The Virgin Birth

I have been raised my entire life to accept the stories of the Bible as literally true. I was biology major in College and had my beliefs tested at every turn. On what basis do I believe? Do I really believe in the story of Moses parting the Red Sea? Do I believe that Daniel was really in a den of tamed lions? Do I really believe in the story of a man swallowed by a huge fish? My answer to all of those questions is yes. It is the stories of the Bible that spark my relationship with God. It is the incredible stories of power, intervention, and faith that create the hope I have for eternity. Since we are about to celebrate another Christmas, it might be good to look at the story of the Virgin Birth. If Jesus could be born by the power of the Holy Spirit, then I have no doubt he could walk on water, change water into wine, heal the blind man, and by all means be raised to life on the third day.

The Meaning of Virgin

In Matthew 1:23, Matthew quotes from the prophet Isaiah, “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son and they will call him Immanuel.” To better understand what the word Virgin means, let us look back at two Old Testament passages. First, we will look at the passage in Isaiah 7. As we do, let us first remember our biblical history. By this time, the nation of Israel had long been divided (931 BC). There was the northern Kingdom of Israel with her 10 tribes and a series of wicked kings. After many attempts of repentance through the preaching of the prophets, God brought judgment to the northern nation of Israel in 722 B.C. at the hands of Assyria. The Southern Kingdom of Judah was established with two tribes. They had an up and down history of good and bad kings. In the year 586 B.C., God brought judgment to Judah at the hands of Babylon. However, God remembered His promise to David and was not done with Judah. There would indeed be a King from David’s line upon the throne forever. The nation of Judah would return through the ministries of Ezra and Nehemiah. Isaiah 7 took place during the divided Kingdom phase and more specifically, during the Syro-Ephraimitic War (734 – 732 B.C.) Syria and Israel had joined alliance against Assyria. Both nations had hoped Judah would join their alliance. Judah, however, declined and Syria and Israel attacked Jerusalem. It was at this point that Jerusalem was surrounded and all seemed hopeless for King Ahaz and Judah. How could Judah withstand the might of the army surrounding Jerusalem? Would God intervene to aid Judah? Could God intervene? Through Isaiah, God reminds Ahaz that He would indeed intervene. He encouraged Ahaz and the nation of Judah to keep the faith. Through Isaiah, God reminded Ahaz, that “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.” Then God told Ahaz that he will give them a sign. In verse 14, God himself will give them a sign. Please note, the “you” in verse 14 is plural. The sign will be a virgin will give birth to a son.
What is a sign? Many people would like to say the word virgin means “young maiden.” It very well could mean that and does in a couple of places in scripture. But logically, what kind of sign is a young maiden giving birth. It would be like you and I saying, “A teenage girl will give birth…” Not much of a sign is it? Since God was going to give a sign, it had to be unique and unavoidable. An actual virgin is the only thing that makes since and fits the context of scripture.
Look also at Jeremiah 31:22. It says, “The Lord will create a new thing on earth a woman will surround a man.” What does “a woman will surround a man” mean? Maybe a good question would be, “How did the rabbis view this scripture?” Before the time of Christ, Rabbis wrote the following concerning this verse:
Messiah is to have no earthly father
The birth of the Messiah will be without defect. The birth of Messiah will be like that of no other man.
The birth of the Messiah will be like the dew of the Lord as drops on the grass without the action of man.

In the time of Christ’s birth, the Jewish people were expecting a “virgin birth.” I have every confidence that Matthew’s account meant Jesus would be born simply by the power of the Holy Spirit to a virgin named Mary.

The Mandate of Scripture

What if Jesus were not born of a virgin? What would it do to the Gospel?

First, it Weakens the Word. It we don’t accept the virgin birth, or if it is not literally true, what stories are true? Barna has come out with some interesting numbers: http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrowPreview&BarnaUpdateID=286

- Three out of four adults (75%) said that they believe Jesus Christ was born to a virgin

- Seven out of ten adults (69%) embraced the story of Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana as being literally true

- Two out of three people (68%) view the story of the loaves and fish factually accurate.

- Most Americans (64%) have no trouble believing that the planet-altering flood actually happened, in which Noah,

- In total, 56% of adults believe that the story of the devil, disguised as a serpent and tempting Eve to sin by eating the forbidden fruit, is literally true

- Only half of the population (49%) accepts the story of Samson and his strength as completely accurate.

- Born again Christians were far more likely than non-born again adults to accept each of the six narratives as fully accurate

- Protestants were more likely than Catholics to accept each of the six stories as literally true.

It really fascinates me to see the number of people who believe certain stories of the Bible and not others. Is the entire Word of God inspired or just parts of it? The heretical group, Jesus Seminar, has taken it upon themselves to decide which of the stories and words of Jesus are true, fictitious, or simply legend and fables. The group of scholars vote with colored marbles as to the authenticity of our Lord’s words and actions. Do you see the slippery slope we put ourselves on when we try to decide which stories are true or false? If Jesus was not born of a virgin, what stories can we accept? I believe the entire Bible is the inspired Word of God and is reliable and accurate. Can I explain every story; Of course not. But would I really want to explain the actions of God? God is too big and awesome to have His works explained by a finite human mind like mine. Therefore, I believe every story from Noah’s flood to Jonah and the big fish is historically accurate and true. Furthermore, since I believe in the entire Word of God, I am able to accept that Jesus was born of a virgin; He lived a sinless perfect life; He was God in flesh; He died a substitutionary death for my sins; He is the atoning sacrifice for my sins and the sins of the entire world; He was raised to life on the third day, and He will come again.
Here is an interesting question: If 75% of the adults in America believe in the virgin birth, why does that believe not correlate into action? We have a nation who believes in the Bible yet far too many have an indifference to the things of God. If you believe in the Word of God, it must begin to change and shape your behavior. Your belief in God will always affect your behavior. If you behavior does not change, your belief is only superficial and shallow.
Secondly, if the Virgin Birth is not literal, it Waters down the Gospel. No longer could we accept the Deity of Christ. The belief of the sinlessness of Jesus would be far harder to accept. The power of Christ would even come into question. The very nature of Jesus would come into question if He had been born by natural means. But there is not doubt that Jesus is God in flesh, He was sinless, and He has divine power. The Virgin Birth supports and explains the unique claims of Jesus.

Message of Hope

The Virgin Birth reminds me of four very simple truths. First, God is able. What is impossible for man is possible for God. Secondly, God will intervene for His Glory and our good. Thirdly, God is always able to do the unexpected. Finally, God is able to “break our plans.” If there is one great lesson from the life of Mary it is this: God is looking for people who loosely hold their plans in their hands in order to allow God to intervene and break their plans. Do you think Mary grew up expecting to be the mother of God’s Son? Do you think she longed to be looked down upon by everyone in town? But God had different plans for her. God did not have an easy plan for Mary, but He had a much better plan. Mary was willing to forgo her dreams and let God do whatever He would choose to do for His glory and man’s good. How about you? What plans are you holding on too tightly? If God came to you today, would you be willing to let your future dreams die so you could align yourself with God’s plan for your life? Imagine if all those people who really believe the virgin birth would also have their behavior conformed into that of Christ’s behavior. Could you fathom what God could do? Let me assure you, if God had the power to have Mary give birth as a virgin, don’t you think He has the power to take care of you? Pray and ask God to break your plans for His glory and the good of others.

