Tag Archives: preaching

by | January 17, 2015 · 11:44 pm

Saturday Night Prayer

Lord Jesus,

Thank you so much for your mercy and grace! Thank you for loving me, despite everything about me that I’d despise, if I were you. But I’m not You, and I’m glad.

Lord, I’ve been reading and studying Your Word, and I believe I know what it is you’d have me to say to us tomorrow. But even though I think I know, only You know for sure what we need. Please use me as Your mouthpiece to say what’s on Your heart.

I know I’m human. I confess that there will come a point tomorrow when I’ll want to insert my own two cents. If I do, please make sure Your image is on the coins; my currency is worthless.

Lord, don’t let me waste any one’s time in the morning, please. Preach through me in spite of myself. We want to hear You, not me. These are good people who could be going other places, doing other things, or resting in; don’t let me be the reason for them wishing they were some place else.

I want to feel Your presence. I want to be bold, fearless. I need your Spirit to strengthen me, to give my words authority, to break the bread and multiply it, meeting needs I could never supply. Fill me. Possess me. Empower me. Erase me; let them see Jesus.

I’m a sinner, Lord. I’m ashamed of my shortcomings. You deserve more than I’ve given; I’ve held back my all. Help me not to love my self so much, oh God. Help me to love you, to thirst for you, to be enraptured by YOU! If my love for You is lacking, so will be my preaching. Forgive me of my adulterous heart that is prone to wander from Your embrace. I’m ashamed! But You forgive! I’m unworthy!!

Oh that your pulpit will be a lighthouse! May the Light be bright! Guide our folks away from what endangers them! Only You know what they are facing next week.

A lion is seeking whom he may devour, Lord. I hate that scoundrel! He will have his crowd doing their best to hurt, hinder, distract, and all that stuff. Mess him up, Lord! Screw up whatever plans he may have for tomorrow! Keep the fights from getting started. Protect our folk on the road. Protect hearts and minds from temptations that could rob their joy. Despite the devil’s best efforts, help the ones who want to come to church get here, joy and all intact, ready to worship You!

Lord, I’m going to go to bed, now. May I dream holy dreams, encouraging dreams, dreams that remind me of Your power and majesty. May I wake up already pumped, full of expectation, ready to raise my Sword for battle.

Thank You again, Lord, for this opportunity. I don’t know why You chose me, but I want to make You proud. If I don’t get a single response from a single pew, when the time comes for me to step down, may I hear your Spirit whisper “well done.” Be glorified, Father, in spite of me. And when it’s all said and done, because of You, may the congregation honestly say, “I’m glad we came unto the house of the Lord!”

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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by | January 10, 2015 · 12:50 am

Prayerless and Powerless

The Second Book

Andrew Murray

Andrew Murray

I am now well into the second week of 2015 with one book read and another started. The first book I finished was Donkey Tells a Promise Kept. The book I am reading at this moment is Living a Prayerful Life by Andrew Murray (1828-1917).

If you have never heard of Andrew Murray, he was a South African preacher and pastor (of Scottish decent), but more than anything a prayer warrior. Some of his theology may not sit well with all of us, but one thing is certain: this man had a heart for God like few others.

Quote of the Day

I am not even a quarter of the way through this little book, but there is something I’ve got to share with you. Something Murray wrote is convicting me, stinging me with a pain sharper than any wasp, more like the burn of a red-hot poker to the heart.

The Enemy uses all his power to lead the Christian – and above all, the minister – to neglect prayer. Satan knows that however admirable the sermon may be, however attractive the service, however faithful the pastoral visitation, none of these things can damage him or his kingdom if prayer is neglected. – Andrew Murray (p. 28)

I’m not going to lie – I don’t pray like I should. What a waste! What a sin!

I have preached some pretty good sermons and tried to do all the pastoral stuff, but how much more effective could I have been had I spent more time on my knees and less time at a desk? What if I spent more time talking with Jesus than talking about Him?After all, the whole reason the disciples called for the selecting of deacons was so that they might first give themselves “continually to prayer…” (Acts 6:4).

Preachers, before you worry anymore about your outline for Sunday, your clever illustrations, or your Power Point, spend some more time prostrate before the throne. If we neglect earnest prayer, we’ll have no power, so what’s the point?

One finger pointing, three back at me.

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by | December 29, 2014 · 3:51 pm

Seven Questions To Ask Before Making a Resolution

Bye-Bye 2014

Another year has come and gone. I wish I had more to show for it.

