Happy Monday to all! What a day we had yesterday! The tornado warning came during worship, and we moved everyone downstairs to be safe. The way the church worked to help our brothers and sisters all be safe was wonderful. It was the way the family of God the church should be with all helping each other. We did not let the tornado warning stop us from worshipping as God’s Word was proclaimed and we continued to sing and praise our great God and Redeemer. I will never forget yesterday and the unity of the body of Christ in that moment!
The message was from Genesis 37 and about Jacob’s family disfunction. We saw that Jacob elevated Joseph above his other sons and Joseph inadvertently elevated himself above his family. We learned about walking in humility. When we walk in pride, we cause division, but when we walk in humility, we can bring people together. Humility is one of the chief virtues of the Bible. It was supremely exhibited to us in Christ. Philippians 2:5-11 instructs us that: “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death– even death on a cross! 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Jesus tells us, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Peter tells us, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time,” (1 Peter 5:6). James tells us, “God opposes the proud but give grace to the humble,” (James 4:6).Do you want to cause division in your family or anywhere else? Walk in pride. Do you want to bring your family together and heal relationships? Humble yourselves before God and others. Elevating one person or one child above others brings jealousy and hatred. Elevating yourself above others even unintentionally widens already broken divisions.Believers should avoid elevating ourselves or our children above others.
From Mother’s Day until Father’s Day, we encourage people to pick up a baby bottle and put their change, bills, and checks (make check out to CareNet) in these bottles. On Father’s Day, we will bring these bottles back to the church and then return them to CareNet to support their ministry to help pregnant women in our community choose life and help young moms as they raise their children.
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