Posts by Michael Nelson (Page 8)

Weekly Update – April 13th, 2023 For the last several years, we have hosted what is called Secret Church.  We have gathered either in homes or at the church on a Friday night in April for 6 hours of Bible Study and prayer.  Over the last few weeks, I have received a number of questions as to what this event typically looks like.  Therefore, let me try to explain what Secret Church is and why it is you should go.…

Weekly Update – April 6th, 2023 In many ways, the remembrance of Maundy Thursday and the celebration of Easter Sunday are two of the most significant days in the life of our church.   Don’t get me wrong here, every time we gather as a church is significant in our lives because it provides an opportunity to encourage one another and proclaim Christ.  But our gatherings this week specifically focus on what is at the center of our faith with the…

Weekly Update – March 30th, 2023 It is easy to neglect to stop and take stock of the evidences of God’s grace upon us as we live in a culture that is prone to complain and criticize. That means that one of the ways that we can live counter cultural to this world is to encourage one another with the faithfulness of God. When we consider the Lord’s work among us, not only does it remind us of his goodness,…

Weekly Update – March 23rd, 2023 When we think about church attendance, typically we think of it in an individualized sort of way.  Perhaps you have heard comments such as, “I am coming to church to get fed” or “I am coming this week to get encouraged.”  With many of us being faithful attenders, individualized comments, even if they are motivated by hope in Christ, will still come through.  We might say, “I need the Word of God in my…

Weekly Update – March 16th, 2023 In 1 Samuel 15, we read about God regretting that he made Saul king (15:11, 35). The writer of 1 Samuel must have known that this was a difficult concept to swallow because in 15:29 he says, “the Glory of Israel will not lie or have regret, for he is not a man, that he should have regret.”  In other words, though God “regrets” making Saul king, his regret is not like our regret. …

Weekly Update – March 9th, 2023 In just a few weeks, we as Christians celebrate the cornerstone of our faith.  As the apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:14, “if Christ has not been raised, then our faith is in vain.”  What this means is that the resurrection does matter.  We can’t simply resort to saying that Christianity is about doing good for others or living a morally pure life.  If Christ has not been raised, then he is just…

Weekly Update – March 2nd, 2023 Over the last few weeks, I have had numerous conversations about the revival at Asbury University in Wilmore, Ky.  Honestly, it is hard to form a solid opinion on exactly what is going on there without having seen it or experienced it.  It is easy to say that based upon the large numbers of people and the clips that have been shown on social media that something is occurring on this college campus.  But…

Weekly Update – February 23rd, 2023 When we think our lives as Christians, one aspect of our Christian walk should be a motivation for holiness.  This is clearly displayed, for example, in Ephesians 2:1-10 with the apostle Paul giving an exposition of the gospel from beginning to end.  In verses 1-3, he explains our life before Christ as desperate sinners.  In verses 5-9, he explains what God has done for us in Christ to rescue us from our desperate state. …

Weekly Update – February 16th, 2023 About a month ago, I explained what it is we believe about our first point in our statement on biblical sexuality.  You can find that explanation HERE.  This week, I want to move on to point 2 of 9, as we continue to understand why we, at First Baptist Church, believe what we do about sexuality.  The second point we believe about sexuality states this: The differences between male and female reproductive structures are…

Weekly Update – February 9th, 2023 This past Sunday, I mentioned that as a means to help God’s people to trust in Him, the scriptures often remind them of their redemption. All throughout the Old Testament, for example, you see the phrase, “I am the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt” (Josh. 24:5; 1 Sam. 10:18; Ps. 81:10; Jer. 2:6; etc.) In a similar way, we, as New Testament believers, have been redeemed through Christ, who has freed…

Weekly Update – February 2nd, 2023 In 1 Samuel 4:1, there are nine words that start off a new account in the storyline of Israel.  Judgement has just been pronounced on Eli and his sons (1 Sam. 2:32-35) and Samuel has been established as the next man to lead Israel (1 Sam. 3:19-21).  Not all is made right immediately though.  There has been corruption and wickedness flowing throughout Israel for many years as “everyone did what was right in his…

Weekly Update – January 26th, 2023 As we have been in 1 Samuel for the last few weeks, we have begun to see this contrast between those who are prideful verses those who are humble.  On the one hand, you have the sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, who were treating their role as God’s priests with contempt (1 Sam. 2:17).  They were taking advantage of the sacrifices offered by the faithful in Israel (1 Sam. 2:16) as well as…