Sunday, July 11, 2010
July 4 Sermon...
On July 4 I preached "America: Where We've Been, Where We're Headed." Since last Sunday I have had many people e-mail, call or speak to me personally about the message. All thanked me for the courage to preach what must be said if we are to see revival of Christian principles and values in America. Due to the high demand, the audio version of the message has been loaded to the front page of the FBC-Odessa website. You can find the message at http://www.fbcodessa.com/.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Two Words that Change Everything...
I mentioned earlier this week that I would share with you two words that have the power to change everything. Now I realize some of you are rather skeptical. You think this is too good to be true - it is not. You may even be thinking "there is nothing that can change my situation." That, too, is incorrect. So what are the two words? Here they are - "But God!"
Yes, "But God" are the two words I am placing so much stock in that I will brag to my heart's content regarding their substance. These two words are pivotal in that they recognize and give credence to the truth that when God shows up, everything and anything can change. I can prove this sublime truth through Scripture very easily. In Ephesians 2:1-4, the moment/process of salvation is described. Paul explains how before we come to saving faith in Jesus Christ we are totally, completely spiritually dead, having nothing of merit to offer God because dead folks do not offer anything. He explains that we walked according to the ways/patterns of this world, following after Satan, the prince of the power of the air. He finishes describing just how horrible we were before Christ by stating that we were nothing but children of wrath, meaning that in eternity that is all the spiritually dead person can expect to receive from God.
Then, when the truth cannot get any darker, when the story could not be any more horrible, when all seems lost and there is no hope - BUT GOD!
Ephesians 2:4-5 says, "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved." But God showed up! But God sent His one and only Son to the rescue! But God brought about redemption to all who place their faith in Jesus alone. But God... Two incredibly powerful words revealing that no matter how dreadful our situation looks, no matter how horribly hopeless we may feel, no matter the despair that seeks to overcome - But God can deliver!
Now let me see if I can explain this so we all make a connection -
You could ask for millions in hopes that money could make you happy – But God’s grace is far richer.
You could ask for pleasure in hopes that pleasure could make you happy – But God is far better.
You might think you have come to the end of yourself and you see no way out – But God…
You may have tried all cures and you see nothing but a lingering death due to illness – But God…
You may hear people saying your situation is hopeless and there’s no use – But God...
You may be walking through the valley of the shadow of death and expect no joy ever again – But God...
You may be climbing the mountain of happiness and the rope is fraying and ready to break - But God...
You may be leaping like a young calf over good times and the market crashes – But God...
You may have made it to easy street and the workers show up to repave your street – But God...
You may think that the world is unraveling and the future is bleak – But God...
You may fear natural disasters increasing and the entire planet feeling the effect – But God...
When the car breaks down and the washer goes out and there is no money to fix either – But God...
When sales are down, creditors are aggressive, and the bank account is vanishing - But God...
When life is just flat out sorry and you feel it will never change – But God is the ANSWER!
Do you get the picture? Do you understand that in a moment, God can turn your direction? Do you grasp that with a single nod from His sovereign head, God can undo all the pain, heartache, hopelessness, and fear that has come on you.
Why don't you pray and believe that with God all things are possible! Two words that change everything - But God....
Yes, "But God" are the two words I am placing so much stock in that I will brag to my heart's content regarding their substance. These two words are pivotal in that they recognize and give credence to the truth that when God shows up, everything and anything can change. I can prove this sublime truth through Scripture very easily. In Ephesians 2:1-4, the moment/process of salvation is described. Paul explains how before we come to saving faith in Jesus Christ we are totally, completely spiritually dead, having nothing of merit to offer God because dead folks do not offer anything. He explains that we walked according to the ways/patterns of this world, following after Satan, the prince of the power of the air. He finishes describing just how horrible we were before Christ by stating that we were nothing but children of wrath, meaning that in eternity that is all the spiritually dead person can expect to receive from God.
Then, when the truth cannot get any darker, when the story could not be any more horrible, when all seems lost and there is no hope - BUT GOD!
Ephesians 2:4-5 says, "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved." But God showed up! But God sent His one and only Son to the rescue! But God brought about redemption to all who place their faith in Jesus alone. But God... Two incredibly powerful words revealing that no matter how dreadful our situation looks, no matter how horribly hopeless we may feel, no matter the despair that seeks to overcome - But God can deliver!
