Abiding in Grace

Were You There? by J.P. Kidd

2011-04-26T14:25:00.000-07:00

Blood splashed on the floor
As the man who we call Lord
Bent down to pray
For His crucifying day.

He was then betrayed
By one who once obeyed
Then came the mobs angry roar
A noise to be abhorred.

It shook the disciples to their feet
Peter charged at a crowd that he couldn't beat
He sliced an ear and started a war
Which Jesus healed without leaving a scar.

Then Jesus went without a fight
A holy and crushing sight
He told Peter he would deny
Before the rooster crowed three times.

The disciples turned coat and fled
Leaving Jesus for dead
He was brought before the people
Given one chance to be free.

But because of His father's will
He was sent to be killed
They cracked and broke Him
Slicing and stabbing without compassion.

Then He carried
Up a gloomy hill
His cross of judgment
The price for sin sagging on His shoulder

Then the nails pounded in
His hand limp by His sides
They propped Him up
Next to two thieves, one which He would glorify.

After he was forsaken
By His Master from above
He gave up His spirit
And died on that tree.

Devastated and lonely
The disciples sat without hope
Until the third day came
And Jesus awoke.

Raised, He taught and loved them
Until He had to return
Leaving them with a gift
And a command to spread His word.

GUILT, GRACE, AND EASTER

2011-04-21T14:36:00.000-07:00

All sin comes with a price. And the price must be paid because God decreed that the "wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). This means that death is the final payment that every person must pay--there is no escape. Just as Tax Day (April 15) came again this year without fail, so too will Payment Day come for every person, for God says, "It is appointed for man to die once, and afterwards comes judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). We are all sinners, which means we are all guilty of crimes against our Creator, and death is His punishment.

One of the most frightening components about this predicament is that no one knows when he must pay the price. Death is that all-illusive reality that seems to come and go as it pleases. It hovers over our heads like a nagging bug just waiting to land on us. And no matter how hard we try to shoo it away, that nagging suspicion that it's still there remains. Guilt is relentless that way. Our consciences simply will not let us escape the feeling that we will soon have to pay for our sins. No one lives forever, right? We could wish that we were all innocent, and yet, the Scriptures, the history of man, and our alarming consciences conspire against such a naive notion. The fact of the matter is we all are guilty and judgment is coming. "Death is the end of every man, and the living should take it to heart," so warns King Solomon.

But Easter reminds us that the guilty are not hopeless. Mercifully, God has provided a way for guilty sinners to have their payment paid in full and escape death. This remarkable provision is called grace. It is the loving action of God expressed to undeserving sinners whereby He delivers them from the just penalty for their sins, namely death. The magnificent news of Easter is that, through Jesus Christ, God paid the price for everyone who would ever believe in Him by putting His own Son to death on the Cross. Sacred Scripture reads, "For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust . . ." (1 Peter 3:18). God intervened in grace to help the helpless, free the imprisoned, and pardon the guilty. But the cost was great. It cost Jesus Christ His own life, for "by the grace of God Jesus tasted death for everyone" (Hebrews 2:9).

But that leaves an apparent dilemma--all men still die! So, what good did Jesus' death really do? Unspeakable good! Easter is the answer. The culmination of God's grace in action through Jesus Christ for us was demonstrated most powerfully in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The resurrection of Jesus proved that His payment for our sins was accepted by God. Since He paid our debt in full, death has no more hold on Him, or on those who believe in Him. And that's why we celebrate Easter. That which once kept us in fear, namely death, no longer should be feared by the believer in Christ. The payment has been made. Grace has triumphed over guilt--"God raised Jesus up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power" (Acts 2:24). Therefore, now, death is for the believer in Jesus a passageway into the very presence of God. The resurrection of Jesus has made it so.

Easter is the celebration of Payment Day for the believer. Jesus Christ took away our guilt and paid our debt, and God's grace deserves all the glory. The ever-present foe of death has been beaten by the risen Christ. Let every believer rejoice this Easter and humbly say, "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting." Thanks be to God who has given us the victory in Christ Jesus risen from the dead.

The Heart of Hospitality in the Dominican Republic

2010-11-30T18:33:00.000-08:00

On my recent trip to the Dominican Republic I had a valuable lesson reinforced to my own heart, namely, that hospitality is a matter of the heart not a matter of the home. So often, this precious grace of Christian fellowship is neglected because many people don’t believe they have the right kind of home suitable to entertain others. Matters of adequate space, or appropriate furniture, or sufficient food have all been used as viable excuses not to open one’s home up to other Christians to the neglect of real relationship building and enriching fellowship. And it took a trip to a small barrio in the city of La Vega to remind me that none of those oft cited concerns have anything to do with genuine Christian hospitality.

I was blessed on several occasions to enter homes a quarter of the size of the average American home. In comparison of what we’re accustomed to here in the States, these tiny dwellings would be shunned by most as subpar at best. But because of the hearts of those who resided within, these homes were some of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. No, I didn’t marvel at the finest of China, or at the elegance of furniture, but instead, I was overwhelmed with the warmth of Christlike generosity and humility of service. Wherever we went, these dear brothers and sisters greeted us with the genuineness of, “Mi Casa Es Su Casa” – and boy did they mean it.

