Date & Time
Set the date and time of the Deacon Ordination Service at least three weeks ahead of time. This gives you time to publicize the meeting and invite area pastors. Deacon candidates have time to invite family and friends. We set it on a Sunday afternoon so those outside our church could attend without having to miss one of their regular Worship Services.
This also gives you time to order Deacon Certificate of Ordination, frame, etc.
Publicity
Have an announcement in the Sunday bulletin for at least a couple of Sundays before the Ordination Service. Build it up to the church; let them know this is a special kind of service.
Contact the Baptist Association and area pastors and invite them to the Deacon Ordination Service. Ask the Ordination Council to arrive one hour early. The Ordination Council will consist of ordained pastors and deacons in your church and, if you choose, visiting ordained Baptist pastors and deacons.
Ordination Certificate & Frame
The ordination council should chose a Clerk; his primary responsibility should be to get all members of the ordination council to sign the Certificate of Ordination. Also, he may want to take notes of those serving on the council and the proceedings.
Make sure the Certificate is signed by the entire ordination counsel before the Ordination Service. If you don’t get everyone to sign it then, you never will have them all sign it. . If the vote is not to ordain, you can tear it up!
Sometimes the front of the certificate just has room for the pastor and the clerk to sign it. If there is not room on the front for everyone on the Ordination Council to sign, then have them all sign it on the back.
Place the filled out and signed Deacon’s Certificate of Ordination in a nice frame. Place a couple of copies of the Ordination Service Bulletin in the frame behind the Certificate.
If possible, have the Ordination Certificate framed and ready to present to the new deacon(s) at the conclusion of the service. This will also give the church an opportunity to see the framed Certificate after the service.
Deacon Candidates and their families
During the Ordination Service, at the appropriate time, introduce the current deacons and their wives, the deacon candidates and their wives, and the Ordination Council.
Explain what is going on
During the Ordination Service, let the congregation know what is going on. Explain the laying on of hands. Explain what the Bible teaches about ordination and the laying on of hands. Don’t assume they understand what is going on.
Ordination Council
The Ordination Council will meet an hour early in a back room. At the opening of the Ordination Service, you may want the council to walk in together and take their seats. Some churches have them sit in the choir loft. Or you could have them sit to the side at the front of the sanctuary.
NEXT: Preparing For the Deacon Ordination Service #2; Deacon Charlie Joe Law; Questioning the Deacon Candidates; Order of Service for Deacon Ordination
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, June 21, AD 2010.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
SBC Orlando, 2010
What’s going to happen at the annual Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando, Florida? I wish I knew. No, I’ll not be offering any prophecies here. But this will be an important convention for several reasons.
First, the election of a new SBC president. It used to be a dream of many conservatives that the day would come when several men would be nominated president, and all of them would be committed to upholding the inerrancy of the of the Bible in their committee and trustee appointments. Thank God for the Conservative Resurgence. Thank God that apparently all four presidential nominees are solid conservatives.
Interestingly, it seems that solid conservative voters are divided among all four candidates. So the presidential election will prove very interesting.
Just because the SBC has been brought back to a strong belief in the inerrancy of the Word of God, however, does not mean all our problems are now solved. Baptists who are conservative and evangelistic still have their differences of opinion. A prime example is the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force Report (GCRTFR). Will it be accepted, rejected, or amended? Will the vote be close? Will it be voted in, but not completely implemented by Boards of Trustees? Is it as bad as some say, or as good as some say?
Right now it seems the odds are in favor of the GCRTFR being adopted. But not much in the SBC is absolutely certain. Baptist messengers can be a cantankerous, independent bunch. Some will get mad at the decisions of this year’s SBC, but most will get over it.
By the way, while some have criticized Baptist Press (click on their link in the right margin of this blog) for being biased against the GCRTFR, I’ve seen a different picture. I’ve loved their reporting since they changed from leaning moderate to liberal, to leaning conservative and pro-SBC as a result of the Conservative Resurgence. They do a great job reporting news in general and they are one of my favorite sites. Respected leaders are on both sides of the GCRTFR. I’ve enjoyed reading both sides of this issue in Baptist Press (BP). They have had strong articles both pro and con, and I hope they continue that type of reporting.
As always, the Christian fellowship will be outstanding. Because, well, we’re brothers and sisters in Christ. Because as fellow laborers in the field we have so much in common. And because we need that talking, laughing, and joking with one another. Preachers will meet new friends and enjoy the fellowship of old companions from college and seminary. Preachers need fellowship with their fellow pastors.
There will, of course, be great singing and preaching. People will be challenged to be soul winners, and to allow God’s Word to transform their lives.
Crossover Orlando (local evangelistic emphasis leading up to each annual SBC) may have become the most important part of the annual SBC. At least it is for those who, as a result, come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. And it is not just the official Crossover efforts. Many messengers will speak a word of witness to folks in Florida. Some will use the SBC provided Gospel tracts or bring their own. Many of those tracts will be left, hopefully with an above average tip, in restaurants and motels in Florida and across the USA. Only God knows how many messengers will point people to Jesus as a result of this trip.
Pray for the messengers and the ministry of the Southern Baptist Convention. Pray that God will work through us and because of us. And thank God that sometimes He works in spite of us.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, June 12, AD 2010.
Note: Deacon series will continue despite this interlude.
First, the election of a new SBC president. It used to be a dream of many conservatives that the day would come when several men would be nominated president, and all of them would be committed to upholding the inerrancy of the of the Bible in their committee and trustee appointments. Thank God for the Conservative Resurgence. Thank God that apparently all four presidential nominees are solid conservatives.
Interestingly, it seems that solid conservative voters are divided among all four candidates. So the presidential election will prove very interesting.
Just because the SBC has been brought back to a strong belief in the inerrancy of the Word of God, however, does not mean all our problems are now solved. Baptists who are conservative and evangelistic still have their differences of opinion. A prime example is the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force Report (GCRTFR). Will it be accepted, rejected, or amended? Will the vote be close? Will it be voted in, but not completely implemented by Boards of Trustees? Is it as bad as some say, or as good as some say?
Right now it seems the odds are in favor of the GCRTFR being adopted. But not much in the SBC is absolutely certain. Baptist messengers can be a cantankerous, independent bunch. Some will get mad at the decisions of this year’s SBC, but most will get over it.
By the way, while some have criticized Baptist Press (click on their link in the right margin of this blog) for being biased against the GCRTFR, I’ve seen a different picture. I’ve loved their reporting since they changed from leaning moderate to liberal, to leaning conservative and pro-SBC as a result of the Conservative Resurgence. They do a great job reporting news in general and they are one of my favorite sites. Respected leaders are on both sides of the GCRTFR. I’ve enjoyed reading both sides of this issue in Baptist Press (BP). They have had strong articles both pro and con, and I hope they continue that type of reporting.
As always, the Christian fellowship will be outstanding. Because, well, we’re brothers and sisters in Christ. Because as fellow laborers in the field we have so much in common. And because we need that talking, laughing, and joking with one another. Preachers will meet new friends and enjoy the fellowship of old companions from college and seminary. Preachers need fellowship with their fellow pastors.
There will, of course, be great singing and preaching. People will be challenged to be soul winners, and to allow God’s Word to transform their lives.
Crossover Orlando (local evangelistic emphasis leading up to each annual SBC) may have become the most important part of the annual SBC. At least it is for those who, as a result, come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. And it is not just the official Crossover efforts. Many messengers will speak a word of witness to folks in Florida. Some will use the SBC provided Gospel tracts or bring their own. Many of those tracts will be left, hopefully with an above average tip, in restaurants and motels in Florida and across the USA. Only God knows how many messengers will point people to Jesus as a result of this trip.
Pray for the messengers and the ministry of the Southern Baptist Convention. Pray that God will work through us and because of us. And thank God that sometimes He works in spite of us.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, June 12, AD 2010.
Note: Deacon series will continue despite this interlude.
Monday, June 7, 2010
The Baptist Deacon
Basic Bible passages on deacons: Acts 6:1-7; 1 Timothy 3:8-13; Philippians 1:1.
Deacon - from the Greek word diakonos; literally means “servant.” It can be used unofficially of anyone serving the church, or used in its official sense of the office of deacon.
A deacon is to be a servant of the church. The pastor (also called bishop and elder in the NT) is the spiritual leader in the church. But in a practical sense the deacons are also looked to as spiritual leaders in the local church. Deacons are not to rule over the church or the pastor, but they are to be loving, serving leaders. Deacons assist in presenting the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper and, if needed, in the ordinance of baptism. They are to assist and support the church, the pastor, and its leaders. Deacons should have a positive view of their church. They should do all in their power to foster harmony and minimize dissention. Unless a pastor seriously steps out of line, the deacons should be his biggest supporters.
A deacon should: be a baptized believer; praying, faithful, loyal supporter of his church; live a committed life for the Lord; be a tither; a problem-solver; not drink alcoholic beverages or engage in any practice that would hurt the church or his influence for Christ; faithfully love, support, and lead his wife and family; discipline and raise his children well; never bring reproach on the cause of Christ; be a witness for Jesus Christ. If a deacon gets out of church and out of God’s will, he should resign as a deacon and return his certificate of ordination.
Two documents that define much of Northside Baptist Church, Highlands, TX would be the Baptist Faith & Message, 2000 and the Church Covenant. The Baptist Faith & Message, 2000 is the doctrinal statement of the Southern Baptist Convention. The Church Covenant was written in the 1850s and has been used by many Baptist churches ever since. In 1970 Northside made the decision that a divorced man would not serve as pastor or deacon. Of course, those who have been divorced, are a welcome part of Northside and may serve in any other church capacity.
Current deacons of Northside: James E. Selkirk, Oswall Harman, Jack Cone.
Those under consideration as deacons: Kenneth Stanley, James Cain.
Process: Present deacon recommendation to church, vote, then set up ordination service.
VI. The Church
A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the two ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. Each congregation operates under the Lordship of Christ through democratic processes. In such a congregation each member is responsible and accountable to Christ as Lord. Its scriptural officers are pastors and deacons. While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.
The New Testament speaks also of the church as the Body of Christ which includes all of the redeemed of all the ages, believers from every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation.” -Baptist Faith & Message, 2000.
“Deacons served in both material and spiritual matters (Acts 6:2 to 7:60; 8:5-40). Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was a deacon. Note that when both pastors and deacons did their work faithfully, the work of the church prospered (Acts 6:7). That there are two ordained offices does not mean that a church may not have other workers, such as teachers and leaders, in various phases of the work. Such may be chosen as the need demands. But the ordained officers are pastors and deacons.” -Herschel H. Hobbs, The Baptist Faith and Message, Convention Press, Nashville, TN, 1971; p. 81.
NEXT: Preparing for the Deacon Ordination Service
See all Deacon articles in this series by clicking Deacons under Gulf Coast Pastor Articles (Labels) in lower right margin.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, June 7, AD 2010.
Ancient Wine and the Bible - the book
Deacon - from the Greek word diakonos; literally means “servant.” It can be used unofficially of anyone serving the church, or used in its official sense of the office of deacon.
A deacon is to be a servant of the church. The pastor (also called bishop and elder in the NT) is the spiritual leader in the church. But in a practical sense the deacons are also looked to as spiritual leaders in the local church. Deacons are not to rule over the church or the pastor, but they are to be loving, serving leaders. Deacons assist in presenting the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper and, if needed, in the ordinance of baptism. They are to assist and support the church, the pastor, and its leaders. Deacons should have a positive view of their church. They should do all in their power to foster harmony and minimize dissention. Unless a pastor seriously steps out of line, the deacons should be his biggest supporters.
A deacon should: be a baptized believer; praying, faithful, loyal supporter of his church; live a committed life for the Lord; be a tither; a problem-solver; not drink alcoholic beverages or engage in any practice that would hurt the church or his influence for Christ; faithfully love, support, and lead his wife and family; discipline and raise his children well; never bring reproach on the cause of Christ; be a witness for Jesus Christ. If a deacon gets out of church and out of God’s will, he should resign as a deacon and return his certificate of ordination.
Two documents that define much of Northside Baptist Church, Highlands, TX would be the Baptist Faith & Message, 2000 and the Church Covenant. The Baptist Faith & Message, 2000 is the doctrinal statement of the Southern Baptist Convention. The Church Covenant was written in the 1850s and has been used by many Baptist churches ever since. In 1970 Northside made the decision that a divorced man would not serve as pastor or deacon. Of course, those who have been divorced, are a welcome part of Northside and may serve in any other church capacity.
Current deacons of Northside: James E. Selkirk, Oswall Harman, Jack Cone.
Those under consideration as deacons: Kenneth Stanley, James Cain.
Process: Present deacon recommendation to church, vote, then set up ordination service.
VI. The Church
A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the two ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. Each congregation operates under the Lordship of Christ through democratic processes. In such a congregation each member is responsible and accountable to Christ as Lord. Its scriptural officers are pastors and deacons. While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.
The New Testament speaks also of the church as the Body of Christ which includes all of the redeemed of all the ages, believers from every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation.” -Baptist Faith & Message, 2000.
“Deacons served in both material and spiritual matters (Acts 6:2 to 7:60; 8:5-40). Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was a deacon. Note that when both pastors and deacons did their work faithfully, the work of the church prospered (Acts 6:7). That there are two ordained offices does not mean that a church may not have other workers, such as teachers and leaders, in various phases of the work. Such may be chosen as the need demands. But the ordained officers are pastors and deacons.” -Herschel H. Hobbs, The Baptist Faith and Message, Convention Press, Nashville, TN, 1971; p. 81.
NEXT: Preparing for the Deacon Ordination Service
See all Deacon articles in this series by clicking Deacons under Gulf Coast Pastor Articles (Labels) in lower right margin.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, June 7, AD 2010.
Ancient Wine and the Bible - the book
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Deacons - Basic Baptist Doctrines
Below is a handout I prepared and gave to our deacons and deacon candidates. We went over the doctrines and discussed them. A deacon needs to know what we believe and why we believe it. Deacons should be grounded in the faith. They also need to be prepared to answer questions during the Ordination Service!
We also discussed a handout on The Baptist Deacon. That will be posted next.
Fundamental or Basic Christian Doctrines are the foundational beliefs of Christianity. They have been believed by all, or at least the huge majority, of all Christians. Distinctive Baptist Doctrines are those beliefs that distinquish Baptists from all other, or some other, Evangelical Christian groups.
Deacons - Basic Baptist Doctrines
(Summary, for a complete statement, read the Bible!)
Fundamental, Basic Christian Doctrines:
1. Divine inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible. The Bible is our supreme rule of faith and practice.
2. The Trinity. God is one, but reveals Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
3. Jesus is God.
4. The Virgin Birth of Jesus.
5. Jesus’ sinless life
6. The blood atonement. Jesus died on the cross for our sins, shed His blood for us.
7. Jesus literally, physically rose from the dead.
8. Literal Return of Christ to the earth.
9. Resurrection and Judgment
10. Reality of Heaven and Hell
11. Man is a sinner in need of a Savior.
12. Personal faith in Jesus is the only way of salvation. Faith alone in Christ alone.
A deacon should have a basic understanding of how to share the plan of salvation (see previous GCP article on The Roman Road).
Distinctive Baptist Doctrines:
1. Believers Baptism by Immersion, is the scriptural means of baptism.
2. Two scriptural offices: pastors and deacons. In the Bible pastor, bishop, and elder are used synonymously for the same office.
3. Eternal Security of the believer. Once saved, always saved. But true faith should result in good works for the Lord.
4. Autonomy of the local church. The local church is a democratic body, with Christ as the head of the church. No one outside a local Baptist church can tell them what to do.
