The Slave Sermon Series Begins Tomorrow

In January 2001, the Lord did a significant work in my life during a personal, in-depth study of the Servant passages in the book of Isaiah. 

I seldom have ever shared that publically in the United States but on rare occasions, the Holy Spirit would urge me while I have been speaking to pastors overseas that I needed to share the essence of the teaching and I would. 

As we have been in the Gospel of Luke for these weeks, last week I pointed out to you that the word "servant" used in Luke 12: 35-48 was the word "slave."  In the 8:30 service, I wondered aloud if the Holy Spirit was giving me permission to share this teaching. As the week has progressed through study and prayer, I sense the GO from the Holy Spirit.  I believe I know why...one of the reasons is that it is not planned in my preaching, thus it is not me "wanting" to do it; instead it is the prompting of the Holy Spirit in His time.  The other reason is I know my days of getting to preach to a congregation for a long period of time are limited (5-7-10 years) and these are my "last days" of pastoral preaching so it weighs heavy on my heart - what will I leave behind.  I feel that same way about teaching through the book of Job and dealing with the Biblical issues of healing and prosperity on Wednesday night.

So, tomorrow morning, I bring what I think will be a short four-part series "The Slave."  Tomorrow coming out of Luke 12 it will be "The Blessed Slave."  Other messages will be "The Listening Slave," "The Obedient Slave," "The Freed Slave."

I can't wait....

Seven Signs of Spiritual Hunger by Helen Calder

My friend, Bobby Atkins, recently posted this "Seven Signs of Spiritual Hunger" by Helen Calder.  This was too good not to pass to you.  This is an excellent tool to examine one's level of spiritual hunger. 

1. You are Dissatisfied with the Status Quo: Hunger for God is often characterized by a feeling of discontent, you sense you are missing something in your relationship with Him
2. A Past Encounter with God Stirs Longing in You: Memory of a past encounter with God stirs hunger in you! You may find yourself longing for what is behind—what you have tasted before, can be yours again—and more!
3. You are Feeling Weak or Depleted Spiritually; Awareness of your spiritual weakness can be painful, but within that trial, is an invitation from the Father!
4. You Realize You Have Lost Your Passion; You may be able to look back and remember a time in the past when you were more passionately in love with God than you are right now (Rev 3:14-22)! Jesus is knocking on your door, will you open the door and experience a fresh, new encounter with Him through the Holy Spirit?
5. You are Losing Your Appetite for Other “Comforts”; Unhealthy substitutes no longer satisfy you, as they once did. You are being drawn by the Holy Spirit to discover that God is your source, your food, your delight! Answering Jesus’ knock requires us to move towards the Sound of His Invitation—and Receive Him In! There comes a moment when your hunger exceeds your Hesitations—you move toward the door!
6. You are Being Stirred out of Your Comfort Zone; “And you will seek Me and Find Me, when you Search for Me with all your Heart (Jer 29:13)! Hunger is an active state, for it results in you seeking out the object of desire that will satisfy your need. Hunger results in motion! But Jesus’ call to intimacy challenges us. To answer His knock, like Solomon’s maiden, we must stir ourselves from our place of spiritual rest (SOS 5:3)! Encountering Him becomes more important than our own comfort for our longing for Him has been awakened!
7. You are Turning to the Bible to Encounter God; How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth (Psalm 119:103)! God reveals Himself through the Scripture—and your hunger for Him will inevitably lead you back to His Word! In the Bible, we discover fresh revelation about who God is to you, Right Now! As you begin to wonder that you have not seen these truths before—you are Partaking of Fresh Food! Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled (Mt 5:6)!

Where Modern Science Fails Us Every Single Time by Wade Burleson

A new religion in America

We live in a scientific age. That's obvious to anyone with a modicum of formal education.

However, it's important to know where science will fail you if you let it. Science cannot speak declaratively on the origin or ultimate end of human life, this world, the universe, or even disease.

God alone governs. Science observes.

