WELCOME
Good morning First Baptist. We welcome you to worship this morning. Be sure to remember your brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the week as you pray for them, and as the Holy Spirit brings their faces to your mind. Be sure to also connect with them in the ways that are possible. And if you have any questions or would like to talk to someone, please don’t hesitate to contact the church through the church telephone and leave a message. (519-733-4144)
Songs
Call to Worship
The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.
Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight.
The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.
We worship together this morning because our great and mighty God is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.
GOOD MORNING FBK & WELCOME TO WORSHIP!
Songs
Prayer
Prayer of Confession & Assurance
We have to confess, O Lord, that we are people who want to have everything proven for us. We hear the message in the scripture of Jesus’ miracles, resurrection and ascension, and we smile smugly, some of us not truly believing the vision.
Forgive us for our arrogant doubts and attitudes of smugness.
Help us remember that everything Jesus taught us was to prepare us to help build God’s realm here on earth. We are called to be people of faith, not of absolute proof, as we understand it.
Let us place our trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
Let us look with eyes of faith as he ascends to the Father.
We pray in his Name, AMEN.
Assurance of Pardon:
Although you have not stood on the mountaintop to see his ascension to God, yet believe in the love and power of Christ who taught you how to be faithful and joyful disciples.
Rejoice, and believe in him who came that you may have abundant life. AMEN.
Unchained
The Gentleness of True Compassion
Today's Message: Guest Speaker - Mike Morency (Matthew House)
Mike Morency is bringing the message to FBK today – below is a brief devotional specific to our passage this morning.
Scripture Reading: Philippians 4:5
“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”
“They will know you by your love.” This saying is often used in the church as we talk of reaching others for Jesus. This is taken from that well known verse in John 13:35. A question we need to ask ourselves though is, “What does this love look like?”. It can be helping those around us, giving to the needy, or just lending an ear to someone as they vent. But, what if showing love meant being a reasonable person?
The Greek word for “gentle” can also be translated to the word “reasonable” with its definition: equitable, yielding. Does this sound like you? Aren’t we called to be strong in our stances and to not bend in what we believe? The answer is yes!! But we can do it in a reasonable manner.
Too many times Christians can be looked at as a hardheaded group of people who want argue with everyone we don’t agree with. You know that guy who wants to always argue and is never wrong. I know I can sometimes be guilty of being one of those people at times. We aren’t going to change people by belittling their views and putting them down. We are going to win them over with love when we reasonably disagree with them and lovingly show them where we differ. Our arguments don’t change people, Jesus changes people.
Have you been a reasonable Christian today?
In our fast-paced and competitive world, it is easy to forget that we need to be gentle. We often see gentleness as weakness – something to be avoided in oneself and exploited in others.
Biblical times were violent and harsh, yet the bible tells us repeatedly to be gentle. Jesus is our example; he was gentle and strong at the same time. Not two opposing values but two that complement each other.
To be gentle means to be kind, generous, courteous, tame, quiet; not strong, rough or violent.
Gentleness is generally connected to meekness and humility in the scriptures. This is what Paul meant when he wrote to Titus, telling him that believers should not slander anyone, and they must avoid quarrelling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility (Titus 3:2).
Gentleness helps us relate to others and make allowance for others’ faults, just as we would like them to show us some patience and grace as we ourselves grow in the Lord.
We are all on this journey together.
Let’s pray.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the many letters of Paul and the wealth of information, teachings, and training that they contain. Help us to walk a walk of gentleness, knowing that You are returning very soon. Enable us to stand fast in this difficult day, to live in the light of Your presence, and to let a spirit of gentleness be evident to all with whom we come in contact.
Take our spirits and release the need for control for them. Help us place our total trust in your abiding love and presence. Give us patience and persistence in our ministries and mission. As we bring to you the names of dear ones whose lives are in need of your healing mercy and comfort, remind us that we also stand in need of those same mercies. Give us courage to accept your love and strength to witness to your love in all that we do. In Jesus’ Name, we pray.
This we ask in Jesus’ name, AMEN.
Song
Benediction
Lord of love and gentleness, you have called us to this place and have blessed us with your loving spirit.
Now send us on our way in joyful service and peace in your world.
Amen.
Have a great Week!