We are Blessed

Yesteday PBC looked at the blessings that are lavished By God the Father on his children listed in the first chapter of Ephesians 1:3-14.  God has not only chosen us, he has chosen us to become part of his family and join heir with Jesus.  He purchased our ransom with Christ’s blood so that we can be truely free.  He unveild redemption plan is such a grand fashion that every barrier is broken down.  Finally, he has given us an imperishable inheritance and an unmistakable downpayment in the Holy Spirit.

You are a Missionary

What would you do if you found yourself in a foreign land and culture serving Christ as a missionary?  Where would you begin?  You couldn’t just go the center of town and put up a “First Baptist Church” sign and steeple because very few would come.  You wouldn’t demand that the people learn English, you would try to learn their language.  You probably wouldn’t get very far if you demanded those you came in contact with to wear white shirst, suits, and dresses if that wasn’t something they were used to.

The point that I am making is that missionaries are willing to work in and through the culture they are attempting to reach because they understand that they are the outsiders.  They don’t demand respect and they don’t have to be listened to.  Missionaries accept the hard work and responsibility of commuicating the unchanging message of the Gospel through interchangable methods.  They are willing to set their personal preferences aside so that others can hear the good news about Jesus in a way they can understand.

By friends, look around, we are missionaries.  In most places Christianity is no longer at the center of American culture.  Crowds of people don’t flock to churches just because it is Sunday and there is a sign and steeple.  People who speak “Christianese” and who are out of touch with culture aren’t consdered attractive, they are creepy and threatening.  Your friends, nieghbors, and coworkers might be interested in Jesus, but they don’t what to have to dress up to meet Him.  Yes, you and I are missionaries, weather we like it our not.

Change My Mind

Last Saturday we had our first “Saturday of Service.” I know that it is a cheese name, but says what we want to do – continue our Community Service Blitz all year long through consistent servant evangelism.  This time we were able to take a crew of people over to the house of an older widow in our church’s neighborhood to help her clean up her overgrown backyard.  As we worked I looked for opportunities to talk with this lady.  After talking about some of her life and inviting her to church, she said to me, “You are beginning to change my mind about church people.”  I wonder how many other people out there would see Jesus differently if Jesus’ people would continue to extend themselves in service and love?

No Member Left Behind

Ths past we looked at the importance of regenerate churhc membership through the lenses of Scriptureal teaching, church history, and Bible doctrine.  We concluded with a probing question.  You see, Parkway used to have a relatively large number of active firefighters in its membership.  Besides working hard, fighter fighters are knwn for not leaving their hurt or injured companions behind.  The question is, what woudl this church would look like if we refused to leave our fellow church members behind?

A Prayer for Restoration

As Daniel senses the time of the exile is almost over he goes to God in prayer (Daniel 9:1-19).  It is interesting that in his 12 verse prayer of confession for himself and his people that he mentions their sin and rebellion 12 different times.  He was not content with just a token confession for the sake of guilt with is some common in our day.  He passionately interested in restoring Israel’s relation with God and repair His tarnished reputation.

Notice also the words Daniel uses as pleads for this restoration: hear, forgive, listen, take action (v. 19).   These are urgent, personal, and dynamic  words.  He recognizes his nation’s need for God and he pleads with God to close the gap with his compassion.  He also understands that God is jealous for his own reputation.  When the people of God look bad, God looks bad, and that must never be.

What a great model of repentant and restoration.  As indiviuals, churches, and as a country, we need to admit our faults and our failures before we can enjoy the blessing of God’s presence.  Even as we lean on God’s forgivness and compassion we must not forget that it is for God sake, not just our own.

Way to Go Awana!

I know that there are other things going on in the world and in our church, but our Awana ministry kick-off was great last night.  We had 19 clubbers in Cubbies, Sparks, and T & T – what an amazing first night.  It was so much fun to see all their curious faces and hear their shouts and cheers during game time.  I am so glad to be able to serve with such an amazing bunch of leaders and helpers!

Appointments, Promiscuity, and Forgiveness

I have fallen a bit behind in my yearly Bible reading which is a little hard for a pastor to admit, but I will keep working at it.  This morning I read the first 4 chapters or Jeremiah and three things really hit home with me.  The first thing was that Jeremiah was appointed to go where God sent him and to say what God commanded him.  At first he resisted, God reassured Jeremiah that He would be his deliverer.  The second thing was just how spiritually promiscuous and rebellious Israel had become.  Chapter 2, verse 13 lists their two main evils: “They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters. to hew for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.”  The third thing was how forgiving God is.  Even after all that Israel had done, God was willing to take them back and forgive them (chapter 4).  This is a message that I needed to hear today and maybe you do too.

Jesus Values Children

Last night we looked at passage of Scripture that helped us to see what Jesus thinks about children (Mark 10:13-16).  He was teaching a crowd of people when some of them began bringing children and infants to him so that he might lay his hands of them and pray for them.  Jesus’ disciples clearly didn’t understand how he felt about children because they tried to turn them back.  Instead, Jesus he rebuked his disciples and welcomed the children into his arms.

Jesus clearly values children as a sign of his blessing and an example of humble faith, and we should too.  That is why I am so excited Awana here at Parkway!  What a wonderful way to serve and love the children of our church and the children in our community.

Strength for Today

Isaiah 40:28-30 says, “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.”

The Blitz is Only the Beginning

On August 5th, 6th, and 7th, Parkway Baptist is going to put faith into action through a Community Service Blitz.  On Friday night we are gathering at the church for Prayer and Worship as we ask God to help us serve Him as we work show His love to the lost and hurting in our community.  On Saturday morning we are sending several Work Teams out into our community to demonstrate God’s love in a practical way and on in the evening we are putting on a Neighborhood Block Party to help people to get know one another and invite them to attend worship.  On Sunday morning we are looking forward to having people from our community visit our Morning Worship Service.  Please pray that barriers will come down, love will be shared, and that we will have a chance to share Good News of Jesus Christ with our community!