Pastor’s Page | October 16th, 2025

Sermon Prep (Read Philippians 1:12-14)

Do you remember that country song called, “Life is a Highway” (Just FYI, in my opinion it is not really a country song but a pop song dressed up in boots and a hat…just my 2 cents). The message is that life is fast and you ride it all night long. I thought about that song this past week when I was reflecting on this passage and when I was driving the roads in Kentucky. If you have never driven the backroads in Kentucky, let me assure you they are not like Texas backroads. They are filled with curves, hills, dips, and lots of places for you to go flying off the side and crashing into a creek bed (think the Dukes of Hazzard theme song: “Straightening the curves, flattening the hills…”). My point is this. Life is not like a highway, rather life is like a Kentucky backroad. You are sometimes going fast, then hitting the breaks thinking you are about to die as you overlook a cliff, then you end up thinking you are lost with no data or wifi, and then you end up going over a hill and your stomach ends up staying on top of the hill while the rest of you hits the bottom of the hill. Sometimes you end up places you didn’t want to be, not knowing how you got there, but somehow, by some miracle, you end up right where you need to be when you need to be there.

In our passage, Paul is not where he wants to be. This wasn’t how it was supposed to play out. Paul went to Jerusalem to share the gospel and instead he got beat up, arrested and he appealed to Ceasar for a fair trial. His appeal meant that he had to be taken to Rome and this would include a shipwreck, attempts on his life, and him being brought before one Roman official after another. Even though this wasn’t what Paul had planned, as he sits under house arrest in Rome awaiting his trial, he can see that everything that has happened has actually been beneficial to the furthering of the Gospel. All the disappointments, the ups and downs, and even being in prison has actually placed him exactly where he needs to be for God to do His work in and through Paul.

As you study these verses this week, think about what kind of faith Paul must have to be able to see all his trials in this manner. What does he have to believe about God in order for him to have this kind of view of his circumstances? Also, notice where Paul’s concerns are. Are they for himself or for others? Is Paul’s main focus his wellbeing or the Gospel? Also, look at the impact that Paul’s response to his circumstances has impacted others, not just unbelievers but the other believers as well. How do we see the disappointments in life and the curves and hills that it brings? Do we see them as leading us to where God wants us to be and where we can best serve Him? Also, does your response to difficulties help give credence to the power of the Gospel?

Here are some verses that will help you prepare for Sunday. Read the story of Joseph in Genesis 37-50. It is one of the most powerful stories in the bible. Then highlight Genesis 50:20. Romans 8:28, Psalm 119:71, Acts 3:13-15, 1 Peter 5:10, James 1:12, 1 Peter 1:7-8.

October Sermon Series
”Partners In The Gospel”

10/19: Because Of You (Philippians 1:12-14)

10/25: In Spite Of You (Philippians 1:15-18)

Updates, Thoughts and More

  1. On November 2nd , we will be having a special “All Saints Day” service where we will remember our loved ones we have lost during the previous year. During the service, we will be lighting a candle in their memory and reading their name out loud. If you have a loved one that you lost this past year and you would like to have them remembered during the service, there is a sheet in the Narthex for you to place their name. Also, you can either contact the office or email the pastor.

  2. This upcoming Wednesday during our Table Talk series we will be starting the section of our study dealing with New American Religious Groups and Cults. I know this is the juicy part everyone has been waiting for! Some of the things we will cover is why is it that all these groups like the Mormons, the Adventist, the Christian Scienrists all start up at the same time in the same place. Also, what is the difference between a denomination and a “New American Religious Group”? This Wednesday we will start this section by looking at the “Adventist” movements and the Shakers. We will look at the different groups (cults) that have grown out of the Adventist movements (Branch Davidians) and how these groups take the theology of the Christian faith and twist it for their own ends.

  3. I want to give a big shout out to Carole Polley for thinking of the staff and bringing us some Nothing Bundt Cakes to eat this past week. It was such a blessing and really made us feel appreciated. If you have not had one of these cakes, they are like biting into a soft, flavorful, piece of heaven. Our staff works hard, and they do a great job. October is the month of Appreciation, so take this time to really show your appreciation for all they do. Pray for them, reach out to them and let them know that you appreciate all they do. A little bit of encouragement goes a long way.

