Unity Baptist Church

Mother’s Day

Posted on May 8, 2015 by Clark Bunch

This church website is relatively new but I have been preaching and posting sermons for several years. Here’s a couple of links to sermons from my blog The Master’s Table if you’re looking for that sort of thing. I will be preaching on Mom’s buttermilk biscuits this coming Sunday; you’ll just have to wait for that.

Mother’s Day 2009 Teresa was pregnant with our daughter Johannah, but we had already been through two miscarriages and didn’t know what to expect.

Instead of a Mother’s Day Sermon From 2010, this sermon is about how many different relationships each teach us something about our relationship with God. It gets around to addressing mothers before it’s over.

As we celebrate Mother’s Day be sensitive to the fact that every adult female in your congregation is not necessarily a mother. Some may not be able to have children or may have lost children in the past. Some folks simply avoid church on Mother’s Day altogether. Even as we celebrate our mothers I would encourage everyone to remember why we meet in the Lord’s House on the Lord’s Day. Don’t forget to worship. Pastors, find a place to open the Word and preach the Gospel.

God bless.

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Do the Best You Can with What You’ve Got

Posted on May 3, 2015 by Clark Bunch

May 3, 2015 | Sermon text: Matthew 25:14-30

At our first prayer meeting during the season of prayer and fasting I read a single verse of scripture. Hebrews 11:6 says “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” The very fact that one says a prayer to God is an admission that he can and we can’t. The one who prays in faith believes God exists and, according to Heb. 11:6, rewards those who seek him.

In Matthew 25, Jesus is describing the end times and final judgement to his followers. Verses 14-30 is the story we know as the Parable of the Talents. A talent was a piece of money but it makes it real easy for us to interpret using our talents, things we are good at, for the glory of God. The first thing we need to realize is this: The talents come from the master. The coins in the parable are given to each servant based on the ability of each just as the spiritual gifts are given to each child of God by the Holy Spirit. Whether it’s teaching Sunday School or playing the tuba, the gifts come from God in the first place. The word inspiration literally means God breathed. If you have a vision for your church or community, if you feel an idea just fell on you like a ton of bricks, that didn’t just happen. It was given to you by God! The spiritual gifts described in the New Testament include preaching, teaching the Word and interpreting tongues. But in our day and age being able to design websites or build a front porch are talents that could be used for the glory and honor of God.

God calls us to use our gifts. The master of the house in the parable didn’t issue specific instructions but it was understood what he expected. The servants knew that he would have used his property to earn more had he not been going away, and two of the three did just that while he was gone. The third servant did not act out of ignorance but out of fear. Fear is one of the greatest weapons the devil has to use against us. We are called by God into Kingdom service, to use the gifts he has given us to bless others. Whether it’s preaching from the pulpit or teaching arts and crafts at Vacation Bible School, God will lead us into places where our gifts can be used. Not everyone who is called responds. Just like we don’t always answer the phone when it rings or go to the door when someone knocks, we can ignore God’s call. Moses argued with God at the burning bush that he lacked the ability to do what God was asking him to do. Remember, it’s God that gives the talent in the first place. We are called to tasks bigger than us but not bigger than God. He will do the work through us if we are willing to be used in his service.

He rewards those who use their talents. In the parable there was reward for those who put their talents to good use. The only servant not rewarded was the one that hid his talent. The application gives itself: Don’t hide your talent! I know it’s not as easy as it sounds. But look at the benefits versus the consequences. And we’re not talking about gold coins in an ancient economy, our reward in God’s Kingdom is at stake. Keep the big picture in mind. Growing your Sunday School attendance might get you a certificate to hang on the wall in the short run but in the long run could mean the difference for someone between going to heaven or going to hell. The greatest gift we as believers have entrusted with is the Gospel and we have an obligation to share that with others; as many others as possible. Their may be an apparent reward in this lifetime but the real rewards are yet to come.

God gives the spiritual gifts.
He calls us to use them.
He rewards those that do.

