Archive for the ‘Preaching’ Category

Oct
08
2010

Jesus Endorsement of My Prayer

I’m wrapping up my message for Sunday from John 16:23-28. This is a comfort given by Jesus as he is closing his time with the disciples in the Upper Room. Jesus had just unfolded a ton of truth–Holy Spirit, Heaven, Future, Fruit-bearing–all stuff we look back on and understand because we have the full revealed Word of God and the illumination of the Holy Spirit. But the disciples faced an uncertain future. So Jesus gives them, repeatedly, the promise that they would now be able to approach God because of Jesus.

So it got me to thinking about what this means. When I pray to the Father, in Jesus name, what is a good real-world illustration? Well I came up with quite a few and found some. But in my own personal world of book publishing, I thought of the endorsement. This illustration didn’t make the cut in my message, but I thought it great to give here:

In the world of publishing, endorsements are huge. I’ll never forget my first book proposal. The publisher liked my idea. It was something that fit what they were trying to do. But, I was a nobody. They didn’t really know me. So they asked me to get some endorsements.

But who would put their neck on the line for me? Well, by God’s grace I was able to use a few connections and get well-known author and teacher, Elizabeth George to endorse my first book.

I got a few others. And so the publisher looked at that and they said my endorsements are what sealed the deal. They didn’t know me, but they knew Elizabeth George and her reputation.

With my latest project coming out in January, I got the very gracious endorsement of Jerry Jenkins. What that does for a reader is this. They pick up my book and maybe they are intrigued by the title and content, but they don’t’ know me. But they see on there that Jerry Jenkins, whom they like, has endorsed me. So they read the book.

In other words, they don’t buy the book based on my merits, but on Jerry’s or Elizabeth’s.

When we pray, God doesn’t say, “Well, Dan’s been good, I’ll answer this week.” No he sees the righteousness of Jesus. He sees Jesus. And because Jesus and the Father are one—He will answer our prayers.

*Please note that my message does include the totality of Jesus promise. Obviously we know Jesus doesn’t endorse our praying for lustful, self-destroying items. Praying in Jesus name is a big qualifier. Just thought I’d send that to avoid a glut of angry theological email/comments.

Oct
08
2010

Friday Five Intervew: Tony Merida

I’m always excited to meet new authors, especially new authors who are pastors, and especially new authors, who are pastors, who publish with my friends at New Hope, who has published all my books. I was asked a few months ago to consider endorsing a book by Dr. Tony Merida, entitled, Orphanology, to be released in 2011. I read through the draft and came away very impressed and inspired. It is a thorough handbook on the theology and practice of adoption. For anyone needing a comprehensive biblical and practical book on orphan care and adoption, this will be your book.

Dr. Merida is a Teaching Pastor at Temple Baptist Church in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, a dual-campus church of about 3,500 active members. He is also an adjunct professor at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

I liked the book so much, I asked Dr. Merida to stop by and answer a few questions. He graciously agreed and so here is Dr. Merida and The Friday Five:

1) You wrote the book, Faithful Preaching. Why do you think preaching, what some considered an old-fashioned mode of communication, is still relevant today?

My beliefs about preaching are driven more from theological convictions than cultural assessments. If you listen to many today, they will argue that people won’t listen to preaching (especially long preaching) and that we need to move to more dialogue or more video-driven methods. While I believe that there are places for dialogue (small groups) and a place for video-media tools, we shouldn’t throw preaching out because of what we perceive people want or need based upon the winds of ever-changing culture. Instead, I believe we must take our cue from God’s Word. If we believe it to be the inspired Word of God, then why would we want to do anything other than what it says about preaching? I’m not referring to the form of preaching, but the essence of preaching; that is, standing up, opening a Bible, reading it, explaining it and applying it to people’s lives in a way that they can understand it. Why wouldn’t we do this?

