Good Rest

Greetings from Egypt!  Thank you for your continued prayers for our missions team.  God is doing a great work in the Middle East, and it has been encouraging to see the launch of our new campus in Fayoum. I look forward to sharing pictures and details with you when our team returns to Austin.

This weekend marks the beginning of Spring Break.  We will “spring forward” our clocks this Sunday for daylight savings, and many will also be springing forward to vacations and plans for rest.  I know our students are especially looking forward to this week, but of course not everyone will get a break in the coming days.  Business will carry on and next week will be rather ordinary for most adults.  However, I want to remind you that you could find some rest this week even if you aren’t going on a vacation.

Jesus tells us, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29).  True rest doesn’t come from a hotel or a spa, although they certainly can help.  True rest comes from resting in the presence of Jesus Christ.  That rest is available 24/7 and 365 days a year.  It doesn’t require paid time off or early reservations.  It simply requires you to slow down and spend time with Him.

How can you connect with God differently this week?  Maybe you could go on a prayer walk to spend some time talking with just Him.  Maybe you could set some time for intentional Bible study and journaling.  Or perhaps you could turn on some worship music and sing praises with no one else around.  Maybe the best thing you could do is turn everything off for just a few minutes and be silent with Him and away from the noise.  These kinds of disciplines will give you far more rest than any vacation ever could.  Take a spring break even if you don’t have a spring break.  Seek the right kind of rest and see how Jesus begins to reinvigorate your soul.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

On Mission

Thank you for your prayers this week for our Egypt missions team.  As you know, we are sending an outstanding group of men next week to work with our new ministry partner, TC Egypt.  Because of your generosity, our church is building a new ministry campus in the city of Fayoum.  I’m looking forward to seeing the progress firsthand, and I can’t wait to watch God work through these nine men to help expand His kingdom in the Middle East.  We will certainly have plenty to report on when we return.

While I am excited to go, I also humbly realize that not everyone gets to go.  As is the case for any international mission trip, not everyone in a church gets to step foot on to the departing airplane.  We all face various limitations that can keep us from going.  Some of us have work and family obligations, while others may have financial constraints.  Some have physical conditions and ailments that limit their travel.  The reality is we cannot all go on this mission trip, but the Bible says we can all go live our lives on mission this week.

Paul says, “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20).  Every son and daughter of God is called an “ambassador.”  We live our lives every day on a mission for the King of kings.  He speaks through us (John 14:26), He accomplishes His purposes in us (Romans 10:14-15), and He has specific assignments for each of us (Ephesians 2:10).  We are surrounded by people every day in Austin, Texas who need to experience the hope and love of Jesus Christ.  That is why He has commissioned you as His ambassador.

I encourage you to live on mission this week.  Pray for the lost around you.  Pray by name, and pray that God will soften their hearts and draw them to himself (John 6:44).  Connect with the lost around you.  Build relationships with them and look for a moment to share the hope that you have living inside of you (1 Peter 3:15).  Invite them to church.  So many people would consider attending a church if they simply received a personal invitation.  God has given us a huge ministry field right here in our city.  Live your life on mission this week knowing that Jesus has already promised a harvest.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Last Sunday’s Message

Prepare Your Heart For Easter

Temperatures are beginning to rise, the grass is turning green again, and Spring is right around the corner.  Of course, this also means Easter is almost here.  I hope you are looking forward to celebrating the resurrection of our Lord on Sunday April 9th.  We only have six Sundays before that big day, so we are going to be intentional with this remaining time.  I believe it is critical for every Christian to take time to prepare their hearts for Easter.  Before we can celebrate the empty tomb, we must first remember and reflect on the old rugged cross.

This Sunday we will begin a new series titled, “Last Words.”  We are going to examine Jesus’ final words from calvary.  The four Gospels account for seven different sayings that Jesus communicated while He was nailed to the cross.  Any person’s last words matter, but Jesus’ last words matter the most.  His last words communicated truth about His heart, His nature, and His mission.  These are words that He wanted us to hear, and they are words that He wanted us to apply into our lives.

I encourage you to commit yourself to the Lord and to His words in these coming weeks.  Paul exhorts the church to, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16).  May the words of Jesus dwell in our hearts as we reflect, repent, and give thanks for our salvation.  Commit to be in God’s house for these six weeks.  I will preach the seventh and final saying at our Good Friday service, and then we will celebrate Easter Sunday with a triumphant resurrection message.