The best scientists who have ever lived agree that God alone governs us well. They taught that people should rely on God because He's the transcendent Creator, outside of time, and trust that He's bringing all things in time to His ultimate grand and good purpose.

Beginning in the late 1600s, mankind's knowledge began increasing through scientific experimentation, observation, verification, and documentation. Scientists began observing natural processes and drew some conclusions from their research. Historians call this time of our vast increase in scientific knowledge the Age of Enlightenment.

My foremost intellectual heroes come from the dawn of the Enlightenment, men like Isaac Newton (1642 -1726) in physics, John Locke (1632 -1704) in philosophy,  Robert Boyle (1627 -1691) in chemistry, and Christopher Wren (1632 -1723) in architecture and astronomy.

All four men co-founded the Royal Society (established Nov. 28, 1660), the world's oldest scientific institution.

But few people realize that each of these men also loved and appreciated the Word of God/ They each had a deep and abiding faith in God as Creator and Governor of all things. All four are famous for their scientific achievements, but their teachings, expositions, and commentaries on the Bible are also superb and available to everyone online for free.

Christopher Wren's iconic St. Paul's Cathedral in London

Isaac Newton taught about the chronology of ancient nations from his study of the Scriptures. John Locke taught the natural mortality of every man, God's gift of immortality, and the importance of faith in God for meaningful human existence. Robert Boyle, the epitome of a man of science and a man of God, taught the nature of humility within scientific reasoning and to never lose sight that there are some things that transcend human reason. Christopher Wren, the architect of St. Paul's in London, Sainte-Genvieve (now the Pantheon) in Paris, and the major influencer for the later design of the U.S. Capitol, taught that the proclamation (teaching) of God's Word should be the centerpiece of human existence.

Christopher Wren (1672 -1723) also served as the first President of the Royal Society.

He believed that the advancement of knowledge is warranted because the universe is God's footstool, with our transcendent Creator seated above it. When we learn more about our universe, Wren said, we come closer to God.

To these scientists of the Englightenment, nothing happens in our world without either God's permission, or His promotion, or HIs prohibition. God is bringing about a good and eternal purpose for His Creation.

The most thoughtful scientists are always the most delightful theists. A belief in a transcendent God in charge of the world keeps mankind humble. Listen to these four scientists speak.

Isaac Newton -

"God made and governs the world invisibly...and the opposite of godliness is atheism in profession, and idolatry in practice. Atheism is so senseless and odious to mankind, that it never has had many professors."

John Locke -

"We have reason and Scripture; unerring rules to know whether something is true. The bent of our own minds may favor something as much as we please but this favoring will be no means prove it what we think to be an offspring of heaven."

Robert Boyle -

"A blind man will suffer himself to be led, though by a dog, or a child. In the Bible, the blind man may learn all requisite knowledge, and the most knowing may learn to discern blind ignorance."

Christopher Wren's Tomb

  Christopher Wren -

LECTOR, SI MONUMENTUM REQUIRIS, CICUMSPICE
"If you seek His monument, look around you."
Translated from the Latin on Wren's Tombstone 

The universe is God's, and He's governing all things from an intentional beginning to a purposeful end.

Compare the intellectual faith of these four great Enlightenment scientists to what New York City's mayor Andrew Cuomo recently said of his city's success in "flattening the curve" of Covid-19 and bringing the number of deaths and cases down. Governor Cuomo minced no words at his press conference.  "The number is down because we brought the number down. God did not do that. Faith did not do that. Destiny did not do that. A lot of pain and suffering did that . . . That’s how it works."

At some point, you are going to have to decide whether want God to govern your life or science. Science will always fail you in its portrayal of the origin and end of all things, including Covid-19.

Nobody's in control but God.

Coronaviruses and God's Plan

When SARS first appeared in  China in November 2002, it rapidly spread throughout Asia. SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) was far more deadly than it's close-cousin COVID-19. People got sick and died within two to three days. The mortality rate of SARS was significantly higher than that of COVID-19. Yet, back in 2002/2003, we didn't lock down the world.

