Sunday Services

Today, we had a great worship experience. God be praised for the warm fellowship, inspirational singing and the ministry of the word!!! In addition to great worship, we shared in the Lord's table and baptized a new member. Today, I finished up a two part message entitled, "When a man encounters Jesus".  Here is a skeleton outline of the message from Luke 19:1-10.

When a man encounters Jesus

Luke 19:1-10

Thesis: When a man encounters Jesus in salvation his nature and way of life will change

I. when a man encounters Jesus in salvation, it's DIVINELY CALCULATED-(5)

A. Jesus Sought Zaccheaus

B. Jesus Selected Zaccheaus

C. Jesus Saved Zaccheaus

II. when a man encounters Jesus in salvation there is DEMANDED COMPLIANCE-(6)

A. Zaccheaus Complied to the word of the Lord

B. Zaccheaus Complied to the will of the Lord

C. Zaccheaus Complied to the weight of the Lord

III. when a man encounters Jesus in salvation there will be DEMONSTRATIVE CHANGE-(8)

A. Zaccheaus personally Gave in to Christ

B. Zaccheaus pledged to Give up what he Cherished

C. Zaccheaus promised to Give back to those he Cheated

IV. when a man encounters Jesus in salvation there is DIVINE CONFIDENCE-(9)

A. Jesus Assures Zaccheaus of his Salvation

B Jesus Assures Zaccheaus of his Sonship

 

Two Are Better Than One

Last night, the Missionary General Baptist Convention of Texas, the Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention, the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc., and the Louisiana State Foreign Mission held a joint worship service as a apart of M.G.B.C. T December Board Meeting in Texas City, to partner together to bring relief to those who have been displaced and devasted by hurricane Ike along the Texas Coast. To witness the cooperation and feel the passion of these groups come together to bring about hope and healing in a tangible way, renewed my faith in the work of "conventions". God be praised for this demonstration of what it means to be followers of Christ!!!

I also praise God for Dr. Wallace S. Hartsfield, Pastor Emeritus of the Metropolitian Missionary Baptist Church in Kansas, MO and Vice President at large of NBCA, Inc., who preached a challenging, electrifying and timely message entitled, A Hopeful Vision in the mist of a Painful History from Ezekiel 1:1, Mark 6:34;45-51. He brought the house down, as he challenged us to expect God to show up and in due season, make everything alright. Also, he challenged us to be compassionate, put our resources in the hands of the master and envision ourselves as servants of Christ that give ourselves for the relief of others. Also, Dr. Stephen J. Thurston, President of NBCA, Inc. was present along with representive leaders from Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention.

Last night, I witnessed the fleshing out of Ecclesiastes 4:9, "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work" NIV. Again, God be praised for these various groups standing as one to affect change and provide much needed relief and hope to people who seek to resurrect their lives in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. 

I'm Back!!!

Hello, my fellow bloggers. I know, it's been awhile, but in the words of Jack Nicholson, I'm Back. For the past month, I've been preaching, planning two national conferences, traveling and not to mention my pastoral and family responsibilities. I dont profess to have the preaching schedule of a Frank Ray, H.B. Charles, Jr., or Clinton McFarland, but I've been busy. Well, that's my story and I'm sticking with it.

This past sunday, I finished up a series of messages in which I entitled, Be-Attitudes. The first message came from Acts 27:21-25, entitled, Be of Good Cheer. The second message came from Philippians 4:4-9, entitled, Be Careful for Nothing. The third message came from Romans 12:1-2, entitled, Be Ye Transformed. The fourth message came from Philippians 4:10-13, entitled, Be Content and the final message came from I Corinthians 15:58, entitled, Be Ye Steadfast. Those who are interested in receiving the full outline to any of the aforementioned messages, I'll be glad to share them with you freely.

As I prepare to lead our congregation to close out the year strong, I'm torn between starting a series of messages on prayer or on the I am statements of Jesus.  I will tell you that I've already begun studying John 6:35;48-51, but please pray that the Lord's will be done. 

It has been my custom for the past three years to intentionally operate from my home office during the last two months of the year, as I seek God's direction for this incoming year. This year, our theme was Back To The Basics through Evangelism, Discipleship and Missions based on Matthew 28:16-20. This incoming year, our theme will be Ministering to the Whole Man: Mind, Body and Soul based on I Thessalonians 5:23-24.

I praise God that he has brought us to this point in human history and used us to win souls to Christ, disciple believers and support 4 missionary pastors in West Africa. I pray that God will use pastor and people to minister to the whole man in 2009. Fellow pastors and preachers, please keep us in your prayers and i will do the same. In the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger, I'll Be Back. 

