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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
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Sunday Feb 04, 2024
Sunday Feb 04, 2024
Just last week, I attended one of my grandson’s basketball games – it was sheer joy! My grandson is a tall boy for seven years and talks a big game when the subject of basketball comes up.
He just knows he’s going to be a big star when he grows up and that his height will be a major plus for him. (His father is 6’7”, so he has a good idea that he will be very tall when grown).
After hearing him talk and knowing how much he wanted us to come to see him play, I just knew I was going to be impressed and walk out of the gym, glowing with pride in my grandson’s abilities and future on the court!
The game was a blast to watch! My grandson ran and jumped and even made a basket.
He was so excited when he made the basket that he forgot all about the game and simply stood in the middle of the court looking our way, making sure we saw what he had done. The players got the rebound and ran down the court, and my grandson, still excited and beaming with pride, completely missed the next play. We laughed and laughed! The rest of the game was similar – my grandson ran with the ball (sometimes!). He occasionally got confused and ran in the wrong direction. Sometimes, he played defense when he was supposed to play offense; over and again, he stood and watched the game, forgetting that he was supposed to be going after the ball; it was hilarious! He was doing his best, of course; it was just that, right now, his best wasn’t making his coach very happy – but he was bringing great joy to our hearts. He wasn’t the best on the court (yet), but he was playing hard, giving it all he had, and we were so proud of him! When the game was over, we yelled and hugged and said over and over to the budding athlete, “Good job!”
The reason I tell you this story is because my grandson was doing his best – he was being a ‘good steward’ of his gifts and abilities and a ‘good steward’ of his life.
In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 12, Jesus tells a parable about one that he called a “sensible steward.” He said this, “Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time? Blessed is that slave when his master finds so doing when he comes.” vv.42-43 In Jesus’ day, a ‘steward’ had extraordinary abilities in managing a business or a wealthy man’s estate. Often a slave, this person served in a position of great honor and importance. In terms of power and authority, stewards were usually number 2 in the household, just under the owner!
Jesus was explaining to his followers that He wanted them to be ‘sensible stewards’ of all that God had given them. Money, talents, abilities, intellect, even their very lives – it was all a gift from God to be used well and for God’s Kingdom! Moreover, when a Christ-follower lived as a sensible steward, God would bless them in ways they could never anticipate!
Living your life as a ‘sensible steward’ means that you discern the gifts that God has placed into your life, such as a particular talent or ability or even material possessions, and develop and use those gifts to serve God and his kingdom. The message of the Gospel will be shared, people’s needs will be met, and God will be glorified.
Let me encourage all here to choose to become a ‘sensible steward.’ God will use you and bless you. And, you will please your Father-God and make him so proud of you. You might even hear him say, “Good job,” just like my grandson!
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.
Sunday Jan 28, 2024
Sunday Jan 28, 2024
For the last few weeks, I’ve spoken about ‘Scary Church;’ these churches failed their members by not teaching them proper biblical teachings and practices and not leading them in the past of discipleship. These were ‘scary churches’ because the Christians were either uninterested or incapable of sharing their faith and representing their faith in the presence of others!
Today, though, I will talk to you about a different type of ‘scary’ church – a church that takes its responsibilities of training Christians seriously and leading them on a path of discipleship, and service. Let me begin with a true story, as told by a popular campus minister several years ago:
In the past, William Willimon, the Campus Minister at Duke Ministry, told of an intense phone call with a student’s father. The father had complained that his daughter, a bright student with a bright future in the business world, had decided to change her life’s plan and become a missionary to Haiti, an impoverished nation between Cuba and the Dominican Republic. He screamed in anger, “I hold you responsible for this!” What follows is a brief recounting of the conversation:
Willimon asked him, “Why me?” The father stated clearly, “Because you ingratiated yourself and filled her mind with all this religious stuff.” The minister asked the father, “Sir, weren’t you the one who had her baptized?” He replied, “Well, well, well, yes.” “And didn’t you take her to Sunday School when she was a little girl?” “Well, well, yes.” “And didn’t you allow your daughter to go on those youth group ski trips to Colorado in high school?” “Yes. . . what does that have to do with anything?” “Sir, you’re the reason she’s throwing it all away. You introduced her to Jesus. Not Me!” The exasperated father exclaimed at this, “But all we wanted was a Presbyterian.”
The minister closed the conversation by saying, “Well, sorry, sir, you messed up. You’ve gone and made a disciple!”
