Very oft times when we hear in the church the word “tradition,” it is almost always used in a negative sense. This is unfortunate because many traditions are very positive and are worthy of our adherence. In II Thessalonians 2:15, The Apostle Paul admonishes the church to: “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.”

Paul tells the people of God to hold tenaciously to his teachings, both orally and in written form. One of the traditions Paul elaborates upon is found in II Thessalonians 3:6, the tradition of hard-work. (I find this to be a tradition that the entire body of Christ can embrace.) While in Thessalonica, the Apostle Paul was “hard-work” personified. Paul, by his own admission, was not lazy, would not accept hand-outs, and chose not to be a burden to anyone. Interestingly, the tradition of hard-work is applicable in Kingdom work as it is in secular work. Hard-work, a tradition found in our neighborhood. Respect for elders, another tradition in our neighborhood. Leviticus 19:32: Show your fear of God by standing up in the presence of elderly people and showing respect for the aged. I am the Lord. (New Living Translation) (This is a scripture this Pastor has lived by, even though I didn’t know there was that scripture.)

Traditionally, the church has always been very important in our community. Reverential fear of the Lord and respect for His people and His day has been the norm. To quote Paul, “stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.”

Be blessed and let the church be the church.
Pastor J. Amos Jones

It is easier to build strong children than it is to repair broken men.  This vision statement adopted for the Youth Church is a recognizable reality, however, it is also a biblical principle.

This Pastor is grateful to the Lord and justifiably proud of the great kids we have here at Friendship.  We celebrate them and their many accomplishments.  As they continue to grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I have twelve things to say to them:

• Good going!!
• Great!!
• Fantastic!!
• Excellent!!
• Wonderful!!
• WOW!!
• Good work!!
• Superb!!
• Congratulations!!
• I’m very proud of all of you!!
• Keep it up!!
• I knew you could do it!!

Pastor J. Amos Jones

In the fourth chapter of the book of Genesis, there is an exposition of the actions of Cain.  His actions reflect what is now characterized as “The Cain Syndrome.”  The dynamics of this condition presents a dangerous phenomenon in the Church of the Living God.  “Syndrome” is defined as:  “A number of symptoms occurring together and characterizing a specific condition.”  The condition of Cain’s heart was clearly revealed by his anger at God’s refusal to receive his offering.  His worship parallels that of countless numbers of Church members of today, merely having “a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” (2 Timothy 3:5)

A worship that is void of any genuineness or reality.  Had Cain’s offering been presented in the right spirit, there would have been no “wroth” when Jehovah refused to accept it, but rather a humble desire to know God’s will.  The central truth gathered from Genesis 4 is that God is to be worshipped.  He is to be worshipped through sacrifice, and He is to be worshipped by meas of a sacrifice which is appropriated by faith.

Hear the Apostle Paul:  “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”  (Romans 12:1) The person of God is to “present.”  This is volitional surrender to the perfect will of God, even when you do not know God’s perfect will for your life; it is an act of faith.  The Holy Writ says Cain “brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord.”  Please take note, Cain acknowledged the existence of God, but he prepared to worship Him after his own fashion.

First: Cain’s offering was a bloodless one, “without shedding of blood is no remission.”  (Hebrews 9:22)

Second: Cain’s offering consisted of the fruit of his toil, it was the product of his own labors.  In a word, it was the works of his own hands.

Third:  He brought of “the fruit of the ground,” thus ignoring the Divine sentence in Genesis 3:17, “Cursed is the ground.”  “The Cain Syndrome” illustrates that unless the darkened understanding of man (mankind) be illuminated by the Word and the enmity of the carnal mind be subdued, the human heart rebels against the things of God.

Be blessed as you are transformed by the renewing of your mind, whereby you demonstrate that good, and acceptable, and perfect, Will of God.

 Pastor J. Amos Jones

To our graduates, CONGRATULATIONS!  You have achieved a significant milestone in your life.  How proud we at FMBC are of you.  This, of course, is the first step in the marvelous, yet challenging, journey called life.  You have demonstrated the overcoming spirit necessary to accomplish whatever you choose to do or to be.  With that in mind, I need not remind you of the importance of making good choices and wise decisions.  Early on you were taught the necessity of making wise choices in life, knowing that there are consequence for your actions.    As you prepare for the next phase in life, set your sights high.  For you know that you can do all things through Christ who gives you overcoming power.   Remember, you are blessed.   

And to the Retirees.  Our Heavenly Father has been gracious to you.  And here you are, RETIRED!  You’ve waited a long time and the Lord has brought you to this time in your life.  There are those who would say, “this season of life”.  Personally, I prefer “this segment of life”.  As an illustration, there were three “segments” in the life of Moses, servant of the Most High God.  Segment one, forty years prince of Egypt; segment two, forty years shepherd and Nomad; and segment three, forty years prophet and lawgiver.  It was during the last segment of his life that we see the greatness of Moses.  It can be, retirees (recent and /or longtime), that during this segment of life you can be, like Moses, the most effective for the Lord.  Be blessed as you serve Him in your retirement.

Pastor J. Amos Jones