It was wonderful this past Sunday to worship in our beautifully decorated sanctuary, and to begin a new series in God’s Word, Number the Stars:  An Advent Study of Genesis 12-15. 

We looked at Genesis 12:1-3, which sets the stage for what is to come, namely that “all the peoples on earth” will be blessed through Jesus.

Of course, we have a role to play in that as the people of Jesus.  Our Lord has given us the assignment to “make disciples of all nations.”  (The Greek word translated as “nations” means every people group – every group of people distinguished by their own culture and language.) 

And that is what the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is all about.  It gives us an opportunity at Christmas to give the most strategic gift we can give:  To touch the world with the gospel.  Every penny of the LMCO goes to reach the last, the least, and the lost with the good news of Jesus. 

This Sunday, we will have our annual Ingathering for the Lottie Moon offering at the end of our service.  We’ll ask you to come forward with your gifts and prayers for the nations.  It will be a great celebration, and an anticipation of the time when we celebrate with those of every tribe and tongue in glory (Rev. 7:9-10).

Also this Sunday, we’ll dig into Genesis 12:4-13:18.  The message is entitled, “Offering of Abraham.” 

The Holy Spirit is at work, and many people are out there – including friends and family – who will be open to an invitation from you to join you in worship at FBC.  Just reach out and invite them!  What a perfect season to hear the good news of Jesus, and they’ll hear it every Sunday at FBC. 

I’ll see you this Sunday, with a Bible in my hand.

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations,

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.