Invite someone to join you this Sunday.  God is moving across our country, and you never know what he might do with a simple invitation.  Most of our city is not planning to be in church this Sunday.  But a personal invitation may change that for some of them.  Pray for those who are around you, invite them to join you in God’s house, and I look forward to worshipping with you on this Lord’s Supper weekend. 

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Last Sunday’s Sermon – Romans 8:31-39 – “The Security of Salvation”

Shine Your Light

Here at ABC we desire to see God light up your life, your home, your neighborhood, and the world.  Jesus Christ is the light of the world (John 8:12), and He has commissioned His church to shine for Him: “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).  God receives glory when His people live on mission and shine their light into dark places.

Two weeks ago, one of our women’s Bible study classes met after the winter storm.  During their discussion, a class member mentioned her entire street still did not have power.  These ladies decided to temporarily pause their study, so they could put the truth they had been learning into practice.  They packed bags full of gift cards, household needs, and filled them with encouraging notes.  They then prayed over those bags and the people who would receive them.  From there, they scattered to drop off the bags and bless those homes with the hope and love of Christ.

Last week, our church was informed of a need by one of our beloved senior adults.  In the wake of the winter storm, a church member had many damaged trees on her property, but she did not have the physical capacity to clean it up herself.  We communicated this need to our deacons, and I’m proud to say many of them gave up their Saturday to bless this woman in need.  They cleaned up her property, then thanked her for the opportunity to serve her, and prayed over her and her home.

Anyone can talk about light, but it takes true commitment to shine.  I’m proud of these individuals for setting the pace for our church, and I encourage you to let your light shine in the same way.  The world is not in short supply of darkness.  However, it does seem to be short on light.  What dark circumstances has God placed around you?  How could you light up someone’s life through a simple call, text, or note?  Who needs encouragement and hope around you?  Austin Baptist Church will grow in its impact collectively, as we grow in our impact individually.  We are the body of Christ.  How can you make a difference this week?

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Last Sunday’s Message

What if we viewed church like the Super Bowl?

This weekend is Super Bowl Sunday, and as always, there is great anticipation leading up to the big game.  As a Cowboys fan, I must admit that my passion for this game already departed three weeks ago when the San Francisco 49ers crushed my hopes and dreams.  Nonetheless, millions of other Americans are intently preparing for this game.  They are buying groceries and building an extensive menu.  Some will even begin cooking many hours before the kickoff.  Many are buying jerseys and decorations for their viewing parties.  Fans are reading stat sheets and ESPN articles to prepare their minds for Sunday’s match up.  And millions of people are inviting their friends to come share in the Super Bowl experience with them this Sunday.

I wonder what would happen if Christians began to view church on Sundays like the world views the Super Bowl?  What would happen if we began to anticipate the gathering of the saints in the same capacity that we anticipate a football game?  I think we would start to orient our entire weekends around that big event in a similar way.  Church would no longer be just an option for the weekend, it would be the central focus.  We would go to bed earlier on Saturdays and clear our calendars on Sunday mornings.  We would prepare our minds by reading Scripture and praying before we leave our homes.  We would get to church long before “kickoff” so we would not miss a minute.  We would invite our friends to join us because we would want to share that experience with others that we love.  We would be dialed in to the worship service like we are to our TVs.  We would sing loudly, listen attentively, and prayerfully process the things we are hearing from God.

David says, “I was glad when they said to me, ’Let us go to the house of the Lord’!” (Psalm 122:1).  I love the Super Bowl and there is certainly nothing wrong with enjoying a big football game with friends.  But I pray that our church will begin viewing every Sunday like a Super Bowl Sunday because it is.  Every Sunday, we are proclaiming and celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Savior.  For nearly 2,000 years, the church has purposefully gathered on Sundays to remember that it is “the Lord’s Day” (Revelation 1:10).  Jesus overcame the grave on this day, so we gather to celebrate His victory for us.  Jesus blesses the gathering of His people in a unique way (Matthew 18:20).  This is why we should anticipate it, and we certainly should not neglect it (Hebrews 10:25).  I encourage you to enter the Lord’s house this Sunday with a new sense of anticipation.  Come expectant to hear from the Lord, and watch how God begins to bless your soul in a fresh way.

