02.25.11

February 25, 2011

Pastor's Update

Keeping the Faith Family in the Loop

This Sunday 2.27.11    Family Finances (Billy) This Sunday we will be looking into Proverbs 6:1-11 and learning some basic principles in finance.  We want to drive home one major point: "If your outflow exceeds your inflow you'll have woe" This is a lesson every family, parent and child needs to learn.  Our teachers will be Mr. Ant and Mr. Lazybones.  Hope you can join us this Sunday morning. _______________________________________ Sunday Night Feb 27 Chris continues his series on the church . . .The Way! Ethan Calvert returned this week from his mission trip in PNG.  Thousands of years after the birth of the church, it is still very much alive and sending out young people to tell the world about Christ.  Chris will focus on the ministry of the Holy Spirit tonight as it relates to the church.  This Sunday at   (6 PM). _______________________________________    Join us for a brand new sermon series starting in March. . .  many of the great truths of the Bible simply make no sense to the culture we live in and in the new series we want to present these truths in a way that will help understand the Biblical viewpoint of life and why it seems like “Madness” to our world.  Join us as we take a closer look at some of the important truths of the Christian Faith. The Madness of the World   03.06.11 The Madness of Sin   03.13.11 The Madness of Salvation   03.20.11 The Madness of Holiness   03.27.11  ____________________________________________________________________    Around Faith Teens are away this weekend at Grace Bible Camp for a weekend retreat Praise the Lord Nancy Seabolt got a clear report from her tests-Just back from Wake Forest. They went to do my biopsy and they couldn't find anything. PTL Will have another PET scan in 3 months. Off the hook until then. Thanks for your prayers and encouraging words.--Nancy Mission Team yard sale is on the horizon, any spring cleaning going on at your house? One of the young boys from Boy's Home came up to me this week wanting to be baptized Deacon on Deck this month is  Howard Nicely 3 decisions in children's church last Sunday A. J. was sitting up reading a magazine this week, amazing turn of events Missionary of the week is Ernie Harmon in Mexico please pray for this dear servant of God We are on Facebook, help spread the word Just a reminder, please park in gravel area to make room for our guests Hope to see you this Sunday Don't forget our church web site where you can listen to sermons, catch up on the latest her at Faith, read the bulletin, read the prayer and praise sheet and many other things related to Faith.  Just follow this link to begin exploring: Faith Web Site Billy 1 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have struck hands in pledge for another, 2 if you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth, 3then do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor's hands: Go and humble yourself; press your plea with your neighbor! 4 Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids. 5 Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler. 6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! 7 It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, 8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. 9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest-- 11 and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man. Proverbs 6:1-11 Subscribe to Pastor's Update

Faith Baptist Church 311 Jackson Drive, Covington, VA 24426 Phone: (540) 962-6335

Ridicule Matthew 27:26-44

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Ridicule                                             Matthew 27:26-44

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People who try to whittle you down are only trying to reduce you to their size.

Two things can be bad for your heart—running upstairs and running down people.

                   In the last hours of Christ’s life here on earth, he received intense mocking and ridicule from his attackers. Why are mocking and ridicule such a part of our lives and why do we as Christians use this verbal venom to attack others?  We will see  in our  passage that each group had a unique motive for mocking Christ.  What motivates us to ridicule others?

1.  The soldiers were motivated by hatred
Matthew 27:27-31 (NKJV)
27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. 28 And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. 29 When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" 30 Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. 31 And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.
2.  The crowd was motivated by a sense of power
Matthew 27:39-40 (NKJV) 39 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, "You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross."
3.  The religious leaders were motivated by fear
Matthew 27:41-43 (NKJV) 41 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, 42 "He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. 43 He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, 'I am the Son of God.' "
4.  The thief was motivated selfishness
Matthew 27:44 (NKJV) Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing.
Luke 23:39 (NKJV) Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us."

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As long as you belittle, you will be little.--copied

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29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. 30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.                     Ephesians 4:29-32 (NLT)

02.17.11 Update

February 17, 2011 Pastor's Update Keeping the Faith Family in the Loop

This Sunday 2.20.11    Communication (Chris) 2.27.11    Family Finances (Billy) _______________________________________ Sunday Night Feb 20 Tonight!  (6 PM) Balancing the Christian Life continues, this series is based on the book by Charles Ryrie. “Should I Seek to Speak in Tongues?” What does the Bible say about this controversial subject? ·        If I don’t speak in tongues, have I been baptized in the Spirit? ·        Does every Christian have every spiritual gift? ·        Did tongues cease? ·    Tongues the most important spiritual gift?      ____________________________________________________________________     Join us for a brand new sermon series starting in March. . .  many of the great truths of the Bible simply make no sense to the culture we live in and in the new series we want to present these truths in a way that will help understand the Biblical viewpoint of life and why it seems like “Madness” to our world.  Join us as we take a closer look at some of the important truths of the Christian Faith. The Madness of the World   03.06.11 The Madness of Sin   03.13.11 The Madness of Salvation   03.20.11 The Madness of Holiness   03.27.11  ____________________________________________________________________   Around Faith Saw Douthat Lake frozen the other day, amazing sight Saw a red fox on our new property, beautiful animal 200 meals, $3,000 raised for Mexico Mission team Night in Rome was great (Steak Rules :) New Kids program got off to great start 40+ kids The Teen praise team has been great last couple of Sundays 144 people at church on Wednesday night A. J. 's father called this week to let us know he is sitting up (PTL) The checks went out this week to our missionaries ($406.00 each) Ethan Calvert is back from his mission trip safe and sound We are on Facebook, help spread the word Just a reminder, please park in gravel area to make room for our guests Hope to see you this Sunday Billy Psalm 100:1-5 (NKJV)  1 A Psalm of Thanksgiving. Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! 2 Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. 3 Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He whohas made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. 5 For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.

Faith Baptist Church 311 Jackson Drive, Covington, VA 24426 Phone: (540) 962-6335

February 10, 2011 Pastor's Update Keeping the Faith Family in the Loop

This Sunday 2.13.11    Submission (Billy) 2.20.11    Communication (Chris) 2.27.11    Family Finances (Billy) _______________________________________ Sunday Night Feb 13 The Way In the book of Acts, the early church was known simply as, “The Way.” Join us this Sunday night at 6pm as Chris Chesley begins a series looking at the origins of the church and the way in which the 21st century church can carry out the mission and intent of the 1st century church.     ____________________________________________________________________   Don't Forget "Night In Rome" This Saturday! (Fundraiser dinner for the Mexico Mission Team) Deacon Deck: Each of our deacons will be available for you to contact with concerns, prayer or ministry.  They will take the lead position on a monthly basis, this month Howard Nicely is serving as our "deacon on deck" We are beginning a trial run for our new children's church this Sunday Men's prayer breakfast this Saturday 7 AM at the church New Sermon Series coming in March: MARCH MADNESS Membership class 201 this Sunday at 2 PM in the orange room, this four hour class is for anyone interested in joining Faith Missionary of the week:Ronnie and Lou Anne Smith (church planters in Mexico) Please pray for A. J. Bogus who was involved in a serious accident at Mead-Westvaco this past week and is in ICU at the Roanoke Memorial Hospital ______________________________ REGRETS This past Wednesday night I was teaching on Regrets from Matthew 27 using the account of Judas as my text.  We got our students to fill out blank papers listing there biggest regrets and I was very moved by many of the responses, here are a few: Didn't spend enough time with my parents Waited too long to come to FBC Walking away from the Lord 30 years ago I regret not studying my Bible when I was younger Not going to the mission field Didn't continue education I wasted 30 years of my life before accepting Christ A wasted life I regret I didn't live a more godly life before my children Working while my children were still at home That I didn't get saved sooner These responses really moved me and made me realize that many of our fellow attenders at Faith are struggling with many regrets.  I am so thankful that Christ can set us free from our regrets and help us move on with our lives.  I hope anyone reading this update will find freedom in Christ and release from their regrets.  hope to see you Sunday at Faith Billy 1 Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithful love; according to Your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion. 2 Wash away my guilt and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I am conscious of my rebellion, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against You—You alone—I have sinned and done this evil in Your sight. So You are right when You pass sentence; You are blameless when You judge. 5 Indeed, I was guilty ⌊when I⌋ was born; I was sinful when my mother conceived me. 6 Surely You desire integrity in the inner self, and You teach me wisdom deep within. 7 Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice. 9 Turn Your face away from my sins and blot out all my guilt. 10 God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not banish me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore the joy of Your salvation to me, and give me a willing spirit. 13 Then I will teach the rebellious Your ways, and sinners will return to You. 14 Save me from the guilt of bloodshed, God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness. 15 Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. 16 You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it; You are not pleased with a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart. 18 In Your good pleasure, cause Zion to prosper; build the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on Your altar.                                                                                 Psalm 51:1-19 (HCSB)    Subscribe to Pastor's Update

