Luke 13:1-5 “There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."
The heart-breaking events of this week remind us of how very fragile life truly is! Over 300 people died this week in an outbreak of tornados that devastated cities and towns from Texas to the Carolinas. It is impossible to understand the level of grief felt by those who lost loved ones, friends, and property on a massive scale.
One of the towns where at least ten people were killed and massive damage occurred was Ringgold, Georgia, where I pastored my first Church and where Pat Pajak was our Music and Youth Director. The Cherokee Valley area, where the church was located, was very heavily damaged by the storm.
In the passage in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus uses two very well-known tragedies to make a solemn point. First, He uses a famous crime where Pontius Pilate had ordered the murder of a group of Galileans who were holding a worship service and he ordered that their blood be mixed with the blood that they were offering on the altar. The second illustration is that of a famous accident where a tower fell on eighteen people killing them. The Tower of Siloam was likely the tower by that name that was part of the Temple wall.
From these awful events, Jesus teaches them (and us) three very important lessons:
First, you do not have to be an evil person for bad things to happen to you. Second, it is wrong to assume that someone is being punished by God when bad things happen to them. Third, we dare not think that we are exempt from the tragedies of life because we know and love the Lord!
Each of these were very common mistakes in Jesus’ day, and they remain so in our day! It is not unusual to hear someone opine about the “judgment of God” or some similar terminology to attempt to explain that which cannot be explained.
Anyone can become a victim of a crime whether that crime is perpetrated against them by an individual or by a government. Anyone can become the victim of an accident. The point is simple. “Prepare to meet your God.” (Amos 4:12) Since we do not when the Lord may return, or when we may go to Him; it is wise to live in constant readiness to stand before Him.
The only way to be ready is to repent of your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. Repentance is the missing link to saving faith and the absence of genuine repentance is why so many who think they know the Lord because they have done something like praying a prayer or being baptized (or whatever religious thing they did) are still lost in their sins.
Beloved, if you want to be sure you are ready to meet God, be sure that you have truly repented of your sins!
Please be in prayer for the families of those people who have been killed in these awful storms. Pray for those who lost much and those who have lost all. Pray for those who are assisting them, and pray for those who a attempting to minister the gospel to them. Pray that the Lord will bring many to saving faith through these tragic circumstances.
If you would like to give toward the relief efforts, let me know and I can tell you the most efficient way to get the help to those who need it.
Application: Since no one is exempt from the tragedies of life, we must live our life in such a way that we and our families are ready for whatever may come our way.
Prayer: Father, bless these dear hurting people. Bless those who are ministering to them in Your Name. Teach us what You would have us to learn and use our resources to bless them. Amen.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Luke 24:1-12
1 "But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.
2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb,
3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel.
5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?
6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee,
7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise."
8 And they remembered his words,
9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.
10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles,
11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.
12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened."
2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb,
3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel.
5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?
6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee,
7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise."
8 And they remembered his words,
9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.
10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles,
11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.
12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened."
Friday, April 22, 2011
Spurgeon on the Meaning of the Cross!
The whole of the tremendous debt was put upon his shoulders; the whole weight of the sins of all his people was placed upon him. Once he seemed to stagger under it: “Father, if it be possible.” But again he stood u upright: “Nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done.” The whole of the punishment of his people was distilled into one cup; no mortal lip might give it so much as a solitary sip. When he put it to his own lips, it was so bitter, he well nigh spurned it—”Let this cup pass from me.” But his love for his people was so strong, that he took the cup in both his hands, and
“At one tremendous draught of love
He drank damnation dry,”
for all his people. He drank it all, he endured all, he suffered all; so that now for ever there are no flames of hell for them, no racks of torment; they have no eternal woes; Christ hath suffered all they ought to have suffered, and they must, they shall go free. The work was completely done by himself, without a helper.
-”Justification by Grace,” delivered on April 5, 1857, by Charles Haddon Spurgeon
“At one tremendous draught of love
He drank damnation dry,”
for all his people. He drank it all, he endured all, he suffered all; so that now for ever there are no flames of hell for them, no racks of torment; they have no eternal woes; Christ hath suffered all they ought to have suffered, and they must, they shall go free. The work was completely done by himself, without a helper.
