Church Blog

Sisters and brothers,

Happy Monday to all! Yesterday, we worshipped our great God and Savior. We sang about keeping our focus continually on Jesus. Then from 1 Corinthians 9, we thought about motivation for maintaining that focus. What motivates you as you live?Is it ambition, anger, guilt, greed, or comfort? Or is your motivation love for God and those who need to be saved? Motivation comes to us as we realize certain truths. We should be motivated as we understand our duty to our Lord Jesus. We should be motivated as we embrace the mission of seeing people saved. Do we genuinely want to see people saved, to come to know, love, and follow Jesus? Do we believe people outside of Jesus are in eternal danger? Do we believe that the worst thing that can happen to any person is that they never come to know the salvation and love God has for them? Our highest motivation should come as we seek the glory of God and hunger for increasing intimacy with Him. Motivation for serving Christ comes to believers as we grow in love for God and in understanding of His will.

We will be celebrating the Lord’s Supper next Sunday, August 11, 2024, in our morning worship.

On Sunday, August 18, 2024, Mitch Freeman will be teaching our adult and youth Bible study classes and then preaching during our morning worship. Mitch will be teaching and preaching on a Biblical view of mental health. Mitch is the former pastor of East Madison and a great friend to me personally and to this body of believers. Mitch has also made an eternal impact on many of our lives.  I am so excited to have him teaching and preaching on this very neglected and important subject.

Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.

Love being your pastor!

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church

Brothers and sisters,

Happy Monday to all! Yesterday, we worshiped Christ Jesus, our only Hope and one who calls us His friends. Jesus provides His Holy Spirit to live in us so that through us Jesus’ power and presence might be manifested to those around us. Then we looked in 1 Corinthians 9 and thought about our rights as believers and the deferring of those rights for the good of others and the advancement of God’s Kingdom. Yes, we do have rights as believers in Christ. We do have freedoms as we serve and follow Him. Are we willing to defer and sacrifice our rights, our personal preferences, our comfort, so others might know and grow in Christ? Do we make the decisions we make based on our rights or based on seeking to glorify God and live a life of sacrifice for the advancement of His Kingdom? Are we learning what Jesus meant when He said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. ²⁴For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.” Do you want to experience eternal life day by day? Lose your life to Jesus and serve Him by serving others. Believers sacrifice their personal rights for the advancement of God’ Kingdom and the salvation of others.

Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.

Love being your pastor!

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church

Sisters and brothers,

Happy Monday to all! We as children of God yesterday worshipped Christ our Lord and remembered Jesus’ precious that blood speaks to us before the throne of God where, because of it, we stand justified. Then from 1 Corinthians 8, we looked at how to deal with questions where there might be disagreement among believers as to specific actions. As Paul was teaching the Corinthians about how to deal with their idolatrous culture all around them, we learned that knowledge about these things was not enough. Paul will later tell us in 1 Corinthians 13:2, “And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”  I can know all kinds of truths about God, but if I do not love Him, that knowledge is worthless. I can know answers for how to help others and know how they should think and act, but if I do not love them, my knowledge will harm and not help. Knowledge without love produces selfish pride. Knowledge is necessary but not enough. Knowledge exercised without love produces devastating results. Christ’s love guides us to seek the eternal good for all in contact with us.

We will have a potluck luncheon next Sunday, July 14, 2024, after our morning worship. Bring enough food for your family and a little extra for any guests we might have.

Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.

Love being your pastor!

