2.1K
Downloads
185
Episodes
Follow along for Rev Kev's Sermons as well as place to keep up on News and Events that pertain to FBC in Independence, MO
Episodes
Monday Sep 02, 2024
Monday Sep 02, 2024
There are many ways by which people 'define' their lives and choose to live:
Some time ago, I stumbled upon an ad for one of those ancestry services that became so popular. The ad focused on the story of a man who had always believed he was of German ancestry. So, to carry on the tradition of his German heritage, he often dressed in traditional Bavarian clothes, sang songs and performed in dance groups that featured German traditions. He was happy with his Germanic heritage and made many good friends through these activities. Interestingly, though, when he finally signed up to discover his family lineage, he found minimal German lineage; however, he had a powerful Italian ancestry! He felt obligated to 're-define' his life so that his hobbies and interests were more consistent with his true ancestry. He joined groups that honored and practiced his newfound Italian heritage. He had to learn new songs and dance steps to reflect who he was accurately. This transformation, guided by faith, is a powerful testament to the potential of faith to shape our lives.
While the man's reaction to his ancestry is extreme, it vividly demonstrates the profound influence of one's 'identity' on their life. This concept, deeply rooted in the Bible, is a powerful force that can shape our lives in ways we may not realize.
In both the Old and New Testaments, God speaks to his people about 'who they are.' God teaches the reader who they 'are' and who they 'identify as' and can guide them as they determine the course of their lives. In one Old Testament Passage, Moses said this: ". . . You shall live in booths for seven days; all the native-born in Israel shall live in booths so that your generations may know that I had the sons of Israel live in booths when I brought them out from the land of Egypt. I am the Lord, you God." Leviticus 23: 42-43
Moses was teaching his people to 'act out' how their ancestors had survived the wanderings in the desert after the Exodus experience on a special once-a-year holiday called The Feast of Booths. This was part of a larger celebration where the people would erect a small tent, or hut, outside their homes and live for a week to be reminded of how God worked in their history to form them as His people, the nation Israel. As they participated in this practice year after year, they would begin to create their 'identity' as the chosen people of God, Israel. It was a powerful teaching tool and was instrumental in helping them remember their heritage and make choices to further their lives of faith.
There are many examples of this kind of thing in the Bible, all with the same intent: to help God's people 'identify' with God and continue practicing their faith. One short passage in the New Testament was also compelling: "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree'- so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come the Gentiles so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." Galatians 3:12-14. Here, Paul was explaining to the Jewish Christians that their identity as Christians was because of Christ's work on the cross, just like the Gentiles. Indeed, there was no difference at all because all who are "in Christ" are God's people, and they should live accordingly.
Who you 'are' is important! God calls us to live 'in Christ' and to identify as God's people. When we do this, our lives will be shaped by that conviction, and our faith will be a powerful force in our lives – just like God intended! This, of course, will be a guide in every area of life and a way through which God can bless, use, and bring us joy.
Your support is not just important; it's crucial in spreading the message of our Ministry. By sharing these podcasts with your friends and family, you are not just helping us reach more people. You are playing a significant role in creating a community of believers who can find solace and strength in our shared faith. Your role in this mission is not just invaluable, but it's integral. We are grateful for your contribution and urge you to continue your support and inspire others to join us in this mission. Your involvement is not just appreciated, but it's essential to our mission.
Your financial contributions are vital to making our Ministries a possibility. These contributions will support our various outreach programs, maintain our facilities, and provide resources for our community. We assure you that your contributions will be used with the utmost transparency and accountability. Your support is not just appreciated; it is essential to our operations. We value your contributions and your role in making our Ministry a reality. Your support is not just a gesture, but it's a significant step towards making a difference in our community.
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!
Sunday Aug 25, 2024
Sunday Aug 25, 2024
We've all heard crazy stories that are all but unbelievable, haven't we? Interestingly, though, no matter how bizarre a story is, a few almost always believe it to be true. This is especially true with stories of alien abductions – people who say that they were taken captive by aliens from another world. One of the first of these 'abduction' stories hit the news way back in September 1961, and it made quite a splash!
