Jesus said, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).  I am looking forward to seeing the good works that will be accomplished through our Light the Way generosity initiative.  I believe ABC is going to be bring glory to God by coming together to eliminate our debt, expand our mission, and extend the message.

Last Sunday, we examined our first objective of Light the Way: eliminating our debt.  We learned from Joshua that courageous steps lead us to experiencing God’s best in our church and in our lives.  This coming Sunday we will press on to our second Light The Way objective: expand our mission.  I believe God wants to use our church to advance His mission to reach the lost in Austin and across the globe.  We will learn from Joshua that this will only be possible if we learn how to be radically obedient like the Israelites in Jericho.

I look forward to continuing our series this Sunday at 8:45am and 11:15am.  Be sure to bring your Bible and your Light the Way booklet so you can follow along with my sermon notes.  I encourage you to continue to prayerfully consider how God is calling you to partner with us in this important initiative.  I am excited to turn in our family’s two-year pledge card alongside you at our commitment service on Sunday October 27^th.  Have a wonderful week, and I will see you at church.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Want more info? Check out the Light the Way website for additional information, to watch video testimonies, and to download a PDF of the Light the Way booklet: https://austinbaptistchurch.com/lighttheway

Last Sunday’s Sermon: “Courageous Steps” – Eliminate the Debt

Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  This Sunday we are taking our next courageous step as a church family through the Light The Way initiative.   Light the Way is a two-year generosity initiative seeking to raise $5 million to help us eliminate our debt, expand our mission, and extend our message. 

I believe these next four weeks are going to be yet another milestone moment in the life of Austin Baptist Church.  I look forward to sharing more information about Light the Way starting this Sunday.  I will be preaching this entire month from the book of Joshua, and I pray that each of us will be inspired by God’s Word to take our next step of faith.

When you come to church on Sunday, be sure to pick up a Light the Way booklet.   This booklet is a helpful resource filled with critical information.  It will outline in detail all our objectives, share testimonies from church members, and the booklet will contain my sermon notes and a prayer guide for the month of October.  Our BFG’s will also be focusing on the topic of Biblical generosity through a focused discipleship study this month.

I encourage you to prioritize being at church these coming weeks.  I am praying God will not only help us reach our three primary objectives, but I am also praying for the Holy Spirit to transform each of our lives as we seek His voice.  I am so excited to see what God is going to do as we shine together as one.  Join me in prayer , and I’ll see you at 8:45am or 11:15am

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Proverbs 28:1 says, “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.”  Last Sunday we learned the Holy Spirit makes us courageous in our witness of Jesus Christ.  God wants his people to be bold like lions, so I encourage you to exercise courage this week in three ways.  First, pray bold prayers.  If you do not already have a list of lost people you are praying for regularly, I encourage you to make such a list this week.  Pray boldly for the salvation of people around you.

Second, boldly invite someone to church.  The number one reason new people visit a church is because they were simply invited.  Never underestimate the power of your own personal invitation, so I encourage you to invite someone to join you this Sunday.  Third, have a bold conversation this week.  Ask for God to give you an opportunity to share Christ, and then simply open your eyes and watch God open a door.  The Spirit will help you have the right words at the time if you simply trust his leading.

I’m excited for our church as we continue to take bold steps for Christ.  Join me in prayer for our upcoming Light the Way generosity initiative.  I believe God is about to do something special in our church as we take that bold step of faith together.  I’m looking forward to launching this initiative with you on Sunday October 6^th.  As for this week, have a great week and I look forward to seeing you at 8:45am or 11:15am on this Lord’s Supper Sunday.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Romans 15:7 says, “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”  One of the greatest ways to measure a church’s health is by how it welcomes new people.  I was reminded of this fact last week when a new member shared his recent experience.  When visiting ABC for the first time, he was shocked to have a church member not only notice him, but then proceed to welcome him directly.

Sometimes in life, these smallest gestures can make the biggest kingdom impact.  Another new member recently told me he was amazed when he returned for a second week with his family, and he noticed the ABC Kids staff already remembered his children’s names.  Another member told me she was so surprised to find a handwritten note in her mailbox after visiting a Bible Fellowship Group for the first time.

