Prayer

Colossians 4:2-4

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

If we want to live for the glory of Christ, then we must pray.

1. We must pray for ourselves (Col 4:2).

• We must pray often.
• We must pray proactively.
• We must pray with thanksgiving.

2. We must pray for others (Col 4:3).

• We must pray for all people.
• We must pray for people in ministry.
• We must pray for persecuted Christians.

3. We must pray for open doors (Col 4:3-4).

• We must ask God to work through His Word.
• We must ask God to send out the gospel.
• We must ask God to bless human ministry.

September 11, 2008

Dear friend,

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Stuck in traffic the other day, I asked the man I was riding with about an advertisement on the side of a city bus. In the ad, I recognized the large muscular man as a famous Indonesian body builder. Also, pictured was a former world champion boxer with his gloves ready to punch. Between the two, however, was an older gentlemen who looked strangely out of place next to his younger, buffer, companions. “Who is that man?” I asked. “He is known as a really smart person,” came the answer. Apparently, the energy drink in the ad not only makes you stronger, it makes you think better!

Do you want to be a better thinker? I sure do. While it may be that an energy drink can help, I know of two other things that are guaranteed to improve your thinking.

First, you can simply open your mouth and ask God to give you wisdom!

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God who gives generously to all without reproach and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).

This is an amazing promise. Most of us will never be like Einstein, but all of us can become wise about the things that matter most by asking God to help us.

Second, you can simply open your Bible and read the words of the All-knowing God. His perfect Word improves our minds!

“Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts” (Psalm 119:98-100).

The Word of God is full of helpful wisdom for living in this world and being prepared for the next!

The scripture says, “Be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Rom. 12:2b). What are you doing to help yourself think better? Try praying and reading your Bible. It will be better than any energy drink.

Your servant,

Stephen

Rev. Stephen St. John
Pastor/Elder

JIBC Ushers and Greeters

Who are We?

We are volunteers who have chosen to serve fellow believers and guests in response to Jesus’’ call to servanthood. We are inspired by our ministry bible verse:

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven - Matthew 5:16

We are committed to make friends with fellow believers and guests, while keeping an orderly Sunday Worship Service.

We have five teams. Our team names are based on the fruit of the Spirit taken from Galatians 5:22-23.

• The Faithfulness Team (serves every 1st Sunday of the Month)
• The Joy Team (serves every 2nd Sunday of the Month)
• The Love team (serves every 3rd Sunday of the Month)
• The Goodness Team (serves every 4th Sunday  of the Month )
• The Gentleness Team( serves every 5th Sunday of the Month)

Interested to Serve With Us?

If you are at least 13 years old, want to get involved in a Sunday ministry and can’’t make up your mind on which ministry to choose, then the JIBC Ushers and Greeters Ministry is a great place to start.

How do I qualify?

As long as you are a JIBC Member, an Associate Member or a Regular Attendee; have a heart to minister; can commit to serve once a month(or 4 Sundays a year with the Gentleness Team); have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior; committed in studying the Word and by God’’s grace, living a godly life, you are most qualified.

JIBC Ushers and Greeters Ministry needs the following volunteers to serve weekly:

• At least 4 Ushers to stand at the doors, to escort people to their seats and to hand the bulletins to the congregation.
• At least 4 Greeters to go around the Church before the Worship service to greet the congregation and welcome the newcomers and visitors.
• At least 4 Offering Collectors to collect the tithes and offerings.
• At least 2 Children’’s Church Assistants to help in the Children’’s Church.
• A Team Leader to lead the team in prayer, to welcome and introduce new members to the team and to brief new members on their respective roles.
• At least 1 family or group to serve in the information booth.

All servants are requested to help in keeping an orderly Sunday Worship Service and minister to the needs of the congregation.

Time Commitment

Time commitment will be from 10:00 AM once a month, effective September 7, 2008.

What is true worship?

The Apostle Paul described true worship perfectly in Romans 12:1-2:

I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable, or well pleasing and perfect.

This passage contains all the elements of true worship. First, there is the motivation to worship: “the mercies of God.” God’s mercies are everything He has given us that we don’t deserve: eternal love, eternal grace, the Holy Spirit, everlasting peace, eternal joy, saving faith, comfort, strength, wisdom, hope, patience, kindness, honor, glory, righteousness, security, eternal life, forgiveness, reconciliation, justification, sanctification, freedom, intercession and much more. The knowledge and understanding of these incredible gifts motivate us to pour forth praise and thanksgiving—in other words, worship!

Church Building

Matthew 16:13-19

If JIBC is to have a successful ministry, then we must listen to the Word of God.

1. We must know who Jesus is (Mat 16:13-16)
2. We must know the church is His (Mat 16:17-18)
3. We must know where the keys are (Mat 16:19)

September 4, 2008

Dear friend,

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

“Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God” (Psalm 90:1-2).

These words are from the oldest of the Psalms, written nearly 3,500 years ago. Indeed throughout all those years God has been a shelter for his people. What a comfort for those who live in an otherwise uncertain world. God is always the same.

This week, the Jakarta International Baptist Church is 45 years old. During those years there have been many changes. As far as I know, there is only one person still in the congregation who was present at the beginning. The people are different, the city has grown, indeed the world has changed. However, the purpose of the Church is the same. The Church exists for the glory of God. It always has and always will, because He always has been and always will be our Creator, Savior, Redeemer, and Friend!

Praise be to Him who is from everlasting to everlasting!

Your servant,

Stephen

Rev. Stephen St. John
Pastor/Elder

New Location

Beginning of September 7, 2008, JIBC begin worshipping at

The Occasion
Darmawangsa Square - The City Walk 3rd Floor
Jl. Darmawangsa VI & IX
Jakarta 12160

Should you need more information, please contact JIBC office:
Phone: +62 21 7278-8309
Fax: +62 21 7278-8329

Or e-mail us at jibc@indo.net.id

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