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Adam Dooley

Who Says You Cannot Go Home Again?

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Recently, I had the special opportunity of returning to my home church in Berea, Kentucky for homecoming services. If the nostalgia of seeing people from my childhood wasn’t enough, the church was also celebrating their new pastor, my pastor, who has returned to lead them after being away for 25 years.

As I stood to preach, the atmosphere was electric, and the joy was palpable. My love for this congregation is not only tied to memories from my teenage years, but also their instrumental role in helping me discern a call to ministry. This was the place where my love for Jesus grew and my commitment to preaching the whole Bible without apology was born. Standing behind the pulpit where it all began reminded me of both the privilege and responsibility of teaching the Word of God.

Much has changed since those early days. Preaching sermons from the Bible may be more difficult than it has ever been. We live in an age of soundbites where fewer and fewer people are willing to digest biblical truth. A YouTube generation has grown accustomed to messages that are three minutes or less. Added to these prevailing trends is growing distrust for any kind of authority and the overall resentment that many feel towards truth that is confrontational or convicting.

Yet, our modern tendencies neither disprove the truthfulness of Scripture nor diminish its veracity in our lives. To the contrary, the Bible accurately predicted a time when most would not endure sound doctrine but would accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their sinful desires, wanting to have their ears tickled (2 Tim. 4:3). The foolishness of our day is equal to myth, largely because so many have turned their ears away from the truth (2 Tim. 4:4). Yet, in this climate, the apostle Paul’s final admonition to his protégé Timothy is to preach the word in season and out of season, knowing that God watches and hears every message His ministers proclaim (2 Tim. 4:1-2).

 The implications for those who proclaim God’s truth are far reaching. Pastors must work hard so as not to be ashamed, but workmen who accurately handle the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15). The sacred accountability of preaching surfaces in James’ warning that not many should desire to be teachers of Scripture, knowing that doing so invites a stricter judgment (James 3:1). Even when the preached message invites criticism or contempt, the most important audience of every sermon in every place is God Himself.

Thus, any pastor worthy of his calling will do the hard work of studying to understand the Bible. He will proclaim what God says unapologetically whether it is popular or not. Rather than conform to the culture, he is to confront it with truth. Impressing people or drawing attention to himself is a violation of the sacred privilege bestowed upon him. Teaching book-by-book, chapter-by-chapter, and verse-by-verse, he is to reprove, rebuke, and exhort with great patience and instruction (2 Tim. 4:2). Every pastor will answer to God for his willingness to proclaim the whole counsel of Scripture (Acts 20:27).

But what about those who hear sermons? Though a good sermon begins in the pastor’s office, it does not become a reality until it hits the pew. Just as preachers will one day answer to God for what they preach, listeners will also give an account for how they hear and respond to the message.

Hebrews 13:7 instructs, “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.” In the context of the local church, the writer of Hebrews also encourages, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.”

In general, the Bible is saying that Christians can do their part by being joyful rather than contentious, always eager to yield to the Word. Preparing your heart to hear a good sermon is just as important as the pastor’s work to write it. These practical steps will greatly enhance your Sunday morning experience at church:

  • Pray for your pastor throughout the week as he studies.
  • Get a good night’s rest on Saturday night so that you are alert the next morning.
  • Pray that God will open your heart to what He wants to say through the preached word.
  • Take notes while you listen. This will help you to stay engaged throughout the message while also enabling you to recall it later. The weakest ink is better than the strongest memory.
  • If you hear something in the message you don’t like, refuse to take it personally. Ask, 1) is it biblical? and 2) am I wrong?
  • Remember, if you feel challenged, comforted, corrected, or even rebuked, that is GOOD! These signs are evidence that the Holy Spirit is working in your life.
  • Formulate at least one action step to help you respond to every sermon.
  • Thank God for the spiritual leaders He puts in your life.

The point behind guidelines like these is that God values the preaching of the Bible and so should we. The Lord’s eyes are upon us all, watching how congregants receive the substance the pastors deliver. You won’t remember every sermon you hear, but just like the many meals you’ve long forgotten, the preached Word will nourish your soul in ways seen and unseen.

Adam B. Dooley
May 20, 2025

Learning From Our Graduates

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One of the joys of pastoring is celebrating the milestone achievements of the people you serve and love. Over the previous few weeks, I have had the distinct joy of attending numerous graduations, from kindergarten to college, marking the significance of a completed goal. While people of any age can, and do, pursue their betterment through education, typically most graduates are budding teenagers or ambitious young adults.

With the backdrop of this youthful vigor, I’d like to offer a few important life lessons for the young and old alike. Born out of the collective insights of history’s wisest man, these reminders have stood the test of time for all generations. Near the end of his life, King Solomon offered this sage counsel for our benefit.

Life without God is pointless. “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no delight in them (Ecc. 12:1).”” These words serve as a helpful reminder that the greatest opportunity under the sun is knowing God personally. By emphasizing the necessity of paying attention to your Maker early, Solomon exposes the improbability of our growing less instead of more cynical as we age.

By listing the traumas of old age (Ecc. 12:3-7), Israel’s most successful king prioritizes giving God the best years of our lives. The premise here is not that children and teenagers love the Lord more than adults. Instead, the clear point is that refusing to live for your Creator when you are young makes it much less likely that you will do so as you grow old. Refusing to acknowledge God leads to great regret and an unhealthy obsession with the perils of aging.

