The Impact of Light

Jesus said, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).  Jesus has called His church to shine light into dark places.  Here at ABC, we always look for opportunities to shine, but we also look to form partnerships with like-minded ministries that are pushing back darkness.

I’m so thankful for our church’s continued partnership with TC Egypt.  Last March, we opened a campus in the city of Fayoum to extend the Gospel into a dark area with little Christian influence.  I thank God that our Fayoum campus is now serving nearly 100 Egyptians every week.  Our campus is offering ongoing discipleship classes, children’s and youth programs, work and faith seminars, and recovery programs for Egyptians in need.

This past week I was also blown away to see how TC Egypt pulled off a massive Christian conference for teenagers.  They hosted their first ever student leadership conference in Cairo and saw over 700 teenagers in attendance from all across Egypt!  Those students gathered to worship Jesus Christ, be equipped by his Word, and to be encouraged through prayer and community with one another.

But I was also encouraged by the mission work of our Women’s Ministry this past weekend.  Our ladies themed their “Sweet Sunday” event around our Egyptian ministry partners.  The ladies in attendance learned more about what God is doing in the Middle East, and they prayed over the women from our church who will be going to Egypt next month.  Although not everyone can go to Egypt, all the ladies had an opportunity to make encouragement bracelets that will be distributed to women in Egypt.  These ladies reminded us all that we can find ways to shine if we simply look for opportunities.

This Sunday we are going to celebrate another ministry that has been shining light for many years right here in Austin, Texas.  I’ve invited David Gillian from the Texas Baptist Children’s Home to come and share how God is using the TBCH to push back darkness in central Texas.  Our church is a proud partner of the TBCH both through ongoing giving and volunteer efforts.  This Sunday you will hear about an exciting new opportunity for each of us to bless this ministry in a special way during this upcoming Christmas season.

I believe God is using this city on a hill to shine light every day.  I encourage you to do your part and find ways to let your light shine before others.  May God continue to use ABC to light up your life, your home, your neighborhood, and the world.  I look forward to seeing you this Sunday in worship.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Last Sunday’s Message – “Down But Not Out” – 1 Kings 19:1-18

Walking Through Valleys

For the past few weeks, we have been studying Elijah’s triumphant victory at Mount Carmel.  We saw Elijah successfully call down fire and rain from the heavens and defeat 450 prophets of Baal.  However, this week we are shifting our attention from that triumphant mountain top to the heartache that is awaiting him in the valley. 

We all spend a large portion of our lives walking through difficult valleys.  Every day, we face challenges, disappointments, and failures.  People let us down (including ourselves), circumstances are brutal, and trials can feel overwhelming.  What should we do in those moments of despair?  One psalmist shared his personal philosophy: “My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you” (Psalm 42:6b).

We always need God, but we should especially remember our need for Him in our darkest hours.  Our God is a personal God who wants to walk with us through our valleys (Psalm 23:4).  This Sunday, we will watch God do this with Elijah, but my question is do you need a touch from God as well?  Do you feel stuck in a tough season?  If so, I encourage you to “remember” the Lord.

One of our core values at ABC is authenticity.  We want to be a family of faith that is honest about how we are doing.  Rather than hide in those dark valleys, I encourage you to bring those troubles to light.  Ask God to walk with you, but also consider inviting believers to join you.  Paul exhorts the church to “bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

I imagine every person reading this knows someone in the church who is hurting.  It is not difficult to find someone stuck in a valley.  We all know people who are struggling with their physical and/or mental health.  We all know people struggling with their marriages or parenting relationships.  We all know people who are struggling with their careers and their finances.  These many needs can feel overwhelming, but your encouragement, your prayers, and your concern for others can make an eternal difference.

May we all remember God this week and remember those who are walking in valleys around us.  I look forward to unpacking 1 Kings 19 with you this Sunday.  Bring a friend and I hope to see you at 8:45am or 11:15am at ABC.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Last Sunday’s Sermon – Waiting on Rain – 1 Kings 18:41-45

Lift Your Eyes

Psalm 121:1-2, “I lift my eyes to the hills.  From where does my help come?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”  The Bible contains so many comforting words about our God, but perhaps none are more comforting than the fact that He is our helper.  God is our very present help in our time of need (Psalm 46:1).  He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7), and the Holy Spirit now lives in us as our helper (John 14:26).  God does not watch idly in our moments of trouble, but instead He walks with us through the darkest valleys (Psalm 23:4).

