Greetings friends,
I think a lot of you are probably wondering why I’m so dressed up. Yes, I have on my bow tie and jacket. I had the joy and privilege of speaking for the first time at the Elizabethtown Rotary and I met some new friends there. The Lord has been kind to us to give us opportunities to make friends all over Hardin County since He’s called me to serve as your lead pastor. I’m praying that those friendships can turn into gospel conversations so I invite you to pray for me as well.
This week we have the joy of closing out our SV & Me series dealing with meaningful membership and how it matters to our community of faith. We opened up discussing the definition of regenerate church membership which is simply to say we must be born again. Believers in Christ are born anew by the spirit and it is through that relationship, through the new covenant, that we are able to relate rightly to one another.
Pastor Jeff reminded us of the need for accountability from Galatians 6:1-5. We all are bearing multiple burdens in this life and so we need our brothers and sisters to come alongside us as we gather together, either in large groups or in small groups.
Pastor Zach showed us the significance of community. We must be vulnerable if we’re going to be victorious in Jesus Christ. All of us have scars, all of us have stars. We have highs and lows that can be celebrated together, but you cannot fear revealing the scars of life so that you can walk in the newness of life. So I’m grateful that Pastor Zach showed us that community is centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Dr. Todd Gray came and spoke powerfully about our need to get the gospel to every person in 1st Corinthians chapter 3. I hope you are praying already about the individuals that the Lord will use through your voice to lead those persons to Jesus Christ. I’m hoping that 2021 will provide opportunities for us to share our faith and for us to celebrate together when we see men, women, boys, and girls coming to Christ.
This series has been exciting for me and I hope it has been exciting for you. We plan on closing out the series, Lord willing, by focusing on the Lord’s Supper this Sunday. This Lord’s day, we will gather together and we will partake of the Lord’s Supper.
As you well know, within our church, within our statement of faith, there are two ordinances within the local church – baptism and communion, or the Lord’s Supper. When we take this supper together it is to remember the death, the burial, and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ until he comes. I’m looking forward to leading you in the supper but I’m also looking forward to examining my heart to make sure that I’m prepared to take the supper, and so I hope that as you listen to this update you will begin examining your heart. One of the ways that you can do that is by reading 1st Corinthians chapter 11. You can start your reading around verse 14 and end at verse 31, or you can read the entire chapter and discover why it’s important for us to constantly examine ourselves before partaking in that sacred meal. It is the best meal that we will ever partake together because that is the meal that reminds us of the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
So as we prepare our hearts and worship, I want you to know, friends, that God is doing great things in the life of Severns Valley, and I’m grateful to be a member of this church because my wife and two sons went through Discover SV last Sunday and we can hardly wait for the next church family business meeting where we will be confirmed as full members of Severns Valley Baptist Church.
It’s a great day for all of us and I’m so excited about being a member of this church, as well as the lead friend. Please continue to pray for us even as I pray for you. Mark this verse and remember it well. 2 Peter 3:18 tells us,
but grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and to eternity.
God bless you. I can’t wait to see you.
Pastor Curtis
Recent Comments