Sunday Evening Evangelistic Message #119

TEXT: Proverbs 6:6-11 / Hebrews 9:27

This week, those of us here in North Texas experienced a major storm: rain, thunder and golf-ball sized hail. Just a few miles from where I live, a tornado touched down. Six people were killed, over 100 were injured, and hundreds of homes were destroyed. I know that sometimes we seem to think that such tragedies will never happen to us. These kinds of events always seems to happen somewhere else, but God often reminds us that we are not special. It is only by His grace and mercy that we are still alive.

We all know that long before disaster strikes, we ought to be prepared. If you live in an area prone to tornadoes, then you ought to have a tornado shelter, and a plan for getting into it quickly. If you live in an area prone to flooding, then you may want your house to be built on stilts. If you live in an earthquake prone area, then you ought to know what to do when an earthquake strikes.

The Bible uses the example of the ant to show us how we must be prepared for future situations in life. The ant is a tiny but remarkable creature known for its foresight and industriousness. One commentary writes that “The agricultural ant, which resembles the ant of Palestine, not only stores up food, but even prepares the soil, kills the weeds, and finally reaps the harvest.” What is even more remarkable is that thousands of these tiny workers perform together in perfect harmony without a leader. The Bible uses the ant to help us to understand that we, too, need to be prepared for the situations that we will face in life. Proverbs specifically calls the sluggard, or lazy person who likes to sleep late, to get up and get to work or else he won’t have food to eat or a place to stay. The lesson we learn from the ant is that preparation is crucial in life. And there are some very important things that we would be wise to prepare for, and I want to talk about those things very briefly today.

1. We must prepare for death because death is coming. The Bible says in Hebrews 9:27, “It is appointed unto men once to die.” As we here in North Texas were reminded this week, and as people around the world are reminded every day, death is an ever present reality. People drive away from their houses every morning not knowing that that is going to be the last time they ever see that house. Parents drop their children off at school everyday, not knowing that that is going to be the last time they see their child alive. People go to sleep every night not knowing that that is going to be the last time they ever open their eyes on this world. Right now, people are out living their lives and they have no idea that they are going to be surprised by death.

2. We must prepare because judgment is coming. Hebrews 9:27 goes on to say, “It is appointed unto men once to die, and after this the judgment.” Yes, each of us will face judgment from God. The Bible tells us that there will be two judgments — one for belivers in Jesus Christ, and one for those who do not believe in Jesus Christ.

3. We must prepare because eternity is coming. Just as the ant prepares for the long, cold winter by storing up food, we must prepare for eternity. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 25:46, “These [the wicked] shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” Eternity is the everlasting state that our souls enter after death. John Tillotson said, “He who provides for this life, but takes no care for eternity, is wise for a moment, but a fool forever.” We must prepare for eternity.

+ Plus, listen to Paul S. Morton as he sings “Nothing But the Blood” and Shirley Caesar singing “Yes, Lord, Yes”.

M.C. Hammer

He is best known for his hit rap songs “U Can’t Touch This” and “2 Legit 2 Quit”. He is the first artist to gain diamond status for an album and has sold 50 million records throughout his lifetime. He is remembered for a rapid rise to fame, flashy dance moves, choreography, and his trademark parachute pants. His superstar status and entertaining showmanship made him a household name and hip-hop icon in the 1980s and 1990s. He was also a TV producer, television show co-host, and is the head of his own music management firm. A self-described “super-geek”, he is currently either investing in or consulting for eight technology companies. He was one of the first celebrities to embrace social media and spends 10-12 hours daily working on his technology projects.

He grew up in a Pentecostal church, however, he admits that he strayed from the faith during the years of his success. Even during this period of backsliding though, he promised to dedicate one song to God on each of his albums, and one of his most popular singles was the song “Pray.” However, it took a bankruptcy, a fall from favor in the music industry, and what he calls a bout of “official backsliding” to turn him back to the church, Jesus Christ, and a commitment to preach. He has since been ordained in the Church of God in Christ, preferring smaller pulpits “where they don’t expect to see someone famous.”

