This Sunday is National Grandparents’ Day, and we are excited to celebrate and honor the wonderful grandparents in our church family.  The bond between grandparents and grandchildren is a wonderful gift from the Lord, and we’re grateful for the impact that our ABC grandparents make every day.  This Sunday, we will display a special photo loop featuring some of our church’s grandparents with their grandchildren.  We will also honor and pray for them during our worship services, and the ABC Kids ministry will be making special crafts for children to give their grandparents.  I encourage you to bring your extended family with you to church this Sunday, and be sure to take a picture at our special photo spot to commemorate the weekend.

While Sunday will be an exciting day, we must not forget that this weekend also marks an important milestone in our country.  This Saturday is the 20-year anniversary of the tragic attacks that transpired on September 11^th, 2001.  I’m sure you can remember exactly where you were when you heard the devastating news that America was under attack.  I remember vividly seeing people leave work early that day, schools send their kids home, and many churches being flooded with community members that evening.  September 11^th was one of the darkest days in our nation’s history, but I will also always remember it as one of our brightest moments.  We watched our courageous first responders run into burning buildings while others were running away from them.  We heard the news of brave civilians on United 93 who sacrificially laid down their own lives to save countless others from another attack.  We witnessed our military heroes step up ready to fight and do whatever was needed to defend our country from wicked enemies.  9/11 was one of our worst moments as a nation, but perhaps it was also one of our best.

The summer following 9/11, I had the opportunity to go to New York City to see Ground Zero firsthand.  I remember looking at the massive wreckage the twin towers left behind, and all who were there began to experience a true sense of loss.  I saw people from all around our country standing together to witness the devastation, and it certainly was a somber moment.  However, I would also contend it was quite the unifying moment.  It didn’t matter what your age or political ideology was, all of us were united with that same sense of loss.  Moments of crisis often tend to unite people together, and I remember how proud I was of our nation rallying for the common good during that tumultuous season.  I think we would all agree that we could use a renewed and unified spirit right now.  We are divided on most things today, and my hope is that September 11^th might be a moment to help us remember the powerful unity that our country needs.

As Christians, the Bible calls us to live as a model of unity.  Paul says, “Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you” (2 Corinthians 13:11 ESV).  We should always aim for restoration and agreement with one another in the family of faith.  We should live in peace with one another because the Prince of Peace has come.   We have experienced His peace, and that peace transcends all circumstances.  Because of that, we should be of the same mind, with the same love, in full accord with one another (Philippians 2:2).  When we model that kind of counter-cultural unity in our family of faith, it will most certainly be noticed by a world stuck in darkness.

God made you to be a difference maker for Him (Ephesians 2:10).  Each of us has an opportunity to demonstrate His peace inside our church walls, but also in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and schools this week.  Jesus says if we pursue meekness, mercy, and peace with others, we will indeed be blessed (Cf. Matthew 5:5-9).   I encourage you to be a uniter this week and model the love and affection that we have received from Jesus Christ.  This Sunday, we will remember and pray for the nearly 3,000 families who lost loved ones on 9/11, but we will also pray for the unity and peace that our nation desperately needs.  I look forward to seeing you in worship this Sunday as we gather with one mind to glorify Jesus Christ and meet with Him in this place.  Have a great rest of your week and I’ll see you Sunday.

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for some college football.  Fans have been building up anticipation for a year, teams have been practicing for months, and school spirit has once again come alive across our country.  Because of that, we’re going to have a special “College Colors Day” at ABC.  We are encouraging you to wear a football jersey or your favorite team’s colors at church this Sunday.  It should be a fun morning of fellowship, and friendly banter, as we all showcase our college allegiance to one another.

I am always excited to welcome back college football, but I’m especially grateful for its’ return this year.  As we all know, recent weeks have featured a constant flow of troubling headlines.  From Haiti’s devastating earthquake to Hurricane Ida’s impact on Louisiana, to continued COVID challenges and the gut-wrenching events that transpired in Afghanistan, our world has not been short on bad news.  Because of that, the good news of college football’s return seems to be a little extra refreshing this year.  Nonetheless, college football’s return will not remove today’s cultural challenges.  Saturday’s games will eventually come to end, our welcomed distraction will be over, and we will have to press on to face all of life’s problems next week.

