Good afternoon,

There's no debate. Hebrews 1 has convincingly argued that the Son of God––the promised King of Psalm 110––is better than the angels. Chapter 2 will build on that premise, shifting somewhat from the exposition of Christ's person to a quick exhortation for Christ's people. I pray you've been encouraged by your Bible intake in recent days, whether from Hebrews, Matthew, or in your personal Bible reading.

If you missed this past weekend's sermon from Hebrews, you can read or watch it here.

Last week I saw this brief, clear, and helpful introduction to South Woods' ministry to children. If you would, take a few moments and read this, praying for both the children the Lord's given us and those leaders pointing them to Christ each week.

After spending two weeks on Bible intake, tomorrow night we'll consider together the discipline of prayer from Don Whitney's helpful book. At the same time, South Woods' teenagers will press on in their study of the new birth. Let's pray the Lord brings conviction and clarity to those students during that study. Also, it's "bring your own" family meal night.

We'll look forward to seeing many of you then!

Matt

I trust you were encouraged by Mitch Kimbrell's update on Sunday. It's clear that the Lord is continuing to do much through NETS and Christ Memorial in Vermont. Let's continue holding those believers before the Lord.

I trust that you were encouraged by the other aspects of this past Sunday too, as the ladies gathered during the Bible Study hour to consider things ahead, and as we sat under the faithfully preached word from Hebrews 1.

If you happened to miss that sermon, you can read or watch it here.

This Sunday we'll finish Hebrews 1 and then fellowship around the Lord's Table. Speaking of fellowship, I told the deacons this weekend that I thought last Wednesday's meal was the best Wednesday meal we'd had in years. And I didn't mean merely the food, though it was certainly excellent. What I meant––primarily––was the evident spirit of the body as they gladly served one another. Of course, there's a vast difference between a gathering and a glad gathering. Last Wednesday's fellowship was the latter, reminding me of Psalm 122:1.

If you haven't signed up for Chick-fil-A at tomorrow night's meal, please do. If that plan doesn't work for you, as always we encourage you to bring your own. You've demonstrated clearly over the past month that it's not about the food at all.
 
After that time together, at 6:30 we'll continue considering Bible intake from Don Whitney's helpful volume. I so appreciated Andy emphasizing the grace we receive as we participate in the spiritual disciplines during last week's study. While the adults consider that, the students will continue studying what the Scriptures say about the new birth as the younger children press on in Wisdom Wednesdays.

We'll look forward to seeing many of you then!

Matt

What a gift to begin 2023 considering Christ––and the birth of peace––from Isaiah 9. If you missed Chris's clear exposition of that inexhaustible text, you can catch up here: https://subspla.sh/rwppjbq



A few months back, when the elders were discussing what should follow Ecclesiastes (I mean, what could?) it was suggested that a New Testament wisdom book might work nicely. We also thought through what might pair well with the section of Romans we're currently in. So, this coming Sunday we'll begin a series through the book of James, an eminently practical book full of memorable imagery. I'll overview the book this weekend, hopefully reminding us of what the Lord said through James and why it matters.

If you're looking for resources on the book of James, I'd commend Curtis Vaughan (Founders Study Guide), Doug Moo (Pillar Commentary/a bit more technical), David Gibson's, "Radically Whole," (Yes, same guy that wrote, Living Life Backward), and your fellow church member Sylvia Dickson's co–authored work with Tom Nettles entitled A Commentary on James. There are more, and I'm not all the way through any of those, but I've enjoyed them thus far. I'm eagerly anticipating looking together into the mirror of God's Word over the next number of weeks, and doing so with humility so that we might receive that Word which is able to save your souls (James 1:21).

I mentioned on Sunday that I'd thought about the book Practicing Affirmation over a hundred times since 2014 when we last studied it. Sunday afternoon I thought, "Was that one of those preacher exaggerations?" I actually think I lowballed it. In preparing to teach chapter 1 tomorrow night, I re–read it last week and thought, "This book has counsel for relationships, for work, for parenting, for church–life, etc. that is unlike any other book I've read on encouragement/affirmation." We sold out of copies on Sunday (which is excellent!), but more are on the way.

