The widespread outrage over Kristi Noem's book should awaken moral responsibility—not just toward pets but for one another.This piece was adapted from Russell Moore’s newsletter. Subscribe here.Decades ago, before he was a nationally recognized face, Stephen Colbert featured a “Better Know a District” segment on his show The Colbert Report in which he would parody a far-right cable news host as he interviewed members of Congress, trying to get them in awkward situations for comedic effect.In his interview with John Yarmuth, then a congressman from Louisville, Kentucky, Colbert referenced Yarmuth’s past life as a debater on local television. He challenged Yarmuth to show his debating chops by instantly debating the opposite side of a question of Colbert’s choosing. The stance Colbert chose to take was that throwing kittens into a wood chipper was a bad thing to do—and he then pointed to Yarmuth to argue the other side—that sometimes, throwing kittens in a wood chipper is the right thing to do.The joke, of course, was that no decent human being, much less a politician seeking votes from a majority of the population, would ever want to be seen making the case for throwing kittens in a wood chipper. This past week, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem proved that, as much as the American public has shifted on all kinds of issues, there still isn’t much of a constituency in this country for “Throw Kittens in the Wood Chipper”—or, more accurately in this case, “Shoot Puppies in the Head.”In fact, many people have noted that this might be the most united that Americans of both parties and all tribes have been of late—all in expressing revulsion at Noem’s self-disclosure in her memoir that she “hated” her 14-month-old dog Cricket. When Cricket wasn’t ...Continue reading...

Temple Baptist Church - 4-28-2024Romans 10:1-17? Introduction:? A.? Verse 3 says, “They being ignorant.”? Ignorant?? Lacking knowledge or? comprehension? of the thing specified.? The implication of the word “being” is to ignore.? In the Bible, we find two kinds of ignorance:? 1.? Ignorance as a result of not hearing or being taught.? Amos 8:11-12? Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:? (12)? And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.? 2.? Willful ignorance as a result of rejecting what is heard or taught.? Hosea 4:6? My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.? 3.? As your pastor, it is my responsibility that, if you remain ignorant, it will have to be willful ignorance!? 4.? Israel was Ignorant, but their ignorance was willful!? Look at the preceding verses found in chapter 9:32-33.? “As it is written!”? THEY HAD THE WORD OF GOD!? THEY KNEW THE WORD OF GOD!? THEY DISREGUARDED THE WORD OF GOD!? ? 5.? SO IT IS IN OUR DAY AS WE HAVE THE WORD OF GOD!? The problem today is the same as the problem then.? ? Hosea 4:6? My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:? because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee!? B.? One of the age-old problems (and one that remains in our day) is that people are ignorant of what it takes to get to heaven.? Most religions along with so-called Christian denominations add works to faith in one degree or another.? C.? Self-righteousness in Salvation.? Salvation through personal merit or a mixture of personal merit and faith.? The Bible is perfectly clear about the separation of faith and works.? Romans 11:5-6? Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.? (6)? And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.? Ephesians 2:8-9? For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:? (9)? Not of works, lest any man should boast.? Acts 4:11-12? This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.? (12)? Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.? ? 1.? Self-righteousness manifests itself in those who believe that they are good enough to go to heaven through personal merit.? 2.? Self-righteousness manifests itself in those who believe that they are good enough to maintain their salvation through personal merit.? ? 3.? Both doctrines are heretical!? D.? In our text, we find why Israel turned from their Messiah, Christ Jesus.? Israel, who had the truth of God's Word and the Covenants, turned from the faith of their father, Abraham, to the wickedness of self-righteousness.? ? 1.? In the 400 hundred silent years that preceded the coming of Christ (around 100 B.C.) between Malachi and Matthew, two main branches of Judaism came into dominance: 1)? The Sadducees who upheld the Written Law? 2)? The Pharisees who upheld the Oral Law.? ? 2.? ? Galatians 6:12-14? As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. ? (13)? For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. ? (14)? But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.? ? 3.? They had the unbiblical perspective that they had “arrived” spiritually through their outward appearance and separation from the world.? This attitude resulted in exclusion!? E.? The Pharisees were separatists and, unfortunately, they eventually began to rely upon their system of “do's and don'ts” for righteousness with God instead of becoming obedient to God's righteousness.? The Lord rebuked them for making clean the outer appearance while the inner man was full of dead men's bones and rottenness.? ? In Matthew 5:20, our Lord said, “Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”? F.? The problem still exists today.? Separatism and Phariseeism are not the same.? God command us to be separate but, if not watchful, the same problem arises again.? I once saw on a sign this quote, “People are like fish: you catch them but let God clean them.”? ? G.? Paul's desire and prayer for Israel was that they would recognize who Jesus Christ was and turn to Him for salvation.? Israel had “zeal” for God but not according to knowledge.? Spirit is good but leaves one lost without truth.? I want to look at a few things in this text.? 1.? Ignorance of God's Righteousness.? Vs. 3.? “not according to knowledge…ignorant of God's righteousness”? ? Psalms 71:19? Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!? a.? Ignorance is not necessarily a bad word as it means that one has not learned.? In Romans 10, I believe that the ignorance mentioned was willful.? ? b.? Israel was familiar with the Old Testament and especially the Pentateuch.? One of the greatest of Old Testament truths found in these first 5 books was that of the holiness of God.? Mt. Sinai should have left a lasting impression upon the nation of Israel as God thundered from a mountain that was on fire.? ? ? c.? Israel's ignorance was willful!? The world's ignorance is willful!? The world of today tries to bring God down to man's level and man up to God's level.? 2.? Impeccability of God's Righteousness.? Vs. 3.? “God's righteousness”? The Bible declares that God dwells in a light that no man can approach unto.? He is impeccably holy.? He is immutably holy.? He said, “I am the Lord, I change not.”? 1 Timothy 6:15-16? Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;? (16)? Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.? a.? Salvation must always be by grace through faith because God demands absolute perfect holiness, and He alone is impeccably holy.? b.? Acceptance of God's righteousness is the rejection of personal righteousness.? 3. Impossibility of God's Righteousness.? Vs. 3.? “going about to establish their own righteousness.”? ? Ecclsiastes 7:20? For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.1 John 1:8-10? If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.? (9)? If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.? (10)? If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.? a.? One fact that every saved person understands is that of personal sinfulness.? There are those who believe that they are sinless, but they are deceived and lost.? ? b.? No conviction of sinfulness means there is no Holy Spirit there to convict.? Men everywhere are trying to be right with God with what they do instead of what He did.? 4.? Insubordination to God's Righteousness.? Vs. 3.? “have not submitted themselves”? ? Galatians 3:1-3? O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?? (2)? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?? (3)? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?? ? a.? Along with recognition of God's righteousness, one must become obedient to the holiness of God's demand: obedience to the gospel.? Vs. 16.? ? b.? Romans 1 shows the progression of the knowledge of God rejected:? 1)? When they knew God, they glorified Him not as God - God gave them up)? 2)? They changed the truth of God into a lie - God gave them up again? 3)? They did not like to retain God in their minds - God gave them over to a reprobate mind.? 5.? Imputation of God's Righteousness.? Vs. 4.? “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”? Salvation is a result of God's righteousness being imputed to the believer through propitiation and faith.? ? 2 Corinthians 5:21? For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.? Jude 24-25? Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,? (25)? To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.? ? “Dressed in His righteousness alone; faultless to stand before the throne.”? “When He sees me, He sees the blood of the Lamb; He sees me as worthy and not as I AM!”? 6.? Invitation of God's Righteousness.? Vs. 13.? “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”? ? ? ? “Whosoever” covers it all!? Come to Jesus Christ with your bankrupt life and He will impute His righteousness to you.

