Pastor Ricky Powell

What If Worship Was Like An NBA Game?

Check out this video to find out!

A Humorous Example of Poor Communication

Here is the illustration of poor communication I used in the sermon yesterday. I don't remember where I found it, but it sure speaks volumes about the importance of learning how to communicate clearly. If you want to hear the sermon, "How To Defend Your Marriage Against Divorce," you can visit our church website by clicking here.

A rather old fashioned lady, was planning a couple of weeks vacation in Florida. She also was quite delicate and elegant with her language. She wrote a letter to a particular campground and asked for reservations. She wanted to make sure the campground was fully equipped but didn’t know quite how to ask about the “toilet” facilities. She just couldn’t bring herself to write the word “toilet” in her letter. After much deliberation, she finally came up with the old fashioned term “Bathroom Commode,” but when she wrote that down, she still thought she was being too forward. So she started all over again; rewrote the entire letter and referred to the “Bathroom Commode” simply as the “B.C.”. Does the campground have its own “B.C.?” is what she actually wrote.

Well, the campground owner wasn’t old fashioned at all, and when he got the letter, he couldn’t figure out what the lady was talking about. That “B.C.” really stumped him. After worrying about it for several days, he showed the letter to other campers, but they couldn’t figure out what the lady meant either. The campground owner finally came to the conclusion that the lady was and must be asking about the location of the local Baptist Church.

So he sat down and wrote the following reply:

“Dear Madam: I regret very much the delay in answering your letter, but I now take pleasure of informing in that the “B.C.” is located nine miles north of the camp site and is capable of seating 250 people at one time. I admit it is quite a distance away if you are in the habit of going regularly but no doubt you will be pleased to know that a great number of people take their lunches along, and make a day of it..... They usually arrive early and stay late. The last time my wife and I went was six years ago, and it was so crowded we had to stand up the whole time we were there. It may interest you to know that right now, there is a supper planned to raise money to buy more seats.....They plan to hold the supper in the middle of the “B.C.”, so everyone can watch and talk about this great event.....I would like to say it pains me very much, not to be able to go more regularly, but it is surely not for lack of desire on my part....As we grow older, it seems to be more and more of an effort, particularly in cold weather..... If you decide to come down to the campground, perhaps I could go with you the first time you go...sit with you...and introduce you to all the other folks..... This is really a very friendly community....

The Koala's Are Getting Ready For VBS!

Our VBS theme this year is "Boomerang Express: It All Comes Back To Jesus!" The children are sure to love the Australian theme. Here is a picture of some Koalas that my wife made as decorations. She is in charge of the crafts and the sets for the Worship Center. These two bears were made from styrofoam pumpkins, felt, and faux fur. Don't they look cute on my office love seat? I'll post more pictures of Donna's handiwork later! (Enroll your child for VBS by clicking this link.)

Boomerang Express: It All Comes Back To Jesus

Fort Caroline Baptist Church (11428 McCormick Road, Jacksonville, FL) is conducting Vacation Bible School from June 14 through June 18, 2009. We begin at 6:00 p.m. each night and end at 8:50 p.m. You may register your child for VBS by calling the church office at (904) 642-2288 or by visiting our church website at www.fcbcjax.com. Family night for K--6^th graders is June 19^th and is a time for the whole family to enjoy the VBS musical performed by the children. VBS for the preschool division ends on Thursday night.

Ministering Beyond the Walls: An Article By Guest Author Dr. Ron Rowe

Dr. Ron Rowe is the Director of the Jacksonville Baptist Association. He recently wrote an article in our associational newsletter that resonated with me. I asked for his permission to reprint the article here and he graciously agreed. As you read it, be reminded that our church has a great partner in the JBA in reaching our community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Every week that you contribute financially to our church we send a percentage of your gifts through the JBA to reach Jacksonville with the Gospel.

Quite often I get a call or e-mail that goes like this: "We've just moved to this area and we're looking for a good church. Can you recommend one? And, by the way we want a church with a dynamic preacher. We're used to being well-fed. Also, we want a top-tier music program, a vibrant youth ministry, etc., etc."  
 
Now I know, people are rightfully concerned about the church family they join. But, I often have the feeling, it's more about a consumerist mindset that has driven our culture into crisis, including the followers of Jesus. For some, the more pressing criterion is, "Who can best meet my needs? Who can best serve me?" Again, a pervasive consumerist mindset.
 
