Lies from Behind the Pulpit

Lies and Fables told from behind the pulpit to please the flesh:

1. The "folded napkin represents the master is returning to the table" story. 

This is an untrue story. First of all, the Bible does not say the napkin was "folded" it says "...wrapped together in a place by itself." (John 20:7) And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. 

Secondly, the Jews did not use napkins at the table the way we do. Napkins were used for wiping sweat and blowing the nose and for burial cloths. There is no tradition of the master folding a napkin to show he is returning to the table, and it most certainly is not in the Bible. 

2. The "shepherd breaks the leg or legs of the wandering sheep and carries him on his shoulders" story.

This is an untrue story. You will not find this in the Bible or in Jewish history. Breaking the leg or legs of a sheep to keep it from wandering is preposterous. It would most likely kill the sheep and if the sheep did live, there is no way the Shepherd is going to haul around a 95+ pound sheep around his neck for the 3-6 weeks it would take to heal. 

3. The "High Priest has a rope tied around his ankle or waist to pull him out of the Holy of Holies in case he dies" story.

This is an untrue story. The Bible never mentions any rope being tied to the ankle or waist of the priest. The Bible does mention "bells" on the hem of the High Priests robe (Exodus 39:25) And they made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates upon the hem of the robe, round about between the pomegranates. However; He did not wear this in the Holy of Holies. The High Priest only entered the Holy of Holies one time a year and when he did, he took off all of the fancy parts of his wardrobe and ONLY wore what God instructed him to wear: (Leviticus 16:4) He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: these are holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and so put them on.

Adding anything to this would be a violation of God's Law. 

None of these cutesy stories are true, yet they are consistently being told from behind the pulpit. Preachers are to preach God’s Word not man’s made up fables. We will be held accountable for what we teach and preach: (James 3:1) My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

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Suffering Compared to Glory

 Suffering is a reality of living a Christian life; however, as bad as it may seem at the present time, it is nothing compared to the glory that awaits us in Heaven. What the Bible says about suffering compared to glory. Romans 8:18 KJV

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Children of God

This message examines Romans 8:12-17 which details what it means to be a child of God. A look at the benefits of being an heir of God and joint-heir with Christ. Also a look at "cutesy Christian cliché's" and the damage they do.

Preached by Pastor Byron at Porchlight Baptist Church on Sunday morning, June 27, 2021.

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Peace That Passes All Understanding

 I was invited to preach at Northside Baptist Church for both services today (6.13.2021). I've had the privilege of preaching there a few times over the past couple of months while they are searching for a Pastor. The Lord has blessed in every service and there is always a sweet Spirit and great liberty to preach. 

This evening I was not feeling very well and told my wife that I just didn't feel like preaching. I had been unsure of the message the Lord wanted me to preach and had considered 3 different ones. I am thankful that by the time the singing part of the service started I was feeling some better. My spirit was being uplifted through the words of the songs as we sang. 

When I was called upon to come up and preach the message I was ready to preach. The Lord strengthened me and gave me the peace that passes all understanding. I opened my mouth and it was as if the words just started falling off my tongue with no effort at all. There's not a better feeling in the world than to stand behind the pulpit and feel God's presence working. 

I do not like to hear myself preach but I will often go back and listen to the messages that I preach so I can scrutinize the sermon and make myself aware of any bad habits or things I may have said incorrectly. I think that is a good way to grow as a speaker and preacher of the Gospel. I never feel that I do a very good job and often feel unworthy to be used by God but I am always thankful and in awe when God makes something out of it. 

You can watch or listen to the evening message I preached at Northside below:

 

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Preach that Sermon Again!

Nearly every single week for several years I kept dealing with the same problem, finding something “fresh” to preach that I had never preached before. I would pray, meditate, read Scripture, and agonize if I didn’t feel “inspired” about a certain text. This led to many restless hours in the middle of the night on Fridays and Saturdays. Being a bi-vocational pastor already places limitations on study time so this was becoming a real problem. I even began questioning whether or not the Lord was through with me in the ministry and, like I said at the beginning, this happened nearly every single week for several years.

