Getting Ready for the Final Four

March Madness is just around the corner.  Basketball fans are getting excited about the upcoming NCAA tournament.  Sixty-five teams will begin the tournament but by championship weekend, only four teams will advance to the Final Four.

At FBC Pensacola, as March approaches, we are getting ready for the Final Four weeks of our Living by the Book series.  During each Sunday in March we will continue to focus on the same topic in Bible study and worship.  On March 6 we will observe Stewardship Sunday.  On March 13 we will highlight the importance of Spiritual Gifts.  On March 20 we will share in Parent/Child Dedication on Family Day.  Then on March 27 we will conclude our series by celebrating Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

I look forward to seeing you in worship and Bible study as we are challenged and equipped to be “doers of the word.”

Topics and Scriptures for March:

Mar 6              Let Me Tell You a Secret    

Malachi 3:8-12, Philippians 4:10-19          

Mar 13            A Gift from God  

I Corinthians 12:1-11, 12-27

           

Mar 20            The Most Trusted Name in Home Improvement
Genesis 2:18-25, Ephesians 5:21-33

Mar 27            Do You Remember Your Baptism?

Matthew 3:13-17, I Corinthians 11:23-28

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)

Before You Cross the Finish Line

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.   II Timothy 4:7 NIV

The first time I heard this oft-told story, it was rendered by Wayne Grubbs, pastor at Lakeview Baptist Church in Oxford, Alabama.  The story goes something like this: Near the end of the sermon about heaven, the pastor said to the congregation, “How many of you want to go heaven?”  Everyone in the church raised their hand except for one little boy on the front row.  The pastor turned toward the boy and asked,, “Son, don’t you want to go to heaven?” And the little boy replied, “Yes sir! When I die.  But I thought you were getting’ up a trip right now.”

Maybe some of us feel like we are getting ready for this trip in the near future, but most of us are probably under the illusion that the end is a long ways away.  No matter our age, we need to be ready to cross the finish line by keeping the faith.

What are the things you want to accomplish before crossing the finish line?  Earlier this month, I celebrated my 51^st birthday.  On my birthday, January 13, I shared a eulogy (somewhere close to my 750^th) for one of our beloved senior saints who went home to be with the Lord.  To my knowledge, this is the first time I have conducted a funeral on my birthday.  The strange juxtaposition of these two events, birthday and funeral, inspired me to think a little more seriously about my own “kingdom bucket list.”  What are the things God wants to do through my life between now and the time I cross the finish line.

Here are things I think we all need to do before we depart this world for our heavenly home:

• Go where you need to go: Go on that mission trip. Take that vacation. Visit that long-time friend.
• Do what needs to be done: Get acquainted with your neighbor.  Teach that Sunday School class. Share your faith with that colleague or classmate.
• Say what needs to be said: Tell your family members that you love them. Share that story with your children or your grandchildren.  Forgive the one who has offended you.
• Give what needs to be given: Honor the Lord with all of your resources and give your firstfruits to the work of the kingdom.  Pass along that family heirloom to the next generation.  Invest in the future by leaving a legacy gift to your church or an important ministry project.
• Plan what needs to be planned: Develop your exit strategy. Have your paperwork (advanced directive, will, life insurance) in good order.  Leave behind your memorial wishes (Note: One good way to do this is to complete a “Holder File” and store it securely in the pastor’s office at FBCP.) 

James reminds us that life is “a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (4:14 NKJV).  Since life is unpredictable and life on this earth will end for every one of us one day, I am convinced that the best way to prepare for death is to live life to the maximum. For me, that means, in addition to trusting Christ as my Savior, I am privileged to follow Christ every step of the journey…. serving, growing, and doing what needs to be done, until I cross the finish line.

This Sunday we continue our series, Living by the Book, as we deal with “The Human Dilemma.”  To prepare for Sunday, I encourage you to read Genesis 2:5-7, 18-22 and Ephesians 2:8-10.

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)

My Wife Is Undergoing an Attitude Adjustment

My wife is undergoing an attitude adjustment. Do I have your undivided attention, now?  Amanda is undergoing an attitude adjustment, even though I don’t think she needs one. J

Of course life has been a little different around our house for the past few weeks.  Amanda had surgery one month ago this week.  During the recovery process, she has had to limit her physical activities, and spend a little more time reading and a little less time playing tennis.  However, she is doing great and she has consistently had a positive attitude. I admire her good attitude because when I am sick or my activities are limited, my attitude tends to degenerate. 

But her attitude adjustment has nothing to do with surgery and, hopefully, nothing to do with the challenges of living with me. Amanda has freely chosen to engage in this gradual attitudinal transformation by participating in one of our Sunday Night Discipleship Opportunities.  During January through April, we are offering three Sunday evening discipleship options that will equip us to grow in our faith, and “live by the book.”

Amanda and several others are involved in a course led by Karen Shell entitled, “Lord, Change My Attitude (Before It’s Too Late)” based on a book by James McDonald.

Dr. Conlee Pickens, one of our members who is a retired pediatrician, is leading a “Survey of the Old Testament” designed  to introduce you to the books, characters, and themes of the Hebrew Bible.

Don Minton is facilitating “Experiencing God,” an in-depth discipleship journey aimed to enrich your personal walk with the Lord.

These groups meet on our First Baptist campus at 5 p.m. on Sunday afternoons.  The courses began last Sunday, but it’s not too late to join.  Contact Don Minton at 433-5631 or dminton@fbcp.org to register.

A word about this Sunday: Last week in our series, Living by the Book, we focused on God the Father.  This week we are focusing on God the Son.  In preparation for Sunday’s sermon and Bible study, I encourage you to read Isaiah 53 and John 14:4-11.

I am looking forward to Amanda’s ongoing attitude adjustment…and mine…and yours…..and 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)