Associate Pastor Ryan Crawford brought us our Sunday morning message: "Faith Under Fire."
We stood for opening prayer and the reading of God's Word taken from Acts 12: 1-17.
We find that at this point in time, the Christian church was being attacked and persecuted. The church, in its infancy, had its enemies, and even now we see the church of the Living God under fire. Its faith is under fire. The church was born in the flame of persecution and ridicule.
"I believe," said Brother Ryan, "it will go home in the fire."
We, as the people of the church, ought to be ready to face the enemy with confidence -- not in the arm of flesh, but in the arm of the Lord.
I find in this passage a persecuted church. Acts 12:1 reads, "Now about that time, Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church."
These people were facing the chains of imprisonment and the chopping block. They found it hard to be sold out to the Lord. They became a thorn because of the name of Christ. They were willing to bear reproach in His name. They counted themselves blessed that they were worthy to suffer for his name's sake. They were faithful, fearless and fruitful, and King Herod wanted them dead.
To some, it was an offense. It meant that in and of themselves, they could not be clean. They needed someone to take their place. To some, it was just a neck scarf with no real purpose. Just wear it because it's stylish. No real meaning. But to this church, it meant salvation. It gave them a reason to worship, pray, give and love. We, as Christians, sometimes find many excuses for why we can't go to church, such as a sniffle or we're discouraged. Some think maybe being on disability gives them a reason not to give.
In the persecuted church, the nature of the commission was to go and tell the world about Jesus. They could not help but go. Today the cross is a symbol. It comes in many forms such as a necklace, earrings or on a purse. What is the reason behind the cross? Jesus died for us. His pain and suffering gave us peace and gladness, joy and comfort. It gives saved people an eternity with Christ and gives hope to the lost.
Prayer changes the heart of God. Prayer moves the hand of God. There are chains of sin and chains of suffering, and prayer breaks them.
"Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him." Acts 12:5.
Are we a praying church? Yes!
"I do know that FBC Pineville was built by prayer or we could say it is being built by prayer," Brother Ryan told us.
George Muller, an operator of an orphanage, had great faith. He often would sit the children down at the table without food. He would give thanks for food that wasn't there, but during the prayer many times a knock on the door provided the answer for the food, such as a broken down milk truck.
Prayer proves your intentions for God. Prayer proves your passion for God and his will. Do you believe God is able? Moses says in Hebrews that he accounted that God is able!
As a persevering church, they got all wound up and Peter said, "No, the Lord has done this; now go and show these things to everyone. Keep going, Keep praying, Keep showing!
The glory of the Lord may be departing from this nation, but God forbid that it depart from His people or His church.
We are reminded that with fall upon us, we are having our own harvest. We need to pray before planting so when sowing, we will have the best picking of friends for Friend Day, Nov. 6, 2016. This upcoming Sunday is "Pack a Pew," so please come to church and sit in my pew.
Have you read your Bible today? If not, read Psalms 84.
All Bible verses are from the KJV, The King James Version of the Holy Bible.
Remember you can hear a rebroadcast of one of Dr. Larry Crawford's services on KURM radio, 100.3 on FM dial, at 8; 30 a.m. Sunday mornings. Or listen to our pastors' service on our website at www.firstbaptistchurchpineville.com/Sermons.html.
Remember, if you do not have a home church, visit us at 206 E. Fifth St. in Pineville. We are one of the friendliest churches in town.
Sunday school starts at 9 a.m. and is immediately followed by church service at 10 a.m. We will have our potluck dinner Sunday, Oct. 23, so come and visit and we will feed you physically and spiritually.
The Nursing Home Ministry meets at McDonald County Living Center in Anderson at 2:30 p.m. every other Saturday. The next meeting is Oct. 22.
Please check out our FBCP Teen Group Facebook Page.
Our Friday Night Bible Study Group will meet in the church gym at 6:30 p.m. Bring your favorite dish along with your Bible.
Religion on 10/20/2016