  4. We will be having our annual church meeting on November 16 th after the 2 nd service. We will make sure to get the nominations and other items we will be voting on out to every member at least 3 weeks in advance. We will once again be having absentee voting the week prior.

  5. Partnering with Rancho Brazos for their Fall Festival. On October 30 th , we will be joining the Rancho Brazos community in their Fall Festival/Trunk or Treat. We are asking for signups for those who will come and park their cars and pass out candy just like you would do here at the church. If you would like to donate Candy, we have a place in the Narthex for you to drop off the candy. All Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups can be dropped off at the Pastor’s office, and the Pay Day Candy Bars can be dropped off in the office.

  6. Let’s talk college football! Who would have thought that the Aggies would be not only the best team in Texas but the best team in the SEC. I think they will have a hard time this week with Arkansas. Bobby Petrino is an offensive savant, and the Aggies will have to adjust. I think they will pull it out, but the Aggie fans will be sweating it out until the last whistle. LSU will have a close one with Vandy but will win at the end, Kentucky (sad) will get trounced by Texas, but the game of the week will be Ole Miss and Georgia. I hate to say this, but I think Ole Miss will pull off the upset and defeat Georgia. Another great game will be Bama and Tennessee. These teams hate each other. I think Bama wants revenge for last year. Bama is better than people think. Bama wins by at least 2 touchdowns. So let it be written, so let it be done.

  7. As for the NFL, I will be at the Dallas-Washington game this Sunday. I am leaving right after church (no…there will not be a shorter sermon). This game is always hard to pick. I think Washington is the better team, but Dak has been playing great. If the Dallas defense can make at least one or two stops, I think they pull it out. There are not many good games this week, but the team that I have really started to enjoy watching is the New York Giants. I am in love with Cam Skattebo! He plays football the way it is supposed to be played. If you haven’t seen him yet, google his highlights. He is only a rookie, but he reminds me of the running backs of the 80’s.

What’s Going On This Week

Sunday (10/05)
Sunday Service - 9am & 10:30am
Kenya Information Session - 11:45am

Monday (10/06)
Stitching Angels - 1:30pm
Church Council - 6:30pm

Tuesday (10/07)
Men’s Meeting - 7:30am
Armor of God Bible Study - 10:00am

Wednesday (10/08)
Prayer Warriors - 9:00am
Sip and Share - 10:00am
Stitching Angels - 1:00pm
Table Talk (Adventist Movements) - 5pm
Youth and Kids - 5:00pm
Bell Choir - 6:00pm
Choir - 7:00pm

Thursday (10/09)
Psalms Bible Study - 9:00am

Joke of the Week

One day, a teacher was talking to her first-grade class about whales when a little girl had a question.
Little Girl: “Do whales swallow people?”
Teacher: “No, even though they are much bigger than a person, they have throat pleats that filter their food of krill and plankton.
Little Girl: “But Mrs. Thurston says Jonah was swallowed by a whale.”
Teacher getting angry: “Blue whales cannot swallow people.”
Little Girl: “Well, when I get to heaven, I’ll just ask Jonah if he was really swallowed by a whale.”
Teacher, still red with anger: “What if Jonah went to hell?”
Girl: “Well, then you can ask him.”

Memory Verse of the Week

“Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.”

~Philippians 1:12 (NIV84)

Quote of the Week

“In order to trust God, we must always view our adverse circumstances through the eyes of faith, not of sense. And just as the faith of salvation comes through hearing the message of the gospel (Romans 10:17), so the faith to trust God in adversity comes through the Word of God alone. It is only in the Scriptures that we find an adequate view of God’s relationship to and involvement in our painful circumstances. It is only from the Scriptures, applied to our hearts by the Holy Spirit, that we receive the grace to trust God in adversity.”

~Jerry Bridges

 
 
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Pastor’s Page | October 2nd, 2025