REVved - Weekend Wrap-up

It’s Sunday night and my first available blogging moment in the past three days.  We had quite a weekend at FBC!  When I looked at all the components of the services, I wondered how we were going to make it through.  In addition to “Worship and the Word,” we had a brief audio clip from one of our short-term mission teams, baptisms (15), a wedding announcement for one of our pastor’s daughters, introduction of our newest pastor (more on that later), communion, and a benevolence offering at the end of the service.  It looked like “too much” at first glance, but God had everything under control, and I enjoyed each of our three services immensely.

The best part of the weekend for me was watching God work through the presentation of the Gospel.  I preached from Romans 9:30–33 – “The Stumbling Stone.”  This was the culmination of our study of Romans 9.  At the end of the chapter, Paul (the Apostle) presents the human reasons why Israel did not (and still hasn’t) respond to the Gospel - 1. They Strained Over the Law, 2. They Obsessed Over Works, and 3. They Stumbled Over Jesus.  I had not intended to give a Gospel invitation at the end of the services, but on Saturday night, I had a sense of conviction that someone was there to receive Christ.  I pondered the time factor, since we had so much to fit into the service, but something inside said, “Go for it.” So I did.  Three people raised their hands to receive Christ.  This morning, there were two more at the 8:45 service and five more at the 10:45.  That makes a total of ten!  Ten people who realized they had been “stumbling” over Jesus and who were ready to receive Him as the “rock of their salvation.” I was amazed!  After speaking with a 20 year old who was one of the people who responded last night, I’m more convinced than ever that God draws people to Himself through the power of the Gospel.  And you never know when it’s going to happen!

Another highlight of the weekend was seeing 15 people take a public stand for Christ by being baptized.  There were kids and adults.  Several made bold statements regarding their faith in Jesus.  A couple of them even fist pumped and raised their hands in victory after they came up out of the water.  One was a college age daughter from an ex-Muslim Iranian family.  Her parents were baptized last summer at our Chatfield Reservoir outdoor baptism service.  Bottom line - the baptisms were deeply encouraging to me, and I know, to our whole church family.  Baptisms are a Biblical sign of church health as I see it.

It was also a thrill for me to introduce our newest FBC Pastor.  His name is Jeff Baxter. Jeff comes to us most recently from serving in a church in Indiana, but has had extensive ministry experience in several churches and ministries.  He’s traveled extensively and spoken in many venues across the country.  He’s also written a book that is in pre-publication status - the book addresses his ministry passion – how to help high school and college age students stay close to the Lord as they transition to adulthood.  Jeff and his wife Laurie have three children – Lillian, Levi and Lara.  Jeff will be our Pastor of Singles and Student Ministries.  He started on May 1 and Laurie and the kids plan to join him when school is finished and their housed is sold.  You can learn more about him at his Blog – here’s the link – www.sacredoutfitter.blogspot.com  Again, welcome, Jeff!

Although I’m exhausted tonight after our long weekend, I’m also spiritually nourished.  God did some powerful things within the FBC family this weekend – to Him be the glory!

Comments

[Anna Thorne]

Goodness, I am missing a lot! So much for thinking that keeping up on your sermons through the podcast would make it seem like I never left.....oh well, I suppose I would be worried about the health of a church in which someone could leave for months and then return and feel like they hadn't missed anything. Glad this weekend went well!!

[Sandy]

Saturday eve. service was so awesome!! What a blessing to see children and adults professing their faith in Christ through baptism...Pastor Kelly was a "hoot" as he talked about weight lifting prior to and after baptizing several ;-) The worship time was awesome!! We are loving Daniel and so appreciate his style, but more importantly his humble spirit as he leads us. MHR, your sermon was as always a gift from the Father...and the evening could not have ended more perfectly than with the Lord's Supper and three individuals placing their trust in Christ. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME, ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD!!

[Sandy]

Oops!! Almost forgot...it was so exciting to meet Pastor Jeff...with two college/career kids(Adam will no longer be a college student as of May 10th--can't believe he graduates next week), we are thrilled to have a pastor over this age group. We're praying that he and his family will be reunited sooner than later.

[Jeff Baxter]

Thanks Pastor Bill for the kind words!