Immaculate Conception

I have a quick quiz for you. I’m sorry if you are just now waking up and your mind is a little blurry. I’m sure the last thing you want to do is take a quiz. Don’t worry, grab a cup of coffee, dust off the cob webs and dive into this one question quiz:

The Immaculate Conception deals with:

a. The birth of Jesus Christ.
b. The amazing reception by Franco Harris
c. The conception of Mary without the stain of original sin

Well, how do you think you did? If you answered b, you watch way too much football and need to seek immediate council. Before I began preaching and studying matters of faith, I believed the Immaculate Conception dealt with the birth of Jesus. I knew it was a Catholic doctrine and believed it was an area we could both agree on: the Virgin Birth of Christ. The problem is the Catholic doctrine of the Immaculate Conception has nothing to do with Jesus and everything to do with Mary. The doctrine believes simply that Mary was conceived in the “usual way” but without the stain of original sin. “The dogma thus says that, from the first moment of her existence, she was preserved by God from the lack of sanctifying grace that afflicts mankind, and that she was instead filled with divine grace. It is further believed that she lived a life completely free from sin” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immaculate_Conception).

The History of the Immaculate Conception

There is no way for me to completely deal with this topic. Nonetheless, I am going to outline what I have learned and give you my ideas on this topic. Around the end of the 15th Century, Catholic Popes began to make statements that would begin to clarify and be the basis for the future dogma of the church. In 1477, Sixtus the IV “praised the liturgical celebration of the Immaculate Conception. Sixtus also condemned those who said it was sinful to preach and believe the Immaculate Conception in 1483.
In 1567, Pope St. Pius V, condemned the error of Baius who said Our Lady was subject to original sin. In 1568, St. Pius V, put the feast of the Immaculate Conception on the calendar of the Roman breviary. Throughout the following years, the dogma of the Immaculate Conception was worked out by the Popes. On December 8, 1854, Pope Pius IX defined “ex cathedra” the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. The Pope stressed that Mary’s sinlessness was not due to her own merits but truly by the merits of the son, Jesus. The dogma was written as follows:

We declare, pronounce and define that the doctrine which holds that the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the first instant of her conception, by a singular privildge and grace of the Omnipotent God, in virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of mankind, was preserved immaculate from all stain of original sin, has been revealed by God, and therefore should firmly and constantly be believed by all the faithful.

“Simply stated, Mary possessed sanctifying grace from the first instant of her existence and was free from the lack of grace caused by the original of first sin at the beginning of human history” (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07674d.htm)

Two Errors

As I studied this issue, I realize that, as an Evangelical, I have errored in two frequent ways when thinking about the Catholic faith. First, most Evangelicals, would say that the Catholic theology of Mary would state she was not in need of salvation. However, the Catholic stance would be Mary needed redemption, although she was never subject to original sin. She was a recipient of “Preventative redemption.” Preventive means anticipatory: “the grace she received at her conception was given in anticipation of Christ’s merits, which earned that grace” (www.ewtn.com/faith/Teachings/marya2.htm). In other words, Mary received redemption at the moment of her conception before her conception – before her soul joined her body and was stained by sin.
Secondly, I had a false view of Papal infallibility. I had always heard about the Papal infallibility and believed they used this power often. However, Papal Infallibility has only been used twice. Interesting enough, both occasions dealt with a doctrine concerning Mary. First, was the “Ineffabilis Deus the definition of Pope Pius IX in 1854 concerning the Immaculate Conception of Mary and Munificentissimus Deus, the definition by Pope Pius XII in 1950 concerning the Assumption of Mary” (http://en.wikipedia.org.wiki/Dogmatic_definition).

Support for the Immaculate Conception

As one studies the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, it is glaringly evident that there is no clear scriptural evidence for this teaching. In fact, The Catholic Encyclopedia states, there is “No direct or categorical and stringent proof of the dogma can be brought forward from Scripture.” So the best one can do is to make an argument from silence. There are a few biblical ideas the Catholic Church puts out to support this teaching. First, they go to Genesis 3:15 and teach that there is a parallel between Mary and Eve. The Jews saw this passage as referring to the struggle between Christ and Satan and so the Church sees in “the woman” a prophetic foreshadowing of the Virgin Mary (Vatican II, Lumen gentium #55). They go on to say, “if there is to be complete enmity between the woman and the serpent, then she never should have been in any way subject to him even briefly. This implies an Immaculate conception” ((www.ewtn.com/faith/Teachings/marya2.htm).
Luke 1:28 is also used as a textual support for the Immaculate Conception. On one hand, the church says, “chaire kecharitomene, ‘Hail, full of grace’ indicates a unique abundance of grace, a supernatural, godlike state of soul, which finds its explanation only in the Immaculate Conception of Mary” However, they then qualify their statement by saying, “But the term kecharitomene (full of grace) serves only as an illustration, not as a proof of the dogma” (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07674d.htm).
Most people know the importance of the church teaching and traditions in the Catholic Church. The early church fathers no doubt had a very high view of Mary. However, you will not find the “Immaculate Conception” of Mary in the teachings of the early Church Fathers. The Catholic Church point to two positions brought forth by various Church Fathers: her absolute purity and her being named the second Eve. Even so, to build an entire doctrine of the Immaculate Conception on these two ideas is a great leap. Not only to have they seen Mary as the Second Eve, but also as the “Ark of the Covenant” or the Tabernacle of God. All of these ideas put forth by the church can only be reasoned from the Bible and taught from the silence of scripture.

My Objections

When dealing with a topic like this, it is important that we do not simply believe something or not because of our religious inclinations. I actually could care less what Southern Baptists believe about the Immaculate Conception. I could care less what the Catholics believe. But I am very concerned with what the Bible teaches in this area. There must be a standard of truth that we must all accept. Truth is not truth simply because someone believes it. In fact, truth can be truth even if no one believes it and a falsity can be false even if everyone believes it. There must be a standard in which we can test whether or not something is true. For the Catholic Church, the standard of truth is the Church, Tradition, and Scripture. For me, it is scripture alone.
In my study, I found a very disturbing quote. It said, “The mere fact that the Church teaches that something is definitely true is a guarantee that it is true (cf Matt 28:16-20, Luke 10:16, 1 Tim 3:15)” (http:/www.catholic.com/library/Immaculate_Conception_and_Assum.asp). Does anyone else have trouble with this idea? If one were to look at the example of scripture, it would not take long to find the Bereans (Acts 17:10-15). Luke writes, “Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians for they received the message with great eagerness and examined scripture every day to see if what Paul said was true.” This is the classic example of how we are to handle teachings. We must receive it, examine it, test it and see if it is true. John tells us “…You have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth” (1 John 2:20). This is the competency of every soulin whom the Spirit of God lives. We must test everything that is said alongside the Scripture. This is the greatest error members of cults make; they are not allowed to think on their own nor do they test what is said. They must accept everything simply because it has been said. I tell my church often, test what is said behind the pulpit. Do not test it with your personal feelings or Baptist tradition, but test it against the Living and Active Word of God. The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception does not withstand the Scriptural test.
Not only does it fail the scriptural test, but it also fails the time test. What is one of the great arguments we give for the resurrection of Jesus? In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul tells the reader to go find the eyewitnesses. For a legend to become accepted, there must be time and distance. Everyone who knows the truth must be gone and their can be no one who could refute the teachings. By 380 AD, Ambrose had to already caution people not to direct to Mary the adoration due only to God. Mary was a temple of God; not the God of the temple and therefore, God alone is to be worshiped. The Apostles were gone. All eyewitnesses to the truth of Jesus’ ministry had long before died but the teachings of Mary had just begun. By 430, Mary was called the “Mother of God.” 700 it was written, “There is no one to whom the gift of grace is given except through Mary. By 1100, we have the first “Hail Mary.” In 1153, it was said that Mary is the dispenser of Grace. God has willed that we should have nothing that did not pass through the hands of Mary. For those of you who know your church history, you realize how many extra biblical books were written during those early years. But the Apostles were not alive to refute the message. It has been written, “in regard to the sinlessness of Mary, the older Fathers are very cautious; some of them even seem to have been in error on this matter” (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07674d.htm.). It was easier to say men like Origen, St. Basil, and St. Chrystotom were in error than they were standing to the truth of the Word.
As you study the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, one can also see a very heavy Gnostic influence. One of the basic Gnostic beliefs is that Jesus never could have carried sin because all matter was evil or sinful and hence God could not have become man nor carried sin upon him. Since Mary was going to be the “Temple of God” she could not have the stain of sin upon her. Therefore, God made allowances for her so the stain of sin would not touch Jesus.
The early Fathers had a very high view of Mary but not a worshipful view of Mary. It is only after time that this belief began to surface. While I was very encouraged the Papal Infallibility has been rarely used; am I the only one who finds it interesting that in both cases it dealt with doctrines of Mary. Since there is absolutely no biblical support, dogma had to be created and affirmed ex cathedra by the Pope. Again, if a person would use the Word has the plumb line of truth, there would be no problem.

