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Adam Dooley

Jan 28
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The Secret of Satisfaction

By Holiness, Righteousness, Sanctification, Satisfaction No Comments

Jesus’ continual use of metaphors throughout the gospel powerfully anchored truth to our hearts in a way that cold prose seldom do. His principled images left lasting impressions that still resonate with us today, albeit in varying degrees that may differ from His original audiences.

Take for example, Jesus’ powerful reminder that a blessed person is one who hungers and thirsts after righteousness (Matt. 5:6). As the fourth in a series of Beatitudes, this statement builds upon the previous promises shared in order to describe the lives of those who know God. The righteousness Jesus emphasizes here is more practical than positional.

On the one hand, Scripture teaches that at the moment of salvation, God declares a person to be righteous because of the imputed purity of His Son. Simply put, Jesus took our sins upon Himself while hanging on the cross in order to place His holy perfection upon us (Rom. 5:19). When a person repents of sin and calls out to Christ for forgivness, he receives a new position in which God sees him as righteous (Phil. 3:9). Christians often refer to this as justification.

On the other hand, God works in our lives through a process called sanctification as well. How we live is a reflection of who we are. Thus, because the One who called us is holy, we should seek to be holy in all our behavior (1 Pet. 1:15). We should work out practically what God has declared about us positionally (Phil 2:12-13). Outward life change has always been the greatest evidence of inward transformation.

Rather than simply saying, “Seek to be as righteous as you can,” Jesus taps into the most basic of human needs in order to drive His point home. Hungering for righteousness makes sense to us because we sometimes use the same analogy today. We sometimes refer to an up-and-coming business man as being hungry to succeed. We view politicians as being hungry for power. In our minds, the best athletes are those we are hungry to win.

The reality, though, is that not all hunger is created equal. The full weight of Jesus’ metaphor is often lost on us because most Americans know little about starvation. In a world of Hot Eats, Cool Treats, thinking outside the bun, and Golden Arches on every corner, most of us have no meaningful concept of hunger. Yet, nearly every Jew who heard Jesus’ statement likely had a visceral reaction.

Famine and malnourishment were far too common in first century Judea. The Old Testament records a food shortage that was so severe that people in Samaria bartered for donkey heads and dove dung while mothers negotiated to cannibalize their children (2 Kgs. 6:25-29). Void of experiences like these, we might associate hunger with craving something to eat rather than being desperate for sustenance. There is a big difference.

Coach Bryan Bartley helps us see the distinction by describing athletes. “A hungry athlete,” he says, “will hunt and find food, cook it, devour it, and if they have high character, they will clean the kitchen after they are finished. A hungry athlete will find a place to work out and play, they will find a way on the team, and they’ll find a way to make an impact no matter what gets in their way.”

By contrast, “A person who just wants to eat will have a cabinet or refrigerator full of food but will sit at home and wait for someone to cook it for them, and if it isn’t cooked the way they want it to be cooked, they won’t eat it. An athlete who just wants to eat will work out when you make them, but only if you make them because they aren’t hungry enough to make themselves.”

Herein is the profound lesson behind Jesus’ metaphor. Spiritually speaking, are you hungry, or do you just want something to eat? Far too many want the benefit of knowing about God, but have very little desire to walk with Him daily. We love to give the impression of understanding the Bible, yet we frequently lack the concern or commitment to obey it. Those who are willing to digest a sermon on Sunday are not necessarily willing to prepare spiritual food for themselves during the week. God is looking for those who are profoundly hungry for righteousness.

In an effort to solidify His message further, Jesus employs the image of thirsting for righteousness as well. Again, our freedom to turn on the tap any time we need running water fights against our appreciation for the profundity of the lesson here.

Imagine walking across the dessert with empty water jugs and a mouth as dry as cotton. Or suppose you wake up in the middle of the night feeling ill, your lips are chapped, your voice is hoarse, and your tongue is dry. Think about the difficulty of eating an entire meal with nothing to wash your food down, and then, envision doing so for weeks. Like a deer that pants for water in the wilderness, we should thirst for God and His righteousness (Psa. 42:1-2).

And what is the reward for doing so? Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” The only way to find lasting joy, eternal purpose, and complete satisfaction in life is by living as God desires each and every day. In fact, every temptation we face is nothing more than a deceptive invitation to find fulfillment outside of God’s will. Don’t fall for the world’s lies. Hunger and thirst for righteousness and you will find greater satisfaction than you’ve ever known.

Do these images describe you? Are you always looking to obey the Lord? Are you continually desperate to be more like Christ? Are you repeatedly eager to give more of yourself to the God? Are you hungry, or do you just want something to eat? Are you thirsty, or do you just want a drink in your hand?

Adam B. Dooley
January 28, 2025

Jan 20
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A Christian Response to a New President

By Politics, Prayer, Sovereignty No Comments

Love him or hate him, Donald J. Trump is now the 47th president of the United States. Both the messiness and beauty of the American experiment was on full display in what is undeniably one of the most historic elections in our nation’s history. Not since 1892, when Grover Cleveland forged a political comeback after losing his reelection bid four years earlier, have we witnessed such an unlikely return to the White House. Trump is now just the second president to win two non-consecutive terms.

Add the backdrop of the July assassination attempt on then candidate Trump’s life and it is difficult not to use words like “destiny” to describe this election cycle. Had the Republican nominee not turned his head at precisely the correct moment, the assassin’s murderous intent would have been realized. Had the position of the bullet been just one inch to the right, the course of American history would have changed forever in a Butler, Pennsylvania. One cannot come closer to death and emerge unscathed.

President Trump seemed to be keenly aware of the divine providence over His return to Washington, D.C. during his inaugural speech. “Those who wish to stop our cause,” he said, “have tried to take my freedom and indeed to take my life. Just a few months ago, in a beautiful Pennsylvania field, an assassin’s bullet ripped through my ear. But I felt then, and believe even more so now, that my life was saved for a reason. I was saved by God to make America great again.”

Regardless of one’s political views, appreciating the undeniable momentum and comeback of our new president is not difficult. In light of his unlikely rise back to power, I am reminded of two important principles of Scripture.

God has sovereignly chosen President Trump to lead our nation. Though some might recoil over such a thought, acknowledging that God raises up those in authority is not intended to be a blanket endorsement of any leader, nor is it overtly political. The same premise applied to Joe Biden four years ago. The Lord alone establishes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings (Dan. 2:21). The Most High God rules over the earthly realm and He gives it to whomever He wishes (Dan. 4:32).

After what is admittedly the most heated political contest of my lifetime, we would all do well to remember that the Lord is strategic with His leadership over the nations, including ours, and He establishes all governmental authority as one means of accomplishing His purposes (Rom. 13:1). In no way do I presume to know God’s full intentions for this president, but I am confident that there is neither relief nor panic in heaven over who resides at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Sometimes God raises up godly politicians to be a conduit of His blessings on a nation. Or, He may choose a wicked ruler as a means of judgment on a people. Our tendency to believe that God wins when the right person is victorious or that He loses when an unbeliever assumes office is patently false. The Bible doesn’t suggest that God tolerates wicked leadership despite His desires otherwise, but that He ordains it according to His greater plan.

Thus, a wicked Pharaoh became a testimony of God’s glory throughout the earth (Rom. 9:7). God appointed the first king over Israel as an act of judgment against them (1 Sam. 10:1; 10:18). Thankfully, the same God later chose David (1 Sam. 16:12) to establish the throne of the Messiah and to bless the nations forever. But in both instances, the Lord can, and did, use good and evil leaders to achieve His goals for history. The same God is just as active and decisive today.

Christians of all political views should commit to pray for President Trump. The privilege of choosing our commander-in-chief brings with it the unfortunate feeling of winning and losing on each side of the political divide. These disagreements notwithstanding, believers of all persuasions must forfeit neither our eternal perspective nor our earthly responsibilities. Whether you view this president with enthusiasm or contempt, God is calling every believer to pray for him.

Think I’m overstating it? The Apostle Paul did not mince words, “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2-1-4).”

Moving from the general to the specific, Paul directs us to pray for all people, but especially for those in authority like kings, or in our case, presidents. And what is the ultimate aim of these prayers? Not only the welfare of our leaders, but also our ability to lead quiet and peaceful lives. Rooting against any president is equal to rooting against ourselves.

We should also realize God’s desire for all people to experience salvation and the knowledge of the truth which accompanies it, including our president. We should pray with earnest that Christ works within Donald Trump even as He works through his administration. Ask the Lord to give him discernment, which only comes by worshipping the Lord with reverence (Ps. 2:10-11).

Adam B. Dooley
January 20, 2025

Jan 16
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Why Did Jesus Tell Us to Mourn?

