For years I had been part of churches that “named” their year, meaning there was a particular word or idea that was to carry through as the main teaching theme of the ministry for that entire year. Personally, I have never been much into that sort of thinking. That was of course up until this year. Early in January I heard the word “OCCUPY” mentioned in passing by our Minister, Jack White, and immediately my spirit almost jumped out of my body. A hundred things went flashing through my mind all pertaining to that word… occupy. Immediately I knew that word was to be a pivotal and significant part of our church for this year and even far beyond.
Occupy… what exactly does that word mean in regard to the purpose and advancement of our ministry here in Vandergrift…. checking out Websters dictionary, I found that occupy means “to take possession of: to possess, to hold or to keep for use”. Glory to God, I understand that but… how does that apply to the First Baptist Church of Vandergrift? We already own the building, we own the property, we own everything in the building… we gather here every week to worship the Lord and to participate in services and even to fellowship with one another… isn’t that occupying?????
All of a sudden the revelation of what God was trying to explain became so obvious… owning the building and everything in it doesn’t necessarily mean that we are “occupying”… but, boldly standing our ground to teach and preach and share the uncompromising Word of the Living God in the face of a society that is becoming more and more depraved with every passing day is occupying. We are not to conform to the filth and the lies that are being publicly conveyed and falsely perpetrated as truth when in fact it is only mankind rebelling against his Creator in every way possible. In today’s world, right is wrong and wrong is right with no standard of righteousness or holiness. Man blatantly denies Almighty God and consequently disobeys all His precepts and in doing so exalts himself above the knowledge of God and thinks he justified in doing so…. but sadly, man is not aware that in being what he thinks is wise, he becomes a fool.
Here at the First Baptist Church, we are to continue to be rooted and grounded in nothing but the Word of the Living God. We are to walk in daily fellowship with God simply by acknowledging His presence within us by the power of the Holy Spirit, for therein lies our peace, strength, stability, and success. We are to continue to praise and to worship Jesus and to give Him first place in our lives as Our Lord, Our Redeemer, Our Savior, Our Healer, Our Deliverer and yes, Our Friend. We are to stand strong in God’s divine purpose to advance the Kingdom of God at any cost because yes, God is alive and yes, He rules the universe from His throne in heaven, and yes, He is coming back soon to judge the living and the dead. (Rev. 1:8 NKJV, Psalm 103:19 NKJV, 2 Tim. 4:1 NKJV)
We will occupy … we will spiritually possess this land of milk and honey that the Lord has given us here on the corner of Franklin and East Adams Avenues. We will share the everlasting love and goodness and forgiveness of our heavenly Father towards all men so that darkness will be extinguished while there is still time to do so. And… we will continue to declare with every breath within us that Jesus Christ is Lord.
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