Winter 2021: By Faith

January 3, 2021:    Faith is . . .

FINALLY – 2020 has come to a close! A fresh new year lies ahead of us. Our theme for the year is FAITH. We begin with a study of the heroes of the faith listed in Hebrews 11. Here we go!

Sermon Text:      Hebrews 11:1-2

Daily Bible Readings

January 4:           Hebrews 11:1-12

January 5:           Hebrews 11:13-31

January 6:           Hebrews 11:32-40

January 7:           Hebrews 12:1-13

January 8:           Hebrews 12:14-29

January 9:           Reflection 

January 10, 2021:  By Faith, Abel 

The Bible pulls no punches. The very first human family was home to the very first murder. What a sad commentary! Cain and Abel were children of the original couple. These two brothers both offered a gift to God as recorded in Genesis 4. Abel offered a gift that reflected the very best he had; sadly, Cain did not. Consequently, the author of Hebrews declares that Abel still “speaks” through this sacrificial gesture.

Sermon Text:      Hebrews 11:4

Daily Bible Readings

January 11:         Genesis 1:1-2:3

January 12:         Genesis 2:4-25

January 13:         Genesis 3

January 14:        Genesis 4

January 15:         1 John 3:11-24

January 16:         Reflection

January 17, 2021: By Faith, Enoch

The story of Enoch is an amazing one to say the least. God simply transferred Enoch from earth to heaven without the pain of death. Only Elijah and Enoch have experienced this incredible miracle. Enoch was especially close to God and God decided to just take him home. What a beautiful tribute to the intimacy of their relationship.

Sermon Text: Hebrews 11:5-6

Daily Bible Readings

January 18: Genesis 5

January 19: Jude

January 20: Psalm 1 

January 21: Hebrews 10:1-18

January 22: Hebrews 10:19-39

January 23: Reflection

January 24, 2021: By Faith, Noah

God spoke and Noah obeyed. This is the first example in the Biblical story of a human being responding in faith to a command from God. As the author of Hebrews declares, Noah obeyed in faith in spite of things not “being seen” – demonstrating the power of faith in his everyday life.

Sermon Text: Hebrews 11:7

Daily Bible Readings

January 25: Genesis 6

January 26: Genesis 7

January 27: Genesis 8

January 28: Genesis 9:1-17

January 29: 1 Peter 3:8-22

January 30: Reflection

January 31, 2021: By Faith, Abraham and Sarah

To say that Abraham was one of the most significant and influential men who has ever lived is an incredible understatement. He is revered by Jews, Muslims, and Christians. His influence has stretched across time and these three major religions! His journey was a shared one—namely with his wife! The journey of Abraham and Sarah merits our consideration in our exploration of faith.

Sermon Text: Hebrews 11:8-12; 17-19

Daily Bible Readings

February 1: Genesis 12

February 2: Genesis 15

February 3: Genesis 16

February 4: Genesis 18:1-15

February 5: Genesis 21-22

February 6: Reflection

February 7, 2021: By Faith, Isaac-Jacob-Joseph

God promised Abraham he would be the father of a great nation through whom all the world would be blessed. This promise was to be stewarded by his descendants. Isaac was the son of promise. Jacob became the father of the 12 tribes of Israel. Joseph was used by God to rescue His people and grant them safe haven in a famine. All three of these men contributed to the stewarding of the promise given to Father Abraham.

Sermon Text: Hebrews 11:20-22

Daily Bible Readings

February 8: Genesis 24

February 9: Genesis 25

February 10: Genesis 32

February 11: Genesis 37

February 12: Genesis 49:29-50:26

February 13: Reflection

February 14, 2021: By Faith, Moses

Next to Abraham, Moses stands as a giant in the story of faith. Moses played a strategic role in the redemptive history of the People of God. He was used by God as the messenger for both their redemption from Egypt as well as the mouthpiece of God’s Law. His unparalleled role in the Biblical narrative is filled with many examples of faith.

Sermon Text: Hebrews 11:23-29

Daily Bible Readings

February 15: Exodus 2

February 16: Exodus 3

Ash Wednesday: Exodus 4

February 18: Exodus 11-12

February 19: Exodus 13:17-14:31

February 20: Reflection

February 21, 2021: By Faith, Rahab

The Bible is filled with stories of unlikely heroes and heroines. Certainly, Rahab belongs in that camp. Who would have chosen a prostitute in Jericho to factor into the story of redemption? And yet, Rahab’s name is etched in ink in the sweeping Biblical narrative of redemption! In fact, she is even included in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:5. Her faith led to her own redemption!

Sermon Text: Hebrews 11:31

Daily Bible Readings

February 22: Joshua 2

February 23: Joshua 3

February 24: Joshua 4

February 25: Joshua 5

February 26: Joshua 6

February 27: Reflection

February 28, 2021: By Faith, God’s People!

The stories of faith in Hebrews 11 are both informational and inspirational! God has always been pleased with His people acting in faith. That has not changed. Ordinary people can be a part of God’s extraordinary plan if they are willing to be people of faith. May it be said of all us ----- still living by faith when we died!

Sermon Text: Hebrews 11:13-16

Daily Bible Readings

March 1: Hebrews 10:1-18

March 2: Hebrews 10:19-39

March 3: Hebrews 11:1-12

March 4: Hebrews 11:13-31

March 5: Hebrews 11:32-40

March 6:  Reflection

As we all know, this is our 150th year of ministry as a church. In the course of our year-long celebration, we will continue to follow the liturgical calendar. We will mark Ash Wednesday with a time of worship and reflection. We will spend the rest of February in the series, By Faith. 

We will begin to focus on Easter on the first Sunday of March. This year, Mark’s Gospel will serve to ground us in our pilgrimage together. Mark certainly was the first Gospel written. He gathered most of his materials through his relationship with Simon Peter (according to Church Father, Papias). He took this material and arranged a chronology that both Matthew and Luke will follow. 

Mark’s account is succinct and fast-paced. There are three grand movements: The Ministry in Galilee, The Journey to Jerusalem, and The Ministry in Jerusalem. It is a fascinating account of the life of Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. Mark wastes no time in connecting the story of Jesus to The Big Story. Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecy and His ministry will be about the establishment of God’s Kingdom on earth. 

Mark is not afraid of the truth. He shares the message about Jesus boldly and clearly. His insight into the essence of the role of the Messiah shines through on every page. Jesus is Lord. He will demand absolute loyalty. His way is not the way of this world. Following Him is both rewarding and costly. His death is necessary for the accomplishment of God’s grand plan of redemption. His resurrection is victory that inspired awe and fear. To follow Jesus is to embark on an amazing journey of faith. Buckle your seat belts! It is not for the faint of heart, but it is truly a worthy endeavor. 

February 17, 2021  Faith and Fulfillment 

ASH WEDNESDAY 

Mark begins his account of the life of Jesus Christ by connecting this story to The Big Story. The first advent of the Son of God did not occur in a vacuum. God shared the promise of the future Messiah with the prophets and He fulfilled His promise in sending His Son, Jesus.  

Sermon Text: Mark 1:1-15 

March 7, 2021: Faith and Forgiveness 

The opening act of Mark’s Gospel centers around the identity of the Son of God, Jesus Christ (Mark 1-8:26). How did Jesus demonstrate He was God’s Son and the Savior of the world? Mark shares numerous stories that reveal the reality of the Incarnation. Jesus exercised authority over nature, disease, the Sabbath, death, and sin. 

Sermon Text: Mark 2:1-12 

Daily Bible Readings 

March 8, 2021       Mark 1:1-15 

Mark’s Gospel is the shortest of the 4 Gospels. Most New Testament scholars agree that this is the first Gospel ever written. How exciting! As we read Mark together as a church family, we are reading the very first full account of the life, teachings, witness, message, and theological interpretation of the Person of Jesus Christ. 

Don’t let his brevity fool you. It is jam-packed with truth, insight, and hard-hitting messages. Mark had a truly unique perspective. Historically, his life has been connected to both Peter and Paul. His life and ministry were intertwined with the two most famous Christians of the first century. Wow! Praise God he was led by the Holy Spirit to write this Gospel. 

Today, let’s begin our Easter journey in humility and gratitude. Read this text today and reflect on just how good The Good News really is. Ask God to guide you through this season and help you develop a deeper understanding of Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. Ask God to help you more deeply understand The Good News. 

March 9, 2021       Mark 1:16-28 

Jesus is not like anyone who has ever lived. Mark gets right to it in today’s reading. Jesus calls people to leave their former way of life and invest in the Kingdom of God. This means different things for different people. 

