West Park Baptist Church

Loving God, Loving People, Impacting the World

Sam Polson

Zenith

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I can still remember the “Zenith Christmas” my family celebrated when I was just a small boy. That was the year my dad bought a Zenith brand color television set for my mom. I just knew we must be rich! It was many years later that I came to understand that “zenith” referred to the highest point in the sky reached by any celestial body; like a star or planet reaching its zenith.

The story of Jesus’ birth includes the amazing zenith2account of the wise men from the east that arrived asking, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (Matthew 2:2).  Somehow, these magi recognized the rising of this star in the night sky as a sign of the arrival of the king of the Jews. While they were in Jerusalem, once again they saw the star rising to guide them to the king, “when they saw the star they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.” Little did these wise men know the star had actually guided them to the star, the Bright and Morning Star.

As we celebrate Advent this season, may we, as those who by God’s grace have been made wise to salvation, also “rejoice with exceedingly great joy.” May we rejoice in the promise that the Bright and Morning Star, Jesus Christ, will soon rise to His zenith and bring to this dark world the dawning of the ever bright, never ending day of His glorious Kingdom!

Merry Christmas!

Angels

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Annunciation to the Shepherds, Benjamin Gerritsz Cuyp, cir 1612
Annunciation to the Shepherds, Benjamin Gerritsz Cuyp, cir 1612

Have you ever noticed how the story of Jesus’ birth is filled with Angels? Angels are everywhere. It was an angel who told Mary she would give birth to the Messiah, the Son of God (Luke 1:30-33). It was an angel who appeared to Joseph in a dream and encouraged him to take Mary as his wife and to name her child, Jesus, “for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:19-24). It was an angel that announced the birth of Christ to the shepherds, and it was a multitude of angels who together praised God and pronounced peace on earth (Luke 2:8-15). Each one of those angels was a messenger. In fact, the word angel means messenger. In a special way, the angels have a message for all of us this Christmas season: to remind us we are messengers of Jesus, and the message of Christmas is still Christ.

None of us may have a voice as beautiful as an angel, but our voice this Christmas season can share with others the same gospel message delivered by the angels, “For unto you is born this day in the City of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)

Promotion Sunday

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Happy New Year!

That greeting may certainly seem about five months premature on the calendar, but in reality, it’s right on time regarding our church ministry calendar. This Sunday, August 9th, is designated as Promotion Sunday at West Park. All children and students are “promoted” to the next grade in their Sunday School classes and Small Groups. Promotion Sunday also provides the opportunity to “promote” some very important opportunities for people of all ages at West Park. I don’t think I can communicate just how important it is for each person in our church to be involved in a community with other believers.

Our Adult Bible Fellowship groups and Growth Groups are a tremendous way to build intentional relationships that strengthen our faith and expand our joy in following Jesus. We are hoping scores of people in the coming weeks will get connected in community. On Promotion Sunday we will also be sharing about the numerous equipping and training opportunities being offered this fall through our New Life Training classes.

Finally, Promotion Sunday will give me the opportunity to launch our Fall teaching series from the Book of Acts, Renew: How Jesus Changes Everything. I am so excited to see how the Lord will impact our church in renewal through the power of His Spirit and His Word. I believe with all my heart the message of Acts is the message the Church so desperately needs to embrace in our day.

I have much to share with you this Sunday. As a church, our challenges are great, our opportunities have never been greater, and our Lord is great enough to provide for them all! I look forward to seeing you this Sunday at West Park.

~Pastor Sam

Biblical Truth

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As I type these words, it seems the media sources around our country are holding their collective breath in anticipation of several forthcoming decisions by the Supreme Court. These cases range in topic from the affordable healthcare act to same-sex marriage and civil unions. In effect, the ruling of the court is often considered the final word on any issue, but it isn’t. When it comes to issues of morality and human behavior, the determination of right and wrong rests with a higher court, THE Supreme Court, presided over by the Judge of the Universe, who alone is the final Arbiter of right and wrong. Thankfully, we do not have to wait for a decision by God to determine what is right or wrong, for He has already revealed His decision in His law, the Bible.

“All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (II Timothy 3:16-17 ESV)

These verses from the Apostle Paul make it clear that the scriptures are sacred and they are sufficient; the Bible was given to us by God and it provides God’s guidance. This is the reason that one of our Core Values at West Park is BIBLICAL TRUTH. Our desire is to be “a people of the Book” so we will know God and His ways, and as a result, be able to make Him and His ways known to those around us. God shares His truth with us as an incredible gift of His love so that we can walk in His ways; those are the paths of true success and real prosperity.

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Joshua 1:8 ESV)

Now that is a Supreme Court decision we can really live with!

~Pastor Sam