Honestly, 2014 was not so bad of a year, it’s just that I let so much slip by without ever making notes. In other words, if I had kept track of all the blessings afforded me in the past year….well, I’m ashamed that I didn’t. That’s one of the things I am going to try to do better with in the coming year – keeping a journal of good stuff, not just my venting.

So, goodbye 2014. Hello 2015!

Seven Questions

Believe it or not, now’s the time when so many of us prepare to make resolutions for the new year. Because of this, I felt led to preach a sermon in which I posed seven questions: questions we should ask ourselves before we make any new year’s resolutions. The primary text was a prophetic verse from the prophet Isaiah:

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

“Seven Questions To Ask Before Making a Resolution”

  1. Do I need to make any resolutions?

“There is nothing so fatal to character as half-finished tasks.” – David Lloyd George

  1. What has God called me to do? (John 6:38)
  2. Where will I be at this time next year if nothing changes?
  3. What should I do that I know is right, but will cause others to mock me?
  4. Will I be willing to be held accountable?
  5. Will my determination be visible?
  6. Will I rely on my own strength?
  7. To Whom will the glory go when I succeed?

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” – Col. 3:23

 Click on the picture of the church to hear the sermon (edited).

IMG_8558

 

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by | September 22, 2014 · 9:08 am

Revival? What Is It?

Sore Throat

This morning my throat is on fire. Well, it may not be that bad, but it feels rather raw and painful. The reason for the pain is what I did yesterday – preach.

I don’t normally get behind the pulpit and become another Billy Sunday; I’m not that athletic. However, I do believe it’s a shame for a preacher to deliver the good news of God’s love and mercy, the message of the life-changing Gospel, in a dull, mono-tone voice. When one is truly excited about sharing something important, his mannerisms should reflect it. So, I do get excited when I preach, but not quite to the extent of what Abraham Lincoln preferred: a preacher who looked like he was swatting at a swarm of bees! I’m calmer than that, but I do flap around a little.

Anyway, I have had a cold for the last few days. The preaching I did yesterday has left my throat in need of recovery. But it was worth it.

The Message

Yesterday I preached a sermon dealing with what is needed before we have revival. But here is my question to you, dear reader: what is “revival”?

If you would like to take the time, there are various sources from which you can learn of the great revivals of the past. Some were call “awakenings.” But one of the general themes of revival is that the people of God, the Church, becomes revived, awakened, having their intimacy with and their vision of God renewed. This is what I want for myself, my congregation, my town, state, and country.

So, what is revival, and what do you think is necessary for it to take place? I am interested in your thoughts. Let’s discuss it.

If you’d like to listen to the actual service I preached, click on the link below.

“What We Need Before Revival”

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by | July 27, 2014 · 7:34 pm

Recalling Sunday Morning

Dark and early this morning I was feeling discouraged, a little down. I needed to vent a little, to share my feelings in a vulnerable sort of way. Some of you let me know you would be praying, and I appreciated it.

The service went well, the sermon was from the Lord, and I felt the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit as I preached.

Many times, when I am at my weakest, the temptation to feel defeated overwhelms me. What I have a hard time describing is the weighty burden of the task ahead, a task with eternal implications. No one can convince me that in my own strength I can effectively expound the living Word of God and connect with a multi-generational congregation. To do so is akin to feeding 5,000 with just a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish.

That’s why I rely on Jesus.

This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. – Lamentations 3:21-23

 

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by | July 27, 2014 · 1:24 am

Sunday Morning Dread

It is Sunday morning…early Sunday morning. It’s after 1 am in the morning and I am sitting here at my computer not wanting to go to sleep…not wanting to face tomorrow…the sooner I go to sleep, the sooner I must wake up.

Oh, you’ve got to be asking, “Anthony, I thought you were a pastor! Why don’t you want to face Sunday morning?”

Some of you…you know who you are…are reading this and thinking, “I can’t wait to tell somebody so they can tell somebody so they can tell his deacons, he-he-he.” I hope the Lord gives you an incurable case of the fleas.

Others know the struggles, the weariness, and the feelings of inadequacy a pastor endures. A few of you know what we’ve been going through, lately. A few of you understand it’s not about what we can do, but what God can do through us; therefore, encourage one another as you see the day approaching (Heb. 10:25).

But if I know that God will work through me, despite my weakness and frailty, why dread the morning? Why not look forward to the Lord’s day?