Most Americans are struggling to figure out how to do that.  It seems that most people are walking through today’s problems carrying heavy loads of anxiety, discontentment, and even rage.  These past few weeks, I observed many troubling remarks from people across our country.  I saw some make terrible insults about complete strangers, simply because they either do or do not wear a mask.  I heard people propose the refusal of medical treatment for people who are sick with COVID, if they were not vaccinated.  I read people’s comments wishing death and destruction to politicians they were angry with.  I have personally seen hatred in people’s eyes for those who do not align with their personal political leanings.  One could argue that we live in the most polarizing moment in our nation’s history, and sadly, I would contend love and kindness are in short supply.  Jesus warned that this would happen before His triumphant return as He promised that, “the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12). 

I do believe the love of many has grown cold.  People have tragically gotten comfortable with hatred, and many homes, businesses, classrooms, and neighborhoods have been divided as a devastating result.  Fortunately, as believers we do not have to fall into the pattern of this world though.  Jesus prayed that we would not when he requested from God, “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, ²¹ that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:20-21).  Jesus prayed that His future followers would share a spirit of unity that others outside of the faith could see.  He knew that the world would be divided and filled with darkness, but he also knew that our love for one another would stand out to those who are watching (John 13:35). 

Christian love is meant to look different.  Jesus gave us two essential directives that are both centered around this goal of love.  He simply instructed us to love God and love others (Matthew 22:34-39).  Obedience to these commandments is so paramount during these dark times.  The love of many has indeed grown cold, but our love can remain as strong as ever.  This is because Jesus Christ modeled His sacrificial love for us (Romans 5:6), He extended His everlasting love to us (Romans 8:39), and He put a spirit of love inside us to transform our lives.  Paul reminds us, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self control” (2 Timothy 1:7).  I pray that others will see the power of God in you through the self-control of your words, and through the sincere love of your hearts.  Love God and find ways to love others this week, because the world needs it more than ever. 

If I were to ask you, “What makes a church great?”, I bet I would receive a variety of answers.  Certainly, some would say strong Biblical teaching and a dynamic music ministry.  Others would say discipleship classes and a thriving prayer ministry.  Parents would likely chime in with the need for vibrant children’s and student ministries.  Some would add the importance of strong volunteer teams and exciting special events for the community.  While I would agree that all of those things help make a church great, I would contend that the list is missing one key ingredient: fellowship.  A church can do a lot of great things, but also be missing the one thing that truly makes it come alive.  The list I gave was focused on things that great churches do, but fellowship is the spirit that binds great churches together.

When the early church was first established, we’re told “they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42 ESV).  Those first 3,000 converts in Jerusalem built a vibrant church with some of the same important marks I just listed above.  However, they also committed themselves to fellowship with one another.  That word “fellowship” comes from that famous Greek word, “koinonia.”  It can also be interpreted as “participation” or “sharing.”  The idea Luke is trying to communicate to us is that the early Christians participated in their family of faith.  Church wasn’t reduced to a worship service they watched or a building they walked into.  Church was a group of people that shared their lives together for the glory of God and for the good of one another.

Last weekend, we hosted our “Discover ABC” dinner on Sunday night.  We welcomed about 40 new members and guests for a special evening of fellowship around dinner tables.  I loved getting to visit with some of our new folks and hear their stories.  I asked people what stood out about ABC when they first visited.  I heard multiple people say the same answer different ways.  Some said, “Y’all just have some of the nicest people.”  Others said, “we felt so welcomed by everyone.”  One told me they were “blown away by the fact that our church followed up with them after their visit because other churches didn’t.”  All of these remarks are encouraging evidence that our church is indeed devoted to fellowship. 

I truly believe we have so many people in our church who sincerely want to share their lives with others.  I watch this unfold every week through people praying for another, checking in with each other, sharing meals together, and helping one another in moments of crisis.  Only the Lord knows how many texts, phone calls, and notes are written every week by our members to encourage, check-in, and love on others in our faith family.  ABC indeed has a sweet fellowship, but the sweetest part is that we make room for others to be a part of it as well.  We will always exist as a church for those who are not here yet.  There are many outside our church walls that are starving for fellowship.  We live in a big world where we all know lots of people, yet ironically, we are known by very few.  The pandemic pushed many onto isolated islands, and I believe there are many Austinites who feel more spiritually and socially alone than ever before. If you are personally in search of fellowship, I want to let you know that ABC has lots of on-ramps for you to find it.

