Pastor Ricky Powell

Life University Begins This Week. Have You Signed Up?

Please call the church office (904-642-2288) to register or get more information about these classes (length, location, possible costs, etc.).

 

NextSteps – Spiritual Formation September 1^st & 8^th. It is God’s desire for his children to continue to mature spiritually all of their life. This class will help you form a process and a plan for ongoing spiritual growth. 

Revolutionary Parenting: How To Raise Spiritual Champions by George Barna. September 1^st - October 20^th. The Revolution is underway, but in this new era, how can parents make a lasting impact in the spiritual lives of their children? To find the answer, George Barna researched the lives of thriving adult Christians and discovered the essential steps their parents took to shape their spiritual lives in childhood. He also learned surprising truths about which popular parenting tactics just aren’t working. Revolutionary Parenting goes beyond youth group and Sunday school and shows parents how to instill in their children a vibrant commitment to Christ.

When Wallflowers Dance by Angela Thomas, September 1^st. A fresh challenge to women who have lived hesitant, cautious lives but long to break free and dance! It's a reminder that God wants us to become strong, decisive, wise, creative, passionate, courageous - all the things we've dreamed of becoming. Using both Scripture and story, Angela Thomas addresses the attributes of "becoming" and the freedom we have in Christ to keep developing the characteristics that reflect our God-given longings.

Business By The Book: The Complete Guide of Biblical Principles for the Workplace September 1^st, 6:00 p.m. Are you in a business as a sales person, manager, leader, or do you own a business? Do you aspire to any of these positions? Are you studying business or leadership in college? If so, or if you wonder how the people above or around you should make decisions, Crown Financial Business by the Book is for you. This seven week study will teach business people in all walks of professional life how to practically achieve true success and conduct business according to biblical principles. If you are interested in the study, email Rick Costner at [email protected] This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

Financial Peace University September 1^st, 6:00 p.m. Are you tired of living paycheck to paycheck without a plan for your financial future? Do you want to change your financial future? 

Bible Study through 2 Peter September 1^st - 29^th. Taught by Pastor Ricky.  

NextSteps – Serving Him September 15^th & 22^nd. It is God’s desire for His children to discover their spiritual gift and how to use that gift to make a difference in the lives of people for His Glory. This class seeks to give you that information. 

NextSteps – A Missional Life September 29^th & October 6^th. It is God’s desire that we live our lives on mission with Him and for Him wherever we are. This class will introduce you to the concept of living out a missional life in the context of where you are right now. 

Love Dare Bible Study October 6^th – November 17^th. Topping the New York Times list and already selling 3 million copies, The Love Dare has established itself as more than a book; it's an unstoppable marriage movement. And like the husband in FIREPROOF, participants will learn that the challenge of understanding and practicing unconditional love with their spouse is an ongoing process.

Wild at Heart October 13^th – December 1^st. A battle to fight, an adventure to live, a beauty to rescue--these are the dreams written on the heart of every boy. This thought-provoking book helps men rediscover their masculine hearts, giving them the courage to be what God intended them to be--passionate, alive, and free.

Did You Hear About Our LifeGroup Attendance Last Sunday?

I just got an e-mail report from Kirstin Montenari about last Sunday's LifeGroup attendance at Fort Caroline. Kirsten is one of our ministry assistants who helps with the record keeping. You can read her e-mail below. See if you think she is excited about what the Lord is doing in our church by helping us reach more people with Christ's love. I would love to hear your story of how God has blessed you through your LifeGroup and how your group is reaching out to others. And if you are not in a group let me know and I will help you get connected.

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” Mark 16:15

It’s hard for me to see as I type this and the tears roll down my cheeks as I am once again reminded of how absolutely AMAZING OUR GOD IS, WAS, AND ALWAYS WILL BE!!!!!

Are you ready???

Have a seat……

Hold on tight……

And take a look at these numbers….

PRAISE THE LORD!!!

On Campus Total: 591

Off Campus Total:18

Combined:  609

PRAISE HIM FOR ALL THAT HE IS DOING AND HAS DONE HERE AT FORT CAROLINE!!!

How blessed I am to be one itsy, bitsy, teeny, tiny part of it all!!!

 

In His Grip,

Kirsten Montenari

The Inescapable Obligation of Evangelism

The word “evangelism” does not occur in the Bible. Yet, it is a word often used in the modern church. Many Christians call themselves Evangelicals. By this they mean that they believe in and support evangelism. What then, is evangelism? Is evangelism a Biblical mandate? If so, upon whom is it binding?

