I could not help myself; I had to select this topic as my final bulletin article here at Flatwoods. As Amber, Roman, and I prepare to transition to our new work in Kittanning, PA the conversation of how much we will deeply miss each of you has been discussed in great length. The genuine, Christian love that we have witnessed at this congregation will never be forgotten and we hope that our family has touched your hearts as much as you have touched ours. What has brought our family solace in these stressful and exciting times is that we know we will see those of you that are in Christ someday soon (1 Thess. 4:13-18). Whether we see each other again in this world or in the next, we will meet again.

What unites this Church family and keeps us together? Our love for Christ and being a part of Christ’s Church is the glue that binds us as one. When a Church is not united nor focused solely on the Lord, it becomes a dysfunctional family that cannot be pleasing to God (1 Cor. 1:10-15). Notice with me all the similarities a Christian should have with His brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul wrote, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Eph. 4:4-6). Did you notice all the “ones” mentioned in that verse? We may have personal differences, but when it comes to doctrinal things, we must be united! There is only one Gospel of Christ and there is no room for division (Gal. 1:6-10). Those in Christ have a lot in common and at the center of our lives ought to be our risen Lord. When we contact the saving blood of Christ through baptism, we give up our old lives and live a new life in service to Him (Rom. 6:3-8). Have you considered what that means for all Christians? We should be living the same life; a life dedicated to serving Jesus. The reason this congregation is a cohesive family is because those that meet here put the Lord first; may that always hold true.

Since the Church is held together by a common love for Christ and Christians have put Him on in baptism, we also share a common hope of living with our Savior one day (Rom. 6:9-11). I can genuinely say I love each of you and it will bring me tremendous joy to see this group once again physically, but the joy we will have when we are together with Christ in Heaven is much greater and incomprehensible (Phil. 3:20-21). This congregation has battled through a devastating pandemic that has affected each of us more than we would care to admit, but one day we will be reunited at a place where there will be no death, sickness, nor tears (Rev. 21:1-4). All obedient and faithful Christians have this glorious eternity to look forward to and I long to be there with many of you (1 Cor. 15:20-28).  The only sad reality about this joyous and blessed truth is that those outside of Christ will not be there and they will have no one to blame, but themselves (2 Thess. 1:8-9).

If you are outside of Christ’s body and you considered me a friend while my family labored here, do you not realize that you could call me brother if you only obeyed Christ (Matt. 12:46-50; Gal. 3:26-29)? As a friend, I care deeply about your soul and I want you to know what awaits you in eternity if you perish in a lost condition (Rev. 20:11-15). I can think of no greater joy than if I were to hear that a friend of mine who was lost, decided to come to the Lord (Lk. 15:1-7). Give up being my worldly friend and instead become my brother or sister in Christ Jesus.

-Brandon Foresha