Let's begin with a homework assignment. Pull up your favorite Bible application or website and do a wordsearch for "one another." I think you'll be surprised by what you'll find. Repeatedly, Christian behavior is connected with others.

For example, we are told to:

• "love one another" (John 13:34-35, 15:12, 17; Romans 12:10a, 13:8; 1 Thessalonians 3:12, 4:9-10; 1 Peter 1:22, 4:8; 1 John 3:11, 3:23, 4:7, 11-12; 2 John 5)
• "honor one another" (Romans 12:10b)
• "greet one another" (Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12. 1 Peter 5:14)
• "welcome one another (Romans 15:7)
• "live in harmony with one another" (Romans 12:16, 15:5)
• "be kind to one another" (Ephesians 4:32)
• "forgive one another" (Ephesians 4:32b; Colossians 3:13b)
• "bear one another" (Ephesians 4:2-3; Colossians 3:13a)
• "bear one another's burdens" (Galatians 6:2)
• "comfort one another" (2 Corinthians 13:11a)
• "pray for one another" (James 5:16b)
• "encourage one another" (1 Thessalonians 4:18, 5:11a; Hebrews 10:25)
• "serve one another" (Galatians 5:13; 1 Peter 4:10)

The above list is only a fraction of the "one another" passages. What is clear is that Christianity is intended to be lived in community despite increasingly efforts of believers to isolate their faith from community. This is a foreign concept in the New Testament. Not only did Jesus surround himself with disciples (even beyond the Twelve), but upon Peter's sermon on Pentecost, the first Christians eagerly gathered together for worship, accountability, and fellowship (Acts 4:42ff).

Every athlete knows that success requires coaching and teamwork. Even individualistic sports (like running or track and field) work best in a team atmosphere. We need each other to improve and to persevere. Christian faith is no different. We need each other. We need "one another."

Consider that list of "one another's" again. Can we fulfill any of them without the local church or without regular fellowship? If not, then the local church is vital to our spiritual health. Since we need one another, we are responsible for one another. In order for other disciples to grow spiritually, we must grow spiritually. We cannot help others endure if we do not. We cannot enjoying loving fellowship unless we contribute to it. We cannot be comforted unless we are comforting. We will not enjoy the freedom of forgiveness unless we forgive.

Let us, therefore, remember the "one another" passages. The New Testament is saturated with them and may they shape how we approach our Christian lives.

To my great surprise, John 3:16 is not the most searched Bible verse at the popular Bible Gateway website. It comes in 8th behind Jeremiah 29:11 and the entirety of Psalm 23 (see results here). In fact, all six verses of David's most famous Psalm round out the first six of the most search verses.

Given our increasingly secular age, one may not be surprised by these findings. Countless funerals feature a reading from the Psalm as do other contexts. It is beautiful, poetic, well-crafted, and powerful in its imagery and message.

I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to explore the psalm even further. Over the years I have benefited from reading the thoughts of other authors who explore the passage in greater depth which has added to my love and affection for this psalm. Here are a few of my favorites.

A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by W. Phillip Keller

Without a doubt, the most recognizable book exploring David's Psalm is this classic from Keller. As a former shepherd in the middle east, the author offers unique insights into the meaning and application of the text. Keller argues that the psalm maintains the Shepherd motif and I largely agree with him. It is easy to read and insightful in many ways. For most, this is the first book they pick up to learn more about Psalm 23.


Traveling Light by Max Lucado

Max Lucado needs no introduction. With his simple and pastoral writing style, Lucado is gifted at keeping the reader's attention while guiding them through the Biblical text. This book explores Psalm 23 and is full of pastoral insight and helpful illustrations. Although Lucado is not the deepest of writers, he will guide you to understand and apply the text as a good pastor and writer should.



