FBC Independence Podcast

The Letters to the Seven Churches: Laodicea, Be honest with yourself 2-21-21

God wants us to be discerning when it comes to true spirituality! We have an almost unlimited capacity to deceive ourselves: we ignore facts, compare ourselves to those who are ‘worse’ than we are, and sometimes even lie to ourselves, all in order to feel good about ourselves. The church at Laodicea was doing just that; by measuring their spirituality against other churches and groups, rather than God’s eternal teachings, they saw themselves as spiritually healthy and righteous. Jesus condemned them, though, because the truth was they were spiritually dead! Their self-deception separated them from God, and made them almost useless to Him. The church was called to repentance; Jesus offered to come into their lives if they would only open up their hearts to Him.

 

The best way you can support our Ministry is by sharing these podcasts with your friends and family.

 

We also need your financial contributions to make our Ministries a possibility. You can contribute online at https://firstbaptistofindependence.aware3.net/give/

 

If you would like to stay up to date on all things FBC, download our App by clicking here https://a3a.me/firstbaptistofindependence or by Liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/1stBaptist/

Thank you for listening. We will see you next week.

Letters to the Seven Churches: Philadelphia 2-7-21

Even though Jesus calls us in His Church to all we can to reach the world around us, we have to accept the fact that many will reject Jesus, no matter what we do!  We must remember to evaluate our church’s ministries by the standards Jesus himself used, and make sure our loyalties remain with him that the approval of those in this world.  God rewards those who are faithful, and will care for them into eternity.

 

The best way you can support our Ministry is by sharing these podcasts with your friends and family.

We also need your financial contributions to make our Ministries a possibility. You can contribute online

If you would like to stay up to date on all things FBC, download our App by clicking here or by Liking our Facebook page

 

Thank you for listening. We will see you next week!

Letters to the Seven Churches: Sardis, It’s all about the Gospel! 1-31-21

It’s all about Jesus!  We’ve heard people say that, and it is particularly true for the way the Church is to function.  Everything we do is to either explain the work of Jesus in our salvation, or to demonstrate how life can be different, and better, when it revolves around him.  The early church in the city of Sardis forgot this; they did many things well, but they had moved away from a focus on the salvation that is in Christ – and Jesus condemned them for it!  We are to be always faithful to Jesus: to share the message of salvation through his death on the cross, and the resurrection from the dead, in everything we do.

 

The best way you can support our Ministry is by sharing these podcasts with your friends and family.

 

We also need your financial contributions to make our Ministries a possibility. You can contribute online at https://firstbaptistofindependence.aware3.net/give/  

If you would like to stay up to date on all things FBC, download our App by clicking here https://a3a.me/firstbaptistofindependence or by Liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/1stBaptist/

Thank you for listening. We will see you next week.

 

Letters to the Seven Churches: Thyatira: Don’t Give Up! 1-24-21

Those who have the ability to lead others can have a tremendous impact on a church – for good, or for evil!  It is important that church members monitor the strong in their church, to ensure that their influences are good, moral, and Bible Based.  Even as they continually test the spirits in their congregation, though, a healthy church will never let an individual or group lead them from engaging in ministry to others.  The ministries of the church are to be always faithful to scriptural teachings and based upon faith, rather than on the strong personalities in the congregation.

 

The best way you can support our Ministry is by sharing these podcasts with your friends and family.

 

We also need your financial contributions to make our Ministries a possibility. You can contribute online at https://firstbaptistofindependence.aware3.net/give/

 

If you would like to stay up to date on all things FBC, download our App by clicking here https://a3a.me/firstbaptistofindependence or by Liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/1stBaptist/

 

Thank you for listening. We will see you next week.

The Letters to the Seven Churches: Pergamum, The Teachings of the Faith 1-17-21

Jesus calls on His church to teach spiritual and moral truth, and correct those that distort that truth.  We must learn to be alert to the teachings of those in our church, and be willing to ask them to explain themselves, and even challenge them if they say something that does not sound ‘according to the Bible.’ There have always been false teachers and teachings in the church; when these false teachings are allowed to develop a foothold, they may turn people away from the true faith, or lead them to act in a way that may bring physical, emotional, or spiritual harm to someone.  As always, God blesses us for our faithfulness to Him, and brings joy into our lives when we obey his teachings.

