Passing the Faith Along

   This week was sort of a milestone in our family, Robin’s first Band Camp.  We were both members of the band throughout high school, and enjoyed many memories of the time.  It seems safe to say that our love of music has successfully passed on to Robin, and Carlee is well on the way.  One of the tasks of parenthood is passing along knowledge and family history; while a Christian parent is also to pass along their faith in Jesus Christ. 

   Many times in the scripture God commands his leaders and people to build altars of remembrance at points of significance.  God then instructed them to tell their children the stories behind the altars.  Not every generation would get to experience the dividing of the Red Sea, but we know about God’s miracle because parents passed their testimony down from generation to generation.  We are also indebted to God for instructing men through the Holy Spirit to record these stories into scripture.  We now have the scripture to use and explain the awesomeness of God also. 

“"When your son asks you in time to come, saying, 'What is the meaning of the testimonies, the statutes, and the judgments which the Lord our God has commanded you?'” Deuteronomy 6:20

“And those twelve stones which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up in Gilgal.  Then he spoke to the children of Israel, saying: "When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, 'What are these stones?'  then you shall let your children know, saying, 'Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land';  for the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over, that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever." Joshua 4:20-24

   Have you been passing along family stories of the faith, including your testimony?  It is an important part of your family’s life to hear your testimony, especially in light that tomorrow is not promised.  No family wants to be at the coffin and wonder about their family member’s salvation.  We also pass along our faith through a strong church.  When passing along church traditions I believe we should pass along “Why we do ____” more than “This is how we do ____.”  A good example may be the “Model Prayer”, some recite the prayer daily (as their only prayer), this would quickly become repetitious and lose meaning.  We should pass along the meaning behind the phrases and let the expression of the prayer show their devotion to God.  God can be glorified through song, art, cleaning, cooking, work, and so on.  Let us devote our time to glorifying God, and passing it on to another.

Leadership Answers

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Proverbs 29:18

   As of the time I write this, I did not receive any answers to the leader’s questions presented last week. I hope that means some people are trusting the leadership of the church to move our congregation forward, and that others are either still praying about their answers and waiting for leadership meetings to discuss.  As a leader, and one trusted to place a devotional thought each week, I will share some of my answers, in order for you to hold me accountable.

   I believe the next thing we must do is provide ways for more people to engage with the gospel through worship and study.  Within worship we need more space for people to attend under the preaching of God’s Word.  There are two ways for this to happen, more building/property or more services; and I am convinced that it is better stewardship to utilize our current facilities more by offering more services.  Much the same we should continue teaching the gospel to as many people as possible through home groups, non-Sunday small groups, and training new group leaders. 

   We need God to move in such a way for us, as a congregation to truly reach our community, Rowletts and Hart County.  Look at our church, many people drive past many other ‘community’ churches to reach Rowletts Baptist each week.  We are leaving our communities and coming to Rowletts to serve; such as if you drive more than 5 miles to attend, like me (and I estimate 75% of the congregation.)  God places churches to reach the community, and we must find ways to engage this community, Rowletts. 

   Our Mission statement is “Rowletts Baptist is a country church that exalts Jesus Christ, with a missionary heart dedicated to sharing the love of Christ.”  The greatest goal of any New Testament is to exalt the scriptures, which all testify of Jesus Christ.  In whatever method we use it must hold to the scriptures, more than our personal preferences.  A missionary heart seeks to engage the lost with the gospel.  If it comes to a decision toward doing something for ourselves or reaching out of our comfort zone to the lost; we must get out of our comfort and love the ‘unlovable.’  The greatest aspect of God’s love is His grace to overlook our flaws and sins, which make us different from Him.  Our church is diverse, and application of this mission will be one way we are different.  Grace will be key; discernment should be used to maintain allegiance to Christ while reaching a culture running from Him.