You see, these Dominican believers weren’t worried about décor or shallow appearances; they were concerned with making us feel welcomed and loved. They opened their hearts to us, and that transformed their humble dwellings into palatial palaces. They reminded me that it doesn’t take much to make people feel special, but it does take sincerity of heart. Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.” I wonder if in fact, it was I who was in the company of angels. O’ how much of the true experience of the “love of the brethren” do we forfeit because we don’t understand that our homes are simply an extension and expression of our hearts. Or maybe, that’s actually the problem—our homes are closed because our hearts are closed.

Jesus: The Agent of Change

2010-05-26T15:13:00.000-07:00

As a Pastor there are many experiences that bring my heart great joy; God's gift of a baby to a young family; the look on the faces of a couple as I lead them in their marital vows; and the praise offered to God for His mercy in healing a sick congregat to name a few. Hardly does a week go by that I am not thanking God for these and other privileges in my work, but there is nothing more exciting than to witness the dramatic change in a person's life who has met the risen Christ. In a word, that experience is simply amazing. And as many times as I've witnessed it, I still marvel at how Christ changes lives.

Honestly, that should come as no surprise to me because Jesus Christ is the deliverer. He delivers people from all that stands against them--their sin, their guilt, the devil, demonic influence, and most importantly, the wrath of God. So there should be no surprise that when people have a saving encounter with Jesus Christ that they are dramatically changed.

This reality was freshly driven home to my own heart this Sunday as I preached on Mark 5:1-20, where Jesus delivers a man who is possessed by a "legion" of demons. The nameless man was in bondage to these demons and lived a isolated, defiled, and destructive life. He was helpless and hopeless; a state of utter desperation and despair. But then he met Jesus, and all that changed.

In verses 13-20 of this passage, Mark records one of the most dramatic changes in all the Bible, illustrating for us the delivering power of Christ and the resultant change that accompanies it. The demon possessed man encounters Christ and everything in his life changes:

His Character Changed --> Before Christ he was running around naked in the desecrated tombs and caverns among the stinch and filth of rotting dead bodies. His mind was tortured as he constantly gashed himself with rocks. But after he experienced the delivering power of Christ, he was found sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind (v. 15)

His Company Changed --> Before Christ he was isolated from humanity, held captive by the host of demons. But after Christ delivered him, he was begging Jesus "to be with Him"; a sure posture of discipleship (v.18)
His Conversation Changed --> Before Christ he was screaming and howling like a wild beast and speaking the vile words of evil spirits. But after he experienced the power of Jesus, he went about proclaiming the great things that the Lord had done for him (v.20)

Yea, no doubt about his change. And that's what thrills my soul to witness. No, I've never known anyone who has been delivered from demon possession, but God does give me the privilege and joy to know people who have been delivered from their sins by the power of Jesus Christ, and the change they experience is still amazing.

Global Missions & the Heart of God

2009-10-12T13:33:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday I kicked-off our church's Missions Emphasis month with a message entitled, "Jesus, the Gospel, and Global Missions." My aim in the message was to point out from the Word the overwhelming truth that God's activity in the world is about calling out a redeemed people from all the Nations. My focus was to exposit & connect three primary passages to show God's people that the Story-line of the Bible is really God glorifying Himself through a redeemed people who see and savor Jesus Christ in and through the gospel.

The 3 texts I chose were Genesis 12:1-3, Matthew 28:18-20, and Revelation 5:9-10. Taking a bird's-eye view, these passages show three important elements of God's plan to be glorified through the Nations by Jesus Christ and the gospel:

God's Promise
In Genesis 12, we find God's sovereign covenant with Abram. Here, God intervenes in human history with the promise that "in you all the families of the earth will be blessed" (v.3). The astonishing point about this passage is that in one sentence, God reveals, in short-hand form, His plan for the world. Notice that "in you" is a reference to Christ (cf. Gal. 3:16), "shall be blessed" is a reference to the gospel (cf. Gal. 3:8), and "all the families of the earth" is an obvious reference to global missions. So it is clear that the subsequent unfolding of redemptive history as it relates to this Abrahamic Covenant is about Christ, the gospel, and global missions.

Our Performance

That led us to Matthew 28, where the risen Jesus commissions His disciples to carry out God's promise of Global Missions by going into all the world to make disciples of the Nations. Having accomplished redemption through His life and death on the Cross, Jesus has now received resurrected authority over every square inch of the universe, enabling Him as the King to send out His subjects to providentially perform God's plan to call a people unto Himself in connection with faith in Christ as preached through the gospel. What a privilege to be able to participate in the unfolding of God's plan for the world.

Heaven's Picture

And lest God's people become overwhelmed with the task of reaching the world for Christ's sake, we've been given the marvelous picture of the finished product in the book of Revelation chapter 5. Here is the great company of redeemed saints, which no man can number, taken from "every tribe and tongue and people and nation" (v. 9, cf. 7:9-10). The picture is clear. God's promise will be fulfilled. His people will perform the task. There will be a new humanity from every Nation that will worship God and Jesus Christ throughout eternity having believed the gospel and tasted of the goodness of the Lord.

