What is Bible Salvation?

As a Pastor, I constantly try to speak to people about Jesus. In these conversations, I find it alarming that most people don't  have a solid knowledge of what Bible Salvation really is. I hear statements like, "I believe in God.",  "I'm on the right path.",  "I think I'm doing pretty good.",  "I was baptized when I was young.",  "I go to a church and am involved in that church.",  "I have been through confirmation."

As good as all those things sound, not one of them will get you to heaven. The Bible says it's by GRACE through FAITH. (Ephesians 2:8) Ultimately, it's not about what you feel, or what you think, or what makes the most sense to you, it's about whether or not you have a PERSONAL realtionship with Jesus Christ.That relationship begins when the Holy Spirit convicts your heart, and you receive Jesus Christ into your life by believing in his death, burial, and ressurrection. The Bible uses the word "Repent." Repentance means more than just feeling sorry or guilty, but it's a change in heart that will result in change of actions. I believe that when a person receives Christ, they become a new creature- or creation!  (II Corinthian 5:17)  It means that there is a change in their life. True salvation always results in repentance. I John is a book in the back of the Bible that talks a lot about the changes that take place when we have have Christ in our life.

Are you trusting in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation? Or, are you counting on all the things you do, or do not do for salvation? True salvation realizes it's not in what we do, but in what Jesus Christ has already DONE by his finished work on the cross.

I know this article is brief, but I hope that after reading this, you would examine your life and see if you have experienced a true, Bible salvation. Your experience and testimony doesn't have to line up with mine, or anyone else's, but it must line up with what the Bible says salvation really is.

Pastor Joel

It's Not About Me

Jesus says in Luke chapter 9, that in order to be a disciple, or Christ-follower, we must "deny our self". If we take a minute and really let that sink in, I think we would have to admit, that we don't "deny our self" too often. For many Christians, life is all about them. It's all about "how I feel", "what I think", and "what makes me happy." Jesus says that for a Christ-follower though, our mentality must be different. It must be about Christ and others! We must "deny our self." Life is not all about me, it's all about serving Christ by serving others.

In the last year, I have read and listened to dozens of speakers teach on marriage. You know what I hate about all of them? They all point to me, and tell me that the problems in my marriage are my fault! They point out how my selfishness is the cause of most of the disagreements. Jesus gives husbands and wives this advice in Ephesians 5, "submit yourselves one to another." In other words, give up your "rights" to the other. Stop looking at how your spouse needs to change, and look at how you need to change. He also uses the phrase that we are to "prefer one another." I wonder how many fights would be avoided in every relationship in our lives if we would obey that. "Preferring another" means to put someone else above us. It means to think how I can help someone else instead of myself. I challenge you right now to look at the conflicts in your life and see how many are a result of your selfishness. I think we all need to repent, and ask that God would begin to help us change, to start "denying our self", and to prefer one another.

Just Friends

I am excited to announce our new teen series at FBC coming in September. We are taking nine weeks and studying the book, Just Friends, by Cary Schmidt and Mike Ray. I read this book over the summer, and it is the best book I have ever read on the subject of guy/girl relationships.

Many times parents/Christian leaders feel intimidated or inadequate to deal with the subject. The problem then becomes that our kids are going to the wrong sources for advice. They mimic the world, and we see the kids trying to "be in a relationship" who are definitely not ready for that kind of relationship. On the other hand, I have observed many well meaning individuals that go to the other extreme and try to completely keep teens away from the opposite gender. This usually results in the teens taking it "underground" and building an unhealthy relationship based on secrecy and deception.

My desire is that we as Pastors and parents work together to teach our kids Biblical principles in this area of relationships. As a church, we encourage our teens to wait until after high school before having a serious dating relationship. However, it is my desire that during high school, we begin to prepare them for being the right person to enjoy a wonderful "Someday."

If you have a teenager, or kids about to be teenagers, I encourage you to have them in the Teen Class in the months of September and October. Even if you and your family are not members of our church, I want to extend the invitation for you to join us for this series. Many want to shy away from this subject, leaving it up to the kids to "figure it out", but I encourage parents and leaders to wake up and get involved on behalf of kid's future.

Pastor Joel

http://www.firstbaptistgeneseo.org/justfriends/

Overcoming



I am excited to announce our new small group series "Overcoming", starting this Fall. This will be an 8 week series for the months of September and October. God put this on my heart to develop thoughts scripturally on how to overcome the many obstacles in our life. Each day, we face many challenges that seem almost impossible to overcome; yet God says in I John that we can overcome the "wicked one", because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. He also says that our faith is the victory that "overcometh the world."

Do you struggle with Fear? Do you lay awake at night and in your mind think about the worst possible scenerios in every situation? What about doubt? Do you constantly think you will fail, and that God won't come through? Then there is guilt. Guilt steals today's joy, and destroys our future, because we can't forget the past. Depression is something that some of the greatest men of God faced in the Bible, and it made them want to quit and die. Stress caused David to say that his heart was overwhelmed. Temptation is something we will face until the day we die. Hurt has wounded all of us, and if not dealt with will cause us to hurt others. Do you find yourself always about to explode in anger? Anger and bitterness are root problems that can destroy us.

In this eight week series, we will look at God's Word and see how to overcome these challenges that we are faced with everyday. I encourage you to join us on Wednesdays in September and October and see how God can give you the power to be an overcomer.

