First Free Church Newsletter: November 2000

As I was considering what I would write as a word of encouragement, my thoughts went to Romans 12:9-14, especially to three words of verse 11: fervent in spirit. The Apostle Paul in chapter 12:1-2 is writing about our "living sacrifices" to God. In 12:3-8 he is writing about serving God with our spiritual gifts. And in 12:9-21, he is writing about our behaving like Christians.

I would like to focus upon the wordsfervent in spirit in verse eleven. First of all, what do these words mean? And secondly, how does one maintain a fervent spirit in our Christian walk in today's culture?

Webster describes the word fervent in this way: "to boil, to glow when red hot, ardent, impassioned, or marked by great warmth of feeling." Synonyms would be ardor, passion, zeal, or feeling.

The word fervent is used several times in the New Testament. It would be helpful to look at four usages. First, in Acts 18:25, fervent in spirit is used of Apollos, a Jew from Alexandria, who was "eloquent and mighty in the Scriptures." "This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke accurately the things of the Lord." Here was a man whose heart was aglow for the truths of God.

The second usage is found in Colossians 4:12. This passage refers to Epaphras as one who "is laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfectly and complete in all the will of God." The third reference is in I Peter 4:8, "And above all things, have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins." And fourth, in James 5:16, we read, "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."

The words fervent in spirit refer to the manner in which we do any particular thing, flowing from our attitudes of the heart. We can do things by compulsion or duty. We can do things half-heartedly or altogether unwillingly. We can do things casually or in a cold manner. The Apostle Paul here in verse eleven is encouraging his readers to "not lag in diligence," but to be "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord."

Now, the hard question: how does one maintain a fervent spirit? How do folks keep their hearts on fire and aglow for the things of God? The culture in which we live bombards us daily with hundreds of things that seek to claim our hearts. There are so many, many things to claim our attention, our interests and our heart's desires. Where will all these competing allurements end up? How does one shut it all off? How do we bring it all into alignment with that which God wants for us? Will I have even a small piece of my heart left to give to God? Solomon, being one of the richest Kings that ever lived, understood this when he wrote in Proverbs 4:23, "Above all that you guard, watch over your heart, for out of it are the sources of life" (Berkeley Version).

The difference between the culture that we live in today and the culture that the Romans lived in, and how it all affects ones coldness or warmness of heart in regard to spiritual things is a matter for discussion. However, the words that Paul addressed to the Romans in this regard can be helpful to us today. Let me quote his encouragements from the Berkeley Version in Modern English:

(9) Let your love be perfectly sincere, clinging to the right with abhorrence of evil;(10) joined together in a brotherhood of mutual love; allowing one another to enjoy preference of honor;(11) never slacking in interest; as the Lord's servants keeping spiritually aglow;(12) joyfully hoping as you endure affliction; persistent in prayer;(13) contributing to the needs of the saints; practicing hospitality.

Being fervent in spirit is a choice, not just a wish or happenstance. The things that Paul encourages us to work toward in verses 9-14 are priorities that we must claim. By paying attention to these things, it will be easier to watch over our hearts, keeping themspiritually aglow for the things of God.

"Teach us to pray, Lord, just as John the Baptist taught his disciples." Thus, one of the disciples opened the door for us to hear the greatest Pray-er of all time give his succinct, powerful discourse on prayer.

There are a couple of things in what is recorded for us in Luke's gospel that seem pertinent to our church at this time. (And I'm reading from the New Living Translation.) First, what we call "The Lord's Prayer" starts out with two phrases, "Father, may your name be honored, may your Kingdom come soon." This is precisely what we will be praying about this Thursday evening, all day Friday, and Saturday morning, November 2-4 at our Fasting & Prayer Conference. We will be praying for

our communities, our nation and our world, that God's name would be honored and His Kingdom will come to many, many hearts. If you have not made plans to be a part of this great coming together of Christians all across our land, we urge you to do that now. The equipment is in place and the invitations have gone out to others in our area. Come be a part of what God is doing in our day - for all if possible, but certainly for a part.

God has told us to pray for men everywhere. Significant prayer movements always preceded the great revivals of the past. Billy Graham attributes his success to just THREE things: 1. Prayer, 2. Prayer, and 3. Prayer. It is easy to bemoan all that has happened in our society in the recent decades. But one of the major causes is to be found in the failure of the church. Are we going to continue to fail?