I’ve been given a timeless charge to “preach the Word.” The spoken Word and the written Word have been God’s chosen means of revealing Christ to the world. In fact, God was the first preacher. He spoke creation into existence. He could have done it other ways, but he didn’t. He then created mankind in his image, with the ability to (among other things) talk. He then called Abraham to himself. He then used the prophets to speak to people. They were creative, and spoke the timely words necessary.  When Christ came to earth, like the prophet John the Baptist, he came preaching repentance. As Jesus commissioned his disciples, he urged them to teachand proclaim the Gospel. At Pentecost, Peter preached a really good sermon about Jesus and thousands were saved. Later Paul urges Timothy to “preach the Word” and reminds us that “faith comes by hearing and hearing from the word of Christ.” Paul also tells Timothy in corporate worship that someone should read the Scriptures and then exhort the hearers about these things. We could go on. When Christ returns he is called “the Word of God.” Therefore, preaching is built on a biblical-theological framework. If one starts from the Bible, I think they’ll be led to preach God’s Word faithfully. Is preaching old-fashioned? Yes. But not “1960’s old fashioned.” It’s as old as creation. And until Christ returns, preaching will continue to be relevant. We need to improve at it, to be sure, but folks shouldn’t dismiss it because they see poor examples of it.


2) It seems to me that there is a movement back toward substantive, solid preaching and teaching, even expository. Why is that?

This is related to question 1. I think that where you find a group of people affirming the inspiration and truthfulness of Scripture, you will find a group of people doing substantive preaching. You show your beliefs about the Bible, your real beliefs, by what you practice. Guys who are not teaching the Bible must think that there are other better ways to see lives changed. Besides this, I think some of the more popular younger evangelicals are doing Word-driven preaching, thereby setting an example for others. And I think another reason is probably due to the fact that the slick, seeker, market-driven church has left people wanting more.


3) You have a project coming out with New Hope entitled Orphanology. I had the privilege of reviewing the manuscript and was glad to give it an endorsement. How did this project come about?

Basically, I was preaching on the doctrine of adoption everywhere, and New Hope approached me about writing a book on adoption/orphan care. I thought that this would be a good idea in light of the fact that every time I spoke on the subject I received a gazillion questions about things like: ‘How do you pay for it?’  ‘How do you do orphan ministry in the local church?’ ‘How do you do orphan hosting ministry?’ I wanted to write a book that provide both a theological rational for adoption and orphan are as well as some practical answers to these common questions. With the help of Rick Morton, I think we’ve given a good effort and I hope it helps those interested in these things. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed writing it, and trying to live it with my five adopted children.

4) Adoption has always been a sort of personal choice/decision made by individual couples, but you seem to think it should be a church-wide calling. Why is that?

Adoption and orphan care is a biblical issue. If you want to obey the Bible, you better care for orphans –  in some capacity. Not everyone will or should adopt, but some can and should. Others may support in other ways. Caring for orphans was a practice that continued after James wrote verse 1:27, as well. From historical documents, we read how people didn’t value human life (like today), and it was the Christians who cared for unwanted children. They received great attention for such sacrificial care. They believed, as we should, that anyone created in the image of God should be valued. So, I believe it to be a church-wide calling like other callings such as stewardship, evangelism, care for the poor, etc. because it’s a biblical issue.


5) What advice would you give to a couple who is thinking and praying about pursuing adoption?

I would tell them to begin by spending time reading the Scriptures and praying about the matter. I would encourage them to look at God’s concern for the fatherless throughout the Bible in general, and to take detailed look at the doctrine of adoption in particular. During the search phase, they may also begin reading literature on adoption and talking to adoptive parents. Once a decision is made, they would need to select a country in which to adopt. After deciding on this, they can then choose an adoption agency with which to work. From there, it’s a great adventure, one that should be bathed in prayer for God’s strength and wisdom because orphan care is warfare. They should expect opposition and struggle from every side, but God’s grace is sufficient for their weakness.

Oct
01
2010

Undone by Jonah

I just finished my third message in a four-part series on the life of Jonah. I can’t say how much this little book had “undone” me. It began by reading Suprised by Grace by Tullian Tchivigian. I thought that perhaps I’d preach this because it had a powerful message for the Church, which it does. But honestly I was a bit like Jonah, because I thought the bad guys were “out there” in Nineveh, needing to be crushed. How often do we pray, “God do a work in those people.”