Faith Baptist Church 311 Jackson Drive, Covington, VA 24426 Phone: (540) 962-6335

February 4, 2011 Pastor's Update Keeping the Faith Family in the Loop

This Sunday A new sermon series on the family 2.6.11      Spiritual Discipline (Chris) 2.13.11    Submission (Billy) 2.20.11    Communication (Chris) 2.27.11    Family Finances (Billy) _______________________________________ Sunday Night Feb 6    Join us for communion, I will be speaking on "Christian Meditation" Meditation means “the act of focusing one’s thoughts: to ponder, think on, muse.” Meditation consists of reflective thinking or contemplation, usually on a specific subject to discern its meaning or significance or a plan of action.  Some synonyms would be contemplation, reflection, rumination, deep thinking, or remembering in the sense of keeping or calling something to mind for the purpose of consideration, reflection, or meditation. Compare for instance the following verses of Scripture: Psalm 63:6 When I remember Thee on my bed, I meditate on Thee in the night watches, Psalm 77:11 I shall remember the deeds of the LORD; Surely I will remember Thy wonders of old. Psalm 78:42 They did not remember His power, The day when He redeemed them from the adversary, Psalm 143:5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Thy doings; I muse on the work of Thy hands.                                                                                              --J. Hampton Keathley, III Don't Forget "Night In Rome" Fundraiser dinner for the Mexico Mission Team Mark your calendars, 02.12.11 4-8 PM (Reservations at the Welcome Center)              "Deacon on Deck" Howard Nicely & wife Renada    Deacon on Deck: Each of our deacons will be available for you to contact with concerns, prayer or ministry.  They will take the lead position on a monthly basis, this month Howard Nicely is serving as our "deacon on deck" We are beginning a trial run for our new children's church this Sunday We wish to thank God for his blessings on our finances this month because of His blessing and your giving we can send our missionaries over $400 a piece this month New series in Chris' class on Wednesday night:Small Group Life (begins in March) Membership class 201 has been moved to February 13, please call the church office for details. Missionary of the week:Mark and Teresa Jacobsen (Haitians in South Florida)  ____________________________________________________________________ Please pray for the family of Don Ackerman who went home to be with the Lord last Sunday.  Don was a faithful missionary who served God in the Philippines for many years through a teaching ministry at a Bible College there.  PRAY for his wife Phyllis as she continues on without her Don. __________________________________________________________ This past Sunday our deacon Mike Wade sent me this photo from his cell phone.  His message, praise God we have a good problem.  Every space in the lot was full.  Please help us by parking in the gravel lot when every possible and coming in one vehicle when it will work for your family.  As a staff we are trying to dismiss the first service on time to allow for a smooth transition.  Pray that God will give us wisdom as seek to provide more  parking space for our continued growth.  hope to see you Sunday at Faith Billy   20 My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words.  21 Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, 22 for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. 23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. 24 Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. 25 Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. 26 Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. 27 Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.                                                                                                                Proverbs 4:20-27 (NLT) Subscribe to Pastor's Update