by Pastor Rick | Aug 5, 2024 | Click Date to Respond
Good morning MABC family!
I want to begin by thanking our Vacation BibleSchool volunteers this morning. We had a great Saturday that only could have happened with our volunteers. Given that last Sunday’s message focused on community and being of one accord it was such a blessing to have you all there.
Yesterday we followed Peter’s journey from the fisherman picked to lead Jesus’ revolutionary movement to his bold sermon on Pentecost. The thing that struck me the most in working on that message is how much my journey was similar to Peter’s. Early on my faith life was a series of ups and downs just like Peter. I was in and then I was idle in my faith only to be “in” again. And then out again and finally found my calling. Maybe your faith life has been similar and I would bet it has been. The extremes may not have been as dramatic but you have had your moments.
Peter’s transformation has become very noticeable in Acts 2. Remember the last images we have of Peter are denying Jesus and then after the resurrection, without Jesus’ constant physical presence, he kind of gave it all up and went back to fishing. Now, the same Peter who denied Jesus three times now stands boldly before a large crowd of Jews from all over the world. He speaks and later on in chapter 2 we are told that the people are asking “what do we need to do?” Finally, we are told that 3000 people became followers that day. What a transformation!
In my reading last week I came across a great example of the transformation process. It was a magnet! When something becomes magnetized, it doesn’t change shape or size but is changed internally. Something happens within that changes its relationship with other items. That change means the object relates to other objects differently now. That is a good example of the spirit filled transformation that we go through when we decide to follow Jesus. Physically we make look the same but there is something about our nature and character that is different. And when I say different, I mean that in a good way. There should be a notable change in the way we treat people. We should see things differently and react to things differently. Our thoughts, words and actions should have “kingdom purpose.”
One caution for you in becoming that “magnetic” presence for Jesus. Sometimes magnets repel rather than attract. So, it will be for us too. I will attract some people and repel some people as will you. This is why the community of church is so important if we want to reach all people.
I will not be in the office this week as Sherry and I are taking some time off. In an emergency don’t hesitate to call. I will be checking email as well.
Be blessed and be a magnet for Jesus for this week!
Pastor Rick
by Pastor Rick | Jul 29, 2024 | Click Date to Respond
Hey all,
It is a big week! We were busy making preparations and decorating today for our one-day vacation bible school coming up this Saturday. We want the Fellowship Hall area to be a fun and exciting place to be for our kiddos this Saturday. Afterall, we have a fun and exciting message for them. They need to know that the Creator of the Universe created them and that they are his Masterpiece!
Vacation Bible School is a church inreach/outreach event that can only be done by a community of believers known as “the church.” Again, it is the people who are the church, not the brick and mortar building. Off of the top of my head I think we have about 25 volunteers for Saturday. There are people involved in the general assembly, making crafts, sharing snacks, teaching the lessons, playing games, serving lunch, handling registration and some doing whatever needs to be done. Remember, we have been empowered and gifted by the Holy Spirit for mission and to benefit one another.
I want to reinforce Sunday’s message about the significance of community. All of us need to step up our game when it comes to fulfilling the Great Commission and being Jesus’ witnesses. And, yes, that includes me! On Sunday I challenged you to do better at handing out our new evangelistic invite cards. Well, I messed up! I went out to eat with another couple. As per my habit, I asked the waitress if she needed us to pray for anything as we blessed our meal. She said she could use prayers for the baby she was expecting. It is due at the end of the month but they might induce early because of blood pressure issues. So, please keep Stephania and her baby in your prayers. Now that was all good except that I forgot to pull out the invite card I had put in my shirt pocket. I promise you I will make that a habit just as asking them if they need prayer is a habit.
How about you? Can you do better? Have you even handed out one of the cards? Would all of you promise to hand out at least one this week? We call all do better and it starts with me.
Have a blessed week!
by Pastor Rick | Jul 22, 2024 | Click Date to Respond
Good Monday Morning,
In yesterday’s message I shared with you that our hope should not be placed in man. Man, who is fallible will never be able to fulfill all of your needs. As a husband, I will never be able to meet all of my wife’s needs and I will at times let her down. If you don’t believe me, just ask her! In the same way she will never meet all of my needs. Again, just ask her! When we married, we agreed to put our hope and trust in Jesus knowing that we are imperfect people and will occasionally hurt each other. Every human relationship has that issue.
