Month: August 2017

Gods Own Possession

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By Karen Polich

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9

God is selective. As followers of Christ, we are God’s own possession. He has set us apart for His purpose and calling.

Three things about being God’s possession:

  1. It is permanent. When we become His possession, it is permanent. Romans 8:25-39 Nothing can separate us from the love of God. In life’s challenges, we can at times be overwhelmed, but no matter the circumstances, God’s love remains.
  2. It is a preference. We must make the choice. Jesus didn’t seek twelve men with a certain skill set, He simply said to them, “Follow Me”. They had to choose to stay where they were or change everything for Him.
  3. It is prominent. We have been set apart. Our eternal destiny hangs in the balance here. We have been reconciled because Jesus died on the cross, not because we are “good people”. God put us where we are to be prominent and make a Kingdom difference.

Never think for a minute that our importance is in question. He has called us to be a presence in an evil and dying world. We are not here to sit idly by, but to engage and seize the opportunities God places before us.

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27

The Real I.D. sermon series  has given us a deeper look at what it means to be Children of God, a royal priesthood and God’s own possession. What would it mean if we decided to live out that path to the fullest? Who might we impact if we are intentional about His call to be set apart? We are chosen and called.

 

Seeking God’s Will

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By Michael McFadden

God has given each one of us the freedom to choose between the world and God’s will. The world consists of popular culture and selfish desires. By far the easiest choice is to conform to the world and selfish desires and the majority do. It is more difficult to seek and choose God’s will.

Since the beginning of time, godly people have chosen selfish desires over God’s will. These godly people include: Adam and Eve, Abraham, God’s chosen people (the Israelites), Samson, King David, and Judas (a disciple of Jesus). The list could go on and on. The godly people of Albuquerque’s First Baptist Church, those serving on the Pastoral Search Committee, and the pastors considering this church are no different than the godly people mentioned time and again in the Bible. We all fall short in consistently choosing God’s will.

The good news is God has provided us an excellent model of one that has chosen His will every time, JESUS.

The Bible provides example after example of Jesus choosing God’s will. When Satan tempted Jesus in the desert, when Jesus was facing cruel punishment and the worst kind of death by crucifixion, Jesus gave us a clear example of how He could choose God’s will. It was through scripture and prayer.

As a church body, we need to follow Jesus’ example of choosing God’s will. Every day we need to seek out scriptures that will guide us in choosing God’s will.  These same scriptures will guide us in choosing a godly pastor (Romans 12:1-2, 1 Timothy 3:2-7). We need to pray daily for discernment between our selfish desires and God’s will.

God has already chosen the next pastor to lead our church through the next phase of His mission. The issue now is the discernment of God’s choice. Remember, God has given us the freedom to choose between our selfish desires and God’s will.

The Pastoral Search Committee needs your help. Jesus spoke “I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven” (Matthew 18:19).

  • We need you to pray for discernment of the pastors considering our church. We need these pastors to seek God’s will. As a search committee, we only need one applicant and that is the pastor God has chosen.
  • We need you to pray for the pastor God has chosen for our church. Pray for God’s chosen pastor to step out of his comfort zone and seek and act on God’s will for his new mission. We need you to pray for his family to step out of their comfort zone and follow God’s new mission in their lives.
  • We need you to pray that our committee surrenders to God. Each of us have our own selfish desires. We need your prayers to set our selfish desires aside and seek only God’s will for our next pastor. Pray that we seek God’s will in our selection process, that we have the strength and willpower to stay in scripture and prayer seeking God’s will. Pray that we support each other in our struggles seeking God’s will.
  • Pray for the church family at Albuquerque’s First Baptist Church. We need the church body to remain faithful. We need you to pray daily for God’s will be done in the life of His chosen pastor, in the actions of this committee, and, yes, in this church. The church membership is the ultimate decision maker in the selection of the next pastor. Pray that God’s will be done in that selection.

A Royal Priesthood

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By Karen Polich

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a Holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9

We are being built up. Through God’s design, the veil was torn when Jesus was crucified and those who choose to follow Him are a royal priesthood. But you will be called the priest of the Lord; You will be spoken of as ministers of our God. You will eat the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast. Isaiah 61:6

God’s design placed Jesus as the chief cornerstone and the foundation which we build on. He has us where we are for His purpose. It is not for us to find our place, but to seek Him and yield in obedience to where He wants us to be.

Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, this became the chief corner stone; This came about from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?” Matthew 21:42

When we build our lives on His firm foundation, we don’t have to worry about where we fit. God has a specific purpose for each of us. He puts all of the pieces together for His plan. Through His mercy, we have been forgiven and can live in His grace. We must set our eyes on Him and be living examples of what it means to walk with Him.

We are brought together as a family of believers who are called to be doers of the Word.

Our actions identify us as His royal priesthood and shine light into the lives of those around us. We are living stones. So then, while we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. Galatians 6:10

Who we are in Christ is our true identity. We are called to live a life glorifying Him, built up by His hand. Listen to Pastor Kevin Linthicum’s sermon series, Real I.D., and A Royal Priesthood here.

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us. Ephesians 3:20

What is God building in your life today?

What Legacy Will You Leave?

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By Gerry Wakeland

Today the AFBC family will say a final farewell to Ollie Allred. For those who knew Ollie, they know that he loved God, his wife Patty, his family, and his church. He loved his friends.

Ollie Allred was a man with a servant’s heart. He served long and well. And we can be assured that when he entered his heavenly home last week, he heard the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

In the words of Pastor Kevin Linthicum, Ollie finished well. And he left a legacy not just for his own family, but for his church family and the many others who were a part of Ollie’s life.