We see this at many levels of church and denominational life. Some time ago, a church inquired about joining Jacksonville Baptist Association. And, between the lines in the conversation I heard, "What can you do for us? Will we get our money's worth?"  And, it sounded so much like those calls from newcomers about recommending a "good" local church. I told that church about our many ministries and opportunities for training, fellowship, etc. But I ended by saying, "It allows your church to minister beyond its walls. The major 'benefit' is-it will provide your church with a means to faithfully carry out all of Acts 1:8; ...you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."  With Jesus, it was more than having my needs met (consumerist mindset)-it was about giving and serving and ministering.  
http://www.jaxbaptist.org/

Jon and Kate: Defending Your Marriage Against Divorce

I have never been a huge fan of the reality television show Jon and Kate Plus 8. I only started watching it recently. However, it seems that I tuned in at just the wrong time. Evidently Jon and Kate Gosselin are having marriage problems. Some reports say they have been separated for about six months. They are trying to keep up appearances for the children’s sake, but the tension is painfully obvious. I do not know all the reasons for their trouble. I am sure the fame and fortune and constantly being in the spotlight have played a significant role in their marital problems. Some people would even say they have brought it on themselves by making their family the focus of an insatiable television audience. I am praying for them. I hope they can work through their troubles and keep their family together. I pray that divorce does not take its toll on another family. Their children deserve better than a family that disintegrates right before the eyes of a television audience. Whatever the reasons for their trouble, I think you would agree that none of us are immune from marriage problems and potential divorce.

The Bible says God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). God hates what divorce does to husbands and wives, He hates what it does to children, He hates what it does to society, and He hates what it does to the picture marriage is supposed to present to the world (Ephesians 5:22-33). How, then, can we defend out marriages against divorce?

1. Remember your commitment to stay together and be faithful.
When Donna and I were married we made a commitment to each other and to God to stay married for life. We vowed to take each other to have and to hold from that day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish, “'til death do us part,” according to God's holy ordinance. I promised to love, honor, and cherish her, leaving all others, cleaving to her, and being to her in all things a true and faithful husband as long as we both live. This does not mean that we have had a trouble free marriage. All couples have difficulties from time to time, but we must be committed to working through our problems. Donna and I agreed that divorce was not an option for us. This knowledge gives us security in our relationship and it gives us motivation to work to make our marriage stronger.

2. Pray and worship together regularly.
I know it sounds old fashioned, but its true---the couple who prays together stays together. I don’t mean that active church members never experience divorce. Some husbands and wives are sitting on the same pew in church, but relationally, emotionally, and spiritually, they are a million miles apart. Couples who want to build a strong marriage, however, will actively attend a caring, Christ-centered church where they can grow spiritually, build godly friendships, and experience spiritual support through the ups and downs of life. God regularly uses other godly people in my church to show Donna and me positive examples of loving couples.

3. Communicate, communicate, communicate!
If you didn’t already know it, the number one problem couples report about their relationship is a lack of communication. When you say something to someone you want that person to understand what you are saying and how you are feeling. You want to be understood. When you don’t feel like your spouse understands you, you feel like they don’t know you. Instead of growing closer in your relationship you begin to grow apart. With each misunderstanding the distance between you grows. Poor communication skills in marriage inevitably lead to isolation and loneliness. Communication involves speaking and listening to each other. Communication means you learn to speak in a way that helps your spouse understand you. Communication also requires you to listen with the desire to understand how your spouse feels. Husbands and wives must learn to tame the tongue (James 3:3-12), choose their words carefully (Ephesians 4:29), let their lips be ruled by love (John 13:34-35; 1 Corinthians 13; Ephesians 4:15), and learn when to exercise the right to remain silent (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7; Proverbs 10:19).

By-the-way, communication is a skill that must be learned. It is like a foreign language. Marital communication does not come easy, but it can be learned if both partners are willing to work at it. So make a commitment to communicate, even if you don't feel like it---especially when you don't feel like it!

4. Practice forgiveness.
Someone has described marriage as a union of “two awfully good forgivers.” The Bible instructs Christians to, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 (ESV). Husbands and wives will make mistakes. We will sin against one another. Forgiveness is an absolute necessity in the relationship. We must choose to forgive the “little things” that come up. We must choose to forgive the big things that come up. Forgiveness does not mean that we act like the sin did not happen or did not hurt. It means we let the person off our “hook”, and we trust God to handle them in His wisdom, timing, grace, and mercy. Forgiveness means I don’t continue to hold the sin against them. Love does not keep a record of wrongs suffered (1 Corinthians 13:5).

5. Be there for one another and bear each other’s burdens.
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2 (ESV)

Spouses must learn to support one another and help one another in practical ways. We are partners. We are friends. We should be willing to pitch in and lend a hand when needed. It may be taking out the trash, washing the dishes, putting the kids to bed, cooking supper, offering a shoulder to cry on, listening, writing out the bills, or just being there in silent support when our mate is hurting.

6. Take time to get away as a couple.
Date each other. Go to the movies. Walk on the beach. Take a stroll through the neighborhood. Send the kids to grandma’s house so you can have a romantic weekend at home. There are a million things to do as a couple, but do something! Remember that before you were “mom and dad” you were friends, husband and wife, lovers. Protect that special bond and identity.

7. Fight the tendency to drift apart.
I don’t want to be like many older couples I see in restaurants around town. They sit down across from one another, order their meal, and eat in silence hardly ever looking at each other. More often than not they have grown apart. How did they get to this point? For years, his life was his career. For years, her life was the children and the home. Their responsibilities took them separate ways. Even when they did take time to talk to one another it was usually about the job or the kids or the bills. Now the children are grown and out of the house. Now they look at each other and realize they hardly know the other person any more.

