Weekly Update – December 21st, 2023
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” This is how the Bible starts the creation story. Then we read that from chaos God brought order and out of darkness God created light. Ultimately it was out of nothing that God brought forth something. But as great and majestic as all of this is, God’s purposes in creation were much bigger than simply filling the earth with stuff. In Genesis 1:26 God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Here the “us” is the triune God speaking within the community that consisted of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The truth communicated here is that God already existed in a relationship with himself and was content within his own community, but that he desired to create us to be brought into fellowship with him and to enjoy him forever.
The relationship that man had with God was made evident in the first three chapters of Genesis. In Genesis 3:8 we see that Adam and Eve used to walk with God in the cool of the day as they enjoyed his presence and lived in perfect communion with him. Yes God created them to “multiply and fill the earth and subdue it,” but he also created them to have a relationship with him. This perfect communion where man enjoyed God’s presence was short lived as Adam and Eve decided that they would rather strive to be greater than God through disobedience rather than live under God’s authority enjoying his presence. As a result “God sent them out from the Garden of Eden” (Gen. 3:23) away from his presence, to live under the curse of sin, in pain and toil, until they died apart from him.
The rest of the Old Testament is about this hindered relationship that man has with God. God brings forth a people through the seed of Abraham, who become the nation of Israel, but a relationship with him is never fully restored. The tabernacle in the wilderness contained and displayed God’s glory (Ex. 40:34-35), and the glory of the Lord filled the temple (2 Chron. 7:2), but any man who attempted to come near to this glory, with the exception of the high priest, would be instantly killed. Sin created this barrier between man and God. The only relationship man could have with God existed behind a veil, inside a temple, through the sacrifice of bulls and goats.
The coming of Jesus into the world was truly revolutionary. As man was kept from the presence of God, Jesus came as God in the flesh to dwell among us. In the Old Testament, the tabernacle was were man went to meet with God, but now, in Jesus, God came to tabernacle among men. Blood sacrifices were necessary to cover the sins of God’s people, but now, God came in Jesus to offer one sacrifice for sins for all time (Heb. 10:12). Jesus was the God/Man who came to restore a relationship with us, tearing the veil, taking care of the necessary sacrifice, and removing the temple. And now, through his Holy Spirit, God dwells inside all those who have a relationship with him through Jesus Christ.
What we celebrate this Advent season is truly remarkable. God came to restore the fellowship that was lost in the garden. But he came to dwell not just in a building made by man, but to dwell inside of us, restoring his presence to us and allowing us to have a relationship with him once again. It gets better though. Because of Jesus coming to this earth as a man, living a perfect life, dying in our place and rising again, we can look forward to the day when our dwelling place with God will be fully restored. On that day, the pains of this life and the brokenness of sin and death will be no more. For as Revelation 21:4 says, “he will wipe away every tear from (our) eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” This is the glory that we celebrate at Christmas. God coming to earth to dwell among us in Jesus, and then promising an even greater restoration of his presence for all eternity through his life, death and resurrection.
Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson
Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson
Fighter Verse for the Week
[Now] to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. - Ephesians 3:20-21
Announcements:
Advent Devotionals: There are three options for Advent devotions available in our Welcome Center. The first one is free and it is titled, Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus. The second one is $10 and it is titled, Gifts of Grace. The last one is also $10 and it is titled, Come, Let us Adore Him. Feel free to check these out and get one for this Advent season.
Christmas Eve Service: Our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will be held on December 24th at 6:00pm. On this evening, we will read the Christmas story, sing Christmas Songs together and hear a short Christmas message. Make plans to join us and invite your family and friends.
Collecting for Conn-West: We are currently collecting hats, scarves, gloves, long-sleeved shirts, and under garments for the students of Conn-West Elementary. There is a barrel in the hallway for this collection if you choose to bring something.
Membership Matters Class: Beginning Sunday, January 14th, there will be a Membership Matters Class for those interested in joining FBC. This will be a 4 week class (1/14, 1/21, 1/28, 2/4), meeting at 9:15am during our Equipping/Sunday School hour. You can find out more about our membership process HERE.
Lottie Moon Christmas Offering: Every year at this time, we raise funds to support missionaries all over the world who are serving with the International Mission Board (IMB). Our goal at First Baptist Church is to raise $10,000. If you haven’t already, will you consider partnering with us by giving, as we seek to support international missions? You can give on Sunday mornings through one of our offering boxes located in the foyer or the welcome center. Just mark your envelop as “missions” or “Lottie Moon.” Or you can give online HERE. Choose “missions” under the Fund tab. You can find more information about this offering HERE.
Befriend a Student: If you are interested in befriending a student from Longview Community College this semester, connect with Matthew Klika. You can find more information about befriend a student HERE.
Food Pantry: We are in need of pop-top and ready to eat items for our food pantry. These items are needed specifically for the homeless in our community that stop by the church building throughout the week looking for a meal.
Nursery Volunteers Needed: Nursery volunteers are needed each week during the 10:30am service time. Check the update or email the office for more information on how you can serve.
Year End Giving: By God’s grace, we are on tract to finish this year on a positive note for 2023. Thank you for being so faithful to give this year. Your giving goes to practical matters such as keeping the lights of the church on and taking care of our staff, but your giving also does so much more. It funds outreach to children in Grandview, it supports women who are recovering from sex trafficking, it provides benevolence for a needy family, it supports ministry all around the world, and most importantly it allows the gospel to be preached every single week. I want to encourage you to finish the year strong in this area. As long as checks are marked by December 31st or gifts are given online by December 31st, it will count towards 2023.
Equipping Hour
We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. “Firm Foundations” will meet in the Sanctuary, a biblical exposition of the minor prophets will meet in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the New Testament will meet 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 Biblical Counseling are on Wednesday evenings. We will share a meal in the Faith Center Gym at 6:00pm before heading to classes at 6:30pm. There will be no evening activities on Wednesday, December 27th.
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.
Facebook live: HERE.
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 0-4 meet in the nursery suite.
Grades K-3rd meet upstairs in U-5.
Grades 4th-6th meet upstairs in U-6.
Grades 7th-12th meet downstairs in the youth room.
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