As a closing reminder, I did want to give an update on our upcoming Israel Tour.  I know many of you saw my note go out early this week.  We only have about 10 spots remaining.  If you plan to join us in the Holy Land, I encourage you to register ASAP and put down your deposit this week.  The registration will remain open until we are full.  You can register here: https://signature.rezdy.com/514939/pastor-jonathan-spencer-10-day-journey-to-the-holy-land-november-5-14-2023.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Last Sunday’s Sermon

Don’t Grow Weary

I hope you are staying warm and safe this week.  It’s amazing how unpredictable the weather can be in central Texas.  Sunday afternoon felt like a warm spring day.  My kids were in shorts and riding on their bikes with friends in the neighborhood.  Then Tuesday came and the schools were shut down, and now we find ourselves bundled up in our home.  I think my yard is getting equally confused as well.  I could see green grass starting to pop up last week, and plants in my flower beds were beginning to show signs of new life.  However, this recent freeze reminds me that winter usually lasts longer than we desire.

Have you ever seen those green blades of grass start to spring up in your own life?  When we submit our lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, God is faithful to grow those seeds of faith into new life.  We begin to see God soften our hearts and change the way we think, change the way we speak, and change the way we act.  If you’re like me, you’ve been encouraged to see those visible changes which are evidence of God’s grace.  But if you’re also like me, you’ve longed to see more change in your own life, and in the lives of those around you.  It’s important in those seasons that we do not lose hope, but instead we remain faithful even in those winter storms.

The apostle Paul tells us, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).  As we enter the month of February, I encourage you to not grow weary of doing the good things that you began doing in January.  For some of you, you began new disciplines of prayer and scripture reading.  Don’t give up on those critical things.  For some, you began prioritizing the church and gathered with us more faithfully.  Don’t grow weary of entering the Lord’s house.  Some of you began seeking community and serving in our church.  Keep investing into relationships with others in our church family.  For some, you began casting aside that sin that has so easily entangled you.  Keep fighting that good fight.

As we learned last Sunday, sanctification can be a grueling thing.  Don’t forget that life change is a lifelong process (Phil 1:6).  Remain faithful even in the seasons that feel like winter for your soul.  If you do, you will reap the harvest you are looking for in due season.  I look forward to continuing our “More Than Conquerors” series with you this Sunday as we learn how we can live victorious lives even amidst our suffering.  Don’t come alone this weekend.  Pray for a friend, and then invite them to join you in worship at 9am or 11:11am.  Have a great week and I look forward to seeing you in worship.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Last Sunday’s Sermon

What is the church to you?

The church is more than just a building.  Church is more than an hour of worship or a class that you attend.  The church is more than a ministry or program that you serve in.  All of those things are wonderful functions and byproducts of the church, but they are not the church itself.  The church is the people.  The Greek word is ekklesia, which literally means “the called-out ones.”  That word was previously used to describe the assembly of people for various civic purposes, but in Matthew 16:18, Jesus took that word and applied it in a new context for his own people. 

“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rockI will build my church, and the gates of hellshall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).  The church is the called-out people of Jesus Christ who share that same confession of Peter: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16).  The church is a great blessing to God’s people because it serves as a family of faith for those who call upon the name of Jesus.  In fact, because it is such a blessing, the author of Hebrews exhorts the church to “not neglect to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:25).

We need each other.  The Bible is clear that the Christian life is not meant to be done alone.  It is difficult to shine your light for Jesus when you are constantly surrounded by darkness every day.  This is why Jesus created his church to function as a “city on a hill.”  The church offers hope for the lost, but it also offers refuge for the believer.  My question for you to consider today is: what is the church to you?  Is the church a family that you belong to, or have you perhaps relegated it to a much smaller function?  If you are not actively engaged in the community of faith, I would encourage you to take your next step today.

Our church is not a building, it is a family.  We come together each week in a building to worship and lift up the name of Jesus together, but we also break out into smaller groups to begin to do life together.  We offer Bible Fellowship Groups for all ages because we prioritize both of those things: the bible and fellowship.  We want every Christian to grow in their understanding of God’s Word, but we also want every Christian to grow in their relationships with each other. 

We have people in our church who have done life together for over 50 years!  What a legacy and incredible honor for them to experience that much life together.  My prayer is that God will grant each of you with such a blessing.  The reality is believers are not meant to do life alone.  We need each other for encouragement.  We need each other for correction and accountability. We need each other to walk through career transitions, new additions in our home, and tragic losses.  We need each other when we are sick and hurting, and we need each other when we are full of good health and life.  We are the sons and daughters of God, and he has called his children to walk through life as a family.

