FBC Mooresville Blog Why deep commitment to the local church matters for spiritual growth, gospel witness, and a life centered on Christ. One of the reasons people give so sacrificially, serve so faithfully, and invest so deeply in a church is because they believe in what God is doing through it. When people truly understand God’s heart for His church, their level of commitment changes. Over the past several weeks at First Baptist, we’ve been talking about three simple commitments: give radically, serve faithfully, and connect deeply. Those commitments only make sense when we understand how important the church is to God. One question I hear fairly often is this: “Do I really have to go to church to be a Christian?” That question deserves an honest answer. But before we answer it, we need to understand what the Bible actually means when it talks about the church. In the New Testament, the word translated as “church” is the Greek word ekklesia. It literally means “the called-out assembly.” It refers to people who have been called out of sin and darkness and brought into the light through Jesus Christ. In other words, the church is made up of those who trust Christ as Lord and Savior. This means something important: The church is not a building. The church is people. I love our campus at First Baptist. It’s beautiful. The stained glass, the buildings, the history—it’s all wonderful. But if something happened to every building on our property tomorrow, First Baptist Church would still exist. Why? Because the church is not brick and mortar. The church is the people of God. Every Christian who has ever lived belongs to what we often call the global church. If you are a believer in Christ, you are part of the same church as: You’re even part of the same church that the Apostle Paul and the Apostle Peter were part of. The church transcends culture, geography, and time. Every believer from every nation and every generation belongs to the same body of Christ. But here’s the reality: While we belong to the global church, we live out our faith in the local church. And the local church is not a human invention. It is God’s design. Think about assembling furniture. When someone designs a piece of furniture, it only works properly when you follow the instructions. If you skip steps or assemble it out of order, the entire structure becomes unstable. In the same way, God designed human beings to grow spiritually within the context of the local church. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering… and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some.” Notice the connection. If believers isolate themselves, they begin to waver. But when believers gather together, they strengthen one another. The real question isn’t simply: “Do I have to go to church?” The real question is: Can you become the man or woman God has called you to be without the local church? According to Scripture, the answer is no. God designed us to grow in community. One of the most powerful truths in Scripture is that God uses marriage as a picture of the church. Over and over again, the Bible describes the relationship between Christ and the church using the language of marriage. Think about what that means. Christ loves His church. Christ died for His church. Christ is coming back for His church. When we begin to see the church the way God sees it, our commitment to it changes. The Bible gives several clear reasons believers need the local church. We need other believers in our lives who help us pursue holiness and fight sin. James tells us to pray for one another, encourage one another, and walk with one another through suffering. When we isolate ourselves, we lose the accountability that helps us grow spiritually. God never designed the Christian life to be lived alone. Hebrews 13 reminds us that spiritual leaders watch over our souls. Pastors, elders, teachers, and small-group leaders are part of God’s design for helping believers grow in truth and maturity. You cannot receive that kind of care and shepherding from a random voice on the internet. Online sermons can supplement spiritual growth, but they were never meant to replace the local church. Romans 12 teaches that every believer has been given spiritual gifts. But those gifts are meant to function within the body of Christ. Just like the human body needs every part working together—hands, feet, eyes, ears—the church needs every believer serving and contributing. Disconnected body parts don’t function. They wither. The same is true spiritually. Before Jesus went to the cross, He prayed something remarkable. He prayed that believers would be one so that the world would believe the Father sent Him (John 17:21). When the world sees people from different backgrounds, experiences, and cultures loving one another and walking together in unity, it becomes a powerful testimony to the truth of the gospel. The church displays the power of Jesus when we love one another across our differences. So let me ask you a simple question: Where might God be calling you to deeper commitment? Maybe you attend church regularly but have never truly connected. Maybe the next step is joining a small group, serving in a ministry, or becoming a church member. Or maybe the deeper issue is something else entirely. Maybe you’ve never actually surrendered your life to Jesus. Because the truth is this: Before you become part of a church, you must belong to Christ. The good news of the gospel is that we cannot earn our way to God. No amount of good deeds can erase our sin. But Jesus Christ lived the perfect life we could never live and died the death we deserved. Through His death and resurrection, forgiveness and new life are offered to anyone who will