For some, it means to take up the Christian life as a vocation (full-time ministry). For most people, it means to live as transformed people in their everyday lives in the marketplace and in the community. Regardless, Jesus calls all of us to a different life than we had before. And He is worthy of that call. He is powerful and authoritative. Notice in Mark 1:27, the people were all “so amazed” (the Greek word means “astonished” and is only used by Mark in the Greek New Testament). 

Give Jesus a chance to astonish you! Answer His call in your life. 

March 10, 2021       Mark 1:29-45 

Jesus begins His public ministry in Mark’s account with a brief message:  

The time has come . . . The Kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news. 

-Mark 1:14-15 

As we begin our Easter journey together, let’s renew our commitment to believing The Good News. We are living in the “New Kingdom” Era. Jesus has established the Kingdom of God. That is good news! His message of hope and salvation is for us and it is for right now! We are not waiting on heaven. We are walking by faith and experiencing a taste of heaven on earth. That is God’s Kingdom. 

Notice in our readings today, Jesus demonstrated to those early disciples that God’s power was at work in Him. He was establishing God’s Kingdom on earth through His message and displays of His power. Make notes from today’s readings and mark how Jesus displayed power. Ask Him to show you how His power is still at work today! 

March 11, 2021       Mark 2:1-17 

Mark wastes no time in recording how Jesus proved “The Kingdom of God has come near.” Jesus taught like no one else. Jesus demonstrated insight like no one else. Jesus healed like no one else. Jesus confronted theological limitations like no one else. Jesus claimed divinity like no one else. 

Jesus demonstrated He had the power to heal people of all illnesses. That included spiritual healing. Jesus demonstrated He had the power to forgive sin! Remember, He is like no one else! 

In our reading today, notice Mark 2:12 --- once again, the people were “amazed” (different Greek word this time – it meant “to be knocked off of your feet!”). Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He forgives sin --- including ours! Take the time today to reflect upon how Jesus has revealed Himself to you as the Son of God. 

March 12, 2021       Mark 2:18-28 

Jesus did not come to this earth to just make minor adjustments to a pretty good situation. He does not enter into your life to just tweak a few things. Jesus came to this earth to take over! He is God in the flesh. He came to answer the deepest need of humanity. He is our Redeemer and Savior! 

So, what does this mean to us? It means we can’t force Him into our molds. We can’t just “add” Him to our list of priorities. He is not an “add-on” to our spiritual lives. He is Lord. He is Lord of all that is. 

The temptation in the first century was to just “add Him on” to the traditional Jewish understanding of the Law. Make a few adjustments here and there. Just add His teachings to the list, so to speak. 

Jesus rejected that perspective then – and He does today! You can’t sew an unshrunk piece of cloth to an old, stretched-out garment. You can’t pour new wine into old wineskins. Nope! It won’t work. 

Jesus came to transform. That is what He is after in your life. Let Him work! Let him transform you. Every part of you. Ask Him today to show you how He is working in your life to transform you and re-shape you into His image. 

March  13, 2021       

What have you learned this week about Jesus? Take some time on this Saturday to reflect. 

Read Mark 2:13-17 again to prepare yourself for Sunday. 

March 14, 2021: Faith and Following 

Mark provides several examples of what it means to follow Jesus. Following Jesus is the right and best path for anyone to take. However, it comes with a cost. Jesus will demand absolute loyalty and full commitment. The journey of faith is not for the faint of heart. 

Sermon Text: Mark 2:13-17 

Daily Bible Readings 

March 15, 2021 Mark 3

Mark’s Gospel is fast-paced and hard-hitting. It is challenging to keep up with him! He tells stories, offers summaries, provides running commentary, and strategically places it all in an organized account of the life of the Son of God. Mark 3 is a great example of this. He tells 4 stories, offers his own comments on the action, and paints a portrait of Jesus that includes the hues of radical teaching and actions.

Today, let’s focus in on Mark 3:1-6. In this story, the difference between Jesus and His religious counterparts could not be more striking. Look at how the story ends; Jesus heals a man (does good) and the religious leaders strike a pact with a group of political activists to kill Him (engaging in evil). Wow! 

Jesus was confronting a burdensome approach to the celebration of worship, acknowledgment of God, obedience to the Law, and appreciation of the Sabbath. He offered a radically different perspective from the laborious, tedious teachings of the leaders of His day. Because of the burdensome approach of their religious teachers, many Jews had lost a sense of connection to the real meaning of the Sabbath in the first place.

Jesus demonstrated that it was intended to be a day where God was honored. It was to be a day where God’s people set aside their engagements with necessary pursuits (like work), and/or selfish pursuits ----- and take the time to worship God and reflect on His provision for them all.

However, it was also a day when it was ok to do good! It was never intended to be a slavish forced march to the synagogue. It was a day of refreshment, celebration, joy, acceptance, dependence on God, and acknowledgment of the holy. 

It is easy for us to be guilty of the same thing in our day. Sunday is our day of worship and reflection. It is the opportunity for God’s people to celebrate, reflect, refresh our spirits, affirm our belief in the Lord Jesus, and refrain from selfish pursuits that dominate daily life. It is a day where good can be done in God’s Name.

Take some time today to take an honest assessment of your Sunday routine. How do you spend your Sundays? 

March 16, 2021 Mark 4

Mark 4 contains a healthy amount of teaching from Jesus. Some of His most famous teachings are found in this chapter: Parable of the Sower, A Lamp on a Stand, and the Parable of the Mustard Seed.

Let’s focus in on Mark 4:35-41. Jesus was in a boat with His disciples as they crossed the Sea of Galilee. This particular body of water was well-known to these followers of Jesus. They knew about the furious squalls that could literally blow in out of nowhere. In fact, Mark records that is exactly what happened that night.

The disciples were afraid for their lives. Jesus slept through it! I love that! Mark tells us He was asleep on a cushion. After frantically awakening Jesus, He spoke to the storm and there was complete calm. Wow!

Jesus demonstrated He was truly Lord over creation that night. What a lesson for the disciples. However, notice that Mark points out that they were terrified after coming face to face with the Lord! (Mark 4:41). Their fear had shifted from fearing the storm to fearing the Master of the storm!

Are there storms brewing in your life right now? Here is what I know to be true. Jesus Christ was able to calm the physical storms of His day. He also can bring calm to all manner of storms in our day. He may not choose to immediately calm the storm in your life. But you can trust Him to be with you in the midst of your storm. You can trust Him to bring you what you need to face your storms. You can trust Him to care and to act. 

Offer Him your circumstances today and give Him a chance to work in the midst of them. 

March 17, 2021 Mark 5

This chapter contains three incredible stories: the healing of the demoniac, the healing of the woman with the hemorrhage, and the raising of Jairus’ daughter. All three of these miracles continued to give evidence of the presence of the Kingdom of God displayed through the ministry of Jesus.

In his book, The Stature of Waiting, W.H. Vanstone offers these appropriate comments of the ministry of Jesus:

“As He moves about, He leaves behind Him a trail of transformed scenes and changed situations—fishermen no longer at their nets, sick people restored to health, critics confounded, a storm stilled, hunger assuaged, a dead girl raised to life. Jesus’ presence is an active and instantly transforming presence: He is never the mere observer of the scene or the one who waits upon events but always the transformer of the scene and the initiator of events.” (p. 17-18)

Today, I invite you to stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene.

March 18, 2021 Mark 6

Today’s reading contains some incredible miracles and riveting narrative. I want to focus on Mark 6:1-6. Jesus returned home to Nazareth. His disciples were with Him as they entered the synagogue on the Sabbath. Presumably, this is the synagogue of Jesus’ youth. He is now returning as this famous teacher and miracle-worker.

In fact, the people of Nazareth were “amazed” at His teaching (6:2). The word, “amaze” used here means to “strike out of one’s senses” or to be completely astonished. It is a strong word. The people of Nazareth initially were just blown away by the teachings of Jesus.

However, they began to reason among themselves. How could Jesus be so wise and how could He be such a miracle-worker? These folks commented, “He is just a carpenter!” 

Jesus responded by exclaiming how hard it can be for a prophet in his hometown. But then, Mark offers his personal commentary in verse 5. Jesus was not able to perform many miracles there. The reason? Look at verse 6. He was surrounded by a lack of faith. How did Jesus respond? It was His turn to be amazed (different word). Wow!

