BaptistWay Bible Series for Dec. 11: Continually make yourself available to God

Posted: 11/29/05

BaptistWay Bible Series for Dec. 11

Continually make yourself available to God

• Luke 9:51-62

By Alexia Riggs

Logsdon Seminary, Abilene

People love a good story. In today’s society, we especially love stories about journeys on the open road. Some stories start with “boldly going where no one has gone before.” Everyone can tell you about their first experience behind the wheel.

Luke 9:51-56 is no different. Jesus is beginning a long journey that will lead him to Jerusalem, where we find him in chapter 19. Jesus began by setting out toward a Samaritan village but found he was not welcome—for no reason other than he was heading to Jerusalem. Jesus started a journey only to find right at the beginning of it he was thwarted.

But before Jesus could respond, James and John were furious. They wanted to call on God to avenge the insult. This is not a great start to a long journey. Does an insult create a need for injury? James and John seem to have thought so.

While those two may have been ready to spar with the locals, Jesus rebuked them and led them to another village, where they were accepted. The example illustrates that Jesus did not come to incite violence. Rather, he came to break the cycle of violence by forgiving and dying.

These verses serve to remind us of two things. First, Jesus desired peace. Second, we should not reject God by allowing him to pass us by. When we hesitate or pass up on a chance to know God, it is no different than rejecting him.

“He who hesitates is lost;” an old proverb with meaning that still resonates today. In restaurants, stores and even in church, we make decisions with hesitation and often change our minds. We find ourselves rejecting things simply out of convenience or because we are not sure if it is what we want. It is too easy to go back on our words and simply put something back we decide we no longer want. The Samaritan village missed out on a chance to be ministered to by Christ simply because he was heading to Jerusalem.

In Luke 9:57-62, we see three other cases of hesitation. While each person was willing to follow Jesus, each had an excuse to not follow right away. The first person was willing to go, but Christ reminded him there were no creature comforts ahead. The second needed to bury his father. The third felt the need to say good-bye to family.

It is too easy to say, “I will follow Jesus, but before I commit my life to that completely, there is just one more thing I still need to do.”

The reasons given by the second and third individuals make sense to most of us. We can understand, for example, before going on a mission trip, wanting to stay for a funeral or wanting to say goodbye to everyone we know. These do not seem to be bad or unreasonable requests.

However, Jesus is making a point that his ministry should precede all desires we may have. Comfort, taking care of one’s responsibilities and seeing to the needs of our families do not take precedence over his ministry. Being a disciple of Christ and following Christ exclusively may require that type of sacrifice. We must be willing to forgo other obligations when God calls us to follow him. The matter is not one of abandoning those relationships and responsibilities. Rather, it is one of submitting them to Jesus, our Lord.

When I was called into ministry, I was in the middle of a master’s degree plan and had no desire to leave the program. I did not want to sacrifice everything I had worked for. Ministry could wait until I had finished my obligation at the university. Within a matter of days, my supposed obligation to the school ended abruptly. I found myself in seminary and studying for the ministry. Moving on from that place in my life, I thought, would be too big a sacrifice. Actually, it turned out to be the best thing I could ever do for God. When I refused to sacrifice to follow Jesus, it was because I was following myself and my own needs first.

Acts of following Jesus do not have to be huge. We may find ourselves striking up a conversation with someone in line at the grocery store or an act of ministry to someone at a homeless shelter. Churches, prisons, schools and even (dare we say it) next-door neighbors all could benefit from sharing Christ.

The work of God isn’t always going on a mission trip or a ministry project. Sometimes, the sacrifice God would have us make is a few hours of our day to meet the needs of those around us, including our families. My prayer is that we will follow Jesus (not our own desires) and not hesitate when the next chance to sacrifice comes our way.


Discussion questions

• When was the last time you allowed someone to minister to you?

• Can you recall a time when you could have shared the gospel with someone? If faced with the same situation again, would you change what you chose to do?



News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.




Explore the Bible Series for Dec. 4: People still need to hear the good news

Posted: 11/29/05

Explore the Bible Series for Dec. 11

People still need to hear the good news

• Romans 10:1-4, 8-18, 21

By Trey Turner

Canyon Creek Baptist Church, Temple

Today’s church floats among the masses of other people who are equally media-logged. People reached their saturation point at some earlier time. There is simply too much information from too many sources to comfortably keep up.

So each person chooses his or her sources and then picks and chooses information to explore. From some of these sources people receive good news. I might find out: Grandma came back from her doctor with a good report, our soldier came home, this year we are paying less taxes, it’s taco night, potty-training worked—no more diapers, just saved $300 on car insurance by switching carriers.