The couple involved in this story were a husband and wife named Barney and Betty Hill. They made their story public and followed the publicity with interviews, investigations, and eventually a best-selling book. They told the story with great conviction and presented drawings, pictures, and other details; they were pretty convincing in those days! Mr. Hill died of a stroke a few years later, and Betty continued to tell her story to anyone who would listen for the rest of her life. Neither of them ever waivered in their story – until their dying days, they were absolutely convinced that their story was the absolute truth!
As most of these stories go, this one, too, was thoroughly debunked. No matter how much the Hills believed the story, it just wasn't true!
This sort of thing is not really unusual, is it? Even in the Church, people will tell stories of miracles or experiences and even teach 'truths' that are not true.
This was the case even in the very early years of Christian history. Timothy was a young pastor of a church struggling with 'what to believe.' There were false teachers and false teachings everywhere, and those in the Church were having trouble discerning what was true and what was false. So, Paul, an older pastor, wrote him a letter giving him instructions. Here is part of what he wrote to the young Pastor: "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths." II Timothy 4: 2-4
Paul anticipated a time in the Church when people would not be satisfied with the biblical message; instead, they would go after what was either new, exciting, or popular in the culture. The Pastor's task was simple: teach the word of God! In discussions, bible studies, sermons, and everyday conversation. Sometimes, the discussions would be easy and pleasant; at other times, they would be contentious and difficult. But the task for the Pastor was to always teach the truth according to God's Word and do so with great patience. How people felt about something did not determine the truth of their beliefs. People would know the truth only by holding fast to the teachings in God's word!
Centuries later, those in the Church still must adhere to the truth of God's Word! Regardless of our title or role in the Church, we must hold fast to biblical teachings and resist the ungodly influences of the world around us. That is the task of the pastor/teacher and the task of all who would follow Jesus. What you believe matters!
Your support is not just important; it's crucial in spreading the message of our Ministry. By sharing these podcasts with your friends and family, you are not just helping us reach more people. You are playing a significant role in creating a community of believers who can find solace and strength in our shared faith. Your role in this mission is not just invaluable, but it's integral. We are grateful for your contribution and urge you to continue your support and inspire others to join us in this mission.
Your financial contributions are vital to making our Ministries a possibility. These contributions will support our various outreach programs, maintain our facilities, and provide resources for our community. We assure you that your contributions will be used with the utmost transparency and accountability. Your support is not just appreciated; it is essential to our operations. We value your contributions and your role in making our Ministry a reality. 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!
Sunday Aug 18, 2024
Sunday Aug 18, 2024
Have you ever read a 'news report' that didn't sound quite right? Are you familiar with the term 'fake news?
Some time ago, I came across an article discussing the years-long fight to get 'fat' out of our American diet. Years ago, scientists had supposedly proven that fat in our diets was a terrible problem and that if we eliminated fats from our foods, we would be thinner, healthier, and probably look better! Interestingly enough, researchers have recently begun to turn away from that perspective. Even as many have eliminated fats from their diets, our people have continued to gain weight and suffer more diet-related health problems. The article acknowledged these phenomena and discussed the efforts to get fat from our diets.
The back story behind the idea that fat in our diets was the problem was initially suggested by those in the sugar industry. The executives of several companies that manufactured sugar- and sugar-related products were trying to draw away any negative attention that sugar may have attracted by those researching foods. These executives influenced the scientific organizations to blame Americans' health problems on the fats in Americans' high-fat diets. This led to decades of low-fat advertising and low-fat products in the American food culture.
To put it bluntly, the idea that the fats in our diets were a significant problem for Americans was 'fake news!' The food researchers and Sugar Industry executives purposely falsified information. They misled the American people so that theirsugar-related products would continue to do well in the marketplace. Their plan worked, and for the last several decades, millions of Americans have been trying to lose weight and be healthy, cutting fat from their diets. Unfortunately, there was no real focus on caloric reductions, including calories from sugars, which meant that people cut fats from their diets and still gained weight. Instead of getting healthier, their health problems increased!
