Every church I’ve been a part of has them—even if it’s just a side comment now and then about being afraid to stand before God at the judgment—Christians who fear that when Jesus returns we will have to hear our long list of sins recounted by an angry Father before Jesus as our gracious lawyer interjects, “I’ve taken care of them.” It’s that fear of revisiting the past and having the secret things of our heart exposed for all creation to hear. Yet the biblical idea of the judgment seat for the Christian is anything but frightful. Colossians 2:13-15 reads: And you, who were dead in your … [Read more...] about This He Set Aside (a Good Friday meditation on Colossians 2:13-15)
God the Judge? Living Condemned (by Micah Fries)
Micah Fries is the pastor of Frederick Boulevard Baptist Church in St. Joseph, MO. He blogs at Micahfries.com and is a favorite for many of us. One of the most devastating effects of the pursuit of holiness can often be our propensity to believe that our sin draws God’s anger. This belief will result in a practical theology which assumes that God’s discipline in our lives is punitive; in other words that His discipline is evidence of some displeasure which is earned by our disobedience. It is amazing to me how many believers struggle with this unfortunate theology. This belief is … [Read more...] about God the Judge? Living Condemned (by Micah Fries)
“Why is Monday on a Thursday?”
As I was coming of age in a Southern Baptist church in the late 70?s/early 80?s, the question that one of our own students recently asked our Student Pastor, “Why is Monday on a Thursday?” never really came up. I think I would have been confused as well. Turns out, our church is not observing Monday on a Thursday, but rather observing what is known as Maundy Thursday. Like our students (and many of our adults prior to my arrival as Senior Pastor four years ago), I had never heard of Maundy Thursday until I came to First Baptist Church of Poinciana, FL as Associate Pastor following … [Read more...] about “Why is Monday on a Thursday?”
Why It Is Well With My Soul
I love the old hymns. I love the richness of the words and the depths of the theology. When I think of the cross of the Lord there are, of course, so many wonderful hymns about it. Over the years I have grown particularly fond of paying special attention to the third verse of hymns. Take a look at the third verse of any hymn and there you will often find the most inspiring part of the song. For me, It is Well with My Soul is my favorite. The third verse in It is Well with My Soul is my favorite because that is the song that the Lord gave me when I was truly saved in 2005. Over the … [Read more...] about Why It Is Well With My Soul
Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised…
Today (Tuesday), my association had a pastor’s lunch. Several of us gathered together in the private room of a restaurant and enjoyed plates that filled our bellies. It was easy to complain in part, though, for the restaurant is not accustomed to hosting groups at that hour on Tuesday, therefore the service was slow. Half of the table finished eating before the other half even sniffed their own food. And sitting among us was this guest from Brownsville, TX (we met in Butler, MO). A man who pastors a church there and has also planted three churches across the river in a now drug-war-torn … [Read more...] about Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised…
What if it was Only Almost Easter?
As far as I know -- for not all dreams are remembered – I’ve never dreamed of Easter. I’ve acted in church plays from high school, where I played a very youthful Jesus, to middle-age, playing Paul, who bore a strange resemblance in costume to Fred Flintstone. If that was a dream, I’m glad I woke up. I’ve tried to put myself at the scene while watching other actors re-enact it in churches and on the big screen, but I always feel short of really capturing in my mind what it must have been like, from the triumphant entry to the triumphant victory. It’s impossible to capture the perspective, … [Read more...] about What if it was Only Almost Easter?
Testimony Time: Tell Us How God Saved You
I was saved as a six-year-old boy. My dad used to read a book called "Little Pilgrim's Progress" - a children's adaptation of the Bunyan classic - to my brother and I at bedtime. Actually, all four of us in my family were saved as dad read that book to us. There is a part about Christian going to the cross and leaving his burden of sin there. I actually have no memory of that. I barely remember my baptism, but I don't have a lot of memories of those early years. I struggled with whether an experience I could not remember was real, but as I grew I believe that I was genuinely saved. … [Read more...] about Testimony Time: Tell Us How God Saved You
More Than His Robe
Hundreds of years. Long before Jesus was born of a virgin in a lowly manger stall in the city of Bethlehem, the psalmist pens a prophetic song sharing details of the Messiah's death. "All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment." Psalm 22:17-18 Jesus hung naked upon the cross, scourged, battered, near lifeless. The crowd mocked Him as His clothes lay at the foot of the cross. Some gloated and tauntingly demanded that He "save Himself". Soldiers siezed the opportunity to cast lots, roll the dice, for his … [Read more...] about More Than His Robe
Christ, Our Passover Lamb
I originally posted this two years ago at my own blog, and as we are sharing reflections for Holy Week, I thought it would be fun to share the experience with all of you. Tonight at church we did a Passover Seder in place of our normal Bible study on Thursday night. I have participated in a seder before, but this night was special. We are hosting the community Good Friday service tomorrow night to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus and tonight we played the parts of his disciples as they gathered the night before he was to die. I told our people that I make a pretty poor substitute … [Read more...] about Christ, Our Passover Lamb
If I had been there
So it's not a deep theological treatise, but I thought I'd try and put myself there, in Jerusalem. Bear with this one, there's good posts coming later from the other SBCVoices team. I can see myself following behind the disciples and wandering with the crowd as Jesus makes His way to Jerusalem that week. I can see being a little excited about seeing Him do all the stuff He's been doing in Galilee up in Jerusalem (remember, Jerusalem is always "up"). I can imagine soaking up the teaching, the miracles, the cleansing of the Temple. I can see myself being a little sad I was left out of the … [Read more...] about If I had been there