Our Church, Our Nation, and The Nations
I want to share several things with you related to our church, our nation, and the nations.
Our Church
As part of our NEXT initiative, we have some important events coming up:
1. Sunday, October 25, 4:00 p.m. | W-200 | Planned Giving Class
This class will be presented by the Georgia Baptist Foundation and will cover topics such as: Donor Advised Funds, Required Minimum Distributions, and estate planning. It will help you steward your resources well and in a way that allows for maximum generosity.
2. Monday, October 26, 6:30 p.m. | Preschool Parking Lot at Ingleside | Advance Commitment Night
This evening is for all those who want to lead in the area of giving by being among the first to make a commitment towards NEXT. We will sing together, pray together, and make our commitments.
3. Wednesday, October 28, 6:15 p.m. | W-200 | Building A Budget That Honors God
Led by one of the Overseers with financial expertise, this class will provide principles for developing a wise, God-honoring budget.
Our Nation
As we near the election on November 3, I am reminded that followers of Jesus are called to be salt and light in our culture (Matthew 4:13-16). One way we are able to do that is by engaging in the political process and voting. As we seek to be salt and light, let me share with you two of my primary desires as a pastor and three biblical principles that can help us be faithful in this election season.
Two Desires:
- I desire to see more Christians who think more biblically about all of life, including how they vote. I agree with Martyn Lloyd-Jones, the 20th-century pastor in London, who said, “So if the church is anxious that her teaching should permeate the life of society, the quickest and the shortest way to accomplish that…is to produce a large number of Christians. And how is that done? By preaching the pure Gospel, by preaching a Gospel that can convert people.” (Life in the Spirit in Marriage, Home, and Work, p. 30).
- I desire that our church be so rooted in Christ that we will be faithful regardless of the outcome of the election or the consequences of it. As John Piper has said, “My main calling is…to help the church be the church. I want to help the church be the radical outpost of the kingdom of Christ, no matter what kind of America it happens to be in or any other people group or country in the world” (Tony Reinke, Ask Pastor John, p. 51).
Three Principles:
- Think about the issues biblically. Consider what God has said about the relevant issues and then consider how the party platforms compare to his standard of what is right and good.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2).
- Government exists to promote good and restrain evil. Consider which candidate will promote the most good (as defined by God) and restrain the most evil (as defined by God).
Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good (1 Peter 2:13-14).
- Honor and pray for our leaders.
Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor (1 Peter 2:17).
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
As citizens of heaven, with our minds set on the things above and our hope firmly in Christ, let’s engage in the political process in ways that will honor the Lord and be good for everyone affected by the outcome!
The Nations
I hope you are making plans now to be part of Acts 1:8 Weekend – our annual world missions conference.
We will welcome missionaries from all over the world the weekend of November 6-8. It starts with a Celebration Dinner on Friday night. On Saturday morning, we have World Adventure for kids. On Saturday night, we’ll host multiple Connection Dinners in homes across our community. On Sunday morning, missionaries will share information in classes.
You can find more details about the weekend here.
Join me in praying that the Lord will use these days to expand our vision and deepen our commitment to going with the gospel, making disciples, and planting churches – here, there, and everywhere…all for the glory of God!
With the affection of Christ,