But maybe God wants to do a work in . . . I don’t know . . . me, perhaps? So God reveals our stubborness, the areas where we go to Tarsus when HE wants us to go to Nineveh. And what I’m finding is that like Jonah, I think its all about me and my message and my reputation, etc. My ministry, we like to say.

God says, “Nah, not really. Watch this. I’ll take a washed up prophet with a five-word message and I’ll work revival in teh most evil country in the known world.”

What a book Jonah is. If you’re in Chicago area on Sunday. Stop by at 6pm at Gages Lake Bible Church. I will also post the message online here and at the church site soon.

I wanted to include the closing part of my message here:

Every day God asks us to face our Nineveh’s, those missions in life that we just don’t want to do. And I think, like Jonah, we don’t want to go, because of the greatness of the task. Nineveh was a giant task. Too big for us. But God says to go and He’ll do the reviving, we just be faithful.

I think of my Nineveh. Honestly, my Nineveh is fatherhood. IF there is one area of life that intimidates me by its bigness, its to be a good Dad. I feel comfortable leading a church and preaching. But doing the hard work of fathering is intimidating and I often want to shrink back. I’ll, like Jonah, go 1,000 miles the other way—work harder at what I’m comfortable with, then go 500 miles to Nineveh.

Maybe for you its obeying God’s call to purity as a young person. Or to love your wife or respect your husband. Or maybe its talking to that neighbor who seems so alienated from the gospel.

Like Jonah, I lack the faith to see that God can take me, broken and incompetent, and help me lead revival in my family. We don’t see the work God is doing in the Nineveh he is calling us to.

But every day God is ready to start anew with me and start anew with you. “The victorious Christian life,” said George H. Morrison, “is a series of new beginnings.

Maybe you’re marriage is your Nineveh. Maybe you’re parenting is your Nineveh. Maybe you’re relationships are your Nineveh.

Today, tomorrow, God wants you to get up and He’ll give you a second chance to do what you know you were supposed to do at the first: obey God’s Word.

I want to close by reading this out of the old set of commentaries, Handfuls on Purpose:

“It is easier doing great things for God than little things for the Devil. It was easier for Daniel to go to the lions’ den than deny his God. It was easier for our faithful Scottish martyrs to go to the fires than to deny the faith. But where did Jonah learn this obedience? He learned it where most of us have had to learn it—in the depths, when the floods compassed him about, when the waves and billows passed over him, and the weeds were wrapped about his head. We would not always pity the afflicted if we understood the purpose of God. May God plunge many more into the belly of Hell, if so be that it will bring them to repentance.

– Handfuls on Purpose.

Sep
09
2010

Spare Me the Outrage

Of course the whole world was caught up in this goofy flag-burning story. As of Thursday night, 5 pm Central Time, it seems God has allowed this to be redeemed for His purpose. I hear the pastor is flying to NY and there is some sort of agreement that the mosque in NY will be moved if the Koran-burning pastor stops.

All of us know this Koran burning thing was dumb. Most evangelicals condemned it as not only a colossally bad idea, but as bad theology and bad understanding of our role as ambassadors of another Kingdom. I’m guessing this pastor won’t be invited to speak on the evangelical speaker’s circuit anytime soon.

But what strikes me is this idea that this lone guy somehow represents all of Christianity is baffling. It reveals the animosity that the world has toward the church. Animosity that Jesus predicted (see John 15:18-16:4).

What also bothers me is how some Christians are breathing a huge sigh of relief. As if the stopping of this cross-burning somehow rescues our faith. It demonstrates how small our view of God actually is.

Let me get this straight: The Almighty God, the Eternal I Am, Yahweh entered space and time, took on the form of a man, came as a humble baby, lived a sinless life, performed otherworldly miracles, fulfilled centuries-old predictions of a Messiah, died a cruel death, took on our sin, offers us redemption, defeats sin and death at the cross, rises again and lives in us today—and one goofy pastor in FL has the power to destroy our faith?

Give me a break. Yes this story was bad for Christianity. But Jesus doesn’t need our help. Guess what? The story lives on. The gates of Hell won’t prevail against the church.

