The Pastor's Desk

Common sense used to prevail…

I thought I was the only person that believed this, but apparently there are others who actually have some financial credibility saying it too.  You need to watch this video…

We keep hearing Obama in the media blame the previous administration for causing this crisis. Ironically, though Bush’s administration may have contributed to it somewhat, Obama’s policies are driving us off a cliff in the same direction. Read the following article from the Heritage Foundation to see a comparison of the Bush/Obama actions in this regard:

http://blog.heritage.org/2009/03/24/bush-deficit-vs-obama-deficit-in-pictures/

Everyone in the world is interested in one or both of those things.  Unfortunately, many do not make the connection that our view of sex and our sexual ethics have massive implications for our relationship with God.  Sex is a wonderful gift, but also very serious in God’s eyes.  Yet our culture treats it flippantly, without any thought of the huge consequences of sexual promiscuity.  Did you know that 31% of males and 21% of females ages 20-24 have had two or more sexual partners in the last twelve months and that 6% of teenage females have had male and female sexual partners in the past year?  We need to hear what God’s Word says about sex and the consequences that our decisions have on our salvation.  You will find this message provocative and disturbing, so buckle up!

 

 Walk in Love, Part 2 - The Apostacy of Sexual Sin: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 Walk in Love, Part 2 - The Apostacy of Sexual Sin: Download

Did Jesus really defend what He said or did He simply declare the gospel?  How did Jesus interact with His critics?  Follow along with us through the Gospel of Matthew and see the way Jesus interacts with everyone from critics to seekers.  Along the way, we will see several relevant principles for our own apologetic journey as we “follow” Jesus, the Great Apologist.

 

 Apologetics Part 2 - Following the Great Apologist: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 Apologetics Part 2 - Following the Great Apologist: Download

That is what the prophet Jude commanded all of us to do in light of all the false teaching that was spreading in the first century and threatening the true church.  But if false teaching was prevalent then (with no TVs, computers, blogs, emails, cell phones and Twitter updates) then how much more necessary is it for us to defend the faith in an age when we hear false teaching on a daily (sometimes hourly) basis?  This is a time when we must have answers for those who ask us about our beliefs.  This message introduces and explains the what and why of apologetics.  This is the beginning of an ongoing series labeled S.A.L.T. – Salt And Light Training.  Come join us Sunday night for this penetrating study.

 

 Apologetics Part 1 - Introduction: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 Apologetics Part 1 - Introduction: Download

So if elders are biblical, then where are they in Baptist life?  A quick study on the internet will show that many Southern Baptist churches are moving back to biblical eldership.  This message gives an historical (but brief) overview of elders in Baptist history.  We also talk about how elders relate to different groups in church (staff, the pastor, etc.) and the issue of elders in congregational life.

 

 Biblical Eldership Part 3 - Elders in Baptist Life: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 Biblical Eldership Part 3 - Elders in Baptist Life: Download

Why does God allow recession?  Why did He let the stock market crash of 1929 happen?  Does God have a purpose in economic suffering?  These are penetrating and relevant questions in our day.  Scripture speaks clearly about God’s purposes in suffering, including economic hardship.  Come listen to God’s Word as it unfolds five purposes in economic suffering.

 

 God's Purpose in Recession: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 God's Purpose in Recession: Download

So how does an ‘elder’ relate to a ‘pastor’, ‘overseer’ and ‘shepherd’?  And how many should a church have?  Does the New Testament teach there should be one pastor, like we have in most churches, or something different?  A look at the biblical evidence may challenge your assumptions, even if you have been in church your whole life.  In this message, we study the different terms used in the New Testament to refer to leadership and why shared leadership, or a plurality of biblical elders, is so important.

 

 Biblical Eldership Part 2: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 Biblical Eldership Part 2: Download