This principle runs contrary to our modern live and let live fixation which lauds sowing our wild oats before moving into adulthood. Giving God the best years of our existence opens the door for fulfillment and blessings. Waiting to honor and worship Him, though, subjects us to much heartache and lament as we mature, largely because doing so shows contempt for the Lord’s holiness and majesty.

Years ago, I heard a sobering testimony of a teenage girl who admitted her desire to live for herself and worldly pleasures until she grew old, at which time she would give herself fully to Jesus. Upon hearing these words, sensing an opportunity, an aged Christian woman sent her a box of wilted flowers.

She later explained to the girl, “I cut the flowers on Monday of this week, and they were so beautiful. By week’s end, when they wilted and were ready to die, I thought of you. Young lady, that is exactly what you’re doing to God. You are saying that you will enjoy the young flower of your life, but when your life is old and wilted you will give it to the Lord.” No wonder the Bible instructs us to remember God in the days of our youth.

Wisdom without revelation is foolish. Because one graduation often leads to another, understanding the true source of wisdom is crucial. By describing his efforts to capture God’s directives in writing, Solomon reveals both the nature and value of Scripture. As king, he sought to share truth through proverbs by pondering persuasive words and their careful arrangement, with the goal of presenting reality correctly (Ecc. 12:9-10).

These human efforts should not dissuade us from the divine inspiration of the Bible, though, because the collections of Scripture are all given by one Shepherd, namely the Lord Himself (Ecc. 12:11). In other words, God chose to reveal truth through the human instruments of prophets, kings, and apostles as the Holy Spirit moved them (1 Pet. 1:20-21).

Consequently, the Bible is more important than any book in history. In my personal library are textbooks for world civilization, calculus, biology, psychology, English, and writing, all of which are now outdated due to numerous additions and revisions. Yet, God’s Word has not and will not change because it will endure forever (Isa. 40:8). Though education is immensely valuable, real wisdom comes through the timeless revelation of God rather than the books of men.

Hope without obedience is dangerous. With the aforementioned lessons in mind, the necessary emphasis on obedience emerges. If I may borrow Solomon’s words directly, “fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person (Ecc. 12:13).” The idea is simply showing reverence for the Lord by how you live. While good works are not the source of our redemption, they are the evidence for it (James 2:20). Life change does not contradict salvation by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-9); it demonstrates its reality (Eph. 2:10).

Reassuring ourselves of eternal salvation while simultaneously rejecting the straightforward commands and unmistakable priorities of Scripture is a recipe for eternal disaster. Because every good tree bears good fruit, Jesus not only emphasized knowing others by their fruits, but He also warned that many will falsely assume their entrance into His eternal kingdom (Matt. 7:17-21). Hoping in a salvation of our own making is dangerous because it just isn’t real.

So, let’s give attention our Creator NOW, whether we be young or old. Let’s heed the words of Scripture NOW, measuring other resources against its timeless truths. And let’s prioritize obedience NOW, knowing that real faith manifests itself through demonstrable change.

Adam B. Dooley
May 14, 2025

Living a Blessed Life

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Located just 500 miles northeast of Vancouver, the Fraser River in British Columbia divides into two streams. One flows eastward to the Atlantic Ocean. The other runs westward to the Pacific Ocean. Dubbed as the Great Divide, just six inches after the fork in the river, each new conduit is unchangeably fixed.

So it is in life. Along the way there are certain decisions that have the power to forever alter our course. Psalm 1 presents such a scenario as we consider two very different ways to live. The psalmist contrasts the known, steady path that leads to eternal life with the enticing, wicked path that promises much while delivering little.

The word “blessed” speaks of one’s condition before the Lord. Perhaps you recall that Jesus chose the same concept to introduce each of the beatitudes in His Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:1-12). Some Bible translations reduce the notion to “happiness.” While the term is not less than our personal gladness, it encompasses much more. To be “blessed” references the joy and peace God’s favor and approval brings to our lives. Numerous feelings often accompany these blessings, but they are not limited by our emotions or the lack thereof. A Christian can live knowing that God’s blessings are upon his life.

But how?

What is the key to unlocking the assurance that we live with God’s favor? Thankfully, Psalm 1 speaks both negatively and positively in order to guide us. The former outlines what we must not do in order to enjoy God’s favor while the latter emphasizes what we must do to live a blessed life.

So, what are we to avoid? First, the psalmist reveals that we must not walk in the counsel of the wicked (Psa. 1:1a). The lesson here is about influence. Because there is a thin line between reaching the world and becoming like the world, believers must be selective about who speaks into their lives. Far too many Christians naively crack the door to a host of wicked influences.

We daydream about the celebrity lifestyle. We laugh at blasphemous jokes. We seek out the popular rather than the principled. We entertain ourselves with movies and series that mock God. Then, before we know it, we are walking according to the rhythm of the world without noticing. With hearts that are slowly dulled, we begin to drift away from the Lord.