trust Him. And when we surrender to Christ, we are not only forgiven. We are welcomed into the family of God. And that family is called the church. Hearing truth is important, but spiritual growth happens when we take the next step. Here are a few simple ways you can respond. If you’ve never trusted Jesus as your Savior, that is the most important step you can take. Christianity is not about becoming a better person—it’s about becoming a new person through Christ. Jesus lived the life we could not live and died the death we deserved. Through His resurrection, forgiveness and new life are offered to anyone who will believe. If you’re ready to surrender your life to Christ, today can be the day your life changes forever. Maybe you’ve been attending for a while but haven’t taken the step of committing to a church family. The Bible makes it clear that believers are meant to grow within the community of the local church. Commitment doesn’t mean perfection. It means planting your life in a place where you can grow, serve, and walk with other believers. One of the best ways to grow spiritually is by building relationships with other believers. Consider joining a Sunday School class, a small group, or attending a midweek gathering. These environments help us encourage one another, pray for one another, and grow together in Christ. God has given every believer spiritual gifts. Those gifts are meant to be used to build up the church and bless others. Whether it’s serving with children, students, hospitality, music, prayer, or outreach—there is a place for you to make a difference. If you’re looking for a place to grow in your faith, we would love to welcome you to First Baptist Church Mooresville. Join us this Sunday as we worship together, study God’s Word, and encourage one another in the faith. You don’t have to walk this journey alone.Why the Local Church Matters
What the Church Actually Is
The Global Church and the Local Church
God Designed Us for the Local Church
— Hebrews 10:23–25How Much Does God Love the Church?
Why Commitment to the Church Matters
1. Accountability
2. Spiritual Leadership
3. Ministry and Spiritual Gifts
4. Unity That Shows the World the Gospel
The Real Invitation
Next Steps
1. Surrender Your Life to Christ
2. Commit to the Local Church
3. Get Connected
4. Start Serving
5. Take the Next Step This Sunday
Why Giving Matters More Than Money
Jesus did not talk about generosity because God is needy or because following Him is a scheme to get more stuff. He talked about it because giving trains our hearts to trust God, and wealth—if we are not careful—can train our hearts to trust ourselves.
Money is one of those subjects that can make people uncomfortable, especially in church. Some people have seen it handled badly. Others have heard guilt-filled messages that make it sound like God is desperate for cash. Still others have heard the opposite—that if you give enough, God will turn around and make you rich.
But neither of those messages sound like Jesus.
When Jesus talked about money, He was not trying to manipulate people. And He was not promising people that generosity would unlock a more comfortable life. Jesus talked about money because money reveals something deeper. It reveals what we trust. It reveals what we treasure. It reveals whether our hearts are resting in God or in something else.
That is what makes Luke 18 so important. In this passage, Jesus has an interaction with a wealthy, successful man, and what He exposes is not just a financial issue. He exposes a worship issue. He exposes a trust issue. And in doing that, He shows us why generosity matters so much.
A Man With Everything Still Knows Something Is Missing
“And a ruler asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’”
Luke 18:18This man had influence. He had money. He had position. By outward standards, he was doing well. Yet he comes to Jesus carrying the biggest question a person can ask: How do I have eternal life?
That question tells us something immediately. Success does not answer the deepest questions of the soul. You can have money and still be empty. You can have respect and still be restless. You can build a life that looks strong on the outside and still know something is not right on the inside.
But the way he asks the question also reveals his misunderstanding. He says, “What must I do?” He assumes eternal life is something earned. Something achieved. Something accomplished by being good enough.
And that is still how many people think today. They assume Christianity is mostly about trying harder, doing better, cleaning yourself up, and hoping that in the end God will be impressed. But Jesus begins to show this man that the problem runs much deeper than behavior. The issue is not just what he does. The issue is what he trusts.
Jesus Exposes the Real Problem
“You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.”
Luke 18:20The man quickly answers that he has kept these commands from his youth. On the surface, that sounds impressive. He sees himself as morally upright. He believes he has done what religion requires.
But Jesus is not fooled by polished appearances. He sees the heart. He sees what this man is leaning on. He sees what this man cannot imagine living without.
So Jesus goes straight to the place where this man’s true loyalty lives.
The One Thing He Could Not Let Go
“One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
Luke 18:22Jesus was not giving a random command. He was not saying that money itself is evil or that every person must sell everything they own. He was identifying this man’s idol. For this man, wealth had become more than a possession. It had become security. It had become identity. It had become the thing he trusted most.
