Let’s Go Over the “Moon”

This Sunday, as we continue our Living by the Book series, we are zeroing in on missions as we talk about “Advancing the Good News.”  What do we mean by missions?  What is the difference between ministry and missions?  How can we best be involved in global missions today?  To prepare for Bible study and worship on Sunday, read Isaiah 6:1-8 and Matthew 28:18-20.

Interestingly, on the day we will be talking about missions, we have another team leaving for an international mission trip.  Fifteen folks will be leaving on Sunday to work in Haiti.  There will be two teams, one doing medical work and one doing construction work.  Pray for their safety and their effectiveness.

During 2011 there will be five more opportunities to go on international mission trips to places like Haiti, Costa Rica, Russia, and Liberia.  If you have never been on a mission trip, take some time to visit with Don Minton and explore the possibility of going on one of our trips this year.

Our First Baptist Family has a history of generous financial support for missions.  In addition to appropriating 10% of all budget gifts for missions, we give generously to the International Christmas Missions Offering, an offering received in honor of the legendary missionary, Lottie Moon.

This year we are sitting right at the doorstep of our goal of $100,000.  Currently we are at $97,200.  We receive this offering through the last Sunday of February.  That means that this Sunday is the final Sunday to receive gifts for the Lottie Moon offering.  While we celebrate the generous giving of $97,200 to missions, wouldn’t it be great to surpass our goal before the close of the day on Sunday. 

Amanda and I have already given to the International Missions Offering, but we are going to give an additional gift.   This Sunday, let’s don’t just talk about missions.  Let’s go “over the Moon” in giving generously to the International Christmas Missions Offering.  (Reminder: You can designate your missions offering to go to any of our three major mission partners….BWA, CBF, or SBC.)

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday as we gather for worship and Bible study, and as we continue learning to be “doers of the word.”

Always Be Prepared!

I read a story recently about a young lady who had taken great care to get herself ready for a blind date. This was not just dinner and a movie.  Her date had planned dinner at an exclusive downtown restaurant with live music and dancing. Wanting to make a good first impression she had taken the day off work. She cleaned her apartment; she went out that afternoon to have her hair done and get a manicure. When she got home she did her makeup, put on her best dress and was ready for her date’s arrival. His expected arrival came and went, but she continued to wait patiently.

Finally after waiting over an hour she decided she had been stood up, so she took off her dress, let down her hair put on her pajamas, gathered all her favorite junk food and sat down to watch TV with her dog. Sometime later there was a knock at the door… it was her date. He looked at her surprised and said, “What’s going on? I gave you an extra two hours and you’re still not ready to go!”

Before Jesus departed the earth, he promised that he will return. Will you be ready for his return, or will you be unprepared?

As we continue our series, “Living by the Book,” our topic in Bible study and worship this week deals with what we believe about “last things.”  The sermon will deal with how important it is to “Be Prepared!”  In preparation for Sunday, I encourage you to read Isaiah 2:1-4 and Matthew 24:36-44.

This Sunday is also Scout Sunday.  We will recognize our Scouts and Leaders from Troop 10 in each of our services.  Our neighboring troop from Zion Hope Baptist Church will be joining us in the midmorning service.

I am looking forward to seeing you in worship and Bible study this Sunday morning as we continue learning to “Be doers of the word and not hearers only.” (James 1:22 KJV)

FBCP to Begin Live Streaming

Beginning this Sunday morning, February 6, FBC Pensacola will begin live streaming of our mid-morning worship service on the internet.  If you are unable to attend services or if you have friends or relatives out of town who would like to tune in, go to our web site at http://www.fbcp.org/ and click on the link for live streaming at 10:45 on Sunday mornings. 

In addition to the live stream telecast, a replay of the worship service will be available beginning shortly after the service is over.  You can access the replay anytime, 24 hours a day for a few weeks following each service.

For several years First Baptist has provided a live telecast on local television as a ministry to our community.  The new live stream option means that our worship services can now be seen around the world.  Missionaries in other countries, church members who are traveling internationally, and military personnel around the globe can now participate in worship at FBC via the internet.

Neither television nor internet can replace the fellowship, the inspiration, and the sense of community experienced when we participate in worship with our church family on campus.  These telecasts are not meant to replace the on-campus experience, but to provide an alternate venue to stay connected when we are traveling or when health precludes our attendance in worship. 

In the beginning, we will stream the mid-morning service, which will be broadcast on the internet by using our current television feed.  In the future, we have the potential to add other worship services, concerts, and special events to the “live streaming” menu.

This Sunday our sermon and Bible study focuses on salvation.  I’ll be talking about the importance of “Getting Right with God.”  We will also be celebrating baptism at the beginning of the mid-morning service. To prepare for Sunday I encourage you to read Exodus 6: 2-8 and Romans 10:9-10, 13.

I am looking forward to seeing you in worship and Bible study this Sunday morning as we learn to “Be doers of the word and not hearers only.” (James 1:22 KJV)

“Be Doers of the Word” in 2011

The Bible is not only the best selling book in the world, it is also the most fascinating and the most life-changing book in all of human history.  Patrick Henry surmised that, “The Bible is worth all other books which have ever been printed.”

As Christians, we believe the Bible is the uniquely inspired Word of God that gives us guidance for daily living.  The Baptist Faith and Message (1963) reminds us of what we as Baptists have generally believed about the Bible: The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is the record of Gods revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. It reveals the principles by which God judges us; and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. The criterion by which the Bible is to be interpreted is Jesus Christ

Our theme for 2011 at First Baptist is “Living by the Book” and our central scripture verse is “Be doers of the word and not hearers only” (James 1:22 NKJV).  Each Sunday during this first quarter our sermons and Adult Bible Study lessons will be designed around the same topic.  This focused study will allow us to explore the life application of these topics on a deeper level and from a variety of different perspectives.

Billy Graham contends that, “The word of God hidden in the heart is a stubborn voice to suppress.”  As growing Christians, we want to build our lives on a strong spiritual foundation. And a strong spiritual foundation begins with growing knowledge of the Bible.  

In February, bring your Bible and invite a friend, as we are equipped to be “doers of the word.”

Sermon Topics in February

Feb 6  a.m.     Getting Right with God Romans 10:9-10 (Salvation)

Feb 13a.m.    Ready or Not? Matthew 24:36-44 (Last Things)

Feb 20a.m.    The Church Ephesians 3:8-11(Church) (Disciple Now Weekend)

Feb 27a.m.    Advancing the Good News Matthew 28:18-20 (Missions)