United Baptist Church

United Baptist Church Pastor: Rev. Dr. Will Watson
Music Minister: Beth Godwin
Pianist: Lynne Spach
Adm Asst: Jon Thomas

United Baptist Church seeks to live out an unchanging message in an ever-changing world by creating real, relevant and effective bridges of Christ’s love through relationships.

What I love about this image, in addition to the fact that it contains scripture, is the fact that you have to look down...
09/09/2026

What I love about this image, in addition to the fact that it contains scripture, is the fact that you have to look down at your feet to read this beautiful truth. Isn't it true about fear?--it often causes us to look away, to look down, to cower and hide. In other words, we are tempted to look down and away from the very blessing that God has in store for us, the very blessing that, in order to receive, we must face directly. These words from Paul to Timothy are sage: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline (sound mind)" (2 Tim. 1:7).

Sometimes, when we are staring at our feet, God says to look up, to Christ, and face our fears. Then, when we stand in Christ's power, love and sound mind we don't have to look away from our purpose or divine destiny; instead, we can face it directly and trust in God's ability to bring us through whatever trial or test we're called to endure. After all, endurance is a good thing: "And endurance builds character, which gives us a hope that will never disappoint us. All of this happens because God has given us the Holy Spirit, who fills our hearts with his love" (Rom. 5:4-5, CEV).

So, when you're tempted to look down in fear, always know that God's Word, Jesus Christ, stands ready to bring you a word of truth that will empower you to live bravely, boldly and courageously for him.

Count on God--after all, God's given you a spirit of love, power and self-discipline! Walk in this truth today, and always!

Love in Christ to all of you!
--Pastor Will

We certainly have a lot to learn from Jonah. This man, who is known as "Son of Truth" (Amittai) runs away from God's cal...
09/08/2026

We certainly have a lot to learn from Jonah. This man, who is known as "Son of Truth" (Amittai) runs away from God's call to preach repentance to Ninevah. Jonah can't stand the Ninevites, the enemies of the Jews. So he boards a ship for Tarshish instead. Well, many of you know the story--Jonah and the ship's crew are tossed about in a storm, and Jonah realizes he's the cause of the storm. Jonah is thrown overboard, swallowed by a great fish, saved by God and vomited onto dry land. Jonah finally obeys and, reluctantly, preaches a message of judgment to Ninevah. Ninevah repents and Jonah is angry! After experiencing mercy at the hand of God (plant that provides shade), Jonah gets a mercy-filled lesson from God: "Jonah, you were so angry when the plant died, but you did nothing to care for it. The Ninevites are 120,000 strong and don't know their right from their left, shouldn't I care for them too, and show them mercy?"

Well, the book of Jonah ends with a rhetorical question, but God certainly calls us to think about how God's mercy to both Jonah and the Ninevites affects how we receive and give mercy ourselves. Are we generous with mercy to our neighbors, even the ones we'd regard as enemies? Why do we struggle with showing mercy to those we don't like, or don't care for, or who we hope get what they deserve?

We must remember that God's mercy can be defined as "not getting what we deserve." In other words, by God's merciful hand, we are alive and not condemned (Rom. 8:1). In fact, through Jesus Christ, we are are saved, delivered and rescued from the sins of our own doing. When we neglect mercy for others we ignore the great mercy God's shown us. We must remember that God's mercies are new every morning--great is God's faithful mercy (Lam. 3:22-23).

Jonah 4 is both convicting and humorous. Jonah is made because he knows that God is gracious and forgiving, and rich in mercy. And yet, Jonah's preaching, and Ninevah's subsequent repentance, is not a comfort to Jonah. In fact, it makes him more angry. But God wants Jonah to realize how much he is loved! God wants Jonah to realize that mercy is offered to everyone, and that anyone can receive God's mercy and share it freely.

Now, we must remember that God loves being merciful to us! In fact, Jesus tells those gathered in the little mountain (Sermon on the Mount), "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy" (Matt. 5:7). There is no one--NO ONE--who is ever outside the mercy of Almighty God.

Jonah didn't want mercy for his enemies, but God surely showed mercy to Jonah in four short chapters: saved by a great fish, resurrected and thrown up on dry land, given a second chance to preach, and given a plant with shade. What ways has God been merciful to you today? Yesterday? Last week? Last month? Last year?

All your life?