This is the only time Jesus was amazed in all of Mark’s Gospel. And He was amazed at the lack of faith in His hometown.

Yesterday, I invited you to stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene. Now, I am asking us to amaze Jesus with our faith --- instead of our lack of faith!

Today, ask Him to increase your faith. 

March 19, 2021 Mark 7

Let’s focus on Mark 7:1-23today. In this story, Jesus was confronted by the Pharisees about His disciples’ disregard for the purity laws. The Pharisees had taken the purity laws that applied to the priests who worked at the Temple and sought to broadly apply them to the entire congregation of Israel.

Now, the intent might have been honorable in the first place. However, the actual application of these laws had become cumbersome by the first century. In fact, the teachings had become so harsh that the people had no hope of maintaining the rigidity of the application. It was a guilt-producing environment that promoted a lack of accessibility to God’s presence for the general population. 

Unfortunately, many of God’s people across Israel were judged by their observance of rituals. Jesus railed against this legalistic attitude and offered a powerful alternative. He drew a powerful distinction between religious ritualism and transformational faith.

Jesus taught us that we have to be transformed on the inside first, and then our behaviors will follow suit. The Gospel is a message of transformation and hope. Human beings can be cleansed, forgiven, and truly changed ---- from the inside out!

Let’s not be guilty of that legalism today! We still need the transformative power of Jesus Christ at work within us.

March 20, 2021  Reflection

What have you learned this week? Take some time today to truly reflect on the Person of Jesus and how He is at work in your life.

Read Mark 2:13-17 again and prepare yourself for worship tomorrow.

March 21, 2021: Faith and Future 

Following Jesus will require faith and flexibility. We cannot force Jesus into some kind of mold shaped by our expectations and desires. He is not our Messiah; He is THE Messiah. He will lead us into new horizons that will challenge our faith as we follow Him into the future. 

Sermon Text: Mark 2:18-22 

Daily Bible Readings 

March 22, 2021 Mark 8:1-9:1

Mark 8 signals a shift in Mark’s Gospel. Most scholars conclude that the action now turns from the ministry of Jesus in Galilee to the journey to Jerusalem. Notice in Mark 8:29, we read “on the way” to Caesarea Philippi. Then, later in Mark 10:32, we discover that they are on their way to Jerusalem. The teachings of Jesus take a serious and somber tone.

Jesus has to confront the misunderstandings about His role as Messiah. At this point in the story, His disciples still have a limited and nationalistic view of the Messiah. Jesus begins to re-shape their perspective (and ours!). Take a moment today to reflect on Mark 8:27-9:1. 

On the one hand, Peter is correct ---- Jesus is the Messiah (8:29). On the other hand, Jesus warns them not to proclaim this openly. Why? Because they still are buying into the narrow, militaristic, nationalistic view of the Messiah. They need more understanding. They need their view of the Messiah to be re-shaped, expanded, and corrected.

So, Jesus begins to communicate more bluntly. Look at Mark 9:31-33. Jesus predicts His impending death in Jerusalem. How did the disciples respond? “This can’t be true! The Messiah is supposed to vanquish our foes and set up the Kingdom of Israel!” (my take on Peter’s rebuke in 8:32)

The suffering and death of the Messiah was actually the fulfillment of God’s plan. Further, take a look at Mark 8:34-38. The followers of Jesus must be prepared to follow their Master in sacrifice and service. Following Jesus was to include self-denial and bearing crosses.

The disciples in the first century will not be the only followers of Jesus who have sought to force Him into a mold or seek to create a more palatable Messiah in their own image. Throughout the generations of Christian history, Christians have often tried to force Jesus to fit their understanding of who they need Him to be. So, how about you? What is your view of Jesus? Are you guilty of trying to re-shape Him to fit some mold of your choosing?

Ask God today to guide you to a deeper understanding of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, the Son of David, the Son of Man, the Son of God!

March23, 2021 Mark 9:2-29

Mark 9:1 contains a prediction from Jesus that some of His followers would see the Kingdom of God coming in power. Scholars are divided over what He meant. Some argue He was referring to the Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-13). Others think it was a reference to the resurrection. Others think it is referring to the many displays of the power of Jesus through miracles. I think it is a reference to all of it!

Three of His disciples will be eyewitnesses of the majesty of Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration (2 Peter 1:16-18). Others will witness several more miracles. They will personally encounter the risen Christ after the resurrection. So, the prediction of Jesus will come true.

However, the glory of the Kingdom of God will be juxtaposed to the suffering of the Messiah. The Mount of Transfiguration and the Cross of Calvary are both real experiences for Jesus. They are contrasted in Mark’s Gospel.

The Mount of Transfiguration was a majestic, unforgettable experience. Moses and Elijah were present. Jesus’ garments were dazzling white while His glory was on display. The voice of God thundered from heaven, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to Him.”

The cross was different. Two thieves were present instead of two Old Testament heroes. The disciples fled but the women surrounded the cross. The garments of Jesus were soaked in blood. The voice of a hardened Roman soldier could be heard, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”

Two experiences. Both real and significant. The glory of Jesus and the suffering of Jesus. Mark describes them both in great detail. We are to learn that the glory of the Kingdom of God remains in the future. We have glimpses of it in the present. But our current reality is characterized by the presence of sin, suffering, pain, grief, loss, and death. However, we are encouraged by the glimpses of the victory of a resurrected, glorified Christ.

We are well on our way in this year’s Easter journey. Next week, we will trace the steps of Jesus to the cross. Ask God today to prepare you for the week ahead.

March 24, 2021 Mark 9:30-50

In our reading today, Jesus reinforces His teachings about His impending death and resurrection. The disciples were still confused about this due to their limited perspective about the Messiah. They were not ready to embrace the way of suffering that would lead to the atonement for all sinners. This understanding was going to take time and the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit. 

The real issue for these disciples is revealed in Mark 9:33-34. As they were still expecting some kind of coronation of a King Messiah, they were wondering who would be given places of honor in the new Kingdom. Jesus responded to this discussion with a valuable lesson.

Read Mark 9:36-37. Look at tomorrow’s reading and read Mark 10:13-16. Jesus used children as an object lessons for the Kingdom of God. The humility of a child is to be emulated in the new Kingdom. Welcoming children. Humbling ourselves like children. This is life in the new Kingdom. I love it!

I love little children! We can learn so much from them. Our granddaughter, Adah awakens every day to a party. We are always invited to her party! She sees every day as an opportunity to have fun, to love, and to be loved. It is so simple. So innocent. So important!

The Kingdom of God is about service, humility, love, acceptance, care, patience, grace, sharing, giving, and many other things. We can learn so much from engaging with children. They have much to teach us!

Maybe it is time for you to spend some time with some little ones! There are many lessons to be learned. I have to go – it is time to go play with my granddaughter!

March 25, 2021 Mark 10:1-31

Today’s reading has two hard-hitting messages. Yesterday we combined both Mark 9:36-37 and 10:13-16to learn the lessons children can teach us. So, today we will consider the two stories found in 10:1-12and 10:17-31. The first story is about marriage and the second is about wealth. Could you pick two more controversial topics? And – on the same day?

First of all, notice Mark 10:2 – the Pharisees “tested” Jesus. These are bitter opponents of Jesus. They are not interested in learning more about the Law or the true intent of God’s commands. They are only interested in trapping Jesus. Further, they are not concerned with a holistic, pastoral, comprehensive, caring, theological treatment of marriage. They were searching for justification for divorce. Notice the divorce was also the prerogative of the husband alone.

In the second story in Mark 10, Jesus was confronted by a wealthy man who wanted to know about eternal life. Jesus recognized this man’s challenge was his dependence upon his accumulations and accomplishments. He challenged the rich young man to transfer his trust from his own possessions to the Messiah. The man was simply unable to do that. He did not trust Jesus that much. Consequently, he missed out on the Kingdom of God.

These two stories both contain challenging teachings from Jesus. And yet, they are compassionate and caring messages from our Lord. In the first story, Jesus challenges all of us to take into consideration how seriously we should take the prospect of marriage. God’s original design is more important than our “hardness” of heart or our sinful desires. Divorce is never easy, and it leaves many victims in its wake. Jesus knew that. Anyone who has ever been touched by divorce knows that. God’s original desire is for a marriage to last a lifetime.

And we all know how the singular pursuit of wealth can captivate the human heart. In fact, Jesus said it was possible to gain the whole world and lose our soul in the process. History is filled with too many examples of “rich young rulers” who lost their way.