The Bible says he became very sad because he was extremely rich. That sadness tells the story. He wanted eternal life, but not at the cost of surrender. He wanted Jesus, but not if following Jesus meant loosening his grip on what made him feel safe.
That is what idols do. They promise security, but they quietly take the place that belongs to God alone.
Why Wealth Is Spiritually Dangerous
“How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
Luke 18:24–25These are strong words from Jesus, and they are meant to wake us up.
Wealth is dangerous, not because having resources is automatically sinful, but because resources can slowly train us to be self-reliant. When we have enough money, enough options, enough margin, and enough control, we begin to feel like we can handle life on our own.
We may still say we trust God. We may still pray. We may still go to church. But if we are not careful, our real confidence starts shifting to what we can manage, what we can buy, what we can fix, and what we can provide for ourselves.
That is why wealth can be so deceptive. It can make us look stable while quietly making us less dependent on God.
And that is the heart of the warning in this passage. Wealth, if we are not careful, makes us less dependent on Him.
God Does Not Need Your Money
This is where a lot of bad teaching has to be cleared away.
God does not call people to give because He is somehow lacking. He is not wringing His hands in heaven hoping somebody steps up. Scripture could not be clearer: everything already belongs to Him.
“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.”
Psalm 24:1“The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts.”
Haggai 2:8God is not asking us to give because He needs something from us. He is asking us to give because we need something from Him. We need hearts that actually trust Him. We need freedom from the illusion that we are self-sustaining. We need to remember who the true Provider is.
Giving Trains the Heart
This is the central truth of the passage: giving trains our hearts to trust God.
Generosity is not only about dollars. It is about discipleship. It is one of the ways God forms us. Every time we give, we are reminding ourselves that what we have is not ultimately ours. Every act of generosity pushes back against the lie of self-sufficiency.
Giving says:
- God is the owner, not me.
- God is the provider, not me.
- God is the source of my security, not me.
- God can be trusted more than what I can see in front of me.
In that sense, generosity becomes a spiritual discipline. It retrains what wealth often distorts. If wealth can make us independent, giving helps make us dependent again. It teaches the heart to rest in God rather than in resources.
More Stuff Has Never Been the Answer
Another false idea people often hear is that giving is a way to get God to give you more stuff. But Jesus never taught generosity that way.
God is not a vending machine. He is not calling us to give so that we can finally unlock a more comfortable life. More money does not heal the heart. More possessions do not satisfy the soul. More comfort does not bring peace with God.
The deeper need is not for more things. The deeper need is for greater dependence on Him.
And that is exactly what generosity produces. It does not always increase possessions, but it does deepen trust. It does loosen fear. It does shift our confidence away from ourselves and back onto the Lord.
The Gospel Underneath the Warning
“Those who heard it said, ‘Then who can be saved?’ But he said, ‘What is impossible with man is possible with God.’”
Luke 18:26–27This is where the passage turns from warning to hope.
If salvation depended on human effort, no one would make it. Not the wealthy. Not the moral. Not the religious. Not the church kid. Not the person trying to clean up their life. Not the person trying to balance out their bad with enough good.
What is impossible with man is possible with God.
That is the good news of the gospel. We cannot save ourselves, so God moved toward us in Jesus Christ. Jesus lived the perfect life we could never live. He died on the cross for our sin. He rose again so that anyone who turns from sin and trusts in Him can be forgiven, made new, and brought into eternal life.
The call of Christianity is not “try harder.” It is “trust Him.” It is “follow Him.” It is “stop leaning on what cannot save you and surrender to the One who can.”
What This Means for Us
The rich young ruler had one particular issue: his possessions had become his god. But the broader lesson reaches all of us. Whatever competes with Jesus must go.
For one person, that may be money. For another, it may be comfort, control, success, a relationship, or the illusion of having life under control. But the question is the same for every one of us:
That question matters because our hearts are always leaning somewhere. And Jesus loves us enough to expose what we are leaning on when it is not Him.
A Final Word
Giving matters because trust matters.
God does not need your money. He already owns everything. But He does want your heart. And one of the clearest ways your heart learns to trust Him is through open-handed generosity.
So if wealth has a way of making us less dependent on God, then generosity becomes one of the ways God brings us back. It trains us to remember who provides, who leads, who owns it all, and who is worthy of our full trust.
