I have prayed for, watched, read about, and dialogued about the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force of the Southern Baptist Convention. I, like many others, am excited to hear the final report in Orlando this summer. I acknowledge I am not well steeped in the intricacies of the Mission Boards. I do not quite understand the interrelationship of the NAMB and the State Conventions. I am not really sure where the State Conventions end and the Associations begin. But, what I do know is that the call to MAKE DISCIPLES is still applicable to me, and to my church. Consequently, I preached a message this past week entitled “The Only Church on Earth” from Matthew 28:16-20. Continue reading »
A healthy church understands the importance of, and practices, meaningful church membership. It is through active, meaningful membership in a local church that Christians live out the commands of Scripture. The preaching ministry of the elders is the primary means by which God saves and grows His people in the local church. Through the preaching and teaching ministry the church is equipped to serve and do ministry.
Recently I had a very mini-retreat in Duluth, GA. I was reading through the book of Hebrews in a Holiday Inn and was hit with a verse I had read many times before. Readers (both of you) are probably familiar with it as well, it says that by faith Moses “considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.” – Hebrews 11:26 ESV
I was reading through today’s reading from a devotional help on family worship and was reminded once again of the brokenness of our present culture. I am talking about the injurious nature of discussion and comments about others, particularly about other Christians. Continue reading »
Dr. Al Mohler’s recent presentation at the President’s Forum at Southern Seminary was no doubt of interest to many who are interested in what will result from the Great Commission Task Force. I have also enjoyed watching some video of the recent luncheon held in Arkansas. It is good to see so much interest and so many questions being asked. Continue reading »
This is my email response to a recent article in the Christian Index concerning the Christmas in August special offering.
The Christian Index Article is located here: http://www.christianindex.org/5710.article Continue reading »
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I am a 40 year old Pastor. I became a follower of Jesus Christ, a disciple, a Christian, at the age of 28. My father is a wonderful man, but I was not raised in a spiritual home. My grandfather is a wonderful man, but my father was not raised in a spiritual home, either. What I mean by spiritual home is one where the father actively and intentionally leads in the spiritual growth of the family. I am learning how to do this at the same time I am learning how to be a Pastor. The two jobs are similar, and both are very important. But, my first ministry is to my family. Continue reading »
I have the great privilege to serve as Moderator of the Hephzibah Baptist Association in Georgia. I included the following in my report given to the Executive Committee on July 9, 2009. For more information go to http://hbakbamissions.org Continue reading »
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In my Bible reading plan I read Joshua 9 today. This chapter contains the interesting story of Joshua and the leaders of Israel being deceived by the Gibeonites in Canaan. The chapter begins with the awareness that the kings of 6 Canaanite nations were banding together to make war against Israel. However, a seventh nation, the Gibeonites, avoided the direct war approach and opted for a more deceptive approach. They would play the “poor pitiful me” hand and beg for a treaty. Continue reading »
The following is a statement of divorce and remarriage I was asked to submit to a church with which I was interviewing, when I was about to graduate seminary in 2006. Though I was not called by this church, I am thankful for their request. I am presenting it here with few changes for feedback. It is as it was in 2006. Print This Post Continue reading »
This was an excerpt of the manuscript from a sermon preached on May 17, 2009 at Sardis Baptist Church in Sardis, GA.
What does it mean that God regrets? (1 Samuel 15:11, 29, 35)
There exists in this text a question that needs to be asked and considered. What does it mean that God regrets or repents? We are told twice in this chapter that God regrets or repents. Then we are told that God does not. The issue is context. The word na?cham has quite a few meanings and its meaning is based on context. The word can mean “to suffer grief”, “to be moved to pity”, “to be sorry”, or “to change one’s mind”. So, first we have a word that has not just one meaning or sense, but that is flavored by the context. Continue reading »
Teaching Notes for Session Titled: The Preaching/Teaching ministry of the local church
MARK: A healthy church understands the preaching ministry not as an independent cluster of sermons, but as a body of work intended to transform the people of God.
The preaching ministry of the elders is the primary means by which God saves and grows His people in the local church. Continue reading »
I am currently participating in a book study group, going through John Stott’s “The Cross of Christ.” I have found this book nourishing my soul and bringing to my mind vivid images of the work of Christ on the Cross. In Chapter 7 Stott provides four images of salvation: propitiation, redemption, justification and reconciliation.
As the Easter season approaches, I have felt drawn to the Cross in a fresh way by focusing on each of these images. This study entails my research on the Redemption image. Continue reading »
I am developing a theology of Missions that I can communicate to my church. My goal is to begin this endeavor by helping them to see God’s vision for eternity, and how what takes place in our time must contribute to that end, or its vanity. So, this first study is intended to present the end-game, so to speak; that we may begin with the end in mind. Continue reading »
I am taking my church through a new study on Sunday evenings. I am utilizing these three books in developing this study. So far, the first two messages have been well received. Many in attendance have remarked that these messages should be preached in the Sunday morning service. I agree. Last Sunday evening, I spoke on the importance of meaningful church membership and sought to answer the questions: Is church membership biblical? Why join a church? I also gave discussed what should be the minimum expectations of any member, old or new, in our church: Gathering, Giving, Praying and Serving. Continue reading »
Today, on Tweetdeck, I came across a link to a video of a 12 year old girl. In the video she gives a speech that she would later give at her school’s speech competion. Her topic was abortion. Needless to say, school officials were not pleased.
I, however, was not only pleased at her topic and her speech, but also the simple logic she presents. It’s so simple, even a 12 year old could explain it. No offense intended! You get the point. What some adults can’t seem to realize is that life is precious, no matter what stage of embryonic development. Here is the blog address http://bound4life.com/blog/2009/02/06/y-o-p-p
Here is the video
Came across this great post on the Desiring God website. It concerns the rationale behind family discipleship ministry.
http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/1619_reallife_family_ministry/
Here’s another great post on the new mandate for SBTS’s School of Leadership. They are emphasizing family ministry, as well.. http://www.sbts.edu/lead/manifesto/
I must say that I believe so. I read passages like Isaiah 46:9-11 and I believe it.
However, in preaching and teaching to a local church congregation, I was caught off guard that some God-fearing, Jesus-loving, Sunday night church-going people don’t agree with my summation. Without knowing, I am apparently pastoring a sub-group of “Open Theists.” They hold to inerrancy and inspiration, and they believe Jesus is the only way. We just differ on the whether or not God knows the future. So I feel as a Pastor I must make a study of the doctrine of Divine Foreknowledge. Am I right? Are they right?
I would love to hear from other Pastors who have dealt with this, or if you have some good resources on this topic. I will document my studies in hopes of helping others to understand their own beliefs and be able to articulate and defend them.
May God bless this study.
Sermon Notes
THEME: Battle against worldliness.
How can we remain faithful in a pagan land? Why should we?
Continue reading »
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