Dear Church Family, During my “State of the Church” address on January 27th, I told you about the children who regularly attend on Wednesday nights but are not connected with our church. There are 43 children in that category. They represent 14 different addresses. Here is the breakdown of those addresses: There is one home…
Author: fbcpoteau
Preparing for Pentecost (Acts 1:12-26)
Gentry preached from the Acts 1:12-26 during Sunday morning corporate worship on February 10, 2019.
The Ascension of the King (Acts 1:1-11)
Gentry preached from the Acts 1:1-11 during Sunday morning corporate worship on February 3, 2019.
The Gospel according to the Twelve (Minor Prophets)
Gentry preached from the Minor Prophets during Sunday morning corporate worship on January 27, 2019.
What Difference Does It Make? (Malachi 3:6-4:6)
Gentry preached from Malachi 3:6-4:6 during Sunday morning corporate worship on January 20, 2019.
Two Upcoming Meetings (Newsletter 01.16.19)
Dear Church Family, I want to make you aware of two important meetings in the life of our church. The first is next Sunday night (1/27). During this service, I will be giving a “State of the Church” address. As is the case in the annual “State of the Union” address, the contents of this…
Faithless or Faithful (Malachi 2:10-3:5)
Gentry preached from Malachi 2:10-3:5 during Sunday morning corporate worship on January 13, 2019.
The Greatness of God (Malachi 1:1-2:9)
Gentry preached from Malachi 1:1-2:9 during Sunday morning corporate worship on January 6, 2019.
Sharing Means Caring (Philemon 17-25)
Gentry preached from Philemon 17-25 during Sunday morning corporate worship on December 23, 2018.
How Love Reconciles (Philemon 8-16)
Gentry preached from Philemon 8-16 during Sunday morning corporate worship on December 16, 2018.
Two Commitments for 2019 (Newsletter 12.12.18)
Dear Church Family, With the start of a new year rapidly approaching, I would like to ask every member of this church to make two commitments for 2019. Here they are: 1) Read through the entire Bible using the Bible reading plan on the table in the foyer. 2) Pray through our entire membership every…
Christian Forgiveness (Philemon 1-7)
Gentry preached from Philemon 1-7 during Sunday morning corporate worship on December 9, 2018.
Visible Evidence of an Unseen Reality (Mark 2:1-12)
Nathan preached from Mark 2:1-12 during Sunday morning corporate worship on December 2, 2018.
Two Opportunities to Give (Newsletter 11.28.18)
Dear Church Family, Yesterday (11/27) was Giving Tuesday. If you’re like me, you probably received several forms of communication asking you to give in support of different organizations. The last month of the year is full of opportunities to give. The tradition of giving gifts during the Christmas season reminds us of the greatest gift…
The Last Battle (Zechariah 14)
Gentry preached from Zechariah 14 during Sunday morning corporate worship on November 25, 2018.
The Opened Fountain (Zechariah 12-13)
Gentry preached from Zechariah 12-13 during Sunday morning corporate worship on November 18, 2018.
The Rejected Shepherd (Zechariah 10-11)
Gentry preached from Zechariah 10-11 during Sunday morning corporate worship on November 11, 2018.
A Call to Pray (Newsletter 11.07.18)
Dear Church Family, This past Sunday night (11/4) during family time, Cal Ray spoke on behalf of the Stewardship Committee to call our church to action. As he and the other members of that committee have begun preparing the 2019 budget it has become clear there need to be changes starting in 2018. Our current…
Your King Is Coming (Zechariah 9)
Gentry preached from Zechariah 9 during Sunday morning corporate worship on November 4, 2018.
Citizens of the City of Truth (Zechariah 7-8)
Gentry preached from Zechariah 7-8 during Sunday morning corporate worship on October 28, 2018.
Live Today (Newsletter 10.24.18)
Dear Church Family, Today, October 24th, marks the 134th anniversary of the covenanting of our church back in 1884. Sadly, comparatively speaking we know very little about those first members that assembled together. However, we do know there weren’t many of them and they met in a shared log cabin. But most importantly, we know…
The Priest on the Throne (Zechariah 4-6)
Gentry preached from Zechariah 4-6 during Sunday morning corporate worship on October 21, 2018.
The Brand and the Branch (Zechariah 3)
Gentry preached from Zechariah 3 during Sunday morning corporate worship on October 14, 2018.
Return to Me (Zechariah 1-2)
Gentry preached from Zechariah 1-2 during Sunday morning corporate worship on October 7, 2018.
The Corporation-Employee Relationship (Newsletter 10.03.18)
Dear Church Family, Last week we thought about church membership using the metaphor of a team. This week we’ll look at church membership using the metaphor of a company. I am not suggesting the church is a business any more than I am suggesting it is a football team. However, as an organization, I hope…
From Now On (Haggai 2:10-23)
Gentry preached from Haggai 2:10-23 during Sunday morning corporate worship on September 30, 2018.
