Sing With All Your Might

"And the people of Israel who were present at Jerusalem kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with great gladness, and the Levites and the priests praised the Lord day by day, singing with all their might to the Lord."  2 Chronicles 30:21

Hezekiah was on the throne.  He restored worship in Judah.  He even invited the people of Israel to the celebrations.  Three things stand out in this verse.

1.  All the people present in Jerusalem showed up for the Feast of Unleavened Bread, a time of celebrating and worshiping God.  They all went.  There was no, "Well, I don't think I'll go today."  No one said, "I had some family come in from Bethlehem, so we won't be there."  They showed up!
2. They worshiped "seven days with great gladness."  When you come to worship at church, do you praise the Lord with gladness?  Is there a joy in your heart?  Also, when you come to worship, are you just counting down the minutes until you can leave?  Do you sit in the back close to the door so you can hoof it out of the sanctuary as fast as you can?  They were there seven days, and they were happy!
3. The sang "with all their might to the Lord."  Oh dear, you mean to tell me they not only came to church, but they sang too?  And they sang loudly?  Yes!  That's exactly what they did.  They sang loudly because they were singing to the Lord.  They weren't concerned with what style the music was, they sang anyway because they were singing to the Lord.  They didn't worry about what the person next to them thought.  They didn't say, "Oh, I can't sing, so I won't."  They didn't offer excuses to God.  They sang with might!

This Sunday, why not get over yourself and the people around you, and do those three things.  Show up, be glad, and sing to the Lord with all your might.

What's Your Latest Efforts in Evangelism?

Like prayer and several other things, I always feel like I don't do enough when it comes to evangelism.  However, I am constantly looking for ways to get the gospel truth into the lives of the people I come into contact with, from the congregation in a public worship service to the individual sitting in the parking garage ticket booth.  When it comes to public proclamation, that's an easy one to witness.  Just come to a Malta Baptist Church worship service.  But what is not so easy for you to see is personal evangelism.  I'll simply list some of the kinds of things I do.  If you would like to talk more about evangelism, don't hesitate to contact me.

• When having conversations, I try to steer the talk to spiritual things (hoping for the opportunity for the gospel).  This goes for total strangers and people I am getting to know.
• I ask direct questions about their spiritual life.  Don't be afraid to ask people, the majority of people really don't mind you asking.  For example, ask, "Who do you say that Jesus is?"  It's simple and direct.
• I wear an explicit Gospel shirt in a hostile, public place.  For example, in downtown Montreal I wore a shirt that says (in French), "I choose to follow Jesus."  Jesus is worth taking some risks.
• I tell the parking garage ticket booth workers that Jesus loves them.  It always makes them smile.  Sometimes I have time for a follow up comment.  I at least want to get people thinking about Jesus.
• I constantly read up on evangelism, always looking for ways to improve.  My friend Jason just sent me a small book dealing with evangelism, for which I am very grateful.  I'm definitely not perfect, and I miss a lot of opportunities.  I ask God's forgiveness and strive to do better.
• Sometimes, when talking isn't possible, I leave a gospel tract or a magazine like Home Life or Mature Living that has a presentation of the gospel in it.
• I try to maintain a genuine, consistent witness on Facebook. (I just love it when people post something about loving Jesus, and the next post they're cussing someone out...not!)
• I pray for wisdom, guidance, and opportunities to share the gospel.

Remember, success in evangelism isn't defined by leading a person to Christ (although that is the best and hopeful outcome).  Success in evangelism is sharing the biblical gospel.  Over the past few weeks, I have been teaching the faithful at Malta about missions, practical evangelism, and practical discipleship.  My prayer is that we become a community of Christians constantly developing a culture of evangelism, which will in turn lead to worship of Jesus Christ.

What's Your Sermon Preparation Strategy?

1. Pray for God's direction and blessing.
2. Read the particular passage to be preached several times.
3. Pray for understanding.
4. Answer the question: What is God teaching me here?
5. Read and study resources dealing with original language, background, meaning, commentary, etc., and take notes.
6. Pray for guidance in making application to the congregation.
7. Begin putting the sermon together in a logical order, emphasizing the one meaning and making a few applications.
8. Consider illustrations, introduction, and closing.
9. Pray for God's blessing and use of the sermon.
10. Review it before I preach.
11. Pray before I preach.

What Is the Latest Truth You Have Learned from God's Word?

Well, let's take this morning for example.  So many times we hear Christians and non-Christians quoting Matthew 7:1, "Judge not."  It usually comes out as, "Don't judge," or, "You can't judge me."  But is that true?
Like any Scripture, you can't isolate one verse or one part of a verse and not pay any attention to the words around it.  It's called context.  Context directs our interpretation and applications.  Let's look at what Jesus said, shall we?