This is the danger of 'fake news.' If you base your life upon that which is untrue, you always suffer in some way. Regardless of what area of life you're talking about, the truth is always best!
The Apostle Paul never wrote about fats and sugars in your diets, to be sure. Still, he wrote that Christians needed to base their lives upon the truth, even when it was unpopular or painful. In one passage in the book of Romans, he wrote, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. ., for we maintain that a ma is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also. . . ." Romans 3:23-24, 28-29. This passage is part of a long section where Paul taught the Roman Church that God was the One God, who loves and offers forgiveness to all. Jews were called to worship the One God through Jesus, and Gentiles (non-Jews) were also called to worship the One God through Jesus. Any other belief – that God loved one group more than another or that only certain people could be saved, was declared to be what we would today call "fake news." There was already a problem with 'fake news' in the Church, and Paul knew the only way to root it out was to teach the truth clearly and expose that which was false.
Centuries later, there is still a problem with fake news in the Church! Fake news in the Church is any idea or teaching that limits what kind of people can be saved; it is any action or practice that distorts the clear message of Jesus; and it is any belief that asserts the spiritual superiority of one group or individual over another. But remember, the truth in the Church always unites God's people under the sign of the cross, making us all part of a larger, unified community.
Let me encourage you to be aware of any fake news you might hear in the Church. Choose to believe the truth that is in Jesus, and nothing else!
Your support is not just important; it's crucial in spreading the message of our Ministry. By sharing these podcasts with your friends and family, you are not just helping us reach more people. You are playing a significant role in creating a community of believers who can find solace and strength in our shared faith. Your role in this mission is invaluable, and we are grateful for your contribution. We urge you to continue your support and inspire others to join us in this mission.
Your financial contributions are vital to making our Ministries a possibility. These contributions will support our various outreach programs, maintain our facilities, and provide resources for our community. We assure you that your contributions will be used with the utmost transparency and accountability. Your support is not just appreciated; it is essential to our operations. 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!
Sunday Jul 14, 2024
Sunday Jul 14, 2024
Scratch Lotto – Win money, get the girl, travel, have a big house with a pool!
That's the commercial, isn't it? It's always the same with the various get-rich-quick schemes: Spend just a little bit of money, take your chances, and even if you lose, you're closer to winning. If you lose, just buy another ticket, and eventually, you'll win, and it will all be yours! And literally, millions of people have bought tickets, over and over, for decades. For some, it's 'just for fun,' but ,it is a life-long obsession for others.
The tragedy of it all is that the happiness people chase is much simpler to achieve: a life lived by faith, where you love God and love people, is the life that will produce the happiness you desire. If you fill your life with the desires and the things of this world, chances are you will never get what can fill your heart. But remember, the path to true happiness is not complex, it's simple and within reach.
Jesus knew this 'secret,' of course, and he told a parable to help people grasp the ways of happiness and joy.
"Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the wayside, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold."
The disciples did not understand the parable, so Jesus explained it:
When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom and doesn't understand it, the evil one takes it away. When someone hears and receives the word of the Kingdom, but isn't really serious, the seed is rooted at first, but then dies away quickly; When others receive the word, but never nurture their faith, it remains shallow, and hard times will destroy those beliefs; finally, when the word of the Kingdom falls on good soil, and is nurtured and watered and fed, that faith grows, and brings forth life, and joy. This is what Jesus meant when he told the parable of the sower. [Matthew 13:1-23]
What Jesus was saying was really quite simple: If the message of Jesus is received, nurtured, and allowed to grow in one's heart, it will bring much joy to one's life. God will work with them, help them transform their lives, and give them that which will bring joy! However, if people don't receive the message of Jesus in a serious manner and invest their lives in knowing and serving Him, their initial interest in the faith will fade away, and they will be left on their own. They will look for love and happiness in all the wrong places and live without the things God yearns to give them!
I hope you will receive the words of the Kingdom with the 'good soil' of your heart! Receive the message of new life in Jesus, and nurture your faith, no matter what happens in your life. God will bless you and bring you the joy and happiness you desire, even if you never buy a lottery ticket! !
