The fam is continuing our visiting tour of local churches. Yesterday we attended Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church - or “The Ship” as it is affectionately known by the members - pastored by Rev. Charles Jenkins. He is a young animated preacher and he did a really good job illustrating the Bible for everyday life application.
His sermon yesterday was “Run Tell That”. His subject verses came from John 4:46-53. It’s the story of a father of a sick son near death, who heard that Jesus was in the area, asked Jesus to come see his son and whom Jesus healed from a distance - while talking to the father - without actually traveling back with the father to see the boy.
As you read the text you’ll notice how the man’s servants came to meet him and told him that his son was healed (Run Tell That). Rev. Jenkins referred to an earlier part of the chapter, verses 28 - 29, when the woman at the well went to tell the towns people about the amazing man she had never met who told her all about herself (Run Tell That). If you’re not familiar with her story start at the beginning of the chapter. The stories of the woman and the father segue in the middle of chapter 4 showing Jesus moving from one event to the other.
But getting back to the main part of the sermon, Pastor Jenkins used a series of H words to paint the picture in our minds. The boy’s father was HURT, he HEARD about Jesus and hearing of Him gave the father HOPE. The father didn’t stop there though. He was wise enough to ask for Jesus’ HELP and therefore his son was HEALED and his entire HOUSEHOLD was ultimate saved.
A couple of key points that stuck with me are (1) that we should not let our pain or our feelings keep us from hearing and (2) before we move on to the next thing we need to pause and thank Him for “this blessing”, whatever it may be at the time.
He gave us some really good supplemental scriptures to compliment the sermon including John 16:33,
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
and Hebrews 11:1,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
We thoroughly enjoyed the services, especially the Men’s Choir singing for Father’s Day and leading the praise and worship before the sermon. Had a good praise dance team too. I’m definitely paying attention to this dynamic place of worship. A “go back” some time soon is definitely in the plans. So where did you go to church yesterday? Tell us what we missed.
