Church Appreciation Message

Church Appreciation Message (Pastor Appreciation Day, also 40th wedding anniversary)

Romans 1:1-12 (preaching 1-6, thanking the Church 7-12 – let it all be done from the heart.)

1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

· As am I, minus the apostleship. (Praise God)

2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

· What is it that God has promised other than His Son; His promise of a Deliverer?

3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

· The Bible bears witness of this: And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:14.

4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

· Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

· Without the resurrection, we have no gospel to share.

5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

· The “we” includes all of us. We have all received God’s amazing grace. We are all commissioned to be obedient to sharing the faith.

6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

· Think you have not been called? The word declares right there that you have indeed been called. The Father has called you unto Himself.

o John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

To the People of Reidville First Baptist Church

7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

· God has blessed us with a wonderful, God fearing, God loving church – and we know this, and we are grateful for it and for each of you. We are grateful and thankful:

o (We are thankful) First and Foremost, that We are called here to serve God

o (We are thankful) the Faithfulness of the people here – workers - attending

o (We are thankful) the Frequent prayers that you all offer up on Our behalf

o (We are thankful) the Friendships that We have been blessed to have with you

o (We are thankful) the Family that we have become. We came as a visitor, and you have adopted me and mine as your own.

9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

· I wish I could claim this, though admittedly, I don’t pray for you all enough.

· And yet my prayer for you all is “…that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;” 1 Colossians 4:9-12.

10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.

· My journey is this life God has granted me, and I pray that it will be a fruitful and prosperous journey.

11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;

· I endeavor to see each of you grow in your walk with Christ, and if not that, then that you will help me to grow in mine. That together, we might be established.

12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

· With God’s blessing we will continue this journey through life together in mutual faith.

May God bless you all – Amen.