Second, we must not stand in the path of sinners (Psa. 1:1b). The image of a “path” communicates one’s lifestyle. Notice the progression. When we cede influence to those who are carnal, sooner or later we join their ranks. Consequently, we normalize sinful habits. We justify and promote carnality. We begin to prize feelings over the truth of God’s Word. We might even celebrate our compromised faith as a new path forward in a modern world. Far too many take their stand for all the wrong things.

No matter the spin put on it, deconstructing the faith is no different than abandoning the faith. A blessed man, though, sees through all the rhetoric and propaganda, refusing to be driven by the wayward impulses of the world. He guards his life and testimony, declining to stand where God would not.

Third, we should not sit in the seat of scoffers (Psa. 1:1c). These are those who mock the God of Scripture and anyone who dares to follow Him. Again, we can easily see the hateful continuity. Once we begin to live like the wicked, soon, we are so comfortable that we openly chide the faithful. Scoffers dismiss biblical Christianity as fanatical, label clear doctrine as narrow and bigoted, and dismiss supernatural acts as uneducated and unscientific. The blessed Christian will avoid hecklers like these. He is uncomfortable sitting by idly while detractors belittle his faith, blaspheme his God, and ridicule his church family.

Now, moving to the positive, what must we do to invite God’s favor? The psalmist’s instruction is twofold. Our chief commitment is to love God’s law (Psa. 1:2a). While the term “law” can refer to the first five books of the Bible, here it references all of Scripture. We are told to cherish the Word by making it our greatest delight. Reading the Bible must not be a drudgery for serious believers.

Next, we should meditate day and night upon what the Bible says (Psa. 1:2b). Contrary to Eastern mysticism which prioritizes emptying your mind in order to meditate, the biblical emphasis is just the opposite. We are to fill our thoughts with Scripture, pondering what it means, contemplating its application, and hiding it in our hearts. Resisting the influence of hell requires submitting the directives of God’s Word.

Only one man ever lived up to these priorities perfectly. Thus, if we choose to embrace these ideals, we must do so in the righteousness of Jesus alone. With God’s Son as our Savior, we are free to resist sin and embrace Scripture without fear of failure. We do so with gratitude for salvation, not in the pursuit of earning our redemption.

And what is the result of these commitments? You “will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers (Psa. 1:3).” In other words, God will bless your life more than you can ever imagine.

Adam B. Dooley
May 8, 2025

Is The Papacy Biblical?

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In a matter of days, 135 eligible cardinals from around the world will gather in Rome for a papal conclave in order to choose the next pope for the Roman Catholic Church. Meeting beneath the artistic scenery of the Sistine Chapel, these electors will vote as many as four times per day until their chosen leader receives a two-thirds majority. Cut off from the outside world, participants pledge an oath of secrecy and objectivity before the proceedings begin. The burning of ballots signals the conclave’s progress, or lack thereof, to the world.

Black smoke from the chapel’s chimney indicates a failure to reach consensus and continued voting. Once a new pontiff is chosen, white smoke created by added chemicals is the first declaration of the transition to the world. Upon his election, Rome’s new bishop must immediately offer his consent by answering the question, “Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?” Next, he will choose a new name for himself, often a means of honoring predecessors or identifying his leadership vision.

With these clerical matters completed, the new pope assumes complete authority over the worldwide church immediately. After a formal announcement in Latin, he emerges at St. Peter’s Basilica in order to offer an apostolic blessing, heralded as the new vicar of Christ.

If all of this seems a bit medieval, it’s because it is. Roman Catholics are quick to tell us that the Apostle Peter functioned as the first pope because he is the rock upon which Jesus promised to build His church (Matt. 16:18). Though I do not doubt the sincerity of their claim, both Scripture and history tell a different story. The first recognized pope did not emerge until the 5th century when Leo I became bishop of Rome.

The word “pope” simply means “father.” Early on, the endearing term described important bishops in numerous places. As late as the fourth century, Alexandria and Carthage celebrated popes Athanasius and Cyprian in Northern Africa. Throughout the eastern Roman empire, many others donned the title as bishops, with no consensus around the primacy of a Roman pope. Furthermore, cities like Antioch and Alexandria were much more important to the early development of the church than anything happening in Italy.

The fall of the western Roman empire brought barbarian invasions which threatened all that was left of ancient civilization, particularly in the city of Rome. Though the Roman empire continued to thrive in the east (the Byzantine period), western cities like Rome were left vulnerable to total destruction. In this climate, Rome’s bishop, the aforementioned Leo I, broadened his power and influence by negotiating for the peace and preservation of the city multiple times.

Though the church in the east did not recognize his unique authority, Leo believed that God blessed his efforts because he was a successor to Saint Peter. Thus began the evolution of Rome’s primacy and the pope’s increased authority. As the Italian seat of authority grew and the strength of Constantinople began to wane over the next few centuries, papal consensus began to grow. It was not, however, until after the Great Western Schism of the 15th century that a more unified papacy began to emerge.

I realize that this history is foreign to many, but it is illustrative of the false claim that the papal office goes all the way back to Peter. Nothing in the biblical record even hints at the papacy as we know it today. How, then, should we understand Jesus’ recorded statement to His beloved apostle? The exegetical nuances of Matthew 16:18 are impossible discuss here, but the point of confusion centers on whether Peter himself or the confession he made serves as the foundational stone for the true church.