I encourage you church family to remain steadfast in this kind of intentionality.  As our church continues to grow larger, we must also become smaller.  We must focus on individual relationships and help new people find community in our church family.  We do this programmatically through our onramps of Bible Fellowship Groups and Midweek, but we do this personally through the intentional efforts of faithful church members. 

As God continues to bring new faces through our doors every Sunday, may we never get complacent in welcoming each of them.  I encourage you to meet three people you do not know this Sunday.  This small gesture will not only bless you, but it has the potential to bless someone who may feel unseen.  May we continue to be a welcoming church for all who enter our doors.  Through this kind of effort, a big church can begin to feel like a small town.

I look forward to continuing our series on the Holy Spirit this Sunday.  Invite a friend and I’ll see you at 8:45am or 11:15am.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

1 Peter 4:10 says, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”  The Bible teaches every born-again believer has been given at least one spiritual gift by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of building up Jesus’ church.  Peter says we are called to be good managers of those spiritual gifts just like any other gift that God may entrust to us.  My question this week is simple: How are you stewarding your spiritual gifts? 

The Helper wants to help the church through me and through you.  Paul says, “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7).  God has wired each of us differently, but he has united us through the same Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13).  The church is filled with a beautiful unity, but not a uniformity.  We all one large body filled with many parts that work together.  My question is how can you do your part to expand God’s kingdom here at ABC?

As our church continues to grow larger, we must strive to preserve the spirit of service that has made this church special.  How can you encourage someone this week?  What ministry area can you serve in this Sunday?  What homebound member could you check in with this week?  As the church continues to grow, the needs will continue to grow with it.  I challenge you to meet a need this week, and I am confident that you will be strengthened in your faith as you watch the Helper help others through you.  May we each be faithful to be good stewards of God’s varied grace this week.

Invite a friend to join you this weekend at 8:45am or 11:15am.  We will learn how the Helper give us peace that the world does not offer, and the world cannot take away.  Have a great week and I’ll see you Sunday.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Matthew 25:40 says, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”  Jesus challenges his church to see the unseen.  It can be tempting to look past the needs that are around us each day. After all, life is busy, our time is limited, and our resources can be scarce.  Nonetheless, Jesus still commands his church to do their best to minister to those who are hurting.  As we love God and love others, we begin to imitate our Savior who never looked past the lame, the sick, or the dejected.

This Saturday, 100+ ABC volunteers will gather at the church to pack 30,000 meals for hungry men, women, and children in Haiti.  We are partnering with Mission of Hope to send these meals to bless this nation in crisis.  I believe simple events like this are so important as they help us keep a proper perspective of our own blessings, and they give us an opportunity to be a blessing to others in need. I hope you consider serving with us this weekend.  Additionally, this Sunday we will commission a group of ladies from our Women’s Ministry as they head to Boston for a mission trip to serve as Jesus’ hands and feet.

I’m so thankful that God continues to use ABC to light up your life, your home, your neighborhood, and the world.  May we each continue to do our part to shine the light of Christ to the ends of the earth.  I hope you had a great Labor Day, and I look forward to seeing you in worship at 8:45am or 11:15am.  Invite a friend and we will continue in our study of the Holy Spirit.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Last Sunday’s Sermon

John 14:16, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever.”  This Sunday I will begin a new sermon series focused on the work of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus promised his disciples he would not leave them abandoned, but instead he would send the Spirit of God to help them as they walked in faith on this earth.

This is great news because don’t we all need some help?  The truth is it can be difficult to walk in faith, but it is encouraging to know we do not walk alone.  Through this series, we will learn that the Spirit of God comforts us, guides us, empowers us, and gives us peace that can only come from him.  As we enter this uncertain season with looming elections, international conflicts, and domestic challenges, it is comforting to know we do not have to face these challenges alone.  God is with us, and he wants to help you and he wants to help me.