The invitation of Jesus is still the same: Come, follow Me.
And when we do, we discover that what we gain in Him is far greater than anything we could ever cling to on our own.
Faithful Service: God Didn’t Save You to Sit
Romans 12:1–8
Every church faces moments when it must decide whether it will drift toward comfort or move forward in mission. Romans 12 confronts us with that very choice. After eleven chapters celebrating the mercy, grace, and saving work of God in Christ, the Apostle Paul turns the corner and asks a deeply practical question: What should a redeemed life actually look like? His answer is not complicated, but it is costly. A life touched by the gospel will not remain passive. It will be surrendered, active, and outward-focused. In other words, if Jesus truly has your heart, He will also have your life. And that reality leads us to a truth that challenges every believer, every church, and every generation.
Faithful Service: God Didn’t Save You to Sit
Romans 12:1–8
There’s a line that keeps pressing on me as we walk through Romans 12:
God didn’t save you to sit. God saved you to serve.
When you gave your heart to Jesus—when you were born again—God didn’t just forgive you and give you a new destination. He gave you a new DNA. A new identity. A new purpose. And that purpose isn’t passive.
Paul opens Romans 12 by calling believers to something bold, active, and whole-life:
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
“Therefore” Means Something
Paul doesn’t start with a command out of nowhere. He says “therefore” because he’s connecting Romans 12 to Romans 1–11—eleven chapters describing the mercy of God:
- You couldn’t rescue yourself.
- No moral effort could erase your guilt.
- Sin separated you from God.
- And Jesus—innocent and perfect—died in your place.
So now Paul says: in view of those mercies, offer your whole life back to Him. Not a moment. Not a Sunday. Not a spiritual hobby. Your life.
A “Living Sacrifice”
That phrase is so important. A sacrifice is typically something offered once, then it’s over. Paul says: be a living sacrifice—meaning you don’t just surrender once. You surrender daily.
You keep putting your “yes” on the table.
You keep pouring yourself out.
Because Jesus didn’t hold anything back from you, don’t hold anything back from Him.
And Paul says something that reshapes how we define worship:
“…which is your spiritual worship.”
We often think worship is mainly singing or listening to a sermon. But Romans 12 tells us worship is a life surrendered and poured out.
Worship isn’t only what happens in a room.
Worship is what happens when your life no longer belongs to you.
How Do You Live Like That? Renewed Thinking
Paul answers the “how” in verse 2:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…”
You can live poured out because you don’t think like the world thinks anymore.
The world says:
- Protect your time at all costs.
- Build your comfort.
- Keep your options open.
- Serve only when it benefits you.
But the gospel renews your mind, because you realize something: God has already given you everything in Christ.
When your mind is renewed, you stop living from fear and start living from security. You stop asking, “What am I going to lose?” and start asking, “What can I give?”
Paul says this transformed life helps you discern God’s will:
“…that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
And part of that will is clear in Romans 12: faithful service—gospel service—living like a sacrifice that’s still alive, still moving, still saying yes.
What Faithful Service Produces in You
Paul then starts showing us what happens when we actually live this way.
1) Service Fixes the Way You See Yourself
“For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think…”
Serving kills pride. And pride needs killing—because pride makes the Christian life shallow and brittle.
When you serve, you start seeing yourself accurately—what Paul calls “sober judgment.” And you usually discover two truths at the same time:
- You are more needy than you want to admit. You can’t save yourself. You never could. You’re not the hero of your story.
- You are more loved than you can fully grasp. Your sin was so serious Jesus had to die for it—and His love was so deep He gladly did.
When you’re not serving, it’s easy to drift toward self-focus. When you’re serving, it’s harder to keep pretending you’re the center.
I need Jesus… and Jesus loves me… and Jesus can use me.
2) Service Connects You to the Body
“For as in one body we have many members… so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”
Paul’s picture is not “church as an event.” It’s “church as a body.”
And this matters because disconnected body parts don’t thrive. They decay.
Serving is one of the main ways God bonds people into real community. It’s hard to stay isolated when you’re shoulder-to-shoulder with other believers, carrying burdens together, praying together, solving problems together.
Serving heals isolation.
Not because serving gives you a title—but because serving gives you people, purpose, and a shared mission.
