How 'bout a Heap of Happiness?

A couple of weeks ago I started a Sunday morning series, The Big Ten, covering Exodus 20 and what is commonly known as The Ten Commandments. The feedback that I have received from the church has been both encouraging and enlightening. One of the truths that I have tried to communicate through this series is this: God is not some cosmic kill-joy. Every time He says, "Thou shalt not," He's saying, "Don't hurt yourself." And every time He says, "Thou shalt," He's saying, "Help yourself to happiness." Dr. Adrian Rogers often said, "God only wants for us what we would want for ourselves if we were smart enough to want it."

I'm not certain that most people really know what they want. When you consider the foolish decisions that are made every day, you can't help but wonder, "Is that really what they wanted?" Our local news reported this morning that a 72-year-old man is heading to jail because he shot his wife during a domestic dispute, then turned his gun on sheriff's deputies. Is that really what he wanted? Did he really think shooting the wife and a couple of peace officers would solve his problems? He will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars. I doubt that's what he wanted. Do you know what you want? If you're looking for happiness, head straight to God's Word with a heart-attitude that says, "I'll have a heap of happiness, please."

Martin Luther and Psalm 46

If you study church history, you will certainly come across a guy named Martin Luther. A natural-born German and the son of a lawyer, Luther devoted himself to a thorough study of the Scriptures. After graduating from college, he went to an Augustinian monastery and in 1507, was ordained a priest.

On a mission to Rome in 1510, Luther found himself appalled by the corruption of the papacy. He became a professor of theology and began teaching salvation by grace through faith rather than works. On October 31, 1517, Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of the Cathedral of Whittenburg, Germany, condemning the teaching and practices of the Roman church. It was this event by which the Protestant Reformation was formally born. Luther was excommunicated and was summoned to appear before the Diet of Worms in 1521, in which he was to retract his teachings. Luther refused, and faced the fight of his life.

Birthed from the turmoil, unrest, and persecution that he faced was a hymn that has stood for centuries as the believer's battle cry. The exact date of its writing is unknown; however, it is thought to have been written for the Diet of Spires in 1529 when the term "Protestant" was first used. It is the immortal hymn, A Mighty Fortress is our God. Luther wrote the hymn based on Psalm 46, his favorite Psalm.

Tonight at FBC Queen City, I will begin a Midweek series, Great is the Lord. The series will be a verse-by-verse walk through Psalm 46. My hope and prayer is that we will finish the study with a profound appreciation for God's security, stability, safety, sovereignty, simplicity, and sanctity. Great is the Lord!

And That's a Good Thing!

I'm at the Word of Life Conference Center in Hudson, FL. this week. I'm here to speak at the Sun Coast Regional Student Convention. After giving a morning challenge to the students, I had the chance to connect with a pastor who is attending the convention with his students. I was so encouraged by our conversation. He was sharing with me some of the challenges he has faced in recent days, and yet he was encouraged by the opportunities that lie ahead. I was reminded of how seldom I see the problems of ministry as opportunities. Rarely do I welcome those nasty "disruptions" to my agenda. However, those problems usually present an opportunity for me to grow as a pastor, husband, father, or friend. When the dust finally settles, I am usually stronger as a result of the trial. My faith is stronger. I'm more resolved to remain faithful to my calling. I am more dependent on God. And that's a good thing!

A Week in the Sunshine State

I found little time for blogging last week. Most of my time and energy was devoted to preparation for Resurrection Sunday. Not only was I busy with sermon preparation and "normal" pastoral duties, but we were also putting the finishing touches on our Family Life Center. I am so proud of our staff and the multitude of volunteers who have labored tirelessly for the past month to help remodel our FLC. Apart from new carpet - which should arrive in a couple of weeks - it is now a beautiful temporary worship center. We had an awesome Easter service with great attendance in spite of terrible weather. To God be the glory!

I'm in Hudson, Florida this week preaching at the Sun Coast Regional Student Convention. We started with a great evening rally last night with the students and their sponsors excited about the week ahead! I hope to post more through the week...

The Resurrection: Fact or Fiction?

Whatever one believes about the resurrection of Jesus Christ, everyone has to acknowledge that something significant happened on that morning. That day changed the course of history, even to the point of changing the calendar from B.C. (before Christ) to A.D. (Latin anno domini - the year of our Lord). So dramatic were the events of that day that it completely changed the lives of eleven men, causing them to endure suffering and even death for the cause of Christ. They would tell us that the tomb of Jesus Christ was empty! Reports of that empty tomb and personal appearances by the resurrected Christ have shaken the foundation of belief and shaped the course of history from that day forward.