To find fellowship, you will have to “devote” yourself to finding it just like the early church.  They committed their lives to participating in community, and in 2021, it takes commitment in the same way.  We offer a Midweek meal and discipleship classes on Wednesday nights to give you an opportunity to experience fellowship.  Likewise, we offer BFG classes for all ages and stages of life to help people find the community they are looking for.  We host special events every month for people to come together and build healthy relationships.  We offer volunteer opportunities for people to share their lives and spiritual gifts with one another through service.  But in all these things, it takes devotion and initiative to find the fellowship you need.  In other words, you can’t be known until you decide to make yourself available to be known. The good news is, I believe if you simply take a few bold steps, God will start to bless you with the fellowship and community your soul is searching for.

The darker times get, the more important it is to gather as that city on a hill.  I encourage you to come and enjoy the fellowship of our church this weekend.  We always shine brighter when we are together, and I believe you’ll be blessed by sharing your life and participating in the lives of others this Sunday.  This weekend, we will share the Lord’s Supper together as Christ commanded us to do in remembrance of Him.  I look forward to fellowshipping with you this Sunday and pressing on in our study in the book of Daniel.

It has been a busy few days at ABC.  This past Monday, we were excited to officially launch our new weekday preschool, “Little Lights Preschool.”  This ministry marks a new milestone in the life of our church, as we now offer a fully licensed preschool operating 4 days a week at ABC.  We were even able to expand the age range for our classrooms, and we are now privileged to minister to children from 6 months to Pre-K through our church’s preschool.  The community’s response has been outstanding, and we were blessed to max out our enrollment and begin wait lists for many more families.  Be sure to thank our Preschool Minister, Rachel Tovar, and our Little Lights Director, Eby Whatley, for their outstanding work.  They have put in countless hours to get us to this point, and I’m excited to see what God is going to do as we shine His light into the lives of these little ones.

As we all know, ABC is not the only ones kicking off a new school year this week.  Some schools started back last week, but several other school districts and private schools returned to the classrooms this week.  Of course, this is all happening during complicated times.  I know many parents, educators, and politicians have been debating how to best proceed with school amidst the current COVID climate.  With that in mind, I think it is important for our church to lift our schools up in prayer this week.  We need to be praying for their safety, but also for peace as parents and educators work together to find a way to press forward together.  This Sunday, we’ll have a time of prayer for our schools, and we’re also going to give you an opportunity to be a prayer partner all next week.  At the conclusion of our services, we will hand out wristbands with an ABC students first name and grade level.  We’re going to encourage our church members to wear a bracelet all next week and pray for that child by name every day.  Our hope and prayer is that our children and youth will have a meaningful year filled with personal growth and development as they press on this school year.

The truth is our world needs a lot of prayer right now.  Every day, there seems to be some sort of new bad news.  Many of us have been tracking Haiti’s situation this week.  Weeks ago, you may remember their president was assassinated, and they have sadly endured lots of political and economic turmoil for many years.  Unfortunately, things got worse as they suffered through a 7.2 magnitude earthquake last Saturday.  The nation has confirmed nearly 2,000 deaths at this point, and the country is struggling to figure out how to move forward.  I know many of our hearts have also been with the people of Afghanistan.  It is heartbreaking to watch the Taliban seize control and see the suffering that is coming to the Afghani’s land.  Western allies are frantically trying to find a way out, Christians are being hunted down, and women are being exploited every day.  There are some horrific things happening around our world, and I think it’s important for us to do two things this week.  

First, we should all be counting our blessings.  I know it’s easy to become cynical and angry in our own political climate.  We too have problems here in the United States, but I still do believe we are blessed to live in the greatest nation in the world.  We should thank the Lord for what we have, as our hardships are often very small when compared to the hardships of many of our brothers and sisters around the world.  But secondly, I think we also need to be in prayer.  As we learned from Daniel last week, God does listen to the prayers of his people.  Those prayers are so essential, especially during hard times.  I think about Daniel’s example in chapter 6.  You might remember, Daniel got word that Darius had signed a new decree outlawing men and women to petition any god other than him.  How did Daniel respond?  “When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem.  He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously” (Daniel 6:10 ESV).  

