We discussed our lack of discipline last week, and so we are continuing with our diagnoses. The second area of concern is that we also experience a lack of commitment. We should ask ourselves the old question: “If every member prayed as I pray, attended as I attend and gave as I give — what kind of church would this be?”
I tell you right now before God, if the future of the Lord’s churches depended upon some, all but the gates of hell would prevail against her. What’s the problem? I will tell you what it is for many: it is a lack of commitment.
Our problem is not knowing what the right thing to do is. There was a time when some of you ran well and did the right thing, but now it’s not so. We, in our finite minds, can commit to almost anything but God, and I don’t mean with half-heartedness. Some work a year and never miss a day, and will use any excuse to miss church, never considering what God thinks. John Mark failed to show commitment. Demus, Paul said, has forsaken me. Please keep in mind, friends, they wouldn’t choose sides and found themselves without. Christianity is experiencing a decline due to a lack of discipline and commitment.
Let’s move on to another severe symptom, and that is a contaminated or watered-down gospel. We say we are not hard-shell Baptist fatalists. Yet, there are religions all around us being presented, contaminated by heresies. If the only way for a person to be saved is by the gospel of Jesus Christ, and we rightly claim to have that gospel, then how concerned are we that people all around us are dying and going to Hell? Peter wrote to the Gal. 1:7-8, “Which is not another; but there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”
It would seem that whatever we use to measure our spirituality as a church, it certainly was not the first-century church. How do you reckon that over 3,000 joined the church in one day? And is that still not possible?
From Our Missionaries
Ebenezer, West Little Rock: Ruben Isturiz writes, “At Ebenezer, we have been dedicating our efforts to share the gospel and the Word of God with two specific groups — unbelievers and those who have become disconnected from the church. It is a blessing that 90% of our congregation consists of new believers who, through discipleship, are learning what it means to be part of a New Testament church. Since most of them come from a Catholic background, our challenge is to teach them about life in church community.
“This week, we had the joy of hosting a sister in Christ and her two daughters, whom we consider ‘disconnected’ from a church, at Ebenezer. Kory and I met them years ago. Their former church experienced a split, transforming from Baptist to Pentecostal, which left them hurting and without a place to congregate for a long time. It was through social media that they contacted my wife, and for the first time in years, they returned to a church. Seeing the joy on this sister’s face during the preaching time was our greatest reward. I ask you to pray for her husband, who was unable to attend. We imagine his heart is hurting and pray for God to heal him.
“Thank you for your continued support and prayers. It is because of you and our team that we can continue sowing the Word of God among the Hispanic community in Central Arkansas. To God be the glory!”
Faith Chapel, Flippin: Johnny Shew writes, “We had a wonderful week at Faith Chapel! We had a pretty good number with two first-time visitors. We had a guest preacher Sunday Morning, Matt Watson from Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in Indiana. He is the son and grandson of our members, Bert and Sherry Watson and June Neeley, and he brought a great message from II Samuel, urging us to accept God’s Kindness. It was such a blessing!
“Our folks worked very hard all week collecting donations, pricing, staging, setting up for and working at our yard sale. The funds were raised to purchase the youth playground set, and it was a resounding success. We’ve made a good start toward our goal, and we will continue to raise funds until we reach our target.
“But to even top that, a couple that was having a hard time lately came by, and we were able to counsel and help them a little, and praise God, they got saved as well! You never know when your witness will bear fruit. The plan had been to combine community outreach with the sale, and I believe that we did!
“We thank you all for your prayers and support. They truly mean a great deal to us. We thank God for you!
Faith Journey, Benton: Bryan Clay writes, “Faith Journey has been blessed with the opportunity to provide premarital counseling to two young couples preparing for their weddings later this year. These sessions have been a valuable time to help lay a strong, Christ-centered foundation for their marriages.
“This week we also had our first-ever breakfast/brunch fellowship and trivia time during the morning service. We reviewed lessons from the book of Genesis, enjoyed delicious food and shared a wonderful time of fellowship.
“During the evening service, we focused on Heb. 10:24, discussing how to encourage one another toward good works. We then divided into small accountability groups to brainstorm ideas of how to encourage one another to share the gospel and Christ’s love in the community.
“Meanwhile, the children learned about spreading the gospel, participated in activities to help apply this in their lives and memorized Matt. 28:19. They had a great time learning how to share the message of Christ with others.”
Misión Gracia Soberana (Sovereign Grace), NWA:Roberto Marcelletti writes, “Greetings! Our women’s ministry is studying the letter of James, and this has produced growth, a fervor to serve and a desire to share the gospel. Nanie and Angeles are cleaning out the kitchen (taking out the old things that are not used). Together with Iris, they are in charge of this week’s Bazaar, our first big event for the community.
“Patty is evangelizing Natasha and Michele, our two young co-workers, and on Thursday, she went to their apartment to bring them medicine since they had been sick.
“On Thursday, we met in our connection group in the city of Springdale, and we had a very good time. I was able to talk to Alberto, a man who has been visiting us for about three months, and he plans to move to another state to look for better job opportunities.
“On Saturday, we gathered to pray for the brothers of the church. In the afternoon, we went to a park where we celebrated the independence of Colombia, the country where my wife was born, and handed out invitations to our services.”
Epic Life, Pea Ridge: Jake McCandless writes, “Our Connection Groups had a great week, especially our Garfield Group. They had a couple who had previously moved away but have recently moved back. It was wonderful to hear the impact the Connection Group had on their life.
“Woodbridge had a five-hour gathering. Yes, you read that right. An incredible night of fellowship and study, that may have included roasting s’mores in nearly 90-degree weather.
“We ended the week with our Collective Gathering, where all our groups come together for worship, preaching, and celebrating what God is doing. Our worship leader, Marty Stewart, led worship, blending a mix of new songs and hymns. I preached from Matthew 6 and then we had an intense and intimate time of prayer. Our prayer time was from the text of the sermon. We know God cares and takes care of our needs, but His plan continues. We prayed that we could be the hands and feet of His plans in Pea Ridge and beyond.”
El Faro #2 Hispanic Mission, Cabot/Jacksonville: Michael Hight writes, “We worked very hard the past two weeks. We visited flea markets distributing tracts, visited new restaurants in order to meet new people and prayed that God would open some new doors.
“Last weekend was an especially blessed time. We had two families from Texas who came to pray with us about working here in Jacksonville and Cabot. We are praying fervently for this to work out!
“What was even more interesting was that on Saturday night, Keith Lewis had to go to the hospital. His wife called me at 8:53 p.m. and said, ‘Can you preach in the morning?’ I ended up preaching in both Spanish and English simultaneously, but for me, it was a truly spiritual service. The other interesting thing was that there was an actual adult black bear in the church parking lot a few weeks ago, which I was informed of this week. I can’t make this stuff up!
“In all seriousness, the best way you can pray for us is to find a way to build relationships during the deportation movement that is taking place. For the Hispanic community here in Arkansas, rumors and overzealous ICE agents have created a highly charged racial tension fueled by fear. Keep us in your prayers, and if God lays on your heart to give a little extra funds right now to a mission that could use it, they would be greatly appreciated!
“Also, please pray for Jenifer as she will be having knee surgery this Friday. She has been in a lot of pain for way too long.”