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church

Brothers and sisters,

Happy Monday to all! Yesterday we worshipped our gracious God and learned a little bit more from Ezekial 16 of how horrible and disgusting sin is before His eyes. We see sin as nothing, but God sees it as it is and as we should see it-disgusting, dangerous, destroying, and eternally deadly. We worshipped our great and gracious God who saved us from sin and gave us hope in and through Jesus. Then from 1 Corinthians 7, we looked at being content whatever the circumstances of our lives might be. We are not to think happiness will come to us if we just find the one right key. We are not to assume if we just had a change in our lives, we would automatically be happier. Do not assume if you had a better job, a better house or car, you would be content. Do not assume if you found a husband or wife, you would be content. Do not assume if you thought you found a better husband or wife, that you would live happily ever after. Find contentment in the only place it can be found, in knowing Jesus and Him knowing us in whatever circumstances we find ourselves in at the present time. Remember, believers always belong to Christ no matter our social status of economic condition. Remember, believers belong to Christ whether choosing marriage or singleness. Remember, believers belong to Christ however culture interprets our social status. Contentment comes to believers who realize they always belong to Jesus Christ.

We had a wonderful week of Vacation Bible School with Emmanuel Church last week. We had fourteen children all together attending throughout the week. A mission team from the Franklin Baptist Association helped us put together this wonderful week for children. They also did some helpful work projects for a women’s shelter in Sun Prairie and for families.

We will observe the Lord’s Supper next Sunday, July 7, 2024, during our morning worship.

Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.

Love being your pastor!

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church

Sisters and brothers,

Happy Monday to all! We had a wonderful day of worship yesterday. From Mark 12 and John 13, we saw that Christianity in its bottom line can be boiled down to one word: relationships. Being a Christian is not about keeping a list of rules and regulations. Christianity is about God initiating a relationship with us by reconciling the world to Himself through Jesus. Being a believer is coming to know Jesus as Savior and Lord and spending the rest of eternity knowing Him better and bringing glory to His name. Then because we have been made right with God through faith in Jesus, it is having a loving relationship with others who have trusted Jesus and are part of His family. Finally, because we have an intimate relationship with God through Jesus Christ and with His children by loving them, we want others outside of Jesus to be saved so they could know Him and become part of His wonderful family. No one can make us, command us, or cajole us into loving God, His children, and the world. But if we realize we are falling short, we ask the Holy Spirit to fill us with Himself and His love and enable us to love as we should. We closed our worship with the song “Holy Spirit” by Keith and Kristyn Getty that reminded us of our need for God’s Holy Spirit to breathe new life into our willing souls.

Holy Spirit, living Breath of God,
Breathe new life into my willing soul.
Bring the presence of the risen Lord
To renew my heart and make me whole.
Cause Your Word to come alive in me;
Give me faith for what I cannot see;
Give me passion for Your purity.
Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me.

Here is a link to a beautiful rendition of that song: https://youtu.be/kDYjn-YdnD4.

Emmanuel Church and East Madison will host a joint Vacation Bible School with Emmanual church this week, June 24-28, from 5:30 PM-7:30 PM nightly. A team from Missouri will be here to help us conduct this Vacation Bible School. Invite children and families you know to come.

Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.

Love being your pastor!

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church

Brothers and sisters,

Happy Monday to all! Yesterday as we read Scriptures and sang praises to God, we focused on the grace and hope we have in Jesus. Then from 1 Corinthians 7, we thought about marriage and singleness among believers. Life gets complicated sometimes. Marriage and singleness can also be complicated but both are honorable ways to live in following Christ. We are to seek God’s best for who He calls us to be. If we are married, we are to seek to have the best marriage we can have. We need to do whatever we need to do to have a good marriage that reflects Jesus’ love for His bride, the church. If we are single now for a short or prolonged period, we are to live with joy in that singleness with wholehearted devotion to God. We are to not live primarily seeking a spouse, but live primarily seeking Jesus and His Kingdom. If God leads a spouse your way, that will be great. If he does not lead anyone your way, that will be great, too. Do not consider yourself a second-class person or believer if God calls you to a single life. Marriage is good. Singleness is good if God has enabled and empowered you to stay single. Also from 1 Corinthians 7, we looked at the problem of divorce. Divorce is not good but sometimes even believers are affected by an unwanted divorce. If that has happened, we are to know that God gives His peace to help us through. God glorifies Himself through His children in both marriage and singleness.

