(This message was originally published on December 15, 2012)

My fellow ministers of the Gospel,

As many of you who receive this email have the calling and bear the responsibility to preach and teach the Word of God, minister to the flock, and serve as ambassadors for Christ to your community, I wanted to pass along my prayers for you and a brief response.

Personally, my wife is an elementary school teacher and two of my three children are in elementary school – my youngest is in kindergarten. The news of this crime moved all of us to tears and the need to drive us to our knees. May the Lord give you the strength and the wisdom to lead and speak to His church in these days. Many will look to ministers of the Gospel for a sure word in an unsettling world.

Dr. Mohler wrote a response last night, here are several highlights that you may find useful as you serve. The link to the entire article is below.

How should Christians think and pray in the aftermath of such a colossal crime?
We Affirm the Sinfulness of Sin, and the Full Reality of Human Evil.
We Affirm the Cross of Christ as the Only Adequate Remedy for Evil.
We Acknowledge the Necessity of Justice, Knowing that Perfect Justice Awaits the Day of the Lord.
We Grieve with Those Who Grieve.

He closed his article with the following:
Thus says the LORD: “Keep your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears, for there is a reward for your work, declares the LORD, and they shall come back from the land of the enemy. There is hope for your future, declares the LORD, and your children shall come back to their own country.” [Jeremiah 31:16-17]

God, not the murderer, has the last word. For those in Christ, there is the promise of full restoration. Even in the face of such unmitigated horror, there is hope. “There is hope for your future, declares the Lord, and your children shall come back to your own country.”

I received word that we have a Southern Baptist seminary alum who pastors in Newtown, CT. He was at the scene Friday ministering to families. Other pastors in the area that are part of our convention of churches are nearby as well. Please continue to pray for these brothers as they minister in the area personally grieving and coping with this senseless act.

Below is a web link to an article written by Dr. Mohler, one of our Southern Baptist seminary presidents. I wanted to pass it along to you as an additional resource as you preach the Word and minister to the church and community.

http://www.albertmohler.com/2012/12/14/rachel-weeping-for-her-children-the-massacre-in-connecticut/

The Lord is Your Rock and Your Redeemer, may He use you in the days ahead. May we encourage one another in these days…

(This message was originally published on September 27, 2012)

We can all think of examples of powerful partnerships.

Pop culture gave us:
Bert and Ernie
Batman and Robin
Beauty and the Beast
Bob Hope and Bing Crosby
Andy Taylor and Barney Fife
Famous business partners included:
Rolls and Royce
Sears and Roebuck
Black and Decker
History notes partnerships like:
Lewis and Clark
Orville and Wilbur Wright
Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill
Here is another example of the power of partnership that you may not have considered: Southern Baptist churches.

By joining forces, as allies in the Great Commission, as a coalition of churches, Southern Baptists do the following together: support approximately 5,000 international missionaries; plant churches all across America and the world; coordinate one of the top Disaster Relief Ministries in America; have six seminaries that provide education to ministers (Cooperative Program giving allows Southern Baptist students to attend for about half the cost); provide resources to over 40,000 churches; and more.

Indeed, the sun never sets on the missionary efforts of Southern Baptist churches.

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him-a threefold cord is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, ESV).

Because of the faithfulness of Southern Baptist churches across the SBC of Virginia, this month we were able to provide equipping conferences for church leaders across the state in five venues, with over 700 equipped. This weekend, over 120 pastors, staff, and wives will participate in a retreat that is made possible because of the Southern Baptist Cooperative Program and the Vision Virginia State Missions Offering. Thank you. Finally, I hope to see you at our Annual Homecoming (fall convention meeting) at Liberty Baptist Church in Hampton, November 11-13. Please go to http://www.sbcv.org for more detailed information.

(This message was originally published August 21, 2012)

My family watched a portion of the recent London Olympics on television. All three of my children swim on teams, so the swimming was of major interest in our home. Also, we watched a good bit of the gymnastics competitions. In week two of the Olympics, we watched mostly track and field. One thing is for sure-Olympic athletes are STRONG! The muscles and strength of the swimmers amazed us. And to be honest with you, I’m not sure I would ever want to have to arm-wrestle a female gymnast! Those girls are STRONG!

The Lord’s desire is for His Church to be STRONG! Strengthening churches and leaders is also at the heart of what we do as a coalition of churches known as the SBC of Virginia. Hebrews 13 gives us some signs that a church is strong.

Sign #1 – Strong churches care about people. (13:1-3) Hebrews 13 starts off saying, “Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality.” The word “continue” teaches us that this is to be an ongoing action-not just something we do for a few minutes. We must keep it up. The Lord Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” In John 13:35, Jesus goes on to say that this how people will know we are His disciples. You see, the world, our neighbors, and the nations still take notice when we show real and genuine care for people. Jonathan Edwards wrote in Charity and Its Fruits, “What is it that makes the Church like heaven?” He answered with one word: “LOVE.”

Sign #2 – Strong churches honor and defend marriage. (13:4) In Hebrews 13:4, marriage is specifically mentioned. The definition of marriage is debated in culture. Marriages must be strengthened by the church. Consider how your church can become pro-family and pro-marriage.

Sign #3 – Strong churches trust in God’s providence. (13:5-6) Here is a reference to the 7th and 8th of the Ten Commandments. Do not commit adultery and do not covet. These are two areas where people get in the flesh. The point here is for us to abstain from anything that harms our faith in the Lord. Dr. Danny Akin says, “both are rooted in unbelief in God’s providence and give way to idolatry and worship of a false god.” We get stronger when we remember two promises the writer of Hebrews brings from the Old Testament into these verses: 1) The Lord will never leave us or forsake us; 2) The Lord is my helper, I will not fear.

