It was great to be back with you last Sunday!  I missed you the previous week, but my time away in Africa truly was a blessing.  Our adventure to Kenya was billed as a “band of brothers” trip, as the primary goal of this trip was to unite young pastors from around the country with the common goals of being devoted husbands, fathers, and ministers that are committed to making an impact for Christ.  Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” I was certainly sharpened last week as I spent time with these great men of God.

Our group shared some amazing experiences together in Kenya.  We were exposed to significant ministry needs as we visited impoverished villages without water, orphanages and schools that are under-resourced, and saw firsthand some of the most difficult slums.  But we also got to see some of the most beautiful parts of Africa.  We spent a few days in the Maasai Mara going on safaris to observe every animal that you can think of.  It truly felt like walking through a zoo with no walls.  We even got to ride a hot air balloon over The Mara one morning and watch the wildlife wake up as the sun was rising. 

But the most powerful experiences we shared were hearing the stories of what God is doing in Africa. One evening we heard from a Kenyan named Maureen.  Maureen was raised in the slums of Nairobi but was blessed to become a graduate of Compassion International.  At a young age, she was selected to receive sponsorship through an American family who committed to support her every month.   Their generosity funded physical nourishment and formal education, but it also gave her the hope of Jesus Christ.  She explained that she came to know Christ through her time with Compassion, and then her entire family likewise came to saving faith in Jesus.  She is now married and has a family of her own, but she also launched a women’s ministry that focuses on at-risk pregnant teens.  She devotes her life to serving 12 to 14 year old girls who are pregnant from rape, incest, or prostitution.  By God’s grace, she has saved the lives of many babies, but she has also seen God save the souls of many desperate mothers.

On another day we went into a Maasai village where families still live in huts with no running water.  For years, ladies in the village would walk 3 kilometers to the river to gather water alongside the hippos and crocodiles.  This all changed 4 years ago when Christians were motivated to sponsor a well in their village, so they now have clean water that is accessible just yards away from their homes.  We also visited a remarkable church in an impoverished neighborhood, and it was amazing to see over 2,000 people in attendance that day.  This particular church has become a beacon of hope for the area as they are the city’s hub for clean water.  People in the community come to the church to draw water, but many more have received the living water of Jesus Christ.  I was so encouraged to see hundreds of Kenyans waiting with anticipation for the doors of the church to open so they could come in and worship.

David reminds us in Psalm 86:8-10, “There is none like you among the gods, O Lord,  nor are there any works like yours.  All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.  For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.”  Trips like this always remind us that God is doing a mighty work around the globe.  And the good news is He has invited each of us to join Him in that work.  I encourage you to consider how you can make an impact in missions this year.  Perhaps you need to participate in one of our 2022 ABC mission trips, or maybe God is leading you to give generously to our missions offerings.  I also encourage you to pray for me and our church’s leadership as we continue to seek God’s vision for our church’s role in international missions in the days to come.  There is more work to be done, and I believe God has bigger plans for ABC in the days ahead.  I encourage you join us on mission so that others “may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

I look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday.  Consider now who you can invite to join you because you never know how one simple invitation can change a life.  Have a great week, and I’ll see you this weekend.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Last weekend was a long but rewarding weekend in the life of our church.  As many of you know, we hosted ABC’s first ever marriage conference on Friday and Saturday.  Pastor and best-selling author, Gary Thomas, did a wonderful job teaching us how marriage can become a doorway to a closer walk with God and with each other.  I was encouraged to see the Great Hall packed with multi-generational couples who were committed to strengthening their marriages.  It has been refreshing to hear positive reports and testimonies come back from several of the attending couples.  Some spouses told me that the conference led them to talk through some important things they had never discussed before.  Others told me the most impactful moment was them praying together as husband and wife, as they had not established that routine into their homes.  I have no doubt that God sharpened many marriages and homes were strengthened because of the ministry that took place here at ABC.

I believe the momentum of the conference carried over to Sunday morning.  Dr. Stearns, Noah Hartwell, and our worship teams led us beautifully in both services, and I was encouraged by the response from many in attendance.  We once again had several new members added to the family, and we also had one gentleman surrender his life to Jesus Christ.  He explained to us that he attended the 9am service and sensed God calling him to salvation.  However, he left church following the service telling himself that he would consider it further.  But he said that he then remembered the entire sermon was focused on the idea that, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 3:7b-8a).  He said he knew the Holy Spirit wasn’t calling him to surrender tomorrow, He was calling him to respond today.  So he turned around, came back to church, and gave his life to Jesus Christ.