Then, one Saturday morning as I was again praying and searching for a new message to preach for Sunday, the Lord opened my eyes to something, and that was the fact that I do not have to preach a new message every single Sunday. At first, I thought I was surely just imagining things and using it as an excuse to not prepare a message. But, the more I thought about it, everything began to make sense.

If you study the Bible then you must realize that many things in Scripture are repeated. For example, we have four Gospel accounts in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and they all pretty much tell the same story. Yes, I know there are varying differences but on the whole, they tell the same story of Jesus, his life, death, burial, and resurrection. You will often find Jesus repeating things such as; “Peter, Peter,” “Martha, Martha,” “Saul, Saul,” etc. In the Old Testament, many things are repeated; the Ten Commandments are found in both Exodus and in Deuteronomy and the history of Israel’s kings is found in First and Second Kings as well as in First and Second Chronicles.

In our every day life we also love repeating things. I remember as a child I couldn’t wait until Charlie Brown’s Christmas came on television each year. I must have watched that show every single year for the first 15-years of my life yet it never got old. My sister was the same when it came to “Gone with the Wind”. She would watch that 4-hour long movie every year like clockwork and cling to every word. In our worship services at Church, we sing the same hymns over and over and never get tired of them.

The truth is, whether it comes to Scripture or every day life, we learn things through repetition. If something is valuable, it gets repeated. Why else would the Apostle Paul’s conversion be told three different times in the Book of Acts? If God gives you a sermon to preach, what makes you think he only wants you to preach it just one time? If it was good enough to preach once, is it not good enough to preach again? I’m afraid all too often it is our pride that makes us think that we must have something “new” or “fresh” to preach. As a pastor, a preacher of the Gospel, I must keep in mind that I’m doing nothing more than repeating the old, old story, how a Savior came from glory to save a wretch like me, and in the words of Solomon “there is no new thing under the sun.”

So, pull that old sermon out of the drawer, dust it off, pray over it, make adjustments if necessary, and preach it like it like its brand new!

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Men of God Part 6

It has been nearly a year since I've wrote a "Men of God" post. Lately I have had my fellow local pastor's on my mind. Thanks to the internet we are able to listen to nearly every preacher or pastor that we would like to hear. There are many pastors in Knoxville that have their sermons online and I listen to them almost every week. I'm going to introduce you to three local pastors that really bless me and I also call them my friends.

Pastor of Cedar Bluff Baptist Church, James Burke. I actually got acquainted with Bro. Jamie through Facebook but have met him personally a few times at different events. I began listening to his sermons on Sermon Audio a couple of years ago and tremendously enjoy hearing him preach. He preaches with a lot of compassion in his sermons and is not ashamed to laugh, cry, sing, or shout out while preaching. Speaking of singing, Bro. Jamie has a tremendous singing voice and will really bless your heart with a song. There are several great sermons by Bro. Jamie that I know you would enjoy but I was really blessed by one that he just preached this past Sunday titled, "Is God's Grace Sufficient?"

Pastor of Walridge Baptist Church, Toby Webber. I first knew of Bro. Toby when I was being considered for the open pastor position at Walridge. I'm thankful that the Lord works in the ways that He does because Walridge called Bro. Toby as pastor instead of me and just a few months later I was called at Highland Baptist where I pastor. Bro. Toby has always been one to reach out to others to encourage them. He did that to me once by bringing me a helpful booklet by Charles Spurgeon that greatly blessed me. I have heard Bro. Toby preach many times and had him come out as a guest speaker at one of our men's Coffee and Christ meetings. Bro. Toby is a very knowledgeable preacher and tackles a lot of in-depth Scripture and expounds upon it with great fervency.  I enjoy all of Bro. Toby's sermons but one that I really enjoy is one titled, "Except Ye Repent."

Pastor of Valley View Baptist Church, Justin Pratt. Bro. Justin was called to Valley View after their long time pastor, Dewey Cooper retired. God sent the perfect pastor for that congregation as Bro. Justin has maintained the integrity of that church and has allowed God to greatly use him to expand and grow in a time when most churches are shrinking. Bro. Justin has always been very gracious to me and other local pastors and has always been a great encouragement. He is relentless in his pursuit to minister in every capacity that God can use him and has his hand on the pulse of the times we are living in and often preaches on subjects that some preachers avoid. You will enjoy all of Bro. Justin's sermons but I would like to encourage you to listen to one he preached just this past June titled, "What Would Jesus Do?"

These are not the only three local Pastors that I feel this way about and I will blog about them later on. With this being Pastor Appreciation month, I truly hope you let your local Church Pastor know ho much you love and appreciate him. You can read all of my "Men of God" blog posts by clicking on this link: Men Of God

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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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Much Learning Doth Make Thee Mad

"And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness." ~ Acts 26:24-25

I was listening to another preacher recently preach a sermon. He did a fine job capturing the attention of folks and his delivery was spot on, but as I carefully examined the content of his sermon I felt that I was being cheated because I hadn't really learned anything. Perhaps my view of preaching is not the norm but I have always believed that if a man of God preaches he should be preaching and teaching the Bible, not just pulling out a passage of Scripture to go with his own thoughts and ideas or spending 30 minutes telling cutesy little home-spun stories and anecdotes, but actually trying to relay to the audience the purpose of the written Word of God. 

All of the Seminary work that I have been doing for the past 6-years sometimes leaves me feeling that I may be going mad. My brain certainly feels like mush at times and my eyes are begging for a break from studying and staring at a computer screen. Sometimes I question myself as to whether or not it is all worth it or not. I know that's just my flesh speaking though.

When I first began preaching nearly 22-years ago I approached preaching much differently than I do now. I thought it was my job to dazzle the listening audience and to prove how witty I was. Most of my early sermons were topic based - topics that I had came up with on my own and used the Bible to back up my thoughts. How I wish I could go back and erase all of my mistakes of the past, but I cannot. But, I have learned over the years that nothing can substitute for good straight Bible preaching. There is nothing more satisfying than to take a verse of Scripture and expound upon it and letting the Holy Spirit do His work.

Expository preaching may not be popular or garner crowds of people but is that really what the ministry is about, some kind of popularity contest? I don't think that is what the Lord has called preachers to do. I know that one day I will stand before the Lord Jesus and answer for the way I have treated His Word and His Church and I would have to stand before him and try to find excuses as to why I wasted away the ministry telling jokes and stories instead of preaching the Word of God. Friends, time is too short and too many souls lay in the balance to water down the Gospel. We must teach and preach the Bible with great urgency, fervency, wisdom, power, and compassion in order to see lost souls saved and to please our Lord.

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."~ 2 Timothy 2:15

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Men of God Part 5

About 4-years ago I started blogging about several preachers/pastors that I enjoy listening to. I titled the posts, "Men of God." Now, 4-years later I am once again posting about more men of God. Since I've been through Seminary and earned my Masters in Ministry degree and am now working on my Doctorate of Theology, I have had the pleasure to get to know several preachers that I had not been acquainted with before but now enjoy listening to on a regular basis.

Probably the preacher that I've come to know and enjoy listening to the most is Bro. Scott Pauley. Bro. Pauley is the Vice President of Crown College which is how I come to be acquainted with him. Bro. Pauley is what I would refer to as a powerful expositor. His messages are saturated in Scripture and his delivery style is both comforting and convicting.

I've had the pleasure of meeting Bro. Pauley on a few different occasions and each and every time he has warmly greeted me as if I was an old friend. You can tell from talking with him that he is very intelligent yet he doesn't come off as arrogant as some would do. He is a family man has a very humble demeanor.

I've listened to nearly every sermon that I have been able to find of Bro. Pauley's and have heard him preach in person several times as well. I can honestly say that every message that I've ever listened to of his has been a tremendous blessing to me.