What Should We Do With Mary?

We must continually work on a balanced view of Mary. Too often, as Evangelicals, we throw the baby out with the bath water. We are so worried of worshiping Mary that we degrade her or too often do not give her the due she is credited. The simple truth is Mary was a great woman of God. She would have had to have lived a life of purity, honor, and was found to have received great honor from God. Sadly for many of us, we could never speak of our lives in that fashion. Luke 1:28 has been misinterpreted. It simply is saying, not that Mary was a source of grace but had received grace from God. Mary was a remarkable lady and an amazing vessel of submission and surrender. We could do well to emulate the attitude of Mary when it came to surrender. Is there no greater passage of surrender than Mary’s beautiful words, “I am the Lord’s servant, May it be to me as you have said.” Wow! God really came into Mary’s life and broke up her plans. Do you think she was planning on being the Mother of Jesus? Do you really think her plans included a virgin birth? We get angry and aggravated at God when he breaks up our dinner plans for a ministry opportunity. We could do well to learn how to receive God’s break through as ministry opportunities and God glorifying occasions.
Go back to the word and discover Mary for yourself. While you will learn that she is not a co-medatrix (1 Tim 2:5), she was a mother of other children, and that Jesus is the only way of salvation (John 14:6, Acts 16:31, 15:11) you will be challenged by the wonderful life Mary lived and will be encouraged to place the same attitude of willingness into your life that Mary so gracefully lived.

Salvation

Do you have a personal relationship with God?

God Takes the Initiative: The creator of the universe desires a personal relationship with you. He pursues a love relationship with you. I don’t know about you, but that simple truth excites me. If you are reading these words, you may feel drawn to a relationship with Jesus, which is God working in you. The Bible says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Our Problem: In one word, our problem is sin. God is a holy and righteous God. He is perfect. Hebrews 12:14 says, “Without holiness no one will see God.” In other words, our sin is keeping us from being with God. Sin is very simply doing anything that displeases God (for instance: Lying, cheating, adultery, lust, envy, covetousness, drunkenness, fornication, etc.)

There is something drawing us to God. However, our sin is getting in the way. Romans 3:23 says “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” The Bible is very clear as to what we deserve for our sin. Romans 6:23 says, “The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” We deserve death. The death we deserve is not only a physical death, but also a spiritual death; a death that separates us from God. When left on our own, we will all sin. Therefore, we are all separated from God.

The Remedy: God loves you so very much. He does not want to see you die. Therefore, He sent His Son, Jesus to die for you. 1 John 2:2 says, “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” In other words, you deserve death. But in your place, Jesus died for you. What you could not do on your own, Jesus did for you. He became our bridge to God.

The remedy for our sin problem is nothing we can do. The remedy is the sacrificial death of The Savior, Jesus Christ. He died so you would not have to die. Do you believe?

God’s Invitation: God is inviting you to come over and enjoy a life of peace and forgiveness. Revelation 22:17 says, “The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.” Jesus is the water of life. Jesus is your life. John 11:25-26 says, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" Well, do you believe this?

The Cost of Following: There is a very interesting paradox in the Christian life. It is simply, to find your life you must loose it. For Jesus to be your life, you must die to self. You must die to self so that Christ may take up residence in you and become your life. It is extremely costly to be a follower of Christ. Read the words of Christ, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it” (Matthew 16:24-25). Jesus goes on to say, “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26). Before you respond to God, count the cost. Christ is asking you to give Him your all. But remember, Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). Having eternal life through Jesus is worth any cost.

Responding to God’s Invitation: Do you see yourself stuck in sin, rebellion and separation? Respond to God’s call today. It is not difficult. Jesus said it very simply, “Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15). To repent means to turn from your self-centered sinful life and turn to Him. He becomes your life. You are born again when you put your faith and trust in Him. There are no magic words and no magic prayer. It is an act of faith. In Acts 16, the jailor asked the question of a lifetime: “What must I do to be saved.” Paul responded simply, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.” Once again I ask you, do you believe? Belief is an act of faith. It is trust God for your salvation. It is a spiritual death to self and allowing God to live His life through you.

If you are willing to die to self so that Christ may live in you:

REALIZE that you are a sinner. Agree with Him that Jesus’ death on the cross is your only hope for forgiveness.

REPENT - Ask God to forgive you of your sin. Tell God you are sorry.

RECEIVE - In faith, receive the free gift God is offering. Tell Him thank-you for loving you. Tell God about your love for Him.

REVISE - Surrender your will and your life to Jesus – agree to obey Him in every area of your life. Freely, accept God’s gift of salvation. Learn how to follow Him and live for Jesus.


While there is no model prayer to say that will bring you salvation, this is your day of salvation. Therefore, celebrate your new birth. I would encourage you to pause and tell God how you feel. Tell God how grateful you are to Him. Thank Him for sending His Son into this world. Ask Him to strengthen you and give you power to live a changed and transformed life. Tell Him you are sorry and you have decided to follow Him and make Him the Lord (or boss) of your life.

Follow-Up: Your life of faith has just begun. The Bible says you are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Your act of belief must lead to a change in behavior. As you live your new life of surrender, you will need some guidance. First, begin to read the Bible. I would encourage you to begin reading the Gospel of John. This is the fourth book of the New Testament. If you are not sure where to find the Gospel of John in your Bible, look in the index and you will find it. Secondly, begin to pray. Prayer is simply talking to God. Tell Him everything at all times. Thirdly, find a Bible based church. You need fellowship to grow. Get plugged in and learn of God. Fourthly, get baptized. Baptism is an act of obedience. Through baptism, you pledge your life to Christ and confess Him publicly. Finally, I would love to hear from you. Send me an email at savage_greg@fsbcodgecity.com. If you do not have a Bible, let me know I will get one to you. Also, I would love to send you a free gift that will help you grow in your life of faith.

Don’t get discouraged. Begin with small steps and follow Christ. Drop me a line so I can be praying for you and send you a free gift to help you in this process.

Matthew 11:28-30
28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
NIV

Mission Trip to South Africa

The day is almost here. In a few short hours, I’ll be leaving for a mission trip to South Africa. It is amazing that the trip has finally arrived. I will have an opportunity to preach and teach. I am really looking forward to these opportunities. I will also do a lot of prayer walking and personal evangelism. I am very excited with this opportunity. I will be leaving Friday with Keith Bryant and Jason Winget. It is going to be a wonderful trip.
God has done many things to help confirm this trip. For me the biggest obstacle to be going has been the money. The cost of the trip is around $3000. It might as well be three million dollars. Heidi and I began praying about this trip and began to seek the will of God. We decided we would simply put out the word of my need and see what God would do. I talked with our church and told them I would love to go but know the money would be an issue. We agreed I would plan to go if the money came in. Shortly thereafter, I sent out letters to family and friends. Heidi and I have been truly overwhelmed with the response. To date, from family and friend, over $4000 has come in. We are truly grateful to this response. My son, Brennan, is planning on going on a mission trip to Japan in the summer of 2008. This will cover most of his trip too. My church has been equally generous. Through the church I have received almost $2000. With the generosity of God’s people, I will be able to go to South Africa, send Brennan to Japan, and begin a “Missionary Sending” fund in our church. Praise God! I always wonder why I am so surprised at God’s working.
Probably my biggest concern with leaving for South Africa is simply leaving the church. We have two very big events coming up while I am gone. On October 31st, we have a safe Halloween alternative called, Heroes Unmasked. On November 4, our four day revival begins with Andy Addis preaching. I am very apprehensive about leaving during this period. However, I have some amazing people at our church that will do very well without me. Halloween will be a huge success and the revival will be ready and going great on my return. Just like I trusted God for the money, I must also trust God to work in the people to get done the jobs that must get done for the success of these two events. I have no doubt it will go very well.
Last night we have another affirming event happen. At our Financial Peace seminar I was talking about my trip to South Africa. As we talked, one of the ladies said her son is a pilot on Delta and will be flying to South Africa Friday. Isn’t it a small world? There is a very good chance that the pilot for my trip will be someone from Dodge City. I’m not sure if that is a miracle or not. Nonetheless, for Heidi and I it really breathed comfort into our hearts. It is as if God has carefully put His hand on every aspect of this trip. We serve a great and mighty God.
Finally, if you have given to support my trip, I would like to say thank you. I would ask everyone to begin praying for my trip. I will be leaving Friday morning October 26th and returning November 4th. Please pray in the following areas:
1. Safety in travel
2. Safety from crime while in South Africa
3. An open door for the Gospel
4. My preaching and teaching may be in the power and anointing of the Spirit
5. A sensitive heart for the people
6. Homes of peace for future Bible Studies
7. My health in general
8. Heidi and the kids while I am gone
9. The preparations for Heroes Unmasked and the revival
10. For the continued work of the gospel in South Africa

I am going to try and update my trip on regular basis. I will be sending new updates and prayer needs. I’m looking forward in being used by God. Please keep my family and I in your prayers. Thank you again for your love, prayers, and support.

How Can I Be Sure

The question is rather simple: Can a person really know if they have eternal life? In other words, can we know if we will spend eternity with God in heaven? I have heard it said that no one can truly know. We do our best on this earth and pray it has been good enough to grant us entrance into the Kingdom. If our good outweighs the bad we are in. If our bad outweigh the good, well, it is going to be a very long and hot eternity. I strongly disagree with that viewpoint. In fact, I believe that a person can know they have eternal life and should know they have eternal life. 1 John 5:13 says, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.” The apostle plainly states that he wrote this book to give us the assurance we need in this life. The following are a few tests that John lays forth so we might know we have eternal life.

1. Are you convicted of sin? (1:6)
2. Do you confess sin? (1:8, 10)
3. Do you keep His commands? (2:4) See 3:23 for His command.
4. Do you walk like Jesus? (2:6)
5. Do you love the brethren? (2:10-11)
6. Do you sin less? (3:6,9)
7. Are you more loving? (4:7)
8. Do you acknowledge Jesus is the Son of God? (4:15)
9. Do you believe Jesus is the Christ? (5:1)
10. Do you overcome? (5:4)

Assurance breeds confidence. Confidence brings about spiritual victories. Spiritual victories bring glory to God. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to life a life that continually brings glory to God? Do you know you are saved? Is your assurance based upon an event that happened many years ago? Are you seeing evidence of Jesus in your life today? You can know if you are saved and secure in Christ. Look at your walk objectively. If you have any questions, drop me an email. I would love to walk you through the process of being certain of your eternal state.

Does Character Count?

What is the most important quality one should look for in a Christian? I believe it would have to be character. Is this a person of character? Would you agree that a person’s character is the most important quality there is? It the person real or is he a phony? How can we become people of character? It does not mean they do not have personal struggles and defeats. But are they real? Can you trust this person?
As a Christian, a great way to look at character is to look at the Character Star. I first saw this star in “Leaderlife.” It has made me step back and think a little bit. In the middle is our relationship with God. This is the most important aspect of character. Then coming off of the center are five important aspects of character: Integrity, Financial Responsibility, Marriage and Family, Physical Health, and Emotional Health. Each aspect of character is important and must be looked at. To help us evaluate our character, take time to look at each question and allow the Holy Spirit to work in you.

RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD:
1. Am I closer to God today than I was a year ago? Why or Why not?
2. What are the evidences I have an intense thirst for a relationship with God?
3. What are some specific steps I can take to foster my spiritual health?

INTEGRITY: (Purity of Heart)
1. Are there secret sins in my life? (sexual, money, power etc.)
2. Do I have an accountability partner?
3. Do I make promises I can’t or won’t keep?
4. Do I want to succeed or to please people so much that I will say or do anything to achieve these goals.
5. Do people around me see me as a person who keeps my word?
6. If Jesus were to sit down and talk with me, what sins would he condemn in me? In my church?

MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
1. How do I balance my family relationship and my work responsibilities?
2. How can I make my spouse feel like she is my top priority?
3. What am I doing to raise my children to be future “Champions of Christ.”
4. Would my children call me a person of character?

PHYSICAL
1. Is my weight within proper balance?
2. Is my blood pressure and cholesterol within acceptable limits?
3. Do I have periodic physical checkups?
4. Do I smoke or drink excessively?
5. Do I work out at least 3 times per week?

EMOTIONAL HEALTH
1. How many close friends do I have other than my spouse?
2. Have I embraced the hurts of my past?
3. Am I able to be responsive rather than reactive to difficult people?
4. Am I able to laugh comfortably and appropriately? Does it take “sorted” things to make me laugh?

FINANCIAL HEALTH
1. Does money occupy too large a part of my everyday thought process? What worries me?
2. How am I controlling my debt so I am not under bondage to debt?
3. How am I practicing biblical Christian stewardship? Am I tithing and giving above my tithes to ongoing ministries of the Church?
4. Do I have a budget, a will, an emergency fund, retirement, and insurance?

Those are really thought provoking questions. I have cut out the start and have it within my sight everyday. It keeps me thinking of every aspect of my character. By the way, I could have done with out the physical portion of the questions. God is really working on the physical aspect of my life. Where is He working in your life? Allow yourself to be transparent. Allow God to mold you and allow yourself to become everything God has created you to be. Remember, as far as it is up to you, live at peace will all people. The best way to live in peace is to be a genuine person of character. .

Engaging Dodge City

I am really excited about what God is doing in my life and the life of the church. I believe it is so important to begin engaging society through many different avenues. At the end of October, I’ll be traveling to Johannesburg, South Africa. I will be taking part in many prayer walks, a couple preaching opportunities and many door-to-door evangelistic opportunities. I am really excited about this trip. I will be going with Keith Bryant, Director of Mission for Central Kansas, and Jason Winget, Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church of Ellinwood. I would sure covet your prayers as I prepare for the trip spiritually, physically, and financially.
It is an exciting time in the life of our church as well. We are having a very good balance between outward ministries and inward discipleship. At the beginning of October, we are starting in earnest a small group ministry called, “L.I.F.E. Connections.” These groups are designed so people can make important connections in their lives and grow spiritually. Each group will be divided equally between three parts: Fellowship, Prayer, and Bible Study. It is our hope that everyone will be a part of an open small group ministry.
Our Revival is approaching quickly. November 4-7 marks the dates of this exciting event. I am very excited about Andy Addis being our primary speaker. Andy is a dynamic preacher and one of the very best communicators of the gospel I have heard. He has a very special gift in connecting with his audience and making the gospel clear and readily available for response. I am encouraging as many people in our body to make this revival a matter of earnest prayer. We have begun to pray for the spiritual renewal and many. We are praying specifically for the salvation of many during this event. I believe God is going to do a work through Andy we can only imagine.
Heroes Unmasked is coming back for a second year. This is a fall festival event that takes the place of the normal festivities of Halloween. This is a great way for us to engage society. We are able to offer a safe alternative to Halloween and also make a strong evangelical push. As a pastor, Heroes Unmasked is a wonderful alternative to the worldly celebration of Halloween. What they intended for harm, we can use for the advancement of the Gospel.
Angel Food Ministry is still my favorite compassion ministry. For $28, a person or family can buy a box of food with a retail value of $60-80. It is the best way to get food into the homes of Dodge City and beyond. I am very encouraged with First Baptist Church of Holcomb coming on board with us. I firmly believe that Angel Food Ministry can become a great ministry and will open many doors to the advancement of the Gospel. A person can find out more about this ministry, and find the current menu, ordering deadlines, and distribution dates at our church’s web site: www.fsbcdodgecity.com.
AWANA is fast approaching. This is another excellent opportunity to, not only engage society, but to grow our own children in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. September 12 is the first official date of AWANA. This is a wonderful opportunity for children to be a part of Bible memorization, games, and worship. We also serve a meal each Wednesday night starting at 5:45 pm.
As you can see, there are many things going on. It is my prayer that First Southern Baptist Church would take the Lord’s mandate very seriously. Most Christians say they are living in the last days. It is one thing to say that and another thing to live it out. If we are living in the last days, time is running out. We must get serious about wining Dodge City to Christ. The task is enormous; but what is impossible for man is possible for God.

What Do Unbelievers think of SBC?

Every once and a while, I’ll spend a little time perusing the North American Mission Board web site (www.namb.net). There are times, I come across very interesting and helpful information. Recently, I stumbled on one such web page. From the Center for Missional Research, came an article entitled, “How do the Unchurched View Southern Baptists?” (http://www.namb.net/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=9qKILUOzEpH&b=2027651&ct=3198399) There were three very interesting findings.
First, 40 percent of those who’d attended a service were not familiar enough with Southern Baptists to form an impression. Over half of the people who had not attended a service where unfamiliar with the SBC. The findings show that “almost half of those surveyed just have no familiarity with who we are.”
Secondly, they looked at the “Impact of Knowing a Church is Southern Baptist on decision to visit or join.” These findings were especially troublesome. Among the unchurched people who expressed an opinion, almost three times as many said it would have a negative impact.
Finally, I thought the results of the age and willingness of people to “visit or join” a SBC church was interesting. Younger adults were substantially less willing to visit and join a church if they knew it was an SBC church.
What are we missing? There is no doubt that the over whelming majority of people have no idea who Southern Baptist are. I think there is no doubt loyalties to denominations are a bygone product. Most people could care less what denomination they attend. We, too, must realize joining a Southern Baptist Church does not have an impact upon our salvation. In fact, a person’s affiliation with any denomination means nothing. Salvation is based upon a person’s affiliation with our Savior, Jesus Christ and Christ alone. We can not rest on the simple fact that we are Southern Baptist and beliee people will be knocking down our door. So what can we learn from research like this?
First, we must continually engage our community. Gone are the days where people would simply come to your church. In states like Oklahoma and Texas, Southern Baptist work is woven into the fabric of local communities. However in more pioneer work like Kansas and Nebraska, Southern Baptist work is relatively new and unknown. Furthermore, the days of people simply coming to our church are long gone. We must be out into the community. Jim Toole reminded me that too many of our churches are becoming too much like seminaries (Let’s Worship Fall 2007). All we do is take in and never give out. We must get to know them and address their needs. They must see a church that genuinely cares for them and shows compassion for their families. We can not expect them to simply waltz into our church because we are Southern Baptists. We must be looking for ways to connect to them in their environment and then lead them to a place of faith. Toole goes on to say, “When your people give back to God from an overflow of what He gives them, it makes room for more of God in their hearts. If they hold in the glory of God, they become complacent, complaining, and uncaring. However, if they give God the glory due His name, they become caring, compassionate, and contagious” (Let’s Worship pg 62). We must continually be creating avenues for people to come and link arms with us. We can do this through one-day fairs, Angel Food Ministry, revivals, vbs, and maybe the most effective, small groups.
Secondly, we must exhibit Christ-like character. Matthew 9:36 tells us that Jesus had compassion on the crowd because they were harassed and helpless. Do you have the same compassion for people? Do you care that many do not have the most basic necessities in life? Do you care that many are lost without Jesus? Not only do we need to continually engage society, we must be willing to exhibit the attitude of Christ. We must develop a heart that truly seeks the well-being and welfare of others. This is one of the reasons I believe compassion ministries of our church are so very important. Ministries like Angel Food are open avenues to meet the physical and spiritual needs of others.
Finally, we must care enough to explain the Gospel to others. Let me outline a few very simple steps to help us all become more focused upon sharing the gospel with others:
1. Pray God will give you an attitude of multiplication. In most churches, if a survey were taken and the question were asked if they wanted to see growth up to ¼ of the people would say no. This should not be.
2. Be attentive to God’s Spirit. Everyday, ask God to bring people to you that you can share your story with.
3. Answer God’s prompting. If you are asking God to bring people to you, be ready to respond to His prompting.
4. Talk with them – don’t be pushy or use religious jargon – once again, follow God’s leading.
5. When the door is open, share your testimony in 100 words or less. Are you able to share who you were before Christ, how you can to know Christ, and who you are today with Christ as your Lord and Savior? Can you do this in 100 words or less? You may not have much time.

Let me share a very quick story of how God uses opportunities to let us share the hope of Jesus. I was going to a garage sell this past Friday. I’m always looking for cheap books. As I was looking in a box of books, I noticed that many of the books were Bibles and a few other Christian books. Talk about an easy opening for the Gospel! I simply asked the person, “I see you have a lot of Christian Bibles, do you have a faith in Jesus?” Her answer was simple, “Oh, those are my mother’s books. I’m not religious – I’m spiritual but not religious.” I asked her, “What do you mean spiritual?” Over the coming minutes, I was able to talk about the importance of Jesus Christ in our lives. Come to find out, this lady was a mother of a little girl who had already been coming to our church. As we closed, I was able to invite her to our church. I have taken her name and have begun to pray for her every time God brings her name to me. I have no doubt God will honor the effort at a garage sell and will bring this lady into the Kingdom. I had to have my eyes open to the opportunity. I had to be bold enough to ask a question and finally I had to be sensitive enough to talk with her. Every Christian can do what I did. It does not take a preacher, just a person who really cares enough.
We must be willing to engage society, exhibit a transformed life, and be willing to explain the Gospel when God opens the door. In other words, we must invest in lives of people. In order to offer change, we must invite them to church. We must begin to pray to have a positive influence upon people so we may have a major Kingdom impact upon lives. Are you a caring, compassionate, and contagious Christian? If not, why not? Pray that God will take your heart and create in you a compassionate and caring heart so you can be a contagious on fire Christian.

"Always" of Scripture

It is always a lot of fun to do word studies in the Bible. I’m not real sure how I begin these studies but this week I did a study of the word “Always.” As I studied the word, I discovered four words that have a common link to the word “Always.” The Greek word for “always” is “Pantote.” It has the idea of “at all times or always” (see 1 Thes 5:16). There is also the Greek word, “Adialeiptos” which means “without ceasing” (see 1 Thes 5:17). The third word is the Greek word “aei” and means “at any and every time, perpetually” (see Phi 4:4 or Col 4:6). The final word is the Greek word “pas” which means all. This is a very common Greek word. It has the idea of being inclusive. For instance, the verse “For all have sinned…” the word all is “pantes” from the root “pas.” This is the word used for “everything” in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “”in everything give thanks…” Therefore, there is nothing in which we can not give thanks.
As I thought about these four words, I realized collectively they give the idea of being inclusive, always or perpetually. They each have the idea of “each and every time.” Let me show you a few places where the words are used:

Always be confident 2 Cor 5:6
Always rejoice 2 Cor 6:10, Ph 4:4
Always be zealous Ga 4:18
Always give thanks – Eph 5:20, 2 Th 1:13, 1 Th 5:18
Always pray – Eph 6:18, 1 Th 5:17, 1 Tim 2:1
Always obey – Ph 2:2
Always have your conversation filled with grace Col 4:6
Always be kind 1 Th 5:15
Always be joyful 1 Th 5:16, James 1:2
Always be prepared to witness 1 Pe 3:15
Always love 1 Co 16:14

I realize these traits should not characterize my life some of the time or even most of the time. These traits should characterize my life all the time. I should respond with confidence, joy, thankfulness and love each and every time. I don’t know about you, but that is extremely challenging. I would be the first to admit my conversation is not always filled with grace nor do I give thanks in everything or have joy perpetually. As I humble myself before God and desire to continually be transformed into the image of Christ, it is not hard to know what He wants from me. God wants me to always love, to always be confident, to rejoice in all things, to continually give thanks, to always have a prayer on my lips, to obey Him in all things, to speak with grace and be kind to everyone. Wow! What a challenge to my heart. I pray God will continually fill me with His Spirit that I might live a life fully devoted and honoring to Him.

