Nehemiah 3
The Security of God’s People!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Thursday, December 8.
Do you feel secure where you live? To what length will you go to feel secure?
Nehemiah had surveyed Jerusalem and determined that the walls and gates had to be their priority of work. Gates are important because they provide security for the inhabitants of a walled city. Nehemiah 3 describes the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem, with the work focused around the ten gates of the city: the Sheep Gate (1); the Fish Gate (3); the Old Gate (6); the Valley Gate (13); the Refuse Gate (14); the Fountain Gate (15); the Water Gate (26); the Horse Gate (28); the East Gate (29); and the Inspection Gate (31).
Nehemiah’s success was dependent upon all the people working together, and no one was exempt from the work, including the officials, as well as the priests and Levites (16-17). Nehemiah 3:1 starts, “Then Eliashib the high priest arose with his brothers the priests and built the Sheep Gate; they consecrated it and hung its doors.”
Whereas the security of a people has often been dependent on walls and gates; it will not be this way in the coming Eternal Kingdom of God. Revelation 21:25-27 gives us a glimpse of the gates of the wall in the New Jerusalem:
In the daytime (for there will be no night there) its gates will never be closed; and they will bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it; and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
“Its gates will never be closed” is a powerful vision of security; it gives us hope! What truly secures God’s people is neither the weapons forged by man’s hand nor the walls and gates we build around ourselves. Rather, your security is found in nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
Seize the moment and find your security in Christ alone; rejoice that your name is “recorded in Heaven” (Luke 10:20).
God bless you!
If you would like to receive a personal phone call today, all you have to do is dial the phone number below right now and one of us will call you soon.
YOUTUBE:
If you prefer a video, Pastor Jerry reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.
Videos are posted about a week after the devotion appears in the blog.
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Ezra 6
Pray for those in Authority!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Tuesday, November 29.
Are you actively praying for the leaders of your community, state, and nation? Paul exhorts his protégé in 1 Timothy 1:1-2, “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”
Ezra 6 concludes the first half of the book as the temple was completed in 516 BC, seventy years to the date of its destruction – “This temple was completed on the third day of the month Adar; it was the sixth year of the reign of King Darius” (Ezra 6:15). Whereas Solomon’s temple stood for nearly four hundred years (959-586 BC), the second temple would stand for nearly six hundred years, until its destruction by the Romans in AD 70.
Just as in any major building project, the rebuilding of the temple was a coordinated effort of many involved parties and key players (Ezra 6:13-14). In Ezra 5, Tattenai, the governor of the province, wrote a letter to King Darius to know how the Persian Empire wanted him to handle the Israelites in Jerusalem. Because “the eye of their God” was upon them (Ezra 5:5), Darius wrote a decree to Tattenai to stop opposing their efforts, but rather to support the work in significant ways (Ezra 6:1-12).
The remnant knew that this was a miraculous answer to prayer (22), which protected their lives and provided the remnant with everything they needed to finish the temple. Upon doing so, they “celebrated the dedication of this house of God” (16-18). This chapter of Israel’s history closes with the exiles celebrating Passover to the glory of God (19-22).
Seize the moment and pray for all who are in authority! You never know how God will answer your prayers. This is our greatest civic responsibility.
God bless you!
If you would like to receive a personal phone call today, all you have to do is dial the phone number below right now and one of us will call you soon.
YOUTUBE:
If you prefer a video, Pastor Jerry reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.
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Hymn: Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Seize the Moment – Day 984
Today’s hymn focus will be
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Hymn 122
Haggai 2:7 (KJV)
“And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts.”
In 1744, Charles Wesley was pondering Haggai 2:7 while riding aboard a train coach. As he was looking at the class divide in Great Britain and what was happening with the orphans in the areas around him, he first wrote “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” as a Nativity prayer.
In 1855, Charles Spurgeon made a Christmas sermon noting that Jesus was born a King, not a prince, and was sent to rule our hearts and lives. This song appeared in both the Methodist and the Baptist hymn books ever since.
But it is important to realize that Wesley was also looking further towards the Second Coming of Christ, echoing the words that illustrate the believer’s hope and longing for His return. This is why we sing this song today.
Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring.
If you would like to receive a personal phone call today, all you have to do is dial the phone number below right now and one of us will call you soon.
YOUTUBE:
If you prefer a video, Pastor Ken reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.
Videos are posted about a week after the devotion appears in the blog.
If you would like to listen to this song, click on this link:
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.
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2 Chronicles 35
Stay in your Lane!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Friday, November 18.
Josiah was a faithful king who brought Judah back to right worship with God. But even he made bad decisions that came with terrible consequences. We need to learn that just because we have a right relationship with God doesn’t mean we are automatically correct in all that we think, say, and do.
If you were to look at a map, it quickly becomes obvious why Josiah did what he did – the Egyptian army was marching through his land on their way to a battle up north. Josiah was protecting the borders, but, ultimately, the Chronicler, in 2 Chronicles 35:20-21, makes it clear that God didn’t want him to fight this battle:
After all this, when Josiah had set the temple in order, Neco king of Egypt came up to make war at Carchemish on the Euphrates, and Josiah went out to engage him. But Neco sent messengers to him, saying, “What have we to do with each other, O King of Judah? I am not coming against you today but against the house with which I am at war, and God has ordered me to hurry. Stop for your own sake from interfering with God who is with me, so that He will not destroy you.”
