Alive Post 3

Alive Post 3

alive1

Acts 1:1-8

Before Jesus ascended back to Heaven He spent time with His disciples. This was very insightful for the disciples and it is very meaningful for us today.

#1 Jesus is Alive and He gives us clear INSTRUCTIONS. Acts 1:1-2

#2 Jesus is Alive and gives us EVIDENCE of His Resurrection. Acts 1:3

#3 Jesus is Alive and gives us the gift of HIS SPIRIT. Acts 1:4

#4 Jesus is Alive and gives us the gift of CLARITY. Acts 1:7

#5 Jesus is Alive and He gives us a clear MISSION. Acts 1:8

Alive! Post 1

Alive! Post 1

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

After Resurrection Sunday Jesus appeared to His disciples over a period of 40 days before He ascended to Heaven. Acts 1:3 Believers in Christ can celebrate our Savior who is Alive! He is not only Alive, but He is interested in us.

#1 Jesus PURSUES us where we are. John 21:1

#2 Life with Jesus is an ADVENTURE. John 21:6

#3 Passion for Jesus is Rewarded with His PRESENCE. John 21:7

#4 Jesus INVITES us to join Him in His work on Earth. John 21:9; John 20:21

#5 Time with Jesus is CRITICAL and cannot be replaced. John 21:12

Our Great Savior is Alive!

Easter Changes Everything!

Easter Changes Everything!

EasterBanner

#1 Easter Changes Brokenness to SERVICE  John 20:1-2

#2 Easter Changes Questions to FAITH  John 20:5-8

#3 Easter Changes Grief to GLADNESS  John 20:10-18

#4 Easter Changes Fear to PEACE  John 20:19-20

#5 Easter Changes Fate to PURPOSE  John 20:21

#6 Easter Changes Doubt to BELIEF  John 20:24-28

#7 Easter Change EVERYTHING!  John 20:30-31

The Center of Easter

The Center of Easter

EasterBannerIt’s an old, old story. He lived. He died. He rose from the dead. What does that mean for you and your family today? In a world where we can command information with the click of a mouse or a touch of a phone, how do historical events still impact our lives?

Next month we will celebrate Easter. What do you think about when you think about Easter? Do you think about Easter egg hunts when your children were young, family meals after church, getting dressed up for your annual Easter family picture or chocolate bunnies? Easter is a precious holiday, and as with all things that are precious it must be protected. To protect this precious treasure we must keep Jesus at the center of Easter and truly take time to reflect and marvel at God’s great love for us.

Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

This is a truth that is worth celebrating at Easter and everyday of the year.

Consider these ideas to keep Jesus in the center of Easter this year:

1. Attend church with your family on Easter. Churches all across our community celebrate Easter and would welcome you and your family. If you don’t have a church home, I would like to invite you to attend First Baptist, Dalhart this Easter.

2. Watch a movie that depicts the sacrificial death of Christ. Decide on the movie based on the ages of those in your family. Possible movies would include:  Passion of the Christ, Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe, The Bible or Veggie Tales: T’was the Night before Easter.

3. Spend time reading the Bible together as a family during the 40 days before Easter or the week before Easter. Free devotions for the Easter season are available at www.bible.com

4. Use Resurrection Eggs to explain the true meaning of Easter to children. www.resurrectioneggs.com

5. Travel to the large cross at Groom, TX and pray the stations of the cross. www.crossministries.net

The focus is not planning more things to do, but deliberately remembering Jesus at Easter. Look for opportunities to talk about Jesus with those you are closest to.

I hope you have a great April as you put Jesus at the center of Easter.

This article originally appeared in the Dalhart Texan and was written by Sean Vickers.

Lord’s Supper FAQ

Lord’s Supper FAQ

communionWhat is the Lord’s Supper?

The Lords Supper was started by Jesus when He was in the Upper Room with His disciples celebrating the Passover. Matthew 26:17-30. Jesus used bread and the cup to represent His body and blood. It is a symbolic act of obedience where believers remember the death of their Savior, Jesus.

Who can participate in the Lord’s Supper?

Most protestant churches offer Open Communion. This means that anyone in attendance that has trusted Christ as their Savior and Lord may participate in the Lord’s Supper.

How often should a church offer the Lord’s Supper?

Each church determines the frequency of  offering the Lord’s Supper. Quarterly seems too infrequent while weekly too often. Participating in the Lord’s Supper on a monthly basis works well for many churches.

Can you celebrate the Lord’s Supper outside of a church setting?

Yes. Participating in the Lord’s Supper outside a church setting is very meaningful for families, shut-ins, and those incarcerated.

The power of a symbol is based on what that symbol represents. Since the Lord’s Supper represents the Body and Blood of Christ, it is a powerful symbol of the faith that strengthens the church, encourages believers and honors our Savior.

1 Corinthians 11:23-32

Our Big News

Our Big News

December 15, 2013 was my first Sunday at First Baptist Church Dalhart, Texas as their new Pastor. This moment was the result of God’s leading and the culmination of years of prayer.

5 Things God taught Me during my Ministry Move

  1. There is no substitution for prayer.
  2. God want us to know His will and He will clearly direct our paths.
  3. God prepares and equips us for service.
  4. Ministry friends are a great source of counsel and encouragement.
  5. God’s glory should be the focus, not selfish ambition.

We are excited about this new season of ministry and look forward to making Dalhart, Texas our new home.

Advent Joy

Advent Joy

joyJoy is a gift from God. Jesus came to give us Joy and we celebrate His joy at Christmas.

Christmas Joy from Luke 2

  • Surprising Ambassadors of of the Message of Joy Luke 2:8
  • Surprising Messengers of Joy Luke 2:9
  • Surprising Message of Joy Luke 2:9-12
  • Surprising Worship of God Luke 2:13-14
  • Not so surprising response to the message of Joy Luke 2:16-20

Steps to Unwrapping Joy this Christmas

  1. Receive the Good News
  2. Realize you are not the source of Joy for your life.
  3. Receive Joy and Choose Joy

 

Guided by God’s Word

Guided by God’s Word

Guided by God’s Word

2 Timothy 3:1-17

The Textbook of Sunday School (Small Group Bible Study) is the Bible, the Word of God. 2 Timothy 3:1-17 focuses on the importance of the Bible. What would our Small Groups be without the Bible as our focus? Would it be a support group, a civic club, a gathering of friends, or a prayer group? Even though a good Small Group will have some of these elements, the Bible is central to what a Small Group Bible Study is all about.

The Bible is not only our Textbook, It is the Test for the quality of our Christian walk. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

  • Teaching – divine instruction or doctrinal teaching
  • Rebuking – Reproof of wrong behavior or wrong belief
  • Correcting – The restoration of something to its proper condition
  • Training in Righteousness – Positive training in godly behavior.

These powerful aspects of the Bible lead to completeness and competence in the life of a believer.

If you are not committed to a small group of believers that meet weekly around the Word of God, let me encourage you to find a group and dig in. Your Christian walk will be greatly affected when you connect with other believers and connect with God, through His Word.