Walking with Jesus should result in our perspectives being shaped and aligned with the purposes of God. No matter the issue, God wants us to consider His desires, His purposes, His will, and His perspective.

MARCH 26, 2021 Mark 10:32-52

Today’s reading will bring this major section of Mark’s Gospel to a conclusion. Since Mark 8, Jesus has been “on His way” to Jerusalem. The final section of this book begins in Mark 11 with Jesus’ arrival in the Holy City.

Once again, Jesus shares the very blunt message about His impending death with His disciples (10:32-34). This message was still confusing to them. Consequently, we discover that James and John are anticipating a very different reception in Jerusalem. They are hoping for a showdown of sorts where Jesus will be crowned the Messianic King for which Israel longed. Their ambition was hard to hide as well as evidenced by their request to be seated in the places of honor (10:37).

Jesus responded with both a rebuke and a further explanation of the Kingdom of God. As we read Mark 10:38-45, much comes to light. First of all, God is in charge of this plan. Jesus has submitted Himself to His Father’s will. He would be obedient even unto death.

Second, places of honor in God’s Kingdom will be decided by God Himself. And in God’s Kingdom, His perspective will be preeminent. Earthly perspectives will quickly erode, and God’s priorities will be on display.

Finally, the sacrificial act of Jesus will result in the salvation of sinners. His death will not be the tragic end of a melodramatic, failed enterprise. Rather, the glory of God will actually be on display through the sacrificial death of Jesus. His offering of His life will serve as the ransom (10:45) for the sinfulness of humanity. It will be a purposeful offering of an innocent life that will result in the inauguration of a new era in salvation history.

Wow. Much to consider today as we prepare ourselves for Holy Week.

March 27, 2021  Reflection

This has been an action-packed week. How has God been speaking to you? What have you learned about Jesus this week? What have you learned about yourself?

March 28, 2021: Faith and Fullness 

Palm Sunday 

Jesus really is Lord. Mark recounts the story of Jesus Christ as it unfolded in real history. Jesus established Himself as the Lord over God’s creation. That includes everything! He came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets and to establish God’s Kingdom on earth. 

Sermon Text: Mark 2:23-28 

Holy Week Daily Bible Readings 

Holy Monday 2021  Mark 11

Mark 11 signals the beginning of the final section of Mark’s Gospel. You may remember we have divided the book into 3 broad sections: Ministry of Jesus in/around Galilee, Journey to Jerusalem, and Jesus in Jerusalem. Our reading today is the account of Jesus entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and He begins the final week of His earthly life. We now know this week as Holy Week.

John gives us the day of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem as Sunday (John 12:1). Mark describes the event in Mark 11:1-11. Jesus is welcomed by the crowds with shouts of “Save us (Hosanna)!” The shouts from the crowd and the priests on Friday of this final week of Christ’s life are in stark contrast to the welcome He received on Palm Sunday (Mark 15:27-32).

Notice in verse 11 we read that Jesus entered the temple courts, looked around and left. Perhaps He was already thinking of His visit to the temple on the next day.

Mark 11:12-26 contains two very famous stories from Holy Monday. Jesus cursed a fig tree and caused quite a scene at the temple in Jerusalem. Mark intertwines them together in the narrative purposefully. First of all, these two events are connected chronologically. Second, they are connected theologically.

Let’s consider the theological connections. Jesus was leaving Bethany and heading back into Jerusalem. It was April and not the season for fig trees to be bearing fruit. He saw a fully leaved fig tree that was barren. He actually “spoke to” the fig tree and condemned it! Remarkably, His last recorded miracle in Mark’s Gospel is cursing this tree!

Then, He ventured into the temple courts and condemned the commercial activity and the similar lack of fruitfulness in the temple operations. The temple had become the economic, cultural, and political capital of Israel. Yet, it no longer represented the spiritual capital of the world. It now belonged solely to Israel and was the center of it authoritative grip on the people. Jesus responded to the role it had taken in the lives of the people with a profound rejection. It was more a rejection than a “cleansing” of the temple.

These two actions demonstrate the prophetic role of Jesus. Acting as a Prophet, he symbolically expressed a rejection of “fruitlessness” and portends a new day dawning. In fact, He will boldly declare later that the temple will be destroyed (Mark 13:2). However, the events to transpire during this fateful week will render the temple no longer necessary in the atoning work of God. 

Once again, we are reminded that Jesus Christ made unprecedented claims and engaged in unprecedented actions that distinguish Him as the true Messiah. He is Lord. He is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. He truly is the King of Kings.

We begin this Holy Week with an opportunity to bow in His presence and be amazed once again.

Holy Tuesday 2021 Mark 12

Jesus continued to tour Jerusalem. He is surrounded by the bustling crowd that has gathered in the city for the celebration of the Passover. As we read through Mark 12 today, Jesus continues to teach, answer questions, and befuddle His opponents.

In the midst of this accounting of the actions of Jesus, Mark records a conversation between Jesus and one of the teachers of the law (12:28-34). Let’s focus on that text today.

In this exchange, the teacher seems genuinely interested in Jesus’ answer to his questions. Mark notes that the man was impressed with how Jesus had handled the Sadducees (12:28). He wants to know Jesus’ view on the greatest commandment in all of the law.

Jesus responded most famously to the question by declaring that we are to love God first and then love others. He sums up the entire law by pointing us to the foundational truths of living in relationship with God and with one another.

The essence of Christianity is love. God is a God of love. In fact, God is love! God has always desired to be loved by His people. He loves us first and then we are able to love Him appropriately. Our love for God is comprehensive and encompassing. We are to love God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength. This is the most foundational relationship in our lives.

And that love for God results in a love for other people. God has placed us in community, and we have the tremendous capacity to engage in deep relationships with other people. Our love for God is transformative in nature. It is a response to His love for us. Consequently, our love spills over into our human relationships.

Holy Week is about love. Remember? For God so LOVED the world, that He gave His one and only Son. God demonstrates His LOVE for us in that while we are yet sinners, He died for us. That is right. This week is about the love of God. We are to respond to His profound love for us by returning that love for Him. And because of our love for Him, we love others as well.

Let’s take some time today to assess our love for our God and our neighbors.

Holy Wednesday 2021 Mark 13

Today’s reading contains some of the most graphic and most challenging teachings from Jesus during His earthly ministry. He left the temple grounds and walked across the Kidron valley and sat on the Mount of Olives with His disciples. From that perspective, one has a panoramic view of the city of Jerusalem. At this point in the history of Jerusalem, the most prominent structure in the city was the temple located at the apex of the temple mount.

In this setting, Jesus casts His gaze into the future and shares His prophetic discourse recorded in Mark 13. There are two threads woven together in an eschatological mosaic: the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of time. Sorting out these threads marks a significant challenge for the interpreter!

There are 17 imperatives in this chapter (Watch out, Be on your guard, Do not worry, etc.). There is a sense of urgency in the tenor of the teaching. There are terrifying images of judgment. There are also messages of hope.

At the end of the day, we discover that Jesus proclaims that God is in charge of history, God will bring history to a certain conclusion, God’s Kingdom will prevail, and God’s timing is in His hands. Jesus also challenges His followers to be faithful, brave, humble, and watchful.

Notice verse 10. The gospel is to be proclaimed to all nations! We continue in that task today. We are a part of the fulfillment of this powerful prophetic proclamation. We are not in charge of the eschatological calendar. However, we are to be faithful to the task of proclaiming the good news of Jesus to the world. 

We also notice in this text that suffering is a part of this story. We should not be surprised. After all, this is Holy Week! We are reflecting on the suffering of our Savior on our behalf. Jesus prophesied that many of His followers will be called upon to follow His example of suffering for the noble cause of the gospel. In fact, most of these disciples will die as martyrs. Millions more will join them in suffering for the sake of righteousness.

This suffering will not go unnoticed—nor will suffering be purposeless. God is paying attention and He will settle all accounts in his own time.

Be encouraged today. History is moving ahead to God’s desired end. He is charge. He is always on time. His will is secure. His plan is in place. His Kingdom will prevail.

Maundy Thursday 2021 Mark 14

Today is Maundy Thursday—so named for the mandate (Latin mandatum) to “love one another” recorded in John 13:34. In some traditions, congregants will gather to wash each other’s feet as a response to the example and admonition of Jesus (John 13:1-17).