My very favorite Scott Pauley sermon is one that he preached at Valley View Baptist during their Men's Prayer Breakfast. It was titled, "There Was A Man," and it was based on the man, Simeon, in Luke chapter 2 who blessed Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem when Mary and Joseph brought him there as a child. I wish I could find an electronic copy of that message so I could share it but I haven't been able to. However, you can choose from any of Bro. Pauley's messages that are online and be guaranteed a blessing. May I recommend the message in the video I have embedded below, it is very powerful and there are many truths revealed in it.

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Homecoming 2014 with Bro. Ross Williford

It was such a joy to have Bro. Ross Williford as our special guest preacher at today's Homecoming! This seasoned man of God had just the message that was needed for today's world. Preaching from the Book of Amos 4:11-13, a message titled, "Have You Made Your Reservation?", he expounded on three things needed to assure your salvation and to make ready your reservation in Heaven.

It was such a relief to know that I didn't have to worry about what Bro. Ross would say behind the pulpit. He believes in the old-time religion the same as I do. Still preaches out of the King James Bible and stands for the truth no matter who's feathers he may ruffle.

After the service we enjoyed a great time of food and fellowship. This was our 72nd Annual Homecoming. It is hard to believe that Highland has been around for 72-years and still standing firm on the Gospel. I am proud to say that I have a strong legacy, as my Grandfather, Edd Spencer, was founder and pastor of Highland back in the 40's.  He was also Bro. Ross's pastor for several years and was the one that lead him to Christ.

I'm looking forward to next year so we can celebrate once again! You can listen to Bro. Ross's message from today on our Sermon Audio page:

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A little ministry advice

While searching through some documents on my computer this morning, I came across one of my old Seminary papers from when I was taking the Ministry Practicum course. As I read over it I thought that it may help someone else in the ministry, so I'm sharing it with the readers of this blog:

Below are two of the questions that were in this particular assignment:

Write a list of some philosophical points that you would pass along to someone taking your place in that ministry. Give things that one should remember when working in that ministry. You are basically writing declarative statements about your philosophy of ministry as it relates to the area in which you worked.

• Always remember that it is not about you but it is all about Jesus.

• Never depend upon your own understanding, always consult God’s Word.

• If you do not pray diligently, God will drive you to your knees and it isn’t always easy.

• You never have to “get up” a sermon as long as you preach the Bible.

• Expository preaching should take precedence over all other forms of preaching.

• Just taking prayer requests is not the same thing as praying. You must actually pray for the requests that have been made.

• Surround yourself with good, like-minded pastors. This will help you in times of discouragement, in which there will be many.

• Just because God called you to preach or pastor doesn’t mean you won’t have trials. Trials are what makes you and refines you into the man of God that He wants you to be.

• Don’t ever be so conceited to think that you are the only conduit the Lord can use in a service. He can use any means he wants, either through music, testimonies, or just through the spoken Scripture.

Provide a list that gives some practical points that you would want to pass along to someone taking your place in that ministry. These may be simple things that you learned by experience (mistakes or successes) that would help someone who would take your place to learn from your experience. 

• If at all possible, be the first one at the church to prepare for the service.

• If you use notes, arrange them in such a way that they are not noticed.

• Give others such as the pianists, or song leader, clear verbal cues.

• Always start on time and don’t needlessly drag out a service.

• Never apologize for preaching the truth from God’s Word.

• If you make a mistake, always be man enough to admit it, don’t try to hide it.

• Don’t try to “work up” a service with false spirituality or fervency. Always worship in Spirit and in Truth.

• Always maintain a professional, yet spiritual and friendly demeanor.

I pray that the above helps you in your ministry

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Church the way it used to be!

Let's face it, times are tough. This old world is winding down. The hand-writing is on the wall and the Lord could return any minute. Have you considered where you or your family will spend eternity? Have you been procrastinating about attending Church? Have you tried different Churches and found them to be nothing but replicas of the world? Have you been disappointed by visiting places to find they are more interested in your bank account than they are your soul?

Wouldn't you love to find a Church that worships the way you remember? Preaching from the King James Bible, singing from the old Red-Back Church Hymnal, Altar prayer and prayer requests at every service, a place where you felt more like family than a spectator... Well, your search is over! I would like to personally invite you to Highland Baptist Church in Knoxville, TN.

We are a small enough to feel like family, yet large enough to offer several opportunities to worship and serve the Lord. We would love to have you and your family visit. Eternity is too important to waste your time and your family's time by going somewhere that could care less about teaching and preaching God's Word. Our desire is to be a 1st Century Church in a 21st Century world. Why don't you come out give us a try? We are located at 6014 Babelay Rd. Knoxville, TN 37924. You can visit our website at www.hbcknox.org. 

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Fun, Games, and Chicken Eating!

As I was sitting at work today praying and wondering about the message the Lord would have me preach this Sunday, I couldn't help but remember what I heard a man say one time. He said "I wish I was a pastor, they have it made. They only work 3 times a week and have all the fried chicken they want!"

While I believe he was joking, I wondered if that was how people really felt? Well, if you are one of those, let me fill you in on what a bi-vocational pastor really does.

Spare time: A bi-vocational pastor spends every available (spare) minute praying, preparing, or studying. He uses his lunch break at work to pray, prepare, study, make phone calls, and make visits if time allows. 

Vacations: A bi-vocational pastor uses his vacation time for visiting people in hospitals, shut-ins, helping with Vacation Bible School, and sick days for when he is the one sick. When the kids ask "Daddy, are we going to be able to go on a real vacation this year?" The answer is typically, "I'm sorry but I don't have enough days left and I don't have anyone to fill in for me at Church."

Wednesday Hump-Day!: While everyone else is celebrating the middle of the week knowing they are closer to the weekend, the bi-vocational pastor is scrambling to put the Wednesday message together while at work and praying he is able to fight traffic on Wednesday evening so he can get to Church by starting time. 

Saturday Palooza: A bi-vocational pastor spends his entire Saturday preparing the message for Sunday and doing visitation. When his kids ask "Daddy, do you think we can do something as a family today?" The answer is typically, "I'm sorry but I've got to prepare for tomorrow's messages," or "so and so is in the hospital, etc..." The bi-vocational pastor drags his family along with him to make visits so he can spend some time with them.

Sunday Fun-day!: A bi-vocational pastor spends his entire Sunday preaching, praying, studying, and preparing. While everyone else is running out to eat after Church and then coming home and napping, the pastor is in the study wondering if the morning message made a difference in anyone's life or if it was pleasing to the Lord. Then he spends the rest of the afternoon preparing for the evening message.

Monday Sleep-in!: A bi-vocational pastor has to get up on Monday morning worn-out, exhausted, and often feeling physically and spiritually defeated, yet having to go in to work and start the same routine over again.

All That Other Spare Time: Of course we can't forget that a bi-vocational is also on call 24/7. If someone is sick or in need the pastor is always willing and available to help. If this means going out at midnight to someone's home or the emergency room then so be it. Just remember that the bi-vocational pastor still has to go in to work the next day regardless of how/where he spent his night.

Am I complaining? No, not at all. I am simply trying to make you see the reality of what your bi-vocational pastor goes through. It's not all fun and games and chicken eating!

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The Genuine Article

Having role models in the ministry and looking up to great men of God is wonderful, however, we should never make it our goal to imitate these men. God made each one of us unique. When he called you to preach he didn't call you to imitate other men, he called you to preach His Word. 

I can't quote Scripture like James Langston or Boyd Bingham. I can't tell jokes like Tony Hutson. I can't write songs like Craig Edwards. I can't sing like Lester Rolloff. I don't have the wisdom of Clarence Sexton or John MacArthur. I can't tell stories like Phil Kidd. I don't have the recognizable voice of Stinnett Ballew. I can't ring the rafters like Charles Lawson. I can't write books like Oliver Greene. I can't fill a revival tent like Ralph Sexton Jr. While I admire and listen to each of these men, I can only be me. It took me a while before I realized that fact. 