If you haven’t found community yet, we would love to help you do so.  Simply reach out to our staff or fill out a get connected form at church or online, and we’ll be ready to come alongside you in this season.  Don’t neglect the gathering this weekend and take the opportunity to lift up the name of Jesus and be sharpened by your brothers and sisters in the faith.  I look forward to worshipping and connecting with you this Sunday.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Last Sunday’s Message – More Than Conquerors – “The Roads We Travel” Romans 8:5-11

What is your ministry?

It was great to kick off our “More Than Conquerors” series with you last Sunday.  I hope you have spent the week walking in the new freedom that Jesus Christ has purchased for you.  As we learned last weekend, we have been freed from our condemnation, but we were also freed for a specific purpose.  God wants you to experience new life.  The Spirit of God now lives in you, and this week we will see that the Spirit of God has given us new power.  I hope and pray that we will begin to walk in that power, because the church always comes alive when the people of God begin to walk according to the Spirit of God.

What is your ministry right now?  I would encourage you to pause and reflect on that question.  How is the Spirit of God using you to help build up the people of God in this season?  1 Peter 4:10 reminds us, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”  The church has been given a mission to lead people into a life changing relationship with Jesus Christ.  However, that mission will never be fulfilled through us until we first yield to the Spirit’s calling in us.  The Spirit of God equips and empowers the people of God to do the work of God.  So I ask you to consider once again, what ministry has the Spirit given you in this season? 

Our church has growing needs inside our church walls.  I could go down the list of opportunities to serve in the ABC Kids and Student ministries, the music ministry, our BFG’s, the media ministry, our greeters and ushers, and even our social media and communications ministries.  We need more people to help with inreach and outreach.  We need more prayer warriors, more encouragers, and more mentors.  We need more who will step up to care for those who are sick and hurting.  The needs are innumerable, and the same could be said outside our church walls.

God has strategically placed each of us into a community to shine our light.  The reality is the vast majority of our neighbors and colleagues are not in church regularly on Sunday mornings.  Who could you begin ministering to on your own block?  Who is in your own sphere of influence that needs to experience a life changing relationship with Jesus?  One small invitation into your home and into your church home could change everything.  As we look forward to this weekend, I encourage you to consider how you can allow God to work through you this year.  If you have breath in your lungs, God has purpose for your life.  He has given each of us the Spirit to equip us with the power we need to accomplish His purposes in our lives.   

Lastly, I want to remind you that I’m offering two informational meetings for ABC’s Israel trip in November.  I hope you plan to join me in person on Wednesday night or online on Thursday evening.  Additionally, we have a Discover ABC Dinner coming up on January 29th.  This will be a great opportunity for us to get to know those who are new to our church, both recent new members and recent visitors.  Registration is open and childcare is available (click HERE).  Thank you for all you do and may we all shine our light this week as we walk in freedom.  I look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Last Sunday’s Sermon: More Than Conquerors – New Freedom – Romans 8:1-4

New Year, New Sermon Series

I missed seeing you last Sunday, but I want to thank you for helping me welcome Dr. Alex Himaya to Austin, Texas.  I hope you are as excited as I am about our new partnership with TC Egypt.  I encourage you to specifically begin praying for the people of Fayoum as our church is in the process of establishing a new TC campus in that city right now.  In fact, I’ll be heading to Egypt in March with a group of men from our church to minister to the Egyptian people and to check-in on the progress of our new campus.  I cannot wait to see how God is going to change the lives of many in the Middle East through our church’s efforts in the coming days.

Last Sunday’s Message – Pastor Alex Himaya

Thank you for being a generous church.  Like Pastor Alex said last Sunday, ministry like this is only possible because of your faithful tithes and offerings.  I hope you realize that your financial partnership is a partnership in the mission of God.  My prayer will always be for God to use every dollar in our church to help lead people into a life changing relationship with Jesus Christ.  Life change is our mission here in Austin, and it is our mission all around the world.  And that mission can only be accomplished through the continued generosity of God’s people.

I also want to thank you for your continued prayers and encouragement in my doctoral studies.  I humbly realize that I cannot be doing this without a supportive church.  This program will indeed continue to demand a lot of my time and energy over the next 2 and half years, but I do believe this journey is worth the investment.  I’ve heard Pastor Craig Groeschel say many times, “When the leader gets better, everyone wins.”  My prayer is for God to use Gateway Seminary to make me better.  Join me in praying that God will use it to refine me, grow me, and make me better so I can serve you better as your shepherd and leader.