In our reading for today, Mark recounts the memorable events from the anointing of Jesus at Bethany to His arrest on Thursday evening in Jerusalem. This is one of the most moving accounts in the entire Gospel. The Son of David was hailed by the crowd on Palm Sunday was not to be betrayed by one of His own on Thursday night. 

We read this account today with great reverence and humility. I would encourage you to read it aloud. Let the words sink in. Allow yourself to experience the emotion of this part of the story. 

Take time today to reflect on the meaning of these moments in salvation history.

Good Friday 2021 Mark 15

Mark 15:24 states it very succinctly: And they crucified him.

Mark refuses to outline the savagery of crucifixion. He sticks to the facts and shares the story in short order. Yet, he offers enough details to allow his readers to grasp the import of this fateful, historic event. His readers were familiar with crucifixion. But he wants them to know that this particular crucifixion was unlike any other in history.

The taunts of Mark 15:27-32 are hard to hear. The people who called on Jesus to save them (Palm Sunday) now chide Jesus with His seeming inability to even save Himself. What they don’t realize is that in not saving Himself, He is actually saving all of us!

We pause today on Good Friday and remember the darkness that covered the land at noon that day in Jerusalem.

The Son of David – The Son of Man – The Son of God ---- Jesus of Nazareth hung on a sinner’s cross, suspended between heaven and earth. Why? Because of His profound love for the Father and for us. His death would be unlike any other death in the history of humanity.

Again, we read this page with great reverence and humility. Stick close to this page today. Let this story captivate you today. 

Take the time like the two Mary’s in verse 47 and pause to take in where He was laid.

Silent Saturday 2021  Reflection

On what we call “Silent Saturday” – I invite you to reflect on the events of this week. Be reminded that our faith as Christians is rooted in actual history. We are beholden to a fanciful tale wrought in the imagination of literary architects. Our faith is rooted in a real story about a real man who lived in real time. 

Jesus Christ of Nazareth is at the heart of who we are as people. Today, we mourn His death. We stand at His tomb . . . hopeful.

April 2, 2021:  Faith and Faithfulness 

GOOD FRIDAY 

In order to accomplish God’s great plan of redemption, Jesus had to demonstrate His faithfulness. In so doing, not only did He make salvation possible, He also proved Himself to be the example for us as we follow The Jesus Way. 

Sermon Text: Mark 15:33-47 

April 4, 2021:  Faith and Fear 

EASTER SUNDAY 

Mark’s Gospel ends with fear. The women, eyewitnesses of the empty tomb, were afraid. Don’t be shocked by that. These early followers certainly were afraid. Remember, Mark’s Gospel is merely the beginning (Mark 1:1). There is much that follows the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Fear gave way to faith. The good news was too good to keep. And—this story is still being written! 

Sermon Text: Mark 16:1-8 

Daily Bible Readings 

April 5:  Mark 16:1-8 

April 6:  Mark 2:1-12 

April 7:  Mark 2:13-17 

April 8:  Mark 2:18-22 

April 9:  Mark 2:23-28 

April 10:  Reflection 

This Spring will be given to an exploration of the Exodus. This story will captivate the imagination of Jewish theologians and poets to become THE story of Israel in antiquity. So much of Israel’s theological development and reflection centers on this story. This event brings to light the character of the God of Israel (YHWH), embodies the very nature of redemption, leads to the revelation of God’s Law, results in the ordering of the Jewish calendar, sets in motion the sacrificial system, leads to the construction of a holy dwelling place for the Most High God, gathers God’s people into community, and introduces the hero Moses. Wow!

No wonder the Exodus became so compelling to the Jewish people. It remains as the dominant narrative in their understanding of redemptive history to this day. The Book of Exodus outlines the core story of the deliverance of God’s people and sets the stage for Israel’s identity as a people to emerge. The book itself may be divided into 3 major sections:

Deliverance: Exodus 1-18 God delivers His people

Discipleship: Exodus 19-24 God calls His people into relationship

Devotion: Exodus 25-40 God invites His people to worship

We will spend the Spring reading through these 40 chapters and reflecting on the lessons there for the people of God today. It is a gripping story of salvation history being lived out on the human stage. It serves as the backdrop of a much greater and grander story of redemption that is to come!

SPRING 2021

Keeping the Faith

April 11 – June 5, 2021

Deliverance: Exodus 1-18 God Delivers His People

A Pharaoh arose in Egypt and ushered in a new era in the relationship between Israel and the Egyptians. As prominent as Joseph was in an earlier regime, this new king had no regard for him (Exodus 1:8). The people of God would experience the transition from a growing population of resident aliens to slaves. 

The Israelites endured the bitter circumstances of life as slaves (Exodus 1:14) and longed for a day of redemption. The first 18 chapters of Exodus tells the story of God’s answer to Israel’s plight.

April 11, 2021: The Calling of God

Simply put, God uses people to accomplish His purposes. The Bible is filled with stories of God calling individuals to serve His Kingdom’s interests. Today we will focus on one of His most famous servants – Moses. We will be reminded His call extends to us today.

Sermon Text: Exodus 3:1-12

Deacon Ordination

Daily Bible Readings

April 12: Exodus 1

April 13: Exodus 2

April 14: Exodus 3

April 15: Exodus 4

April 16: Exodus 5:1-21

April 17: Reflection

April 18, 2021: The Passover

God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt is one of the most famous stories in all of Biblical history. The story of the plagues visited upon Egypt are told with great detail. The final plague was the visit of the Angel of Death. The miracle of the Passover would become central to Israel’s identity as a people and the ensuing celebration would become a highlight on the Jewish calendar. Even today, The Passover is at the heart of the Jewish annual celebrations.

Sermon Text: Exodus 12

Daily Bible Readings

April 19: Exodus 5:22-6:27

April 20:  Exodus 6:28-7:25

April 21: Exodus 8

April 22: Exodus 9

April 23: Exodus 10

April 24: Reflection

April 25, 2021: Redeemed, How We Love to Proclaim It!

God delivered Israel from Egypt! Without question, it was a miracle. There is no other explanation. Israel had no army, no standing, no resources, and no path to freedom. Yet, God chose to intervene on behalf of His children. His miraculous power was displayed unforgettably in the story of the Exodus. The redemption of Israel is the precursor to the miraculous story of God’s redemption of all people!

Sermon Text: Exodus 15:1-21

Daily Bible Readings

 April 26: Exodus 11-12

April 27: Exodus 13-14

April 28: Exodus 15

April 29: Exodus 16

April 30: Exodus 17-18

May 1: Reflection

Discipleship:  Exodus 19-24 God Calls His People into Relationship

Now that His people have been redeemed, God invites His people to learn to live with Him in relationship. They are to be His special people redeemed for a special purpose. God’s people have a role to play in the Great Plan of Redemption. In His fulfillment of His promise to Abraham, God will bless these people and He promises to bless the whole world through them.

May 2, 2021: God’s Treasured Possession

God has now redeemed Israel. He calls these people into a special relationship that will require something of them. He challenges them to live like His people. They are to be holy and righteous. They also are to be on mission. God has called His people to be a Kingdom of Priests.

Sermon Text: Exodus 19:1-8

College Grad Recognition

Daily Bible Readings

May 3: Exodus 19:1-8

May 4: Exodus 19:9-25

May 5: Exodus 20:1-17

May 6: Exodus 20:18-26

May 7: Exodus 21

May 8: Reflection

May 9, 2021: A Covenantal Life

At the heart of the relational context of God’s people is the covenant. God is a covenant-making God. He calls His people to live in a covenantal relationship with Him. Covenants are binding upon their participants. But covenants bring stability and set context. Today we will honor and bless families, who are to live together in covenantal relationships as well.

Sermon Text: Exodus 24

Mother’s Day

Parent/Child Dedication

Daily Bible Readings

May 10: Exodus 22:1-15

May 11: Exodus 22:16-31

May 12: Exodus 23:1-19

May 13: Exodus 23:20-33

May 14: Exodus 24

May 15: Reflection

Devotion: Exodus 25-40 God Invites His People to Worship

God has delivered His people from Egypt. He has set forth the context of the covenantal relationship with them. Now He invites them to worship Him! He gives specific details on the construction of the Tabernacle, He outlines the role of the priests, and He establishes His presence among the people. This section of Exodus reminds us of the importance of worship and the beauty associated with life lived in the presence of our Almighty God!

May 16, 2021: Giving as an Act of Worship

God gave Israel the opportunity to be a part of His Kingdom’s work. He had invited them to a personal relationship with them. He was now ready to provide a tangible expression of His presence among them. They were to build the Tabernacle. Everyone was to participate. He invited them to give offerings toward the construction of the new tent. Through this act of giving, the people of God were engaging in an act of worship.