And so, I challenged our congregation to wholeheartedly embrace what God is doing in this world. His heart is Global Missions, and as biblical Christians our hearts must beat with the same passion to reach the Nations with the saving gospel of the risen Christ so that God will be glorified forever. Every Christian, every local church, big or small, should be praying regularly, giving sacrificially, and planning strategically in order to maximize our joy in seeing the heart of God envelop the Nations through His Son Jesus Christ as freely offered in the gospel.

This is really Hard

2009-09-25T09:58:00.001-07:00

Blogging is really hard. "So why do it?" you ask. Well, because it's hard. And because I will not be defeated. At any rate, I'm off to my books for some inspiration!!! I will return and attempt to actually post something worth reading.

Father's Day Sadness

2009-06-22T14:25:00.000-07:00

Father’s Day is always a highlight for me. I am overwhelmed with the reality that God is so gracious as to allow me to shepherd the hearts of five precious souls. And to think that they actually enjoy being my kids is something that never ceases to amaze me. I am sure I’m not the only father that feels this way.

But as wonderful as my Father’s Day was on yesterday, it was sprinkled with a bit of sadness. Interestingly, the sadness snuck up on me as I was driving with my kids in route to pick up my father for an afternoon of pizza and bowling. The cause of my sadness was the visible silence that spoke so clearly of the state of fatherhood, particularly in the African-American community.

As I drove down Crenshaw Blvd. I became acutely aware of the absence of any corner vendors selling gifts for fathers. Why did that make me sad? Because just a month ago that same stretch of road was strewn with hundreds of vendors selling various gifts for Mother’s Day, and folks were crowded around them like bees on honey. But nothing for fathers! Absolutely nothing! Now, granted there are far more gifts that are appropriate for mothers; but no vendors at all? Not even someone selling ties, hats or socks. Surely some of us fathers like coffee mugs and T-shirts that say #1 Dad. But nothing! And that made me sad.

But it made me sad at a deeper level – a level that pains me to talk about. For what I saw, or did not see, was simply a metaphor in my mind for the horrid state of fatherhood in my community. It said to me that fathers don’t really matter. The absence of the vendors on the corner signified to me the absence of fathers in the home. To our own demise, we have learned how to live without fathers, which is not living at all. For God designed the home to have a head, and that head is the father (Eph. 6:4). But if the father is not there, with all do respect to God-fearing praying mothers, that family is headless. And headless things can’t survive for long, if at all.

So my Father’s Day was good, but it reminded me of the great need of the gospel of Jesus Christ for my community, particularly in the area of family life. For only Jesus Christ can “restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers” (Mal. 3:6). I pray that if the Lord tarries and I live to see another Father’s Day that Crenshaw Blvd. will be filled with corner vendors selling their goods in recognition of the essential nature and role of fathers.

My God is in Charge!

2009-03-10T22:08:00.000-07:00

The sovereignty of God is one of the most precious of doctrines in the Bible. I confess that this is becoming more of a reality in my life on what seems to be a daily basis. Whether it be the annoyance to my schedule caused by a hit and run driver, or the lack of sleep produced by a defective home alarm system that goes off at 2am, or the unforeseen seizure that appears to almost take my 3 year old daughter's life -- in all of this, if it were not for the truth of the sovereignty of God, I would be hopelessly despairing at this point. Don't get me wrong, I'm not just now discovering the doctrine of the sovereignty of God, for it is unmistakeably clear in Scripture. How could anyone ever argue with texts like:

"All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; And no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, 'What have You done?'" (Dan. 4:36)

"I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted" (Job 42:2)

"But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases" (Ps. 115:3)

"The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord" (Prov. 16:33)

" . . . according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will" (Eph. 1:11)

"For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things . . . " (Rom. 11:36)

No, no, I've affirmed this doctrine for years, but its reality and sweetness is gripping my heart with a freshness for which I am deeply thankful and humbled. Let me explain. I know that God's hand is on His people for good and only for good, which means that whatever He sovereignly allows to come into our lives (the bad and the good), it must be for our good. Therefore, even the things that are unjust, or inconvenient, or painfully scary are expressions of God's gracious love for us as He works in and through them for our good. Even what men & devils mean for evil, He means it for good (Gen. 50:20). Hallelujah, what a God!

So, when I read in Matthew 10:29, that not even a sparrow "will fall to the ground apart from your Father", surely our Lord is teaching me that God's sovereign will covers everything, even the falling to the ground of insignificant birds. And if that be the case, how much more does it cover my precious little girl's seizure? And since it does, He must then mean it for her good, my good, and most importantly, His glory; and that is enough for me. Yea, I love the doctrine of the sovereignty of God. Where would I be with out it?

And So It Begins!

2009-01-21T15:08:00.000-08:00

It's the day after, and everyone appears to still be reveling in the afterglow of the historical inauguration of the first African-American president. For all who witnessed this event, I'm sure its impressions will last for a long time. The pagentry, the symbolism, the significance, the sense of unity are all worthy of note, and to the extent that President Barak Obama was the reason for it, he is to be commended.

