The Time Is at Hand - Vision Sunday 2024

This last spring we were able to have the Walnut Tree cut down, even though it was sad to see it go, It was a necessary move for the wellbeing of the church building. It is amazing how God provided someone to pay to have it cut down, and gave us $2000 on top of that to replace the tree.

We also began planning for VBS in the spring and decided on using a Bible theme of Babylon. This theme took us through what it would be like for the Jews to live in Babylon during the exile.

Mrs. Michelle Wallace was able to host the Pastor’s Wife’s Retreat for our church at Camp Cobeac. This is a very special time for these ladies, and needful time of rest and comfort. We have heard many reports and have been given many notes of thanks for doing this.

We had a great Easter service, with a wonderful attendance.

We wrapped up the Kids for Christ year with an Awards program and Picnic with great attendance and a wonderful fellowship.

We were able to take the younger kids who are not old enough to go to camp to the Children’s Museum in Saginaw, and w had a great time together.

We had a couple of graduates from High School in our church this year, and they have gone off beginning what God has for them for their future.

In May our ladies enjoyed a ladies brunch with a special speaker. The ladies had a wonderful meal and a wonderful time of fellowship.

We had our first Church at the Park, it was well attended and went well.

In July we were able to take 27 people with us to Camp Cobeac where many decisions were made for Christ, and the kids and teenagers had a wonderful time.

In August my mom passed away, and the church came together around my family and helped us tremendously. The number of people that came to the funeral, even though they didn’t know her, was incredible…and I know it was purely a love gesture for my family, and we thank you again!

Kids for Christ began again in September and has been very well attended. We have been averaging around 30 kids and teenagers per week. We would love to see this grow, if you would pray with us that we will be able to reach more kids in Mayville through this ministry.

A few of the Ladies of the church attended the Ladies Retreat at Camp Cobeac in October and had a great time together. Many of the sessions spoke to their hearts, and God used the time of refreshment to bond our ladies together.

A few weeks later four of our men went to Man Camp, and we had some great food, great preaching and more great food!

We had a very successful Trunk and treat on Halloween and I believe had record attendance as we gave out candy, but most importantly the gospel to each one that came by.

As we went through November we enjoyed a wonderful Harvest Banquet where we raised enough to give $200 each to our missionaries, and we had our annual Thanksgiving and Praise service near Thanksgiving.

This month we had a record attendance, at least since I have been here, of 154 at the Christmas Cantata, we enjoyed a Christmas party and Christmas store for the Kids for Christ where they were able to bet gifts to give to their family members for Christmas.

What a great year! We have seen Higher average attendance than in years past, and a higher offering than years past. Our Live stream audience is doing well and has been a blessing to many who have not been able to come to church.

But as we look over the mountain top of this year into the next year I want to be sure to prayerfully guide and lead our church where God wants us to go.

Habakkuk 2:2 KJV

2 And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, That he may run that readeth it.

The Lord told Habakkuk to Take the vision that He was going to give him, and write it out plainly so that others can understand…so that those who read it may run with it.

Like every year, I have prayed that the Lord would give me a vision for this next year.

Where does the Lord want us focus this next year.

What does the Lord want us to accomplish this next year.

The Lord laid on my heart a theme entitled

The Time Is at Hand

This comes from

Revelation 1:3 KJV

3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

I don’t know all that the Lord has for our church in 2024, but I feel in my heart that it is time for us to take our walk with God as a church very seriously.

The Time is at Hand to Keep the Purpose Statement for our Church the Focus

I introduced this purpose statement a couple of years ago.

I would like to get it printed and placed in the lobby so it is always before our eyes!

The purpose statement for our church is that we as a church are:

Fully Devoted to Christ

Biblically Growing in Christ

Loving Others through Christ

How are we doing as individuals on fully devoting our hearts to Christ?

How are we doing in our biblical growth in Christ?

I can only do so much!

I can prepare the meal, but you have to eat it!

How are we doing on Loving others through Christ?

How can we accomplish this Purpose statement as a church body this next year?

I came up with a list of 12 things I believe the Lord wants us at Mills Memorial Baptist Church to do through Him this year.

Each of these things help us to fulfill our purpose statement to be:

Fully Devoted to Christ

Biblically Growing in Christ

Loving Others through Christ

1. Start up Services at Fisher Senior Care

The Lord laid this on my heart, and then it was confirmed by one of our deacons in a board meeting.

then the Lord had one of the ladies at Fisher’s to call and set it up, even before I could figure it out.

James 1:27 KJV

27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

But what is it going to take as a church?

Prayer

Take a Part

Choose to Love

2. Carpet the Church

Raise the rest of the money needed to Carpet the church

Haggai 1:3–4 KJV

3 Then came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, saying, 4 Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, And this house lie waste?

The rebuke here was for the Israelites who cared nothing of God’s house, but lived in fancy homes.

Of course this would be too harsh for this group here today, but It shows the heart of the Lord.

The house of God is important.

and we need to make it as presentable and comfortable as possible for those who visit, and worship with us.

What is it going to take from you?

Prayer

Giving

3. Remodel the Parsonage

I hate talking about things that benefit me, but I am grateful that the church here has a real heart to take care of their pastor.

I thank the Lord that you live out Paul’s address to the church:

1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 KJV

12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

So, what is it going to take for this remodel to actually be completed? What can you do?

Prayer

Sanity for your pastor

Clearing of Contractors schedule

The Parsonage remodel and the new carpet are the big projects this year, but I already see a real need for:

4. Remodel Church Downstairs Bathrooms

This may be down the line, but It doesn’t hurt to have a goal as the Lord provides, we could possibly move forward.

Ephesians 3:20–21 KJV

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

What will this take from you?

Prayer

Giving

I believe that God wants us to see growth in our church this year.

So we need...

5. Add New Families to our church

I do believe that God adds to our church - we can do, do, do but never go anywhere, if our focus is only on our doing.

Acts 2:46–47 KJV

46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

So What do we need to do?

Prayer

Inviting

Reaching out

Loving those who come

Disciplining those who come

6. See Salvations and Baptisms

from members reaching out around us.

Proverbs 11:30 KJV

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; And he that winneth souls is wise.

Awareness

A heart broken for the lost

Psalm 126:6 KJV

6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Prayer

Soulwinning

Follow through

7. Take on one new missionary

Matthew 28:19–20 KJV

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

We are commanded, as God’s people, to teach all nations...

We can only do this through missions.

What is it going to take from us?

Prayer

Faithful giving

8. Have 20 Attend Pastor’s Wife Retreat

Every year we host at Camp Cobeac a Pastor’s Wife Retreat.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 KJV

11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Pastor’s wives need this comfort and edification as well!

Pastor’s wives are very isolated and disconnected.

In a survey of pastor’s wives

69% said that they have few people they can confide in about important matters in their life.

56% said they have too few relationships that they feel emotionally connected to

55% said that they do not feel they can be themselves around others.

How can you help with the Pastor’s Wives Retreat?

Prayer

Keeping Our Eyes Open

Prepare gifts

9. Biblical Counselling Ministry

Many people are struggling all around us, and they just want to know where they can turn to find some answers.

The Word of God contains everything we need to live this life.

2 Peter 1:3 KJV

3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

We just need to learn how to apply what the Bible says to what the people need.

I am currently getting my certification in Biblical Counselling.

And there are three ladies that are working on certification through Women Counselling Women

This is a ministry that others in this church can be involved in.

But it takes work and study.

What can you do to help this ministry of our church grow?

Prayer

More people trained

Advertising - Let people know if they need help

Our Theme this next year is the time is at hand.

In our theme verse it gives instruction for receiving blessing from God.

One of the ways that God reveals that we can be blessed is if we read the words of this prophecy.

This verse is specifically talking about the book of Revelation…but there is no doubt that the statement applies to the rest of the Bible as well!

Joshua 1:8 KJV

8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

If you want to have a prosperous year spiritually this year, you cannot neglect:

10. Faithful Bible Reading of Every Member

How can we make this successful this year?

