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True Religion: The Truth Of Your Morality (2)
Matthew 5:33-48 Jesus isn’t pulling any punches. After a very captivating introduction, He has immediately launched into calling His followers murderers and adulterers. The fact that the people didn’t turn and walk away at this point but stayed to hear where His accusations were going only shows how starved they were to hear the truth…
True Religion: The Truth Of Your Morality (1)
Matthew 5:21-32 Jesus has concluded His introduction to this important message by stating outright that HE has come to fulfill the Law of Moses. Can you imagine the audacity of such a statement? C.S. Lewis famously wrote in his book Mere Christianity: “A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things…
True Religion: The Truth Of Who You Are (2)
Matthew 5:13-20 Jesus begins His sermon with a stellar introduction. He caught the people’s attention by turning their idea of reality on its head. They thought their hardships in life meant that they were cursed by God. But Jesus told them that even though they were poor, grieving, meek, hungry, or persecuted… they were blessed! …
True Religion: The Truth Of Who You Are (1)
The Beatitudes – Matthew 5:3-12 Every good sermon has an ear-catching introduction. Jesus definitely catches the ears of his listeners by telling them how blessed they are. This was almost certainly outlandish for them to hear. The people were still operating under the assumption that the Sinai Covenant with God was still in effect. In…
True Religion – Introduction
As promised a few weeks ago, I want to share some of the notes from our church’s Winter Bible Study on The Sermon On The Mount. I’m going to do so in small bites, so it might take a couple weeks to get all the notes published that I want to share. I hope you are blessed…
What A Change!
[King Manasseh] got rid of the foreign gods and removed the image from the temple of the LORD, as well as all the altars he had built on the temple hill and in Jerusalem; and he threw them out of the city. – II Chronicles 33:15 Manasseh was absolutely the most wicked king that the…
What’s That Smell?
“For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?” – II Corinthians 2:15-16 I remember several years ago, I…
His Way Forward
“So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.” – Acts 6:7 The book of Acts records this same kind of experience again and again. God’s word took the greatest leaps when His people were found doing what He…
The Rewards Of Humility
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. – Philippians 2:3 Booker T. Washington, the renowned black educator, was an outstanding example of humility. Shortly after he took over the presidency of the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, he was walking in an exclusive section of town…
Reckless
“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” – Proverbs 12:18 We most often associate the word “reckless” with driving. Under the laws of our state, reckless driving is defined as: “a willful or wanton disregard for persons or property” by a person operating a vehicle. Reckless…
More Together: What Does Cooperation Accomplish?
This an article I wrote in 2015 for our Tri-County Baptist Association’s newsletter. The percentages have changed a little, but the mission has not. —————————————– There is an important number in our church’s budget. To me, it’s just as important as the bottom line. It’s the number 12. 12% of our undesignated gifts go to support…
Our Buddy
Seven years ago (January 21, 2017) my uncle Buddy Temple passed away. He struggled his entire adult life with mental illness and led a difficult and lonely life because of it. I wrote this as I sat by his hospital bed, just hours before he left us. I share it here because I don’t want his life or…
Sharing The Struggles
For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. – II Corinthians 1:5 I prayed a strange prayer when I was sixteen years old. That was the year that I first began feeling the Lord’s call to ministry. What worried me most about that…
On My Honor
The day of the LORD is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head. – Obadiah 1:15 The story is told that one day President Abraham Lincoln was riding in a coach with a colonel from Kentucky. The colonel took a…
The Winter Marathon
It’s been several months since I’ve posted anything to Between The Ditches, and I apologize. The months of October through January are what I’ve termed “the marathon” at my church. The marathon begins with our annual presentation of “Judgement House” at the end of October; which takes the whole month to prep for. Then we spend the…
In The Spotlight
Note: This devotional was written in 2017, so the news is out of date but the message is certainly still relevant. “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” – Luke 16:10 If you’re familiar with the name…
Wicked Pride
You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. – Deuteronomy 8:17-18…
Confident In Life And Mission
Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” – John 20:21-22 In these two short verses we find everything we need in order to live as faithful witnesses of Christ Jesus. Live in…
Unheard
“To answer before listening – that is folly and shame.” – Proverbs 18:13 You might find it unbelievable, but one of the major frustrations of the pastoral ministry is feeling like your words are unheard. You might think that the uninterrupted half hour of preaching I get to do on Sunday mornings and evenings…
His Unseen Hand
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. – Isaiah 43:19 A good show might have singers, dancers, and actors, but behind the curtain is an army that works to make the production come…
Supernatural Purpose
“Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked?” declares the Sovereign LORD. “Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?” – Ezekiel 18:23 Death is easy. Anger is easy. Hatred is easy. It is natural for us to vilify our enemies. It is natural for…
Disentangled
“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.” – I Peter 2:11 Peter wrote to the Church during a time of hardship. Government-sponsored persecution had driven many Christians out of the cities. They were reviled by their neighbors and the religious…
Casting Wide
“The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since…
Verified
After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. – Acts 1:3 The resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the most historically verifiable events ever recorded. Matthew…
Back From The Dead
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” – John 10:10 For over a decade, zombies have been all the rage. They’re in movies, TV shows, and books. In many modern zombie stories the trouble starts with a disease…
Gods Of Stone: pt 5
The Idols We Choose “Is God Dead?” It was one of the most iconic Time magazine covers in history, and its accompanying article outlined the efforts of a handful of academics in the mid 1960’s who were trying to establish a theology that did not include God. Imagine the absurdity of a study of God…
Gods Of Stone: pt 4
Gods In Our Image What kinds of gods were represented by the idols that biblical peoples worshiped? The 20th Century horror author H.P. Lovecraft wrote of eldritch cosmic gods who were grotesque and inhuman and who had controlled factions of humanity in the ancient past. His cosmic deities were strange and unnerving to see, and…
Gods Of Stone: pt 3
Sacrifices For The Gods Animal sacrifice is another concept that is very foreign – and even offensive – to many modern believers. If you were to buy a goat and bring it to your local church as an offering, the chances are good that your local pastor will have no idea just what to do…
Gods Of Stone: pt 2
Houses of the gods On the topic of worship places, these seem to have taken many forms. The Israelites were known to worship the goddess Asherah at poles that were erected outdoors in the towns and villages. Shrines and altars might also be erected at outdoor holy sites like mountaintops. The altars would be used…
Gods Of Stone: pt 1
What An Idol Is It’s an easy commandment to check off our list. It’s the second out of the top 10, so it must be important. And yet most of us feel like it’s a non-issue, so we don’t think much about it. I’ve never carved a statue out of wood that I intended to…
The Good We Get
It was one of those “Gotcha!” statements. “Imagine what the government could do with the tax money they ought to be collecting from churches.” The implication, of course, was that churches are financial shelters for ministers or other moralistic phonies to build their wealth and keep from sharing it with their neighbors. I responded with,…
A Parable About Worship
Once there was a young girl who loved her mother very much. She wanted to give her mother a special gift for her birthday, so she thought and thought and thought. Finally, she struck upon the perfect idea. She would buy some yarn, take some time, and knit her mother a cardigan sweater. A friend…
Behind The Veil: pt. 4
If you’ve read this far, then hopefully you’re more aware of some of the ways that our enemy might be at work in the world around you. Just knowing that the mission of his existence is to be adored as God is adored reminds us that we should not indulge those things that give glory…
Behind The Veil: pt. 3
We’ve determined that the desire of Satan and the demonic spiritual forces is to be adored like God. They desire honor from worshipers who are willing to sacrifice what they hold dear in order to serve them. In the guise of false gods, they demanded that the people give up their food, their animals, their…
Behind The Veil: pt. 2
In our previous discussion, we determined that Satan’s mission is adoration. Satan wishes to be adored in the same ways God is adored by His worshipers; that is, through honor and sacrifice. And this seems to be the mission of all demonic forces. In their desire to be worshiped, they have taken up the guise…
Behind The Veil: pt. 1