Secondly, there is the parable following the prayer, which concludes with "...if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you what you want..." His own application to the parable is, "So I tell you, keep on asking and you will be given what you are asking for." And you know the rest of the verse. God has given us the privilege of being a part of His work, and a significant segment of that is done by prayer - earnest, PERSISTENT, united prayer.

Praise the Lord; another opportunity for prayer is coming. Sunday evening, November 19th, at 6 PM we will have our own Concert of Prayer, with our own Planters leading the service. Let us take advantage of this opportunity to worship and pray together. God is asking us to persevere -- in prayer. Help make our church a House of Prayer on an on-going basis! His exhortation is, "Keep on..."

Praise God for the 65 of our congregation who signed on to pray for specific projects! For all those who signed up, how are things going? Has this commitment become a part of your regular schedule yet? Add another item to your prayer list -- Ask the Lord to give you, and the others, strength to keep this commitment.

The Call Committee has met nine times since being formed. In this time we have: surveyed the congregation, tabulated the information, mailed the survey results, and most recently, completed a 43-page book about our church to present to prospective candidates.

We have been working with Dean Johnson from our District Office, along with several others, in securing names of possible candidates. To date, we have made contact with five candidates. We are waiting for each to reply.

While we all hope this process moves quickly, we know from past experience that it may take some time. In the meantime, we ask that you pray for the Call Committee and ask God to lead us to the person he has for us.

Come join us in prayer and praise on Sunday, November 19, 6:00 PM, as we seek the face of the Lord together.

We will be praising God for who He is and for His awesome deeds. We will confirm that He is the ultimate Leader of our Church. We will seek God in prayer together for the needs of our church, and we will offer up our grateful thanksgiving for all He has done.

I recall signing up to deliver Angel Tree gifts last year with much enthusiasm. However, as the time drew near to drop off the gifts, I became more and more shy and uncomfortable. My thoughts kept circling around how we would be received upon showing up at the door. I thought, "What should I say that won't sound awkward? Will we all sit there in uncomfortable silence?"

Though I was able to tag along with the youth group as a "sponsor", they were my teachers on that night. I remember declining to go in with the first group (I was just plain shy) and praying like mad in the church van with the others. We prayed for the first group as they went in with their gifts. It seemed as if they were inside for at least a half an hour! "They must have found something to talk about and share," I thought.

Our turn was next and I needed all the strength and courage I had received while praying. I felt very reluctant as we walked up to the unassuming door on Chicago Avenue. I was spurred on by the youth as they marched up and rang the doorbell with much enthusiasm.

We were greeted very kindly at the door and were invited to enter. The family was gathered in the living room, just like many of us at the end of the day. Though the room and furniture were not fancy, the Christmas tree in the corner was loaded with lights and cheer. This could have been like any normal family, except for the fact that their father was in prison and times were hard financially and emotionally.

The conversation flowed freely and naturally. We got big hugs from the younger kids. They whole family made it a point to sit and listen as we shared the story of Christ's birth. They had some church background and expressed an interest in attending our church. They even asked for Bibles! You could sense their hearts were thirsty for God and the hope that only He can give.

As I mentioned, I had signed-up as a sponsor for the youth that night, but it was the youth who taught me about reaching out in a loving way with gifts, and the simple Christmas story. I know God was watching our youth on that night and said, "Well done, good and faithful servants!"

Thanksgiving service starting at 7:00 pm. Congregation is invited to share scripture readings, items of praise and thanksgiving. Pie social to follow.

First Sunday in Advent. Sunday morning service with coffee fellowship and classes.

Fidelis Christmas Party at the building. Social hour at 5 PM. Dinner at 6 PM. Program to follow.

Guest speaker: Rev. Robert Fallt. Children's Christmas program during Sunday morning service with coffee fellowship and classes to follow.

Christmas worship celebration with the choir. Rev. Robert Fallt to provide Christmas meditation. Coffee fellowship to follow and an abbreviated class period.

Guest speaker: Rev. Robert Fallt. Sunday morning service with coffee fellowship and classes to follow.

Christmas Service starting at 9:30 a.m. with coffee fellowship to follow. No classes.

New Years Service starting at 9:30 a.m. with coffee fellowship to follow. No classes.