Frustrated Worshipper

I know that worship is a lifestyle and is not restricted to the sanctuary. However, every sunday, I look forward to corporate worship with my Matthian family. Ok, I must confess that there have been a few occassions, when I wanted to stay home and enjoy the warmth of my bed. But on this Lord's Day, I was truly excited about corporate worship and was eager to continue our sermon series, "Be-Attitudes". I mean, I woke up perky, I offered a word of thanksgiving, showered and tuned into the live broadcast of Pastor H. B. Charles, Jr. I was fired up and then corporate worship begun and so did my frustration. My frustration was the result of a fading microphone system, a dragging song service, poor worship flow and not to mention a lukewarm atmosphere. 

As a worship leader, I believe that the over all worship service should communiticate the gospel of Jesus Christ and not just certain aspects of the worship service. Therefore, I believe every aspect of the worship service should be carefully planned with allowance for the Holy Spirit to breathe upon it. I believe that every aspect of the worship should move towards a central theme or message for that particular Lord's day. I know that certain aspects of the worship service carries more weight than other parts of the worship services with those who attend worship services any given sunday. But, I contend that the average visiting worshiper, weighs the over all message of the worship service as a decisive factor for church membership.

Well, how does a preacher overcome his personal frustration and offer his preachment as an act of worship to the Lord? Prayer and faith. Pray for spiritual focus and trust the providence of God. I thank God for the spiritual discipline of prayer and the assurance of answered prayer. The Lord answered my prayer and I was glad about it.

Here is the message outline for message #3 in the sermon series entitled, "Be-Attitudes."

Be Ye Transformed

Romans 12:1-2

Thesis: God commands believers in Jesus Christ to participate in their own spiritual transformation by placing their lives at his disposal once and for all.

Transitional Sentence: Spiritual Transformation that results in holy living and services to God, requires..., requires that we... and it requires that our...

I. Absolute Commitment of Self-(1)

   A. The Motivation for our Commitment-(mercies of God)

   B. The Measurement for our Commitment-(living, holy and acceptable)

   C. The Mentality of our Commitment-(reasonable service)

II. Avoid Conformity to Society-(2a)

   A. Avoid Conformity to the Pressures of Society

   B. Avoid Conformity to the Patterns of Society

   C. Avoid Conformity to the Passions of Society

III. Attitude Changes Spiritually-(2b)

   A. A Spiritual Attitude is Demanded by the Word of God

   B. A Spiritual Attitude is the Divine Work of God

   C. A Spiritual Attitude Discerns the Will of God

Stewardship

The Pastor/Preacher, especially in the African-American church is widely and ignorantly sterotyped as being money lovers. Over the years, I have heard my share of saints and aint's, but mostly saints, who purport the notion that all the Black Pastor/Preacher wants is the churches money. I must confess that there have been times when this sterotype has been true of some black and some white ministers. However, in a larger demographic context, this sterotype is simply untrue. There are countless Pastors/Preachers across this nation, black and white, who faithfully fulfill their calling and stewardship responsibilities without regards to money. Speaking from an African- American perspective and as an African-American Pastor, most African-American churches fall short, when it comes to their stewardship responsibility towards their Pastor. This in no way justifies the behavior of a few, but it does offer a talking point as why some feel tempted to do so. I believe, that if more congregations understood their biblical stewardship responsibility towards their Pastors and more Pastors taught biblical stewardship to their congregations, the number of ministers who are tempted to steal money will be greatly reduced. I believe biblical stewardship must become a priority of both pastor and people.  I further believe that those pastors and congregations who fully understand their stewardship responsibilities towards each other will be more fruitful for the kingdom. Fellow pastors, remember that we have no earthly union rep or lobbyist, but we do have God's word. I have discovered in my limited tenure in pastoral ministry that if we take care of God's buisness, he will take care of our buisness. So preach on preachers!!!

MIA-Missing In Action

Hello, my fellowbloggers, i have been missing in action for awhile, but i'm back. Over the past several weeks, i have done absolutely the bare minimum that i might enjoy my family and my pastoral love day activities. My congregation was very gracious and kind to me and my family as we celebreated five years as pastor and people. I thank God for this union, yes we have had our bumps and bruises, but by the grace of God, we are making it. Pastor Glenn P. Taylor preached a powerful, challenging, yet inspiring message entitled, By the Will of God from Ephesians 1:1. This pastoral celebration was special because my mother and aunt were present for the activities.  