Your support is not just important; it's crucial in spreading the message of our Ministry. By sharing these podcasts with your friends and family, you are not just helping us reach more people, but you are also playing a significant role in creating a community of believers who can find solace and strength in our shared faith. Your role in this is invaluable, and we are grateful for your contribution.
We also need your financial contributions to make our Ministries a possibility. These contributions will be used to support our various outreach programs, maintain our facilities, and provide resources for our community. We want to assure you that your contributions will be used with the utmost transparency and accountability. 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!
Sunday Jul 07, 2024
Sunday Jul 07, 2024
Years ago, as college students, my fiancé and I made many friends – it was a wonderful time in our lives! One young woman that comes to mind was attractive, energetic, upbeat, friendly, and a true pleasure to have around. She and my fiancé became quite close, and Tammy (my fiancé) revealed that our good friend had a problem – she was, I was told, “a worrier.” This was such a problem in her life that she often could not sleep and tended to ‘fret’ over things that sometimes seemed very minor. As time passed, her worries increased, and this young, attractive woman developed a nervous habit of tugging on her eyelashes. So severe was this practice that she eventually had no lashes at all on one eye – in dramatic contrast to her other eye, which had long, flowing lashes. It caused my wife great concern, of course. They talked and prayed about her concerns, and she seemed to improve over time. However, she continued to struggle with her worries and eventually sought professional help.
Over the years, I have encountered many others who, like us, have had severe struggles with worries and anxiety. We all worry to some degree, but for some, this issue can become overwhelming. In the book of Psalms, we find a passage that resonates with many of us: “. . .In the day of my trouble, I sought the Lord; In the night, my hand was stretched out without weariness; My soul refused to be comforted. When I remember God, then I am disturbed, When I sigh, then my spirit grows faint. Thou hast held my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak. . . .” 77:1-6 . This is a man of faith whose troubles have overwhelmed him. He is so consumed with worry that he cannot sleep, is overcome with fatigue, and, as he says, “my spirit grows faint.” In other words, he is miserable and almost beyond going! This is a feeling many of us can relate to, isn’t it? But there is a better way to live!
The scriptures can lead us to a ‘better way’ of life. In the book of Philippians, the Apostle Paul wrote: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, what is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. Things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace shall be with you.” 4:6-9
Paul speaks of handling worry, often “anxiety,” or “anxious,” by teaching us to focus on the good things in life. So, instead of letting our minds focus on the negative aspects of life (always present!), we are to dwell on the good things of life. This doesn’t take away legitimate concern; rather, it just keeps us from thinking about the negative aspects of life all the time. Surprisingly, this is one of the objectives of a modern therapeutic approach – to re-focus our energies and thoughts on the good that is in life and not give negative power over our lives. This is our choice: to control our thoughts, develop healthy ‘self-talk,’ and become one who recognizes and deals with the existing problems but does not let them consume us. The end result of living this way involves the “peace of God” coming into our lives. God can help us control our thoughts, help us deal with the difficult issues in our lives, and, finally, give us a sense of peace in life that isn’t based on one’s situation but instead on the presence and influence of God. This is the “peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension.” 4:7
God will not ‘fix’ all your problems, but He can help you with them! He will give you strength and guidance, and when we learn to focus on the good from God in our lives, He will give us peace. And peace from God is the absence of the worry that consumes us!
Your support is not just important, it's crucial in spreading the message of our Ministry. By sharing these podcasts with your friends and family, you are not just helping us reach more people, you are creating a community of believers who can find solace and strength in our shared faith. Your role in this is invaluable, and we are grateful for your contribution.
We also need your financial contributions to make our Ministries a possibility. We want to assure you that your contributions will be used with the utmost transparency and accountability. 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!
Sunday Jun 30, 2024
Sunday Jun 30, 2024
I recently discovered something I'd been searching for – a first-hand account of one of my Father's experiences aboard the U.S.S. Birmingham cruiser during WWII. The ship was ordered to come alongside the U.S.S. Princeton, an aircraft carrier burning for several days. Supposedly, it was safe, as all thought the fires were out. Unfortunately, that was not true! While in tow alongside the Birmingham, the ship exploded, killing over 800 soldiers on deck and causing significant damage to the Birmingham. My Father was put to work cleaning up the body parts for the next couple of days, and the experience made a great impression on my Father's life! He told me the story repeatedly, and now that he's gone, the story has become more important to me; I want to know about the forces and experiences that shaped his life!
