This past Sunday, I preached from Matthew 5:13-16, where Jesus tells us we are “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world.” As salt, we are to act as a preservative in this world by living the life Christ died to give us. In our obedience to Him, we prolong the decaying and rotting process this world is going through due to sin and rebellion against God. Also by sharing the gospel, we make people thirsty for the living water that comes only from Jesus. As light, we are a reflection of His light to a world fumbling about in spiritual darkness. Christ has called us to dispel darkness by shining our light wherever He has placed us. In verse 16, Jesus says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” The ultimate goal is to glorify God by living as He has called us to live. So, are you salty? Are you preserving the world through holiness or are you aiding in the decay through disobedience? Is your light shining? Are you standing out for Christ, or have you hidden in the shadows of the world? These are important questions for all of us to prayerfully consider.
A few months ago, a team was assembled to begin planning a spring outreach to our surrounding community. I am pleased to share that the planning process is nearly complete for the Beaches Community Health Fair, April 9th at the South Beach Community Center. The fair will feature various health screenings and information booths. We are very ex-cited to have Baptist Beaches and many other health associations participate with us. Along with health information, we will also be sharing Christ through a Gideon Bible distribution and our Ocean Park booth. Many volunteers will be needed, so please prayerfully consider helping when the call goes out.
I look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday as we continue our focus on Christianity According to Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). Next Sunday, January 30, we will celebrate Baptism and Lord’s Supper. Let me know if you have a question about Baptism.
In His Grace, Russell

From January 3, 2011

Greetings from the year 2011!! Part of beginning a new year is reflecting on the past one. As I look back at 2010, it is easy to see what God has done in the life of our church. Last year we ordained two deacons, learned how to Share Jesus Without Fear, PrayerWalked our community and distributed nearly 1,000 Bibles, participated in a Lay Renewal Weekend, became an Angel Food Ministries host site, took a large group to youth camp, doubled our VBS attendance, baptized five teens, ate some awesome fish at our Holy Mackerel Fish Fry, went on a mission trip to Haiti, sent over 40 shoeboxes through Opera-tion Christmas Child, and exceeded our Lottie Moon Christmas Offering goal by over $1,000. I look forward to what God is going to do in and through Ocean Park Baptist Church during 2011 as we live out His mission here in Jacksonville Beach and beyond.
I know you will join with me in welcoming Shawn Rawson and Chelsey Sears as members of Ocean Park. Shawn joined by statement and Chelsey by transfer of letter from a sister church. I was privileged to meet with them before morning wor-ship. Shawn shared that he wants to be a part of the ministries here at Ocean Park – he said he just wants to be used by God. Wow – that is what it is all about. I pray that all of us here at Ocean Park will share Shawn’s desire.
Come join us this Wednesday as Mike and Bonnie Snider, directors of the Cabaret Baptist Children’s Home in Haiti, share and this Sunday as we begin two new sermon series. In the mornings we will discover Christianity According to Jesus (Matthew 5-7) and in the evenings we will focus on Praying God’s Way. Also, this Sunday we will vote concerning the forma-tion of a Senior Adult Director position and the proposed 2011 Church Budget. I look forward to seeing you then!