The Lord of Psalm 23 by David Gibson

I discovered this book accidently. I wasn't looking for another volume exploring Psalm 23 but, providentially, it fell in my lap. It is more thorough in its exegesis centering on three images - the shepherd, the companion, and the host. I found this division helpful along with the depth of exegesis. If you want to go deeper into Psalm 23, consider this helpful book.



The Good Shepherd by Kenneth Bailey

If you're looking to explore Psalm 23 at an incredible depth, consider Bailey's wonderful work. He shows how the psalm interacts with other parts of Scripture (like the Exodus) while other parts of Scripture interact with it. His discussion of the three parables of Jesus in Luke 15 is incredible.

This ought to get you started if you want to explore more about this wonderful portion of Scripture. One thing is clear, you will never exhaust the Word of God. If you don't believe me, find the bottom of Psalm 23. You won't succeed.. 

We are trying something new which, for a Baptist minister, can be a scary thing. Trepadacious is, I think, the word I'm looking for.

I'm kidding, of course. For years blogging helped the voices in my head to speak with clarity, not so much for an audience, but for myself. It has allowed me to think, articulate, and, as was often the case, rethink. I am hoping to offer an occasional post on our new church website that blesses and benefits our members.

The content is intended to include further thoughts on the series we are exploring or personal reflections from my own study. I am also looking forward to celebrating and exploring the various events in our church and what the Lord has been up to.

I do hope you'll return occasionally and see what we have been up to.

In the meantime, I invite you to read with me Psalm 34. Soon we will be exploring some of what we're calling, "The Songs of Psalms." I have found the 34th Psalm to be particularly good.

I will bless the Lord at all times;
    his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
    let the humble hear and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
    and let us exalt his name together!

 4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me
    and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant,
    and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
    and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps
    around those who fear him, and delivers them.

 8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
    Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,
    for those who fear him have no lack!
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger;
    but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

 11 Come, O children, listen to me;
    I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 What man is there who desires life
    and loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil
    and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Turn away from evil and do good;
    seek peace and pursue it.

 15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
    and his ears toward their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
    to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
    and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
    and saves the crushed in spirit.

 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
    but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
20 He keeps all his bones;
    not one of them is broken.
21 Affliction will slay the wicked,
    and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
    none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

We at East Frankfort Baptist Church would like to welcome you to our website and hope you come join us for worship Sunday morning. EFBC is focused on Jesus and centered on his saving gospel. We are serious about our Savior and passionate about reaching our community. Below you will find all the information you need including service times and contact information.

Sunday morning we will be continuing our sermon series exploring the Last Week of Jesus. Our passage will be Luke 22:24-30 which you can read below.

A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.

28 “You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, 29 and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, 30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

SERVICE TIMES

• Coffee and Donuts ~ Sunday mornings 9:30 am
• Sunday School ~ Sunday mornings 9:45 am
• Morning Worship ~ Sunday mornings 11:00 am
• Celebrate Recovery ~ Sunday evenings 4:30 pm
• Evening Worship ~ Sunday evenings 6:00 pm
• Prayer ~ Monday afternoons 2:00 pm
• Clothing Closet ~ Wednesday evenings 4:30-6:00 pm
• Midweek Services ~ Wednesday evenings 6:30 pm

WHAT TO EXPECT

If your new to EFBC, let us share with you what to expect from a morning worship service.
What is your morning worship service like? Beginning at 11:00 am, we focus on both worship and gospel proclamation. Our worship is a mix of both contemporary and traditional. What matters most to us is not the style of music or the instruments being used, but the One in whom we worship. Typically, our services conclude around noon.
What should I wear to worship? What matters most to us is your presence and heart, not your outward appearance. On the typical worship service you will find some in formal clothing and others in more casual attire. The main thing is to come to worship the Savior in spirit and in truth.

Is child care available? The nursery is open during all of our services including Sunday morning worship. We also have a cry room in the back of the sanctuary for parents of infants and children to tend to their young. In addition, we offer children’s church for children fifth grade and under during the sermon.