Emmanuel Church and East Madison will host a joint Vacation Bible School with Emmanual church on June 24-28 from 5:30 PM-7:30 PM. A team from Missouri will be here to help us conduct this Vacation Bible School. If any of you would be able to help, please let me know.

During the weeks between Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day, we are passing out baby bottles for us to collect offerings for the CareNet Pregnancy Center of Dane County. CareNet does wonderful work of saving lives and helping women and families. Take a bottle and fill it with an offering to be returned next Sunday, June 16, 2024, on Fathers’ Day.

Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.

Love being your pastor!

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church

Sisters and brothers,

Happy Monday to all! Yesterday we worshipped the true and living God and remembered the price that God the Son, Jesus, paid to purchase our salvation. When we come to believe in Jesus and receive the forgiveness and eternal life He offers, we no longer belong to ourselves but to Jesus who purchased our forgiveness and redemption. We were bought with a price-the very blood of Jesus! Then from

1 Corinthians 6, we learned the importance of our physical bodies. We learned every human being is an image bearer of God and every human being deserves dignity and respect because of that. In addition to that, every believer belongs to the Lord. Every believer seeks to live for the glory of God. Our bodies are more than physical and animal. Our bodies reflect the image of God. The believer’s body will endure into eternity. Just as Jesus was raised from the dead, one day our mortal bodies will be raised and become immortal. Right now, God’s Word teaches, we are united with Christ Jesus. The believer’s body is the very sanctuary of the Holy Spirit. The believer’s body belongs to Jesus. The believer’s body must not be the instrument of sin. Our bodies belong to the Lord so He might be glorified through them.

We will have a potluck luncheon after our morning worship service next Sunday, June 9, 2024. Bring enough food for your family and a little bit extra for any guest we will have.

Emmanuel Church and East Madison will host a joint Vacation Bible School with Emmanual church on June 24-28 from 5:30 PM-7:30 PM. A team from Missouri will be here to help us conduct this Vacation Bible School. If any of you would be able to help, please let me know.

During the weeks between Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day, we are passing out baby bottles for us to collect offerings for the CareNet Pregnancy Center of Dane County. CareNet does wonderful work of saving lives and helping women and families. Take a bottle and fill it with an offering to be returned on Fathers’ Day.

Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.

Love being your pastor!

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church

Brothers and sisters,

Happy Tuesday to all! I pray all of you had a meaningful Memorial Day yesterday. On Sunday, we worshipped together by singing and reading about God ‘s love for us. Then in the message, we contemplated how we should love one another because of His love. We looked at 1 Corinthians 6 how that church was not demonstrating God’s love among themselves. They were suing each in the courts and bringing dishonor to the name of Jesus! We learned that such things should never happen between fellow believers. We have such a great inheritance because we belong to Jesus. Because of this, we are not to let the petty disputes of this world and our pride bring divisions within the body of Christ and dishonor to the name of Jesus. We are to guard ourselves continually about anything that disrupts our love for God and our love for our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are not to take disputes between ourselves and other believers before the secular world. Remember, Paul is not talking about crimes committed by a believer, which should be taken to legal authorities. Paul is talking about civil disputes over property, money, and reputation that should be handled within the body of Christ. If we have such disputes, Matthew 18 gives us the way to handle those disputes. We are first to take our dispute to the person with which we have the dispute. If it cannot be settled between the two of us, then we call in some wise neutral believers who will help us settle the dispute. Before we call in other believers, we beforehand determine that we will do what these neutral believers advise! Believers are more than qualified to settle these disputes that occur within the body of Christ. Remember, we are new creations in Christ Jesus and the old ways of protecting ourselves, our stuff, and our reputation has passed. We are living now and forever for the glory of God and the advancement of the Kingdom of God. Maturing believers understand it is better to be wronged than act in an unloving way towards brothers and sisters in Christ. Yes, there are many things more important than our pride and personal reputations. Glorifying God and seeing His Kingdom increase is far more important.