If someone wanted to "explain away" the events surrounding Christ's resurrection, they would have to deal with certain FACTS. The fact that something happened in spite of both the Jews' and Romans' security precautions - crucifixion, burial, entombment, sealing and guarding the tomb - makes it very difficult for critics to defend the position that Christ didn't rise from the dead. The remainder of this Holy Week will be dedicated to exploring the facts surrounding the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In the mean time, contemplate the words of Paul recorded in I Corinthians 15:5-8:

5. and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.
6. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.
7. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.
8. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.

What The Resurrection Means to Me

Christianity claims that Christ rose from the dead while the unbelieving world thinks, "That's amazing, if true, but ultimately, so what?" "What does the death, burial, and resurrection of a man thousands of years ago have to do with me in the twenty-first century?"

Here's what the resurrection of Christ means to me: What happened to Christ can happen to me! Like him, I will die, but his resurrection is a promise that death is not the end. His resurrection gives me hope for a glorious future - free from pain, sorrow, and death. My most outlandish dreams of peace, love, and harmony can be fulfilled!

I love the words of the Apostle Paul recorded in I Corinthians 15:1-4:

1. Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand,
2. by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you--unless you believed in vain.
3. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4. and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

I Love Surprises!

The truth is, I love to be pleasantly surprised. It is so frustrating to de-plane in an airport far away from home only to be surprised that my connecting flight is delayed or canceled. And who likes to be surprised by a flat tire? Think of the surprise and shock that comes when you learn that a friend has unexpectedly been killed in an accident. Some surprises are just not fun. But, I secretly loved the time that my wife convinced a small army of our friends to show up at our place after midnight to yell, "Surprise!", when I walked in the door. I think it was my 24th birthday. I love the thrill of being pleasantly surprised.

After Roman soldiers determined that Jesus was dead, they removed his body from the cross so that he could be buried in a new tomb. Mary Magdalene was determined to visit his tomb after the burial was completed. Early Sunday morning she made her way to the tomb only to be dreadfully surprised. Not only had Jesus been unjustly killed, but the tomb was open and his body was gone. Fearing that the body had been stolen, she ran to Peter and John to inform them of what she had seen. When they arrived, they saw the grave clothes still intact, but the body was nowhere to be found. They, too, were surprised.

Later, Mary Magdalene was asked a question: "Dear woman, why are you crying?" Clueless as to whom she was speaking, she said , "Sir, if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him" (John 20:15). She loved Jesus dearly and wanted to pay her respects. But then in a moment of remarkable tenderness Jesus called her by name: "Mary". "Teacher!" she cried as she finally recognized him. She rushed to him, embracing him in ecstatic joy. Jesus was alive, healthy and well because death could not hold the promised Messiah. And don't you know Mary was pleasantly surprised!

Let's Talk About the Resurrection

Like most pastors, I find this time of the year exhilarating. Easter provides a great opportunity to declare real hope in a world filled with doubt, dread, and despair. For example, consider this comment posted by a girl on an Internet atheist website on July 16, 2007:

I'm confused...I always believed science would be the cure-all for my problems, but I don't know if I can keep living without eternal life. I guess I'll just have to find a way myself to make it through this meaningless existence. I just wish I knew of someone who could show me the path to eternal life. If science can't provide the answers, though, then who or what can!? Doesn't it seem like there is a higher power that gives our lives purpose? Well, science says there isn't, so there isn't.

This girl unknowingly articulates the whole issue in a nutshell. If life on this earth is all there is, then existence is meaningless and one is forced to, "find a way myself", as the girl states. She wishes there was some kind of higher power that would assure her of eternal life.

Now, imagine the despair of a small band of followers as they stood watching the Messiah, their deliverer, breathing his last agonizing breath on a Roman cross. They had forsaken everything to follow him. He was the one they believed would reestablish the kingdom of Israel. But now he was dying on a cross. Life must have seemed meaningless! But far more than the fate of the disciples or even the fate of Israel hung on the cross that day. The fate of the entire human race was at stake. Christ was humanity's last hope, and yet the supposed Savior was dead, and any hope of deliverance was buried with him...or was it?

For the next few days, I'll be posting some thoughts about the personal meaning of the resurrection. Additionally, I'll be pointing out some rock-solid evidence for its validity. Hope you'll stay tuned!