My definition of good news might include first hearing how a possibly iffy situation turns good. Add to the previous list of good news what the Apostle Paul says in Romans 1:17: “For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last.”

It seems that old news is no news, but there are some who have not heard the really good news—they have heard only about church, possibly about helpful religious practices, but not the news Paul is telling. Some people still carry the weight of the world, and they need something better than the troubles they are carrying.

Christians have that good news. They can bring lost people relief by letting them have the opportunity to respond positively to Christ. So, the church must be reminded of what the Baptist General Convention of Texas’ newly elected president told messengers at the recent annual meeting: “Let’s make a great commotion about the great commission.”


We cannot save ourselves (Romans 10:1-4)

Verses 9:30-33 give insight into why the gentiles can be saved by faith in the grace God has extended. It has nothing to do with who is morally superior, but it does have to do with righteousness. The gentiles put on the righteousness which is not their own—it is Christ’s righteousness. No other righteousness is acceptable to God. Obeying the law as much as humanly possible and yet rejecting God’s offer of salvation in Christ still leaves those people short.


We can be saved by faith (Romans 10:8-13)

As Paul talks about the works of righteousness that are rejected by God, he again tells the way to this righteousness, which is by faith. It is hearing, belief and a faith-response of confession. Salvation by faith in Jesus Christ is an offer that leaves no one out. “Everyone” who calls on this name will be saved.

This is the news people need so badly—news that makes them right with God. They morally twist in the blowing wind trying to work through relationships with others and with their God. Philosophies, religions and the like comfort and offer direction. There is no other way to God or God’s way than through the person of Jesus Christ. (Acts 4:12).


We can encourage others (Romans 10:14-18, 21)

Although some reject Christ, Christians do not stop sharing him. Paul does not write off the Jewish people, saying, “God is finished with them.” Instead, as a strategy, he goes to the synagogues to proclaim Christ and then to the gentiles. Writing them off would be ultimate judgment, and only God judges when they have heard the gospel for the last time.

That is what Jesus means when he says, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged” (Matthew 7:1). Jesus goes on to admonsih people to, deal with the plank in your own eye so you can help a brother or sister get the speck out of his or her eye. Judgment, as Jesus talks about it, writes off the other person.

Paul does not write off the Jewish people. Paul says the content of his preaching is a gospel first proclaimed to the Jews (Romans 1:16). Jewish people individually have had the freedom to respond to Christ; they did, and some still do. As a group, they have been closed to the gospel. Still, the Jewish people must hear, so they can receive God’s good news in Christ. All people need to hear the gospel, so they can respond.


Discussion questions

• What are some reasons Christians offer for not telling people about salvation in Jesus?

• Where are people supposed to hear God’s good news?

• Look at verse 21. Does the image in verse 21 describe your steadfast approach to someone who has needed Jesus Christ?

• Why does it seem Christians lose interest in sharing their faith in Christ? What seem to be the top three reasons they do not?


News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.




Cyber Column by Berry Simpson: Upgraded

Posted: 11/28/05

CYBER COLUMN:
Upgraded

By Berry Simpson

Well, I’m feeling upgraded nowadays. Maybe “updated” is a better word.

I’m driving a new pickup. It’s a 2005 that’s been on the road for a year, but it looks and feels brand new to me—instead of my 1994 SUV.

I’ve been looking at pickups for a long time now with longing in my heart, but I was hesitant to buy one because it seemed too self-indulgent since Cyndi drives an SUV that’s just as old as mine was, and with higher mileage. But Cyndi insisted, and I accepted, and now I’m feeling very modern. Friends might see me driving around town in my new pickup looking for something to haul.

Berry D. Simpson

And not only am I driving a new pickup, but I’m wearing a new pair of designer sunglasses that Cyndi gave to me after she ended up owning two pairs. Cyndi has worn nice sunglasses for years, but I’ve stuck with cheap discount-store copies—mainly because I wasn’t sure I could keep from losing them, and I didn’t know how to carry them around since they won’t fold flat and fit into my shirt pocket, but also because I have such poor vision I wasn’t sure my eyes deserved top-of-the-line sunglasses. But now that I’m older and, I hope, more responsible, I’ve entrusted myself with these very cool shades in hopes that I won’t lose them or break them. I only hope I can live up to them. Maybe wearing them while driving my new bight red pickup will help.