Josiah ignored Neco’s words and marched his army to Megiddo, as described in verse 22, “However, Josiah would not turn away from him, but disguised himself in order to make war with him; nor did he listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God, but came to make war on the plain of Megiddo.” [emphasis added] It was in this unnecessary battle that he was killed.
Do you decide to get involved in situations that aren’t yours to meddle in? Proverbs 26:17 warns, “Like one who takes a dog by the ears is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him.” Instead of getting yourself or others hurt by meddling in things that you shouldn’t, here is some godly counsel for you – stop meddling and start praying!
Seize the moment and stay in your lane – “lead a quiet life and attend to your own business” (1 Thessalonians 4:11)!
God bless you!
If you would like to receive a personal phone call today, all you have to do is dial the phone number below right now and one of us will call you soon.
YOUTUBE:
If you prefer a video, Pastor Jerry reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.
Videos are posted about a week after the devotion appears in the blog.
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2 Chronicles 32
The Greatest Test of your Life!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Tuesday, November 15.
Hezekiah continued to shine in his kingship, but as he neared the end, he faced the greatest test of his life, just as each of us must. As Paul taught in 1 Corinthians 15:26, “The last enemy that will be abolished is death.”
Not surprisingly, in response to the Assyrian’s invasion of Judah, Hezekiah organized the people of Jerusalem and encouraged them in 2 Chronicles 32:7-8:
“Be strong and courageous, do not fear or be dismayed because of the king of Assyria nor because of all the horde that is with him; for the one with us is greater than the one with him. With him is only an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people relied on the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
The king put his wholehearted trust in God, and his people followed him to victory (9-22). In his words of encouragement, Hezekiah quoted from Joshua 1:9, “be strong and courageous, do not fear or be dismayed,” and he alluded to the presence of the heavenly host, just as Elisha had done in 2 Kings 6:16. His words were salted with his faith in God.
While Hezekiah demonstrated great humility to pass the test of this great national calamity (31), he struggled with pride when it came to his own mortality (24-26). Therefore, God confronted Hezekiah’s pride, and the king passed the test – he repented of his sin. Never forget, that God loves you and will use all things to purify your heart so that when you stand before Him face-to-face, He will see His image (1 Corinthians 13:12; 1 John 3:2).
Seize the moment and put your wholehearted trust in God – “And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:3).
God bless you!
If you would like to receive a personal phone call today, all you have to do is dial the phone number below right now and one of us will call you soon.
YOUTUBE:
If you prefer a video, Pastor Jerry reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.
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Hymn: Is He Worthy
Seize the Moment – Day 970
Today’s hymn focus will be
Is He Worthy
Hymn 120
Psalm 145:3 (NLT)
“Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness.”
Written and recorded in the spring of 2018 by Andrew Peterson and Ben Shive and later recorded by Chris Tomlin on his album “Holy Roar”, this song came out of a season in their lives after attending a liturgical church. The word ‘liturgy’ literally means “the work of people”, implying a community service, not just listening to the pastor, but calling the people to edify one another by reaffirming what we believe.
Chris Tomlin said “When I heard this song it floored me, immediately tears just started coming over my face. I have not heard a song like that that makes me want to get on my face and worship Jesus.”
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Of all blessing and honor and glory
Is He worthy of this? He is
If you would like to receive a personal phone call today, all you have to do is dial the phone number below right now and one of us will call you soon.
YOUTUBE:
If you prefer a video, Pastor Ken reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.
Videos are posted about a week after the devotion appears in the blog.
If you would like to listen to this song, click on this link:
Is He Worthy
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2 Chronicles 20
A Godly Response to Fear!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Friday, October 28.
When you are afraid, what do you do? When you are anxious, to what do you turn?
I have a dear friend that walked through the valley of the shadow; it threatened to ensnare him in fear and anxiety. He was tempted to take matters into his own hands instead of trusting the Sovereign God. He was enticed to comfort himself instead of trusting the Good Shepherd. Instead of giving himself to either of those “fight or flight” responses, he embraced God’s way of victory during that dark season – he prayed and fasted. Years later, I am still in awe of his faith!
A great multitude of enemy nations arose against Judah in 2 Chronicles 20. King Jehoshaphat responded in verses 3-4, “Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. So Judah gathered together to seek help from the Lord; they even came from all the cities of Judah to seek the Lord.” Though he was not a perfect king, he sought God with his whole heart. He embodied what he commanded Judah to do in verse 20, “put your trust in the Lord your God and you will be established.” Yes, he felt fear, but he wasn’t paralyzed by his emotions – he responded to fear with faith! That takes courage!
What were the results of his prayer and fasting? We find out in verse 30, “So the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God gave him rest on all sides.” Don’t rely upon yourself or lesser things to bring peace to your mind and heart, or rest for your soul, only God can win these victories – “Do not fear or be dismayed; … the Lord is with you” (17). That is the promise of Immanuel!
Seize the moment and act with courageous faith in the face of fear – pray and fast (Matthew 17:20-21)!
God bless you!