But now for the reality check. All of the fanfare is over, all of the parades past and the music has stopped playing. And what does President Barak Obama do? He makes known his plan to honor the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade by reversing the ban on the use of federal dollars by non-governmental organizations around the globe that discuss or provide abortions. (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/01/21/obama-lift-ban-funding-groups-providing-abortions-overseas/)

In other words, President Obama is committing our money to the destruction of innocent life around the world. Boy, isn't it interesting that so many people were up-in-arms over President Bush's use of our money to "destroy innocent lives" in his wars. I wonder if people will be just as outraged about President's Obama's use of our money to destroy innocent life in the war against unborn babies? Ah, probably not! Yea, I know he isn't directly killing innocent unborn babies, but does anyone believe that he doesn't know that these dollars will be used for abortions?

And so it has begun. The agenda is unfolding. God only knows what will be next.

Thanksgiving Day Gratitude

2008-11-26T11:22:00.000-08:00

On this Thursday millions will gather together to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. For many, it will be a time for food, family visits, laughter, and entertainment. Folks will have a good time giving thanks for what they find important in their lives.

As I think about what I'm going to do this Thursday, I'm reminded of what really makes this holiday a holy-day for me. It is the fact that my sins have been forgiven by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. That's what I am supremely grateful for. It is the reality that on Calvary Jesus Christ took on Himself my sins and bore the wrath of God in my place. I'm thankful for that. I'm thankful that the perfect life that Jesus lived made Him an acceptable and perfect sacrifice which was received by God making atonement for me. I am so grateful.

In Christ I now have everything -- everything pertaining to life and godliness, and for that I am thankful. O' what a Savior. He has brought me to God by sealing my pardon, healing my diseases, rescuing me from the pit, lavishing me with covenant love and tender mercies, and satisfying my soul with His own presence. Jesus will be the centerpiece of the table upon which I dine tomorrow. For it is His sweet sacrificial love for me that makes me so thankful.

So yes, I'm certainly going to enjoy food, my family, and some football, but all of that will pale in comparison of my enjoyment of being right with God through my Savior Jesus Christ. And I hope that as Christians we will all be reminded of the blessed benefits of our great salvation.

A New Day: Musings from Election Night

2008-11-05T19:22:00.000-08:00

Well, it's official. Barack Obama is in fact the new President of the United States of America. He is the first African-American to be such, and as Americans, we should cherish this profound moment in our Nation's history.

As I watched Obama's acceptance speech with my family, I was filled with a mixture of emotions. I was experiencing joy, concern, pride, and a sense of sorrow as well. My joy was due to the triumph of the human spirit as Barack Obama accomplished something that I'm sure he was told he could never do. And as I watched him I rejoiced that God has set in the human spirit an ability to strive and endure and persevere beyond one's own imagination, and that brought me great joy as I was reminded of the strength of the human spirit. I was concerned as well; partly because of Obama's political left-wing leanings, but more acutely, because of the apparent shift in the American view of the world. It seems clear to me that the conservative values that held sway in this country for so long have now been abandoned and defeated. The culture war is over. Conservatism is dying a slow death, and there is indeed "change" in the air.

Pride welled up in my heart for obvious reasons. I'm African-American and so is Barack Obama. To see that black man walk across that stage stimulated something deep down within my heart that cried out, "Yes!" That ol' glass ceiling has finally fallen, and thank God I lived long enough to see it along with my children, especially with my sons. Dare I say, "Yes we can." And finally, my sense of sorrow was due to the memory of the recent death of some old saints who would have loved to see a black man become president. It would have been nice to share this moment with them.

So, it has begun. The new day. The new era. We are indeed living in interesting times. My prayer is that President Barack Obama will carry the weight of history with dignity, integrity and strength. For as I'm sure he must be aware of, just as he has opened a door for generations to come, he could also shut that door if he fails.

Repentance: God's Bailout Plan for His People

2008-10-07T17:39:00.000-07:00

700 billion dollars. Can you say wow? Yep, that's what it's costing taxpayers in order for our government to bail "us" out of this economic mess. And make no mistake about it, we are in an economic mess--rising unemployment, failing financial institutions, plummeting stock market, historic number of foreclosures, and the list goes on. So, the best that Washington can do is to take our hard earned money and rescue "us" from the brink of economic disaster, the likes of which we have not seen since the 1930's.

As these events unfold, our national attention has been glued to the various proceedings concerning this issue. It is the proverbial talk of the town, and rightfully so. Everyone is being affected, either directly or indirectly, so it's understandable that people are consumed with what's happening. But, as I told my congregation this past Lord's Day, there is a greater crisis occurring which has dire consequences which affects God's people far more than any economic crisis we might ever experience. And that crisis is sin! More specific, it is the sin of neglecting God.

As I am preaching through the book of Haggai, our congregation is being especially challenged to "consider our ways" (1:5, 7) in relation to our commitment to God and His kingdom. In chapter 1, God chides His people for busying themselves with their own plans; all the while God's house lies desolate. As a result, God rebukes them for investing in their own "paneled houses" (1:4) rather than investing in the work of the Lord. And as a result of their negligence, they were experiencing their own economic crisis, which unlike America's, theirs was directly related to their own sin of neglecting the Lord. But just as Americans are working harder for less, so too were the people of God; they were "earning wages to put into a purse with holes" (1:6). All of their efforts, all of their energies, and all of their pursuits were yielding little, if anything at all. They were unfulfilled, dissatisfied, and discontented, and yet dreadfully tired because they were giving their best to themselves instead of to the Lord. O' how we as God's people need to hear this word.

But what about us in terms of a bailout plan. Can the Church's true spiritual maladies be fixed by a 700 billion dollar buyout? Of course not. Our problem requires something much more profound, something spiritual, something which God alone can offer. And He does. God's bailout plan is Repentance. That has always been God's plan to bailout His people when they lose their way. It was true in Haggai's day and it is just as true today. So the people in Haggai's day heard the rebuke of the Lord and they repented -- the Lord graciously "stirred up their spirits," (1:12) they then "showed reverence for the Lord their God," (1:12) and consequently they "obeyed" (1:12) and "worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God" (1:14).

Do you see it there? God does bailout His people. He grants us repentance so that we might share in His priorities, and thus, walk in the fullness of His blessings. That's what we need today! Enough with looking to Washington to solve the Church's woes. Our woes are spiritual, and we need to return to the Lord. We need to "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, [trusting that] all these [other] things will be added . . ."

So I call the Church to repent! Repent of your negligence. Repent of using your time, talents, and treasures on yourself, instead of investing in God's Kingdom. And as you do, remember to thank the Lord for His sufficient bailout plan. Which by the way, He did not have to take anyone else's capital to provide, and yet it did cost Him. In fact, it cost Him something that makes 700 billion dollars look like pennies. It cost Him His own dear Son. For it was Christ who bore our sins on the Cross as His Father poured out His wrath on Him as our substitute so that we might be bailed out of spiritual recession. Yes, it cost God the life of His eternal Son. Now that's some bailout plan. Will you take it? Repent, and return to the Lord!

Shout out for Family Life Today

2008-10-01T15:48:00.000-07:00

Listen up folks. Pastor Bobby Scott, general editor of Secret Sex Wars, and Professor Paul Felix, president of The Los Angeles Bible Training School are featured guests on the national radio program Family Life Today. For the next 2 days, Oct. 2-3, these brothers will be discussing the contents of one of the most important books available on the subject of sexual purity. Tell all your friends to listen in at 8:30 am on KKLA if you're in Los Angeles. If you're outside of L.A., please check your local listings. You do not want to miss this. Listen in, be blessed, and then go out and get your copy of Secret Sex Wars -- A Battle Cry for Purity.

Witnessing History

2008-09-01T00:38:00.000-07:00

Whew! What a week. History in the making. Barack Obama becomes the first African-American nominated by a party to be its candidate for the presidency of the United States of America. Regardless of one's political affiliations and views concerning Mr. Obama, the reality of this occasion has profound significance that cannot be denied nor can be overlooked. Senator Obama is at the threshold of achieving one of the greatest accomplishments ever, namely, shattering the highest glass ceiling that has existed in this country -- 43 consecutive white male presidents.

Some said it would never happen, a few said it could happen, many now say it might happen, and a whole nation of African-Americans are hoping it will happen. And if it happens, it will be the validation, recognition, and legitimization that so many African-Americans have sought after for so long. Finally, a real possibility to have a black man leading the most powerful nation in the world and to have a black woman as the First Lady of a land that just 50 short years ago didn't even allow blacks to ride in the front of a bus. My, my, how things have changed. Forget that 40 acres and a mule, we might get the White House and Air force One!

Whether Senator Obama is qualified enough is not the issue for today. We can discuss politics later. For now, the national reverberations of Mr. Obama's nomination are worthy of both note and applause. I'm sure my 79 year old grandmother, who just went home to be with the Lord on June 14th, would have loved to see this day. Regardless of the outcome, I hope my 5 children will live to see many more days like this one. Hurray, not just for African-Americans, but for America!

Scandal! Scandal! Scandal!

2008-08-11T17:14:00.000-07:00

Well, here we go again. Another public figure embroiled in the middle of a tawdry tail of sex and deceit. John Edwards, former democratic candidate for the presidency of the United States, is the most recent individual being added to an ever increasing group of men in public life who have eaten of the forbidden fruit of adultery. By his own admission, Mr. Edwards had an "affair" in 2006 and decided that "being 99% honest is no longer enough."

My point in writing about this is not to condemn Mr. Edwards; his judgment will come from God. My point is to remind us that these kinds of public scandals drew scathing words from our Lord. In Matthew 18:7, Jesus said, "Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!" The phrase "stumbling blocks" comes from the Greek word "scandal." It literally means "to cause someone to fall." That's the missing point in the News Media's coverage of this whole sordid story -- this scandal will cause many to fall because it is just another blow at the fidelity of marriage. It is one more excuse for people to see marriage as a relic of the past that has no sanctity about it for even "good guys" slip up every now and again. Every time a public figure's "adultery" is thrown out for public consumption it rots our collective sensibilities toward the holiness of marriage. People are no longer shocked, disturbed, or bothered -- we simply want the juicy details. Shame on us!

But more to the point; shame on the "man through whom the stumbling block comes!" Is there forgiveness for Mr. Edwards? Through Jesus Christ, there is! However, I pray that Mr. Edwards will direct his attention to Matthew 18:1-10, and as a result, stop airing his sin-stained laundry out in sight of the world. His concern ought not be damage control in relation to his reputation, but it ought to be damage control in relation to those who will think just a bit less about faithfulness in marriage because of his public scandal.