And not only do I have a new truck and new glasses, I’ve been wearing new pants lately that aren’t really so modern or expensive or anything like that but that are NOT made out of denim. They are NOT blue jeans. This was not an easy transition for me. I feel like I’m in a documentary titled “Mrs. Simpson’s boy is growing up.”

And there’s more: I’ve actually been going to a workout class at—a class with 20-plus people in it—rather than sneaking off on my own to work out all by myself. I’m working out in a group, with real-live people, on their schedule, following their rules. Who would’ve thought it?

Come to think of it, all my recent changes have been Cyndi’s idea.

She has a bigger influence on me than she knows.

Or maybe she knows exactly what she’s doing. Maybe this is all part of her master plan coming to fruition after only 25 years together. Maybe these are scheduled steps in her planned husband upgrade program, something she envisioned way back when she was a sweet college girl and saw me as someone she could help out. The only problem with that theory is that 25 years is a long time to plan for someone as spontaneous as Cyndi.

The fact is, significant change usually takes a long time. Not that having a new truck or wearing expensive sunglasses are significant changes, but they are representative of the incremental changes we make—small changes that add up over the course of our lives to make us into new people. As Christians, we hope that the new people we’re being changed into are more Christlike.

We live in an age of instant answers. We want the Lord to reveal God’s plan for us immediately in response to our prayers. We want to know not only the pathway of our lives, but the end result as well. But God’s changes usually come in small increments, and we don’t get to see them in advance. I once read in a devotional book: “God’s purpose for our lives unfolds gradually as a tree grows into fullness.”

It has occurred to me that if God sat me down and laid out his entire plan for all my life … well, I wouldn’t be ready for it. It would be too frightening. If you’d told me 10 years ago where I’d be spending my time and energy today, it would’ve scarred me away. I wouldn’t’ve been ready for it. In the same vein, I believe God has things in mind for my future that I’m not ready to know about yet. Maybe God is waiting to see if I grow up enough to handle them.

Well, before I leave the subject, I’d like to go on record as affirming that Cyndi’s influences on my life have all been good ones. Every single change that she’s brought to my traditional and predictable life has been for the better, and I am grateful for her interest in me. Soon, I’ll be a new man.


Berry Simpson, a Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church in Midland, is a petroleum engineer, writer, runner and member of the city council in Midland. You can contact him through e-mail at berry@stonefoot.org.



News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.




Prophetic voice absent but still heard at TBC event

Posted: 11/18/05

Prophetic voice absent
but still heard at TBC event

By Craig Bird

AUSTIN–A silent prophet asked Texas Baptists, “Where have all the prophets gone?”

Phil Strickland, longtime director of the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission was unable to speak at the annual breakfast of Texas Baptists Committed because of illness, but his thoughts dominated the gathering.

His pastor, George Mason of Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas, spoke from the outline Strickland had prepared in advance.

Read the complete text of Strickland's remarks here.

A Tribute to Phil Strickland

Referencing Pete Seeger's song, Where Have All the Flowers Gone?, Strickland wrote that people can find plenty of flowers in front of many pulpits in Texas Baptist churches, “but not many prophets behind those pulpits.”

Pastors too often fail to address the issues of poverty, he emphasized.

Current legislation in the U.S. Congress that would cut $50 million a year from programs for children to help create a $70 million tax cut, “is not what Jesus meant when he said, 'Suffer the little children,'” Mason read.

But Christians who insist that caring for the poor is not the job of the government don't often line up outside their pastors' offices to demand the church take on the task, he observed.

“Isn't it time we embrace a theology of enough and start asking if we have any walls around what we will spend on ourselves?” Mason said. “It is criminal to take away money from government programs for the poor and do nothing to replace it.”

Frequently before he preaches, Strickland wrote that pastors take him aside to warn, “Now, Phil, this church is not in any condition to deal with anything controversial–remember that when you speak.”

Perhaps pastors, laymen, churches and denominations shrink from speaking prophetic words on behalf of the weak and powerless because they are ambitious or fear conflict, he suggested.

Even so, “All Christians are called to have an element of the prophet in us,” he said.

Pastor-search committees that say they are looking for “a pastor and a preacher” need to expand their criteria to “a pastor, a prophet and a preacher,” he wrote.

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.




A Tribute to My Friend, Phil Strickland

Posted: 11/23/05

A Tribute to My Friend, Phil Strickland

By David Currie

Executive Director, Texas Baptists Committed

At the Texas Baptists Committed breakfast meeting in Austin, TBC Executive Director David Currie read the following tribute to Phil Strickland, longtime director of the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission. Strickland had been scheduled to speak at the breakfast event but was unable due to illness. Currie presented a copy of this tribute to Strickland's mother:

You are a brother to me,

And a father to my sons.

