July 4, 2021

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” (2 Tim. 3:1) Please know this, my brothers and sisters, we are living in the “last days”.  The last days began after Jesus’ resurrection, when the Holy Spirit came upon the believers at Pentecost.  They will continue until His Second Coming.  If there was any doubt of the times, one need only look at the characteristics described in chapter 3:2-4, they are unmistakable.  In as much as the last days are characterized by sinfulness, what should be the posture of the believer?  Brother Paul states it so succinctly in verse 14 of chapter 3: “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.”  You know that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,  for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man (or woman) of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim 3: 16-17).

Preachers, continue to preach; choir members, continue to sing; deacons continue to serve; usher, continue to usher; teachers, continue to teach; missionary workers, continue to witness; all believers, continue to pray.  The times may be perilous, but our God is faithful.  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you”  (1 Peter 1:3-4).

Let us continue.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

June 27, 2021

MUSINGS WITH THE PASTOR June 22, 2021

“What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?”  What is man?  This is not a rhetorical question, but rather a question to help you understand yourself more clearly.  To  respect God’s majesty, we must see ourselves in the light of His greatness.  Man is the crown of His creation; however, when we look at creation, we often feel small by comparison.  To feel small is a healthy way to get back to reality, but God does not want us to dwell on our smallness. Humility means proper respect for God, not self-deprecation.  What is man?  Hear the Psalmist in selected verses from Psalm 139:

• (14)  I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:   marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
• (17) How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
• (18)  If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake,  I am still with thee.

To the men of FMBC, we appreciate and honor you on this your day.  Be blessed.

A note to all members.  If you have not received your COVID-19 vaccination, let me encourage you to do so as soon as possible.  If we all work together we can put this pandemic behind us.  The vaccines are safe,  just do it!

And now a personal note:  On Tuesday, June 22, 2021, we welcome onto this people planet, a gift from God (Psalm 127:3), JADE FIELDS, born to Nita and John Fields.  All are doing well.  To God be the glory!  This Pastor is a great-grandfather many times over.

Again, to God be the glory!

Pastor J. Amos Jones

 

June 20, 2021

On today as we honor our fathers, may I remind them how they are blessed and rewarded by our heavenly Father.  He says of children: “Lo children are an heritage of the Lord:  and the fruit of the womb is his reward.  As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.  Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them:  they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.”  (Psalm 127 3:5).  It is unfortunate that there are those who view children as a liability, rather than seeing them as assets.  But the Bible calls children “an heritage of the Lord,” a reward.  As a father, God has highly favored you with those He values so highly.  Jesus said to disciples who had become preoccupied with the organization of His earthly kingdom, and had lost sight of its divine purpose: “…Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3)

Children are trusting by nature, they trust you fathers, and through that trust their capacity to trust God.  May I remind you fathers, God is holding you accountable for how you affect your children’s ability to trust.  Hear the great Apostle Paul as he speaks to fathers: “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath; but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4)  The reward here is you will have children that will both obey and honor you.  There is a difference between obeying and honoring.  To obey means to do as one is told; to honor is to respect and love.  Children are to obey while under their parents care, but the responsibility to honor parents is for life.

Happy Father’s Day!

Pastor J. Amos Jones

June 13, 2021

THE MISSION IS EVANGELISM! In the simplicity of this Mission Statement stands the purpose of the church.  How easy it is in the modern church to lose focus on the primary and to spend an inordinate amount of time in the periphery.  With the many programs, activities, social functions, and ministries prevalent in the modern church, too often there is not a passion for the lost.  We, in the church, expend a tremendous amount of energy doing “things”. We are a busy people as well as we should be. However, we must focus on the Mission.  Please understand dear ones, programs and ministries are important and needful, but the Mission is most important.

The Mission of Christ is stated in Luke 19:10: “For the Son of Man is come to seek and save that which was lost.” What a significant statement the compassionate Savior made about Himself.  Jesus uses as a title for Himself “Son of Man”, which in His own thought stood for divine Messiahship and human solidarity.  As divine Messiah, He was able to be a Savior, because He had the ability to save; and as Son of Mankind, He could be a sympathetic Savior who Himself was tempted in all points like as we, but without Sin. 

He “came” to this people planet with a mission to do the will of His Father who sent Him.  Know this, dear ones, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9).  Jesus gave Himself as a sacrifice for our sins.  We have now been empowered to be witnesses unto Him.  God’s gospel has not reached its final destination if someone in your family, your workplace, your school, at the gym, or in your community hasn’t heard about Jesus Christ. 

Let us do a mission check-up:

·  Do we have passion for the lost?

·  Are we effective in our witness?

·  Do we see the Mission as evangelism?

Friendship the task is now ours.  Let us continue…

Pastor J. Amos Jones

May 30, 2021

There is an awesome truth recorded in Philippians 4:17 that many very easily pass right by it.  Paul uses commercial language to describe “giving and receiving” (credit and debit) between the Philippians and himself.  During Paul’s second missionary journey, the Philippians Christians contributed to his ministry with gifts, in fact, Paul says they were the only contributors.  For a period of time, the Philippians had not contributed, not because they were lacking in concern, but they lacked opportunity. 

At the time of this writing (the book of Philippians), Paul is in prison and has received a gift from the Philippian Christians.  Paul is genuinely appreciative for the gifts but is not ultimately dependent on them.  Their gifts involves them (the Philippians) in Paul’s troubles.  (A person’s gift to the Lord involves them in Kingdom work).  Paul says to the Philippians Christians; “You gave and gave.”  Please watch this:  The investment value” of the Philippians gift is not primarily what Paul received, but the “spiritual dividends” they received.  To the Corinthian Christians, Paul says, “God loveth a cheerful giver.”

What an awesome word! To care for the needs of the poor is to make a deposit in heaven’s savings bank. The interest from His savings bank is more than generous, it is astounding; it can be a hundred percent, sixty percent or thirty percent. Only God can continually give that kind of return on your investment, be it your time, your efforts, and/or your money. Let me share with you a word that the Lord gave to me and that word has blessed me tremendously: “Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days” (Ecclesiastes 11:1). Need and opportunity brought together becomes responsibility (yours and mine).

Be Blessed in Him

Pastor J. Amos Jones