Hello again FBC Friends!
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself. (Philippians 3:20-21)
What a great promise! This world is not our home. We are citizens of another country. And we are waiting for the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Are you ready?
I am excited about our new upcoming sermon series – REVELATION: Unveiled! This Sunday I will be sharing the introduction to this incredible book. Sometimes I hear people talk about how confusing Revelation is, and that they don’t like to read it or hear teaching about it. I’ve heard some teachers talk about how they avoid it. But did you know that Revelation is the only book in the Bible that specifically promises a blessing to those who read, hear, and keep what is written in it (see Rev. 1:3)? So I hope you will be praying for me diligently throughout my time preaching on Revelation. I hope you will come with “ears to hear”. We will see some powerful truths that impact our present, as well as some great promises about our future. But ultimately we will see the “unveiling”, the revealing of Jesus Christ – His glory, His judgment, and His triumph!
This Sunday we will also be observing the Lord’s Table, or Communion, together. I want to share with you a rather lengthy quote from something I just read this morning in The Transforming Power of the Gospel by Jerry Bridges (which I highly recommend to everyone!) —
“The most common instrument of grace God uses is our opportunity to worship together and hear the Word of God taught in our local churches… Why is it of not more lasting effect? While lack of effective teaching may often be the cause, I believe the greater problem is lack of effective hearing. Thousands of people come to our evangelical churches each Sunday to enjoy the sermon without expecting any life change from what they hear. They are like the Jewish people of Ezekiel’s day of whom God said, ‘They come to you as people come, and they sit before you as My people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it’ (Ezek. 33:31)… Too often our hearing the Scriptures results at best in a ginosko (intellectual knowledge) grasp of truth, so we should come prayerfully to hear God’s Word taught so that we may apply what we hear.
Some people today would write off the local church and its preaching and teaching ministry as ineffective and out of date in this age of rapidly changing means of communication. But the message of the Bible does not change in response to changing culture and technology, and it is clear from the New Testament that God’s people met together for worship and hearing the Word of God taught (Acts 2:42; 20:7; Rom. 16:5; 1 Tim. 4:13; 2 Tim. 4:1-2; Heb. 10:24-25).
Worshipping together regularly also provides the opportunity to partake of the Lord’s Supper with fellow believers… Though many of us may observe the Lord’s Supper in a reverent but perfunctory manner, it is indeed an instrument of grace that God has provided. As we silently wait for the elements to be distributed, we should use that time to reflect on and thank the Lord for His sacrifice for our sins. By that action, we are beholding the glory of the Lord in the gospel (2 Cor. 3:18), and the Spirit of God will use it as a transforming instrument in our lives” (pg. 140-141).
I warned you that it was lengthy! But please consider what Bridges says here, and come with hearts prepared Sunday morning.
Please note some important events this month:
Oct. 12, 19, 26 – Church Directory photos being taken at the church. We want everyone included, so make sure you get shot (by one of our cameras that is)!
Oct. 25 – Tim Watson of WorldVenture, and the singing group Spasenie from Belarus, concert at FBC at 7pm.
Oct. 31 – Trunk or Treat, 6-8pm in the parking lot! Our goal is 40 vehicles and 500 lbs of candy! Make sure and sign up with Elizabeth. The candy contest this year is between Team Elizabeth and Team Michael. I’m a little biased, but let me just say that the truly wise people of FBC will surely support Team Michael!
Many other important and exciting things are happening as well, make sure you read your bulletin this week!
A fellow citizen of heaven, awaiting the Savior…
Love From Your Pastor,
Michael