Rev. Robert J. Bailey "Bob"




Welcome!


I want to personally thank you for worshiping with us and I hope that you felt the Spirit of God present in our service. One of the great gifts of this church is that they welcome you as if you were a long lost friend and welcomed back into the family. It is similar to the way the father welcomed back his prodigal son. This faith family does this in a very authentic and sincere way - we would love to have you be a part of our faith family.


We believe, and it comes from the Bible, that it was no mistake that you were with us. God sends people to be a part of His church. We believe He sent you here today. He sends people to His church because


1) you have gifts that this church needs to be complete and effective and


2) this church has gifts that you need to be all God dreamed you to be.


We hope that you will come back as often as you can until you feel comfortable and ready to make us your faith family. I’m not too much on using my name or my picture because all I want you to remember is Jesus. But people say they need to connect a face to the messenger. If you are one of these, you see me. If you believe like me, use the picture to run the snails out of the garden.


In Christ’s love and grace, Bob Bailey


If you would like to email Bob ... pastorbb@warringtonumc.com
1 comment:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

God's Good News for You


What does it mean to be saved?

What is humanity’s relation to God?

Paul writes in his letter to the Romans that“All of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.”(Romans 3:23).

This doesn’t say that:God has rejected everyone. God doesn’t like them. It does say that we, as human beings, have fallen short of the glory of God.

We are created to be like God (Gen. 1:26)

We were given control over the earth(Gen. 1:28)

We were made a little lower than God(Psalm 8:5)

We have fallen short of this wonderful goal of emulating God's character and of using our full capabilities. God hasn’t separated Himself from us, we have separated ourselves from God. (See Luke 15:11-32)

Who is Jesus?

Let’s ask first what Jesus did.

He brought to us understanding of God’s character. (Hebrews 1:3)

He carried the burden of our sins(1 Peter 2:24)

He gave us a way to live right (1 Peter 2:24)

He opened the way to God (Hebrews 4:14-16)

Jesus has shown us the glorious purpose God has for us and how we can attain it. God’s Son has all the brightness of God’s own glory and is like him in every way. (Hebrews 1:3)

What does it mean to surrender my life to Christ?

The idea of surrendering control of one’s life to someone else is very frightening to some.

But what is it that God is actually asking of us?

Think of someone standing by a high cliff. There is a choice to be free of the laws of nature and jump, or to accept them and take proper care. To choose life by surrender is not to give up anything good. One simply accepts the physical laws that exist and by which the universe runs. Accept them and live; reject them and die.

It is the same thing with Christ’s moral laws: accept and live or reject and die.

Today I am giving you a choice. You can choose life and success or death and disaster.(Deuteronomy 30:15)

What does it mean to live a Christ-like life?

Jesus said that the most important commandment of the law was: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. . . . The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, ‘Love others as much as you love yourself.’”

The Bible also teaches that we must put this love into action (1 John 4:20,21).

Children, you show love for others by truly helping them, and not merely by talking about it. (1 John 3:18)

What about heaven and hell?

For many people the point of Christianity or any religion is to assure one’s place in another world. But there is much more to following Jesus than that. Jesus showed as a good way of life here and now! The Bible tells us about an eternal reward and eternal punishment, but what it tells us most about is following Jesus in this world, preparing for the next.

By following Jesus in this life we are preparing to be in His presence for eternity. (See John 14:1-3)

Dear Father in Heaven,

I admit that I have sinned and fallen short of Your glorious purpose for me. I acknowledge Jesus as Your Son and my Lord and Savior. I accept the message of love You sent through Him. I turn from my sins and ask to be brought back to Your plan for me. I surrender my life to You. I ask You to fill me with Your Spirit so that I can live a Christ-like life.

In Jesus' name, Amen

What do I do?

1. Pray and accept the message God has sent you through Jesus.

2. Determine to turn from the things that keep you away from God’s full purpose for your life.

3. Find a group of Christians who believe in living the love of Jesus on a daily basis and join with them for worship and action.

4. Read your Bible, listening for the voice of God as you do.