Romans 12:10 says, “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”  God instructs the church to give honor where honor is due.  This Sunday we will give honor to our local heroes on this special Veteran’s Day Weekend.  I am so thankful for the men and women who have served, and are currently serving, to protect the freedom we enjoy.  Here at ABC, we honor these men and women and acknowledge we are only able to worship freely because of their service.

I encourage you to come early this Sunday and take a look at our “Wall of Honor” in the Great Hall.  This wall will showcase pictures and biographical information of ABC members (and relatives) who have served or are currently serving in our armed services.  This tribute has become one of my favorite traditions in the church, and I hope you will take some time to look at this wall and give honor where honor is due. 

This Sunday will also be a special day because we will honor God for what He has done through Light the Way.  At the conclusion of our services, we will reveal the results from the collected Light the Way commitment cards.  I am so thankful to pastor a generous church, and I cannot wait to see what God will do as we eliminate our debt, expand our mission, and extend the message.  Wear red, white, and blue, invite a friend, and join us for a milestone moment in the life of our church.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Last Sunday’s Sermon: Pray for America

We had an incredible Sunday at ABC!  I am so thankful for what God is doing through the Light the Way generosity initiative.  Last Sunday, I was humbled to watch hundreds of people take courageous steps down the aisle to commit together in Light the Way.  I believe God is going to be glorified through each of these commitments, and I cannot wait to see what He will do as we eliminate our debt, expand our mission, and extend the message.

I know everyone is anxious to hear the total results from these commitment cards.  I want to remind you we will reveal these results during our celebration Sunday on November 10th.  We are waiting this additional week to provide one more Sunday for people to turn in their commitment cards. We understand some were out this past weekend, so we want to give everyone a chance to partner together before the results are communicated.  Thank you for your patience, and I look forward to celebrating with you on November 10^th.

This weekend will have its own celebration because it is Parent Child Dedication weekend.  We will have beautiful families lined up on stage in both of our services for a special time of dedication.  These parents are committing o raise their children in Christ-centered homes, and we as the church are committing to come alongside them in this journey.  I am grateful to pastor a church that loves kids and prioritizes children’s and youth ministries!  Join me in prayer for these families and may we each be faithful to do our part in supporting and encouraging them in the days to come.

***One final note: Don’t forget Veteran’s Day weekend is also November 10^th.  We will honor our veterans that day in our worship services and through our “Wall of Honor” display in the Great Hall.  This wall has become a beloved tradition in our church, and we want to honor our ABC members (or relatives) who have served or are currently serving in our armed services.  Make sure you have turned in your veteran’s information so he or she can be displayed on this wall.  Due to technological issues, we need every veteran resubmitted this year, including those who were submitted in previous years.  Thank you for your assistance in this effort: https://austinbaptistchurch.shelbynextchms.com/external/form/12ee02bc-c8c4-472a-acd8-164ece4ac1f8

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Last Sunday’s Sermon: “The Impact of Generosity” – Joshua 24:11-15

I’m excited to see how God is going to shine through our church this coming weekend.   This Sunday is a milestone moment at ABC as we Light the Way forward together.  We have spent the month of October exploring our generosity initiative by examining the Scriptures and uniting our hearts around three shared objectives: eliminate our debt, expand our mission, and extend the message.

This Sunday you will be given an opportunity to respond to the Spirit’s leading in your heart.  What will this look like?  Everyone in attendance will be invited to turn in a commitment card at the conclusion of our worship services.  Each card will reflect a faith-filled two-year commitment to contribute a set amount towards the Light the Way initiative.  As we turn in these cards, we will trust in God and depend on his grace to be able to fulfill our pledges.

I pray you consider taking a step forward with us together.  If you have never given to the Lord, I pray you will take your first step of generosity.  If you have given to the Lord periodically, I pray Light the Way will lead you to begin giving regularly.  If you have given to the Lord regularly, I pray this initiative will lead you to give sacrificially for this season.  We are all on different steps in our faith journeys, but I pray for each of us to be obedient to take the next step that the Lord prompts.

Thank you for being such a generous church.  I’m humbled to serve with you, and I am full of hope and great expectations for the future of Austin Baptist Church.  May God continue to bless the gifts that are given, and may God continue to bless the faithful givers at ABC.  I look forward to seeing you this Sunday at 8:45am or 11:15am.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Want more info about Light the Way? Click here: https://austinbaptistchurch.com/lighttheway

Last Sunday’s Sermon: “Let Them Hear” – Extend the Message

The apostle Paul testified, “I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22).  Paul was extraordinarily flexible in his approach to evangelism. He was willing to do just about anything other than sin for the sake of reaching the lost.  He laid aside personal preferences and convictions when ministering to the Jews or to the Greeks.  He taught in synagogues, marketplaces, and even in jail cells.  He traveled extensively and endured hardship for the sake of reaching people for Jesus.  Paul was an immovable force in regard to his message, but he was very open-handed in regard to his methods.

This Sunday we are going to talk about our third strategic objective of Light the Way: “Extend the Message.”  I believe God wants to extend the message of Jesus Christ through our church for years to come.  As we consider how to extend the message, it is imperative for us to consider the most effective methods in our culture.  If there is anything the world needs right now, I believe it is the teaching of God’s Word.  The Scriptures must be clearly communicated, and the Word must be accessible where others can hear it.  For this reason, we are focusing on advancing our technological resources at ABC, so we can extend the message of Jesus Christ to our digital city and world.

This Sunday we will take a closer look at this objective as we continue our study in the book of Joshua.  I encourage you to keep praying with me about how God is leading you to Light the Way forward at ABC.  You should receive a commitment card in the mail this week.  I encourage you to familiarize yourself with the card and prayerfully fill it out in the coming days as the Lord leads you.  As a reminder, we will have a time of commitment on Sunday October 27^th.  Bring that card with you to church (we will have extras if you forget), and we will have a special time of commitment during our two worship services that day.

I look forward to seeing you Sunday, and I cannot wait to see what God will do as we Light the Way together as one.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer

Last Sundays Sermon: “Radical Obedience” – Expand our Mission: Joshua 6:1-20

Want more info about Light the Way? Click here: https://austinbaptistchurch.com/lighttheway

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