Down from the Mountaintop!

Down from the mountaintop of Fairview Baptist Bible College.
Great week of class.  I was especially encouraged today and last night listening to the students talk about how they want to make disciples and help their churches make disciples.

We had lunch at Caleb & Charity Gibbs’ house in Montego Bay today.  It is a great way to end the week.

I found a great resource to share with the students in the book Biblical Counseling and the Church: God’s Care through God’s People.  There is a chapter on starting a Bilblical Counseling in a small church (under 100 people).
Randy Patten writes about 4 passage that should motivate disciple-making/Biblical counseling in any church.  These 4 passages are:.

• Matthew 28:18-20:  We are empowered and commanded to make disciples.
• Ephesians 4:11-14:  God has provided pastors to equip people to make disciples.
• Colossians 1:28-29:  With Christ’s power, we need to proclaim Christ so people will grow into the image of Christ.
• 2 Timothy 2:2:  Pastors are to training pastors who will train pastors.

I am thankful for the opportunity to teach these and other Biblical truth at FBBC.

I am also thankful that I am at a church that believes and observes these truths.

Down from the mountain top!

Down from the mountaintop of Fairview Baptist Bible College. Great week of class.  I was especially encouraged today and last night listening to the students talk about how they want to make disciples and help their churches make disciples.

We had lunch at Caleb & Charity Gibbs' house in Montego Bay today.
It was a great way to end the week.



I found a great resource to share with the students in the book Biblical Counseling and the Church: God's Care through God's People. 
There is a chapter on starting a Bilblical Counseling in a small church (under 100 people).

Randy Patten writes about 4 passage that should motivate disciple-making/Biblical counseling in any church.  These 4 passages are:.

• Matthew 28:18-20:  We are empowered and commanded to make disciples.
• Ephesians 4:11-14:  God has provided pastors to equip people to make disciples.
• Colossians 1:28-29:  With Christ's power, we need to proclaim Christ so people will grow into the image of Christ.
• 2 Timothy 2:2:  Pastors are to training pastors who will train pastors.

I am thankful for the opportunity to teach these and other Biblical truth at FBBC. I am also thankful that I am at a church that believes and observes these truths.

Jamaica: Inconsistent & Consistent

I have finished up 3 days of teaching at Fairview Baptist Bible College.
Two more days of classes.  Today (Thursday) is a full day of teaching.
8:00 am to 12:45 pm and then 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

For those who don't know I am teaching a course entitled Biblical Counseling in the Local Church.
It has been a good work in class.
I would have liked to do more updating but the internet connection has been inconsistent.

One prayer request I shared with some people before coming down was pray that the class material would be relevant to the Jamaican students and churches.
From the student feedback that prayer seems to have been answered.

The heavy rain every afternoon has been very consistent.


One of the verses we have been using throughout the week has been Matthew 28:18-20.

Family Devotion Failure and of all the days it was today!!

I was going to post some family worship ideas/thoughts yesterday.


At first, I was disappointed that I didn't get a chance to post but this morning I realized God had more He wanted me to learn before posting.


This past Sunday EKIDZ lesson was "God preserves the Israelites in the wilderness." ekidzministry.blogspot.com/2016/05/teacher-resource-god-preserves-israel.html
Our good, loving God provided in amazing ways for the Israelites despite their complaining.

The Israelites complained against God when they were thirsty (15:24).
Still, God made undrinkable water drinkable (15:25).

The Israelites complained against God when they were hungry (16:1-2).
Still, God provided manna and quail (16:12).

The Israelites complained when they were thirsty again (17:2).
Still, God provided water from a rock (17:8).

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday we had some good times of family worship.
On Tuesday, I even shared with the kids a great section of the Gospel Primer that was connected with that day's devotional.

Every time  I deliberately disobey a command of God, it is because I am in that moment doubtful as to God’s true intentions in giving me that command. Does He really have my best interests at heart? Or is He withholding something from me that I would be better off having?  Such questions, whether consciously asked or not, lie underneath every act of disobedience.

Each of these days we did the devotionals from the Generation of Grace Family Devotional Guide.  

We prayed and then sent the kids off.

IT WAS AWESOME!!!  