Do activists often invest their work with religious significance? All the more reason for Christians to be discerning co-laborers.I love nature documentaries, especially those narrated by David Attenborough. Whether watching with my children or on my own, I love seeing the majesty of the snowy Alps or kelp forests.But I’ve noticed that in recent years, nearly every somber vignette of a species struggling on the edge of survival ends with a call to action. Viewers are beckoned to take responsibility for causing a poor animal’s plight and to consider how they can fix things before the species is gone forever.I understand the impulse to believe that animals’ struggles should move humans to action. However, it is the ethics informing the narrator’s pleas that seem a bit muddled.By many documentarians’ admission, the species we marvel at on screen have emerged out of eons of struggles to survive and adapt to their surroundings. Sometimes, the narrators even remind us that this process has resulted in countless prior species disappearing into extinction.Whether you believe in a young or an old earth, in God’s hand or in meaningless physical forces guiding history, we can all agree that change, death, and selection favoring adaptability are features of life on earth. Witnessing it in real time makes for compelling television drama, but the moral indictment that you and I contribute to grave evil when one of these species goes extinct does not seem to square with the documentarians’ worldview.What compels us to see polar bears possibly going extinct in terms of moral right and wrong? If we take human action out of the equation, isn’t history littered with the bones of countless species that have gone extinct? Are not humans and their actions part of nature?A robust theology of creation careIf we listen closely, ...Continue reading...

By Kimberlee Josephson Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has been widely embraced within academic business programming since the early 2000s. The trendy appeal of Bono's Buy...Business Schools Undermine Wealth Creation

At 89 years old and more than 60 years into ministry, the Stonebriar Community Church founder plans to remain its primary preacher after the church names his successor.Chuck Swindoll has said that pastors “should never retire,” and the 89-year-old won’t be stepping away from the pulpit even as his church welcomes his successor.Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, announced this week that Swindoll will transition to founding pastor, continuing to preach on Sundays, as Jonathan Murphy becomes its senior pastor on May 1.“This is a very unique way of expanding, of ‘moving into another chapter,’ as we often call it here,” said Swindoll in a video clip alongside Murphy, a Belfast-born preacher who currently serves as chair of pastoral ministries at Dallas Theological Seminary.With over 60 years in ministry, Swindoll is the oldest megachurch pastor in the country and one of the most influential. He has been vocal about his plans to remain active in ministry until his death.“One of my great goals in life is to live long enough to where I am in the pulpit, preaching my heart out, and I die on the spot, my chin hits the pulpit—boom!—and I’m down and out,” he said at age 75. “What a way to die.”In his new role, Swindoll remains Stonebriar’s regular preacher, while Murphy leads day-to-day ministries and fills in to preach when needed, according to the church’s announcement.“We have the founding pastor being able to continue to preach as long as the Lord would have, and I can have a season as a senior pastor taking responsibility for the staff and caring for them and the ministry direction of the church at large,” said Murphy, who has been a guest preacher at Stonebriar and serves on the board for Swindoll’s long-running radio ministry Insight for Living.The two have been preparing ...Continue reading...

? Temple Baptist Church - 4-10-2024John 15:1-11? Introduction:? A.? Last week, we saw the Prophecy of the True Vine.? Jesus Christ is the Root of the Vine and the Vine itself along with being the Branch.? This tells us several things about Christ: He was before all things, He made all things, He sustains all things, and He will be after all things.? B.? Tonight, we will look at the Purpose of the True Vine.? God does everything both Perfectly and with Purpose.? 1.? verse 1.? The Personality of the True vine.? a)? As the Root, Christ is the Anchor that holds the Vine.? He is the Chief Cornerstone of salvation.? He is the Rock of the believer.? As the Vine, Christ sustains the believer.? The Root supplies the nutrients along with the water necessary for spiritual growth and productivity through the Vine to the branches.? b)? As the Vine, Christ is Attributer that feeds the branches.? The sap flows through the vine to the branches.? The vines do not produce anything other than branches.? It is the branches that are responsible for bearing fruit.? c)? As the Branch, Christ is our Example of both life and fruit bearing.? 2.? Verse 2.? The Purpose of the True Vine.? Fruit!? Without fruit, the True Vine would have no reason to exist.? Jesus Christ has a reason for His being and we are that reason.? a) The Vine gives birth to the branches.? We are born again through the finished work of Jesus Christ.? b) The vine gives the necessities of fruit bearing to the branches.? c)? The Lord has and is doing His part because we are both saved and capable, as long as we abide in Him, of producing fruit.? C.? The Priority of the True Vine.? 1.? The Importance of Abiding in the Vine.? ? a)? These verses do not speak of being Attached to the True Vine.? Each of God's children get their live through Christ Jesus and are a part of the True Vine.? If you are saved, you are and always will be a branch.? b)? But not all branches continue to draw life from the vine for various reasons.? After a storm, we all find a lot of dead branches in our yards.? God uses storms and strong winds to prune trees and other plants.? Gardeners prune their plants to help the plant to produce maximum fruit.? 2.? How do we Abide in the True Vine.? ? a)? By drawing all that we need for life and godliness from the sap that flows from God to usward.? I use these verses often because of their importance to all of us that are saved.? 2 Peter 1:2-3? Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,? (3)? According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:? b)? God gives us everything that we need so it is Available.? 2 Peter 1:2-3? Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,? (3)? According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:? c)? There are two aspects of our spiritual drawing from God.? To ignore either of these will cause the believer to become unproductive.? 1)? The Word of God.? I cannot over emphasize the importance of our Bible!? I do not “major on a minor” as it is the “MAJOR!”? It is the “sap” that we draw from reading, studying, listening to, and rightly applying the Word of God.? God's people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.? 2)? The Spirit of God.? The second way that we draw “sap” from the True Vine is through the presence of and obedience to the Holy Spirit which indwells us.? He is our Teacher, Comforter, Guide, and Friend.? 3.? The branch that does not produce fruit is broken off by men and cast into the fire.? ? John 15:6? If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.? (Notice that it is still a branch and the men who break them off and burn them shows the chastening rod of God.? “And many sleep!”? D.? Verses 2-11.? The Product of the Abiding Branches.? We now understand that failure to abide in Christ causes lack of fruit and possibly physical death.? ? John 15:5? I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.? 1.? Verse 2, 4-5.? ? The Qualification of the Fruit.? The branch must be attached to the Vine!? ? If you are not in the Vine, then there is no way for you to share in the Vine's life. This is all about a vital union between the believer and the Lord Jesus Christ, the True Vine.? a.? The Purging of the Vine.? John 15:2-3? Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.? (3)? Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.? b.? We must have a close relationship with the Vine.? Prayer, Bible reading and study, self-denial.? c.? We must be available for use by the Vine.? Availability and dependability are the greatest abilities.? This in all God needs.? 2.? The Quality of the Fruit.? Fruit!? The grace extended is all the same.? The faith exercised is all the same.? The salvation given is all the same.? a.? The quality of the fruit is not necessarily the responsibility of the branch.? The quality of fruit depends upon the quality of the Vine.? ? b.? God reproduces His life through our lives.? As salt and light, the world sees our good works and glorify the Father in heaven.? c.? This has been called a “Liberating Truth!”? We are free from the consequences of their personal choice.? We cannot save, we can only give savor and light.? 3.? The Quantity Of Our Fruit.? ? a.? ? So many people whip themselves because of a lack of visible results but there are those who plant, those who water, and only God can give the increase.? This? is not the responsibility of the branch. Some will produce much; some will produce little.? b.? The fruit, more fruit, and much fruit depend upon the will of the Vine. I have known some of the godliest, best missionaries and pastor who have spent their lives with little seeable fruit.? ? 4.? The Quandary of the Branches.? ? John 15:5? I am the vine, ye are the branches:? He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.? a.? Not every branch is what God intended for it to be.? Our relationship to the Vine is what we make of it.? b.? This branch is still attached to the Vine but is not abiding in the Vine.? Let me explain.? ? 1)? It is the Husbandman who Purges the branches: to wash them through the Word of God.? 2)? It is the Husbandman who Prunes the branches by breaking the branches OFF from the Vine.? c.? Our duty is to abide in God and allow God to abide in us!? Conclusion:? Not abide in Christ:? a.? Loss of Fellowship – “cast out”? b.? Loss of Living – “withered”? c.? Loss of Reward – “burned'