In a moment of crisis, Daniel did not run from God, he ran to Him.  Our world is in a moment of crisis, and it is important for us to follow Daniel’s example.  I encourage you to also get on your knees this week.  Our physical posture before God is an important thing.  Even at 80+ years old, Daniel understood that there was value in him kneeling before God.  In doing so, he was humbly surrendering himself to His King and His will.  On his knees, Daniel would give thanks for what he had and petition for God’s supernatural help.  This week, I encourage you to find your room to kneel in.  Take time to pray for Afghanistan and Haiti.  Pray for our schools.  Pray for our political leaders, even the ones you don’t agree with.  Give thanks for what God has given you before you petition Him for what He has not given you.  This basic spiritual discipline will renew your mind and realign your heart with God’s purposes for your life.  Prayer sustained Daniel, just as it likewise sustained Jesus Christ during His ministry.  My prayer is that we would follow their examples because it will likewise empower us to live faithfully during trying times.  I look forward to praying with you this weekend and continuing our series, “Last Things.”  I hope to see you there at 9am or 11:11.

I hope your week is off to a great start.  I just got back from Dallas, where we held this year’s ABC staff retreat.  Several of our staff members were able to get away to plan, prepare, and pray over all the ministries of our church.  We were honored to partner with Prestonwood Baptist Church for a portion of the retreat, as the church graciously opened their doors to our team.  We were privileged to hear from their executive staff, tour their facilities, and our staff members were able to spend time with their counterparts at PBC.  It was a great moment of iron sharpening iron, and our team left inspired to continue to offer ministry with excellence here in Austin, TX.

This week, there will indeed be a lot of ministry happening here at ABC.  It will all start on Wednesday night at our ABC Kids Open House.  Our staff and volunteer teams will be opening up our classrooms for parents and children to meet their new teachers, all while enjoying some free ice cream and fellowship.  Our Student Ministry will be hosting a 6^th Grade promotion party on Saturday to welcome our newest students into the ABC Student Ministry.  This is all leading to our Promotion Sunday, where we will move all our kids and youth up a grade level this weekend for the start of a new school year.  Our BFG classes will get in on the celebration through a fantastic breakfast social in the Great Hall called the “BFG BFG” (Bible Fellowship Group Breakfast Food Gala).  I hope you’re planning to come early and come hungry to enjoy this fantastic breakfast spread provided by our volunteers.  We’ll also be honoring our first graders through a 1^st grade Bible presentation during each worship service, and we will have a time of prayer for all of our students and educators heading back to the classrooms .  It will be a big day in the life of our church, so I encourage you to make plans to join us and consider who you can invite to be a part of the excitement.

I’m so grateful that our church continues to press on in ministry and mission.  As we all know, times remain challenging for our city and our nation.  COVID numbers have obviously gone up and many unvaccinated people have flooded our hospitals.  The political divide seemingly continues to widen, inflation keeps rising, and many in our country are left feeling dejected.  In some ways, I think our friend Daniel could resonate with where we are at.  If you remember last week, Daniel received a vision that was largely discouraging about his own nation.  He began to understand that God’s people were going to be persecuted and opposed by foreign nation after nation in the years to come.  The vision in fact even included a terrible disruption to Israel’s worship and the desecration of God’s holy temple.  It was a lot of bad news to soak in, and the Bible tells us Daniel was overwhelmed by what he saw.  Daniel explains, “And I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for some days.” (Daniel 8:27a).

Daniel was so grieved by all the bad news, that he had to stay in bed for a few days to process it.  I would presume he was perhaps frustrated, saddened, and even anxious over what he saw his nation was going to endure in the generations to come.  I believe many Christians in our city feel the same way as Daniel.  So many feel stuck, as they too grieve and fear what will happen to our nation in the years to come.  Like Daniel, consistent bad news has shaken many of us up, and for some, it has even paralyzed them in their spiritual progress.  Sadly, many have been “laying in bed” spiritually for well over a year. Some continue to sulk, worry, and even get angry as they don’t see a way to move forward. And while the bad news of our land is indeed real, just as it was for Daniel, I think it’s important for us to learn from Daniel’s response.  He said, “Then I rose and went about the king’s business” (Daniel 8:27a). Daniel did not stay in isolation and remove himself from the problems of his culture.  Instead, he got out of bed and continued to walk in God’s purposes for his life.