-”Justification by Grace,” delivered on April 5, 1857, by Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
HOLY WEEK
According to the ESV Study Bible, the events of Holy Week were:
Sunday: Jesus weeps over Jerusalem
Crowd comes to see Jesus
Triumphal Entry
Curses the Fig Tree
Monday: Jesus cleanses the Temple
Returns to Bethany with the Twelve
Disciples see the withered Tree
Tuesday: Controversies in the Temple area
Olivet Discourse on the way back to Bethany
Continues teaching in the Temple
Wednesday: Continues teaching in the Temple
Sanhedrin plots to kill Jesus
Thursday: Passover / Lord’s Supper
Upper Room Discourse
Prays in the Garden
Betrayal and Arrest
Trial before Annas
Trial before Caiaphas and some of Sanhedrin
Friday: Roman trials before Pilate, Herod, and back to Pilate
Crucifixion
Burial
Sunday: Resurrection
Empty Tomb witnesses
Post-resurrection appearances
As we think of these events, we will take four specific opportunities to celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord this week:
On Thursday at 7pm, we will meet in the Old Sanctuary of our Church for a Maundy Thursday Service. We will pray, sing, read Scripture, and take the Lord’s Supper together!
On Friday at 7pm, we will meet at the Kaskaskia Country Club near Arcola to be part of a multi-Church Good Friday Service. There will be prayer and singing, Scripture reading, and a message by Pastor Mike Wilder who is planting the new church in Arcola.
On Sunday at 9am, we will gather for Sunday School...
and then at 10am we will then have our annual Easter Service! I hope that you will be in special prayer all this week that the Lord will lead several people who do not normally attend church to this service. Pray that He will speak to them and call them to salvation.
We will not have any services at the church on Sunday evening.
Sunday: Jesus weeps over Jerusalem
Crowd comes to see Jesus
Triumphal Entry
Curses the Fig Tree
Monday: Jesus cleanses the Temple
Returns to Bethany with the Twelve
Disciples see the withered Tree
Tuesday: Controversies in the Temple area
Olivet Discourse on the way back to Bethany
Continues teaching in the Temple
Wednesday: Continues teaching in the Temple
Sanhedrin plots to kill Jesus
Thursday: Passover / Lord’s Supper
Upper Room Discourse
Prays in the Garden
Betrayal and Arrest
Trial before Annas
Trial before Caiaphas and some of Sanhedrin
Friday: Roman trials before Pilate, Herod, and back to Pilate
Crucifixion
Burial
Sunday: Resurrection
Empty Tomb witnesses
Post-resurrection appearances
As we think of these events, we will take four specific opportunities to celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord this week:
On Thursday at 7pm, we will meet in the Old Sanctuary of our Church for a Maundy Thursday Service. We will pray, sing, read Scripture, and take the Lord’s Supper together!
On Friday at 7pm, we will meet at the Kaskaskia Country Club near Arcola to be part of a multi-Church Good Friday Service. There will be prayer and singing, Scripture reading, and a message by Pastor Mike Wilder who is planting the new church in Arcola.
On Sunday at 9am, we will gather for Sunday School...
and then at 10am we will then have our annual Easter Service! I hope that you will be in special prayer all this week that the Lord will lead several people who do not normally attend church to this service. Pray that He will speak to them and call them to salvation.
We will not have any services at the church on Sunday evening.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Here I stand, I can do no other!
Jude 3-4 “Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”
On this day in 1521, Dr. Martin Luther stood before the Diet (Legislature) of Worms, Germany and defended his 97 Thesis and his theological writings!
Dr. Martin Luther was an Augustinian monk living in Wittenberg, Germany when he was saved while studying the book of Galatians! He began to think through the many errors of the Roman Church and finally posted a list of 97 complaints on the door of the Church.
As these “97 Thesis” were read and copied and distributed among the people of Germany, a groundswell of support began. This, of course, caught the attention of his superiors in the Roman Church and they began efforts to silence him.
The ultimate test was his trial and testimony before Emperor Charles V and Johann Eck, the Papal Inquisitor. Luther was beloved by Fredrick the Elector, who was to be used of God to save Luther’s life by having him “kidnapped” and taken to a safe place to study and continue his writings!
It was at this trial on April 16, 1521 that he gave his defense and uttered the immortal words, "Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason - I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other - my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen."
While we have much with which we disagree in the theology of Dr. Martin Luther, we owe him much for his faithfulness to stand at the risk of his life to correct the false teaching and moral corruption in the Roman Church! May it please the Lord to help us be as faithful to stand up against false doctrine and moral corruption – especially among those who profess to be believers – as was this man. May God grant us another, and much needed reformation today!