Help for the Family

Committing to having your family in church is one the greatest things you can do to help your family spiritually. My friend, Pastor Eric Capaci said, "The church is one of the most neglected resources for our families." When there are problems in your home,  whether with your marriage, or with your kids, that is not the time to run from church, but to dive in and commit to being in church every week. It is in church you will hear life-changing truth from God's Word. When we commit to being in church, it also gives us the opportunity to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ, as Hebrews instructs us to. It creates accountability in our life with other believers in a non judgmental, but encouraging way. I also encourage you to sit down with your pastor, and see what areas of service your family can be involved with.


I Timothy 3:15 tells us that the church is "the pillar and ground of the truth." in other words, the church holds up truth, and is the foundation of truth. Occasionally people tell me how much they love Jesus, but they just don't like church. However, that is not possible. If they really knew Jesus well, they would know that Jesus loves the church, and wants them to be faithful in church. I write this article not to guilt trip anyone who is not yet committed to church, but encourage you to make a commitment to being in God's house consistently. This commitment will mean you will have to say "no" to a lot of other things on the schedule. I promise you though, if you make this commitment, your family will be helped and strengthened.

http://www.firstbaptistgeneseo.org/committed

Pastor Joel

Committed

Daniel 1:8  says he  "purposed in his heart" not to defile himself. That phrase "purposed in his heart" means that he was committed. It wasn't a choice of convenience, but a choice of commitment! People don't want to make commitments, because they fear it might cost something...and they are exactly right, it does cost something! Being committed to something costs greatly. 

Our new teen series this summer is on "Committed". Because of our commitment to Christ, we have to say "no" to a lot of things that try to compete with the things God wants us to be committed to. It's not necessarily that those other things are wrong, it's just that we have to say "yes" to the best things. In our interview with former UFC champion Pat Miletich, he talked about the level of commitment that it takes to be a world champion. He said you have to be willing to do what others will not do. It's never easy, but it's always worth it.

I challenge you to make some Godly commitments this summer. 

http://www.firstbaptistgeneseo.org/committed

Pastor Joel

What Will My Funeral Be Like?

Yesterday, I attended the funeral of a Godly man. Although I didn't personally know him (I attended to be a support of some of our church members.), I was blessed and encouraged hearing about the testimony of a life that made a difference for the kingdom of God. Today, as what happens many times for me at funerals, I left  myself asking this question: "What would be said of me today, if I were the one lying in the casket?" What would the story my life would say? 

Psalm 90:9 tells us that, "we spend our years as a tale that is told." In other words, everyday, by how we live, we are writing the script of our life. It is my prayer that my life will impact many for Jesus Christ. When I am lying in the casket, it won't matter how big my house was, or how fast my car was. It won't matter how many trophies my kids won in sports, or how "successful" my career was. What will matter though, is if I have made a difference in the lives of others around me for Christ. That is my desire, and I hope it is yours, too.

Pastor Joel

Recap of Easter Sunday at First Baptist

God gave us a wonderful Resurrection Sunday yesterday! The church was packed out with many first time guests from the community, and we were blessed by the music that gave praise and honor to Christ. The message on the Resurrection was extremely powerful. I was glad to hear some of our guests commenting that the service was exciting and refreshing.  After the service, the kids enjoyed a huge Easter Egg hunt at the park. There were over 1,500 eggs filled with candy, money, and prizes. It was fun seeing all the kids having such a wonderful experience at church! It's my prayer that yesterday would be the beginning of life-change for those who attended. I'm extremely thankful for all the help from our wonderful church family who made such positive impressions on the many who attended church for the first time. It is awesome to know and serve Jesus Christ with you all- the One Who makes every Sunday worth celebrating! Pastor Joel

Easter

How to prepare for Easter Sunday:

1. Pray 

Pray that God will work in your heart and the hearts of those who come on Easter Sunday. Most people who will come as first time guests have great needs and problems in their life. They are looking for answers, and they are looking for hope. Pray that they will find THE answer in Jesus Christ. God works when we pray, and place our dependence on Him. Pray for a specific person/family to come with you to church!

2. Attend

Make sure that you will be there on Easter Sunday. The Devil will do everything in his power to make sure that roadblocks are placed in your path on Easter Weekend. The kids will get sick, family will want you to spend time with them during church, you will feel tired, and anything that can go wrong will! When we commit to something, it means we have to say "no" to a lot of other things. If you do not attend church, I would challenge you to commit to coming Easter Sunday to First Baptist. 

3. Serve

Get involved at church on Easter Sunday! Volunteer to be a greeter, help in the nursery, help with the Easter Egg Hunt for the kids. Find something to do to be a part of the service. Go out of your comfort zone to be a blessing to others. 

4. Invite

There are people in your neighborhood, or at your work, or at your school, who would come as your guest, if you would simply invite them! One statistic I read recently, said that over 80% of unchurched said they would attend if invited by a friend or family member! I read another statistic the same day that said that only 2% of church members have ever once invited someone! This is the easiest and best time of the year to invite guests. One simple invitation could be life-changing for someone!

5. Celebrate

Remember why we are celebrating! We as Christians serve a Risen Savior who is alive. Last year, a certain cult group left an invitation on my door to come celebrate Christ's death. I understand how important Christ's atoning death on the cross is, but I'm not celebrating the fact that Jesus died...I'm celebrating that Jesus is alive! He defeated death, proving He is God. 

There are thousands of graves all around the world that are famous because of what is inside them, but the grave of Christ is the only one in the world that is famous because what is not inside! 

Hope to see you on Easter Sunday! 

http://www.firstbaptistgeneseo.org

Pastor Joel