I believe that is a message many in our country need to hear.  Like Daniel’s situation, yes, things are hard, and yes, we seem to receive more discouraging news every day.  Nonetheless, we too are called to get up and get to the business of our King.  Paul tells the church, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).  If you are in Christ, God designed you to walk in good works.  If you have breath in your lungs, God has purpose for your life. And the text does not say that we are only supposed to walk in those good purposes when we are walking in good times.  In fact, the book of Daniel shows us that perhaps good works are even more essential during hard times.  We are called to serve God and worship Him in all seasons; we cannot simply choose the convenient ones.  My hope is that all of us will get to our King’s business this week just like Daniel.  May we all worship Him with a community of believers. May we serve His church with our gifts and build up His body. May we be His hands and feet outside of the church walls, and look for opportunities to shine light and hope into dark places. And may we not allow fear and discouragement to rob us from walking in God’s purposes for our lives. God has good works for you to do this week, but you will only walk in them if you get out of bed.

I hope you are having a great week and enjoying these last few days of summer.  The start of school is right around the corner, and so is ABC’s Promotion Sunday.  August 15^th will be a special day filled with celebration as our children “move up” a grade, and we are offering all kinds of festivities to commemorate the big day.  We are hosting our first ever First Grade Bible presentation to celebrate an important milestone in our children’s lives, we are having an amazing breakfast spread for all adults at the “BFG BFG,” and our children and student ministries are offering exciting themes and attractions for that big day.  I hope you plan to join us, and I encourage you to bring a friend so they can also experience the life and fellowship of ABC.

Last Sunday we kicked off our new series, “Last Things,” which is focused on Daniel’s end-times prophecies.  I’m looking forward to us continuing to unpack these complex visions that are essential to our eschatological understanding.  You will notice that these visions will change week to week, but you will also notice a common theme in Daniel’s responses.  Daniel consistently has an emotional and physical reaction to what he sees from the Lord.  For example, remember last week when Daniel saw the four beasts, the Ancient of Days, and the son of man.  After receiving those amazing visions, he said, “As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me was anxious, and the visions of my head alarmed me” (Daniel 7:15 ESV).  Daniel saw what God has planned for creation, and how does he respond?  He is worried and frightened.  In future weeks you will see him also lose sleep and even get ill after he receives these divine visions. 

Why does Daniel react this way?  I believe it’s perhaps because he senses the weight of these visions.  As Daniel’s mind began to understand God’s magnificent plan for salvation, the establishment of His kingdom, and the promise of His coming judgment, Daniel couldn’t help but be moved emotionally.  Like other prophets, Daniel carried a burden for his people.  These prophecies not only stirred his mind, but the message behind them also stirred his heart for others .  I believe in some ways this too should be our reaction in the coming weeks.  Faithful study of eschatology should not only engage our minds, but it should also impact our hearts.  Unfortunately, this is not always the case.  Some Christians study eschatology solely as an academic exercise, and that mindset often leads to a place of pride and arrogance.  This is because they will study the end times to receive higher knowledge and fresh ammunition for debate with others.  They often want to make bold predictions and desire to be seen as a scriptural authority amongst their peers.  But I believe God didn’t give us these visions to puff up our heads.  He gave us these prophecies to fill up our hearts.

My prayer is that each of us will not only grow in our understanding of scripture these next couple months, but I pray that we will grow in godliness as well.  I believe these prophecies have the power to transform our lives.  I pray these visions will humble each of us in the coming days.  Some conclude an end-times study with the belief that they are now an authority on the topic.  But a proper study of the topic leads one to the rightful conclusion that we in fact have no authority at all.  Daniel explains that the Son of Man “was given dominion and glory and a kingdom that all people, nations, and language should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed” (Daniel 7:14 ESV).  Jesus Christ has all authority over creation, and over each of our lives.  May we all leave this study with a better understanding of that truth, and may we learn to follow him more humbly and more closely each week.

But I also pray that this study of Daniel will motivate our hearts.  Daniel’s visions will indeed open our eyes to the dark days that are ahead of creation.  The last days will sadly not go well for many.  Those days will be heavy days filled with pain, remorse, and separation from God’s goodness.  May we all finish this study with a sober understanding that people all around us are separated from God.  We should aim to help others “be ready” for that day, just as Jesus instructs us (Matthew 24:44).   Jesus invites all of our neighbors, friends, and colleagues into His kingdom, and He has given each of us the high calling to serve as His ambassadors to deliver His invitation (2 Corinthians 5:20).  I’m excited to see what God will do through each of us in the coming days as He engages our minds and our hearts through this study. Have a great rest of your week and I look forward to seeing you Sunday.