If you would like to receive a personal phone call today, all you have to do is dial the phone number below right now and one of us will call you soon.
YOUTUBE:
If you prefer a video, Pastor Jerry reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.
Videos are posted about a week after the devotion appears in the blog.
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2 Chronicles 13
God’s Got Your Six!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Wednesday, October 19.
Have you ever noticed that the “full armor of God,” taught by Paul in Ephesians 6:10-18, provides no protection for your backside? If that’s the case, then whose got your six?
The idiom “I’ve got your six!” was first used in World War I by fighter pilots who were telling their wingman that they would watch behind the airplane for an enemy attack. Like on a clock, twelve o’clock is directly in front of you, three is to your right, nine is to your left, and six is directly behind you.
Whose covering your six?
King Abijah, the new king of Judah, was outnumbered by Jeroboam’s army 2:1 (vs 3). The odds were against him, and he knew it, so Abijah gave a long compelling speech in verses 4-12, attempting to avoid a fight by convincing Jeroboam and Israel to repent of their rebellion and apostasy. Jeroboam, like the bad guy in a movie, didn’t interrupt Abijah’s monologue because he was setting a trap. In 2 Chronicles 13:13-16, Abijah learned that God had his six:
But Jeroboam had set an ambush to come from the rear, so that Israel was in front of Judah and the ambush was behind them. When Judah turned around, behold, they were attacked both front and rear; so they cried to the Lord, and the priests blew the trumpets. Then the men of Judah raised a war cry, and when the men of Judah raised the war cry, then it was that God routed Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. When the sons of Israel fled before Judah, God gave them into their hand.
Judah should have been destroyed that day! But God… God had their six, and He’s got yours too!
God bless you!
If you would like to receive a personal phone call today, all you have to do is dial the phone number below right now and one of us will call you soon.
YOUTUBE:
If you prefer a video, Pastor Jerry reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.
Videos are posted about a week after the devotion appears in the blog.
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A Special Message
The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me
You can listen to this message here:
You can watch this message by clicking HERE.
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Joshua 21
God is a Promise Keeper!
Joshua 21:41-43 summarizes the fulfillment of an old promise:
All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the sons of Israel were forty-eight cities with their pasture lands. These cities each had its surrounding pasture lands; thus it was with all these cities. So the Lord gave Israel all the land which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they possessed it and lived in it.
The Levites did not receive an allocation of the Promised Land, like the rest of the tribes of Israel, but these priests and temple workers still needed homes to live in, places to raise their children, and pastureland to feed their animals (Numbers 18:20). So, God spoke to Moses promising the Levites cities in Numbers 35:1-8.
It was up to Joshua to ensure that the promise was kept. Under his leadership, all the tribes had their land allocated to them, the six refuge cities have been declared, the forty-eight Levites cities have been selected, and the tabernacle was centralized at Shiloh. Joshua 21:44-45 captures this crowing moment’s significance to the nation of Israel:
And the Lord gave them rest on every side, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers, and no one of all their enemies stood before them; the Lord gave all their enemies into their hand. Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass.
God is a promise keeper! While there was much work to do to settle the land, and, we know, there is much about their future that is not to be envied, God’s people stopped at this moment in time, and this place in their history, to celebrate God’s faithfulness to keep His promises!
Seize the moment and celebrate God’s faithfulness to keep His promises to you! God will never fail you!
YOUTUBE:
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Advent 2021 Special Presentation – Week 3
From the Streets of Bethlehem
From the Streets of Bethlehem
Production team:
Cast for the Play
Commercials
You can listen to the presentation here:
You can watch the presentation by clicking HERE.
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Advent 2021 Hope – Week 1
A Message of Hope
Missionary Jim White
Hope is not thinking that something might happen, it is the assurance that something will happen! As I look around me, it seems that people are living in “survival mode.” Many of us seem to be just barely making it. I suggest that sometimes it is because we get distracted from what God wants us to be doing.
It’s unhealthy to live like this for an extended period of time. It causes fatigue, ulcers, headaches – a general feeling of being overwhelmed.
I am convinced that God can set us free from bondage to drinking, drugs, etc. You don’t have to just get by.
When surviving becomes your daily focus, you forget about your goals, about your dreams for the future. You only think about how you will get through today.
There are three questions we ask ourselves:
- How did I get here?
- Did I cause at least some of it?
- How do I get out of this place I find myself?
We must first be able to discern whether God has put these “things” into my life or whether it is from Satan. That makes a big difference on how we approach it.
Many times we bring it on ourselves, because we turn from the Lord:
1 Kings 11:3-6 Solomon turned from the Lord and went after other gods.
Numbers 12 Miriam complained against Moses’ leadership.
But God wants us to experience the Abundant Life!
John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Ephesians 3:19 …and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
He wants us to overcome all obstacles through faith in Him! We have authority over all evil forces in this world. When people lose hope, they act out of desperation & that leads to chaos. We believers are to live with hope as an example to those in the world without hope!
John 14:12-14 12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I yam going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
You can listen to Jim’s message here:
You can watch the video HERE.
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Live Like a Champion – Week 33
The Promise of Leadership!