At 89 years old and more than 60 years into ministry, the Stonebriar Community Church founder plans to remain its primary preacher after the church names his successor.Chuck Swindoll has said that pastors “should never retire,” and the 89-year-old won’t be stepping away from the pulpit even as his church welcomes his successor.Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, announced this week that Swindoll will transition to founding pastor, continuing to preach on Sundays, as Jonathan Murphy becomes its senior pastor on May 1.“This is a very unique way of expanding, of ‘moving into another chapter,’ as we often call it here,” said Swindoll in a video clip alongside Murphy, a Belfast-born preacher who currently serves as chair of pastoral ministries at Dallas Theological Seminary.With over 60 years in ministry, Swindoll is the oldest megachurch pastor in the country and one of the most influential. He has been vocal about his plans to remain active in ministry until his death.“One of my great goals in life is to live long enough to where I am in the pulpit, preaching my heart out, and I die on the spot, my chin hits the pulpit—boom!—and I’m down and out,” he said at age 75. “What a way to die.”In his new role, Swindoll remains Stonebriar’s regular preacher, while Murphy leads day-to-day ministries and fills in to preach when needed, according to the church’s announcement.“We have the founding pastor being able to continue to preach as long as the Lord would have, and I can have a season as a senior pastor taking responsibility for the staff and caring for them and the ministry direction of the church at large,” said Murphy, who has been a guest preacher at Stonebriar and serves on the board for Swindoll’s long-running radio ministry Insight for Living.The two have been preparing ...Continue reading...

Tony Perkins joined Newsmax on Good Friday to explain why Christians in America have every responsibility and right to advance the truth behind the Christian foundation of Western civilization....

How to Serve the Volunteer Teams You LeadJacob FlemingThu, 03/28/2024 - 00:05 Nothing compares to the privilege of serving in the house of the Lord! My heart echoes David's: “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness” (Psalm 84:10).Along with that privilege comes responsibility; and when that responsibility includes leading others, it is imperative that we have a plan. My pastor, mentor, and friend, Dr. Paul Chappell, says, “Churches struggle when they establish goals without a strategy and ministry without structure.” Unfortunately, many times our volunteer teams never reach their full potential because of a lack of structure.? Following are five simple principles that can help you serve the volunteer team you lead and establish a culture that promotes the forward momentum of God's work.? Strategically Recruit? To lead a volunteer team, we must first have willing and able volunteers. Some volunteers will do just that—volunteer. Others, we need to recruit. And then, we must have the wisdom to place each volunteer where they will have the most impact on a weekly basis.? As leaders, we should have a personal goal to set each volunteer up for success. One of the most helpful ways to know where specific volunteers will be successful is to learn what their spiritual and natural gifts are and then involve them in areas where their gifts will be put to the best use. In addition to gifting, different areas of ministry require different levels of oversight and discernment. For instance, stocking guest tables or preparing refreshments for an event wouldn't involve the extensive background checks verifying childcare workers would require.? The fact is, God has created every person precious and unique, fitted to serve Him. As ministry leaders, we want to help our volunteer teams reach their potential by serving in their naturally gifted areas. Generally speaking, it is much easier to take a little time and effort to discern the right position for a volunteer than it is to make an adjustment when someone is already actively serving in the position that you have (mistakenly) placed them in.Think, for example, of a church member volunteering for “whatever you need me to do.” At the moment, you happen to need door greeters for the first impressions team. This volunteer, however, has an introverted personality. Should you place this volunteer in the door greeter position? Most likely, that wouldn't be the best fit. But this volunteer could shine in many other areas. Perhaps they could still be on the first impressions team, but doing the work of stocking supplies, treats, etc. On the other hand, there may be more extroverted people who would be happier to greet, knowing that the more tedious work of stocking supplies is cared for.? Equip with Resources? As ministry leaders, we are to equip “the saints for the work of the ministry” (Ephesians 4:12). One of the greatest ways you can encourage your volunteer team to reach their potential is to equip them with the training and resources they need to excel in that specific ministry. Here are four areas in which you can equip your volunteers:? Job descriptions: Write out a purpose statement for each ministry with key responsibilities for each volunteer position. (The book Order in the Church by Paul Chappell has some helpful sample descriptions.) If you have not provided clear communication to a volunteer, don't get frustrated when they don't serve exactly how you desire.? Clear expectations: Volunteers want to be told what is expected. A great way to frustrate your volunteer team is to leave your expectations open-ended or fuzzy.? Contact information: If a volunteer has questions or an emergency on the day that they are serving, who do they call? Give them your phone number and the phone numbers of any other people they should turn to for help.Periodic training: Strategically schedule ministry meetings throughout the year during which you can provide further training. For instance, you may train your first impressions team three weeks before Easter so everyone has a fresh reminder of the ways to serve first-time guests.? Reward Regularly? It is impossible to encourage the wrong person. Volunteers sacrifice time and often finances to actively participate in serving our Lord. It's a good thing to recognize their sacrifice and encourage them to keep up the great work. Regular recognition can put wind in the sails of your team members. Here are some suggestions:Yearly: Recognize a ministry team in a Sunday night service.Quarterly: Write a thank you note with a candy bar.Monthly: Have a bite-size treat, waiting at their serving station.? Weekly: Verbalize your gratitude with a heart-felt “thank you.”Value the Team's Response? Your volunteer has strategically been placed, equipped with resources and training, and is feeling encouraged by serving. By now, there's a great chance that they have gleaned knowledge in their ministry and have ideas that can make their specific ministry even better. To be effective leaders, we must take the time to listen to their input.It's easy to receive compliments. But leaders are willing to receive complaints too. Make sure the compliments don't go to your head, and make sure to handle the complaints prayerfully and responsively.? Empower Responsibly? The purpose of delegation is not for you to do less, but for you to get more done effectively. The leader should always be watching for a volunteer team member that potentially could step up and help co-lead a part of the ministry. Be willing to share the ministry and allow well-trained volunteers to be empowered to help make decisions.? The person who builds by himself won't accomplish nearly as much as if he had a team of leaders helping him build. Can you imagine Nehemiah building the walls by himself? He would have ended up in the place many of us have found, or nearly found, ourselves: blown up, burned out, or quitting in discouragement. Build your volunteer team, and build with your volunteer team.It is my prayer that these five principles will encourage you as you serve your volunteer teams.? Strategically Recruit? Equip with Resources? Reward Regularly? Value the Team's Response? Empower Responsibly? Category Pastoral Leadership Ministry Resources Order in the Church Order in the Church Dr. Paul Chappell Guided by Grace Guided by Grace Dr. Paul Chappell Tags Local Church Church Service Leadership