And then this morning. 
I don't need to go into the gory details but let me just say this Thursday morning was no Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday morning.  NOT EVEN CLOSE!!!!

We did NOTHING for family devotions.  Not. A. Single. Thing.
The kids almost missed their ride to school.  

After they left, I told Krista I had really wanted to do today's Family Devotion with them.
After all, it was the Gospel Connection!
First three days - God is a great provider.
Fourth day - Thursday - this morning - of all the mornings - Jesus provides living water.  John 4:7 - 15.  The water Jesus offered the woman at the well was so much better than the miraculous water from the rock.

But not this morning!!!

And to make matters "worse" I was the elementary chapel speaker this morning.
The living water devotional coupled with what I was talking about in chapel was going to be a great one-two Gospel combination for my kids and for me.

But not today!!!  Of all the days to have a Family Devotions Failure

This morning God wanted to teach me something so much different than my planned one-two combination.  This morning God helped me realize a couple of important truths...

• It is not about the perfectly planned presentation.  It is about faithfulness and consistency, even on those CRAZY hair pulling mornings.  The kids knew that Krista and I had planned to do devotions with them.  I will talk with them about what needs to be different in the mornings.  The reality is families have mornings like this.  
• I have to make the most of the opportunities that God does provide and not let what seems like missed opportunities take my eyes off of the One who truly does the work.  Despite the bad morning.  I think the chapel message was clear.
• This is just another long list of personal reminders that family worship is difficult but it is worth it.  HERE is an "encouraging" article entitled "Stumbling through Family Faith Talks for the Glory of God."  

These talks don't always go as planned.  O.K. to be honest more than "don't always go as planned."  BUT sharing the life-changing truths of the Gospel with my family, the ones God has entrusted to me, is more important than my ease and comfort.

As a pastor, I want to help the families at Emmanuel Baptist Church, understand the importance of and some basic way to do family devotions.  This is the purpose of this blog.  If you have questions leave in the comment section below or go to www.emmanuelbaptist.com/email/

The Symbol of the Body and Blood of Christ!

Below are my notes from Sunday's nights service @ebctoledo 

This is my family.

Actually, it is not my family it is a picture of my family.

This is the United States of America.

Actually it  is not the United States of America it is the US flag

Actually, it is not the US flag.  It is a picture of the US flag.

The United States flag is a symbol for something much bigger than the fabric blowing in the wind. 

That is why we have an organization come by to dispose of flags that are tattered.
That is why we are to treat flags with respect.

Symbols represent something else.. 

In most cases the symbol represents something much bigger than the symbol.

Tonight is a night of symbols. 

Baptism is a public profession of what God has done for someone who has trust in Jesus. 
In salvation, the believer has died to sin and been raised to life in Christ Jesus. 

The act of baptism does not save.  Jesus saves.

Baptism is a one time proclamation of what Jesus has done.

Communion is a symbol of what God has done.  We are commanded in his word to celebrate in regularly.

I want each of us to consider 3 questions as we prepare to celebrate it.

What is communion?

Let’s read Luke 22:14—20

Here at the Last Supper Jesus is teaching his disciples that He is the fulfillment of the Passover Lamb.

1 Corinthians 5:7 says “Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed.”

Last week’s EKIDZ lesson was the 10th plague.  The Passover.

The Passover was a family a special time the Israelites used to remember how God protected the Israelites during the 10th plague in Egypt.

Unleavened bread and blood on the door post.

Could you imagine a Jewish family preparing for Passover?

Kids, how many of you like to ask questions?  Parents

I bet children would ask their parents what they were doing and why they were doing it.

This would give parents a great opportunity to talk with their kids

Communion is not magical.

Communion is serious and it is a celebration.

Communion is memorial meant to be done in a community.  In the church.

Why do we take Communion?

1 Corinthians 11:26 says that

“as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

Our taking communion in no way, shape or form

earns salvation.

Our taking communion helps us remember how God show his love for us while we were sinners. 

If you are trusting in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior

You know that His death is not like any other death

in all of history. 