By Christian Living, Comfort, Grief, Mourning, Repentance, Sin No Comments

Though making an annual trip to St. Jude Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee admittedly causes a certain amount of anxiety, there is no greater feeling than hearing that my son remains cancer free after a decade since being treated for leukemia. We praise the Lord each year after learning that his scans are clear, just as we did all those years ago when we first heard the word remission.

This trip felt different though, because of our visit with a beautiful little girl from our city who is just beginning the same journey we traveled back then. Her parents were strong and optimistic, but their tired eyes told on them. When we walked into that little hospital room, I immediately felt the same fears and anxieties that plagued me on the day cancer rocked our world for the first time.

I still remember the musky smell of the room. Cartoon characters decorated wood paneled walls and bundles of children’s books were on both sides of our chairs as we waited. When the doctor walked in, her facial expression communicated great concern. Bracing for the worst, I knew deep down that whatever came next would not be good. “I wish I had better news,” said the doctor, “but I believe your son has leukemia.”

As we talked with this family about navigating three years of chemotherapy, I realized that the backdrop of my son’s joyful news from earlier was coming to grips with the painful reality from his toddler years. Or, you could say that we had to receive the BAD NEWS of his diagnosis in order to receive and appreciate the GOOD NEWS of his health now. Ignoring his condition was never an option. Our soaring joyfulness today is proportional to the depth of our trepidation then.

Ironically, Jesus echoed the same pattern about our spiritual condition. The Bible teaches that the gospel of Jesus Christ is good news for any who will call upon the name of the Lord to be saved (Rom. 10:13). Welcoming the gift of His grace, however, requires admitting that our sin falls short of God’s expectation for our lives (Rom. 3:23). Denying our wickedness is equal to rejecting the divine cure.

The subject of sin is almost always controversial because ours is an age that resists any notions of absolute truth, much less concepts of right and wrong. Because much of our world mocks and dismisses scriptural norms, labeling Christian morality as hate speech is a common ad hominem tactic used to avoid biblical assertions. Added to these external factors is our internal struggle to frame calls to repentance as an affront to personal autonomy. Simply put, we don’t want to talk about sin, even to the point of resenting any brave soul willing to do so.

Even worse for some, is the idea that we should feel guilt or shame over any of our lifestyle choices. One weakness of the American Church is our eagerness to falsely associate jovial, lightheartedness with Christianity itself. We want greeting card theology, picture perfect smiles, unlimited optimism, and painless sacrifice. Prizing carefree thoughtlessness is our best effort to avoid guilt trips and low self-esteem. Sadly, the result is often a watered-down gospel that minimizes wickedness while celebrating superficial expressions of faith.

Jesus taught just the opposite. Blessed are those who mourn, He said, for they shall be comforted (Matt. 5:4). These words are not a call to grim cheerlessness. Neither are they intended to reassure us regarding life’s burdens and trials. Though there is much in our lives to grieve over, the focus here is not the hardships we necessarily endure. Instead, Jesus is teaching us exactly how to respond when we stray from Him.

The prophetic words of the psalmist serve as the background of this Beatitude (See Psalm 61:1-3). There, Judah mourned over their exile to Babylon, which was the severe consequence for their waywardness. Seeking to make the same application for believers today, Jesus is challenging us to lament, weep, and mourn due to the weight of our transgressions. We should mourn that our sins offend our holy God. We should mourn that we are so easily enticed by temptation. And we should mourn over the sins that blind and enslave the people we love.

Such a message is rarely popular, but according to Jesus, it is a blessing that leads to comfort. Learning to grieve over what causes grief is the first step toward healing and restoration (James 4:9). In fact, God promises to . .  .

  • Comfort us with the relief of His forgiveness (1 John 1:9).
  • Comfort us with the joy of our salvation (Psalm 51:12).
  • Comfort us with the freedom of His presence (2 Cor. 3:17).
  • Comfort us with a hope for our future (Jer. 29:11).

In addition to these present realities, God promises the eternal comfort of His people in the place called heaven. He assures us of a future home where righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13), where He wipes all tears from our eyes (Rev. 21:4), and where death is swallowed up for all time (Isa. 25:8-9). In other words, weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning (Psa. 30:5).

None of us enjoy sorrow, and it is always difficult to admit when we are wrong. Yet, when we understand lament as an opportunity, our lives change for the better. The Apostle Paul explained, “I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us (2 Cor. 7:9).”

