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Published: 28 January 2022

“Jesus is Better”

I can remember it like it was yesterday.  I was sitting in the center section at Fellowship Baptist Church in Lakeland, Florida.  I was a few rows back from the front.  My Bible was open to Hebrews.  I was a college student and Sundays were a treat.  Instead of writing papers and reading books and doing projects, I was able to receive.  Our pastor, Dr. David Nettleton, was preaching from Hebrews and he said, “The theme of this letter is Jesus is better.”  He went on to do a survey of the letter and pointed out all the ways that Jesus is superior to everything and everyone.  It was one of those “moments,” I hope you have had some of those in your life.  I realized that day that all the stories, structures, metaphors, people and complicated story lines of the Old Testament had a point—His name is Jesus.  I realized that no matter who I met, or read, or heard, I could never find anyone better than Jesus.  I wanted to know Him; to know Him is to know God!  I wanted to follow Him, there’s no better guide!  I wanted to be like Him, there’s no greater model of what it means to be human!  That Sunday morning as a receiver, was about 38 years ago, and now I get to share with you the wonderful message from that same book.  I’ve been looking forward to this study in Hebrews for a long time.  I hope you can join us in person or on line.  Jesus is better than anyone, anything, anyplace, any system or approach to life you can possibly imagine.  Love Him.  Follow Him.  Live for Him.  You will struggle, but you won’t be disappointed.  Jesus is better!

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Published: 21 January 2022

"Saved By Works?"

“We are saved by works.” Several years ago, a prominent Christian theologian began a conference talk with this bold statement. As you can imagine, he had his audience’s attention (and slight dismay). He then proceeded to explain, “We are saved by works, but they are not our own.” The Bible is clear that we are not saved by our works (Eph. 2:8). Yet, we often forget or fail to consider that somebody’s works are still absolutely essential to our salvation. The just requirement of the law (perfect obedience) still stands and must be met—either by us or someone else in our place. Join us this Sunday as we consider the “one man” whose obedience has paved the way for our salvation.

- Guest blog by Pastor Ethan Cole