 

The best way you can support our Ministry is by sharing these videos with your friends and family.

 

We also need your financial contributions to make our Ministries a possibility. You can contribute online at https://firstbaptistofindependence.aware3.net/give/

 

If you would like to stay up to date on all things FBC, download our App by clicking here https://a3a.me/firstbaptistofindependence or by Liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/1stBaptist/

 

Thank you for listening. We will see you next week. 

Letters to the Seven Churches: Smyrna, The Risk of Sincere Faith 1-10-21

From the very beginning of the Church, God’s people were often under attack!  At times they were oppressed and persecuted by those around them simply because they were different than others; sometimes it was because their faith challenged the other faiths in the area.  Too, the various political powers often chose to oppress the Christians for a variety of reasons.  Regardless, it was hard to follow Jesus!  In the church at Smyrna there was persecution, and Jesus spoke to them in the Revelation to acknowledge their faithful suffering, and encouraged them to ‘keep the faith.’  For those that suffer for their faith there are blessings, both in this life, and in the life that is to come.  We are to be strong as we endure the sufferings of this life, and keep the faith!

 

The best way you can support our Ministry is by sharing these podcasts with your friends and family.

 

We also need your financial contributions to make our Ministries a possibility. You can contribute online here

 

If you would like to stay up to date on all things FBC, download our App by clicking here or by Liking our Facebook page

 

Thank you for listening. We will see you next week.

Letters to the Seven Churches: Ephesus: The Case for Responsibility 1-3-2021

A church’s leadership can have a huge impact upon its members’ lives.

We want, and need, church leaders that are emotionally and spiritually mature.

 

Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep, but are really wolves that will tear you apart.” -Jesus (Matthew 7:15)

 

God’s people must not allow their defense of the faith destroy their loving spirit.

 

A church that treats people poorly is no longer a church; a church without love is not a church.

 

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

 

By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 13:34-35

 

The best way you can support our Ministry is by sharing these podcasts with your friends and family.

 

We also need your financial contributions to make our Ministries a possibility. You can contribute online at https://firstbaptistofindependence.aware3.net/give/

 

If you would like to stay up to date on all things FBC, download our App by clicking here https://a3a.me/firstbaptistofindependence or by Liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/1stBaptist/

 

Thank you for listening. We will see you next week.

God's Great Gifts to Humanity: A God-given ethic for life 12-27-20

God loves us – and He wants to help!

 

Can you remember a couple of individuals that made an impact in your life, such as a family member or teacher/mentor?  We all have people in our lives that have shaped and taught us – it is one of the ways God “gifts” us - with good teachings and influences.  He does this because He loves us, and wants to instill within us an ethic for life.  An “ethic” is simply an overall approach to life and relationships – the set of ideas and controls that guide your life!

 

The teachings God sends us are based upon His eternal love for us all.

King David understood this:  Psalms 25:4-6, 8-10

 

David acknowledges that God’s ways are based on His desires to provide a path for life and salvation.  Here are a couple of things David mentions:

 

A Godly Ethic for life

 

Based on God’s eternal wisdom:  “For they have been from of old.” (v.6)  God’s knowledge and wisdom are eternal!   The path of life is the same in every age, and every culture.  What actions and characteristics led to life and joy thousands of years ago, can do the same today.  A godly lifestyle is never ‘out of date’ this kind of life can always guide us on a path that leads to joy and fulfillment.  It may not be popular, and it may lead one to live in a way that seems outdated, but God’s wisdom and teachings are eternal, because they are based upon God’s eternal character!

 

It is for everyone:  “Therefore He instructs sinners in the way.” (v.8)  As you know, God created us all as equals, and the creation and fall story – that of being created in God’s image and without sin, and then choosing to sin – is everyone’s story!  And just as the story of God’s salvation to come was for those in the original story, so too is the offer of salvation to all of us through the knowledge of the Gospel.  God instructs sinners in “the way” – the way of life, and the way of salvation.  We all need to hear this message!