Sermon Text: Exodus 25:1-9

High School Grad Recognition

Daily Bible Readings

May 17: Exodus 25

May 18: Exodus 26

May 19: Exodus 27

May 20: Exodus 28

May 21: Exodus 29

May 22: Reflection

May 23, 2021: The Glory of God

To worship God is to be in His presence. He invites us into His presence. However, we are to be reminded He is a holy God. His glory is transcendent. We cannot fully comprehend Him. He is beyond us. Yet, He often allows us to have a glimpse of His glory. These experiences are transformational and unforgettable!

Sermon Text: Exodus 33:18-34:7

Daily Bible Readings

May 24: Exodus 30

May 25: Exodus 31

May 26: Exodus 32

May 27: Exodus 33

May 28: Exodus 34

May 29: Reflection

May 30, 2021: The Presence of God

God loves His people. He has a great desire for us to live in His presence. Worshipping God is a sacred act. Through worship, we are led into His presence. He responds to the worship of His people. His presence is the true guiding force of our lives.

Sermon Text: Exodus 40

Daily Bible Readings

May 31: Exodus 35

June 1: Exodus 36

June 2: Exodus 37

June 3: Exodus 38-39

June 4: Exodus 40

June 5: Reflection

Family life can be such a blessing and such a challenge! It is the oldest human institution. God placed a human family in the Garden of Eden. Since that time, families have come in all shapes and sizes. As archaeologists have unearthed civilization after civilization, anthropologists have documented the ubiquitous nature of families. Human beings are birthed into family units and these units serve as the core of every human society.

With that said, family life is not a simple, homogenous reality. As I said, families come in all shapes and sizes. Family dynamics can be incredibly complicated and layered with complexity. The fields of anthropology, sociology, and psychology have been home to countless hours of research in the attempt to better understand the human family.

In today’s world, family life is contextualized by a rapidly changing broader culture. Our culture is awash in conversations/discussions/disagreements about gender identity, the place of marriage, the definition of marriage, the emergence of polyamory, and basic definitions of family. This cultural setting can result in much confusion and only adds more layers of complexity to the family dynamic in America.

In this series, I will not attempt to address all of these cultural landscape realities. I have instead chosen to focus on some core commitments that may assist Christian families in developing healthy processes of spiritual formation and encourage them to strengthen their relational ties to one another.

Also – we will read through the Book of Proverbs as we seek to discern God’s wisdom for our family life.

June 6, 2021: Trust God!

At the heart of our relationship with God is trust. A faith-filled family must be characterized by a deep trust in God. The church comes alongside the family to assist the family in spiritual formation. But we spend more time with our families in our formative years than with any other institution. At home, Christian families learn to trust God. We learn that God is at work in His world, and He has invited us to trust Him as we engage His world.

Sermon Text: Proverbs 3:5-6

Daily Bible Readings

June 7: Proverbs 1

June 8: Proverbs 2

June 9: Proverbs 3

June 10: Proverbs 4

June 11: Proverbs 5

June 12: Proverbs 6-7

June 13, 2021: Treat Each Other Well!

Family life can be raw and emotional. We live real lives in real time in real families. Unfortunately, not all families handle the stresses of life well. We all know families that are characterized by abuse and hurt. Faith-filled families are developed through respectful and loving behaviors. God calls us to be respectful at home!

Sermon Text: Colossians 3:12-14

Daily Bible Readings

June 14: Proverbs 8-9

June 15: Proverbs 10

June 16: Proverbs 11

June 17: Proverbs 12

June 18: Proverbs 13

June 19: Proverbs 14-15

June 20, 2021: Teach the Word!

Our families are bombarded with all kinds of messages today. It can be confusing at times, even for the most spiritually mature families. Consequently, families need strong foundations! The Word of God is sturdy. Its message rings true today. Faith-filled families rely on the truths revealed through God’s Word.

Sermon Text: Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Father’s Day

Daily Bible Readings

June 21: Proverbs 16

June 22: Proverbs 17

June 23: Proverbs 18-19

June 24: Proverbs 20

June 25: Proverbs 21

June 26: Proverbs 22-23

June 27, 2021: Taking It to the Streets!

One of the hallmarks of faith-filled families is a willingness to serve the community. Think about how our communities are strengthened by the selfless acts of service by volunteers. Our schools, neighborhood groups, recreational leagues, social services, churches, and civic organizations are all benefitted by the willingness of Christians to serve their communities in tangible ways. Faith-filled families put feet to their convictions!

Sermon Text: James 2:14-26

Daily Bible Readings

June 28: Proverbs 24

June 29: Proverbs 25-26

June 30: Proverbs 27

July 1: Proverbs 28-29

July 2: Proverbs 30

July 3: Proverbs 31

SUMMER 2021: OUR GOD IS FAITHFUL

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning;  great is your faithfulness.-Lamentations 3:22-23

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.-James 1:17

In 1954, in the evangelistic crusades of Billy Graham in London, George Beverly Shea introduced this hymn to those vast audiences:
Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father;There is no shadow of turning with thee; Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!Morning by morning new mercies I see;All I have needed thy hand hath provided;Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me! 

Based on Lamentations 3:22-23, originally, these words formed a poem written by Thomas Obediah Chisolm. Chisolm wrote about 1200 poems in his lifetime, 800 of which were published in various publications. He sent this poem to hymnwriter William Runyan who set it to music and published it in 1923. After the Billy Graham Crusade, this hymn became a favorite in the US and began to appear in various hymnals. By the time of Chisolm’s death in 1960, this hymn had made its way into the hearts and minds of millions of Christians across the world.

God’ faithfulness! We are truly grateful for the profound truth that our God is faithful. We will spend this month reflecting on and exploring this truth. We will read selected portions of the Psalms as we engage God’s Word this month through our Daily Bible Readings.

Dr. Charles Wade, our beloved Pastor Emeritus will preach on July 4 in both services. We love Dr. Wade! He and Rosemary have been a vital part of our church for 45 years now! 

Gary Stidham is a deacon in our church, and he serves as the Director of the Baptist Student Ministry at UT-Arlington. Gary and Teresa and their family have been members of First Baptist Arlington since 2004. Gary’s ministry at UTA continues to be a model for Texas Baptists across our state. His love for the Lord, his zeal in evangelism, and his energy in discipling college students have inspired countless numbers of folks. Welcome Gary!

For the final two Sundays of July, our new Minister of Congregational Life, Katy Reed-Hodges will be preaching. She has served as the Director of College Ministry here at First Baptist for 6 years. She, and her husband, Ryan, are the Co-Presidents of the Truett Seminary Alumni Association. We are proud of them both and grateful for Katy’s new role at our church.

So, we are looking forward to July! I will be on Study Leave and will return to the pulpit on August 1. We will honor Tillie Burgin that day on her 35th Anniversary at First Baptist Arlington!

July 4, 2021: Freedom . . . and Responsibility!Guest Preacher: Dr. Charles Wade, Pastor EmeritusToday is our nation’s birthday. We are grateful for the grand experiment that is America. We are a flawed and imperfect nation. Yet, we were founded on a grand idea --- the idea of true liberty. The idea that all humans have been endowed by our Creator certain unalienable rights. As Baptists, we have long defended the principle that grows out of that conviction: liberty of conscience. With that freedom comes great responsibility.

Daily Bible Readings

July 5: Psalm 1

July 6: Psalm 2

July 7: Psalm 8 

July 8: Psalm 9

July 9: Psalm 16

July 10: Reflection

July 11, 2021: God Never Changes!Guest Preacher: Gary Stidham, Director of UTA BSMTheologians refer to it as the Immutability of God. We can trust God implicitly. He never changes! His purposes are certain. His character is pure and holy. His plans are in place. His unchangeable nature provides stability and strength to us and all of His creation.

Sermon Text: Psalm 102:25-28

Daily Bible Readings

July 12: Psalm 102

July 13: Psalm 105:1-25

July 14: Psalm 105:26-45

July 15: Psalm 106:1-27

July 16: Psalm 106:28-48

July 17: Reflection

July 18, 2021: God’s Love is Everlasting!Guest Preacher: Katy Reed-Hodges, Minister of Congregational LifeGod’s love has been on display throughout the history of creation! In that memorable encounter with Moses on Mt. Sinai, God gave Moses a glimpse of His glory. God declared about Himself, “The LORD, the LORD the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands . . .” (Exodus 34:6-7). Here God connects His love and His faithfulness. His love never diminishes. He draws from an eternal well of goodness and faithfulness. His love endures forever!