He says, “I am honored that Jesus has taken a wretch like me and said I got some work for you to do.” Today, he devotes his time to prison and youth ministries. His name is Stanley Kirk Burrell, but he is better known as M.C. Hammer, and he now says that “M.C.” stands for “Man of Christ.”

Harvard professor and historian Jill Lepore says that ‘a whole history of life can be written by studying the games of life.’ Following this idea, she wrote a book titled, “The Mansion of Happiness: A History of Life and Death.” In the book, she tells the story of a man named Milton Bradley who created a game in the 1860s called “The Checkered Game of Life.” The game board had checkered squares on it which named life experiences that people could go through. There were good experiences such as perseverance, wealth, marriage, and happiness. And there were bad experiences such as crime, disgrace, suicide, and prison. The goal of the game was to get to the furthest square marked as “Happy Old Age.”

Even though Milton Bradley said he came up with his game from scratch, there were actually multiple forms of this game which had already been made. The first game of this type was called “The Human Game of Life” which was published in 1790. The goal of this game was to reach death and then immortality. The goal of another game called “the Mansion of Bliss”, which was published in 1800, was to get to salvation in much the same way. “The Mansion of Happiness”, which was published in 1843, used a heavenly mansion as the goal of the game of life.

More modern versions of this game changed the goal of life to be something entirely different. Hasbro’s edition of the game made becoming as rich as possible the goal of the game of life. And in the 2007 version of the game, called “Twists & Turns”, the purpose is to experience as much of life as you possibly can. There really is no end or final destination in this particular version of the game. It is all about seeking thrills.

So, which game is right about the game of life? Are the earliest versions of the game correct, with salvation, immortality, and heavenly mansions as the goal of the game of life? Is Milton Bradley correct, with “happy old age” being the goal of the game of life? Or are the most recent versions of the game correct, with riches and experiencing the thrills that life has to offer being the goal of the game of life?

+ Plus, listen to Casting Crowns singing “Lifesong”

PART 2:

TEXT: Ephesians 6:1-3

Sunday Evening Evangelistic Message #118

The Bible commands us to honor our fathers and our mothers. And, today, on this Mother’s Day, we are going to honor those whom God has placed in our lives as mothers. Some of the greatest leaders this world has ever known attributed their success to the prayers and loving care of their mothers.

Abraham Lincoln said, “I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.”

Charles Spurgeon said, “I cannot tell you how much I owe to the solemn word of my good mother.”

George Washington said, “My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.”

Today, we want to honor and thank God for those good mothers in our lives, but before we get to that, I want to talk briefly about bad mothers. Part of the problem in many churches today is that pastors feel as though it alright for them to rebuke fathers and husbands from the pulpit, and it is okay to get on the children and teenagers from the pulpit, but nobody wants to rebuke the wives and mothers from the pulpit. Everybody is afraid of stepping on the women’s toes. The church has bought in to the world’s lie that, “if momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” But the truth of the matter is that there are some bad wives and mothers in this world and yes even in the church, and it is an issue that needs to be dealt with.

1. We have some bad mothers who simply have not been trained in what it means to be a good mother.

2. We have some bad mothers who are so busy seeking their destiny in life that they ignore their children until it is too late to do anything about it.

3. We have some bad mothers who tear down their family’s no matter what the father does or what the children hope for the family to be.

4. We have some bad mothers who are the controlling type.

5. We have some bad single mothers who will put the interests of their boyfriend over the interests of their children.

God deliver us from bad mothers! God deliver us from mothers who tear down their families! God deliver us from mothers who neglect and ruin their children’s lives!

Let’s turn our attention to the good mothers that we want to celebrate today. Mothers are powerful tools in God’s hands when it comes to the shaping of the lives of children. Billy Sunday said, “There is more power in a mother’s hand than in a king’s scepter.” Now, when we all think of mothers and celebrating Mother’s Day, we often have one image in our minds. However, there are three types of mothers that I want to talk about today, and we will see how God uses each of these “mothers” in a special and unique way for the glory of God and for the benefit of children.

