Church guide

Who's yor one? - Day 19 - God gives growth. What then is Apollos? What is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, and each has the role the Lord has given. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 1 CORINTHIANS 3:5–6, CSB If you like fast-action results, you should not take up gardening. It is the slow and steady act of consistent day-in and day-out nurturing and cultivating the plants. Likewise, sharing the gospel where we live, work and play can be slow work. We build relationships and share the love of Christ in word and deed. We pray our friends and family who do not know Christ will turn away from their sins and turn toward Him in humble submission. In this sometimes-slow process, the Lord uses other men and women to call people to Himself. Each person has a role they play in their influence of drawing people into the kingdom. While God uses our labor and the labors of others, true spiritual growth comes from God Himself. As you share the gospel with your one, resist the urge to become frustrated when people become Christians or grow spiritually as a result of another’s influence. You may plant and another may water, but ultimately God causes them to grow. Recall the people who played a role in your own story of salvation. Communicate—a thank you note, a phone call, a text message, etc.—your gratitude in their willingness to be used by the Lord to call you to Himself.

Who's your one? - Day 18 - The pressure is off. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up on the last day. JOHN 6:44, CSB Sometimes we feel pressure that we are responsible for a person becoming a Christian. We may place an overemphasis on saying the right words or finding the right time to share the gospel. Like trying to enter a game of double-dutch, we strategically rock back and forth while attempting to figure out when to jump in with the big news. Rest assured, God will give wisdom how and when to share. But if you’re a Christian, find joy in the fact that you’re already in the game, and the pressure of performance is off. It is not in our ability to save people, but we are called to deliver the message, and God gives us the privilege to be used by Him. As you share the best news with your one, leave the results of salvation up to the God who draws people to Himself, and enjoy the joy of joining God in His mission as He makes all things new. Pray that as you share the gospel with your one, you would be reminded that only the Father can draw people to Himself.

Who's your one? - Day 17 - Keep going. For consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, so that you won’t grow weary and give up. HEBREWS 12:3, CSB If we are living intentionally to advance God’s kingdom, we will grow weary. Our souls and bodies grow tired with time and age. Life’s harsh realities put a wet towel on our fiery passion which once burned brightly. But we find hope to endure when we look at the cross. As we think on the person and work of Jesus, we place our hope in the One who endured immense hostility to the point of death on the cross. He did this so we would not give up. As the great crowd of witnesses spurs you on, keep running the race set before you with endurance, with your eyes ever fixed on the Savior. While it may take years or decades to see that friend, family member or your one come to Christ, “be steadfast, immoveable, always excelling in Lord’s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Pray the Lord would give you endurance as you share the gospel with your one.

Who's your one? Day 16 - Pleasing the Father. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the commanding officer. 2 TIMOTHY 2:4, CSB The concerns of everyday life can leave our zeal for evangelism quenched. Our ever-growing to-do list piles high with no end in sight. Errands are left undone, tasks unfinished and cares of this world begin to choke out our vision for the kingdom we’re really living for. We can so easily lose sight of the fact that, as important as these things are, this world is not our home. May we seek to cultivate our own love for the Lord each day, so that our desire to please Him trumps our busy hearts. Pray that the motivation of your evangelism to your one is the desire to please the Father and the glory of His name.

Who's your one? - Day 15 - Sharing the gospel and our lives. Although we could have been a burden as Christ’s apostles, instead we were gentle among you, as a nurse nurtures her own children. We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 1 THESSALONIANS 2:7–8, CSB You have heard, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Sharing the gospel is not less than a verbal proclamation or announcement, but it is more. We share the good news of Jesus in word while sharing our lives. When we display the love of Christ to others and build relational capital, we begin tilling the soil of their hearts to not only hear the good news but to experience it through our own lives and friendship. This week, as you look for opportunities to verbally share Christ, don’t neglect a key aspect of evangelism where you’re sharing yourself as well. Share your joys, your struggles and your life with those you are trying to reach for Christ. How will you share your life and the gospel with your one this week?

Who's your one? - Day 14 - The Good News entrusted to you. Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please people, but rather God, who examines our hearts. For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives—God is our witness—and we didn’t seek glory from people, either from you or from others. 1 THESSALONIANS 2:4–6, CSB Have you ever allowed the opinions of others to keep you from sharing your faith with your one? Perhaps a perfect opportunity presents itself, and you feel the distinct nudge of the Holy Spirit. You may notice the other person’s voice is muffled and tuned out because insecurities begin to flood your thoughts. “What will they think of me?What if I offend them with what Ibelieve Who am I to share this message, and what if they ask questions I don’t know the answers to?” God has entrusted the message of the gospel to you, and perhaps this moment is one of the good works He has prepared in advance for you to walk in (Ephesians 2:10). It's almost impossible to obey God while trying to please people. As you share the gospel this week, don’t allow the temptation to seek the glory of others crowd out your boldness and faithfulness to share the message.