? Temple Baptist Church - 3-10-2024Ephesians 1:15-23? Introduction:? ? A.? The Book of Ephesians has been called “The Highlands of Faith”? by some and it is a befitting title for the book.? It has six chapters equally divided into two parts.? ? 1.? Chapters 1-3 are Positional? as they show both the relationship of Christ with the believer and the believer's security in Christ.? ? 2.? Chapters 4-6 are Practical? as they show the responsibility and possibility of the believer in this world.? B.? In the first chapter of Ephesians,? we see Christ as He is—not as the world perceives Him.? ? 1.? The world has a warped view of our wonderful Lord.? They see Him as “god” but not as “God!”? If we see Jesus Christ through human eyes and mind, we get a worldly perception of Him.? ? 2.? Often, the believer has such a view of Jesus Christ.? We see Him as “God” when things go right and as “god” when circumstances change, and doubt arise!? ? a.? As faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God,? so our perception of Jesus Christ must (and I re-emphasis MUST) come from God's Word.? ? b.? Our faith is the substance? of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.? Whom having not seen you love!? Whom having not seen you believe!? We must believe what the Bible says about Him in order to perceive Him right.? C.? The Holy Spirit, through the Word of God, gives us gives us a right perception? of Jesus Christ in these verses.? This perception has nothing to do with our circumstances.? It is a perception that is? “far above”? anything and everything that can touch us or threaten us.? We cannot have a right perception of God unless we see Him as both all-powerful and all-wise.? D.? Here we find that Jesus Christ has no weaknesses;? He has no limitations; He has no doubts or worries. There is nothing that He cannot do; nothing that He does not know; there is no place where He cannot be found; and He knows the end from the beginning so we have absolutely nothing to worry about!? That is the “God” that Ephesians speaks of.? E.? I want to look at these verses? for a few minutes in such a way as to possibly change our view of Jesus Christ.? I say “possibly” because no matter what God said, it is up to each individual believer as to how we perceive our Lord Jesus Christ.? F.? I find it of great interest that chapter one ends? with a dissertation on the Power of God.? As the Spirit of God is the Earnest of our Redemption, the Power of God is the Guarantee of our Security!? ? G.? Notice the wording: “exceeding greatness”? in verse 19. God has power that is limitless in both its scope and demand.? ? Not power “in us” but power “to us-ward!”? His power is used in relationship to our daily needs.? He not only can but will perform upon our behalf!? He is “God” and He loves us.? He cares about what we feel, think, and need.? He is not only able, but He is also willing to meet “all your need” in every respect.? H.? What a wonderful description verses 21-23? give us concerning the “exceeding greatness” of His power:? Psalms 62:11? God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.? ? (Power both belongs to God and comes from God.)? 1.? Jesus Christ Is Far Above Principality!? The commencement, order, time, or rank of God's power.? The first estate.? God had power before anything was!? 2.? Jesus Christ Is Far Above Power!? Any force, influence, capacity, or strength.? 3.? Jesus Christ Is Far Above Might!? It speaks of miraculous power.? Force beyond any and all ability to do.? 4.? Jesus Christ Is Far Above Dominion!? Mastery, dominion, or government.? God still rules in the affairs of men, setting up and taking down authority at His sovereign will.? 5.? Jesus Christ Is Far Above Every Name!? Either literally or figuratively!? In both majesty and importance.? 6.? Jesus Christ Is Far Above All Things!? Things in heaven, earth, and under the earth!? All things were made by Him and for Him.? They are both inferior in both position and power.? 7.? Jesus Christ Is The Head Of The Church!? ? No man, no dogma, no creed preceded Christ nor is exalted above Christ.? Colossians 1:15-18? Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:? (16)? For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:? (17)? And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.? (18)? And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.? J.? ? In His power, we find:? 1.? God has power over things in heaven.? Job 1:10? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.? ? (Angels are subject to Him.? Satan is under God's authority and power.)? 2.? God has power over creation.? Psalms 135:6-7? Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.? (7)? He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.? ? (The wind and waves obey His voice.)? 3.? God has power over human government.? Romans 13:6? For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.? (He raises authorities up and He takes authorities down.)? 4.? God has power over nations, kingdoms, and dominions.? Proverbs 21:1? The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.? ? (All nations and all kings are under his control.)? 5.? God has all power, therefore nothing is impossible with Him.? ? 1 Chronicles 29:11? ? Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.? Matthew 28:18? And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.? ? (He can do anything, anywhere, and at any time.)? K.? We all know what I have just said is true? but none of the above areas of God's power are of any use to us if they are just facts concerning His omnipotence.? ? Our text says, “to us-ward!”? ? This affects both our position in Christ and our circumstances in this world.? Christ Jesus is our confidence.? ? Acts 17:28? ? For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.? 1.? The Exceeding Greatness Of His Power In Our Salvation - Hebrews 7:25? Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.? ? (Saved by God's power alone. You do not get any more saved or secure than that.? Many try to add personal merit to either saving or keeping or both.? I am so glad that my salvation is entire of and depends entire upon God's power.)? 2.? The Exceeding Greatness Of His Power In Our Preservation - Jude 24? Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,? ? 1 Peter 1:5? Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.? (The exceeding greatness of our salvation is in its eternality!? What can separate us from the love of God?? Romans 8 says, “NOTHING!”)? Romans 8:38-39? For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,? (39)? Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.? ? 3.? The Exceeding Greatness Of His Power In Our Sanctification - 2 Corinthians 5:17? Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.? ? (We can do all things through Christ which strengthens us!? We can be anything and all things for Him.)? Ephesians 2:10? For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.? 2 Corinthians 9:8? And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:? 4.? The Exceeding Greatness Of His Power In Our Protection - Psalms 121:1-8? A Song of degrees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.? (2)? My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.? (3)? He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.? (4)? Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.? (5)? The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.? (6)? The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.? (7)? The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.? (8)? The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.? ? (We are truly “hedged in” by the Lord!? The only things that can touch us are the things that He allows.? As tough as this may seem at times, God knows what He is doing and He can be trusted in our hard times, which brings us to our next point.)? 5.? The Exceeding Greatness Of His Power In Our Predicaments - Isaiah 43:2? When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.? ? (This one is a little hard for my family at this time but I still believe that God can be trusted with our lives as well as with our things.? My family has been protected and will face December with the full assurance that the God of this Bible that I preach will do what He says!? When thou “passeth through the waters … walkest through the fire” they will neither overflow us nor kindle upon us!? You can trust God in the bad times just as well as you can trust Him in the good times.)? 6.? The Exceeding Greatness Of His Power In Our Provision - Matthew 10:29-31? ? Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.? (30)? But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.? (31)? Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.? ? (God has promised to supply all my need!? I have not starved as you can well see.? God has been so good to my family, and I fully expect Him to take care us until He takes us home!)? 7.? The Exceeding Greatness Of His Power In Our Promises - 2 Peter 1:3-4? According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:? (4)? Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.? ? (I still believe that you can take the promises of God to the “bank” and expect them to be made good!? God can neither lie nor can He break His promises.? We just have to learn to trust them.)? 8.? The Exceeding Greatness Of His Power In Our Providence -? Philippians 1:6? Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work

