First Baptist Church

-------Romans 8:31

New Living Translation

Bruce Thielemann, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, told of a conversation with an active layman, who mentioned, “You preachers talk a lot about giving, but when you get right down to it, it all comes down to basin theology.”

Thielemann asked, “Basin theology? What’s that?”

The layman replied, “Remember what Pilate did when he had the chance to acquit Jesus? He called for a basin and washed his hands of the whole thing. But Jesus, the night before his death, called for a basin and proceeded to wash the feet of the disciples. It all comes down to basin theology: Which one will you use?”

Today, the Church is not held in very high regards.  At least part of the reason is because we Christians are known more for what we’re against: abortion, divorce, homosexuality, and even sleeping in on Sunday mornings.  Ironically, the Bible speaks a lot about what God is for, not just what He’s against.  Most importantly, God is for us!  As we come to understand that, it changes how we use our “basin”. The closer we get to God the more we have a heart for Him and others.

This January we will be taking a close look at the heart of God by asking, ‘What does God desire more than anything else?’  Knowing His heart will shape ours.