MAY THEME – CHURCH ALIVE: Living As His Body In A Broken World.
What God is doing in our church is nothing short of miraculous. He is taking faithful, devoted Christians—many of whom have walked with Jesus for years but were never taught these deep truths—and awakening them to a fresh understanding of what it truly means to be The Church Alive.
This is not just another message series. It is a Spirit-led movement—a divine shift. We are learning that the Church is not just a place we go, but a Body we belong to. We are being called to function, not just to fill a seat. To minister, not just to observe. To carry His heart into our homes, our communities, and beyond.
God is breathing life into His people. He’s reviving purpose, restoring identity, and calling each of us to walk in unity, power, and love. And best of all—this is just the beginning.
SUNDAY’S SERMON SUMMARY
The Church is not a place we attend—it is the living, breathing Body of Christ, fitly framed together for His glory. Many believers sit preserved but disconnected, like clean bones in a warehouse—saved but not functioning. Yet the Spirit of God is stirring again, awakening His people to move from spectatorship to service, from isolation to alignment. You were not only saved from sin but enlisted into a divine mission. Every believer is gifted on purpose and placed within the Body for a specific role, whether public or unseen. When you withhold your gift, the Church suffers a spiritual deficiency; when you step forward in obedience, the Body grows stronger, more unified, and more radiant with Christ’s presence. It is through our faithful function—teaching children, greeting guests, interceding in prayer, or simply encouraging one another—that the Church comes alive and becomes a living witness to the world.
Now is not the time to delay, compare, or retreat. It’s time to take our place, embrace our assignment, and move together in Spirit-led unity. This world will never fully see the risen Christ unless they see Him in us—as we love one another, serve with humility, and shine with holy purpose. Life is the sum of our decisions, and today’s obedience could shape generations to come. Let us stop settling for church attendance and start striving for God-ordained alignment. Let each choice reflect our highest priority—pleasing God and building His Body. The Church does not thrive on the efforts of a few but flourishes when every member functions. When we respond like Barnabas, encourage like Dorcas, and serve like Jesus, the Church becomes a powerful, unmistakable expression of Christ Himself. So let’s rise, beloved—fully engaged, fully surrendered, fully alive—because we are the Church, and Christ is alive in us.
GO TO www.belmontbaptistchurch.com/sermons and listen to Sunday’s message.
Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart
YOU WERE NEVER MEANT TO SIT IN THE STANDS
Romans 12:5 — “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”
There is no such thing as a “sideline Christian” in the kingdom of God. When you were saved, you weren’t merely delivered from sin—you were divinely appointed into service. The moment you received Christ, you were grafted into His Body, not as an ornament, but as an active, functioning member.
God designed the Church like the human body—each part uniquely shaped and assigned to carry out a function vital to the whole. When even one part is disengaged, the rest of the body must work harder to compensate, and often, the mission suffers. Churches falter not because people stop attending, but because too many attend without contributing.
Perhaps fear has made you hesitate. Perhaps past hurts, comparison, or the lie that you’re “not needed” have caused you to stay seated when you should be serving. But make no mistake: if God called you into His family, He also called you into His work. There is a place in His Body that only you can fill. You are not just a Christian—you are a carrier of Christ’s presence and power, meant to express Him to a hurting world through your service.
Imagine if your hands decided to stop working, or your legs refused to walk—how would the body move forward? The same is true for the Church. Your presence is appreciated, but your participation is essential.
It’s time to come off the bleachers and step into the field. Whether your gift is teaching, encouraging, serving, creating, praying, or simply showing up faithfully—it matters. And the Body needs it. You were never meant to sit in the stands.
Write down one area in the church where you’ve been passive or disengaged—an area where you once had passion but now feel distant, or perhaps where you’ve never stepped forward at all. Pray over it. Then take one simple step this week: reach out to a ministry leader, offer help behind the scenes, attend a prayer meeting, or commit to interceding for that area daily. Small steps of obedience open the door to greater assignments.
Prayer: Lord, forgive me for withholding what You’ve placed inside me. I don’t want to spectate when You’ve called me to serve. Break through the fear, doubt, or complacency that has kept me on the sidelines. Awaken my heart to the joy of function. Show me where You want me to be active. Use my life, my hands, and my voice—not for recognition, but for Your glory. Let me be one who helps the Body grow strong. I’m ready to take my place. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
MONDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Mary Williams – broken Hip
Jill Haines
Angela Bryan’s Sister
Ann Stanley – Heart Procedure June 13th
Danny Jarrard
Darlene Wiggins
David Newby
Debbie Foskey
Doris Loyd
Dr. and Mrs. Davis
Eric Magnusson’s Mother
Eric Ward
Friend of Linda Hodge
Gail Sparks
George & Linda Alexander
George Calhoon
James Burnette
James Garner
Jessica Headrick
Jodi Bateman
John McClain’s Mother
June Cronan’s Sister
June Davis
Kailey Bateman
Kathryn Raines
Kim McClain’s Mother
Kim’s Sisters – Ann & Brenda
Lee Cronan
Lillianna Magnusson’s Mom
Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah
Lonzo Christian
Lori Blount’s Mother
Mary William’s Granddaughter
Mary Williamson – Dana Jackson’s Mom
Marynell Ford
Mike, Gwen, Michael Rice Family – Friends of Blount’s – Car Accident
Mrs. Franklin
Nora Allison
Pastor Driskell
Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA
Roy Loyd
Scarlett – Marynell’s Granddaughter
Scott Lanier
Steve Michaels
Theresa Bain’s Granddaughter
Tom Witcher