5. Religious liberty. Citizens of a country should be free to worship according to the dictates of their conscience. They should be free to witness to others.
6. Requirements for church membership: salvation and believer’s baptism by immersion.
7. Priesthood of the believer. Each believer is responsible before God to search the Scripture and believe and live accordingly.
8. The two ordinances of the church are Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. They are not sacraments. A sacrament carries with it the idea of having “saving grace.” We are only saved by personal faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Ordinance - a special command given by Jesus for the church to observe.
9. The elements (unleavened bread & fruit of the vine) of the Lord’s Supper are symbolic, not literal. They are not His literal body, they symbolize Jesus’ body and blood given for us on the cross. The Lord’s Supper is not a sacrifice, it is a memorial service.
10. Missions and Evangelism. We are to go into all the world with the Gospel.
11. Southern Baptists stand against beverage alcohol,*** destructive drugs, and gambling.
12. Our church is a part of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (SBTC), and the San Jacinto Baptist Association (SJBA).
More Information:
Baptist doctrine and practice: Baptist Faith & Message, 2000; Church Covenant.*
Good Bible Translations: NKJV, NIV, NASB, HCSB, KJV.
Good Study Bibles: Criswell Study Bible (aka Believer’s Study Bible; Baptist Study Edition); Ryrie Study Bible; Scofield Study Bible.
Keep up with Baptist life by reading the Southern Baptist Texan (texanonline.net) & Baptist Press at bpnews.net.**
* Print copies of the Baptist Faith & Message 2000 and the Church Covenant can be obtained from LifeWay. See previous GCP articles on these two statements. We gave copies of these to the deacons and deacon candidates.
** Our deacons are subscribed to the print copy of the Southern Baptist Texan, the state paper of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.
*** You may be interested in
Preserving Unfermented Wine in Bible Times and other articles on the Bible and alcohol. Find these other articles in lower right margin under Gulf Coast Pastor Articles (Labels). Click the label for Alcohol.
Ancient Wine and the Bible - the book
2006 SBC Resolution on Alcohol Use in America
Books on Calvinism, Predestination
NEXT: The Baptist Deaon (find all Deacon articles in lower right margin under Gulf Coast Pastor Articles.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, June 1, AD 2010.
We also discussed a handout on The Baptist Deacon. That will be posted next.
Fundamental or Basic Christian Doctrines are the foundational beliefs of Christianity. They have been believed by all, or at least the huge majority, of all Christians. Distinctive Baptist Doctrines are those beliefs that distinquish Baptists from all other, or some other, Evangelical Christian groups.
Deacons - Basic Baptist Doctrines
(Summary, for a complete statement, read the Bible!)
Fundamental, Basic Christian Doctrines:
1. Divine inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible. The Bible is our supreme rule of faith and practice.
2. The Trinity. God is one, but reveals Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
3. Jesus is God.
4. The Virgin Birth of Jesus.
5. Jesus’ sinless life
6. The blood atonement. Jesus died on the cross for our sins, shed His blood for us.
7. Jesus literally, physically rose from the dead.
8. Literal Return of Christ to the earth.
9. Resurrection and Judgment
10. Reality of Heaven and Hell
11. Man is a sinner in need of a Savior.
12. Personal faith in Jesus is the only way of salvation. Faith alone in Christ alone.
A deacon should have a basic understanding of how to share the plan of salvation (see previous GCP article on The Roman Road).
Distinctive Baptist Doctrines:
1. Believers Baptism by Immersion, is the scriptural means of baptism.
2. Two scriptural offices: pastors and deacons. In the Bible pastor, bishop, and elder are used synonymously for the same office.
3. Eternal Security of the believer. Once saved, always saved. But true faith should result in good works for the Lord.
4. Autonomy of the local church. The local church is a democratic body, with Christ as the head of the church. No one outside a local Baptist church can tell them what to do.
5. Religious liberty. Citizens of a country should be free to worship according to the dictates of their conscience. They should be free to witness to others.
6. Requirements for church membership: salvation and believer’s baptism by immersion.
7. Priesthood of the believer. Each believer is responsible before God to search the Scripture and believe and live accordingly.
8. The two ordinances of the church are Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. They are not sacraments. A sacrament carries with it the idea of having “saving grace.” We are only saved by personal faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Ordinance - a special command given by Jesus for the church to observe.
9. The elements (unleavened bread & fruit of the vine) of the Lord’s Supper are symbolic, not literal. They are not His literal body, they symbolize Jesus’ body and blood given for us on the cross. The Lord’s Supper is not a sacrifice, it is a memorial service.
10. Missions and Evangelism. We are to go into all the world with the Gospel.
11. Southern Baptists stand against beverage alcohol,*** destructive drugs, and gambling.
12. Our church is a part of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (SBTC), and the San Jacinto Baptist Association (SJBA).
More Information:
Baptist doctrine and practice: Baptist Faith & Message, 2000; Church Covenant.*
Good Bible Translations: NKJV, NIV, NASB, HCSB, KJV.
Good Study Bibles: Criswell Study Bible (aka Believer’s Study Bible; Baptist Study Edition); Ryrie Study Bible; Scofield Study Bible.
Keep up with Baptist life by reading the Southern Baptist Texan (texanonline.net) & Baptist Press at bpnews.net.**
* Print copies of the Baptist Faith & Message 2000 and the Church Covenant can be obtained from LifeWay. See previous GCP articles on these two statements. We gave copies of these to the deacons and deacon candidates.
** Our deacons are subscribed to the print copy of the Southern Baptist Texan, the state paper of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.
*** You may be interested in
Preserving Unfermented Wine in Bible Times and other articles on the Bible and alcohol. Find these other articles in lower right margin under Gulf Coast Pastor Articles (Labels). Click the label for Alcohol.
Ancient Wine and the Bible - the book
2006 SBC Resolution on Alcohol Use in America
Books on Calvinism, Predestination
NEXT: The Baptist Deaon (find all Deacon articles in lower right margin under Gulf Coast Pastor Articles.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, June 1, AD 2010.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Ordination of Deacons - Finding the Right Men
I’ll not go over all the biblical qualifications of deacons. The basic requirements are in the Bible. Depending on your interpretation of those passages, and your individual church situation, those qualifications may vary.
I know believers are divided about whether a divorced man may serve as a deacon. My church, long before I became their pastor, made the decision that their deacons not be divorced.
It should be noted, however, that a man may do the work of a deacon without holding the office of deacon. I know of a divorced man who was a wonderful Christian leader. He never complained about not being a deacon; but he was a deacon in every sense of the word except holding the official title of deacon.
A man should hold the office of deacon. The Bible teaches a man should occupy the office of pastor and deacon in the local church. A man should be the loving leader in the home. Other than these areas, we have no strict requirements about the roles of women and men. Obviously men and women are equal before God and of equal worth. Both are qualified to minister in numerous ways.
Pastors and deacons should believe in and practice tithing to their local church.
Do not lay hands on a novice. Take your time. Don’t ordain someone too soon. 1 Timothy 3:6 (novice) speaks directly to pastors, but I think it can also apply to deacons. Notice that 1 Timothy 3:8 says “likewise deacons.” The rules for pastor generally apply to deacons as well.
A pastor should have a general sense of who qualifies as a deacon and who doesn’t. In Acts 6 the church chose the deacons. But a pastor can guide the church and even veto some that are clearly not qualified. This can most easily be done early on in the process. The details will vary as to how an individual church goes about choosing deacons.
In our case a deacon mentioned to me two men he felt qualified. I thought about it, prayed about it, and agreed. We talked to the other deacons and they agreed. I talked to the potential candidates and they agreed to serve if the church approved. Neither of the candidates had in any way sought the office. That is a big plus in their favor. The person who gets mad because he was not chosen as a deacon, has just demonstrated that he was not really qualified in the first place.
The deacons then brought a recommendation to the church that we begin the process of ordaining these two as deacons. The church so voted. (We are a small church. At the beginning of this process we had 3 deacons. One of those deacons had been in the hospital, and died before the ordination service.)
I personally, informally met with the candidates. The current deacons, pastor, and candidates all met together. We went over the statements of The Baptist Deacon and Baptist Doctrines (these will be presented in future posts). We also had the opportunity to fellowship and ask questions back and forth. We prayed together. In previous years, I had had the honor of baptizing both of these candidates.
We discussed possible questions that would come up during the Ordination Service. Deacon candidates should know the basics of our beliefs, but don’t expect them to have an advanced seminary degree. Don’t try to embarrass or trip them up with an obscure theological question. (Theological questions should be a little more detailed when ordaining a pastor.)
The deacons we chose are not perfect, but neither is their pastor. I have no doubt, however, that God led us to the right men.
We also talked about a date for the Ordination Service. We chose a date that allowed the deacon candidates to have their family and friends in attendance. We set the time for a Sunday afternoon so neighboring pastors and deacons could attend without missing their own church services. Because of this afternoon service, we cancelled our usual 6 pm Sunday Evening Worship Service.
Note: Go to a LifeWay or Christian Bookstore and purchase or order (bhpublishinggroup.com; 800/458-2772) Deacon Certificates of Ordination. Get twice as many as you need; you may damage one and need to start over. Buy nice frames for the Certificates. More on this later.
NEXT: Deacons - Baptist Doctrines
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, May 24, AD 2010.
I know believers are divided about whether a divorced man may serve as a deacon. My church, long before I became their pastor, made the decision that their deacons not be divorced.
It should be noted, however, that a man may do the work of a deacon without holding the office of deacon. I know of a divorced man who was a wonderful Christian leader. He never complained about not being a deacon; but he was a deacon in every sense of the word except holding the official title of deacon.
A man should hold the office of deacon. The Bible teaches a man should occupy the office of pastor and deacon in the local church. A man should be the loving leader in the home. Other than these areas, we have no strict requirements about the roles of women and men. Obviously men and women are equal before God and of equal worth. Both are qualified to minister in numerous ways.
Pastors and deacons should believe in and practice tithing to their local church.
Do not lay hands on a novice. Take your time. Don’t ordain someone too soon. 1 Timothy 3:6 (novice) speaks directly to pastors, but I think it can also apply to deacons. Notice that 1 Timothy 3:8 says “likewise deacons.” The rules for pastor generally apply to deacons as well.
A pastor should have a general sense of who qualifies as a deacon and who doesn’t. In Acts 6 the church chose the deacons. But a pastor can guide the church and even veto some that are clearly not qualified. This can most easily be done early on in the process. The details will vary as to how an individual church goes about choosing deacons.
In our case a deacon mentioned to me two men he felt qualified. I thought about it, prayed about it, and agreed. We talked to the other deacons and they agreed. I talked to the potential candidates and they agreed to serve if the church approved. Neither of the candidates had in any way sought the office. That is a big plus in their favor. The person who gets mad because he was not chosen as a deacon, has just demonstrated that he was not really qualified in the first place.
The deacons then brought a recommendation to the church that we begin the process of ordaining these two as deacons. The church so voted. (We are a small church. At the beginning of this process we had 3 deacons. One of those deacons had been in the hospital, and died before the ordination service.)
I personally, informally met with the candidates. The current deacons, pastor, and candidates all met together. We went over the statements of The Baptist Deacon and Baptist Doctrines (these will be presented in future posts). We also had the opportunity to fellowship and ask questions back and forth. We prayed together. In previous years, I had had the honor of baptizing both of these candidates.
We discussed possible questions that would come up during the Ordination Service. Deacon candidates should know the basics of our beliefs, but don’t expect them to have an advanced seminary degree. Don’t try to embarrass or trip them up with an obscure theological question. (Theological questions should be a little more detailed when ordaining a pastor.)
The deacons we chose are not perfect, but neither is their pastor. I have no doubt, however, that God led us to the right men.
We also talked about a date for the Ordination Service. We chose a date that allowed the deacon candidates to have their family and friends in attendance. We set the time for a Sunday afternoon so neighboring pastors and deacons could attend without missing their own church services. Because of this afternoon service, we cancelled our usual 6 pm Sunday Evening Worship Service.
Note: Go to a LifeWay or Christian Bookstore and purchase or order (bhpublishinggroup.com; 800/458-2772) Deacon Certificates of Ordination. Get twice as many as you need; you may damage one and need to start over. Buy nice frames for the Certificates. More on this later.
NEXT: Deacons - Baptist Doctrines
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, May 24, AD 2010.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Ordination of Deacons - Introduction
Churches, especially small churches, do not often ordain deacons. Many young pastors have never seen a Deacon Ordination Service. Many pastors know little about the details of this type service. Some churches conduct a deacons’ ordination like they would a standard business meeting. I believe this type service should not be ordinary, but instead an outstanding, spiritually uplifting service.
Last year our church ordained two deacons. In the next posts, I plan to show the details of our ordination process. This is not to say you have to do it exactly like we did. This is just to show you our procedure, and perhaps give you some ideas for the next time you ordain deacons.
Why should a pastor and church make a big deal out of a simple Deacon Ordination Service?
1. It brings glory to God.
2. It honors the Scripture. Deacons are important in Scripture and should be important in your church.
3. It lets the deacons, their wives, and the church know this is something special. Serving as a deacon, and a deacon’s wife, is an honor and a great responsibility.
4. It shows the church that this is a spiritual office. This is not just a business arrangement, or a symbolic honor that means nothing.
5. Lets the church see first hand what is involved in an ordination service.
6. It gives you a golden opportunity to teach the church about deacons and ordination.
7. A deacon will take their job of spiritual leadership more seriously, if you take their ordination seriously. This should also be true of the current deacons as they participate in this ordination service.
8. People enjoy a certain amount of variety. This is a different kind of service that seldom comes around. Since this is a service that may not occur but once every few years, make the most of it.
I’ve seen people leaning on the edge of their seat to see exactly what is happening in an ordination service. I’ve seen them go away with a sense of wonder and respect at the spiritual impact of such a meeting. It is truly a time of worship.
If you are going to ordain spiritually qualified candidates as deacons, do a first class job. Make it a spiritual experience they will not soon forget.
NEXT: Ordination of Deacons - Finding the Right Men
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, May 17, AD 2010.
Articles on Ordaining Deacons:
Last year our church ordained two deacons. In the next posts, I plan to show the details of our ordination process. This is not to say you have to do it exactly like we did. This is just to show you our procedure, and perhaps give you some ideas for the next time you ordain deacons.
Why should a pastor and church make a big deal out of a simple Deacon Ordination Service?
1. It brings glory to God.
2. It honors the Scripture. Deacons are important in Scripture and should be important in your church.
3. It lets the deacons, their wives, and the church know this is something special. Serving as a deacon, and a deacon’s wife, is an honor and a great responsibility.
4. It shows the church that this is a spiritual office. This is not just a business arrangement, or a symbolic honor that means nothing.
5. Lets the church see first hand what is involved in an ordination service.
6. It gives you a golden opportunity to teach the church about deacons and ordination.
7. A deacon will take their job of spiritual leadership more seriously, if you take their ordination seriously. This should also be true of the current deacons as they participate in this ordination service.
8. People enjoy a certain amount of variety. This is a different kind of service that seldom comes around. Since this is a service that may not occur but once every few years, make the most of it.
I’ve seen people leaning on the edge of their seat to see exactly what is happening in an ordination service. I’ve seen them go away with a sense of wonder and respect at the spiritual impact of such a meeting. It is truly a time of worship.
If you are going to ordain spiritually qualified candidates as deacons, do a first class job. Make it a spiritual experience they will not soon forget.
NEXT: Ordination of Deacons - Finding the Right Men
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, May 17, AD 2010.