3) Service Activates Your Spiritual Gifts
“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them…”
Paul lists gifts (Romans 12:6–8): prophecy, service, teaching, exhortation, giving, leadership, mercy. But the big idea is this:
God doesn’t just command you to serve. He equips you to serve.
Your gifts are evidence that God intends to work through you.
Gifts are tools, not trophies.
They’re not meant to be admired. They’re meant to be used.
“How Do I Know Where I’m Gifted?” Four Ways to Discover It
This is where a lot of people get stuck. They want a lightning bolt. A clear sign. A perfect role. Something that feels obvious.
But Scripture shows us gifts are often discovered through obedience, movement, and maturity. Here are four practical “handles” that can help you discern how God wired you:
1) Ability
What are you good at? What do you naturally do well?
This isn’t about arrogance. It’s about awareness. God often places natural strengths in you that become channels for supernatural impact.
- What do I do that feels life-giving rather than draining?
- What problems do I naturally solve?
- What responsibilities do I tend to take ownership of without being asked?
- What do I do that others find difficult but feels “normal” to me?
Ability can show up in a lot of forms:
- organizing and leading projects
- teaching or explaining clearly
- listening well and creating safety for people
- spotting needs and taking initiative
- creating, designing, building, fixing
- encouraging, counseling, praying with discernment
- hospitality—making people feel seen and welcomed
Now, here’s a key note: ability doesn’t equal spiritual gift, but it can point toward where your spiritual gift might operate. The Holy Spirit often uses your wiring and your experience—but then deepens it, aims it, and multiplies it.
2) Affirmation
What do trusted believers consistently affirm in you?
Sometimes we can’t see ourselves clearly. That’s why the body matters.
Pay attention when mature believers say things like:
- “You have a way of making people feel welcomed.”
- “When you explain Scripture, it clicks.”
- “You always notice who’s hurting.”
- “You bring calm when things get chaotic.”
- “You’re a natural leader when there’s confusion.”
- “You’re so generous—you don’t just give money, you give yourself.”
Affirmation is often God’s way of holding up a mirror and saying, “I put something in you… don’t ignore it.”
A practical step: think about the last 10 compliments you received from spiritually mature people. What themes repeat? Those themes may be a trail of breadcrumbs.
3) Affinity
You called it “affinity,” and I love that word for this.
What do you feel drawn toward? What do you care about deeply?
Affinity isn’t always emotional hype. Sometimes it’s a steady pull—like a compass.
- What kind of people do I naturally notice?
- What needs make me lean in instead of back away?
- What ministry stories make my heart beat faster?
- If I had a free Saturday, what would I choose to do?
- What mission or problem do I keep thinking about?
For some, it’s kids. For others, it’s students. For others, it’s shut-ins. For others, it’s missions. For others, it’s prayer. For others, it’s practical helps.
And affinity can also show up as a holy “bother”—a burden that won’t go away. That laundromat story is a perfect picture of how God works:
- One person has a burden.
- Another has leadership.
- Another has generosity.
- Another has teaching.
And suddenly the body is moving—and the gospel is advancing. That’s Romans 12 in real time.
4) Availability
This is the one people underestimate, but I think it’s one of the most powerful.
Where are you actually available right now?
Sometimes the reason you’re free at a certain time isn’t random—it’s providence.
And here’s why availability matters: gifts are usually discovered in motion.
You can’t steer a parked car.
Some people wait forever to feel “called,” but calling often becomes clear after obedience starts.
- What needs exist right now that I can actually step into?
- What is the next available “towel” I can pick up?
- Where can I serve consistently, not just occasionally?
Availability isn’t glamorous, but it is powerful. A lot of the strongest servants in the Kingdom didn’t start with a perfect fit. They started with:
“I can help. I’m here. Use me.”
And over time, God clarifies. God strengthens. God refines.
The Question Romans 12 Forces Us to Ask
If Romans 12 is true—if God’s mercies are real—then the only question left isn’t “Should I serve?”
Where am I serving?
Because Paul doesn’t present this as an optional add-on for super-Christians. He presents it as normal Christianity:
- A surrendered life (living sacrifice)
- A renewed mind (transformed thinking)
- A humble heart (sober judgment)
- A connected body (members of one another)
- An active gift (let us use them)
That’s the DNA of a believer.
Put Your “Yes” on the Table
Here’s what I want to invite you to do:
Don’t start by trying to map out the next five years of ministry. Start by putting your yes on the table.
- “Lord, whatever You want—yes.”
- “Wherever You want—yes.”
- “However You want to use me—yes.”
Then begin to move—because the Holy Spirit has a way of guiding people who are already walking.
God didn’t save you to sit. He saved you to serve.
And when a church full of believers starts living Romans 12—watch what God does in a city.
When we say Here, Now, and Forever, I know what you’re wondering—is this a campaign, an initiative, a sermon series? And the answer is yes.
For the next few weeks, we’re stepping into a season where we’re asking the Lord to use First Baptist Church to make a real impact in Mooresville—not to make much of our church, but to make the name of Jesus famous and to advance the Kingdom of God.
What We Mean by Here, Now, and Forever
Here means our community—your neighborhood, your school, your workplace, your family. This isn’t something distant or abstract. It’s right where we live.
Now means urgency. Eternity hangs in the balance. We don’t have time to drift or delay. God is saving and changing lives right now.
Forever means we want to be part of something bigger than us—something that outlasts us. One day careers fade, bodies weaken, and even churches close their doors. But the Kingdom of God endures forever.
That’s why this matters.
“For His Name’s Sake”
Psalm 23 is one of the most loved passages in the Bible, and one phrase unlocks the whole thing:
“He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”
Psalm 23:3
God provides. God leads. God comforts. But not because we’re impressive—because He is. It’s not about making our name great. It’s about His name.
That’s the heartbeat of this entire season: not First Baptist’s name—Jesus’ name.
The Kingdom Comes First
Jesus talked about the Kingdom more than anything else, and He said it plainly:
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Matthew 6:33
If we want peace, joy, and contentment—if we want to live in the “green pastures” and “still waters” of Psalm 23—then the order matters: the Kingdom first.
And the book of Acts makes this clear. It begins with Jesus teaching about the Kingdom:
“…speaking about the kingdom of God.”
Acts 1:3
And it ends with Paul preaching the Kingdom:
“…proclaiming the kingdom of God… with all boldness and without hindrance.”
Acts 28:30–31
The church is God’s tool to expand His Kingdom. The church is not the finish line—the Kingdom is.
Philippi Shows Us How Kingdom Work Happens
One of the clearest pictures of Kingdom-minded generosity is the church at Philippi. They didn’t just exist to take care of themselves—they partnered with Paul to advance the gospel.
“It was kind of you to share my trouble… no church entered into partnership with me… except you only.”
Philippians 4:14–15
Their giving wasn’t just financial—it was spiritual. Paul calls their gift:
“A fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.”
Philippians 4:18
And then comes the promise we all quote:
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19
But notice: that promise comes after a people chose to trust God and live with open hands.
Our Ask: Pay Off the Debt So We Can Fund the Mission
So here’s what I’m asking our church family to prayerfully consider.
Right now, we have close to $300,000 in debt, and we’re asking God to help us pay it off in the next six weeks leading up to Easter.
We want to be a church that gives more—not just locally, but globally. We want to be a church where 10% of everything that comes in goes directly to missions. We’re close, but debt limits our ability to send, serve, and sacrifice the way we want to.
And I’ve been proud of this church—membership growth, baptisms, generosity, and ministry impact. God is moving. We’re not asking for this because we want to build our name. We’re asking because we want more freedom to fund what God is doing here, now, and forever.
A Challenge to Our Church Family
Some of you don’t tithe—not because you don’t love Jesus, but because you haven’t trusted Him in this area. You trust Him with salvation, but not with your finances.
This isn’t “give so you can get more stuff.” God isn’t needy.
We give because we need deeper dependence on Him. We give because we believe the Kingdom is the only thing that lasts. And we give because God uses generosity to fuel gospel advancement.
So here’s the invitation:
- If you don’t give regularly, start. Put your “yes” on the table.
- If you already tithe, would you consider giving above and beyond for these six weeks—15%, 20%, or a sacrificial one-time gift—designated to Here, Now, and Forever?
Can you imagine stepping into Easter with a church that’s freer to send, freer to serve, and freer to invest in ministry and missions—because the burden of debt has been lifted?
Not to make much of First Baptist. But to make much of Jesus.
“To our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Philippians 4:20