THE MEANING OF EVANGELISM

While the English word “evangelism” does not occur in the Bible, its meaning does. The word is derived from the Greek word euaggelion, which means “gospel” or “good news.” The verbal forms of this word occur over fifty times in the New Testament and essentially mean “to bring” or to “announce good news.” In his book, Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, J. I. Packer writes, “According to the New Testament, evangelism is just preaching the gospel, the evangel. It is a work of communication in which Christians make themselves mouthpieces for God’s message of mercy to sinners.”¹ 

Grandma-Called Preachers

I have been doing some personal reflection as I mark my 16^th year on staff at our church (fourteen as Senior Pastor). It has been a good time to consider my calling. Jimmy Dale Patterson is the former pastor of our church. I had the distinct honor of serving as his Associate Pastor when God first called me to FCBC in 1994. Jimmy reminded me not long ago that not everyone in the ministry is God called.

He said some men are grandma-called. This is the guy who was told when he was young by his grandmother or the little old ladies of the church that he would make a good preacher. Grandma told him he sounded like Billy Graham. Some of the little old ladies at the church told the young man that he just looked like a preacher, whatever that means. So he became a preacher. He is grandma-called.

Others are greed-called. These are the guys who are in ministry for the pay and the perks, for the compensation and benefits package. It hasn’t always been this way, but a guy can get rich in the ministry if he plays his cards right. Just get on TV, sell a few books, network with the right people. While the Bible says a pastor who preaches the Word is worthy of double honor and is worthy of his wages (1 Tim. 5:17-18), he nonetheless must not be greedy for riches (1 Tim. 3:3). If you take away the office and the perks and packages the greed-called minister will quit, he will walk away. He will go and sell cars or insurance. These guys use churches as stepping-stones to larger churches that pay more. The Apostle Peter said in 1 Peter 5:2 that pastors should not serve because they have to or because they calculate what they can get out of it, but because they are called by God.

So you’ve got the grandma-called and the greed-called. But then there are those who are glamor-called. These are the guys who love being in the limelight. These are the ministers who love having hundreds or thousands of eyes trained on them. They love being the center of attention. They are more interested in building their resume and their reputation than the kingdom of God. They don't use their ministry to build people, they use people to build their ministry. Jimmy Patterson said, “I’ve about had my fill of all these glamor-boy preachers with mousse in their hair. The ministry is filled today with those who are grandma called, greed called, and glamor called … and that won’t get you through Monday morning.” Pastor Jimmy is correct. You won’t last in ministry for the long-haul if you are grandma-called, greed-called, or glamor-called. You will be tempted to quit on many Monday mornings! The only thing that will sustain you is if you are God-called!

I think most ministers have pure hearts and want to serve out of a sense of call. When God called me to preach as a 17 year old boy I was the most unlikely candidate. I was bashful, insecure, ignorant, timid, and tender-hearted. I couldn’t make it through the message without crying my eyes out. It is a wonder the people heard the words of my first sermon over the sound of my knees knocking together. People ask me if I still get nervous when I preach. Sure I do. On the way to the pulpit I think of the verse that says, “He was led as a lamb to the slaughter.”  

When I surrendered my life to God’s call my pastor, Stanley Luke, counseled me that if I could do anything else in life and be happy then I should go and do it. From that day to this day I have been sure of God’s call upon my life. I have made a lot of mistakes along the way. There are several things I wish I could do over. I hope my mistakes have been mistakes of the head not the heart. But never have I doubted God’s call upon my life. It was and is a work of His grace. I am humbled that He allows me to serve His people.

I also believe the Spirit of God still calls Christians to particular places of service. That is not only true of preachers and church staff; it is also true of you. God has a plan for your life. He may not call you to serve on a church staff as an ordained minister, but He may call you to serve in a Life Group, or sing in the choir, or help out in Vacation Bible School, or volunteer at the homeless shelter. Don’t serve because you want to please other people. Don’t serve for position or prestige. Serve because God has called you! Will you be obedient to His call on your life?

“Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.” Romans 12:11 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

Beach Baptism 2010 (video)

Watch live video from fcbcjax on Justin.tv

How To Live Happily Ever After

Watch live video from fcbcjax on Justin.tv

How To Respond When You Want Revenge

Watch live video from fcbcjax on Justin.tv

God's Guidance for Our Lives

Watch live video from fcbcjax on Justin.tv