I notice a lot of young preachers today trying to imitate certain preachers, use their catch phrases, etc... Let me urge you to just be yourself the way God made you. There is probably something about you that no other preacher possesses. Just preach the Word and be the genuine article.

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Keep Pressing On

A couple of years ago I heard Bro. Scott Pauley talking about life verses. I had several verses that I liked but not really one I considered my life verse. As I thought on this and prayed about it, the Lord revealed to me what my life verse is: Philippians 3:14: "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

My sermons may never be published in the Sword of the Lord. You'll probably never hear me on Conference Pulpit. Larry King live will never ask to interview me. I most likely will never preach to 30,000 people at once like Billy Graham or be on the cover of Preaching Magazine. But, I am right where the Lord wants me to be, shepherding the flock that he has trusted me with and if this is where he wants me to be until I die or he comes and takes us out of here, I will keep pressing on!

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One Blessed Man

Pastor Byron and wife Mary with the Houser Family

The life of a pastor isn't always sunshine and roses, in fact, it rarely ever is; however, every now and then everything comes together in a way that only the Lord could orchestrate. Today was one of those great days in the life of a pastor.

The Houser Family

This morning, we had special guests, the Houser Family, missionaries to the Philippines, in our worship service. I had never met them before and only had conversed a few times over email and once on the telephone. Bro. Houser and his wife are both graduates of the same college that I graduated from, The Crown College of the Bible, so I knew they were doctrinally sound and was not worried at all to turn the service over to them. What a blessing it was to hear them sing, present their ministry and for Bro. Houser to preach a message. They were a joy to be around and to worship with.

After church my family and I drove over to the home of one of our shut-in's and spent some time with her, singing, talking, and praying. She is always a delight to be around and loves being visited. Her heart's desire is to be able to come back to church and if her health would allow it, she certainly would be right there.

My family rarely ever eats out on a Sunday but today we made an  exception and stopped off at the Mandarin House Chinese Buffet. We had a delicious meal and even though it was a buffet I didn't really over do it on the food.

Tonight I brought a message about John the Baptist and expounded upon 4 attributes that made him such a great man of God and a true hero. I spoke of his purpose, his truth, his humility, and his impact. During the invitation period one precious girl walked the aisle and prayed to be saved. What a blessing it was to know that God is still convicting hearts and saving souls. As a pastor, I could not have asked for a better day. I wish it never had to end. I am definitely one blessed man.

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How and What Men Are To Preach

I remember talking with some potential church members one time that were interested in attending the church I was pastoring. They were related to a current member and they came to one of our fellowships that we had. I sat at their table to find out more about them and to see what they were looking for in a church. The lady was not shy at all about letting me know right up front that she was not interested in hearing anyone yell, shout, holler, or get loud while preaching. She preferred a more laid back and mellow type of preaching. I knew right then that they would not be joining any church that I pastored because I have been known to do all of those things. Sure enough, they visited for one service and never came back...

Well, that got me to thinking, what does the Bible say about how and what we should preach? Does preaching style really matter, or is it just the content of what is preached? After much studying, I came to the conclusion that both actually matter. 

Below are a FEW examples from the Bible on how and what men are supposed to preach:

Preach righteousness:

Psalm 40:9: 9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.

2 Peter 2:5: 5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

Preach with wisdom, knowledge, and truth:

Ecclesiastes 12:9-10: 9 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. 10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.

1 Corinthians 2:4: 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

Preach with the Spirit, with anointing, with liberty, with comfort, with glory to the Lord:

Isaiah 61:1-3:  1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

Preach what God bids you to preach:

Jonah 3:2:  2 Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.

