Weekly Update – September 30th, 2021
In the book of Ephesians, the apostle Paul is clear to say that God redeems us, as fallen sinners, into a family (Eph. 2:13-22). There is no lone Christianity. This is not a “Jesus and Me” type of salvation only. Instead, we are made alive and re-made for corporate worship. Then, as we gather together, we do so as a picture of what heaven will one day look like. Revelation 7:9-10 gives us a glimpse: “A great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb…saying, Salvation belongs to our God who sits on through throne, and to the Lamb.”
The great part about the truth of Revelation 7:9-10 is that we get a glimpse into that picture every week when the church gathers. Now this doesn’t mean that eternity is simply one very, very, long church service. Instead, what it shows to us when we gather together for worship, is a foretaste of what is to come. We will be singing and praising our God with a multitude of other believers from all over the world, past, present and future.
In the meantime, as we gather together, we do so as a means of grace that the Lord uses to cause us to endure throughout this earthly life as we await our forever worship of God in heaven. As we gather, we are continually reminded of our need for God. On days when our hearts are least inclined towards the Lord, corporate worship reminds us that “for me it is good to be near God.” (Ps. 73:28). In this we also grow in assurance that as 2 Timothy 1:12 says, “that I know whom I have believed.” As we strengthen in faith, regularly gathering together, we then find ourselves “transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.” (2 Cor. 3:18). From here our joy increases as David Mathis says, “our delight in Jesus expands as we magnify him (God) together with others.”
All of this means that there is a danger for us when we fail to gather corporately with the church. There is a danger in our own endurance as we become more susceptible to the temptations of the world. Without continuous reminders from our fellow Christian brothers and sisters, we begin to slowly drift away from Jesus and forget the saving message that was once communicated to us. But even more than this, when we fail to gather together, we neglect to serve others in their own faith as well. Hebrews 10:24 calls us to gather so that we might “stir up one another to love and good works.” How do we do this? When we together “hold fast the confession of our hope” (Heb. 10:23) through hearing the word of God proclaimed and through “addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (Eph. 5:19).
Together we work for each other’s endurance in the faith. Gathering corporately is the primary means that God uses in this fight. It is not as though every moment of every day is a crisis. Even so, every gathering is used by God as an opportunity for us to build up one another so that we might persevere in every trial and temptation until that final day when we are all gathered eternally around the throne of God in worship. Our corporate gatherings are never pointless or wasted. Instead, God uses the normal and continuous times that we gather for our faith and for His glory.
Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson
Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson
Fighter Verse for the Week:
"..."My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.)" - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Announcements:
Hannah and Simon Snodgrass: Hannah and Simon are two missionaries that we have the privilege of supporting as they minister to children through Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) in Scotland. Hannah is due with their first child at the end of October and we would like to provide a gift to help with some of their meals when the baby comes. If you would like to give to this, you can do so online HERE or through our offering boxes. Just mark “Hannah Snodgrass” when you give.
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.
Trunk or Treat: On Sunday, October 31st from 5-7pm, we will host a trunk or treat outside in our front parking lot. We need people who are willing to hand out candy from the back of their cars, others who can help with set up and/or break down, and some who can simply be present to help with anything else that might be needed for the night. There will be a barrel out in the Welcome Center to collect candy.
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.
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.
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
This Sunday, 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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