Articles on Ordaining Deacons:
Other Articles in lower right margin.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
When I'm An Old Lady
When I’m an old lady, I’ll live with each kid.
And bring so much happiness… just as they did.
I want to pay back all the joy they’ve provided.
Returning each deed! Oh, they’ll be so excited!
When I’m an old lady and live with my kids.
I’ll write on the walls with reds, whites and blues,
And I’ll bounce on the furniture wearing my shoes.
I’ll drink from the carton and then leave it out.
I’ll stuff all the toilets and oh, how they’ll shout!
When I’m an old lady and live with my kids.
When they’re on the phone and just out of reach,
I’ll get into things like sugar and bleach.
Oh, they’ll snap their fingers and then shake their head,
When I’m an old lady and live with my kids.
When they cook dinner and call me to eat,
I’ll not eat my green beans or salad or meat.
I’ll gag on my okra, spill milk on the table.
And when they get angry… I’ll run.. if I’m able!
When I’m an old lady and live with my kids.
I’ll sit close to the TV, through the channels I’ll click,
I’ll cross both eyes just to see if they stick,
I’ll take off my socks and throw one away,
And play in the mud until the end of the day!
When I’m an old lady and live with my kids.
And later in bed, I’ll lay back and sigh,
I’ll thank God in prayer and then close my eyes,
My kids will look down with a smile slowly creeping,
And say with a groan, “She’s so sweet when she’s sleeping!”
-Anonymous; The Ozarks Mountaineer, May/June, 2007.
Happy Mother’s Day!
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, May 5, AD 2010.
And bring so much happiness… just as they did.
I want to pay back all the joy they’ve provided.
Returning each deed! Oh, they’ll be so excited!
When I’m an old lady and live with my kids.
I’ll write on the walls with reds, whites and blues,
And I’ll bounce on the furniture wearing my shoes.
I’ll drink from the carton and then leave it out.
I’ll stuff all the toilets and oh, how they’ll shout!
When I’m an old lady and live with my kids.
When they’re on the phone and just out of reach,
I’ll get into things like sugar and bleach.
Oh, they’ll snap their fingers and then shake their head,
When I’m an old lady and live with my kids.
When they cook dinner and call me to eat,
I’ll not eat my green beans or salad or meat.
I’ll gag on my okra, spill milk on the table.
And when they get angry… I’ll run.. if I’m able!
When I’m an old lady and live with my kids.
I’ll sit close to the TV, through the channels I’ll click,
I’ll cross both eyes just to see if they stick,
I’ll take off my socks and throw one away,
And play in the mud until the end of the day!
When I’m an old lady and live with my kids.
And later in bed, I’ll lay back and sigh,
I’ll thank God in prayer and then close my eyes,
My kids will look down with a smile slowly creeping,
And say with a groan, “She’s so sweet when she’s sleeping!”
-Anonymous; The Ozarks Mountaineer, May/June, 2007.
Happy Mother’s Day!
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, May 5, AD 2010.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Obituary - Clarence Branch (AD 1927-2010)
Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.” -Revelation 14:13.
Clarence Leslie Branch, Sr. went from this life to the next on March 31, 2010.
His Funeral Service was April 2, 2010 at Calvary Baptist Church, Brownfield, Texas with Dale Matlock and Joseph O’Briant officiating. Interment at Terry County Memorial Cemetery with Steve Carter officiating. Arrangements by Brownfield Funeral Home.
Clarence was born on December 3, 1927 in Driscoll, Texas to William Jennings Branch and Ima Branch. He graduated from Corpus Christi High School in 1946 where he lettered in football for three years and was captain his senior year. He attended Rice University, and the University of Corpus Christi. He was elected captain of the football team while at UCC and also lettered in basketball.
While a student at Rice, he was drafted by the U.S. Army and served 18 months of military duty. He was contacted by the Pittsburgh Steelers about playing football. Brother Clarence was called to preach the gospel while a student at UCC. He returned to graduate there in 1961.
Clarence Branch was pastor of Second Baptist Church, New Braunfels; Bethel Baptist Church, Corpus Christi; Retama Park Baptist Church, Kingsville; Forrest Park Baptist Church, Corpus Christi; Calvary Baptist Church, Brownfield; First Baptist Church, Anson; Windsor Park Baptist Church, Corpus Christi; and West Shore Baptist Church, Lake Corpus Christi. He preached revivals in Brazil, California, Kansas, Oregon, North Dakota and throughout Texas.
Clarence is survived by his wife Dorothy Marie. They were married in 1948 by Lester Roloff in Corpus Christi, Texas.
He is also survived by his daughter, Cheryll Matlock and her husband Dale Matlock of Brownfield, as well as his son, Clarence “Leslie” Branch, Jr. of the home.
Clarence Branch is survived by five grandsons - Robert Steagall and his wife Angela of Corpus Christi; John Steagall and hsi wife Penny of Honolulu; Aaron Steagall of Brownfield; Joseph O’Briant, III and his wife Elizabeth of Welch; and Joshua O’Briant, I and his wife Tiffany of Brownfield, and seven great-grandchildren. Memorials can be made to Brownfield Senior Citizens or Challis Baptist Church.
*******
My dad, Joe Brumbelow, went to UCC with Clarence Branch and they were longtime friends. My brother, Steve Brumbelow, preached several revivals for Clarence Branch.
Brother Clarence enjoyed joking and kidding with others. On one occasion Joe Brumbelow, Clarence Branch, and one or two others preached in a Bible Conference in Corpus Christi, TX. After the conference they were each duly sent a $100 check for their part in the Conference. Clarence called Joe and said, “Joe it was a great conference. I sure appreciate the $300 check they sent me.” Joe said, “Clarence, you’re an instigator.”
Clarence Branch was one of the many Southern Baptist pastors who faithfully preached the Word, loved the lost, and served his Master. He’s one of the ones I looked up to through the years. May God bless his family, and may his inheritance be forever.
Note: Clarence Branch’s obituary was in The Brownfield News, April 3, 2010; also in the Southern Baptist Texan, May 3, 2010.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, May 3, AD 2010.
Clarence Leslie Branch, Sr. went from this life to the next on March 31, 2010.
His Funeral Service was April 2, 2010 at Calvary Baptist Church, Brownfield, Texas with Dale Matlock and Joseph O’Briant officiating. Interment at Terry County Memorial Cemetery with Steve Carter officiating. Arrangements by Brownfield Funeral Home.
Clarence was born on December 3, 1927 in Driscoll, Texas to William Jennings Branch and Ima Branch. He graduated from Corpus Christi High School in 1946 where he lettered in football for three years and was captain his senior year. He attended Rice University, and the University of Corpus Christi. He was elected captain of the football team while at UCC and also lettered in basketball.
While a student at Rice, he was drafted by the U.S. Army and served 18 months of military duty. He was contacted by the Pittsburgh Steelers about playing football. Brother Clarence was called to preach the gospel while a student at UCC. He returned to graduate there in 1961.
Clarence Branch was pastor of Second Baptist Church, New Braunfels; Bethel Baptist Church, Corpus Christi; Retama Park Baptist Church, Kingsville; Forrest Park Baptist Church, Corpus Christi; Calvary Baptist Church, Brownfield; First Baptist Church, Anson; Windsor Park Baptist Church, Corpus Christi; and West Shore Baptist Church, Lake Corpus Christi. He preached revivals in Brazil, California, Kansas, Oregon, North Dakota and throughout Texas.
Clarence is survived by his wife Dorothy Marie. They were married in 1948 by Lester Roloff in Corpus Christi, Texas.
He is also survived by his daughter, Cheryll Matlock and her husband Dale Matlock of Brownfield, as well as his son, Clarence “Leslie” Branch, Jr. of the home.
Clarence Branch is survived by five grandsons - Robert Steagall and his wife Angela of Corpus Christi; John Steagall and hsi wife Penny of Honolulu; Aaron Steagall of Brownfield; Joseph O’Briant, III and his wife Elizabeth of Welch; and Joshua O’Briant, I and his wife Tiffany of Brownfield, and seven great-grandchildren. Memorials can be made to Brownfield Senior Citizens or Challis Baptist Church.
*******
My dad, Joe Brumbelow, went to UCC with Clarence Branch and they were longtime friends. My brother, Steve Brumbelow, preached several revivals for Clarence Branch.
Brother Clarence enjoyed joking and kidding with others. On one occasion Joe Brumbelow, Clarence Branch, and one or two others preached in a Bible Conference in Corpus Christi, TX. After the conference they were each duly sent a $100 check for their part in the Conference. Clarence called Joe and said, “Joe it was a great conference. I sure appreciate the $300 check they sent me.” Joe said, “Clarence, you’re an instigator.”
Clarence Branch was one of the many Southern Baptist pastors who faithfully preached the Word, loved the lost, and served his Master. He’s one of the ones I looked up to through the years. May God bless his family, and may his inheritance be forever.
Note: Clarence Branch’s obituary was in The Brownfield News, April 3, 2010; also in the Southern Baptist Texan, May 3, 2010.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, May 3, AD 2010.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
The Roman Road of Salvation
The Gospel (Good News) is that “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” -1 Corinthians 15:3-4
Below is another handout I’ve used for church and student groups. It is simple, and hopefully plain. It briefly presents the story, the plan of salvation. How a person can be forgiven of their sins, be made right with God, and have eternal life here and throughout eternity in Heaven. It is called the Roman Road Plan of Salvation because all the Bible verses are in the book of Romans.
There are several reasons to present the Roman Road here.
First, we need to know it and be reminded of it.
Second, preachers and church workers need to know how to present the plan of salvation to someone.
Third, some may want to copy and use this handout with both those who need to know Jesus as their Savior, and with believers so they can be more grounded in their faith.
Fourth, the Roman Road is one way of presenting the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus. But it can be shortened, lengthened, and adapted to present the Gospel in a specific situation, to a particular person.
Fifth, someone may be reading this that does not know what the Bible teaches about God’s love, our sin, and God’s salvation. The greatest thing you can ever do is to ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins, believe in Him, and trust Him as your Lord and Savior.
I occasionally hear someone say, “A prayer will not save you.” I strongly disagree. If a person believes what is presented below, prays the prayer of salvation or one similar to it, and means it in their heart, they will be saved. We have God’s Word on it.
If they mean that just reciting a prayer, without understanding or meaning it, will not save you, then I can agree. But if you sincerely pray, your sins will be forgiven and you will be made a child of God.
By the way, one result of the Conservative Resurgence in the SBC is that conservative trustees led LifeWay into including the plan of salvation in most all of their literature. It is usually found on the inside front or back cover of their periodicals. That was a great, important decision.
The Roman Road of Salvation
1. We have a problem, we’re all sinners and God is a holy God.
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
2. The Bible teaches that payment for sin is death, separation from God. But God has a gift He wants to give you. For a gift to be yours, however, you have to accept it.
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
3. God loves us in spite of our sin. He wants us to be made right with Him. God the Son, Jesus, died for our sins, shed His blood on the cross, so we could be forgiven. Eternal life is a free gift to us, but cost Jesus his life.
Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
4. What do you need to do? Admit your sins, trust in Jesus, ask Him to forgive your sins and come into your heart and be your Savior.
Romans 10:9-10 “If you confess with your mouth the Lord* Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (* The word “Lord” means about the same as “Boss.”)
Romans 10:13 “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (New King James Version of the Bible)
5. Prayer: Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and that You died to save me. I believe that You rose from the dead and are living today. Please forgive me of all my sins. Come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior. I ask this in Jesus’ name Amen.
After you trust Jesus: Find a good Bible believing church and go every Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night; get baptized; read a chapter in the Bible every day, start in John or Luke; pray each day; tell others about Jesus.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, April 29, AD 2010.
Related Article:
Saved by the Sinner's Prayer
Below is another handout I’ve used for church and student groups. It is simple, and hopefully plain. It briefly presents the story, the plan of salvation. How a person can be forgiven of their sins, be made right with God, and have eternal life here and throughout eternity in Heaven. It is called the Roman Road Plan of Salvation because all the Bible verses are in the book of Romans.
There are several reasons to present the Roman Road here.
First, we need to know it and be reminded of it.
Second, preachers and church workers need to know how to present the plan of salvation to someone.
Third, some may want to copy and use this handout with both those who need to know Jesus as their Savior, and with believers so they can be more grounded in their faith.
Fourth, the Roman Road is one way of presenting the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus. But it can be shortened, lengthened, and adapted to present the Gospel in a specific situation, to a particular person.
Fifth, someone may be reading this that does not know what the Bible teaches about God’s love, our sin, and God’s salvation. The greatest thing you can ever do is to ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins, believe in Him, and trust Him as your Lord and Savior.
I occasionally hear someone say, “A prayer will not save you.” I strongly disagree. If a person believes what is presented below, prays the prayer of salvation or one similar to it, and means it in their heart, they will be saved. We have God’s Word on it.
If they mean that just reciting a prayer, without understanding or meaning it, will not save you, then I can agree. But if you sincerely pray, your sins will be forgiven and you will be made a child of God.
By the way, one result of the Conservative Resurgence in the SBC is that conservative trustees led LifeWay into including the plan of salvation in most all of their literature. It is usually found on the inside front or back cover of their periodicals. That was a great, important decision.
The Roman Road of Salvation
1. We have a problem, we’re all sinners and God is a holy God.
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
2. The Bible teaches that payment for sin is death, separation from God. But God has a gift He wants to give you. For a gift to be yours, however, you have to accept it.
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
3. God loves us in spite of our sin. He wants us to be made right with Him. God the Son, Jesus, died for our sins, shed His blood on the cross, so we could be forgiven. Eternal life is a free gift to us, but cost Jesus his life.
Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
4. What do you need to do? Admit your sins, trust in Jesus, ask Him to forgive your sins and come into your heart and be your Savior.
Romans 10:9-10 “If you confess with your mouth the Lord* Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (* The word “Lord” means about the same as “Boss.”)
Romans 10:13 “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (New King James Version of the Bible)
5. Prayer: Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and that You died to save me. I believe that You rose from the dead and are living today. Please forgive me of all my sins. Come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior. I ask this in Jesus’ name Amen.
After you trust Jesus: Find a good Bible believing church and go every Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night; get baptized; read a chapter in the Bible every day, start in John or Luke; pray each day; tell others about Jesus.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, April 29, AD 2010.
Related Article:
Saved by the Sinner's Prayer
Monday, April 19, 2010
Why Wait?
Every now and then at church, or for a student group, I prepare a half page handout to go along with the message. One of these brief handouts is below. Hopefully it can be of help to some.
Too often churches and parents are silent about reasons to wait until marriage to have sex. Too often teenagers and adults do not know the reasons to wait, or they need to be reminded of them.
Why Wait?
Reasons to wait until marriage to have sex.
1. Sex is a gift from God and He only intended it between the marriage of one man and one woman. (Mark 10:6-9)
2. Having sex with a person creates a kind of “oneness” that God intended only for marriage. (1 Corinthians 6:16)
3. To have a clean conscience and no worries. Don’t have to worry about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), pregnancy, or the embarrassment of seeing former boyfriends, girlfriends, at school, church, work. Abstinence is the only 100% reliable method of prevention of STDs and pregnancy.
4. To test the commitment of the other person. Some promise marriage just to get sex.
5. You cannot grow as a Christian if you are having sex outside of marriage.
6. To be clearheaded when you are making important decisions, especially about dating and marriage.
7. To increase your chance of a happy, lasting marriage. People who have sex before marriage and those who live together before marriage have a higher rate of divorce.
8. To avoid the heartbreak, regret, and anger that sex outside of marriage brings. Many people regret it. They feel used and worthless because they gave away something precious.
