In 1 Samuel 31, the Bible tells us that a great battle occurred between Israel and the Philistines on Mount Gilboa. This battle led to the death of King Saul and the utter defeat of his son Jonathan. As Jonathan lay on the battle ground defeated, he asked an Amalekite sojourner to end his life. In what the Amalekite considered an act of mercy, he killed Jonathan and brought his crown to David to tell what he had done and why.
David was greatly distressed. He tore his clothes and mourned and wept for Jonathan. In 2 Samuel, David wails three times that now infamous phrase "How the mighty have fallen!" He exclaims in verse 27, "the weapons of war perished!"
Recently many mighty men have been slain by the enemy. My heart aches within me as I exclaim "How the mighty have fallen!". The president and CEO of the executive committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, Frank Page, resigned recently amid reports of his moral failings involving an inappropriate relationship in his not-so-distant past.
Paige Patterson, the president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary has been forced to resign amid allegations that he demonstrated a lack of discretion with the reporting of a rape that occurred on the campus of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary between a female student and her assailant. Patterson encouraged her not to report the rape to the authorities and brought her before a board of his proteges to describe the assault in full detail, which, by her own testimony, essentially shamed her.
Yet another well respected seminary professor that I personally looked up to and who helped me with my doctoral work has recently resigned from the seminary and from his ministry in the local church with no details as to why he promptly exited ministry. The lack of details in this case is disturbing. He has made a short public statement saying that he has resigned but as for now and the foreseeable future, he will be saying nothing more out of respect for his family. Unfortunately, this lack of forthcoming information would lead me to believe he has done something that would bring shame to himself, his family, and ultimately the Kingdom. I have to confess that I do not know for sure that this is the case but the circumstances certainly point in that direction.
In times like these, God reminds me to take inventory of my own life. I realize that I am susceptible to falling because I am human. My humanity means that I am sinful. When we fall, the enemy gains a little more ground. We have given him more than enough to work with to bring destruction to us. We have got to take this battle seriously. Eternity hangs in the balance.
Men perish. We are fallen. The enemy loves nothing more than to bring the crowns of our mighty men to us to remind us just how easily we can be defeated. No matter how mighty the man, we must realize that the enemy is mightier. No man-made defenses will stand against the onslaught of our adversary. That is why we have been given weapons of war.
The prevailing weapons of war are Godly weapons. God's might is incomparable. Ephesians 6 describes these weapons. We have the Belt of Truth, the Breastplate of Righteousness, Boots of Readiness that come from the Gospel of Peace, the Shield of Faith, the Helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. These weapons of war WILL NOT PERISH! It is imperative that we all take advantage of this combat gear afforded to us before we, like many other mighty men, fall. El-Gibhor will not be defeated and if we take on His strength, power, and might, neither will we.
Thursday, May 24, 2018
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Our Common Enemy
In John 17 Jesus exclaims no less than five times that He desires for His church to be united as one. He is praying to the Father and in verses 22-23 Jesus proclaims, "The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one. I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me." These are remarkable words. Jesus prays that we can experience the same holy fellowship with each other that He enjoys with the Father. He then explains that this unity would show the world that the Father loves people as much as He loves the Son. Can you imagine that love? Do you realize that our Father God loves us as much as He loves Jesus.
War is an atrocious thing. Some have even said that war is good for absolutely nothing. Sure there are just wars. Certainly we must fight against tyranny and terrorism. Our exceptional nation has been formed and reformed through war. No war has ever had an effect on our nation like our own Civil war. Many factors play into why the South lost the Civil war but one important factor in why they lost the war was division amid the Confederacy. It has been noted that both Governor Joseph E. Brown of Georgia and Governor Zebulon Vance of North Carolina appeared to be more concerned with their own power than the Confederacy. They withheld arms and men from the army so they could strengthen their own State Militias.
I was born and raised in the south and I love many of our traditions, but before I go on in this, I must say that I believe God finds slavery and racism abominable. I do not write from the position of a pro-Confederate. I believe God, in His unique sovereignty and providence, led us through that terrible time to make us the great nation that we are today. What I am stating, however, is that the war may have ended differently if the south was united in its efforts to fight the north.