The teenagers will join the adult study tomorrow night, as next Tuesday (10th) David Johnson will begin serving at South Woods as our Discipleship Minister to Students and Families. It's been a joy to have the Johnsons worshipping with us over the holidays. And it's been a joy to see you all welcome them as you have. I'm grateful they'll soon be among us in a more official way, focusing on students and families as they join our mission to make disciples that joyfully serve Christ together. Please continue to pray for David and April as they settle in (they landed right as the snow/ice did). And pray for David as he jumps right in next Wednesday (11th), teaching the teenagers about how to read, study, and enjoy the Bible, a great topic for the beginning of the year. We're thrilled!

Tomorrow night: One and Only Q, Wisdom Wednesdays, Practicing Affirmation, and choir practice. See many of you then!

Matt

Weekly Update

Good afternoon,

Incarnation-truth overload? Impossible! Are our minds stretched beyond a full comprehension of what God has done in sending His Son to bear our deserved condemnation? Perhaps eternally so. What was preached from John 1 this past Sunday and from Colossians/Luke on Christmas Eve night were stirring and God-honoring treatments of the eternal Word Himself, in whom the fullness of deity dwells bodily, Jesus Christ our Lord.

We indeed beheld Him full of glory, grace, and truth.
Click here to watch Pastor Matt's Christmas Day sermon called "God Made Known: The Word Made Flesh." Click here to watch the Christmas Eve homily also by Pastor Matt called "God Made Known: The Image of the Invisible God."

Good afternoon,

Though it was a bit chilly after the service Sunday, I was thrilled to see folks spending time together out front on our new walkway. I'm grateful for the Lord's provisions throughout this process. And I'm thankful to see those provisions being used week in and week out.

I told Chris last week that Ecclesiastes 9 is an underrated and underutilized Lord's Supper text. I do hope the truths in that passage, and the truths of that passage fulfilled in Christ Jesus, help you to live with His joy in the midst of vanity. If you missed that sermon, you can catch up with it on the South Woods app or at this link: https://southwoodsbc.org/media/7q7z4yb/enjoy-life-under-the-sun (manuscript attached).
I'll pick up with the next text in Ecclesiastes this coming Sunday morning (9:13–10:20).

Over the weekend two different teachers in our children's ministry shared particular ways the Lord was working in their classroom that deeply encouraged me. Would you commit to pray for these faithful men and women that invest in our children? Pray in particular that the Lord might use those teachers to clarify what it means to be a follower of Christ. And that the Spirit might do His work on unbelieving hearts. We long to see our church full of young men and women bowing their hearts to King Jesus.

Speaking of young men and women, and those that invest in them, I spent some time earlier today on the phone with David Johnson. He's so encouraged by the body's continued intercession for them. As you know, moving right now comes with its share of challenges. Would you pray that things continue to go smoothly for them over the next weeks/months?




For the first time since 2019, we're eager to gather in the sanctuary for our Thanksgiving Meal this coming Sunday night (5:00 PM). Chris told me that a good crew of folks have already signed–up for that time, but if you haven't yet, you can do so here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1iX5aqxQIxZUEb8c2UxrBS4-Oly8V4NmslI0Qb9SjMRc/viewform?edit_requested=true  
And tomorrow night: One and Only Q, This Changes Everything, chapter 6, Sibbes, chs. 9–10, and children's classes.
We're looking forward to seeing many of you then!

