It started off on the right foot in prayer with some brothers early in the morning. I talked to them about how full my heart was from the previous week at Together for the Gospel. I learned so many things from God's Word. HE spoke all week with power and authority. Sometimes it felt good. Other times it hurt. In fact, sometimes it was crushing. While my heart was full, my body was weak from running in the River to River Relay with a team from the church on Saturday. I asked the guys to pray for supernatural strength, energy and clarity. They did, and God provided each in abundance.
After prayer time, I headed to Small Group Bible Study. I had been out of my normal class for a few weeks to fill in teaching my brother's class while he was in Africa. It was good to be back with my normal group. They are special. The room was full of young couples. In fact, there were so many there yesterday that we didn't have enough room at the table and some had to sit in the "cheap seats." One of the interesting things about this class is the number of infant children that come in with their mothers because they are still nursing. Those little babies make every one smile. I love that group of people. I love what they represent at First Baptist Church. I love what seems to be the trajectory we are headed on for the future!
After SGBS, it was off to worship. We were celebrating believers baptism, so I went to change into my waders. I was reminded of some preaching I had heard last week at T4G about the celebration that takes place when a sinner repents. So, I talked about this before we baptized Kaden. I invited people to rejoice like the neighbors of the shepherd after he had found his lost sheep; like the friends of the woman rejoiced after she found her lost coin; and like the servants of the father after the Prodigal Son returned home. We want to rejoice along with The Father and share in His joy when we hear of someones conversion and when we see them step into the waters of baptism. It is truly a celebration!
- Luke 15
- 4“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
- 8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
- 21And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22But the father said to his servants,‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
After worship, I headed home to change into work clothes before lunch. Even lunch was special yesterday as we shared it with some dear friends before heading to the high school for a community service project. At the high school about 75 people from 3 different churches joined together to rake, dig, mulch, rock, and laugh. It was beautiful. In the planning we totally underestimated both the number of people that would participate and the amount of work they could get done. Consequently, we were able to complete the project in about half the time we expected it would take. It was a great afternoon as we saw families working together. We saw churches working together. All of this was for the glory of God and the good of our community. Like I said, it was beautiful.
Then, we headed back to FBC for a meal. This too was a special time of fellowship around a very simple dinner. It nourished both our bodies and our souls and prepared us well for the joint choir event called Palm Sunday Worship. 5 churches. 5 Choirs. Nearly 100 voices. All joined together to worship the Risen Lord. It was glorious! I told someone that the experience was like being launched into orbit on a rocket ship. We took off at breakneck speed and never slowed down. We reached incredible heights and saw glorious things. It was a night I won't soon forget. I am very thankful for Jason Brannock and his leadership in this event. I am always impressed by his love for the church and The Church. Last night those two came together in a special way. We are blessed to have him leading us to sing the truth here at FBC.
I wrote all of this not because I think you are interested in the details of my day, but to say how glad I am to serve as pastor of First Baptist Church. I want to say how proud I am of the members of this church. I want to encourage you to keep up the good work. And I want to say that if you missed out on all of this, you missed out on something really special.
I just passed a deacon in the hallway. He said, "Yesterday was a full day full of goodness." Right on.
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