Simply allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture makes it obvious that Peter’s confession is the rock upon which the church has been built. Clearly, Peter did not claim to be the first pope, nor did anyone treat him as such. Such an understanding in no way detracts from Peter’s leadership in the early church.

His name is mentioned first wherever we find a record of the early apostles and disciples (see Matt. 10:2; Mark 3:16; Luke 6:14; Acts 1:13). Furthermore, he was part of the inner circle of three that Jesus privileged to witness the resurrection of Jarius’ daughter (Mark 5:35-43), the Mount of Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-3), the Olivet Discourse (Mark 13), and the Gethsemane prayer time (Mark 14:32-42).

Yet, Peter himself claimed to be a “fellow elder” in the early church without special privilege (1 Pe. 5:1-5). Call him the first among equals if you will, but his authority was equal to and not greater than his fellow apostles. The deliberations of the Jerusalem Council make this plain, demonstrating that Peter spoke with conviction, but no more so than James, Paul, or Barnabas (Acts 15:1-29). Additionally, Paul’s public rebuke of Peter for misrepresenting the gospel before the Judaizers reveals that he was under authority even as he exercised authority (Gal. 2:1-14). Peter was no pope.

For these reasons, we ought to reject the practice of papal authority as unbiblical, even as we pray for God’s mercy in a broken system. There is no earthly vicar of Christ precisely because there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Tim. 2:5). Yet, whomever Rome designates as its new leader will articulate and advance the faith for many Christians around the world.

To date, the official positions of the Vatican have stood firm on the sanctity of all human life and the biblical definition of marriage. Christians everywhere should applaud these commitments even as we should pray that the next pope will not deviate from them. I do not have to recognize papal authority in order to recognize the value of historical moral positions and human flourishing.

Adam B. Dooley
April 30, 2025

After the Instagram Post

By Evangelism, Grace, Gratitude No Comments

I’ve been encouraged recently by all the posts about Easter on social media. I love the family photos. I love watching children hunt eggs. I love seeing families come together for meals. But most importantly, I love the truth behind this special day on the calendar. Believers and skeptics alike gathering to celebrate and consider the resurrection of Christ is always healthy and inspiring from my perspective. Both the Bible and the great hymns of the Christian faith seem to come alive on a day set aside to remember that though He was dead, Jesus Christ of Nazareth is now very much alive.

But now what?

As we move toward summer, what bearing, if any, will the Easter reality have on our lives? Faithful Christians will rightly say that every Sunday is a resurrection celebration. Some traditions that follow a strict liturgical calendar will even observe fifty days of Eastertide emphases.

What I am asking, though, is what difference will it make in our lives? Is Easter merely a photo op to capture an annual moment for Instagram? Is pumping our children full of sugar-coated marshmallows our only goal? Will the only lingering recollection of last weekend come when we run over unfound plastic eggs with the lawn mower in the coming weeks? I hope not. If I may, let me suggest three healthier, more meaningful responses to the resurrection of Christ.

First, it is imperative that we BELIEVE. We’ve heard sermons about the resurrection. We’ve read Bible verses that declare its historicity. We realize that all of Christianity is built upon the central truth that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead (1 Cor. 15:3-4). Yet, a failure to believe that these reports are true is to place ourselves outside the faith that has been handed down to the saints (Jude 3).

Even worse, unbelief leaves us vulnerable to a judgment of our works that will result in eternal condemnation (Rev. 20:12). Stated simply, if we do not, by grace through faith, accept the free gift of salvation purchased on the cross and accomplished by the resurrection, we cannot be saved (Eph. 2:8-9). The Apostle Paul assures us, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Rom. 10:9).”

Second, all true believers must be willing to SHARE. After His resurrection Jesus appeared to more than 500 people over a period of forty days. During the same period, the Lord instructed us to make disciples of the all nations by going, teaching, and baptizing (Matt. 28:19-20). Just moments before ascending back to heaven, Jesus admonished His followers to be His witnesses where they lived, in surrounding areas, and around the world (Acts. 1:8).

Motivated by His future return, Christians prioritize sharing the good news of salvation far and wide. Thus, appropriate questions to ask after Easter include the following: Who do I know that is unsaved? What opportunities do I have to share the gospel? Where can my life have the biggest impact for Christ? Why do I sometimes refuse to share my faith?

Third, because Christ lives, we should OBEY. To some, emphasizing obedience while extolling God’s grace may seem like a contradiction. Biblically, however, the former is the natural expression of the latter. Disciples of Jesus do not obey God to earn His grace, but to express His grace instead. Just after celebrating the means of grace through faith for salvation, Ephesians 2:10 exclaims, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

Gratitude, not guilt, is the primary motivator for holy living. Because Jesus lives and promises to return for His children, each of us should strive to be more like Him as we prepare to meet Him. Easter should be the beginning, not the end of our commitment to God. My prayer for you, and myself, is that this year’s celebration will so grip our hearts so that we are changed forever. One day with Jesus can change the rest of your life.

Adam B. Dooley
April 27, 2025

The Easter Substitute

By Cross, Salvation No Comments

Did you know that the Valley of the Fallen, just outside Madrid, Spain, is home to the tallest cross in the world? The impressive structure stands a remarkable 492 feet tall and can exceed winds in excess of 100 miles per hour. The cross of Jesus, though, stands even higher, rising above the vain ambitions, petty concerns, and despicable sins of our material world. Rising above the politically correct winds of naturalism, humanism, and secularism, our Savior’s cross has yet to break under the misguided whims and carnal agendas of modernity.

