February 11, 2013 (Monday)
“I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God” — Bill and Gloria Gaither
Bob and Lana Upchurch, pastor and wife of Bethel Baptist Church, Ingleside, are out of town attending his mother’s funeral and I was asked to supply the pulpit for him Sunday, February 10. Please pray for this family during their days of bereavement. I was asked to supply the pulpit in his absence, and was honored by the request. I was their interim pastor about 18 months until the first Sunday of September last year. I saw the people I knew and some new faces as well. The church is doing very well under the leadership of the Upchurches.
While the First Baptist Church of Rockport was by far the longest pastorate I had, I did, in fact, serve in other churches before and after Rockport. Whenever possible, I have visited those places and renewed fellowship with people with whom I served.
The church is described in the New Testament as a “fellowship,” which means the members of congregations share with each other. There is a Bible verse, in fact, which says that we as Christians are members of one another (Ephesians 4:25). We are part of the family of God. The Gaithers have written a song about it, and it is sung every Sunday in churches around the world:
“I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God, I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His Blood! Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod, For I’m part of the family, The Family of God.”
I am thankful for all the children of God whose personal relationship with the Lord makes me their brother. “What a fellowship. What a joy divine.”