Prayer: “God of our Fathers, bless us this day with conviction and courage to stand for what we know to be true. Guide us into truth and give us the grace to share it, defend it, and if need be, die for it. May You use us to change our Nation the way You used Martin Luther to change his. Amen.”
Application: Will we share that truth once delivered to the saints?
On this day in 1521, Dr. Martin Luther stood before the Diet (Legislature) of Worms, Germany and defended his 97 Thesis and his theological writings!
Dr. Martin Luther was an Augustinian monk living in Wittenberg, Germany when he was saved while studying the book of Galatians! He began to think through the many errors of the Roman Church and finally posted a list of 97 complaints on the door of the Church.
As these “97 Thesis” were read and copied and distributed among the people of Germany, a groundswell of support began. This, of course, caught the attention of his superiors in the Roman Church and they began efforts to silence him.
The ultimate test was his trial and testimony before Emperor Charles V and Johann Eck, the Papal Inquisitor. Luther was beloved by Fredrick the Elector, who was to be used of God to save Luther’s life by having him “kidnapped” and taken to a safe place to study and continue his writings!
It was at this trial on April 16, 1521 that he gave his defense and uttered the immortal words, "Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason - I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other - my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen."
While we have much with which we disagree in the theology of Dr. Martin Luther, we owe him much for his faithfulness to stand at the risk of his life to correct the false teaching and moral corruption in the Roman Church! May it please the Lord to help us be as faithful to stand up against false doctrine and moral corruption – especially among those who profess to be believers – as was this man. May God grant us another, and much needed reformation today!
Prayer: “God of our Fathers, bless us this day with conviction and courage to stand for what we know to be true. Guide us into truth and give us the grace to share it, defend it, and if need be, die for it. May You use us to change our Nation the way You used Martin Luther to change his. Amen.”
Application: Will we share that truth once delivered to the saints?
Friday, April 15, 2011
Responding to Persecution
Matthew 5:10-12 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
On this date in 1892, Corrie Ten Boom was born in the Netherlands. She and her family were arrested during WWII by the Nazi’s for hiding Jews in their home. While she survived, most of her family died in the concentration camps during the war.
She travelled, spoke, and wrote extensively about her life after the war, and her biography, “The Hiding Place” was later made into a motion picture. Her testimony of the transforming power of the love of God is an inspiration to everyone who also loves the Lord.
Possibly her most famous quote is, “There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still!” You can learn much more about her at www.corrietenboom.com.
While many of us may have been persecuted on some level for our faith in Christ by family, friends, co-workers, or employers; we are just beginning to see what the future will be like in an America that hates Christ and Christians. Already today, it is not merely acceptable, but much welcomed, to be anti-Christian.
I fear that much more persecution of Christians is coming to America! Those of us my age may not feel the brunt of it, but I fear for my children and grandchildren. I believe that it is urgent that we raise them in the fear and nurture of the Lord to prepare them for the difficult years ahead for them.
We are often told that persecution purifies the Church. I have no doubt that this is true, but that does not mean that I welcome the onset of such treatment of our Lord, His Name, and His people. Oh, that we might seek to be purified by God’s Word and His Spirit without being put through the fires of persecution!
Sadly, real revival does not appear on the horizon. We have come to a time in America where in many, many Churches, (and in some cases, across entire denominations) you are hard pressed to find more than a handful of Bible-believing Christians. No wonder the Church appears so impotent and evil seems to prevail.
Prayer: “Father, I pray that You will glorify Yourself in us. If it be Your will that great persecution comes upon the Christians in America, please use it to purify Your Church. If it be Your will, we plead that You will grant us revival… that we might reach the lost and disciple Your people. Amen.”
Application: When real persecution comes, (and it is coming) will we stand up for Jesus?
On this date in 1892, Corrie Ten Boom was born in the Netherlands. She and her family were arrested during WWII by the Nazi’s for hiding Jews in their home. While she survived, most of her family died in the concentration camps during the war.
She travelled, spoke, and wrote extensively about her life after the war, and her biography, “The Hiding Place” was later made into a motion picture. Her testimony of the transforming power of the love of God is an inspiration to everyone who also loves the Lord.
Possibly her most famous quote is, “There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still!” You can learn much more about her at www.corrietenboom.com.
While many of us may have been persecuted on some level for our faith in Christ by family, friends, co-workers, or employers; we are just beginning to see what the future will be like in an America that hates Christ and Christians. Already today, it is not merely acceptable, but much welcomed, to be anti-Christian.