Security Part 1

As a pastor of a Southern Baptist Church, I have found the doctrine of the Security of the Believer to be one of the most misunderstood beliefs in the church today. On one hand, there are those who believe that a sinner’s prayer, a casual profession and a warm water dunking will secure them eternally no matter how they choose to live. On the other hand, there are those who believe one can loose their salvation at any turn and could possess eternal life one day and be in danger of the fires of hell the next. Like most beliefs, the truth is probably best found in the middle. I have a very strong belief and am a great proponent for the Security of the Believer. Over the coming weeks, I am going to address this very important topic.
I am going to attack this issue with about four different writings. First, I simply want to say I believe the clear teaching of scripture overwhelmingly supports the belief that a genuine follower of Christ is eternally secure in the hands of Christ. As we examine this doctrine, allow me to show you a few promises in Scripture:

1. The Present Tense of Eternal Life
1 Jn 5:13-14
13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

He writes to those who believe (present tense) so they may know (without a shadow of a doubt) that they have (possess now) eternal life. What do they possess? How long is eternal life? I could have eternal life one day and loose it the next day it would not be eternal.

2. The promise of eternal life
Jn 3:16-17
16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Once again, when one believes what do they receive? How long is eternal life? When do you begin your eternal life with Christ? (the moment you believe).

3. God’s Plan
Jn 6:39-40
39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."

What is the Father’s will? How many will Jesus lose?






4. In the hand
Jn 10:27-30

28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one."

When Christ gives us eternal life, we shall never perish. We are placed in His hands where nothing can snatch us out.

5. The Deposit
Eph 1:13-14
13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession-to the praise of his glory.

When a person believes, they are marked with a seal the promised Holy Spirit. The Bible says, (not I) the Holy Spirit is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance. The Holy Spirit is a deposit (part of the purchase-money or property given in advance as security for the rest) God gives us the Holy Spirit has a deposit promising there is more where that comes from.

The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says that “arrobon” (deposit) is a commercial loan word from the Semitic signifying ‘pledge’ or ‘deposit’. Paul uses it in 2 Corinthians 1:22 and Ephesians 1:14 for the Spirit who is for us the guarantee of full future possession of salvation” (page 80).

6. Kept for us
1 Pe 1:3-4
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-kept in heaven for you,

In Ephesians we see that the Holy Spirit is the deposit on our inheritance. Where is our inheritance kept? How can we loose something we do not keep?

7. The Presentation
Jude 24 –
24 To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy- 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

Who keeps me from falling and presents before His glorious presence?

8. Ro 8:35-39
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

What can separate us from the love of Christ?

As we go through this process of looking at the security of the believer, I have outlined a few Promises from Scripture. Part two will show that the doctrine of the security of the believer is based not only on the promises from Scripture but also the Pardon of the Father, the Payment of the Son, and the Power of the Holy Spirit. I will show that this doctrine does not give us a license to sin but is a promise to give us continual hope and confidence in the keeping power of God.
As I close this part, I echo the great words of Paul to Timothy: “Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day” (2 Tim 1:12). I, too, am convinced that Christ is able to guard what I have entrusted to him.

A Tornado Emergency in Greensburg

The devastation is incredible. As the news reports come flowing in and pictures are shown, I am struck with the awesome destructive power of the F5 tornado. A few weeks after the Hoisington tornado, I toured the area of destruction. Also, a couple of months after hurricane Katrina I walked the beaches where the devastating hurricane made landfall. In both of those instances, I was truly amazed, humbled, and awestruck by the severe devastation. However, in both of those cases, there were parts of town which were left standing. There were places to regroup and plan strategies to rebuild. However, the Greensburg devastation is so total. My heart grieves for the people of that city and the many more Kansans who were affected by many powerful storms last week. I still believe God is in complete control. I know He offers comfort to each person who has cried even one tear of loss and pain this week. I have complete assurance that He cares about each of those people more than we can ever imagine (for more on suffering see my Thoughts on West Virginia). As I look back on the ominous evening of destruction in Kansas, I am reminded of a great truth the body of Christ needs to always be mindful of: Advance warning can be very effective and life saving.
As reports keep streaming in, there is one great story of the work of the National Weather Service in Dodge City. Approximately 20 minutes before the tornado unmercifully entered the city limits of Greensburg, a NWS weather man issued a rare Tornado Emergency bulletin. It is believed that bulletin alone saved countless lives. A single warning of impending doom truly was instrumental in saving lives. As I reflected upon that amazing story, I was reminded of the importance of the body of Christ in warning people of impending judgment and doom. I believe one of the great mandates of the church is to be about the business of warning people of certain divine judgment.
The prophet Ezekiel was called to be a watchman for the house of Israel. In chapter 3 verse 17, he is commanded to warn the people. In the Hebrew, the word “warn” has the idea “to teach, to warn, to shine, to send out light.” The prophet was told to teach, to warn, and to shine the words God gives him. God goes on to tell the prophet,

Ezekiel 3:18-19
18 When I say to a wicked man, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. 19 But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself. (see also 33:7-9).

Ezekiel was commanded to warn the people. In fact, God says if he did the blood of the guilty would not be upon him. However, if he failed to warn the people, the blood of the people would be upon him. Could you imagine what would have happened if it came out that the NWS knew a F5 tornado was making a beeline toward Greensburg yet failed to give out a warning? It would have been unconscionable, irresponsible, and deadly. They would have come under great scrutiny. People would have lost their lives for their costly mistake and someone would have lost their job. The question for the body of Christ is very simple: Could you imagine knowing of the impending doom, destruction, and judgment of God and not telling anyone? Our not warning people of the judgment of God is unconscionable, irresponsible, and deadly. No matter your eschatological views, most Christians would agree that everyone must face God in judgment. “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake; some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2). When was the last time you warned someone of their future? When was the last time your church became busy and concerned over the souls of people? We have been called to be a watchman for God and to warn the people of God’s plans. We must take this mandate serious and get busy in the business of shinning Christ, warn people of the impending destruction, and teach them of God’s grace and mercy.
What do we tell people? Ezekiel was told to tell them, “As surely as I live … I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?” (Ezekiel 33:11). As we warn people, we need to tell them five basic truths: The problem, the penalty, the pardon, the promise and the purpose.
First, we must remind them of the problem of sin. We are all sinners (Roman 3:2). Each and every one of us has fallen short of God’s glory. Once we tell them of the problem of sin, we must remind them that the penalty of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Because we have sinned, we deserve to die. But the good news is that Jesus Christ has paid the pardon for our sin (1 John 2:2). Instead of you and me dying, Jesus Christ died for us. The promise of God is simple: if we only repent of our sins, believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we will be saved. In repentance, there will be a change of life and direction. Our conduct and character will be different and we will be able to enjoy times of refreshing (Acts 3:19). Finally, as a person becomes convicted of their sin, as they understand the penalty they deserve, as they believe in the pardon Christ gives, and as they accept the promise, then and only then are they able to live for the purpose and plan God has for their lives. God has an incredible plan and purpose for our lives. It is only has we join ourselves in faith to Christ that we can begin to realize God’s amazing plan for our lives.
Body of Christ, let us get busy in warning people. We are the instruments God has chosen to get His good news to a lost and dying world. Let us make sure that the blood of others will not be upon us. By all means, do not be guilty of the sin of silence. I have praised God many times over the last few days on the timely tornado emergency given to the people of Greensburg. There can be no doubt of the number of people that saved. Let us learn the lesson well and be about the business of warning everyone around us. There is time left for us to act. Someday it will be too late – but not yet! Warn the people. Tell them of the hope and salvation God has offered each of us through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Biblical Intake 1

