October 2009

In Mathew’s Gospel there is a parable Jesus told about a master giving his servants some talents “according to their ability.” To one he gave five, the next one he gave two, and to the third one he gave one. Each servant was to invest the master’s talents or money and try to make a profitable return. The first two doubled their investment, while the third played it safe and buried his in a mason jar in the back yard, thus not making a profit for the master.

The first two were rewarded with a promotion, each being put in charge of many things and future retirement benefits – “enter into my joy” is what the master tells them. However, the third servant was called evil and lazy by the master, and the master took his one talent away and cast the servant away.

Wow! That seems pretty harsh, but let’s look and see what sort of teaching nugget we can pull from this parable. The phrase “according to their ability” is the key to Jesus’ teaching.

Your responsibility is tied to your ability. God’s kingdom purposes do not operate according to what the world would say is “fair.” Instead, God operates according to what is best according to Him.

The Master clearly does not want equal return for His possessions but equal effort, and there is a difference. One of the problems that I’ve seen in churches is that we focus on the return and not the effort. This is the way a secular business operates; it’s not how the church should operate.

Let me repeat that: God is not looking for equal return, but equal effort. In the same way, Christians with different capabilities and opportunities may produce differing results while working with equal faithfulness and devotion. The Lord therefore assures His servants that each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

Let’s apply this to Sunday School. We have many adult classes at ARBC. I believe all of the teachers are faithful and diligent in teaching their classes, yet one class may grow while another does not. Often our first assumption is to assume one teacher is doing something wrong and the other is doing something right. But let me caution you that that is the way the secular world thinks. Let’s face it—there is a secular influence within our churches, and it is evident in that way of thinking. In God’s plan, He is looking for faithfulness, not numbers, and God will add increase in His timing and not ours. I think most Christians struggle with that because we tend to be results oriented.

So remember, although the third slave had been given fewer resources than the other two slaves, he had the same obligation to use what he had to his maximum ability, and the same thing applies to you. Your potential is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift to Him. Zig Ziglar has said, “You are the only person on earth who can use your ability.” Are you investing what you’ve been given, regardless of how much it is? Or, have you buried your blessing and kept it hidden from others?

Remember, we’re all in this together and I’m pulling for ya!
Until next month, Danny Joe

Posted by arbc at 05:15 PM | Comments (0)

October 2009

It’s hard to believe that summer is over and fall (early winter for those that live in Colorado) is here! This is my favorite time of year because of the beauty of God’s creation. It is also my favorite time of year because of the upcoming three months of worship services. There is still time to join Adult Choir or the ARBC Orchestra and participate in these upcoming services. If you can match pitch, consider joining the choir. If you can play an instrument, consider joining the orchestra. You can be a leader in worship!

Posted by arbc at 05:07 PM | Comments (0)

InChWesta - Servive - October 2009

Friday, October 9
We will leave ARBC at 4 p.m. and go to the Denver Rescue Mission. We will leave there at 7:30 p.m. and go to JUMP STREET. Cost is $15 per person. Games and food will follow at the Youth House, and we’ll wrap up at 11 p.m.

Posted by arbc at 04:57 PM | Comments (0)

InChWesta - October 2009

Do we really believe it?

The students and I have just finished up a series about evangelism and how important it is that we share our faith. One of things we talked about was that if we really believe that the Christian message is true, we will be sharing our faith with those that God has placed in our sphere of influence. If we really believe that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, we will have no other option but to be sharing our faith. My prayer for the students and my prayer (and challenge) for all of us is that no one in our sphere of influence would go to hell because WE never shared Christ with them.

Life is fragile and there is no guarantee that any of us, or any of those in our sphere of influence, will be here tomorrow. Let us boldly and courageously share the message of Jesus Christ. Let us be faithful in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. After all, if we really believe it to be true, we can’t help but share the message of salvation which comes through Jesus Christ alone!
In Christ,
Josh

Posted by arbc at 04:53 PM | Comments (0)

2009 Fall Festival

The ARBC annual Fall Festival will be held on Saturday, 10.31 from 1 PM to 3 PM. There will be FREE food court, games, craft fair and inflatables. For more information you may call the church office at 303.784.3033. Don't miss out- come join in on the fun, food, and the safe friendly atmosphere for the whole family!

Posted by arbc at 04:48 PM | Comments (0)

ARBC Prayer Conference

ARBC invites you to our 2009 Prayer Conference lead by Dr. Earl Waggoner, Associate Professor of Theology and Church History at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary—Denver Campus. This year's conference will be held Sunday evenings at 6:30 PM on 10.4 and 10.25.

Posted by arbc at 04:30 PM | Comments (0)

October is Pastor & Staff Appreciation Month

We will receive a love offering for our pastors and staff throughout the month of October and will present it to them on Sunday, November 1. You may use one of the special love offering envelopes or a regular envelope and mark it “Love Offering.” Checks may be made out to ARBC.

...The Personnel Team

Posted by arbc at 03:54 PM | Comments (0)

09.09.:.Study of Jewish Feasts & Holidays

Wednesdays at 6:15 PM starting 09.09.09 trhu 11.11.09

Come learn why God instituted the feasts, what their significance is for us today and how they relate to Jesus Christ. We will see, hear, smell, and taste our way to learning about ten Jewish feasts and holidays.

Posted by arbc at 08:02 AM | Comments (0)

09.20.:.Crown Financial Class

Sundays 4:15 PM - 6:15 PM for 10 weeks starting 09.20.09 thru 11.22.09.

Many people are experiencing financial challenges, but did you know that the Bible contains 2,350 verses dealing with money? Many have been taught what the Bible says about how to handle 10 percent of their income—about the area of giving—and though this is crucial, we all need to understand God’s perspective of managing the rest of our money as well.

In only 10 weeks, this study teaches us to use money in eternally significant ways that benefit us as individuals and the church as a whole. It is the number one resource for transforming the mind and heart of an individual regarding attitudes about money.

Posted by arbc at 07:50 AM | Comments (0)

09.19.:.BodyLife Journey Workshop

The Body Life Journey

Saturday, September 19, from 9:00 a.m.—noon (lunch is provided).


BodyLife Journey is a mentoring/discipleship ministry. It is a process of developing church leaders, encouraging witnessing, involving believers in effective church ministry. It is relationship building between church members, between new believers and mature believers.

If you have more questions, read Danny's September 2009 Challenger article, contact Danny directly or contact the office at 303.794.3033.

Sign-up early - participants will need to read and complete the first 27 pages of the workbook prior to attending the workshop.

Posted by arbc at 07:30 AM | Comments (0)