God's Got ThisDr. Paul ChappellMon, 12/04/2023 - 08:29 Truths on God's Sovereignty from the Book of Esther Do you ever feel forgotten by God? Do you wonder if He still knows your address? If He has a plan for your life? If He is able to help with your? needs?? Do you ever feel discouraged while looking at the state of our nation? Do you wonder where the speedily declining moral degradation will end?In short, do you wonder if God is in control?? The doctrine of God's sovereignty is good news for weary, fearful, or discouraged Christians. It assures that our lives and the world itself is not slipping away from a loving but helpless God. It reminds us that He is in control, and He is committed to making all things work together for our good and His glory.? God's sovereignty—His position as Ruler of all—is stated emphatically throughout Scripture. But it is demonstrated vividly in the story of Esther. Remarkably, Esther doesn't even mention God's name, but His hand is so clearly seen in this intricate unfolding of events that it has encouraged untold Christians to trust in the Lord and His good and kind sovereignty.? Notice a few of the truths related to God's sovereignty we learn from Esther's life.? Human power is always limited.Esther lived in a world of heathen despotism. Worse still, the king who publicly humiliated his wife because she stood up to him became Esther's husband. And the king's closest advisor, Haman, was a sworn enemy of the Jews. Yet, despite the wickedness of evil men, God had His way. He let Ahasuerus and Haman go just so far and then used their own desires to accomplish His purposes in preserving and prospering His people.? Proverbs 21:1 tells us, “The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.”? Here in America, we don't live in a dictatorship, and I believe Christians have the responsibility to participate in electing leaders who most closely align with biblical values. But we also should not wring our hands in despair when ungodly leaders are elected or those in power are corrupt. For there is still a King in Heaven Who reigns supreme. And even the most powerful rulers on earth are limited by the decrees and purposes of God.? “Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors. Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure” (Isaiah? 46:8–10).God's timing is impeccable.The basic story of Esther is simple: a Jewish orphan girl grows up to be the queen of Persia and saves her people from destruction. But the story's plot is complex, involving multiple subplots that integrate at key moments. For instance, Mordacai was in the right place at the right time to hear the assassination plot of the king's chamberlains. Furthermore, the king could not sleep on the very night that Haman came for permission to kill Mordacai, and that just happened to be the night Ahasuerus had been reflecting on Mordecai's kindness. Had any one of these—or several other—events happened earlier or later, the story could have ended differently.? Like many other biblical events, Esther's story showcases the perfect timing of God. He is never late, and He is never surprised. The God who sent His Son into our world in “the fulness of the time” (Galatians 4:4) is not oblivious to the timing in your life either. You can confidently pray with David, “But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God. My times are in thy hand . . .” (Psalm 31:14–15).You get to be part of God's sovereign plan.When it comes to God's sovereignty, we have a tendency to lean to extremes as if all elements are either/or choices. We think that either God will perform His plans, or our choices are meaningful. In reality, both are true. God will perform His plans, and our choices are meaningful.? Perhaps the most-quoted phrase from the book of Esther is from Mordecai's encouragement to Esther to act: “For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14).Mordecai's confidence in God's sovereignty didn't lead him to a lackadaisical attitude toward the tragically unfolding events around him. Rather, his faith compelled action. He reminded Esther that God would keep His promises, but she had a choice in being involved.? For Esther's part, she fasted and presumably prayed in recognition of her dependence on God's intervention. And then she acted. Valuing a cause greater than her own life, she went into the king's presence to make her request. Yet, even in her dependence on God, Esther was perceptive and measured in how she approached the king. Rather than just blurting out an accusation against Haman, she craftily drew out the king's intrigue and set the stage for a moment that called out his sense of valor.? So is it God's sovereignty or our actions that make a difference in the unfolding of God's purposes? Both! The incredible reality is that God uses people—you and me—to make a difference in this world.? God has a purpose for your life at “such a time as this.”? When your life seems to be careening out of control, when challenges mount around you, when the choices of others negatively affect you, remember God's sovereignty. Remember that human power is always limited, God's timing is impeccable, and you get to be part of God's sovereign plan.? Stabilize your soul in remembering God's sovereignty, and then, trusting in Him and depending on His strength, choose to engage in making a difference for Christ right where you are. Category Christian Living Ministry Resources God's Got This Leader Guide God's Got This Leader Guide Paul Chappell God's Got This Study Guide God's Got This Study Guide Paul Chappell Tags Faith

Pastor and author John MacArthur criticized the concept of Christian nationalism, telling his congregation the “responsibility of the church is not to advance the kingdom of this world.”

Pastor and author John MacArthur criticized the concept of Christian nationalism, telling his congregation the “responsibility of the church is not to advance the kingdom of this world.”

Children challenge the secular, hyper-individualist worldview to its core. They present an immediate, shared responsibility that directs us beyond material gain and personal fulfillment to higher ideals.

