Gathered Worship: Make It a Top Priority

It is God's will that every believer belong to a local church (1 Pet. 4:10-11).  By "belong" we mean faithful attendance (Heb. 10:24), service (1 Peter 4:10-11), and giving (Prov. 3:9).  This is so, in part, because the church is central in the purpose/plan of God for this present age (Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28).  Despite the church's many spots, blemishes, and wrinkles- Jesus loves the Church dearly- and so must we!

By God's design the ministries of a Word-centered assembly help believers grow and mature in the faith (Col. 1:28-29; Eph. 4:11-16).  In this regard the local church is like a spiritual umbilical cord.  

It is sinful for a professing believer to forsake the regular assembly of the gathered church (Heb. 10:24).  The Holy Spirit would never led a Spirit-filled saint to act in a manner contrary to the Word He inspired.  Family bible study or a home care group is no substitute for full fledged involvement in the life of the local church.  Anyone who suggests otherwise is reading a different New Testament.

"Preparing for corporate worship means making time and making choices. Worship, especially corporate worship, takes time. It takes commitment. We must set aside time to come. We need to guard our schedules and consider times of corporate worship a priority.

Listen to what the Word of God tells us about gathering together:  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (Hebrews 10:24–25).

Here the writer of Hebrews highlights the importance of regularly meeting together with the church. He also acknowledges that “neglecting to meet together” was a problem in the early church, and had even become a habit of some. The word used here in the Greek for meeting is episunagogen. We are not to neglect the “coming together,” “assembly” or “gathering” [synagogue].

Though we should daily encourage and pray for one another as we have opportunity to invest in each other’s lives, there is a measure of encouragement, participation and life in the church that cannot be attained or replicated apart from the regular assembly of God’s people in corporate worship. We need to hear God’s Word read and proclaimed together. We need to pray and sing God’s praise together. Listening to sermon recordings or broadcasts can’t replicate it. Singing worship songs along with your iPod can’t match it. We need to see and hear and know and feel the testimony of lives changed by the power of the Gospel, covenanted, unified and gathered together all in one place, in the same room, for His glory.

What church would say of you, “We know you love us”?

Dr. Don Whitney writes, "The New Testament repeatedly indicates that anyone who does not love the church does not belong to the church, that is, the body of Christ. In other words, anyone who does not love the church that Jesus loves is not a follower of Christ.

One of the best known verses in this regard is 1 John 3:14, “We know that we have passed out of death into life because we love the brothers.” The “brothers” here is an explicit reference to the church, to “brothers” (and sisters) in Christ, that is, those who comprise the church of Jesus Christ.

Similar is 2 John 1, “The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth.” The “elect lady” here refers to the church, likely to a specific local congregation of believers in Christ.

We might classify the viewpoints of everyone toward the church in four ways. First would be those who would explicitly say they do not love the church. This would include atheists and many of those who are adherents of non-Christian religions.

Second would be those who are indifferent to the church. They might not speak against the church with any frequency or vehemence, but neither do they speak of loving the church. On occasion they may speak with appreciation or respect for the church, but generally they never think of the church unless some item in the news brings the church into their consciousness.

These Entrust to Faithful Men, Who Will Be Able to Teach Others Also!

Lake Country Bible Men's Leadership- Track 1

The response to our men's leadership training and discipleship ministry at Lake Country Bible Church has been humbling and overwhelming both in terms of sheer quantity and in view of spiritual quality. Here is how you can partner with us in prayer.

In our opening super session I asked our band of brothers a series of questions.  A) Such as:  What are you guys thinking with regards to personal expectations and goals?  B) What do you hope to get out of these men’s leadership training and discipleship sessions?  C) Why did you sign-up?  D) Why this investment of sleep, time, and money?  E) In your estimation, what would a successful “class” look like?

Here is how the class answered.  I am confident these desires are of the Lord because they reflect the biblical ideals of Scripture.  Please join in praying that God would accomplish these 12 requests in the spirit of Col. 1:29; 1 Tim. 4:7-8; and Phil. 2:12-13.

1) We want to enjoy deeper fellowship with other brothers in Christ and to develop spiritual comradery.

2) We want to grow in the knowledge of God.

3) We want the Spirit to revive our hearts and to give us a deeper passion for Christ and a greater burden for lost souls.

4) We want the Lord to raise up another generation of Godly, Word-driven, Shepherd-leaders (organically).

5) We want to grow spiritually.

6) We want the Lord to strengthen our marriages and our families.  We want to learn what it means to be “exemplary husbands” that we might truly love our wives as the Lord Jesus Christ calls me to (per Eph. 5:22-33).