Scientists in 2002 and 2003 feverishly worked on a vaccine for SARS. They eventually thought they had one, but later discovered through scientific testing that if that vaccine had been injected into humans, it would have created a new immune pathological disease in those vaccinated.

I'm not against vaccinations. I am, as were all my intellectual heroes of the Enlightenment, against scientists that pretend to be in control of the world.

SARS mysteriously disappeared in the summer of 2003.

Why did SARS disappear? Science cannot tell us, because modern science will fail you and me every single time when it comes to the answers of origin or end. Science can only observe processes and suggest actions.

Science isn't in control of anything.  President Larry P. Arnn of Hillsdale College says it succinctly:

"We must of course listen to experts, but expertise cannot as a simple fact of principle tell us finally what is right to do."

Emmanuel Enid

This Sunday, we are opening our three corporate worship services to the public. We are encouraging everyone to practice personal liberty and either stay home (watching it online) or if you desire, to come to one of the services.

At the entrance to all the buildings, there will be hand sanitizers and masks available. You, of course, may bring your own mask if you desire. The choice of wearing a mask or not is yours alone. Nobody will be judged for wearing a mask, and nobody will be judged for not wearing a mask. I will not be wearing a mask, but I will respect the distance between me and you, though I will not be offended if you come close to me.

We shut down our services 8 weeks ago to be a good neighbor. We were told that our "hospitals will be overrun with the sick and dying, with no capacity to care for the anticipated surge." If you've been living in or around Enid, Oklahoma these last few weeks, you've seen thousands of people out and about at large (essential) box stores, and not only have our cases not gone up, our hospitals are losing money like a sieve and laying off people due to low census. We've had one death attributed to Covid-19, an 86-year-old woman.

Covid-19 is a serious respiratory illness. So was SARS. So will be the next coronavirus that comes our way. Let's learn our lessons now. Let's get prepared as a country with PPE, with new medical equipment, and let's now stock up on other needed hospital supplies. But let's never again shut down the world for lack of medical supplies. Let's be prepared. Shutting down will wind up killing more people than the disease.

Our hearts go out to people affected by Covid-19, just like they go out to families affected by influenza, cancer, strokes, heart attacks, suicide, loss of career, etc.. Our God, who knows the end from the beginning, and He works all things according to His purpose. Take the advice of the Scriptures, and learn from the wisdom of men like Newton, Boyle, Wren, and Locke.

Let God govern you. Not science.

Could I die from COVID-19? Of course. So could you. Could people die from COVID-19 who come to worship services at Emmanuel this Sunday? Maybe. I don't think so, but I'm humble enough to admit I don't know. Unlike modern science, we believe God is the Author of all that begins and ends, not science. The weakness of science is anticipation; the strength of science is observation.

I've observed enough to know its time for us to open, and respect other pastors and churches that don't. I would ask the same courtesy of respect for the choice we've made. You and I could die of influenza next winter. We could die in a violent terrorist attack. We all could die of a new coronavirus that nobody yet knows about, including science, in the year 2022. Science never governs anyone's life very well. God never fails in His purpose.

I learned that from some Enlightened men who lived a long time ago. They taught me to live by this principle:

There are many things worse than dying and at the top of the list is the fear of living. 

When it comes time for us to die, and each of us will die,  our faith in a good God who governs the world will bring us to a home where He will reveal to us "the riches of His grace for eons to come in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:7).

If you think this blog is too heavy, I leave you with a video inviting people to attend our services this Sunday, and with the Scripture:

"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones" (Proverbs 17:22). 

The Ultimate Question of Worship

There are some things that I question more the older I get; then there are some things I have more confidence in the older I get.  One of the things I have more confidence about....the primary purpose of man is to worship God.

It's all about worship.  The ultimate question is "Who do you worship."  But closely connected is "Why do you worship?"

As churches reopen this weekend across Alabama, maybe some are asking, "What do we begin first?"  Now for some, that answer may be driven by the size of their building or the size of their congregation.  Others may answer relying on providing safety first for their congregation.  I get all of that.