In other words, yes this a small black eye for Christianity, but God is not in Heaven slapping himself on the forehead saying, “I didn’t account for this nutty pastor. Now what will I do?” His plan of rescuing lost souls is still on track, folks. His mission is still moving forward. The train has not been derailed.

So the next time this story happens, let’s do ourselves a favor. Yes, let’s speak out and condemn it for the sake of the gospel witness to Muslims and others. But let’s not get so sweat up with worry that one goofy guy (who by the way might be us and our bad ideas) can somehow throw a monkey wrench into the plan of God.

Sep
03
2010

Friday Five Interview: Tullian Tchividjian

Its a great privilege to interview Tullian Tchividjian. William Graham Tullian Tchividjian (pronounced cha-vi-jin) is the Senior Pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Tullian comes from a very famous family. He is the grandson of Billy and Ruth Graham.

I first learned about Tullian Tchividjian after reading his terrific book, Unfashionable: Making a Difference in the World by Being Different. Recently, I read his latest book, Surprised by Grace: God’s Relentless Pursuit of Rebels. (Read my review here) This is a terrific book that I highly recommend.

Tullian is also a contributing editor to Leadership Journal. He speaks at conferences throughout the US and his sermons are broadcast daily on the radio program Godward Living.

I’m grateful that Tullian stopped by to answer five questions for Friday Five:

1) I thoroughly enjoyed Unfashionable. I really think it spoke to today’s younger generation of pastors and Christian leaders about the tendency to want to fit in. Do you think this is a struggle for our generation?

Yes! Many well-meaning Christian’s have concluded that the best way to reach the world is to become just like the world. And so we become preoccupied with persuading the world around us that we’re cool, that we can “hang.” But I’m convinced that serious seekers today aren’t looking for something appealing and trendy. They’re looking for something deeper than what’s currently in fashion. New generations are thirsting for truthfulness, not trendiness. They long for someone to speak to them truthfully about a time and a place other than their own, about something and someone other than themselves. They want to know that there are different people out there who are willing to die for what they believe. That’s why, if you stop and listen, you’ll hear that the cry of our times is for something completely otherworldly. People are up to their necks in up-to-date structures and cutting-edge methodologies. They’re beginning to understand that modern capabilities cannot make us better and more satisfied people, nor make this world a better, more satisfying place. They seem desperate to recover a world that once was, a world that allows for mystery, miracle, and wonder—a world with windows to somewhere else. So, the point I make over and over in Unfashionable is that Christians make a difference in this world by being different from this world; they don’t make a difference by being the same. This is critically important, because in our trend-chasing world it’s tempting for Christians to slowly lose their distinctiveness by accommodating to culture. But by trying so hard to fit in, many Christians risk having nothing distinctive to say to those who feel, in Walker Percy’s memorable phrase, “lost in the cosmos.” In contrast, I’m calling this generation to embrace the delicious irony Christ demonstrated in bringing a message of God’s kingdom that subversively transforms both individuals and the world. Only by being properly unfashionable can we engage our broken world with an embodied gospel that witnesses to God’s gracious promise of restoration, significance, and life.

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Sep
02
2010

Resources for Studying John

I’ve been preaching through the gospel of John at Gages Lake Bible Church for two, going on three years. I’m on chapter fifteen at the moment. I’ve been blessed with some incredibly helpful resources for study. I’m a guy who likes to dive in and really soak up what the text is saying.  I like to read a lot. A few people have asked me for some helpful resources on the Gospel of John, so here is my list. I don’t read every single one every single week. Some weeks I have to study more–because the text is more difficult. Other weeks I study less. Even on the so-called “easy texts,” those well-known ones, I really do quite a bit of study, because I believe God wants me and the congregation to learn new and fresh things about the old truths.

So, here is my list. Hope you find it helpful:

Commentaries:

James Mongtomery Boice’s five-volume set The Gospel of John. This is an awesome, thorough commentary. What I love about Boice is that he is a pastor at heart. He brings a depth and clarity and richness and practicality. He’s also very, very thorough, doesn’t skip anything. Some who are not of the Reformed persuasion might be scared off by the former pastor of Tenth Presbyterian in Philadelphia, but you needn’t be. Boice, in his commentary on John, is definitely Reformed, but is balanced. You will get much out of this.