The same is true in the church. We must realize that we have a common enemy. We are not at odds with each other. Throughout the centuries from the very beginning of the church there have been divisions. Such divisions have led to denominationalism, the Reformation, and even worship-wars. People have been divided over the color of carpet in the sanctuary to what kind of music should be played in the worship service. We must come to terms with the fact that when we are in-fighting, our adversary is gaining ground. As long as there are people in the church, there will be disagreements and differences in opinion. It is the task of the body of Christ to work through these differences in order to benefit the Kingdom. Each individual in the Family of God has been given unique talents and perspectives that when combined with the talents and perspectives of the rest of the body, create a beautiful mosaic of unity in Christ.
In Ephesians, Paul writes, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." We must go into battle! We have to fight valiantly and bravely! We most certainly have a war on our hands...but it is not with each other. We have a common enemy and his name is Satan.
War is an atrocious thing. Some have even said that war is good for absolutely nothing. Sure there are just wars. Certainly we must fight against tyranny and terrorism. Our exceptional nation has been formed and reformed through war. No war has ever had an effect on our nation like our own Civil war. Many factors play into why the South lost the Civil war but one important factor in why they lost the war was division amid the Confederacy. It has been noted that both Governor Joseph E. Brown of Georgia and Governor Zebulon Vance of North Carolina appeared to be more concerned with their own power than the Confederacy. They withheld arms and men from the army so they could strengthen their own State Militias.
I was born and raised in the south and I love many of our traditions, but before I go on in this, I must say that I believe God finds slavery and racism abominable. I do not write from the position of a pro-Confederate. I believe God, in His unique sovereignty and providence, led us through that terrible time to make us the great nation that we are today. What I am stating, however, is that the war may have ended differently if the south was united in its efforts to fight the north.
The same is true in the church. We must realize that we have a common enemy. We are not at odds with each other. Throughout the centuries from the very beginning of the church there have been divisions. Such divisions have led to denominationalism, the Reformation, and even worship-wars. People have been divided over the color of carpet in the sanctuary to what kind of music should be played in the worship service. We must come to terms with the fact that when we are in-fighting, our adversary is gaining ground. As long as there are people in the church, there will be disagreements and differences in opinion. It is the task of the body of Christ to work through these differences in order to benefit the Kingdom. Each individual in the Family of God has been given unique talents and perspectives that when combined with the talents and perspectives of the rest of the body, create a beautiful mosaic of unity in Christ.
In Ephesians, Paul writes, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." We must go into battle! We have to fight valiantly and bravely! We most certainly have a war on our hands...but it is not with each other. We have a common enemy and his name is Satan.
Monday, March 26, 2018
The Reason We Live
I grew up in the church. Although I am a young man, I have a deep appreciation for classic hymns. Honestly, I really like many types of music and I love modern worship music but my childhood was marked by the singing of the hymns. One of my favorite hymns was "Because He Lives."
Just read the words of this great expression of our faith:
God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
And then one day, I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to victory,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
The words of this song are so soothing to my soul. I went to that empty grave in Jerusalem. I saw it with my own two eyes. I testify that it is indeed empty. It stands empty to prove that my Savior LIVES!!!
People are in a war with pain. Way too many of our neighbors struggle with facing today; much less tomorrow. So many people that you interact with on a daily basis are filled with fear. The person next door may not have a clue what the future holds and are so full of dread that they just can't seem to get out of bed in the morning. So many people are choosing ways out of this life because they have discovered that it is not worth living.
As Christians, this is our song! Sing it! Sing it loudly! Sing it at the top of your lungs! Sing it from the rooftops! Tell this lost, dying, desperate world that there is a LIVING Savior. Tell them that life is worth the living, Just Because He Lives!
Just read the words of this great expression of our faith:
God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
And then one day, I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to victory,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
The words of this song are so soothing to my soul. I went to that empty grave in Jerusalem. I saw it with my own two eyes. I testify that it is indeed empty. It stands empty to prove that my Savior LIVES!!!
People are in a war with pain. Way too many of our neighbors struggle with facing today; much less tomorrow. So many people that you interact with on a daily basis are filled with fear. The person next door may not have a clue what the future holds and are so full of dread that they just can't seem to get out of bed in the morning. So many people are choosing ways out of this life because they have discovered that it is not worth living.
As Christians, this is our song! Sing it! Sing it loudly! Sing it at the top of your lungs! Sing it from the rooftops! Tell this lost, dying, desperate world that there is a LIVING Savior. Tell them that life is worth the living, Just Because He Lives!
Sunday, March 11, 2018
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
Sin Is Serious But So Is Redemption
Today is a significant day. Today the world lost a one-of-a-kind man of God. Billy Graham has gone on to be with the Lord Jesus. This is a day of mourning and a day of rejoicing.
