Obedience

Great message on God's will from Pastor Clarence Sexton tonight at Gospel Light's Southwide 2015.

"Obedience isn't simply doing God's will, it is delighting in doing God's will." ~Pastor Sexton

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Always take the high road

"On the high road we do not choose between the good and the bad, we choose between what is good and what is best, and we choose the best." - Pastor Clarence Sexton, from his "Take the High Road" sermon series:

The very first assignment that I had when I began my Seminary studies, was to listen Pastor Sexton's Take the High Road sermon series and take notes on it. Over the past 2-years I have listened to hundreds of his sermons but I always go back to this series because it really speaks to me. These messages deal with Christian living and how we as Christians must always take the "high road."

One statement in particular that Pastor Sexton said that has stuck with me is this:

"There is no success outside of God's will. If you have done something that is not God's perfect will for your life, if you are giving your time energy and effort to something and the world applauds and says "that's successful," the truth of the matter is, it's your greatest failure, because it has satisfied your ego to succeed." 

Many great men have fallen because of their ego. I have been guilty of doing things and enjoying the applause of men. I pray that the Lord will keep me humble in the ministry and keep my ego out of the way. I pray that I will always take the high road.

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You haven't lived until you've died

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal." - John 12:24-25

As part of my Seminary studies I have been studying things that are required of pastors. One of those studies involved a lecture from Pastor Sexton concerning, The Man of God Dies to Self. This lecture made a great impact on me and I had a great burden to learn and understand more what it means to die to one's self. After searching the Scriptures and gathering information from other religious studies, I found the Lord laying it on my heart to preach a message concerning this subject.

One thing that kept going through my head as I studied, prepared, prayed, and meditated for the sermon was the thought "you haven't lived until you've died." So many times in my life I have heard people making such expressions as "I'm living it up," or "I'm living life to it's fullest." As I thought about those expressions I couldn't help but think of how most people relate "good living" with selfish desires of the flesh. These same individuals believe that drinking, partying, socializing, sexual encounters, traveling etc.. are things that add accomplishment or somehow marks them as being knowledgeable or superior in life. One poor misguided individual said to me, "you need to get out more and experience the things the world has to offer." How far from the truth that is!

Our Lord is not interested in all of our so-called worldly "experience." He is more interested in what kind of seasoning is in our hearts and souls. I believe that the Bible teaches, until we die to ourselves, we can never experience life as the Lord intends for us to. In my message I related one of my personal experiences concerning my aunt and uncle. How my aunt devotes her life to waiting on my uncle who cannot wait on himself.. You can hear that section around the 17:48 mark in the video below.

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Seminary Update

Well, it's time for another Seminary update! This week I completed my latest course, CM 511 Pastor's College. I've got to say that this has been my most enjoyable course thus far. This is the first one that I have done completely online. It consisted of watching 25 lectures and writing notes and course assignments for each one. The lectures ranged from about 40 minutes to 65 minutes in length. Many hours at night and on lunch breaks were put in watching them.

Normally the Pastor's College is on-campus event but this year Pastor Sexton had surgery on his back and they decided to offer the course online. I don't think they have ever done it this way before but I'm so grateful that they were able to. Not only was I able to complete the assignment, I didn't have to take a week off from work to attend the classes on campus. I realize I missed out on some great Christian fellowship with other men of God but I'm sure I'll make up for it in the future!

I've always enjoyed listening to Pastor Sexton preach, in fact, my Mp3 player is jam packed with over 100 of his sermons which I've listened to many times. The knowledge and insight I have learned during this course has greatly benefited my ministry. He focused, of course, on Pastors. A clear understanding of what a Pastor is, what he does, and how he lives his life, was given. Many people look upon a Pastor as some great high position, however, that is farthest from the truth. The Pastor is actually the under Shepherd, who leads the sheep. His job is tough and consumes his life.

One of the great truths I took away from this study is how the Pastor leads the sheep. His mind and heart is always looking out for the sheep. He never abuses the sheep or beats the sheep, he LEADS them. I think that is one of the missing elements in many Pastor's today. They tend to think that it is their job to beat the sheep into submission. That's probably why we see so many Pastor's hopping from church to church and churches can't keep a Pastor for more than 2 or 3 years. You will find in churches with long standing Pastor's, that the man of God is a Shepherd who leads the sheep and does not drive them.

I'm very excited about starting on my next course which is, CM561 Teaching and Preaching the Bible. Sounds like another great one to me! Please be praying that the Lord blesses with the funds to be able to start this course. He has came through for me on all of them so far and I'm trusting Him to do more of the same. It's an exciting time of learning for me and I thank God for the opportunities to further my education.

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Great quote from Pastor Sexton

"God works in such a way that He gets the glory. If we begin to steal His glory, He will stop blessing. The glory belongs to the Lord, not to men." - Clarence Sexton, from The Man of God Has A Heart For God.

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Men Of God Part 2

A few days ago I posted Men Of God Part 1. I listed 3 of my favorite preachers. Today I have 3-more preachers that I love to listen to.

Clarence Sexton - Since I am an extended studies student at Crown College, I've heard Clarence Sexton preach many, many times during the course of my Seminary work. I find his preaching style both enjoyable and informative. Pastor Sexton has a way of connecting with his listening audience without resorting to flambouyant acts or catchy phrases. When I listen to him preach I have the feeling that this is a man that knows what he is talking about. He stands bold and in the Word. I also admire his business sense and how he has built his ministry to include Crown College and Seminary and maintained a huge following at Temple Baptist. My favorite Clarence Sexton sermon is actually a series of messages titled, Taking the High Road.

David Peacock - I stumbled upon Pastor Peacock while browsing through Sermon Audio.com. I'm always looking for the old-time preachers that pour it on hot and heavy and he fits the bill. A former Police Captain turned full-time pastor, Peacock has seen the worst in men and has used that experience to aide in the spreading of the Gospel through his church, Bible Believer's Baptist of Jacksonville, FL. I've downloaded and listened to many of his online sermons. My favorite David Peacock sermon is, What Is Your Excuse?

Paul Washer - I very seldom listen to many preachers that don't use the King James version of the Bible. I take exception to Paul Washer who regularly uses the New American Standard Bible (NASB). I came across Washer a couple of years ago and immediately became a loyal listener. Perhaps best known for his "Shocking Message to Youth," Washer seems driven to force folks to examine their Salvation. He is called an itinerant preacher and he is also the General Director for HeartCry Missionary Society. It would be hard for me to pick only one of my favorite Paul Washer sermons but one that I have listened to several times is, "What It Takes To Be A Man."

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Book recommendation

Earnestly Contend For the Faith by Sexton Clarence

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I've read many of Pastor Sexton's books and I've got to say that this one is one of my favorites. Excellent advice and information for Pastor's and Christians in general, all backed up by Scripture and based on the tiny book of Jude!

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