I share these stories because I want you to be encouraged by what God is doing in our church.  There is a reason why we do what we do.  It’s to fulfill our church’s mission, “to make believers out of unbelievers and disciples out of believers.”  I believe we met both of those objectives last weekend.  The name of Jesus was lifted up, marriages were strengthened, and believers were discipled as we were all challenged to continue to seek His rest daily.  But unbelievers were also called to repentance and faith, and thankfully one gentleman entered into His rest for the first time (cf. Matt 11:28).  Our church’s mission statement is rooted in the great commission that Jesus gave His church: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).

When we “go” and obey Jesus’ directive on our lives, I believe the church begins to see a profit its efforts: changed lives.  Life change is the motivation that should drive our church.  We want to see God continue to progressively change our own lives to look more like Jesus (Philippians 1:6).  But we also want to see God light up the lives of those who are still walking in darkness.  Gospel transformation is our motivation, and my prayer is that you will help us carry out that mission.  How can you help make believers out of unbelievers, and disciples out of believers this week?  How can you share the hope of Jesus Christ with those who are currently trapped in darkness?  And how can you help spur on other believers in our church “to love and good works”? (Hebrews 10:24).  When we each answer those questions well, the church begins to truly shine as that city on a hill.

Thank you in advance for your prayers as I head out to Africa at the end of this week.  Please pray for our group of Pastors traveling together, and pray for Bethany and the kids as they hold down the fort without me.  I look forward to joining you online from Kenya, as Dr. O.S. Hawkins delivers a powerful message from God’s Word this Sunday.  Please help he and Susie feel right at home here at ABC.  God bless you and your home, and I hope you have a great week.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Football seasons are quite the roller coaster ride.  Every team and every fan begin the season with high expectations and great hope.  All our teams start the season undefeated, but as we know, that does not last very long.  The season eventually kicks off and wins and losses begin to accumulate.  Some teams secure early wins but then start to underperform.  Other teams struggle out the gates, but then somehow find a way to right the ship.  All teams experience unexpected obstacles such as player and coaching mistakes, injuries, and bad calls by the refs.  However, some teams find a way to succeed amidst those ups and downs.  Consequently, not all teams remain standing at this point in the season.  That privilege goes to the handful of teams that learned how to persevere and get better amidst their low points.

In many ways, I think marriage could be compared to a football season.  In part, this is because marriage truly is a team sport.  Through marriage, God brings two individuals together and unites them as one team on their wedding day.  And every married team begins their season of marriage with very high hopes.  I’ve never known a bride and groom that wasn’t optimistic about their future and expecting many wins.  However, when you fast forward a little bit into their seasons, many husbands and wives are surprised to discover challenging obstacles in their home and they experience a few losses.  Nonetheless, some marriages still manage to find a way to persevere and get better, even amidst their low points.  The question is, what makes a marriage a winning team? 

In Matthew chapter 7, Jesus says every home is built on one of two foundations.  Some build their houses on sand, and when the storms begin to rage, their houses begin to crumble.  Their foundation is not solid, so the wind and the floods easily sweep their homes away.  But Jesus says that wise men build their houses on the rock.  “And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds below and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock” (Matthew 7:25).  In the same way, your home is built on some form of a foundation.  Your homebuilder built that physical foundation for you, but you get to choose the spiritual foundation on which you will build your lives together.  Jesus tells us that He is our rock, and if we choose to build our homes on the foundation of following Him, our marriages will find solid ground.  The storms of life will still come to our homes, but Jesus Christ will give our marriages the strength that is needed to endure.

I hope you have chosen to build your home on the rock.  Working with many couples over the years, I have been constantly reminded that all other ground is indeed sinking sand.  And if you have not laid down the right foundation for your home, you can certainly change that today.  However, even if you have laid down the right foundation, it is important to note that every home still needs maintenance.  This is why we are hosting our first ever marriage conference at ABC with best-selling author, Gary Thomas.  The Sacred Marriage Conference will be a life-giving event to help couples further strengthen their marriages, so they can finish their seasons as champions for the glory of Jesus Christ.  Whether your team has been winning as of late, or perhaps you have been experiencing many losses, this conference will strengthen your home and will be a worthy investment of your time.

