0e4927506 1456955570 central connection newsletter march 2016
NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 138 PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
1104 Balboa Avenue ~ Panama City, FL 32401 850.769.6000 ~ www.centralbaptistpanamacity.org Dr. Bruce Barton, Pastor
Central connection Connecting Members and Friends to Central Baptist Church in Panama City, Florida March 2016
Make your plans to join us for our 60th Anniversary Weekend — June 10-12, 2016!
Now is the Time. This is the Place. Our city needs a church like ours. Not because we are anything special or important, but because He is. In a time, when today’s church—even Baptist churches—are turning to the world for their methods and their messages, our city needs a church like ours. In a time when today’s government—even though founded upon God and His Word—is turning away from our heritage, our history, and our God, our government needs a church like ours. In a season when today’s culture—heavily influenced by starlets and superstars—finds its place without the only Lord and the only God, our culture needs a church like ours. Now in my fifties, I am resolved with a greater determination to make an impact in our world, fortified together with the Central Baptist Church membership, remaining fundamental in doctrine and faithful in practice. Now is the time, more than ever, to stand for righteousness. This is the place more than any place, to be a lighthouse in a stormy, tumultuous world. Let’s allow God to use us for His glory, in a way of His choosing, that will draw many into the kingdom of God, fortified by their faith in His Word, and edified to serve Him until He comes. This year has begun well. Souls saved at a higher pace than one year ago, increased offerings well above one year ago. Greater vision for world evangelism with a higher percentage of our membership getting involved with their resources. Members, new and old, stepping up to serve the Lord in new areas. Spiritual growth through a steady diet of Biblical exposition of the Scriptures by our Pastor and guest speakers. Spiritual gifts being exercised within the body of Christ. This is the balanced Christian life and a church in our region that is needed desperately. Join me in remaining GOD-CENTERED, living TRUTH-DRIVEN lives, touching the lives of others because we are PEOPLE-FOCUSED.
Loving What Jesus Loved Promoting a Love for the Church, by Bill Crittenden, Deacon Demonstrations and expressions of love are shown in may ways around the time of Valentines Day in America. We know what we love. I love the Florida Gators. But, why do I love them? I am an alum. I lived off campus, but participated in events. I invested my money, and two years of my life in Gainesville. Just to name a few. THE ANATOMY OF THE CHURCH. What is the church? Matthew 16 tells us that Christ will build it and that it is an “ekklesia” or called out assembly of believers. This term was different from synagogue which the Jewish culture would have been familiar. We learn from scripture that the New Testament church was a local, visible, assembly of believers According to Ephesians 3, the church is to be the vehicle to which God works to accomplish His purpose. THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE CHURCH. What is its origin? Who started the church? The church was not in existence in the Old Testament and was started by Christ. What Christ began, he continues to build. (Matthew 16:18, Acts 2:47) In Acts 2, God empowered the church with the power of the Holy Spirit. When Christ walked
with the power of the Holy Spirit. When Christ walked the earth, God worked through the physical body of Christ. But today, after Christ’s ascension, God works through His spiritual body, the church. THE AUTHORITY OF THE CHURCH. Who is in charge? Who gives it power? God empowers the church (Acts 1:8) Christ is the foundation and chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20). Christ is the head (Ephesians 1:22) THE AGENDA OF THE CHURCH. What is to be the primary agenda of the church? Is it to meet social needs? Promote charismatic personalities? Influence politics? Feed and clothe the masses? According to Matthew 28:19-20, the church is the tool to carry out His will and plan of getting the gospel to every creature. With this foundation, we can understand God’s love for the church. But, why do you love the church? Why do we need Central Baptist Church? continued on page 3
Coming Events Global Impact Weekend March 5-6 Dr. Scott Caudill Braselton, GA
Faith Promise Sunday March 13 Evangelist Chip Coleman Clemson, SC
Bus Baptism Sunday March 20
Resurrection Sunday March 27
Gulf Coast Ladies Conference April 1-2 Faith Baptist Church Pensacola, FL
Loving the Church
Snapshots at Central
continued from page 1
One of these i s not li ke the others
We are commanded to it. We are to assemble in it, not forsake it (Hebrews 10:25) If you love something you are not going to leave it or forsake it, right? God commands us to love fellow believers, so why would we not assemble with those we love? For us to say that we do not need a church or that church is not really important is to take a position contrary to what Christ commanded in His Word. (Acts 26:28, Ephesians 5:25) We are commissioned through it. God has commissioned the church to a world-wide task. (Matthew 28:19-20) The church allows the believer to share in Christ’s mission to the world. We are God’s hands, eyes, feet, and heart. (Ephesians 2:10) We are cemented together in it. While your relationship to Christ is personal, it is not to be a private relationship. The church is more than a club membership, we are a part of a body and members of the same body. (I Corinthians 12:12, 19, 20) We need a church to help remove isolation of self and learn how to care about others, sharing in the good and bad of others. (I Corinthians 12:25-27) There is no Biblical support for the position of solitary saints. We are connected with it. Colossians 1:18 tells us that Christ is the head of the body. As the body is connected to the head, we are to be connected to the church. We need a church to help us develop our part of the body, or spiritual muscles (Colossians 2:19) You cannot be connected and develop properly with sporadic association and non-involvement.
Lobby Repainted
We are told to love each other (John 15:17); serve each other (Galatians 5:13); admonish each other (Hebrews 10:24); pray for each other (James 5:16); forgive each other (Ephesians 4:32); honor each other (I Peter 2:17); greet each other (I Corinthians 16:20); and submit to each other (I Peter 5:5).
” re d t i a M “Dr. Auditorium Repainted
Mallory and Debra Williams
One cannot do all of these if one is not connected! We are challenged in it. The church is the place of challenge to use, develop, and discover our spiritual gifts (I Corinthians 12:1,7) For true growth, we must be challenged. The problem is that many in the church do not want that challenge. We are corrected in it. We are accountable to each other. (Hebrews 3:12-13; 10:24) We are all capable of sinning and sliding away from the closeness that God desires for us. We need each other’s help. Do you love what God loves—the church? Do you love it as much as He loves it? Ephesians 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;”
Janet Johnson, pianist
Christmas at Central Baptist Church
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
1104 Balboa Avenue ~ Panama City, FL 32401 850.769.6000 ~ www.centralbaptistpanamacity.org Dr. Bruce Barton, Pastor
Central connection Connecting Members and Friends to Central Baptist Church in Panama City, Florida March 2016
Make your plans to join us for our 60th Anniversary Weekend — June 10-12, 2016!
Now is the Time. This is the Place. Our city needs a church like ours. Not because we are anything special or important, but because He is. In a time, when today’s church—even Baptist churches—are turning to the world for their methods and their messages, our city needs a church like ours. In a time when today’s government—even though founded upon God and His Word—is turning away from our heritage, our history, and our God, our government needs a church like ours. In a season when today’s culture—heavily influenced by starlets and superstars—finds its place without the only Lord and the only God, our culture needs a church like ours. Now in my fifties, I am resolved with a greater determination to make an impact in our world, fortified together with the Central Baptist Church membership, remaining fundamental in doctrine and faithful in practice. Now is the time, more than ever, to stand for righteousness. This is the place more than any place, to be a lighthouse in a stormy, tumultuous world. Let’s allow God to use us for His glory, in a way of His choosing, that will draw many into the kingdom of God, fortified by their faith in His Word, and edified to serve Him until He comes. This year has begun well. Souls saved at a higher pace than one year ago, increased offerings well above one year ago. Greater vision for world evangelism with a higher percentage of our membership getting involved with their resources. Members, new and old, stepping up to serve the Lord in new areas. Spiritual growth through a steady diet of Biblical exposition of the Scriptures by our Pastor and guest speakers. Spiritual gifts being exercised within the body of Christ. This is the balanced Christian life and a church in our region that is needed desperately. Join me in remaining GOD-CENTERED, living TRUTH-DRIVEN lives, touching the lives of others because we are PEOPLE-FOCUSED.
