The Church Everyone Wants to Join

I was re-reading today an article by Bruce Corley, "We See Jesus: Biblical Vision for a New Millennium," from the Southwestern Journal of Theology (Summer 2002): 14-27. In it is a wonderful outline that could be easily preached from Hebrews 10:19-25. Corley writes: "The summary exhortation of Hebrews, a cluster of "let us" commands . . . describes in five 'no so easy pieces' this church everyone wants to join:"

• Where worship is confidently offered (vv. 19, 22).
• Where truth is faithfully proclaimed (vv. 22-23).
• Where love is contagiously shared (v. 24).
• Where attendance is habitually encouraged (v. 25).
• Where Jesus is preeminently exalted (v. 21).

SBC & WMU

There is a Washington Post article concerning the possibility that the SBC may bring the WMU [Woman's Missionary Union] under its control, removing its auxilliary status. The article quotes the usual suspects. For example: "The WMU has been the one organization controlled and run by women," said Robert Parham, executive director of Baptist Center for Ethics, a Nashville group that often criticizes the conservative direction of the Southern Baptists. "Taking control of the WMU solidifies male dominance of the SBC."

There have been motions made through the years at the annual Southern Baptist Convention to this effect. It is very doubtful that the long-standing relationship between the WMU & SBC will ever change. Nor do I think it should. By the way, the Post's headine: "Baptist's Eye Women Missionary Group" is misleading at best.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/24/AR2006022401217.html

Crow

Sheryl Crow announced this weekend that she had surgery Wednesday for breast cancer. We need to remember a fellow Kennett-native in prayer. It is ironic that I've been thinking about this subject lately. You really need to read John Piper's "Don't Waste Your Cancer." I plan to use this material soon in some kind of Bible study setting at church.

www.desiringGod.org

Christians and Cancer

As you know, I often refer to Albert Mohler's blog--it always has pertinent material. A recent blog concerns the Christian's response to cancer.

http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=520

I would urge you to follow the links.

Radio Shack & Integrity

The front page of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram says it all today: RadioShack CEO quits. Dave Edmondson resigned after admitting last week that he inflated his academic record on his resume. Part of the statement released by Executive Chairman Len Roberts reads: "The message to shareholders and the public is, one of the most important things we have as a corporation is integrity and trust, and we know we have to restore that back to our company."

How often in recent years have we seen someone in hot water because he/she lied on a resume? I read some other stories this morning concerning the RadioShack debacle. One TCU business professor took the opportunity to warn students against this kind of thing---"you will likely pay the price." How true--just let you yes be yes and you no be no. Don't you think Jesus knew what He was talking about?

Gowdy

One of the great voices of sports, Curt Gowdy, died Monday. Gowdy had an incredible broadcasting career, calling many World Series, Super Bowls, Olympics, and Final Fours. I remember Gowdy as the voice of baseball's "Game of the Week." Before the days of cable, the "Game of the Week" was a Missouri boy's weeky ritual. I also remember Super Bowl III; his call of the Jets' upset of the Colts. Probably he is best known for his many years as host of "The American Sportsman" on ABC.

Return of Hymns

The Dallas Morning News has an interesting article about the return of hymns to some "churches of whats happening now."

http://www.dallasnews.com


I have always advocated that churches needed a "mix" of traditional hymns and contemporary songs. There is a reason why hymns have lasted all these years. Also, there is always a need to "sing a new song to the Lord." I also have no problem giving hymns a "facelift" by giving them a new tune....There are ample examples of that very thing in our hymnals.

The Heart Is the Matter

This is the outline of the message I preached today at Riverside. Due to the bad weather, we had only the faithful few there, but our service was blessed by the Lord.

The Heart Is the Matter
Matthew 6:19-24

Worship is the church busy at the business of loving God. Jesus said that we were to love God with all our hearts. The heart, therefore, is the true matter of worship. This text asks three questions about your heart.

1. What Is Your Treasure? [vv. 19-21]

Earthly treasures are those you can't take beyond the grave; heavenly treasures are those you do take beyond the grave. Which treasure do you love? Your treasure determines your affection.

2. What Is Your Focus? [vv. 22-23]

Jesus talks about the good eye and the bad eye. His point is that you are what you look at. The good eye is generous and pure. The bad eye is stingy and selfish. Your focus determines your direction in life.

3. Who Is Your Master? [v. 24]

There are only two choices. You will either serve God or materialism [which in reality is worshiping yourself]. Your Master determines your destiny.

Is your heart really a place ready to give God His rightful place?