Who's your one? - Day 13 - Sharing in the blessing. Although I am free from all and not anyone’s slave, I have made myself a slave to everyone, in order to win more people … I have become all things to all people, so that I may by every possible means save some. Now I do all this because of the gospel, so that I may share in the blessings. 1 CORINTHIANS 9:19, 22B–23, CSB Paul was so devoted to winning people to Christ that he willingly brought himself low—to the point of referring to himself as a servant—in hopes that God may save some. He did whatever he had to do to remove barriers that may have prevented people from believing and trusting in Christ by wholly giving of himself to the needs and service others. It is paradoxical that Paul sees the giving of himself as “sharing in the blessings.” While our sin nature tells us to hoard our time, talent, treasures and even the good news for our own joy and blessing, there is great benefit for both the hearer and the proclaimer of the gospel. May we seek to share in the blessings to be had when we become all things to all people in order to save some. Pray God would help you identify one way you could “become all things” to your one that He might save them. In what ways may the Lord be calling you to serve your one in order to remove barriers?

Who's your one? - Day 12 - The value of the kingdom. The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field. MATTHEW 13:44, CSB How valuable do you perceive God’s kingdom to be? In the movie National Treasure, main character Ben Gates (played by Nicholas Cage) abandons everything to find a treasure his family spent decades unsuccessfully searching for. With his eyes on the prize in front of him, he stops at nothing to follow the clues hidden throughout the United States to find the treasure. Similarly, the man in Matthew 13:44 joyfully gave up all he had because of the value of what he was getting in return. The kingdom of God held so much weight to him that selling all he had was a small cost compared to his gain. As missionary Jim Elliot put it, “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Never stop seeing the kingdom of God as the greatest treasure, and set your heart adamantly on inviting our one into this joy. Pray you would value the kingdom like the man in Matthew 13:44 and that it would propel you to share your findings with your one.

Who's your one? - Day 11 - Let your light shine. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. MATTHEW 5:16, CSB As Christians, we are the light of the world, and one way we let our light shine is through our good works. Our good works towards others are not only a way for us to display the love of Christ, but it is also an evangelistic opportunity in and of itself. Those who do not know Jesus are watching us, and when they see our good deeds—which aren’t motivated out of our trying to be loved by God, but instead are an overflow of the love we have received from God— there is an opportunity for them to glorify our Father in heaven. As you go about your day, don’t neglect the evangelistic impact your kindness to others may have. As your let your light shine this week, identify one kind thing you could do to serve your one, and do it.

Who's your one? - Day 10 - Created for good works. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do. EPHESIANS 2:10, CSB We are not saved by our good works—since Jesus’ atonement was sufficient for our redemption—but we are saved for good works. Each day we wake up, there are good deeds God has for us to do. He knows what they are, and we get the privilege of discovering them as we engage life. One aspect of these good deeds is our faithfulness to share the good news of Jesus where we live, work and play. Don’t get so busy in your everyday life that you forget the intentionality it takes to share Christ’s love with others. Our evangelism does not make God love us any more than He already does in Christ, but perhaps we will discover more of God’s love for us and those around us as we engage our one. Pray God would reveal to you the good works He has for your to walk in today.

We celebrated a dozen graduates this year at Sandy Creek. We pray each is equipped to embark on the journey the Lord has prepared for them (Eph 2:10). We pray they never attempt to undertake that journey in their own strength (John 15:5). We challenge them to seek community among God's people (Hebrews 10:25). Here is a tool to help in all the above!

Who's your one? - Day 9 - As you go, He is with you. Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 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 everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. MATTHEW 28:18–20, CSB One of the most beautiful lines in the Great Commission is the promise of God’s abiding presence as we take the gospel message, in word and in deed, to the corners of the earth. The scope of the task is vast. God has commissioned us to go, make disciples, baptize and teach to the nations. This includes those in our own backyards. While we may not board a plane to a remote undisclosed location, we have been called to make disciples of all nations—including our own. The scope of the task is great, but the promise of the Lord to be with us as we go is clear. As you share the good news with your one, remind yourself that you are not alone. Pray God would remind you, through the Holy Spirit, that you are not alone on God’s mission.

Who's your one? - Day 8 - You are worthy because of Christ. Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." JOHN 14:6, CSB By default, our hearts want to justify ourselves through ouraccomplishments. We sweat, strive and toil to prove to ourselves, the world and God we are worthy. We are worthy of affection and love. We are worthy of honor and recognition. We are worthy of admiration and esteem. But the only way to God is outside of ourselves. While not altogether worthless, our striving is but vapor before the face of a holy and perfect God. The good news we bring to our friends and family who do not know Jesus is that the only way to the Father is through Jesus. We come to the feet of Jesus as our true selves: broken, tired and in need of restoration, and it is here we see Him as “the way, the truth and the life.” Our way to God is found outside of ourselves, and on this path we find joy in the fact that we can never lose what we did not earn. Identify what your one may use—esteem, recognition, power, etc.—to justify themselves. Share with them the good news that Jesus offers us rest from endless striving.