Peace and God bless.

Posted in sermon | Tagged gifts, Jesus, Kingdom of God, Matthew 25, parables, stewardship, talents | 1 Comment

Guidelines for Prayer and Fasting

Posted on May 1, 2015 by Clark Bunch

Our Season of Prayer and Fasting begins Friday evening. Here’s a short list of things to keep in mind.

Prayer

Please pray for God’s will to be done. We want to commit ourselves to doing the work he has called us to and ask him to bless our efforts. Pray for our church, its members, the community of Plainville and for our pastor and his family.

Fasting

For medical concerns or other reasons some people should not fast. If you fast from eating please stay hydrated! You have to drink water; whether you choose to drink juice, coffee or tea during the fast is up to you. You may also consider fasting for a shorter period of time, such as 12 instead of 24 hours.

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The Prayer Side of Prayer and Fasting

Posted on April 24, 2015 by Clark Bunch

April 26th | Sermon Text: Luke 18:1-14

Last week we looked at fasting in the Old and New Testament (click here to link). Both Isaiah and Jesus talked about the right and wrong way to do it. This week will focus on the prayer aspect of prayer and fasting, and again there is a right and wrong way.

The Parable of the Persistent Widow is the first thing we read in Luke 18. Even though the judge is wicked (neither fearing God nor regarding man) he grants justice to the widow because she keeps asking. Jesus is contrasting God the Father to the wicked judge. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says that even we that are wicked know how to give good gifts to our children. How much more does God our Heavenly Father know how to give even better gifts to his children? If even a wicked judge is persuaded by persistent asking, then a loving and merciful God will do even better. The lesson here is to be persistent. James later went a step further by saying “You have not because you ask not.”

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector are described in verses 9 – 14. The Pharisee is “thankful” that he is not like other men and presents God with a list of such people, including the tax collector that has also come to pray. The tax collector does not even look up toward heaven but humbly asks “have mercy on me a sinner.” The issue is attitude. Humility (not unlike fasting) is something we don’t hear much about in our culture. We bow our heads or kneel in prayer in reverence of the one we pray to. The very fact we are asking God for anything in the first place is an admission that we cannot provide for ourselves. Our prayers don’t make things happen; our faith in God motivates him to act on our behalf.

Jesus taught his disciples how to pray. In Matthew 6 he gave his followers some specific warnings about what not to do and then told them to pray in this manner:

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil.
-Matthew 6:9-13

1) This model prayer begins by recognizing who God is and prescribing to him honor and glory. Psalm 100 says that we are to “enter his gates with thanksgiving” and “come into his courts with praise.” We are praying to God not talking about God! Address him by name, give him glory, and offer thanks for all the blessings we have been given already before asking for anything else.

2) We are taught to pray for God’s will. Jesus did the same when he prayed in Gethsemane “not my will but yours be done.” In our season of prayer and fasting we will seek to know and do God’s will more than ask for any specific blessing. We are committing ourselves to his purposes rather than asking for x, y or z.

3) We ask for God’s provision. Give us this day our daily bread is focused on the immediate need and recognizes God’s hand in the daily events of our lives. The Hebrews following Moses were fed manna, each day exactly what they needed for that day, for a period of 40 years. God will provide for today and don’t worry about tomorrow; when that comes he will provide then as well. We are warned elsewhere to not rely on our own strength or understanding, those are gifts from God as well.

4) We must forgive debts (or trespasses) as we are forgiven. A warning follows the prayer in Matthew 6 that if we don’t not forgive others God will not forgive us.

5) We read in James 1 that God is not tempted to sin nor does he tempt anyone. The model prayer asks that we not be led into temptation but delivered from evil. We know that the one who is tempted but does not sin is blessed; we are even more blessed by not being tempted in the first place.

This is often labeled as The Lord’s Prayer but it would be more appropriate to call it The Model Prayer or even the Disciples’ Prayer. We may repeat the exact words but Jesus said to pray in this manner. These are guidelines, a rubric for how we are to pray.