One of the blessings surrounding this time of year is the opportunity to revisit the familiar stories of our faith in order to celebrate their significance anew. I find in my own life, no matter how many times I read the Easter narrative, some detail always resonates with me in a fresh, meaningful way. Focusing on the unique perspective of each biblical author unveils the divine agenda behind each of the New Testament’s four gospels.

This year, Mark’s recollection of Jesus’ final week has been particularly inspiring. In his effort to portray Jesus as the unexpected king, Mark repeatedly emphasizes the substitutionary nature of our Savior’s sacrificial work. By highlighting how alone Jesus was on the cross, we get a glimpse of the magnitude and meaning of His redemptive work.

For instance, substitute followers surrounded our Lord because His disciples all fled for their lives when Jesus needed them most (Mark 14:50). Despite His previous command to take up their crosses and follow Him (Mark 8:34), the presence of Simon of Cyrene carrying the cross of our Savior is dreadful reminder that our Savior was forsaken (Mark 15:21). Likewise, after their desperation for places of honor on Jesus’ right and left hand (Mark 10:35-40), two thieves on crosses of their own replace James and John as partakers of Christ’s bitter cup (Mark 15:27) .

The greater act of substitution, though, is found in the reality that Jesus took our place on the cross by becoming sin for us (2 Cor. 5:21). Often referred to as substitutionary atonement, Mark recalls two incidents which reinforce the concept that Jesus became our scapegoat.

First, we see the glory of substitution in Pilate’s offer to set one prisoner free, resulting in the choice between Jesus and Barabbas (Mark 15:7-15). The name Barabbas means “son of a rabbi” or “son of the father.” Hidden in the oldest manuscripts of Matthew 27:16 is the revelation that this man’s first name was Jesus. In other words, his full name was Jesus Barabbas.

Thus, when standing before the crowd, Pilate was essentially asking them, “Which Jesus will you choose?” One was a known terrorist; the other was the King of a heavenly kingdom. One was a man without God; the other was God in human flesh. One was a taker of human life; the other was a giver of human life. When the crowd chooses Barabbas, a dramatic portrayal of substitution emerges.

The imprisoned one who was guilty is set free in order that he might live, while the free One who was innocent is imprisoned in order to die. Or, if you prefer, the One who was guilty of no sin took the place of the one who was guilty of great sin.

Sound familiar?

Simply put, Barabbas is a profound picture of you and me. By shedding His blood on the cross, Jesus absorbed the punishment we deserved. The theme of redemptive substitution runs throughout Scripture. “All of us like sheep have gone astray,” wrote the prophet Isaiah, “Each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him (Isa. 53:6).” Similarly, the Apostle Peter later wrote, “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God . . . (1 Pet. 3:18).”

Second, Mark’s emphasis on the miracle of darkness from high noon until 3 p.m. also points to Jesus as our substitute (Mark 15:33). Just as the plague of darkness covered the land of Egypt when the first Passover lamb was sacrificed, now darkness again hovered over the earth as God’s final Passover Lamb bled and died. First century Jews rightly understood darkness as a sign of God’s judgment.

The prophet Amos predicted the moment as sign of Yahweh’s anger with His people (Amos 8:9). As the cursed One hung upon a tree, God the Father poured out His full wrath on His Son, consuming Him as a burnt offering for sin (Isa. 53:4-10). Wave upon wave of our sin fell upon the sacrificial Lamb who faced the judgment of God so that we would not need to. Though the brightness of angels lit up a dark sky at His birth, the darkness of God’s holy indignation dimmed the noon sun at Jesus’ death.

The whole scene reveals not only the ugliness of sin, but also the beauty of God’s mercy and grace. While conversations of sin sometimes grate on contemporary ears as old-fashioned and out of touch, we cannot understand the cross of our Savior without grasping why it was necessary in the first place. I am so grateful that God sent His only begotten Son to be our substitute.

Adam B. Dooley
April 18, 2025

Enthusiasm Talks, But What Does it Say?

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If I may ask a deeply personal question, what is your biggest failure or regret as a Christian? Was it a private sin that still causes you hidden shame? Or a public stumble that embarrasses you in front of others? Maybe it was a single act that haunts you daily? Or a pattern of disobedience that hounds you even now? All regrets in life are painful, but failing the Lord has a much deeper sting.

To illustrate, let’s learn from what was surely the most profound failure in the life of the Apostle Peter. His example is like a roadmap to help us find our way when we stray. My intent is not to throw stones, but to learn from the mistakes of one of God’s most sincere servants.

Admittedly, there is much to admire about Peter’s relationship with the Lord. Protestants are sometimes hesitant to acknowledge his influence as the leader of the apostles because of the false notion of a papacy (based upon a misinterpretation of Matt. 16:16-18). Peter was no pope, but his name is mentioned first wherever we find a record the early apostles and disciples (see Matt. 10:2; Mark 3:16; Luke 6:14; Acts 1:13). Furthermore, he was part of Jesus inner circle of three that Jesus privileged to witness the resurrection of Jarius’ daughter (Mark 5:35-43), the Mount of Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-3), the Olivet Discourse (Mark 13), and the Gethsemane prayer time (Mark 14:32-42).