Sign #4 – Strong churches remember those who lead. (13:7-9, 17, 24) Just recently, I was visiting with pastors and church planters in Northern Virginia. That evening, we were hosted for dinner by a hospitable couple from within the church. It was as if I were living in the pages of the New Testament! I was struck by the love of these folks for their church leaders. I was also struck by the testimony they gave regarding the faithfulness of the church leaders in preaching the Word, leading the church, seeking the lost, and loving the flock.

Sign #5 – Strong churches praise and serve the Lord. (13:10-16) The writer saw SIN as the great barrier-but it is now overcome! Verses 10-13 highlight the sacrifice of Christ. Verses 13-16 highlight our response to Christ.

Sign #6 – Strong churches are people of prayer. (13:18-19) The writer asks for prayer. Kent Hughes said, “If we desire power in our lives and in our churches, we must pray.”

Sign #7 – Strong churches look to Jesus as Lord. (13:20-25) John’s Gospel calls Jesus the Good Shepherd. Peter calls Him the Chief Shepherd. Here we have the Great Shepherd. Strong churches remember that the Lord Jesus said He will build His Church! SBC of Virginia churches, I pray we will grow stronger and stronger in the days ahead!

(This message was originally published on August 1, 2012)

An article in today’s LA Times states, “Just two weeks ago, Chick-fil-A was a fast-food restaurant best known for chicken sandwiches and cross-cut fries. Now the chain is known for much more; chiefly its opposition to gay marriage. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee has declared Aug. 1–today–Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day, encouraging residents nationwide who support traditional values to plunk down some money and let the Christian-run company know it’s not alone.”

I have a couple of friends who are owner-operators of a Chick-fil-A. From a customer service and quality aspect, I have been impressed for years.

In fact, I can remember eating when I was a kid at a Chick-fil-A that was in the mall in Newport News. Now my children enjoy the food.

But as the LA Times article highlights, my attention has been drawn to Chick-fil-A and the Cathy family (which owns and oversees the operation) for a reason other than good food and quality service.

The Bible teaches that marriage is between a man and a woman. The Bible teaches us that homosexual behavior is a sin, and like all sin, it is to be repented of before Holy God. Also, as with all sin, the Lord Jesus offers forgiveness, freedom, and power over sin. But the point I want to make today is simply this: all of us have times when the kitchen gets hot and we have to decide if we are more concerned with honoring the Lord or with ruffling other people’s feathers.

The Apostle Paul stated his allegiance clearly, “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10 ESV)

In closing, I thought you might find the following interesting. In a recent online posting (www.cathyfamily.com), some of the Cathy family members shared their life verses:

Dan Cathy chose, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33 ESV)

Bubba Cathy chose, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” (Deuteronomy 6:5 ESV)

Trudy Cathy chose, “For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37 ESV)

May we stand strong in the Lord!

(This message was originally published on July 23, 2012)

I woke up early this Saturday morning thinking about the reality of what I will call “sad days and dark nights.” In the past 24-hour news cycle, we have heard of another case of senseless bloodshed and acts of evil in Aurora, Colorado. We also know people who are dealing with illness and hardship.

In short, Pastor Chuck Swindoll in one of his books simply wrote, “Life is hard.” Others ask the famous question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” C.S. Lewis said that pain and suffering is the atheist’s most potent weapon.

Well, in this brief letter, I will not presuppose to deal comprehensively with what theologians refer to as “theodicy,” but I will share with you three verses from Job 19:25-27.

December 15, 2010, I found myself sharing these verses at the memorial and homegoing service of a dear friend of mine. In the midst of my dear friend’s dying from cancer, he taught me and many others one thing he knew–“I know my Redeemer lives.” When sad days and dark nights come, by God’s grace, we can know Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, lives.

1. Knowing Jesus is personal. Job didn’t say, “I know a redeemer.” He said, “I know that my Redeemer, the Redeemer lives.” Likewise, the psalmist wrote, “The Lord is MY Shepherd.”

2. Knowing Jesus is critical. Job didn’t say, “I know the Lord lives.” Or “I know God lives.” Those are true statements. But in the midst of pain, he noted, “I know my Redeemer lives.” Redeemer = the one who paid for my sins and purchased a place for me in heaven. Interestingly, he used the present tense in his verb choice. The Lord Jesus LIVES! As Paul wrote, we do not mourn as those without hope.

3. Knowing Jesus is radical. In Job 19:26-27, Job confesses that he knew he would die at some point, yet he states that death is not the end for him. He yearned within his heart to see the Lord face to face. My redeemed friend now sees the Redeemer face to face.

Many who are reading this letter are pastors. You so often have to deal with death and the problem of pain and see suffering. My prayer is that a few verses of Scripture that encouraged my soul this morning from Job 19:25-27–words from inerrant Scripture that are the testimony of a man who suffered more than I have–will encourage you while you proclaim the Gospel of Christ.

In closing, my dear friend who went to be with the Lord in 2010 has a high-school aged son who has just returned from a mission project. I saw his son at a church event last Sunday evening and rejoiced as he stood before hundreds and basically gave this testimony, “I know my Redeemer lives.” Yes, he does. May we know our Redeemer lives, even on sad days and dark nights.