"God doesn't need you." This is a common sentiment that we express when speaking about humility. There is truth to this statement; God truly doesn't need us and would still be God of all glory and honor without us and our efforts. But for the sake of argument, let me add a second clause to … Continue reading God Doesn’t Need You, but I Do
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Baseball and statistics go together like Baptists and potlucks. One of the statistics that is commonly used today is called Wins Above Replacement (WAR). This is a mathematical formula used to project the numbers of wins an individual player contributes to the overall win total of the team. Many times when a player's WAR goes … Continue reading Rejoice in Weakness
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 … Continue reading Are You Lonely Even though You’re Not Alone? (Newsletter 09.12.18)
Gentry preached from Haggai 1 during Sunday morning corporate worship on September 9, 2018.
Gentry preached from Zephaniah 3:14-20 during Sunday morning corporate worship on September 2, 2018.
Gentry preached from Zephaniah 3:9-13 during Sunday morning corporate worship on August 26, 2018.
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 … Continue reading Are You Lonely? (Newsletter 08.22.18)
Gentry preached from Zephaniah 2:4-3:8 during Sunday morning corporate worship on August 19, 2018.
Gentry preached from Zephaniah 1:1-2:3 during Sunday morning corporate worship on August 12, 2018.
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 … Continue reading What Is True Humility? (Newsletter 08.08.18)
Gentry preached from Habakkuk 3 during Sunday morning corporate worship on August 5, 2018.
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 … Continue reading Visitation Update (Newsletter 08.01.18)
Gentry preached from Habakkuk 1:12-2:20 during Sunday morning corporate worship on July 29, 2018.
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 … Continue reading God’s Love and Our Suffering (Newsletter 07.25.18)
Gentry preached from Habakkuk 1:1-11 during Sunday morning corporate worship on July 22, 2018.
Gentry preached from Nahum 2-3 during Sunday morning corporate worship on July 15, 2018.
Gentry preached from Nahum 1 during Sunday morning corporate worship on July 8, 2018.
Gentry preached from James 5:19-20 during Sunday morning corporate worship on July 1, 2018.
Gentry preached from James 5:13-18 during Sunday morning corporate worship on June 24, 2018.
Gentry preached from James 5:7-12 during Sunday morning corporate worship on June 17, 2018.
Gentry preached from James 4:11-5:6 during Sunday morning corporate worship on June 10, 2018.
Nathan preached from Mark 1:21-38 during Sunday morning corporate worship on June 3, 2018.
Gentry preached from James 4:4-10 during Sunday morning corporate worship on May 27, 2018.
You may have heard the saying, "Preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words." The point is that we are so loving with our actions towards other people they will be able to see the gospel portrayed through us. While there is something right about our love being gospel motivated, the problem … Continue reading Knowing the Gospel
As Christians, we have a new nature that mirrors our heavenly Father. Because of this new nature our response to the news will be differ from the response of an unbeliever as we mimic God's character. Last week we briefly discussed some filters that we should employ as we watch the news, but if … Continue reading How Should a Christian Respond to the News?
Have you considered that your theology dictates the way that you consume and respond to the news? The news we consume is not passive, therefore we cannot be passive in our consumption of the information presented. If we sit back, allowing information to pour over us, without actively engaging it with the truth revealed … Continue reading How Should a Christian Watch the News?
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 … Continue reading Your Glory Days (Newsletter 05.23.18)
Gentry preached from James 3:13-4:3 during Sunday morning corporate worship on May 20, 2018.
Gentry preached from James 3:1-12 during Sunday morning corporate worship on May 13, 2018.
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 … Continue reading The Miracle of Motherhood (Newsletter 05.09.18)
Gentry preached from James 2:14-26 during Sunday morning corporate worship on May 6, 2018.
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 … Continue reading Use Your Words Wisely (Newsletter 05.02.18)
Gentry preached from James 2:1-13 during Sunday morning corporate worship on April 29, 2018.
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 … Continue reading Church Covenant, Section Thirteen (Newsletter 04.25.18)
Gentry preached from James 1:19-27 during Sunday morning corporate worship on April 22, 2018.
Gentry preached from James 1:13-18 during Sunday morning corporate worship on April 15, 2018.
Gentry preached from James 1:1-12 during Sunday morning corporate worship on April 8, 2018.