1. First of all, we thank God for naturally loving and affectionate mothers. When we think of this type of mother, we think of the Proverbs 31 woman. A woman who makes sure that the home is a comfortable, loving place — a place where her children and her husband look forward to coming back to after a long day at school or at work.

2. Secondly, we thank God for “mothers” who do not have to be mothers, but choose to be mothers. Oftentimes, there are women in our lives who become a mother figure to us and offer the wisdom and advice that they have gained from years of living even when they do not have to.

3. Thirdly, we thank God for fathers who have had to take on the role of a mother. Now, in the black community, we hear a lot about mothers who have to carry the load of the father and the mother because the husband has died, or he is in jail, or he has left the family, or he was never with the family to begin with. But, we hardly hear of the many fathers who have had to carry the role of both the mother and the father.

For those of you who are about to begin your journey of motherhood, or you are in the early stages of motherhood, allow me to leave you with these words from English minister and professor Charles Kingsley: “Let a woman never be persuaded to forget that her calling is not the lower and more earthly one of self-assertion, but the higher and more divine calling of self-sacrifice.” Yes, there will be sacrifices that you will have to make and difficulties that you will have to overcome, but the Bible promises that you will have your reward as well: “Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. And a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.”

+ Plus, listen to the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir singing “High and Lifted Up” and Nicole C. Mullen singing “My Redeemer Lives”

Michelle Williams

She is a singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. She rose to fame in the early 2000s as a member of the R&B girl group Destiny’s Child with Beyonce and Kelly Rowland. Her work in the music industry has earned her a Grammy Award as well as nominations for a Stellar Award and an NAACP Theatre Award. Along with chart-topping music with Destiny’s Child, she released her debut solo album “Heart to Yours” which topped Gospel charts in 2002. In 2004, she released her second Gospel album “Do You Know”, and in 2008, she released her first solo pop album, “Unexpected.” Along with her music, she has found success as an actress. Her acting roles include: Aida, The Colour Purple, and What My Husband Doesn’t Know, among others.

Raised in a “loving, stable” household in Illinois, she made her musical debut at the age of seven, performing a rendition of the hymn “Blessed Assurance” at the St. Paul Church of God in Christ, of which she is still a member.

In an interview, she said of her faith in Jesus Christ, “[For some people it's easy to get caught up in the fame], but to me, it’s easier not to because of my background and my foundation of where I grew up. I don’t forget the teachings that I’ve had, and I keep my Bible with me. I read my Bible every day, and I’m constantly in prayer. And I listen to gospel music, so that’s what’s keeping me focused and grounded.” She went on to say, “[Despite some criticism that I have received for doing both secular and Gospel music,] I believe that I am doing my part to be a witness for Jesus Christ. Some people will do gospel when their career fails, but I chose to do it at the height of the popularity of Destiny’s Child. And I didn’t want to do it because it was a fad. I wanted to do it because it’s in me. It’s in my heart. God places people in different parts (areas) for different reasons. We know Jesus is coming back soon and I am doing my part to make sure that people know about him as well.” Her name is Michelle Williams.

This past week, America witnessed the wonderful deliverance of three women who had been kidnapped and imprisoned in the home of their captor in Ohio for ten years. These women were re-united with their families and friends who had prayed and hoped — and even some who had given up hope — that they were still alive somewhere and that they would one day return home.

Those families and that entire community are relieved that an evil situation that lurked right underneath their noses for so long is finally gone. And the kidnappers who perpetrated this evil will finally face justice. “Justice” is an act of reparation where someone is fairly punished for what he has done wrong.

Throughout our lives, each of us has faced acts of justice because of our wrongdoings: a parent chastising us for disobedience, a teacher sending us to detention for not being cooperative in the classroom, and as we got older, law enforcement having to give us a ticket for driving faster than what the law says we are supposed to drive on the highway. This administration of justice is what keeps our society running in a harmonious manner.

