Weekly Update – September 6th, 2021
Last Sunday, we began our series titled, “Why Church?” by looking at the vision and mission of First Baptist Church. We stated that our vision is see our families, community and world transformed by the power of God. That is a lofty vision that may perhaps leave us with a sense of vagueness in how we ought to fulfill it. Well, that is where our mission comes into play. Our mission provides a bit of concrete for us to stand on in seeking to fulfill our vision. Our mission then is this: First Baptist Church exists to speak out and to live out the gospel of Jesus Christ. As I did on Sunday, let me try to flesh our mission out for you a little bit.
In Matthew 5:13-14 we are told by Jesus that as Christians we are salt and light. It doesn’t say that we are asked or even called to be salt and light. The truth is that by virtue of following Christ, our nature is now salt and light before an unbelieving world. There is no choice in the matter, nor is there any other option. You are the salt of the earth and you are the light of the world.
As salt, we as believers have been redeemed and placed as a preserver to the decay of those around us. This world is only spiraling downward in wickedness, but as salt we offer unbelievers a taste of something much better. Many will strive to have their desires fulfilled through seeking after the things of this world. It might be drugs, alcohol, immorality or even mindless entertainment, but whatever it is, it will prove to be ultimately tasteless. We as salt live out before the world, through our lives, that we have something that will quench their thirsts.
Then as light we are to take it to the next step. Light is the message that puts meaning into the salt. As salt we live our lives displaying Christ to an unbelieving world, but as light we speak out about Christ and his saving grace. This world is in darkness through sin and all of man’s efforts to redeem himself from this darkness utterly fail. But we as light proclaim Jesus Christ. We speak of his perfect life lived without sin and under God’s perfect rule. And we speak of the penalty that he paid for sin. As lights, we are showing people the true light who pierces the world, saves us, and changes our hearts with his redeeming power.
As we speak out we display light and as we live out we display salt. That is our mission. We do this for the purpose of our vision, which again, is to see our families, our community, and ultimately the world, transformed by the power of God. This is not an individual pursuit though. We must do this together. Together we must live out Christ through our love and selflessness for each other. Together we must speak out the same truth when we gather. For if the goal of living as salt and light in Matthew 5:16 is so that others, because of us, would be transformed, then we must speak out about the risen Christ and live out the change that He brings to our lives.
We want to be a church that understands what we are doing and why we are doing it, because if we are going to be effective, then we must be on the same page, pressing forward together. I pray that as we look forward as a church to tomorrow, next week, next month and in the years ahead, that we would be a church that desires to see our families, community and world transformed by the power of God. Therefore let us exist then, to speak out and live out the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson
Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson
Fighter Verse for the Week:
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”
- 2 Corinthians 9:8
Announcements:
Funeral Services: Richard Singleton passed away last Sunday morning. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00pm on Thursday, September 16th. The Funeral will be on Friday, September 17th at 11:00am. Both services will be held at First Baptist Church.
Ladies Bible Study: Ladies, join us for a Bible study through the book of 2 Corinthians on Tuesday nights at 6:30pm. The study will be a video based study led by Sheryl Nelson and will meet in the Fellowship Hall. You can learn more about this 8 week Bible Study HERE.
Men’s Morning Prayer: On Thursday mornings, there will be an informal time for the men of the church to come and pray. We will pray for ourselves, our families, church, community and the world around us. Come and join us in the library at 6:30am.
Clothes Closet: On Saturday, September 18th from 8:00am-11:00am, First Baptist Church will open the clothes closet for the community. For this event, masks are required and children are not allowed. If you would like to help, come that Saturday at 8:00am.
Child Protection Meeting: On Sunday, September 19th from 5:00-7:30pm, we will have our rescheduled child protection meeting. This is required for all who regularly 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.
Members’ Meeting: On Wednesday, September 22rd, we will have our regularly scheduled quarterly members’ meeting at 7:00pm. Come and be encouraged through hearing updates regarding various ministries and participate in making decisions regarding the life and direction of the church. The meeting will be in person, but also available virtually through zoom too. For the zoom link for this evening, contact the church office.
Membership Matters Class: Beginning Sunday morning, October 3rd, during our Bible Study hour at 9:15am, there will be a Membership Matters class for those interested in joining FBC. This 4 week class will meet upstairs in U-6. You can find out more about our membership process HERE.
Church Directory: On September 27th and 28th, we will be taking church directory pictures. Some of you took your updated pictures back last winter, but for everyone else, come the last week of September and have your pictures taken. You can either sign up in the hallway, or sign up online HERE. If you sign up online, use the church code mo111 and password photos.
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 $725,000 this year. Our church goal is $3,500. 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.
Awana
Beginning September 26th, at 5:45pm, children ages 3 to 6th grade are invited to join us for Awana.
Bible Study
Join us in the Sanctuary at 9:15am on Sunday mornings for a study in the Psalms
Join us on Sunday, September 26th at 6:00pm for a 10 week Study through the devotional titled, Gentle and Lowly. No need to buy the book, because we will be giving it away because it is available to you for free in the welcome center. You can find an introduction to this study HERE.
Giving
To Give Online, Go HERE.
You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030
Prayer
An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE.
Prepare for Sunday
Guide for Worship can be found HERE.
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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