CHARACTER QUALITY # 3 - COMMITMENT

Scripture:  1 Peter 4:12-19

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"  So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

On Sunday Oct. 31, I will portray Martin Luther on the 493^rd anniversary of his nailing the 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg, Germany which ultimately resulted in the Protestant reformation.  “Martin” will share a brief synopsis of his life and speak about the five fundamental principles of the reformation: Sola scriptura, Sola fide, Sola gracia, Solus Christus and Soli Deo Gloria and his commitment to follow Jesus no matter what the cost.

(Side Note:  Those who read this, would you wear your Sunday best this Sunday – whatever that is for you; a suit and tie or your clean jeans. It will help create the atmosphere of 16^th century worship.)

Who is an example to you (living or dead) who shows what it means to live a life committed to Christ and his church?

ENCOURAGEMENT - CHARACTER QUALITY # 2

Scripture text:  Hebrews 10:19-25

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

There are many in the scripture who show the quality of encouragement, but no one more so than Barnabas.  Below is a scripture related to Barnabas as an encourager:

Acts 4:32-37

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.  With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.  There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.  Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.

Besides your spouse, who has been an encouragement in your life and how so?  (Maybe someone who is an encouragement today or someone from your distant past.)  How did they encourage you?  Why would encouragement be seen as an authentic Christian character trait?  What is encouragement?

EXTRA:  Is there any one you would like to say an encouragimng word to through this blog?

From Pastor to Church: I want to encourage you all as the church with heart - your caring through in house ministries and out of house mission work around the community and throughout the world is praise worthy.  Thank you for being the awesome church you are.

WISDOM - CHARACTER QUALITY # 1

I have had a few moments of quiet in the midst of all that is going on with Gretchen's illness and her and Gary's move happening in the next few days.  The result is what you see below.  The scripture text out of Job has amazing things to say about wisdom, as does the entire book of Job.

What strikes you most as you read this text?  Does it answer any questions for you or make you ask any?  Following the text are four questions about wisdom - how would you answer any, or all of them?

CHARACTER QUALITY # 1 WISDOM

Job 28:12-28

But where can wisdom be found?  Where does understanding dwell? 13 Man does not comprehend its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living. 14 The deep says, 'It is not in me'; the sea says, 'It is not with me.' 15 It cannot be bought with the finest gold, nor can its price be weighed in silver. 16 It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir, with precious onyx or sapphires. 17 Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it, nor can it be had for jewels of gold. 18 Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies. 19 The topaz of Cush cannot compare with it; it cannot be bought with pure gold.

20 "Where then does wisdom come from?  Where does understanding dwell? 21 It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds of the air. 22 Destruction and Death say, 'Only a rumor of it has reached our ears.' 23 God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells, 24 for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.  25 When he established the force of the wind and measured out the waters, 26 when he made a decree for the rain and a path for the thunderstorm, 27 then he looked at wisdom and appraised it; he confirmed it and tested it. 28 And he said to man, 'The fear of the Lord — that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.'"

WISDOM: What is it?

WISDOM: Where can I find it?

WISDOM: How do I get it?

WISDOM: What do I do with it?

From the Heart, Pastor Jeff

WISDOM

   My deepest apologies - we are just beginning this new blogging adventure and I will be behind a day or two.  We have had Gretchen in the ER the past two afternoon/evenings.  She has been very ill with an elevated white blood count.  Due to moving preparations and their one car in for auto body work, there have been times I have been the only one to care for her.
   This week I plan to look at wisdom - right now I pray for strength and healing.
   Gary could really use help moving over the next couple of days - loading the truck - if you could spare a few hours call my cell 320-6005.
   Now - if you have anything to say or any questions to ask on the every generic - at this point - subject of wisdon, I would love to hear them.

From the heart,
Pastor Jeff

2011 Church Theme Introduction

The following is our scripture for 10-10-10

1 Corinthians 3:10-17

By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

            16 Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple.

This is the scripture for our new theme.  If you truly haven’t heard what the theme is for the rest of 2010 and most of 2011 – take a guess based on nothing but the scripture above.  HINT: We all can do it if we want to, and there are plenty of people to show us the way.  Give it your best guess and post it in this blog – I think the new 2011 theme for the First Baptist Church is…