FCC Etown Podcast

You’re in a lively discussion with a friend when the two of you disagree on a topic. What do you do? Persist in the discussion by citing references to prove your point until your friend gives up and says you’re right? What if you suddenly realize you’re wrong? Will you admit it? What if you know you’re right, but this friendship is worth more than your being right?

Paul tells us in Philippians 2:3-5 NLT, “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.”

The Jews are God’s chosen people, God’s only chosen people before Christ. After Christ, it is those who accept Jesus as His Son and promised Messiah that are God’s chosen people. Peter told Cornelius along with a large group of people, “...I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.” (Acts 10:34-35) As Christians, whatever we say and do must be spiritually edifying so as not to create barriers to those who have differing opinions.

2020 has been quite a year. From the pandemic to riots and protests and the election coming up, there are many people, fueled by anger and frustration, making decisions and posting statements on social media and in our workplaces. We are blaming, shaming, and unfriending over all sorts of issues. We are quick to respond to opposing views, but we have to remember the words of James 1:19-20, "be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires." We can also take to heart what the writer of Proverbs 16:32 says: "Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city."

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” 1 Peter 3:15.

Imagine a person out on the sea after their boat capsized, holding on to anything to stay above water. They’re out there for hours. It’s dark. It’s scary. It feels like it’s only a matter of time before the end. But then in the distance, they see the light from a lighthouse. If they can make it there, they will be saved.

As Christians, we serve as lighthouses to those who are in life and death situations. Shine your light. Search for the lost. Give them words of hope and salvation.

In Matthew 19:13, we read, “Then people brought little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them and pray for them.” Today, people bring their children to Jesus by bringing them to church, to be among believers, and learn lessons from the Scriptures.

Matthew also tells us, “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’” (Matthew 19:14). As the children come to church, we want them to be unhindered and made to feel safe, secure, and welcome.

Our Let’s Go campaign brings us another big step closer to gathering children together in a peaceful, spacious, and functional setting.

Your camera roll probably includes pictures showing the happy reactions of people receiving gifts. These are photo-worthy moments. Unwrapping the paper, opening the box, and seeing the gift for the first time creates a memorable experience. It’s much more meaningful than clicking on “accept.” There is joy all around.

God offers each of us an amazing, transforming gift. Salvation through Jesus Christ is freely offered to us all. Accepting this gift is the choice of a lifetime.

Have you ever said something in haste or in anger to a friend and it severed your friendship? The two of you stopped speaking to one another and you now avoid one another. While words can’t be taken back, the friendship can be rescued with a sincere apology from one friend and forgiveness from the other.

Romans 6:23a (ERV) reminds us that “when people sin, they earn what sin pays—death.” Sin can be the death of a friendship or it can be the death of a relationship with God. However, our relationship with God is not permanently severed for there is salvation to be found in one only—Christ Jesus, God’s sacrifice for His relationship with you.

God hates sin and cannot coexist with it. Because Christ offered Himself as a sacrifice for us — all of us, from the first person to the last person, our sins are forgiven. If Jesus had not died for us, we would not have forgiveness!

Now, that is a scary thought! Jesus, the Lamb of God, was perfect in every way and was sent to earth to bear the punishment for all our sins. He didn’t deserve it, yet became the ultimate sacrifice for us all. In this, He became our precious and perfect Holy Savior.

Before we can reach the end of the journey, we have to understand the beginning of the journey. The journey for all of us begins with sin. The sin that condemns us and keeps us from the life that we’ve always wanted. Sin is not confined to criminal or evil. Sin is the virus that infects us all. 

WAYMAKER: JEHOVAH-JIREH

There was a family who lived on one income and had a tight budget. They rarely went out to eat. One Sunday the mother wanted to treat the kids to lunch out at a restaurant, but she knew they couldn’t afford it. A thought crossed her mind that someone was going to give her money to go out on, but she didn’t expect it.

She never said anything to anyone, but right before the family left church that Sunday, a friend handed her money and told her to treat the kids with lunch. God is so faithful. He not only provides for needs, but he may sometimes reward the faithful with their desires, too.