Make a plan

Follow the plan

This verse continues and the blessing to those who hear the Word of God.

“…and they that hear the words...”

Our faith is built by hearing the Word of God.

Romans 10:17 KJV

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

So I want us to have a vision to be ever more careful to...

11. Faithfully Hear the Preaching

Jesus in His prayer for us said:

John 17:17 KJV

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Faithful attention to the Preaching and hearing of God’s Word will help us to grow in holiness.

What is this going to take from us?

Faithful attendance

Live stream when can’t attend

Keep what you hear

Which leads me to my next goal for our church:

12. Renewed Commitment to Personal Holiness

You say, “Pastor do you think I’m not already committed to personal holiness.”

I’m not saying anything about anyone in particular, but rather to all that are here.

We can all renew our commitment to live the kind of lives that please our Lord.

This is not so that we can have favor with Him. - There is nothing we can do to earn His favor

This is not to earn His love - He already loves us completely and perfectly.

This is not to look good - We are not talking about changing the outside, we are talking about a change of heart that creates a change of life.

1 Peter 3:10–12 KJV

10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

Let’s commit together to honor the Lord with our lives.

How are we going to see this, this year?

Prayer

Faithful Bible Reading

Yielded to Grace

Conclusion

The time is at hand!

We need to be busy this year fulfilling our purpose

to live our lives Fully Devoted to Christ

to be Biblically Growing in Christ

and to Loving Others through Christ

I remember hearing the story of a young boy who attended church faithfully throughout his boyhood.

The Baptist Church had a bus that would come by and pick him up every Sunday and he would attend his Sunday School Class.

In church week after week he would read the wood letters of a verse that was placed above the pastor on a drop down portion above the stage.

The verse read: Where there is no vision, the people perish.

Individuals in the church would give him a ride on Sunday nights and then again on Wednesday Nights.

And he would look up at that verse: Where there is no vision the people perish.

The pastor shared his vision with the church each year, and the people worked for Christ throughout the year.

He grew closer to the Lord and remained faithful.

The church was active and vibrant.

Souls were being saved, and the baptistry waters were being stirred.

As the boy grew older, he graduated high school and the little church held a graduation party for him.

He went off to college and time went on.

He found a good church to attend while he was in college and there he met a young lady and married her.

He graduated college and they moved away for his job.

They had children, he worked hard in his career, and they faithfully attended a Baptist Church in the area where they now lived.

Years had passed but he never forgot about that little church where he grew up.

One day he and his family was back in town visiting his mom when He decided to drive over to that little church.

When he got there there were boards over the doors and windows, the grass and weeds had grown up, the old church bus sat in the back rusted and unused, and the windows were broken.

He walked back over to hte building and tried to peer into one of the broken window between the boards.

He saw the old auditorium caught in time like a time capsule.

He saw pews covered in dust, some broken

A few random papers littered the pews and floor.

Hymn books still sat in the pew backs, but were covered in a layer of dust.

The piano sat up front unused for many years.

the pulpit still stood on the stage of that old auditorium.

Then his eyes lifted to the verse that he saw so many times before…but something seemed different…Then he noticed, the W from the word “Where” had fallen off the wall.

The verse now read prophetically, “Here there is no vision, the people perish.”

There was no longer a bus going out and picking up young children like there once was.

There were no Sunday School teachers who greeted their students each Sunday with a warm smile and a hug.

There was no vibrant music wafting through the air, as there was no congregation to sing it.

The vision had died out, and the people around the church were left to perish without hearing about Christ.

Our church has stood strong for almost 168 years now.

But do not take for granted that this church will be here in 20 years.

I can cast my vision for this coming year, but unless each and every one of you are willing to your part this year…we will not be able to see this church grow and thrive.

Will you commit with me today to renew your walk with God?

Renew your faithfulness to attend, and hear the preaching of the Word of God which has the power to change us.

Revelation 1:3 KJV

3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Will you commit with me your life a new to God?

Over the next few weeks we are going to look at each of these three things that God promises will bring blessing upon our lives, and thereby our church.