When we sin, if we confess our sin to God, He promises to forgive (1 John 1:9). But He does not promise to take away the consequences of our sin. As one young woman told Josh McDowell, “Yes, God forgives, but the scars remain.” God’s plan A is don’t sin; His plan B is if we sin He still loves us and is willing to forgive (1 John 2:1).
Stay away from tempting situations.
Flee sexual immorality. -1 Corinthians 6:18.
Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; he who does so destroys his own soul. Wounds and dishonor he will get, and his reproach will not be wiped away. -Proverbs 6:32-33
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, April 19, AD 2010.
Too often churches and parents are silent about reasons to wait until marriage to have sex. Too often teenagers and adults do not know the reasons to wait, or they need to be reminded of them.
Why Wait?
Reasons to wait until marriage to have sex.
1. Sex is a gift from God and He only intended it between the marriage of one man and one woman. (Mark 10:6-9)
2. Having sex with a person creates a kind of “oneness” that God intended only for marriage. (1 Corinthians 6:16)
3. To have a clean conscience and no worries. Don’t have to worry about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), pregnancy, or the embarrassment of seeing former boyfriends, girlfriends, at school, church, work. Abstinence is the only 100% reliable method of prevention of STDs and pregnancy.
4. To test the commitment of the other person. Some promise marriage just to get sex.
5. You cannot grow as a Christian if you are having sex outside of marriage.
6. To be clearheaded when you are making important decisions, especially about dating and marriage.
7. To increase your chance of a happy, lasting marriage. People who have sex before marriage and those who live together before marriage have a higher rate of divorce.
8. To avoid the heartbreak, regret, and anger that sex outside of marriage brings. Many people regret it. They feel used and worthless because they gave away something precious.
When we sin, if we confess our sin to God, He promises to forgive (1 John 1:9). But He does not promise to take away the consequences of our sin. As one young woman told Josh McDowell, “Yes, God forgives, but the scars remain.” God’s plan A is don’t sin; His plan B is if we sin He still loves us and is willing to forgive (1 John 2:1).
Stay away from tempting situations.
Flee sexual immorality. -1 Corinthians 6:18.
Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; he who does so destroys his own soul. Wounds and dishonor he will get, and his reproach will not be wiped away. -Proverbs 6:32-33
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, April 19, AD 2010.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Charles H. Spurgeon on Alcohol
“I hope they will be full of spirit against evil spirits, stout against stout, and hale against ale.”
-Charles H. Spurgeon, letter to temperance society, March 19, 1884.
Occasionally you hear someone defending social drinking by using Charles Haddon Spurgeon (AD 1834-1892) as an example. Or as an excuse. If the great Baptist preacher of London did not believe in abstinence from beverage alcohol, then it must be alright for us to drink.
Contrary to this view, we should follow biblical teaching and the common sense God gave us. Some will be surprised, however, to see what Spurgeon came to believe about the recreational use of the drug alcohol.
In his early years, Charles Haddon Spurgeon disagreed with those who preached abstinence from alcohol. But as time went by, the temperance advocates (those who promoted total abstinence from beverage alcohol), convinced Spurgeon; or maybe the Holy Spirit convinced him. Spurgeon actually became a temperance advocate. Temperance meetings were held in Spurgeon’s church, the Metropolitan Tabernacle.
In 1882 Spurgeon would boldly declare, “Next to the preaching of the Gospel, the most necessary thing to be done in England is to induce our people to become abstainers.” I’m strongly against drinking, but I’m not even sure that I would go as far as Spurgeon, with his above statement.
Dr. Lewis Drummond stated of Spurgeon, “Obviously he had become a strong advocate for abstinence.”
The two above quotes are from Spurgeon: Prince of Preachers by Dr. Lewis A. Drummond, Foreword by Carl F. H. Henry, Kregel Publications; 1992. Dr. Drummond was a professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. As a result of the SBC Conservative Resurgence, Drummond was the first conservative president of SEBTS.
Charles Spurgeon also spoke to the issue of Communion Wine stating that his church used only unfermented wine.
“We use Frank Wright’s unfermented wine at the Tabernacle, and have never used any other unfermented wine. I am given to understand that some of the so-called unfermented wine has in it a considerable amount of alcohol; but Mr. Wright’s is the pure juice of the grape. One person advertised his wine as used at the Tabernacle though we had never used it even on one occasion. So far as we are concerned, we use no wine but that produced by Messrs. Frank Wright, Mundy, and Co.
Yours truly, C. H. SPURGEON.” -Westwood, June 20, 1887.
(www.godrules.net/library/spurgeon/NEW8spurgeon_d12.htm; accessed 4-12-2010)
Notice that Spurgeon calls this pure juice of the grape “unfermented wine.” Some erroneously say there is no such thing, that all “wine” is fermented. Spurgeon, Aristotle, Nicander, Horace, Pliny, Polybius, Cato, Plutarch, and others would disagree.
Next time you hear someone say Spurgeon was for social drinking, tell them the rest of the story. Charles H. Spurgeon became a strong advocate of total abstinence from alcohol.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, April 12, AD 2010.
Note: You may also be interested in Preserving Unfermented Wine in Bible Times, and other articles under Gulf Coast Pastor Articles (Labels) in the bottom right margin.
Deuteronomy 14:26 - Does it Commend Alcohol?
Ancient Wine and the Bible - the Book
-Charles H. Spurgeon, letter to temperance society, March 19, 1884.
Occasionally you hear someone defending social drinking by using Charles Haddon Spurgeon (AD 1834-1892) as an example. Or as an excuse. If the great Baptist preacher of London did not believe in abstinence from beverage alcohol, then it must be alright for us to drink.
Contrary to this view, we should follow biblical teaching and the common sense God gave us. Some will be surprised, however, to see what Spurgeon came to believe about the recreational use of the drug alcohol.
In his early years, Charles Haddon Spurgeon disagreed with those who preached abstinence from alcohol. But as time went by, the temperance advocates (those who promoted total abstinence from beverage alcohol), convinced Spurgeon; or maybe the Holy Spirit convinced him. Spurgeon actually became a temperance advocate. Temperance meetings were held in Spurgeon’s church, the Metropolitan Tabernacle.
In 1882 Spurgeon would boldly declare, “Next to the preaching of the Gospel, the most necessary thing to be done in England is to induce our people to become abstainers.” I’m strongly against drinking, but I’m not even sure that I would go as far as Spurgeon, with his above statement.
Dr. Lewis Drummond stated of Spurgeon, “Obviously he had become a strong advocate for abstinence.”
The two above quotes are from Spurgeon: Prince of Preachers by Dr. Lewis A. Drummond, Foreword by Carl F. H. Henry, Kregel Publications; 1992. Dr. Drummond was a professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. As a result of the SBC Conservative Resurgence, Drummond was the first conservative president of SEBTS.
Charles Spurgeon also spoke to the issue of Communion Wine stating that his church used only unfermented wine.
“We use Frank Wright’s unfermented wine at the Tabernacle, and have never used any other unfermented wine. I am given to understand that some of the so-called unfermented wine has in it a considerable amount of alcohol; but Mr. Wright’s is the pure juice of the grape. One person advertised his wine as used at the Tabernacle though we had never used it even on one occasion. So far as we are concerned, we use no wine but that produced by Messrs. Frank Wright, Mundy, and Co.
Yours truly, C. H. SPURGEON.” -Westwood, June 20, 1887.
(www.godrules.net/library/spurgeon/NEW8spurgeon_d12.htm; accessed 4-12-2010)
Notice that Spurgeon calls this pure juice of the grape “unfermented wine.” Some erroneously say there is no such thing, that all “wine” is fermented. Spurgeon, Aristotle, Nicander, Horace, Pliny, Polybius, Cato, Plutarch, and others would disagree.
Next time you hear someone say Spurgeon was for social drinking, tell them the rest of the story. Charles H. Spurgeon became a strong advocate of total abstinence from alcohol.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, April 12, AD 2010.
Note: You may also be interested in Preserving Unfermented Wine in Bible Times, and other articles under Gulf Coast Pastor Articles (Labels) in the bottom right margin.
Deuteronomy 14:26 - Does it Commend Alcohol?
Ancient Wine and the Bible - the Book
Other Articles in lower right margin.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Israel, May They Prosper Who Love You
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you. -Psalm 122:6
Some Christians today say we should not support the Jews or Israel. Incredibly, some say the Israelis are no different than the terrorists they fight.
Israelis and the terrorists they fight, however, are no more equivalent than the USA and the terrorists we fight. We are not always right, but we are assuredly more right than those we oppose.
* Israel does not send suicide bombers, including children, to blow up innocent people.
* Israeli soldiers do not hide in, and shoot from, the homes of innocents and force the other side to fire on them there.
* They do not use women and children as shields during battle.
* Israel has many Arabs living within the borders of Israel proper. They live there in relative peace and security, and prosper. They are Israeli citizens. On the other hand, when Israel pulled out of Gaza they had to evacuate all the Jews, or they would have been murdered by the militants.
* Israel is a democracy, surrounded by dictatorships.
* Israel has a tiny sliver of land; the Arabs have incredible amounts of territory compared to Israel.
The answer to both sides is personal faith in Jesus Christ as Messiah and Savior. I’m all for sending missionaries to both sides. There are certainly good and bad in every race. There are wonderful Jewish Christians, and wonderful Arab Christians. I do not believe all Palestinians, all Arabs, or all Muslims are terrorists. But I certainly oppose those who are. Recently it has come to light that some Arabs protected Jews during Nazi control of North Africa and the Middle East; God bless them.
Israel is not always right, and we should oppose them when they are wrong. Don’t blindly support them, or us. But be sure about the facts, before you speak up and oppose the Israelis.
It has been asked how exactly can Christians support Israel. How can we keep our support for Israel from just being a platitude? Good question.
Ways We Can Be Supportive of Israel1. Pray for them, their safety, their security. They live in an entirely different world than we do and while they have a tenuous treaty or two, they are basically surrounded by enemies. Enemy tanks could roll across their entire country in much less than a day. They have to always be on guard. Get a Middle East map and see the size of their country as compared to the surrounding nations and the Arab and Muslim controlled lands.
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” -Psalm 122:6
2. Pray for their salvation.
“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.” -Romans 10:1
3. Support them by voting for candidates that support our aid to, and our friendship with Israel. Support their right to exist and defend themselves.
I believe God’s promise to Abraham and his descendants in Genesis 12:3 is still true, “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you.” One of the reasons God has blessed America is we have blessed His chosen people.
4. Encourage people to go visit Israel as tourists. It helps their economy; tourism is one of their biggest sources of income. You will also learn more about the modern day country of Israel and the difficulties they face. You will come to love the Holy Land as never before.
5. Speak up for the Jews, Israel, and against anti-Semitism. Teach what the Bible teaches about them. Remember everything about Christianity comes from the Jews and their faith.
“In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” -Genesis 12:3
6. Some Christians support Israel in other financial ways.
7. Support trade with Israel. When you have a chance, buy what is produced in Israel.
We should love, pray for, and witness to all people. But God’s chosen people are still special.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, April 6, AD 2010.
Some Christians today say we should not support the Jews or Israel. Incredibly, some say the Israelis are no different than the terrorists they fight.
Israelis and the terrorists they fight, however, are no more equivalent than the USA and the terrorists we fight. We are not always right, but we are assuredly more right than those we oppose.
* Israel does not send suicide bombers, including children, to blow up innocent people.
* Israeli soldiers do not hide in, and shoot from, the homes of innocents and force the other side to fire on them there.
* They do not use women and children as shields during battle.
* Israel has many Arabs living within the borders of Israel proper. They live there in relative peace and security, and prosper. They are Israeli citizens. On the other hand, when Israel pulled out of Gaza they had to evacuate all the Jews, or they would have been murdered by the militants.
* Israel is a democracy, surrounded by dictatorships.
* Israel has a tiny sliver of land; the Arabs have incredible amounts of territory compared to Israel.
The answer to both sides is personal faith in Jesus Christ as Messiah and Savior. I’m all for sending missionaries to both sides. There are certainly good and bad in every race. There are wonderful Jewish Christians, and wonderful Arab Christians. I do not believe all Palestinians, all Arabs, or all Muslims are terrorists. But I certainly oppose those who are. Recently it has come to light that some Arabs protected Jews during Nazi control of North Africa and the Middle East; God bless them.
Israel is not always right, and we should oppose them when they are wrong. Don’t blindly support them, or us. But be sure about the facts, before you speak up and oppose the Israelis.
It has been asked how exactly can Christians support Israel. How can we keep our support for Israel from just being a platitude? Good question.
Ways We Can Be Supportive of Israel1. Pray for them, their safety, their security. They live in an entirely different world than we do and while they have a tenuous treaty or two, they are basically surrounded by enemies. Enemy tanks could roll across their entire country in much less than a day. They have to always be on guard. Get a Middle East map and see the size of their country as compared to the surrounding nations and the Arab and Muslim controlled lands.
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” -Psalm 122:6
2. Pray for their salvation.
“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.” -Romans 10:1
3. Support them by voting for candidates that support our aid to, and our friendship with Israel. Support their right to exist and defend themselves.
I believe God’s promise to Abraham and his descendants in Genesis 12:3 is still true, “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you.” One of the reasons God has blessed America is we have blessed His chosen people.
4. Encourage people to go visit Israel as tourists. It helps their economy; tourism is one of their biggest sources of income. You will also learn more about the modern day country of Israel and the difficulties they face. You will come to love the Holy Land as never before.
5. Speak up for the Jews, Israel, and against anti-Semitism. Teach what the Bible teaches about them. Remember everything about Christianity comes from the Jews and their faith.
“In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” -Genesis 12:3
6. Some Christians support Israel in other financial ways.
7. Support trade with Israel. When you have a chance, buy what is produced in Israel.
We should love, pray for, and witness to all people. But God’s chosen people are still special.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, April 6, AD 2010.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Easter, Christianity, and the Resurrection
The Gospel (Good News) is that “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” -1 Corinthians 15:3-4; The Bible
Did Jesus really die for our sins and rise from the dead on the third day? Yes! He really, physically, literally, bodily, rose from the dead and is living today.
Easter is special, but really every time followers of Jesus worship on Sunday it is in celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Sunday is sometimes called the Christian Sabbath or the Lord’s Day.
We see from the following verses that the Christians began to worship on Sunday:
Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you."
When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” -John 20:19-21
And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you!” -John 20:26
On the first day of the week, Peter preached his sermon on the day of Pentecost and 3,000 souls were saved.
Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together. -Acts 20:7-8
(As a preacher who still has Sunday Evening Worship Services, I can’t help but point out that John 20:19-21 and Acts 20:7-8 refer to Sunday Evening gatherings.)
On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. -1 Corinthians 16:2
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet. -Revelation 1:10
The early church was composed of Jewish believers in Jesus as their Messiah, their Savior. They had always worshipped on Saturday, the 7th Day. Why in the world would they change? It would have taken an incredible event. And it did. The incredible miracle of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
What did the early church do? The church soon after New Testament times? They also worshipped on the first day of the week.
Barnabas, AD 120 - “We keep the eighth day with joyfulness, the day also on which Jesus rose from the dead.”
Justin Martyr, c. AD 165 - “But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our communion assembly because Jesus Christ, our Saviour, on the same day arose from the dead.”
Bardesones of Odessa, Asia, AD 180 - “On one day, the first day of the week, we assemble ourselves together.”
Clement of Alexandria, AD 194 - “He, in fulfillment of the precept, according to the gospel, keeps the Lord’s day, when he abandons an evil disposition…glorifying the Lord’s resurrection in himself.”
Tertullian in Africa, Bishop of Carthage, AD 200 - “We solemnize the day after Saturday in contradiction to those who call this day their Sabbath.”
Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, Africa, AD 250 - “The eighth day, that is, the first day after the Sabbath, and the Lord’s day.”
Apostolic Constitution, AD 250 - “On the day of our Lord’s resurrection, which is the Lord’s day meet more diligently.”
A man told a preacher, “The Christian religion is no big deal. It would be easy to start a religion like that.”
The preacher replied, “Oh yes. You would only have to get crucified and rise again the third day.”
And that is exactly what Jesus did.
Believe that Jesus died for your sins and rose again. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins and come into your heart to be your Lord and Savior. Follow Him. And Easter and the Resurrection will have meaning as never before. Jesus loves you. He is the way to forgiveness, salvation, resurrection, and everlasting life. Jesus gave His all to you; give your heart and life to Him.
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” -John 11:25.
Reference: R. G. Lee.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, April 1, AD 2010.
Did Jesus really die for our sins and rise from the dead on the third day? Yes! He really, physically, literally, bodily, rose from the dead and is living today.
Easter is special, but really every time followers of Jesus worship on Sunday it is in celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Sunday is sometimes called the Christian Sabbath or the Lord’s Day.
We see from the following verses that the Christians began to worship on Sunday:
Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you."
When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” -John 20:19-21
And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you!” -John 20:26
On the first day of the week, Peter preached his sermon on the day of Pentecost and 3,000 souls were saved.
Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together. -Acts 20:7-8
(As a preacher who still has Sunday Evening Worship Services, I can’t help but point out that John 20:19-21 and Acts 20:7-8 refer to Sunday Evening gatherings.)
On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. -1 Corinthians 16:2
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet. -Revelation 1:10
The early church was composed of Jewish believers in Jesus as their Messiah, their Savior. They had always worshipped on Saturday, the 7th Day. Why in the world would they change? It would have taken an incredible event. And it did. The incredible miracle of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
What did the early church do? The church soon after New Testament times? They also worshipped on the first day of the week.
Barnabas, AD 120 - “We keep the eighth day with joyfulness, the day also on which Jesus rose from the dead.”
Justin Martyr, c. AD 165 - “But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our communion assembly because Jesus Christ, our Saviour, on the same day arose from the dead.”
Bardesones of Odessa, Asia, AD 180 - “On one day, the first day of the week, we assemble ourselves together.”
Clement of Alexandria, AD 194 - “He, in fulfillment of the precept, according to the gospel, keeps the Lord’s day, when he abandons an evil disposition…glorifying the Lord’s resurrection in himself.”
Tertullian in Africa, Bishop of Carthage, AD 200 - “We solemnize the day after Saturday in contradiction to those who call this day their Sabbath.”
Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, Africa, AD 250 - “The eighth day, that is, the first day after the Sabbath, and the Lord’s day.”
Apostolic Constitution, AD 250 - “On the day of our Lord’s resurrection, which is the Lord’s day meet more diligently.”
A man told a preacher, “The Christian religion is no big deal. It would be easy to start a religion like that.”
The preacher replied, “Oh yes. You would only have to get crucified and rise again the third day.”
And that is exactly what Jesus did.
Believe that Jesus died for your sins and rose again. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins and come into your heart to be your Lord and Savior. Follow Him. And Easter and the Resurrection will have meaning as never before. Jesus loves you. He is the way to forgiveness, salvation, resurrection, and everlasting life. Jesus gave His all to you; give your heart and life to Him.
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” -John 11:25.
Reference: R. G. Lee.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, April 1, AD 2010.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Sharing Your Faith, by Evangelist Bill Fay
Bill Fay is an evangelist. He is author of Share Jesus without Fear, a great, brief, simple book on sharing Jesus’ salvation with others (I think there is a small group study edition by LifeWay and a regular book by Broadman & Holman). There is a link to his website in the right margin of this blog, under Sites I Mainly Agree With.
Few people know how to get to the heart of the issue of evangelism like Fay. If you read the following short article; it will be time well spent. Any time you see a Baptist Press article by Bill Fay, know it is worth reading.
Sharing Your Faith During Easter
FORT MYERS, Fla. (BP)--With Easter just days away, wouldn't it be wonderful to see the Lord enter the hearts of family and friends and people that we love?
There is not a conversation that you cannot turn into a spiritual test-point to see if God is at work. Let me give you a simple example.
You could be talking with someone about sports and simply say, "What is your favorite sport?" They may reply, "football." Just say, "I am just curious: Did you ever notice that so many pro athletes destroy their lives no matter how much money they're making? I'm just curious, do you think there's a heaven and hell?" You can go from football to heaven in one simple question.
I was in a restaurant the other day and a server came to my table. I simply said, "I love the cross you're wearing. Have you figured out when you die, where you're going?" She broke down crying. She had lost her 21 year old son to cancer and her mother had died. She was in church with me the next day.
One of my favorite questions is, "Do you have any kind of spiritual belief?" I don't ask someone if they believe in God. The second question I like asking is, "To you, who is Jesus?" If they have a relationship with Christ, they'll say, "My Lord, My Savior."
I really like asking someone, "When you die where will you go?" Most people will say, "I hope heaven." I then ask, "Why would God let you in?" If they give a works answer -- for instance, "I'm a really wonderful person" -- I ask, "If what you're believing is not true, do you want to know?"
I want to give you a challenge before your family and friends arrive at your home for Easter. Start to pray and think about one person you could go to and just ask these questions. You will experience how open people are. A lost person doesn't have any answers in this world of chaos, but the Christian does. If you're a born-again Christian, you have the only answer that's possible, and that is the risen Christ.
by Bill Fay, posted on Mar 29, 2010; bpnews.net (published by permission).
Note: You may also be interested in The Roman Road of Salvation, and other articles under Evangelism listed in right margin below Gulf Coast Pastor Articles (Labels).
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, March 30, AD 2010.
Few people know how to get to the heart of the issue of evangelism like Fay. If you read the following short article; it will be time well spent. Any time you see a Baptist Press article by Bill Fay, know it is worth reading.
Sharing Your Faith During Easter
FORT MYERS, Fla. (BP)--With Easter just days away, wouldn't it be wonderful to see the Lord enter the hearts of family and friends and people that we love?
There is not a conversation that you cannot turn into a spiritual test-point to see if God is at work. Let me give you a simple example.
You could be talking with someone about sports and simply say, "What is your favorite sport?" They may reply, "football." Just say, "I am just curious: Did you ever notice that so many pro athletes destroy their lives no matter how much money they're making? I'm just curious, do you think there's a heaven and hell?" You can go from football to heaven in one simple question.
I was in a restaurant the other day and a server came to my table. I simply said, "I love the cross you're wearing. Have you figured out when you die, where you're going?" She broke down crying. She had lost her 21 year old son to cancer and her mother had died. She was in church with me the next day.
One of my favorite questions is, "Do you have any kind of spiritual belief?" I don't ask someone if they believe in God. The second question I like asking is, "To you, who is Jesus?" If they have a relationship with Christ, they'll say, "My Lord, My Savior."
I really like asking someone, "When you die where will you go?" Most people will say, "I hope heaven." I then ask, "Why would God let you in?" If they give a works answer -- for instance, "I'm a really wonderful person" -- I ask, "If what you're believing is not true, do you want to know?"
I want to give you a challenge before your family and friends arrive at your home for Easter. Start to pray and think about one person you could go to and just ask these questions. You will experience how open people are. A lost person doesn't have any answers in this world of chaos, but the Christian does. If you're a born-again Christian, you have the only answer that's possible, and that is the risen Christ.
by Bill Fay, posted on Mar 29, 2010; bpnews.net (published by permission).
Note: You may also be interested in The Roman Road of Salvation, and other articles under Evangelism listed in right margin below Gulf Coast Pastor Articles (Labels).
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, March 30, AD 2010.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Commentaries and Bible Study
So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.
-Nehemiah 8:8
What is a commentary? It is simply a book that attempts to explain what a book in the Bible has to say.
It will give a basic introduction to the Bible book. Things like the author of the book, time of writing, who it was first written to, the basic theme or purpose of the book.
A commentary will then go verse by verse, or chapter by chapter and explain the meaning of the text of the Bible. The commentary author will sometimes refer to the original biblical languages of Greek and Hebrew. It may give several possible interpretations of a passage, especially if that passage is controversial or hard to understand. I like a commentary that then gives the author’s view of which is the right interpretation.
Some commentaries are very lengthy and detailed. Some skip over many verses and just hit the high points. Some are very technical and scholarly. Some so scholarly that you need to know Greek and Hebrew and maybe another language or two to keep up with it. Other commentaries are more expositional and devotional in nature.
Some of the best commentaries are by pastors who have preached through that book in the Bible. They include the meaning of the passage, doctrine, as well as illustrations and practical application of Scripture. These are sometimes called expositional commentaries.
For laymen, Sunday School teachers, and most pastors, I think good expositional commentaries are the most helpful. Two or three expositional commentaries, along with a more scholarly, technical commentary or two can be a good combination. You can buy them yourself or check out your church library. You don’t have to buy all the commentaries; you can start out by getting two or three on a particular Bible book.
Below are some of my recommendations. But I’d advise you to check them out for yourself to see if they are a good fit for you. Even if we believe the same basic things, my favorite commentator may not be yours. Remember that some commentators are better with one book than the next. Also, some book editors have edited out the illustrations and personal stories to condense the book; in my opinion this seriously diminishes the book.
A set of commentaries cost more at first, but the set is usually cheaper than over time buying all the individual volumes. Will you always agree with the commentary author? Of course not, but the authors listed below are conservative and believe in the divine inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible. Not all are Baptist, but all are conservative, evangelical, and helpful.
Some of my favorite expositional commentaries and authors:
The first commentaries I would recommend would be the Bible Exposition Commentary by Warren Weirsbe; Thru the Bible Series by J. Vernon McGee; and the volumes by H. A. Ironside. These are a great place to begin.
While they are not in a set, I would also highly recommend the commentaries on individual books in the Bible by John Phillips, R. L. Sumner, Paige Patterson, W. A. Criswell, Jerry Vines, Adrian Rogers.
Other popular commentaries you may want to check out:
Holman Bible Commentary, Herschel Hobbs, John MacArthur, James T. Draper, John F. Walvoord, Albert Barnes, James M. Boice.
A more scholarly, technical set of commentaries:
The New American Commentary by Broadman & Holman. While these are scholarly, they are fairly easy to understand. The entire set is expensive, but they can be purchased one at a time. Or, talk your church into buying these, as well as some of the above, for the church library.
For the study of LifeWay Sunday School lessons, the Advanced Bible Study; Herschel Hobbs, and some of their other lesson study tools are very helpful. Check out what LifeWay has to offer.
The above commentaries can be ordered through a local Christian Bookstore, LifeWay, Amazon.com, etc. There is no end to commentaries, even the good ones, but these can get you started.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, March 23, AD 2010.
Related Articles:
Bibles and Bible Study
Scofield Bible, First 100 Years
-Nehemiah 8:8
What is a commentary? It is simply a book that attempts to explain what a book in the Bible has to say.
It will give a basic introduction to the Bible book. Things like the author of the book, time of writing, who it was first written to, the basic theme or purpose of the book.
A commentary will then go verse by verse, or chapter by chapter and explain the meaning of the text of the Bible. The commentary author will sometimes refer to the original biblical languages of Greek and Hebrew. It may give several possible interpretations of a passage, especially if that passage is controversial or hard to understand. I like a commentary that then gives the author’s view of which is the right interpretation.
Some commentaries are very lengthy and detailed. Some skip over many verses and just hit the high points. Some are very technical and scholarly. Some so scholarly that you need to know Greek and Hebrew and maybe another language or two to keep up with it. Other commentaries are more expositional and devotional in nature.
Some of the best commentaries are by pastors who have preached through that book in the Bible. They include the meaning of the passage, doctrine, as well as illustrations and practical application of Scripture. These are sometimes called expositional commentaries.
For laymen, Sunday School teachers, and most pastors, I think good expositional commentaries are the most helpful. Two or three expositional commentaries, along with a more scholarly, technical commentary or two can be a good combination. You can buy them yourself or check out your church library. You don’t have to buy all the commentaries; you can start out by getting two or three on a particular Bible book.
Below are some of my recommendations. But I’d advise you to check them out for yourself to see if they are a good fit for you. Even if we believe the same basic things, my favorite commentator may not be yours. Remember that some commentators are better with one book than the next. Also, some book editors have edited out the illustrations and personal stories to condense the book; in my opinion this seriously diminishes the book.
A set of commentaries cost more at first, but the set is usually cheaper than over time buying all the individual volumes. Will you always agree with the commentary author? Of course not, but the authors listed below are conservative and believe in the divine inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible. Not all are Baptist, but all are conservative, evangelical, and helpful.
Some of my favorite expositional commentaries and authors:
The first commentaries I would recommend would be the Bible Exposition Commentary by Warren Weirsbe; Thru the Bible Series by J. Vernon McGee; and the volumes by H. A. Ironside. These are a great place to begin.
While they are not in a set, I would also highly recommend the commentaries on individual books in the Bible by John Phillips, R. L. Sumner, Paige Patterson, W. A. Criswell, Jerry Vines, Adrian Rogers.
Other popular commentaries you may want to check out:
Holman Bible Commentary, Herschel Hobbs, John MacArthur, James T. Draper, John F. Walvoord, Albert Barnes, James M. Boice.
A more scholarly, technical set of commentaries:
The New American Commentary by Broadman & Holman. While these are scholarly, they are fairly easy to understand. The entire set is expensive, but they can be purchased one at a time. Or, talk your church into buying these, as well as some of the above, for the church library.
For the study of LifeWay Sunday School lessons, the Advanced Bible Study; Herschel Hobbs, and some of their other lesson study tools are very helpful. Check out what LifeWay has to offer.
The above commentaries can be ordered through a local Christian Bookstore, LifeWay, Amazon.com, etc. There is no end to commentaries, even the good ones, but these can get you started.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, March 23, AD 2010.
Related Articles:
Bibles and Bible Study
Scofield Bible, First 100 Years
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Alcohol and the Church, (BP) Peter Lumpkins
This week (3-15-2010), Baptist Press began publishing a three part series on Alcohol and the Church by Peter Lumpkins. They are well worth your time to read. That is especially true considering the world in which we live. You can click the articles below to read them.
Peter Lumpkins is a Southern Baptist minister who lives in West Georgia. He is the author of Alcohol Today: Abstinence in an Age of Indulgence, Hannibal Books. It can be ordered from any bookstore or at hannibalbooks.com or amazon.com.
Baptist Press (BP) is the news agency of the Southern Baptist Convention. You can click the Baptist Press icon in the right margin of this blog (under Sites I Mainly Agree With) anytime to see their most recent articles. I appreciate Morris Chapman, the SBC Executive Board, and Baptist Press dealing with this issue. I thank God Southern Baptists still stand strong in their conviction against the mind altering, recreational drug we call beverage alcohol; the drug that has destroyed the lives of so many.
Alcohol and the Church, Part 1 (alcohol problem and statistics)
Alcohol and the Church, Part 2 (wine in Bible times)
Alcohol and the Church, Part 3 (reasons for abstinence)
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, March 17, AD 2010.
Peter Lumpkins is a Southern Baptist minister who lives in West Georgia. He is the author of Alcohol Today: Abstinence in an Age of Indulgence, Hannibal Books. It can be ordered from any bookstore or at hannibalbooks.com or amazon.com.
Baptist Press (BP) is the news agency of the Southern Baptist Convention. You can click the Baptist Press icon in the right margin of this blog (under Sites I Mainly Agree With) anytime to see their most recent articles. I appreciate Morris Chapman, the SBC Executive Board, and Baptist Press dealing with this issue. I thank God Southern Baptists still stand strong in their conviction against the mind altering, recreational drug we call beverage alcohol; the drug that has destroyed the lives of so many.
Alcohol and the Church, Part 1 (alcohol problem and statistics)
Alcohol and the Church, Part 2 (wine in Bible times)
Alcohol and the Church, Part 3 (reasons for abstinence)
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, March 17, AD 2010.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Obituary - Dr. Donald R. Potts (AD 1930-2010)
Therefore my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. -Philippians 4:1
Dr. Donald R. Potts passed away January 16, 2010 in Marshall, TX. Born in St. Louis, Missouri June 10, 1930, he was a graduate of: Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri; Southwest Baptist College, Bolivar, MO; Oklahoma Baptist University, Shawnee, OK; Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and studied at Oxford sponsored by New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Dr. Potts pastored in Missouri; Lawton and Norman, Oklahoma; First Baptist Church, Groves, TX; and served as Chair of the Religion Department at East Texas Baptist University from 1976-2001. Dr. Potts also served many churches as interim pastor. He served in a number of areas in the state convention.
Donald Potts wrote articles for Proclaim, Church Administration, and the Baptist Standard. He was an adjunct professor for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He had taught at Cameron College, Lawton, OK, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX; and in Foshan, China and Lome, Togo.
He was married to Jeanne and had two children, Cindy and Donald Mark. His Funeral Service was January 21, 2010 at ETBU with Dane Fowlkes, Mark Chamberlin, Kevin Hall and Franklin Atkinson officiating.
During the Memorial Service Dr. Potts’ son spoke, his daughter spoke briefly and played a special arrangement of a favorite song. Dr. Potts had asked Dr. Franklin Atkinson to read the Scripture that Dane Fowlkes would use for the message; Philippians 4:1-8. His daughter asked Dr. Atkinson to give “A Tribute to a Friend.” His library will go to First Baptist Church, Groves, TX. They had a special day last year to dedicate this library. Interment was at Colonial Gardens Cemetery in Marshall.
Six years ago Dr. Potts was told he had approximately two weeks to live. He obviously had serious health problems yet continued to teach a Sunday School Class at First Baptist Church, Marshall, TX.
Somehow, word got out back then that Dr. Potts had already died. When a photo of him at an event, appeared in the Marshall newspaper a lady wrote in and said she was so happy to see it, she thought he had died. ETBU alumni were also confused and thought he had died. I confirmed with Dr. Atkinson, another retired ETBU religion professor, that Dr. Potts was still alive and relatively well.
Sherree Murray, ETBU graduate, was doing an alumni newsletter for those who attended ETBU in the 1970s and 1980s (then it was ETBC). In 2008 we included an updated article about Dr. Potts. There was the same response from several alumni, “We thought he was dead.” Dr. Potts was aware of these rumors and graciously, and with his characteristic humor, took it in stride.
I sent Dr. Potts a copy of my book in 2008 along with a note telling how much he had meant to me at ETBU. Dr. Potts sent a very gracious card in reply speaking of how he had enjoyed getting to know my dad through reading the book about him.
During his struggles with bad health, Dr. Potts said he was ready to go be with the Lord. He would then add, “Don’t pray against me.”
At ETBU I had Dr. Potts for a number of Bible courses. This was during the early stages of the Conservative Resurgence in the SBC and I was very impressed with his conservative theology. In the 1970s if all our SBC professors had believed like Dr. Potts, there would never have been a reason for the Conservative Resurgence.
He was theologically conservative, knowledgeable, gracious, and humorous. He made his classes interesting and worthwhile. He dealt with the theological as well as the practical side of ministry. Sundays young preachers would preach in churches throughout East Texas and quote Dr. Potts; sometimes accurately :-) . He was a Christian gentleman who treated his young ministerial students with respect. He in turn, certainly had our respect.
On one occasion, when a speaker canceled at the very last minute, Dr. Potts, stood and spoke some very helpful words of advice to a large group of young preachers. He saved the program from being a total disaster. By the way, I attended college with his wife and daughter and we all graduated in the same class.
We would ask him how far we should go in our education; he would say you should be educated to the full extent of your ability. I have a Master’s but not a Doctoral degree. I’ve often said that in this regard, I did exactly what Dr. Potts told me to do.
The good things about my life and ministry are partly due to the teaching and testimony of Dr. Donald R. Potts. He is one of the ones I’ve looked up to through the years. Many other preachers would say the same.
Thank you Dr. Potts, for your influence on my life, and the lives of so many others. This world is a better place because you followed the Lord.
Note: An obituary about Dr. Potts was printed in the Baptist Standard and the Southern Baptist Texan.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, March 15, AD 2010.
Dr. Donald R. Potts passed away January 16, 2010 in Marshall, TX. Born in St. Louis, Missouri June 10, 1930, he was a graduate of: Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri; Southwest Baptist College, Bolivar, MO; Oklahoma Baptist University, Shawnee, OK; Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and studied at Oxford sponsored by New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Dr. Potts pastored in Missouri; Lawton and Norman, Oklahoma; First Baptist Church, Groves, TX; and served as Chair of the Religion Department at East Texas Baptist University from 1976-2001. Dr. Potts also served many churches as interim pastor. He served in a number of areas in the state convention.
Donald Potts wrote articles for Proclaim, Church Administration, and the Baptist Standard. He was an adjunct professor for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He had taught at Cameron College, Lawton, OK, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX; and in Foshan, China and Lome, Togo.
He was married to Jeanne and had two children, Cindy and Donald Mark. His Funeral Service was January 21, 2010 at ETBU with Dane Fowlkes, Mark Chamberlin, Kevin Hall and Franklin Atkinson officiating.
During the Memorial Service Dr. Potts’ son spoke, his daughter spoke briefly and played a special arrangement of a favorite song. Dr. Potts had asked Dr. Franklin Atkinson to read the Scripture that Dane Fowlkes would use for the message; Philippians 4:1-8. His daughter asked Dr. Atkinson to give “A Tribute to a Friend.” His library will go to First Baptist Church, Groves, TX. They had a special day last year to dedicate this library. Interment was at Colonial Gardens Cemetery in Marshall.
Six years ago Dr. Potts was told he had approximately two weeks to live. He obviously had serious health problems yet continued to teach a Sunday School Class at First Baptist Church, Marshall, TX.
Somehow, word got out back then that Dr. Potts had already died. When a photo of him at an event, appeared in the Marshall newspaper a lady wrote in and said she was so happy to see it, she thought he had died. ETBU alumni were also confused and thought he had died. I confirmed with Dr. Atkinson, another retired ETBU religion professor, that Dr. Potts was still alive and relatively well.
Sherree Murray, ETBU graduate, was doing an alumni newsletter for those who attended ETBU in the 1970s and 1980s (then it was ETBC). In 2008 we included an updated article about Dr. Potts. There was the same response from several alumni, “We thought he was dead.” Dr. Potts was aware of these rumors and graciously, and with his characteristic humor, took it in stride.
I sent Dr. Potts a copy of my book in 2008 along with a note telling how much he had meant to me at ETBU. Dr. Potts sent a very gracious card in reply speaking of how he had enjoyed getting to know my dad through reading the book about him.
During his struggles with bad health, Dr. Potts said he was ready to go be with the Lord. He would then add, “Don’t pray against me.”
At ETBU I had Dr. Potts for a number of Bible courses. This was during the early stages of the Conservative Resurgence in the SBC and I was very impressed with his conservative theology. In the 1970s if all our SBC professors had believed like Dr. Potts, there would never have been a reason for the Conservative Resurgence.
He was theologically conservative, knowledgeable, gracious, and humorous. He made his classes interesting and worthwhile. He dealt with the theological as well as the practical side of ministry. Sundays young preachers would preach in churches throughout East Texas and quote Dr. Potts; sometimes accurately :-) . He was a Christian gentleman who treated his young ministerial students with respect. He in turn, certainly had our respect.
On one occasion, when a speaker canceled at the very last minute, Dr. Potts, stood and spoke some very helpful words of advice to a large group of young preachers. He saved the program from being a total disaster. By the way, I attended college with his wife and daughter and we all graduated in the same class.
We would ask him how far we should go in our education; he would say you should be educated to the full extent of your ability. I have a Master’s but not a Doctoral degree. I’ve often said that in this regard, I did exactly what Dr. Potts told me to do.
The good things about my life and ministry are partly due to the teaching and testimony of Dr. Donald R. Potts. He is one of the ones I’ve looked up to through the years. Many other preachers would say the same.
Thank you Dr. Potts, for your influence on my life, and the lives of so many others. This world is a better place because you followed the Lord.
Note: An obituary about Dr. Potts was printed in the Baptist Standard and the Southern Baptist Texan.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, March 15, AD 2010.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Saint Patrick of Ireland
“I share in the work of those whom He called and predestinated to preach the Gospel among grave persecutions to the end of the earth.” -Saint Patrick
St. Patrick and his holiday are filled with legends. St. Patrick did not drive snakes out of Ireland. He was not a Roman Catholic emissary to Ireland. He wasn’t even Irish, rather, British. Yes, he was a saint, but according to the Bible, all believers are saints (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Philippians 1:1; etc.).
St. Patrick was born into a Christian home in Britain. There are a number of interesting facts about the British church of Patrick's day. They had bishops, but they were pastors, overseers, of local churches. In the Bible the terms bishop, pastor, elder, are used synonymously to refer to the office of the leader in a local church (Acts 20:28; Philippians 1:1; 1 Peter 5:1-3). Their bishops married and had families (1 Timothy 3:2). They looked to the Bible as their supreme authority. They referred to monasteries, but a little investigation reveals a monastery was just their version of a Bible school or seminary. They had monks, but many monks were married, had children and preached throughout the countryside. A monk was simply a seminary student. They spoke of baptism by immersion. These are some of the reasons the great preacher, W. A. Criswell, preached his 1958 sermon, St. Patrick was a Baptist preacher (see W. A. Criswell in this blog’s right sidebar).
Whatever happened to these ancient British followers of Christ? The Romans withdrew their legions from Britain in the middle AD 400s. The British had not learned warfare and had no ability to protect their country. With the Romans gone, thousands of these British Christians were killed by invaders in the late AD 400s and 500s.
Patrick was born about AD 360 into a Christian home in Britain. His father was a deacon and his grandfather was a pastor. He, however, had not yet accepted Christ. In this day, the Celtic tribes of Ireland were uncivilized barbarians. During one of their raids on Britain, 16 year old Patrick was taken captive.
For six long years Patrick was a slave in Ireland. During his slavery, Patrick accepted Christ and his faith was strengthened. He wrote in his Confessions, “I would pray constantly during the daylight hours…the love of God…surrounded me more and more.”
God spoke to Patrick in a dream, “Your hungers are rewarded. You are going home. Look, your ship is ready.” As a fugitive slave, he walked over 100 miles to the Irish coast where he escaped on a ship and returned to Britain.
Back in Britain he entered into Christian ministry and in time became a bishop (pastor). Patrick developed a love for the pagan people of Ireland and sensed a call to take the Gospel to them. So years after he returned home, he voluntarily went back to Ireland as a missionary from Britain.
Patrick lived among the Irish, learned their culture, and gradually began to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Results were slow, but he was patient and faithful. Over time, thousands came to know Christ as their Saviour. He preached the Gospel throughout Ireland and established churches and monasteries (seminaries). Later Irish Christians followed Patrick’s example and spread the Gospel in Scotland, Britain, and Europe.
St. Patrick is one of the heroes of the Christian faith. He shows how growing up in a Christian family does not automatically mean you are a Christian, it must come by personal faith. He is an example of adversity strengthening personal faith. He reveals much about love for the lost, cross-cultural evangelism, and self sacrifice.
A few things to consider next week on St. Patrick’s Day.
Read more about it: St. Patrick was a Baptist Preacher, by W. A. Criswell, wacriswell.com; several Baptist Press articles on St. Patrick, bpnews.net; The Celtic Way of Evangelism by George G. Hunter III.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, March 11, AD 2010.
St. Patrick and his holiday are filled with legends. St. Patrick did not drive snakes out of Ireland. He was not a Roman Catholic emissary to Ireland. He wasn’t even Irish, rather, British. Yes, he was a saint, but according to the Bible, all believers are saints (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Philippians 1:1; etc.).
St. Patrick was born into a Christian home in Britain. There are a number of interesting facts about the British church of Patrick's day. They had bishops, but they were pastors, overseers, of local churches. In the Bible the terms bishop, pastor, elder, are used synonymously to refer to the office of the leader in a local church (Acts 20:28; Philippians 1:1; 1 Peter 5:1-3). Their bishops married and had families (1 Timothy 3:2). They looked to the Bible as their supreme authority. They referred to monasteries, but a little investigation reveals a monastery was just their version of a Bible school or seminary. They had monks, but many monks were married, had children and preached throughout the countryside. A monk was simply a seminary student. They spoke of baptism by immersion. These are some of the reasons the great preacher, W. A. Criswell, preached his 1958 sermon, St. Patrick was a Baptist preacher (see W. A. Criswell in this blog’s right sidebar).
Whatever happened to these ancient British followers of Christ? The Romans withdrew their legions from Britain in the middle AD 400s. The British had not learned warfare and had no ability to protect their country. With the Romans gone, thousands of these British Christians were killed by invaders in the late AD 400s and 500s.
Patrick was born about AD 360 into a Christian home in Britain. His father was a deacon and his grandfather was a pastor. He, however, had not yet accepted Christ. In this day, the Celtic tribes of Ireland were uncivilized barbarians. During one of their raids on Britain, 16 year old Patrick was taken captive.
For six long years Patrick was a slave in Ireland. During his slavery, Patrick accepted Christ and his faith was strengthened. He wrote in his Confessions, “I would pray constantly during the daylight hours…the love of God…surrounded me more and more.”
God spoke to Patrick in a dream, “Your hungers are rewarded. You are going home. Look, your ship is ready.” As a fugitive slave, he walked over 100 miles to the Irish coast where he escaped on a ship and returned to Britain.
Back in Britain he entered into Christian ministry and in time became a bishop (pastor). Patrick developed a love for the pagan people of Ireland and sensed a call to take the Gospel to them. So years after he returned home, he voluntarily went back to Ireland as a missionary from Britain.
Patrick lived among the Irish, learned their culture, and gradually began to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Results were slow, but he was patient and faithful. Over time, thousands came to know Christ as their Saviour. He preached the Gospel throughout Ireland and established churches and monasteries (seminaries). Later Irish Christians followed Patrick’s example and spread the Gospel in Scotland, Britain, and Europe.
St. Patrick is one of the heroes of the Christian faith. He shows how growing up in a Christian family does not automatically mean you are a Christian, it must come by personal faith. He is an example of adversity strengthening personal faith. He reveals much about love for the lost, cross-cultural evangelism, and self sacrifice.
A few things to consider next week on St. Patrick’s Day.
Read more about it: St. Patrick was a Baptist Preacher, by W. A. Criswell, wacriswell.com; several Baptist Press articles on St. Patrick, bpnews.net; The Celtic Way of Evangelism by George G. Hunter III.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, March 11, AD 2010.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
I Knew You Would Come
In ancient days there lived a great nobleman. His only child was a daughter who was of age to be married. So the nobleman decided to throw a great celebration in his castle that would last for days. He would invite all the young noblemen of the entire area to participate in this grand festival. Surely during this time a suitable husband could be found for his daughter.