Gentle Rebukes

2008-07-28T15:59:00.000-07:00

"Faithful are the wounds of a friend . . ." so says the book of wisdom. True of course, because it's in the Word -- and experientially true and a bit stinging as well. I know because I was on the stinging end of a rebuke by my buddy Willio who rebuked me for not keeping up with this blog. I first thought, "Nobody reads this thing anyways, so I can take a break if I want." As I expressed that to him, my young protege suggested to me that maybe if I were a bit more "provocative" then more folk might read and respond. Ouch! And did I mention he is "younger." So much for respect for one's elders. Anyways, having licked my "wounds" I am now committed again to picking up my pen and getting after it.

As for the provocative part, I'm not sure how that's going to play out. I'm a lot of things, but "provocative" may not be one of them. I will however do my best to write interestingly and helpfully with the aim of challenging all who read to be biblically-based in their thinking and Christ-centered in their faith. So, I sign off for now thankful for my time off, excited about being back, and happy that I have a friend who loves me enough to rebuke me!

Together for the Gospel 08

2008-04-21T18:17:00.000-07:00

Conferences can be good or bad. State the obvious, why don’t I? At any rate, I’ve been to a few that weren’t edifying for a whole host of reasons. But I’ve been to many that have been rich beyond measure. This past week the Together for The Gospel conference was rich beyond measure. Everything from the preaching to the singing to the fellowship made for a very spiritually enriching time. And to make it even better I was able to enjoy it all with my wife Sherry and my two dear friends Dave and Cheryl. What more could a brother ask for?

But you know, God has a way of going above and beyond all we can think of and or ask, right? And this conference was no exception. You see, I expected to enjoy the preaching. How could I not with the likes of MacArthur, Sproul, Piper, and the other gifted men. I expected to be blessed by the singing. How could I not as I joined my voice with 5,500 other passionate pastors and church leaders singing God’s praise. And of course I expected to enjoy time with my wife away from the privileged demands of ministry and parenthood. How could I not – she’s the greatest wife on the planet. And I haven’t even mentioned the free books! O’ yes, many, many free books. But with all that God still went beyond my expectations.

In His kind providences, I ran in to several of my friends from my seminary days at TMS. It was special to see these guys again, but to my joyful benefit each of my old friends ministered to my wife and me in ways that I can hardly express. It was as if God Himself deliberately appointed a meeting with these men who each had a timely word for us. What do I mean “as if”; of course it was God’s doing! He spoke to us through them. He spoke to us about ministry, marriage, parenting, and the need to stay the course. And all I was left with was to ask myself and God the question, “Who am I that I should have friends such as Justin Erickson, David Fry, Art Georges, Ray Mehringer, and John Richards?” These men served, cared for, and encouraged my soul far beyond what I expected and even further beyond what I deserve.

Yea, some conferences are really good. The T4G 08 will go down as probably the best ever. Thank you brothers for being my friend. Thank you brothers for being Together for the Gospel!

Secret Sex Wars

2008-04-07T15:18:00.000-07:00

It is my humble honor to introduce the forthcoming book entitled, "Secret Sex Wars: A Battle Cry for Purity" edited by Robert S. Scott, Sr. This book is a labor of love written by a number of African American pastors, including yours truly, aimed at equipping African American Christian men for the waging battle for sexual purity.

I think we would all agree that there is a fierce battle in our culture today. The forces of libertine liberationists who are seeking to dominate culture with immorality and sexual decadence are on the attack against those of us who are committed to the high standard of God's truth and righteousness. The contributors of this book exposit God's word with care and precision yielding practical instructions and principles which will arm Christian brothers with the weapons needed to walk in and enjoy the victory that is ours in Jesus Christ.

Every Christian brother needs to get a copy of this book for himself and for a friend. The release date is May 1st, but you can pre-order a copy now at http://www.secretsexwars.com/. Order your copy now, and pray that the Lord will give this book a wide readership for His honor and glory.

A Hard Pill to Swallow (Titus 2:9-10)

2008-04-01T20:38:00.000-07:00

There are rare occasions when I study the Bible and I find myself wanting the text to say something different than what it clearly says. This past week was one of those occasions. I was studying Titus 2:9-10 – a text that I’ve looked at before and it said what it’s always said, “Urge slaves to be subject to their own masters in everything . . .” Now, I’m not quite sure why this time was so different, but the reality of Paul’s command for slaves to willingly submit themselves to their masters landed on me with great force; actually with great sadness. I suppose I was sad because I spent some time thinking about the evil brutality of slavery throughout history, especially American history which is close to home for me. And as I did that, Paul’s words just didn’t seem right—that is until I reminded myself of God’s Modus Operandi in Redemptive history.