This Sunday I will be returning to the pulpit to kick off our new series titled, “More Than Conquerors.”  We will be focusing on perhaps the greatest chapter in the entire Bible: Romans chapter 8.  The Apostle Paul is going to remind us that we are indeed more than conquerors through our faith in Jesus Christ.  Jesus defeated sin and death, and so can we.  Jesus accomplished God’s purposes through his suffering, and so can we.  Jesus experienced an intimate relationship with his Father here on this earth, and so can we.  And Jesus received new life, and so can we.

A new year brings new things.  I’m praying that God will bring a new work in your heart this year.  There are things in my life that I know need to change, and there are things in your life that you know need to change as well.  The good news is change is possible through walking with Jesus.  Over the next several weeks, Paul will help you understand the new life that God has designed for you to walk in through his Spirit.  As we study together, I encourage you to do two things.  First, invest into our church in these coming weeks.  Be here faithfully each Sunday.  Come prayed up and expectant to hear from the Lord.  Get connected into a BFG and find a place to serve.  Introduce yourself to people you do not know and make them feel welcomed. Consider plugging into midweek as it returns on Wednesday nights.  As you invest into the life of the church, I believe you will see God invest into your life through the church.

Secondly, invite others to join you.  Invite friends and family.  Invite neighbors and colleagues.  But do not only invite Christians.  Of course, Christians are always welcomed into our church.  But we must be careful to not be a church that only collects Christians.  Jesus calls his church a city on a hill, so we must always make room for those who are searching for light.  Who has God placed in your life that does not go to church regularly?  Take the time to personally invite that person this week.  A new year brings new opportunities.  You never know how God may already be preparing that individual’s heart.  The only thing keeping them from coming to church may in fact be their lack of an invitation.  Prayerfully invite someone to join you each week, and let’s see how God uses this season to shine light into our community in a fresh way.

I can’t wait to see you this Sunday.  Keep shining this week, and I look forward to worshipping with you Sunday.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

New Year, New Goals

Happy new year!  2023 is upon us, and I hope you had a wonderful holiday season with your loved ones.  Looking back at 2022, I am grateful for all the amazing things that God did through ABC, but I’m also excited to see how He will work through this family of faith in the new year. 

A new year always brings a new opportunity for new goals.  I encourage you to set ambitious, God-glorifying goals in your personal life, your home life, and your workplace.  However, we must not forget that there is one goal that reigns supreme above all other goals.

Jesus instructs us, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).  Growing in our personal relationship with God must always be our primary objective year over year.  We were created to know Christ and to make Him known.  When we start to understand that reality, Jesus says all those other secondary goals begin to fall into their rightful places.

How can you grow in your faith this year?  Some of you may need to get in a consistent Bible reading plan or begin the discipline of journaling.  Others may need to find community in a BFG or begin serving the Lord through a ministry in our church.  God may be calling you to schedule regular time for prayer, or maybe He is calling you to take a leap of faith on a mission trip.  God could be calling you to grow in your faith through regular tithing, or maybe He has put someone on your heart to share Christ with this year.  Maybe God is calling you to set up accountability in your life this year and rid yourself of the sin that has so easily entangled you.  There are so many ways to grow in our faith, so I encourage you to prayerfully consider what your next step should be in 2023.

One way I am currently seeking spiritual growth is through my seminary studies.  As many of you know, last summer I enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program at Gateway Seminary of the Southern Baptist Convention.  As part of my ongoing doctoral program, I must go to the seminary 1-2 times a year to work with seminary leadership and other doctoral candidates in person.  I’m currently in California taking classes and will return next week.  Please pray for me and my studies this year.  Pray that God will continue to help me balance the demands of the home, the church, and the seminary.  I believe God will use this season to grow me as a Christian, a husband and father, and as your pastor.

I will miss you all this Sunday, but I am excited to have Dr. Alex Himaya fill the pulpit in my absence (bio HERE).  Alex serves as the Senior Pastor at The Church at BattleCreek in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Alex is a great evangelist and a visionary leader, and God has used Alex to grow his church into a large multi-site church with international impact.  In fact, God used Alex to help begin TC Egypt, the international ministry that ABC is partnering with this year.  Pastor Himaya will have a special message for you this weekend where he will share the story and vision of TC Egypt, and I believe you’ll be inspired and excited to hear how God is going to use ABC to help advance the Gospel in the middle east.

Please welcome Alex for me and make him feel at home this weekend.  I’ll look forward to seeing you next week at Midweek (Jan 11th) and back in the pulpit the following Sunday (Jan 15th).  Have a great week and join me in prayer for great things in 2023.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer