Tag Archives: Religion
If You Have Honest Questions, Why Not Ask?
Filed under Apologetics, Bible Study, Christianity, Faith
Only a Few
I was thinking of something new to write for tomorrow, specifically in memory of D-Day. The only thing that keeps coming to mind is “only a few.”
Now, the first thing that sounds like is “The Few, the Proud, the Marines.” Maybe that’s why I hearing those words in my head, you think?
On the other hand, it could come from the idea that all it takes is “only a few.” You know, like those Marines, or a few initial protestors, or even the miniscule 200 in the upper room that became the Christian Church.
Sometimes all it takes is a few people to make a difference, even to change the world.
By the Numbers
But when I look back at June 6th, 1944, there were far more than “only a few” who stormed those beaches. Far more.
- 156,000 troops or paratroopers came ashore that day alone.
- 195,700 naval personnel were used.
- By the end of June 11th (D+5), 326,527 military personnel had come ashore.
From Yahoo News: “The First U.S. Army, accounting for the first twenty-four hours in Normandy, tabulated 1,465 killed, 1,928 missing, and 6,603 wounded. The after-action report of U.S. VII Corps (ending 1 July) showed 22,119 casualties including 2,811 killed, 5,665 missing, 79 prisoners, and 13,564 wounded, including paratroopers.”
Also from Yahoo News: “German sources vary between four thousand and nine thousand D-Day casualties on 6 June—a range of 125 percent. Field Marshal Erwin Rommel’s report for all of June cited killed, wounded, and missing of some 250,000 men, including twenty-eight generals.
What’s the point?
Sometimes all we need are “a few good men.”
On the other hand, there are times when “only a few” good men (and/or women) just isn’t enough.
Today, June 5th, we live in a world with battles raging. Yes, there are physical conflicts in play in various places, but there are other battlegrounds, too.
- The fight for religious liberty and freedom of speech
- The fight over personal liberty without constant government overreach
- The fight over personal conscience with regard to changing social norms
- The fight for the right to defend oneself
- The fight for our nation’s moral conscience, dignity, and very sovereignty
There is even the battle for the survival of the local rural church congregation due to COVID-induced “couch worship.”
People, we need more than “only a few,” we need all hands on deck.
When you storm beaches, numbers matter.
Filed under America, Christianity, Culture Wars
You Might Be a Fool If…
April 1st
Happy April Fools Day!…or, happy Atheists Day!…whichever you prefer.
You know, even though atheists think we are being smug and “snarky” by quoting Psalm 14:1, I believe the one who insists there is no God really is a fool.
But what I think matters little in the scheme of things. What matters is what God thinks.
That is why I came up with this list.
Defining a Fool
What is a fool? Believe it or not, Scripture lists several characteristics of a foolish person. The following is not an exhaustive list, but it’s a good start.
So, why not do this Jeff Foxworthy-style?
You might be a fool if…
- You are always right in your own eyes (Proverbs 12:15).
- You despise instruction (Proverbs 1:7; 15:5).
- You are unteachable (Proverbs 17:10; 23:9; 26:11)
- You’re always running your mouth, getting into trouble (Proverbs 18:6-7; 29:11).
- You are always trying to find yourself (Proverbs 18:2).
- You make fun of sin (Proverbs 14:9).
- You’re always meddling in other people’s business (Proverbs 20:3).
- You are a shame and a burden to your parents (Proverbs 17:25).
- You deny the obvious because the truth is inconvenient (Romans 1:18-22).
- You deny Jesus because you think the cross is foolish (1 Corinthians 1:18).
Don’t be a fool.
Filed under Christian Maturity, General Observations, Life Lessons, Preaching
What is “Good Preaching”?
Today is Sunday, and many of you will be going to church somewhere (or watching online). So here is a question:
Does the “preaching” part of the service have anything to do with your decision?
There are many opinions as to what constitutes “good” preaching. Some prefer a preacher who spits and hollers, bangs the pulpit, and makes that little “huh” sound between every amplified phrase. Others prefer the professor/preacher who reads from a manuscript in a mono-tone, non-offensive, Winnie the Pooh-like voice.
Either way, what we are talking about is delivery, not substance.
Does delivery matter?
When Paul told Timothy to pay close attention to his doctrine (1 Timothy 4:16) and to “preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:2), content was the issue. However, if a sermon is poorly delivered, the efforts of the preacher could be nullified. If the hearer is distracted, bored, offended, lulled to sleep, or has his ear drums wounded, what is the point?
In my opinion, good preaching is preaching that contains solid, biblical content, but also keeps the audience engaged. One should never discount the importance of the power of the Spirit working through the weakness of men (1 Cor. 2:4; 2 Cor. 12:9). But, as ambassadors of the King (2 Cor. 5:20) who have been charged by our Sovereign to “compel” (persuade) hungry souls to come to His table (Luke 14:23), shouldn’t how we say what we say be important?
It is reported that Abraham Lincoln preferred listening to preachers who looked like they were swatting at a swarm of bees. In a similar vein, I think it was Charles Wesley who said that a preacher should “put some fire in his sermon, or put his sermon in the fire.”
On the other hand, Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) is said to have read his sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” with a steady, monotone voice, as the audience screamed in terror at the thought of falling into hell. So, delivery shouldn’t matter?
It would make sense that those entrusted with delivering sermons should do so in a manner befitting the “greatest story ever told,” but does delivery make a difference? After all, some of the greatest public speakers of all time were tyrants (Adolph Hitler).
Should delivery be an issue? Should we simply focus on truth?
What about you?
- What type of preaching style do you prefer?
- Has a particular style of sermon delivery ever caused you to tune out to what was being said?
- What suggestions would you like to offer to one just beginning public ministry?
Now, to be fair, below is a link to our church Facebook page and one of the last sermons I preached. It was Sunday morning, last week, on Sanctity of Human Life Sunday.
The preaching starts at around the 11-minute mark.
In your objective opinion, how would you describe my style in this sermon? Did my delivery enhance or distract from the subject of the sermon?
Ultimately, no sermon, no matter how well it’s delivered, can change hearts and minds and lives without the power of the Holy Spirit. Even the worst preacher, filled with God’s power, can be the most effective. In reality, one’s supreme goal should be for God to be heard and the preacher to be forgotten.
Yet, we are human, aren’t we? We should always want to strive to do better. Even Elijah presided over a “prophet’s school” (1 Samuel 19:18-24).*
Click on the picture for link to sermon on Facebook.
*Just be careful when you talk about my bald head 😉
Christmas IS the Gospel
This month will see a lot of Christmas sermons preached, and if you actually go to church somewhere, you might actually get to hear some 😉
But if you aren’t planning on attending any church services this December, or if you just can’t get enough of sermons on the subject of Christmas, I would encourage you to listen to the one I’m attaching below.
Several years ago (2012) while pastoring at another church, I delivered a sermon entitled “Christmas Is the Gospel.” It was recorded on my iPhone that was sitting on the pulpit, so don’t expect too high a quality of production.
Why did the angels tell the shepherds what they are about to hear was “good tidings”? Pick up a Bible and turn to the book of Luke, chapter two, and follow along.
Listen: Christmas IS the Gospel
And remember, “sharing” is caring 🙂
“In Such a Time as This…”
Let’s Begin With a Comment
A reader named Stephen decided to throw in his two cents in response to a recent post called “He Will Be My President.” Before we go any further, I’d like to share it with you.
Talk is cheap and you got a website dedicated to it.
I get the feeling it won’t take long for the hypocrite in you to come out, but you’ll justify yourself in your hypocrisy. It’s what religious people do.
Reeds in the wind, flailing about trying hard to show the world just how saved you are.
Keep working at it, your salvation is near.
If you would like to read my follow-up to Mr. Stephen’s comment, you can go to the comment section of that post. For now, I want to direct you to the video below.
A 3-Pointer
It’s not that often I preach a classic three-point sermon, but this is one I would ask you watch. The subject of the sermon this past Sunday morning was how to move forward in “such a time as this.”
I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, even if they are like the one above.
The Ministry In Thessalonica
Tonight I went into full teaching mode with attitude!
Wow! I just LOVE Acts, and chapter 17 is one of my favorites.
Get a glimpse inside my Sunday nights as you watch this Facebook live edition of me preaching/teaching through Acts 17:1-9.
www.facebook.com/bethlehembaptistwarthen/videos/2893988174156335/
Filed under baptist, Bethlehem Baptist Church, Bible Study, Church, Jesus, ministry, Preaching, Uncategorized
Does Jesus Care?
Watch the sermon from last Sunday and find out 🙂
But here’s a hint…. YES!
You Might Be a Sinner If…
(L-R) My paternal great grandfather and grandfather.
I’m a Redneck
Yes, I confess. I am a redneck, especially considering how burned my neck is after standing out in the sun for five+ hours. Which leads me to ask a question of myself…why do I never remember sun screen unless I go to a beach?
And I also know that I am a redneck because Jeff Foxworthy told me so. If you remember, Foxworthy’s comic routine made famous the line, “You might be a redneck.” Here are some that I know have applied to me at least once over the 50-plus years of my life.
You might be a redneck if…
- You read the Auto Trader with a highlight pen.
- Every socket in your house breaks a fire code.
- The taillight covers of your car are made of red tape.
- Directions to your house include “Turn off the paved road.”
- Going to the bathroom at night involves shoes and a flashlight.
- You use the term `over yonder’ more than once a month.
I’m a Sinner
Unlike a whole lot of people in this world (and in a world of their own), I can admit that I am a sinner. The only difference is that once I confessed my inability to change my nature, I traded my “filthy rags” for the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:9). Now, I’m still a sinner, but I’m am a saved sinner.
So, based on the actions of Adam and Eve in the third chapter of Genesis, I took a cue from Jeff Foxworthy and came up with my own list of “you might be’s.” From that list I preached a message entitled “You Might Be a Sinner If…”
You might be a sinner if…
- You have ever talked to a Serpent – and taken its advice (v. 2).
- You know the difference between “Naked” and “Necked” (v. 7). Side Note: If you consider fig leaves appropriate attire, you might be a sinner.
- You feel like running when the law shows up (v. 8).
- God is searching for you, and not the other way around (v. 9).
- You feel self-conscious or defensive about anything you’ve ever done (v. 9-10).
- You ever play the “blame game” – Others, “The devil made me do it” (v. 11-13).
- You were born (Romans 5:12).
Change of Status
Some people try on their own to change their status in life. Sometimes rednecks move away from Redneckville in order to become a different person. But what they find out is that Redneckville never left their heart. They still have those same desires to grill Spam and fish with dynamite.
In the same way, many people think, once they finally realize they are sinners, that change can come with a simple change of atmosphere, or the turning over of a new fig leaf.
The fact is that sinners don’t become “saints” on their own. It takes outside intervention.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9
Filed under Christian Living, Christian Maturity, clothing, Humor, Preaching, salvation, self-worth
Just Suppose if Jesus…
My Sunday-night sermon.
Filed under Bethlehem Baptist Church, Bible, Bible Study, Christianity, Church, salvation
The Recovering Legalist 