I fear that much more persecution of Christians is coming to America! Those of us my age may not feel the brunt of it, but I fear for my children and grandchildren. I believe that it is urgent that we raise them in the fear and nurture of the Lord to prepare them for the difficult years ahead for them.
We are often told that persecution purifies the Church. I have no doubt that this is true, but that does not mean that I welcome the onset of such treatment of our Lord, His Name, and His people. Oh, that we might seek to be purified by God’s Word and His Spirit without being put through the fires of persecution!
Sadly, real revival does not appear on the horizon. We have come to a time in America where in many, many Churches, (and in some cases, across entire denominations) you are hard pressed to find more than a handful of Bible-believing Christians. No wonder the Church appears so impotent and evil seems to prevail.
Prayer: “Father, I pray that You will glorify Yourself in us. If it be Your will that great persecution comes upon the Christians in America, please use it to purify Your Church. If it be Your will, we plead that You will grant us revival… that we might reach the lost and disciple Your people. Amen.”
Application: When real persecution comes, (and it is coming) will we stand up for Jesus?
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
An Appointment no one will miss!
Hebrews 9:27-28 “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”
On this date in 1945, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 32nd President of the United States, died of a cerebral hemorrhage at Warm Springs, Georgia. FDR was born on January 30, 1882 and was the only man in U.S. history to have been elected President more than twice.
I often think about the words of one of my favorite hymns, “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” by Isaac Watts. In this great work, he writes, “Time, like an ever rolling stream, Bears all its sons away; They fly, forgotten, as a dream Dies at the opening day.”
One of the realities of Pastoral ministry is being involved in lots of funerals. While it is always a privilege to be asked to speak at such a service, the serious nature of our appointment with death causes me to think deeply about what I will say to the family and friends who gather together. I almost never prepare for a funeral sermon without the words of this song going through my mind.
For the believer, this appointment marks the beginning of a truly joyous existence in the presence of Christ. Even those of us left behind at the passing of a loved one who trusted in the Lord are comforted by our certain knowledge of their eternal joy.
Most people do not know when they will go into the presence of God. We think and plan ahead as if we have all of the time in the world. I pretty much have an idea of what I will be doing for the next nine years as I lead our Church to accomplish the 20/20 Vision that the Lord has put before us. Often, when I think about what it will take to accomplish this work, I think about the fact that I may very well be kidding myself that I will be around to see it come to pass!
One day, someone will be thinking about what to say at my funeral. I hope they will remind my family and friends that all of us have an appointment with God for which we will not be late!
Prayer: “Father, thank You for the gift of this life, and the hope of the life to come. As we consider this sobering fact, let us put our faith in Your Son as our only hope of salvation. May we see that glorious day when all of your people surround Your throne and praise Your holy Name. Amen!”
Application: Are you ready to meet the Lord?
On this date in 1945, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 32nd President of the United States, died of a cerebral hemorrhage at Warm Springs, Georgia. FDR was born on January 30, 1882 and was the only man in U.S. history to have been elected President more than twice.
I often think about the words of one of my favorite hymns, “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” by Isaac Watts. In this great work, he writes, “Time, like an ever rolling stream, Bears all its sons away; They fly, forgotten, as a dream Dies at the opening day.”
One of the realities of Pastoral ministry is being involved in lots of funerals. While it is always a privilege to be asked to speak at such a service, the serious nature of our appointment with death causes me to think deeply about what I will say to the family and friends who gather together. I almost never prepare for a funeral sermon without the words of this song going through my mind.
For the believer, this appointment marks the beginning of a truly joyous existence in the presence of Christ. Even those of us left behind at the passing of a loved one who trusted in the Lord are comforted by our certain knowledge of their eternal joy.
Most people do not know when they will go into the presence of God. We think and plan ahead as if we have all of the time in the world. I pretty much have an idea of what I will be doing for the next nine years as I lead our Church to accomplish the 20/20 Vision that the Lord has put before us. Often, when I think about what it will take to accomplish this work, I think about the fact that I may very well be kidding myself that I will be around to see it come to pass!
One day, someone will be thinking about what to say at my funeral. I hope they will remind my family and friends that all of us have an appointment with God for which we will not be late!
Prayer: “Father, thank You for the gift of this life, and the hope of the life to come. As we consider this sobering fact, let us put our faith in Your Son as our only hope of salvation. May we see that glorious day when all of your people surround Your throne and praise Your holy Name. Amen!”
