Fairview Baptist Church

Make a Difference

info — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:06:59 +0000

To make a difference, you must first be different.
Have you noticed how our culture is in a state of change?

We live in a world that is changing dramatically politically, religiously, socially and technologically. I must continually remind our Fairview family that truth does not change. A true believer never makes a difference by adjusting his life constantly to a changing society. When we stand firm in the faith, we offer a hopeless world a fixed position, a lighthouse of safety in an ocean of restlessness and uncertainty.

If our doctrine is shaped by popular consensus, we will have no message that will make a difference. In these last days men will be self-obsessed with pleasures, comforts, salary packages, and personal desires. Not only should we stand in our doctrinal position but also in our practice or lifestyle. Some would think that if we believe right that is sufficient to make a difference. But the scriptures specifically teach that both belief and practice are crucial. Paul stated to Timothy (2 Timothy 3:10), “But thou has fully known my doctrine, manner of life . . .” No one wondered about Paul’s message because his manner of life told the story.

When I think of the changes in our society and in our churches, I wonder where it will all stop. It seems just about anything goes in the name of grace and liberty. The lifestyles of most Christians are indistinguishable from most unbelievers. The world of the unsaved has no hunger to have what they already possess. A distinct lifestyle of purity, modesty, and holiness has never been popular to the unconverted. Pressures to conform to standards pushed by unprincipled secular or even religious groups have placed us on a slippery slope leading quickly away from distinct Biblical living.

Making a difference begins by being different. What we believe and our manner of life affect those who truly seek the truth.

Heritage Month

info — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 15:12:49 +0000

These past three Sundays have been extraordinary. Our Fairview family has been privileged to hear three battle-scarred soldiers of the cross; Dr. David Dickerson and Dr. Lonnie Mattingly with almost four decades apiece in harness and our Brother Gene Lasley with 57 years with his hand to the plow. All three brought a wealth of experience cradled in broken hearts for the work of the Savior. Long after we have forgotten their words spoken, we will remember the vision they possessed, the burdens they carried, and the tears they shed.

Dr. David C. Gibbs

This Sunday, August 22, we welcome to the Fairview pulpit Dr. David Gibbs, Jr. I first became acquainted with Dr. Gibbs in the late 1970′s as he was instrumental in helping our Tennessee Association of Christian Schools in a court case involving the government’s desire to force our churches to pay unemployment compensation taxes on school personnel. This would have stamped our schools as secular institutions separating them from the umbrella of our local churches.

For more than 30 years, I have personally watched Dr. Gibbs champion the cause of religious liberty. His guiding force has been the principles of God’s Word. He is a gentlemen with a humble manner and a good humor. We will be blessed by his countless experiences and his knowledge of the scripture.

On this last Sunday of Heritage Month 2010 we are blessed and honored to again sit at the feet of a man who has been faithful. Savor every moment!

Bro. Jack

Dreams Continue

info — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 18:49:25 +0000

Dreams for the Future continue with renewed emphasis on Camp Fairview and much needed renovations there.
Among the projects to be completed:

Remodeling two main cabins – COMPLETED

Repairing chapel porches

Refurbishing swimming pool – COMPLETED

Replacing barn roof – COMPLETED

Renovating bath house

Completing new camp cottage

Purchasing program equipment

Praise the Lord for monies brought in to enable project completion!
Perhaps you would be moved to ‘lay up treasures in Heaven’ and invest in Camp Fairview?

As Believers, we must pray …

info — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 15:00:38 +0000

This week we celebrate the birth of our wonderful country. America is the best of all nations. People from all around the world risk their very lives to come to here.

In America each citizen is free to talk, think, and travel. If we don’t like our work, we can find another job or we can go to school. If we don’t like our elected officials, we can vote them out, or run for office ourselves. We can turn the channel or turn it off; answer the phone, or disconnect it. We can read our Bibles and go to church. We can visit the supermarket or dine out; be married or stay single; make speeches, or keep silent. The hand of government rests more gently on American citizens than those in any other country.

Although we’re blessed as citizens of this great country, freedom requires a constant vigil. The world is crumbling all around us, but Bible believers have a set of building plans. We live in a strange world – kids know more about drugs, rock music, liquor, and sex than adults. We tax productivity to support unproductiveness. Criminals have rights while victims are suspect. The public schools cannot give a tract or read the Bible or pray. This is not the age of reason but the march of folly.

If we do not take the initiative to talk about morals, an amoral society becomes an immoral society. As believers, we must pray for our nation, participate in the governmental process, and stand for the Biblical principles that made this country great. God’s people have an obligation to be salt and light. Let us be grateful for our nation and live for Christ in these days of opportunity.

Bro. Jack

Men of the Church

info — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 15:00:34 +0000

The scriptures tell us of the hearts of Jonathan and David being knit together. The nation of Israel numbered their men as a unit. Jesus left with twelve men the propagation of the gospel. A surface reading of the scripture shows us the position of leadership ascribed to men. Biblical churches had men as pastors. The preachers, prophets, and evangelists were men. The Bible was written by approximately 45 men. One of the best things that could happen to our churches today would be an infusion of men with courage, backbone, common sense, and godly character. The Bible plan is that men take leadership. In the church, home, and society, men have an obligation to have vision and conviction. According to Ephesians 5:22, every man is to his wife the image of Christ. Children are blessed who have a father who portrays to them the image of our Heavenly Father.

Men have been given the responsibilities of provider, protector, and priest in the home. One major problem we face today in America is a dearth of male leadership. We have been fed the erroneous idea that it is wrong for a man to assume he has been endowed with masculine abilities and responsibilities. As a result we have confusion. Women are distressed due to lack of security, and children grow up in homes without proper male role models. God has a circle of reference for both men and women. Only those who border on insanity could imagine there is no distinction between the sexes. Women who seek to walk as men cause themselves harm and do violence to the special role God has given them as women. In the same fashion, effeminate men who leave their proper place and depart from their manly responsibilities send social order into chaos.

Today we honor the men in our church. As your pastor, I appreciate the strong male leadership enjoyed by our congregation. May our Savior give all our men a hunger to seve Him and direct their families to follow.

Bro. Jack