Bruson

Dr. Mac Brunson was elected by FBC Jacksonville to serve as its pastor. According to a news release from the church, he has accepted that call. According to the FBC Dallas website, his last Sunday there will be March 5.

www.fbcjax.com

www.firstdallas.org

Need to Read

There are three items on Al Mohler's blog today that you should read. The links are below:

http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=511

http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=510

http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=509

Each of these entries should cause you to pause and think.

A Pastoral Dinosaur

These days I feel like a old dinosaur, out of place for sure. For example:

• I'm a "pastor" not an "elder."
• My church is "traditional" not "contemporary." It also still has monthly business meetings.
• My church has "Baptist" on the sign out front.
• We have Sunday School instead of home groups.
• I accept both God's sovereignty and human responsibility/free will [I guess I'm a Calmenian].

What is upsetting these days is beliefs as those above are seen by too many as either archaic or unbiblical. But show me in the Bible where I must be an elder or have an elder led church? Show me in the Bible that human beings have no responsibility to decide for Christ? Why can't we be proud of our Baptist heritage instead of ashamed of it? Are you absolutely sure cell groups are better than Sunday School? Our current senior generation is not the only one which grew up with the hymnbook. Is it not possible that some of our hymns have been around so long because they minister to people and glorify God?

Just more musings from a country preacher.

What To Give Mom

This great story from Ben Witherington's blog--I just had to share it.


Four brothers left home for college, and they became successful doctors and lawyers and prospered.Some years later, they chatted after having dinner together. They discussed the gifts they were able to give their elderly mother who lived far away in another city.

The first said, "I had a big house built for Mama."

The second said, "I had a hundred thousand dollar theater built in the house."

The third said, "I had my Mercedes dealer deliver an SL600 to her."

The fourth said, "You know how Mama loved reading the Bible and you know she can't read anymore because she can't see very well. I met this preacher who told me about a parrot that can recite the entire bible. It took twenty preachers 12 years to teach him. I had to pledge to contribute $100,000 a year for twenty years to the church, but it was worth it. Mama just has to name the chapter and verse and the parrot will recite it."The other brothers were impressed.

After the holidays Mama sent out her Thank You notes.

She wrote:"Milton, the house you built is so huge. I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house. Thanks anyway.""

Marvin, I am too old to travel. I stay home, I have my groceries delivered, so I never use the Mercedes. The thought was good. Thanks."

"Michael, you gave me an expensive theater with Dolby sound, it could hold 50 people, but all of my friends are dead, I've lost my hearing and I'm nearly blind. I'll never use it. Thank you for the gesture just the same.""

Dearest Melvin, you were the only son to have the good sense to give a little thought to your gift. The chicken was delicious. Thank you."

Exegesis Site

Students & Pastors will want to take note of the following cite for biblical exegesis:

http://home.comcast.net/~rciampa/

Pastor Arrested

This from the Chicago Tribune...
Some members of a Lutheran parish on Chicago's far South Side said they are outraged police arrested Rev. Jimmy McCants in the middle of his sermon.McCants, 54, has been the focus of a dispute between rival factions at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church.The church's board of directors told police the board fired McCants on Christmas Eve, and a woman affiliated with the church signed a complaint against him for trespassing on church property, said Chicago Police spokeswoman Monique Bond.But a Lutheran Church official said the board fired McCants without going through the proper steps to resolve disputes.``They have removed a pastor inappropriately,'' said Rev. William H. Ameiss, president of the Northern Illinois District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. ``The real tragedy is the ministry gets put on hold for a power struggle.''

McCants was not handcuffed when police led him out of the church Sunday. He was booked on a misdemeanor charge of criminal trespassing and released in lieu of $1,000 bond.``My church is the house of the Lord, and I had not committed a criminal act,'' McCants said. ``We're going to see what the lawyers say. I intend to go back next Sunday.''

Evolution Sunday

I found out by reading the Star Telegram on Sunday that yesterday was "Evolution Sunday," celebrating the 197th birthday of Charles Darwin. Apparently about 450 churches from various denominations were involved. "Programs and sermons intended to emphasize that his theory of evolution is compatible with faith and that Christians have no need to choose between religion and science." You should not in the article how many times Christians who simply believe the Genesis account are called "fundamentalists"--the new "tag" that people from Jimmy Carter to Michael Zimmerman [quoted in this article] like to place on conservative Christians.

I've always believed it takes more faith to believe evolution than Genesis 1:1: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." The Genesis account certainly does not answer all of our questions about creation. But it does answer the most important one: Who? The answer is God!