The appointed day came and the guests began to arrive. Eligible young men began to enjoy the merriment and the great feasts. They did the things young men do to impress a young woman.
A beggar in an old cloak appeared at the door of the castle and began to knock. At first they paid him no mind. He persisted so someone threw him a few crumbs of bread. Still he would not go away. Someone cried, “Throw him a few coins. That will get rid of him for sure.” This was done to no effect. The beggar kept knocking.
“Go away,” they threatened, “or we’ll unleash the dogs on you.” But he continued to knock with his crutches.
They opened the door and asked, “What is it you want?” “Is this not the day for guests to come to seek the nobleman’s daughter? I have come to ask for her hand.”
The beggar edged into the courtyard as word spread throughout the castle. Guests gathered to mock and laugh at this poor deluded vagrant.
The daughter soon heard the talk and the laughter and asked what the commotion was all about. “It’s just a poor, crippled beggar who wants to marry you.” “I’ll go and see him,” she said.
The young woman approached the beggar, “What is it you want?”
“I’ve seen you while I myself was unnoticed. I love you deeply and want to marry you.”
She paused, looked into his face, and, barely heard above the laughter she replied, “Yes, I will marry you.”
“When,” he asked.
“In a year and a day.”
“Very good, I will return for you,” and he limped away.
“You are smarter than we thought,” her friends said. “You sure knew how to get rid of him.”
She quietly insisted, “But I meant what I said.”
Knowing she could not be serious, the crowd continued their laughter and celebration. The festival resumed but the young woman gave them no encouragement. It finally came to an end on a note of gloom.
The nobleman was a good man but greatly disappointed. He counseled his daughter to no avail. He explained how all his money spent for the party had now been a waste. “My wonderful daughter marry a beggar? You know he will never return for you.”
A long, cruel year ensued. There was much derision. The daughter would only smile and say, “I’ve made my choice and he will return.”
The year slowly passed. The next day arrived uneventful. But at noon something happened. Peals of music and trumpets were heard in the distance. An imperial messenger rode with fury to the castle gate announcing the arrival of the king’s son, the royal prince.
There was no time to prepare. The nobleman, with his daughter, barely had time to reach the castle gate. What a sight they saw. As far as the eye could see were rows of knights and servants of the king. The great prince rode a majestic white horse, and was dressed in the finest clothing and armor. His face shined like the sun.
The prince stepped down from the horse, “My love, I’ve come back for you just as I promised.” Through tears she whispered, “I knew you would come.”
The prince took his bride to his kingdom in a far country. As they left, one of her maids barely had time to ask, “How did you ever know that the beggar was a prince in disguise?” The bride replied, “I looked deeply into his eyes. There was something special in his voice. Deep within, I knew he was the son of the king.”
Many of you have been the laughing stock of the world. Some feel sympathy for you in your delusion. How could you give your heart to One who came in humility and was despised by men? You are mocked and misunderstood. But there was something in His eyes, His words, His deeds. Your heart was strangely warmed. You knew He was the Prince of Peace.
One day soon, Jesus will return for you, His bride.
Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.” -1 Peter 2:7
Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb! -Revelation 19:9
Note: Adapted from story by Thomas Lambie.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, March 2, AD 2010.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Peter Lumpkins on Wit & Wisdom of Pastor Joe Brumbelow
My dad was a longtime, small church pastor in Texas. He was never famous, but, in my humble opinion, God used him greatly. All three of his sons are pastors. Many of the stories in his life and ministry were too good to let them be forgotten. So, after his death, I wrote a book about his life.
Just last week a lady wrote me of how as a little girl of about 10 years old, she trusted Jesus as her Saviour and was baptized by my dad at Doverside Baptist Church, Houston, TX. This would have been around 1960. About her baptism she said, “I don’t know who was crying the most me or Brother Joe.”
Peter Lumpkins has written some gracious words about The Wit and Wisdom of Pastor Joe Brumbelow, Hannibal Books. A link to his blog is listed in the right hand column of Gulf Coast Pastor. You can click the following to read his article: The Wit & Wisdom of Pastor Joe Brumbelow: A Brief Booknote by Peter Lumpkins (2-12-2010).
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, February 14, AD 2010.
Wit And Wisdom Of My Dad (Wit & Wisdom of Pastor Joe Brumbelow, the book)
Other articles in lower right hand margin under Gulf Coast Pastor Articles (Labels).
Just last week a lady wrote me of how as a little girl of about 10 years old, she trusted Jesus as her Saviour and was baptized by my dad at Doverside Baptist Church, Houston, TX. This would have been around 1960. About her baptism she said, “I don’t know who was crying the most me or Brother Joe.”
Peter Lumpkins has written some gracious words about The Wit and Wisdom of Pastor Joe Brumbelow, Hannibal Books. A link to his blog is listed in the right hand column of Gulf Coast Pastor. You can click the following to read his article: The Wit & Wisdom of Pastor Joe Brumbelow: A Brief Booknote by Peter Lumpkins (2-12-2010).
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, February 14, AD 2010.
Wit And Wisdom Of My Dad (Wit & Wisdom of Pastor Joe Brumbelow, the book)
Other articles in lower right hand margin under Gulf Coast Pastor Articles (Labels).
Monday, February 8, 2010
About the Church Covenant
Most older adults fondly remember the days of the Church Covenant. Many Baptist churches would have a large Church Covenant poster hanging on the wall, sometimes in the sanctuary. To any who got a little bored in the church service - adults and children alike could spend a little time reading that giant poster. When a church was organized, it often adopted the Church Covenant; along with a doctrinal statement like the New Hampshire Confession, and later, the Baptist Faith & Message.
A Church Covenant is a pledge, based on the Bible, that church members voluntarily make to God and one another. It deals with their moral commitments and the everyday living of their faith. The Baptist Faith & Message 2000 deals with what we believe; the Church Covenant deals with how we should live.
Churches aren’t into covenants as much as they used to be and many don‘t have them or never refer to them. Some write their own covenants. A Baptist church is autonomous and not required to use or officially endorse the Church Covenant. Many have wondered whatever became of the old Church Covenant and are surprised to learn it is still available.
Many churches and individuals still use the old Church Covenant that dates back to J. Newton Brown’s The Baptist Church Manual of 1853. It is available from Broadman Supplies, and can be ordered from LifeWay Christian Resources. They print it in index card size, leaflets to paste in a church hymnal, and a large wall poster.
Some wonder if a church has to officially endorse the Church Covenant for it to be used. Well, that depends. The church can officially endorse the Church Covenant as a statement of their beliefs and practice. A pastor or church, however, can also simply present the Church Covenant as Scriptural teaching and as an example of Baptist practice.
A few may view the Church Covenant as a strict statement that must be followed. Most, however, would view this Covenant not in a dictatorial way, but as simply pointing us in the way we ought to go. It also provides a tie to the past and provides a continuity among Baptist churches.
My church uses the Baptist Faith & Message 2000 and the Church Covenant as examples of who we are and what we believe. We have copies of both, stamped on the back with our church name and address, in our church foyer in a tract rack along with other Gospel tracts. We use the 2008 Baptist Hymnal by LifeWay and have the Church Covenant pasted in the inside front cover of the hymnal. These serve as quiet, but constant reminders of who we are and what we believe.
Sorry to disappoint you, but we don’t have the giant wall poster of the Church Covenant hanging in our sanctuary. But I did see it the other day in a church just across the Houston Ship Channel.
I especially like the statement of the Church Covenant against destructive drugs, intoxicating drinks, and pornography. Too often churches have fallen silent on such issues. The Church Covenant is one small way to let everyone, especially youth, know of these dangers and where we stand.
Once every year or two, a study on the Church Covenant can be helpful. Though the language may be a little dated, it is still very relevant to today. I find it interesting that the problems of the 1850s are still problems needing addressed in Baptist churches today. Times change, language changes, discoveries, knowledge, technology change. But people are still the same.
The Church Covenant has been slightly revised since 1853 to include the issues of destructive drugs and pornography. While there are many variations of covenants, this Church Covenant has been by far the most influential.
Uses for the Church Covenant1. Have postcard size copies in your church tract rack.
2. Frame a copy and hang it on a wall in a hallway or classrooms of your church.
3. Once or twice a year insert or copy it in your church worship bulletin.
4. Every year or two use it for a small group study course. This gives you a chance to deal with church ordinances, drugs, pornography, anger, bad attitudes, reconciliation, giving, evangelism, family devotions, and many practical matters.
5. Paste the Church Covenant in the inside cover of the Baptist Hymnal. Yes, many churches really do still use a hymnal; the 2008 Baptist Hymnal is outstanding. Once a year have the congregation open the hymnal and read aloud the Church Covenant.
6. Use it, along with the Baptist Faith & Message 2000, as examples what your church believes.
7. Include it in a new members class or a new members packet of information.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, February 8, AD 2010.
Related Articles:
The Church Covenant is printed in full in the Gulf Coast Pastor post of February 4, AD 2010.
2006 SBC Resolution on Alcohol Use in America
Deuteronomy 14:26 - Does it Commend Alcohol?
Ancient Wine and the Bible - the book
Church Covenant
Order the Church Covenant in postcard size.
Order the Church Covenant hymnal insert.
Many other articles in lower right margin under Gulf Coast Pastor Articles (Labels).
A Church Covenant is a pledge, based on the Bible, that church members voluntarily make to God and one another. It deals with their moral commitments and the everyday living of their faith. The Baptist Faith & Message 2000 deals with what we believe; the Church Covenant deals with how we should live.
Churches aren’t into covenants as much as they used to be and many don‘t have them or never refer to them. Some write their own covenants. A Baptist church is autonomous and not required to use or officially endorse the Church Covenant. Many have wondered whatever became of the old Church Covenant and are surprised to learn it is still available.
Many churches and individuals still use the old Church Covenant that dates back to J. Newton Brown’s The Baptist Church Manual of 1853. It is available from Broadman Supplies, and can be ordered from LifeWay Christian Resources. They print it in index card size, leaflets to paste in a church hymnal, and a large wall poster.
Some wonder if a church has to officially endorse the Church Covenant for it to be used. Well, that depends. The church can officially endorse the Church Covenant as a statement of their beliefs and practice. A pastor or church, however, can also simply present the Church Covenant as Scriptural teaching and as an example of Baptist practice.
A few may view the Church Covenant as a strict statement that must be followed. Most, however, would view this Covenant not in a dictatorial way, but as simply pointing us in the way we ought to go. It also provides a tie to the past and provides a continuity among Baptist churches.
My church uses the Baptist Faith & Message 2000 and the Church Covenant as examples of who we are and what we believe. We have copies of both, stamped on the back with our church name and address, in our church foyer in a tract rack along with other Gospel tracts. We use the 2008 Baptist Hymnal by LifeWay and have the Church Covenant pasted in the inside front cover of the hymnal. These serve as quiet, but constant reminders of who we are and what we believe.
Sorry to disappoint you, but we don’t have the giant wall poster of the Church Covenant hanging in our sanctuary. But I did see it the other day in a church just across the Houston Ship Channel.
I especially like the statement of the Church Covenant against destructive drugs, intoxicating drinks, and pornography. Too often churches have fallen silent on such issues. The Church Covenant is one small way to let everyone, especially youth, know of these dangers and where we stand.
Once every year or two, a study on the Church Covenant can be helpful. Though the language may be a little dated, it is still very relevant to today. I find it interesting that the problems of the 1850s are still problems needing addressed in Baptist churches today. Times change, language changes, discoveries, knowledge, technology change. But people are still the same.
The Church Covenant has been slightly revised since 1853 to include the issues of destructive drugs and pornography. While there are many variations of covenants, this Church Covenant has been by far the most influential.
Uses for the Church Covenant1. Have postcard size copies in your church tract rack.
2. Frame a copy and hang it on a wall in a hallway or classrooms of your church.
3. Once or twice a year insert or copy it in your church worship bulletin.
4. Every year or two use it for a small group study course. This gives you a chance to deal with church ordinances, drugs, pornography, anger, bad attitudes, reconciliation, giving, evangelism, family devotions, and many practical matters.
5. Paste the Church Covenant in the inside cover of the Baptist Hymnal. Yes, many churches really do still use a hymnal; the 2008 Baptist Hymnal is outstanding. Once a year have the congregation open the hymnal and read aloud the Church Covenant.
6. Use it, along with the Baptist Faith & Message 2000, as examples what your church believes.
7. Include it in a new members class or a new members packet of information.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, February 8, AD 2010.
Related Articles:
The Church Covenant is printed in full in the Gulf Coast Pastor post of February 4, AD 2010.
2006 SBC Resolution on Alcohol Use in America
Deuteronomy 14:26 - Does it Commend Alcohol?
Ancient Wine and the Bible - the book
Church Covenant
Order the Church Covenant in postcard size.
Order the Church Covenant hymnal insert.
Many other articles in lower right margin under Gulf Coast Pastor Articles (Labels).
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Church Covenant
Having been led, as we believe by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and, on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, in the presence of God, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Christian love, to strive for the advancement of this church, in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote it’s prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.
We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings; faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale of, and use of, destructive drugs and intoxicating drinks as a beverage; to shun pornography; to be zealous in our efforts to advance the Kingdom of our Savior.
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love, to remember one another in prayer; and to aid one another in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and Christian courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.
We moreover engage that when we remove from this place we will as soon as possible, unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.
*******
The Church Covenant has been used by numerous Baptist churches, and dates back to J. Newton Brown’s The Baptist Church Manual of 1853. It has since been slightly revised. It is available in several forms from Broadman Church Supplies, Nashville, Tennessee; http://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/; a division of LifeWay.
Coming soon, a few comments About the Church Covenant.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, February 4, AD 2010.
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Christian love, to strive for the advancement of this church, in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote it’s prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.
We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings; faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale of, and use of, destructive drugs and intoxicating drinks as a beverage; to shun pornography; to be zealous in our efforts to advance the Kingdom of our Savior.
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love, to remember one another in prayer; and to aid one another in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and Christian courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.
We moreover engage that when we remove from this place we will as soon as possible, unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.
*******
The Church Covenant has been used by numerous Baptist churches, and dates back to J. Newton Brown’s The Baptist Church Manual of 1853. It has since been slightly revised. It is available in several forms from Broadman Church Supplies, Nashville, Tennessee; http://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/; a division of LifeWay.
Coming soon, a few comments About the Church Covenant.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, February 4, AD 2010.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Church Discipline
It seems that churches have often gotten it wrong when it comes to church discipline. Either the church discipline is too strict, or there is none at all. Properly balanced discipline is the tricky part.
Another consideration is that much church discipline is carried out quietly, patiently, and behind the scenes. Yes, sometimes a person needs to be rebuked before all, but not as often as you may think.
As a pastor, I’m concerned that if we get too particular about church discipline, I might get kicked out myself.
If you think your church or denomination is a little harsh today, consider a Baptist church of the early 1800s.
Bethel Baptist Church was the first evangelical church west of the Mississippi River. It was also the first Baptist church in Missouri. Bethel was organized in 1806 and reorganized in 1809. It was in an area known as Tywappity Bottom, about 10 miles south of Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
The following are some interesting entries in the church records concerning church discipline:
March 9, 1811 - “The church met in conference. Brother Matthews and C. Thompson to talk with Sisters McDaniel and Watkins for their neglect of church meetings.”
October 12, 1811 - “John Reynolds excluded for joining the Mason Lodge. Also Ann McDaniel for insulting the church and violating the rules.”