You are my mentor and advisor,

And the person most responsible for my success.

You are an example of courage, compassion and integrity,

That all who know you will never forget.

You always put the needs of others and the cause of Christ,

Ahead of personal gain.

You have demonstrated True Christian values to the powers of Government, in word and deed for over forty years.

You have improved the lives of millions of children, Though most of the world is not even aware.

You always relate to the broken and hurting with grace,

And I know this from personal experience.

Most of all, those of us closest to you love you,

Because you love us when we are most unlovable,

And in doing so you saved our lives for use in God’s Kingdom.

We will never forget it. We will always be grateful. And we will always love you for it.

–November 15, 2005



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BaptistWay Bible Series for Dec. 4: Discipleship means…

Posted: 11/21/05

BaptistWay Bible Series for Dec. 4

Discipleship means…

• Luke 9:18-2

By Alexia Riggs

Student, Logsdon Seminary, Abilene

My husband is the king of cutthroat bargaining, and recently he talked a saleswoman into taking 50 percent off of my new tennis shoes that were already on sale. After we saved nearly $40 I was so happy I rewarded my husband by buying him a computer game he had been hinting at. As we got into the car I wondered if maybe, just maybe haggling with the saleslady at the shoe store had served my husband better than it served me?

Often times we are willing to sacrifice anything for a child, a spouse, or a new job. We would go to any lengths to serve the Master, but we think of ways to take care of those responsibilities and still do and have what we desire. It is easy to worship God as Lord and still be the CEO of our day-to-day affairs. However, our reasoning deludes us into thinking that we can have our cake and eat it, too.

In Luke 9:18 – 26, we can see Christ questioning the disciples about how far they would go for him. Jesus asked the disciples to identify who the crowds thought he was and whom the disciples’ thought he was. Without hesitation, Peter identified Christ as “The Messiah of God.” It seemed that, though this is the right answer, the disciples had missed the question completely.

Jesus commanded them to keep silent about His identity and role. Luke closes the passage by giving Christ’s description of a follower of Christ. This description includes daily sacrifice and giving of themselves in service to God. The disciples, then and now, would have to make a decision. How far would they go to follow Jesus?

In Biblical days, the word “messiah” was not a term reserved exclusively for Jesus. “Messiahs” of some form had been popping up ever since the fall of Judea and the Jews’ Babylonian exile. Messiahs could be people struggling to rebuild the cities of Israel or would be warlords or even guerilla style bandits, not unlike Barabbas. When Peter shouted out, “The Messiah of God” we can see Jesus sternly rebuking that rallying cry. It could have destroyed everything that Christ was doing!

Suddenly, the man that the disciples were so sure would rebuild the Kingdom of Israel threw all of the disciples’ beliefs, values, and desires in the dustbin. Following God would lead to public ridicule, political destruction, and certain death. Peter and his fellow disciples had to be silenced, Jesus’ work was too important, and the timing was too delicate to allow for this kind of mistake.

Jesus finished by telling the disciples what following him would cost. It is not a command nor a request. It is just a simple fact that following God costs our very lives and requires us to daily take up our cross. Being ashamed of Jesus’ words and actions would mean that he would be ashamed of them in front of God.

But, it goes deeper still. God’s followers are not limited to the examples given in Luke 9:18-26, nor to the New Testament, not even to the Bible. We also can be followers of Christ, forsaking everything, taking up a cross, and being proud to be counted as a Christian by almost anything we do in our everyday lives. He is our King. We are His Kingdom. Jesus’ victory is complete, but the work of the Kingdom of God continues.

It becomes easy to just sit back and see what wonderful things God has done for us. We often think of Christ’s sacrifice of his life. How often do we think of what we must do for Him? It is easier to reflect on God’s actions to redeem us than it is for us to think of how we are to follow him. It is too easy to forget the cost of being a disciple of Jesus.

Often we find ourselves wanting to bargain with God just as my husband bargained with the saleswoman. However, can we take up our crosses daily and follow him only on Sundays and Wednesdays? Must we really follow God and give our lives completely for Him even on our days off? Christ challenges us to follow him in daily service. It is in the every day that we find our greatest chances to reach out to others with the good news.

God calls us today to be his disciples. We are asked to sacrifice and serve God with not just what we are willing to give, but with everything we are. “Is what we do in our lives a service to God or ourselves?” This becomes a measure for daily life. It is easy to say that Christ is Lord. More difficult is following him in service and putting those words into action. Becoming a disciple of Jesus really does mean following Jesus every day and in all we do.