Pastors, Search Committees, and Baptist Polity

Baptist life in the Dallas/Ft. Worth has been ablaze with discussion concerning the possible move of Dr. Mac Brunson from FBC Dallas to FBC Jacksonville, Florida. I believe it was very unfortunate that the news media and 'fiery tongued' members brought his preaching next week at FBC Jax to light before he had a chance to tell his congregation yesterday himself.
Baptist polity is misunderstood by many. First of all, each Baptist church is free to call its own pastor. A pastor search committee [or similary called] is chosen by the church to seek God's will in finding a pastor when a vacancy occurs. Much prayer and discussion are to take place as the committee seeks God's man. Once that man is found, he comes to the church to preach "in view of a call." Both the church and the preacher must then make a decision. The church votes whether or not to accept the committee's recommendation. If that is affirmative, the preacher is told, and then he decides whether or not to accept the call. Everyone must be in agreement. Even at the last minute, the preacher can decide the Lord does not want him to move.
I believe a pastor does not know for sure about a call until he has preached in that pulpit in view of a call. In my own experience, I once preached in view of a call, and the church accepted the committee's recommendation unanimously. I, however, after preaching that morning decided it was not the Lord's will that I move.
Dr. Brunson, I understand from The Florida Times Union, is preaching at FBC Jax next Sunday. I'm sure after that sermon and vote of the church a final decision will be made. I personally will be praying that both great churchs and Dr. Brunson will be found in the middle of the Lord's will.

Gambling

You will want to read Ben Witherington's blog concerning gambling, dated Feb. 8. One of the best arguments against America's great obesession I've ever read.

http://benwitherington.blogspot.com/

Gambling

You will want to read Ben Witherington's blog concerning gambling, dated Feb. 8. One of the best arguments against America's great obesession I've ever read.

http://benwitherington.blogspot.com/

Busy Week

Sorry for the lack of blogging this week. I've meant to comment on several things, and they are piling up on my desk. It will likely have to wait until next week. Since Sunday I have spoken six times, inlcuding two funerals. I still have a class to teach on Friday and two sermons on Sunday. In all, from February 5-12, I will have spoken 9 times. Life of a pastor! But don't feel sorry for me, just pray for me; I'd appreciate it.

Worship

There is a great commentary on current "worship wars" at:

http://www.albertmohler.com/commentary_read.php?cdate=2006-02-06

Sermon 1 Thessalonians 5:11-15

"Helping Each Other Grow"
1 Thessalonians 5:11-15

The Bible teaches that we are to help each other grow by "encouraging each other and building each other up [v. 11]. How do we do that?

1. We Must Be a Peacemaker [vv. 12-13]

It is likely that there was conflict between ministers and members. Paul called on each person to be a peacemaker. To do that you should be a a ready reconciler and a fast forgiver.

2. We Must Help the Hurting [v. 14]

Each member of the church as a four-fold ministry to those who are hurting emotionally and spiritually.

• Warn the unruly-This can be unpleasant, but each member must take responsibility to protect the fellowship against those who would want to disrupt it.
• Encourage the discouraged-The word "encourage" is different than in v. 11. It speaks of the care of a concerned parent for a child [1 Thess 2:11-12].
• Hold on to the weary-There are so many who are worn out by life's battles. The Msg. paraphrase gets to the heart matter: "Reach out to the exhausted, pulling them to their feet."
• Be patient with all-Why is patience needed? People do not always respond to you right away. This seems to be a call to persevering love.

3. We Must Do Good for the Hurtful [v. 15]

Just as there are hurting people in the church, there are people who cause hurt. Remember vegeance is never the way of the believer. Instead, we are to actively pursue good on behalf of those who hurt [Matthew 5:43-48; Romans 12:14-21].

You need to note that all the imperatives in this passage are present tense [in other words, to be done continually]. They are also plural [in other words, they are to be done by all].

Book of Hymn Stories

Sunday night I was attempting to remember the book by Dr. William J. Reynolds on great hymn stories. For those who might be interested the title is: Songs of Glory: Stories of 300 Great Hymns and Gospel Songs. It is published by Baker. I see it in Lifeway stories all the time. I highly recommend it. You'll be surprised at some of the background of the great hymns of faith.

Convocation Message

Albert Mohler's convocation message at Southern Seminary is worth a listen. It is entitled "A Preacher as Servant of the Word," taken from Colossians 1:25-29.

http://www.albertmohler.com/audio_list.php

High School Seniors & Abortion

An interesting survey released recently shows American high school seniors favor stricter restrictions on abortion rights, but they cannot bring themselves to support overturning the Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion. About 2/3 believe parental consent should be required before a woman under 18 can have an abortion, and about 2/3 say they consider abortion to be always or usually "morally wrong."

Dennis Gilbert, a sociology professor at Hamilton College, said the college's eighth poll on "hot button issues" provided a major surprise in demonstrating the conservatism of the class of 2006 [source--Southern Baptist Texan, January 23 issue, 16].

There's hope yet!