Ray Stedman’s Sermons at raystedman.org. This is a free, treasure-trove of sermons. Not just on the Gospel of John, but on many books of the Bible. Great stuff, from one of the greatest expositors of the Word.

Warren Weirsbe’s Bible Exposition Commentary. One of my favorite pastors, authors, and commentators. I usually read Weirsbe first, just because he gives a really thorough overview of the text, he outlines well, and gives you a snapshot of every chapter, every book. Plus he’s rich with cross-references and language study.

Preaching the Word Commentary with R. Kent Hughes and others. This is a wonderful commentary. Dr. Hughes, now retired, was a fantastic preacher at College Church in Wheaton. I love his background information. He gives such cultural depth.

Bob Deffinbaugh’s That You Might Believe commentary series in John. You can buy the book or you can look them up at the Net Bible (netbible.org). I actually bought Bob’s book, because it was easier than having to search for his John stuff on netbible. Plus I like books. Bob is excellent. Lots of background and language stuff, also is able to see clearly what the purpose of the passage is.

Merril Tenney’s commentary on John. Merril is very succinct, not a lot of extra stuff, but good, original insights on language and culture and structure of the book.

I also regularly listen to these guy’s sermons:
Rich McCarrell, pastor of Byron Center Bible Church
Michael Easley, former President of Moody Bible Institute

I also read these regularly:

Bible Knowledge Commentary
Bible Background Commentary
Harry Ironside Commentary
John Butler’s Commentary
Rod Mattoon’s Commentary
King James Bible Commentary
ESV Study Bible
Ryrie Study Bible
Complete Biblical Library
J. Vernon McGee

Then sometimes I’ll read:

Wilmington’s Guide to the Bible
Archeological Study Bible
Barnhouse – Illustrating the Gospel of John
John Gill’s Commentary
Calvin’s Commentary


Jun
18
2010

Friday Five Interview – Charles Stone


Several years ago, when I was working for a Christian organization and the editor of their monthly devotional magazine, I had the chance to meet Charles Stone, Senior Pastor of Ginger Creek Community Church. Actually I “met” him via email. We had the opportunity to print an excerpt from his then-new book, Daughters Gone Wild, Dad’s Gone Crazy. This was a great book that chronicled the  journey he took with his daughter who rebelled for a time but then came back to the faith.

Since then, we’ve become friends. Charles graciously endorsed Teen People of the Bible. We’ve also ran into each other at writer’s conferences, etc. I highly recommend his blog: charlesstone.net.

Well, now Charles is out with a brand-new book, 5 Ministry Killers and How to Defeat Them. It is a revealing look at pastoral burnout. I’m nearly finished with the book and I can say that it has challenged me and has educated me on the rigors of ministry. I highly recommend it for both pastors, board members, and lay people.

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Jun
01
2010

It is Well With My Soul

After sharing with his disciples the news of his upcoming arrest and death, the betrayal one of the twelve, and the denial of their spokesman, leader, and friend, Peter, Jesus shared these simple words, “Let not your heart be troubled.”

How is that possible when they’re world was turning upside-down? Jesus shared with them a glimpse of what was in store for his disciples in eternity. Sure, this life, this journey would be hard, full of pain, and rife with disappointments and betrayal. But there is a Heaven that awaited them. And not just some glorious banquet hall in the sky, but Jesus said, “I have prepared a place for you.” It was personal. It was uniquely designed for them. And, best of all, Jesus would come back and bring them home.

This is a nugget from my message on Sunday from John 14:1-3. It so happened that this dovetailed with Memorial Day. It was as if God was speaking to our own fears here in America. Unemployment, sickness, many large, national problems, a culture that embraces anything but Biblical Christianity. We have many reasons to fear. And yet, God has given us great hope. We’re not home yet. He has a place for us. And we can still our troubled hearts with the knowledge of God’s sovereignty and of Christ’s defeat of sin and death and evil on the cross.

This rendition of “It is Well” by the Isaacs really says it all: