Since Sunday it seems like every blog I read has something to do with the sermon I preached then. It is too bad these guys didn't post this info before last week. It would have made for a much more interesting time for you. Please check out Dr. Mohler's blog today and tell me your reaction to the pledge to save your first kiss for marriage.
http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=3747
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
In Light of Ephesians 5
Arthur Bennet's "The Valley of Vision" is a continual blessing for me in my prayer and devotional life. The following prayer is simply entitled happiness. Think about the words of this prayer in light of the call for us to redeem the time in Ephesians 5.
O Lord, Help me never to expect any happiness from the world, but only in thee.
Let me not think that I shall be more happy by living to myself, for I can only be happy if employed for thee, and if I desire to live in this world only to do and suffer what thou dost allot me. Teach me that if I do not live a life that satisfies thee, I shall not live a life that will satisfy myself. Help me desire the spirit and temper of angels who willingly come down to this lower world to perform thy will, though their desires are heavenly, and are not set in the least upon earthly things; then I shall be of that temper I ought to have. Help me not to think of living to thee in my own strength, but always to look to and rely on thee for assistance. Teach me that there is no greater truth than this, that I can do nothing for myself. Lord, this is the life that no unconverted man can live, yet it is an end that every godly soul presses after; Let it then be my concern to devote myself and all to thee. Make me more fruitful and more spiritual, for barrenness is my daily affliction and load. How precious is time, and how painful to see it fly with little done to good purpose! I need thy help: O may my soul sensibly depend upon thee for all sanctification, and every accomplishment of thy purposes for me, for the world, and for thy kingdom.
O Lord, Help me never to expect any happiness from the world, but only in thee.
Let me not think that I shall be more happy by living to myself, for I can only be happy if employed for thee, and if I desire to live in this world only to do and suffer what thou dost allot me. Teach me that if I do not live a life that satisfies thee, I shall not live a life that will satisfy myself. Help me desire the spirit and temper of angels who willingly come down to this lower world to perform thy will, though their desires are heavenly, and are not set in the least upon earthly things; then I shall be of that temper I ought to have. Help me not to think of living to thee in my own strength, but always to look to and rely on thee for assistance. Teach me that there is no greater truth than this, that I can do nothing for myself. Lord, this is the life that no unconverted man can live, yet it is an end that every godly soul presses after; Let it then be my concern to devote myself and all to thee. Make me more fruitful and more spiritual, for barrenness is my daily affliction and load. How precious is time, and how painful to see it fly with little done to good purpose! I need thy help: O may my soul sensibly depend upon thee for all sanctification, and every accomplishment of thy purposes for me, for the world, and for thy kingdom.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
What should a high schooler know about sexual immorality?
It's Saturday night and I am trying to make sure that I am coming at the text in Ephesians 5:1-14 from the right angle. Paul, or I mean God, is saying that because we are beloved children we should live and love in a certain way in the first two verses then he goes on to describe what that looks like for us as believers. The description focuses mainly on our sexuality. No doubt, the relevance of this has not changed since Paul wrote to the Ephesians nearly 2000 years ago.
My main concern tomorrow is those that will be with us that are teens and singles of all ages. One question I remember posing to my youth pastor growing up once I entered into the dating years is how far is too far? He quickly answered that as long as I was not thinking about sex in whatever we were doing I was safe. What a horrible answer. I probably have been guilty of giving that same counsel as a single man because anything else would probably have stepped on my toes. The answer in verse 3 is that there is to be not even a hint of sexual immorality. So, how far is too far? Not even a hint. Not even the slightest lust. I don't know too many people who could take that far beyond a hug or a peck on the cheek.
How about you guys? Did any of you get lame answers like this to this question? How can we answer it from this passage? What would you say to your child if they asked you? Throw these around. I look forward to hearing from you.
My main concern tomorrow is those that will be with us that are teens and singles of all ages. One question I remember posing to my youth pastor growing up once I entered into the dating years is how far is too far? He quickly answered that as long as I was not thinking about sex in whatever we were doing I was safe. What a horrible answer. I probably have been guilty of giving that same counsel as a single man because anything else would probably have stepped on my toes. The answer in verse 3 is that there is to be not even a hint of sexual immorality. So, how far is too far? Not even a hint. Not even the slightest lust. I don't know too many people who could take that far beyond a hug or a peck on the cheek.
How about you guys? Did any of you get lame answers like this to this question? How can we answer it from this passage? What would you say to your child if they asked you? Throw these around. I look forward to hearing from you.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Springtime in Seymour
It just does not seem right that as I write this I look at snow falling outside my window. Some things just don't make sense. Yesterday was the second interview Elizabeth and I have had concerning the planned adoption of a child from Ethiopia. In this interview we were asked to describe our current practice of disciplining our children. Any of you that have heard me speak about this before know that Elizabeth and I spank our children. Mind you, I did not say beat, I said spank. This spanking only occurs after a clear act of disobedience and is always done in a loving and formative way. The interesting thing yesterday was that this did not seem to be the answer they were looking for in the interview. At the conclusion of the interview, our case worker told us she would try to word our method of discipline a little different because the state of TN will not approve anyone for adoption that spanks their children. Way to be on the cutting edge state of TN. Like snow in April, some things just don't make sense.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Great posts at Dr. Mohler's BLOG
Check out Dr. Mohler's blog today and read the last two posts he has made. Redeem the time, for the days are evil.
Compassion Sunday
God blessed this Sunday as around 20 children were sponsored with compassion international. Above and beyond this, I believe we all may have a better understanding of how God has called us to take care of those who cannot take care of themselves. Look for opportunities this week where you can provide care and assistance in Jesus name. Pray for those opportunities. May God find us faithful as He presents those opportunities before us.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
The Gospel and Social Action
This Sunday we will have a Compassion Sunday at Shiloh Baptist. We will have a speaker from compassion international at the church and will spend our time in the service thinking about serving the least of these.
As I have prepared this week it was glaringly apparent that this is not a typical sermon that I would preach, or for that matter most other conservative evangelicals. We have for far too long left mercy ministry and compassion to those who would call themselves liberals or for the government, while we have concentrated on making sure the gospel was understood correctly. This in my estimation is a great task, but we must be balanced. We can't be afraid to talk and think about mercy ministries in the church because someone might mistake us for liberal. The gospel clearly taught and understood produces gospel centered lives and those lives should constantly be about the purpose of the glory of the father; who seems to say in Matthew 25 that he is glorified when we take part in ministries of mercy.
Please pray for me and for our church as we try to move out of our comfort zone and be actively involved in mercy ministries in our community and world.
As I have prepared this week it was glaringly apparent that this is not a typical sermon that I would preach, or for that matter most other conservative evangelicals. We have for far too long left mercy ministry and compassion to those who would call themselves liberals or for the government, while we have concentrated on making sure the gospel was understood correctly. This in my estimation is a great task, but we must be balanced. We can't be afraid to talk and think about mercy ministries in the church because someone might mistake us for liberal. The gospel clearly taught and understood produces gospel centered lives and those lives should constantly be about the purpose of the glory of the father; who seems to say in Matthew 25 that he is glorified when we take part in ministries of mercy.
Please pray for me and for our church as we try to move out of our comfort zone and be actively involved in mercy ministries in our community and world.
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