The Messenger - firstbaptistjeff.org · Messenger . First Baptist Church 2402 E. 10th St,...
4
First Baptist Church 2402 E. 10 th St, Jeffersonville, IN 47130 812.283.6136 [email protected] www.firstbaptistjeff.org Tony Talks Greetings, The air is cooler, the leaves are changing colors, and I have swapped my golf polos for a closet full of hoodies and long-sleeved t-shirts – Fall is upon us! Just as God’s creation is undergoing change, so too is the culture and climate of our great nation. Many of you have asked me my thoughts on the resurgence of racism in our country and the upcoming election. Many have also asked when I will address these issues from the pulpit and to be honest, I am not certain. Allow me to explain that my answer in no way indicates a lack of desire or understanding. Nor is my response intended to discount or minimize the severity of these issues. Rather, I am being sensitive to the fact that the pulpit, in my opinion, should be reserved for the expression and teaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Moreover, with a majority of our audience being online there is a greater margin for misinterpretation and misunderstanding of what is shared. This being said, I do feel something needs to be offered to all of you in regards to these highly sensitive issues and I have chosen this space in which to do so. One of the many authors I choose to follow is a man by the name of Timothy Keller. Keller is not only an author he is also a highly respected theologian and apologist. Recently, Keller offered a three-part series on racism and how the church should respond; The Bible and Race (March 2020), Biblical Critique of Secular Justice and Critical Theory (August 2020), and Justice in the Bible (September 2020). Due to limited space, I have summarized the 4 main points of Keller’s work (using his words) – which aligns seamlessly with my beliefs and what I feel should be the approach of not only our church – but the global Church as well: · “Because of the Image of God” - It is a sin to violate– in thought, word, or deed–the divine truth that all humans have equal dignity and worth as persons created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-28). · “Because of the commandment to love your neighbor” - When Jesus is asked to define love of neighbor, he depicts someone who, at great risk and sacrifice, meets the physical and material needs of a man of a different race and religion from himself (Luke 10:25- 37). · “Because of the New Creation” - The Bible shows us that one of the important features of that new creation is to practice equality of the races and the healing of their relationships, because “in Christ…there is neither Jew nor Gentile” · “Because of the Gospel of Justification by grace through faith alone” - To understand and to make progress against racism as sin we must also understand racism as a violation of the principle of grace salvation at the heart of the gospel. Please know that the issue(s) at hand go far beyond the few words offered in this article. However, this provides for you a solid foundation on which to stand and begin some independent study and prayer in regards to racial equality. We, as followers of Jesus Christ have the divine commandment to take a stand for those who are oppressed – both inside our church walls and outside our church walls. Love Above All, Pastor Tony October 2020 The Messenger
Transcript of The Messenger - firstbaptistjeff.org · Messenger . First Baptist Church 2402 E. 10th St,...
First Baptist Church 2402 E. 10th St, Jeffersonville, IN 47130 812.283.6136 [email protected] www.firstbaptistjeff.org
Tony Talks Greetings,
The air is cooler, the leaves are changing colors, and I
have swapped my golf polos for a closet full of hoodies and long-sleeved t-shirts – Fall is upon us! Just as God’s
creation is undergoing change, so too is the culture and climate of our great nation. Many of you have asked me my thoughts on the resurgence of racism in our country
and the upcoming election. Many have also asked when I will address these issues from the pulpit and to be honest, I am not certain. Allow me to explain that my
answer in no way indicates a lack of desire or understanding. Nor is my response intended to discount or minimize the severity of these issues. Rather, I am
being sensitive to the fact that the pulpit, in my opinion, should be reserved for the expression and teaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Moreover, with a majority of our
audience being online there is a greater margin for misinterpretation and misunderstanding of what is
shared. This being said, I do feel something needs to be offered to all of you in regards to these highly sensitive issues and I have chosen this space in which to do so.
One of the many authors I choose to follow is a man by
the name of Timothy Keller. Keller is not only an author he is also a highly respected theologian and apologist. Recently, Keller offered a three-part series on racism and
how the church should respond; The Bible and Race (March 2020), Biblical Critique of Secular Justice and Critical Theory (August 2020), and Justice in the Bible
(September 2020). Due to limited space, I have summarized the 4 main points of Keller’s work (using his
words) – which aligns seamlessly with my beliefs and what I feel should be the approach of not only our church – but the global Church as well:
· “Because of the Image of God” - It is a sin to violate–
in thought, word, or deed–the divine truth that all humans have equal dignity and worth as persons created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-28).
· “Because of the commandment to love your neighbor” - When Jesus is asked to define love of neighbor, he depicts someone who, at great risk and
sacrifice, meets the physical and material needs of a man of a different race and religion from himself (Luke 10:25-37).
· “Because of the New Creation” - The Bible shows us
that one of the important features of that new creation is to practice equality of the races and the healing of their relationships, because “in Christ…there is neither Jew
nor Gentile”
· “Because of the Gospel of Justification by grace through faith alone” - To understand and to make
progress against racism as sin we must also understand racism as a violation of the principle of grace salvation at the heart of the gospel.
Please know that the issue(s) at hand go far beyond the
few words offered in this article. However, this provides for you a solid foundation on which to stand and begin some independent study and prayer in regards to racial
equality. We, as followers of Jesus Christ have the divine commandment to take a stand for those who are oppressed – both inside our church walls and outside our
church walls.
Love Above All, Pastor Tony
October 2020
The Messenger
First Baptist Church 2402 E. 10th St, Jeffersonville, IN 47130 812.283.6136 [email protected] www.firstbaptistjeff.org
Sermand
Birthdays & Anniversaries
10.1 Dwight & Heather Schmitz (A)
10.1 Brenda Holman
10.6 John Crouch
10.7 Patricia Tate
10.8 Roger McDonald
10.8 Ed Williams
10.9 Deborah Read
10.10 Jason & Melanie May (A)
10.10 Larry & Karen Duvall (A)
10.11 Aaron Turner
10.12 Rusty Soeder
10.12 Clifton Richardson
10.13 Lori Emmett
10.15 Jordan & Katie Rajchel (A)
10.16 Betty Crone
10.17 Mary Chapman
10.18 Terry Bivens
10.19 Rebecca Middleton
10.20 Donna Adams
10.20 Ashlyn Smith
10.21 Melanie May
10.22 April Friedrich
10.22 Marsha Omanson
10.23 Kim Pritchard
10.24 Carol Wunsch
10.25 Brittany Morrison
10.27 Phyllis Woods
10.29 Dwight Schmitz
Sermon Series
Sunday Service
Midweek Service
First Baptist Church 2402 E. 10th St, Jeffersonville, IN 47130 812.283.6136 [email protected] www.firstbaptistjeff.org
First Baptist Church 2402 E. 10th St, Jeffersonville, IN 47130 812.283.6136 [email protected] www.firstbaptistjeff.org
September Financial Update
Monthly Monthy YTD YTD
Actual Budget Actual Budget
All Operating Receipts $25,907 $29,671 $244,337 $267,039
All Operating Expenses $22,898 $29,673 $210,449 $237,384
.
Net Gain or Loss $3,009 -$2 $33,888 $29,655
Balance Balance
Fund Balances 9/1/2020 Receipts Disbursements 9/30/2020
Operating Fund $111,538 $25,907 $22,898 $114,547
Children's Activities $50 $50 $106 -$6
Chupper $84 $0 $0 $84
Benevolence $5,033 $235 $4,378 $890
10% Giving $0 $2,581 $2,581 $0
Men's Retreat $345 $0 $0 $345
Mission Go Team $33,013 $1,384 $2,485 $31,912
Youth $2,977 $250 $516 $2,711
Savings $173,851 $2,007 $0 $175,858
Building & Maintenance $31,264 $494 $30 $31,728
Total Fund Balances $358,155 $32,908 $32,994 $358,069
Dear Pastor Tony and Church Family,
Thank you all so very much for the
flowers and meal provision that you
provided when Ken’s mom passed
away. It was very much appreciated!
It is a blessing to be part of such a
caring church family.
Love,
The Stutsmans
Hello All,
As a family member of Mark Pope, whose service Pastor Tony spoke
at, I wanted to thank you for your time and kind words. Steve and Kelli
attend your church, and I have heard nothing but loving and warm
comments about the church as a whole. It sounds like a great church.
Lastly, I want to thank Betty and Zennie for bringing us a feast
that we all very much appreciated. God is at work in their gestures.
May God bless you always in your Christian quest, particularly for the
47130 zip! Your church truly blessed us as a family, for which we are all
grateful.
In His name, Barbara Murray Badgley