Whether it’s a simple errand that must be run, or a military operation that must be carried out with precision, every activity we participate in requires two things: a mission and a strategy. Even if you’re just sitting around the house, your mission is to relax and your strategy might be to sit on the…
Not Where, But What
I saw an online editorial headline today that read: “I Started Attending Church Again After 15 Years. Here’s Why.” Granted, I didn’t read the article, but I hear a similar sentiment from people all the time. “I need to get back to church.” … “My kids need to be in church,” … “I started going…
Off The Map
I’m a lover of maps. They speak to me in just the right way. They are certainly functional, but have a certain beauty about them as well. The way the roads, rivers, and topographical lines all come together to convey so much information about where I am – or a place I’ve never been -…
Chirp, Chip, Charlie, Chuck, and God
A quick explanation: On Monday, my friend Danny challenged me to write a children’s story. So I thought about how to expand “The Cricket’s Tragedy.” Before it was finished, though, it had morphed into less of a children’s story and more of a parable. Here was that attempt. Chirp, Chip, Charlie, Chuck, and God Chirp…
God’s Word, Not Mine
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. – Matthew 16:15-17 A…
Sealed In Blood
“Guilty!” was the verdict read. With trembling lip, I bowed my head. Knowing well the crimes I’d done In the name of love, or greed, or fun. I’d known the truth of life and law, But chosen sin’s alluring draw. So here I stood, no other choice. With no excuse, I had no voice. But…
Manufactured Religion: pt. 4
Question 3: Is God Pleased With Just Any Goodness? Perhaps the greatest misunderstanding the world applies to Christianity is that it’s a system of hierarchical control to make people behave a certain way. So they buck against that perceived authority and go to great lengths to prove that they can be good people without the…
Manufactured Religion: pt. 3
Question 2: Is God Pleased With Just Any Worship? Because of the king’s leadership, the people of the northern kingdom of Israel had broken faith with Yahweh and He was displeased with their worship. Often in the Old Testament, God says that the worship of the people displeased Him. Some of the reasons for this…
Manufactured Religion: pt. 2
Question 1: Is God Pleased With Just Any Faith? In the very successful Alcoholics Anonymous program, subjects must put their faith in a “higher power” to properly advance through the 12 steps. Is this level of belief in anything higher than ourselves acceptable to God? Is He pleased that we simply believe in anything and…
Manufactured Religion: pt. 1
This is a sermon manuscript in 4 parts from a message I preached on Sunday, July 30, 2023. Hosea 8:1-7 – Set the trumpet to your lips! One like a vulture is over the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant and rebelled against my law. To me they cry, “My God,…
Chasing Worship
What a powerful moment it can be when the right melody and lyrics strike a chord in our hearts and we feel a powerful sense of God’s presence in our worship services. We might leave that gathering saying that God was really present or that we could really feel Him moving today. It is a…
Can I Balance The Scale?
“All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD.” – Proverbs 16:2 “I’ve done a lot of good things,” is the argument I usually hear when I talk to people about sin. We can’t seem to get over the fact that our good deeds will never make up for…
The Price For Birds
Almost every year on Good Friday, Paul Harvey would this story: A preacher was walking down the sidewalk one day between his church and the corner market. In a little alleyway, he saw a young boy with several little birds in a beat-up cage. He watched for a moment as the boy rattled the cage…
The 5-Sentence Gospel
There’s probably no better place to start writing about Jesus than to explain the basics of how we come to know Him as Savior and Lord. We often use the phrase “they got saved” to mean that someone has given their life to Jesus Christ. It’s a beautiful pictures of what Jesus does when we…
The Cricket’s Tragedy
Imagine that you’re walking through your garden and you see a cricket perched on one of your plants. What is his world like? That little cricket has a place that it hides and sleeps, and it comes out to eat. That’s its life. It operates mostly by sound, feel, and smell – its sight is…
It’s Out Of My Control
Read: I Thessalonians 2:17-3:7 This is a recap of this past Sunday’s message [7/23/2023] in our morning worship service at Tylertown Baptist Church. We like to think that we’re in control of our lives. We make our plans and chart the course for our days, weeks, and even years. But we don’t like to confront…
The Search For Purpose
“Everyone to whom much is given, of him much will be required…” – Luke 12:48b I don’t remember how old I was, but somewhere between ages 6 and 8 I heard the words of Luke 12:48 from my Sunday School teacher at church. I remember the classroom, and even the seat I was sitting in…
Between The Ditches 