June 30, 2015
As the blitzkrieg against Christian Civilization continues to mount, I'm identifying more and more with the Apostle Paul who said, "
Dear Friends of Faith,
Greetings in the name of our Righteous, Risen, and Reigning Savior--Jesus the Christ!
As the blitzkrieg against Christian Civilization continues to mount, I'm identifying more and more with the Apostle Paul who said, "
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed;
we are perplexed, but not in despair;
Persecuted, but not forsaken;
cast down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8,9
I have written a post at "ONWARD!" regarding what I now expect after the Supreme Court's endorsement of homosexual marriage. You can click the link to see that. http://pastorrickjones.blogspot.com/2015/06/now-what-do-i-expect.html
After praying and reading the Scriptures, here's our plan:
1. PRAY! We will have the doors open before every service--Sunday Morning 10:30am, Sunday Evening 6:00pm, and Wednesday Evening 6:30pm for God's people to gather to pray. We will gladly pray for physical needs, but the burden of this prayer will be for a Great Awakening in America and a revival in the Church. We will pray that God's people will grow deeper in their faith, higher in their love, and wider in their obedience.
2. LOVE! It is not coincidental that the Gospel of John tells of a Savior who was full of "grace and truth." Notice the God-inspired primacy of "grace!" That's first! We must show grace and love to every lost soul. The "god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." If our Gospel is hid, the Apostle reminds us, "It is hid to them who are lost!" 2 Corinthians 4:3ff.
Our Lord taught us and showed us how to love the vilest of sinners. His Word tells us that "love suffers long and is kind..." and as Christians we are determined to sacrificially love even those who are at odds with us.
3. SPEAK! We must utilize every means possible to "speak the truth in love." We are ready for a defense of the Gospel. We are determined to faithfully warn this generation, "Flee the wrath that is to come." We will preach in the Church and on the Streets. We will teach in the classroom and in the homes. We will utilize media as God's enables us, to proclaim the truth as it is in Christ Jesus. We will not shut up, give up, or let up!
4. RALLY! When people come together to show support for a cause it's called a "Rally!" That's exactly what we must do. When the doors of the Church open for services--It's Rally-Time! When your car is in the parking lot the world drives by and takes note--those are the true believers! When you're worshipping the LORD inside the Church, your Christian brothers and sisters are encouraged to stay true to the Cause. As we set aside the busy-ness of daily life to focus on eternal life our faith is increased and our cause is advanced.
One of my mother's heroines was veteran missionary Louise Robinson Chapman (Africa 1920-1940). Sister Chapman was marvelous speaker and a devoted servant of the Lord. She told of a young pastor in east Africa who was martyred for his faith. Found among his papers was this handwritten testimony:
"I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed.
The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made.
I'm a disciple of His and I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I'm done and finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, or first, or tops, or recognized, or praised, or rewarded. I live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by Holy Spirit power.
My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven. My road may be narrow, my way rough, my companions few, but my guide is reliable and my mission is clear.
I will not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or hesitate in the presence of the adversary. I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won't give up, shut up, or let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ.
I am a disciple of Jesus. I must give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when He does come for His own, He'll have no problems recognizing me. My colors will be clear!
AMEN! AMEN! AND AMEN!
OUR IMMEDIATE NEED
The handwriting is on the wall. We simply must do all that we can to strengthen our hand in this increasingly hostile environment. For FCC that will not only include stepping up our soul-winning campaign and ministry, it means that we have to get our financial house in strong order. To that end we have two goals.
Our immediate goal is to raise a "DARING FAITH OFFERING" of $25,000. At the beginning of June we explained the need to repair and seal our parking lot ($5000), repair and replace key parts in our HVAC system that must be done soon ($5,000), purchase equipment and fund Live-streaming of the services ($3,000), cover the costs of Bible School & Great Commission Outreach expenses ($2,000), purchase improved lighting ($1000) and meet our $9,000 monthly costs.
To date we have received a total of $6,976.88, including a $1000 Daring Faith Offering pledge and a $100 Daring Faith gift. We barely had enough to pay our mortgage today. Thank the Lord we made that! We ended June needing $3800 to cover monthly costs.
If you can give a DARING FAITH OFFERING online please go to our webpage and click on the PayPal donate button. www.FCCStLouis.org If you can mail an offering to FCC, 2969 N. Lindbergh, St. Ann, MO 63074 we would be so thankful.
Our longer range goal is to retire the $490,000 mortgage that is costing us $2900 a month. Perhaps some reading this would remember FCC in their estate planning--stocks, bonds, life insurance, farms, cash, or real estate would be such a help. We have a lawyer who can help at no charge to our donors. I have never been so impressed to pray that our church would be free of any indebtedness. Thank you for joining us in this prayer. I know this is huge. But so is our God! And DARING FAITH attempts great things for God, and expects great things from God!
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL BEGINS TUESDAY, JULY 7 at 6:30 pm. "CAMP COURAGEOUS!" IS COMING TO FCC. Don't miss this exciting week. We have classes for pre-school through elementary school ages. Sorry we are not set up for middle or high school students.
GREAT COMMISSION ST LOUIS BEGINS TUESDAY, JULY 7 AT NOON! It is such a joy to see our great young people on the front lines witnessing and helping with VBS.
If you have a moment for a 5 minute "TruthBit," an excerpt from last Sunday Morning's message you can click this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGX4dgy33H0
We have had a number of people sharing this video across the nation. The entire message will be up online soon.
Then listen to this great hymn, "I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l54EAF1Unf0
BE ASSURED OF OUR GREAT LOVE AND APPRECIATION!
We are so thankful that God has brought us to the Kingdom for such a time as this. Our times are certainly no surprise to the Sovereign of the universe. May God help us to PRAY, LOVE, SPEAK, and RALLY together until the KING appears!
Onward!
Pastor Rick Jones
FAITH COMMUNITY CHURCH + A CRUSADERS USA CONGREGATION
2969 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Ann, MO 63074 Cell Phone (314) 607-1424; Fax (314) 298-7442
BLOG: www.PastorRickJones.blogspot.com ; WEB: www.FCCStLouis.org
PREACHING SERVICES SUNDAYS 11AM & 6:30 PM
FAITH COMMUNITY CHURCH + A CRUSADERS USA CONGREGATION
2969 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Ann, MO 63074 Cell Phone (314) 607-1424; Fax (314) 298-7442
BLOG: www.PastorRickJones.blogspot.com ; WEB: www.FCCStLouis.org
PREACHING SERVICES SUNDAYS 11AM & 6:30 PM
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