In my quiet time, I am reading the book of Colossians. It is one of those books I really enjoy. I do things probably different than most people. I try to stay in one book for an entire month. I especially like to spend time in the Epistles this way. I am able to read the entire Epistle many times in a period of a month. As I do, I am able to slowly glean and mine amazing truths from God’s Word. However, there is also time for me to linger, meditate and simply consume God’s Word. I always begin with an entire reading of the passage I intend to delve into for the month. Sometimes it may be portions of scripture instead of a full book. For instance, I love to spend a month in John 13-21. I also break up books like Romans, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Hebrews, and other longer books this way. But my favorite is to take books like Colossians read them in one sitting and then begin back in chapter 1 and read them slowly a few more times during the month. I find this way especially useful to learn of the author’s intent and to really be informed of the context of the letter.
The intake of God’s Word is so very important. Too many Christians simply peruse the Word with the same interest and passion they do a good novel, a cheap Harlequin romance, or an interesting news article. Too often we forget that the Bible is the very Word of God. It is God speaking to us. It reminds me of the letters I would receive from my wife, Heidi, while we were dating miles apart. I would consume those letters. I would take it, smell it, tear it open, linger over every word, read it over and over again so grateful for each and every letter. The Bible is God’s love letter to you and me. How do you think Heidi would have felt if I would receive her letters and they would have stayed in an unopened envelope for a week or two? How would she feel if I would have read those letters with no passion and feeling? How would she how felt if the only reason I read her letters was to appease her and put me on her good side? How does God feel when we treat His love letter the same way?
It has been said of Spurgeon that he believed “There is no such thing as reverence for God and faithfulness to Christ, without obedience and faith in their words” (Spurgeon v. Hyper Calvinism by Iain H. Murray pg 9). Murray goes on to write, “Spurgeon is only repeating what Scripture itself says when he writes: ‘Unless we receive Christ’s words, we cannot receive Christ; and unless we receive the apostles’ words, we do not receive Christ; for John saith, ‘He that knoweth God heareth us; he that knoweth not God heareth not us. Hereby now we the spirit of truth and the spirit of error’” (Murray pg 9). I would go so far to say that a person’s attitude toward the Word of God is a very good barometer of their faith and closeness of their walk with God. Let me ask you a question. Other than you’re your time at church, how much time do you spend in the Word? The closeness of your walk with God is in direct proportion to the time you spend with God in His Word. If you have no desire to immerse yourself in the Word there can only be a couple of things at work. I will give you a little credit and simply say the first reason is you are simply too busy. The other two reasons (and much more accurate) are you do not have the Spirit of God living in you or you have so quenched the Spirit that He is unable to influence your decisions. Both of the later reasons have very serious implications and leave you on very shaky ground.
So when you are not in the Word what are you missing? There have been volumes of work that addresses this question. Let me offer a very simple illustration. Since I’m reading Colossians, let examine verse 2 of chapter 1. I have already read through the entire book once. I have now come back and will slow down my reading and read the Book as if God is over my shoulder reading with me. I have a picture of a first grade teacher hovering over their student and teaching them what a word or passage means they have just read. God is with me, reading His Word and helping me to decipher what He wants me to hear and glean that day. I quickly come to verse 2 and stop. “To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse.” I would love to proceed without reading this verse again. But I can not and I dare not leave until I have thought about what this passage means. Paul called the church holy, faithful, and in Christ. I know I am in Christ. That occurs the moment I am convicted of my sin, repent, and place my faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. I also know in my position before God, I am holy. I have been set apart from the world and I am different because Christ lives in me. Oh how I wish I could go to verse three. The more I am eager to proceed the more God’s Spirit whispers “stop!” As you read the Word, be sensitive to the Spirit’s leading. He will show you what He wants you to take away for that day. For me it was very simple, I know in position I am holy, but in my practice am I holy? I know God is faithful; it is who He is. But am I faithful to God and His Kingdom?
The Spirit takes His surgical knife and begins to do surgery on my soul. In my spirit, He asks me tenderly and lovingly, is my behavior holy? Am I faithful? I stop reading and begin to look deeply into my life. With the aid of the Spirit, I begin to think of areas I have not been holy or faithful. I begin to confess those areas of sin and freely give them over to God. It is not easy but it is extremely beneficial and fruitful. In fact, it grieved my heart as I realize how unholy and unfaithful I am. But praise be to God, He is a God of forgiveness and he freely forgives those who come to Him in faith and repentance.
That morning I only read two verses of scripture. But God was able to take those verses and do a radical operation on my heart. You may think this sounds horrible, painful, and difficult. However, the opposite is true. In fact, it was one of the most freeing mornings I have experienced in a long time. Furthermore, I rose from my study refreshed, renewed, and revived in Christ. It was wonderful. That morning reminds me of John 17:17, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” Each and everyone one of us needs times of being sanctified and washed by God’s word. I challenge you to allow God’s Spirit to do surgery on you. Slow down when you read the Bible. Whether you read two verses, two chapters, or two entire books a day it matters not if you miss the direction and leading of God.

It Begins in Earnest

Tomorrow my diet begins in earnest. How many times have I said that? My wife would argue I’ve said in at least two thousand times in our 17 years of marriage. I would hope it is only a few hundred times. The point, however, is simple: Something must change in my life. I eat way too much food, exercise much too little, and seemingly gain weight faster than most people brush their teeth. It is time to get serious about my physical health.
I have read every diet book out there. I have researched the diets and can tell you the difference between a carbohydrate, complex sugar, protein, and fat. I can explain to you the premise behind most of the “in” diets and can argue the pros and cons of each. I have done research about what vitamins I need and what pills I should avoid. I know where to find the best recipes and belong to a couple of the internet diet groups. The problem is I have lost a total of zero pounds. Even though I can tell you all about diets and loosing weight, until I begin to put into practice what I have learned, I will loose no weight. All the knowledge in the world will have no direct benefit to me until I practice what I learn.
I have realized how much my spiritual life is like a diet. Loosing weight means I must take out some things in my life (fats, sugars, calories etc.) and put some things into my life (exercise, fiber, fruits, vegetables etc). Loosing weight takes effort. Likewise, living a life of holiness means I must take some things out of my life (busyness, legalism, bitterness, etc) and replace it with something good (spiritual disciplines.). Holiness takes effort. Do I really want to loose weight? Do I really want to shed a few pounds in order to take pressure off my heart and body? Then I must have a complete lifestyle change. Do I want to live a holy life of dependence and obedience to my Lord? Do I want to get rid of my flesh that so easily entangles me to live a life worthy of my calling? Then I must have a complete lifestyle change.
I do understand that in our position before God we are holy. I am not speaking of our position before God. Instead, I am speaking of the practice of holiness. If we were honest, far too many Christians do not practice holiness. It is the practice of holiness which takes effort. Paul tells Timothy to “train yourself to be godly” (1 Timothy 4:7). The word “train” is the Greek word gumnazo. It is the word we get our English word gymnasium from. It means to exercise or to train. It implies the idea of effort. In fact, the word means to exercise naked. As I thought about that word, I realized it means we must lay ourselves bare to God. We must strip ourselves of everything that entangles us from being the person God has created us to be. We must be willing to do anything to “work out our salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12).
Over the coming months, we are going to lay ourselves bare to our Lord. We are going to make an effort to practice holiness. To accomplish our goals, we are going to examine the spiritual disciplines and begin practicing them in our lives. Three of my favorite authors on the subject are Dallas Willard, Richard Foster, and Donald Whitney. I would encourage you to get their works on this subject. I think Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline is the best work out their on the subject of spiritual disciplines.
I have made a commitment to God and myself to take a more serious look at my physical and spiritual bodies. They are both important to Him. As I write, I will let you know how my struggle in the physical world is going and also lead us down a road of spiritual health. I encourage you to take the trip with me. Let me know how you are doing. I would love to be praying for you on this incredible journey.

