The word of the LORD is upright

Psalm 33:4-5

For the word of the LORD is upright,
and all his work is done in faithfulness.
He loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.

God is faithful therefore He is trustworthy. Do you trust Him? No, I do not merely mean, “Do you believe Him?” I mean, do you TRUST Him? Do you trust Him with your very life?

I heard someone recently say that when our future is uncertain we should still have faith in God. Well, that is not exactly correct. You see, as a Christian, our future IS secure because it has been secured by Christ. He is a sovereign LORD whose every plan will com to pass (Isaiah 46:10). And when He sends forth his Word, He will accomplish everything He intends (Isaiah 55:11).

We are able to trust Him because his word is upright… trustworthy. EVERYTHING He does is in faithfulness! When He makes promises to us we can be confident that God will come through.

This is why worry is a sin. Worry is consumed with the details of the future. Since the future is unknown to us, we assume wrongly that we need to know exactly what the future holds in order to have peace. This is wrong. We have peace about the future because our confidence is in the God of the future.

“He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.” So, He is faithful and trustworthy, and He loves us.

If God is for us, then what do we have to worry about?

Sunday sermon review - Put on Meekness

I am not a big fan of telling jokes in my sermons, but in my sermon reviews they are fine! So, here is a little humor for you…

A grizzled old man was eating in a truck stop when three Hell's Angels bikers walked in.

The first walked up to the old man and pushed his cigarette into the old man's pie, and then he took a seat at the counter.

The second walked up to the old man and spit into the old man's milk, and then he took a seat at the counter.

The third walked up to the old man and turned over the old man's plate, and then he took a seat at the counter.

Without a word of protest, the old man quietly left the diner. Shortly thereafter, one of the bikers said to the waitress, "Humph, not much of a man, was he?"

The waitress replied, "Not much of a truck driver, either. He just backed his truck over three motorcycles."

Yesterday, we learned about meekness. Most of us have learned that meekness is power under control, which is true, of course. However, the main point of the sermon yesterday was that meekness very often in Scripture is the companion of truth, especially when one is proclaiming truth to those who have denied it.

Today, I want to take a little time to develop a little further that meekness is to replace our anger, which is why I shared this little funny.

The man in this story seems very meek while he patiently endures the mistreatment of the bikers, but he gets his revenge when he is out of reach of those guys! So, he is really not very meek at all. I think we all know this.

Meekness is gentleness. Meekness exercises self-control over the power of our words and deeds.

But my question for us is: why is what he did so bad? What is wrong with standing up for yourself? What is wrong with righting a wrong?

Here are two answers…

1. God tells us that He is the Righteous Judge (Psalm 96:13). He will execute judgment, not us (Romans 12:19). When we respond to mistreatment with wrath or anger, we are putting ourselves in God’s place and executing judgment on those who have hurt us. That is not our responsibility. We must remember that every sin will be dealt with, every sin will be punished by God. Either God’s wrath for a particular sin was poured out on Christ on the cross for those who believe in Him or his wrath will be poured out on each person who refused to believe in him. That’s it. When we return evil for evil, it is like double jeopardy. It is not our responsibility.

2. Our anger does not lead people to righteousness. Read James 1:19-21...

19Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

We must put on meekness instead of anger and wrath because our goal is to lead people to righteousness. Verse 20 states very clearly that our anger does not accomplish that!

In this context I am thinking primarily of us fathers and husbands. It is really easy to think that a little scary wrath goes a long way in leading our families to submit to our authority. But dads, you cannot force your children and wives into following your leadership. Meekness is what is needed. A gentle, loving prodding with the gospel, pointing them to Jesus is what they need.

So, let’s put on the meekness of Christ by his grace and trust God to take up our defense when we are wronged. Let’s gently love people to Christ.

SBC Annual Meeting - MORE Hope for the Future!!!

The following is a recap of the SBC annual meeting from Tom Ascol. He is the head of the head of the SBC Founders Minstries.  I was going to type one up, but his is better : ) 

Dr. Al Mohler's motion to commission a task force passed tonight at the Southern Baptist Convention. Specifically, the motion requests that

the Southern Baptist Convention, meeting June 23-24, 2009 in Louisville, Kentucky, authorize the President of the Southern Baptist Convention to appoint a Great Commission Task Force charged to bring a report and any recommendations to the Southern Baptist Convention, meeting in Orlando, Florida June 15-16, 2010, concerning how Southern Baptists can work more faithfully and effectively together in serving Christ through the Great Commission.