If you are out of town this weekend for Labor Day, I wish you safe travels on your trip.  But if you are here in Austin for this three-day weekend, I encourage you to join us for worship at 8:45am or 11:15am.  Remember, attending church is rarely a Sunday morning decision; it is usually a Saturday night decision.  Plan accordingly and invite a friend who needs some help, because God is our “very present help in time of trouble” (Psalm 46:1).  Have a great week and I’ll see you Sunday. 

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”  God calls His people to gather.  The Christian life is not meant to be marked by isolationism.  We are called to be fully dependent on God and intentionally connected to His people. 

I love that our church values authentic relationships and offers gatherings to cultivate them.  Our BFG’s are growing with dynamic, faith-filled people that meet every Sunday at 10am.  Midweek returns this Wednesday night to provide another weekly platform to connect with God and others.  I hope church is not just a place you go to, but instead a family that you belong to. Make the time to invest in relationships at church, and I pray that ABC will continue to be a church that encourages you.

Speaking of encouragement, I received a great note from our friends at TC Egypt.  Our Fayoum Campus has been welcoming record crowds in recent months.  They are seeing men, women, and children fill their classrooms and spaces to find community and hear about the hope we have in Jesus Christ.  Please continue to pray for Egypt and for the TC staff and volunteers who serve faithfully each week.

This Sunday I will offer a stand-alone sermon in both services.  We will return to our mission, vision, and values on this special Lord’s Supper Sunday.  I think it is important for us to be united in our purpose and vision as we prepare for big things this Fall.  I hope you make plans to join us this Sunday, and I encourage you to invite a friend.  This weekend is the perfect opportunity for a guest to get acquainted with who we are at this City on a Hill.  I look forward to seeing you at 8:45am or 11:15am.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

The 2024-2025 school year is officially here!  I’m so thankful for the many teachers, coaches, and administrators who will invest into the next generation this academic year.  I hope you will join me in praying for our school leaders and our students who will return to classrooms this week.  I pray that God will grow these children in knowledge and maturity, but I pray most importantly that these children will grow in their love for Jesus Christ.

I am especially excited for our Little Lights Preschool which kicks off this week!  Our preschool team is gearing up for their largest enrollment ever, and we are excited to see how God will use this program to impact our community.  You will also notice in this week’s Bridge that one of our partner’s, Education Connection, is actively searching for more volunteers.  This literacy program could be a great opportunity for you to impact a young child’s life in Austin, Texas.

As the new school year begins, new rhythms to our schedules will soon be established.  Kids will be dropped off and picked up from school.  Sports and extracurriculars will fill up our calendars.  I encourage you to also set a healthy spiritual rhythm to your schedule.  Save time for prayer and devotional Bible reading each day.  Invest in meaningful Christian community.  Commit to be at church each Sunday.  These simple rhythms can make a world of difference as our calendars begin to get chaotic.

I look forward to closing out the book of James with you this weekend.  Bring a friend and I will see you in worship at 8:45am or 11:15am.

Jonathan Spencer

Senior Pastor

Our mission is to lead people into a life-changing relationship with the Light of the World, Jesus Christ.  I’m thankful for the many ways ABC has advanced this mission forward this summer.  We have reached the next generation through our Pre-Teen and Student Camps, VBS, and Creative Arts Camp.  We have reached our community through Freedom Over Austin and community impact events.  And we continue to reach the world through our short-term mission trips.

This Sunday we will send 40+ volunteers to Harlingen, Texas.  This team will partner with local churches in south Texas to conduct service projects, soccer camps, and community evangelism.  Just a few weeks ago we also celebrated our student ministry’s return from an impactful mission trip to the U.K.  And we are excited to send a women’s ministry team to Boston and a mission team to Egypt this Fall.

I pray that God will continue to expand ABC’s impact in these coming years.  Thank you for partnering with us on mission through your prayers, your serving, and your faithful giving.  May God continue to use ABC to light up your life, your home, your neighborhood, and the world.  Invite a friend this Sunday and I look forward to continuing with you in the book of James.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer