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.