I hope you enjoyed the last couple months as we’ve navigated through the book of Proverbs.  God’s Word tells us that wisdom does work in our lives, so I pray that you will put wisdom to work in the coming days.  While the sermon series is now wrapped up, it’s important to note that our pursuit of wisdom is far from over.  Experts say the average adult makes roughly 35,000 decisions a day, so we are in constant need of more wisdom and discernment.  This should lead all of us to take Solomon’s advice and “get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth” (Proverbs 4:5 ESV).  If you find yourself needing wisdom this week, Solomon simply tells you to go receive some more.  The pursuit of wisdom is a lifelong journey, and fortunately we serve a generous God that is able and willing to provide wisdom to us in our times of need (James 1:5-6).

This Sunday we are pressing on to a new sermon series titled, “Last Things.”  We will look at a subject that the church has spent centuries both studying and debating: the topic of eschatology.  The word eschatology is derived from the Greek word, eschatos, meaning “last” or “final.”  So eschatology is simply the study of the last things.  We are blessed as Christians because God provided us with an amazing amount of information regarding this important topic.  God’s Word not only tells us where we and this world came from, but the scriptures also share His plans for the world in the coming days.  There will indeed be an end to this world as we currently see it, and God wants us to understand, to a certain level, how those final days will actually transpire.

When you Biblically dive into this topic of eschatology, you cannot help but make your way to the book of Daniel.  God providentially gave Daniel some amazing visions of what is to come in those last days.  I believe you will be encouraged and excited as you see prophecy come alive in God’s Word.  I hope you come ready to dig into chapters 7 to 12 these next couple months, and I believe all of us will leave the series with a greater sense of anticipation and joy as we look to the imminent return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of His kingdom.  Jesus Christ will return!  Because of that, we should open our eyes to the things going on around us and look also to the future.  Jesus says, “Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect (Matthew 24:42-44 ESV).  May we all open our eyes and our hearts to Daniel’s words these coming weeks, and if we do, I believe God will better prepare us for the return of our King.

This Sunday we will indeed start this new series, and I am confident that we will continue to also welcome new guests.  Every weekend we are thrilled to meet new people that are walking through our church doors to worship and experience the fellowship of ABC.  God has blessed us tremendously with many new faces this summer, so we’re also preparing for some special events to help these folks feel welcomed into our church.  Be on the lookout for our first ever “Discover ABC” dinner on Sunday August 22^nd.  This dinner is for new visitors and new members to help them meet our staff/leadership, hear more about our church, and learn how they can quickly get involved into the life of ABC.  If you came to ABC this summer, I’d like to invite you to join us, and I only request that you RSVP for this free dinner so we can prepare for you (childcare is available). 

Also, save the date on August 15^th for our first ever “BFG BFG” (Bible Fellowship Group Breakfast Food Gala).  All BFG’s will host large breakfast spreads in our Great Hall during the Bible Fellowship Group Hour.  We are having this large-scale fellowship event for classes to rub shoulders with one another, but also to provide an opportunity for new visitors and members to meet our classes and hopefully make a connection.  You may not know it, but we now have 150-200 people join us for worship every Sunday that have not yet found a BFG to attend.  This will be a great opportunity to help them experience the life of our church and get them connected into the community at ABC.

God is continuing to bless our church in this season, and I look forward to seeing what He’s going to do as we seek to understand His plans through this new sermon series.  Have a great week and I’ll see you Sunday.

It’s hard to believe, but the month of July is already winding down and the end of summer is on the horizon.  Summer at ABC has been quite the sprint.  From our Summer Kick-off Party to our Beach Camp, to Vacation Bible School and Freedom Over Austin, our summer has been filled with exciting events and impactful ministries.  Combining the church calendar with family vacations and the resurgence of tourism, I think it’s fair to say this summer has been quite the whirlwind for all.  From my perspective, every week has had something different going on, and while it has indeed been exciting, I’m also ready to reestablish some routines in my life.

Whenever I think of routines, I often think of athletes.  Of course, right now all eyes are turning toward Tokyo to watch the world’s greatest athletes compete for gold.  These finely-tuned Olympians are always so fascinating to study.  Viewers get to know them for just a few short days as they have their shining moment on the biggest stage.  However, we must not forget that there were countless unseen moments that got them to that stage.  Virtually every American is familiar with the name, Michael Phelps.  Phelps is of course one of the most famous Olympians of all time, earning 28 Olympic medals and the label as the most dominant swimmer of all time.  But if you have studied Phelps, you know that a lot of work happened behind the scenes to make those achievements possible.  He daily consumed over 10,000 calories to fuel his body with the exact nutrients it needed to compete at the highest level.  For years, he trained every day of the week, and did two-a-days three times a week.  Phelps would swim 80,000 meters weekly in practice and spent the rest of his time taking ice baths, stretching, working with his trainer, getting massages, and getting lots of rest.  In fact, he even slept in an altitude chamber to help his body get adjusted to wherever he was competing.

