Christmas 2009

Much of the church world has honored the Advent season. Is it really the beginning of a new year? Christ has come - we hear the angelic message - but peace? As I was on my way to the church today to make sure the building would be ready for Sunday - as I passed the Liquor store, boxes of "Christmas Cheer" was being loaded into double parked cars. How sad, people must drown their heartaches in order to be "of good cheer".
Peace via governments, organization, fraternities, etc., is still a grand illusion.

May we as people of Christ be not deluded by the music, lights, gifts, and ceremonies.
Many will sit in our pews - saddened by this time of year. Lets not forget that many do not have a family to surround themselves with - you be their "good news" on a day of God's good news - Jesus.

Christmas Snow Again

Who said history does not repeat itself has not been to our church.
The same snow event also closed our church last year for the Christmas services.
I spoke last night for a fellowship of Haitian pastors on the sovereignty of God.
i just admit, I had to repeat the topic to myself this morning as I looked out the window.
After calling the members of the church - I do this personally for each closer - I was encouraged by the response of the church family.
No one - NO ONE - complained about was happening. Spiritual growth is great to witness. They ended up encouraging me.

Thank you Lord for your call on my life to shepherd your people.
Merry Christmas everyone

Advent Season

Do We Need the Advent Season? Yes . . .
Jeremiah 33: 14-21 Isaiah 11:1-10
To Remember God’s Promises
To See The Performance of His Promises
To See The Person of His Promises
To See The Provision of His Promises

Daniel 6

"The King of the animals could not defeat the King of the earth" anon
We should have the confidence of the Hebrew men.

Romans 5 Offending God

Romans 5 is on my schedule for Sunday. Paul once again deals with personal responsibility - accountability for our actions. I noticed that Thayer said an offense is a "deviation from truth and uprightness". It seems to be identified with the outcome of "amartia". It is a purposeful activity and not accidental in nature [paraptwma]. BB Taylor wrote that it consists of a "wrecked relationship with God." I fear we have become so callosed by sin that we do not even care if we offend a fellow believer [whom we can see], let alone God [whom we cannot see] .

Tour Through Romans

Romans 4:1-25
I have never preached through the book of Romans before this month. [It will continue]. My plan is to select a certain chiasm of each chapter. Paul tells us about being among the blessed (4: 7). It is great to be reminded of that now and then. When we become weary in well doing - it becomes even more urgent to remember our position before God.

Labor Day 2009

There was a recent conference in Scotland which contains messages concerning the preaching style of Bunyan (and others).

Edinburgh Expositors Conference Audio

http://unashamedworkman.wordpress.com/

Summer Musings

How quickly the months go by. Apologize for the lack of attention to this blog. The sad news is that another Baptist church closed here in my area. I wished that I had known that it was in the process of closing. Perhaps , by God's grace, we could have kept the doors open.

I have been reading the Torah this summer and with that in mind - I'll comment of the sections I am studying.

I just finished the first 6 chapters of Leviticus. God graciously let His people bring a variety of offerings to be sacrificed. Each person was responsible to bring sacrifice to God. The level of responsibility was according to the ability to achieve the necessary obedience. We often try to match what others are able to bring to God's table. Competition and ego often spell disastrous results. God knows what we are able to bring to Him and He accepts us, not by what we ultimately bring, but the hearts desire to bring it is more important.

Do You Need to be Encouraged? 2

I had a sad occurrence yesterday. I learned that First Baptist in Milton, Ma is folding their tent. After so many years of labor - they made the very difficult choice to close their ministry.

It unfortunately a sign of the slow death of our Baptist heritage here in Boston - Milton. What could have been done - is only second guessing the the hearts and mind of the congregation. I hope that they will go to another Baptist church here in the area. Mattapan Baptist here in Milton came to a similar situation 12 years ago. By the grace of God, they were able to keep their congregation from further deterioration. I wish the best for this congregation - memories will linger -memories of weddings, funerals, baptisms, and of course the great times of fellowship.

Do You Need To Be Encouraged?

Baptist churches - New England
I was reminded again today [Sat] of the heritage that Baptist have here in New England. This in spite of the encroaching lack of a biblically based theology concerning the local church, etc. There remains churches that have ministered here for the last 150 years. Modern day members have read the history of their church when it blossomed with converts and members. Now they watch their church enter a survival mode of activities. I still believe that when a church is functioning in a simple and biblical mode, people will be reached for Christ and the believers will mature. Our communities are full of people who have been hurt by church members and pastors. they also need to be reached. There are certain steps a body of believers can do and once again see their church become effective for the Lord.
I'll introduce some basic ideas in future posts.

Graduation - Class 2009

when I see the results of the hours of preparation, lecturing, an counseling the students that enter the class room - It is well worth the effort. they risen to the task that God has laid out for them. Years of study to be the best they can be for the Lord. Many are here because someone prayed for them. The world that they step into if far different than the one I entered many years ago. Yet, they will be able to handle it - because they are of this generation. As was stated last night - some will "crash and burn", other will "set themseves on fire" for the work of the Lord. May they not be of the first group.