December 15, 1815 - “Brethren T. Bull and Isaac Sheppard to write to Brother William Johnson on the arm of Turkey Creek concerning card playing.”
November 9, 1816 - “Resolved that Sister Hannah Edwards be allowed to wear gold earrings for the benefit of her eyes.”
The church did not believe in elaborate jewelry, but it was believed at the time that gold rings helped the eyes; hence, church action upon this matter.
June 8, 1822 - “Brother Ezekial Hill laid in a complaint against himself for killing a deer on Sunday, and after acknowledgment of his fault, was forgiven.”
And you thought the Church Covenant and Baptist Faith & Message 2000 were tough?
-Reference: This Day in Baptist History II by David L. Cummins & E. Wayne Thompson, BJU Press, Greenville, SC; and God in American History by A. Lloyd Collins, Christ for the World Publishers, Orlando, Florida.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, January 25, AD 2010.
More articles in lower right margin.
Another consideration is that much church discipline is carried out quietly, patiently, and behind the scenes. Yes, sometimes a person needs to be rebuked before all, but not as often as you may think.
As a pastor, I’m concerned that if we get too particular about church discipline, I might get kicked out myself.
If you think your church or denomination is a little harsh today, consider a Baptist church of the early 1800s.
Bethel Baptist Church was the first evangelical church west of the Mississippi River. It was also the first Baptist church in Missouri. Bethel was organized in 1806 and reorganized in 1809. It was in an area known as Tywappity Bottom, about 10 miles south of Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
The following are some interesting entries in the church records concerning church discipline:
March 9, 1811 - “The church met in conference. Brother Matthews and C. Thompson to talk with Sisters McDaniel and Watkins for their neglect of church meetings.”
October 12, 1811 - “John Reynolds excluded for joining the Mason Lodge. Also Ann McDaniel for insulting the church and violating the rules.”
December 15, 1815 - “Brethren T. Bull and Isaac Sheppard to write to Brother William Johnson on the arm of Turkey Creek concerning card playing.”
November 9, 1816 - “Resolved that Sister Hannah Edwards be allowed to wear gold earrings for the benefit of her eyes.”
The church did not believe in elaborate jewelry, but it was believed at the time that gold rings helped the eyes; hence, church action upon this matter.
June 8, 1822 - “Brother Ezekial Hill laid in a complaint against himself for killing a deer on Sunday, and after acknowledgment of his fault, was forgiven.”
And you thought the Church Covenant and Baptist Faith & Message 2000 were tough?
-Reference: This Day in Baptist History II by David L. Cummins & E. Wayne Thompson, BJU Press, Greenville, SC; and God in American History by A. Lloyd Collins, Christ for the World Publishers, Orlando, Florida.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, January 25, AD 2010.
More articles in lower right margin.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Is God Judging Haiti?; Part 2
Those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. -Jesus; Luke 13:4-5
6. Unless God is strongly, plainly speaking to you, you are probably not qualified to determine whether or not God is judging a nation.Don’t go out of your way to pronounce the judgment of God. Let God take care of that. Unless God powerfully speaks to you about the issue, leave it in His hands.
7. We don’t know all the workings and judgment of God.I heard a story of a tornado that came to a town and blew away the beer joint. The good Christian people quietly acknowledged this as an act of God. The next week a tornado came and blew away the Baptist church.
What is the moral to this story? I don’t know. Maybe just that, sometimes we need to keep our mouths shut for a while.
Certainly we know, according to the Bible, what is right and wrong. But we don’t always know the details of God’s judgment in our present day. “He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45).
8. Sometimes, at least from our perspective, a natural disaster is just a natural disaster.Build a house in a flood plain, and eventually you will get flooded. Don’t insulate your water pipes, and sooner or later a hard freeze will make you pay. Part of living in this sin torn world is that we suffer crime, disease, natural disaster, death.
9. Is God judging Haiti?I don’t know that He is. Neither do I know that He isn’t. It is wrong to claim God spoke when He didn’t. It is also wrong to claim God did not speak when He did.
A tragedy happens to someone and they say they think God is judging them. Many preachers and Christians quickly, without thinking or praying, say, “O no, God’s not judging you.” But how do you know God is not judging them, or trying to get their attention?
I have learned in those situations to just wait, be quiet, and hear what the person has to say. For all I know, God may be judging them and they are properly under conviction.
Neither do I say, unless God specially reveals something to me, that they are being judged by God. Tragedy happens to those who are in the center of God’s will. Ever read the Old Testament book of Job? Remember the man born blind? (John 9:1-3). Be cautious about pointing at someone with problems and saying God is judging them. God may next allow the same thing in your life.
But God does still work in our history and in our lives. God does still judge and discipline. God judges individuals and He judges nations.
10. Regardless of the details, we are to help and pray for Haiti.God so loves the world (John 3:16). We are to go into all the world and share the Gospel and the love of Christ.
I don’t directly know whether God is judging Haiti. I don’t directly know if God was judging New Orleans, Louisiana, or Bolivar and Highlands, Texas with the recent hurricanes. But I do know that God can bring good out of evil. He can bring salvation out of chaos. I know that whether it is Haiti or the United States, “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:1-5).
God loves the Haitians every bit as much as He loves us sinful, rotten, unworthy Americans. We are to love them too. Let God worry about judgment. I thank God that Americans are showing their love for the Haitians. America is one of the most generous nations on earth. That is one of the reasons God has blessed our country.
What can we do? What should we do?* Pray for Haiti.
* Pray that God may be glorified in this tragedy.
One of the best things Southern Baptists do is Disaster Relief. Pray for all the relief workers, but especially pray for our SBC Disaster Relief workers. They not only minister to the hurting, they do so in the name of Jesus Christ.
* Give to the relief efforts. There are a number of worthy relief organizations, but one of the best is SBC Disaster Relief. Give through your Southern Baptist Church with a check designated for “SBC Disaster Relief.” Or, you can go directly to the International Mission Board (imb.org), the North American Mission Board (namb.net), or your state convention and give.
* Keep up with the Disaster Relief workers at Baptist Press (bpnews.net) or through your state paper (texanonline.net). Both are in the right side bar of this blog.
May God bless and bring salvation to Haiti.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, January 19, AD 2010. Part 2 of 2
6. Unless God is strongly, plainly speaking to you, you are probably not qualified to determine whether or not God is judging a nation.Don’t go out of your way to pronounce the judgment of God. Let God take care of that. Unless God powerfully speaks to you about the issue, leave it in His hands.
7. We don’t know all the workings and judgment of God.I heard a story of a tornado that came to a town and blew away the beer joint. The good Christian people quietly acknowledged this as an act of God. The next week a tornado came and blew away the Baptist church.
What is the moral to this story? I don’t know. Maybe just that, sometimes we need to keep our mouths shut for a while.
Certainly we know, according to the Bible, what is right and wrong. But we don’t always know the details of God’s judgment in our present day. “He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45).
8. Sometimes, at least from our perspective, a natural disaster is just a natural disaster.Build a house in a flood plain, and eventually you will get flooded. Don’t insulate your water pipes, and sooner or later a hard freeze will make you pay. Part of living in this sin torn world is that we suffer crime, disease, natural disaster, death.
9. Is God judging Haiti?I don’t know that He is. Neither do I know that He isn’t. It is wrong to claim God spoke when He didn’t. It is also wrong to claim God did not speak when He did.
A tragedy happens to someone and they say they think God is judging them. Many preachers and Christians quickly, without thinking or praying, say, “O no, God’s not judging you.” But how do you know God is not judging them, or trying to get their attention?
I have learned in those situations to just wait, be quiet, and hear what the person has to say. For all I know, God may be judging them and they are properly under conviction.
Neither do I say, unless God specially reveals something to me, that they are being judged by God. Tragedy happens to those who are in the center of God’s will. Ever read the Old Testament book of Job? Remember the man born blind? (John 9:1-3). Be cautious about pointing at someone with problems and saying God is judging them. God may next allow the same thing in your life.
But God does still work in our history and in our lives. God does still judge and discipline. God judges individuals and He judges nations.
10. Regardless of the details, we are to help and pray for Haiti.God so loves the world (John 3:16). We are to go into all the world and share the Gospel and the love of Christ.
I don’t directly know whether God is judging Haiti. I don’t directly know if God was judging New Orleans, Louisiana, or Bolivar and Highlands, Texas with the recent hurricanes. But I do know that God can bring good out of evil. He can bring salvation out of chaos. I know that whether it is Haiti or the United States, “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:1-5).
God loves the Haitians every bit as much as He loves us sinful, rotten, unworthy Americans. We are to love them too. Let God worry about judgment. I thank God that Americans are showing their love for the Haitians. America is one of the most generous nations on earth. That is one of the reasons God has blessed our country.
What can we do? What should we do?* Pray for Haiti.
* Pray that God may be glorified in this tragedy.
One of the best things Southern Baptists do is Disaster Relief. Pray for all the relief workers, but especially pray for our SBC Disaster Relief workers. They not only minister to the hurting, they do so in the name of Jesus Christ.
* Give to the relief efforts. There are a number of worthy relief organizations, but one of the best is SBC Disaster Relief. Give through your Southern Baptist Church with a check designated for “SBC Disaster Relief.” Or, you can go directly to the International Mission Board (imb.org), the North American Mission Board (namb.net), or your state convention and give.
* Keep up with the Disaster Relief workers at Baptist Press (bpnews.net) or through your state paper (texanonline.net). Both are in the right side bar of this blog.
May God bless and bring salvation to Haiti.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, January 19, AD 2010. Part 2 of 2
Other Articles in lower right margin.
Is God Judging Haiti?; Part 1
The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not always be forgotten; the expectation of the poor shall not perish forever. Arise, O LORD, do not let man prevail; let the nations be judged in Your sight. Put them in fear, O LORD, that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah -Psalm 9:17-20
There is a story that on August 14, 1791 slaves in Haiti, in a voodoo (or voudou) like service, promised the devil if he would deliver them from slavery, the ex-slaves would serve Satan. Some historians deny this ever happened. Other historians say it really took place. Also, in 2003 Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide made voodoo an official religion. Some say this is all or part of why Haiti is impoverished while other nations have prospered. Haitians have gone from slavery to dictatorships and grinding poverty. Now, a devastating earthquake has killed tens of thousands. The suffering is unimaginable.
Hence, the question, is God judging Haiti through this earthquake? May I offer a few thoughts.
1. God does judge.If you believe the Bible and take it seriously, you have to agree that God actively rules and judges in our world today. One of the most love filled books of the Bible also acknowledges there is a sin unto death (1 John 5:16). Revelation, the last book of the Bible, tells us of some of the final judgments of God on this wicked, rebellious world.
2. God judges nations both directly and indirectly.At times God directly judges and punishes sin. He not only does this in the life to come, but right here and now. The same God who judged Sodom, Gomorrah, Judah, Israel, Babylon is present and in charge today.
Indirectly, God allows the consequences that come from sinful behavior. Like fire, play with sin and you’re going to get burned.
3. When God judges a people, innocents also suffer.I’ve heard some say about disaster, “This can’t be a judgment of God, because an innocent child was hurt.” But that is incorrect. The innocent often suffer when the guilty are punished. Do you think there were no children in Judah when God brought his judgment upon them?
For example, a man robs a bank and goes to jail. His little girl is now without a father and she suffers greatly. She suffers emotionally and lives in poverty. It is not her fault, it’s her dad’s fault; but she suffers.
4. God does not always judge equally, and at the same time period. At least not from what we can see, from our vantage point.His judgments are sure and perfect, but we cannot always see that. So God judges one nation, and another nation gets away with it. Or, so it seems.
One may say, this can’t be the judgment of God, because He did not send an earthquake to Nazi Germany. Well, God does not work according to your schedule or your opinions.
God judged Ananias and Sapphira for lying (Acts 5:1-11); but He does not always kill someone who lies. Else we’d have a lot more dead people on our hands. God works in His own time and His own way; without consulting you or me.
5. God sometimes leads a prophet to pronounce the judgment of God upon a person, a people, a nation.A prophet told the Assyrians, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown” (Jonah 3:4). Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, John Baptist thundered the judgments of God. God used prophets; He still uses them today.
A prophet tells us things we don’t want to hear. He is not usually elected most popular. He is often hated and despised.
On the other hand, frankly there is a thin line between a true prophet and just being obnoxious. Scripture warns against false prophets. We are to evaluate them by God’s sure Word, by their fruits, by what other respected, discerning, Christian leaders say, and by the guidance of the Holy Sprit. Then it is left to us to discern whether that person is a true or false prophet.
It is wrong to follow a false prophet; it is also wrong to reject and mock a true prophet.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, January 19, AD 2010. Part 1 of 2
There is a story that on August 14, 1791 slaves in Haiti, in a voodoo (or voudou) like service, promised the devil if he would deliver them from slavery, the ex-slaves would serve Satan. Some historians deny this ever happened. Other historians say it really took place. Also, in 2003 Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide made voodoo an official religion. Some say this is all or part of why Haiti is impoverished while other nations have prospered. Haitians have gone from slavery to dictatorships and grinding poverty. Now, a devastating earthquake has killed tens of thousands. The suffering is unimaginable.
Hence, the question, is God judging Haiti through this earthquake? May I offer a few thoughts.
1. God does judge.If you believe the Bible and take it seriously, you have to agree that God actively rules and judges in our world today. One of the most love filled books of the Bible also acknowledges there is a sin unto death (1 John 5:16). Revelation, the last book of the Bible, tells us of some of the final judgments of God on this wicked, rebellious world.
2. God judges nations both directly and indirectly.At times God directly judges and punishes sin. He not only does this in the life to come, but right here and now. The same God who judged Sodom, Gomorrah, Judah, Israel, Babylon is present and in charge today.
Indirectly, God allows the consequences that come from sinful behavior. Like fire, play with sin and you’re going to get burned.
3. When God judges a people, innocents also suffer.I’ve heard some say about disaster, “This can’t be a judgment of God, because an innocent child was hurt.” But that is incorrect. The innocent often suffer when the guilty are punished. Do you think there were no children in Judah when God brought his judgment upon them?
For example, a man robs a bank and goes to jail. His little girl is now without a father and she suffers greatly. She suffers emotionally and lives in poverty. It is not her fault, it’s her dad’s fault; but she suffers.
4. God does not always judge equally, and at the same time period. At least not from what we can see, from our vantage point.His judgments are sure and perfect, but we cannot always see that. So God judges one nation, and another nation gets away with it. Or, so it seems.
One may say, this can’t be the judgment of God, because He did not send an earthquake to Nazi Germany. Well, God does not work according to your schedule or your opinions.
God judged Ananias and Sapphira for lying (Acts 5:1-11); but He does not always kill someone who lies. Else we’d have a lot more dead people on our hands. God works in His own time and His own way; without consulting you or me.
5. God sometimes leads a prophet to pronounce the judgment of God upon a person, a people, a nation.A prophet told the Assyrians, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown” (Jonah 3:4). Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, John Baptist thundered the judgments of God. God used prophets; He still uses them today.
A prophet tells us things we don’t want to hear. He is not usually elected most popular. He is often hated and despised.
On the other hand, frankly there is a thin line between a true prophet and just being obnoxious. Scripture warns against false prophets. We are to evaluate them by God’s sure Word, by their fruits, by what other respected, discerning, Christian leaders say, and by the guidance of the Holy Sprit. Then it is left to us to discern whether that person is a true or false prophet.
It is wrong to follow a false prophet; it is also wrong to reject and mock a true prophet.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, January 19, AD 2010. Part 1 of 2
Other Articles in lower right margin.
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