Application: Are you ready to meet the Lord?
Monday, April 11, 2011
The Power of Prayer!
James 5:16 “The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (KJV)
On this day in 1836, English minister and philanthropist George Mueller opened his famous orphanage on Wilson Street in Bristol. (By 1875, Mueller's orphanage was providing care for over 2,000 children.) George Mueller was an amazing man of prayer. For many years, he prayed in the daily (yes, day-by-day) needs of the children!
In the opening paragraph of his biography of Dr. Mueller, Roger Martin quotes Mueller as frequently saying, “Prayer can do anything that God can do, and God can do anything!” Indeed, when Dr. Mueller said that, he was just summarizing James 5:16!
Prayer can do anything God can do, because prayer is simply asking God to act! And the God Whom we beseech to act is a God Who can do anything! We do not always ask God to act according to His will, so He does not always answer just as we desire – but He does always answer each and every prayer.
Sometimes, God answers our prayers directly! We ask according to His will, and He responds by doing exactly what we ask.
Sometimes, God answers our prayers differently! He knows what is best and what His will is. By the way, His will is always what is best for His children. He still answers, but in a way that is different from what we desire and ask.
Sometimes, God’s answer is to delay! His will may be, “OK, but not now.” We almost never like that, but we bow before His sovereignty and wait for His answer.
Sometimes, God answers with a denial! Because He knows best and always wants what is best for us, when we ask for that which is out of His will or will ultimately prove to be a bad thing for us – He denies our request.
Beloved Ones, do not be afraid to pray! If we are praying out of the will of God, He will correct our prayers. He will not give us something to hurt us, just because we asked Him for it. He loves us, and He loves to answer prayer!
Prayer: “Father, we rejoice in the truth that You are a prayer-hearing and a prayer-answering God. We rejoice that Your answer will always be in accordance with Your will and it will be what is best for us. Amen.”
Application: A prayerless Christian is a powerless Christian!
On this day in 1836, English minister and philanthropist George Mueller opened his famous orphanage on Wilson Street in Bristol. (By 1875, Mueller's orphanage was providing care for over 2,000 children.) George Mueller was an amazing man of prayer. For many years, he prayed in the daily (yes, day-by-day) needs of the children!
In the opening paragraph of his biography of Dr. Mueller, Roger Martin quotes Mueller as frequently saying, “Prayer can do anything that God can do, and God can do anything!” Indeed, when Dr. Mueller said that, he was just summarizing James 5:16!
Prayer can do anything God can do, because prayer is simply asking God to act! And the God Whom we beseech to act is a God Who can do anything! We do not always ask God to act according to His will, so He does not always answer just as we desire – but He does always answer each and every prayer.
Sometimes, God answers our prayers directly! We ask according to His will, and He responds by doing exactly what we ask.
Sometimes, God answers our prayers differently! He knows what is best and what His will is. By the way, His will is always what is best for His children. He still answers, but in a way that is different from what we desire and ask.
Sometimes, God’s answer is to delay! His will may be, “OK, but not now.” We almost never like that, but we bow before His sovereignty and wait for His answer.
Sometimes, God answers with a denial! Because He knows best and always wants what is best for us, when we ask for that which is out of His will or will ultimately prove to be a bad thing for us – He denies our request.
Beloved Ones, do not be afraid to pray! If we are praying out of the will of God, He will correct our prayers. He will not give us something to hurt us, just because we asked Him for it. He loves us, and He loves to answer prayer!
Prayer: “Father, we rejoice in the truth that You are a prayer-hearing and a prayer-answering God. We rejoice that Your answer will always be in accordance with Your will and it will be what is best for us. Amen.”
Application: A prayerless Christian is a powerless Christian!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Truly Christian Outreach
Luke 14:21-23 “So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.' And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.' And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.”
On this date in 1829, William Booth, Founder of the Salvation Army was born in Nottingham England.
According to churchhistorytimeline.com, “Working first as a Methodist minister and evangelist, Booth and his able wife Catherine began tackling social evils at the same time engaging in direct evangelism. In 1865 Booth began a Christian mission in east London. By 1878 the mission and its work had evolved into the full grown organization of the Salvation Army. By the time of his death, Booth had traveled five million miles, preached 60,000 sermons and had drawn some 16,000 enlisted soldiers into his Army. At that time the Salvation Army was working in 58 countries in 34 languages.”