Matt

Good afternoon,

On Sunday we talked through both those rhythms that exhaust us (see Ecclesiastes 1:4-8) and participated in a rhythm that renews us (see the Lord's Supper). As always, sharing that meal both nourished and encouraged. Once again we proclaimed Christ's death to one another. If you missed Sunday's sermon from Ecclesiastes, you can catch up here: https://subspla.sh/r2n7d37

Much of Sunday's text wrestled with the question of verse 3, What advantage does man have in all his work which he does under the sun? We saw, clearly, that the Preacher was in no hurry to answer. In this coming Sunday's text, he asks the question again, For what does a man get in all his labor and in his striving with which he labors under the sun? (Eccl. 2:22). And, then in verses 23–26, he finally gives something of an answer. Life's more gift than it is gain. I look forward to preaching that step toward "resolution" this coming Sunday.

As mentioned before, the message of Ecclesiastes helps us reorient our hope and it helps us engage with the unbelieving world. We desire to be a people that the Lord uses to lovingly and graciously expose the false hopes our neighbors and co–workers trust in. Knowing what they worship is part of our mission.

Speaking of mission, do be praying for Chris and Jessica Wilbanks. In the next few weeks, they'll head overseas for a meeting with some of the missionaries we help support. They'll also be spending time with some of our members that moved overseas. As you might assume, though we haven't sent a team over the pond in a little bit, we're aiming for that to be different in 2023. Pray for Chris and Jessica as they make preparations to head out, represent us, and encourage workers.

Yet, we affirm with C. T. Studd, "The light that shines farthest shines brightest near home." So, this coming Sunday Chris will lead a group to carefully, lovingly, and winsomely share the good news of living hope through a Resurrected King at Shelby Farms. Maybe Romans 10 spurred you to consider how you might share the gospel more faithfully. If so, let Chris know you'll be joining him (Sunday from 4–6).

David Gibson writes, "Ecclesiastes urges us to think about life under the sun from the perspective of life above the sun. There is a God in heaven, a wise and loving Father, who holds the righteous and the wise in His hands" (Living Life Backward, 120). For that reason, among others, we thought Andy Davis's book on heaven might pair well with Ecclesiastes. Jim will kick off the study tomorrow night. Do plan to join us. I think this topic could prove to be deeply encouraging for us as God's people. Again, as I said Sunday, you won't find lasting hope until you lift your eyes. I'm thankful Andy's sermon on Sunday night from Colossians echoed that message.

We look forward to seeing many of you tomorrow! "Welcome to Moe's" at 5:30; classes follow at 6:30.

Matt

Good afternoon,

As I mentioned this weekend, when we gathered Sunday it was as if Phil described to us a trip we'd all been on together. And as he pointed out this landmark, or reminded us of that turn, the Spirit fed us. I appreciated in particular the way Phil highlighted Luke's theology that underpinned the book. If you missed that sermon, you can watch it here: (“Getting Our Heads Around the Book of Acts—A Conclusion to the Series” Acts 13:44-52)

We passed out a sermon schedule for the book of Ecclesiastes this weekend as well. If you didn't get one, it's attached. On that schedule, you'll see that we titled the series Under the Sun: Living with Hope in the Mist of Vanity. Maybe when you read that, you wondered, "Did Matt ask Debbie to print off a couple hundred schedules IN COLOR with the word 'midst' misspelled?" How futile! : ) While that's certainly possible, it's not the case this time. Vanity is something that we can't grab. It's elusive. It's also something that doesn't last. The idea, in fact, is not unlike what James says about our life: it's a mist. This is the nature of our existence "under the sun," whether we're talking about work, about relationships, about possessions, and even about knowledge. So, how do we live with hope, joy, or peace in the "mist" of vanity? That's what I pray we are pointed to through this thought–provoking book, inspired by God and neglected by many.

Deep thanks to Eric Singleton for putting together the graphic!

