Sanballet or Barnabas: whose voice do you have?

I am studying Nehemiah 4 for this week's sermon. While looking at the first few verses I was reminded of the power and potential of our words. As work continues on the wall project, the enemies are increasingly angered. Specifically Sanballet was "angry and greatly enraged (v.1)." It is interesting that his initial attack is talk. Because he is enraged, he "jeered at the Jews." He knew that if they were discouraged and if their confidence in God faltered, the work would stop. So he set out on a path to "jeer" them into submission.

On one level it seems silly. Talk should not stop construction. But for anyone who has been hurt by the words of another, we know how a well-timed insult can lay us on the floor. Even though we know this, this kind of talk still fills our relationships and hinders our families and churches. We get angry; we lash out; and the work of God in our lives suffers.

How much better would it be to follow the pattern of Barnabas? When the Gospel spread to the Gentiles, the church sent Barnabas to check it out. Barnabas was "a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith (Acts 11:24)." He went into the church and the first thing that he noticed was grace, which made him glad (v. 23). How many times do you walk into your home or church with eyes that are trained by grace looking for evidence of grace. He probably saw all sorts of less than ideal conditions in the church, but he noticed grace. Thus he was able to "exhort them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose (v. 23)." And "a great many people were added to the Lord (v. 24)."

Do you see the difference? One man used his voice in a vain attempt to stop the work of the Lord; they other to expand it. Every day we have the same opportunity. God has given us a powerful tool by giving us a voice. We can use if for good or evil--to build up or destroy. Perhaps today we will look for ways that God can use our tongues to expand His work in the lives of people. Perhaps today we will forsake words that destroy others and hinder grace. The power of good and evil resides in the tongue. How will you use it?

SBC WRAP-UP

Now that the convention is over, it seemed like a good idea to give my purely subjective reflections on last week's events.

First, it is a good time to be a part of the SBC family. There was a good spirit around the convention. There are, of course, exceptions to the rule (more on that in a moment). But for the most part there was an uncommon unity among the brethren.

Second, the creation of the Great Commission Task Force was a much needed step in the process of becoming a Great Commission denomination. The most contested part of this resolution called for an evaluation of SBC entities to check our efficiency and effectiveness for the gospel. This is a necessary step for both churches and denominations to take to ensure good stewardship and faithfulness to the mission. No one is above correction and improvement. If there is a more effective way to do our part in the Great Commission, let's do it. Evidently the messengers felt the same way and passed the resolution by more than 95%.

Third, the SBC is filled with godly, inspiring leaders. I could literally give countless examples, but I will limit my comments to three men. Johny Hunt was re-elected as president. Throughout our time in Kentucky he was a model of humble courage. For example, during his pastor's conference message, Dr. Hunt shared how he spoke harshly to a man when he arrived. Feeling convicted, he hunted the man down until he could ask forgiveness. That is the kind of leader I want to follow--a somebody who is concerned about the nobodies. Danny Akin--the president of the greatest seminary in the world--did much of the same. In the weeks leading up to the convention, Dr. Akin received much criticism for his part in the Great Commission resurgence movement. Yet, he never displayed the anger and bitterness that often arise when one is unfairly attacked. Instead he displayed a faith based optimism that was truly amazing. In fact, one person even called him a "happy warrior." Mark Dever provided a model of a servant's heart. Dr. Dever is pastor of Capital Hill Baptist Church in Washington D.C. He has written numerous books and serves as president of Nine Marks Ministry. Although he is a high-profile pastor, he spent most of his time at the Nine Marks booth talking to all comers. As I watched, I thought, "He would do this if no one knew who he was." And judging from the amount of ministry inters he has, I believe that he does. Humble, courageous, and loving servants inspire me to serve in the same way.

Finally, sin is a constant force to battle in movements for good. Unfortunately, some messengers came to the convention ticked, and it showed in their motions. From angry rants to sinful name calling, they were a black-eye on an otherwise joyful gathering. Things like this are a reminder of the constant need to watch our all-too-sinful hearts (Prov. 4:23). It is also a call to patience. We are all still in process and have much to learn. As God is patient with us, so let us be patient with others.

I thank God for this opportunity and for the church family that made it possible. I want to serve the Lord with more zeal than when I left. I have a deeper desire to see God transform lives and our church by his glorious grace. And I pray that these lessons will stay with us as we stay on mission for the king.

Devastated

David Platt left the convention breathless tonight. The first five minutes of his message was the quotation of Scripture. Then he explained Hebrews 13 mixed with passionate stories from the mission field. He asked, "Are you going to die in your religion or die in your devotion?" It was like God stabbed me in the heart, and I was not alone.

What followed was amazing. The leaders of the conference decided to take an offering for world missions, because we have a major shortfall. When all was said and done, the conference took up $43,000 dollars for world missions tonight.

I saw first hand the way God devastates us with the word and then cleanses us and sends us into action. There is so much going on in my heart that I can barely sleep. I pray that I will never be the same, that our family will never be the same, and that our church will never be the same. To God be the glory. Amen!

A Warning for Double Springs Baptist Church

Warning: God is dealing with your pastor. The first two sessions of the convention have been great. Last night J.D. Greear, Mac Brunson, and Chuck Colson challenged us to repent of traditionalism and engage the business of making disciples.

This morning Ed Stetzer dropped an atomic bomb on the convention by calling us to unity in love for the common cause of evangelism. His message was followed by Francis Chan who told the moving story of planting a church, leaving that church, and returning. He shared with us how the picture of our churches often does not match the picture of the church in Acts. One illustration was particularly moving. A gang leader was saved at the church. (The church is located in a part of Cal. where there is a heavy gang population). The man was baptized but then did not come back. Later the pastor found out that the man was disappointed with church, because he thought it would be a family like his gang used to be. The pastor said, "It is sad when gangs resemble the church of the NT more than the church." You can imagine the silence in the room. The final message was by a man named Tom Eliff. He shared a moving story and called for forgiveness. It was one of the most remarkable services that I have been a part of for a long time. I may get the DVD for our church to watch.

The time away is a blessing. Thank you for making this trip possible. I thank God for you and for a wife who will watch the kids by herself while I am gone. God is better to me than I deserve. He is speaking to me. Over the last few weeks, we have been grieved by God over the state of Christianity in McMinn County. All over our area churches, pastors, and people are hurting. Now God is asking us: What are you going to do about it? How will we join God in this great work? Stayed tuned, because I know that God will supply the answers that we need.

It's Gooooooooooooood!

Be honest. Whose daughter is this? You know that you are cute when you can make spaghetti this good!

Great quotes from a great man

Richard Sibbs, a great Puritan, wrote a famous little book called The Bruised Reed. Here is a few juicy quotes. (All quotes are from the Banner of Truth edition, reprinted 2005). If you can, get it and read it.

• "[t]here is more mercy in Christ than sin in us (13)."
• "A Christian conquers, even when he is conquered. When he is conquered by some sins, he gets victory over others more dangerous, such as spiritual pride and security (95)."
• "The happiness of weaker things stand in being ruled by stronger. It is best for a blind man to be guided by him that has sight. It is best for sheep, other feckless creatures, to be guided by man. And it is happiest for man to be guided by Christ, because his government is so victorious that it frees us from the fear and danger of our greatest enemies, and tends to bring us to the greatest happiness that our nature is capable of. This should make us rejoice when Christ reigns in us (108)."

I was late today, and I loved it!

If you know me, you know that I hate being late. So the title might shock you. I was late to work today. I was, in fact, a few hours behind schedule. Usually such things throw me into a panic. We are all busy people with busy lives. We have deadlines to meet and people to see. Things need to get done. So, to lose a couple of hours usually leads to worry (that is saying it kindly).

But I am not worried. I am not anxious. I am not ticked. Instead I rejoice. I rejoice because I was late for a good--I might even say great--reason. I was invited to attend a time of prayer and bible study this morning. I was not sure what to expect. I was not even sure that I wanted to go, but I am glad that I did. In the presence of these men, my soul was refreshed by God. They helped, encouraged, and inspired.

It reminded me that God wants us to experience community. We are social creatures who are made to engage first with God and then with others. Just consider the various "one another" passages in the NT. We are to "live in harmony with one another (Rom. 12:16)," to "teach and admonish one another (Col. 3:13)," to" accept one another (Rom. 15:7)," to "stir up one another to love and good works (Heb. 10:24)," just to name a few.

Technically speaking this is fellowship. Biblical fellowship is something greater than the meal we have in the "fellowship hall." It is a gift of the Spirit that based on our common fellowship with God. It mirrors the divine fellowship within the Trinity, and through it we enjoy the common blessings of our salvation.

That is why our church is committed to seek God's direction for the creation of authentic, biblical community. It is a gift that we need and a work worth pursuing.

I was late today. I am behind schedule, and I bless God for it. He loved me to much to let me feel alone. He wanted me to experience Christian fellowship. Thank you, Jesus. You give me more than I deserve.

Sorry we are experiencing technical difficulties

My computer is not working today. I hope to have new stuff tommorrow.

"Daddy, was that just pretend?"

Yesterday we observed communion. As always it was a beautiful and powerful reminder of the life-giving, life-shaping work of Christ on our behalf.

After church we spent some time at my mother-in-law's swimming pool. I was sitting in a chair as the boys played. Suddenly, Joshua asked a random question. "Daddy, was that just pretend today?" Confused I responded, "What do you mean?" He said, "Were you just pretending that the grape juice was blood?"

Now I understood. Our observance left him confused. So he asked a profoundly theological question. He wondered if our worship service was like a game he would play-- except for grown ups. In one sense, we did pretend. We were not actually in the upper room, and we were not physically present with Jesus. In another sense, however, it was not pretend at all. It was a living reminder superintended by the spiritual presence of Christ that called us to renewal and consecration. In other words, our service was not detached from reality, but a reminder of what is most important. It was a time for Jesus to call us from our sin to repentance, faith, and mission. Yes, my son the grape juice was not blood, but no, my son, I was not just pretending.

I understand his confusion and rejoice at his question. But I hope that it is not glimpse of the future. Let me explain. I fear that many look at the Christian church and ask, "Are you pretending?" Sadly there are many times that our faith appears like nothing more than a game we play as "good church going people." It is a trap that is hard to avoid. But then God in his great love provides for us the Lord's Supper to remind us of the the reality of Christ's sacrifice as well as the preciousness of our salvation and the urgency of His mission. We are not pretending; we are pilgrims on our way home. May our lives reflect that reality in all spheres of life!

Ouch!