That is the result of a ‘scary’ church! An individual who takes their faith seriously seeks God’s call on their life and then, if necessary, sacrifices their former plans to follow God’s leading – no matter what!
That is the result of a scary church, and that is the result of a scary faith – a faith that disrupts one’s life plans and leads them to a life of sacrifice, and service. . . and blessing! Jesus said this in one of his sermons, in Matthew 10:37 ff: “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me, and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
And he who does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.
He who has found his life shall lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake shall find it.”
Jesus fully intended for us to be a part of a scary church that taught us to follow Him and to become a scary Christian who would stop at nothing to follow Him. History has shown that scary Christians are an often unstoppable force behind some of God's greatest movements in history! Let us all be diligent in the practice of our faith and choose to be obedient to God’s call every day.
You can best support our Ministry by sharing these videos with your friends and family.
We also need your financial contributions to make our ministries possible. You can contribute online at https://firstbaptistofindependence.aware3.net/give/
Thank you for listening. We will see you next week!
Sunday Jan 21, 2024
Sunday Jan 21, 2024
Several years ago, I mentioned in a sermon that I liked to keep old service manuals for all my vehicles. I used them often and wanted to keep them in case another similar vehicle needed service. I mentioned this fact in a sermon because I likened the Bible to a ‘service’ manual for living the Christian life. We needed to read and study it and, at times, go over it word-for-word to help us ‘fix’ a problem or at least recognize that something needed to be done.
Interestingly, later that week, I had a call from one of the deacons in our church who had heard me mention several of the old manuals I kept in my garage; he asked me if I still had the manual and could borrow it!
Even though the manual was several decades old, my deacon friend had a vehicle that would be covered in that book, and he needed help figuring out a problem. Of course, I loaned it to him, enabling him to fix his old vehicle.
(He asked me if I would sell the manual to him; I explained with a smile, “No Way!” We both had a good laugh and, for a long time, would talk about old vehicles and the old manuals that went with them).
My approach to vehicle and appliance manuals is
one that can be applied to our Bibles!
The Bible contains good information about God, man, and the predicaments we get ourselves into.
There are also many instances where, if we pay attention to what God teaches us in scripture, our lives will be better, and we might even be able to avoid some of the negative experiences that others have in their lives.
In one passage in the Bible, the Apostle Paul was writing a letter to a young pastor who was facing a congregation struggling with sin, bad habits, and the struggles that can come to those who resist godly counsel. Paul told this young pastor, “But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them and that from childhood, you have known the sacred writings that can give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.” II Timothy 3:13-15
Paul was acutely aware of how people would often choose to live and suffer for their actions. So, he encouraged the young pastor to be strong in his faith and keep up teaching biblical teachings, showing his people how to apply spiritual truth to their lives. When they did this, their lives would be better, their relationships would generally improve, and God would be more likely to bless their lives.
We are currently in a sermon series entitled, ‘A Scary Church,’ and I think that a church that doesn’t try to teach God’s Word may be scary! Not because the people there are bad or sinful, but because if the Word of God is not taught and applied in people’s lives, the results can be terrifying!
Let me encourage you to study the Word of God and learn to think “Christian” and live “Christian” daily. You will be different, your life will be better, and God will bless your life!
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 possible. 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 Jan 07, 2024
Sunday Jan 07, 2024
I had a conversation with a young mother recently that gave me pause.
The young woman, a successful entrepreneur and mother, expressed her concern about her two young children, ages 3 and 10. They were bright, healthy, and seemed okay but had no interest in school, reading, or books. They played on their electronic devices for hours at a time and were doing "ok" in their classes at school. Her concern was that something was wrong with them and that they would not do well in school in the future if something did not change. I assured her that her children seemed bright and would do well if she nurtured and encouraged them in their development.
The mother's face brightened, and she asked me what I thought she could do to help her kids because, as she said, she "really wanted them to do well in school." I then asked her how often she reads to her children and if she has ever tried to create a 'learning environment' for her kids. When she asked what that meant, I explained that a learning environment included several things. Here are a few of the things I mentioned to her: A house with books the kids could read and look at in various places around the house; A structured time, several times a week, where they would all sit in the same room and look at books, and practice reading, and even making regular trips to the library, to check out age-appropriate books for the children to read. I said that one of the most important things she could do was to read to her kids regularly: children's books, Bible stories, and even stories from American history that would interest them and even lead them to ask questions. As I spoke, her forehead wrinkled up, and she made it clear she was not interested in these activities. She said she did not like to read herself and would instead just let the kids figure things out on their own as they watched learning games on their iPads or computers. I was flabbergasted!
