“So the last shall be first, and the first last:  for many be called, but few are chosen.”  (Matthew 20:16) 

In the parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard, Jesus further clarified the membership rules of the Kingdom of heaven…entrance is by grace alone.  In chapter nineteen, Jesus has turned the world’s values upside down.  He gave the proper perspective to marriage and divorce, proper use of money and rewards for service.  In this parable in chapter 20, 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 too much time with Christ and for new believers as reassurance of God’s grace.

This parable is not about rewards, but about salvation.  It is a masterful teaching about grace, God’s generosity.  (For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; Ephesians 2:8)

We should not begrudge those who turn to God in the last moments of life, because in reality, no one deserves eternal life.  Thank God for His Grace.  Whether one has wrought but one hour or hast borne the burden and heat of the day, the gracious generosity of God provides acceptance of all.  Many people we don’t expect to see in the Kingdom will be there.  The thief who repented as he was dying (Luke 23:40-43) will be there along with people who have believed and served God for many years.

Thank God for His graciousness and His inclusion.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

“Let the main thing be the main thing.”

Dear Ones, that statement is more than a convenient platitude, it really speaks to a salient principle.  Our Lord teaches us in Matthew 6:33:  “But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

We are commanded of the Lord to first and most importantly seek His Kingdom and His righteousness.  The Kingdom of God is the “Main Thing.”  This is a message that has gotten lost in many of our Churches today (unfortunately) Friendship is included in this assessment).  Let me ask you these questions. 

• What is really important to you? 
• Do you aim at having the attitude and character of God?
• Do you strive to do things God’s way? 
• Do you allow people, objects, goals, selfish desires to

   compete for priority?

A key verse from the Book of Luke gives us a Kingdom perspective:  (Luke 19:10)  “For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”  That, my Brothers and Sisters is the MISSION statement of the Church and it is the “Main Thing.”  Acts 17:18-21 tells us of certain philosophers of the Epicureans and of the Stoics which met at the Arcopagus (Mars Hill) for the express purpose in “Nothing else, but either to tell or to hear some new thing.”  No new thing folks, the main thing is an old thing, and, paradoxically, it is as new as this morning’s Chronicle.  The Kingdom of God, where the will of God is manifest in the earth realm.  The Kingdom of God is where we turn to God first for help, for conflict resolution, to fill your thoughts with His desires (the Lord is not willing that any should perish), to serve and obey Him in everything.

Dear Ones, Let the main thing be the MAIN THING.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

Good evening FMBC Members: From FMBC’s Announcement Clerk: In recognition of the last Sunday in October and honoring Breast Cancer Awareness Month, please wear pink for support and representation.

As the people of God, we should never allow the circumstances of life to dictate our lives.  We know that greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world.  At some time prior to the Assyrian campaign of 701 B.C., Hezekiah, King of Judah, was sick unto death.  The prophet Isaiah came to him with the message to “Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.”  “Get your will updated, ensure your final arrangements are completed, particularly in respect to throne succession.”  Such were the circumstances confronting King Hezekiah.    Moreover, there is the final declaration, “thou shalt die, and not live.”

Look how Hezekiah dealt with this staggering circumstance in his life.  Hezekiah prayed!  “I beseech thee, O lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight.”  (2 Kings 20:3)

Hezekiah’s prayer is not an appeal for divine favor that is based on good works, but it expresses the realization that the Lord graciously favors those who earnestly serve Him.

Another Godly King declared:  “The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of hands hath He recompensed me.”  (2 Samuel 22:21)

While David’s statements may give the impression of self-righteous boasting and a meritorious basis for divine favor, they must be understood in the context as:

•  David’s desire to please the Lord in his service as the Lord’s anointed

•  His recognition that the Lord rewards those who faithfully seek to serve Him.

Know this, dear ones, whatever you are experiencing in life, God favors those who earnestly serve Him.

To that end, favor IS fair.  Enjoy His favor as you seek to serve Him.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

On today, we celebrate with our Ushers their USHERS’ ANNUL DAY.  Today, we are all ushers and this day is very important to all members of this Church family.

Annual days are a time of reflection and thanksgiving.  We reflect upon the all sufficiency of our loving, heavenly Father who empowers us as we go about performing our assigned tasks.  It is not our “ability” the Lord is looking for, but rather it is our “availability.”  When we make ourselves available to Him, how apropos are the words of this Psalm, penned for the Sons of Korah: 

“How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!  My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.  Yea, the sparrow hath found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thin altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God.  Blessed are they that dwell in thy house; they will be still praising thee.  For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand.  I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness”  (Psalm 84:1-4, 10)

Our love for Him and His house, prompts us to serve His people in His house.  Our Ushers do such a good job because of what God does for them and what God does through them.  As Pastor, I am grateful to Usher Board President, Craig Miller and to all the wonderful, dedicated members who serve with him, for the fine job that they do through-out the year. 

Ushering, as such, is not a glamourous job, but it is a very important job in the house of the Living God!  Ushers are caring people who are willing to work without publicity.  People who will work diligently and cheerfully at their task, knowing that they are working for the Lord, rather than for men.  Thank you Ushers for a job well done and we thank for Lord for our Ushers.

In His Service.

Pastor J. Amos Jones