Chris updated me this morning on the long list of things our team was able to accomplish last week in Nashville. And since he can say many things better than me, I asked him to tell you about it:

Thank you for sending us on with prayer and resources to Edgefield Church in Nashville this past week! Though a few Advil were necessary for some of us, the Lord enabled us to finish all the projects the church asked of us. I would only echo a few of the staff members at Edgefield, who were "flabbergasted" at how these men were remarkably skilled and efficient in fulfilling the specific tasks asked of them! And more than this, along with their tool belts they put on the joy of our Savior as they worked. The projects were rewarding and the fellowship was significant. Thank you men for laying aside your time and spending yourself for the good of a sister congregation and for the glory of our King. Thank you South Woods for holding us up in prayer while away, which the Lord graciously answered in multiple ways.



Encouraging!

Tomorrow night: Chick–Fil–A at 5:30, followed by teaching and more fellowship at 6:30. We'll look forward to seeing many of you then!

Matt

Good afternoon,

As Phil wrote in the note we sent out earlier, it's hard to squeeze 35 years in a couple hours. It's also hard––nah, impossible––to capture decades of gratitude for his faithful labors over a lunch. Yet, I'm thankful we as a body attempted to communicate it on Sunday. Some of you worked for hours and hours on desserts. Some of you worked for hours on moving chairs. Some of you worked hours and hours on decorating. Some of you worked hours and hours on editing a video. And many of you poured sentences of thankfulness onto a card. As He has throughout South Woods' history, the Lord showed us much of His kindness on this important day. What mercy.

He also put on display His mercies in Phil's Christ–centered exposition from the book of Revelation. He took the book! If you missed that sermon, I heartily commend it to you here: (Why Should You Follow Jesus?, Revelation 5)

Sunday we look forward to picking back up in our series through the book of Acts. When we left Paul in Acts 21, he'd graciously humbled himself before his accusers, submitting to a Jewish purification ritual. Those moments in the temple were the last free moments of Paul's life. In our text this coming Sunday, the authorities seize and attempt to kill him. Further, the angry chants of the mob––not unlike Ephesus––return. But, as we saw in Luke's first volume, the enemy's continual plotting proves to be subplot. Our King does nothing but accomplish every single one of His purposes. Pray for me as I sort through that text and prepare to preach Acts 21:27–40. We'll also look forward to observing the Lord's Supper together.

This coming Sunday night, Chris will be preaching from Colossians 3:5–11, a highly practical passage that seems to connect quite well with what our Bible Study Groups are studying in Romans 7. Do plan to join us Sunday night at 6 pm to worship Christ and encourage one another.

Tomorrow night Abner's Famous Chicken will be on the menu, the adults will continue through R. C. Sproul's book on the Holy Spirit, and the teenagers and children will continue in their present studies. I'm personally finding much to rejoice in while reading through Who is Jesus? with the teenagers. If you need to sign up for that meal, please do so here: (Wednesday Family Meal link).

We'll look forward to seeing you all tomorrow night!

Matt

Good afternoon,

In Acts 21, when Paul gathered with the church at Jerusalem––recounting what the Lord had done among the Gentiles––they all glorified God together. If you missed Sunday's sermon on that text, you can read/watch it here: (Christ, the Church, and the World, Acts 21:15-26)

I hope that you've been as edified as I have over the past few weeks by what the Lord is doing at South Woods. I mentioned a few things Sunday, but I merely scratched the surface. During our elders meeting Sunday afternoon, we spent a little time sharing some other things the Lord was doing in our midst. Chris then spoke, as he often does, apples of gold, "This is evidence of Jesus being among us." I couldn't have agreed more.

One such thing you may not know about is a new class meeting during the Bible Study Group hour, led by Bill and Cindy Starr. Each week at 9:00 they gather to focus on prayer, praying for missions, missionaries, our BSG teachers, our worship services, and for one another. Pastor Phil joined them this past Sunday and reported back to the elders how profitable it was for him.  Even if you join that group to pray once a month or so, our hope is that this might be another opportunity for the body to intercede for one another and the nations. Like the church at Jerusalem in Acts 2, we want to be devoted to the Apostle's teaching and to prayer.  