Loving What Jesus Loved Promoting a Love for the Church, by Bill Crittenden, Deacon Demonstrations and expressions of love are shown in may ways around the time of Valentines Day in America. We know what we love. I love the Florida Gators. But, why do I love them? I am an alum. I lived off campus, but participated in events. I invested my money, and two years of my life in Gainesville. Just to name a few. THE ANATOMY OF THE CHURCH. What is the church? Matthew 16 tells us that Christ will build it and that it is an “ekklesia” or called out assembly of believers. This term was different from synagogue which the Jewish culture would have been familiar. We learn from scripture that the New Testament church was a local, visible, assembly of believers According to Ephesians 3, the church is to be the vehicle to which God works to accomplish His purpose. THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE CHURCH. What is its origin? Who started the church? The church was not in existence in the Old Testament and was started by Christ. What Christ began, he continues to build. (Matthew 16:18, Acts 2:47) In Acts 2, God empowered the church with the power of the Holy Spirit. When Christ walked
with the power of the Holy Spirit. When Christ walked the earth, God worked through the physical body of Christ. But today, after Christ’s ascension, God works through His spiritual body, the church. THE AUTHORITY OF THE CHURCH. Who is in charge? Who gives it power? God empowers the church (Acts 1:8) Christ is the foundation and chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20). Christ is the head (Ephesians 1:22) THE AGENDA OF THE CHURCH. What is to be the primary agenda of the church? Is it to meet social needs? Promote charismatic personalities? Influence politics? Feed and clothe the masses? According to Matthew 28:19-20, the church is the tool to carry out His will and plan of getting the gospel to every creature. With this foundation, we can understand God’s love for the church. But, why do you love the church? Why do we need Central Baptist Church? continued on page 3
Coming Events Global Impact Weekend March 5-6 Dr. Scott Caudill Braselton, GA
Faith Promise Sunday March 13 Evangelist Chip Coleman Clemson, SC
Bus Baptism Sunday March 20
Resurrection Sunday March 27
Gulf Coast Ladies Conference April 1-2 Faith Baptist Church Pensacola, FL
Loving the Church
Snapshots at Central
continued from page 1
One of these i s not li ke the others
We are commanded to it. We are to assemble in it, not forsake it (Hebrews 10:25) If you love something you are not going to leave it or forsake it, right? God commands us to love fellow believers, so why would we not assemble with those we love? For us to say that we do not need a church or that church is not really important is to take a position contrary to what Christ commanded in His Word. (Acts 26:28, Ephesians 5:25) We are commissioned through it. God has commissioned the church to a world-wide task. (Matthew 28:19-20) The church allows the believer to share in Christ’s mission to the world. We are God’s hands, eyes, feet, and heart. (Ephesians 2:10) We are cemented together in it. While your relationship to Christ is personal, it is not to be a private relationship. The church is more than a club membership, we are a part of a body and members of the same body. (I Corinthians 12:12, 19, 20) We need a church to help remove isolation of self and learn how to care about others, sharing in the good and bad of others. (I Corinthians 12:25-27) There is no Biblical support for the position of solitary saints. We are connected with it. Colossians 1:18 tells us that Christ is the head of the body. As the body is connected to the head, we are to be connected to the church. We need a church to help us develop our part of the body, or spiritual muscles (Colossians 2:19) You cannot be connected and develop properly with sporadic association and non-involvement.
Lobby Repainted
We are told to love each other (John 15:17); serve each other (Galatians 5:13); admonish each other (Hebrews 10:24); pray for each other (James 5:16); forgive each other (Ephesians 4:32); honor each other (I Peter 2:17); greet each other (I Corinthians 16:20); and submit to each other (I Peter 5:5).
” re d t i a M “Dr. Auditorium Repainted
Mallory and Debra Williams
One cannot do all of these if one is not connected! We are challenged in it. The church is the place of challenge to use, develop, and discover our spiritual gifts (I Corinthians 12:1,7) For true growth, we must be challenged. The problem is that many in the church do not want that challenge. We are corrected in it. We are accountable to each other. (Hebrews 3:12-13; 10:24) We are all capable of sinning and sliding away from the closeness that God desires for us. We need each other’s help. Do you love what God loves—the church? Do you love it as much as He loves it? Ephesians 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;”
Janet Johnson, pianist
Christmas at Central Baptist Church