I was working at church after worship yesterday because I was doing the 3:00 pm chapel service at Prairie Homestead. I didn’t want to drive home to Augusta and then make another round trip. After chapel service I checked my phone and saw that President Biden had ended his reelection campaign. At that moment, about half of America felt betrayed and hurt while the other half cheered. That is the division of politics. Those who put their hope in Biden have had their hope dashed.
As followers of Christ, we should be anchored in the hope that is Jesus. Hebrews 6:19-20 assure us of this hope:
This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Jesus is working on our behalf always and forever…that’s what eternal means. He is interceding on our behalf daily, even minute by minute. He has our best interests in mind at all times. We may not always understand his work but the author of Hebrews declares it to be strong and trustworthy.
If you have put your hope in men and politics, you are not alone. Even after spending a few years with Jesus and listening to his teachings, the disciples struggled with this very issue. He tried to teach them Kingdom things before his crucifixion and even afterwards. Luke says he spent his last 40 days trying to get through to them. Yet, in verse 6 of Acts 1, they still wonder if he is going to make Israel the national power it once was.
There are people in our neighborhood, in our city, our state and beyond…to the uttermost ends of the world who need the hope we have in Jesus. If you declare yourself to be a follower of Christ, you are to “be His witness.” Not should be, may be or could be. “You WILL be my witnesses” Jesus declares in Acts 1:8.
Remember, we serve an eternal King who wants us to join him in eternity where the world will once again be perfect. That’s the King…and hope…that I put my trust in. I pray that you do too.
Have a blessed week.
P.R.
by Pastor Rick | Jul 15, 2024 | Click Date to Respond
Good Monday Morning MABC family and friends!
What a great weekend other than the heat! Sherry and I thoroughly enjoyed our first “Market Place” event at church. While raising a little over $1600 for youth camping is good, for us connecting with our neighborhood was very exciting! We saw a lot of people go through the facility, there were over 183 sales tickets and most likely – counting families – contact in some form with around 500 people. Awesome!
Sunday was really our stepping off point into the Book of ACTSion and it was fun. As I studied I tried to put myself in the mindset of one of the disciples. How would I have felt at that time? When Jesus said to wait? When he vanished into the heavens after giving us the Great Commission and saying he would be with us? Until the end of the ages? And be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria? I imagine they thought they wouldn’t make very good witnesses in Jerusalem and Judea because of all the political pressure following Jesus’ crucifixion. They probably wondered how in the world they could be good witnesses in Samaria. It isn’t like Jews and Samaritans are in a great relationship after all. Why would they listen to us?
Setting aside that you have the Bible and know how things go, what would your thoughts have been? Would you have gladly gone back to Jerusalem and just hang out waiting for the Holy Spirit as Jesus promised? He didn’t give them much of a timeline other than in a “few days.” Hang out in Jerusalem where Jesus was just crucified…hmmmm…let’s see. That’s my idea of a vacation! I can imagine them thinking that they might be next! And on top of that, as I said Sunday, I am not waiting 30-45 minutes at any restaurant and I really don’t think I could have waited for a few days to get my “special powers.” If Jesus isn’t with us and we don’t have his mentoring, why wouldn’t I want to go back to something I know and am comfortable with? Like fishing?
Things change when they get the Holy Spirit though. Jesus told them in John 14 that he was going to leave them but he wouldn’t leave them as orphans. The Holy Spirit will come and the Spirit will teach you and remind you of all that I have said. In John 16 Jesus tells the disciples the Spirit will teach them all truth. It’s coming! Wait for it…wait. And when they wait and then the spirit comes, the world begins to turn upside down (Acts 17:6) From the moment they returned to Jerusalem after the angels said “snap to it,” we are told they met together constantly in prayer.
Are you doing that? Are you constantly in prayer? Are you a member of a small group that you can pray with? We aren’t going anywhere without two things. The first is prayer. The second is the Holy Spirit. Once we get that down, you will feel more emboldened to hand out the witness cards I gave you! No “ifs, ands, or…buts!” (That last line will make more sense on Sunday!)
I handed out one card yesterday at lunch? How about you?
P.R. (Be sure to check out Les’ email for all the activities!)
by Pastor Rick | Jul 10, 2024 | Click Date to Respond
Good Monday Morning MABC family,
It is nice to greet you without having to warn you to be safe due to extreme heat and humidity! Enjoy the cooler temps today!