The sad truth is, if kids are not encouraged to learn and read, they probably will not! Parents are to value their children's development and work to encourage, teach, and expose them to good influences. It takes years for a parent to nurture their children! It is just one part of a caring mother or father's role in preparing their kids for life after childhood!
Interestingly, as I heard myself explain this to my young friend, I thought of how any good church functions. More than just a place to worship God and pray, a healthy church is a place that nurtures its people, teaches them what the scriptures teach and how to apply those teachings to life, and encourages them to develop in the practice of their faith! Here is one passage that comes to mind:
Speaking of the people God has brought into the faith, Paul says this: "And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers. . . As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ." Ephesians 4:11-14
This is God's plan for the church; it is the way Father – God has determined to raise his people, who have pledged to live as followers of Jesus!
A healthy church will take this seriously and will produce 'children' who can read and understand scripture, think for themselves, and resist the cultural trends and temptations they might encounter in our sin-tainted world. It is not an easy task, but when taken seriously, it is a task that can produce young men and women who can live out their faith in a way that honors God, helps them in this life, and enables others to discover that life that is in Jesus.
A church that does not take this seriously but instead spends its energies on entertainment and making people feel good is a dangerous church. It leaves its people helpless in their battle against sin and unaware of the spiritual dangers of this world.
Let us all learn, develop our faith, and face this world with faith!
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 possible. 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 Dec 31, 2023
Sunday Dec 31, 2023
We always want everyone to be happy – especially in the Christmas season!
We hope and pray that people are healthy, that no families will experience the loss of loved ones or accidents during this time of celebration, that children, especially, receive gifts that give them joy, and that they will be safe and secure with their families.
We want that to be the case – but it does not always happen, does it? In my small circle of concern, involving my family and friends, my church congregation, and the families that attend our Child Care ministry, I see a mix of good and bad experiences in life.
Some are healthy and happy, but there are others: one family is struggling to recover from the loss of their father earlier this year; another family bears the burden of their young mother’s struggle with life-threatening cancer, and the miserable treatments that now drain her of all her energy. Sadly, in the last two weeks, we have experienced the loss of 3 members in our church to the ravages of cancer and old age.
This is all to say that no matter who you are or your age or faith, life on this earth can be challenging! And, no matter how hard you try to ‘keep it together’ and do everything right, chaos sometimes comes into our lives, and we are left to deal with it! This is how Joseph and Mary felt as they experienced the events surrounding Jesus’ birth.
Mary was very young and unmarried, yet she was with child. There was fear and uncertainty, of course, and let us not forget that people in small towns gossip and judge! Joseph’s family probably wanted him to get rid of his young and pregnant bride-to-be, but he was committed to her. And then, on top of this situation, the government decreed that he and others would make the journey to their family’s hometown, which in Joseph’s case meant a walk with a pregnant young girl nearly 90 miles over rugged terrain!
There were visits from strangers after Jesus was born, both shepherds and Magi from another land, and then the warning that came in a dream to Joseph – get out of town, now! Herod, their ruler, wanted to kill the baby Jesus because he was supposedly the young “King of the Jews,” and therefore, a threat to Herod!
They had to pack their bags, leave for Egypt, an unfamiliar land, and wait for word of Herod’s death; then, they could go home. Talk about chaos!
Amazingly, though, God got them through it.
They trusted and followed God’s plans and instructions for their lives, and they lived for many years and saw the fulfillment of the life of Jesus in both his death and resurrection. And in this life of chaos and uncertainty, they experienced God at work and felt the peace that only God could give.
This is just one of the great messages of the Advent Season! No matter how hard life is or what one’s circumstances are, God can work and bring about a sense of peace, purpose, and even security. Here is how the Apostle Paul spoke of this great truth just a few years after the resurrection. “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.” Philippians 4:6-7
As we go through the final days of the Advent Season and enter with hope and anticipation the new year, let us approach what comes with faith. God can help us and give us peace that defies explanation. God is with us!
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 possible. 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 Dec 24, 2023
Sunday Dec 24, 2023
I guess my two youngest grandchildren said it best when asked what Christmas is all about: “Christmas is all about Jesus, and Santa Claus and decorations, and presents. And then, screaming while jumping up and down and with big smiles on their faces, ‘Christmas is about presents!’”
For a lot of us, the idea of presents seems to dominate most of our thoughts and actions during the Christmas season. We think about what we will buy, who we will buy for, how much we can or should spend, and then we sometimes worry if we have gotten the right gifts or the big question, “How am I going to pay for all these gifts?” It’s gotten a little out of hand if you ask me!