 

When people hear the instruction of God and begin to live their lives as God teaches, their lives get better:  more stable, healthier relationships, and less of the self-destructive actions that come so naturally to us all. 

 

God’s ways shape our lives

 

A life based on God’s teachings will develop and follow the ‘ethic’ of God.

Whenever there is a big change in one’s life, there are a variety of factors and behaviors to consider.  For instance, if an overweight middle-aged man such as myself wants to ‘get in shape,’ there are many things to address:  diet: sugar and meats and vegetables; heart: cholesterol and blood pressure and conditioning; even ‘lifestyle’: watching tv often, walking, etc.  There is no “one” thing to do, and only doing one thing won’t make much difference.  It is the same for so many areas of life: even the effort to develop an ethic for life that is from God!        

-Whenever we talk about a ‘path’ of life, particularly an ‘ethic’ from God, we aren’t talking about any one practice or idea – it is a collection of beliefs and practices that make up an ‘ethic’ towards life! 

 

Jesus addressed this truth in his Sermon on the Mount.  READ Matthew 7:24-27

 

Jesus used the analogy of one building a house: if you build upon a solid foundation, your house would stand in a storm; if you build upon sand, however, the house would fall.  Jesus, making this point in vv.24, and 26, said this: “acts upon them. . . does not act upon them.” If you build your life on his teachings it will stand, if you do not, it will crumble.

 

Here are just a few of the parts of a ‘solid foundation,’ or “godly ethic’ Jesus mentioned in his sermon on the mount:

 

Elements of a Godly Ethic

 

Healthy relationships, 5:3-10:  A high value in the Christian faith

Sincerity, 5:20:  The problem with the Pharisees was their hypocrisy, and all saw it.

Emotional restraint, 5:21-24: This ‘fruit of the Spirit,’ is a primary factor of life-success.

Financial gifts, 6:2:  Vital to the faith is not only the practice of sharing with those in need; it is also important to resist being too tied to one’s possessions.

 

Developing this godly ‘ethic’ for life is always a good and profitable practice – for everyone! This ‘ethic,’ when lived consistently, becomes a way by which God works within our lives.  God can use us, and bless us as we live out our faith.

 

The best way you can support our Ministry is by sharing these videos with your friends and family.

We also need your financial contributions to make our Ministries a possibility. You can contribute online at https://firstbaptistofindependence.aware3.net/give/

If you would like to stay up to date on all things FBC, download our App by clicking here https://a3a.me/firstbaptistofindependence or by Liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/1stBaptist/

Thank you for listening. We will see you next week.

God's Great Gifts: The Gift of Healthy Relationships 12-20-20

What do you want for Christmas? That used to be an easy one for me; a car or motorcycle part, a gun or accessory for a gun, maybe even a tool; easy-peasy, right? I worried and stressed about the list this year, and I couldn’t come up with much – finally, I listed a couple of books about airplanes and engines, and then, “bacon.” Hickory smoked bacon, thick sliced. I gave her the list and she said, “Seriously – bacon?” with her eyes rolled back in her head. I finally explained that I really didn’t want so much stuff anymore – I would be satisfied if the kids and grandkids would just come down and eat with us, and I could just spend some time with them, that would be enough, and be a really good Christmas.

 

I imagine a lot of you are at that point in your life, too. It’s not that you profoundly spiritual or anything, it’s just that your garage or closet or basement is full, stuff doesn’t do much for you anymore, and you just want to get together with those you love – and that’s enough! If everyone is healthy, and the planets align and the pandemic doesn’t shut us all down, we’ll get together with those we love 2, 3, maybe even 4 times in a month – it really can be “the happiest time of the year!”

 

Maybe that’s one of the values of the Christmas season– one of the gifts that God planned for us all. The joy of giving; the anticipation of pleasing those you love; the time spent with friends and family, eating and laughing and talking, and the pictures!

 

It’s all about relationships! Relationships with those you love, and that life-changing relationship with the God you love. One of God’s greatest gifts is experienced in our “gatherings:”

 

God has given us the gift of a faith-based guide for our relationships.

In our enlightened culture, it seems we are finally beginning to realize just how important our relationships with others are; in fact, the acceptance of this great truth may be one of the best things to come out of our battle with Covid 19. The things of this life are woefully inadequate to make us happy; it is obvious that we cannot be happy if we are separated from those we love!

 

Jesus understood this; over and again he spoke on the value of people, and of loving and nurturing your relationships with them. Most of his “Sermon on the Mount,” dealt with relationships – both with God, and others. READ Matthew 5:5-9

 

(Matthew 5 “beatitudes:” “gentle,” v.5, “merciful,” v.7, and “peacemakers.” V.9): These are not complicated or revolutionary concepts, to be sure – but when put into practice regularly, our lives will radically improve, because of their profound impacts upon the relationships in our lives! Jesus included these teachings because: 1) He wanted us to experience good relationships in our lives, and 2) He wanted his followers to understand that good relationships with others is a Christian value!

 

Here is just one more of his most popular teachings that is simple and easily understood, and at the same time profoundly life-changing: “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12

 

You know this as the “Golden Rule,” of course, and it completely eliminates the need for most of the rules and lists you will find in today’s “self-help” culture. Jesus simply says: “treat people the way you want to be treated!”

 

Here’s just one real-life example of how this works: If I cut someone off in traffic accidentally, I wave, and would like a little mercy. So if someone cuts me off, and they waive as if to say “I messed up,” I will give mercy, without road rage.

 

In this situation, my “old-fashioned” faith can guide me in a very modern situation!

 

Simply put: God wants to “gift” us with good relationships, so He teaches us how to have them! Incredibly, He even gets involved to help:

 

God is present to help us in our relationships.

 

You’ve heard the old adage, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” There are times when we want to do the right thing, but can’t make ourselves do it, right? Even for Christians this can be a problem; especially when it comes to some of our messy relationship issues!

 

As I said earlier, God wants to “gift” us with good relationships – so not only does He teach us relationship truths in scripture, He gets personally involved in our lives to help us to the right thing!

 

READ John 16:7 “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.”

 

One of the great gifts that come as a result of the death and resurrection of Jesus is the presence of God’s Holy Spirit within us! Before that time, the Spirit of God came to certain people for a specific task or length of time; but after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, the Holy Spirit was made available to all who would follow Jesus as Savior. God literally “lives within us.”

 

There are all sorts of advantages to His presence, of course – and many of these advantages have to do with developing healthy relationships. Paul explained this in his letter to the church at Galatia: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23) These are the result of the Holy Spirit working within us, and every one of them helps us do our part for good relationships. He teaches us, He can give us the ability to relate well to others, and He can even give us the desire to relate will to others, as an act of our faith in Jesus.

 

God has given us the gift of good relationships; Not only has he given us teachings based on Creator-God’s understanding of our heart and soul, He has promised to be with us, in every situation, to help us. Because of God’s work in the Christ-child, we can truly “love one another.”

 

The best way you can support our Ministry is by sharing these podcasts with your friends and family.

 

We also need your financial contributions to make our Ministries a possibility. You can contribute online at https://firstbaptistofindependence.aware3.net/give/

 

If you would like to stay up to date on all things FBC, download our App by clicking here https://a3a.me/firstbaptistofindependence or by Liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/1stBaptist/

 

Thank you for listening. We will see you next week.

God’s great gifts to Humanity: Answers to our spiritual questions 12-13-2020

Over course of last several months, I’ve experienced great frustration with the varying “scientific” evidence regarding the Covid virus, treatments, and the effectiveness of mask wearing. I had one discussion with a good friend, trained in the science, explain it to me: “Science is never really finished; what we may know one day is only what we know that day; as we learn and study, our understandings may change.” That didn’t help my level of frustration at all – I wanted to know the facts – period – not just today’s understandings.

 

Most of us don’t want to hear that kind of talk – we don’t want today’s understandings - we just want to know the truth. It is this way in so many areas of life – even in the spiritual realm!

 

God understands! It can give great comfort when we understand that there are answers to some of our greatest questions in life, and they are the answers that have been with us for centuries, and they will never change, or evolve!

