If My People…

As I write this, it is September 1, 2020.  Over the last several weeks I have been led to preach through a series of messages based on 2 Chronicles 7, “If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:13–14)

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Our nation has been steadily moving away from anything resembling godliness for decades.  But the pressure cooker of 2020 opened the floodgates of evil, it seems.  By and large, it seems the church is either silent or complicit.  The world is expected to move away from God… toward secularism, paganism, humanism, etc.  But the church – God’s people are to be different. We are to be Salt and Light, bringing glory to God in a dark world (Matthew 6:13-16).  The church of the living God is to be the pillar and support of the truth in a culture (1 Timothy 3:15).  This is all to be centered in the Great Commandment to Love God first and love people as we love ourselves (Luke 10:27), and the Great Commission to make disciples of all people groups (Matthew 28:19-20).

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What is obvious is that the church needs revival.  We have been asleep in our culture, afraid to make waves. We need to be awakened to our mission and our calling.  To fear God rather than culture.  And the world needs a revived church, standing in the gap, warning of God’s judgement, and pointing to the Gospel, in Holy Spirit power and grace.

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A Solemn Call

It is my strong belief that God is calling Kirby Baptist Church to a time of repentance and return.  I am convinced that God has directed a solemn assembly of His people, locally known as Kirby Baptist Church, on September 27, 2020.  Please prayerfully consider joining us by congregating, using wisdom and exercising social distancing, as directed by Scripture (see Hebrews 10:25).  No one will “guilt” you if you choose not to participate – NO ONE!  But recall that “God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
 

4 weeks of preparation

In preparation for this time of solemnly assembling together, let me encourage you to now begin examining your own heart and life.  Don’t rush into this.  Please take this time of preparation seriously.  Humble yourself, pray, seek God’s face, and repent.  Pray like David did in Psalm 139, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” (Psalm 139:23–24)

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At the beginning of each week, I will make available to you a guide for reflections and repentance.  It is based on a guide from the Southern Baptist Convention.  The first is connected to our thoughts and attitudes, and is attached to this communication.