Weekly Update – October 8th, 2026
As we look at the world around us, every avenue seems to compel us to change for the sake of progress. Progress or be left behind, change or be stuck in the same old method. As Christians, this temptation can easily overtake us as well. Not necessarily in our interaction with culture though, but in our spiritual walk with the Lord. Perhaps we still struggle with the same sin, or the Lord doesn’t seem to answer our prayers, or we don’t find ourselves eagerly reading scripture anymore. The temptation is to change everything for the sake of progress. But is that the answer? Will change always bring about the results we are seeking? Furthermore, is change what the Lord calls us to?
Last Sunday, we considered Luke chapter 18:1-8 about the parable of the persistent widow. In short, the story is about a woman who continually seeks justice from a wicked judge. This woman lost her husband and is likely without a voice in her community. She has been wronged, perhaps stolen from or denied something that was hers. The judge in her community does not care. As Jesus says in Luke 18:2, this judge “neither feared God nor respected man.” He has no thought of eternity, nor does he care what others think of him. This widow has no bribe to offer, nor does she have any clout to convince him to do what is right. Her only option is to persistently seek him until he relents.
It is in this passage that Jesus teaches us three things. First, Jesus tells us to not lose heart. In Luke 17:20-37, right before this teaching about the persistent widow, Jesus explains to his disciples what the world will look like at his second coming. There will be people conducting business as usual, moving forward in life with no eye towards Christ. Jesus tells his disciples not to go down that path. For “whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it” (Luke 17:33). In other words, don’t consider your life the same way the world would tell you too. Simply because you don’t seem to be progressing, even in your spiritual walk, doesn’t mean you need to change everything or start something “novel” or “new”. Instead, Jesus says, do not lose heart. The question is, how do we not lose heart?
Second, Jesus tells us to remain persistent. In Luke 18:8, Jesus asks his disciples, “when the son of man returns, will He find faith? The widow from this parable persistently sought justice from a wicked judge. Day and night she came before him, pleading with him to do what was right, until he finally got tired of seeing her. In verse 5, the judge says, “I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.” The conclusion that Jesus gives is found in verse 7 when he says, “will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night?” To those who endure in faith, God will reward on the last day. Therefore, to avoid losing heart, we must remain persistent in this life with our eyes fixed on Jesus.
Third, the object of our persistence is our righteous judge. In this world, our only hope is in the mercy of God. If a wicked judge can give justice because he is tired of seeing a persistent widow, then how much more will God hear us, vindicate our cause in Him and answer our pleas. Therefore, how do we remain persistent? We trust in a righteous judge. And though this life may not always pan out the way that we hoped it would, we must believe that as Ecclesiastes 8:12 says, “it will be well with those who fear God.”
On the one hand, sure there may be some areas that we need to reconsider and address. At the same time, we shouldn’t seek change simply because we feel as though we are not progressing with God enough or we are getting discouraged due to our desires and what appears to be a lack of response from the Lord. For the enemy would desire you to reevaluate your life and reconsider whether your pursuit of the Lord is working. His desire would be for you to lose heart. But don’t go down that path. Instead, remain persistent and trust in God as the righteous judge as you press on in faith.
Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson
Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson
Fighter Verse for the Week
"[But] when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior..."
Titus 3:4-6
Announcements:
Sisters in Service: On Thursday, October 8th at 7:00pm, Sisters in Service will meet in the library. See Sheriann Kessinger for more details.
Membership Matters Class: Beginning Sunday, September 20th, there will be a Membership Matters Class for those interested in joining FBC. This will be a 4-week class (9/20, 9/27, 10/4, 10/11), meeting at 9:15am during our Equipping/Sunday School hour. You can find out more about our membership process HERE.
Sunday Evening Service: Our second Sunday evening service for this month will be on Sunday, October 11th at 6:00pm. On this evening we will pray together and hear from Martin Maharas as he preaches from Philippians 1:12-30
Game Night: Our monthly game night is Friday, October 20th from 7:00-9:00pm. Invite a friend to come with you and bring your favorite game and/or snack.
Clothing Giveaway: On October 24th, from 8:00-11:00am, we will open up our basement to the community to giveaway tables of clothes.
Additionally, we will have a tent at the exit of the giveaway to connect and pray with those who come. We always need lots of help for this event. Consider joining us on this day.
Fall Festival: On Saturday, October 31st from 5:00-7:00pm, we will host a fall festival at the church. We will have trunk or treat, bounce house, chili, hot dogs, dessert, hot chocolate and a fire pit. Help us fill up our candy barrel before the event, and sign up in the hall to help on that night.
Men’s Retreat: On Friday, November 6th – Saturday, November 7th we will host our 3rd Men’s Retreat at God’s Mountain Camp. Dave Hintz from Flint Hills Bible Church will be our speaker this year. Cost will be $45. Sign up in the hall today! You can pay HERE. Make sure to select “men’s ministry” when you do.
Missouri Missions Offering: Every year, along with nearly 1,800 other churches, our church partners to pray and give concerning the Lord’s work in our state. The statewide goal is $825,000 this year. Our church goal is $1500. I hope that you will consider praying and giving to this effort throughout this month. As with your normal offering, you can give in person, by mail or online. Just mark MMO when you do give. Check out more information about this effort HERE.
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.
Discipleship Training: Join us for our adult study on Wednesday nights. The study is over the topic of Christian Ethics. Join us from 6:45-8:00pm
Ladies’ Bible Study: There will be a 9-week study of Romans by Courtney Doctor starting on September 8th. Morning and evening sessions are each Tuesday for 9 weeks.
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 Clubs are 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.
Wednesday Evening Activities
Awana, Youth Group, and Discipleship Training are on Wednesday evenings. We will share a meal in the Faith Center Gym at 6:00pm before heading to classes at 6:30pm.
Worship Service
Worship Service begins at 10:30am on Sunday mornings. Nursery care for children ages 0-4 years is available during the worship hour.
Livestream
Continue to join us at 10:30am on Sunday mornings.
YouTube: HERE.
Join us and invite a friend or family member to watch with you.
Sunday School
Children and Youth Sunday School take place at 9:15am on Sunday mornings.
Ages 0-2 and 3–k meet in the nursery suite.
Grades 1-2nd meet upstairs in U-5.
Grades 3rd-6th meet upstairs in U-6.
Grades 7th-12th meet downstairs in the youth room.