There is one other very important matter where justice must be administered as well. And that is in the area of our personal relationship with God. The Bible tells us that God is a just God. Deuteronomy 32:4 says, “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” Because of our sins, we each must face justice from God.

From the beginning of the Bible to the end, the penalty (or judgment) for sin is physical death and eternal punishment in a place of fire and torment called Hell. God warned the first man, Adam, of the consequences of breaking his laws. He said, “for in the day that thou eatest [the forbidden fruit] thou shalt surely die.” During the thousands of years that followed, God repeatedly made the consequences of sin and disobedience clear. In Romans 1:32, he said, “they which commit such [sins] are worthy of death.” Death is the judgment for sin. It is the way justice is administered.

Because God is perfect and holy, his justice must be served, and sinners have to pay the consequences for their sins. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God…” And Ezekiel 18:20 says, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.”

However, because God loves us, he did not want to leave us in our sinfulness, waiting our entire lives to be punished by death and then to go to suffer in Hell. So, he decided to do something about it.

+ Plus, listen to Hillsong singing “Mighty to Save”

TEXT: 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

Sunday Evening Evangelistic Message #117

Today, we come to the final message in our series on the paradoxes of the committed Christian life. As you know, I began this series after we all heard the sad news of Rick Warren’s son committing suicide. We are all surprised and saddened by this occurrence, and many of us began to wonder how could such a thing happen in the life of a believer?

Well, as we have learned over these past three weeks, the life of the believer is not a bed of roses. There are difficulties, problems, and even tragedies, that come in the life of those who are the true followers of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul wrote about some of these things which we are calling “paradoxes” in the fourth and sixth chapters of Second Corinthians. By way of remembrance, a paradox is “a statement that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is true.” In this four-week sermon series, we are looking at the following thirteen paradoxes:

1. Second Corinthians 4:8 says, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed”
2. Verse 8 also says, “We are perplexed, but not in despair”
3. Verse 9 says, We are “persecuted, but not forsaken”
4. We are “cast down, but not destroyed”

Chapter 6 gives more of these interesting paradoxes
5. Verse 8 says, “By honour and dishonour”
6. “By evil report and good report”
7. “As deceivers, and yet true”
8. Verse 9 says, “As unknown, and yet well known”
9. “As dying, and, behold, we live”
10. “As chastened, and not killed”
11. Verse 10 says, “As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing”
12. “As poor, yet making many rich”
13. “As having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”

These difficulties sometimes threaten to knock us down and overwhelm us. But we have to remember that through each of these difficulties, God is with us. He never leaves us nor forsakes us. This past week, Rick Warren posted this message on his Twitter page: “Oysters tenaciously attach to a ROCK larger than themselves. Then no punishing wave or violent storm can sweep them away.” During the difficult times that will certainly come during our Christian walk, we must cling tenaciously to the rock of ages, Jesus Christ, never giving up, never despairing, knowing that He will carry us through the seemingly unfair and uncalled for trials of the Christian life.

So far, in this series, we have looked at the following paradoxes of the committed Christian life.

1. There is much trouble in the committed Christian life, but we do not have to be in distress.
2. We are perplexed (we may not understand everything all of the time), but we do not despair
3. We will experience persecution as Christians, but we will not be forsaken.
4. Some people will say bad things about you, and some people will say good things about you.
5. We will often feel downcast as we go through this life, but we will not be destroyed.
6. We may not be well-known, celebrated, or applauded in this world, but we will be well-known by God.
7. Because of our sins and disobedience, God chastens us, but because of His mercy and grace, he doesn’t kill us.
8. We will be honoured by some, and dishonoured by others
9. There will be many who think we are deceivers, but we know we are true
10. In many ways, we are dead, but we are actually alive.

Today, we are going to look at the final three paradoxes of the committed Christian life:

1. We will face many things that cause us sorrow, but we can always rejoice. In verse 10 of chapter 6, Paul uses the phrase, “as sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing.” You might be saying, ‘I thought the Christian life was supposed to be all joyful. What does Paul mean when he says we will face sorrow?’ Well, while we are alive on this earth, we will face situations and circumstances that will cause grief, pain, or sorrow in our hearts. We should not be surprised at this.