I grew up in a little town
Used to sing in the old church house
There in the pew where I used to hide
Learned the story about the man who died

Well I was sure I heard that He got back up
But as we broke the bread and drank the cup
Seemed the faces told another tale
They were as dry as the bread was stale

Did I miss something? Was I not supposed to cry?
Did they hear preacher, "Jesus is alive"?

If this is true, this changes everything
If this is real, I've got to tell the world
If He is God, then I've got choice to make
If I believe, then I must follow Him

How do we take communion?

1 Corinthians 10:31

“So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

We take Communion as we should do everything.

For the glory of God.

Don’t become too familiar with Communion

Parents, here are a couple of questions to ask about communion:

Have they given a convincing profession of faith in Jesus

· Are they showing fruit and evidence of conversion through obedience to and love for Jesus?

· Do they understand and can they articulate the

significance of communion?

Seven Ways Church Members Should Prepare for a Sermon!!

Originally posted at thomrainer.com/2016/04/seven-ways-church-members-should-prepare-for-a-sermon/

Seven Ways Church Members Should Prepare for a Sermon
What if church members began their own form of sermon preparation?

For countless decades, we have heard about the role of pastors in sermon preparation. The number of hours they need to prepare. The priority of preparation. The role of prayer in sermon preparation.

But what if church members prepared for each sermon they heard? What if they believed their roles as recipients of the Word are also crucially important?

I can see incredible church revitalization taking place if church members took on their own responsibilities of sermon preparation. Here are seven ways members can actively prepare for sermons.

1. Pray for the sermon. For a few minutes, the church member should pray for the upcoming sermon. That prayer might take place during the week, the night before the preaching, or the morning of the preaching.
2. Pray for the pastor who is preaching. Pray that the pastor will understand God’s message for that text. Pray that the pastor will have no distractions. Pray that God’s Spirit will fill the pastor in both the preparation and delivery of the sermon.
3. Pray for yourself as you prepare to hear the sermon. Pray that God will speak to you through the message. Pray that you will not be distracted. Pray for clarity of mind and an open heart to receive the message.
4. Read the biblical text before the sermon is preached. If possible, read the text from which the pastor will preach. Read it thoroughly. Read it prayerfully.
5. Take notes. Take notes as the pastor preaches. You will have a greater focus and greater retention. Review the notes at least once during the next week.
6. Seek an application to your life. Ask God for discernment to help you understand how the sermon should change your life. Seek to understand the sermon not only in its biblical context, but in your life as well.
7. Share with the pastor “one thing.” If possible, share with your pastor one significant takeaway from the sermon. Pastors hear countless “good job, pastor,” or “nice message, pastor,” but they long to know if God really made a difference in the lives of the church members through the preached word. If you are able to communicate just one takeaway from the sermon in person, by email, or in social media, your pastor will be greatly encouraged.

The preaching of God’s Word is central to the life of the church. It makes sense that pastors should give it the highest priority.

But doesn’t it also make sense that church members should prepare as well?

Four BIG Words from T4G!

Originally posted at www.emmanuelbaptist.com/blog

Last week I had the great opportunity to attend Together for the Gospel (www.t4g.org) with the other Emmanuel pastors and many other men from the church.
I am very thankful for everyone who made this time of encouragement in the Word and in fellowship possible.

I wanted to share something that challenged me throughout the conference.
It is a general conviction that works itself out in many different ways.
Worship, Missions, Discipleship and Evangelism are not programs of the church.
They are what the church needs to be about.
People can become very passionate about one of these specific areas but we need to remember our purpose is to glorify God and help others.

• WORSHIP is not the singing time at the beginning of the service.
• DISCIPLESHIP is not information collection.  Discipleship is SO MUCH MORE than a Sunday morning class time or a weekly 90 minute meeting. 
• EVANGELISM is not what a small group of gifted people do at special events. 
• MISSIONS is not a line item or percent of the annual budget. 

WORSHIP:
"We need to know the joy of resting in the sufficiency of Scripture."
Worship at its heart is being in awe of who God is and God's Word is where we see Him and His glory.
"Be fearless to always preach about the depth of God and His glory."
"God is rich.  He is never stifled by the need for resources."
"We cannot separate what is preached from the pulpit and sung in the pew."

