WHAT’S ON WHAT’S UP TODAY:

Do you know how to be involved in the great commission?

How large are Southern Baptist Churches?

27% average between 50-99 in average attendance. 43%, less than 50….

Only 4% of all Southern Baptist Churches average more than 500 in weekly attendance.

Pastor Ed Ethridge discusses much, much more: How many SBC affiliated churches are there?

How many attend Sunday School/Life groups?

Robert Knight joins us looking at America.

Are we dangerously close to the edge of the cliff?

Its sad so many in America are mad at the messenger (Musk) for finding the waste and abuse of our dollars.

The Wednesday Segment with Mark Lanier and Biblical Literacy: How to study the Bible - Background and Parallelism

From the pulpit of Champion Forest with Pastor Jarrett Stephens:‘A Call to Remember’.

Discussed by Terry Lowry
with Host of the What's UP Radio Program

Host Terry Lowry interviews influential and knowledgeable guests on relevant topics for today.

IS YOUR CHURCH FOCUSED ON THE GREAT COMMISSION?

Discussed by Pastor Ed Ethridge – Retired
with Truth for You Ministries (www.truthforyou.net/)

The average Southern Baptist church calls the South home, but the only region of the country where those congregations are growing is the Northeast. Churches are baptizing more people, but most churches remain small and fewer attendees are involved in small groups.

Today, Pastor Ed Ethridge discusses the importance of the Great Commission and our responsibility as Christians to fulfill God’s purpose here on earth.

Click here to read the report from Lifeway Research which prompted this interview with Pastor Ed Ethridge.

NOTE: The numbers used today are from the analysis of data reported on the Annual Church Profile from 2018 and 2023, the latest year available.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Is the Southern Baptist Convention a force for good?

Does the SBC dictate what individual churches can or cannot do? Who calls and employs local pastors – the SBC or the church/committee for the church?

Can God use small churches? Can God use mega churches? Pastor Ed explains how all churches, regardless of size, can be effective in growing the Kingdom of God.

Can God use an old church? Can God use a young church?

Pastor Ed has pastored Baptist Churches in rural, suburban, and urban areas. Are there different challenges to each?

How important is small group ministries in the daily life a individual Christians?

Should churches be more intentional about helping people inside their own walls, not just in the community? Pastor Ed reminds us that we cannot reach unbelievers for Christ if believers don’t know how to do it!

Is there more work to do in Kingdom building?

If you have questions about God, Jesus, or salvation, please feel free to contact Pastor Ed here.

IS AMERICA IN PERIL? OR ARE WE ON THE RIGHT TRACK?

Discussed by Robert Knight
with Robert H Knight (www.RobertHKnight.com)

Who will win control of our government: unelected bureaucrats or the democratically-elected president, Donald Trump?

Today, frequent guest and best-selling author, Robert Knight, discusses Trump’s beef with out-of-control judges and the Democrats’ hatred of DOGE.

Click here  to read Robert Knight’s op-ed on this topic.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Is President Trump in a public wrestling match with Chief Justice John Roberts and some of the Federal Judiciary?

During Biden’s presidency, Democrats wanted to pack the Supreme Court with their choice of Justices. Was that a threat to some who are currently serving on the Supreme Court?

Is America facing a Constitutional Crisis? Robert explains what a Constitutional Crisis really is and how the government is “supposed” to work if Justices and Judges would just get out of the way.

Do the majority of Americans support DOGE?

How does someone like AOC – a simple bartender – get elected and make so much money in such a short amount of time?

Have Democrat officials lost touch with the people who elected them to serve? Robert reveals just how low the Democrats’ approval ratings are and why more and more people are beginning to wake up and fight back.

What can we be doing now to further the Conservative cause across America?

To help support Robert Knight, purchase one of his many books here.

BACKGROUND AND PARALLELISM

Discussed by Mark Lanier
with Biblical Literacy (www.Biblical-Literacy.com)

Day 3

Why do we study the Bible? Mark says: “Spiritual desire isn’t just intellectual but as visceral and urgent as physical thirst. We study because our soul – who we are – needs God.”  Mark Lanier is doing a short lesson series on How to Study the Bible. This week, Mark focuses on knowing and discerning the background and different genres of writing found in the books of the Bible.

To view Mark Lanier’s video for this lesson, click here.

If you have a prayer request, need Scripture encouragement, or would like a copy of Mark’s lessons each week, email wantmore@biblical-literacy.org

QUESTIONS / ISSUES DISCUSSED:

Yesterday, Mark explained why it’s important to study the Bible in different ways depending on the genre the book is written in.

WAYS TO STUDY THE BIBLE:

What is the major key to ancient Hebrew poetry? Mark discusses parallelism. Click the above link and fast-forward to the 47-minute mark to view Mark’s illustration.

What is “chiasm”?

What is synonymous parallelism? (Psalm 19:1 and Isaiah 44:22)

What is antithetic parallelism? (Psalm 1:6)


For more information about Mark Lanier’s Biblical Literacy class, click here.

A CALL TO REMEMBER

Discussed by Pastor Jarrett Stephens
with Champion Forest Baptist Church (www.ChampionForest.org)

Day 3

A few weeks ago, Pastor Jarrett Stephens began a new twelve-week sermon series on the Book of Ephesians.  In this series, he and others from CFBC will offer hope and encouragement as we discover our true identity in Christ and how it effects our daily life.

This week, Pastor Jarrett encourages us to remember:
Remember who we were before Christ
Remember what Christ did for us on the cross
Remember who we are now that we have Christ

Scripture Passage: Ephesians 2:11-22

Find Pastor Jarrett Stephens’ sermon here.

Find Pastor Jarrett Stephens’ sermon notes here.

If you have questions about a sermon, please contact Champion Forest at questions@cfbc.org


QUESTIONS / ISSUES DISCUSSED:

A Call to Remember What Christ Did for Us on the Cross (vs 13-17)

How did/does God unify us – believers in Christ?

Do you ever get tired of doing the same thing over and over again – like your job? Pastor Jarrett shares about the never-ending work (ministry) of a preacher.

How was God involved in the death of his only son, Jesus?

How important is the blood of Jesus? Pastor Jarrett lists some hymns…

What was Paul probably thinking about when he wrote this letter the Church in Ephesus? Click the link above to view the illustration of the Court of Gentiles.

Soooo, what did the sign say? Tune in tomorrow to find out!


If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, text the word JESUS to 77069 and a pastor or counselor from CFBC will call you back.

For more details about Champion Forest Baptist Church, click here.

PRAYER

Discussed by Terry Lowry
with Host of the What's UP Radio Program

Omnipotent Father,

Look upon your servant with kindness and compassion.

Overlook my failures. Replace my arrogance and pride with submission to you, Lord.

Guide all that I do, for you hold today and tomorrow in the palm of your hand.

As this day unfolds, plant my feet in the center of your will.

You alone are my God. and I will lift praises to your Holy Name.

Lord Jesus, shine brightly through my words and actions.

Holy Spirt, fill me with the fruit of your Spirit.

I surrender to you, Father God, wash me in the blood of the Lamb, in whose name I pray,

Amen