This Christmas season, let’s talk about the subject of Christmas gifts from a very different perspective. Instead of discussing what we will purchase for others, let’s discuss the ‘gifts of Christmas’ first mentioned in the Bible. You know, the event that started it all! Here is a short passage from the story of the Wise Men’s visit to the Christ-child: “And they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary, His mother; and they fell and worshiped Him; and opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11 These scholars and philosophers visited Jesus from a land far from Bethlehem; they did not understand everything about Jesus, but they knew He was a gift from God and would change the world. So, they brought him valuable gifts, perfect gifts, rich with meaning.
The gift of gold symbolized Kingship on earth.
Jesus was ‘King of the Jews,’ and they recognized his royal stature. He is the Eternal King overall, seated at the right hand of God on his throne. The gift of frankincense (a popular incense) was taken as a symbol of deity. Jesus was Messiah, the anointed one from God.
Christians later were taught by God that Jesus was ‘God in the flesh,’ “fully God and fully man.” The last gift of these Magi was an embalming oil, myrrh, which symbolized his coming death as part of his mission to earth. It was later understood that Jesus would conquer death through his resurrection; death would no longer be something to fear; it would also not be able to hold anyone down!
Other gifts have come out of the story of Jesus’ birth. We can call them “The Gifts of Christmas.” The first was a gift from God and was God’s greatest act of love.
God sent Jesus to us all to love and teach us but also to die for us. This loving gift offers us our salvation and eternal life – it could only come from God! Another gift of Christmas is the gift of grace, God’s favor towards us. God not only loves us; out of that love, He acts to save us, bless us, and give us hope – in this life and in the life to come.
The final gift of Christmas was a gift of ultimate value. The magi started it with their expensive gifts, ascribing great worth and value to Jesus. God wanted us to understand that He valued us so much that He would give the ultimate gift of Jesus to save us!
Let us all receive, with a thankful heart, the gifts of Christmas! These gifts come from God, who loves us and has given us the best and the most perfect gift. It is a gift of life, joy, and hope.
“Merry Christmas!”
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 possible. 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 Dec 17, 2023
Sunday Dec 17, 2023
When I was a fresh-faced kid in our local Boy Scout troop, my first camp-out came in early December. The leaders told us to "be prepared," so to me, that meant wearing a coat, bringing gloves, and buying the cheapest sleeping bag I could find. What a mistake!
That weekend's weather turned freezing, with a light covering of snow on top. I was freezing and found comfort only when standing beside the campfire. I couldn't wait to go to bed, knowing I would be warm and cozy in my new sleeping bag.
Much to my surprise, my new bag was not warm at all! It felt all warm and fuzzy at home on my bed, but it was worthless that first cold night in the tent! I literally shivered all night, and before the night was over, I had put all my clothes back on, including my coal. I was miserable, a bit afraid, and missed by Mom and Dad!
The next night was better: I borrowed a couple of blankets from a friend who had brought extras, put on extra socks, filled my pillowcase with rocks, and heated it in the campfire. I was much warmer that night and slept well. The warmth had made all the difference in the world!
There is a story in the Bible of a young couple who had an experience similar to how they felt. Mary and Joseph were engaged and had to make a trip to Bethlehem to take part in the government-mandated census. The night air in the desert was chilly; they were apart from their family and were afraid, as Mary was due to have her first child. They spent their nights in a stable with some animals, as all the rentals were full. Joseph did his best to comfort Mary and keep her comfortable and may have been able to build a small for warmth. It was a challenging situation! However, God worked to change things and comfort them during the night.
Mary had her baby, the baby Jesus, and the light and warmth of God's presence gave them peace and comfort. By morning, Mary was snuggled in bed with her new baby, the Christ-Child, and Joseph was thankful that God had blessed them as He had. They were in a cold place and afraid, but they had hope – they had made it through the night, their son was born, and he and his mother were healthy, and they both realized – despite the cold and darkness of the world, God had given them warmth and comfort, and hope for the future.
The story of the birth of Jesus is more than just a story of a child's birth, of course; it can also serve as a sort of 'parable' of our experiences on this earth. No matter how hard we try, we can find ourselves in difficult situations, feeling cold and even slightly afraid. These circumstances can come because of mistakes or choices on our part or someone else's actions; even a simple accident can affect us!
