Recently, while gathered in my home with the Gainsville Church Council members, I made this statement: It’s a good time to be a member of Gainsville Baptist Church. My implication in making this statement is NOT there is a bad time to be a member of GBC. Instead, my point is that God is very clearly at work in the life of our congregation and in this we should rejoice. Allow me to share with you a few of the reasons for which I make this statement.
- The unity and mindset of our deacon ministry is one that is prayerful, humble and willing to serve the congregation. These men: Ronald Boston, James Webber, Eddie Mincey, Marty Eaker, Robin Froneberger, Justin Welch and Kevin Sigmon are men that pray for you, walk humbly before their Lord and are committed to serving the body of Christ at Gainsville Baptist Church. I love each one dearly and consider myself privileged to serve alongside them.
- Secondly, there is sense of love, joy and commitment to one another in our congregation that I believe is due to our people sensing God actively at work in their lives personally and in the life of this congregation.
- Additionally, I would add that it was a joy for me to witness God at work in the lives of our congregation as they collectively participated in reaching others for Christ by way of the Sportsman Banquet. Men, women and young people alike were excited about working together in order to serve and take part in the advancement of the gospel.
- Finally, I am thrilled at the interest and participation thus far in our Sunday evening discipleship! The attendance has surged to 92 participants, gospel centered discussions regarding the will of God, the sovereignty of God and the goodness of God are taking place among children and adults alike.
Although I am personally very encouraged and I sincerely hope that you are, I want to caution you and issue a warning. The blessing of God can quickly turn to the cursing of God. We must always be on guard against pride and contentment by constantly giving thanks to God, humbly acknowledging that the same Lord gives and takes away…blessed be the name of the Lord.
Deuteronomy 6:10-12, “When the LORD your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you – a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant – then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.†(cf. 8:1-20)
It is the gospel of God in which we must always rejoice. In the good times of the life of our church and even in the bad times we may encounter. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord.
The gospel makes the worst times bearable, and the best times leaveable.†John Bunyan
Therefore, even as a I rejoice today in the work of God in the life of Gainsville Baptist Church, I recognize that suffering may crouch at our door waiting and recognize that it is only the gospel in which we must rest.
Pressing On,
Pastor Mike