First Word November 2014

IN THIS ISSUE

Evangelism Bro Dan shares of the many ways we can evangelize.

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GossipIt kills, steals and destroys.

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Sunday SchoolSteve Brewer shares his desire to see Sunday School grow at FBC.

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First Baptist sevierville | novemBer 2014

Volume 94 , No. 6

First Baptist Church of Sevierville’s Monthly Newsletter

Restored by the Master

Over the centuries, many attempts have been made to restore damaged and time-worn masterpieces of art. While some of these efforts have skillfully preserved the original work of artists, others have actually damaged many works of genius, including ancient Greek statues and at least two paintings by da Vinci.

In Paul’s letter to the Christians at Colosse, he described a restoration process that is impossible in the world of art. It’s a restoration of God’s people. Paul wrote, “You have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him” (Col. 3:9-10). This is no attempt at renovating the work of a deceased artist. It is a spiritual renewal from the living God who created us and gave us new life in His Son, Jesus Christ. His forgiveness brightens the colors of our lives while His grace sharpens the lines of His purpose for us.

The canvas of our lives is in the skilled hands of our Lord who knows who and what He designed us to be. No matter how sin-damaged and dirty we may be, there is hope for renewal and restoration. The Master Artist is alive and at work within us.

Praise, my soul, the King of heaven, To His feet thy tribute bring; Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, Evermore His praises sing. —Lyte

Jesus specializes in restoration.

| First Baptist Church of Sevierville

Dear First Baptist Family,

There is not just one right way to reach people for Jesus. The New Testament teaches us several different types of effective evangelism:

PERSONAL EVANGELISM: think of Jesus talking one-on-one to the woman at the well or to Nicodemus; Philip sharing with the Ethiopian man.

INTERPERSONAL EVANGELISM: when Matthew started following Jesus, he had all his tax-collector friends over for supper to introduce them to Jesus.

TESTIMONIAL EVANGELISM: after Jesus healed the blind man in John 9, the man testified, “All I know is that once I was blind, and now I see!” Twice in the book of Acts we hear Paul giving his salvation testimony as a gospel witness.

ATTRACTIONAL EVANGELISM: think of Jesus healing the sick and feeding the hungry. Those acts of meeting human needs (sometimes called “servant evangelism”) opened the door for teaching the gospel. This is the principle behind our LoveLoud projects.

INVITATIONAL EVANGELISM: John 1:41-42 records that when Andrew started following Jesus, “The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah’. And he brought him to Jesus.” Then the next day Philip invited Nathanial to come and see Jesus.

In this list of evangelistic methods, the invitational style is perhaps the simplest - yet it can be very powerful. I ask you to employ Invitational Evangelism this month in preparation for “INVITE with Tony Nolan” on November 23rd.

Tony Nolan is an excellent evangelist. I have heard him preach many times, and I am confident that if we will INVITE people to come to church to hear him on November 23rd, they will hear a clear and compelling gospel message. Invitational Evangelism is an act of faith: we do the inviting, and then we have faith in God’s man and God’s plan. We trust the power of the gospel to save the lost.

Think about who you can INVITE on November 23rd. Start now. INVITE many. Pray hard. Trust God.

To God be the glory,

Dan Spencer, Senior Pastor

UP 6th Grade WeekendApril 30th and May 1st

Sign up in Sunday Schoolor call the church office

Jeremiah

20:9

Sonrise SeniorsTuesday, November 4; 9:00am/Parlor

Mission Trips Interest MeetingNovember 9; 5:30pm/E-218Join Evangelist David Cobb in witnessing at 4 big events coming up in 2015. Mardis Gras; 2/12-2/15, Daytona 500; 2/20-2/23, Bahamas Regatta; 4/21-4/27 and Indy 500; 5/21/5/24.

Legacy 5 ConcertSunday, November 9; 6:30pm

Triple L LuncheonTuesday, November 11; Noon/FLC

Festival of HolidaysMonday, November 10; 6:30pm/FLCSpecial guest; Kim Bolton. Cost is $20. Last day to register will be November 2nd.

Children’s ChurchSunday, November 16Grades K-6; both 8:00am & 11:00am will meet in the Chapel

Grief Share - Surviving the Holidays Tuesday, November 18; 6:00pm/Parlor A one session workshop to help and encourage those dealing with grief this time of year.

