Category Archives: Uncategorized

Barriers to Church Growth #7 (Self-honoring Giving)

A very revealing study was done, leading to a book detailing how 300 churches went from declining or dying, to growing. In Comeback Churches, written by Ed Stetzer and Mike Dodson, there is a list of 30 different barriers to church growth. Having received permission from the publisher (B&H Publishing Group), I would like to discuss a different barrier each week.

“People think of giving as being for their own honor.”

Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.” – Matthew 6:2-4 KJV

I don’t have a problem with buildings, wings of buildings, rooms, sanctuaries, pews, or stained-glass windows being named in honor of people. It’s when those people give money in order have their names put on those things.

One of the most commonly used complaints against the church is, “They only want your money.” Just throw a rock into any crowd and the chances are high that you’ll hit a disgruntled, self-proclaimed atheist who thinks that way.

But even though most churches aren’t all about money (if they were, then why are so many struggling with tight budgets?), there are some folk within the church that like others to know how much money they have. These are the ones who pay the bills, and everybody knows it.

Jesus spoke of those who give just to be seen. I know people like that. They don’t give anonymously, heaven forbid. No, they hold a new conference and write an over-sized, four-foot-long check to the church, while posing for the camera.

These are the people who think they have more say-so in the congregation of believers. They think they have earned the right. Some even give in order to purchase titles, such as “prophet.” What’s worse, that very practice is applauded within a particular denomination. How sad.

What we need are more people who are willing to give because they love the Lord, not praise. I love the scene in Facing the Giants where a wealthy man gives the coach a new truck. Then he looks over at his son and says something like, “Don’t you say a word.” Now THAT’S what I’m talking about!

God gives to us so that we can give to Him. When it is money that we give, it is to be for His glory, not ours. So, if you want recognition, why not wait a little while for the kind that will come from your Heavenly Father?

The praise of men is worthless, if not simply envy in disguise. 

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Newsboys United. Wow!

I just wanted to share this post from i4Daily (my other blog). But I’m also attaching a link to Peter Furler’s salvation story (from a few years ago). If you are unsure of your relationship with God, please watch it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFg-5iIBjRI

Anthony Baker's avatari4 Daily

Last night I was blessed to attend a very special concert in Nashville, TN.

It was the Newsboys United Tour.

What made it special were several things. First, seeing all the original members of the Newsboys together on stage, including Phil Joel and Peter Furler…the old songs sung by the original band!!! Yay!!!!

Second, Nashville is home for several of the Newsboys guys, so this performance was more personal. For example, it was Phil Joel’s daughter (a freshman at Lipscomb University) who introduced his group, Zealand, that opened up for the Newsboys.

My youngest daughter got a picture with Peter Furler’s wife, for crying out loud.

Then last, but not least, I got to attend this concert with my wife and daughters (except for the one who’s in SC). It was great for all of us to sing along to “God’s Not Dead” and the “breakfast” song as a family…

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Sanctuary Sundown

Anthony Baker's avatari4 Daily

Don’t let the sun set on little churches like this!

Small congregations are just as important as large ones. However, sometimes it’s hard to find the finances to keep the doors open.

We’re not talking needing money for new jets or luxury homes; electricity, insurance, community ministry have costs.

South Soddy Baptist Church is one of those little churches that could use some help. If you would like to help in it’s time of need, go to SouthSoddyBaptist.org and click on the “Donate Online” tab.

Don’t let the sun set on this little church.

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Caption This :-)

I’m in the process of reawakening my creative side by reviving my old blog i4Daily.
I hope you get a kick out of the pictures 🙂

Anthony Baker's avatari4 Daily

While visiting a music store (Fiddlers Anonymous) to hear some bluegrass music, my daughter Katie was approached by the owner of the establishment’s dog.

The dog was in-your-face friendly!

But, you know, we Americans do like to maintain a little more space between noses, LOL!

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I pray every one of you has a great day, today. Try to find a place to corporately worship with other believers. If you’re ever in Soddy Daisy, TN, I’d like to invite you to visit us at South Soddy Baptist. #southsoddybaptist

Anthony Baker's avatari4 Daily

“The true preacher, preaching with every drop of his lifeblood and with every spark of his understanding of the Word of God, has an unction from heaven itself. His feet may tremble but the rock upon which he stands shall abide forever.” W. A. Criswell

My pulpit at South Soddy Baptist

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Observant vs Oblivious

It’s been a long time since I regularly posted to i4Daily … it’s been a long time since I had an iPhone 4s, too. But, who knows, maybe it’s time to crank it up again. Let me know what you think.

Anthony Baker's avatari4 Daily

This is Jack and Mona (I’m not crazy about the “Mona” name, but that’s what my daughter named her).

Jack is a Chiweenie (sp?). Mona is supposedly a Chorkie. Jack has been going on Saturday-morning breakfast rides for years, but this was Mona’s first.

Notice how that Jack is sitting all proper and face-forward, while Mona is more interested in what I’m doing with my feet and hands as I drive.

Jack knows the destination, but Mona does not.

Sometimes, when the struggles of life want to drag us down, we need to be reminded that we have a purpose and a destination.

Prophetically speaking of the Messiah to come, Jesus, the prophet Isaiah wrote:

For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. – Isaiah 50:7

Looking…

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Beware Of The Fall!

This right here is wisdom every one of us should heed, especially those of us who are “pillars” in our communities, i.e., pastors.