Thoughts on God, Suffering and West Virginia

Thoughts on the Virginia Tech Massacre

For the past couple of days, I have been riveted to the news reports of the terrible tragedy on the campus of Virginia Tech. There are many times when our nation is faced with incredible tragedy. This week is one of those times. I believe there is no better time for us to consider the things of God than during a time of heartache and heartbreak. I believe we serve such big God that He is not taken back by our concerns, worries, doubts, and questions. There is not one person on this earth who will not be impacted by tragedy in some aspect. It is imperative for you and I to have a sound biblical view about God in times of tragedy.
My theological training as taught me that God is sovereign, omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient, immutable, and eternal. However, when we face times of trials and suffering, theological terms often do not soothe the broken heart or our deep felt hurts. When we face a time of suffering we do not need a well spoken or written treatise on the attributes of God. Instead, we need hands on, applicable and relative set of truths that we can hold onto no matter what we face. Therefore, I submit to you three very simple truths which will help you to face any trial you may face. On the surface, these elementary truths may seem much too simple to be of any good. Nonetheless, in times of suffering, the simple often brings the most meaning. Furthermore, in times of suffering, the simple can be better remembered and believed.
In our times of suffering, God cares about every heartache and tear we have. I can not say it simpler. God is a god that truly cares about you. The Bible teaches us that He is our Father. As a Father, he has an infinite capacity to care about each of us. There are times our feelings may tell us that He does not care. However, the truth is we can “cast our cares upon Him, He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

• Are you standing over a graveside of a loved one? God cares!
• Are you facing mounting debt and a mountain of bills? God cares!
• Are you contemplating divorce and fed up with your life? God cares!
• Have you just been diagnosed with an incurable disease? God cares!
• Are you having worries you can seem to get past? God cares.

The most basic truth of all is this: No matter what is raging around you, God cares.

Not only does God care, but God also comforts. I remember so vividly when I was a young child how much I enjoyed going to my parent’s bed when I was scared. When I had a nightmare or a storm was thrashing around our house, there was only one place I wanted to go. I always made a bee line to my parent’s bed. There was strength and comfort in my parent’s bed. I never forget how I felt when my father’s arm would gently cradle me. Even when the storm was violent and intense, I found comfort in my father’s arms. I know my Father in Heaven is even better than my earthly father at bringing comfort. 2 Corinthians chapter 1 promises me that God is a god of all comfort. He is not a god of a little comfort or some comfort but all comfort. When I face times of trouble and trials I look quickly to the presence of God to bring me comfort. I go to the Psalms and read the promises I find in Psalms. I go to the passage in 2 Corinthians and rely in faith that my God is one of comfort. I read 1 Peter 5 and in prayer, I freely give away my life and allow the peace of God to come in and take the place of worry. When you are scared, crawl up in your Father’s lap. Allow the peace and presence of God to fill you and overflow in you. Take time to silently sit before God, taking in His word, and believing it for what it says. As you do, the God of comfort will bring his comfort to you.

The second truth in times of suffering is also very simple: No matter what it looks like God is a god of comfort and offers you the comfort of His presence.

God not only cares and comforts us in our time of distress, but we can rest in the assurance that God is in complete and total control. For some, that might be a distressing truth. If God is in control, why would He allow this young man to massacre 32 people on the campus of Virginia Tech? Honestly, I do not fully know. What I do know is history is not randomly taking place. History, past, present, and future, is on a logical course of completion. God is working His plan in perfect detail. The events of April 16 at Virginia Tech did not surprise God or take Him off guard. The book of Acts teaches us that the death of Jesus was part of God’s “set purpose and foreknowledge” (Acts 2:23). Just as the death of Jesus was part of God’s redeeming plan, so was the massacre at Virginia Tech. I do not fully understand all of what that implies. However, I do know and trust God is still on His throne working everything out as He chooses to the completion of His glory and Christ’s ultimate rule. I would much rather trust a God who chooses not to intervene during the shootings than trust a God who was impotent to do anything about it. God was, is, and always will be able to intervene. What we view as inactivity on God’s part is simply God sovereignty working His perfect plan for Christ’s future reign. .

The third truth in times of suffering is very simple, even when it doesn’t look like it, God is in complete control.

As a follower of Christ, was does this mean to me? To those in need, I must become Jesus to them. I must never forget that often times God shows people He cares as I take time to show I care. I do not need to have all the answers. I must simply be willing to show I care by my presence. I must realize that often God comforts people through me. Often a gentle touch or a godly word, God can bring comfort to a person. I must be willing to be a bridge for God’s care and comfort.
Finally, if you are facing incredible times of suffering, I offer the following words of encouragement. God has given us tears to cry, so cry. God has given the gift of touch, so go to someone and receive the comfort held in a hug. God has given us time, so wait. While time does not heal all wounds, in time the wounds begins to heal and you realize you will make it another day. God has given us truth, so believe it. God does care and will comfort you. Finally, God has given himself, trust Him. If you have yet to place you faith and trust in Jesus Christ, do so now. Don’t face another series of trials without the comfort and care of a wonderful Savior. Drop me a line, I would love to talk to you about how Jesus can begin to make His home in you.
My heart is broken for those people who have lost loved one this week. But I take great comfort in knowing that my God reigns and He will have great glory in the midst of great suffering.

Introduction

Well, I finally did it. I've jumped into the mire of the Internet blog. To say I'm a fish out of water would be a great understatement. I know about as much about the Internet as I do about rocket science. Nonetheless, I venture onto the great Internet highway with some trepidation but also with a lot of excitement. I do not consider myself a scholar or an intellect. In fact, I am humbled and blown away as I read the depth of many of the blogs on the internet. Many of them ar very insightful and informative. I have no grandiose belief that my blogs will be either insightful or informative. This will simply be a blog with a lot of random thoughts made by a fellow pilgrim who still struggles to live a holy life of obedience. Odds are great if you are reading this blog you have accidentally stumbled upon it or you are a member of my church. No matter how you have arrived hear, take time to read my posts.

Besides my wonderful family, and my great desire to correct my wicked slice, I have two great passions in my ministry. First, I desire to see the lost come to know Christ as Savior and Lord. Secondly, I have a great passion to see people truly know Christ. In other words, I desire to see disciples made and taught. This blog will convey much of my struggles in working with all of His energy to live worthy of my calling and pass on a little passion to others.

I am a born and bred Southern Baptist. If I die Southern Baptist is only known by the Father. More than being Southern Baptist, I consider my self a Christ follower. I'm an average preacher with a great love for Christ and people. I am a pilgrim on a journey with many other brothers and sisters in Christ. There is no doubt we will not agree on everything I post. Isn't that part of the fun with the blogs. I would love to hear from you.

Personally, I am on a spiritual journey. When I attended Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, I took a class from Dr. Donald Whitney on Spiritual Formation. I can honestly say it has changed my life. Dr. Whitney's class challenged and inspired me to a holy walk with Christ. Much of what you will read on this blog will deal with my beliefs in the importance of practicing the spiritual disciplines as a tool to help promote a lifestyle of holiness.

Have fun reading - God bless,
Faithfully,
Greg Savage