PEP MomsFriday, November 21; 9:15am/Parlor

Hearts on Fire Pigeon ForgeNovember 21 & 22Cost is $40 (includes transportation, lodging, meals and t-shirt). Sign up at Youth Night, Sunday School or online at www.fbcsev.org

Youth Thanksgiving BanquetNovember 24; 6:30pm/CrossingGrades 7-10; bring a vegetableGrades 11 & 12; bring a dessert

Men’s Ministry Wild Game SupperFebruary 21, 2015; Music Road HotelTickets will go on sale January 2015

5-5-5 Quilting ClassTuesdays; 4:30pm/Good News Building For more info or to sign up for the class please call Lori Mahaffey at 932-1343.

Upcoming Events

Special AnnouncementsBible DrillBible Buddies (Grades 1-3) - Sundays at 5:30pm in C-220Children’s Bible Drill (Grades 4-6) - Sundays at 5:30pm in C-212

Youth Bible Drill-Grades 7-9Sundays at 5:30pm in the 6th grade Sunday School room.

Mission OpportunitiesRoyal Ambassadors(RA’s); RA teachers needed.

Special Friends MinistryIn need of a Sunday School teacher a few times a month. If interested contact Tammy in the church office.

Church Office Holiday HoursThanksgivingClosed November 26, 27, 28ChristmasClosed December 24, 25, 26New Year’s Closed January 1

Save the Date!Regional Conference at FBC, equipping small group leaders. March 13 and 14, 2015. For more information contact Steve Brewer or Karen Price at 453-9001.

Nov.2014

Calvin & Darlene Lambert

Frank E. Neal & Co, Inc Eubank Asphalt Paving

& Sealing by Mike and Michael Eubank

Danny & Kim Blalock Katie EdgeClyde & Beuena OwnbyHarold HeltonJimmie TempleJames AtchleyPaul & Ruth GalyonStella & Lucas McCarter Steve & Vickie OwnbyLon Sutton Beulah SuttonBuILDInG FunDEmily D. Stone Rex & Louise DelozierMildred LeonardClyde Trentham Adult IV/Wallace

SS ClassChristine Guffey Rex & Louise DelozierTed BlalockClyde TrenthamJerry WardRichard ReaganMelvin Carr Lyle & Judy Pat OverbayHELPInG HAnDSGary Lawson Kay & Jim TarwaterClyde Trentham Buddy & Carolyn GlennCHILDREn’S MuSICPaul & Ruth Galyon Robbie & Sandy FoxYOuTH PROJECTRalph Robertson Dorothy & David

JohnsonMuSIC MInISTRYRudine Yates Katie Blalock’s SS ClassRalph Robertson Belva GlaspieWORLD HunGERHoney Gregg & Tracy PriceClyde Trentham Larry & Janice SorrellBryan Blalock Jo BlalockTed Blalock

Ralph RobertsonFred McClureHD CourtneyCharles CliftonEunice & Melvin Carr Mike & Beverly OwnbyElben White Jean WhitePARk ROAD PROJECTJane Jackson Betty Greer MackebeeTed Blalock Jo BlalockLIBRARYJeremiah William RoseJerry WardSylvia MckinneyRichard ReaganDon BakerHarry Phillips, IIITed Blalock First Baptist ChurchGOLDEn STATE MISSIOnSH.D. Courtney Darlene Corrado

IN HONORBuILDInGVada Bogart Rex & Louise DelozierOur daughter Betty’s

birthday Rex & Louise DelozierWORLD HunGERSusan Beebe Alvin & Ruby ScrivnerOur grandchildren;

Micaiah, Cole, Abby, Thomas, Caleb, Eli & Emma

Ben & Connie OgleMuSIC MInISTRYScott AndrewsJonas & Lylas McCarter Steve & Vickie OwnbTV MInISTRYHelen OwnbyJerry Hyder Steve & Vickie Ownby

TribuTedGivinG

Attendance Report 9/7/2014 9/14/2014 9/21/2014 9/28/2014 8:15am Worship 626 610 582 660 9:30am SS 1443 1302 1358 1284 10:45am Worship 1219 1137 1294 1248 6:30pm Worship 357 330 421 400