"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgement you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."  Matthew 7:1-5

What kind of judgment is Jesus talking about?  Well, context shows us that Jesus is condemning hypocritical judgment, not all kinds of judgment.

John 7:24 confirms this approach, "Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment."

So Jesus is not saying that we should never judge, but that we should judge rightly and not hypocritically.

Furthermore, Jesus' instruction against hypocritical judgmentalism is in no way a prohibition against using discernment, which involves making judgments.  We, as Christians, are supposed to make judgments when it comes to moral and spiritual issues, not because we are being intolerant or unfair, but because we are basing our judgments on the content of God's revelation.  We should always think and act according to what we know from God's Word.

There is more I can say about this, but I want to keep it brief.  If you have questions regarding this subject, don't hesitate to ask.

What Is Your Spiritual Disciplines Strategy?

After 21 years of being a Christian, and after reading many books dealing with spiritual disciplines, my conclusion is this: you just have to do it.

Although I could talk about several other spiritual disciplines, I will limit this brief answer to Prayer and Bible Reading.

Prayer
I've used all sorts of helpful methods for prayer, but because I have a disposition for variety, I keep changing and modifying my methods. After all, my relationship with Christ is constantly changing and developing, then why should my prayer life not continue to change and develop?

When I first became a Christian, it was stressed to me to have a set time and place for a "quiet time" or a time of devotion to God, and that was very helpful. However, I soon learned that I need to pray more than just once a day or at a certain time each day. The Apostle Paul instructs us to "pray without ceasing." By all means, use whatever method, strategy, outline, etc. that you find helpful and biblically sound, but by all means do it.

Bible Reading
I received a Ryrie Study Bible for Christmas in 1995. That began my regular Bible reading. I think it took me 4-5 years to read through it the first time. Since then, I've tried to have more disciplined approach to reading through the Bible. The one year reading plans are very helpful in this regard. I've made it my goal to read through the Bible once a year. Sometimes I'm slower than that, and sometimes I'm faster. But again, like prayer, whatever method or approach you use, the most important thing is that you are learning what God has said in His Word. Don't just read it; study it, meditate on it, hear it, and practice it.

So do it. One of the saddest things I encounter as a pastor is Christians who simply will not read their Bibles and will not pray. My advice is to do it. Do it when on good days and bad days. Do it when you feel like and when you don't. Commit yourself to it today.

Nothing encourages me more as a pastor than to hear people at church telling me about what they read in the Bible that week, or how they have been praying. Nothing thrills me more than when they share how Christ has used it to change their lives.

So do it. One warning though...if you decide to commit to praying regularly or reading your Bible, just know that you will encounter all sorts of potential distractions. As a husband and father of three, I know very well how crazy life can get. Distractions will come. Push through them. Don't make excuses. Sacrifice everything to spending time with your Heavenly Father. He certainly deserves it, and you need Him.

What Is Your Baptism Experience?

After going "all in" for Jesus in 1994, I approached my pastor and let him know that I had become a Christian. The next step was my baptism. After giving me a Survival Kit (which Lifeway still stocks, although in a different form), Bro. Jerry Pickard of Northside Baptist Church in Milledgeville, GA talked with me, met with me, and helped me to begin the discipleship process. Soon the baptism date was set for a Sunday night. I can remember telling many people that I had become a Christian (including teachers at school, I was in the 7th grade). One teacher, Mr. Charles Puckett, my English teacher, was excited with me. Although he couldn't stay for the baptism itself, he did stop by the church just prior to the service beginning. He met with me in the back of the sanctuary, and gave me a cross. He said someone gave it to him when he was baptized and was told to pass it on when the time was right. Then then instructed me to do the same when someone else was baptized.

I was led through the choir practice room, through a door, and into the baptistry. It was there that Bro. Jerry baptized me, and I publicly declared to all who were watching and listening that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I identified myself with Jesus's death and burial. His death is my death. I also identified myself with Jesus' resurrection. His life is my life.

Baptism doesn't save you, but it is the first biblical step of obedience once you become a Christian.

When and where were you baptized as a believer?
If you have repented of your sins and trusted Christ in faith to save you and be your Lord, but you haven't been baptized, come talk to me.

What Is Your Conversion Experience?

In the years leading up to being teenager, I thought I was a pretty good kid. I didn't do the things bad kids do, I made good grades in school, and I played sports. Life was good. Or so I thought.

In 1993, God saw to it that I was on the same baseball team as the son of a local pastor. Through conversation with my parents, Dr. Jerry Pickard of Northside Baptist Church invited my family to come to church, and my younger sister Paula was invited to VBS. Paula became a Christian at that VBS, which meant that we all would be going to church again. (We had stopped attending church anywhere for a while for whatever reason.)

It was through the faithful witness of people like Bro. Jerry, Mrs. Sink, and Mrs. Agee that I really began to hear the truth of the gospel for the first time in my life. I remember being shown a cartoon presentation of the passion, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus that greatly impacted me and got me thinking about things. It was the first time I knew all that about Jesus.