Added to all of this was Peter’s unrivaled enthusiasm. Only he jumped out of a boat alone in order to walk on water with Jesus (Matt. 14:22-33) and then later to swim ashore just to be with Jesus first (John 21:7). He also insisted so vehemently that he would never deny Jesus that the other disciples felt compelled to join his fervor (Mark 14:29-31). Yet, the scathing failure that follows and the lesson that emerges teaches us that enthusiasm does not always equal maturity.

As soon as Jesus was taken away (Mark 14:53), the Bible reveals that Peter began to follow the Lord at a distance (Mark 14:54). Granted, all the other disciples had already fled for their lives (Mark 14:50). We should not miss, however, that the one who promised he would die before denying the Savior was trying to protect himself by blending in with the crowd.

Even worse, though, is Peter’s three-fold denial that contrasts Jesus’ time before the High Priest (Mark 14:66-72). What began as a cavalier dismissal of the man he identified as the Christ (Mark 8:29) ends with Peter cursing and swearing just to prove his innocence (Mark 14:71). The intensity grew as he denied the Lord before a single servant girl, then a group of bystanders, and finally many others as well. As the cock began to crow, Jesus’ trusted disciple began to weep (Mark 14:72). Peter, the rock, cracked under the pressure.

And so do we.

God calls us to take up our cross and follow Him (Mark 8:34-35), but few of us are as eager to do so as we often communicate. In fact, like Peter, we are much quicker to deny our Lord than to deny ourselves. Turning the gospel into a means of self-fulfillment and self-preservation signals that we aren’t all that interested in self-denial. The expectation that we will deny dreams that dishonor the Lord, actions that disobey the Word, and attitudes that dismiss the Spirit often falls by the wayside.

In the aftermath, we cover our immaturity with an extra dose of enthusiasm. We boast of faithfulness that we have not lived. We celebrate victories that we never actually won. And we guarantee sacrifices that we don’t ever expect to pay. Peter’s shortcomings remind us that it’s not how loud you shout on Sunday that matters, it’s how straight you walk on Monday that’s important.

I’m not suggesting that enthusiasm is bad (far from it!), but that it simply is not an accurate measurement of real commitment to Christ. Emotional displays often lack substance. Grandiose promises can be void of genuine commitment. Worship experiences do not always translate into life impact.

All the warning signs were there that Peter was not as committed as he portrayed himself to be. Just hours before the cross in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus invited him to pray. Nevertheless, in what became an accurate prophecy of his upcoming denial, three times the Lord found His compromised disciple sleeping on the job. In other words, when Jesus needed him the most, Peter hadn’t been there for Him once before.

Denying ourselves, not enthusiasm, is the true mark of maturity. Doing so means that we refuse to assert our rights when what we want violates Scripture. It means that we follow what God teaches rather than our heart or our feelings. We should boldly share our faith without calculating how others might perceive us. We should prize our convictions over our comforts. And we should carve out time in our busy lives for Bible reading and prayer.

Thankfully, Peter not only admonishes us through his mistakes, but also in his restoration. Even if you have denied Lord, it is never too late to come back to Him and be part of His kingdom. Peter certainly did. Three times he fell asleep on Christ. Three times he denied his Savior. But three times he also expressed his love for Jesus.

Do you remember Jesus’ appearance to Peter and the twelve after His resurrection (John 21)? It must have gotten his attention when Jesus asked Peter, do you love me? The second time probably rattled him. But the third time I am certain Peter realized that this was his opportunity to make right what he did so poorly before. By restoring his beloved Apostle, Jesus proved to him, and us, that our past failures need not define our present faithfulness.

Adam B. Dooley
April 14, 2025

Knowing the Will of God

By Faithfulness, Peace, Priorities, Providence, Will of God No Comments

“Where should I go to college?”

Who should I marry?”

“Should I take the promotion?”

“How do I choose the right church?”

All of these questions are a variation of the most common question I’ve gotten over the years as a pastor. “How can I know God’s will for my life?” For many, nothing is more mysterious and elusive than discerning how God wants them to live. The consternation and confusion caused by this dilemma can be exhausting.

But what If I told you that it doesn’t have to be that difficult? What if I told you that you that the will of God is not nearly as complicated as we often make it? If you could have confidence that each of your decisions honored the Lord, would you be interested?

Thankfully, tucked away in Romans 12:2 is the wonderful statement that “you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” The key, though, is that we learn to think biblically and spiritually. The context of these words reveals two lessons about discerning the will of God.

First, God expects us to approach all of life with a posture of submission. In other words, when we understand all that Christ has done for us, we should gladly yield to whatever He chooses for our lives as it becomes apparent. Think of it as putting your “yes” on the table even before you know what God desires.

The Apostle Paul wrote, Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship (Rom. 12:1). The image of a living and holy sacrifice hearkens back to the Old Testament blood sacrifices offered by the nation of Israel. The idea here, though, is not that we should die for the Lord, but that we should die to ourselves each day as we seek to live in obedience.