But as I answer that question, let me admit...there was really never a question in my mind.  Gathered worship would be the first thing we would do for I see gathered worship is the most important calling of the local church.

The most important calling of an individual Christian is "to be with Christ." (Matthew 11:1).  Our personal walk with God is paramount.  But as a local church, our highest calling is to worship.  That just makes sense...our highest calling individually is the same as when we gather as one.

If you would like more on the subject of worship, I preached a series here at Rainsville First Baptist Church beginning March 6, 2016 continuing through August 28, 2016 on Sunday nights.  You can see the PDF of the notes and hear the audio here. 

I call what is happening this weekend as "re-gathering for worship."  For nine weeks we have been scattered in our worship experiences, but now it is time to regather.  I remember years ago hearing a black preacher (I which I could remember who it was) saying that every Sunday as the people of God gather, it is like a reenactment of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  The body of Christ comes from wherever they have been that week ...scattered to the four winds of the earth...to one place to give "body" to the fact of the risen Lord Jesus in our community and world.

This is a dress rehearsal for Heaven.  Every Sunday when we gather, it is like a practice session for Heaven.  One day God will gather the bride of Christ from the four corners of the earth into their eternal home.  Persons who do not habitually practice in the dress rehearsal should, at least, pause to ask themselves, "Will I be in the real, permanent gathering of the body of Christ if I never participate or even have a desire to be in the dress rehearsals?"

But tonight is our last night to be scattered in worship.  As we watch online as a scattered church, I will be dealing with this question of worship.  No, not "Who do I worship?"  But, "Why do I worship."

In Job 1:9, Satan asked God a very important question, "Does Job fear God for nothing?"  The thought here is why does Job worship God?  Satan's proposal was to remove all the material blessings God had given Job and "he will surely curse you to your face." (verse 11).  So, God permits Satan to remove all of Job's material and family blessings to test Job on "Why do you worship Me?"

A faith that can't pass a test is not worth much in the fire.

Join us tonight at 6:10 as I share this message "The Ultimate Question of Worship."

Reflections from the Quarantine - Stay-At-Home Phrase

Tomorrow our state of Alabama opens back up to where it really counts...restaurants, barbershops, and CHURCH!!!  So, I feel like this is the end of the quarantine, stay-at-home phrase of this pandemic for me.

But I admit that I've not really "stayed-at-home" much.  I have gone to the office almost every day and for most of those days, they were close to full days of work.  I have gone for take-out often.  But my interaction with others has been very limited.

But here are some thoughts about this nine-week period of my life.

1.  Anointed Preaching

I do not wish to sound "prideful" here, but I have to admit the period of camera preaching has resulted in some times of sensing the presence and movement of the Holy Spirit very strongly.  I'm not asking for others to agree, but I sense this period of preaching has resulted in God speaking through me in very practical and profound ways and I would say, it has been a very easy season of preaching for me.

I do question, "Why?"  I have read a few articles by pastors who have suggested more focus by the preacher, fewer distractions caused by a "live" congregation, and more "alone" time with God as contributed to make preaching better.  All of those things I agree with could be the reason.  All I know is I have enjoyed this season of preaching.

2.  Loneliness in Leadership

One of the aspects of leadership is a sense of loneliness "at the top."  While this is debated as to whether it should happen, all I can say is this has been a very lonely time of leading.  Again, "Why?"  One of the main reasons is the unprecedented (don't you hate that word by now) nature of this season, especially for churches.  Nine weeks of no gathered worship.  Wait - NINE WEEKS?  Are you kidding?  While I have had a couple staff meetings, personal meetings with leadership, and Deacons' meetings during this time, the day-to-day leadership has been very lonely.