After I found the article, I read it a couple of times and then sent it to my brother and sisters—I thought they needed to hear the story that shaped our Father's life. There are important lessons to learn, and they must be taught if they are to be passed on! This applies to lessons from our family's story, of course, as well as so many other things. We must be taught, or we will lose what we've been given!
That is one of the reasons that God gave us The Church – to pass down the important lessons that He has given us through the Gospel and in the scriptures themselves. Jesus said this: "You are the world's light. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Mathew 5:14-16
Jesus was talking about how his followers, The Church, were to ensure that others would hear his message of forgiveness and salvation. Using the image of 'light in the darkness,' he taught the power of the Christian message. Light can push back the darkness; in fact, the darkness is powerless against the light! Jesus meant for them to grasp the power of his message of salvation and share it with others. This 'light' of the Gospel can touch many different parts of our lives: the spiritual aspect, of course, but also the value of the family system given by God, as well as a strong sense of personal responsibility. When people learn how the Gospel can affect their lives and those of others and share that message, lives can be changed; in fact, the world can be changed!
This was God's plan: He would work to bring salvation and new life through Jesus, and his disciples would spread the Word everywhere they went. The light of Jesus would bring life and joy to all who would receive it!
Let me encourage you to receive the light of the world, Jesus, into your life. Then, follow Jesus' words: "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
Your support is crucial in spreading the message of our Ministry. By sharing these podcasts with your friends and family, you are helping us reach more people and creating a community of believers who can find solace and strength in our shared faith.
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!
Sunday Jun 16, 2024
Sunday Jun 16, 2024
I grew up in a typical Baptist church in the Midwest, and I remember well when I first heard of the Holy Spirit. It seemed that no one really understood who or what the Holy Spirit was! Particularly challenging was the public anger aimed at those who often spoke of the Holy Spirit and began to practice and manifest the " signs of the spirit," such as speaking in tongues and all things "charismatic." Churches split over these issues, and I was confused and a little bit suspicious of those who said 'too much' of The Holy Spirit!
When we consider the role of the Holy Spirit in the Christian life, we often encounter a wide range of responses, from clarity to utter confusion. This is a lamentable situation, as the Holy Spirit is not just a peripheral aspect of our faith, but an integral part. A comprehensive understanding and application of the Christian faith is impossible without a firm grasp of the Holy Spirit's work in this life and the life to come.
There are many passages and teachings about the Holy Spirit in the Bible. Here is a couple that can give us insight about this 'Spirit of God: "You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world." "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world – our faith." I John 4:4, 5:4
In these two verses, John addresses a situation in which false prophets lead others away from true faith in Jesus. These 'false teachers' have the spirit of "the antichrist," which is evil and works against the Gospel. He teaches those early Christians that the Holy Spirit in them was more powerful than the spirit of the antichrist, and they had already beaten down that evil spirit because of God's power in the Holy Spirit! There was no reason to fear the teachings of those false prophets or even the spirit of the antichrist because the Spirit of God had already won the war!
John makes another point in Chapter 5: The victory that overcomes the world is "our faith." Our faith in Jesus, our faith in the crucifixion, the power of God that raised Jesus from the dead, and our faith that has led us to live with the Holy Spirit within us; that is the victory that overcomes the world of evil! Our performance of personal abilities will not determine victory over evil; our faith in the life-giving message of Jesus, at work through the Holy Spirit – will bring the victory that overcomes the world!
The Holy Spirit is not a mystery, though there may be misunderstandings and misuses of the 'gifts of the Spirit.' However, for true believers, it is clear that any manifestation of God's power in a situation is a direct result of the Holy Spirit's movement. This is yet another compelling reason to follow Jesus: God is actively working through his spirit. By following Him in faith and serving the Kingdom of God, we align ourselves with this divine movement.