While I deeply regret the abandonment of sound doctrine and the ever encroaching liberalism within the Salvation Army, I am thankful that they have stayed faithful to their foundational calling of caring for the poorest of the poor and the down and out in society around the world.
One of the saddest things that have happened to our own Denomination over the years is that we have become more and more, “Upper Middle Class” in the demographic of our church members. Of course, we need to reach everyone including those who are, “Upper Middle Class” but, we (as a Denomination) have almost abandoned our efforts at reaching those who are most needy among us.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the fact that there are so few SBC Churches located in the inner cities of America. Even the very popular, “Center City” movement among Church Planters seems to be almost exclusively targeted at “Upper Middle to Upper Class” people in the cities!
Several years ago, I had the joy of preaching a week-long City-wide Crusade for the Salvation Army in Richmond, Virginia. It remains a happy memory for me. I found that two kinds of people were usually present in the services and ministries of the Salvation Army: those who were down and out, and those who were dedicated to ministering to them.
The right answer is, of course, to take the gospel to everyone, everywhere! We ought not tailor our services or ministries to reach a “certain segment” of the Community. Beloved Ones, let us, “'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes… and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.” And, everyone else!
Prayer: “Lord of the Harvest, use us to bring into Your Kingdom those who are outside. Let us not care about their social standing, but let us care about their spiritual standing before You. Use us, O God, to reach from among every race the young and old, men and women, boys and girls, poor, wealthy, and everywhere in-between. May our Church truly be a House for All People.”
Application: The Great Commission is geographically, not demographically structured! What are we doing to make sure that everyone feels welcome and wanted in our life and in our Church?
On this date in 1829, William Booth, Founder of the Salvation Army was born in Nottingham England.
According to churchhistorytimeline.com, “Working first as a Methodist minister and evangelist, Booth and his able wife Catherine began tackling social evils at the same time engaging in direct evangelism. In 1865 Booth began a Christian mission in east London. By 1878 the mission and its work had evolved into the full grown organization of the Salvation Army. By the time of his death, Booth had traveled five million miles, preached 60,000 sermons and had drawn some 16,000 enlisted soldiers into his Army. At that time the Salvation Army was working in 58 countries in 34 languages.”
While I deeply regret the abandonment of sound doctrine and the ever encroaching liberalism within the Salvation Army, I am thankful that they have stayed faithful to their foundational calling of caring for the poorest of the poor and the down and out in society around the world.
One of the saddest things that have happened to our own Denomination over the years is that we have become more and more, “Upper Middle Class” in the demographic of our church members. Of course, we need to reach everyone including those who are, “Upper Middle Class” but, we (as a Denomination) have almost abandoned our efforts at reaching those who are most needy among us.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the fact that there are so few SBC Churches located in the inner cities of America. Even the very popular, “Center City” movement among Church Planters seems to be almost exclusively targeted at “Upper Middle to Upper Class” people in the cities!
Several years ago, I had the joy of preaching a week-long City-wide Crusade for the Salvation Army in Richmond, Virginia. It remains a happy memory for me. I found that two kinds of people were usually present in the services and ministries of the Salvation Army: those who were down and out, and those who were dedicated to ministering to them.
The right answer is, of course, to take the gospel to everyone, everywhere! We ought not tailor our services or ministries to reach a “certain segment” of the Community. Beloved Ones, let us, “'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes… and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.” And, everyone else!
Prayer: “Lord of the Harvest, use us to bring into Your Kingdom those who are outside. Let us not care about their social standing, but let us care about their spiritual standing before You. Use us, O God, to reach from among every race the young and old, men and women, boys and girls, poor, wealthy, and everywhere in-between. May our Church truly be a House for All People.”
Application: The Great Commission is geographically, not demographically structured! What are we doing to make sure that everyone feels welcome and wanted in our life and in our Church?
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Biblical Church Discipline!
Galatians 6:1-2 “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
On this date in 1988, Evangelist Jimmy Swaggert was defrocked by the Assemblies of God for his involvement with a prostitute and for rejecting the denominational discipline imposed on him.
Baptists practice the autonomy of the Local Church and therefore we do not have any way as a Denomination to discipline an individual church member. We leave that up to each church. Like most things, that is both good at times; and bad at other times!
Biblical discipline, whether it is imposed on a member, a leader, or an entire church (which Southern Baptists do from time to time) is meant to correct the behavior of the one being disciplined and demonstrate the genuineness of their faith. It also protects the good Name of Christ and the Local Church. When a member, including a minister, rejects the correction offered in love by their church, discipline must be imposed that is commensurate with the offense.