There was brief public opposition during the time for debate. The most rancorous opposition came from a pastor who is convinced that the problem with the SBC is the rise of Calvinism in our ranks. He likened it to the Primitive Baptist movement and blamed all the ills the convention on the revival of the doctrines of grace in the convention. His comments were inflammatory and unfounded. They did not carry the day.

A substitute motion was put forward but was fortunately voted down, allowing for an overwhelming affirmation of Dr. Mohler's original motion. The Parliamentarian, Dr. Barry McCarty, later said that the vote was at least 95%-5% in favor.

This was a good move that bodes well for the future of the SBC. Of course, it is just the beginning. Johnny Hunt must now appoint a committee that will take up the responsibility of this assignment. Pray for him and for those whom he appoints. The last thing that the SBC can afford at this point is a study and report that fall short of serious analysis and recommendations. While these recommendations will not be binding on any entity in the SBC just because a task force recommends them, they can become rallying points for the way ahead in marshaling our cooperative efforts more energetically and efficiently in the work of the great commission.

Though in the big scheme of things this vote is not all that important, I believe that it is a harbinger of better days on the horizon. In fact, today is the best day that I have ever spent at a Southern Baptist Convention. In no particular order, following are some of the reasons that I say that.

1. Danny Akin. Dr. Akin spoke at the Founders Breakfast at 6:30AM, the Baptist21 luncheon at noon, at the SBC giving a theme interpretation at 3:30PM and at the 9Marks after-meeting at 10:00PM. No doubt he is tired! But his weariness is reason for Southern Baptists' encouragement. In each assignment, he knocked it out of the park, communicating great insight in a personable, humble and courageous manner. He is the kind of leader that Southern Baptists desperately need right now, and the demands on his time indicate that he is willing to answer the call.

2. Johnny Hunt. He has proven to be a remarkable leader for Southern Baptists this last year. Dr. Hunt makes it very hard not to love him. He is gracious, humble, transparent and enthusiastic in his leadership. He has demonstrated a willingness to work with all Southern Baptists who are willing to unite around the gospel and press forward in the great commission. He has been very gracious and kind to those with whom he disagrees at certain points, setting a tone of genuine love and respect in the SBC that we have needed for a long time. Some have been less than thrilled with his leadership but, from my vantage point, their antipathy has more to do with his unwillingness to tow anyone's party line than with him personally. His love for Christ, pastors and for the conversion of unbelievers is contagious and I, for one, want to catch what he's got! I look forward to his next year of leadership and will continue to pray for him privately, in my home and in our church.

3. Though I have not heard all of the sermons from the pastors' conference or that were preached today at the convention, what I have heard has left me more encouraged about the state of preaching in the SBC than in a long time. There have been wonderful messages preached. Sell your blood if you must, but be sure to purchase the CD of David Platt's sermon from last night at the pastors' conference. It was incredible.

4. The IMB. Everyone has heard of the financial shortfall that will result in the decrease in our missionary force by the end of the year. Of the $16 billion that Southern Baptist churches collected last year, less than 2.6% went to the IMB. But that message seems to be rallying Southern Baptists to renew our commitment to getting the gospel to the unreached peoples of the world. I was deeply moved by the IMB report tonight of what God is doing and what the needs yet are. Jim Richards of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention presented Jerry Rankin with a $100,000 check to help start making up for the shortfall. The pastors' conference took up a special offering to assist with it as well. I believe that Southern Baptists will rally and that this financial crisis will provoke the kind of self-examination that we need at this time in order for us to re-order our priorities.

5. The growing humility within the SBC. I heard agency heads, featured preachers and seasoned pastors saying publicly what has needed to be said for a long time. God doesn't need the SBC. The SBC can fail and be thrown onto the ash heap of ecclesiastical history and the kingdom of God will march on victoriously. It is that kind of awareness and humility that breeds the kind of perspective on the SBC that may well lead us to see our brightest days in the future. Until we get over the SBC we will not be in a position to utilize it for kingdom purposes as we ought.

So, I am hopeful. It seems to me that a fresh wind is blowing. If it is the wind of God's Spirit then may we recognize His work and redouble our efforts to be faithful in following wherever He leads.

SBC Pastors Conference - A Fresh Wind Blowing!!

Yesterday was the second day of the Southern Baptist Convention Pastors conference. I went into it with modest expectations.  I am here in Louisville with my Director of Missions and friend, Ken Mostella (who is a hole lotta fun to travel with!!!). We both thought it could be good, but it ended great!

I know many of you don’t know the guys I am about to talk about or care all that much about this topic. But I think this is important, and today we have seen the first glimmer of hope for our denomination in quite some time. Here’s what is going on.