2. Many of us will face physical poverty, but we are actually rich in Christ. Paul says that as a believer, he is “as poor, yet making many rich.” Once again, we see a divide between the spiritual and the physical. Now, in God’s eyes, there is nothing wrong with wealth. There is nothing wrong with having a lot of money and material possessions. Especially if you are going to be using it for God’s glory. The Bible tells us in Luke 8 that there were women who supported the ministry of Jesus Christ financially. So, there is nothing wrong with being wealthy. But, often, God will call us to live a life that is lacking in material possessions and financial wealth.

3. We must realize that we do not really own anything in this world, yet, through Christ, we possess all things. Paul writes that he serves Christ “as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” We may have to serve God without the benefit of some of the material possessions that we desire. We may have to do without. We may have to go through this life unable to claim much as our own. But, in a sense, this verse reminds us that everything in this world — all material things — will eventually fade away. Nothing here lasts forever anyway.

+ Plus, listen to Andrae Crouch singing “Through It All” and Shirley Caesar singing “Good God”

Lecrae: “Confessions” of a Millionaire

This past week Christian hip-hop artist Lecrae released the new music video for his song “Confessions of a Millionaire.” The powerful and insightful song talks about the tragedy of people who spend their time and money going after houses, riches, yachts, private jets, prestige, and power — all the things that money can buy.

Sadly, today, many people — not just millionaires — focus on going after things that money can buy, And what is even more sad is that people actually look for fulfillment and meaning in these things. The truth, though, is that life is about far more than success and gaining material things. And people who focus on these things their whole lives are often sorely disappointed. They were actually searching for happiness, joy, love, internal peace and assurance for the future — all things that money can’t buy.

These things last forever and keep our hearts at rest during times of turmoil and conflict. Money cannnot buy such things. Only a person can give them to us. And that person is Jesus Christ.

+ Plus, listen to Lecrae singing “Confessions”

Carlos Baerga

He is a former Major League Baseball player who played from 1990 to 2005. He spent most of his career as a second baseman, before moving to various positions later in his life. He has played for the New York Mets, the Cleveland Indians, the Boston Red Sox, and Washington Nationals among others. He was selected to the All-Stars three times in 1992, 1993, and 1995 and won the Silver Slugger Award two times in 1993 and 1994.

From the time he started playing, he had rapid success in baseball. He said in a CBN interview, “My career was going way up, and that was the moment that I really forgot about God — the God who gave me the opportunity to play in the big leagues. I used to be a super star. Everything was so good for me that I wanted to keep living that life.” All of his wanting for more got him just that – more drinking, more partying, more women. Little did he know, however that getting more also would cost him his family. He said, “I almost lost my family. I didn’t know the damage I was doing to myself. When you walk without God, you can be hurt at anytime.”

After several heart-to-heart conversations with a close friend, he finally understood that there was no place else to turn and rededicated his life to Jesus Christ. He said, “We’re human. We go through those moments in life that we forget about God. We think that we are Superman, that we can do things without Him. We have to realize that we cannot do anything without Him. He’s the best feeling that you can have in life. When you put everything in God’s hands, there is nothing that you can not do. He gives you the life, He gives you everything. Thank God I still have my family with me.”

Now that he is retired, he seeks to help other baseball players get on the right path with God. He said, “[The guys playing now] are the ones that need to know the words of God. Right now what I’m trying to do is to talk to the guys more about God. You know, that’s the second chance God gave me. We are here for a reason: to spread the words of God.” His name is Carlos Baerga.

