Fred

God has so blessed Holt Baptist Church. One of the ways in which he has blessed is through our strategic plans. Our current three-year plan includes the following strategic initiatives: prayer, mentoring, small groups, biblical counseling and an associate pastor. We have sought to communicate these initiatives at various times to you.

On Sunday, November 14 at 9:30am we are hosting a “Family Chat” to discuss the fifth strategic initiative – that of an associate pastor. This will be presented in a dialogue format to provide plenty of room for questions such as: Do we really need an associate pastor? What would he do? Can we afford it? How would the hiring process work? Even if you don’t normally attend the Adult Bible Fellowship we encourage all those who consider HBC home to make this a priority.

It is leadership’s goal always to be transparent. We as a congregation are able to speak the truth in love – this is a gift from God and one for which we are thankful. Please mark this date on your calendar and make every effort to attend. It is exciting simply to be able to talk about this idea and see what and how God might use it for the good of the church and his glory.

Of all the chapel messages I heard in Bible college one still is firmly implanted in my mind. The speaker was a pastor from FL. I have long forgotten his name. His text was Jn 21:22. The resurrected Christ had just told Peter about the way in which he would die – then re-commissioned him, “Follow me.” But Peter turned and saw John. He asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus said, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me.” 

I just read Jn 21 for my devotions this week. It all came back to me. The pastor using the old KJV, “What is that to thee? Follow thou me.”  You can’t follow Jesus if you have turned around looking at others. 

God has a unique plan for each of our lives. We too have been commissioned to follow Christ. Recently in our series from Hebrews we spoke often about keeping our focus on Christ. “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus.”  Your race is like no one else’s. We’re not running in competition with each other. It’s foolish to compare your race to mine – or vice versa. Some races are long, others are short. Some races are more difficult than others, but our loving Father knows exactly what we need to conform us to be more like Christ. I may not be able to run your course, and you mine. But I can finish my race – and you can finish yours with God’s help. And that should encourage our hearts.

Gal 6:9, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”  In other words, “What is that to thee?  Follow thou me.”

I recently came across a prayer for anxiety. Dear God, my mind is troubled, and my heart is overwhelmed. I’m stressed and it is affecting me physically, emotionally and mentally. I can’t seem to concentrate on anything but worry. Forgive me for worrying so much instead of coming to you in prayer. Help me to let go of this anxiety. Help me to cast all my worries onto you. Teach me to be patient and have faith that at the right time you will intervene. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, amen.

There’s a lot going on in our world these days – globally,         nationally and individually. Not sure what you might be struggling with – but we all have battles we’re fighting. I am reminded of Ps 34:18, The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and he saves those who spirits have been crushed. Ps 9:9-10, The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee; for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee (KJV).

Child of God, any bad news that ruffles us doesn’t worry God. To him, it is not even news. He is on his throne welcoming his children to find constant refuge in him as they face their earthly struggles and trust in his sovereignty and love. You’ve heard me quote Charles Spurgeon many times. “The providence of God is the pillow upon which I lay my weary head.” 

Oh, may we rest well in him. Jesus said, “Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.”   

In 1948 C.S. Lewis wrote of a new threat.

“How are we to live in an atomic age? I am tempted to reply: ‘Why, as you would have lived in the 16^th century when the plague visited London almost every year, or as you would have lived in a Viking age when raiders from Scandinavia might land and cut your throat any night, or indeed, as you are already living in an age of cancer, chronic pain, paralysis, air raids, railway accidents or motor accidents.’ In other words, do not let us begin by exaggerating the novelty of our situation. Believe me, dear sir or madam, you and all whom you love were  already sentenced to death before the atomic bomb was  invented … It is ridiculous to go about whimpering and drawing long faces because scientists have added one more chance of painful and premature death … The first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. If we are all going to be  destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things – praying, working, teaching, reading listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint, not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about death. They make break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds.”

No one is advocating we throw caution to the wind in our own day of dangers. As we said at the beginning of this pandemic – wash your hands and trust God. Use wisdom. Take the precautions you deem necessary. And let us live in the grace of the Lord – a fresh grace each day. Not in fear or sinful anxiety. God has this. He is in control.

Last week I found myself changing some light bulbs at the house. I recalled something I read awhile ago. The Bible says laughter is like good medicine. “How many church people does it take to change a light bulb?”

Charismatic: Only 1. Hands are already in the air. 

Pentecostal: 10.  One to change the bulb, and nine to pray against the spirit of darkness. 

Presbyterians: None. Lights are predestined to turn on.  

Roman Catholic: None. Candles only.

Baptists: At least 15. One to change the light bulb, and three committees to approve the change and decide who brings the potato salad and fried chicken. 

Episcopalians: 3. One to call the electrician, and two to talk about how much better the old one was. 

Unitarians: We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you have found that light bulbs work for you, you are invited to write a poem about your light bulb for the next Sunday service. 

Methodists: Undetermined. Whether your light is bright, dull, or completely out, you are loved.

Nazarene: 6. One woman to replace the bulb while five men review church lighting policy. 

Lutherans: None. They don’t believe in change.

Amish:  What’s a light bulb?

See, I thought you would smile.  

A pastor read his Christmas text, Rev 11:10, Those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents. Sounds promising until we finish the verse, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth.  This verse has nothing to do with Christmas – speaks of God’s enemies celebrating the death of his prophets. And have yourself a very Merry Christmas indeed!

 Throughout my 30+ years of pastoral ministry I have devoted myself to what is called systematic expository preaching. I take a book in the Bible and work my way thru it verse by verse.  Today we begin Colossians.

