In recent years the writer that God has used in my life, more than any other, is Oswald Chambers. An unknown Baptist teacher, God raised his ministry to prominence only after his death.
I hadn’t read Oswald in a while until this morning…then I remembered why. I love Oswald – yet I flee from Oswald – because the Lord uses him to point out those things that most preachers are too nice to say.
In my reading today, Oswald quoted the old Scottish preacher Robert Murry McCheyne – and desired to have his words engraved on his heart – “The greatest need for my people is my personal holiness.” An exaggeration, true. The greatest need of every person is his or her own personal holiness – yet…. The people of God rarely reach a level not illustrated before them in the lives of their leaders. Sunday School teachers – The greatest need for your class is your personal holiness. Deacons - The greatest need for your families is your personal holiness. Pastor – The greatest need for Wellborn Baptist Church is your personal holiness.
God grant us an overcoming walk with Jesus as He makes us holy even as He is holy.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
The Seven Statements from the Cross
Seven in the Scripture often represents completeness or perfection. Numbers of biblical scholars have noted the fact that Christ, hanging on the Cross, dying for our sins, has seven things to say.
1. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34) This is the essence of what Christ’s sacrifice is all about. Romans 5:8 tells us that this sacrifice is God’s way of telling us of His love – even while we were lost in sin.
2. "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43) Comfort for a thief; comfort for us. The moment of death is an entrance into the presence of the Lord – for those who have trusted in Him. The thief is one of the greatest illustrations that works are not necessary to salvation.
3. "Dear woman, here is your son, ... Here is your mother." (John 19:26-27) Suffering and in agony, Jesus does not forget the needs of his mother. Sometimes believers get so wrapped up in service to the Lord that they forget to take care of the needs of their families. In the ultimate moment of sacrifice, our Example did not forget.
4. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34) Christ, in his humanity, feels the loneliness of a soul judged in hell. Feeling this sense of separation, he comforts himself by quoting the Scripture (Psalm 22:1). The feeling is only a feeling: Father, Son and Spirit are united in confronting man’s sin.
5. "I am thirsty." (John 19:28) How often have you heard, “Oh, but Jesus was God. He can’t understand how I feel”? Even at the moment of His greatest sacrifice, Christ’s understanding of our condition is revealed. He was thirsty – and said so.
6. "It is finished." (John 19:30) It stands completed! Everything necessary accomplished. Salvation’s sacrifice realized.
7. "Father, into your hands I commit My spirit." (Luke 23:46) In the final moments of life, there is only One who is “able to keep that which I’ve committed to Him against that day”.
Seven sayings. Seven moments in time. Seven markers for Christian faith. My prayer is that this quick review of the seven statements will help you prepare for both Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday.
1. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34) This is the essence of what Christ’s sacrifice is all about. Romans 5:8 tells us that this sacrifice is God’s way of telling us of His love – even while we were lost in sin.
2. "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43) Comfort for a thief; comfort for us. The moment of death is an entrance into the presence of the Lord – for those who have trusted in Him. The thief is one of the greatest illustrations that works are not necessary to salvation.
3. "Dear woman, here is your son, ... Here is your mother." (John 19:26-27) Suffering and in agony, Jesus does not forget the needs of his mother. Sometimes believers get so wrapped up in service to the Lord that they forget to take care of the needs of their families. In the ultimate moment of sacrifice, our Example did not forget.
4. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34) Christ, in his humanity, feels the loneliness of a soul judged in hell. Feeling this sense of separation, he comforts himself by quoting the Scripture (Psalm 22:1). The feeling is only a feeling: Father, Son and Spirit are united in confronting man’s sin.
5. "I am thirsty." (John 19:28) How often have you heard, “Oh, but Jesus was God. He can’t understand how I feel”? Even at the moment of His greatest sacrifice, Christ’s understanding of our condition is revealed. He was thirsty – and said so.
6. "It is finished." (John 19:30) It stands completed! Everything necessary accomplished. Salvation’s sacrifice realized.
7. "Father, into your hands I commit My spirit." (Luke 23:46) In the final moments of life, there is only One who is “able to keep that which I’ve committed to Him against that day”.
Seven sayings. Seven moments in time. Seven markers for Christian faith. My prayer is that this quick review of the seven statements will help you prepare for both Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday.
Friday, April 07, 2006
Way to go, Gators!
The University of Florida Gators are the national champions of Division 1 men’s college basketball. Proud Florida fans all over the church are over the moon at this unusual phenomenon. Just who are these guys who have brought such pride to Floridian hearts? Let’s see. Al Horford hails from Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Adrian Moss from Houston, Texas. Both Corey Brewer and Lee Humphrey are from Tennessee (just like some unknown former Florida hero named Spurrier). Joakim Noah is from New York by way of France. Even the coach is from New York by way of Rhode Island. Only Taurean Green, among the top starters, is from Florida. So, what does this have to do with Wellborn Baptist Church on a Wednesday in April?
Well, in many ways, the Gators serve as a picture of our church. Some of us are native Floridians; some have come from exotic locales like Maine and Rhode Island. Lots are from south Georgia. There are even three from Tennessee, by way of Africa. God has called us from various places at various times to make up the family of faith here at Wellborn. We are as diverse as the basketball Gators.
The question for us is: will we meet with as much success as the Gators? Admittedly our opposition is more formidable than any that Florida faced. Satan and his forces actively wish our destruction. Problem for Satan is that his gates can’t stand up to our assault. Wielding the sword of the Spirit, clothed in the whole armor of God, he can do little against us. We also carry the shield of faith. Interesting fact about the Roman shield: it was designed to link up with other shields so that the legion could press forward as one.
Well, in many ways, the Gators serve as a picture of our church. Some of us are native Floridians; some have come from exotic locales like Maine and Rhode Island. Lots are from south Georgia. There are even three from Tennessee, by way of Africa. God has called us from various places at various times to make up the family of faith here at Wellborn. We are as diverse as the basketball Gators.
The question for us is: will we meet with as much success as the Gators? Admittedly our opposition is more formidable than any that Florida faced. Satan and his forces actively wish our destruction. Problem for Satan is that his gates can’t stand up to our assault. Wielding the sword of the Spirit, clothed in the whole armor of God, he can do little against us. We also carry the shield of faith. Interesting fact about the Roman shield: it was designed to link up with other shields so that the legion could press forward as one.
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