The SBC is in decline. Baptisms are down. Membership is down. Giving is down. For more than two years now. If 3 consecutive quarters of negative financial growth means a recession for our economy. Then these two years in the SBC means we have passed plateau and are now in decline. It is time we are honest as a denomination and admit it. 

There are many potential reasons for this. And I really don’t want to start naming names because ALL Southern baptists are at fault, so I would have to list all of us… although that would not take as long as would have two years ago! Anyway, many of our current leaders think that the problem is that we are not as committed to evangelism and missions as we have been in the past. That is a very possible cause for our situation and certainly deserves our attention. In fact, we probably are less committed to evangelism. But the deeper and more important question is WHY????

I think that today’s pastors conference (SBCPC) may shed some light on the answer for us. 

The SBCPC is designed to encourage our pastors with speakers from our convention (mostly other pastors). There were a total of TEN sermons preached over the last two days. The theme this year was on unity of mind, love, spirit, and purpose. The lineup of speakers was varied and quite good. 

But here is the thing. It is usually only attended by a bunch of old guys who have been coming to this thing for 50 years, and the attendance has been dropping over the years because young guys were bored or in some ways ostracized because of their youth. 

The pastors conference this year was VERY well attended. In fact, I saw more young guys like myself today, than I have in previous years. I don’t know that there were more of us , but it seemed like it. It seems to be a fresh wind blowing in the makeup of the convention. 

This is so important because the leadership of the SBC is really ancient. From the perspective of many of the younger generation, myself included, it seems to just be a network of the good ol’ boys who still insist on doing things the way they have always been done. 

And now… we’re declining. All things must change. A question was posed today by Ed Stetzer, “When will the pain of staying the same over come the pain of change so that we will act?”

Ouch! We have been doing the same thing since 1954… “A million more in ’54!” was our battle cry in order to increase Sunday school enrollment. Well, guess what? We now have 16 million members, but we can’t find 10 million of them on Sundays. So, we accomplished our goal, but we didn’t do anything with it. 

Here’s where the preaching yesterday was so telling. 

The day concluded with David Platt, pastor of Brook Hills here in Birmingham, and Johnny Hunt, SBC president and pastor of Woodstock Baptist in GA. 

David went first. His sermon was… AMAZING!!! If I had to grade it I would give it a 99.5% with a slight deduction because I know he is not perfect, so there must have been something wrong with it!!! He walked to the pulpit in a suit, which I have never seen him in btw. Without any fanfare and with all humility he quotes about 4 psalms… not 4 verses; 4 whole psalms!!! I recognized 149 and 150 for sure, but there could have been even more. The point though was that we are to praise the LORD!!! Wave after wave of powerful Scripture washed over us beating our hearts into submission before God’s glory… then as we have been simultaneously humbled and exalted up into the glory of Christ, he starts his sermon. He is SO humble! You can truly feel the Spirit of God working and moving. 

The psalms are not even his text! He reads Hebrews 13:11-14. I will spare you the play by play recap of the whole thing, but the question he asked us was “Do want to die in your religion or die in your devotion?” He used Numbers 13 to illustrate. This is the story of the spies going into the promised land and how Israel responded. 

His point was that Israel retreated from their mission… and they died wandering in the desert. So, are we going to retreat from our mission? Or are we going to repent, and risk everything to die taking the gospel to the nations?

He went on about how DESPERATE the world is for the Good News of Jesus! 

Even before he finished, we are all so humiliated over how easily our selfish materialism has reigned in our hearts and prevented us from finishing our mission. 

His application was simple… Are we going to repent and be faithful to that which God called us? 

Most of us were too stunned to respond as he walked off the stage, staggered by the conviction of the Spirit.

We sang a song that I can’t even remember, then Johnny Hunt took the stage.

What Dr. Hunt said was true enough, but you could immediately sense that something was different.  There was not the same gravitas or weightiness that David’s sermon had. I don’t like speculating about a preacher’s heart or holiness, but it certainly seems that David was “anointed with the Spirit” while Dr. Hunt’s sermon seemed very… ordinary. Every time he tried to wow the crowd with some cliched line, it fell flat. Oh, there were a couple of half-hearted “amens” sprinkled throughout, but it just did not have the same impact. And when it came time to conclude, he went round and round having some trouble landing. At least three times he said, “Now this is my final point” and when the crowd would not get all emotionally moved by his “final” point, he would just try another one. He eventually concluded after there were some sniffles over the story of his brother’s conversion. 