Then the very nature of what has been on my plate. I have learned about the CDC, Alabama Department of Health, and got briefings from our EMA on a virus storm, not a tornado.  Then I spent the better part of four weeks learning about the CARES act and how churches were included in it.  WHAT?  Churches receiving government funds?  This has never even been a topic of discussion in 42 years of being a senior pastor, but it suddenly became a HUGE topic.  While I did reach out to a few pastors over the phone, I had no one to sit down with person-to-person to talk through my ever-changing mind filled with questions and anxiety.  Do I dare lead a church to receive government funds?  How can I face the church if I don't?

The constant decision to "cancel, postpone." Then the second half of this season shifted to listening and reading everything I could about how to re-open the church when that time came.  Issues a pastor should never have to consider.

3.  Puzzlement about my Spiritual Walk

This is the only way I know to describe this...puzzling.  As those who know me, I often spend time away in study and prayer.  These times are some of the greatest times of my life reading, studying, praying, seeking the Lord, and getting direction for the church and my own life.  Even my vacation times are spent reading great gospel books.

So, I was thinking this extra time alone would produce even more of these great times, right? It didn't happen.  All the conferences went online and most of them, free.  WOW - a smorgasbord of learning and encouragement coming my way from my computer screen.  While I did read several books and had some quality time with the Lord, I will not look back on this time as one of the greatest spiritual seasons of my life.

I will address this in a special message this Sunday (5-17-20), but I believe one of the reasons contributing is the lack of gathered worship.  God NEVER intended for His people to miss seasons of gathered worship and when they do, the spiritual hedge around them comes down.  As I said to one of our Deacons, the gate to the flock has been left open and the enemy has had full and easy access to the flock.  (Which should make any true Shepherd angry.) Gathered worship makes a difference.

4.  Blessed beyond measure

Final comment.  Roxanne and I are blessed beyond measure.  We are so humbled for the provision and protection of our Lord to us.  We don't deserve it, but His grace has been extremely abundant.

Early in the process, I was speaking to a dear brother.  As we talked, the Lord showed me (a way God often speaks to me through pictures...learned that from Peter Lord) a wide gulf of His grace.  I just heard Him say, "In this season, the gulf of grace is wider and deeper than you can imagine."  It always is, but when you go through the storm, the valley, or tough times...His grace is equal to the season.

I'm not a prophet, but I doubt we will ever experience anything like this again.  Even if we have a "second-wave," there will never be another first-time and I doubt we will ever again go through nine-weeks of shutting down the church. But at the end of the day, I am blessed beyond measure to called by God to be a shepherd, pastor, preacher of His body, the church.

Reflections after Turning 60 Yesterday

Well, turning 60 was made special by so many, but especially my sweet wife, Roxanne Cofield. She knows how much I love more "formal" dining and she went out of her way last night to make that happen with Keith, Madison, Kevin, Brooke and two granddaughters there (Brooklyn and Abby) plus Lyveral. Got to facetime with the other grandchildren. It was a special evening - most likely one of the best we have had as a family in years. Then Tim Lett dedicated his music time last night to me letting me pick out all the songs (which was a rehearsal for my funeral - haha). I know you are not supposed to count, and I normally never look at the "likes" on pages...but yesterday between my nephew (Chad Cofield) posting, Keith Cofield and Roxanne, I had 416 likes to their posts, 697 comments and 327 posted directly to my wall. Plus texts and calls. I tried to respond to each one and I hope I didn't miss anyone. But from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Yesterday was also my niece's birthday (Rissa Cofield Parrish). I'm glad they are still making them like Rissa. Love her so much.

One last word..our Dad died on May 4...45 years ago yesterday. Oh how I would love for him to have known Roxanne, my boys and grandchildren. I can't help but believe our lives would have been better. My nephew (Chad Cofield) wrote a Facebook post about him and several commented. After 45 years, still being remembered says a lot. Grateful to God for a strong Christan dad and mother and growing up in Boaz, Second Baptist Church, with pastors like Bro. Clinton Garmon (my father in the ministry) (Joan Garmon Dewberry), men like W.H. Hayes, Dwight Teal, and so many others. Blessed all the days of my life...and the best is yet to come!!!!