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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Less school more sermon prep!

I have noticed a huge increase in the amount of time I have available nowadays since completing my doctorate degree. I guess I didn't realize how much time and attention it was taking away from my sermon preparation. Although I often combined school work with sermon studies, and at times the Lord led me to preach from my school studies, I wasn't really spending enough time researching like I used to.

Ever since turning in that last final exam it is like a load has been lifted from my shoulders. My mind seems clearer and I am back in the swing of sermon preparation all through the week. Instead of having my head in the seminary books, I can now spend more time in the Bible and commentaries. I've also been able to increase the number of sermons that I listen to every week instead of listening to lectures.

Don't get me wrong, I don't regret all the time I spent earning my degrees but it is nice to have a bit of normalcy back in my life. I have a renewed excitement about preaching and feel a lot more focused. I've even been able to prepare 3 or 4 messages a week to use for future sermons.

Not sure why I am sharing this, more or less just to write it out for my own benefit. But, anyways, thanks for spending time reading.

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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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That all men would find it

Yesterday morning I preached what I think to be one of the most important messages that the Lord has ever laid on my heart to preach. He dealt with me on this message for days from 2 Kings 22:8-20. I had never preached from this passage of Scripture and I can't recall ever teaching it either. I do remember studying it in my Seminary studies and of course I have read it many, many times in my life, but the Lord had never laid it on my heart to preach it. I tossed and turned all night Saturday night, just going over and over each detail in my mind. I sprang out of bed on Sunday morning and went straight back to the Scriptures, even re-doing my note outlines.

When I got to church I couldn't wait to make my way down to the praying rock and pour my heart out to the Lord. I sure am thankful for that new place that I am able to get away to. It's amazing to me how the Lord can use things to bless folks with that to some people seem to think frivolous or a waste of time. I'm sure that young Trevor, whom earned his Eagle Scout project by building a nature trail, never dreamed that this preacher would find such joy in that spot... Anyways, so I spent precious time talking to the Lord Sunday morning down at the praying rock and I could feel the Holy Spirit beginning to work!

The morning worship service went very well. We had a good turnout of folks and I was so thrilled to see 2 former members walk through the front door and sit down in their old seats. I was nearly on shouting ground by the time I was able to stand behind the pulpit to preach. As I opened up the Word of God and began reading the Scripture, I felt such an excitement knowing that the Lord was going to use this message to do His work. I felt such a freedom during the preaching and quiet honestly, it was almost as if I was just opening my mouth and the words were just rolling off of my tongue without me even putting any thought or effort into it. Hallelujah I just love it when the Lord works like that!

As I was preaching I looked out across the congregation and every single person in there was sitting up straight and paying very close attention. It was as if they were anticipating the next words that were coming out. I believe that everyone in the building could feel God's presence, it was such a sweet spirit and I hated for it to end. But, alas, all good things must eventually come to an end and I felt the Lord closing the message.

If you are interested, you can listen to it below or watch the video.

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Something to be excited about!

I had preached a very emotional and draining message Sunday morning entitled, "Nail it to the Cross," and I was pretty worn out Sunday night. But the Lord kept dealing with me over the passage of Scripture in 1 John 3: 1 which says:

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not."

I was so happy to feel the Holy Spirit working inside of me as I began preaching the message. I started getting excited and before I knew it I was bubbling over. I love when the Lord works like that. It sure makes preaching a lot easier.

I don't know if you have ever just sat and thought about the manner of love that the Lord has for us. It's so amazing and I will never completely understand it or grasp just how much love that He has. For Him to die for us and to take the sins of the entire world upon Himself is just beyond my comprehension. I may not understand it but I am so grateful for it. It's something to really be excited about!

You can give the message a listen or a watch below. It's only around 25-minutes long so it won't take up a lot of your time. I pray that you will feel the same excitement that I did when I preached it.

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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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New Creature, Old Habits, Careless Preaching

As I explained in the sermon this past Wednesday evening, 2 Corinthians 5:17

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

has always been a sticking point with me. I have heard it misused so much of my life to beat people up with. If you don't understand what I mean, you should listen to this sermon. I had several younger Christians come up to me after the service and tell me that the message really helped them and gave them relief. I wish I had someone tell me the truth when I was a young Christian because I suffered for many years being made to feel guilty by careless preaching from the pulpit on this subject.

Too many preachers these days are preaching personal preferences instead of Biblical doctrine and truths. If you are going to preach about the clothes that people wear, you need to stick with what the Bible has to say about it. If you are going to preach about hairstyles or tattoos, or piercings, or anything like that, you need to preach what "thus saith the Lord," not what "thus saith the preacher." I really don't want to know some man's opinion or preference, I want to know what the Lord has to say about things. Too many people, especially younger Christians have been run off and hurt from such careless preaching.

If you want to listen to the message, listen to the audio or watch the video below:



Video here:

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Who Will Take the Son?

I've got to say in all of my years of preaching, I've never felt the need to preach a sermon more than I felt the need to preach this one at church this morning. We had several folks out on vacation and the crowd was down considerably but I felt an overwhelming burden and conviction for this message to be preached. Perhaps there was no one in the congregation that needed it, maybe someone will hear it via the internet and be helped by it, I don't know, but I do know that the Lord needed for me to preach it today. The subject matter was, "Who Will Take the Son?" It's a simple question but the answer is the most important one you will ever give.

Listen to the audio here:


And the video here:

1 John 2:20-25 KJV

20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.

25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

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Thus Saith the Lord

"Thus saith the LORD my God; Feed the flock of the slaughter;" - Zechariah 11:4  

I am an Independent Fundamentalist Baptist by conviction, however, I have to say that many of my fellow brethren have lost focus on what it means to preach what "thus saith the Lord," and instead go about preaching what "thus saith the preacher." I came across a great post which very eloquently explains my feelings about all of this. So instead of me trying to convey it here, I would like you to visit that site to read a post by Andrew Wikel: "An open letter to all IFBs… from an IFB"

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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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What a great day!

It was a wonderful day in the Lord today at Highland Baptist Church. I was finally able to preach 2 messages on the Prodigal Son that have been building up inside of me for weeks. I've preached on this parable several times in the past but the more I study, pray, and meditate on it, the more that my eyes and heart opens up to the true meaning of it. I felt great liberty in both the AM and PM services.

Another great thing about today was that I asked my Uncle Ron if he would consider leading the singing for me in both services and much to my surprise, he agreed. Ron is an anointed singer, songwriter, and musician. He did a fantastic job regardless of his claim of being "rusty." In the AM services he sang 2 specials; "I'll Stand For Jesus," and "The Prodigal Son." Of course the last one went along with the message I preached. In the PM service he sang 2 songs that he had written, "Servants of the King", and "A Few More Miles To Go." The latter one being my very favorite song that he sings. Give it a listen at the Archive link below:



Not only did Uncle Ron sing, but my mother also came to the PM service sang for us and did a wonderful job on "Who Am I?" I think it was probably the best I've ever heard her sing. Unfortunately, something went wrong with the recording machine tonight and her song did not get recorded...

After the service I was walking out and noticed my wife and daughter were still sitting in the pew. I looked at them with a quizzical look and they pointed down toward a pew. I walked over and took a peak. Lying there sound asleep was my little nephew, Luke. He looked very peaceful. I took a couple of pictures of him with my Blackberry. It's nice to know that my preaching put him at such ease! ;)

You can listen to both sermons at the links below:

Luke 15:11-32 KJV

11And he said, A certain man had two sons:

12And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

13And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

14And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

15And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

16And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

17And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

18I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

19And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

20And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

21And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

22But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

23And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

24For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

25Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.

26And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.

27And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

28And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

29And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

30But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

31And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

32It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

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Chicken-n-Dumplings For Your Soul?

Tonight I was honored to preach again at my church, Highland Baptist, and I brought a message out of 3 John concerning the prosperity of our souls. I think it was the first time I had ever preached out of the 3rd Epistle of John and I really enjoyed it.

At the beginning of the message, I relayed the story of how the very popular, Chicken Soup For the Soul, books originated:

In the early 1990’s, two internationally known inspirational speakers, Mark Hansen and Jack Canfield, came up with an idea to put their stories into book form, hoping that the book would be an inspiration to readers. Not wanting to only put their own stories in the book, they reached out to others and came up with 101 different inspirational stories. After completing the book, they were unsure of what to name it.  As they searched for a winning book title, the two men agreed to meditate on the subject for one hour a day. Jack visualized the image of his grandmother’s chicken soup and remembered how she told him it would cure anything. The book would have the same healing powers as that soup, but not for the body—for the soul. Thus, the now famous title was born…Chicken Soup for the Soul.

One thing about preaching a message, the Lord always convicts my heart with the message before I ever deliver it. I felt great conviction in my own life as I studied for this sermon. You can give it a listen at the link below:

3 John 1-4 KJV

1 The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

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The Gall of Bitterness

I love preaching from the book of Acts. I suppose it's because I get excited reading about the early church and how it was setup and also about the conversion of Saul and his travels. I felt great liberty preaching this message from Chapter 8, concerning Simon the Sorcerer. I felt that there were folks present that needed to hear it. I know from the results afterwards that there were indeed several there that God spoke to through the Word.

You can listen to the audio message below or watch the video:

Acts 8:5-24 KJV
5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
8 And there was great joy in that city.
9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

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Sampling the soil

When Pastor Dave asked me last Sunday evening if I would preach Wednesday night, I immediately replied "Lord willing." I had in my mind that I was going to be preaching about the Prodigal Son again. I've had that on my mind so much lately and had taught it in Sunday school that morning and I just felt like that was what the Lord wanted me to preach on. Boy, was I wrong!

On Tuesday evening I started having that feeling that I get when I am unsure of the message. I started struggling and praying that the Lord would guide me. Much to my surprise, he lead me to Luke 8:4-15 about the Parable of the Sower and the Soil. I had never preached on this subject and to the best of my recollection, I had never even taught it before. Although I had studied it in both my private study time and in my Seminary studies, I didn't feel like I was worthy enough to preach about it. But, the Lord came through and He preached the message through me. I was so thankful for His presence during the preaching and I felt utterly defeated after it was over. I told Mary in the car on the way home, "that was one of the worst messages I've ever preached." She quickly told me I was wrong and the kids all agreed. Still apprehensive, I went home and listened to it and was shocked that it actually made sense and I felt much better about it.

I only want Christ to be seen when I'm preaching and I often feel that I am a stumbling block. I'm not trying to be humble here, I am just stating the facts. I honestly feel that I do a terrible job nearly every time I preach. I'm just thankful that the Lord is able to clean things up and use me to present His message. You can give it a listen or a watch at the links below:

Audio message here:


Video message here:


Scripture: Luke 8:4-15 KJV

4 And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:
5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.
7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?
10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

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The Great State Of Confusion

My second choice for a title for this sermon was, "You Babbling Idiot!"

I have taught on the Babel Tower in my Sunday school class several times but I had never preached a message on it. I had studied pretty exhaustively on the subject and felt more than prepared to preach a sermon. For some reason I felt very unsure of myself though when I actually stood behind the pulpit to preach. Of course I always feel unworthy and inadequate to deliver God's Word but for some reason I was very nervous about this one. I suppose it was because it was more of an educational sermon as opposed to a Salvation message.