The biblical goal of imposing discipline is restoration! It must be carried out by godly, “spiritual” Christians and done as prescribed by Jesus in Matthew 18:15-17 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”
Beloved Ones, the Assemblies of God were (in my opinion) correct to defrock Mr. Swaggert. Let us pray that all of our members, including our ministers, will live godly and sincere lives. Let us pray that all of us will have someone, or even an entire church, that will press us to live up to Biblical standards!
Prayer: “O God, I thank You for Your indwelling Spirit Who keeps me from continually sinning. Thank You for the continual rebuke that comes from studying Your Holy Word. Thank You for a godly Church and godly Christian friends who also hold me accountable.”
Application: Do you love your family and fellow-members enough to restore them when they become an offense to God and their Church?
On this date in 1988, Evangelist Jimmy Swaggert was defrocked by the Assemblies of God for his involvement with a prostitute and for rejecting the denominational discipline imposed on him.
Baptists practice the autonomy of the Local Church and therefore we do not have any way as a Denomination to discipline an individual church member. We leave that up to each church. Like most things, that is both good at times; and bad at other times!
Biblical discipline, whether it is imposed on a member, a leader, or an entire church (which Southern Baptists do from time to time) is meant to correct the behavior of the one being disciplined and demonstrate the genuineness of their faith. It also protects the good Name of Christ and the Local Church. When a member, including a minister, rejects the correction offered in love by their church, discipline must be imposed that is commensurate with the offense.
The biblical goal of imposing discipline is restoration! It must be carried out by godly, “spiritual” Christians and done as prescribed by Jesus in Matthew 18:15-17 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”
Beloved Ones, the Assemblies of God were (in my opinion) correct to defrock Mr. Swaggert. Let us pray that all of our members, including our ministers, will live godly and sincere lives. Let us pray that all of us will have someone, or even an entire church, that will press us to live up to Biblical standards!
Prayer: “O God, I thank You for Your indwelling Spirit Who keeps me from continually sinning. Thank You for the continual rebuke that comes from studying Your Holy Word. Thank You for a godly Church and godly Christian friends who also hold me accountable.”
Application: Do you love your family and fellow-members enough to restore them when they become an offense to God and their Church?
Friday, April 8, 2011
Sunday's Coming!
Chet Daniels, Lead Pastor at Redeemer Church in Champaign-Urbana, will be our guest speaker this coming Sunday morning! Redeemer is one of three new church plants with whom we are partnering this year.
I hope you will be able to attend this service and encourage Pastor Chet; and, I am certain that you will be blessed by what the Lord lays on his heart to share with us.
Chet is the third of these Pastors whom we have heard this Spring. I am thankful that our Church loves church plants and church planters, and gives so generously to their work!
See you there!
I hope you will be able to attend this service and encourage Pastor Chet; and, I am certain that you will be blessed by what the Lord lays on his heart to share with us.
Chet is the third of these Pastors whom we have heard this Spring. I am thankful that our Church loves church plants and church planters, and gives so generously to their work!
See you there!
The Living God!
Today is the 98th day of the year. There are 267 days left in 2011.
Revelation 1:18 “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”
On this date in 1966, Time Magazine published their infamous cover asking, “Is God dead?” Atheist philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) had written, “God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him.” From that time to this, Nietzsche remains a hero of atheists and nihilists everywhere.
We are reminded that one’s opinion does not change reality. If God does not exist, my belief that He does changes nothing. Likewise, since God does exist, the disbelief of a million atheists changes nothing! God is alive and well and accomplishing His divine will in the world!
Isaiah 43:10-12 “You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior. I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and I am God.”
The One True and Living God, the God of the Christian Bible, is alive; and, because He lives, we shall live also!
(John 14:19)
Prayer: Our Lord and our God, I praise You this day that You, the living God, have given eternal life to those who love you and call upon Your Name. Open the eyes of unbelievers that You may also be glorified in their lives.”
Application: Are we living as if the God we profess to love and serve really is alive?
Revelation 1:18 “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”
On this date in 1966, Time Magazine published their infamous cover asking, “Is God dead?” Atheist philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) had written, “God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him.” From that time to this, Nietzsche remains a hero of atheists and nihilists everywhere.
We are reminded that one’s opinion does not change reality. If God does not exist, my belief that He does changes nothing. Likewise, since God does exist, the disbelief of a million atheists changes nothing! God is alive and well and accomplishing His divine will in the world!