On May 1st and 2nd the members of Unity Baptist Church will join with friends, family and the community at large for a time of prayer and fasting. You are invited to join us in person or at the throne of grace in seeking God’s will and asking for his blessing. We will gather on Friday evening at 7 and Saturday afternoon at 2 for corporate and public prayer, weather permitting on the front lawn of the church. If you can fast, please do. If you can meet, please do. If you can pray… and I know you can… please do.

Peace and God bless.

Posted in sermon | Tagged Jesus' Example, prayer, teach us to pray, the Disciples' Prayer, the Lord's Prayer, the Model Prayer | Leave a comment

Prayer and Fasting

Posted on April 19, 2015 by Clark Bunch

April 19th | Text: Acts 14:21-23

Prayer and Fasting were practiced in the Old Testament. Ezra prayed and fasted while seeking protection. Nehemiah wept, fasted and prayed during a time of mourning. When Daniel perceived that Jerusalem would be desolated for seventy years: Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. (Daniel 9:3) There are many references to fasting in the Old Testament but almost never to just fasting; you will always find prayer and fasting, mourning and fasting, weeping and fasting, etc.

Prayer and Fasting were practiced in the New Testament. In Acts 13, the church at Antioch prayed and fasted before sending out Paul and Barnabas. “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.” (Acts 13:2-3) Paul and Barnabas pray and fast for the elders appointed to each church in the following chapter. While Old Testament fasting is often associated with weeping or mourning, New Testament fasting is often associated with establishing believers in Christian service. It is part of the dedication of ministers and missionaries.

Jesus fasted. After his baptism and before beginning his public ministry, Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness fasting. Just like in Acts, Jesus dedicates himself to the task at hand with a season of preparation.

Jesus taught others to fast. He explained on at least one occasion why his disciples did not fast (while the bridegroom was with them) but that they would fast later (after his death, burial and resurrection). His instruction on fasting was to the larger audience of Jews regarding how to fast correctly. “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:16-18)

Fasting is a spiritual discipline that we seldom hear anything about. But the many references throughout scripture are hard to ignore, particularly when Jesus and the early church fathers so often prayed and fasted. There is a right and wrong way to do it (taught by Jesus in the New Testament and the prophet Isaiah in the Old) but when done correctly is a valid expression of faith. Fasting, like prayer and tithing, demonstrate a dependence on God’s provision.

Unity Baptist will join other members of our community in a time of prayer and fasting May 1st and 2nd. Click this link to read more about that event. We wish to dedicate ourselves to work God has called us to as a church; and as myself and my family have only been here a few months, this is something of a dedication as pastor. Please be in prayer during the coming days and weeks, and considering joining with us in prayer and fasting. Ask for God’s will to be done, to him be honor and glory.

Posted in sermon | Tagged fasting, Jesus, New Testament, Old Testament, Paul and Barnabas, prayer | Leave a comment

Season of Prayer and Fasting

Posted on April 17, 2015 by Clark Bunch

UPDATES:
1) You can read the Sermon on Prayer or the Sermon on Fasting.
2) The updated poster is at the bottom of this page or click here.
3) Here’s a few Guidelines.

Local pastors and friends at other churches often ask “What can we do for you?” or “How can we help?” We don’t want to pull other church folk away from their ministries but I have struggled to answer those questions coming from people that would like to come along beside us in our work. We at Unity Baptist have met together and decided to appoint a time for prayer and fasting. This will give us the opportunity to: 1) establish and commit ourselves to doing the work of ministry; 2) seek God’s will and ask for his blessing; 3) invite other church members and leaders to join with us in intercession.

Prayer and fasting often go together in both the Old and New Testament. There is a lot of misunderstanding (and some false teaching) about prayer in our world today and very little is said about fasting at all. Neither should be used in an attempt to manipulate God into giving us what we what.