Discussion questions

• To follow God, what are some things you are willing to sacrifice? What are some things that you do not want to sacrifice?

• What are some things you can do during the week to serve God that you do not usually do?

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.




Family Bible Series for Dec. 4: Manger and Mission: Why Care?

Posted: 11/21/05

Family Bible Series for Dec. 4

Manger and Mission: Why Care?

• Jonah 4:1-11

By Donald Raney

Westlake Chapel, Graham

How big is your world? While we all know that the world is getting smaller thanks to technology, many individuals and churches seem to live in a world that does not extend much beyond their immediate area. They spend all of their time and resources on the local congregation and community, perhaps occasionally sending money to national or international mission causes. Yet while we should never neglect touching those closest to us, God has also called all believers to be actively participating in reaching all nations and peoples with the Gospel. Apart from the book of Acts, there is perhaps no better portrait of God’s heart for missions in the Bible than that in the book of Jonah. One might even think of Jonah as God’s first foreign missionary. In these four short chapters we see not only God’s heart for missions, but also the reason and motivation for each believer’s involvement in missions.

Jonah 4:1-3

The story of Jonah as recorded in the first three chapters of the book is well-known. God called a man named Jonah to be a messenger. Specifically God called him to go to Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, and preach against the sin in the city. Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh and decided to run away from God and His calling by going to Tarshish. During the voyage, God sent a storm that threatened the ship and all on board. In an attempt to appease God, the crew threw Jonah into the sea where he was swallowed by a great fish. For three days Jonah cried out to God for help. He confessed his sin of disobedience to God. God responded by rescuing Jonah from the fish and renewing His call for Jonah to go to Nineveh. This time Jonah went to Nineveh and proclaimed God’s message of judgment on the city. The people accepted the message and repented of their sins. The king declared that all citizens should fast and wear sackcloth as a sign of repentance and mourning over their sin. God heard their cries and spared the city of the destruction He had planned for them.

Jonah, however, became very upset with God. He did not think that God should spare the lives of the Assyrians. After all, they were enemies of Israel. They had invaded and attacked God’s chosen people several times. They did not deserve mercy. Jonah states that, in fact, this was exactly why he had avoided going initially. He knew that God was above all else merciful and compassionate. He knew that if the Assyrians repented of their sin, God would forgive and spare them. For Jonah, this was simply not fair. This so upset Jonah, that he calls on God to kill him because he would rather die than live in a world where the Assyrians are shown mercy.

Jonah 4:4-8

Although he was angry that God had spared the city, Jonah may have felt that their repentance was either insincere or would be short-lived. According to verse 5, Jonah went to the top of a hill to the east of the city and sat down to see what might happen to the city. Was Jonah hoping that God may yet decide to destroy the city? If so, he apparently wanted to have a good seat to watch it happen. He built himself a small shelter and sat down under it. God decided to teach Jonah a lesson. He caused a plant to grow which added shade to Jonah’s shelter and kept Jonah out of the heat. Jonah was very grateful for the unexpected blessing. Jonah may have even felt that this was a sign of God’s favor upon him. Yet God next sent a worm which destroyed the plant. God then intensified the heat and wind which Jonah felt to the point that Jonah began to feel faint. Again Jonah became very upset with God. His comfort had been taken away and he again thought that death would be preferable to continuing to live in this condition.

Jonah 4:9-11

God confronts Jonah concerning his anger. God points out that Jonah is angry over the death of a plant which he did not plant or nurture, but which had been a blessing freely given to him. If Jonah had taken such pity on the plant, why should not God take pity on a city of 120,000 people? Why did Jonah not feel such pity for the city? God’s ways may at times seem strange to us. Often that is because God is above all merciful and compassionate to all people equally, while this is contrary to our own fallen human perspective. We indeed want God to show mercy and compassion, but only on those whom we would do likewise for. Notice that this book ends with a question. Neither God nor Jonah provides an answer. The writer wants the reader to be left contemplating how they would answer the question. How does your answer stand in relation to the compassion and mercy which God calls us to show to all peoples of the world in taking the good news of God’s love to them?

Discussion questions

• What are you doing to actively participate in spreading the Gospel to the world?

• Putting yourself in Jonah’s place, who would be the “Assyrians” that you would not wish to go to with God’s message?

• What is your answer to the final question in the book of Jonah?

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.




