First Baptist Church Muncie » Blog

Offering Ourselves

wadeallen — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:21:04 +0000

To say that the Holy Spirit is involved in our worship planning is a no brainer. We would all agree that somehow God acts and moves in my sermon preparation and delivery, in Matt’s selection of liturgy, in all aspects of our work. Why then are we surprised when something we read, a situation we experience, or a conversation ties directly to our topic?

I was reading from Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals this morning and came across a quote from Jesuit Jean-Pierre de Caussade (18th Century). Now, don’t forget, this upcoming sermon is on stewardship; it is about realizing all we have is God’s and we are responsible to use it for his purposes.

“The great and firm foundation of the spiritual life is the offering of ourselves to God and being subject to his will in all things. We must completely forget ourselves, so that we regard ourselves as an object which has been sold and over which we no longer have any rights. We find all our joy in fulfilling God’s pleasure — his happiness, his glory and the fact that he is our great and only delight. Once we have this foundation, all we need to do is spend our lives rejoicing that God is God and being so wholly abandoned to his will that we are quite indifferent as to what we do and equally indifferent as to what use he makes of our activities.” ¹

You may need to read this a couple of times to let it sink in. It is a powerful confession that our lives are not our own. We have given them over to God to use for his purposes.

When we see the word “steward” or “stewardship” in a sermon title, we assume the pastor is going to talk about money. But stewardship is much deeper than dollars. Sure, it has to do with dollars. If our checkbooks are not submitted to God, there is a problem. Jesus has much to say about money and it a key concern for anyone who seriously follows Him. Yet, living as a steward is a worldview; it is about how we understand our proper relationship to the Creator.

We are going to explore the parable of the prudent steward in Luke 16:1-13 this week. Jesus defines our position before God as He shocks us by praising questionable behavior. Join us on Sunday as we engage the story together.

Claiborne, Shane; Wilson-Hartgrove, Jonathan; Okoro, Enuma (2010-11-09). Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals (p. 134). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. ↩

Empowering

wadeallen — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:23:49 +0000

I have enjoyed the first two weeks of our mission statement series. It has been fun to explore the fundamental reasons that we exist. As we prepare for our third week in this series, we consider the third action word, “empower.” If you look up this word in the dictionary you will find that it is defined,

to give somebody a greater sense of confidence or self-esteem

Is this what we mean when we speak of the need to empower one another in the church? Are we simply trying to bolster individual confidence in matters of faith? I am not sure that this definition offers an accurate picture of what was intended in our mission statement.

The sort of empowering that we are talking about has to do with equipping believers to walk with Christ. A better definition might include the words “equipping, preparing, or training.” You might even consider using the word “disciple.” As Jesus ascended into heaven he commanded believers,

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19 NIV)

So when we are talking about empowering, we are talking about discipleship. But what does this look like? How does it play out in the life of the church? On Sunday, we will consider how we empower one another to be all that God wants us to be. It is more than what we have often termed “Christian education.” It is more than learning and passing on a curriculum. It is about sharing life together. Join us on Sunday as we explore the third action verb of our mission statement.

Psalms Study

wadeallen — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:17:02 +0000

We are in the middle of the sermon series regarding our mission as a church. I hope it will bring clarity to who we are and why we exist. The series will end just before the season of Lent. As many of you know, the season of Lent leads us into Easter. It is a time when we reflect on Jesus life and prepare for the celebration of Easter. This year, we will be studying parts of 7 Psalms as we move through Lent into Easter. We have spent time in the epistles, and the Gospels, and the prophets over the past several years. However, we have not spent concentrated time as congregation in the Psalms. This should be a rich study.

We will be following the lectionary during this season. You might remember that the lectionary gives us an Old Testament reading, a Psalm, a gospel reading, and a reading from the epistles. We will be focusing on the Psalm each week. Here is a schedule if you would like to read ahead and prepare for each Sunday.

February 26 – Psalm 25:1-10
March 4 – Psalm 22:23-31
March 11 – Psalm 19
March 18 – Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
March 25 – Psalm 51:1-12
April 1 (Palm Sunday) – Psalm 31:9-16
April 8 (Easter Sunday) – Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

Schedule Change Update

wadeallen — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:58:43 +0000

I wanted to update you all on where we stand in terms of a Sunday morning schedule change. We met on January 22 to discuss the decision as a congregation. The church council shared the journey of discerning a potential change in the Sunday morning schedule. The discernment process involves a 4-stage process (explore, listen, examine, communicate). The process involves prayer and seeking God’s direction. Leaders shared their experience of the process in the January 22 meeting. The Council felt that a flip-flop schedule would allow both early and late services, Sunday school, and fellowship hour adequate time. This new schedule would also keep the early service at 9:15 a.m. It would also allow the late service to begin a bit earlier, allowing for students to make it back to campus at lunchtime. The new schedule would look like this:

9:15 a.m. – early service/early Sunday school
10:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. – fellowship time in the lower auditorium
10:45 a.m. – late service/late Sunday school

The church council will meet again on February 12 to determine next steps. At the January 22 meeting, the congregation overwhelmingly supported such a model. We will keep you updated on further developments as they are planned.

