Sermons

Dear Friends,

It is important to remember Church matters among the nations. In 2015 there were more refugees than any year since WW2. How do you feel about the massive numbers of refugees you are hearing about? We see them every day coming through our city in Athens, Greece. Close to 1 million passes through our city in 2015. What can you and I do for them?
What should be our response to them?

Leviticus 19:33-34 tells us to love the refugees as ourselves.

Leviticus 19:9-10 tells us to leave food for the poor and foreigner.

Deuteronomy 10:18-19 says that God loves the foreigner residing among us.

This Sunday, I would like to tell you a little bit about what we are doing among the Afghan refugees in Greece. More than anything else, Afghan refugees need the same thing that we need. We were once far from God but God came to us and open the way for us to be saved and come into His presence. Also, as part of a community that matters we should grow in that faith and cling to it unwavering. What a privilege to be part of a community that encourages us to live out our faith in love and good deeds.

I look forward to being part of the community of faith that matters, called First Baptist Toledo.

Tim Gillihan

Small Group Discussion

• How does our church make a difference in the life of the stranger that walks in the doors of the church?
• How does our church make a difference in the community we are located in?
• How does our church make a difference in the lives of foreigners and strangers that are coming to live among us and near us?
• Can you imagine what the greatest need is for a family of Afghan refugees that get out of a boat/raft after crossing the dangerous waters between Turkey and the Greek island they just landed on?
• These Muslim people from Afghanistan, Syria, and other places have a God who is far away and many are looking for new opportunities in a new place. How can we help bring them near to God?
• Many also are looking for a new beginning and some have a sense that their faith has failed them. How can we help, them to have a real and growing faith based on a relationship and not on a failed religious system?
• One of the difficult things about being a refugee is being separated from the family and community that you know. How can we build communities of faith among them that matter that is transforming for individuals, families and communities?