Time spent in prayer is more about the relationship we have with God the Father than it is about asking for stuff. Fasting is a way of denying one’s self and focusing on God and his provision. When Jesus fasted he reminded Satan “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matt. 4:4) Prayer and fasting together, when done correctly, are an expression of faith in God’s ability and an admission that there are many things we cannot do when we rely “on our own strength and understanding.” Consider Paul and Barnabas in Acts: And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. Acts 14:23 They were training new leaders in newly planted churches, establishing them in the faith, committing them to the work, and asking God to bless. They did so with prayer and fasting.

We’re not asking anyone to fast for 40 days or make some other heroic gesture. If you are diabetic, anemic or have any type of health concern you probably shouldn’t fast; but you can certainly join the rest of us in prayer. We are inviting all believers who are able to join us in a time of prayer and fasting. The season will begin Friday evening May 1st at 6 pm and last 24 hours. During that time we will meet together, once Friday evening and once sometime on Saturday, for corporate prayer. We hope to accommodate as many schedules as possible. If can attend either prayer meeting that would be great, and if not please pray often during the 24 hour period wherever you are. If you can fast, please do so; if you can meet with us at either or both prayer meetings, please do so. In any event please remember Unity Baptist Church and the community of Plainville in your prayers.

We would like to see our church grow, and would like that growth to come from new believers being baptised. We need people with skills and resources to help us reach the community, with the Gospel and with other things people need. We cannot offer VBS this summer because we don’t have the adults to lead it. If we had a big influx of children and youth on Sunday mornings we do not have enough adults to teach Sunday school classes. We are asking God to provide and meet our needs, including growth that happens in a beneficial and manageable way. (With God all things are possible, and we know that he knows what he is doing).

During the Season of Prayer and Fasting, May 1-2, we ask that you:

Pray for God’s will to be done.
Pray that all will be done for his honor and glory.
Pray that the Gospel will be shared, that lives will be changed, that those in need will be fed and clothed.
Pray that our church will become multigenerational; if you don’t hear babies crying, the church is dying.

Our goal is not to be old fashioned, new fangled, contemporary, relevant or any other church movement label. Our goal is to do the work God has called us to, to share the Gospel, to make disciples, and to minister to those in need. Join us in prayer and fasting, that we may fulfill the Great Commission at the local church level:

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

Posted in event | Tagged fasting, God's will, prayer, sharing the Gospel, the Great Commission | Leave a comment

The Great Commision

Posted on April 13, 2015 by Clark Bunch

April 12, 2015 | Sermon text: Matthew 28:16-20

Notice that the eleven disciples, not twelve, were on their way to Galilee. Judas Iscariot, one of the hand-picked disciples chosen by Jesus to become an Apostle, had betrayed Jesus and later hung himself. He had listened to the same sermons, witnessed the same miracles – perhaps even healing the sick or casting out demons himself – but then sold out the Son of God for 30 pieces of silver. It is often the people closest to us that hurt us the most. It could be a family member, a church leader or a business partner, but don’t be surprised if “one of your own” turn against you some day. Jesus himself was not immune to it, but it’s worth noting that even this great betrayal helped bring about the plan and will of God. He has ordained the events of history and works all things together for good.

Even when the disciples saw him alive and well again, they worship but some doubted. During the crucifixion their fear and uncertainty was understandable, but when confronted by the resurrected savior how could their be any room for doubt? Consider the boy with the unclean spirit in Mark 9. When the disciples could not cast out the unclean spirit, the boy’s father brought him to Jesus. He asked Jesus to have compassion and heal his son if he could. Jesus told him that all things are possible for one who believes. The man replied “I believe; help my unbelief!” He held out hope that perhaps Jesus could help him even after his Apostles had tried and failed. There must be at least a little bit of faith for us to ask God to answer our request even if we don’t expect much. It is never wrong to ask for more faith. The grain of mustard seed that Jesus uses as an example needs time to grow before birds can nest in its branches. Each time God supplies and meets our needs our faith is bolstered that he can do it again. The disciples worshiped Jesus even though some were not sure; they didn’t understand all that had happened and had no idea what was going to happen next.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