DISCIPLESHIP:
"Be in a church that is not dependent on you."
"Whatever happens in Christian ministry and in church, and whatever happens in our neighborhoods and families and workplaces, is part of what God is doing to move all things inexorably towards their goal and end - which is Jesus Christ."
"Everything we do as God's gathered people (as 'church') should be an exercise in the transformative learning of Christ."
Challenging video clip:



EVANGELISM:
"You don't have unreached people in your office or neighborhood because you are there."
"If we really believe the Gospel and the consequences of not believing/trusting in Christ, than our churches would be different."
"Leverage your job for the spread of the Gospel."

MISSION:
The fact that someone has a passion to see the Gospel spread across the nations doesn't necessarily show someone is meant to be a missionary.  It shows that they are a Christian.  Christian, do you have a passion to see the Gospel spread across the nations?
"Missions is not a compartmentalized program of the church for an elite few but it is for EVERY believer."

We need to glorify God by doing good to others.  This is done through worship, discipleship, evangelism and missions.

Four BIG WORDS from T4G (together for the Gospel)

Last week I had the great opportunity to attend Together for the Gospel (www.t4g.org) with the other Emmanuel pastors and many other men from the church.
I am very thankful for everyone who made this time of encouragement in the Word and in fellowship possible.

I wanted to share something that challenged me throughout the conference.  It is a general conviction that works itself out in many different ways.
Worship, Missions, Discipleship and Evangelism are not programs of the church.
They are what the church needs to be about.
People can become very passionate about one of these specific areas but we need to remember our purpose is to glorify God and help others.

WORSHIP is not the singing time at the beginning of the service.
DISCIPLESHIP is not information collection.  Discipleship is SO MUCH MORE than a Sunday morning class time or a weekly 90-minute meeting.
EVANGELISM is not what a small group of gifted people do at special events.
MISSIONS is not a line item or percent of the annual budget.

WORSHIP:
“Joy of resting in the sufficiency of Scripture.”   Worship at its heart is being in awe of who God is and God’s Word is where we see Him and His glory.
“Be fearless to always preach about the depth of God and His glory.”
“God is rich.  He is never stifled by the need for resources.”
“We cannot separate what is preached from the pulpit and sung in the pew.”

DISCIPLESHIP:
“Be in a church that is not dependent on you.”
“Whatever happens in Christian ministry and in church, and whatever happens in our neighborhoods and families and workplaces, is part of what God is doing to move all things inexorably towards their goal and end – which is Jesus Christ.”
“Everything we do as God’s gathered people (as ‘church’) should be an exercise in the transformative learning of Christ.”
Challenging video clip:

EVANGELISM:
“You don’t have unreached people in your office or neighborhood because you are there.”
“If we really believe the Gospel and the consequences of not believing/trusting in Christ, than our churches would be different.”
“Leverage your job for the spread of the Gospel.”

MISSION:
The fact that someone has a passion to see the Gospel spread across the nations doesn’t necessarily show someone is meant to be a missionary.  It shows that they are a Christian.  Christian, do you have a passion to see the Gospel spread across the nations?
“Missions is not a compartmentalized program of the church for an elite few but it is for EVERY believer.”

We need to glorify God by doing good to others.  This is done through worship, discipleship, evangelism and missions.

These four BIG words are so much more than strategic thinking for church leaders.

How has my life made much of God this week?  WORSHIP?
Who am I building into?  DISCIPLESHIP
What opportunities have I taken to share the Gospel?  EVANGELISM
How I have invested my resources and my life for the spread of the Gospel?  MISSIONS

Four Big Words

Last week I had the great opportunity to attend Together for the Gospel (www.t4g.org) with the other Emmanuel pastors and many other men from the church.
I am very thankful for everyone who made this time of encouragement in the Word and in fellowship possible.

I wanted to share something that challenged me throughout the conference.  It is a general conviction that works itself out in many different ways.
Worship, Missions, Discipleship and Evangelism are not programs of the church.
They are what the church needs to be about.
People can become very passionate about one of these specific areas but we need to remember our purpose is to glorify God and help others.

WORSHIP is not the singing time at the beginning of the service.
DISCIPLESHIP is not information collection.  Discipleship is SO MUCH MORE than a Sunday morning class time or a weekly 90 minute meeting.
EVANGELISM is not what a small group of gifted people do at special events.
MISSIONS is not a line item or percent of the annual budget.

