I heard a question asked the other day that really got my attention.  The question was, “Why do we do Sunday School?” (In our case Connect Groups!)That is a really good question that deserves a good answer.  As a teacher do you ever find yourself asking that question?  My friend Ken Braddy answered that question this way and I completely agreed with him.

2 Peter was written to address the growing problem of false teachers in the church. In particular, these false teachers denied the physical return of Christ (see chapter 3). If you go back to chapter 2, verses 13-16, you’ll see that these same teachers had cast off all restraint and lived ungodly lives. That’s what happens when you don’t believe you have to be accountable to someone – you become a law unto yourself and live any way you like.

As I read chapter 3 and Peter’s warnings to false teachers (and to the church about the false teachers), I find the reasons why our work today in the church is so important.

1. Jesus is coming back. The false teachers (“scoffers” in some translations) denied the physical return of Christ, saying that “all things continue just as they have from the beginning.” Their argument was a form of Uniformitarianism; it contradicted the Bible’s viewpoint of Catastrophism. It’s a sober reminder that whether or not we choose to believe it, Jesus is going to return to earth in order to gather His people. God is not absent from human history. The Lord will return, and that makes evangelism, especially evangelism through the Sunday School, so important. Which leads me to point #2…
2. God is not on our timetable and desires that none should perish. Peter reminded his first-century readers that God doesn’t keep time the way we do, so anyone who believed that Jesus wasn’t going to return was just dead wrong. Peter wrote those words just 35 years or so after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Now we are over 2000 years later, and still no sign of Jesus. We must be extra diligent to not allow ourselves to grow comfortable and complacent in our expectation of Jesus’ return. Since we do not know when Jesus is going to return, there are all kinds of implications for God’s people, the primary one being that the “delay” of Jesus’ return is because God desires that no one perishes in their sin. The main job of Sunday School isn’t Bible teaching (although that is a big part of the work of the Sunday School). The primary job of Sunday School is the evangelization of people. Jesus’ “delay” is giving us time to share the gospel with men, women, boys, and girls.
3. Jesus’ return should affect our conduct, our thoughts, and our view of people. In 2 Peter 3:11-13 we learn that because Jesus will return, and because the earth, yes even the universe, is going to be dissolved (literally “loosened” and “set free” in the original language), that should motivate us to have holy conduct and godliness (v.11). Since Jesus’ return in imminent and we are waiting for His return, Peter tells us to “make every effort to be found without spot or blemish” and to “regard the patience of the Lord as salvation” (v.14-15). Because Jesus hasn’t returned yet, we know that we will one day give an account to Him of everything we’ve done; while we wait, Peter tell us to share the gospel and regard the extra time as an opportunity to share the gospel with lost people everywhere. People are made for eternity, and where they spend eternity is determined by what they decide about Jesus before (1) they die or (2) He returns.

Jesus is coming back one day and that is a message that must be told so we must spread the gospel as often as we can.  One place we do that is Sunday School (Connect Groups).  It is a place that we help others grow in Christ and in turn, they then must also help others grow (discipleship) in Christ.  Sunday School is a needed vehicle to share the Good News and grow in God’s Word.  It is also the place where we build relationships with others.  Relationships flourish best in the context of smaller groups.  These are just some of the reason’s we do Sunday School!

See You Sunday,

Stephen Nutt

The Journey

I love traveling. I love the adventure of a journey. In just a few days I am off again to Israel. I love getting on an airplane. I love being in the land of Israel. I love delving into the world of biblical archaeology. I love feeling close to Bible characters I read about. Thank you to my church family at Marshfield First Baptist for allowing me to be part of this work. It deepens my understanding and my teaching of God’s Word. You can view video updates from Shiloh Network News by following Associates for Biblical Research on Facebook or read weekly reports at www.DigShiloh.org.

While I am away, I am excited about the Sunday teaching and preaching here at Marshfield First. I urge you to be present each Sunday morning for worship and Connect Groups in the month of June. Here is the line-up of Sunday morning speakers:

June 2: Mitch Fisher, Director of Missions for Webster County Baptists

June 9: Bob Caldwell, Missions and Evangelism Pastor, The Ridge Church, Villa Ridge, Missouri

June 16 & 23: Dr. John Marshall, retired pastor, Springfield Second Baptist

You will be blessed by the teachings of these godly men. I am so very glad they are available to our church family in my absence. Pray for them and be here for worship and Bible study each week.