Sermon Text: Psalm 100

Daily Bible Readings

July 19: Psalm 100

July 20: Psalm 103

July 21: Psalm 108

July 22: Psalm 130

July 23: Psalm 136

July 24: Reflection

July 25, 2021: God Keeps His Promises!Guest Preacher: Katy Reed-Hodges, Minister of Congregational LifeSometimes we may be tempted to ask, Has God forgotten His promises (Psalm 77:8). However, when we reflect on God’s nature and the revelation of God in Scripture and in history, we are reminded that He is a Promise-Keeper! God’s promises are secure. He keeps his Word. His faithfulness is on display on a grand scale in the story of redemption and on a small scale in our individual lives. You can trust Him to be faithful!

Sermon Text: Psalm 77

Daily Bible Readings

July 26: Psalm 77

July 27: Psalm 78:1-25

July 28: Psalm 78:26-52

July 29: Psalm 78:53-72

July 30: Psalm 84

July 31: Reflection

God created the world as an expression of His will. Human beings were uniquely gifted to bear His image and reflect His glory in His world. However, once sin was introduced, God’s judgment was poured out on creation. Gratefully, His grand plan of redemption was also put in place.

God chose Abraham and His family to be His representatives on earth. Through this one family, God began to reveal Himself and His will for all the peoples of the world. Israel lived into this commission and learned His ways and His message. God called them to live in a covenant relationship with Him and commissioned them to live as a holy nation amidst all nations.

As time progressed, His Spirit began to whisper in the ears of the prophets and inhabit their dreams and visions. They received a message from God that a day was coming when the Promised One would establish the new age. This new age would require a new covenant and a new people.

Jesus the Messiah (Christ) fulfilled the prophecies, and He inaugurated the new age as He established the Kingdom of God on earth. The new covenant was put in force, and it was for all the nations. All who would follow the Messiah could belong. This new covenantal people would be known as the Church. Local expressions of the Church would populate the world and serve the interests of the Lord. 

We will explore together the beginnings of this exciting new era as its story is told in The Book of Acts. We will learn what it means to be a part of this new movement of God as people of faith living in faith-filled churches.

AUGUST 2021

A Faith-Filled Church

August 1, 2021: The Church: Empowered and Equipped

God’s great plan of redemption can be traced through the descendants of Abraham in the incredible story of Israel in the Old Testament. As the story unfolded, God pointed Israel to a day of fulfillment and an age to come. The Messiah would usher in this new day, and He began to gather followers from all the nations. The Church is now the instrument of God for this new age – “the age to come.” And, we have been empowered and equipped by His Spirit for the task at hand. 

Sermon Text: Acts 2:1-12

Tillie Burgin’s 35th Anniversary Recognition

Daily Bible Readings

August 2: Acts 1

August 3: Acts 2

August 4: Acts 3

August 5: Acts 4

August 6: Acts 5:1-16

August 7: Acts 5:17-42

August 8, 2021: The Church: Devoted

At Pentecost, the Spirit of God was given to the people of God. What a gift! Now, they were to be gathered under the mantle of mission, matured for the incredible challenges to be faced, and mobilized for ministry. These early believers had (as we must today) to be devoted to the right things so they may serve effectively. 

Sermon Text: Acts 2:42-47

Daily Bible Readings

August 9: Acts 6

August 10: Acts 7:1-29

August 11: Acts 7:30-8:1

August 12: Acts 8:2-40

August 13: Acts 9

August 14: Acts 10

Pastor’s Summer Bible Study

A Faith-Filled Church

A Study of The Book of Acts

August 8 – 11, 2021

7:00pm Nightly

August 8, 2021: SESSION 1: The Church in Acts

August 9, 2021: SESSION 2: A Believers’ Church

August 10, 2021: SESSION 3: Built for Ministry

August 11, 2021: SESSION 4: A Church for the Whole World

August 15, 2021: The Church: Gospel-Centered

The message of the Kingdom is the message of the Gospel. It is Good News! The Gospel is the power of God for salvation for both Jews and Gentiles. It is sturdy for every situation. It is universal in nature and can cross any barrier. It is at the heart of a Faith-Filled Church!

Sermon Text: Acts 15

Daily Bible Readings

August 16: Acts 11

August 17: Acts 12

August 18: Acts 13

August 19: Acts 14

August 20: Acts 15

August 21: Acts 16

August 22, 2021: The Church: Saved, Sound, and Serving

As the churches in Acts began to mature, they grew in many ways. They grew in number and in influence. They also developed an organizational structure that helped to facilitate and encourage both sound doctrine and service.

Sermon Text: Acts 20:17-38

Daily Bible Readings

August 23: Acts 17

August 24: Acts 18

August 25: Acts 19

August 26: Acts 20

August 27: Acts 21

August 28: Acts 22

August 29, 2021: The Church: Here, There, Everywhere!

The Church has been given a strategic role in the Kingdom of God. As God’s New Covenant People, we are to be His representatives on earth. We have the responsibility to engage our own communities with the Gospel as well as reach the nations. We are called to be here, there, and everywhere!

Sermon Text: Acts 11:19-30; 12:25-13:3

Pastor’s 20th Anniversary Recognition

Daily Bible Readings

August 30: Acts 23

August 31: Acts 24

September 1: Acts 25

September 2: Acts 26

September 3: Acts 27

September 4: Acts 28

Our lives are actually shaped by what we believe. Our actions flow from our beliefs. In fact, we all have some sort of “belief system” --- even if we have never really given it much thought. This system is either intentionally constructed and evaluated or it just materializes over time.

This fall at First Baptist, we are going to address our individual belief systems or worldviews. I will begin the series by explaining how and why this is such an important endeavor. Then, we will walk through various issues and explore what we really believe about them.

This series promises to be provocative and informative at the same time. We live in a politically charged environment right now. So – let’s pray that God will guide us through this season with grace and maturity as we recognize the value of discussion and dialogue. Let’s pray for unity of spirit within our church body even in the face of diversity.

The beauty of a church family is that it may be filled with rich diversity of thought, opinion, background, and even convictions. Our church family is a great example of this. Our church is anything but uniform! God is not calling us to uniformity! But – He does call us to maturity and unity.

I’m excited about this fall and looking forward to unpacking these various conversations about our beliefs. May God use this season to deepen our faith and draw us into a deeper sense of community here at FBCA.

What Do You Believe?

September 5: What Do You Believe About Belief?

How do you decide what you believe about anything? This sermon addresses how to construct a belief system that is consistent with Biblical truth and historic orthodox faith.

Text: Acts 17:10-12

Daily Bible Readings

September 6: Colossians 1:1-14

September 7: Colossians 1:15-2:5

September 8: Colossians 2:6-23

September 9: Colossians 3

September 10: Colossians 4

September 11: Reflection

September 12: What Do You Believe About Truth?

Sounds like a simple question --- but it is complex in today’s climate. Where do we search for truth? What is our authority for truth? One of the challenges we face in our current social and cultural context is that there is not agreement on the source of ultimate truth. As Christians, we recognize that God is the source and foundation of all truth. He as revealed Himself through His Son who embodied truth itself!

Text: John 8:31-32

Daily Bible Readings

September 13: John 4:1-26

September 14: John 8:12-30

September 15: John 8:21-59

September 16: John 14:1-14

September 17: John 14:15-31

September 18: Reflection

September 19: What Do You Believe About Jesus?

Easily the most controversial figure in all of human history, Jesus Christ continues to be a source of intrigue and debate. What are the essentials in our quest to truly understand the Person of Jesus Christ?

Text: Matthew 16:13-20

Daily Bible Readings

September 20: John 1:1-18

September 21: Colossians 1:15-2:5

September 22: Philippians 2:1-11

September 23: Isaiah 53

September 24: Revelation 5

September 25: Reflection

September 26: What Do You Believe About Government?

All Christian believers have lived throughout history under some form of authoritative government. What should be our relationship to our government? How involved should we be in the governing process?

Text: Romans 13:1-7

Daily Bible Readings

September 27: 1 Peter 1:1-2:3

September 28: 1 Peter 2:4-25

September 29: 1 Peter 3

September 30: 1 Peter 4

October 1:  1 Peter 5

October 2:  Reflection

October 3: What Do You Believe About Prejudice?