But, when we turn to God in prayer and trust Him to get us through, He has a way of giving us guidance and direction; sometimes, He even works to change the situation and encourage us somehow! When He does this, we can feel the warmth of his presence and experience His power at work in our lives. And, just like Joseph and Mary, we can gain a new perspective on our lives based on God's gracious and loving acts in our lives.
This Christmas, if you find yourself struggling with something and feeling alone in what can be a very cold world, turn to God and invite Him to work. He will be there for you and give you hope!
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 possible. 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 pag https://www.facebook.com/1stBaptist/
Thank you for listening. We will see you next week.
Sunday Dec 10, 2023
Sunday Dec 10, 2023
I am sure you have noticed how people act when ‘someone special’ walks into the room; it is something to see! This has recently been demonstrated as the wildly popular singer Taylor Swift has made a few appearances during Kansas City Chiefs football games. Swift, as you probably know, has been dating a Chiefs player, Travis Kelce, and has appeared at several of his games. She has been seen with Travis in various events and places and with the wife of the Chief’s quarterback, Patrick Mahomes. People have gone crazy! NFL viewership and ticket sales have gone up, searches on the Internet about Kelse and the Chiefs have numbered in the millions, and it seems that even Chiefs fans have gotten caught up in the excitement – just because a famous singer has visited!
I am not a big fan of Swift’s music, but many are. What interests me is the thrill of so many to know that ‘she might be here’ or to catch a glimpse of her, seated with Kelce’s mother or Mahome’s wife, almost a hundred yards away. Amazing!
One of the things that came to mind as all this was going on was that, in a very real way, mankind experienced a visit from someone even more special than Taylor Swift, especially many years ago. I am thinking of the visit of Jesus, the Christ-child, which began one cold desert evening in Bethlehem and lasted just over 33 years. Think about it: Jesus was literally “God in the flesh.” He had been with Father God in eternity and was God’s active agent (think ‘right-hand man’) in creation, and he came to draw man back to God. He was someone special!
This ‘Divine Visit’ of Jesus was more than just a high-class “meet and greet,” though. Jesus came to express God’s love to man in a way that could not be missed.
He healed the sick, made the blind see and the lame walk, and helped people sense the Spirit of God at work in this world. He was incredible! Unfortunately, though, many were offended by his presence and teachings, his utter dismissal of positions of power and influence, and what often passes for things of high value on this earth. Instead, Jesus taught people to be humble, gracious, loving, generous, and forgiving of all they encounter. He showed them how to treat the lowly and downtrodden and clarified that the ‘ways of man’ were seldom in line with the ‘ways of God.’ Finally, Jesus was murdered by those in power! They lied about him, beat him, rigged a court action against him, and hung him on a cross, a death reserved for those who were deemed evil and dangerous. Three days later, of course, was the resurrection! This event demonstrated God’s power over man, the governments of man, and of death itself. God brought him back from the dead as an act of victory: Jesus had won the battle of good versus evil!
That was quite a visit! Interestingly, to this day, hundreds of millions of Christ-followers gather every week to worship the man Jesus, this ‘God in the flesh’ who visited earth. Christians gather on Christmas to celebrate his birth and on Easter to celebrate his resurrection. His visit really was a wonderful thing!
This Christmas season, let us all take a moment to celebrate the ‘Divine Visit’ that was the birth, life and death, and resurrection of Jesus. His ‘Divine Visit’ really was special!
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 possible. 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 Nov 26, 2023
Sunday Nov 26, 2023
I recently purchased a pickup from an individual in a neighboring community, and all went well. I took a test drive, looked over the vehicle, agreed on a price, and shook hands on the purchase. Then, after I had made the necessary financial arrangements, we signed papers, filled out forms, and transferred the cash from my hands to his. All in all, it was a good process, and everybody won.
He delivered a good product, and I paid him the agreed-upon money. As the children’s stories say, “And we all lived happily ever after!”
That is the way things are done, isn’t it? Interestingly, it has almost always been that way. The process of contracts and treaties has been around for thousands of years in one form or another, and when you follow the contract terms, everything is good. This goes for individuals, companies, states, and even nations. A contract is negotiated, terms are agreed upon, and everyone benefits!
This is similar to how God comes to us, offering us a way of life that comes with terms and ‘payment,’ even though there are no papers to consider!
In the Old Testament, God came to Abraham and offered him a covenant – something similar to a contract but more involved. God told Abraham that he would bless Abraham with a son, Isaac. Then, there would be an untold number of descendants and even the gift of a valuable piece of land. The challenge of this ‘Abrahamic Covenant’ required Abraham and his descendants to be faithful and loyal to God, make the necessary sacrifices, and follow his instructions for their lives. It seemed promising, of course, but there was one problem: Abraham and his descendants were not faithful and obedient to God!