According to the text, this is the only reasonable response when we understand the mercy of God (explained in the first 11 chapters of Romans) in our lives. God’s grace is never a license to live however we choose. Instead, His love and grace compel us to submit ourselves gladly to the will of God.

Second, we must learn to operate within the parameters of Scripture if we are serious about pleasing our Savior. Unfortunately, we often think very little about the will of God until we need to make a what we classify as a BIG decision. Things like where to live, whom to marry, what career to pursue, and so on usually drive us to consider seeking the Lord’s direction. We should not expect God to reveal new direction to us, however, if we are blatantly ignoring what He has already revealed in Scripture. If we refuse to obey what is already clear in God’s Word, why should we expect Him to guide us in new ways?

To help us, the Apostle Paul offers two guardrails (one negative, one positive): Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Rom. 12:2a). Defensively, we should not conform to this world. The word “world” refers to a worldview that is dominated by Satan. Proving the will of God requires resisting the fallen way of thinking that plagues our culture. With so much homemade religion in the world today, there is tremendous pressure to approve what is blatantly contrary to Scripture and, frankly, common sense. Neither slick propaganda campaigns nor selfish emotional appeals will ever justify disobedience, though. If it contradicts Scripture, it is not the will of God.

Proactively, the renewal of our minds is what transforms us. Stated differently, the Holy Spirit changes us when we learn to think correctly. How is that possible? Again, the Bible provides the parameters for sound, godly thoughts and decisions. Refusing to fill our minds with filth prepares to us to read and understand the Scripture as God desires. When we resist sin daily and fill our minds with the Bible continually, the profound result is not that we find the will of God but that we prove the will of God. To use Paul’s language, we prove that which is good and acceptable and perfect (Rom. 12:2b). The idea is that we are free to make spiritual decisions with confidence, knowing what will honor the Lord!

Let’s put it all together. If my driving ambition is to honor Jesus (present your bodies); If there is no unconfessed sin in my life (do not be conformed); and if my mind is sanctified with Scripture (the renewing of your mind), I am free to make decisions, big or small, with confidence that God is leading me. Discerning God’s will is not a mystical experience dependent upon signs from heaven before we can obey. Instead, the daily practice of submission to God coupled with the renewal of our minds through Scripture makes the will of God readily apparent.

Adam B. Dooley
April 4, 2025

The Art of Finishing Well

By Christian Living, Discipleship, Holiness, Righteousness No Comments

The year was 1949. CIA operative Douglas Mackiernan fled for the border of Tibet as Mao Tse-Sung’s communist army swept through China. Though the national boundary was a treacherous 1200 miles away, getting there was the only hope for survival. For seven months he endured the elements. First, he needed to cross the desert. Going without water for three days at one point left Doug and his companions nearly dead. A seeping spring saved their lives.

Next, Mackiernan faced the Himalayas in the dead of winter. While traversing the jagged terrain at 16,000 feet, the air was so thin and cold that speaking was simply too painful. Speaking only through hand signals, Doug and his comrades pressed on. The piercing winds threatened frostbite. Mounds of snow obscured the path. Losing his horse made the trek more difficult. But Mackiernan pressed on, never veering too far off the centuries old path marked by large piles of stone.

What were these mounds? They were above ground tombs for those who endeavored to make the arduous journey before. With the ground frozen solid beneath them, local residents did not attempt to dig graves. They simply pulled the deceased to one side of the trial and heaped piles of rocks over their bodies. These markers to the left and right of the path formed a natural map for those brave enough to keep pressing forward. Each grave was a visible reminder that despite your progress along the trail you could not let your guard down until you finished.

The same is true for Christians today. No matter how long we serve the Lord, how faithful we’ve been, or how much distance we’ve covered, we can never let our guard down until we get to heaven. Finishing the race of faith well is much more important than how we begin. As we age and mature in our walks with God our temptations may change, but they never go away. Remaining faithful to the Lord until the very end requires much discipline and intentionality.

For as long as I can remember the Old Testament character Gideon has fascinated me. Living during one of the most tumultuous periods in the history of Israel, some might refer to this unassuming man as a coward. The first time we meet him he is hiding in a winepress from Israel’s oppressors, the Midianites (Judges 6:11). Through a dramatic turn of events, God empowered Gideon to confront the false prophets of his nation and defeat the enemies’ army (Judges 6-8). His acts were heroic, and his humility was refreshing.

When it was all over, Gideon was so popular that his countrymen attempted to make him king over Israel (Judges 8:22). The honor was misguided, though, because at this point in their history God was the only King over His chosen people. Thankfully, Gideon resisted the opportunity, at least with his words (Judges 8:23). Forty years of peace ensued as the entire nation reaped the rewards of faithfulness.

I wish the story ended there. Yet, as a testimony of its veracity, the Bible reveals that that Gideon’s practice did not mirror his profession. He divided the spoils from war like a king (Judges 8:24-26). He took multiple wives and concubines for himself, just like a king (Judges 8:29-32). He even named his son Abimelech, which means my father is king (Judges 8:31). In other words, despite what he said, Gideon lived as if he was king in Israel. God’s faithful servant stumbled at the finish line and, consequently, led the nation back to the same apostacy he worked so hard to overcome (Judges 8:33).