The word ‘expository’ comes from the Latin meaning ‘to open or to unfold.’ Expository preaching opens the meaning of Scripture.  The opposite of exposition is imposition where a pastor imposes his own opinion into the text. Exposition restricts the preacher to what God said. J.I. Packer said, “Preaching is letting the text talk.”  I love expository preaching.  One of my greatest joys is to feed God’s flock. I relish the study. I enjoy the delivery.  I also love sitting under expository preaching myself.

Nehemiah led God’s people back to Jerusalem after nearly a century of exile. In chapter 8 he was responsible for a massive worship service. They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading, 8:8.  When the Word of God is clearly proclaimed, the voice of God is clearly heard.  Did you come to church this morning expecting to hear from the living God?  

Welcome to Fall Forward Sunday!  I enjoy each of the seasons but there’s always been something special about autumn.  Maybe it’s the brilliant colors or drinking apple cider – perhaps it’s just a sense of new beginnings with school resuming.  We’ve set today aside as special for a number of reasons.    

First, earlier this morning Sunday School classes began and a new Adult Bible Class was taught in the auditorium. What a great time to come early and hear additional teaching from God’s Word.  Today in our service we’re going to focus on our strategic plan. The Apostle Paul said, “a great door for effective work has opened to me,” 1 Cor 16:9.  A door of effective ministry is open for us too.  What are those doors? Listen to Tom, Paul and me as we update you on the 3 year plan.  

Another special feature about today—we’re sending back Josh and Carissa Bell to Senegal.  Pray for them as they readjust and for this new and exciting ministry of theirs developing national leaders to shepherd Christ’s church in West Africa. 

Today after church everyone is invited to a chili dog lunch out on the south parking lot. 

This week Bible studies resume too. Small Groups restart next week.  By God’s grace let us make this fall count for eternity as we seek to become fruitful disciples of Christ for God’s glory! 

It’s been 42 years since I was in school but somehow the year starts in September, not January. Summer is over. School is back in session. Life shifts back to “normal.”  With that in mind next Sunday is what we’re calling Fall Forward.

This year it is a little different too for we’re restarting two important ministries that had been suspended due to the pandemic. Sunday School for boys, girls and teens, along with our Adult Bible Class begins at 9:30 am. We believe this is an opportune time to meet to study God’s Word. Special thanks to Cindy Price, Starla Ordiway, Joe Hart, Matt and Katherine Moore for helping with children and teens – not to mention those ministering to the little ones in the nurseries.  I will teach a class in the auditorium, “People Helping People.” One of our strategic plan initiatives is biblical counseling. That term scares people – it shouldn’t. Biblical counseling is exactly what the class title is – people helping people using the Bible to solve problems.  At 10:30 our elders will take a few minutes to update you on our strategic initiatives outlined in our Three Year Plan. I will preach on Eph 6:10, our theme verse regarding being strong in the Lord. Music will be focused on that as well.  

Following the service we will treat everyone to lunch – chili dogs, chips, cupcakes along with drinks will be provided outside in the front parking lot. Just another opportunity for us to visit together. The key is to be here. Sept 12 isn’t the time to visit grandma. Its been awhile since we’ve all been together as a church family.  So let’s fall forward next Sunday!  

August 22, 2021

O dear friends let us pray for the church in Afghanistan. Our brothers and sisters face terrible uncertainty at this time. Some have already faced martyrdom. It is hard to comprehend. Pray for physical protection. We need to ask our sovereign God to restrain evil and confuse the plans of evildoers. Physical provision is also a concern. Food shortages and the inability to take money out of banks is a real problem. We need to pray for spiritual provision—for their faith to be strong in the face of tremendous pressure to renounce Christ. Fellowship at a time like this is vital. One Afghan pastor requested prayer for revival. Here is a man whose life is in danger asking us, who enjoy so many privileges and freedoms, to pray that God would open the eyes of the spiritually blind and give life to dead hearts.

The question we ask ourselves, “Are we willing to make such a commitment to Jesus Christ?”  He does not ask all of us to lay down our actual lives, but he does call us to total surrender.  

Once again it seems as if the church is on the losing side. And yet we must trust God in days of dark providence. Jesus has promised his church will prevail.  Samuel Stone’s great hymn written in turbulent times, “The church will never perish—her dear Lord to defend, to guide, sustain and cherish, is with her to the end” (The Church’s One Foundation). God’s power guarantees his plan. His kingdom come, his will be done. As one early church father wrote,  “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.”  Heavenly Father, have mercy.

August 15, 2021

I am so excited about getting back together with small groups come next month. We take the summer off, but are now gearing up for a small group restart. Small groups are so important.  They promote spiritual growth, provide a means by which we can practice NT fellowship and yet there’s another reason why they are crucial. Small groups offer ministry opportunities.

Our small groups provide the ideal context to practice spiritual gifts, 1 Pet 4:10, Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others. Every believer has a spiritual gift. Again, there are limits in being able to use our gifts Sunday mornings. In Rom 12:15 we’re told to rejoice as well as weep with others. In 1 Cor 12:25 we’re commanded to care for one another; serve one another in Gal 5:13 and in 1 Pet 4:9 to offer hospitality one to another. The list goes on.

Small Groups meet twice a month – the first Sunday of the month or that following week; and the 3^rd Sunday or that following week. They last about an hour and a half. They involve discussion of the previous Sunday sermon, fellowship, prayer and interaction. If you are not in a small group, please see Tom Davis. We currently have six small groups which meet at different times on different days of the week. We want you involved in a small group because as elders we believe they are so important in giving the Body opportunities to use their gifts.  “… When each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love,” Eph 4:16.