Preach repentance:

Matthew 4:17: 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Mark 6:12: 12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

Luke 24:47: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Preach the Gospel:

Matthew 4:23: 23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

Mark 14:9: 9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

Mark 16:15: 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Preach with warning:

Matthew 10:7: 7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Colossians 1:28: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

Preach the Word:

Mark 2:2: 2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.

Preach to reprove, rebuke, exhort. Preach with longsuffering and Preach doctrine:

2 Timothy 4:2: 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Preach the Kingdom of God:

Luke 9:2: 2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

Luke 9:60: 60  Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

Preach Jesus without ceasing:

Acts 5:42: 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Acts 8:5: 5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

Preach Christ and not yourself:

2 Corinthians 4:5: 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

Preach boldly:

Acts 9:27: 27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

Preach forgiveness of sins

Acts 13:38: 38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

Preach the Cross of Christ:

1 Corinthians 1:17-18: 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Preach with power:

1 Corinthians 2:4: 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

Preach peace:

Ephesians 2:17: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

Preach the truth in love:

Ephesians 4:11-16: 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 

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Platinum Memories

Today was our Church's 70th Annual Homecoming Celebration. Just in case you didn't know it, platinum is the "color" for 70-years, thus the title of this post.

I've got to say that I never in a million years would have dreamed this day would have ever came. It's one of those events that you don't really ever expect to happen but secretly in the back of your mind you wish would. Oh, okay, I'll quit dragging on and just write about what took place.

I guess it would be best if you, dear reader, would read THIS post to understand why I'm writing this. Okay, now that you've read that post I can proceed...

So, as I mentioned this was our 70th Homecoming. I knew from the very first minute we began making plans that I was going to ask Bro. Charlie to preach. For weeks I prayed about it, thought about it, worried about it, talked to my wife about it, and finally about 2-months before the date, I got up the courage to call him and ask. You can imagine my delight when he replied that he would love to come and preach the Homecoming. Immediately when I got off the phone I texted my wife to let her know the good news! I was so excited.

I felt like a little boy as I stood in the presence of my hero preacher. Silly sounding, I know, but like I wrote in THIS post, some people get all excited over movie stars and famous singers but I get excited over people that I admire and look up to. Charlie was his usual self, walking around the Church talking to everybody, shaking hands, and laughing. I stood up at the front of the Church and just watched him as he interacted with people and wished once again that I could be more like him.

After the choir singing and special singing it was time for me to introduce him to come up and preach. I was a little nervous but decided to go ahead and reveal my feelings for this great man of God and let everyone know just how much I looked up to him. He graciously walked up behind the pulpit and began talking about one of his heroes, my grandfather, Preacher Ed Spencer.

I sat there for 45 minutes and prayed, Amened, and cried while Bro. Charlie preached. He brought a wonderful message called "GPS" (God's Plan of Salvation) from one of my favorite passages of Scripture, John 14:1-4. Yes, it was certainly a platinum day for this preacher! You can watch the video below or go to this link if you prefer to listen only: http://www.sermon.net/bchesney/sermonid/1199782666

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Blessed Beyond Belief

I sit here tonight, Sunday, February 12th, 2012, feeling blessed beyond belief. Today marks one of the most important events of my entire life. As of this morning, I am officially the Pastor of Highland Baptist Church. I have been the interim pastor there for the past 6-months. I am humbled, excited, and overwhelmed. Like I told the Church this morning when I accepted the call, this is the 3rd most important event in my life. First being accepting Christ as my Savior. Second being marrying the love of my life, Mary. Third, being loved and trusted by the church to be their Shepherd. I never in all my life imagined this day would ever come.

I am of course nervous knowing the awesome responsibility that has been placed upon me and my family. I feel that the Lord has worked everything out just the way that He saw fit. I am trusting Him to be there and I intend to hold His hand in everything that I do. It is after all His Church and not mine. I am just being trusted to Shepherd it for Him right now.