Unfortunately, this biblical plot is often far more common than we care to admit. Do you remember Douglas Mackiernan? After seven months he finally made it to the Tibetan border. The week prior he radioed the US embassy requesting that they inform border guards of his arrival. When he was finally close enough to see the crossing between the two nations, Doug’s exhaustion turned to joy and he began running ferociously toward freedom. When he was only 100 yards away, tragedy struck as shots rang out.

Doug Mackiernan was hit, and he fell dead on the path. The guards never received his message, and they mistook him for a renegade bandit. Soon, they pulled his body to the side of trail and covered it with stones. The man who labored a lifetime for his country became another boundary on the path. His ending was a tragic warning for those that followed in search of freedom (Adapted from Steve Farrar, Gettin’ There, 118).

Chances are you have heard a similar story. Maybe about a man who lived with integrity for most of his life, until he didn’t. Or a woman who was the epitome of faithfulness, until she wasn’t. Stumbling at the finish line is so familiar that we all have examples to share of families ruined, relationships broken, lives scarred, and faith shattered. We know far too well the devastation that comes when we don’t finish well.

So, let’s learn from the mistakes of those who admonish us through their pain. You and I do not have to be another spiritual casualty in the kingdom of God if we will heed the warnings of those whose mistakes instruct us. The freedom we find in Christ will be worth the discipline finishing well requires.

Adam B. Dooley
March 27, 2025

My Favorite Verse

By Future, God, Peace, Providence, Trials No Comments

My Favorite Verse

The name Abe Anglin probably means nothing to you, but from the fourth grade on I knew he just had to be my sixth-grade teacher. He wasn’t much over 6 feet tall, but to me he was a peculiar, giant of a man because he had a bald head with a large scar on the side due to brain surgery. Little did I know that I would not only be a student in his class, but I would also learn lessons from this man that still shape who I am today. In the providence of God, our families quickly became friends during my last year of elementary school. As a result, “Mr. A” as we called him, soon invited me to a church function where he would share his testimony.

As I listened to the story of how his brain tumor was successfully removed, he boasted only in the faithfulness of the Lord and the grace he received. I still remember how I felt when he began sharing his favorite verse of Scripture. “And we know,” he said, “that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28).” Instantly, I knew those words were special, and I soon decided that this would be my favorite verse too. What I did not realize, though, was just how important those words would be to me a few short months later.

Weeks before Christmas, while I was a student in his class, Mr. Anglin’s tumor came back. Before his second surgery, we sat outside my classroom on the floor after school. “Adam, I’m not afraid to die,” Abe said slowly. I shook my head, not immediately sensing the gravity of the moment. “Let me say it again. I will probably die from this tumor, but I want you to know I am not afraid.” His words overwhelmed me. I believed the gospel, but I had never met anyone with such bold faith. “If you will live for Christ,” he added, “you won’t fear that day either.”  The conversation is still so vivid to me.

By the time I reached the eighth grade, Mr. Anglin was still battling cancer. After having his tumor removed a third time, it became apparent that he would indeed die. At the tender age of 26, he was gone far too soon. Yet, no matter how unbearable his malady became, the words of Romans 8:28 always gave this remarkable man hope no matter how grim things appeared. I didn’t fully understand it then, and frankly, I’m not sure I grasp it now. I am certain, though, that this powerful verse of Scripture is a steady anchor when trials beat against the shore of our lives. Even death cannot unravel the hope found within these profound words.

If I may state the promise succinctly, God is always working for your good, even when you can’t see it. In every circumstance, in every struggle, in every heartache life throws your way, there is nowhere you can go and nothing that can happen to you when God is not actively working to bring about good. It may not always be obvious to you, especially during tumultuous seasons of misfortune, but the Bible teaches that God is out before you, guiding the steps and rhythms of your life.

And we know . . .” conveys a sense of confidence and assurance. Though our world is constantly changing, these words represent an unchanging promise from our eternal Lord. “God causes all things . . .” communicates the comprehensive scope of our Savior’s commitment to His people. God is actively weaving the incidental and monumental events of our lives together for His particular purposes. Not some things or most things, but ALL things. God uses every moment of your life to work toward His ultimate good for you.

Every enjoyable and wholesome circumstance you savor fits perfectly into God’s creative intentions for your life. He uses all the moments that give us overflowing gratitude far beyond the immediate satisfaction we can see and celebrate. In addition, the word ALL includes the less desirable realities of life as well. Bad things, tragic things, depressing things, shocking things, and even evil things have a sense of design because of God’s redemptive purpose for His children. NOTHING comes across the pages of your life that God doesn’t utilize for His greater plan. EVERYTHINGin your life leads to good when you know Jesus.

I would be remiss, however, without acknowledging that this wonderful promise is conditional. God limits His reassurance “ . . . to those who love God, to those who are called.”  When the Bible says WE know, it is referring to those who know and love God; or those who are born again. This promise, as most others, applies only to those who belong to Jesus. By turning to Christ in repentance and faith, we can live with the assurance that our Heavenly Father is actively working for our good.

And why is the Lord so faithful to His own? The next verse explains that God’s ultimate goal is to conform us to the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29). Our happiness and comfort are secondary to this primary agenda. The silver lining behind every burden is not that our circumstances will change, but that our character and commitment will transform instead.

Adam B. Dooley
March 19, 2025