WORSHIP:
“Joy of resting in the sufficiency of Scripture.”   Worship at its heart is being in awe of who God is and God’s Word is where we see Him and His glory.
“Be fearless to always preach about the depth of God and His glory.”
“God is rich.  He is never stifled by the need for resources.”
“We cannot separate what is preached from the pulpit and sung in the pew.”

DISCIPLESHIP:
“Be in a church that is not dependent on you.”
“Whatever happens in Christian ministry and in church, and whatever happens in our neighborhoods and families and workplaces, is part of what God is doing to move all things inexorably towards their goal and end – which is Jesus Christ.”
“Everything we do as God’s gathered people (as ‘church’) should be an exercise in the transformative learning of Christ.”
Challenging video clip:

EVANGELISM:
“You don’t have unreached people in your office or neighborhood because you are there.”
“If we really believe the Gospel and the consequences of not believing/trusting in Christ, than our churches would be different.”
“Leverage your job for the spread of the Gospel.”

MISSION:
The fact that someone has a passion to see the Gospel spread across the nations doesn’t necessarily show someone is meant to be a missionary.  It shows that they are a Christian.  Christian, do you have a passion to see the Gospel spread across the nations?
“Missions is not a compartmentalized program of the church for an elite few but it is for EVERY believer.”

We need to glorify God by doing good to others.  This is done through worship, discipleship, evangelism and missions.

These four BIG words are so much more than strategic thinking for church leaders.

How has my life made much of God this week?  WORSHIP?
Who am I building into?  DISCIPLESHIP
What opportunities have I taken to share the Gospel?  EVANGELISM
How I have invested my resources and my life for the spread of the Gospel?  MISSIONS

26 Ways to "Provoke the 1st Peter 3:15 Question" at Work

Taken from www.jdgreear.com/

For more about the Gospel @ Work at More Mission Essentials go to www.emmanuelbaptist.com/more-mission-essentials/

I mentioned in this weekend’s sermon that the Apostle Paul lived in such a way that he provoked a question. Peter said it this way: “In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15).

Peter is supposing that your life provokes that question—that people are asking, “Why do you do what you do?”

Here is a list of 26 ways we’ve come up with that you can live provocatively at work. (Not, dress provocatively—that’s a different kind of provocatively I would discourage… But live provocatively.) We first introduced this list at the Gospel at Work conference in February.

1. Get to work early so you can spend some time praying for your co-workers and the day ahead.
2. Make it a daily priority to speak or write encouragement when someone does good work.
3. Instead of eating lunch alone, intentionally eat with other co-workers and learn their story. (“Evangelism is doing normal life with gospel intentionality.”)
4. Bring breakfast once a month for everyone in your department.
5. Organize an exercise group before or after work.
6. Start a Bible study (RightNow Media: Work as Worship; 33—The Men’s Series; or Purpose Driven Life)
7. Create a regular time to invite co-workers over or out for drinks.
8. “Put Christ on the table.” (When co-workers ask about what you did over the weekend, mention church instead of intentionally dancing around the topic.)
9. If there is another Christian in your office, meet and pray with them to hold each other accountable to the task of bringing Christ to your office.
10. Learn how to share the gospel briefly (as in, less than 30 seconds), so that you can communicate it in a conversation without hijacking it entirely.
11. Make a list of your co-workers’/clients’ birthdays or anniversaries and send a note of encouragement on that day. If appropriate, ask, “What is one thing I can be praying for you this year?”
12. Make every effort to avoid gossip in the office. Be a voice of thanksgiving, not complaining.
13. Find others that live near you and create a carpool. Blare your pastor’s sermons there and back. Just kidding.
14. Be the first person to welcome new people to the office.
15. Make ever effort to know the names of co-workers/clients, along with their families. Make a prayer list.
16. Offer to pray on the spot for someone who tells you they are going through a difficult time. Pray the gospel over them.
17. Volunteer to clean up for parties. Or that nasty coffee pot.
18. Hire a “corporate chaplain” if you are a business owner. If not a business owner, be the corporate chaplain.
19. Tastefully display Scripture in your office (especially verses that you are memorizing). People will ask about it.
20. Keep copies of The Reason for God, The Case for Christ, The Purpose Driven Life, or Gospel displayed in your office. Give a copy to anyone who asks about it.
21. Visit co-workers when they are in the hospital.
22. Start (or participate in) “life development” groups (e.g. Lamplighters; Raising a Modern Day Knight, YMCA groups, etc.).
23. Go out of your way to talk to your janitors and cleaning people and others mostly overlooked.
24. Invite co-workers into service projects you are already involved in through your church (or company).
25. Organize a weekly forum for local entrepreneurs at a local coffee shop (artists meeting, etc).
26. Lead the charge in organizing others to help co-workers in need.

Give an Answer

Taken from www.jdgreear.com/

For more about the Gospel @ Work at More Mission Essentials go to www.emmanuelbaptist.com/more-mission-essentials/

I mentioned in this weekend’s sermon that the Apostle Paul lived in such a way that he provoked a question. Peter said it this way: “In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15).

Peter is supposing that your life provokes that question—that people are asking, “Why do you do what you do?”

Here is a list of 26 ways we’ve come up with that you can live provocatively at work. (Not, dress provocatively—that’s a different kind of provocatively I would discourage… But live provocatively.) We first introduced this list at the Gospel at Work conference in February.

1. Get to work early so you can spend some time praying for your co-workers and the day ahead
2. Make it a daily priority to speak or write encouragement when someone does good work.
3. Instead of eating lunch alone, intentionally eat with other co-workers and learn their story. (“Evangelism is doing normal life with gospel intentionality.”)
4. Bring breakfast once a month for everyone in your department.
5. Organize an exercise group before or after work.
6. Start a Bible study (RightNow Media: Work as Worship; 33—The Men’s Series; or Purpose Driven Life)
7. Create a regular time to invite co-workers over or out for drinks.
8. “Put Christ on the table.” (When co-workers ask about what you did over the weekend, mention church instead of intentionally dancing around the topic.)
9. If there is another Christian in your office, meet and pray with them to hold each other accountable to the task of bringing Christ to your office.
10. Learn how to share the gospel briefly (as in, less than 30 seconds), so that you can communicate it in a conversation without hijacking it entirely.
11. Make a list of your co-workers’/clients’ birthdays or anniversaries and send a note of encouragement on that day. If appropriate, ask, “What is one thing I can be praying for you this year?”
12. Make every effort to avoid gossip in the office. Be a voice of thanksgiving, not complaining.
13. Find others that live near you and create a carpool. Blare your pastor’s sermons there and back. Just kidding.
14. Be the first person to welcome new people to the office.
15. Make ever effort to know the names of co-workers/clients, along with their families. Make a prayer list.
16. Offer to pray on the spot for someone who tells you they are going through a difficult time. Pray the gospel over them.
17. Volunteer to clean up for parties. Or that nasty coffee pot.
18. Hire a “corporate chaplain” if you are a business owner. If not a business owner, be the corporate chaplain.
19. Tastefully display Scripture in your office (especially verses that you are memorizing). People will ask about it.
20. Keep copies of The Reason for God, The Case for Christ, The Purpose Driven Life, or Gospel displayed in your office. Give a copy to anyone who asks about it.
21. Visit co-workers when they are in the hospital.
22. Start (or participate in) “life development” groups (e.g. Lamplighters; Raising a Modern Day Knight, YMCA groups, etc.).
23. Go out of your way to talk to your janitors and cleaning people and others mostly overlooked.
24. Invite co-workers into service projects you are already involved in through your church (or company).
25. Organize a weekly forum for local entrepreneurs at a local coffee shop (artists meeting, etc).
26. Lead the charge in organizing others to help co-workers in need.

Excited to Share about The Cost and Rewards of Discipleship

I am excited to share at First Baptist Church in Wauseon, OH this Sunday, May 2.

I was asked to kick off their mission's emphasis week with a sermon on the costs and rewards of discipleship.

Here are two main questions that I plan to answer in the sermon.

Question 1:  What does discipleship cost?

Questions 2:  What are the rewards of discipleship?

Here are the answers:

Answer to question 1:  Everything!

Answer to question 2:  The biggest reward is God himself!

I am planning to use this site to post some additional resources from the message as helps to you.
Please do not get overwhelmed by this list.  Each resource has a brief comment to help you understand what it is about and if it is something you might need right now.

Sermon notes click HERE

Books Mentioned:

God is the Gospel:  Click HERE for a free pdf of the book
This book will help you gain a deeper understanding of and love for the God of Gospel and what He has done for His glory and your good.



The Trellis and The Vine:  Click HERE for more about this book.
This book will really help you think through your role in the ministry of your church.



Do More Better:  Click HERE for more about this book and other resources.
This short book on productivity will help you think Biblically about some of the good time management and productivity principles you have heard.



A GREAT DISCIPLEMAKING RESOURCE:  Biblical Counseling 

At Emmanuel Baptist Church we have been trying to help the church see that Biblical Counseling is just another way to say discipleship.
Biblical Counseling is helping people think Biblically about the problems.

Here is a brief story of how God used a sign and Biblical counseling in someone's life.


Lori Allen Story from Emmanuel Baptist Church on Vimeo.


Here are two testimonies of how God is using Biblical counseling around the world.

Why Biblical Counseling? - 2 Testimonies from Uganda from Emmanuel Baptist Church on Vimeo.


Some additional internet resources:

• www.multiplymovement.com  Online discipleship material to be done with someone else.
• www.challies.com  A blog that does a great job of dealing with contemporary issues, spiritual growth and many other issues of life.
• https://vimeo.com/76230964 - Disciple making is rigged  is the video show in the service.
• https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/7-ways-to-become-a-better-sermon-listener - 7 Ways to become a better sermon listener
• http://matthiasmedia.com/briefing/1994/03/factotum-1-the-ministry-of-the-pew/ - The Ministry of the Pew

Inconsistent Posting Here!

O.K. I haven't been very consistent posting here on this blog
BUT
I have been very consistent posting on Emmanuel Baptist Church blog.
You can go to this link, http://www.emmanuelbaptist.com/author/drodgers/, to read my posts there.

I am in the process of copying some of these posts to this site.

Keys to Spiritual Growth

Grace to You’s Back to Basics:  The ABC’s of Christian Living lists some misconceptions of spiritual growth that we must remember.  These are taken directly from this resource.

1. Spiritual growth has nothing to with our position in Christian.
   A person does not grow into becoming a Christian; conversion is an instantaneous miracle.
2. Spiritual growth is not a matter of God’s Love.  According to Romans 5:1-11, God loved us when we were sinners. We were His enemies, alienated from Him before we ever came to Christ. When you became a believer, God continued to love you.
3. Spiritual growth is not about time.  There are many people who have been saved for a long period but have grown very little. There are many people who have been saved for a brief period and have grown very much. Certainly time is a factor in spiritual growth in some cases (those who continue to grow over a long period of time will be more mature than one who has grown over a shorter period). But the amount of time isn’t what is important; it is a commitment to the principles of growth that makes the difference. We don’t measure spiritual maturity by the calendar
4. Spiritual growth is not about accumulated knowledge.  Sometimes we equate spiritual maturity with what we know, but that isn’t the key. Knowledge alone is not the issue; the issue is what you do with what you know.
5. Spiritual growth is not about activity.  Some people think that if they have been active in the church (e.g., they served on a committee or sung in the choir), then they have grown spiritually. In other words, if you’re busy enough, you must be spiritual.  This is not always the case.
6. Spiritual growth is not about prosperity.  Don’t equate positive circumstances with God’s approval of your spiritual maturity.

Spiritual growth is about matching my practice with my position.

Praying the Bible - John 5

In praying narratives like John 5, it is important to look at the big picture.



Praying the Bible with Don Whitney: Day 5 from Crossway on Vimeo.

Solomon and Social Media

The article below was originally posted at www.challies.com/christian-living/solomon-on-social-media

There are many who doubt or downplay the relevance of the Old Testament to our times. Those people have probably never taken the time to read the book of Proverbs. I read from Proverbs almost every day and I am continually amazed at just how relevant this book is. It seems that wisdom is timeless. The lessons David taught Solomon speak to myself and my children as much as they did to the men and women of ancient Israel. The wisdom of God given to Solomon continues to ring loud and clear in my heart.