7) We hope to receive loving correction (Gal 6) in an individual way via our small group time.

Bright Lights in the Darkness! Profiles of Faithful Church Members

Ravi, Esther, Ron, and Mighty are choice servants of the Lord.  Their passion for Christ, evangelism, and the Scriptures is both refreshing and convicting.  Every time my family has fellowshipped with these dear saints we have gone away with a greater appreciation for the blood bought bride of Christ (the Church).

I am thankful that this wonderful Christian and faithful church member, who is such a bright light in our community, was recognized today by the Rockford newspaper.

This story reminds me that every vocation is a calling and a mission field.

READ the article by clicking on the link below:
Slice: Ravi Wilson Sandhyapagu gives back to Freeport through his work

http://www.rrstar.com/article/20150421/NEWS/150429964

Acknowledging Former Church Members in Celebration of 170 years!

This year marks the 170th Anniversary of the First Baptist Church of Freeport.  That means of course that every founding member has gone on to glory long ago.  As we prepare to celebrate the faithfulness of God and the provision of our Savior over 17 decades we felt it was also important for us to try and acknowledge the faithful ministry service of former church members who now serve the Lord in new contexts.  This letter will be sent out this week.

Dear friend(s) of First Baptist Church,

As many of you know 2015 marks the 170th anniversary of First Baptist, Freeport. In order to commemorate the faithfulness of God and His enduring Word Tim Zimmerman and the King’s Brass will be with us on July 1st at 7pm. Following a special concert of praise we will gather in the fellowship hall for a dessert fellowship. In view of this, we want to personally invite you and your family to join us for this milestone occasion.

Pure and Undefiled Religion: Profiles of Faithful Church Members

When you look up “faithful deaconess” in the Christian dictionary you will surely find the name Marilyn Van Drew.   As a faithful servant of the flock Marilyn has worked heartily unto the Lord often without any recognition.   For many decades, Marilyn has served our shut-ins and widows.  She has taken care of children in the nursery.   She has provided hospitality during our many funeral luncheons and fellowship meals.   She has served as the church librarian and the list goes on and on and on.  Mrs. Van Drew regularly clothes herself with the graces of Christ and consistently manifests Christ-like love which is the perfect bond of unity (Colossians 3:12-14).  Marilyn’s costly, selfless, other’s orientated mindset has deepened and sweetened the fellowship of First Baptist Church.   

Scripture exhorts us to render "honor to whom honor is due."  This morning we want to publicly recognize the beautiful legacy of Marilyn Van Drew.  

You Are Never Too Young To Serve the Lord! Profiles of Faithful Church Members

1 Timothy 4:12, Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.

This picture of Jordan Niesman is from 2010.  Jordan is a wonderful example of how youth can use their energy and talents to strengthen the local church.  I have pastored the First Baptist Church of Freeport since 2008 and have personally observed Jordan serve our church as an usher, a groundskeeper, a tech booth professional, a nursery volunteer, an Awana leader, and more recently, as a youth group helper. 

Jordan and his family love to serve God's people not only at Church they also serve folks in the community as well.  Jordan has blessed my family many times over.  In this regard, Jordan's testimony is an example to all of us who believe (per 1 Tim. 4:12).

As a young man Jordan has tried to live out the implications of Jesus' words in John 13:12-17.

And so when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments, and reclined at the table again, He said to them, Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master; neither is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. "If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

This summer Jordan will be ministering at a Christian camp in Wisconsin.  His absence will be felt in a big way and that is really the best commendation a church member can receive.  Jordan reminds all of us that you are never too young to serve the Lord!

 

You Are Never Too Old To Serve the Lord! Profiles of Faithful Church Members

1 Peter 4:10-11, As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

One of our oldest church members (93) reminds us all that you are never too old to serve the Lord.  Brother Ed recently lost his wife yet he continues to use his God-given talents to serve his Lord and Savior.  Brother Sincock plays at nursing homes, a number of local churches, and recently he even played hymns over at the Rockford Rescue Mission.

The Lord of the Church not only gives believers the Holy Spirit upon our conversion, He also gives each person special talents and grace gifts.  God gives a diversity of spiritual gifts for the unity of the body (per 1 Corinthians 12-14).  These gifts and talents can be employed in many different contexts but the primary stewardship location is the local church (notice the context of the vast majority of the New Testament 'one anothers').  To serve the flock or not serve the flock is not even a New Testament consideration (note 1 Peter 4:10-11).

Most of the senior saints at First Baptist have gone on to glory.  We have had over 60 funerals in the last fifteen years.  Those who remain are faithful examples to their pastor and fellow church members alike (Hebrews 13:7).  To God be the glory!