I am not trying to criticize Dr. Hunt. He has a great ministry and has been a good president. But he and his friends have had their time leading the convention. It is time for some new faces, especially ones that preach the Word in spirit and power. 

This is what I THINK we have been missing. Not to question anyone’s love of God, but it seems that we have been a convention of bureaucrats and politicians more than a gathering of passionate worshipers of Jesus Christ. I want to follow men who are burning white hot for GOD, not burning hot for the COOPERATIVE PROGRAM. And yes, there is a BIG difference. 

There was definitely a passing of the baton last night. David Platt and others like him are the future of our denomination. I hope the guys handing it off will let go so they can run with it. 

Sunday sermon review - Instruction Manual for Fathers

Being a father is a high-risk, high-reward job. Once that little bundle of joy is placed in your arms for the first time, your joy is unmatched. You immediately begin to think of all that this little life could become as you marvel at God’s handiwork. 

Before too long reality sets in. “Wow, I am responsible for this little life. I have to protect her. Care for him. Make sure they grow to adulthood.” It requires sacrifice and service of the highest caliber. You must risk your very life in order to faithfully fulfill your fatherly duties. You do not know if you will be successful of even if this little person will love you the way you love her. He may reject you at every chance. 

But the reward is so sweet! The first time she grabs your finger and won’t let go. Those first words, first steps, even the first time he spits up all over you are precious moments. Then comes the first day of school, playing sports, recitals, family trips, graduation, college, marriage. Then before you know your little baby is having babies of her own. 

Fatherhood is challenging. But take heart!! God is rich in grace and mercy toward his children. We need not fear this most high calling. He will go with us. He will keep us. He will generously grant wisdom to all who ask without doubting. 

Fathers, we have a great responsibility once that little life is placed in our care, but we have a greater Father who generously graces us with what we need to see fatherhood through.

Look to Jesus. Trust in Him. Point your children to Him. Teach them the Word. 

Hebrews 13:20-21

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Some internet thoughts for today

* Proclaiming the Kingdom… 

Here are some great thoughts about our proclamation of Christ's kingdom

It is tragic, is it not, that we have to use illustrations of secular organizations with exceedingly trivial enterprises as a standard that ought to be of those identified with the church of Jesus Christ.  We have a far greater mission–one that is guaranteed to be accomplished–that should cause us to risk all, go hard, and employ every lawful means in the spirit of being sent and spent for the advancement of the Church Jesus promised to build.

Read more here...

* Some Advice from Spurgeon 

“Make a point, whenever you receive a promise from God, to get all you can out of it. If you carry out that rule, it is wonderful what you will gain. Some go on the principle of getting as little as possible out of God’s word. Such a plan may be wise with a man’s word, but God’s word is to be understood at the maximum, for he will do exceedingly abundantly above what you ask or even think.”

- Charles Spurgeon, Christ’s Glorious Achievements (Ross-shire, Scotland: Christian Focus 2003), 59

Book Report - Just Do Something

I have just finished reading Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God’s Will. I would love to give you a full review today, but I have been a little busy with VBS this week and trying to get most of my sermon work done for next week since I will be in Louisville for the SBC Annual Meeting most of next week. 

I promise I will get to it next week… At least I want to promise that. I may still be a little under the gun next week too, but I will definitely have some time to formulate at least a few coherent thoughts about it. 

Let me just whet your appetite a little with a question: How do you go about “finding God’s will for your life?” If you have to make a major decision that is not a moral decision, what process do you typically follow in order to know what to do? If you have a new job opportunity, or a house to buy, or are trying to decide who to marry, what do you do?

I think most of us would say that we pray about it. That’s good!

But what exactly are you expecting from God in return? How do you expect to discern the answer?

This is where many of us would probably stray into non-biblical responses. 

Me? I have usually relied on some kind of “peaceful, easy feeling” to arise over one particular answer before I will act. You know, I keep praying and fretting until I finally feel all warm and fuzzy about one choice. This is the right house! This is the perfect job! This is the right spouse for me! 

Then I pounce… scared the whole way that I may still be missing God’s perfect will. 

Well, if you are like me, then this book is going to rock your “will-seeking” world. I learned that I am doing it all wrong when I seek God’s will this way. The premise of this book is that it is unbiblical to seek God's will in a way that makes Him seem like a magic 8-ball. 

I will take time next week to flesh this out a little more. In the meantime, if you love challenges and think that you may disagree with me on this, search the entire Bible and see if you can find just ONE verse that says God has some secret will of direction (for non-moral decisions like picking a job) He expects to figure out BEFORE we are to act. 

Good hunting : )