O LITTLE TOWN OF FERGUSON - DECEMBER 2014 FCC CONNECTION

¹⁸ And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; ¹⁹ To wit, that

God was in Christ, reconciling the world

unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them;

and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

2   C O R I N T H I A N S   5 : 1 8 , 1 9

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GOOD MORNING FRIENDS OF FAITH,  

On a normal weekend our Sunday School Bus passes the Ferguson City Hall and Police Department.  (Yes, the same place you’ve seen in the news so many times in recent months).   

 The tragic death of Michael Brown at the hand of a threatened Ferguson Policeman and the Grand Jury’s decision to not charge the policeman have inflamed passions, sparked violence and unleashed a wave a protest that is still sizzling in Ferguson and throughout greater St. Louis. 

 When a young person dies it is always heartbreaking.  When a young person dies from a bullet it is tragic.  And when the death of that young person could have been prevented it is anguishing. (A simple “Yes Sir” could have saved his life.)

In the belief that Michael was innocent of robbery, clean of drugs, and loving by nature, protesters were outraged when the Grand Jury voted “No Bill.”  They poured into the streets, tears in the eyes of many and anger in the hearts of most. Windows were shattered, stores were looted, and fires were set. In a remarkable display of self-restraint the police did not fire their weapons though they faced intense verbal abuse and vicious assaults

In the belief that Michael was guilty of robbery, high on Marijuana, and intent on injuring or even killing the Police Officer, others are shocked that anyone would defend Michael.  They look at the eye-witness testimonies given to the Grand Jury and marvel that anyone would support him.  They wholeheartedly support the officer and worry that the rush to condemn the police will erode the rule of law and threaten the civility and comity. 

With every news cycle, each side gathers evidence to support their narrative.  People see what they want to see.  People believe what they want to believe.  And more often than not, people ask “What’s in this evidence that supports my side—my group?” It turns out that by nature we are not usually after the actual truth, rather we are after the arguments that support our truth—or our narrative of the “truth.” 

WHY CAN’T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?

My Dad would say, “A man convinced against his will, is of the same opinion still.” And here is the crux of the matter.  Wills that are not right with God resist not only the truth about God, they are loathe to admit the truth about the world and about themselves. 

 Jesus quoted Isaiah, “He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.” (John 12:40).

The Apostle Paul understood the problem.  “The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not.”  (2 Corinthians 4:4).   He warned the Ephesians to not live like those “know it all” Gentiles, who “being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.”   Their “understanding was darkened,” they were “alienated from the life of God,” and the “blindness of their heart” only compounded the “ignorance in them.” (Ephesians 4:17-19)

 The Scriptures are clear.  Right perception begins with regeneration. 

That means that when our hearts are born of the Spirit our eyes our opened to reality.  Haters stumble through life because “darkness hath blinded [their] …eyes.” (1 John 2:11)  But those who have experienced the love of God shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Ghost (Romans 5:5) see things differently.  They act by faith not fear, they move with hope not despair, their love endures all things—they trust in God not in themselves.

 How then will our divided community be reconciled?

The worldly-wise answer: a new government program, an economic aid package, a new educational curriculum, a housing project, a blue-ribbon panel to study the problem, a new diet, or mental health plans complete with some psychotropic latest drugs.  And while these ideas may have some short-term benefit, they all carry long-term costs. 

The Word of God answers: a new heart.  The Scriptural plan does require immediate sacrifices, but has long term benefits.  Paul testified, “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new…all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself…” (2 Corinthians 5:17-19).

 Our first priority must be reconciliation with God.  It is when we are reconciled to HIM that all things become new.  It is when we are reconciled to HIM that old things are passed away.  It is when we are reconciled to HIM that we become ministers of reconciliation.

 Reconciliation with GOD happens only when we step off the throne of our lives and crown JESUS CHRIST, LORD of ALL.  Reconciliation with GOD happens only through living faith, a total and complete confidence in JESUS CHRIST—who is the way, the truth, and life. Reconciliation with GOD happens only as we supremely love KING JESUS—the KING OF LOVE.

 Just as happiness is the by-product of helping others, reconciliation with our neighbors is the by-product of reconciliation with God.  When we are reconciled with God through Christ we can even get along with people who do not want to get along with us.   Secure in HIS love we sacrificially love. 

IF WE ARE AT ODDS WITH GOD, WE WILL BE AT ODDS WITH OTHERS.

Looking at it from the other side, if we are at odds with others, it’s because we are at odds with God.  The same things that divide us from God—pride, prejudice, self-righteousness, stubbornness, thoughtlessness, ignorance,  an unwillingness to reciprocate and go the extra mile, a legalistic spirit, and a desire to be approved by others—divide us from each other!

 THAT’S WHY I’M SO THRILLED WITH THIS YEAR’S CHRISTMAS THEME—GOD AND SINNERS RECONCILED!  What a great truth for our times.  Sinners who are reconciled to God will inevitably be reconciled to one another.  Let’s go soul-winning.

 OUR DECEMBER CALENDAR IS FILLED WITH GREAT TIMES!  I hope you’ll come to these great December Services.   You’ll hear the greatest news the world has ever heard, “Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”

Sunday, December 7, 11:00 AM

WORSHIP & COMMUNION SERVICE
Fellowship after Sunday Evening Service

Sunday, December 14, 6:30 PM

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM &  CHRISTMAS COOKIES!

Wednesday, December 17, 6:00 PM

CHRISTMAS CAROLING AND PARTY

Sunday, December 21, 6:30 PM

TEEN CHRISTMAS SKIT & CANDLELIGHT SERVICE

Wednesday, December 31, 7:00 PM & 11:00 PM

NEW YEAR’S EVE WATCHNIGHT SERVICE & FELLOWSHIP

 

YOUR PASTOR'S FAMILY APPRECIATES YOU!
Throughout the year it has been our great joy to rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who are weeping, and pray with you our church family.  Thank you for your many kindnesses and your generosity to us.  May the LORD richly bless you.

Onward!

Pastor Richard M. Jones

FAITH COMMUNITY CHURCH –  A Crusaders Church of America

Telephone (314) 298-5840; Cell Call or Text (314) 607-1424

E-mail: PastorRick@FCCStLouis.org          www.pastorrickjones.blogspot.com

WE ARE PRAYING TO END 2014 WITH ALL OUR BILLS PAID.

With the increase in utility and operational costs we have come to the last month of the year with $222.00 in the bank and a need of $12,500 to close the year with our bills all paid.  It is a large sum of money to be sure, particularly in a month when household expenses are typically high.   Your prayers and generous offerings will help us pay all our overdue accounts and end the year with the bills paid. 

It is through your generosity the Gospel of Reconciliation— “GOD & SINNERS RECONCILED”—advances throughout our community.  This past year we have literally presented the Gospel to thousands of souls.  The doors of our church have been opened for over 300 services this year— some drawing over 200 worshippers, others ministering to smaller groups.  We can turn the lights on and preach the Gospel because you cared and gave. 

If the Lord has blessed you financially and you could make a substantial year-end gift to FCC we would be truly grateful.  Truly every gift is deeply appreciated.  You may give by bringing an offering, by mailing your gifts (FCC, 2969 N. Lindbergh, St. Louis, MO 63074) or by logging onto our web page www.FCCStLouis.org and contributing through PayPal.  Thank you for making this a subject of prayer.