I hope you plan to join us this Friday and Saturday.  Online registration will remain open through Thursday (register HERE).  If you know a couple that would enjoy this with you, I also encourage you to invite them as your guests.  It will be a special weekend filled with fellowship, inspiring teaching, and lots of laughter.  I hope to see you there and in our worship services this Sunday, as we discover how we can find “better rest” in and through Jesus Christ.  Continue to stand strong on the rock this week, and I’ll see you at church this weekend.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Over the past year, Matt Gillum and I have enjoyed launching a new digital ministry here at ABC.  For a little over 12 months, we have consistently uploaded new content to our church’s podcast channel titled, “Citizen ATX” (you can find it HERE).  The purpose of this podcast is to further extend Gospel-centered conversations outside of our church walls.  Each episode features practical conversations about what it means to live as a “dual-citizen” in Austin, Texas.  We discuss cultural topics and issues with the aim of helping believers understand how to engage our city as good citizens of Austin, while still living for our true citizenship which is in heaven (Philippians 3:20).  

We have covered a myriad of topics this past year, so we chose to start out 2022 by inviting local ministry partners into the conversation with us.  Last week, we kicked off a new series called, “ATX Neighbors.”  In each episode, we are welcoming men and women in ministry from across our city to join us in the studio for conversations focused on their area of expertise.  We’ve been talking with our guests about what God is doing in their ministry areas, but we have also focused on what we can do to make a better impact alongside them.  As we have been recording these episodes, it has been encouraging to hear how God is indeed moving in their spheres of influence.  Whether it is in the lives of teenagers, college students, parents, or in home life, we have consistently been reminded that God is indeed at work in our city.

I think it’s important for us to hear that for two primary reasons.  The first reason is hearing about God’s work will show us where we need to get to work.  Henry Blackaby famously taught this principle in his discipleship curriculum, “Experiencing God.”  Christians should aim to see where God is at work and then commit to join Him in that effort for His glory.  But we also need to hear what God is doing because these stories will undoubtedly minister to our own hearts and encourage us to press on.  We live in a world where the enemy’s work gets more headlines than God’s work.  Bad news hits us from all angles ranging from our friends, our neighbors, and even our families.  We read disheartening headlines in the news, we hear painful stories from others, and the enemy’s work seems to steal the limelight almost every day.   This naturally leaves many of us discouraged, cynical, and anxious about the future.

However, I want to remind you today that God is still at work, the kingdom is still expanding, and He is still inviting you to join Him in the effort.  The apostle Paul gave this same reminder to his young protégé Timothy.  Paul famously wrote two letters to the young pastor while he was imprisoned and awaiting his own execution in Rome.  Paul tells Timothy to “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! (2 Timothy 2:8-9).  Paul tells Timothy to remember Jesus, not because he thought Timothy may have forgotten who He is.  Rather, I believe he’s telling Timothy to not forget the good news of Jesus amidst the constant bad news of their suffering. 

This is why we are being reminded through our sermon series that Jesus is better.  He’s better than any leader this world has to offer, He is bigger than any problem we may face, and He gives a better peace to anyone who seeks after Him.  We must not forget that even amidst the darkness of the world, “the word of God is not bound.”  Covid still exists, political tension continues to rise, inflation has us nervous, and people are bound by anxiety every single day.  But we must not forget that God’s word is still on the move.  I encourage you this week to open your eyes to see where God is at work in your life and in the life of our church.  Be encouraged by that good news, and then commit to join Him in the good work.  Sometimes we can get stuck, but God’s word never sits idle.  Jesus has good works for you to walk in this year (Ephesians 2:10), but you will only find them if you “remember Jesus Christ” and press on in His purposes for your life.

God bless you all, and I look forward to lifting up the name of Jesus with you this Sunday as the author of Hebrews helps us recognize the supremacy of Jesus Christ.  I’ll see you in worship at 9am or 11:11am. 

I hope you had as much fun as I did at “Merry Christmas Y’all!”  Last Sunday was a spectacular night for our church and for our entire community.  It was so exciting to see our entire campus come alive as it was flooded with people of all ages.  There truly was something for everyone, from the train rides and inflatables for the kids, to the snow slide and food trucks, to the live music and hot chocolate for all, it was encouraging to see the building come alive during the festival. It’s hard to admit it as an Aggie, but it was even exciting to see Bevo live and in person at ABC.  But of course, the most exciting part of the night was the amazing Christmas concert presented by our worship ministry.  We had a packed house in the worship center with a full choir and orchestra that led us beautifully all evening long with both great talent and great enthusiasm.