Presented by Reverend Mark Thompson (ABC Regional Pastor)
(The following are notes taken during the message, there may be some misinterpretations of what Rev. Thompson actually said. Listen to his message to hear for yourself.)
Ephesians 4:15:
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.
Serving the Lord demolishes all of our preferences.
God exists in community (the Trinity) and He creates us to live in community.
Ephesians 4:11-16:
11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
18 “Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
19 See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.
God may be calling you into leadership.
Justified – It is “just-as-if-I’d never sinned. All the labels come off! (Good & Bad)
Sanctification – We are set apart for God’s purposes.
We think we need time to think about what God wants us to do, to make careful consideration before moving. We say something like, “I don’t know all of the things I need to know in order to do all of the things I need to do. I need to think about it.”
“God calls us to act our way to NEW THINKING, no to THINK our way to NEW ACTING!”
– Mike Mather, a pastor
Ministry takes all of us – and more!
You can listen to Mark’s message here:
You can watch the service by clicking the link below:
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The Promises of Christmas (Week 3)
Glimpses of the Nativity
…Suddenly we were surrounded by light.I could see the shock on my brothers’ faces that I was sure was mirrored in my own.Then an angel appeared and said,“Fear Not!”Huh!? For some reason when an angel declares “Fear Not!” — FEAR IS OUR FIRST REACTION!Well! We feared all right! We were terrified!We fell on our faces – praying for ABBA’s protection like we never prayed before…!
You can listen to the Reader’s Theater here:
You can watch to the Reader’s Theater HERE. (Week #3, Dec. 13th)
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COVID-19 Update
A short leadership update:
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS AN OUTDATED BLOG PAGE.
IT IS LEFT FOR ARCHIVAL PURPOSES ONLY.
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DIY Sunrise Service
that works best for your family 🙂
- Christ Arose (Up From The Grave He Arose)
- In Christ Alone
- Forever
others what the resurrection means to you personally. If you are
living alone, consider reaching out to someone else by phone to share
the hope of the resurrection with this message.
Christ has died. Christ is Risen. Christ will come again!
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Celebrating Jesus at Christmas (Week 2)
3 Wise Men and a Baby
Cast
Angel #1 : Grace Logan
Kid #1 & Kid #2 : Maxwell Richardson & Josiah Plumhoff
Inn Keeper : Caden Upchurch
Inn Keeper’s Wife : Kaitlyn Giddings
Joseph : Dylan Bunner
Mary : Nora HamiltonAnimals : Addy Durham, Brenna Evans, Lucy Kinnaird & Anna Plumhoff
Shepherd #1 : Jacob Hamilton
Shepherd #2 : Aubrey Whitaker
Shepherd #3 : Emma Durham
Multitude of Angels : Willow & Alana Ingalls, Helen Estelle, Bella & Lily Dailey
Gaspar : Jonah Kinnaird
Melchior : Caleb Kinnaird
Binky : Danny Hurst
You can listen to the production here:
You can watch the video version by clicking HERE.
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Grow: Mentor & Discipleship (Week 3)
Speaker: Dan Buschow
#RIPPLESTARTER
II Timothy 2:2 These thing you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable men who are qualified to teach others.
I Corinthians 11:1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
We must be willing to fight for each generation!
Are You Ready?
Growth and Discipleship
- Being Christ-Centered – Christ is in the middle of everything in your life – Spiritual Discipline
- Being Christ-like – Having and Displaying to your qualities of Christ – Kindness – Forgiveness – Sincerity – Caring – Accepting
Great Commandments
- Mark 12:30 –Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Are You?
- Mark 12:31 – The second and greatest is this, Love your neighbor as yourself. Do You?
Great Commission
- Mark 16:15 (TLB) Go into all the world and preach the good news to everyone, everywhere.
- 28:18-20 – Go and make disciples of every nation.
21 Day Challenge
- Learn to have a daily quality quiet time.
- Learn to share your story in world.
- Learn to live a life of joy.
- Learn to be accountable to someone so you can be accountable for some one.
Ignite Passion, Purpose, and Faith in someone in their world!
Heb. 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
Four PRACTICAL WAYS TO BE A #RIPPLESTARTER
1. Desire to make a Connection
- Look Up
- Look Around
- Use Your Sling Shot
2. Discipline to have a Conversation
- Make the phone call, Send a text/private message, Email
- Set a time and place
3. Delight when you find Common Ground
- Ask questions
- Look for where you are connecting
REMEMBER – #Ripplestarters ignite passion, purpose, and faith!
4. Determination to be Consistent
- Cup of Coffee
- Season of Life
- Life-long Relationships
Think About This…
You cannot have a life-long relationship until you have a cup of coffee!
Let’s Start some RiPPLES
Wake Up
Stand Up
Speak Up
Rise Up
Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Listen to Dan’s Message here:
You can watch the video HERE.
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Grow: Discovering Love (Week 2)
“Growing a Culture of Compassion”
Scott Underwood
- Intro and the muppets
- Elders and trustee make up the officers, whose job it is to lead the church, in conjunction with all the ministry team leaders.
- We meet once a month as officers and then again as elders
- Despite our differences, Chris and I sit together most meetings and have earned a certain reputation.
- Picture of the Muppets
- The specific job of the Elders is lead the church in following Jesus, taking care of the flock and equipping them for acts of service
- We take a couple times of year to share our hearts so you know more about us
- Today we are going to talk about the second half of Ken’s sermon from last week and then share a little bit on where we think the church is today and is going
- The title of today is Discovering Love – Growing a Culture of Compassion
As a starting point, what is going on in the heart of the expert of the law? How does that relate to what sometimes goes on in our heart? How do we test God?
I would say that every time we know we are supposed to do something and we don’t do it, we are testing God. “I know that you have said that I am supposed to forgive this person, but I haven’t, and there don’t seem to be any consequences, so why should I obey?” It sounds a little like Satan in the Garden. “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
If we truly believed him, we would obey his commands, not look to test Him.
After Jesus answered him the first time, the expert dove in again, this time to “justify himself.” Now, I thought I knew what the word “justify” meant, but I looked it up in the dictionary to make sure I did. Here’s what I found . . .
- Secular definition – show or prove to be right or reasonable
- Theological definition – declare or make righteous in the sight of God.
Whether Luke meant either of the two definitions, both are convicting. The first one implies an interaction with Jesus where the person administering the test wants to argue with the answer of Jesus. The second one suggests the attempt of the expert to “check the boxes” of his own righteousness, apart from grace of Jesus or the obedience in his heart to Jesus’ teachings.
Before we even get to the story of the Good Samaritan, Luke has taught us lessons about humility and self-justification.
So now Jesus tells the story of the GS. I have to believe when Jesus started into the story instead of giving a simple answer, the expert in the law started to get nervous.
After the sections about the Levite and the priest passing by the injured man, Jesus gets to the section about the Samaritan. I know that Jerry covered this story before he left, but it certainly bears repeating, especially in our current political and economic climate. As you may know, to make the hero of the story a Samaritan was offensive to all of the Jews that were listening. It would be like going to a Trump rally and making a Democrat the hero of the story, or going to a Democratic rally and making President Trump the hero. Not popular, and not a good start for Jesus. The fact that he contrasted the Samaritan against people of their own “parties” was further insult.
But on he went with the story. And as he told the story of the Samaritan’s encounter with the injured man, he said something that I think is the key to the whole story. The second half of verse 33 said, “and when he saw him, he took pity on him.” First, he saw him – really saw him. Not as an impediment to the completion of his daily tasks or an obstacle to be avoided, but saw him in his injured condition. The priest and the Levite saw the injured man too, but never really saw him in his true condition.
And then the Samaritan “took pity on him.” Pity is a weird word in 2019. It often has a negative connotation – “I don’t want your pity” or “Don’t pity me.” Even worse, to be considered “pitiful”.
But pity is simply another word for compassion. And we find Jesus being compassionate on numerous occasions –
- He had compassion on a large crowd and healed their sick (Matthew 14:14)
- He had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed Him (Matthew 20:34)
- He had compassion on the people at the feeding of the 5,000
- He had compassion on the crowds, because they were harassed and helpless (pitiful), like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36 and Mark 6:34)
As a side note, 2 Corinthians 1:3 praises the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. Jesus is just simply doing the Father’s will by being compassionate.
Many of us are already compassionate, especially to those who close to us or like us. But here’s a harder question – How we doing with those people who not close to us or not like us or maybe even enemies to us? Dems vs Republicans, white vs black, liberals vs conservatives, illegal immigrants, LBGTBQ, pro life vs pro choice, criminals, etc. Do we have compassion on these people, or do our politics or preferences come before the words and deeds of Jesus?
If we get the compassion right, we have a much better chance of getting the love and service right, even if we don’t do it perfectly.
If we get the compassion right, we have a much better chance of getting the love and service right, even if we don’t do it perfectly. If we see thru the eyes of Jesus and our heart is with His heart, we have the Holy Spirit to help us get it right. When we look at this story, the man who was beaten had a variety of needs. Hope, transportation, medical care, food and lodging among others.
As a brief commercial for next week’s Gary Chapman The Five Love Languages workshop, it’s interesting to note that the injured man’s needs loosely line up with the 5 love languages. He needed
- Words of affirmation (hope)
- Physical touch – bandaged his wound, pouring on oil and wine
- Receiving Gifts – paid for the inn and care
- Quality time – he went with the man to the inn and took care of him
- Acts of service – the whole thing
If you know anything about the concept of the love languages, they are based on the idea that you need to understand and care about the other person’s preferred love language and then adjust yourself to meet them where they are. Buying and giving expensive gifts (because it’s easy for you to do) may do nothing to show your significant other love. You have to do what they want and value, even if it costs you everything.
In the story, The Gift of the Magi, by O. Henry, we learn about a young couple, who like so many others, are struggling financially. As they have been saving for Christmas presents for each other, they find that they have not been able to scrape together much more than a few cents. They really only have two things of value – the husband’s inherited gold pocket watch and the wife’s beautiful long hair. As the couple struggles to buy each other a treasured present, the husband sells the watch to buy the wife an ornate comb for her beautiful hair, and the wife sells her hair to a wig maker to buy her husband a chain for his treasured pocket watch. Now, whether that was their love language or not, the thought behind giving up what you value to give someone else what they value is clearly evident. It’s about the heart.