Who's Your One - Day 7- Defined by our "yes". A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance. JOHN 10:10, CSB Unfortunately, the Christian walk can easily be defined by the list of things we say “no” to. This presents to the world a God who wants to prevent us from experiencing the goodness He has for us. In sharing the gospel, we offer to our friends and family real, genuine and full life in this life and in the life to come. In our witness, we present Jesus as the one who gives abundant life. We can be defined by the things we say yes to—yes to love, hope, peace, joy, fullness, good news and more. In doing so, we reflect to the world a God who came so we may have fullness of life. Engage your one in such a way that your words and your life are defined by your “yeses” and not the things to which you say “no.” Communicate clearly that Jesus came to give your one full and eternal life now and in the age to come.

The Women’s Ministry Team invites all ladies to our GAME NIGHT event! 13 years and older, on FRIDAY, AUGUST 16th, at 6:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served

Who's Your One - Day 6 - For the whole world. He himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world. 1 JOHN 2:2, CSB The scope of Jesus’ atonement goes beyond ourpersonal salvation. It is amazing that Jesus cares about each individual person saved, including you! After all, it is said that He leaves the 99 to save one (Luke 15). But His redemption does not stop with our salvation. He died for the sins of your closest loved ones and your greatest enemy. He came to save your most intimate relationship and mere acquaintances. He gave Himself for those who would trust in His name, and He has entrusted His people to take this message of redemption to the world. As you marvel at your own story of redemption, begin to direct your attention to those around you whom God may be wooing to Himself. He died for you and them. He died for your one. Pray God would give you ways you can share this good news today with your one.

Who's Your One – Day 5 – The Great Mediator For there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time. 1 TIMOTHY 2:5–6, CSB A mediator intervenes between two parties. When you buy a house, your realtor serves as a mediator of sorts, communicating between the buyer and the seller. When two siblings are in a heated argument, parents serve as a mediator between the opposing parties. Jesus is our mediator because He restored the harmony between God and humanity, which was broken by sin. Sometimes, we find substitute mediators which attempt to bridge the gap that existed between us and God. We may rely on our own good works, our authority or another person’s intimate relationship with God. But we soon see these mediators fail to deliver. The good news we share with ourselves and our one is that Jesus’ atonement on the cross was sufficient to bring us into a relationship with God. Because of Christ our mediator, we can now run to God as a Father instead of cowering before Him as judge. Identify the “substitute mediators” you’re tempted to turn to and the ones your one turns to. How should you tailor your gospel presentation to address their substitute mediators?

Day 4- Who's Your One – The Ends of the Earth All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD. All the families of the nations will bow down before you. PSALM 22:27, CSB It is not enough that only a small portion of the human population bow down in worship to God. All will turn to Him. All of the families of the nations will stand in humble submission before Him, including ourselves. As we share the gospel message, we should remember that our efforts are bigger than ourselves. When we see new converts baptized, we should be reminded those moments are a part of God’s name and fame being spread throughout all of the earth. The spreading of the gospel may begin with you sharing with your one in your neighborhood or workplace, but it will not stay there. This news is too good, and God is too glorious, for His name to not be spread to the ends of the earth. We can faithfully join Him in this mission. How have you joined God in His mission to make Himself known? Pray Godwould remind you that you have a small but significant role to play in the advancement of His kingdom.

Who's Your One - Day 3- Sharing from a heart of thankfulness. Give thanks to the LORD; proclaim his name! Make his works known among the peoples. Declare that his name is exalted. - ISAIAH 12:4, CSB We are motivated to share the gospel out of thanksgiving to God. The Lord is our salvation (Isaiah 24:2), and He has turned away His anger from us and welcomed us into His family through Christ. From the outpouring of our thankfulness is a desire for others to know His goodness as well. We proclaim, make known and declare who God is and what He has done because we understand—even if in small degrees—where we would be had He not intervened in our lives. With thankful hearts, we push past our insecurities, fears and people pleasing, and we share with our friends, neighbors and our one the greatest news we have ever heard and they will ever hear. Today, share the gospel with your one out of a heart of gratitude for what God has done on your behalf.

We are having a great time with Slugs & Bugs tonight! Thanks to all the families who came out to enjoy some silly fun and music.

Blessed to hear Sandy Creek Gospel Bluegrass this morning !

We're having an awesome time tonight at Sandy Creek Baptist Church! Thanks to Sandy Creek Gospel Bluegrass Band and Appalachian Express. We are especially glad for the debut of Last Chance.

Join us this evening @ 6 p.m. to kick off our Vacation Bible School. Parents, grandparents, aunts & uncles there's a special opportunity for you too! You can join in a special session this week to learn skills to increase your ability to confidently teach the kids in your life about God.

The student ministry will start a new study tonight @ 6:30 pm in the education center. The youth are going to dig into the bible to hear what it has to say about challenging family dynamics. Students 12 years and up are welcome to join us.

Announcements for Sunday, February 11th.

Announcements for Sunday, February 4th.

Announcements - December 3rd.