 

Ephesians 2:1-10

 

One of God’s gifts in Jesus is the gift of unchanging spiritual truth.

There are times when it is almost impossible to determine the truth of a situation – and the more important it is, sometimes the more difficult it may be to determine the truth! To make matters worse, in our current culture anyone with a smart phone and internet hook-up can spout off some craziness, and claim to be an expert – and they will get a following!

 

God knows what we need, and what has the ability to bring us joy and comfort and strength – and He demonstrates that by teaching us of those things that never change.

 

God gives us a foundation for life that is unchanging – eternal truth from the mind of God. We see that in the passage we read:

 

God’s Gift of Spiritual Truth

 

To the question: “What about God and the spirits?”

 

Godly and Ungodly forces: “the course of this world,” and “the prince of the power of the air,” and “the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience,” (v.2), and we all lived “in the lusts of our flesh, including the desires of the flesh,” and “were by nature children of wrath.” (v.3) Paul was describing the world without Christ, full of evil forces and characters; and then he contrasted those spiritual truths with the assertion that there is good to counter the evil that is present! “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us . . . made us alive together with “Christ.” (v.5)

 

So this is the acknowledgement of the evil that is at work on this earth, and the assertion that God is at work, challenging the work of the Evil One, and ultimately conquering evil through His son, Jesus. Evil will not just “go away,” nor can we depend upon the wonders of the educational process or progressive ideologies - it is a part of this world that is forever with us, and will only, and ultimately, be defeated through God’s work on the cross. This enables us to maintain a sense of humility, and a healthy sense of skepticism of anything, or anyone, that promises to “fix” our problems!

 

To the question: “What happens when we die?”

 

Spiritual life and death: “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,” (v.5), contrasts with vv. 4- 5 where we are told that “God made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved.” There is a spiritual life and death, determined by God’s work in your life, through Jesus.

The eternal truths here are clear: there is good and evil in this world that will always be here. And the only way to overcome the evils of this life are through Jesus – not by good works and intellect or “family,” but through God’s grace. God’s grace strips away the powers of evil, and of religious leadership!

 

This life is experienced in a spiritual realm! Things of a spiritual nature are very real, even though they cannot be seen, and seem to defy rational thought and testing. In other words, that which we cannot see or control or fully explain is very real, and affects our lives. This will always be the case, regardless of income or educational level, or chosen lifestyle. To ignore or deny this truth will always take something from your life!

 

There is one other tremendous truth that never changes:

 

God calls us to a life of service.

 

Let’s look at v. 10 again, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.”

 

To the question: What am I supposed to do with my life?

 

A life of service: In Christ, we are created by God for a purpose – to serve others in Jesus’ name!

 

One of the primary reasons God makes us “New creatures” in Christ is so that He can use us to serve those in need – regardless of what that need might be!

 

This is what can give our lives both meaning, and purpose. We are to do much more with our lives that just live as we choose and enjoy. The One who created us from the beginning, who completely understands what “makes us tick,” and what we truly need to be happy and fulfilled in this life, has always intended for us to serve others.

 

As Jesus “re-creates” us and makes us new, not only does he provide work for us (there will always be people in need); he equips us for good works, and then he blesses us when we do those good works. God has always had these things to do for Him, “which God prepared beforehand,” v.10; it is no afterthought, but rather God’s plan for meeting the needs of humanity from the very beginning of time!

 

A lifestyle of service gives meaning and purpose in life; enables others to love and experience joy and love; brings God’s blessings to you in the form of meaningful experiences and relationships.

 

God’s answers to our deepest questions provide a foundation for living. His truth is unchanging, and provides an unshakeable foundation for our lives.

 

The best way you can support our Ministry is by sharing these videos with your friends and family.

 

We also need your financial contributions to make our Ministries a possibility. You can contribute online at https://firstbaptistofindependence.aware3.net/give/

If you would like to stay up to date on all things FBC, download our App by clicking here https://a3a.me/firstbaptistofindependence or by Liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/1stBaptist/

 

Thank you for listening. We will see you next week.