But let’s go back to the Good Samaritan – It’s also interesting that the story doesn’t involve our present day go-to maneuver, the “I’ll pray for you and walk away” maneuver. I believe that many times we are put in that situation specifically to meet the presenting need. If we don’t want to help, our prayer then becomes, “God please send someone who isn’t me to help this person.”
A questions for all of us If we are able to meet the need – what or who are we praying for? Someone who has the gift of service or more time or something else?
James 2: 14-17 (NLT) says, 14What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? 15Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?
17So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
In our emphasis on prayer, I fear that we have erred too far on the “I’ll pray for you” end of the spectrum and missed our opportunities to meet the needs right then and there.
There are many reasons for not meeting the need, but if often comes back to one foundational problem – putting our own needs/wants over the needs of others, and often over the call and example of Jesus. And now we are back to a question that would fit right in with our expert in the law from the Good Samaritan story.
If there are no immediate, visible consequences from our disobedience, why not serve ourselves first?
Well, if you believe Jesus, there are consequences and promises –
Mark 8:35 (NLT) – If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.
Mark 10:28-31 (NLT) – 28Then Peter began to speak up. “We’ve given up everything to follow you,” he said.
29“Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, 30will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. 31But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.g”
As elders, we are encouraging us all to live a life that follows Jesus. Notice I didn’t say be a better Baptist or church member or even a Christian. Many people can be a Baptist, Christian or church member without following Jesus on a daily basis. Many can be those things with very few signs of the compassion of Jesus in their lives.
- I do what I want
- I am competitive
Our culture (in the body of Christ) should revolve around the Promises of God.
Listen to the Elders’ message here:
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Grow: Spiritual Growth with Joe Bruce (Week 5)
Joe’s Garage
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Belong: We are God’s Family! (Week 3)
Teaching the Next Generations
Guest Speaker: Natalie Werking
Let’s look at some qualities that help to define Generation Z:
- Tech Innate. They grew up in this age of technology. (previously we were tech savvy, tech adept). They don’t know a world without cell phones. They can manage five screens at a time. This is nothing for them. They spend 5-8 hours a day on screens. They are sometimes called “screenagers”. They have access. They can Google anything. Their attention span is about 8 seconds (compared to a goldfish which is 9 seconds). Technology is affecting all of us. I used to go to Grandma’s house and make cookies and pies with her. Nowadays she is checking Facebook.
- Diverse. They are the most diverse in history. About half of Generation Z is non-white.
- Women. This is the age of women. More females than ever are going to college. Rates of females going to college soared last year. We are seeing a resurgence of feminism.
- Activists. They are informed about what is going on in the world and they want to do something about it. Millennials before them were sometimes known as “slacktivists”. They wanted to do something, they just really didn’t want to do something. With Gen Z we are seeing incredible rates of volunteerism. They are passionate about causes.
- Success. For the first time in history this generation says that their education and professional achievement are number one to them. “Knowing who I” am is at the top. Even hobbies and gender identity rank far above family, religion, race, money and politics.
- DIY. They want to do things themselves.
- Morality Shift. We see a shift in morality for the fist time in about 70 years. Only about 34% would say that lying is morally wrong. And they have enormously more choices than ever before. If you sign up for Facebook you now have 58 gender options to choose from. By comparison, when Ellen came out in 1997 she lost her job and did not work for 6 years. That wouldn’t happen today if a celebrity made an announcement like this.
- 4%. This is how many Gen Z kids claim to have a biblical worldview. Remember that this generation is the largest in history. So at a drop of 2% we are still talking about a very large number!
In the 1960’s, there were 10 things listed as Biblical values. The general population agreed with about 8 out of 10. Now there has been a big shift and the distance from these values is much further. Their questions are answered by Google and Alexa, not the Bible – not even their parents.
They are drawn to the supernatural. And things are becoming darker. They are looking for answers. We are on the verge of a mental crisis. They are losing their grip on skills for social interaction which makes them ripe for depression and all kinds of other problems.
Matthew 18:10-14. Where to Start? The disciples have been arguing about who is the greatest amount them. Jesus plops a child in front of them and tells them to be like the child. He then tells the parable about the lost sheep and then he talks about kids again. Is Jesus pointing us to kids? Was anything Jesus said by accident?
He really cares about that one lost kid. Leave the 99 and go out to find that lost kid. There are lost out there. Maybe it’s not about us. Maybe it’s about them.
Barna’s Research tells us that most people (85%) make their commitment to Christ between the ages of 4 and 14. From 15 – 30 only 10% and after 30 only 5%. It’s almost as if Jesus read Barna’s research!
It’s not about us, but about the kids younger than 15. Many Muslim countries forbid evangelizing kids under age 15. They know that’s when it is most effective. They allow adults to go to church – just not kids. The fact is, if you want to change a country, you start with the kids.
John 21:3-6. A New Reality. After Jesus revealed himself the disciples were faced with a new reality. Peter went right back to what his old ways. He went out to fish. It was what he knew best. The other disciples joined him. They didn’t catch anything that whole night. Jesus showed up again the next morning and told experienced fishermen where to fish. They caught more than they could handle. Same boat. Same guys. Same strategy. They just followed Jesus’ directions and changed location.