Nights like last Sunday are only possible though faithful servants in our church family.  So many sacrificially served and gave to make the event possible.  I’m grateful for the choir and orchestra members who faithfully rehearsed and gave of their time for months leading up to Sunday.  I’m thankful for the dozens of volunteers that helped greet and register our many first-time guests that night.  We were honored to see so many new faces, and our volunteer teams made them feel right at home.  Many more served by decorating the building, running various stations, driving golf carts in the parking lot, and helping us with the set up and tear down.  The staff did an incredible job serving by administrating the event, thinking through all the necessary details these past few weeks.  Church members served their neighbors, by bringing them with them to come hear about the hope that can only come through Jesus Christ.  And many continue to serve the Lord each week by faithfully giving their tithes and offerings, which makes ministry like this even possible.

It was appropriate for our church to serve well at this event because the Christmas season is all about service.  Paul explains, ”Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. ⁵ Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” (Philipppians 2:5-7).  The Christmas story is about the greatest servant to ever walk this earth. Jesus Christ came into this world to serve, not to be served.  He stepped off His throne, and came down to our level to serve us by giving His life as a ransom for us.  In celebration of that truth, each of us should likewise set aside our own interests this holiday season and take on the interests of others in the coming days.

Sunday morning will be another opportunity for you to do so.  This Sunday is our annual White Christmas.  I hope you have been able to partner with a BFG class to bring a gift to bless a family in need.  This Sunday, we will present those gifts in our worship services, and then we will organize and deliver those gifts immediately following the 11:11 worship service.  Make plans to be a part of this special tradition at ABC.  It will be a memorable worship service, and I believe it will be an impactful day especially for our ABC Kids.  They will be joining us in the services so they can also present their gifts and serve with their parents (Nursery is still open for 3 and under).  They will also have a chance for the Christmas story to come alive to them in a unique way at our Bethlehem Village during the BFG hour. 

I hope you plan to join us this Sunday for a meaningful day of worship this Christmas season.  Continue to invite your friends, as many may be open to trying church during this special time of year. We are blessed to be a blessing, and I pray that many families will indeed be blessed through our continued generosity this weekend.  Have a great rest of your week and I look forward to seeing you at 9am or 11:11. 

In the Spencer house we have a special piece of Christmas décor that sits on our kitchen counter.  It is a small Christmas countdown display, and every day we update that number as we draw closer to the big day.  As the number of days goes down, the amount of excitement always goes up.  Christmas is almost here, and anticipation is beginning to build in my family and in our church family.  Last Sunday, our ABC Kids ministry helped us build up that excitement through our children’s choir.  They looked fantastic in their Christmas pajamas, and they led us beautifully in both of our worship services.  After the services, we all got to enjoy hot chocolate at the café, and we were left with an important reminder from our children to “go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!”

This Sunday we have an opportunity to tell that truth on this mountain.  Jesus calls His church a city on a hill, and I believe ABC will indeed shine brightly from this hill this weekend.  This Sunday, we are hosting a brand-new Christmas celebration called, “Merry Christmas Y’all.”  This spectacular event will truly offer something for all ages.  The fun will begin at 4pm with a free Christmas festival featuring a snow slide and snowballs, inflatables, train rides, a live ice sculpting display, cookie decorating, Live music, food trucks, and even a photo opportunity with Bevo!  Then at 6pm, our worship ministry will lead us in an amazing Christmas concert inside our worship center featuring a full choir, 20+ piece orchestra, and special musical guests from Nashville called, “Evidence.”

Don’t miss this opportunity.  Make plans to join us that afternoon and evening, but also make plans to bring someone with you.  When the angel of the Lord found the shepherds in the field, he said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10 ESV).  The angel reminds us that the good news of Christmas is for all people.  We have an opportunity this weekend to invite outsiders, just as that angel invited those outsider shepherds to come hear the good news of great joy.  Begin considering who you can bring with you.  I’ve been encouraged to track the analytics for our “Bless Every Home” app.  Since our church partnered with this evangelistic tool two months ago, our church members have prayed for 916 households around them.  I encourage you to continue to pray for them, but also seize this opportunity to invite them to be your guest this weekend.