What is a legacy? Webster defines legacy as anything handed down from the past. Often, we think of that as money or material possessions. But the Bible looks at it quite differently.

Everything we need to know about passing on a Godly legacy is found in Scripture. The Bible is as valid for us now as it was for all the generations before us.

God spoke these words to Moses, admonishing him to instruct the people.

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. Deuteronomy 6:5-7 (NKJV)

Teaching our children, the Word of God is a legacy. It’s a legacy that will last long after we are gone.

Proverbs 13:22 tells us, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.” (NKJV)

This verse keeps our life goals, our vision and our legacy front and center when we’re choosing how to use our money today. When we weigh what we want now against what we really want later, we realize how temporary satisfaction pales in comparison to a legacy of purpose and generational fulfillment.

An inheritance is not limited to money. It also includes godly character qualities like integrity and trustworthiness. Combining a financial inheritance with wisdom and godliness ensures that the next generation will also manage God’s blessings God’s way for God’s glory long after I’ve graduated to heaven.

When I think of men like Ollie Allred I think of those godly character qualities. It is imperative in these perilous times that we are serious about modeling these character traits for our children and our children’s children. But it doesn’t stop there. Every day we have the opportunity to model those same traits for others. Whether at work, school or play.

Every day we have the opportunity to build people up when the world is trying to tear them down. We can do a kind deed that will go on and on after we are gone. We can lend a helping hand without expecting anything in return. This is the legacy left by Ollie Allred.

The truth is this: You will pass on something to your children and grandchildren…the question is, what?

The legacy you leave is the life you lead.

Children of God

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By Karen Polich

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13 NASB

Pastor Kevin Linthicum’s sermon series, Real I.D., continued with what it means to be children of God. Listen to the podcast here. Our true identity comes from Him. He is the reason for our existence.

“We cannot begin the journey until we have accepted and embraced our identity in Christ.” – Kevin Linthicum

God’s promise is fulfilled through Jesus Christ. What does it mean to be children of God? We must receive Him. When the choice is made to receive Him, He gives the right to become children of God.

We can’t move forward until we have received Him. Below are some scripture references that are clear indicators we have received Him.

  • Acts 1:8
  • John 13:34
  • 1 John 3:23
  • 1 John 4:12
  • Mark 4:20
  • Galatians 5:22

“You are who you are because He loves you.” – Kevin Linthicum

We are given the commandment to love one twenty three times in the New Testament. It’s the hallmark of Christ followers so others will know Him. As believers, our job is to love others without regard for anything else. Love others for who they are and who they can be in Christ.

God’s provision is that we become children of God. The miraculous transformation in your life is not because of who we are, but because of who He is. He has given us the ability to choose. We are not of human making, but of God.

When we take people, places, and things out of our identity and have received Him, our lives become clearly defined by Jesus.

“Have you received the Word? Are you good soil?” – Kevin Linthicum

Real I.D.

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By Karen Polich

“God is the only one who can take nothing and make something.” – Kevin Linthicum

Pastor Kevin Linthicum began his new sermon series, Real I.D., Sunday with an overview of what it means to know our true identity. Over the next three weeks, this series will teach us:

We are all children of God. 1 John 3:1

We are a royal priesthood. 1 Peter 2:9

We are God’s own possession. 1 Peter 2:9

While identity is often associated with people, places and things, our true identity comes from one source, God. Jesus was, is and always will be the preeminent child of God. Our difficulties stem from the rejection of God as the ultimate source of everything and the refusal to have a personal relationship with Him. Not everyone will accept being God’s children.

A proud heart can lead to disobedience and corruption. Read the story of King Uzziah in 2 Chronicles 26:16-21. In his pride, Uzziah was eventually cut-off from the house of the Lord. He dishonored God and paid the price.

God is the reason we exist.

We are given direct access to Him.

We belong to Him. The thread that unites us is Jesus.

Listen to the podcast here to learn more about this sermon series and how you can better understand what it means to live out your true identity.

You Are Welcome

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By Karen Polich

Dr. Trey Sullins continued The Parables of Jesus sermon series with thoughts on where we are regarding God’s great invitation. Listen to the podcast here. Are we full of excuses?

The Scripture finds Jesus sharing a meal on the Sabbath with the Pharisees. Remember, they don’t see heaven as a place for the outcast or anyone else “beneath” them. In fact, they were not spending time with Jesus to learn from Him, they were spending time with Him because they were out to get Him. Jesus told them in Luke 14:11, “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Jesus then shared the parable of the great banquet to illustrate just how off track they were when it came to who He had come to save. The idea of saving “everyone” was not a comfortable thought to the Pharisees. Read Luke 14:1-24.

We find the story full of people with excuses. Would you blow off a party invite from someone you greatly admire? Jesus was talking about THE party. He illustrated how everyone should be invited and nothing should be a bigger priority. The “banquet” represents heaven. Everyone is welcome. God has a place for each of us. While the Pharisees would exclude, Jesus was teaching that everyone is included in the invitation.

The catch is accepting the invitation. Excuses won’t work. Excuses are worthless. Anything given greater priority than God is misplaced, sinful and disobedient. Anything that comes between you and a “yes” will cost you.

What is your eternal perspective? Let’s not wait. If you haven’t accepted Christ’s invitation to the table, choose Him today. Make Him the Savior of your life and watch your life change in a mighty way. If you have accepted His invitation, be an active pursuer of Him. Grow. Don’t sit and watch others miss the banquet. Make sure they know they have an invitation.

Ultimately, nothing else matters. Be obedient to God’s call in your life. Rejoice in His love for everyone and share the joy with those around you.