You see, my unmortified inclination was to hold God to my standard of thinking, which honestly would have dictated the abolition of slavery by Divine decree. Meaning, Christians could have rebelled and fought to achieve their goal, and certainly that’s what it would have taken in order for me to have gotten my way. But I’m a fool, and God is wise. He is in the business of transforming hearts first, which in turn may or may not transform societies. So, in His infinite wisdom, He chose to deal with slavery contrary to human wisdom by calling on Christian slaves to adorn themselves with the gospel of Christ by humbly submitting to their masters, even if they were perverted (cf. 1 Pet. 2:18-20). And that’s the key! God puts His glorious transforming grace on display in and through the lives of His people, and most amazingly through those who find themselves in the midst of horrible circumstances; in this case, slavery.

Yea, I know it leaves many questions unanswered. But when has God ever obligated Himself to answer all of our questions? We do know this though; He is good and He is wise. And if history teaches us anything, it certainly instructs us that the great evils of our times including slavery have in fact been confronted by those who have been transformed by the grace of Jesus Christ. And I have a sneaky suspicion, that when I get to heaven, I’m going to meet a whole lot of redeemed slave masters who came to saving faith in Christ through the inexplicable testimony of a humble slave who didn’t rebel, but through submission adorned the doctrine of God our Savior to the praise of His grace.

The Glory of Easter

2008-03-24T16:57:00.000-07:00

The more I gather with God’s people on the Lord’s Day the more I long for heaven. And the more I long for heaven the more I lose interest in the mundane things of this world. This fact was reinforced in my soul with great power on yesterday as I had the privilege to lead God’s people in worship on Resurrection Sunday.

With all the ancillary activities associated with the Day, as we sang songs that reminded us of the reality that Jesus is alive and that He reigns, for a brief moment which felt endless, everything other than the glory of God faded from my heart’s attention. I was there. You know; that place. The place that is almost indescribably vivid to the soul – the place where the presence of God is so real and heavy that you rejoice with trembling because you’re acutely aware of the Divine.

That’s where I was yesterday. Jesus Christ had risen afresh in my heart, and I was awestruck with His loveliness, beauty, and humility. And as I preached from Mark’s gospel meditating on all that Jesus endured for unworthy sinners my heart pounded from a mixture of sorrow & happiness – sorrow because of His sufferings and happiness because of His submission. O’ that He voluntarily submitted to betrayal, denial, beatings, mocking, rejection, accusations, abandonment, condemnation, crucifixion, and forsakenness – and all for Me, the most unworthy sinner of all. My heart was overwhelmed with pure love and admiration for my God and King.

Yes, it was a great day. Jesus is risen; He is risen indeed! I only fear that the glory is fading from my face having beheld Him in His word, and now fighting back the encroaching cares of this fleeting age, I so want to remain in that place. Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus, and may it be soon.

They're Listening with their Eyes (Titus 2:7-8)

2008-03-18T17:48:00.000-07:00

Some really bright fellow once said, "Your talk talks and your walk talks, but your walk talks louder than your talk talks." Now that's a mouth full. But, O' is it accurate. Yea, what we say and how we live both speak, but more often than not, how we live speaks a lot louder than what we say. And because of this, people often listen to us with their eyes.

This is why our example is so important; especially for those of us who have spiritual influence on others. For there's probably no quicker way to destroy our ability to effectively persuade people of the spiritual truths of God's word than to live a life of hypocrisy. In other words, failing to live in accordance with sound doctrine short-circuts our ability to reinforce the truthfulness of that doctrine. And so, Paul charges Titus to, "show himself to be an example" -- a charge that must be heeded by us all; especially we Pastors.

Speaking directly to preachers, Dean Shriver in his marvelous book entitled, "Nobody's Perfect, But You Have to Be," says,

"Each Sunday our congregations hear the sermons we preach. The rest of the week they see the sermon we live. If these two sermons don't coincide, it's doubtful the people we minister to will really listen when we preach. More doubtful still is that God will use our preaching to radically transform their lives."

His statement is certainly strong , but I believe he's right. In writing to his other protege in the faith, Paul said, "Pay close attention to yourself and to your doctrine . . . . for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you" (1 Tim. 4:16). The point is clear! Our example is instrumental to our effectiveness in ministry and life.

So, how is your example? Can people hear you with their eyes? What exactly is your life communicating about your doctrine? May it be that as Christians we not only talk the talk, but also walk the walk.

Home Is Where The Heart Is? (Titus 2:4-5)

2008-03-03T23:10:00.000-08:00

How often have you heard the quaint little idiom, “Home is where the heart is?” It sounds so good—so right. But is it? If it means that if you are with the person or at the place you love most, it becomes your true home then I think not, especially in light of my recent studies in Titus 2, verses 4-5. Here, the practicality of the gospel is being fleshed out in the instructions directed toward the domestic duties of young married mothers. These young Christian mothers are to be given to the “home” as defined by God, not by where the heart is, so that “the word of God will not be dishonored” (v. 5). Learning from the older women, the younger women of the Christian community are to give their energies and focus to family and home life.

The delightful poignancy of this passage is in its directness and clarity with which it weaves virtue and duty together. A young woman is to grow in the virtues of discretion, purity, and kindness so that she might grow in her love for her husband and children, and grow in her management and care for the home. Her heart of grace leads to a home of grace, which in turn promotes orderliness and gospel attractiveness as God’s prescription for the home is put on display.

No, my friend, for a Christian woman home is not where the heart is. The truth is that her home is where her husband and children are; and her calling is to give her heart to where her home is! Her home doesn't follow her heart, but her heart is to follow her home. And as it does, she will find the joyful satisfaction of being God’s instrument through which His sanctifying grace flows to her husband and children who will be blessed to have her as a “worker at home.” For every young woman who embraces this high calling, may your husband praise you in the gates and may your children rise up and bless you.

“Many daughters have done nobly.
But you excel them all.
Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.”

The Mentor Ministry of Mature Mantrons (Titus 2:3-5)

2008-02-25T10:06:00.000-08:00

One of the great joys of systematically studying the scriptures is being reminded of the sufficiency of God’s design for the spiritual growth and welfare of His people. And this study in the second chapter of Titus has thrilled my heart as I’ve seen the wisdom of God afresh.

In taking up the subject of “older women” Paul instructs Titus to give attention to these Matrons of the faith so that their godliness will flow to the benefit of the younger women of the community of saints. These matrons, as they exemplify holiness and self-control, have been given the great purpose of “training” younger women in the particular area of family life. What a blessing – older mature women who have walked with God and experienced His grace taking that experience and wisdom and mentoring young ladies of a church. And the beauty of it all is that God has designed their influence to impact entire households as the younger women are trained in the vanishing art of godly domestic management.

Can you imagine what would happen if more churches made the principles of this passage a priority. I am almost inclined to use the word revival – at least in the sense of family reformation. Older women hold such a strategic key, which when used will unlock the door of gospel order and spiritual health in the family and in the church. May the Lord continue to bless His people with godly matrons who will faithfully mentor a new generation of wives and mothers.

The Necessity of Redwoods (Titus 2:2)

2008-02-18T11:44:00.000-08:00

So what does a tree have to do with the local church? Nothing! But, recently, I likened godly older men in the church to Redwoods. Redwoods are massive trees which are known for their height, shade, and resistance to decay. So as Paul instructs Titus to call older men in the church to be "temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, and in perseverance" (Titus 2:2), the picture that came to my mind was Redwoods.

Let me explain. As Paul begins chapter 2, he turns Titus' attention to his responsibilty to "speak the things fitting for sound doctrine", which reminds Titus to make sure the individuals of the local congregations are living out the sound doctrine that they believe. They must not only talk the talk, but they must also walk the walk. The gospel is the message that is to be believed, and that belief is to effect behavior. So Paul gives advice and encouragement to Titus to address various groups within the church; the first of which is the "older men."

Clearly, there is a priority here. These 'greyhaired' brothers in their pursuit and attainment of godliness are to be the examples to others of the flock. And so, as a Redwood is a symbol of strength, stability, and longevity, so too are the older men of a local church. In many respects, these men serve as the spiritual 'fathers' (cf. 1 Tim. 5:1) of a church, and are necessary to the well-orderedness of a congregation. They should be respected, honored, and appreciated as good gifts from the Lord, not set aside and dismissed as fossils from an earlier generation.

Any Pastor with even a little bit of spiritual sense will cultivate deep relationships with the older men of his congregation. And if he is blessed to have older men who are thriving and clearly manifesting the virtues as presented in this text by Paul, he should bless the Lord for these expressions of God's grace. So for all you leaders out there, rest in the shade of godly older men, lean on their branches for strength, and solicit their counsel; trust me, they know more than you.

Silencing Satan's Soldiers (Titus 1:10-16)

2008-02-05T16:12:00.000-08:00

The Gospel of God's amazing grace in Jesus Christ is the most precious message known to man, and as such, it should be cherished by every Christian who has embraced it and been transformed by its power. So why then are so many of us quiet when the gospel is under attack in the church? As a working Pastor, that's the question I'm confronted with, especially as I am preaching through the first chapter of Titus.

The apostle Paul instructs Titus and the elders of the churches of Crete to "silence" those who are "teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain" (Tit. 1:11). Paul's admonition to Titus is as relevant today as it was then because just as then the church is now being infiltrated by greedy false teachers on all fronts. The battle is raging, the gospel is at stake, and we are called to fight. And personally, I am amazed at how little is being said about greedy false teachers who are making sport of unsuspecting and undiscerning folks who are seemingly ready to pay for prosperity in the name of Christ. The great reformer, Martin Luther, once said,

"If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved; and to be steady on all the battlefield besides, is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point."

What a stinging indictment of the contemporary church--so many of us soldiers fighting where there is little threat, and ignoring the constant barrage of prosperity heresy bombs exploding in our midst. So, from the text, I see five actions that we must take in silencing those who seek to destroy the purity of the gospel:

1. We must acknowledge the existence of false teachers (Titus 1:10)

2. We must consider the character of false teachers (Titus 1:10, 11c)

3. We must mute the mouths of false teachers (Titus 1:11)

4. We must warn the victims of false teachers (Titus 1:12-14)

5. We must realize the condition of false teachers (Titus 1:15-16)

And in the end, Pastors and Elders will have to give an account to our Commander-N-Chief as to how we fought the fight at the point where the battle raged most intensely. So, let us take a stand against those who are perverting sound doctrine by peddling the Word of God for profit. These pitiful prophets for pay are no better than Judas, the treasonous treasurer who traded the Savior for 30 silver shekels.