The next winter, I was able to go with the youth group to the Youth Evangelism Conference in Macon, Georgia. My dad went along, too. I can remember so vividly sitting under conviction in one of the floor chairs in the Coliseum. The speaker was clearly presenting the gospel to us all, and he was calling for a response. The Holy Spirit was definitely tugging at my heart. I guess my dad could sense my inner struggle. He leaned over and said, "I'll go with you if you need to go." I, tormented within, shook my head and said, "No." I knew I was supposed to go talk to one of the counselors about becoming a Christian, about surrendering my life to Christ as Lord and Savior of my life, but I said no.

The next two or three months were miserable for me. Every Sunday morning and Sunday night as Bro. Jerry preached faithfully the Word of God, he would always include the gospel. And I would always feel terrible. Now what was I to do?
I'll tell you what I did. After church one Sunday night, as our family was getting settled in for the night at home, I got down on my knees in my bedroom and surrendered to Jesus. The Hound of Heaven had caught up with His query. And as I shared a couple of Sundays ago, in 1994 (just shy of my 13th birthday) I went "all in" for Jesus.

At that moment in my room, I experienced a great sense of peace and joy. The next day I began sharing with my mom and dad what happened. I was able to talk to Bro. Jerry about it on the following Wednesday. He gave me a Survival Kit book and told me to complete it, bring it back, and then we could talk about baptism. It was an exciting time. The Lord put all sorts of people in my life to teach me how to live life as a Christian: Jerry Pickard, Carol Agee, Tony Agee, Wayne Gatliff, Darrell Brantley, Janie Dunn, Beverly Waddell, Jason Baird, Angie Hartley, Terry Cliett, and Tim Oliver to name a few. Some of the best things for me were the Youth Retreats and Youth Camps that I went to at Norman Park (near Tifton, GA) and Crawfordville, GA.

I'm so thankful that Christ saved me, and that He brought me out go the darkness and into the light. Serving Jesus is the greatest joy! Am I perfect? Of course not! But imagine how I would be without Christ. I shudder to think it.
I'd love to hear your conversion story!

July Reading List

• Saving the President: What If Lincoln Had Lived? - Barbara Brenner
• Bedeviled: Lewis, Tolkien, and the Shadow of Evil - Colin Duriez*
• Holy Subversion: Allegiance to Christ in an Age of Rivals - Trevin Wax*
• Preaching Essentials: A Practical Guide - Lenny Luchetti*
• Killing Jesus - Stephen Mansfield*
• A Plain Account of Christian Perfection - John Wesley

*recommended reading

Not So Dearly Departed

"And he departed with no one's regret." -2 Chronicles 21:20 (ESV)

Such is the testimony about Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat, King of Judah.  He became king when he was 32 years old.  He was 40 years old when he died.  He died from an incurable bowel disease, which was in reality a judgment from God because Jehoram led the people of Judah into gross idolatry.  If that wasn't bad enough, the people didn't like him.  I'm sure he was a tyrant, along the line s of Herod the Great.  (Herod had arranged for many people to be executed when he died so that the people would be sure to mourn on the day of his death.)  When Jehoram died, "the people made no fire in his honor," nor did they bury him "in the tombs of the kings" (2 Chronicles 21:19-20).  They were glad to see him go.

What about you?  What will people say about you after you're gone?  Will they miss you?  Have you become offensively odious to all around you?  Will you die with no one's regret?

If you answer "no" to that last question, then fantastic!  What a blessing to have that knowledge!

If you answer "yes," don't panic just yet.  There is hope for you.  Don't make the same mistakes that Jehoram made.  Let me urge you, with whatever time you have left on earth (only God knows), to reverse the curse that you have become.  Instead of demanding the sun, moon, and stars, be a generous giver.  Invest in the lives of the people around you.  Give them your time and genuine care.  Do what is right.  Don't even give the appearance of evil.  Sure, people will be extremely skeptical for a while, but in time, if you persevere in doing what is good, you will prove your sincerity.  One more thing--you can't do it alone.  Ask God to forgive you for all those years of rebellion against Him.  Then ask those you have offended for forgiveness.  It's a tough step, but its worth can't be measured.  Then ask God to change you into a person who will be greatly missed when it's your time to die.

God help us all!

Seek the Lord

"And he did evil, for he did not set his heart to seek the Lord." -2 Chronicles 12:14 (ESV)

Such is the testimony about Rehoboam, son of Solomon, King of Judah.
Because he turned his heart away from the Lord, he did evil.
Bad choice after bad choice.
He refused to listen to wise counsel.
The results were devastating--personally and nationally.

Seek the Lord.
Love Him with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Pray for wisdom.
Live accordingly.