If Solomon were alive today and we were to ask him how we are to relate to one another in this digital world, if we were to ask him how we can honor God in our use of all these social media available to us today, here is how he might respond.

Count to ten before posting, sharing, sending, submitting. “Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him (29:20).” How many arguments could be avoided and how many relationships saved if people were only a little less hasty with their words? Before posting an article or before replying to a Facebook status, it is always (always!) a good idea to re-read what you have written and consider if your words accurately express your feelings and if expressing such feelings is necessary and edifying. And while I’m on the topic, a spell-check doesn’t hurt either.

Leave the fool to his folly. “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself (26:4).” There are times when it is best to leave a foolish person to his own devices rather than to try to change him. Sometimes it is best just to leave him alone rather than providing him more ammunition to work with. This means that it may be best to ignore the troll, to leave a rebuke unanswered, than to bait him and to suffer his wrath.

Expose folly. “Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes (26:5).” Here it is—undeniable proof that the Bible contradicts itself! Are we to answer a fool according to his folly or not? Evidently this “contradiction” is deliberate and is in the Bible to show that there is no absolute law in this situation. There are times when folly must be exposed, either if the fool is one you believe is honestly seeking after wisdom, or if his folly will damage others. If a fool is impacting others, drawing them into his foolishness, he must be exposed for the sake of the church’s health.

Know when to walk away. “If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet (29:9).” There are times when you need to walk away instead of carrying on an argument. Foolish people have no real desire to learn or to be wise. Instead, they only seek opportunities to loudly proclaim the folly. Walk away so you can have peace. Shut down, log off, erase—do what you need to.

Be careful what you read. “Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool (26:8).” Be careful whose words you read and whose wisdom you trust. Foolish men may seem wise, but they will still lead others astray. If you give honor to a foolish man by reading and soaking in his words, you are as foolish as a person who binds his stone in a sling, rendering the sling useless and leaving himself defenseless.

Avoid the gossiper. “The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body (29:22).” There are many web sites, blogs and Twitter accounts dedicated almost entirely to gossip, to sharing what is dishonorable rather than what is noble. Avoid these people and their gossip!

Be humble. “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger and not your own lips (27:2).” “One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor (29:23).” Let others praise you. If you never receive praise from anyone, especially from those who are wise, it may be a good time to examine your heart and examine if you are walking in the ways of wisdom. Those who are humble and lowly in spirit will receive honor while the arrogant will be brought low.

Mind your own business. “Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears (26:17).” If you have ever grabbed a dog by the ears you know it will inevitably bring trouble. Grabbing a strange dog by the ears will bring even more trouble. Stay out of other people’s fights rather than wading into them as if they are your own. There may be times to wade into a theological dispute or to try to mediate a disagreement in the blogosphere, but wisdom would usually tell you to mind your own business.

Don’t be a troublemaker. “Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling (26:27).” Those who exist only to bring trouble to others will pay a price. And unfortunately, on the Internet there are many of these people. Don’t be one!

Examine why you write. “A continual dripping on a rainy day and a quarrelsome wife are alike (27:14).” The proverb speaks of a quarrelsome wife, but it could as easily apply to anyone. If you are writing merely to be quarrelsome or because you enjoy an argument, perhaps it is best to find something else to do. “As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.” Do not be the kind of person who kindles strife for his own enjoyment.

Be careful what you teach. “Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, and the blameless will have a godly inheritance (28:10).” Those who choose to teach others accept a grave responsibility; if they mislead others, they must expect that there will be consequences. Be careful what you teach, what you share, what beliefs you express. Remember that your words are public and that they may remain available forever.

Walk with the Lord. “Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered (28:26).” And here is the key to everything else. Trust in the Lord rather than in yourself. Walk with the Lord and in the ways of wisdom taught in the pages of the Bible. Be a wise man or woman of the Word, rather than a fool who trusts in his own wisdom (or lack thereof). Arm yourself with spiritual maturity, with true wisdom, before venturing into the world of social media.