Pastor Ricky Powell

A Memorial Day Tribute: The Michael Monsoor Story

Did you know? Quick Facts About Fort Caroline Baptist Church

Did You Know?

• We are averaging 553 in Life Groups?
• We are averaging 600 people on campus each weekend?
• We have around 200 people who participate in discipleship opportunities each Wednesday night?
• We have baptized 40 people this year with several others awaiting baptism?
• We have given $610,000 to the building fund since November 2008?
• We have added 102 new members to the church in the last eight months?
• We are still one of the top Cooperative Program giving churches in the State of Florida?
• We have over 150 people who serve as ministry-volunteers at church each week?
• We owe all the glory to God? You knew that didn’t you?

I hope you will join me in praising God for the wonderful ways He is blessing our fellowship. This is a wonderful church to serve. Your passion for the Lord is inspiring. Your willingness to do whatever it takes to reach our community with the Gospel is thrilling. I hope you will continue to partner with us as we seek to help people do three things: Love God, Love Others, and Serve the World.

Witnessing To Your Family

Every Christian knows that Jesus Christ has commissioned us to share the Gospel with others (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8). We have the wonderful privilege of telling people that God loved us so much that He sent His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die for our sins. Jesus rose from the dead on the third day and saves from eternal punishment all who place their faith in Him (John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 10:9-11).

Every Christian also knows that one of the most difficult things to do may be to witness to your own family members who are spiritually lost. Someone recently asked me how he could witness to a lost brother. He was having difficulty getting his brother to listen to him because his brother could not forget how he (the new Christian) used to live. His brother also felt like he was being judged by his saved sibling by telling him he needed to place his faith in Jesus Christ. Here are a few suggestions I offered this man. Perhaps they will be helpful to you as you witness to your family members. I would love to hear your ideas as well.

1. Remember that salvation is a work of God. [Jesus said] “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.”John 6:44 (NIV)

2. Make sure your life matches your lips! Follow Jesus as the Lord of your life and actions. Be respectful to those who do not believe. Demonstrate hope and faith in God even during the difficulties of life. “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”1 Peter 3:15-16 (NIV)

3. Deal with any unconfessed sin in your life. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”1 John 1:9 (NIV)

4. Invite them to church worship services or activities (baptisms, Baby Dedication, Life Group parties, etc.). They will get to know other believers and they will hear the Gospel at church. You know I do not let a service go by without sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ! “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where [Jesus] was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour. Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).John 1:39-42 (NIV)

5. Pray for them regularly. “Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.”Romans 10:1 (NIV)

6. Share the Gospel verbally as God gives you the opportunity. "I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile." Romans 1:16 (NIV)

 

What Will God Do This Sunday?

I hope you are making plans to be in church tomorrow. I believe God is going to do great things in our lives as we gather for worship, fellowship, and Bible study. Last week was awesome! God brought 12 new people into the life of our church. Six of them made professions of faith and are awaiting baptism. In fact, we have scheduled baptism for this Sunday night. We will baptize up to 7 people! Please come to the service tomorrow night and show them your support as their new Christian family. I am looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!

P.S.

The message in the morning will be from Judges 16 on the life of Samson. We will discover that we are never strong enough to flirt with sin!

How Big Is Your God?

Watch live video from fcbcjax on Justin.tv

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Keep Pastor Ed Baldaci In Your Prayers

You can learn more about Pastor Ed's current work in sharing the Gospel and planting a church in Cuiaba', Brazil by visiting this website. Fort Caroline Baptist Church has been pleased to partner with him for many years. He covets your prayers for his work and family. You can also financially support Ed's ministry directly by following thelink to his website. A gift of any amount will be appreciated.