I felt a great burden lifted from me today after they announced that I had received a unanimous 100% of the vote. Everyone has a desire to be liked but for a Pastor it means a lot to have every one's backing. I will do my dead-level best to be the best Pastor the Church has ever had. I realize that's some mighty tall order to fill. I think of my Grandfather, Pastor Ed Spencer, who was the founder of Highland Baptist and pastored for 9-years. I think of Charlie Lynch who pastored for 10-years and lead the Church out of despair. I think of Jerry Copeland, the man that pastored the Church the longest, 20-years, and how much he was loved and how much he did for the Church. There have been some great men in the history of the Church and I pray that I can be counted among them one day.

Well, I am going to sign off for tonight. It has been a very long and busy day. I need to spend some time with my wife before I have to go to work tomorrow.

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Greatest compliments ever!

In all of my years in the ministry I have received many compliments and nice things said from a lot of people. When I was young and starting out it really went to my head. I thought I was something when after the first time I preached some dear old lady came up to me after the service and told me "that was the best preaching I've had heard in years." Boy, I thought I was really something. I was ready to load my car down with tapes and hit the road as an Evangelist! It's a wonder I could even get my head through the double front doors of the church.

It didn't take long for the LORD to knock me down a few hundred notches and flat on my face. It was a rough way down but thank God He not only brought me down but He grabbed me by the hand and lifted me back up enough to get on my feet. Ever since then, I don't see things the same way. Nowadays when people tell me I did a good job I just smile and say thank you and let it go in one ear and right back out the other and give God the credit for anything good that may have came out of it. I'm sure people mean well and most are probably trying to encourage me and I do appreciate the encouragement, after all, we are supposed to lift up and encourage our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. But I don't let it influence my thinking anymore.

If you have ever listened to any of my messages, from the past 3 years or so, you will find that I now preach expository style. I believe that is the way the Lord intended for preachers to preach; "precept upon precept, line upon line." I've not always preached that way, I used to preach mainly topical sermons but once I really got into the Bible and became a serious student of the Word, God illuminated the Scriptures. I discovered how the Holy Spirit can work through just the preaching of the Word. Many preachers brag about preaching the Word but in all reality they are really preaching their own ideas and thoughts and not much of the Word. I would rather hear a man preach one verse of Bible Scripture and expound upon it than to hear someone spit, scream, yell, hack, sweat, stomp, and snort their way around the pulpit and say absolutely nothing. Oh sure, those hackers are fun to watch and are good entertainment but for someone that is really interested in hearing from God, they want to hear the Bible preached.  

Having said all of that, I want to tell you about something that has been happening lately. I'm not taking credit for any of it but rather want to give God the honor and glory for it all. Just in the past few weeks I have had 4 different people come up to me after the service and tell me that they are actually learning things from the Bible through my preaching. They are actually learning what God's Word says! All I can say is Hallelujah! Instead of learning some man's thoughts or some man's preferences as to whether he thinks "women ought to wear britches to church" or if "a man ought to have an earring" or not. They are actually hearing what God says through expository preaching of the Word! Do you know what that means to me? That means that people are finally receiving from church what the whole purpose of church is for; equipping the saints and edification. Friends, church is for the saved, not the unsaved. Sure we often see God work in the church service to bring lost sinners to Christ but that is just a great bi-product of the church. The New Testament church that began in the Book of Acts was a local baptized body of BELIEVERS. That is what it is still meant for today. It is so the church body can come together to learn and be equipped to go out and fulfill the Great Commission.

I could go on forever talking about this because I am so excited about it and all I have to do in it is be a willing servant to stand and preach the truths from God's Word. I don't have to "work up" some sermon because as long as you preach the Bible you never have to "work up" anything. All that's required is a whole lot of praying, studying, and obedience; the Holy Spirit does the rest! Well, I'm going to get off of here. I realize it's been a while since I've written anything on my blogs. I've just been super busy. I really don't have time to sit here tonight and write because I'm in the middle of another Seminary course and need to get it finished. So, until next time, preach the Word, keep the faith, and pray without ceasing!

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