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 … Continue reading Church Covenant, Section 12 (Newsletter 04.04.18)
Gentry preached from Micah 6-7 during Sunday morning corporate worship on April 1, 2018.
Gentry preached from Micah 4:6-5:15 during Sunday morning corporate worship on March 25, 2018.
Gentry preached from Micah 3:1-4:5 during Sunday morning corporate worship on March 18, 2018.
Gentry preached from Micah 1-2 during Sunday morning corporate worship on March 11, 2018.
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 … Continue reading Church Covenant, Section 11 (Newsletter 03.07.18)
Nathan preached from Mark 1:16-20 during Sunday morning corporate worship on March 4, 2018.
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 … Continue reading Church Covenant, Section 10 (Newsletter 02.28.18)
Gentry preached from Jonah 4 during Sunday morning corporate worship on February 25, 2018.
Gentry preached from Jonah 3 during Sunday morning corporate worship on February 18, 2018.
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? … Continue reading Church Covenant, Section 9 (Newsletter 02.14.18)
Gentry preached from Jonah 1-2 during Sunday morning corporate worship on February 11, 2018.
Gentry preached from Obadiah during Sunday morning corporate worship on February 4, 2018.
Gentry preached from Amos 9 during Sunday morning corporate worship on January 28, 2018.
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 … Continue reading Church Covenant, Section 8 (01.24.18)
Gentry preached from Amos 7-8 during Sunday morning corporate worship on January 21, 2018.
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 … Continue reading The Dignity of All Human Life (01.17.18)
Gentry preached from Amos 5:18-6:14 during Sunday morning corporate worship on January 14, 2018.
Gentry preached from Amos 5:1-17 during Sunday morning corporate worship on January 7, 2018.
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 … Continue reading Church Covenant, Section 7 (01.03.18)
Gentry preached from Titus 2:11-14 during Sunday morning corporate worship on December 24, 2017.
For many, the Christmas season is not a time of joy and peace as we might expect. Rather it is a time of great grief and sorrow. For example, this could the first Christmas without a loved one, it might be a time of additional stress on an already difficult financial situation, or maybe … Continue reading Hope at Christmas (12.20.17)
Gentry preached from Amos 3-4 during Sunday morning corporate worship on December 17, 2017.
Gentry preached from Galatians 4:4-5 during Sunday morning corporate worship on December 10, 2017.
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.” … Continue reading Church Covenant, Section 6 (Newsletter 12.06.17)
Dr. Steve Gaines preached from Matthew 12:33-37 during Sunday evening corporate worship on December 3, 2017.
Dr. Steve Gaines preached from Daniel 9:23 during Sunday morning corporate worship on December 3, 2017.
Dr. Steve Gaines preached from Philippians 2:5-11 during a Saturday evening service on December 2, 2017.
Dr. Steve Gaines preached from Acts 2:40-47 during a Friday evening service on December 1, 2017.
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 … Continue reading Revival Weekend (Newsletter 11.29.17)
Gentry preached from Amos 1-2 during Sunday morning corporate worship on November 26, 2017.
Nathan preached from Mark 1:9-15 during Sunday morning corporate worship on November 19, 2017.
Dear Church Family, I'm praying that in a few short months I will be able to introduce you to my son Graham Dean. Right now he is a Colombian citizen, but in the course of our adoption process, when he steps foot on American soil, he will be a full fledged American citizen. His citizenship … Continue reading The Christian Citizen (Newsletter 11.15.17)
Pastor Gentry preached from Joel 3 during Sunday morning corporate worship on November 12, 2017.
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 … Continue reading Church Covenant, Section 5 (Newsletter 11.08.17)
Pastor Gentry preached from Joel 2:18-32 during Sunday morning corporate worship on November 5, 2017.
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 … Continue reading Church Covenant, Section 4 (Newsletter 11.01.17)
Pastor Gentry preached from Joel 2:1-17 during Sunday morning corporate worship on October 29, 2017.
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 … Continue reading Church Covenant, Section 3 (Newsletter 10.25.17)
Pastor Gentry preached from Joel 1 during Sunday morning corporate worship on October 22, 2017.
Pastor Gentry preached from Hosea 11:12-14:9 during Sunday morning corporate worship on October 15, 2017.
Pastor Gentry preached from Hosea 9:1-11:11 during Sunday morning corporate worship on October 8, 2017.