There is more to making disciples than preaching the Gospel. Jesus is calling for more than evangelism; making disciples is a process that involves a commitment. We must invest time and build relationships. Discipleship is an ongoing process for the believer that will actually take the rest of our lives. We each grow in our walk with Christ even as we lead others to follow him and walk with us.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8

Making disciples of all nations and to the end of the earth is a big task. This verse reminds us to start locally. We can’t focus on international mission projects on the other side of the globe and ignore our friends, family and neighbors across the street. We must begin in our own neighborhood and then spread out in various stages to the whole earth. Witnessing is the first step; any Christian should be able to tell another person what God has done. Making disciples involves teaching people all the commands of Jesus. We must make sure we know them ourselves before we can teach others. We’re all at a different place in the journey but on the same journey, and the goal is to take as many others with us as will follow.

Jesus told his disciples to go. In this information age we can reach around the globe in a fraction of a second. Individuals and churches need to take full advantage of all resources available. That includes online, such as blogging and social media, but also with prayer and financial support of missionaries in the field. And of course it never hurts to go. We live in such an insulated world and sometimes it’s good to remember that the whole world is not the United States. There are other people and other places that are not like “your world.” But there is one unifying factor that all people, of every language, culture, color, nationality and race have in common: They are made in God’s image. We see 7 billion people and he sees his children, individuals he loves and that Jesus died to save. The glorious mystery of the Gospel has been reveal to his followers. To you to whom it has been freely given, freely give.

Peace and God bless.

Posted in sermon | Tagged baptize, disciples, Father, great commision, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Son | Leave a comment

Pray for Marriage

Posted on April 9, 2015 by Clark Bunch

The U.S. Supreme Court will begin hearing oral arguments on April 28th for what may become a landmark decision regarding marriage and have an effect on the religious liberty of citizens for decades to come. Please pray for marriage on April 28th and remain in prayer being mindful of this issue until the Court issues an opinion, expected to happen late June or early July.

Click here to read more about the Pray for Marriage campaign via the Baptist Press.

Click here for the #Pray for Marriage page at ERLC (the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission).

Posted in event, prayer | Tagged pray for marriage | Leave a comment

Celebrate the Resurrection!

Posted on April 6, 2015 by Clark Bunch

April 5, 2015 | Sermon text: Mark 16:1-8

Jesus is not just alive, he is risen! There are several stories, in the Old and New Testaments, of people that had died being restored to life. Jesus performed several such miracles during his earthly ministry. But each of those people later died again. Jesus did more than come back to life, he is the firstborn of the resurrection. In John 11 he described himself as the resurrection before calling Lazarus out of the tomb. He had the tomb opened, said a prayer to his heavenly father, then called out with a loud voice “Lazarus, come forth.” Imagine if he had stood among the tombs and shouted “Come forth” without specifying Lazarus by name!

All life comes from God. We read in Genesis 2 that man was formed out of the dust of the earth and then God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. He is the creator of all things and the giver of life. He is also the sustainer of life. Noah and his family were spared from the great flood by following God’s command to build the ark. The Hebrews were rescued from Egypt after many signs and wonders, and were fed and watered in the wilderness for forty years. And according to his plan of salvation, the Father gave his only Son to be the all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. Salvation is freely offered but came at a great price.

Jesus had the power to lay down his life and the power to take it up again. (John 10:17-18) In the same discourse Jesus explained that he came to the earth as our good shepherd in order that we may have life and have it more abundantly. (John 10:10) The abundant life of the believer has nothing to do with money and stuff; it’s about an abundance of spiritual blessings in this life and spending an eternity in the presence of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Sin brings the curse of death; Jesus offers life everlasting.

Jesus is the resurrection and our hope is that we will be resurrected with him. Romans 6:8 says “Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.” Romans 6:1-10 is all good. Jesus has the Words of life and is the Way of life. He is more than alive, he is risen and lives forever more!