Calvary Baptist Church

A new year dawns.  What unexpected blessings will come?  What struggles will present themselves? 

The new year always brings a sense of unexplored adventures.  We look forward to seeing what will happen.  It also brings a sense of trepidation.  Will we be up to the challenges?

It has long been my practice to begin each year with what I have called a “State of the Church” address.  It is the opportunity to reflect on the previous year and to set the table for the challenges we anticipate in the new year.

I will issue three Biblical challenges and three practical challenges both to our church family and to you as an individual believer.

 

ONE FOUNDATIONAL TASK: MAKE DISCIPLES

Anyone who regularly reads my blogs or has listened to my teachings will recognize this passage.  It is not my intention to do an in-depth exhortation of this familiar challenge. 

Jesus issues this challenge from the mountaintop moments before He ascended into heaven.  He intended to give all of us direction for our lives and our ministries.

Essential to this challenge is the ONE COMMAND: Make Disciples.  The remaining phrases in this passage are all subordinating phrases, defining and clarifying the call to make disciples.

A disciple is one who learns from and copies the model of his or her mentor.  A baker who has a disciple will model baking. It is expected that the disciple will not only understand but be able to duplicate a delicious cake. Such a relationship would be expected in all other fields of expertise.

In the spiritual realm we are to be disciples of Jesus.  We are called to learn from and duplicate his life. The Great Commission is to make disciples of others. 

How will we know when the task is done?  When the disciple is putting into practice all the commands of Jesus.  ALL of them.  So, we have a big task in front of us.  It involves our continued growth and our commitment to helping others grow. 

Calvary has made real progress in making disciples in 2025.  We have just finished our first full year of offering Bible Study groups for all ages.  We continue to offer a discipleship-based ministry to children and youth. 

Do we have room to grow?  Yes.  We must continue to refine and redefine our focus. We are not done yet.

ONE FOUNDATIONAL CALLING: FISH FOR MEN

Jesus often repeated his call to be fishers of men.  Three of the gospels record the challenge.  (Mark 1:17, Matthew 4:19, and Luke 5:10-11) The call is simple, reach people for Jesus.

Keeping our focus on reaching people provides direction and a never-ending challenge.  I just read a challenging section in a book by Max Lucado.  He made several salient points about fishing.  Allow me to summarize his teaching with bullet points:

• If people do not fish…we fight.
• We will either be casing nets or casting stones.
• We offer helping hands or accusing fingers.
• We either become fishers for the lost or critics of the saved.
• We maintain a focus on the strengths of others who fish beside us or point out their weaknesses.

If we do not fish, we can see churches split, have poor testimonies, engage in legalistic wars, and leave people with broken hearts.

What a blessing to say that Calvary has been able to do some amazing fishing this year.  Just in the last months we heard an adult male say, “It’s my time” and accept Jesus’ offer of forgiveness.  A little guy said, “pastor Mike, I need you to tell me how to be saved.”  As late as our Christmas Eve service a young man accepted Jesus as Savior.

Praise God but let us keep our worms warm and keep fishing!

 

ONE FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENT: THE WORD OF GOD

As we close out the Biblical challenges, I offer two passages to help us understand God’s unceasing challenge to grow through His Word.  You will NEVER be stronger as a disciple than your interaction with His Word. 

Likewise, you cannot become saved unless you hear God’s truths.  You cannot grow as a disciple apart from a regular, meaningful interaction with God’s Word.  To think that you can grow in obedience to Jesus without hearing and engaging with His word is a fallacy. 

Paul makes this truth abundantly clear.  We can do nothing apart from His word.  (Romans 10:17)

Lest we approach God’s word with a negative Spirit it is wise to understand that it is given to us to help us grow.  Spending time with God is NOT about checking a spiritual box or adding another task to our already full “to do” list.

We get to engage with God in a meaningful way. The Psalmist helps us understand and define the benefits of studying God’s Word.  I challenge you to read the following passage each time you answer one of the questions to follow.  (Psalm 19:7-11)

This psalm is addressed to “The Lord my Rock.”  The Amplified translation speaks of God as the firm, impenetrable rock.  He is the foundation for all we do.

 

Read the passage and highlight, note, or write the names God gives for His word.  Did you find six names?   Six names are given: law, testimony, statutes, commandments, fear judgments.  Each of these titles point to a different aspect and benefit of God’s Word.  Which stands out for you?

 

Now, read the passage for a second time.  This time make not of the adjectives used to describe God’s Word. Six adjectives define the character of God’s Word.  It is perfect, sure, right, pure, true, and righteous. The word of God is not a hammer to beat us down.

 

Finally, read the passage again. This time make note of what the Bible is good for.  Depending on the translation you use you will find a rich source of words. The word of God is beneficial to restore, renew, convert, make wise, rejoice, enlighten, reform, replace doubt, enrich, and satisfy us. 

 

Powerful, isn’t it?  No wonder the writer of Hebrews says it is living and active.  (Hebrews 4:12).  Which of these do you need today?  What is the motivation for you to spend time in His word this year?  Make progress. Grow in your understanding and use of God’s Word.  Do not settle for last year’s insight. 

 

THE PRACTICAL CHALLENGE

If you are a part of the Calvary family, I invite you to interact with the three practical challenges I will outline.  If you are not attending, I invite you to unite with Calvary as we face these challenges in the next year. 

If you are part of another fellowship of believers read along if you would like to do so. Your church family may offer a similar time of challenge.

The Outreach Challenge

• I am challenging our church family to engage in three events this year specifically designed to help us fish.   
• One of our outreach activities is always Bible School which is scheduled for June 1st through June 5^th.  How can we reach more people for Jesus.
• Following our message, I am looking for people to step up and help us find two additional outreach activities.  

The Fellowship Challenge

• Every church needs regular fellowship outside of regular meetings.
• I am challenging our church family to intentionally set one time each quarter just to be together as a family.  Not teaching time. Not serving.  Just being.
• Our first event is scheduled for January 24^th.  We are hosting a soup/chili/game night. 
• What else do we want to do?  Who will lead it?

The Discipleship Challenge:

• We will address making disciples of youth and children by continuing to offer Bible Study opportunities during our 9:00-10:00 time.  We must find regular volunteers for our preschoolers during that time.
• We will also address youth and children through our new Sunday Night Alive ministry.  We have moved our midweek ministry to Sunday night to avoid the conflicts that arise from sports and school activities on Wednesday. 5:30-7:00 during the school year is dedicated to youth and children.
• Adults will now have dedicated time for growth during Bible Study time (9:00-10:00 Sunday morning.  We will ALSO add three growth groups on Wednesday nights.  Topics will include: A study of Experiencing God beginning February 11^th.  A summer group will focus on Advanced Bible Study Methods.  A fall group will address your worship language. 
• We WILL add other opportunities and methods to make disciples as we understand the need.