Above all, never forget this: When it comes to God's character in Jesus Christ, mercy always--ALWAYS--has the last word.

Always!

And to that I say--"AMEN!"

Love y'all, dear church--may God's mercy be abundant to you always!
--Pastor Will

09/06/2026

"Mercy Has the Last Word"
Jonah 4:1-11, NRSV
Rev. Dr. Will Watson, Pastor

09/05/2026

Memorial Service for Betty Kaye Flippin
Rev. Dr. Will Watson

The first thing that Paul says about God's love in Christ is that it's patient and kind (1 Cor. 13:4). Remember, kindnes...
09/02/2026

The first thing that Paul says about God's love in Christ is that it's patient and kind (1 Cor. 13:4). Remember, kindness is both a choice and a gift, and it is a magnificent expression of Jesus' character. Let us always choose kindness, friends!

--Pastor Will

Peter sure thought he was doing the right thing by correcting Jesus' plan, right? Matt. 16:21-28 showed us last Sunday t...
09/01/2026

Peter sure thought he was doing the right thing by correcting Jesus' plan, right? Matt. 16:21-28 showed us last Sunday that while we confess Christ as Savior and Lord we must make sure that we don't question God's Kingdom agenda through Christ (which always leads to a cross). In other words, Peter thought Jesus was talking nonsense when the Lord told them about his eventual arrest, torture and crucifixion. But Jesus commanded Peter: "Get behind me, Satan! You have in mind the things of man!" Satan means "accuser"--in this way, Peter is acting as a foil, a tempter, and Jesus wants nothing more than to walk in the way of the Father through humble obedience.

Whatever it takes to obey his Father's will, Jesus is prepared to do just that.

And he calls us to prepare for spiritual battle likewise.

We must put on the full armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18) and remember to use the sword of the Spirit (the Word of God, Jesus through the scriptures) so that we can fight the good fight against the lies and temptations of the Enemy. Though the Devil wants to trip us up and trap us, Jesus isn't afraid to go toe-to-toe with Satanic accusations. Though Peter isn't the Devil, Peter's temptation was accusatory and tempting; Jesus didn't want any part of that lie. So Jesus spoke truth into the falsehood and offered a teaching lesson to his disciples that life was about losing what we believe is "life". True life is about denying ourselves, taking up our crosses, and following Jesus--because through the cross, through sacrifice, through selfless love we find true freedom, true kindness and true love.

Therefore we must get behind Jesus and HIS program, HIS plan, HIS agenda and realize that when Jesus speaks we must follow him--regardless--knowing that his promises are true, even when facing torture, mockery, disdain, persecution, hardship, difficulty, weakness and even death.

So, friends--though we confess Jesus as Lord, we must remember that what Jesus says and where Jesus goes we cannot refute nor must we tell Jesus what he can't say or do. Instead, we must willingly obey, honor Christ's words, and follow where we might not choose to go, believing that Jesus is always bringing us to Life, real Life, in the heart of his Father who loves us all.

As our church embarks on a new journey of new beginnings, not only as a we start a new church year on Sept. 13th but as we listen to Jesus direct and guide us, individually and collectively, we must encourage one another to hear the words of Christ and follow him--wherever he leads.

After all, we must always want to be where Life is. And where Jesus is, there is this truth: "Greater love has no one than this, than a person lay down a life for a friend" (John 15:13). That's what authentic, genuine and real love is...giving away what is ours in order to gain the peace of God, both for neighbor and ourselves.

God wants us to celebrate this reality in action as we move through September and into the new United Baptist Church year. And the watchwords we will receive on Sept. 13th? They'll guide us all year long.

May we go where Jesus' words compel us to go--and may we follow, knowing that God's love is working out Christ's glory and our best. Always.

Amen!

Love in Christ, friends--let's always get behind Jesus' Kingdom agenda!
--Pastor Will

Amen
08/31/2026

Amen

08/30/2026

Matt. 16:21-28, NRSV
"Get Behind Jesus"
Rev. Dr. Will Watson, Pastor

Address

5815 Murray Road
Winston-Salem, NC
27106

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 12pm
Tuesday 9am - 12pm
Wednesday 9am - 12pm
5:30pm - 7pm
Thursday 9am - 12pm
Sunday 9am - 12:15pm

Telephone

+13369242771

Website

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