One thing that will live on for all of eternity is the legacy of Billy Graham. His name is a household name. He has built a powerful organization. Thousands of people have been touched by his life. What matters most, however, is that Billy Graham loved Jesus.
His daughter, Anne Graham Lotz, said that around sixty percent of her childhood, her father was not present. She felt as though she had been raised in a single-parent household. Way too many of our children can relate all too closely. For Anne, though, her father was out spreading a message of hope for the world. He was leveraging his life for something that was far more important than himself. Anne understood why her father was not there and it inspired her. She has become an outstanding evangelist herself and is rejoicing that her father is at home with the heavenly Father. His passing spurred her on to rededicate her life to sharing the good news of the Gospel just as he did.
One of the prevailing truths that Billy Graham consistently shared throughout his ministry was that of John 14:6, "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life, No one comes to the Father except through me.'" Graham believed with all of his heart that Jesus was the only way and he stopped at nothing to tell everyone he came in contact with this simple truth. In that message, Graham told of a Jesus who is passionate about his people. A Jesus who loves mightily. A Jesus who forgives a repentant heart unconditionally. A Jesus whose death paid for the redemption of sin for the whole world. A Jesus whose resurrection was the final death blow to death.
Our world is a dark place. Within the last week, we have heard the news of another unspeakable tragedy at a high school in Parkland, FL. It is easy to get entangled in the evil of the world and become despondent. Billy Graham spoke of a Jesus that was ready, willing, and able to redeem the world. One of the most publicized presidential scandals of my lifetime was that of the Clinton/Lewinsky affair. While most people that I knew then were ready to condemn Bill Clinton for what he had done in office, Billy Graham contacted him and told him of the hope found in Christ. Bill Clinton said that Billy Graham took sin seriously but that he took redemption even more seriously.
Sin must be taken seriously and the serious follower of Christ will stand against evil and darkness. However, what the world needs now more than ever is what Jesus came to give it...redemption. It is easy to cast stones at evil but Jesus challenged only those without sin to cast the stones. I am a sinner saved only by grace and I am thankful for Jesus who redeemed me and I am thankful for men like Billy Graham who spent their life reminding me and everyone else that God is "not wishing that any should perish but that all should reach repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)
One thing that will live on for all of eternity is the legacy of Billy Graham. His name is a household name. He has built a powerful organization. Thousands of people have been touched by his life. What matters most, however, is that Billy Graham loved Jesus.
His daughter, Anne Graham Lotz, said that around sixty percent of her childhood, her father was not present. She felt as though she had been raised in a single-parent household. Way too many of our children can relate all too closely. For Anne, though, her father was out spreading a message of hope for the world. He was leveraging his life for something that was far more important than himself. Anne understood why her father was not there and it inspired her. She has become an outstanding evangelist herself and is rejoicing that her father is at home with the heavenly Father. His passing spurred her on to rededicate her life to sharing the good news of the Gospel just as he did.
One of the prevailing truths that Billy Graham consistently shared throughout his ministry was that of John 14:6, "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life, No one comes to the Father except through me.'" Graham believed with all of his heart that Jesus was the only way and he stopped at nothing to tell everyone he came in contact with this simple truth. In that message, Graham told of a Jesus who is passionate about his people. A Jesus who loves mightily. A Jesus who forgives a repentant heart unconditionally. A Jesus whose death paid for the redemption of sin for the whole world. A Jesus whose resurrection was the final death blow to death.
Our world is a dark place. Within the last week, we have heard the news of another unspeakable tragedy at a high school in Parkland, FL. It is easy to get entangled in the evil of the world and become despondent. Billy Graham spoke of a Jesus that was ready, willing, and able to redeem the world. One of the most publicized presidential scandals of my lifetime was that of the Clinton/Lewinsky affair. While most people that I knew then were ready to condemn Bill Clinton for what he had done in office, Billy Graham contacted him and told him of the hope found in Christ. Bill Clinton said that Billy Graham took sin seriously but that he took redemption even more seriously.
Sin must be taken seriously and the serious follower of Christ will stand against evil and darkness. However, what the world needs now more than ever is what Jesus came to give it...redemption. It is easy to cast stones at evil but Jesus challenged only those without sin to cast the stones. I am a sinner saved only by grace and I am thankful for Jesus who redeemed me and I am thankful for men like Billy Graham who spent their life reminding me and everyone else that God is "not wishing that any should perish but that all should reach repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)
Sunday, January 21, 2018
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)