TEXT: 2 Corinthians 4:1-11 / 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

Sunday Evening Evangelistic Message #116

As I shared with you in my last message, I am not a follower nor am I a fan of Rick Warren. To this point, I have not been inclined to be a part of his fellowship or vast network. But I believe that’s what makes this sermon series so much more effective. I am not a friend of Rick Warren trying to defend him and his tragic family situation. I am an outsider looking in. I do know, however, that when you set out to do anything for God, you put a big X mark on your back for the devil to attack you. Being in the position I am in, I am aware of some of the negative things that have been said about Rick Warren. (1) Yes, I have heard that he has become arrogant because of the popularity of his book and has acted like he is the Baptist Pope by rebuking brethren from afar and acting as though what he says is ex cathedra. (2) Yes, I have heard that he is trying to bring Christianity and Islam together. (3) Yes, I have heard from others that his presentation of salvation is not complete. I have chosen not to believe these three negative things about this brother, and I would encourage others not to believe it as well.

But here are some positive things I have observed about Rick Warren’s life. I do know that you cannot accomplish what he has accomplished without God working through you. I do know that God has used him to see thousands, maybe even millions saved. I do know that he is extremely gifted in the area of administration, envisioning things, setting plans, and getting them done. What I also know is that he is gifted at starting and building churches for the glory of ed God. What I do know is that he has taught many how to pray to God and study God’s Word. What I do know is he is still concerned about lost souls being saved. When you do stuff like that, you are asking for trouble from the devil.

I have noticed that whenever I have started a prayer campaign, a soulwinning campaign, or a fasting campaign, I’ve seen serious spiritual warfare in my own family. The devil will try to distract me from doing what God has called me to do. On several occasions throughout my 25 years of being married and having a family of nine, I’ve had to tell my typical teenager or two to ‘get thee behind me Satan’. I’ve even had to tell my wife to get thee behind me Satan; and like Job told his wife, “thou speakest as one of the foolish women.” I know it is not popular among my polite brothers and sisters to say anything negative especially about your spouse in public. But the truth is the truth. And negative things happen in your family as well.

Last week, we continued our discussion of this important part of the Christian life. We have looked at six paradoxes that are given in the fourth and sixth chapters of Second Corinthians. By way of remembrance, a paradox is “a statement that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is true.” I hope that our studies in the word of God have helped you to gain a better understanding of what the committed Christian life is really like.

As I prepared for this sermon, I wondered why Paul felt the need to write this epistle and list these paradoxes in this way. I discovered that part of the reason why Paul wrote this second letter to the Corinthians is because, in his absence, a controversial teacher had risen up who was attacking Paul’s character as a minister of the Gospel. The King James Study Bible notes that this person accused Paul of “fickleness, authoritarianism, ministering without proper credentials, cowardice, not maintaining clerical dignity, presumption, and fleshliness.” Paul did not write this letter necessarily to defend himself, but to rebuke the divisive spirit that was going around in the Corinthian church. In so doing, in chapter six, he listed out the attributes of a true minister of God. He states in verses three and four that a true minister will do nothing that will hinder the ministry, and then he goes on to show those things that will “approve” or “prove” that one who calls himself a minister is indeed a true minister of God. These things are the paradoxes that a true minister — and a true follower of Christ — will endure for the sake of the Gospel.

These are the paradoxes that we must grapple with in the Christian life. The Christian life is indeed the best life, the fulfilled life, the life of joy, peace, and true happiness, but the committed Christian life is also a life of hardship, temptation, persecution, and even suffering. We can embrace the paradoxes of the Christian life, knowing that we will not just survive these difficulties, but we will overcome them through the power of Jesus Christ. In light of that, lets look at three more paradoxes of the committed Christian life:

1. As Christians, we will be honoured by some, and dishonoured by others. Paul writes that he is ‘approved as a minister of God’ “by honour and dishonour.”

2. The second paradox that we will discuss to day is that there are many who will think that we are deceivers, but we know we are true. Paul says that he and his fellow apostles endeavour to live as true ministers of God “as deceivers, and yet true.”

3. The third paradox that we will consider today is the fact in many ways, we are dead, but we are actually alive. Paul says that we serve Christ “as dying, and, behold, we live.”

+ Plus, listen to Fred Hammond and the United Tenors singing “My God is Real” and Amy Grant singing “Rock of Ages”