Isaiah 43:10-12 “You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior. I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and I am God.”
The One True and Living God, the God of the Christian Bible, is alive; and, because He lives, we shall live also!
(John 14:19)
Prayer: Our Lord and our God, I praise You this day that You, the living God, have given eternal life to those who love you and call upon Your Name. Open the eyes of unbelievers that You may also be glorified in their lives.”
Application: Are we living as if the God we profess to love and serve really is alive?
Thursday, April 7, 2011
How Valuable is the Word of God?
Psalm 19:8-11 “the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”
From the Preface to the English Standard Bible: "This Book [is] the most valuable thing that this world affords. Here is Wisdom; this is the royal Law; these are the lively Oracles of God." With these words the Moderator of the Church of Scotland hands a Bible to the new monarch in Britain's coronation service. These words echo the King James Bible translators, who wrote in 1611: "God's sacred Word . . . is that inestimable treasure that excelleth all the riches of the earth."
On this date in 1978, a copy of the Guttenberg Bible owned by the General Theological Seminary in Stuttgart, Germany sold for $2,000,000.00! Of course, the fact that it had been printed by Johannes Guttenberg was the cause of this fantastic price. As late as 1987, a Guttenberg Bible reportedly sold for 3.5 million.
On a recent radio talk show, a guest described the Bible as, “a book about God written by men.” Of course, that statement is true; but, from his point of view he meant that that is all that the Bible is. This is clearly the majority view in America today, but it could not be more wrong!
We pay about $2.00 for paperback Bibles that we give away at our Church. (And we give away lots of them!) A pretty good copy can be bought about anywhere for $10.00. Really nice ones go much higher. I recently purchased an English Standard Version Study Bible, Larger Print in a Leather Cover that retails for $125.00!
But, regardless of the financial investment involved, the question is, “What is the value of the Bible to us?” David said in Psalm 19, that the Words of God “are more to be desired than gold.” Some very wise person once said, “The Bible is the most often purchased and least often read book in the World.” Sadly, that is very likely true. I certainly need to spend much more time reading the Bible, and I suspect that most Christians do as well.
Since we do love the Bible, let us commit ourselves today to reading – and heeding – every word of it this year!
Prayer: “Dear Jesus, thank You for the gift of Your Holy Word. I thank You that I live in a place where it is so easily accessible and so affordable. May I always treasure it in my heart, and may I, and we, do all we can to get Your Word into the hands, and hearts, of others. Amen.”
Application: Do we faithfully read and heed the Bible?
From the Preface to the English Standard Bible: "This Book [is] the most valuable thing that this world affords. Here is Wisdom; this is the royal Law; these are the lively Oracles of God." With these words the Moderator of the Church of Scotland hands a Bible to the new monarch in Britain's coronation service. These words echo the King James Bible translators, who wrote in 1611: "God's sacred Word . . . is that inestimable treasure that excelleth all the riches of the earth."
On this date in 1978, a copy of the Guttenberg Bible owned by the General Theological Seminary in Stuttgart, Germany sold for $2,000,000.00! Of course, the fact that it had been printed by Johannes Guttenberg was the cause of this fantastic price. As late as 1987, a Guttenberg Bible reportedly sold for 3.5 million.
On a recent radio talk show, a guest described the Bible as, “a book about God written by men.” Of course, that statement is true; but, from his point of view he meant that that is all that the Bible is. This is clearly the majority view in America today, but it could not be more wrong!
We pay about $2.00 for paperback Bibles that we give away at our Church. (And we give away lots of them!) A pretty good copy can be bought about anywhere for $10.00. Really nice ones go much higher. I recently purchased an English Standard Version Study Bible, Larger Print in a Leather Cover that retails for $125.00!
But, regardless of the financial investment involved, the question is, “What is the value of the Bible to us?” David said in Psalm 19, that the Words of God “are more to be desired than gold.” Some very wise person once said, “The Bible is the most often purchased and least often read book in the World.” Sadly, that is very likely true. I certainly need to spend much more time reading the Bible, and I suspect that most Christians do as well.
Since we do love the Bible, let us commit ourselves today to reading – and heeding – every word of it this year!
Prayer: “Dear Jesus, thank You for the gift of Your Holy Word. I thank You that I live in a place where it is so easily accessible and so affordable. May I always treasure it in my heart, and may I, and we, do all we can to get Your Word into the hands, and hearts, of others. Amen.”
Application: Do we faithfully read and heed the Bible?
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