Wiped Out

Wednesday is commonly known as hump day. Although, I made it over, i am mentally and physically wiped out. Don't get me wrong, i'm thankful to God for this day and give God the glory for all that was accomplished on today. However, after two Bible study classes, hospital visitations, prayer service, admin duties and one on one instruction, I'm drained. Today, i continued our Bible Study, How To Be A Christian Without Being Religious by Fritz Ridenour. It's based on Paul's letter to the church at Rome. It has been a challenging, but rewarding study. We are in chapter two of the book, entitled Does God Grade On A Curve? The answer is of course a resounding no. Many seek to reach up to God through religious activities in hope that their religious activities will make them right with God. However, Christianity simply responds to what God has done in Jesus Christ by faith. Many members of our congregation have expressed their profound appreciation for this particular study. I thank God for this study, I'm witnessing many of our people being delivered from their religious treadmills. God be praised!!!

The Devil Wears Prada

There are misconceptions concerning the identity of the devil. Most people think the devil wears red, has a long pointed tail and carries a pitch fork in his hand. However, I would not have you ignorant concearning the devil's true identity. The devil does not necessarily wear red, have a long pointed tail or carry a pitch fork in his hand. But the devil wears prada. Satan wears everyday clothes and looks like everyday people. The devil blends with the crowd and if you aren't aware of this truth, he will catch you off guard. So don't be surprised, if you run into him at school, work or church. Yes, the devil puts on sunday clothes and goes to church. What do you do when you run into the devil? 

Well, Jesus had a run in with the devil in Matthew 4 and defeated him. So lets observe what Jesus did to defeat the devil. First of all, Jesus was led by the Spirit of God. To defeat, resist or stand against the devil, one must be led by the Spirit of God and be filled with the Spirit of God. Secondly, Jesus denied himself and surrendered his will to God's will by resisting the devil's temptation to satisfy his hunger. To defeat, resist or stand against the devil, one must deny himself or herself and surrender his or her will to God's will. Thirdly, Jesus was armed with the word of God and stood on the word (Deuteronomy) of God. To defeat, resist or stand against the devil, one must know truth, convey truth and stand on truth. Because Jesus was led by the Spirit of God, surrendered his will to God's will and used the word of God to resist the devil, the devil fled from him for a season and the angels of the Lord ministered to him. When you run into the devil wearin prada, do what Jesus did.

Saturday and No Sunday Sermon

Usually, pastor's spend Saturday making final preparations for their Sunday sermon. Ok, occasionally, we start and finish our preparation for Sunday's sermon on Saturday night. In the preaching world, this kind of sermon is called a "Saturday night special." Although, I've had my fair share of Saturday night specials, this Saturday was different. Today, i started my Saturday with a 10:00 am deacon's meeting, followed by an hour long minister's session. While waiting thirty minutes or more for my children to finish choir rehearsal, my wife showed up to pick them up, so i headed home. Once i arrived at home, i ate leftover spaghetti and started watching college football. As i watched college football, it dawned on me that it was saturday and i had no sunday sermon. Before you pass judgment, for the next three sunday's, i'm enjoying a sermon sabattical in celebration of my 5th pastoral love day. As i moved throughout the day, it felt weird spending saturday not preparing a sermon for sunday. Admittedly, at times, i felt guilty, but as the evening progressed, i felt relieved. What is a preacher-pastor to do, when he has no sunday sermon? Well, let me make one suggestion, take advantage of it!!!

T.G.I.F.-Thank God It's Friday

People around the world look forward to friday's with great anticipation. Some people gather at local eateries, bars and theaters on friday's to enjoy the company of friends and love ones. Others look forward to friday's, so they can enjoy high school football games and pizza with their peers. While others look forward to friday's to enjoy quiet time with their significant others. Admittedly, i vividly remember some of those days, when i too looked forward to friday night football, pizza and partying with my peers. And to this day, i still look forward to friday's. For me friday night is family night. I thank God for friday's, because i look forward to spending time with my wife and kids. Each friday one of us is tasked with planning how we spend friday and what/where, we will dine. Although, i foot the bill 98% of the time, we give the planner the right to choose. Today was my turn and so i decided to catch the new movie, LakeView Terrace, starring Samuel L. Jackson. Afterwards, we went to Luby's, a cafeteria style restaurant. Later on we plan to gather in the living room to watch 88 Minutes, starring Al Pacino. Friday nights are also designed to share any concerns and needs that we might have and to do so freely. The biblical concept of family is under attack and family night is one of the ways, i seek to safe-guard my family from satan's attack. Again, I Thank God for Friday.

A Novice and Nervous Blogger

Grace, peace and mercy be multiplied unto you my fellow bloggers. I have been contemplating starting this blogging ministry for several months now, but this was the first time that i actually followed through with it. It is my prayer that this blog will serve as an extension of my preaching and pastoral ministry. Also, it's my prayer that this blog will serve as a medium for me to glorify God, extend the Kingdom and encourage readers by being transparent and real. As i prepare to launch this blog, i approach it nervously and as a novice.