Biblical Stewardship 9/7/2014 9/14/2014 9/21/2014 9/28/2014 Total Weekly Needs $ 95,381.00 $ 95,381.00 $ 95,381.00 $ 95,381.00 Tithes & Offerings 91,127.45 88,421.25 71,389.01 105,299.09 Building Fund 1,011.00 431.00 5,481.00 7,705.00 Designated Fund 10,045.00 4,478.11 5,148.45 5,355.02

new MembersAndrew & Delilah LibbyMargaret LockwoodBrandy SamuelAllan & Deborah AnemaetJeremiah BrittonDan & Karen SearleJonas McCarter

Recently HospitalizedMason HodgeTiffany HodgePam GlennPaul JamesRoger SailorDee JacqueminBuddy GlennJuanita BrockJerry GibsonGail FancherJim HubbardMarian SwannRebecca SwinkEd WhiteJohn MooreMilford BlairPhyllis HamCarol BatemanElisabeth MansfieldDon LeatherwoodAlden DouglassRuth HouserErnestine HayesBill McMahanDink TinoJason SeatonSydney Myers

• Betty Jo Trentham & family in the passing of her husband, Clyde

• Jill Smith & family in the passing of her grandmother, Christine Guffey

• Gail Williams in the passing of her sister-in-law, Genie Honea

• Penny Donnell in the passing of her sister-in-law

• Karen Hill in the passing of her mother, Mary Katherine Thomas

• Debbie Ratledge in the passing of her step-father, James Elkins

• Bill Weeks in the passing of his sister, Henrietta Weeks

• Karen King & family in the passing of her husband, Johnny King

Sympathy to

IN MEMORYBuDGETHoney Gregg & Tracy PriceGeorge Headrick’s

Birthday Barbara HeadrickRudine Yates Katie BlalockRalph RobertsonTed Blalock Bill & Clara CarrollTV MInISTRYTed Blalock Helen Frances Owen Irene & Dennis Heilmann Ross Prestressed Concrete James & Donita Sharp Whaley & Sons Eddie & Cheryl Shaw Jack & Deborah Lambert Cemex Materials LLC Talley Construction, Inc Mr. & Mrs. Jay Seaton Will & Janet Johnson Power Equipment Co Carl Van Hoozier, Jr Sarah Ussery Bob & Judy Parham Bell & Associates

Construction Charles Blalock & Sons Joe Woods SS Class Brian McMahan Ola Mae Roberts Jim & Chris Nixon Bill & Charlotte Maples

and JR Layman Hazel Rolen Bill & Nikelle Burke Wright Brothers

Construction Vulcan Materials Company Mr. & Mrs. Ken Cheek Brent & Sherry Blalock

Gossip. It kills, steals & destroysJared OwnbyCollege & Young Adult Ministry Assistant

This was my journal prompt recently: “What is gossip? Why does it hurt so much? Why is it so dangerous?”

Here’s the bad part of gossip: We hear it all the time. I mean we hear it ALL THE TIME. We hear it so much we think it is actually the way things ought to be. Unfortunately, this includes our church culture. Yikes! Whether in a van on a ministry trip, over dinner, or at work, we hear gossip all the time. It goes a little something like this:

Jim and Jack work together. Jim is the supervisor and Jack works for him. Jim has quirks that everyone in the office sees and feels. For example, Jim chews his gum with his mouth open and often doesn’t iron his work clothes.

When Jim isn’t around, Jack and the others often talk about their perception of a double-standard. “Why should the boss look unkempt while the rest of us must be presentable?” “Doesn’t it just tap dance on your nerves when he’s reprimanding you while smacking his gum?” “Why does he get to go to paid-for work lunches while we’re stuck here?” And so on.

Send questions or comments to [email protected]

What matters is the impact it could have on reaching those not in Sunday School.

Studies have shown that properly birthed classes, which include a trained teacher, outreach leader and care group coordinator, can add 10 new people to Sunday School attendance. Multiply that times 10 and you see the possibilities.