OK – this one is easy, right? I mean, people don’t typically brag about being prejudiced! However, we still have debates raging in our nation about racism, Critical Race Theory, Systemic Racism, and the like. This message will take us deeper into the conversation to explore the sin of prejudice and how it often spreads undetected and unnoticed.

Text: Acts 10:34-35

Daily Bible Readings

October 4:  Galatians 1

October 5:  Galatians 2

October 6:  Galatians 3-4

October 7:  Galatians 5

October 8:  Galatians 6

October 9:  Reflection

October 10: What Do You Believe About Anthropology?

According to the Biblical witness, God created human beings in His image. He created them male and female with the responsibility to multiply and exercise dominion on the earth. This has all manner of implications for our understanding of humanity in general and specifically for our understanding of issues like gender, sexuality, and relational constructs.

Text: Genesis 1:26-31

Daily Bible Readings

October 11:  Psalm 139

October 12:  Genesis 1:1-2:3

October 13:  Genesis 2:4-25

October 14:  Psalm 8

October 15:  Psalm 103

October 16:  Reflection

October 17: What Do You Believe About Qualifications for Ministry in the Local Church?

Who is qualified to serve, lead, and engage in ministry in the local church? This seems like a simple question, but again, this one is layered with complexity. We will apply the interpretive techniques we have learned to answer this significant question.

Text: 1 Timothy 3:1-13

Daily Bible Readings

October 18:  1 Timothy 1

October 19:  1 Timothy 2

October 20:  1 Timothy 3

October 21:  1 Timothy 4-5

October 22:  1 Timothy 6

October 23:  Reflection

October 24: What Do You Believe About the Future?

This will be our 150th Anniversary Celebration Worship Service that will be the final piece to the weekend. On the one hand, we will focus on the future of FBC Arlington, but on the other hand, we will explore together how God is shaping the present and preparing for the future for all of His people.

Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Daily Bible Readings

October 25:  1 Thessalonians 1

October 26:  1 Thessalonians 2:1-3:5

October 27:  1 Thessalonians 3:6-4:12

October 28:  1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11

October 29:  1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

October 30:  Reflection

October 31: What Do You Believe About Eternity?

God exists in eternity. He is both within and beyond time and space. He has designed human beings to live in time and exist for eternity. How does this affect us in our daily lives? What do we know about eternity?

Text: Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

Daily Bible Readings

November 1:  Revelation 4

November 2:  Revelation 5

November 3:  Revelation 7

November 4:  Revelation 21

November 5:  Revelation 22

November 6: Reflection

The Theme for Missions 2021 is Sharing the Faith. In 2020, we were very successful in raising missions awareness. Our World Mission Offering was a tangible demonstration of this. This year, I want us to expand on the idea of awareness by focusing on missions education.

Our season will only cover 3 Sundays this year because Advent will commence on the final Sunday of November. So, we will use these Sundays intentionally. We will supplement the Sunday morning messages with Bible Studies for all ages that address the same topic and text each Sunday morning.

So, we will continue to provide opportunities to raise awareness about our commitment to missions. Emphases on each Sunday morning through our worship services and through various media outlets will be options for this. Missions education will be the focus of sermons and Bible Studies across the life of our church.

We hope these few weeks will be an encouragement to our entire church family as we continue to find our way as a sending church. We also hope that God will continue to work through our church to share the faith with our world!

MISSIONS 2021

Sharing the Faith

November 7 - 27, 2021

November 7, 2021: Missions: The Mandate

Jesus did not mince words just prior to His Ascension. He commissioned His followers to be His emissaries to the ends of the earth. We are on mission as the People of God because of His Great Commission. We are under His authority. And --- we have a message worth sharing!

Sermon Text: Acts 1:8

Daily Bible Readings

November 8: Exodus 19:1-8

November 9: Matthew 28

November 10: 1 Peter 2:4-10

November 11: Psalm 67

November 12: Psalm 105

November 13: Reflection

Bible Study: Missions: The Mandate

The Bible Study will focus on three texts:

Exodus 19:3-7 – The Great Commission of the Old Testament

Matthew 28:16-20 – The Great Commission of the New Testament

1 Peter 2:9-10 – The People of God

November 14, 2021: Missions: The Message

At the heart of Christian mission is THE Christian Message. God is at work in His world, accomplishing His grand purpose of redemption of all things. His offer of redemption is to be extended to all people everywhere. God’s people need to have a grasp of this foundational message!

Sermon Text: Acts 4:12

Daily Bible Readings

November 15: 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5

November 16: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

November 17: 1 Corinthians 15:12-34

November 18: 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

November 19: Romans 8

November 20: Reflection

Bible Study: Missions: The Message

The Bible Study will focus on the grand message of redemption. God has spoken in these last days through His Son, Jesus Christ! Core text will be Hebrews 1:1-4

November 21, 2021: Missions: The Mission

The mission for us is to be personally invested in God’s grand plan of redemption. We are not supportive bystanders in this endeavor. Every believer has a role to play and a way to contribute. We are all in this together!

Sermon Text: Romans 15:17-21

Daily Bible Readings

November 22: Romans 3:1-20

November 23: Romans 3:21-31

November 24: Romans 4:1-12

November 25: Romans 4:13-25

November 26: Romans 5

November 27: Reflection

Bible Study: Missions: The Mission

We will focus on Romans 1:14-17 where Paul outlines his obligation to be personally invested in the Christian mission. We will encourage our folks to find their way to the mission of God!

November 28, 2021: O Come Ye to Bethlehem

The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem was an arduous 90-mile trek for Joseph and Mary. However, the journey was more than a physical one. It was a spiritual adventure for this couple who had been chosen by God for this incredible assignment. The journey to Bethlehem is a journey of faith. The shepherds. The Wise Men. All of us. 

Sermon Text: Luke 2:1-7

Daily Bible Readings

November 29: Micah 5:1-9

November 30: Matthew 1

December 1: Matthew 2:1-12

December 2: Matthew 2:13-23

December 3: Matthew 3:1-12

December 4: Reflection

December 5, 2021: Very God, Begotten Not Created

Who is the Son of God? What do we know about His pre-existence? The story of Jesus’ birth actually fits into a cosmic narrative. The eternal God exists in plurality in eternity. God, The Word of God, and The Spirit of God ---- eternally in unity and harmony. Profound truths like this require deep thought and great faith.

Sermon Text: John 1:1-5

Daily Bible Readings

December 6: Genesis 3

December 7: Matthew 3:13-4:11

December 8: Matthew 4:12-25

December 9: John 1:1-18

December 10: John 1:19-51

December 11: Reflection

December 12, 2021: Citizens of Heaven Above

Some hymnals have “bright hosts” in stanza 3, while the original seems to favor “citizens of heaven above.” I’m going with the original! Today we will celebrate the beauty of belonging to the People of God. Jesus came to reconcile us to God and to restore God’s creation. He has established a new people – the New Covenantal People of God. Let’s join the heavenly choir and sing!

Sermon Text: 1 Peter 2:4-10

Daily Bible Readings

December 13: Matthew 5:1-26

December 14: Matthew 5:27-48

December 15: Matthew 6:1-18

December 16: Matthew 6:19-34

December 17: Matthew 7

December 18: Reflection

December 19, 2021:Word of the Father, Now in Flesh

Appearing

Christmas is a celebration of the Miracle of the Incarnation --- God became flesh! This is truly a unique message that distinguishes Christianity. Our God has become flesh in the form of His Son. A true miracle that beckons us to believe and follow!

Sermon Text: John 1:14-18

Daily Bible Readings

December 20: Matthew 8

December 21: Matthew 9

December 22: John 3:1-21

December 23: John 4:1-26

December 24: Luke 2

December 25: Reflection

Christmas Eve 2021: To Thee Be All Glory Given

Jesus Christ is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being. Wow! The glory of God is on display in Jesus. We celebrate the glory of the Son of God!

Sermon Text: Hebrews 1:1-4

December 26, 2021: O Come, Let Us Adore Him!

The story of Christmas is powerful, gripping, and amazing. Jesus is the Son of Man and the Son of God. He is God in the flesh. The story of His life, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension is the centerpiece of history. He is worthy of our adoration. O Come Let Us Adore Him!

Sermon Text: Hebrews 12:1-3

Daily Bible Readings

December 27: Colossians 1:18-23

December 28: Philippians 2:1-11

December 29: Ephesians 1:3-14

December 30: Ephesians 1:15-23

December 31: Reflection