The end of John 21 is where I began today. Jesus told Peter to feed His lambs.
We can stay here in our church and keep fishing, doing our thing. What if all it takes is a slight location change. An Easter egg hunt in the city park? Dive at Parker School? Where would Jesus have us cast our nets?
Cultural sociologists tell us we are on the verge of a major cultural shift like we haven’t seen since the 1940s. Businesses are changing the way they reach this generation. The army is changing the way they recruit this generation. What will we, the church do to reach Generation Z?
We have a huge generation of young people that is globally connected, loves diversity, is passionate about activism and a good cause. If we can reach them, I am convinced that they can complete the great commission in their lifetime!
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Follow (Week 6): Lead Like Jesus
Chris Logan
- Help the pastors carry the burden of pastoral ministry
- Bring a variety of expertise through various ages, experiences to bear on the issues every pastor faces
- To hold the pastors and each other accountable
Ed Bell
Scott Underwood
Daniel Kinnaird
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GATHER (Week 2): We Gather to Worship!
We Gather to Worship!
Emily Hurst
You are joining us on the second week of a seven week series called “Why We Gather”. Today, we want to share about how we gather to SING and the importance of the music we include as part of our weekly worship service! If you regularly attend our service, you’ll notice that our service structure is “flipped” today, with several testimonies at the beginning, and our main worship set later in the service, as it’s designed to be an opportunity to respond to the message being shared today.
1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his[a];
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Brandon Atwood
Hey guys, my name is Brandon Atwood. I’m one of the worship leaders here at First Baptist Church, and today I am I’m not able to be here I’m out of town hiking on the Appalachian Trail so I just wanted to share a little bit this way. There are several reasons why we gather together and some of the other people in the church are going to be sharing some of those different reasons. My focus today is a special connection with God that we can really only get when we gather together and we sing and worship him together. We can and should sing by ourselves, and that’s a really good thing. Some of my best times with the Lord are just me and him, I’m at home and just worshipping Him, and those are really good times and we should all do that.
But, there’s just something that we can only get when we’re together. Psalm 89 talks about this, in verse 1: “I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord forever.” So verse one right there shows that singing together is a way that we can proclaim God’s love, we can proclaim His faithfulness, and we can worship Him together. The songs we sing are about God’s love, about His character, about His holiness, about how worthy He is, and about the things that He’s done in our lives. So songs are a way that we can focus on who God is together. When we gather together, it’s a special time that we can connect with God, and we can be drawn in by other people connecting with God. We can be drawn in and we can remember who he is and what he’s done in our lives, and as that’s happening with other people in the room, it’s helping us connect to God even more.
Verse 5 is another verse from Psalm 89 that I would like to share: “Let the heavens praise Your wonders, O Lord! Your faithfulness in the Assembly of the Holy Ones.” So there’s this special power that comes when we worship as the Assembly of the Holy ones. As the church, that’s us; we are the gathered together Holy people of God. This is something that we can’t get alone because it’s a group of people; we’re a body. We are a family. so when we gather together we’re creating that space to connect with God on this special level that we can really only get when we’re all here together.
The last verse that I would like to read from Psalm 89 is verse 15: “Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face.” There’s a word in this verse that’s not too familiar, and that’s the word festal. The word festal is describing celebration feast, and the word for people in this verse is not talking about individuals; the original word for people here is talking about a gathering of people. So, this verse is saying, “it’s the joint people of God who know the feast shout.” So what is what is a feast shout? It makes me think of, in the book of Exodus, the Passover; or in the gospels where it teaches about communion, where it’s a feast where we’re gathering together and there’s a joy that comes from this joint feast that we have sitting around the table.
Christy Ragle
So sometimes, when we aren’t singing, it’s because we’re new to this church, and the songs are different. Maybe we don’t know God the way that the people around us know God. That makes sense; you’re still learning. But, there are those of us that were raised in church, that know the songs, and still don’t sing. Why is that? These are the statements that I used myself and I’ve heard other people use. So we’re going to go through those:
- I don’t like this song
- I don’t know this song
- I don’t feel like it
- I’m not a good singer
So, what do all these statements have in common? They all start with the word “I”. So I’ve got some great news for you: it’s not about you. It’s not about me. It’s not about the “I”. It’s about the Lord. David, in the Book of Psalms, in chapter 69, he shares about the sorry state of his life. He does that a lot: enemies are chasing him, people are mocking him, etc. He’s asking God for help and, in verse 30 of chapter 69, he says “Then I will praise God’s name with singing, and I will honor him with Thanksgiving for this will please the Lord more than sacrificing.” Did you heat that? —with singing. “That pleases the Lord more than sacrifice.” For some of us, singing praises is a sacrifice. You’re singing even though you don’t like the melody of the music. You’re singing even though you don’t know the song, even though you’re tired, even though you don’t feel like it, even though you’re not a good singer. My dad-okay I will say I can think sing better than my dad-he is a terrible singer! He cannot carry a tune in a bucket with a handle; but, that doesn’t stop him from singing praises to God. You know, without knowing it, my dad is an inadvertent worship leader because the people around him are like, “You know, if he’s singing I think I can sing!” Because, really, it’s not about him. It’s not about you.
