Lukewarm: Can The Church Overcome?

I believe that every Christian would have an opinion concerning the question found in today’s title. Each one of us see the church either doing well, doing not-so-well, or  just doing the best we can. Our opinions are based most  likely on  recent experiences we have had in corporate worship… or how things are going in your daily life. However, our perception can be skewed via our own self-imposed value of the church. For example; how well should church life be in the midst of a pagan world or how much influence should a church have in our own local ministries?
Jesus teaches us something very important about the church…namely, that the proper perspective to evaluate the effectiveness and life of a church is from Heaven down not earth up. Jesus said in Revelation 3, “I know you works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth. Because you say, I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing–and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked–(here is how a church moves from lukewarm to God pleasing) I counsel you to buy from me gold refined iin the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.”
The Laodicean church was indifferent to doctrine and to truth and to the teaching of God. The church members did not even know the truth and the doctrine of God. Even today you may ask a church member a simple question about God, about the Bible, and about the revelation of Christ, and they have no idea what to answer. The Laodicean church had a hybrid type of worship with both Baal and Jehovah being worshipped at the same time…just like today we have men trying to worship Christ and the world at the same time. Probably the greatest estimate of the church of Revelation 3 is that they were self-deceived!
Christ on the other hand shows the church a way out of their situation…namely, a saving faith…with continual everyday supernatural Faith Living…second, knowing His Word and application of it in their lives…and third, a proper world view from the viewpoint of Scripture and Truth…

Can The Church Overcome? I say YES! It is not going to happen through man’s well conceived ideas and plans… but rather on our knees in prayer, great amounts of time spent in the Word, and pressing forward to excellence in Christian living.

 Join with me in a daily time with our Lord… and then when you get up from such sweet fellowship… continue to have a heart of prayer and obedience throughout the day. It will make a difference in your life… and that of your church family!!! God bless each of you… Pastor Jeff

Take Me Out To The Stimulus Package

One thing I enjoy is a good baseball game. I like to be in the stands watching it live with a diet-coke and a loaded hotdog! I like baseball games so much that a couple of years ago me and three other church members went to see the Cubs play at Wrigley field, then on to Milwaukee that night to see the Brewers, and finally the next day to St. Louis for the Cardinals… that was so much fun!
I feel like I’m at a baseball game with this whole Government Stimulus Package Deal. I’m a spectator with a vested interest as much as a fan can have… but I don’t have any way of making the game go in a certain direction because I’m not on the field. I’m yelling  but my voice is covered up by rhetoric from both sides.

I hear the crack of the bat and watch with expectation as the ball sails high and far… only to be caught on the warning track…almost a homerun but just another out. The game seems to be going back and forth… yes it will help our country…no it won’t help our country. It will help us avoid a depression…no it will only prolong the ebbing tide toward a depression.

I find it amusing here in the 7th inning stretch that government thinks it can outwit God! God sets forth in His Word principles that can help a nation be blessed… but we have for too long forfeited those blessings and presumed upon His grace. Both sides have quit playing by the rules and are now making them up as they go…

In this hour of desperation… it seems as though our nation and its people have called for Mighty Casey to come to bat… they have put their hopes on some miracle swing that will align the markets, banks, jobs, and financial systems. It seems the last time I read the story of Casey and the Bat things didn’t go so well…

For Christians we trust in our GOD! We know that HE WILL care and meet the needs we should have… and, in the midst of the dark and gloomy landscape MORE than meet our needs… just to show the people, the government, that GOD is still on HIS throne!

It’s the bottom of the ninth… time for another Diet-Coke and Hotdog!

Jeff Beshears

Vision Shared!

This morning I finally got to share what I believe to be a couple of key points of ministry for FBC. I believe that the Scripture truly is correct, “where there is no vision the people perish.” Now mind you there are lots of people that claim to have a word/vision from God… but over the last year the Lord has made it abundantly clear for me, the pastor, on how and what kinds of ministry FBC should be doing…all of which find the centerpoint in outreach evangelism…I guess we’ll soon see how the church family responds… I hope they first pray and consider the blessing this is from the Lord…
We had a visitor from out of town who sent me an email this afternoon… this is from someone who is not a member of FBCM…if they can see the vision…well…here is what they said
“Dear Pastor Jeff,
What a privilege to be in the service this morning, and to hear the vision you have presented to the church. In these dreary, scary times of our country, what a vision this church was given to be a shining light and a beacon to the great city of Maumelle, and the surrounding areas. People are looking for answers to challenging times.
Since I have been an outsider looking in with regard to the growth of the church, FBC seemed to missed its opportunity to be a lighthouse to the nonchurched members of the city all these years.
This direction that God has revealed to you, will make finally, the difference to be a witness with dynamic, explosive impact on the city of Maumelle. Unlike most cities, FBC has a lock so to speak on the population…where can one go to experience facilities that touch the whole family in one location minutes from their house. The outer fringes of Maumelle will also be reached with the news of a church that offers so much to families, what other city can say this?
I can see FBC as the beacon in the community that says, “Jesus loves you and so does FBC Maumelle, come and partake of all we offer you!” We can help the body and most importantly the soul. Lets make sure we light up this town with facilities that minister to all residents of Maumelle and who knows what other cities!
FBC, step up to the challenge and sacrifice, to make this a reality…lets show this city, the MIGHTY GOD we Serve…we can change Maumelle, and witness to countless people with this tool of evangelism! You all can make a difference… God bless you Pastor…you surely seek the heart of Go!!!
A Visitor From Hot Springs

I believe that if you consider what was on the DVD, the Q/A handout, and your own prayer time then each member will come to the same conclusion… we have to do all we can to reach people for Christ… and understanding the culture of Maumelle one would reason why we should head in the direction we have shared… I challenge each of us to spend great amounts of time in prayer for Project 70 & Now Is The Time.

Blessings to each of you…

Pastor Jeff Beshears