Weekly Update – August 12th, 2021
Have you ever thought about why you would share the gospel with someone who doesn’t know Christ? Hopefully you have. Typically answers to this question would be, “because I don’t want that person to go to hell”, or “I want that person to be in heaven one day.” Those are both good answers, but yet they don’t go quite deep enough.
This past Sunday in Ezra chapter 6, we saw that when the people of God came before him at the temple, they celebrated with joy (Ezra 6:17) and the Lord made them joyful (Ezra 6:22). This joy was certainly true within the Psalmist who prayed to the Lord, “in your presence there is fullness of joy” (Ps. 16:11). The apostle Paul understood this joy, which is why he was thankful that his life was spared in Philippians 1:25. Now, he could serve the church, working for their “joy in the faith.”
Here is the connection. Yes, we want to rescue others from the everlasting wrath of God that is due to them for their sin, but that is not the goal. That is the means to the goal. We proclaim Christ crucified to others, because ultimately we believe that only within the presence of God is there true and lasting joy. That is what the forgiveness of sins, rescue from wrath, covering with of Christ’s righteousness and so on leads to. Ultimately we want others to have God.
Therefore we tell others of the good news of Jesus Christ’s perfect life lived on their behalf, sacrificial death died for them and glorious resurrection, so that they may turn from the empty promises of their sin and find everlasting joy before God. We are ambassadors for Christ, calling all to be reconciled to God (2 Cor. 5:20), so that in God’s presence, all might find the fullness of their joy fulfilled.
Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson
Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson
Fighter Verse for the Week:
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith.” – Romans 1:16-17
Announcements:
Pre-K/Kindergarten Sunday School: On August 15th, there will be a new Sunday School class staring for those entering Pre-K and Kindergarten. This class will meet at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. Check in for this class will be in the nursery suite.
Work Day: On Saturday, August 28th from 8:00am-noon, we will have a day to clean and work on minor projects around the church. A light breakfast will be provided.
Child Protection Meeting: On Sunday, August 29th from 5:00-7:30pm, there will be a child protection meeting. This is required for all who work with children. The meeting will be presented by Dawn Hensley from the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home. You can find a preview of this meeting HERE.
Ladies Bible Study: Ladies, join us for a Bible study through the book of 2 Corinthians starting on Tuesday, September 14th at 6:30pm. The study will be a video based study led by Sheryl Nelson. There is a sign up sheet in the hallway, or sign up by contacting the church office. You can learn more about this 8 week Bible Study HERE.
Church Fellowship: On Sunday, September 12th, following the morning service, we will have a potluck lunch in the Faith Center Gym. The church will provide the meat, bread and drinks and you all will provide the sides. Be looking for a sign-up sheet in the next week or so.
Worship Service
Worship Service begins at 10:30am on Sunday mornings. Nursery care for children ages 0-3 years is available during the worship hour.
You can find First Baptist Church’s policy for health guidelines in light of the most recent Jackson County health order HERE.
Livestream
Continue to join us at 10:30am on Sunday mornings.
Facebook live: HERE.
YouTube: HERE.
Guide for Worship can be found 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.
Pre-K and Kindergarten meet in the nursery suite.
Grades 1st – 5th meet upstairs in U-5.
Grades 6th – 12th meet downstairs in the Youth Room.
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