Although numbers are important for a number of reasons, a greater incentive is that new classes provide more entry points into the church for new people. To reach those not in church or Sunday School, we’ve got to put ourselves in their shoes. A smaller, newer class makes it easier for connections to take place. Speaking of connections, people who join the church and get connected to a Sunday School class have an 85% chance of being in church 5 years later. If they fail to get connected, that percentage

Yet Jim knows nothing of this. Is it a problem? Some of it. Some of it is jealousy. In any case, is Jim blinded to it and is he getting blind-sided by their comments? Yes. Would it hurt him if he found out? Absolutely. But that’s why they do it behind his back—they don’t want to be [caught] hurting him. But Jim will find out eventually. He always does.

So, what is gossip? It begins with cowardice. Gossip occurs when someone is too much a coward to speak truthfully with an offender. Instead of keeping the “circle of offense” as small as possible, the offended party flies off in rage, vomiting the information of offense to anyone and everyone. Others leech on and spread the deadly morsels to others. Here’s the essence of gossip: a private offense is made public, creating further offense by disrespect and cowardice.

The question is not whether the information spread is true or not; true stories of true offenses still frequently become gossip. The question is whether sharing information of the offense will be redemptive and God-glorifying. The “circle of offense” needs to stay as small as possible, escalating incrementally until the problem is solved. The Bible provides the way for this in Matthew 18.

How does the gospel apply? Profoundly, Jesus bore the penalty for our offenses in His flesh on the cross. As followers of Christ, we must “bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” As Christians we say, “Christ bore the penalty for my sin. Therefore, I will bear this offense and not make you suffer for it.” This is forgiveness. This is gospel-motivated Christian living. This is courage.

As followers of Christ we first go to God. His Spirit will lead us in going to the offender if necessary. His Word is sufficient to guide us to repent and ask forgiveness when we offend. He guides us to have courage to do what we’d prefer someone else do to us—and I’d sure prefer someone confront me face-to-face to having my offense talked about behind my back.

There are corporations like Dave Ramsey’s that have “zero gossip” policies. How do they enforce it? They fire people. They tell employees: If you hear gossip, be courageous to SHUT IT DOWN.

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12, ESV).

drops to 15%. Birthing new classes also provides opportunities to develop new leadership and servants.

Most importantly, new classes increase our ability to share God’s Word with others, especially those who need the Good News. Small groups can be very effective in meeting this need.

Would you commit to pray, “God, if You can use me at all, help me to be obedient?” Maybe God is leading you to teach, be a care group leader, or an outreach leader.

In just a few weeks I hope to have ready some teacher training to equip all those who feel led to teach. I read recently that spiritual growth begins with discomfort. If that is you, then praise the Lord! He has something for you to do.

Spotlight on Sunday SchoolSteve BrewerAssociate Pastor of Discipleship

Though I have been on staff only a few months, my eyes have been opened to how truly blessed our church is to have some outstanding teachers and classes at all age division levels. We have teachers who prepare lessons each week as they disciple believers, rightly dividing God’s Word. We have well-organized classes who are doing a fantastic job of reaching and ministering outside the walls of our church. The only thing that could be better is to have more classes just like them.

My hope and prayer is that within a year we could see 10 classes birthed - that is 10 new Sunday School classes formed from our current classes. There is nothing magical about 10; it may be too large or too small.

Published monthly by First Baptist Church of Sevierville.Periodical postage paid at Sevierville, TN | 317 Parkway, TN 37862RETURN POSTAGE REQUESTEDPostmaster send form 3579 to “First Word,” 317 Parkway, Sevierville, TN 37862(865) 453-9001 | FAX (865) 428-3920 | fbcsev.org

(USPS 661-090)

Rev. Dan Spencer Senior Pastor

Scott AndrewsAssoc. Pastor of Worship

Jerry HyderAssoc. Pastor of Adults

Scott CarterAssoc. Pastor of Youth

Address317 Parkway Sevierville, TN 37862

Office HoursMonday- Friday8:00am - 5:00pm

Office Phone(865) 453-9001(865) 429-6309 (fax)

Craig MintzAssoc. Pastor of Equipping

Royce BaileyAssoc. Pastor of Children

Steve BrewerAssoc. Pastor of Discipleship

Clark ByramAssoc. Pastor of Stewardship/Administration Contact UsSenior Staff

fbcsev.org

[email protected]

facebook.com/fbcsev

twitter.com/fbcsev

Pastor on Call(865) 453-9257

Prayer Line(865) 429-PRAY

First Word November 2014

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