I wanted to deliver the point that the whole downfall of man was caused by pride. I'm not sure I relayed the point very well but I gave it my best shot. I don't ever like to preach more than 30-35 minutes. Every now and then I will go 40 but I try my best to keep it around 30 because I have done a lot of study into the attention span of the human mind and also have received a lot of personal advice from folks that say anything over 30 minutes is just waste of time. In fact, folks typically start tuning out after about 20-minutes. In this day and time everything is instant, so we preachers have to follow the Holy Spirit and keep our hand on the pulse of the congregation. I know speaking personally, I start to tire out after listening to someone preach for about 30-minutes. It has to be a particularly good message to hold my attention longer than that.

Anyways, enough of my "babbling." If you feel so inclined to spend about 34 minutes of your time, you can listen to the sermon below:



Or watch the sermon on YouTube:

Genesis 9:1
1 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.

Genesis 10:8-10
8 And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth.

9 He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.

10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.

Genesis 11:1-9
1 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.

2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.

3 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.

4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

5 And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.

6 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.

7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.

8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.

9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.

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Has Your Porch Light Went Out?

As I was walking out the door at Church this morning, Pastor Dave, asked if I would preach the evening service. I quickly agreed even though I had absolutely no idea what I was going to preach on. I have been struggling all weekend for the next message the LORD would have me preach and I was hitting a dry spot. I came home and prayed and opened my Bible up to 2 Chronicles 29. There within that passage of Scripture in verse 7, I found the message: "Has Your Porch Light Went Out?"

 "6: For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD, and turned their backs.
7: Also they have shut up the doors of the porch, and put out the lamps, and have not burned incense nor offered burnt offerings in the holy place unto the God of Israel. " - 2 Chronicles 29:6-7

I studied on this subject around 4-hours before I had to be back at church. I wasn't sure exactly what was going to come out when I got up there but the LORD came through and delivered the message for me. By the time it was over with it just seemed like a dream. I couldn't even hardly remember what I had said, so I kind of enjoyed listening to it when I got home tonight. I'm always amazed at how the LORD will work if you will just submit yourself unto Him.

You can listen to the audio here:



Or watch the video below:

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God forbid that I should glory

As I sat on the couch this morning studying over Scriptures, seeking guidance from the LORD about what He might have me preach the next time I get the opportunity, I looked over my past sermons and posts on various blogs and websites. I began wondering if posting my own sermons and songs was just shameless self-promotion? I tried to look at it from the perspective of someone that just happened to stumble across one of my blogs and attempted to ascertain what their first impression would be. Sadly, I felt that most folks would undoubtedly consider it a form of self-promotion.

Let me say, I've never intended to boast of myself in any way. When I post sermons or songs of myself, I am hoping to share the Gospel message that is contained within them. I don't have to worry about obtaining anyone else's permission because it is my own works. I can see how that may appear to make me seem like a self promoter. I hope if you have read this far into this post that you understand where I'm coming from. I don't consider myself to be some great preacher or singer, far from it. If you ask my wife or kids they will tell you that I get sick to my stomach listening to myself. You would think that would make me post less, but like I said, it's the message within the songs or sermons that I am trying to promote.

I cannot take credit for what the LORD has given me. I pray for His guidance and He always comes through . More times than not, I feel that I do a terrible, miserable job when preaching or singing but I have enjoyed seeing people's lives touched and changed by something that I have relayed through what the LORD has given me. There was a time in my early days of preaching that I let people's compliments and words boost my ego. Folks would tell me things like, "that's the best preaching I've ever heard," or "you did an outstanding job." By the time I left the church my head was swollen so big it is a wonder I could even fit in the car! I've learned a lot since those early days. People still tell me that stuff today, however, I fully understand that they just have good intentions and are trying to be encouraging. Nowadays, I just let all of that stuff go in one ear and out the other. If  something I said, did, or sang touched someone then I am honored that God used me, but I will take no credit for it because without Him, I am nothing.

I'd like to leave you with this passage of Scripture to meditate upon today, written by the Apostle Paul:

"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Galatians 6:14 KJV

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Because Christ...