The Covenant failed because people ‘broke the rules’ and went after other gods.
God understood that the old Covenant would never work because it depended on man’s efforts and obedience. So, in His wisdom, God offered another covenant, a ‘New Covenant,’ in which God did all the work – man needed only to receive it! This new Covenant was provided through Jesus and was made possible by Jesus’s sacrifice, death on the cross, and his perfect obedience to God. Jesus even references this Covenant when he spoke at the last meal he shared before his crucifixion. He said, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 8:28 Jesus understood and taught that his sacrifice on the cross was the basis for a new covenant that would replace the Abrahamic Covenant and be made available to anyone who wanted to enter a saving relationship with God!
This ‘New Covenant’ is not dependent upon our works and performance: it was to be based entirely upon God’s work of salvation through his son, Jesus, whose death made the payment for our sin. We must only receive the gift of forgiveness and new life from God. A life of faithfulness does not ‘earn’ us anything: we are to live for Christ to honor God, and share the message of Jesus to all who will listen. As Paul explained in a letter to the Ephesian church, “For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, that no one should boast.” 2:8-9.
There will always be contracts and agreements in this life, but the one agreement that can forever change your life is the New Covenant, offered to us through Jesus, God’s only son. Let me encourage you to trust God, receive the gift of new life, and enter the Covenant given by God himself!
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 possible. You can contribute online at https://firstbaptistofindependence.aware3.net/give/
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Sunday Nov 19, 2023
Sunday Nov 19, 2023
When I was a very young child, I would guess I was 7-8 years old; I heard my preacher say in a sermon, "If you're going to be the Christian God wants you to be, you have to stand on the Word of God." I thought that sounded good, even though I was not a Christian yet. I took that statement to mean that the Bible was very important and that there was something magical about 'standing on the Bible.' So, because I wanted to do what God wanted when it came time for the last song during the service, we all stood - with me standing on my Bible! I did not really understand what I was doing (I was just a child, after all), but that was an important part of my faith development because, on that day, it was established in my mind the notion that I needed to base my life on the Bible!
Fast forward 55 years or so, and I look back on a life dramatically affected by the Bible. The teachings God has given us in the Bible have encouraged and strengthened me, guided me in many of my life's decisions, and served me and my family well. In short, I am a better man, pastor, husband, father, (and grandfather!) because of my commitment to the teachings in the Bible and the Christ who is literally on every page. It has easily become the most important book in my life!
Interestingly, this Bible is, as modern Christians might say, "all about Jesus." The New Testament books, obviously, but even the Old Testament. As I said earlier, Jesus, the Christ, is on every page, even in the Old Testament!
Let me explain: In the New Testament, we have the record of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem and of the way he grew and developed into the man Jesus, whom we know as 'Messiah.' He grew and developed, and when he walked down the river where, his cousin, John the Baptist, who was baptizing people into lives of faith, recognized him. He shouted, loud enough so that everyone would hear, "Behold, the Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world." (John 1:29). John recognized Jesus' special place in the plan of God: He would be the one who would become the sacrificial lamb, that would take the burden of man's sin on his own shoulders, and give us all an opportunity of salvation.
In the Old Testament, there were many stories of God working through men of faith; in each of these stories, those who have been given the 'eyes of faith' can see Jesus. For instance, in Genesis 7, we read the story of Noah and the Ark. God would destroy mankind because of their sin, and He called on the one righteous man, Noah, to build an ark. He and his family, and pairs of all living things on the earth, would board this giant ship and survive a great flood that was to come. The floodwaters came and destroyed everything! After the waters receded, Noah and his family came and 'restarted' all humanity. Noah was recognized for his faithful obedience to God, bringing salvation to humanity. This story foreshadowed the work of Jesus on the cross! Jesus, a man of faithful devotion to God, was obedient to His call upon his life. God called him to service: it was the service of following God's plan for his life, which included both the crucifixion and resurrection. Jesus' death and resurrection, of course, was an act of an obedient man whom God used to bring about the salvation and 're-creation' of all humanity. The story of Noah and the Ark showed us how Jesus would save us all!
I had misunderstood that old preacher when I was a child when I literally stood on my Bible. However, I have learned He was right: when we 'stand on the Bible' and learn to follow the Messiah that is on every page, we can become the person God wants us to be and live our best life!
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.