” by looking at the vision and mission of First Baptist Church. We stated that our vision is see our families, community and world transformed by the power of God.  That is a lofty vision that may perhaps leave us with a sense of vagueness in how we ought to fulfill it.  Well, that is where our mission comes into play.  Our mission provides a bit of…

Weekly Update – September 9th, 2021 After a year and 1/2 of scaled back services and activities due to Covid-19, September 12th will almost seem like a new day for our church. On this Sunday we will kick off all of our fall ministries. Then the next week, our Ladies Bible Study will begin, along with a Thursday Men’s Prayer morning, then Awana and our Sunday night Bible study will begin the following week. To kick off this new day,…