Richard Baxter

Found this great quote on Puritan at Heart
"He is not drowning His sheep when He washeth them, nor killing them when He is shearing them. But by this He showeth that they are His own; and the newborn sheep do most visibly bear His name or mark, when it is almost worn out and scarce discernible on them that have the longest fleece."

---Richard Baxter

Bunyan and Jerusalem

Daily Quote - John Bunyan

Written by Jean Cauvin

25 April 2009 13:58

In a word, Jerusalem was now become the shambles, the very slaughter-shop for saints ...wherein the prophets, Christ and his people were most horribly persecuted and murdered...This is the city and these are the people; this is their character and these are their sins. I will now show you what it is to preach the gospel to them: [to announce] repentance and remission of sins in Christ's Name.. to bid them to repent and believe the gospel [Luke 24:47; Mark 1:15]. Christ would have Jerusalem have the first offer of the gospel. Not because they had any more right than any of the nations of the world, [but to manifest] his mere grace... compassion... and mercy [to those] in the most deplorable condition of any people under the heavens. ---John Bunyan http://www.apuritanatheart.com/puritanism

Rest of your Life

Quote is not original with me - but does point out the time each one of us has to prepare for eternity

"Q: How long does a skydiver have to open his parachute once he's jumped out of the plane?"
"A: The rest of his life"

"What a concise statement of theology! Like the skydiver who carries the means of his salvation with him, we have a "parachute" -- God's forgiveness and unconditional love for us. We need only open the chute -- ask Him to catch our fall -- and we will be saved from the singular lethal impact that awaits each of us"

Easter Sunday 2009

I always like to see both Christmas and Easter on the calendar. This always provides my congregation with a great opportunity to invite friends and family to church. The story of Christ's resurrection has been told for almost 2,000 years. As I was preparing for the service the comment of the angels "He is not here" raised the question "Where is He?" Where and what is He doing for us. This tended to develop the ministry of Christ toward His church: High Priest; Advocate; intercessor; Church builder; Home [Mansion] preparer and preparing to return for His people.

The building was about 95% full. The music was fantastic as it told of Christ providing salvation for his people.

CUME - Boston

I had the great privileged last night to teach at Gordon-Conwell's Boston campus. The lead prof was Frank Kelly. I was able to share some biblical principles concerning church finances. The students represented a cross section of ministries here in Boston. The class discussuions were challanging and insightful. I trust that I was able to help them to look closely at the Sriptures for direction on the collection of the finances of God's people and the need to be accountable for the use of those monies.
C.U.M.E. is dear to my heart for they provided the open door for me to enter the grad world of education here in N.E.
Each of the seminaries that I have attended [4 in all] had some great profs who loved the Lord and were willing to help me to persue God's call on my life. Little did I know the path that God set up for some 40yrs ago and the adventure has been worth every trial and blessing.
Thanks again Bro Tully for the gracious invitation - trust it was benefial to the students.

Greece 2

The trip to that part of the world is a awesome experience. [can you believe I used that word :>) ]
To once again stand where Paul stood on Mars Hill, visit the island where John was a prisoner, and to walk the street of Ephesus was humbling to say the least. I look back on the experience as if it were a dream.

If you are ever in Athens, near the Acropolis, you must eat at SMILES. What a great place.

Since coming back, I decided to walk through the book of Ephesians with the church. Paul's love for this church [and John's] is encouraging for the present church to see that God really does love them. His point that they are known for their love for each other - is a testimony that each church should wish upon themselves.

Today I will share the 6 "Spiritual Blessings" that God has given to each believer. See Eph 1:3-14.

Trip to Greece

I am looking forward once again to go the Athens, Greece. To stand on Mars Hill - and remember that Paul stood where I am standing - brings a flood of memories. Athens needs to have a Paul visit once again. A gospel of works is everywhere. much of that which is called "Christianity" is bound up with the worship of the mother of Jesus - instead of Jesus.

The same problem haunts us here in our churches. We are starting to worship the programs of the church. The drive to meet the selfish needs of the public is the leaven that simple inflates the selfish egos of sinful man.

The self-centeredness of even fellow Christians is appalling to say the lest. The mind of Christ is clearly absent in many of our newer churches. Paul's comment that the unsaved do not seek after God is ignored [Romans 3:11] . People are told that they are seeking God - in contradiction to God's Word.

Shine for the Lord

It has been a month since we have had a normal Sunday morning service. NO SNOW!!
I adopted a theme for this year - "Let us shine in 2009" based upon Matt 5

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

It is the individual believer's responsibility to make sure your "Shine" [ imper aor act 3rd per sing] is always visible to the public. Each of the acts should bring glory to God. Remember the world is watching you all the time.

How will you SHINE this week?