Sick Day

wadeallen — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:40:57 +0000

This past weekend was a difficult weekend for me. I sat at home with a stomach virus while you all gathered for worship on Sunday. To make matters worse, you also gathered to reflect on an important church decision about changing our Sunday morning schedule; I was unable to join you. This was the first Sunday that I can remember missing church because of sickness. It was not fun.

However, I don’t believe it was coincidence that the virus hit on Saturday afternoon. As I fought through the symptoms, you all stepped up in a variety of ways. Matt delivered the planned sermon articulately and authentically. The church leaders (the Leadership Council) communicated their discerning over the past few months regarding our Sunday morning schedule. It was fulfilling to see my efforts made complete through your efforts.

While it is always a stretch to compare our own experience to the experience of Jesus, I find a correlation to Jesus leaving the Kingdom work in the hands of his followers. Jesus knew that his work would culminate with his death and resurrection; he knew he would be leaving his friends. Jesus prayed for those he would leave behind; he also prayed for all who would hear His message in years to come; this includes you and me.

(John 17:20 NIV) My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,

Jesus then describes how all of this would work out.

(John 17:23 NIV) I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Jesus’ work extends to you and me. John tells us that Jesus is “in” us. In his first letter, John describes how Jesus’ love for us is made complete; we will talk more about this on Sunday. God’s love is complete as we love one another.

(1 John 4:12 NIV) No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Jesus is not physically with us; yet as we love one another, we complete the work of the Kingdom. He works “in” us to “complete” His work. As we consider the second action verb of our mission statement, we understand that our caring for one another is rooted in Jesus’ love for us. But it doesn’t stop there; as we care for (love) one another, we are completing the work of Jesus.

It is gratifying to know that First Baptist Church Muncie does not depend on my presence. God’s Spirit in you is what makes First Baptist Church Muncie. As each of us follows the leading of the Spirit, he does his work in us. I am looking forward to being with you this weekend; it is no fun missing out. Yet, I am thankful that God has equipped you with all you need when I am not with you.

Coming Together

wadeallen — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:28:37 +0000

We just returned from a great weekend in Wisconsin with the teenagers; it was a great time to connect with them. The speaker talked about apologetics (defending our faith). Teens are often faced with friends who do not believe in God. The speaker gave our teens tools for conversation with their friends on such issues. Thanks to Doug Gregg for preaching on Sunday in my absence.

As we gather for worship this Sunday, we begin a five-week series on our mission as a church. We will talk about the importance of gathering. As we find ourselves frequently communicating digitally, we find ourselves in less physical conversation. Sure, there are many advantages to social networks and digital communication. However, I wonder if we are missing something.

As you might remember, our mission statement is:

A Spirit-led people gathered to care for and empower each other by stewarding God’s resources to impact our community for Christ

We are a people, led by the Holy Spirit. But we are not just led by the Holy Spirit; we are gathered. Our gathering takes shape in at least three ways. We will explore these ways on Sunday. I will not spoil it for you now.

However, I would like to leave you with the words of the author of Hebrews. Don’t forget, early Christians risked much in order to gather. In many places, it was forbidden for them to gather. Yet the author of Hebrews encourages Christians to take the risk.

(Hebrews 10:24–25 NIV) And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Join us on Sunday as we explore the critical necessity of coming together.

Responding to the King

wadeallen — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 00:29:11 +0000

I am sitting in South Georgia on New Year’s Day reviewing next week’s sermon. New Year’s Day is almost over; many will return to normal routines in the next few days. In most minds Christmas is over. Yet, we are only midway through the season of Christmas. Did you know that the Christmas season (on the Christian calendar) does not end until January 6. Perhaps you have heard of the twelve days of Christmas. January 6 is Epiphany, the celebration of the Magi’s visit to young Jesus. I will not spoil the sermon for Sunday by giving you details of this visit. The story centers on a group of king’s representatives seeking the newly arrived King in Bethlehem. They first go to Herod, the region’s political king. They figure he must know of the birth. When Herod hears of the possibility of another king, he freaks out. He slays all toddlers in the city. His response to the birth of Jesus reveals selfish ambition; his act causes much heartache for the mother’s of Bethlehem.

The story is of one of kings and their response to Jesus. The Kings or representatives of Kings (the wise men) travel great lengths, giving of themselves. The King of Judea (Herod) goes to great lengths to protect himself (his right to rule). Do we find ourselves more like the wise men or Herod? Do we bring gifts, giving of ourself for Jesus. As we care for those who are oppressed, downtrodden, those in need, we care for Jesus. Matthew relays Jesus’ words,

(Matthew 25:45 NIV) I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.

Or do we cling to control like Herod, destroying innocent bystanders in the process? Can you imagine God in our midst? There he was in a house with Mary and Joseph. May we find ourselves as the Magi, submitting ourselves to Him, bringing gifts to the true King.

As we explore Epiphany on Sunday (or as you celebrate it this week on January 6), may our hearts and minds be enlightened by this story. May we be challenged to worship as the Magi. May we bring appropriate gifts to the King. May our own agendas be put to death for His agenda.

We wish you all a happy new year today and pray that 2012 would be year of spiritual blessing for you. We pray that your hearts will be drawn to the Savior who gave Himself for you.

(1 Corinthians 16:23–24 NIV) The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Christmas Worship

wadeallen — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:42:24 +0000

With Christmas less than one week away, we are preparing for two special worship services this weekend. We will meet on Christmas Eve at 7:00 p.m. to celebrate the coming of Jesus in a candlelight atmosphere. We will consider Isaiah 9. We celebrate the fact that God broke into darkness; He came as light into the world to redeem us. This shattering of darkness took the form of a child, a son. As we gather on Christmas Eve, we celebrate this child as the one who fulfills the words of Isaiah, the promises of God from ages past.

On Christmas morning, we will consider the Christmas story as recorded in Luke 2. Jesus’ birth was not a snow filled, hot chocolate laced occasion. It was messy, dirty, smelly; we will remind ourselves of the story that we have heard a million times. As we celebrate Christmas, we will remember that Christmas was a pretty scary occasion for those in Luke 2. Yet the angel’s words, “do not be afraid” assure us that God was and is up to something incredible.

I know that holidays can be busy. Many are traveling, others are spending concentrated time with family. Yet, I encourage you to carve out time to worship. Join us as we remember the true meaning of Christmas this weekend.

For those of you traveling out of town, we wish you a merry and Jesus-centered Christmas. For everyone else, I will see you this weekend.

January Sermon Series

wadeallen — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:23:25 +0000

It may seem strange to get a newsletter for January before Christmas. However, with vacation schedules, it seemed appropriate to go ahead and mail out a short newsletter for January.

I wanted to let you know about an upcoming sermon series that will begin on January 22. We will be spending five weeks talking about our mission as a church. You may remember talking about this in August; we affirmed a new mission statement at this time. However, we have not spent much time digging deep into this statement. I hope that through this sermon series you will develop a distinctive understanding of who we are and who we are called to be as a church. This past fall, a Ball State student developed artwork around the statement; we will unveil one piece at a time over these five weeks.

You can read through the mission statement documentation at http://fbcmuncie.org/why-we-exist/ . I would encourage you to take a few minutes and read through this description of our mission statement.

A Spirit-led people gathered to care for and empower each other by stewarding God’s resources to impact our community for Christ

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a happy new year. I look forward to serving with you in Christ’s mission in 2012.

Here is a schedule for the series:

January 22 – Gather
January 29 – Care
February 5 – Empower
February 12 – Steward
February 19 – Impact

Faithful God

wadeallen — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:34:37 +0000

This week, we gather in one combined service to celebrate the coming of Christmas through music. However, we will also open God’s Word together to Isaiah 61. Following up from last week’s text, the prophet speaks of the coming Messiah as one who will seal the covenant of God with His people. This covenant is rooted in the character of God and provides a permanence that is beyond our performance.

In a world that operates in a get-what-you-deserve mindset, the idea that God’s love for us reaches beyond our accomplishments is baffling. Yet, this is what we find in the text. As we prepare to engage this text, allow me to point to a key phrase. Notice the prepositional phrase in verse 8.

(Isaiah 61:8 NIV) In my faithfulness I will reward them and make an everlasting covenant with them

God is making a covenant because he is faithful; it is not because we have displayed merit. Does God have to act? If he cuts us off, is he breaking a previous promise? In chapter 54, Isaiah describes the fuel for the covenant.

(Isaiah 54:10 NIV) Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

What feeds God’s covenant? It is His love for us. This love is unfailing, certain, absolute. It does not come and go. Isaiah continues by describing this covenant as a marriage. While we don’t necessarily equate marriage with permanence in our culture, marriage is intended to be a lasting promise. It should not be subject to whims or passing trends.

God’s promise to His people will come to fruition in Jesus. Jesus reveals an intense love, one that is willing to sacrifice Himself. He leaves the security of heaven and enters a dangerous world. As we ramp up toward Christmas, may the anticipation of God’s fulfilled promise create indescribable joy. May we experience the burning love of a faithful God.