This coming Sunday we'll pause our Acts series, but not pause Paul, to take a look at 1 Thessalonians 2:1–12. That passage includes one of Paul's most visceral illustrations, describing his love for the church as that of a nursing mother tenderly caring for her own children. Pray for me as I study that letter over the next few days.

Sometimes I read the bulletin in my office and then pump my fist while no one's looking. Mostly that's when I see something Jim's picked out that fits perfectly with the sermon. This week it was seeing the VBS dates (July 13, 14, and 15). Do put those dates down on your calendar! My kids have been so looking forward to its return.

Tonight we'll gather to eat at 5:30, and then at 6:30 the teenagers will begin Greg Gilbert's study "Who is Jesus?," the adults will press on in thinking through "The Mystery of the Holy Spirit," and our younger kids will be meeting with their faithful teachers.

We'll look forward to seeing many of you again tonight!

Matt

Greetings!

What a joy to gather to worship the Risen Lord this past Sunday! Easter Sunday is always a wonderful time to meet up with those who’ve been affected by the cross and resurrection of Jesus. I felt that strongly on Sunday. Thank you for your attentiveness to the preaching of the Word.

Mercy for Memphis is coming up Sunday afternoon at Shelby Farms. We’ve waited a long time for warmer weather (we may still be waiting!) so that we can walk the park and try to have gospel conversations. We’ve seen some good opportunities in the past. Join others from South Woods on Sunday from 4:00–6:00 p.m. Let’s pray for the Spirit to work through our witness.

Be sure to remember that we’re NOT having STINT or Wednesday night classes for students and children tomorrow night. We look forward on April 27th to returning to co-ed STINT classes, student classes, and children and preschool classes ALL ON THE SAME NIGHT! The adults will be reading and discussing R. C. Sproul’s helpful and readable book, The Mystery of the Holy Spirit. This is a great time to make Wednesday nights a regular time to gather with the body. Plus . . .

. . . we start back with Wednesday night family meals on April 27th! That night will be on the house! We’ll get to field test our new fellowship hall area. We will be able to have those conversations we’ve missed for 2 years. Plus, we get to follow up by joining in classes together. Can you ask for more? Well, if you’re in choir, you can attend choir practice after the service! Okay, we’re ready for everyone to be together on Wednesdays. That starts next week!

We return to the exposition in the book of Acts on Sunday, chapter 21. Pastor Chris will be preaching. Pray for him as he prepares.

Pray for a good group of our guys and some of our former pastoral interns who are in Louisville this week for Together for the Gospel. This can be a formative time of building relationships centered in the gospel of Christ. I’m thankful that these brothers are able to spend good time together worshiping with a few thousand others who hold the same gospel as central to all of life and eternity.

Blessings,
Phil N.

Greetings!

Wow! What a wonderful time we had at the restart of Bible Study Groups this past Sunday! The new space looked lovely and functioned well. I’m grateful for the thought that went into reimagining the space so that we might have better space to keep doing disciple making. Thanks for being part of this new phase in our church’s life. We look forward to Easter Sunday when we gather for Bible Study Groups at 9:00 and worship at 10:15.

Tomorrow night will be the last round of Taming the Tongue. The guys meet at 6:30, along with the children for the last round of Wisdom Wednesdays. Thank you for adjusting your lives to accommodate the way we’ve had to do these classes for two years.

Mercy for Memphis starts back on April 24th, 4–6:00 p.m. at Shelby Farms. This is a great chance to talk about the good news with folks meandering about. It might also be a chance to meet some believers and encourage them. I continue praying for a pastor that Andrew Harris and I met last fall. We’ve had several more conversations with him over the past months. You never know what might happen at Shelby Farms!

Also, in the same vein as Mercy for Memphis, we have another opportunity to serve with the Food Bank Distribution through World Relief and Redeemer Baptist Fellowship, to organize and provide food through the Mid-South Food Bank. This comes up on April 29th, with various shifts. See Chris for details.

Speaking of Chris Wilbanks, the church unanimously approved Chris becoming full-time associate pastor at South Woods! We’re thankful for Chris and Jessica and their family. While we’re not welcoming them to the church (they’ve been here 20 years), we’re rejoicing with them in this expanded opportunity to serve the body at South Woods.

We get started on April 27th with family night dinner (see what Chris has come up with), a new STINT (R.C. Sproul’s The Mystery of the Holy Spirit), a full round of children and teenager’s classes, and choir practice (after STINT). The first meal on the 27th is free! We will not be meeting on Wednesday, April 20th since so many of our regular teachers will be at T4G in Louisville, so take the night off and get ready to roll on the 27th!

Jim encouraged us on Sunday night to meditate on Scripture, to let it soak into our lives. I hope you’re doing that in reflecting on the passages that we’re considering on Sunday morning worship. Thinking on the triumphal entry is far more than a donkey’s colt ride for Jesus. We see both His majesty and humility. And we see God’s faithfulness to a 500-year old prophecy. Be encouraged as you think on the Word! You can check out the sermon here.

We look forward to Friday night at 6:30 for our Good Friday Service. Pastor Matt will be preaching on one of my favorite passages, Romans 8:31–32. Pray for him as he prepares. I’m looking forward to expounding John 20:19–23 for Easter Sunday, as we think about Christ’s resurrection gifts. Pray for this weekend that the power of the risen Christ might be manifest among us!

Jesus is risen indeed!

Pastor Phil

Greetings!

What a crew! So many folks turned out on Saturday to work on the grounds and the building! We’re grateful for the participation, and as Matt mentioned Sunday, the joyful interaction as we worked side-by-side. I loved seeing so many smiling faces and busy hands at work. What an encouragement! Thank you for contributing in such a tangible way to help us have a lovely place for disciple making.

We’ve waited two years for this Sunday, April 10th. For two years, due to Covid restrictions and building topsy-turvy, we’ve waited to return to our regular Sunday morning 9:00 Bible Study Groups. Finally, the time is here! We have all new rooms, beautifully prepared to join together—young and old—in studying God’s Word! Make this Sunday’s Bible Study Groups a priority. Adults through teenagers will be picking back up in Romans with three weeks of review. This week you’ll be reviewing Romans 1–3. Take time this week to read through those chapters, pondering them and thinking of questions you might have on the passages. Pray for those who will be teaching. Pray as well for our children’s and preschool classes, as they participate in a range of biblically faithful material.

Thank you to all who are teaching and leading classes. We’re so grateful for your patience and preparation in serving the body!

We get started with Passion Week Services on Sunday, as I’ll be preaching from Matthew 21:1–11 on the question asked as Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday: Who is This? The following Friday—Good Friday—Pastor Matt will be preaching in the 6:30 Good Friday service. What a great opportunity to bring a friend to hear the good news proclaimed! Then on Easter Sunday, April 17th, join me as we consider John 20:19–23, Resurrection Gift. Three services during Passion Week give us an opportunity to bring along a friend to join us in worship.

Tomorrow night the discussion of chapters 5–7 and the conclusion of Taming the Tongue by Jeff Robinson continues with the ladies meeting at 6:30. The teenagers will be continuing their investigation of chapter 6 of Greg Gilbert’s Why Trust the Bible?

Thursday night at 6:30, the Ladies will join together at Betty Campbell’s home for a Missions Tea. Kristen Lowry in Kenya will be live chatting with those participating. She always has fascinating things to discuss about the work the Lord has given to her and Daniel in Kenya. This is a great opportunity to find out ways to encourage our missionaries!

I hope you’ve been helped by reflecting on Acts 20 as much as Matt and I have loved preparing (discussing it during coffee breaks) and preaching these rich texts from God’s Word. This Sunday was so helpful, as we saw how the Apostle Paul relied on the grace of God by the Spirit and the gospel to sustain and keep the church at Ephesus. That’s what we do too. Word and Spirit continue to sustain us as God’s people.

Warmly,
Phil N.