All week long as Easter Sunday quickly approaches, I can't help but be grounded in the Scriptures that deal with the death, burial, and resurrection of our LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ. One dominating thought kept going through my mind..."because Christ." Because of what Christ did for us, we don't have to worry about the clutches of sin. I brought a message Wednesday night from 1 Peter 2:21-25 that speaks of Christ's love for us and how he never reviled or fought back at his accusers, though there were many.

You can listen to the audio sermon here:


Or watch the video sermon here:


1 Peter 2:21-25

21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

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The Mind of Christ

Tonight at church, I preached a message in which I titled, "Let This Mind Be In You." I took the title straight from the opening text of Philippians 2:5. Even after putting over 15-hours of study time into this message, I had a real struggle getting my mind wrapped around it. I don't feel like I did it justice. Mary and the kids thought it was one of the best I've ever preached but I sure did feel defeated after preaching it.

I found out after the service that one of the ladies taught the same passage of Scripture this morning in her Sunday School class. I guess the LORD wanted to make sure this message got out there.

You can listen to the message on audio here:


You can watch the sermon on video here:


Philippians 2:5-8 KJV

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

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Always humbling

In the life of a preacher, there is nothing more humbling and satisfying than to be used by the LORD. Everytime I have the opportunity to preach I walk into that pulpit with every intention of seeing someone saved. In the hours spent studying for a sermon, every effort is put into trying to draw even the tiniest detail out of the Scriptures in hopes that the LORD will work through the message and into the hearts of the people. Unless you are a preacher, you may not understand the emotions that run rampant throughout the discourse of a sermon. By the time it's over and done with you are emotionally drained and feeling pretty much defeated.

Pastor Dave asked me last Wednesday night if I would preach this Sunday. Of course I am always eager for a chance and gladly accepted. I immediately began praying and seeking for what the LORD would have me preach. Sometimes the message will come to me quickly but other times it is an excruciating time of waiting. This was one of those times of waiting. Thursday night I studied and prayed for several hours. Friday night the same thing, staying up until 2:30 a.m. trying to get answers. Finally on Saturday afternoon I had that awesome feeling of chills running through me as I read through the Book of Matthew. There in Chapter 15 was a Gentile woman without any hope, begging for Jesus to heal her daughter from demon possession. I tried to put myself in the woman's shoes and how she must have felt, being so hopeless and going to such great extremes as to barge in on Jesus and his disciples as they were trying to rest from the weariness of the ministry.

Six hours later, my eyes were burning and watering and I could barely hold my head up, I needed sleep. I went to bed on Saturday night totally exhausted. I woke up at 4:30 am on Sunday morning and all I could think about was the message. I tip-toed into the kitchen and put on a pot of coffee while I gathered my Bible, computer, and a few commentaries. After an hour or so, I felt more at peace with the message and the outline I had written for it and decided to just lay down on the couch and try to take a nap before time to go to church.

By the time Sunday evening rolled around, I was rip roaring and ready to go. I could hardly contain the excitement that I felt as I stepped behind the pulpit. I opened my mouth and let the Words come out as the LORD had given them to me. Sometimes when you preach, you notice a few people that are occupied with different things, I usually take my glasses off when I preach so I can't see the details of people's faces, this seems to help some. Last night it seemed that everyone in the church was paying attention. All heads were up and faces were fixed forward. The feeling of the Holy Spirit was so thick I could almost reach out and touch it. Nothing I had done, mind you, but just the presence of the LORD coming forth from the spoken and written Word.

As I prayed and gave an invitation I just had a feeling that there were some in the congregation that needed to make decisions. As I saw a man make his way down to the altar and heard the cries and shouts of his wife, I had the most humbling feeling, knowing that the LORD had used me one more time to be his mouthpiece. The hours of studying, praying, and agonizing over the message are always worth it. Even if no one responds, I know the LORD is in it and it's for a reason.

If you would like to hear the message, you can listen to the audio here:



Or watch the video here:



Matthew 15:21-28 (King James Version)

21 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.

22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.

24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.

26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.

27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.

28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

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