Together to Display God

Weekly Update – April 27th, 2023

The plan of God, from before the creation of the world, is that we would be redeemed through his son Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:4).  Due to sin, we have all been separated from God, made strangers to his promises, as we live without hope in this world (Eph. 2:12).  But God, being rich in mercy saved us (Eph. 2:4-5).  God’s plan wasn’t just for us as individuals though.  What I mean is that when God planned to forgive us of our sins and unite us back to him, he also planned to reconcile us to one another.  This mystery, as Ephesians 3:6 says, is that we are all fellow heirs with one another, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise of Christ Jesus.  What this means is that not only is there now no separation between Jew and Gentile, but now all people, regardless of nationality, race, culture, gender, age and so on, are brought together as one.  Through Christ we are brought together into the church. 

Paul then gets more specific with this thought in Ephesians 3:10 when he says that it is through the church that the manifold wisdom of God is on display.  Specifically Paul is referring to the wisdom of God on display before the heavenly beings, but we could also extend this to refer to the wisdom of God on display before the watching world around us.  It is here that we see the purpose of the church shine through.  The purpose of the church is to show the manifold wisdom of God before the world.  What does that mean? Well, let me give you three ways the church shows off the wisdom of God before the world around us.

First, the church shows the manifold wisdom of God through fulfilling the one anothers.  In the New Testament there are at least 59 one anothers.  There is the call for all believers to “love one another” (John 13:34), “serve one another in love” (Gal. 5:13), “forgive each other” (Eph. 4:32), just to name a few.  The one anothers are commands given to believers in the context of the church as to how its members are to relate to each other.  Trying to fulfill these outside the church is next to impossible as it is the power of the Holy Spirit that enables the church to strive in this effort.  More importantly, fulfilling the one anothers displays the wisdom of God by showing a watching, sin-filled and selfish world what self-denial and harmony with others looks like.  And it does so through a group of people who have nothing in common between them except for Jesus Christ.

Second, the church shows the manifold wisdom of God through affirming its members’ faith.  One of the fallacies of Christianity is the individualistic tendency to focus solely on “me and Jesus” instead of “us and Jesus.”  It is true that we are individually reconciled to God as we are all personally responsible for our sin and in need of forgiveness through Jesus Christ.  But pressing on in this reality and enduring in our relationship with God is a corporate effort.  Hebrews 10:19-25 is clear on this point.  We are to draw near to God “in full assurance of faith” (22), “hold fast the confession of our hope” (23), and “stir up one another to love and good works” (24). But how do we do this?  By “not neglecting to meet together…but encouraging on another” (25).  We are to build up each other’s faith through coming together as the church.

Thirdly, the church shows the manifold wisdom of God through Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 3:10 again says that the “manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.”  Since the fall of man, both good and bad heavenly beings have been watching God carry out his plan to bring his name glory throughout all the earth.  They watched as God raised up Noah, Abraham, David and then Israel.  All of these imperfect human beings, who eventually failed.  But this changed with Jesus.  He came and fulfilled every area of the law and obeyed God fully from his heart.  He then dies to ransom his own, the church, back to God.  From here, the heavenly realm watches as God brings about the restoration of his creation through his son.  The church then, with Jesus Christ as its focus, lives together for the glory of God in this age and for the age to come.

Does it matter whether or not we belong to a church?  Yes it does!  We don’t simply gather to make a few good friends and fill up spiritual barometer every week.  It is not as if church is a personal benefit for us that we only need when we are starting to feel a little low.  No, the church is for us collectively.  It is for the brother or sister sitting next to you, whether they are a new Christian or they have been a Christian for 50 years.  But more than this, the church is about the spiritual warfare that is taking place as the battle at play is a fight for the glory of God.  And God has employed each one of us to forsake ourselves, be devoted to each other and unite together to show the power of the gospel to all the world as the wisdom of God.  So then commit to Christ’s church in an effort bigger than yourself as you gather with God’s people for your own good and for his glory.

Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson

Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson

Fighter Verse for the Week

"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor."
- Romans 12:9-10

Announcements:

Village at Carroll Park: This Sunday (4/30), at 1:00pm, we will conduct a worship service at the Village at Carroll Park located at 5301 Harry S Truman Dr., here in Grandview. Matthew Klika will be preaching and Martin Maharas will be playing the guitar. Come serve with us as we seek to proclaim Christ and encourage the residents here.

Harry’s Hay Days: On Saturday, May 6th, from 10:00am-4:00pm, First Baptist Church will be participating in the citywide festival called, “Harry’s Hay Days.” We will be hosting carnival games, face painters, balloon artists, Chick-fil-A, and more, right here in our parking lot. Put this date on your calendar and look for a sign up sheet in the weeks ahead.

Parent/Child Dedication: On Sunday, May 14th, we will have a parent/child dedication during our morning service. This is a time for parents to affirm their commitment to raise their child in the Lord (Eph. 6:4), as well as the church to affirm their commitment to invest and encourage parents as well as pray for their child to one day know the Lord. If you have had a child born in the last few years and have not taken part in this dedication and you would like to, sign up in the hallway this Sunday.

Women’s Brunch & Craft: All ladies of the church are invited to the Larson Home at 10am on Saturday, May 20th, for a potluck brunch and a time of crafting. Please bring an item for the brunch and your knitting, crocheting, or other craft project to work on after the meal. Contact Cassie Larson for the address (816) 665-0688.

Men’s Outing: On May 20th, the men will go to the World War I museum. We will carpool or take the church van, leaving at 12:30pm. Cost for the museum is $16. After the World War I museum, the men will plan to go to Burnt Ends BBQ for an early dinner. Look for a sign up sheet in the hallway.

Annie Armstrong Easter Offering: Every year at this time, we raise funds to support missionaries all over North America who are serving with the North American Mission Board (NAMB). This year, First Baptist Church is seeking to raise $8500. We have already received $6456 towards this goal. 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 “Annie.” Or you can give online HERE and choose “missions” under the Fund tab. You can find more information about this offering HERE.

Vacation Bible School: Mark your calendar. This year, we will host Vacation Bible School on Monday, July 10th-Friday, July 14th from 5:45-8:00pm. More information on how you can help is available on the bulletin board in the hall and more information about how to register your child is available HERE. We are now collecting items for VBS decorations. We are looking for large square cardboard boxes, white wrapping paper, black wrapping paper, large sheets of insulations foam, large sheets of sturdy cardboard, and any leftover interior acrylic paints in bright colors, pastel colors, black, or white.

Volunteers Needed: Volunteers are still needed during the 10:30am nursery time. Check the update or email the office for more information on how you can serve.

Awana

We had a great year this year! We look forward to starting again in September.

Equipping Hour

We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. “Evangelism: Engaging the Lost” will meet in the Sanctuary, a biblical exposition of 1 and 2nd Thessalonians will meet in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the Old 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.