Explore the Bible Series for Dec. 4: Need for Mercy

Posted: 11/21/05

Explore the Bible Series for Dec. 4

Need for Mercy

• Romans 9:1-6,14-24

By Trey Turner

Canyon Creek Baptist Church, Temple

Sometimes it would be great to get ‘this patience thing’ finally worked out. Most of the people this minister knows are impatient. That would include the he himself. The clock is always ticking, there are too many things to do to be patient. Sometimes the prayer is, “Lord, help me not get behind this week so that I can keep up next week.” After some defeats November 8th, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger admitted to his supporters how he is expecting too much too soon in California politics. The unsigned little rhyme says:

Patience is a virtue,

Possess it if you can.

Found seldom in a woman,

Never in a man.

Patience may be a virtue, but impatience drives the American psyche, not to mention its economy.

What if God was intolerant with Christians’ impatience? Maybe he is, after all a part of Christian fruitfulness is ‘patience.” Christians are much more accepting of impatience than other Christian failures. Why does it get a free pass? Does it give the illusion of seriousness— people who are ready for business?

The earliest Gentile Christians were at various stages of frustration with the Jewish Christians and vice versa. Ironically, while personally taking an offering from the Gentile Christians to the Christians who live in Jerusalem, Paul takes the occasion in his letter to the Romans to talk about God’s patience with all people. Today it seems Christians try to have patience with people who are not Christian. They will try to have patience with ignorance, but that patience comes in small quantities and only in short-lived bursts. Some may ask about a person who commits the same crime multiple times, “Why does God allow him to live?” Or if a person has had multiple opportunities to respond to the gospel but does not, “He does not deserve another chance.” But, God’s longsuffering is perplexing. It is also an example which calls believers to patience.

Reflect God’s Concern (Romans 9:1-5)

Paul lets the believers in Rome inside his thinking about the Jewish people. He could be frustrated with his people, after having been rejected and the attempted murders on his life. His expression of belief shows his great emotions for them as well. Paul loves the Jewish people. He has great compassion on them, going so far as to say that he wishes he could somehow take their blinders off so they could see his Lord, Jesus Christ. As it stands, they only have a great heritage. It seems their advantage of having received the covenants, the temple, the law have not served to make receiving Christ easier, but harder.

This is to Paul’s credit. The Lord’s compassion toward his people beats now within Paul’s chest. Paul reflects God’s concern for them too.

Remember God’s Mercy (Romans 9:6, 14-18)

The reason for Paul’s concern is nothing less that the hope he sees in scripture. Israel’s history demonstrates God’s patience. God’s word reflects it too. God is sovereign. He will decide when to close the book on each person. Paul sees God’s mercy toward his people and is content to wait in eager expectation for God’s plan to be fulfilled. These same Jews who are rejecting the message of Christ now, will find their ultimate purpose in Jesus Christ making them “true Israel” (6) Paul holds out expectation that God will complete his people as they receive Christ. Paul helps his readers to remember God’s mercy.

Recognize God’s Patience (Romans 9:19-24)

Paul anticipates that when he says “he [God] hardens” their hearts (18) there are those who say, “Aha!” God hardens people hearts, then who can blame them when they reject God? God’s sovereignty does not do away with human responsibility. Paul answers this question with four of his own questions. (1) Who has the right to question God? (2) Who can ask, ‘Why did you make me like this?’ (3) Who can ask, ‘Why are you doing this with me?’ (4) What if he did this to make himself known to others too? God does not use his sovereignty for judgment, but demonstrates his love and patience with people. If God’s purpose for hardening Jewish hearts is to allow time for Gentiles all over this world to receive Christ, then he has demonstrated his patience. He could have judged Jewish unbelief, but he chooses instead to show mercy and salvation to Gentiles and Jews. Paul helps his hearers to anticipate the result of his plan through his patience. That is Paul’s hope, it is biblical hope, watching God’s plan unfold in an awe inspiring future of fulfillment.

Christians show patient expectation in hope of God’s continued work—without pronouncing judgment that God is finished with people. Jonah saw that God had a plan for Nineveh; he wrote the people of Nineveh off before God was done with them. People show they are children of God when they believe with hope and love people expectantly.

Discussion questions

• Describe God’s patience with you. Does your patience look similar? How do you show mercy while holding convictions?

• What is difficult about letting God have his time with people who are not living toward God’s standards?

• What are some possible ways to respond to them? What do you pray while responding to them?

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.