Are You a Spectator or Starter? (Newsletter 09.26.18)
Dear Church Family, Are we spectators or starters? We’re about a month into the college football season and depending on your team, you may be looking forward to the beginning of January or the end of next August. If you’re in need of a new team, I just checked the current rankings as I am…
Greater than the Former (Haggai 2:1-9)
Gentry preached from Haggai 2:1-9 during Sunday morning corporate worship on September 23, 2018.
Curing the Disease (Mark 1:39-45)
Nathan preached from Mark 1:39-45 during Sunday morning corporate worship on September 16, 2018.
Are You Lonely Even though You’re Not Alone? (Newsletter 09.12.18)
Dear Church Family, Are you lonely even though you’re not alone? In a newsletter a few weeks ago we talked about loneliness brought on from isolating ourselves, but here I want to qualify that isolation. Maybe the most common way we think about isolation is deciding to be alone. But it is also possible to…
How’s that Working Out for You? (Haggai 1)
Gentry preached from Haggai 1 during Sunday morning corporate worship on September 9, 2018.
The King of Love (Zephaniah 3:14-20)
Gentry preached from Zephaniah 3:14-20 during Sunday morning corporate worship on September 2, 2018.
The Mountain View (Zephaniah 3:9-13)
Gentry preached from Zephaniah 3:9-13 during Sunday morning corporate worship on August 26, 2018.
Are You Lonely? (Newsletter 08.22.18)
Dear Church Family, Are you lonely? Study after study suggests a growing number of Americans are. The clear consensus is that humans weren’t made to live in isolation. M.I.T. neuroscientists even found mice were impacted by being separated from other mice for only 24 hours. This finding was cited in the same New York Times…
God’s Return for Man’s Pride (Zephaniah 2:4-3:8)
Gentry preached from Zephaniah 2:4-3:8 during Sunday morning corporate worship on August 19, 2018.
It’s the End of the World as We Know It (Zephaniah 1:1-2:3)
Gentry preached from Zephaniah 1:1-2:3 during Sunday morning corporate worship on August 12, 2018.
What Is True Humility? (Newsletter 08.08.18)
Dear Church Family, What does it mean to be humble? For most of my life, my default definition pretty well agreed with a common dictionary’s definition: “having a low estimate of one’s own importance.” Maybe that’s the way you think of what it means to be humble—not thinking you’re very important. Well, it is true…
Yet God the Same Abiding (Habakkuk 3)
Gentry preached from Habakkuk 3 during Sunday morning corporate worship on August 5, 2018.
Visitation Update (Newsletter 08.01.18)
Dear Church Family, Over the past four months, our body has made over 250 visits in the neighborhoods surrounding where we meet. At least twenty-five members have participated by going to different homes or by writing letters to those we’ve visited. Many more of you have participated in our efforts by praying for the ones…
Life in the Meantime (Habakkuk 1:12-2:20)
Gentry preached from Habakkuk 1:12-2:20 during Sunday morning corporate worship on July 29, 2018.
God’s Love and Our Suffering (Newsletter 07.25.18)
Dear Church Family, Last week’s newsletter focused on 2 Corinthians 12 and Paul’s thorn in the flesh. Almost at the end of his article, Nathan wrote about our weaknesses and areas of helplessness encouraging us, “God has put these in your life for his own purposes, and that is our joy in life, to be…
How Long Till We’re Holy? (Habakkuk 1:1-11)
Gentry preached from Habakkuk 1:1-11 during Sunday morning corporate worship on July 22, 2018.
When God Is Against You (Nahum 2-3)
Gentry preached from Nahum 2-3 during Sunday morning corporate worship on July 15, 2018.
One God, Two Experiences (Nahum 1)
Gentry preached from Nahum 1 during Sunday morning corporate worship on July 8, 2018.
All Who Wander (James 5:19-20)
Gentry preached from James 5:19-20 during Sunday morning corporate worship on July 1, 2018.
Praying Faith (James 5:13-18)
Gentry preached from James 5:13-18 during Sunday morning corporate worship on June 24, 2018.
What Are You Waiting for? (James 5:7-12)
Gentry preached from James 5:7-12 during Sunday morning corporate worship on June 17, 2018.
Three Prideful Presumptions (James 4:11-5:6)
Gentry preached from James 4:11-5:6 during Sunday morning corporate worship on June 10, 2018.
Mistaken Identity (Mark 1:21-38)
Nathan preached from Mark 1:21-38 during Sunday morning corporate worship on June 3, 2018.
The Right Posture (James 4:4-10)
Gentry preached from James 4:4-10 during Sunday morning corporate worship on May 27, 2018.
Your Glory Days (Newsletter 05.23.18)
Dear Church Family, Are you ever overcome with nostalgia? As you get older, does it happen more or less frequently? Nostalgia is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as “a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past.” Does that definition pretty well match up with your life’s disposition? Apparently, the word “nostalgia” was formed in…
Purity and Passion (James 3:13-4:3)
Gentry preached from James 3:13-4:3 during Sunday morning corporate worship on May 20, 2018.
You Are What You Say (James 3:1-12)
Gentry preached from James 3:1-12 during Sunday morning corporate worship on May 13, 2018.
The Miracle of Motherhood (Newsletter 05.09.18)
Dear Church Family, Have you ever heard someone say, “Find out where God is working and then join Him there”? Several people, including Henry Blackaby in his study Experiencing God, have made statements like this one along the way. My intention for this newsletter is not to comment on the usefulness of this directive, but…
Working Faith (James 2:14-26)
Gentry preached from James 2:14-26 during Sunday morning corporate worship on May 6, 2018.
Use Your Words Wisely (Newsletter 05.02.18)
Dear Church Family, In the life of our church, the past two Sunday nights have been particularly meaningful. This has certainly been true for me personally, but in conversations I’ve had with other members, I think this has been true for all of us. I’d like to take this newsletter to talk about why. As…
All Welcome, Some Wanted, All Wrong (James 2:1-13)
Gentry preached from James 2:1-13 during Sunday morning corporate worship on April 29, 2018.
Church Covenant, Section Thirteen (Newsletter 04.25.18)
Dear Church Family, The thirteenth and final section of our newly adopted church covenant reads: “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen.” As we’ve worked our way through the previous twelve sections of our church covenant over…
Real Religion (James 1:19-27)
Gentry preached from James 1:19-27 during Sunday morning corporate worship on April 22, 2018.
Thou Changest Not (James 1:13-18)
Gentry preached from James 1:13-18 during Sunday morning corporate worship on April 15, 2018.
Crosses into Crowns (James 1:1-12)
Gentry preached from James 1:1-12 during Sunday morning corporate worship on April 8, 2018.
Church Covenant, Section 12 (Newsletter 04.04.18)
Dear Church Family, The twelfth section of our newly adopted church covenant reads: “We will submit to the authority of the Scriptures as the final word on all matters of life and doctrine.” To this point our church covenant has hit on the major requirements for every Christian in the context of meaningful membership in…
Who Is a God Like You? (Micah 6-7)
Gentry preached from Micah 6-7 during Sunday morning corporate worship on April 1, 2018.
O Little Town of Bethlehem (Micah 4:6-5:15)
Gentry preached from Micah 4:6-5:15 during Sunday morning corporate worship on March 25, 2018.
Under New Management (Micah 3:1-4:5)
Gentry preached from Micah 3:1-4:5 during Sunday morning corporate worship on March 18, 2018.
Too Close to Home (Micah 1-2)
Gentry preached from Micah 1-2 during Sunday morning corporate worship on March 11, 2018.
Church Covenant, Section 11 (Newsletter 03.07.18)
Dear Church Family, The eleventh section of our newly adopted church covenant reads: “We will, if the Spirit leads us to move from this place, unite with some other church as soon as possible, keeping ourselves under the oversight and discipline of the church. At such a time we will continue to carry out the…
A Call to Self Sacrifice (Mark 1:16-20)
Nathan preached from Mark 1:16-20 during Sunday morning corporate worship on March 4, 2018.
Church Covenant, Section 10 (Newsletter 02.28.18)
Dear Church Family, The tenth section of our newly adopted church covenant reads: “We will serve one another, using the gifts God has granted us. And in doing so, we will strive always to rely on the power of His Holy Spirit that all glory may be given to Him.” All Christians are called to…
Petty or Pity? (Jonah 4)
Gentry preached from Jonah 4 during Sunday morning corporate worship on February 25, 2018.
The Second Time (Jonah 3)
Gentry preached from Jonah 3 during Sunday morning corporate worship on February 18, 2018.
Church Covenant, Section 9 (Newsletter 02.14.18)
Dear Church Family, The ninth section of our newly adopted church covenant reads: “We will contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the relief of the poor and those in need, and the spread of the Gospel throughout all the nations.” All Christians are called by God to be generous givers. Why?…
Salvation Belongs to the Lord (Jonah 1-2)
Gentry preached from Jonah 1-2 during Sunday morning corporate worship on February 11, 2018.
And the Kingdom Shall Be the Lord’s (Obadiah)
Gentry preached from Obadiah during Sunday morning corporate worship on February 4, 2018.
The Fallen Booth of David (Amos 9)
Gentry preached from Amos 9 during Sunday morning corporate worship on January 28, 2018.
Church Covenant, Section 8 (01.24.18)
Dear Church Family, The eighth section of our newly adopted church covenant reads: “We will uphold and defend the doctrines of the faith against all who would come against them and, consequently, against the Word of God.” Before we can really unpack this statement we need to define a few terms. In this context, to…
Time’s Up (Amos 7-8)
Gentry preached from Amos 7-8 during Sunday morning corporate worship on January 21, 2018.
The Dignity of All Human Life (01.17.18)
Dear Church Family, We believe every person is created in the image of God. We believe personhood begins with life. We believe life begins at conception. Therefore, we believe because of the image of God inherit in all human life, each life has worth and dignity and should be treated accordingly. In other words, it…
What Does God Hate? (Amos 5:18-6:14)
Gentry preached from Amos 5:18-6:14 during Sunday morning corporate worship on January 14, 2018.
Seek the Lord and Live (Amos 5:1-17)
Gentry preached from Amos 5:1-17 during Sunday morning corporate worship on January 7, 2018.
Church Covenant, Section 7 (01.03.18)
Dear Church Family, The seventh section of our newly adopted church covenant reads: “We will submit ourselves to the discipline of this church as a testimony of our desire to always walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. And for our brothers and sisters, we will seek their spiritual advancement as dearly as our…
The Grace of God Has Appeared (Titus 2:11-14)
Gentry preached from Titus 2:11-14 during Sunday morning corporate worship on December 24, 2017.
Prepare to Meet Your God (Amos 3-4)
Gentry preached from Amos 3-4 during Sunday morning corporate worship on December 17, 2017.
When the Fullness of Time Had Come (Galatians 4:4-5)
Gentry preached from Galatians 4:4-5 during Sunday morning corporate worship on December 10, 2017.
Church Covenant, Section 6 (Newsletter 12.06.17)
Dear Church Family, The sixth section of our newly adopted church covenant reads: “We will seek, by His grace, to live in a manner striving for holiness in the world, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. We will constantly renew our minds to the truth, leading a new and holy life glorifying our Father in heaven.”…
Death and Life Are in Your Words (Matthew 12:33-37)
Dr. Steve Gaines preached from Matthew 12:33-37 during Sunday evening corporate worship on December 3, 2017.
Does Prayer Really Make a Difference? (Daniel 9:23)
Dr. Steve Gaines preached from Daniel 9:23 during Sunday morning corporate worship on December 3, 2017.
Jesus Is Lord (Philippians 2:5-11)
Dr. Steve Gaines preached from Philippians 2:5-11 during a Saturday evening service on December 2, 2017.
What Kind of Church Pleases God? (Acts 2:40-47)
Dr. Steve Gaines preached from Acts 2:40-47 during a Friday evening service on December 1, 2017.
Revival Weekend (Newsletter 11.29.17)
Dear Church Family, Lord willing, this weekend we will host a revival weekend focusing around the appearing of God’s grace in the God-man, Jesus Christ. Titus 2:11-14 says, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly…
For Three Transgressions and for Four (Amos 1-2)
Gentry preached from Amos 1-2 during Sunday morning corporate worship on November 26, 2017.
The Trinitarian Gospel (Mark 1:9-15)
Nathan preached from Mark 1:9-15 during Sunday morning corporate worship on November 19, 2017.
The Valley of Decision and the Mountain of God (Joel 3)
Pastor Gentry preached from Joel 3 during Sunday morning corporate worship on November 12, 2017.
Church Covenant, Section 5 (Newsletter 11.08.17)
Dear Church Family, The fifth section of our newly adopted church covenant reads: “We will rejoice at one another’s joys and endeavor, by tenderness and sympathy, to bear one another’s burdens and sorrows.” Before I attempt to answer how we should attempt to do this, let’s consider why we have committed to do this. In…
The Great Reversal (Joel 2:18-32)
Pastor Gentry preached from Joel 2:18-32 during Sunday morning corporate worship on November 5, 2017.
Church Covenant, Section 4 (Newsletter 11.01.17)
Dear Church Family, The fourth section of our newly adopted church covenant reads: “We will strive to bring up our children and any under our care in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and by a pure and loving example to seek the salvation of our family and friends.” To this point, our covenant…
Yet Even Now (Joel 2:1-17)
Pastor Gentry preached from Joel 2:1-17 during Sunday morning corporate worship on October 29, 2017.
Church Covenant, Section 3 (Newsletter 10.25.17)
Dear Church Family, The third section of our newly adopted church covenant reads: “We will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, nor neglect to pray for ourselves and one another.” In a way, it might be helpful to view this section as the other side of the coin for the previous statement. The second…
What Makes You Mourn? (Joel 1)
Pastor Gentry preached from Joel 1 during Sunday morning corporate worship on October 22, 2017.
Return to the LORD (Hosea 11:12-14:9)
Pastor Gentry preached from Hosea 11:12-14:9 during Sunday morning corporate worship on October 15, 2017.