No wonder Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

Adam B. Dooley
January 16, 2024

Jan 10
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Does God Care About Our Happiness?

By Happiness, Holiness, Joy No Comments

Do you consider yourself a happy person? If you had to complete the following sentence, “I would be most happy if ________,” how would you fill in the blank?

Acclaimed journalist Jon Krakauer once thought he knew how he might answer a question like that. Two decades ago, this thrill seeker assembled a team to ascend Mount Everest. Tragically, twelve of his peers died during the expedition, souring what previously seemed like a peak goal. In his book, Into Thin Air, Krakauer records his reaction after finally reaching the highest point on earth.

“Straddling the top of the world,” he wrote, “one foot in China and the other in Nepal, I cleared the ice from my oxygen mask, hunched a shoulder against the wind and stared absently down at the vastness of Tibet. . . . I’d been fantasizing about this moment, and the release of emotion that would accompany it, for months. But now that I was finally here, actually standing in the summit of Everest, I just couldn’t sum up the energy to care. . . . I snapped four quick photos . . . then turned and headed down. My watch read 1:17 p.m.  All told, I’d spent less than five minutes on the roof of the world.”

Maybe you can relate? Your Mount Everest was a wedding day, a promotion, a dream vacation, or a sought after award. But whatever it was, and whenever it came, it simply was not as fulfilling has you hoped. After getting what you wanted, you still weren’t happy. Why is this so often the case? And, if I may ask an even stranger question, does God even care? Is our happiness really on the divine radar?

At this point, some will be quick to make an unbiblical distinction between happiness and joy. The former is based upon circumstance while the latter is the result of what we know, or so they will say. The problem with this understanding is that Scripture frequently uses the concepts of happiness and joy interchangeably (see Esther 8:16; Psalm 16:11, 32:11, 92:4; Prov. 23:25; Jer. 31:13). Thus, God prioritizes happiness and joy equally.

This clarification is important because, frankly, the church is sometimes guilty of treating notions of happiness as unimportant and unspiritual. We say things like, “God cares more about your holiness than your happiness.” Admittedly, we should acknowledge that there is a sense in which this is absolutely true.

Far too many are quick to justify sinful behavior with the reckless claim, “God would want me to be happy!” A backslidden husband might use this rationale in defense of leaving his wife. The immorality of sexual sin is often dismissed with the same claim. We might lie to avoid consequences while also making a similar assertion. Those looking to soothe their consciences despite narcissistic tendencies are sure to boast a version of this error. And, in these cases, we would do well to remember that God prioritizes our holiness ahead of our happiness.

The problem, however, is that illustrations like these unintentionally imply that being holy is the opposite of being happy. Though the priority of the statement is often true, the presumed dichotomy is not. While God’s ultimate goal is the holiness of His people (Eph. 5:25-27), we should not falsely assume that this agenda is contrary to our happiness. In reality, you will be MOST happy when you are MOST holy.

Any notion that God is the enemy of our happiness is patently false. Every good and perfect gift meant for our enjoyment is from above (James 1:17). The Lord longs for His righteous ones to be glad, rejoicing before Him continually (Psa. 68:3). The view that God is a cosmic killjoy is just plain wrong. We forget that in God’s presence is fullness of joy and in His right hand there are pleasures forever (Psa. 16:11). When your life belongs to the Lord, happiness and joy will follow.

Practically, every temptation to sin is nothing more than an invitation to pursue happiness in the wrong way because it is based upon the lie that we can find happiness outside the will of God. When God says, “You shall not,” He is graciously protecting us from harm and disappointment. Warnings against sins are really a roadmap to peace and joy.

All of this means that a relationship with God is the key to lasting happiness. I am not suggesting that unbelievers can never know joy, but it will be temporary apart from Jesus Christ. Nor am I implying that Christians will enjoy lives of ease. But, abundant life is possible in world that is desperately broken (John 10:10). The blessed favor and approval of God in your life can satisfy us at the deepest level of existence, bringing lasting happiness no matter what may come.

Adam B. Dooley
January 10, 2025

Jan 06
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The Future is Sooner than You Think

By Christian Living, Faithfulness, Future, Salvation, Sanctification No Comments

“The older you get, the faster the time goes.”

Those were the words of my grandmother at the beginning of a new year when I was just a boy. While the speed of time doesn’t actually change as we age, I understand much better now what she meant. As we age, days and weeks blur together. Months and seasons seamlessly intertwine. The longer you live the more difficult it becomes to distinguish between years and decades.