Texas Baptist Men involved in ‘God’s activity’

Posted: 11/18/05

Texas Baptist Men involved in 'God's activity'

By Emily Row

AUSTIN–God has placed Texas Baptist Men squarely in the middle of his activity in the world, TBM Executive Director Leo Smith told a rally prior to the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual meeting.

Volunteers at the Nov. 13 event shared stories of ministering around the globe through TBM, focusing particularly on encounters with the victims of hurricanes Emily, Katrina, Rita and Stan. The vast needs spread disaster relief teams thin, leaders said.

When the need for more help became apparent, Tommy Dulin of First Baptist Church in Harlingen built a new unit to serve the influx of people coming to San Antonio. In less than 72 hours, a kitchen was serving 22,000 meals a day.

TBM volunteers also served members of the Mexican Army who came to assist in San Antonio. About 60 members of the army accepted Christ while serving in San Antonio, missions leaders reported.

Texas Baptists provided disaster relief in Mexico, Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. In all, TBM volunteers served more than 2 million meals in 2005 through their disaster relief ministry.

Rally testimonies went beyond hurricane victims and disaster relief. Bill Pigott of Livingston reported TBM Retiree Builders completed 68 building projects this year.

Retiree Builders consider their projects a beginning place for God's work to continue after they leave a construction site, he said, adding that certainly is the case at My Father's House in Lubbock.

One resident of My Father's House–a residential job-training program for low-income women–said in a video testimony. “I didn't know that there was a God who cared about me. I didn't know that there are people who could love me unconditionally. … My goal is to show other women that God has a plan for them.”

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.




WMU board cancels Texas Leadership Conference

Posted: 11/18/05

Newly elected Texas WMU officers are (left to right) Nelda Tayor-Thieda, president; Shirley McDonald, first vice president; Nina Pinkston, second vice president; Frankie Harvey, third vice president; and Edna Wood, recording secretary. (Photo by Eric Guel)

WMU board cancels Texas Leadership Conference

By Teresa Young

AUSTIN–After more than a half-century, Woman's Missionary Union of Texas has held its last annual statewide Texas Leadership Conference in Waco.

The Texas WMU board of directors voted Nov. 12 to cancel the conference–originally known as the WMU House Party at Baylor University–along with the WMU Associational Summit for 2006 and 2007 in favor of conducting regional training events around the state.

WMU staff members recommended the change to the board. WMU Executive Director-Treasurer Carolyn Porterfield reported the annual events meant to reach mission leaders across the state simply had ceased being effective.

“In 2004, 188 churches attended TLC, which was 7.8 percent of the churches reporting WMU,” Porterfield said. “In 2005, 202 churches attended, which is 8.4 percent.”

Porterfield said missions leaders cited distance and cost as two deterrents to attendance. Texas WMU staff feel shifting leadership efforts to the regional level would alleviate both factors significantly.

The board also cancelled IMPACT, an Acteens training event, moving that effort to the regional level as well. Traditionally held during spring break each year, Porterfield said attendance at the event has been waning due to other activities at that time.

She emphasized state staff will provide resources for the planning teams, including personnel help, planning checklists and promotional templates. Porterfield distributed a sheet showing a logo created for the new leadership training events, called “Awakening.”

The decisions were made as WMU leaders focused heavily on the future of the organization on the state and national levels. Kaye Miller, national WMU president, shared five basic goals the national vision team has set, with each state vision team charged with applying those to their own needs.

WMU should pursue relationships and partnerships with other Christians to create diverse communities; provide missions experiences for churches that are intergenerational and relevant; communicate through cutting edge methods and technology; produce premiere resources to reach varied audiences; and be financially sound at all levels, Miller said.

“We want people, when they think missions, to think WMU,” Miller said. “It's so exciting to think about implementing these things. God is going to work through WMU like we haven't seen in a long time.”

Texas WMU President Nelda Taylor-Thiede also spoke of the future of the organization, expressing her excitement at what the state vision team will do when it begins to meet.

“God has brought the mission field to our doorstep. We are accepting the call to do missions in new ways,” Taylor-Thiede said.

“WMU of Texas is about educating, equipping and empowering. The next mile ahead is filled with challenges and the unknown, but I anticipate joy in seeing what God has for us.”

In other business, the board approved two new members filling the unexpired terms of others–Barbara Helms of Clarendon and Anna Zimmer of Kingwood­ and pay increases for the state staff.

Porterfield reported several opportunities the state WMU staff had to make a difference in the lives of others, most notably in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The organization helped connect evacuees with vacant missionary houses in the state and made a monetary donation to the Louisiana WMU.