Now to see if you paid attention this past Sunday as we started our deep dive into Luke and the Book of Acts! Who were the two books addressed to? Why did Luke write his gospel and then the Book of Acts (if he indeed wrote Acts)? Same purpose? Different purposes?
As we go through this Book of Acts, I want to remind you once again to spend some time in the Gospel of Luke. These two books are best read one after the other. This coming Sunday I will give you some examples of how they fit together. We will look at Acts 1:4-11 for sure and maybe a little more as I flesh out the sermon this week. If you want to read ahead, here are some questions I am going to be looking at:
Why is the “gift” that the Father is sending them so important that they must wait for it? What do you think the disciples were asking when they asked Jesus about restoring the kingdom of God? What words of wisdom (or admonishment) do the angels give to the disciples? What do these questions have to do with us today?
I want to remind you of a couple of important outreach opportunities. Marketplace this Saturday. It is my understanding that first contact with some of the new families attending took place last year at Marketplace. It took about a year but they are here! We never know who we will engage this Saturday that may join us in worship and community at a later time. It is also a good fundraiser for our youth and children for camps. This year we don’t have anyone going to camp. Next year I hope to have some “campers” from MABC. Sherry has told me that we now have had about 15 different kids who have attended Kids’ Konnect during worship on Sundays.
Please take a moment to read Les’ MABC update this morning and pay particular attention to the school supply announcement. This could be a great outreach opportunity as well. We will share info about the supplies to those who come this Saturday. Parents will be told that any child that comes to our one-day Vacation Bible School (Aug. 3) will get school supplies. Our kids will get their supplies as usual. Any additional supplies will be shared as part of our new partnership with Lawrence Elementary school.
One more thing to update you on as well. You can now catch our Sunday worship service on YouTube. Search MABC Video and you should be able to find it. It will look better than our previous Facebook live attempts in that we have two cameras and the sound will be greatly improved. The sound is still a work in progress as we try to get the livestream mix just right. It is completely different feed than what you and I hear in the Sanctuary on Sundays so any suggestions are welcome.
Have a blessed week! Pray for our church family, use your bulletin notes! Pray for Saturday that God would move in our community through us!
Pastor Rick
by Pastor Rick | Jul 1, 2024 | Click Date to Respond
Good Monday Morning!
Well, looks like I will begin this edition of the MMR by encouraging you to be safe again! Heat index for today and tomorrow look to be in the 105 degree range. Stay hydrated and choose your time wisely for outdoor activities.
I am so excited to dig in to the Book of Acts. It has everything in it you could think of…history, drama, intrigue, political machinations and on and on. Although those things make for great story telling, the most important focus is the theme. Luke isn’t looking to give us any kind of model to follow. Acts isn’t a leadership organizational model for us to copy nor is it an evangelism program that we can cut and paste for MABC. Luke intends to show us how God worked in and through the early church to bring about his plan of redemption for all of mankind. Along the way we will see that the early church was pretty much powerless according to worldly standards but because of the Holy Spirit, they had revolutionary power. That same revolutionary power is available to us if we are willing to commit ourselves to the “cause” and make ourselves available.
The Book of Acts appears to be a standalone account if we just go by its location in the Bible. However, if we dig in a little deeper, we can see that it is really a continuation of Luke’s gospel. In the opening chapter of the gospel we are told that Luke is writing to Theophilus so that he may know that the things he – Theophilus – has been taught about Jesus’ life and ministry were true. In Acts, Luke addresses Theophilus once again but this time to show how Jesus’ life and ministry affected the Christian church. We will look at the revolutionary message of Jesus and how the early church carried out Jesus’ command to take it to all nations. Along the way, there will be opposition from religious factions, especially the Jews, and local governments as well as the Roman government.
We live in a world that is very divisive in just about everything you can think of…politics, religion, ethnicity, immigration, and economics. You name it and there seems to be very little that people can agree on. As a result, people are feeling hopeless. Good news is that we have the message of hope. One of the things important to note in Luke’s gospel is that he identifies many of the people Jesus connected with. Luke gives more attention to children than the other gospel writers and he addresses Jesus’ relationships with the poor and oppressed. Luke portrays Jesus as an actual person concerned with “seeking and saving” those who had no hope. He wants to tell the story of Jesus and the Church because of the joy, hope and salvation found in him. We have a sure hope and his name is Jesus (Heb. 6:19-20). Let’s share that hope.
Prepare yourself! Let’s reclaim our part in the revolution.
Pastor Rick
