During this season of Thanksgiving as we reflect on those things for which
we are thankful, there are some areas of commonality. We are thankful for
life, family, for our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, and for salvation. In addition to all those reasons, this Pastor is thankful for women who minister in the Kingdom of God. Jesus raised women from degradation and servitude to fellowship and service, and they have responded to Him in a wonderful way. Luke’s gospel tells us that women accompanied Jesus as He ministered: “And if came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the Kingdom of God: and the twelve were with Him, and certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, and Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto Him of their substance” (Luke 8:1- 3). From the time of the ministry of Jesus, to the time of the ministry of Friendship Baptist Church, women have always been involved in the furtherance of the Kingdom of God. We praise and thank God for women who serve every area of ministry here at FMBC. While we are all see the women in the preaching ministry and the music ministry, and thank God for them, there are women who work behind the scene whose contributions to the Kingdom are less visible but just as essential. We are grateful to God for the women of Friendship, and for the men as well. Together, we are the body of Christ.
Please have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.
Pastor J. Amos Jones

“These Are They“ Revelation is a book of hope.  In our journey of life, we should park in its precious pages.  We are told: “Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. (Revelation 1: 3)  Revelation is a book of prophecy that is both prediction and proclamation. Beginning in Revelation 4, John, the revelator, has an apocalyptic view into heaven, the very throne room of God. In Chapter 7, verse 9, John sees a great multitude, an innumerable crowd that stood before the throne, comprised of people from every nation, tribe and language. There is an awesome scene of praise and worship. They said, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, and thanksgiving and honour, and power and strength, belong to our God forever and ever! Amen!” One of the elders asked John, “Who are these clothed in white? Where do they come from?” John said to him, “Sir, thou knowest”. His response was, “These are they”. This is no nebulous group of people. To the contrary, we can speak of them with specificity. These are the ones who have been saved by the blood of the Lamb. This crowd in heaven is composed of those who have been faithful to God in every generation. Every born-again believer is there. These are they whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. These are they that will spend eternity with God the Father, and with Jesus, the Lamb of God. Know this, dear ones, the victory is ours! Be blessed as you walk in Him.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

The month of October was Pastor’s Appreciation Month and what a warm and loving response this Pastor received from the members of F.M.B.C. The outpouring of love and caring concern was absolutely awesome. Without a doubt, Friendship has the most loving, the most caring, and the most generous members of any church, anywhere on this people planet. How you live out the words of Jesus: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have loved one to another.” (John 13: 34, 35).

Dear members, you have shown the Jesus kind of love in your interactions, not just with this Pastor, but with all believers. Out of your love has come a fulfillment of 1Thes. 5:12,13: “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves”. We know this truth is self-evident, we love you unconditionally with a Pastor’s heart, based on the love of Jesus for all of us. Thank you for your generosity, your many encouraging words and deeds, and your caring spirit. Thank you for hearing and acting upon what Jesus says in John 13:20 (AMP). “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, the one who receives and welcomes whomever I send receives Me; and the one who receives Me receives Him who sent Me [in that same way].”

Be blessed as you continue in Him,

Pastor J. Amos Jones

Dear Ones, I need not remind you that the mission is evangelism.  After having made that assertion, this Pastor does feel the need to direct your attention to the definitive statement of our Lord Jesus concerning His purpose: “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).  Our Lord came to this people planet on a mission, and as a result of His mission, salvation has come to this house.  Very often we are so busy with “church work” that our attention is diverted from “the mission” and we lose focus. All of the ministries here at Friendship are important, however, evangelism is most important.

We have been given a mandate by Jesus, Himself to go to make Disciples, to disciple the Disciples, and to know that His perpetual presence is with us.  Here is how He said it: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matt 28:19,20).  The wise man tells us in Proverbs 18:30b ”he that winneth souls is wise.”

Why is it important to lead people to Christ? Because we are walking in obedience while it offers others eternal life.  Moreover, it is a source of joy in heaven (Luke15).  Think about it, my brother and sisters, your action here in the earth realm causes a reaction in heaven.  Be blessed as you witness for Him.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

October 24, 2021

We thank Almighty God that entrance into the Kingdom is open to “whosoever.”   There is no gender, racial or age bias. The membership rules of the Kingdom of Heaven are quite clear- entrance is by God’s grace alone.  In the parable of the “workers paid equally” found in Matthew 20:1-16, God is the householder and believers are the laborers. This parable is especially for those who feel superior because of heritage or favored position, for those who feel superior because they have spent so much time with Christ, and importantly, for new believers as reassurance of God’s grace.  This is a strong statement concerning the most recently baptized members.  The parable is not about rewards but about salvation.  It is a marvelous teaching about GRACE (capitalized for effect), God’s generosity.

We are grateful to the Lord for the children received into the Kingdom.  Jesus said, “Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein” (Mark 10:14b).   It is true, we do not have to understand all the mysteries of the universe but by faith, with childlike simplicity, we receive Jesus as our personal Savior, and we live for Him.  Age is not a deterrent in service for the Master.  Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, came to Joshua in Gilgal, “I am eighty-five years old, and I am as strong this day as I was forty-five years, now give me the land God promised me then.”  And Joshua blessed him and gave him Hebron for an inheritance.  God is faithful Kingdom-dwellers, now let’s be faithful to Him.

Pastor J. Amos Jones