Your first invitation opportunity will come this Sunday morning as we continue our Christmas sermon series, “The Perfect Christmas.”  Our Nashville guests, Evidence, will be singing in both of our morning worship services, so be here to give them a warm ABC welcome and to get a taste of what is to come later that evening.  Our ABC Kids ministry will also have some fun that morning with a big snowball fight during Elevate (don’t worry, these are fake snowballs).  ABC Students is also getting in on the fun with a tacky Christmas sweater party for everyone in attendance at our Bible Fellowship Groups.  It will be a big Christmas-celebration morning, so be sure to share it with a friend or neighbor.

I want to thank you for your continued generosity in our year end giving.  Your faithful tithes and offerings this time of year make all this ministry possible.  I am so grateful to pastor a generous church that truly worships through giving.  Join me in prayer for God to use all these financial gifts to help others come to receive the greatest gift this Christmas season.  Have a great week, and I look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday.

MERRY CHRISTMAS Y’ALL COMMERCIAL:

I hope you enjoyed Missions Sunday last weekend.  I’m thankful for John and the continued efforts of the IMB.  It was great to hear how God is working through His people all around the world, and it was encouraging to hear that we can partner with God and His mission from right here at ABC.  I encourage you to continue to pray for God’s guidance on how He wants to use you in 2022.  There is much work to do here in Austin and around the world, and I know God has given each of us time, talent, and treasure to be used for His glory.  I’m confident that God will do a mighty work in and through you as you answer His calling on your life.

Last Sunday was a great way to lead us into this Thanksgiving week.  Our hearts can’t help but be filled with gratitude as we reflect on the Gospel’s impact on our own lives, as well as the lives of so many others around the world.  The Gospel gives us reason to always give thanks.  This is why Paul instructs us to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).   Our circumstances do change day to day and even hour to hour, and the truth is, it can be hard to give thanks as we navigate through the storms of this life.  But we can always give thanks that we do not have to navigate through those storms alone.  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore, and He stands ready to give us strength, comfort, and peace in all seasons of our lives.

In the book of James, the apostle opens his letter by talking about the challenges and trials in a believer’s life.  He acknowledges that all of us will have to face valleys at different times, but he also gives us a great reminder that will help us maintain a proper perspective: “Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. ¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. ¹⁸ Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures” (James 1:16-18).  Anything good in your life is not there by accident.  It is a good gift that came from a good Father who never changes.  We change, culture changes, but He is a steadfast rock.  For that reason, I encourage you to give thanks this week at the Thanksgiving table.

Every believer should rejoice that God has “brought us forth by the word of truth.”  My salvation and your salvation is a miracle produced solely by the grace of God.  That’s why James says it was “of his own will.”  God saw the original sin in the garden, and He did not give up on humanity.  Instead, of his own will, He sent His only son into this world on a rescue mission.  Of his own will, Jesus Christ lived the perfect life we could not live, and He died the death that we deserved.  Jesus explained that this was indeed of his own will, as he said, “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father” (John 10:18).  For the joy set before Him, Jesus Christ willingly came into this world on a rescue mission, so He could set you and me free from the bondage of sin and death.

That truth alone should give each of us an attitude of gratitude this week.  But my prayer is that we will carry that same spirit of thanksgiving throughout the entire holiday season.  This weekend, we will begin advent at ABC as we anticipate the coming of our King.  I’ll also be kicking off a new Christmas series this weekend titled, “The Perfect Christmas.”  We all aim for perfection this time of year.  We seek out the perfect gift, we put up the perfect decorations, we work hard to prepare a perfect meal, and we all want to make the perfect Christmas memories.  However, when you look at the Christmas story itself, you’ll find that it is centered around a perfect Savior who came into this world amidst very imperfect circumstances.  This was designed purposefully by our God to communicate that Jesus came to this world to rescue imperfect people like you and like me.  I pray that you’ll be encouraged throughout this series, as we discover there is room for each of us to be a part of His perfect story.

Make plans to join us this Sunday.  And may God continue to prepare your heart and my heart with a spirit of thanksgiving and wonder as we enter this special Christmas season.  Bring a friend with you, come prayed up and expectant, and come ready to worship our perfect Savior together.