Even as I am preparing for a journey to Israel, I am looking ahead to the journey God has for us as a church. We live in a day when the world seems to be changing at an ever-increasing rate. Today the Church – including our local church – is faced with the challenge of representing the unchanging truth of God in fast changing world. It seems to me like I can “feel” the church losing ground to the culture. Yet Jesus said, “Upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). How will we be the church God has called us to be? What will that look like as we serve God and serve others day by day? What is your part in being this church on the rock? All of these questions are at the heart of our theme for this year: 2020 Vision. Will we clearly see what God has in store for us? And will we respond to God’s unchanging truth with obedience? Our obedience involves us being real modern-day disciples of Jesus: following Jesus, being changed by Jesus, and carrying out the mission of Jesus (Matthew 4:19). I am excited for the journey. And I want you to be a part of it!

Pastor Durwin

 

There have been many times in my life when my joy and desire for Jesus just passes to the wayside. For me, the sad point is that I often know that this is coming, yet I don’t really do anything to fix it.

Apathy in the lives of followers of Jesus is a real issue that all of us will have to deal with from time to time. For some believers, a season of apathy can come around more than they would have ever imagined when they first started following Jesus.  

I want to share a few pointers today that have helped me in these seasons of dry and lazy spiritual bones.

1. Admit to God where your heart is. This is huge, even while we know and He already knows. There is power in getting the issue out in the open. Say to Him, “My spiritual life is dry, like really dry, like the Sahara Desert.” Admit that while you know this is the case, you don’t have much desire to do anything about it.  Just so you know, this won’t surprise Him. It won’t offend Him. He knows all the corners and crevices of your heart and He still loves you. Consider that!
2. Spend five minutes in the Bible. Don’t commit to a yearlong Bible reading plan; don’t sit down and read a whole book.  Five minutes and then spend some time thinking, pondering, meditating (if that’s not too eastern for you) on what you have read. Then pray that the Spirit of God will help you and give you a smidge of a desire to do it again tomorrow. Then do the same thing.
3. Tell a friend who loves Jesus and loves you. Don’t skip this point–we live our lives in far too much isolation and with far too many secrets. Tell a friend and ask him or her for help.
4. Apathy is a heart issue. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”  Where we have gone wrong isn’t as clear as what the source of the problem is. So, begin dealing slowly and firmly with your heart. Don’t beat yourself up, but don’t give yourself a pass. Our salvation is free but our maturation requires work! So, work at this, because it matters! Because the joy and freedom that is found in a heart that is given to Jesus and committed to Jesus is worth it. It’s worth it for you and it’s worth it for those around you.

It’s my prayer that we would move out of this season of apathy not because some preacher preached an amazing message, or a song moved us emotionally. But instead because we identify we have a problem and we are mature enough in our following of Jesus to begin to take some action steps to correct it.

His Spirit will be with us every step of the way, like He always has. When we lack desire, get some from Him. When we lack motivation, get some of His. When we can’t take another step, He will carry us until we are strong enough to walk again.

God will grow His church far more in the valley then He ever will on the mountain.

Blessings

Chris

       2019 is flying by. Before we know it will be time for fall, football and pumpkin spice everything again. I am often surprised by the arrival of end of the year and the fact that it seems to go by faster year by year. In the past, those who were more mature than myself said that was going to be the case. But for me now at 33, it is a reality.

       Many times, I look back on a year and think about the good events and milestones that happened. But I also look back and consider the mistakes or missed opportunities. This is in all areas of life–family, work and unfortunately following Jesus as well. I’m sure we can all look back and focus on these missed opportunities and wish to have another shot at it. In retrospect, it seems so easy and clear to see how one false step in a certain direction can end up leading us down the completely wrong path.

A few months back, I finished an extended period teaching through the book of Ecclesiastes where Solomon has some great perspective on the issue of regret and missed opportunities. Solomon covers a wide variety of topics in this book, but I wanted to share a just a few of his principles. I believe they can help us in our day to day living to gain greater clarity and to see into the future or at the least to see clearer in the moment.