It’s because I’m human; I don’t want to fail. Many times the Spirit moves in ways we never see, but men want to see results, numbers, baptisms, etc.

Murmuring wearies me, too. Remember when Moses struck the rock?

But it’s not about me, is it? No, it is about the One who died for me, forgave me, called me, filled me, and wants to use this cracked, tarnished, chipped, and leaky vessel of clay to pour out a blessing unto His flock.

“If the Christian did not sometime suffer heaviness he would begin to grow too proud, and think too much of himself, and become too great in his own esteem.” – Charles H. Spurgeon

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. – 2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV

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by | June 11, 2014 · 6:00 am

In My Father’s Honor

A Strange Day

Today is a strange day. I am alive.

Now, being alive shouldn’t be that big of a deal for most people, but it is to me, especially on THIS day. Today is the anniversary of my father’s death.

Anniversaries of deaths are not uncommon, either. But what makes today unique is that I am the same age that my dad was when he died. He was 46 – I am 46!

I woke up this morning and saw the sun, which is something my daddy never experienced on June 11, 1991 (well, I’m writing this ahead of time, so I hope I will). He woke up and saw the Son, which is something I still long to do.

Tough, Yet Humble

My dad.

My dad.

Those who knew my dad before he became a Christian would testify to the fact that he was no wimp. He knew how to fight, fish, and fire a weapon. Between him and my uncle Don (his brother), there weren’t too many men willing to go toe-to-toe with them.

Yet, once he accepted Christ, he became the perfect example of gentleness, kindness, grace, and compassion. I know of no one any more humble than he was. (Oh, and when his brother finally became a believer in Jesus, the same transformation took place)

Preachers

My dad was a preacher. He might not have been the most eloquent, but he loved the Word and loved telling people about Jesus. Had he been alive today, he would have wept at the state of our nation and where we are going. Above all, he would still be preaching, even harder.

Still Fighting the Good Fight

Still Fighting the Good Fight

I am proud to say that I am carrying on my father’s legacy. I am proud to say that should the Lord allow me to live much longer than my dad, I will continue to preach the Gospel and stand for Truth. As a matter of fact, here is something I recently posted on Facebook.

Backbone, preachers…now’s the time for some honest-to-goodness, strong-as-steel, George S. Patton and John Wayne-like BACKBONE!

I don’t care if you’re Baptist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Nazarene, Methodist, or whatever…MAN UP!! Stand in the gap! Quit being a politically motivated, crowd-pleasing, purse string-tying wimp and PREACH THE WORD!

Check out what’s going on in the world and what’s coming to America. Do you think things are all going to turn out like a big Hillsong praise service if you keep preaching like Joel Osteen?! Folks, what we need now more than ever are some Elijahs, some John the Baptists, some old-school Billy Grahams, some D. L. Moodys, etc. We need more men of God who know the difference between the Word of God and a motivational speech!

Don’t try to be popular. Don’t try to be “cool” and “hip” with the younger generations. Quit fighting over the styles of worship if your congregation doesn’t even know HOW to worship! Forget trying to become more “seeker-friendly,” and just SEEK THE LOST! The world is going to Hell and we are greasing the skids.

Be real. Be humble. Be yourself. Love your enemies. But for the love of God, pastors and preachers, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13). In other words, take off the liberal mom jeans and put on some prophet-worthy overalls and get to work. 

His Voice

I wish all of you could have met my dad, Terry L. Baker. Like my wife noted when she heard a recording, he was about “as country as they come.” Fortunately for all of us, I still have a few recordings of his preaching.

Below is an edited version of a message my dad preached back in 1981. At that time he was doing a radio program on WMOC for a local children’s ministry.

Fittingly, the sermon from my dad, based on Deuteronomy 6:4-7, concerns how to raise a godly family. Tell me if you think he sounds a little like me 😉

All honor and glory be to my Father in Heaven, the One who graciously gifted me with an earthly father who loved Jesus and taught me how to do the same.

 

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by | June 10, 2014 · 6:00 am

Dealing With Temptation (the movie)

I had a whole post all written up, but then I erased it. Ever done that before? Sometimes it’s better to start over from scratch if what was written in the first place was forced.

So, here’s the deal: I can’t justify spending 20 dollars on a WordPress upgrade right now, so I can’t upload any audio directly to my blog. Yeah, it’s only $20, but since school let out for the summer, and since I don’t get paid when I’m not driving a bus, $20 is better spent on the electric bill.

Two Sundays ago I preached a sermon from 1 Corinthians 10:13 entitled, “How to Deal With Temptation.”

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. – 1 Corinthians 10:13

Since I could not upload the audio, I did something different – I made a video and posted it to YouTube. No charge to link a YouTube video 😉

So, if you’d like some suggestions on how to deal with temptation (I hope you know what that is), then watch and listen. Sure, the video is not the greatest, but I tried (and misquoted the Bible, no less).

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by | May 3, 2014 · 10:28 am

Not My Power

Thanks, folks, for the time away. No, it was not that long, but it was a little difficult to stay away from the keyboard. So many things begged for my comments, but other issues were more important.

Let’s face it, my primary responsibility is not to this blog.

So, let’s start back slowly, shall we? Let’s get back into the swing of things with a short thought about an advertisement I received.

Email Ads

I don’t know how it happens, but somehow my email gets flooded with “half-off” offers and all such craziness. Even though I delete cookies, unsubscribe to stuff, and threaten friends, people still send me links to things I can’t afford.

Now, honestly, not all of the ads are worthless. As a matter of fact, if I had the money, I’d take advantage of some of the Groupon offers. With a 20th anniversary coming up, I could use a break on flowers, candy, fake jewelry, etc.

Once, on Facebook, someone sent me a link to a company selling t-shirts. The one that caught their attention was one that read, “I’m a School Bus Driver. What’s your superpower?” I thought that was cool! Alas, I didn’t have $20 to spend on a t-shirt, even though I wanted it.

However, it was not long after the offer for the first t-shirt that I got another offer. This time I wasn’t so happy.

Super Pastor

Dear reader, dear friend, dear occasional stalker, etc., I am not a super hero.

photoFor those of you who may be having this read to you, to the right is a picture of the advertisement as it appeared on my cell phone. It shows a black t-shirt that has printed on the front: “I’m a PASTOR, what’s your SUPERPOWER?”

When I saw this t-shirt, unlike when I saw the one about being school bus driver, it didn’t make me laugh, smile, or even grin; it ticked me off.

Folks, I don’t even joke about this. Pastors are already placed on unwanted pedestals, live in glass houses, and are thought of as superhuman. We, along with our families, are expected to have special powers of some kind, almost like Baptist wizards, impervious to the spells of the dark.

But, we are not special, only our calling is. Pastors are not gifted with superpowers, and to suggest that only adds to the expectation that we can do everything perfectly, never getting tired, never mouthing off to our kids, and always having the right answer for everything.

Super Savior

Folks, the only thing I can say is that God called me to a humbling “profession.” I did not choose to do what I do; He put the desire in my heart. And unlike other careers, like bus driver, fire fighter, school teacher, etc., no amount of education, training, or experience can make us successful at what we pastors do; only the living presence of Jesus can do that.

I have no super power other than the power of Christ within me. As a matter of fact, the weaker I am, the more the “kryptonite” affects me, the more He is able to work through me (Phil. 4:13).

I am only human. I have no super power. All I have is a Super Savior.

And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. – 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 KJV

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by | March 30, 2014 · 10:30 am

Did I Preach That?

How many of you remember Steve Urkel? He was a fictional character on the ABC/CBS television sitcom Family Matters. Aside from being annoying and always capable of messing things up, he had a unique catchphrase: “Did I do that?”

UrkelI was reminded of Urkel when I happened to listed to a sermon I preached last year. You see, I had asked Siri to randomly play music on my iPhone while I was driving (I wasn’t talking). After a few random songs came and went, a sermon I preached a year ago queued up.

I posted this message a while back, but I am going to do it again. As I listed to it I almost had the feeling of listening to a totally different person – not me. It was almost like, “Did I preach that?” But, that’s how the Spirit works sometimes. I may have not needed that message for myself until just yesterday.

The following sermon was recorded while we were remodeling our sanctuary. We held services in our gym. This sermon was second in a series through the book of Ephesians. The part of the sermon that really spoke to me this time was the part towards the end…”But God…”

“The Holy Spirit in Ephesians”

To bring you up to date, I am now doing a study through 1 Corinthians on Sunday evenings at Riverside. The following was preached  on March 23, 2014.

1 Corinthians 2 (Mysteries)

As I see it, I may never be able to travel the world preaching God’s Word, but as long as we still have the internet I’m gonna take advantage of this opportunity. I’m not the greatest preacher, and certainly not the only one you can access online, but at least I’m getting the “message” out to some, right?

God bless you, friends. Have a great Lord’s Day!

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