Now let me see if I can explain this so we all make a connection -
You could ask for millions in hopes that money could make you happy – But God’s grace is far richer.
You could ask for pleasure in hopes that pleasure could make you happy – But God is far better.
You might think you have come to the end of yourself and you see no way out – But God…
You may have tried all cures and you see nothing but a lingering death due to illness – But God…
You may hear people saying your situation is hopeless and there’s no use – But God...
You may be walking through the valley of the shadow of death and expect no joy ever again – But God...
You may be climbing the mountain of happiness and the rope is fraying and ready to break - But God...
You may be leaping like a young calf over good times and the market crashes – But God...
You may have made it to easy street and the workers show up to repave your street – But God...
You may think that the world is unraveling and the future is bleak – But God...
You may fear natural disasters increasing and the entire planet feeling the effect – But God...
When the car breaks down and the washer goes out and there is no money to fix either – But God...
When sales are down, creditors are aggressive, and the bank account is vanishing - But God...
When life is just flat out sorry and you feel it will never change – But God is the ANSWER!
Do you get the picture? Do you understand that in a moment, God can turn your direction? Do you grasp that with a single nod from His sovereign head, God can undo all the pain, heartache, hopelessness, and fear that has come on you.
Why don't you pray and believe that with God all things are possible! Two words that change everything - But God....
Monday, June 7, 2010
Great Day of Worship...
Yesterday was a wonderful day of worship at FBC-Odessa. We shared in the Lord's Supper in both AM services. We've not always had the Lord's Supper in the AM but the response has been phenomenal. It was a sweet time of fellowship around our Lord's table and a great time of remembering what is most important and where our focus should be. Thanks FBC-Odessa for a great day of worship yesterday!
Later this week I plan to post on two words that change everything. Be thinking about what those two words might be. I would be willing to bet what you come up with is not what I'm thinking (unless you were in the worship service last night).
Have a great Monday!
Later this week I plan to post on two words that change everything. Be thinking about what those two words might be. I would be willing to bet what you come up with is not what I'm thinking (unless you were in the worship service last night).
Have a great Monday!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Lord's Supper...
Hey FBC-Odessa folks, we will be having the Lord's Supper in both AM services this Sunday. What a wonderful privilege our Lord gives us as we pull up to His table and remember that which is most important in life. Talk about a sense of community that will be taking place around the Lord's table. Make your plans to be there - you won't regret it!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
A Good Man...
A good man is being laid to rest today. Glen Atkins was a member of FBC-Odessa for many years, having been ordained a deacon in 1967. I was just 5 years old when Glen began serving the Lord as a deacon at the church I pastor. He loved serving the Lord and the Odessa community. He was involved in everything and more connected than probably anybody I know in this city. But what makes Glen so special - and what made my job easy today as I preached his funeral - is that he loved Jesus and was a confident believer who lived his faith. He wasn't perfect, but he was forgiven. What a good man in so many ways.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Summertime and Camp Celebrate...
Summer is here at FBC-Odessa. Today we have a group of 50 preschoolers leaving for three day Camp Celebrate. For most of these it will be there first trip away from mom and dad. They will be taking a charter bus and no doubt the giggles will be abundant. Be praying for Deana and the rest of the adult sponsors on this trip. They are going to have a blast and there will be lives impacted for the Gospel.
Lots of other activities you can pray about are happening this week and in the summer months to come. Stay tuned and I will be dropping them on you right here.
Lots of other activities you can pray about are happening this week and in the summer months to come. Stay tuned and I will be dropping them on you right here.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
The Audacity of American Christianity...
I have been floored (another word for convicted) by the state of Christianity in America. This is not something recent, I have felt this way for quite some time. No, I don't feel this way because of some report I read chronicling the decline of the church. I also do not feel this way because I have read a book that has told me what I "ought" to think. I feel as I do because of what I have observed with my eyes and because I seek to correctly discern the times in which I live. I feel this way also because I have studied the Gospel of Jesus Christ and do not see an overwhelming resemblance between American Christianity and the scriptural model provided. With that understanding, I am disturbed by the audacity of American Christianity for several reasons. First, I often wonder why the majority of Christians' walk does not seem to match their talk. They will utter words that sound like they are right on target with the Gospel, living for Jesus, but their walk will be just the opposite. This is concerning on many different levels. It causes alarms to go off in this pastor's heart regarding those who profess a salvation in Christ but produce no resulting change in lifestyle. It is totally incomprehensible to me that when the God of all creation brings salvation into a life that the person will not be radically changed. If a gospel has so little power that a sinner is not changed by it so that they continually grow in their reflection of Christ, it must not be the Gospel that is taught in Scripture. So, first, I am alarmed because I see so little life-change transpiring in American Christianity.
Second, I am concerned because my eyes have been opened to a growing level of self-indulgent Christianity in America. The main goal in coming to worship is not about glorifying God, but rather it seems to be about getting temporal needs met. We do not seek Him out of a poverty of self; we seek Him out of an overflowing wealth of self-sufficiency. There is so little dependency upon God that one must truly ask if we really even need “another god" in our lives at all. His is the "bit" part in the movie of our lives where we have cast ourselves as the star. So, for this reason and others, lost America is asking "who needs God, especially your God?" Why would they need conversion when their life and those who profess Christ look so similar? It is incongruent that God desires dependency and reliance upon Him from His children and yet continue to bless lives overflowing with self-indulgence.
Third, I fear the reproach that comes with ignoring the plight of the poor who live around us. I have been convicted lately that we in America have so very much and yet we give so very little. Yes, it is true that 20% or less of church members give 80% or more of the money needed to fund the work of the Lord in the local church. We have so much and yet we spend the money only on that which supports our ostentatious lifestyles. While preaching this past Sunday I stated that "most people in this world could live a better life if they just lived off of the garbage we throw away in the dumpster weekly." I am convicted by my own statement; I am also alarmed that most were not.
What is going to happen to the Church in America? Only God ultimately knows, but I have an idea what will happen if revival tarries. If there is not a turning back to the Lord in the form of a great spiritual awakening we can expect God's absolute removal of His hand of blessing on our nation (some would say this has already happened). We can expect our self-sufficiency tried, tested and ultimately proven a failure. We can expect our self-indulgence to cease because there will be a reversal of fortune like never before in the world. We can expect to join the ranks of those we barely tolerate who have so little and are among the poor in America. We are at a crossroads. We are at a turning point. We are at a fork in the road and God is watching to see the path we will take. The audacity of American Christianity... where will it end?
Second, I am concerned because my eyes have been opened to a growing level of self-indulgent Christianity in America. The main goal in coming to worship is not about glorifying God, but rather it seems to be about getting temporal needs met. We do not seek Him out of a poverty of self; we seek Him out of an overflowing wealth of self-sufficiency. There is so little dependency upon God that one must truly ask if we really even need “another god" in our lives at all. His is the "bit" part in the movie of our lives where we have cast ourselves as the star. So, for this reason and others, lost America is asking "who needs God, especially your God?" Why would they need conversion when their life and those who profess Christ look so similar? It is incongruent that God desires dependency and reliance upon Him from His children and yet continue to bless lives overflowing with self-indulgence.
Third, I fear the reproach that comes with ignoring the plight of the poor who live around us. I have been convicted lately that we in America have so very much and yet we give so very little. Yes, it is true that 20% or less of church members give 80% or more of the money needed to fund the work of the Lord in the local church. We have so much and yet we spend the money only on that which supports our ostentatious lifestyles. While preaching this past Sunday I stated that "most people in this world could live a better life if they just lived off of the garbage we throw away in the dumpster weekly." I am convicted by my own statement; I am also alarmed that most were not.
What is going to happen to the Church in America? Only God ultimately knows, but I have an idea what will happen if revival tarries. If there is not a turning back to the Lord in the form of a great spiritual awakening we can expect God's absolute removal of His hand of blessing on our nation (some would say this has already happened). We can expect our self-sufficiency tried, tested and ultimately proven a failure. We can expect our self-indulgence to cease because there will be a reversal of fortune like never before in the world. We can expect to join the ranks of those we barely tolerate who have so little and are among the poor in America. We are at a crossroads. We are at a turning point. We are at a fork in the road and God is watching to see the path we will take. The audacity of American Christianity... where will it end?
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