Patience–While Solomon’s life may not have been one marked by this trait, he can give great perspective to us from the other side of the coin. Patience for some is a trait that is highly sought after but hard to grasp. These people like to jump the gun and do something and not wait, but act. Oftentimes, they will think it through as the situation develops. I’m that kind of person. I often think, “Why be patient?” when I can just get it done. Solomon shows that this mentality can often lead to trouble.  (Side note–Patience and laziness are not associated, so we can’t call our lazy behavior patience. The lazy trait is desperate to be killed in our lives; there is no room for it. We will talk more about this on the last point.)

Wisdom–Wisdom is something that we all could use more of, but isn’t something that we often seek out.

“Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.”

Proverbs 15:22

To seek out wisdom in our lives means several things.

It means that we don’t know everything… Right. This isn’t news to us. We know that we don’t have everything figured out, but it’s completely different when we seek others into these areas of our lives. While this is easy to say, it is hard to do.

It also means we have to be patient enough to seek out wisdom from others. If it’s finances, your marriage or family, seek out good advisers in these areas and then listen to what they have to say. Then through the power of the Holy Spirit in your life, discern the direction God is leading.

Action–Now is the time to act, and I don’t mean just stroll toward your goal. I mean run, jump, leap, pursue it with all that you have. Now isn’t the time to casually work toward that goal; now is the time to give all your effort towards it. If it’s your job, then pursue it with an excitement and vigor that possibly you have never had before. If it’s your spouse, then let out that 17-year-old inner teenager that would do anything to be with that special someone. And if it’s your faith, let it move you! Pursue Jesus in a way that you have never before. Let Him consume you! Let His mission mark your life in a way that it is inescapable. Don’t hold back and don’t worry about what others may think. Pursue Him like a lion pursues his next meal–because his life depends on it.

If we could let this year be marked by these three words, then it is my belief that we will look back at our life and see less regret and opportunities missed. Instead we will develop a rhythm of life that honors God in all areas because of the steps we take that inform the choices we make.

Let’s make today a day marked by good choices and God’s blessing!

 

Chris Smith, Youth Pastor

 

Holding onto the Holiday Spirit

“We shouldn’t just be excited about Jesus when we celebrate His birth/resurrection! We should celebrate Jesus all year long!”

How many times have we heard or said something like this? My guess…a lot.

It’s one of those statements that is completely unoriginal and yet completely true, important, and one that we don’t do very well.

As I write this it’s the Wednesday before Good Friday. So, Holy week is on the brain. We had a great worship time this past Palm Sunday and this weekend we mourn the crucifixion and rejoice in the resurrection. The idea of holding on to the spirit of these Jesus-centered holidays shouldn’t be such a crazy thing for a believer, but here we are. What I’m getting at is this: Jesus grants us undeserved and new mercy every morning. We already didn’t deserve the Cross before our first breath and we still can’t earn it, but God sent His Son for us all the same.

After Christmas and Easter pass, and life goes on, we experience the same pain, grief, loss, and sorrow that we did before. How do we hold onto the Joy we feel during the high points?

This is what Peter writes to various Churches suffering through persecution in 1 Peter 1:3-9:

“3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

Our children’s choir, adult choir, and instrumentalists led us in worship with the song “Living Hope” as part of our “Journey to the Cross” Palm Sunday worship time. The composers were inspired by that scripture to pen those words and melodies. As we read and sang the words together, the message of Hope in Jesus, even as He lay in the grave, gave us the powerful message of the Gospel. These truths don’t lose any potency in January or May. The joy of our Salvation must be nurtured in prayer and practiced all year long. The Psalmist prayed “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit” in Psalm 51:12.
   

 This may be the next step in maturity for many of us. Perhaps this is the step that will help us share our faith at work, in our home, at our kids ball games, and maybe to a stranger. Make no mistake, we have a hope that’s only found in Him and Easter is powerful because we highlight and celebrate exactly how Jesus gave us this hope! It’s a great thing to make much of the cross and resurrection but let’s make a concerted effort to springboard off of Easter and take this hope to the world around us better than we have for the rest of the year! We’re praying and looking forward to 2020 and asking God to use us and give us guidance. We already know He’s calling us to make disciples now.

God, help us hold on to the hope and joy we find in the Easter story and allow it to remain in us through Christmas, and use us in our excitement to make much of You.

In Christ Alone,

Andrew