This is great news because we do indeed face trouble every day.  Jesus promised that this would be the case (John 16:33), but He also encouraged us to “take heart.”  Some of you are facing financial trouble, medical trouble, or relational trouble.  Some are plagued by mental health trouble, work or school trouble, or maybe you are just troubled by the state of our union.  We face trouble every day, but my question is where do you set your eyes in those times of need? 

Elijah faced plenty of trouble on the mountain as he faced 450 prophets of Baal.  Last week, we saw that he lifted his eyes to God.  God answered his humble prayer by sending His fire to the alter.  This week, we’ll see Elijah lift his eyes once again as he petitions the Lord for rain.  I encourage you to follow Elijah’s example this week in your time of need.   God is our helper, and He wants you to come to Him when you are in trouble.  I pray that you listen to Peter’s counsel and “cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).

I look forward to wrapping up our final installment on Mount Carmel this weekend.  May we all come humbly to His throne this week in our time of need.  Invite a friend to church this Sunday and I look forward to seeing you in worship.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Last Sunday’s Sermon – 1 Kings 18:20-49

The Impact of Light

Our mission at ABC is to lead people into a life-changing relationship with the Light of the World, Jesus Christ.  The mission of God must always be the heartbeat of God’s people.  Before His ascension, Jesus commissioned His church to reach others for Him.  I’m thankful to pastor a church that believes in the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.  In fact, we consistently look for new ways to extend our mission even further.

Last Friday, over 200 young adults gathered in our church for our first ever Summit Night of Worship.  It was amazing to see how God drew new young men and women into our church from our surrounding community.  I’m so proud of the 30 young adults who worked hard the past 4 months to pull that event together.  However, their work isn’t done yet.  The Summit will now launch as an ongoing midweek worship service for young adults every Wednesday at 7pm. 

On Sunday evening our Women’s Ministry had their big event, “Ticket to Paradise.”  It was incredible to watch 250+ women come together for fellowship and encouragement in God’s house.  The Women’s Ministry leadership team knocked it out of the park and created an impactful evening that these ladies will always remember.  I loved hearing about the dozens of visitors who walked through the doors and were welcomed by our community of faith.

Over the past year we’ve been able to expand the reach of our ministries like these, but we’ve also been able to expand our partnerships locally, regionally, and internationally.  I’m continually amazed by our ministry center in Egypt.  God is using our church here in Austin to reach men, women, and children in the Middle East with the hope and love of Jesus Christ. 

Because of your continued generosity, this week our church is also sending a $20,000 gift to Send Relief to help meet needs in Maui.  Additionally, we’re sending a $5,000 check to our local Pat Mustoe Baptist Community Center to restock their depleted pantry.  I hope you agree that this is in the kind of impact we want to continue to make as a church family.  God is growing the footprint of missions in our church, and I believe the best is yet to come.

This Sunday you can make an impact through partnering with us in our annual Mary Hill Davis Offering.  We’ve set a goal for our church to give $15,000 to help advance the cause of Texas missions.  I hope you prayerfully consider giving above and beyond your regular tithes and offerings to be a part of this special effort.

Take time this week to thank God for what He is doing through this city on a hill.  May we each be faithful to our part with our time, talent, and treasure to extend the light of Jesus Christ into places that need it.  Let your light shine this week and I look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Last Sunday’s Sermon – “The Good Kind of Trouble” – 1 Kings 18:1-19

How Are You Shining?

Our four core values at ABC are truth, grace, authenticity, and impact.  Our church values the truth of God’s Word.  The Bible is a lamp unto our feet, a light unto our path, and the church is called to lift that lamp up so the world can see it (Psalm 119:105, 1 Timothy 3:15).  However, as we lift the truth up, it is imperative for us to also demonstrate grace.  Light has a way of drawing others in, especially those who are tired of the darkness.  The church must be prepared to receive others with the warmth of God’s grace.  When we begin to value truth and grace, we begin to look more like Jesus (John 1:14).

Our third core value is authenticity.  No one should feel like they have to fake it when they go to church.  God wants each of us to walk in the light as He is in the light so we can have fellowship with one another (1 John 1:7).  It’s ok to not be ok because when one member suffers, the church is called to suffer together (1 Cor 12:26).  Our final core value is impact.  God created light to make an impact on the world.  Light was created to push back darkness, and we believe Jesus created His church to do the same thing (Matt 5:16).

Do the people around you see these four values in your life?  Can others recognize your commitment to truth?  Are you known as a person of radical grace?  Are you humble and authentic in your relationships with others?  Are you making an impact on the lives of others?  We must remain steadfastly committed to these values if we are going to see God fulfill our vision, “to see God light up your life, your home, your neighborhood, and the world.”  As our fall calendars begin to get crowded, I encourage you to remain committed to these things.  If we stay true to our values, I believe God will shine powerfully through this city on a hill this fall.

Invite a friend to join you this Sunday at 8:45 or 11:15am, and I look forward to continuing our study on the days of Elijah.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Last Sunday’s Sermon – When the Brook Runs Dry – 1 Kings 17:8-24

We All Need Community

How do you make a big church feel small?  That is a natural question that many will ask when they step foot into a larger church.  How do you get connected in a larger church and be known by others?  Every local church should take time to answer that question because every believer needs community.  In fact, every believer is commanded to build community.  “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves (Romans 12:10).

Here at ABC, we provide two primary on-ramps to help you find community.  The first is our Bible Fellowship Groups which meet at 10am every Sunday.  Last weekend, we had over 800 people of all ages and stages find themselves in a BFG group to study God’s Word, pray for each other, and to build relationships with others.  Secondly, we offer Midweek ministry here at ABC.  Starting August 23rd, we will bring back our Wednesday night meal (5-6:30pm) and classes for all ages (6:30pm).  I love Midweek at ABC and the opportunity it provides each of us to be recharged in our faith through teaching and fellowship with one another.

God has been blessing our church as we continue to grow week by week.  If you are new to our church, I want you to know that you are an answered prayer.  I pray that God continues to bring new faces through our doors, and we will always be a church that exists for those who are not here yet.  But as our church grows bigger, it is imperative that we also think smaller.  Every child, teenager, and adult needs to find a way to be known and grow in community with believers.  Have you found your place to belong at ABC?  If not, we would love to get you plugged into a BFG this Sunday and Midweek next week.  As you find your place to plant roots, I believe you’ll discover that we’re not a big church, but rather we are more like a small town.

I enjoyed kicking off our new sermon series with you last Sunday.  I’m praying that God will continue to strengthen your faith and grow our church as we walk through the days of Elijah together.  Invite a friend, and I look forward to worshipping with you at 8:45am or 11:15am.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Last Sunday’s Sermon: The Days of Elijah – “Dry Days” – 1 Kings 17:1-7

Staff Retreat

This Sunday we are kicking off a new series called The Days of Elijah.  Over the next several weeks we will get to know Elijah, whose name means “The Lord is my God.”  We are going to see that Elijah lived up to his name as he courageously stood firm in his faith while navigating through dark and challenging times.  I hope you plan to join us for the next several weeks, and I pray that we all learn from Elijah’s example of courage and humility. 

This week we are conducting our annual staff retreat.  Our staff has taken some time to be sharpened and encouraged by one another.  I am so thankful that God has blessed our church with such a dynamic team of gifted and passionate servants.  I’m personally blessed by our staff, and I know our entire church is as well.  I encourage you to do two things this week that will return that blessing back to them.

First, take some time to encourage the staff. Proverbs 12:25 says, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”  A good word can go a long way in a staff member’s heart.  Thank them for what they do and affirm the Godly character and gifts that you see in them.  Don’t just celebrate what they do, celebrate who they are.

Second, find ways to partner with them in ministry.  Ephesians 4:11-12 says, “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” God did not give leadership to the church to do all the work themselves, but rather to equip the church to do the work of ministry more effectively.

Where are you serving right now at ABC?  The reality is our church is growing, especially in the children’s area.  We have joined over 100 new members in the last 7 months, and we need more members of this faith family to step up and find their place to serve.  You will never truly grow in your faith until you learn to exercise your faith through service to others.  Contact a staff member and ask how you can help.  Your availability will be a blessing to them, but I also know you will end up being blessed through your service to the church.

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday at. 8:45 or 11:15am.  Bring a friend and come ready to worship with us.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Summer of Impact

It is hard to believe, but August is here and summer is officially winding down.  This week our music and media ministries are hosting ABC’s final summer camp, our 2nd annual Creative Arts Camp.  Over 90 children are on campus right now to have fun and learn how to honor God through music and the creative arts.  I’m looking forward to seeing all that they learned in their Friday evening showcase of “Sermon on the Mound.”  Make sure you thank Dr. Todd Stearns, Garrett Ullrich, Lynn Wood, Stephen Vaughn, and all our amazing volunteers for making it possible this week.

Our 4th core value here at ABC is impact.  Jesus wants His church to make an impact on the world.  I’m so proud of our church answering that call and shining its light all summer long.   From Preteen Camp to Preschool Camp, to Beach Camp and VBS, to Creative Arts Camp and Freedom Over Austin, our staff and volunteers have done a phenomenal job investing in the lives of the next generation.  Thank you for shining your light into our community, and I’m looking forward to seeing how God will continue to impact our city through this city on a hill.

As summer is ending, our summer sermon series will also be ending this weekend.  This Sunday, I’ll preach the final sermon in our “Summer on the Mount” series.  I want to thank Dr. Matt Gillum for filling in for me last Sunday as our family got to enjoy a week away on summer vacation.  I hope you have been as challenged through this sermon series as I have been challenged through the preparation.  God is doing a great work in our church, and I have high expectations and high hopes heading into this new school year.  May we all stand firmly on the foundation of Jesus Christ and pray for even greater things in our midst:

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21).

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

VBS Report

VBS is here!  It has been thrilling to watch over 460 kids and leaders walk through our doors this week for our annual Vacation Bible School.  I love that our church goes “all in” for VBS.  We have an amazing team of volunteers who have spent countless hours decorating, organizing, and leading behind the scenes to make this week possible.  Likewise, I’m thankful for Rachel Tovar, Ashley Lindsey, Victoria Rodriguez and the entire ABC Kids staff for their vision and direction.  I’m especially thankful for Derek Tackett and our facilities team for their diligent work in getting things set up AND getting things turned back over so we can have church this Sunday.

I’m also thankful for you.  Your Gospel partnership made this ministry possible.  James 5:16 tells us “the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”  Your prayers have been felt, and I thank God for the 45 children who made first time decisions for Jesus Christ this week.  I have no doubt that your prayers played a pivotal role in the fruit that we have seen.  Additionally, I know your generosity through your tithes and offerings made this week possible.  I love that ABC offers this event (and so many more) free of charge to our entire community.  But I know that only happens because of your continued support to the general budget.  Thank you for worshipping God through your giving, and I hope you know that God is making an impact through your faithfulness.

Paul says, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:3-5).  Those who pray, give, and serve are indeed partners in ministry, and like Paul, I give thanks for each of you.  To God be the glory for great things He has done.  May we remain faithful to Him as He is always faithful to us.  Let’s press on to the next challenge and shine our light this week.  I’ll see you Sunday at 8:45am or 11:15am.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Last Sunday’s Sermon: “Worried to Death”

VBS is Here!

It was wonderful having Tony and Vanda George join us at ABC last weekend.  I hope you enjoyed meeting them and have now added them to your regular prayer lists.  Before they left Austin, I took some time to record a podcast episode with them so they could share their testimonies and pass on more information to our church about their ministry.

I’ve provided a link below to our “Citizen ATX” podcast channel, where you’ll find that episode at the top of the list.  If you’re unaware, we regularly use this podcast channel to provide Biblical conversations that help equip the saints and reach the lost.  I encourage you to subscribe to the channel and share the episodes that you find are helpful.  Likewise, I’ve added links to our sermon podcast and YouTube channels.  Our sermons are posted each week on these audio and video platforms so you can reference the content and share it with others:

This Sunday you will be excited to see that VBS is officially here!  Our staff and volunteers have done a phenomenal job decorating and preparing our church for an impactful week of children’s ministry.  The remarkable transformation of our facility will continue after church this Sunday as our team puts the final touches on the buildings. 

I am so thankful to pastor a church that LOVES kids!  Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14).  Join me in prayer that many children will indeed come to Jesus at VBS.  The Gospel is profound, yet at the same time it is so simple that it only requires “child-like faith.”  Pray that many children will put their faith in Jesus, and pray that many parents in our community will follow their footsteps.

Thank you for being a generous church and providing the necessary resources for us to offer this event FREE of charge.  Your continued faithfulness makes a difference in so many lives.  It is imperative for us to continue to reach children, youth, and families in our community with the light of Jesus Christ.  Thank you for helping us carry out the vision of our church.  May God continue to use ABC to light up your life, your home, your neighborhood, and the world.

I look forward to seeing you in worship this Sunday.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Last Sunday’s Sermon: The Right Treasure