She also shared about a missions opportunity to impoverished Moldova. Money from Texas WMU assisted a team from the Baylor University social work program to visit the eastern European nation and study the possibility of a partnership there.

The state office also discovered an agency that provided $10,000 to build transitional housing hoping to prevent young women in Moldova from entering the sex trade. Plans already are underway to send a team of WMU leaders there in November 2006.

“What we do really makes a difference,” Porterfield said. “But our first loyalty is not to WMU. Our first loyalty is to Jesus Christ, and if we're not committed to him, our work will fail.”

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.




BGCT officer elections reflect convention’s diversity

Posted: 11/18/05

BGCT officer elections
reflect convention's diversity

By Miranda Bradley

AUSTIN–The Baptist General Convention of Texas elected Michael Bell, pastor of Greater St. Stephen First Baptist Church in Fort Worth, as president–the first African-Amer-ican to hold the position.

Bell defeated Rick Davis, pastor of First Baptist Church in Brownwood, 1,278-310 in a ballot vote. Annual meeting messengers responded to the result with a round of applause.

Bell moved into the position after serving as BGCT first vice president for the past year.

Newly elected BGCT President Michael Bell (center) of Fort Worth is flanked by First Vice President Steve Vernon (left) of Levelland and Second Vice President Dan Wooldridge of Georgetown.

David Currie of San Angelo, executive director of Texas Baptists Committed, nominated Bell. He praised Bell's credentials and encouraged voters to make a historical decision by electing the first African-American BGCT president.

“Electing Michael Bell would send a message around the state and throughout the nation that Texas Baptists are inclusive,” Currie said. “Make history today and elect my good friend Michael Bell as president.”

David Montoya, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Mineral Wells, nominated Davis, saying Texas Baptists deserve choices.

“We can once again come together and have a choice of leadership,” he said to the crowd gathered at the Austin Convention Center.

Prior to the election, both Montoya and Davis said the move was not racially motivated and they respect Bell.

Steve Vernon, pastor of First Baptist Church in Levelland, was elected BGCT first vice president by acclamation, and Dan Wooldridge, pastor of Crestview Baptist Church in Georgetown, was elected BGCT second vice president by general consent.

Other officers elected in Austin were David Nabors of Duncanville as recording secretary, Mark Cook of Fort Worth as registration secretary and Bernie Spooner of Coppell as secretary of the corporation.

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.




BGCT approves sweeping change in governance structure

Posted: 11/18/05

Messengers to the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual meeting overwhelmingly approve changes in the convention's constitution and bylaws that streamline governance. (Photo by Robert Rogers)

BGCT approves sweeping
change in governance structure

By Teresa Young

AUSTIN–Messengers to the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual meeting overwhelmingly approved a revised constitution and set of bylaws that streamline its governance structure and make the convention's Executive Board more directly involved in the decision-making process.

The decisions set in motion “the most sweeping changes in BGCT governance since 1959,” said Wesley Shotwell, pastor of Ash Creek Baptist Church in Azle and chair of the Executive Board's Governance Commit-tee.

The previous constitution provided for an Executive Board of 230 members, making governance difficult, he said. The structure also created “a disconnect” between the Executive Board and the committees that did much of the convention work.

“The problem with this is that legally, the Executive Board is responsible for all the decisions that are made, and none of our 230 members now have a part in shaping those decisions,” Shotwell said. “There is also a lack of accountability.”

The approved new constitution will restructure the board as a 90-member entity composed of three people each from 30 different sectors across the state, based on county lines and determined by a formula of resident church membership, number of churches and amount of Cooperative Program giving.

The revised bylaws combine what were two individual sets of bylaws and essentially provide greater detail for the formation of the Executive Board. At least 30 percent of the board membership will be non-Anglo, which Shotwell said “represents an intentional strategy of diversity in the convention governance.”

In addition, Shotwell said, the board will reflect gender diversity as well, with purposeful inclusion of women in the group.

The board will meet three times a year, with the BGCT assuming travel expenses, a move Shotwell said will help members from smaller churches with limited budgets.

The 90 members will be assigned to serve on various committees, including the executive committee, the church missions and ministries committee, the institutional relations committee, the administrative support committee and the audit committee.

The revised governing document dissolves the Christian Education Coordinating Board and the Human Welfare Coordinating Board, with their duties falling under the institutional relations committee of the board.

The board is expected to transition to 90 members in less than two years, since current board members cannot be asked to resign or be “fired” under Texas nonprofit law.

Shotwell noted several Executive Board members declared their intent to resign if the constitution passed, but some had elected to complete their terms.

News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.