Pastor Randy's avatarKingdom Pastor

Falling.  Not the “trip over the rug” falling.  Not the missed the curb falling.  I’m talking about real falling–the moral and spiritual falling.  Last week I heard that a friend, colleague, and fellow pastor fell, and fell hard.  Now those of you who are close friends, please do not ask me who or where–because I will not tell you.  My friend and fellow pastor and his family are going through the unimaginable right now and such details will do nothing to bring healing and restoration, for them and that congregation.

I remember way back, the Jimmy Swaggert event.  And I remember thinking and saying, “Well, what should you expect from someone who considers themselves a superstar in the church?”  I know, I know, that was not very gracious, merciful or kind.  Truthfully, it was very self-righteous on my part.  Add to that, the recent fall of Bill Hybels.  I’ve heard…

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by | September 25, 2018 · 10:36 pm

Heaven or Hell?

This reminds me of a song by Natalie Grant that I’ve heard a lot over the past couple of months: “More than Anything.” Below are the lyrics to the chorus:
Help me want the Healer
More than the healing
Help me want the Saviour
More than the saving
Help me want the Giver
More than the giving
Oh help me want You Jesus
More than anything

I think Mitch Teemley’s words fit right in with that sentiment.

mitchteemley's avatarMitch Teemley

my_heaven_is_your_hell_by_r3v4n

Heaven is often represented as a reward, a perfect place for the righteous to dwell in. But it’s not the reward I seek. I’d rather be in Hell with God than in Heaven without Him. Of course, that’s not possible, because it’s his presence that makes Heaven Heaven. My goal is not his presents.

It’s his Presence.

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Life Lessons from the School Bus #7 (Try the Spirits)

I’m no longer driving a school bus (I’m working with Aflac! Call me!), but I would still encourage you to buy a copy of my book and share it with others. Here is one of the 20 stories you’ll find. Enjoy.

“Stripped”

Bob “Apple” Smith, a bus driver for the county, has a lot to explain. A quick look at his bus will let you know why. It is stripped. Stripped of EVERYTHING!

According to Bob, shortly after dropping off the last of his children, he made a quick “personal” stop. It was during his “personal” stop, which took longer than he anticipated (probably due to the excessive amount of jalapeños Bob insisted to be put on his eggs for breakfast), that vandals supposedly stripped his 88-passenger ThomasBuilt bus.

“Once I was finally able to finish my business,” Bob said, “I went back outside and said, ‘I’ll be d—-d!‘” He went on to say, “Those little hoodlums worked quicker than piranhas on a pig!”

The Link

No wonder, Bob had parked his bus in one the most notorious places in town. For months the police have been answering calls from stranded motorist who could do nothing more than cry after doing their “personal” business. Fortunately, an unbelievable link may have been found.

After investigators did some research, Bob was not the only one who had eaten eggs at a particular diner on Downtown Street. It seems that more than one patron of “Slick Sam’s” had eaten eggs before having to stop just blocks away to make an emergency “deposit.” Coincidentally, those same patrons had their automobiles stripped.

The only problem for Mr. Smith is the additional time it would have taken to strip the large bus. Some are questioning whether or not there may be seeds of deceit at his “Apple” core. It was not long ago another driver, Margaret “Snoopy” Jones, overheard Bob say, “I am tired of this job, but I’m not going to quit without getting a medal.” Ms. Jones insists he was speaking code, meaning “metal” when he said “medal.” This is still under investigation, but questionable, however.  It seems that  Ms. Jones has a record of saying, “Bob was always the ‘bad Apple’ in the bus driver barrel.”

Life Lesson

For heaven’s sake, don’t believe everything you read.

A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps. – Proverbs 14:15 NIV

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. – 1 John 4:1 KJV

Sometimes things like this can be seen as funny (I hope), but many are sadly deceived in issues that have eternal significance.  The Bereans did not even take the Apostle Paul’s words at face value. They “tried” his words by comparing them to Scripture (Acts 17:10-11).  You see, no buses got stripped by vandals, and you could easily prove this by doing a little research. As matter of fact, the bus in the picture was stripped, but only for spare parts (it had an engine fire that made it too expensive to fix). But so many people will take anyone’s word, believe any hearsay, hold to any old rumor or fable, rather than take the “noble” route of the Bereans and “search the Scripture.”

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What Underground Churches Don’t Worry About

In a sermon I preached not long ago, I made mention of the fact that you never see “First Baptist,” “Methodist,” or “Community Non-Denominational” plastered above an underground church. When all one wants to do is worship God without being imprisoned or killed, denominational distinction is one of the least of their worries.

That led me to think of other things that an underground church might not worry about:

  • The color of the carpet
  • The font on the church bulletin
  • Whether or not they sing a hymn or a praise song
  • Whether or not the pulpit is made of wood or etched glass
  • Cassette tapes or CD’s
  • Bible Versions
  • Post-graduate or seminary training
  • Projection screens
  • Padded pews
  • Pews
  • A family activity building
  • Gold or silver communion accessories
  • How long the worship lasts
  • What people wear
  • Parking
  • Youth activities
  • Revival Meetings

No, I don’t think underground churches ever have time to worry about all these things. They are more concerned with fellowship, encouragement, prayer, reading God’s Word in any version they can get their hands on, and staying alive.

Yet, it would seem we think we are closer to God than the underground, persecuted church because, after all, we have more things to worry about.

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. Jesus  (John 17:20-21)

Maybe we should concentrate more on what really matters…”that the world may believe.”

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