God's Got ThisDr. Paul ChappellMon, 12/04/2023 - 08:29 Truths on God's Sovereignty from the Book of Esther Do you ever feel forgotten by God? Do you wonder if He still knows your address? If He has a plan for your life? If He is able to help with your needs? Do you ever feel discouraged while looking at the state of our nation? Do you wonder where the speedily declining moral degradation will end?In short, do you wonder if God is in control? The doctrine of God's sovereignty is good news for weary, fearful, or discouraged Christians. It assures that our lives and the world itself is not slipping away from a loving but helpless God. It reminds us that He is in control, and He is committed to making all things work together for our good and His glory. God's sovereignty—His position as Ruler of all—is stated emphatically throughout Scripture. But it is demonstrated vividly in the story of Esther. Remarkably, Esther doesn't even mention God's name, but His hand is so clearly seen in this intricate unfolding of events that it has encouraged untold Christians to trust in the Lord and His good and kind sovereignty. Notice a few of the truths related to God's sovereignty we learn from Esther's life. Human power is always limited.Esther lived in a world of heathen despotism. Worse still, the king who publicly humiliated his wife because she stood up to him became Esther's husband. And the king's closest advisor, Haman, was a sworn enemy of the Jews. Yet, despite the wickedness of evil men, God had His way. He let Ahasuerus and Haman go just so far and then used their own desires to accomplish His purposes in preserving and prospering His people. Proverbs 21:1 tells us, “The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.” Here in America, we don't live in a dictatorship, and I believe Christians have the responsibility to participate in electing leaders who most closely align with biblical values. But we also should not wring our hands in despair when ungodly leaders are elected or those in power are corrupt. For there is still a King in Heaven Who reigns supreme. And even the most powerful rulers on earth are limited by the decrees and purposes of God. “Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors. Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure” (Isaiah 46:8–10).God's timing is impeccable.The basic story of Esther is simple: a Jewish orphan girl grows up to be the queen of Persia and saves her people from destruction. But the story's plot is complex, involving multiple subplots that integrate at key moments. For instance, Mordacai was in the right place at the right time to hear the assassination plot of the king's chamberlains. Furthermore, the king could not sleep on the very night that Haman came for permission to kill Mordacai, and that just happened to be the night Ahasuerus had been reflecting on Mordecai's kindness. Had any one of these—or several other—events happened earlier or later, the story could have ended differently. Like many other biblical events, Esther's story showcases the perfect timing of God. He is never late, and He is never surprised. The God who sent His Son into our world in “the fulness of the time” (Galatians 4:4) is not oblivious to the timing in your life either. You can confidently pray with David, “But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God. My times are in thy hand . . .” (Psalm 31:14–15).You get to be part of God's sovereign plan.When it comes to God's sovereignty, we have a tendency to lean to extremes as if all elements are either/or choices. We think that either God will perform His plans, or our choices are meaningful. In reality, both are true. God will perform His plans, and our choices are meaningful. Perhaps the most-quoted phrase from the book of Esther is from Mordecai's encouragement to Esther to act: “For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14).Mordecai's confidence in God's sovereignty didn't lead him to a lackadaisical attitude toward the tragically unfolding events around him. Rather, his faith compelled action. He reminded Esther that God would keep His promises, but she had a choice in being involved. For Esther's part, she fasted and presumably prayed in recognition of her dependence on God's intervention. And then she acted. Valuing a cause greater than her own life, she went into the king's presence to make her request. Yet, even in her dependence on God, Esther was perceptive and measured in how she approached the king. Rather than just blurting out an accusation against Haman, she craftily drew out the king's intrigue and set the stage for a moment that called out his sense of valor. So is it God's sovereignty or our actions that make a difference in the unfolding of God's purposes? Both! The incredible reality is that God uses people—you and me—to make a difference in this world. God has a purpose for your life at “such a time as this.” When your life seems to be careening out of control, when challenges mount around you, when the choices of others negatively affect you, remember God's sovereignty. Remember that human power is always limited, God's timing is impeccable, and you get to be part of God's sovereign plan. Stabilize your soul in remembering God's sovereignty, and then, trusting in Him and depending on His strength, choose to engage in making a difference for Christ right where you are. Category Christian Living Ministry Resources God's Got This Leader Guide God's Got This Leader Guide Paul Chappell God's Got This Study Guide God's Got This Study Guide Paul Chappell Tags Faith

Four Ways Christian Education Strengthens FamiliesEric LeeTue, 07/11/2023 - 13:24 The objective of all true educators is to provide learning to students. But the framework in which that takes place in a Christian school is clearly distinctive from its secular counterparts. Our colleagues in the arena of public education see the state as the party responsible for educating a child. As Christians, we view this responsibility differently because we see it through the lens of Scripture which plainly declares that this weight rests on the shoulders of parents: “And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” (Deuteronomy 11:19). “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). A Christian school can assist parents as parents delegate part of this responsibility to trustworthy educators. Christian education, rather than competing with parental responsibility, can greatly aid parents. Here are just a few of the ways that Christian education strengthens families.1. A Biblical Wordlview“Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church” (1 Corinthians 4:16–17).Godly teachers can reaffirm the biblical worldview already being taught in the home. The student's forming and acceptance of biblical beliefs is aided by the compounding effect of hearing the same truth from multiple angles and perspectives. When the message from Sunday is echoed by the math teacher on Monday, its ability to penetrate the heart is enhanced. When the verse discussed during family devotions Thursday night is the memory verse in Bible class, there is a cumulative effect.Conversely, a number of competing secular influences consistently attempt to chisel away at the biblical foundation laid in a Christian home. Sunday's message and Thursday's family devotions can be drowned out by the varied opposing voices of the secular world. The Bible warns that a young person is not to listen: “Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge” (Proverbs 19:27). Parents are in a key position to protect their children from those voices.2. Daily Exposure to Godly Mentors and Role Models“He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20).The mentors and role models a young person is exposed to on a daily basis in a Christian school can be spiritually strengthening. The coach of the sports team, school administrator, cafeteria volunteer, music teacher, classroom instructor, and guest chapel speaker are just some of the individuals God can use in a young person's life. These servants of God can inspire transformation in the lives of students. God certainly worked in my life this way, and I am eternally grateful for the influence of men like my high school coach who God used to call me into that same ministry. 3. Wholistic Development“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52). Mankind is a multi-faceted creature with physical, emotional, and social needs. Sports, music, and extracurricular opportunities are key components in most schools. A wholistic development, though, must include spiritual development. Christian education not only provides Bible classes, but it also infuses and integrates Scripture and a biblical worldview into every aspect of education. Christian education strengthens families by providing an education of the total student in a wholistic way that education which deemphasizes the spiritual nature of man and often promotes anti-Christian views cannot provide.4. A Nurturing Environment “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” (1 Corinthians 15:33).It would be foolish to claim that Christian education is immune from sinful behavior. Unfortunately, the sins of society penetrate the walls of a Christian school too. But Christian education actively seeks to create a habitat that exposes these destructive attitudes and actions for what they truly are. In a biblically-based way Christian education provides a nurturing environment that is the kind of spiritual soil necessary for young people to experience consistent growth. This Christian greenhouse is extremely beneficial for a young person as they establish their foundation for life. While this brief list is far from exhaustive in outlining the benefits of Christian education to the Christian family, it does provide a taste of the type of joy-filled partnership that can result from this biblical model. The fruit of this partnership between parents and Christian educators is well worth the time, money, and energy involved in laboring to train the next generation of Christian leaders. Together the home and Christian school can experience the incredible blessing of seeing God continue to develop laborers for His harvest. Category Family Helps Tags Christian Education Parenting Family Helps Family

Disagreement without DisunityDr. Don SiskTue, 05/02/2023 - 10:14 I am nearing my ninetieth birthday. I made public my call to preach on Thanksgiving night of 1954. A few days after that I preached my first sermon in the prayer meeting service of the Black Oak Baptist Church in Gary, Indiana. Two years later, I began pastoring. I have been in full-time ministry since 1956—nearly seventy years.Because of the various ministries I have served in, I've preached in literally thousands of churches all over the world. Being in so many churches is a blessing because I get to meet men and women who are faithfully serving Christ all around the globe. But going to so many places does have a downfall: I sometimes see the sad disunity among God's people. Churches, Bible Colleges, mission organizations, preachers, and ordinary Christians find reasons to quarrel with one another.Of course, every church or organization has some differences with the next organization. But among the independent Baptist places where I am privileged to serve, most have so much more in common than different. Yet, for some reason, we emphasize our differences more than our common practices and beliefs. Would it not be wonderful if we would emphasize our commonality rather than our differences?Many years ago when I became the Far East Director of BIMI, my pastor, Dr. Lee Roberson, was generous in giving needful advice—principles by which to conduct my ministry. One night as we were driving together back to Chattanooga from a meeting, he said to me “Don, you go anywhere that you believe God is leading you to go and minister. Some of the places you go to some of the brethren will criticize you. Don't fight with them; just keep going where you know God wants you to go.” Of course, Dr. Roberson was speaking about doctrinally-solid Baptist churches. And that was good advice. He was right on both points—some brethren criticized me, and I learned not to spend valuable time defending myself.For the first eight years of my ministry. I was a Southern Baptist. When I began to see the liberalism and compromise taking place in the Southern Baptist Convention, I became an independent Baptist by conviction. I'm grateful for that decision, and I would do it all over again—even today. I soon learned, however, that independent Baptists sometimes aren't very independent in their relationships with one another. If I did things the way they wanted me to do and went where they wanted me to go and refused to go where they did not want me to go, I was accepted. But when I didn't meet those criteria, I was not always accepted.Over my nearly seventy years in the ministry, I have seen several leaders try to be a Baptist pope (although not, of course, with that title). None of them have succeeded. The reality is that we must each answer to God—not to each other. “Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. . . . But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ” (Romans 14:4, 10).When biblical doctrine or sin is involved, of course we must separate. And yes, we all have our preferences. We have a right to have them. However, pastors, in particular, have a responsibility to establish leadership guidelines for their church workers. But, pastors do not have the right to determine preferences for other churches.I realize we must not call the violation of biblical principles a preference. We are commanded to “contend for the faith” (Jude 3). But we need not be contentious about matters not pertaining to the faith.Throughout the New Testament, we have examples of the conflict that comes through pride and the good that comes when people who have differences give deference to one another.John the Baptist“And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:26–30).Some of the disciples of John the Baptist realized that when Jesus began His ministry, people were going to Him instead of to John. They told John, “all men come to him.” (By the way, all of the people were not going to Jesus. We often unwisely exaggerate when we want to make a point.)The answer that John the Baptist gave to his disciples was classic: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John did not become jealous or competitive. In fact, he was not trying to make disciples for himself in the first place; he was pointing people to Christ. So rather than feeling insecure, he rejoiced in what Jesus was doing and how the people were following Christ.I fear—and I can speak from experience—that we have a tendency to criticize others not because of something bad they are doing, but because they are doing more and are seeing more results than we are. In short, we become jealous.None of us are in competition with other good Bible believing organizations or individuals. We are on the same team. Their success is our success, and it's all for the glory of God. But when team members become jealous of one another, we all lose.John the Apostle“And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us” (Luke 9:49–50).Basically, what John was saying was, “They didn't graduate from our college” or “They weren't with our mission organization” or “They are not in our camp” or “They aren't doing things like us.”And what did Jesus tell John? “Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.”To allow others to do things differently than we do without criticizing them is Christlike. And to attempt to be an enforcer of others is Johnlike—the immature, pre-resurrection version of John.Paul and BarnabasPaul and Barnabas were a wonderful team who were greatly used of God. In Acts 13, they were sent out as missionaries from the first organized church missions program. Throughout Acts 13 and 14, we read of the amazing ways that God used them. Then, when they returned to Antioch, they continued to work together, including speaking to the Jerusalem council in Acts 15.But when it came time for their second missionary journey, they had a falling out.“And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God” (Acts 15:36–40).Because we know this story of Paul and Barnabas' disagreement, we aren't surprised when we read it. But if we had known Paul and Barnabas before this incident, we would never have suspected that they would have parted ways.Perhaps the most amazing thing about this separation, however, is not that it happened, but what did not happen—specifically that they did not spend time criticizing one another. In fact, you do not find one word in Scripture of Paul speaking poorly of Barnabas or Barnabas of Paul. They parted ways, but they did not spend the rest of their ministries criticizing one another. And they did not draw John Mark into tests of loyalty over their disagreement. In fact, just before Paul was martyred, he makes the statement, “Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11).There are things that happen that make it nearly impossible for particular people to work together. But even if two Christians can't work together, they can be kind to one another. If we have differences with a brother, we can determine, “Even though I cannot work with this person, I am not going to be critical of him.”Paul in Prison“Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice” (Philippians 1:15–18).Paul was in prison for no other reason than preaching the Word of God. He did not look at his prison time as a hindrance to the ministry, but as an opportunity to preach to the other prisoners, to the people in authority, and to all of the other leaders. No doubt, many of them were converted.Because of Paul's boldness, many other leaders became bold in preaching the gospel. Some of these were sincere. And evidently, some of these were just trying to irritate Paul. Yet, Paul's conclusion was that regardless of the preacher's motives, he would rejoice that Christ was being preached.Years ago, I determined that I, too, will rejoice when others are preaching the gospel. When God's Word is preached and people are getting saved, baptized, and added to the church, I am going to rejoice. Rather than being jealous or critical, I am going to rejoice.I think we independent Baptists need to take Jesus' words in John 13:35 more seriously than we do: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”If you are preaching the gospel, winning people to the Lord, discipling believers, and training leaders, you are my brother in Christ, and I love you, appreciate you, and will gladly pray for you. We can be brothers without being identical twins. Category Pastoral Leadership Tags Pastoral Leadership Christian Living

A lot of people in positions of leadership are working hard to fight off feelings of helplessness right now.This is harder than I expected.No, I’m not sick. And none of my loved ones are. So, for those of you who are sick or who are dealing with the illness or (God forbid) the death of a loved one, I cannot imagine your burden.But even for those of us who are simply being asked to stay home, this is proving hard in some unexpected ways.If you’re in a position of leadership, your feelings may be very confusing right now. Even erratic.Not What We ExpectedI’m used to knowing what to do. And helping others know what to do.If you had told me a month ago that I’d be sitting at home for weeks without feeling sick or having anywhere to be, I’d have thought “Wow! I’m going to get so much done! I’ll have a rough draft of that new book knocked down! I’ll start a new podcast, and who knows what else!”But I’m not. Not to the degree I expected, that’s for sure.Barely Hanging OnSome days it feels like I’m barely hanging on, myself.But I feel a responsibility to lead. To help. To bless others.In fact, I don’t just feel that responsibility, I have that responsibility.And yet, how do I do that when each day feels like it runs past me in bits and pieces? Barely able to concentrate on anything for more than a few minutes at a time?Give Yourself A BreakI know I’m not alone in feeling this.Right now there are a lot of people in positions of leadership with similar feelings of helplessness.So, in the few minutes I can concentrate long enough to write this, let me offer a short word of hope.Give yourself a break. I plan to.Slow down.Don’t push.Relax.Stay healthy first.It’s okay if you don’t have the answers right now. None of us have clear answers ...Continue reading...

by Phil JohnsonBTW, "Get Woke or get out" is no way to promote Christian unity.ohn McWhorter, professor of linguistics, comparative religion, music history, and Americana at Columbia University has been pointing out (since at least 2015) that Woke anti-racism is a religion. McWhorter says, "When someone attests to his white privilege with his hand up in the air, palm outward . . . the resemblance to testifying in church need not surprise. Here, the agnostic or atheist American who sees fundamentalists and Mormons as quaint reveals himself as, of all things, a parishioner."Wokeism satiates the religious cravings of the human spirit for people who have rejected conventional expressions of theistic worship. It has therefore become the current orthodoxy in the academic world and the official religion of secular society.It has also become a kind of plaything for evangelicals who crave the world's admiration and approval—and who don't mind dabbling in syncretism. This is a frivolous and dangerous experiment, however, because no one who holds any real evangelical convictions can ever be truly Woke. Too many of Wokeism's cardinal tenets flatly contradict biblical principles. The truly Woke are militantly pro-abortion; devoted to the LGBTQAFLCIO agenda, rabid socialists, and high-handed secularists. Pure Wokeism is openly hostile to any whiff of evangelicalism.Wokeism has become a kind of plaything for evangelicals who crave the world's admiration and approval—and who don't mind dabbling in syncretism.Plus, Woke religion has a very insular creed. Soul liberty is antithetical to their fundamental convictions. They have a deep and abiding hatred for every worldview, idea, or person that challenges any point of their authorized credo. Indeed, to challenge Wokeism on any point or at any level whatsoever is deemed damnable heresy. Wokeism ironically fosters this extreme illiberality in the name of "tolerance and diversity."Wokeism is as narrow-minded as any brand of fundamentalism—and getting more narrow every day. Every article of faith must be formally affirmed and faithfully adhered to. A catalogue of insider jargon signals other adherents that you too are Woke. But there are forbidden words that must be carefully avoided on pain of excommunication. And the list of taboo expressions is constantly being revised and expanded, so you must stay conversant with the approved vocabulary or risk being publicly shamed and shunned.In addition to the strict cardinal dogmas, Wokeism has its own sacraments and rituals, high priests, saints, and martyrs—even a kind of hymnology. The flavor of Woke rhetoric is homiletical rather than scholarly; it's a sermonic appeal to deep emotions, utilizing personal testimony and a carefully-crafted narrative (the Woke mythology) rather than statistics.It's an odd religion—teaching people to nurse grudges, cast blame, cultivate ill will against whole people groups, and deepen that personal sense of resentment. But it is nonetheless fully religious in character, for all the reasons noted.The push to spread Woke doctrines therefore has all the characteristics of a religious campaign—a crusade to win converts by any means possible. Conversion conveys a moral standing that non-converts (the uncooperative, unwashed, unWoke) don't have. It's a limited veneer of virtue that offers a provisional reprieve—nothing like full forgiveness. (More on that later.) But it entitles the penitent to join the Woke in heaping full-throated condemnation on the unWoke.To a devotee of Wokeness, being unWoke is tantamount to being a rank heathen or an evil infidel. They see Wokeness not merely as a matter of politics; it is the only righteous worldview, and it must be embraced with pure religious fervor. Indeed, Woke anti-racism has quite literally become a point of religious doctrine so important that even in the minds of the kinda-Woke evangelicals it has upstaged and eclipsed abortion as the number one moral crisis in America.Wokeism is a nasty religious cult. Its votaries routinely declare people guilty for the sins of others, elicit rote confessions, and then refuse to offer absolution. They define sin mainly (if not entirely) as a horizontal offense—but not necessarily even a personal offense. You are guilty mainly for what your ancestors may have done. And even if your ancestors were themselves poor subsistence farmers who never oppressed anyone, if other members of your ethnic group did, you are made to bear the guilt for that. Guilt is therefore a corporate responsibility, apportioned differently to different ethnicities.If you don't have the right kind of victim status or skin color, it would be utterly foolish for you even to think of asking for forgiveness. Still, you must confess the guilt you bear by kneeling and reciting the prescribed confession. And if you don't do this, your refusal to genuflect on command will mark you as a fascist. The fact that you dissent from the received opinion intensifies the criminality you inherited when you were born into the wrong ethnic group. Preachers of the Woke doctrines will do everything they can to make sure you are shunned by polite society. Apologize publicly and you will merely be mocked (and subjected to endless re-indoctrination). But if you remain stubbornly unWoke, those who are Woke will scold and harass you publicly, relentlessly, trying to get you fired from your job.Or worse.On the other hand, if you are a cop, a civic leader, or a Christian, kneeling and accepting the Woke credo will do nothing to make you any less worthy of public contempt and censure.After all, this is a religion that has no doctrine of atonement, no concept of forgiveness, and no possibility of real redemption. The recent demonstrations and riots made clear that no matter how frequently they use the word, reconciliation is not the real goal of Wokeism.In short, the Woke worldview is impossible to blend with gospel truth—and its inevitable drift will take today's wanna-be-Woke evangelicals exactly where the social gospel of Walter Rauschenbusch took the mainline denominations in the twentieth century: into rank theological liberalism and unbelief.The notion that the gospel can be improved by blending it with Wokeism is sheer folly anyway. The Woke worldview is rooted in secularism—and arguably, Marxism. Its central claims and distinctive jargon are taken not from Scripture but from secular political discourse. It is a canon of doctrine deliberately designed to provoke conflict, prolong resentment, and foster bitterness between different ethnicities. It encourages people to be offended by things that never actually happened to them—while blaming others for sins they did not actually commit. It doles out guilt and shame rather than grace and redemption. Though it is promoted by people who say they oppose ethnic strife, it is a blatantly racist worldview, condemning entire ethnic groups for sins that were committed generations ago by people long dead.All of that hits at the heart of the gospel message of forgiveness, grace, oneness in Christ, and unity in the church. It is as anti-Christian as every other cult or false religion, and faithful followers of Christ should recognize that.

Listen to this sermon here Once a year I think it is wise to speak on what the Bible has to say concerning your responsibility as a believer to support VBC financially.  To speak more than once a year on this subject could easily fall into the category of putting an undue emphasis on money.  [...]