Winnie Logan
When I took over the leadership role for the first Sunday worship team, I started thinking a lot about the songs that we sing, and the songs that we select. You know, God made us all different, and that’s wonderful. What I like to sing may not be what you like to sing, and vice-versa; so I really thought a lot about that, and I started thinking about what congregational worship should look like. What does it look like when God’s people gather together and sing?
1Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits[a] of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign[b] on the earth.”
11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were saying:
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”
13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”
14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
1 In that day you will say:
“I will praise you, Lord.
Although you were angry with me,
your anger has turned away
and you have comforted me.
2 Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense[a];
he has become my salvation.”
3 With joy you will draw water
from the wells of salvation.
4 In that day you will say:
“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
make known among the nations what he has done,
and proclaim that his name is exalted.
5 Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things;
let this be known to all the world.
6 Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion,
for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”
So when we come together, we’re here to sing for all the Glorious things that he has done. When we think about all the Lord has done for us, we can’t even imagine and describe everything that he’s done for us. And so, sing, people of the Lord when we come together.
Kevin Stonerock (Coordinator)
I believe we can all agree that our worship should focus on God. But are there any other reasons…”side benefits”, as it were, why we should participate wholeheartedly in corporate worship?
- It strengthens our faith. How does it do that, you might ask? I would answer, by way of reminder. 2 Peter 1:12-13 says “Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body,[a] to stir you up by way of reminder…” By our worship, by singing songs together that are based in scripture, we are reminded that it’s not about our works, it’s not about our performance, it’s not about US. It’s about God and his grace and mercy.
- It helps us to see God for who He is and to see ourselves for who WE are in His eyes. And may I add here that if you are a believer, God is not mad at you. If you have put your trust in the death and resurrection of Jesus as your only hope of salvation, you are His eternally and nothing can separate you from his love. If you don’t believe me, read Romans 8. This is big, and yes, it does effect our worship. Because of Jesus, you are FREE to worship God. You are no longer a slave to the devil’s lies, or your own flesh. You are a new creation and as unworthy as you feel (and we are, in our own flesh), God DESIRES your worship, and true worship produces a thankful heart.
- We’ve looked at a few ways that corporate worship helps us as individuals, but what about that person sitting next to you, or behind you or in front of you? Can your worship, or lack thereof, effect them? If so, how? I have a couple more scriptures for you. You can turn there if you want, or just listen.
Hebrews 3:13 “But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “today”, lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin”. The phrase I want to focus on is “encourage one another”. Personally, I am encouraged when I hear my brothers and sisters in Christ raising their voices in praise and worship. How about you? We are not all called to preach. I’m certainly not, but we can “preach the truth” or affirm the truths of scripture to those around us by our wholehearted, passionate lifting of our voices in praise and adoration. The singing we do here is not, or at least shouldn’t be, something we do ritualistically so we can get to the preaching. And It’s not about how well you sing or whether you can even carry a tune. Personally, some of the most encouraging times for me have been when standing within hearing range of a saint who is tone deaf but is lifting his voice in song from his heart. There’s something very touching about someone who is so focused on God that they are oblivious to what others around them might think about their singing ability. I believe God honors that. “For[b] the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1Samuel 16:7 If you really want to get a blessing, sit in front of the Durham family… especially when all the boys are home. Maybe there’s someone in your neighborhood who encourages you. Encourage THEM by telling them so. Or maybe you could be just the person to encourage someone else.
- The cares and worries of the world weigh us down. We can all relate to that. Let’s admit, it can be hard to sing when your world is falling apart. But if we look at the Psalms, David didn’t necessarily feel bon vivant all the time. Some of his songs are downright depressing, but by the end, most times he had come back around to the fact that his hope was in the Lord.
- Perhaps there is disappointment with God. David was familiar with that, too. “How long will the wicked prosper?” He wasn’t afraid to pour his heart out to God and again, by the end of the Psalm, he ends up praising God.
- Or maybe it’s that we don’t feel worthy to worship. Anybody ever been there? I have. That’s why it’s so important to be grounded in biblical truth. The Bible says that God has MADE us worthy through the blood of His Son. The Bible also says that He has removed our sin as far as the East is from the West. We ARE justified, we are adopted. God desires our worship. God deserves our worship. And finally, let’s never forget that we are not here to witness to OUR goodness, but to HIS goodness.
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The Gift: You are Gifted for the Harvest
“The Gift: You are Gifted for the Harvest!”
Overview of the Spiritual Gifts, Pt 1Overview of the Spiritual Gifts, Pt 2Overview of the Spiritual Gifts, Pt 3
Teaching #1: September 21, 2014 Pastor Jerry Ingalls, “The Gift is for the Glory of God!”
Teaching #2: September 28, 2014 Pastor Jerry Ingalls, “The Gift is all about Love!”
Teaching #3: October 5, 2014 Chris Peoples, “The Gift: You are Gifted for the Harvest!”
Teaching #4: October 12, 2014 Brandon Atwood, “How do I use my Spiritual Gifts?”
Teaching #5: October 19, 2014 Pastor Ken Durham, “How to BE using your gifts!”
Teaching #6: October 26, 2014 Missionary Jim White, “Gifts for the Harvest!”
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