It is common for couples to drift apart over time. It does not happen over night. We get so busy with our jobs, taking the kids to football practice, cutting the grass, attending church activities, doing the chores around the house, and a million other things that “have to get done,” that we don’t have much time for each other as husband and wife. We must nurture our marital relationship if it is to grow and thrive. We must fight the tendency to drift apart by spending time doing things as a couple. We must learn to invest in our relationship. Perhaps you should take a “date night” once a month without the kids. Perhaps you should agree to eat dinner together regularly. Read a book and talk about it together. Agree on a common hobby that you can share. Do anything---just do something! 

Three Responses To The Gospel: A Sermon From Acts 17:10-14

“And, by virtue of the power and for the purpose aforesaid, I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated states and parts of states are, and henceforward shall be, free.” President Abraham Lincoln: Emancipation Proclamation, January 1, 1863.

When Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, he set into motion a process that ultimately transformed America. Lincoln’s carefully worded document declared free more than three million slaves in Confederate territory still in rebellion.

More than a symbolic gesture, as some have claimed, Lincoln’s proclamation authorized Union troops entering rebel territory to recognize and protect black freedom, thus turning northern soldiers into an army of liberation. Furthermore, Lincoln’s decree authorized the enlistment of African Americans into the U.S. military, a key step toward granting them equal citizenship rights. Citation: http://lincolnat200.org/exhibits/show/thefierytrial/emancipationproclamation

There were mixed reactions to Lincoln’s Proclamation. Many whites in the South believed Lincoln was trying to incite a slave revolt in which blacks would rise up in violence against their slave owners. On the other side of the equation, many slaves at first did not believe the Emancipation Proclamation was real. They could not fathom freedom. Still other slaves rejoiced when they first heard the news that they were now free!

The great educator and author Booker T. Washington, born into slavery, recalled the day from his childhood when he and his family heard the news and were set free: “Some man who seemed to be a stranger (a United States officer, I presume) made a little speech and then read a rather long paper--the Emancipation Proclamation, I think. After the reading we were told that we were all free, and could go when and where we pleased. My mother, who was standing by my side, leaned over and kissed her children, while tears of joy ran down her cheeks. She explained to us what it all meant, that this was the day for which she had been so long praying, but fearing that she would never live to see.” Citation: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2180711/posts

Just as there were different responses to the Emancipation Proclamation, there will also be different responses to our Gospel Proclamation. As Fort Caroline Baptist Church reaches out to our community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the message that Christ sets the sinner free when he repents of his sin and trusts Christ to save him, then we can expect three responses.

Good Reading On The Life Of Christ

Akin, Daniel L. Discovering the Biblical Jesus. Nashville: LifeWay Press, 2003.

     Daniel L. Akin has written a study book designed to aid the reader in grasping the biblical portrait of Jesus’ identity and mission. Though limited to six chapters, Akin has nonetheless produced a wide-ranging overview of the doctrine of the Person and work of Christ. The author’s work is scholarly, biblical, and practical. It is a welcome resource for those wanting to discover the true Jesus as revealed in the Scriptures.

Berg, Laurna L. (2004, July-September). The illegalities of Jesus’ religious and civil trials.  Bibliotheca Sacra, 161, 330-42.

     Berg demonstrates that Jesus’ three religious trials and three civil trials were a miscarriage of justice. He discusses the evidence for the breaches in jurisprudence while concluding that the sovereignty of God overruled mankind’s handling of Jesus thus accomplishing the perfect will of God. Berg is correct in his conclusion that the providential hand of God in providing Jesus as the propitiation for the sins of the world can be clearly seen in the trials of Jesus. Readers will be encouraged as they remember that God makes all things work together for good to those who love Him and who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). This is certainly true of Jesus.

Blomberg, Craig L. Jesus and the Gospels. Nashville. Broadman and Holman Publishers,  1997.

     Blomberg has produced a comprehensive overview of the Gospels and the life of Christ. He has written primarily with theology students in mind, but laymen will also benefit from his systematic treatment of the historical background of the Gospels, the critical methods for studying the Gospels, a brief overview of each Gospel, a survey of the life of Christ, and a historical and theological synthesis. The author is clearly evangelical and holds a high view of Scripture. He includes helpful bibliographies and review questions at the end of each chapter. This book is a masterful tool for anyone who wishes to see the biblical Jesus more clearly.

Dever, Mark (2006, May 5). Nothing but the blood. Christianity Today, 50, 28-33.

     The author clearly defends the centrality of the atoning death of Christ in Scripture and in Christianity. Dever refutes the notion that the concept of the atonement is outdated. He warns believers not to abandon the biblical concept of the atonement for modern notions of morality and legalism. This article is a clarion call to glory in the cross of Jesus Christ.

Evans, Anthony T. Who is this King of Glory? Experiencing the Fullness of Christ’s Work in  our Lives. Chicago: Moody Press, 1999.

     Tony Evans provides a biblical and devotional look at the Person and work of Jesus Christ. He discusses the uniqueness of Christ, the authority of Christ, and the believer’s pursuit of Christ in life. This work merges orthodoxy with exhortations to obedient living.