As you can see, Phelps didn’t win gold simply because he was the fastest.  Phelps was a champion because he sacrificially committed himself to the necessary disciplines to get him there.  It’s interesting how God’s Word frequently uses athletic metaphors.  This is because physical principles so often shed light on the spiritual realm as well.  Paul explains, “Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:7b-8 ESV).  Paul acknowledges that physical disciplines are important.  There indeed is value in eating right and exercising, however, it is even more important to train your body for godliness.  Like physical training, spiritual training is rooted in a steadfast commitment every day.  It is sacrificially saying “no” to the things of this world, and instead saying “yes” to the things of God.  It is pursing God’s will for your life and training your heart and mind to walk in righteousness.  Paul explains that just like athletes, we too train for a purpose: “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable” (1 Corinthians 9:25).

Our prize is far greater than anything in this world (Cf. 1 Corinthians 2:9).  Because of that, we too should establish routines and disciplines into our lives.  We must wake up and pray to our Father, through the Son, by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.  We must renew our minds in Him and yield ourselves to His will everyday (Romans 12:1-2).  We must read His Word to hear from Him but also to be filled up by Him so we can face the day’s challenges (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  We must make church a priority and not neglect meeting together (Hebrews 10:24-25).   My question for you this week is, “What does your spiritual routine look like?”  If you’re like me, summer has been anything but routine, but the good news is you can start fresh today.  If you need some help building those kinds of disciplines into your life, I encourage you to check out our latest Podcast series, “The New Normal.”  Matt Gillum and I have been focusing on various spiritual disciplines in hopes of helping you develop those routines into your life so you can become a champion for Jesus Christ.  You can find that content here:  Apple Podcast Channel or  Spotify Podcast Channel .

Run your race well this week, and I look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday as we wrap up our Wisdom Works study.

It’s great to be back in Austin, Texas!  I missed seeing you all last weekend, but our family did have a wonderful time away on vacation.  Bethany and I were grateful to spend most of the week celebrating our anniversary in Charleston, South Carolina, while our kiddos had an adventure filled week with their grandparents in Houston.  We also had the opportunity to catch up with old friends from our last church, and they were thrilled to hear about all that God is doing here at ABC.  It was an encouraging reminder to me that there are many people in other cities that pray for our church family daily.  I believe God has been answering their prayers, as well as our own, as He continues to bless ABC.

While I did miss seeing you all last week, I was grateful to be able to leave knowing that a fantastic staff would keep the ship sailing just fine.  I especially want to thank our Executive Pastor, Dr. Matt Gillum, for delivering a terrific message from the book of Proverbs last Sunday.  God has truly assembled a great team here at ABC.  Last weekend happened to be my one-year anniversary, and because of that, I’ve spent the last several days reflecting on all that God has done these past 12 months.  The list goes longer than any single article I can share, but one thing I’ve been thanking God for is our staff.   God has brought a dynamic team to serve our church family.  Our staff is filled with individuals who are passionate about Christ and eager to serve our church family.  They have worked incredibly hard this summer to equip our volunteers and to provide leadership in ministries that are making an impact for Jesus. From our facilities and food services teams, to our administrative team that keeps us organized and on track, to the ministerial team that helps shepherd our flock, I’m very proud of each staff member and grateful for their contribution to this church.  I encourage you to thank them when you see them, because the truth is we could not have had the summer we’ve seen without their A+ efforts.

This summer we’ve welcomed 50 new members into our church family and 24 individuals raised their flags for Jesus Christ through believer’s baptism (May – July YTD numbers).  In fact, this Sunday will be our sixth straight weekend with at least one baptism, and we’ve been seeing multiple first-time visitors enter our doors every Sunday morning.  I share those numbers for two reasons.  First, we should all thank the Lord for blessing our church during this summer.  We cast the seed, but we must not forget that He makes it grow (Cf. 1 Corinthians 3:15, Matthew 16:18).  But secondly, I share those numbers in hopes of motivating you to join in on that good work.  Reaching people for Christ does not happen by accident.  It happens when church members embrace their individual callings and step up to share their time, treasure, and talent for the glory of God.  Reaching people is indeed hard work.  Paul reminds of this fact when he wrote, “For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me” (Colossians 1:29 ESV). 