Dear Church Family, The second section of our newly adopted church covenant reads: “We will walk together in brotherly love, exercise an affectionate care and watchfulness over one another, and faithfully encourage and counsel one another as occasion may require with wisdom and humility.” Let’s break this down into its three parts. 1) We will … Continue reading Church Covenant, Section 2 (Newsletter 10.04.17)
Pastor Gentry preached from Hosea 6:4-8:14 during Sunday morning corporate worship on October 1, 2017.
Dear Church Family, After much discussion, last Sunday night (9/24) by God’s grace our church voted unanimously to adopt updated documents as they were proposed. This is no small feat. Of course, until Jesus returns there will be all kinds of things we disagree about, but the beauty of the vote is the way it … Continue reading Church Covenant, Section 1 (Newsletter 09.27.17)
Pastor Gentry preached from Hosea 4:1-6:3 during Sunday morning corporate worship on September 24, 2017.
Dear Church Family, Lord willing, this coming Sunday night (9/24), the Long Range Planning Committee’s proposal for our updated church documents will be discussed and then voted on by all members present in our regular quarterly business meeting. These documents include our church constitution, bylaws, and policies. I wonder how many of you read “church … Continue reading Upcoming Members’ Meeting (Newsletter 09.20.17)
Pastor Gentry preached from Hosea 1-3 during Sunday morning corporate worship on September 17, 2017.
Dear Church Family, This coming Sunday (9/10) and the following Wednesday (9/13) our church will be privileged to have Nathan McCravey, Jim Roberts, and Harold McConnell minister the Word to us. It is a great blessing to have so many men equipped by God serving our church. This will be Nathan’s first time to preach … Continue reading Different Preachers, Updated Documents, and a New Series (Newsletter 09.06.17)
Pastor Gentry preached from Psalm 89 during Sunday morning corporate worship on September 3, 2017.
Dear Church Family, Is work a good thing? Many would argue the answer depends on compensation, time commitment, responsibilities, and satisfaction level. Others give their answer through their evasion of work by either refusing to work altogether or being off task when they’re supposed to be working. Our federal government’s Department of Labor has answered … Continue reading Is Work a Good Thing? (Newsletter 08.30.17)
Pastor Gentry preached from Psalm 88 during Sunday morning corporate worship on August 27, 2017.
Dear Church Family, Next Wednesday night (8/30), we will start back with our dinner rotation on the last Wednesday of every month—with a few exceptions. Lord willing, we will pick up where we left off in answering the question, “Who Is Jesus?” If you know of someone who may feel a little intimidated to go … Continue reading Monthly Wednesday Night Dinners (Newsletter 08.23.17)
Pastor Gentry preached from Psalm 87 during Sunday morning corporate worship on August 20, 2017.
Dear Church Family, Lord willing, this coming Sunday morning we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper and will again be reminded of the shed blood of Christ and the promise of His return. We truly commune with God as we partake of this family meal together. To be a member of the family of God is … Continue reading Upcoming Sunday Night Study (Newsletter 08.16.17)
Pastor Gentry preached from Psalm 86 during Sunday morning corporate worship on August 13, 2017.
Dear Church Family, Lord willing, by the time you are reading this, Nathan and Katy McCravey will have closed on their house and will have begun moving in. I know I speak for all of us when I say that we are extremely glad they are here. We have prayed for God to direct our … Continue reading Welcoming the McCravey Family (Newsletter 08.09.17)
Pastor Gentry preached from Luke (Full Book) during Sunday morning corporate worship on August 6, 2017.
Pastor Gentry preached from Luke 24:36-53 during Sunday morning corporate worship on July 30, 2017.
Dear Church Family, Are you still afraid to fail? Last week I wrote, “we should be afraid to fail when we are resting on the one we see in the mirror, but we shouldn’t be afraid to fail when we are resting on our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” That sounds simple enough, right? … Continue reading Are You Still Afraid to Fail? (Newsletter 07.26.17)
Pastor Gentry preached from Luke 24:1-35 during Sunday morning corporate worship on July 23, 2017.
Dear Church Family, Are you afraid to fail? I imagine most of you would say, “Yes.” You may even think of 1 Corinthians 10:12 which says, “Therefore let anyone who think that he stands take heed lest he fall” as indicating the fear of failure is a virtue. In one sense, that’s right, but in … Continue reading Are You Afraid to Fail? (Newsletter 07.19.17)
Pastor Gentry preached from Luke 23:26-56 during Sunday morning corporate worship on July 16, 2017.
