Hey Friends,

Are you ready for that day? It almost sounds ominous doesn’t it – that day? In the first chapter of II Timothy, Paul writes about a man he led to the Lord. His name was Onesiphorus. He helped and cared for Paul and so Paul prayed for him about that day. What day was he talking about?

I am convinced that day refers to the Bema Seat of Judgment. That day when Onesiphorus would stand before the resurrected Lord and his works would be judged. Here is where we will receive our rewards, if we get any. The Canon is clear – not every believer will receive rewards. Salvation is by grace and rewards are based on what we do with what He has given us.

This is one reason why I push so hard about your potential because that is what you will be judged against. Since the Lord placed our potential in us, He knows what it is. There will be no bluff in heaven. Jesus warns us many times to “lay up for ourselves treasure in heaven.” The only way to do this is to live with an eternal view. It is easier for an eternity eye to give, serve and love others, knowing he or she is laying up treasures in heaven.

For those of us with a short view, here and now only, it is hard to give and serve for we are focused on the temporal. I wonder how many in the church today think anything about the judgment? Do we think that when we give, love, serve and do for others we are investing in our rewards? We will have treasure in heaven.  I guess most of us like the treasure here and now, and we will regret it later.

What do you think?

I have your back,

Pastor Chris

Hey Friends,

How did Jesus show His love for the people around Him while He was here on Earth, and for us now? Good questions, don’t you think? So, you get 2 answers and here are mine:

1. He took care of their needs. First, He fed them. Jesus was always there to care for the people at the point of their needs. After you feed a hungry person or clothe a person that is cold, they are much more open to the message of the gospel. He also healed their physical issues. We tend today to limit our ministries solely to the spiritual. That is paramount. Please don’t hear me discount it, but we must also take care of the physical part. The spiritual is more open when the physical is taken care of.

2. He died for us. If I ever wonder about God’s love for me I have only to look to the cross. John 19 portrays the love of God for us without question. His passion was us. The cross was for us.

So the question on the table is, what are we to do about it? As for me and my house we are going to spend or invest our lives serving God and people. We don’t care if they are rich or poor, black or white, educated or uneducated. We are to give our lives away by serving. As we serve the least of these, we serve Jesus.

As Christ-followers we are to emulate His life, aren’t we? So we give ourselves on the altar of caring for people. When and where is your spot? We have a place for you to serve as we try to learn to deal in social justice.

Just another thought – how do you see it?

Pastor

Hey Friends, 

We at FPC are currently in a sermon series on spiritual growth. This is such an important topic to us that we cover it annually. Each year we approach it differently. This year the “twist” has been to use horticulture.  One of the problems with plants is over-watering.  When the soil and roots of a plant are not allowed to dry out they develop diseases and die. After watching church members for 27 years, I see some that are over-watered. They take in the water and never give any out.

The giving for Christ-followers is service. Most church members could teach lessons on service. The question is, do they live the lessons? As leaders it is our job to help them get in the game. No one can grow and reach their potential if they are not involved in serving. The Lord modeled it while He was here. One of the reasons that so many saints are stunted in their growth is a lack of service.

Very few see service as a tool for spiritual transformation. We see service as giving and not as a growth mechanism. In God’s economy you can’t give without receiving. Bill Hybels calls it the “Helper’s High.” As we serve we are open to hear what God is saying or trying to teach us.

Josh Whitehead pointed out to our staff that Zacharias heard God’s plan for Him while he was serving. Serving can put you in a place to hear what you need from God. As leaders it is our job not only to serve ourselves, but to help others experience the joy and personal growth that comes from serving.

Just a thought.

Pastor

This post was written by Josh Whitehead (joshwhitehead.net), Executive Pastor at Faith Promise Church.

Each year at FPC, our Senior Leadership Team sets church goals. It has been a part of our culture since the beginning of the church. Pastor asks each of us to pray daily for our ministry and for each of the goals. We’re often asked, “Where are we at in reaching the church goals?” Here’s a mid-year update:

*  3500 in Attendance – We are currently averaging 3079 in total attendance for this year. The fall will play a huge part in reaching this goal as we re-open Satellite I to accommodate those coming to FPC.

* 50% in Small Groups – Groups ministry continues to create new opportunities for connecting with others in relationships. We continue to see 50% of adults attending small group.

* 400 New Servants- VolLink has been a tremendous help in connecting people to ministry this year. Through May, we have seen 195 people begin serving in a ministry.

* 13 Mission Trips – There have been trips to all different parts of the world. Through July, teams have visited Costa Rica 3 times, New Zealand, Thailand, England, South Africa and Houston. There are other trips planned throughout the end of the year.

* 200 Baptisms – 109 people have followed Christ in Baptism this year. In 2008, FPC was 4^thin baptisms in the state of Tennessee. God is awesome!

* Compassion Ministry – Susan Troop is organizing the Kid’s Hope ministry to begin mentoring at Beaumont Elementary School. We are also pursuing hiring a Pastor of Missions to oversee all compassion ministries, local and global.

* 15.5% Budget Increase – to date we have fulfilled 10.5% of our 15.5% increase. God continues to do financial miracles at FPC and I expect that we will finish the year funding the entire budget!

* The Journey Campaign: 4.7 million pledged – We’ve received $1.11 million to date with $2.89 million left to begin construction. Continue to pray for The Journey!

* 2 New Worship Services – Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 8:30am have helped us make seats available for guests at both the 10 & 11:45am services. This will become even more critical as we enter the fall.

We are absolutely spoiled at FPC to see God move in such amazing ways! Each of you plays a significant part in our ministry impacting people’s lives for Christ. Continue to reach out to your family and friends. Invite them to FPC so that they can experience the true living God and grow in their relationship with Him!