Paul toiled for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  He worked hard to reach people so that he could “present them mature in Christ” (verse 28).  My hope is that you and I will likewise roll up our own sleeves for the Gospel .  We roll them up when we come to church ready to serve others and not just be served. But we also roll them up during the week when God sends us to our mission fields in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and schools.  If we commit to toil for God’s glory, Paul says the good news is “His energy” will work powerfully in and through us.  I pray that you will make an impact for the Kingdom this week, and I look forward to rejoining you in worship this Sunday as we learn how we can speak to each other with “wise words.” 

Last Sunday certainly was an exciting day in the life of our church!  By the grace of God, we were privileged to celebrate 12 baptisms in our worship services last weekend.  God has been stirring hearts in our church in recent weeks, as we now have baptized 18 people in three weeks.  Thankfully, we even have several more baptisms scheduled for these upcoming weekends including this Sunday.  But amidst that excitement, it’s important that we do not forget the message each one of these baptisms brings.  These individuals have been raised to life through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:5).  That miracle of salvation is worth celebrating, and I’m so proud of these who have boldly raised their flags for Christ through believer’s baptism.  It was a great weekend of worship and thanksgiving for all that God has done.

It’s important to note that last Sunday would not have been the same without the extended efforts of our Director of Media, Carlos Jordan.  Carlos wears many technical hats in our church that most will never know about.  But a few weeks ago, we gave Carlos a challenge by adding one more hat to his full plate.  We sent Carlos to Beach Camp with a vision to bring the beach experience back to Austin, and he did a fantastic job turning that vision into a reality through our reflections video.  We appreciate his talents and the extra hours he put in to edit a meaningful testimony of God’s work in our students’ lives.  Be sure to extend your appreciation to Carlos for all his hard work when you see him.

I believe momentum in our church is going to continue to build this weekend.  As you know, this Sunday is the official first weekend for our new Worship Pastor, Dr. Todd Stearns.  Todd and Sonya are still in the process of selling their home and fully relocating to Austin, so please continue to be patient and pray for them as they navigate through this season of transition.  In the meantime, Todd is going to begin spending a few days in Austin each week to run our rehearsals and lead us in worship on Sundays.  We’re excited to have him lead us especially on this important 4^th of July Sunday.  It will be an exciting patriotic day as we worship God with grateful hearts for how He has given us freedom through this amazing country, and even more importantly, how He has given us freedom through His Son.  Wear red, white, and blue and join us for a meaningful morning of worship.

Of course, I must also mention that the celebration truly will begin on Saturday night.  Make sure you don’t miss our Freedom Over Austin event here at ABC.  The festivities will begin at 7pm with an All-American carnival featuring inflatables, train rides, petting zoo, face painting, live music, food trucks, and more.  At 9pm, we’ll have a brief outdoor program with a few songs, a time of prayer, and of course an amazing fireworks show right here on our property.  Please note that parking will be limited so come early to park on-site, or plan to park down the road at Four Points Middle and Vandegrift.  We’ll have parking teams ready to direct you and bus shuttle services ready to assist you.  When you get on site, we will have some tables and chairs available, but folks are welcome to bring a comfortable lawn chair with them as well.

Consider now who you can invite to Freedom Over Austin.  This event provides the perfect opportunity to introduce someone to the ministries at ABC.  We want Freedom Over Austin to be a blessing to our entire community and an opportunity for others to experience the fellowship of our church family.  It’s amazing what one simple invitation can do.  In fact, we had multiple baptisms this past Sunday because their friends simply invited them to our church a few weeks ago.  Their friends got them through the doors, and God ministered to them through our church family in a powerful way.  I believe advertisements certainly have their place in churches, but the most effective tool to get people to church will always be a personal invitation.  So prayerfully consider who God might be leading you to invite and extend that invitation for all the festivities this weekend.

 “The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad” (Psalm 126:3).  God has been very good to ABC, and I believe many more great things are on the horizon.  May we come together this weekend with hearts filled with worship and thanksgiving for who He is and all that He has done.  I look forward to seeing you on Saturday and Sunday this weekend.   May God bless you and your home this week.