We will observe the Lord’s Supper next Sunday, June 2, 2024, during our morning worship service.

Emmanuel Church and East Madison will host a joint Vacation Bible School on June 24-28 from 5:30 PM-7:30 PM. A team from Missouri will be here to help us conduct this Vacation Bible School. If any of you would be able to help, please let me know.

During the weeks between Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day, we are passing out baby bottles for us to collect offerings for the CareNet Pregnancy Center of Dane County. CareNet does wonderful work of saving lives and helping women and families. Take a bottle and fill it with an offering to be returned on Fathers’ Day.

Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.

Love being your pastor!

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church

Brothers and sisters,

Happy Monday to all! Yesterday we focused on worshipping the Lord, who is our Rock and our Redeemer. Jesus our Lord never changes and His love for His children can always be depended upon. Then from 1 Corinthians 5, we looked at the sin and sickness of the church at Corinth and learned from them how to remain healthy as a church. Healthy churches confront open and flagrant sin among their members for the eternal good of those members and the church. Healthy churches realize flagrant sin unconfronted will create deep infection among the entire body of Christ. Healthy churches understand separate ways of dealing with those inside and outside the church. Believers understand that we cannot expect people outside of the church to live by Biblical standards. That would be impossible. In fact, it is impossible for believers, apart from the continual filling and empowering of the Holy Spirit. Unbelievers do not need Christian morality. They need Christ and the new birth He will give to those who believe. However, believers do expect those who claim to know Christ to always seek to follow Him and live His way. Healthy churches remain healthy by loving people within the church enough to confront them about their sin.

During the weeks between Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day, we are passing out baby bottles for us to collect offerings for the CareNet Pregnancy Center of Dane County. CareNet does wonderful work of saving lives and helping women and families. Take a bottle and fill it with an offering to be returned on Fathers’ Day.

We are a part of the CarePortal network which seeks to minister to children and families in the foster care system. We need responders who can be a part of receiving email requests from CarePortal so we can effectively process these requests. If you would like to know more about being a CarePortal responder, let me know and I can pass your name and email to Alicia. Alicia can then send you a link to a video explaining more about the work of responders.

Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.

Love being your pastor!

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church

Sisters and brothers,

Happy Monday to all and happy belated Mothers’ Day to all moms! Yesterday, we worshiped and lifted up the name of Jesus. There is no other Name by which we must be saved. We desired in worship to more fully “Behold Our God,” https://youtu.be/Gqrli3Lkf58. We then looked at 1 Corinthians 4 and thought about renouncing our pride and walking in humility before God and others. As we looked at

1 Corinthians 4, we saw some questions we needed to ask ourselves. Are we seeing life and this world from God’s perspective as it really is? Do we have a proud and elevated view of ourselves instead of realizing we are simply servants of God seeking to help others follow Jesus? Are we helping others see that following Jesus often means suffering for the truth of Jesus because we follow the One who suffered for us? Are we willing to love people enough to tell them the truth rather than reinforce their wrong and destructive views of life? Believers are called to renounce self-centered pride and seek to walk in complete humility with our great and awesome God.

During the weeks between Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day, we are passing out baby bottles for us to collect offerings for the CareNet Pregnancy Center of Dane County. CareNet does wonderful work of saving lives and helping women and families. Take a bottle and fill it with an offering to be returned on Fathers’ Day.

We are a part of the CarePortal network which seeks to minister to children and families in the foster care system. We need responders who can be a part of receiving email requests from CarePortal so we can effectively process these requests. If you would like to know more about being a CarePortal responder, let me know and I can pass your name and email to Alicia. Alicia can then send you a link to a video explaining more about the work of responders.

Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.

Love being your pastor!

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church