SBC 2009 Annual Meeting

This week I attended my first Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting. Reflecting on the sermons, the motions, the resolutions and the great fellowship, I must say it was a very solid experience. Here's why:

* The focus of the meeting was the Great Commission. After all, the SBC was organized for the purpose of missions. It is very encouraging to hear that this emphasis is still in the forefront of SBC life and even getting a closer examination in the coming months.

* Several of the sermons were preached with a genuine passion and excitement for missions and evangelism. It is very stirring to hear preachers, young and old, getting fired up about reaching lost people with the only message that could ever bring hope and change.

* I heard about real Southern Baptists who have risked it all for the cause of Christ. The Lord is at work among many 'pockets of lostness' (new IMB catch-phrase) around the globe. I want to be a part of that.

* There were over 9000 baptists in one room singing about the grace and faithfulness of our Sovereign God. While I'm not overly enthusiastic about smoke machines and light shows, I can overlook that sort of thing and focus on praise and worship of the One who is worthy.

* I had the chance to visit with several long-time friends and discuss theology, ministry and the good old days. While it is often said that pastors usually have very few friends, I am blessed with quite a few. For this I am thankful.

* Fifteen minutes of Dennis Swanberg, followed by Mike Huckabee - enough said.

Sure, there were a few 'out of order' motions by those who would rather focus on things other than Christ and the Great Commission. And, there were more people swarming bowls of mints and grabbing free pens than voting for 1st Vice President. And I paid over $8 for a not-so-healthy Expo Center lunch that gave me heartburn. I decided to dismiss that sort of thing as trivial and zero in on the more important aspects of this annual event.

I've only been a Southern Baptist for about 7 years. Now that I have attended my first real denominational gathering, I am very encouraged. The Lord is at work in the SBC.

[the church pictured above is one attended by Lottie Moon while she was ministering in China]
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Words I Needed

Today is Monday. A pastor friend of mine told me that early in his ministry he often felt discouraged on Mondays. In fact, he said that for a while he thought about quitting, nearly every Monday. I have been there.

For me, there usually seems to be a big build up to Sunday. After that, I sometimes sense a bit of a let down. I realize that much of this is the flesh and the Enemy.

Today I read a few poignant words from Charles Spurgeon that I really needed to hear. He was writing in regards to Numbers 11:23 which states, "Is the LORD'S power limited? Now you shall see whether My word will come true for you or not." Here are the comments of our dear friend Mr. Spurgeon:

"The ground of faith is not the sufficiency of the visible means for the performance of the promise, but the all-sufficiency of the invisible God, who will most surely do as he has said."

I needed a reminder. On Sunday or Monday - on every other day, my faith is not in my own strength. It is in the One who raised up my Savior. The One who opened my heart to see His beauty. The One who still awakens dead sinners. The One who will certainly accomplish His will. I will trust in Him, alone!

Legalism Exposed

A friend of mine pointed me to a blog post that really resonated with me. The focus of the post was what we often call 'legalism.' I'm afraid that it describes many Christians today. In fact, the author, who I do not know, sort of struck a nerve.

I confess that I have often struggled with what it really means to be a Christian. More specifically, why we pursue the spiritual disciplines. How we understand what happens as a result of prayer, Bible study and other aspect of our Christian walk. I have grown in my understanding of God. I have come to cherish His marvelous grace and His unfailing love for me.

Check this out and see if it exposes a bit of legalism in your life.

Quotable

"When the true Gospel of Grace is preached, the believers will be glad, the rebels will get mad, and the pharisees will be confused"

This quotation is attributed to Rolfe Barnard who was a southern evangelist in the 1950s and 60s. He had a powerful ministry throughout the South and eventually "preached" his way to Canada. His style and passion for Christ while he was preaching is a thing of the past. Thankfully, several of his sermons were recorded and are readily available today.

My father had a few copies of Barnard's sermons on cassette and he shared them with me soon after my conversion in 1995. That old-fashion preacher told of God's mercy and grace in a way I had seldom heard. These words of truth stirred my soul, and still do. I count Rolfe Barnard as one of my favorite preachers ever.

If you have time, I encourage you to listen to a classic Barnard sermon: "Sovereign Mercy." It is one of my favorites. At the conclusion of the message he shares the true story of how God, working in great power, moved upon the heart of a lady during a meeting in Canada. A real picture of God's sovereign mercy.

Poor and Helpless

Poor and helpless, prone to fall
To You oh Lord I pledge my all
For You have promised to sustain
Those who come to You for rest

The enemy daily seeks my soul
But to Your presence I must go
He can not take what You have won
My end is sure, my Anchor holds

My own standing is not my boast
In love Another has taken my place
The Innocent for the guilty died
And now I live and ever praise.

Lord, may I always praise You. For You have loved me with an everlasting love.