You can best support our Ministry by sharing these podcast 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!
Sunday Jun 09, 2024
Sunday Jun 09, 2024
Sunday Jun 02, 2024
Sunday Jun 02, 2024
talk about what had made a positive difference in their grief process. They were church members, practicing Christians, and began to experience peace when they prayed. Nothing of the situation changed, of course, but their prayers seemed to help. Too, the prayers of their friends began to make a dramatic impact. They said they really couldn’t explain it, but they could “feel” when others were praying for them! Many in their church visited and sat with them for months, talking and praying and sometimes just sitting with them silently. The couple said these times of Christian fellowship were what got them through the darkest hours – they could feel God’s love in those moments, and He began to work in their hearts to calm them, give them peace, and heal their wounds.
The interview was given three years after it had all happened, and the couple, now older and wiser, was able to smile and laugh and enjoy life once again. They still grieved the loss of their son, of course—that will never go away! However, their pain no longer dominated their lives; they had been able to move on, rebuild their lives, and experience joy once again.
What a tragedy! And, even more importantly, what a powerful testament to the power of God’s love at work in people’s lives. This is what God does – He helps us, He heals us, and, ultimately, He loves us through the hard times of our lives. God works through His Spirit, which lives within us, and He works through The Church: Christian friends and a loving, caring body of people to help us.
God loves us all and is there for us, even when we cannot feel Him at work. When we cry out to Him, He is there, doing what only He can do.
If you or someone you know is struggling with something, let me encourage you to trust God and pray to Him. He may not change the situation, but He will work in your life and change your heart—this is what God does!
You can best support our Ministry 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.
Sunday May 26, 2024
Sunday May 26, 2024
Some time ago, I was walking in a large crowd of people during a local street fair when I encountered a young Latino family. The crown was large and a little loud, and the young mama held her children close. She was calming one, holding another, and keeping up a pleasant chatter with the family, a big smile on her face the whole time. I could not understand what she was saying, as I don’t understand the Spanish language; at the same time, though, I could tell what she was saying to her family: “Calm down, I’m right here beside you;” “Don’t cry, Mama’s got you;” and, finally, I imagined, “Here, hold my hand, and we’ll all stay together.” It was a very sweet picture of a young, loving mother nurturing and protecting her family, letting them know she loved them and that they would be ok as long as they were together.
I have often thought of that young family, especially when I encounter a very different family situation when I am out in public! Not all families are loving and sweet, of course. Some parents allow the emotions and stresses of the moment to cause them to lash out in anger at their children, sometimes speaking hurtful words to their young ones.
Those young mothers started the same, as innocent babies in their mama’s loving arms. And yet, this life on earth changes and distorts us and seems destined to keep us from our best!
The Apostle wrote a letter to a young pastor named Titus and encouraged the young preacher to remind those in his church to remember that they were not always Christians, living a righteous life. Evidently, the Christians, who had grown in the faith and whose lives had improved, had become critical of their neighbors who were still living under the reign of sin in their lives. Paul reminded their pastor to challenge them all by saying, “Remind them to be obedient. . . uncontentious, showing every consideration for all men, for we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.” (3:2-4) He went on to say that Jesus “saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done. . . but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit. . . .” (3:5)
Do you see what Paul was saying? He challenged the Christians to be gracious and kind to sinners because they were just like them before they Jesus saved them! The Christians were in no position to criticize sinners because the only reason they were different was because Jesus had changed them!
This is just one of the great messages of the Gospel – God loves us, even in our sin! And, when we turn from our sin and follow Jesus, He will forgive us, ‘clean us up,’ and help us to live better lives. Our faithfulness defines us, not our sin; because of our faith in Jesus, we have another chance at life!
Jesus can help us after we fall. If you are aware of your sin, which is holding you down in life, let me encourage you to pray to Jesus. Ask him for mercy and forgiveness, and turn your life over to him. He will cleanse your heart, begin the process of rebuilding your life, and shower your life with blessings. This is the wonder of the Gospel!
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 watching. We will see you next week.