As 2025 begins to unfold, two biblical lessons regarding time emerge that will help us navigate whatever is ahead. Tucked away in the book of James is a powerful verse that has guided me well over the years. The Bible simply says, “You do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away (James 4:14).” In other words, the only certainties in life are its unpredictability and its brevity.

There is a Blindness to Life

None of us know what the future holds. In 1958 a new house was just $12,000; a new car was $2155; a movie ticket was $1; a stamp was 4 cents; and a gallon of gas was just 24 cents. For those of you who lived back then, did you ever imagine life would be like it is today? Frankly, sometimes it feels like there is no rhyme or reason to what unfolds on a daily basis. Life is full of many good days, for which we are thankful, but the years bring many hard days, too.

We anticipate having children, but not miscarriages. We expect golden anniversaries, but not divorces. We look forward to milestones and accomplishments, but we never daydream about funerals. We hope for laughter, but we don’t foresee all the tears. Intrinsic to James’ instruction is the need to live every day to the fullest. Simply put, if you’re always waiting for tomorrow, you might be terribly disappointed when it arrives.

There is a Brevity to Life

Even worse, though, than the uncertainty of life is its brevity. The Scripture compares our time on earth to a vapor that appears for just brief time. We are like the morning dew that is gone by noon. Like steam from a stove that disappears in an instant. One day you’re young, the next day you’re old. One day you start your first job, the next day you’re retiring. No matter how much we try, we cannot slow time down.

If we aren’t careful, our best plans will slip away from us and never materialize. Most of us fall victim to the lie that we have all the time in the world to turn our good intentions into reality. Thus, James 4:16 adds, “As it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.” Regarding our relationship with God, these deceptions can be devastating. We often comfort ourselves with time we may not have.

I’ll get serious about my walk with God—tomorrow.

I’ll read my Bible and pray more—tomorrow.

I’ll share my faith with my friend—tomorrow.

I’ll take my church membership more seriously—tomorrow.

I’ll serve my community more—tomorrow.

Unfortunately, as the old song says, far too often tomorrow never comes. Every second, 3 people die. Every minute, 180 people die. Every hour, 11,000 people die. Every day, 260,000 people die. Every year, 95 million people die. Most of these people had one thing in common—they never thought it would happen to them. Even as you read these words, you might be thinking, “You tell THEM, pastor!”

What is the lesson here for all of us?

The time to know God, love God, and serve God is NOW. Any priorities we are putting off until later need to move up on our to-do list. And if I may, can I tell you what God wants most from you? Scripture admonishes us that today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). And what does this mean? Today is the day to call on the name of the Lord and be saved (Rom. 10:13).

Saved from what, you ask? In a word—sin. Romans 3:23 declares, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” and Romans 6:23 explains, “the wages of sin is death.” So, today is the day to look upon Christ who died on the cross and was raised from the dead in order to take our sins away. In fact, Romans 10:9 celebrates, “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.”

Why not give your life to Jesus, today?

Adam B. Dooley
January 6, 2025

Dec 29
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Are New Year Resolutions Helpful?

By Future, Sanctification, Uncategorized, Will of God, Worry No Comments

Should Christians make New Year’s resolutions? While no such biblical requirement is explicit, Scripture does admonish us to contemplate our lives and commit them to the Lord (Prov 16:9). We are told to set our minds on things above (Col. 3:2) and to put our immoralities to death (Col. 3:5) while pursuing compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Col. 3:12). Admittedly, none of these aims are date specific, but adopting any of God’s commandments is always a good place to start for those eager to improve the overall quality of their lives.

We should acknowledge, however, that many of our new commitments can quickly fall by the wayside. Research out of the University of Minnesota suggests that 80 percent of our resolutions don’t survive past Valentine’s Day. Our aspirational lists include goals of exercising more, getting organized, and being a better friend. We dream of gaining more knowledge, worrying less, and living each day to the fullest. Practical ambitions like shedding a few pounds, saving money, and career success also woo us. Christians often envision sharing their faith, reading their Bibles, and spending daily time in prayer. Yet, for most these milestones won’t become a reality.

So why do so many of us fail? And what can we do about it? Though a single explanation may not exist, over the years I have come to believe that unrealistic expectations and goals derail even the best of intentions. Generally, we overestimate what we can accomplish in one year and we underestimate what we can achieve in five years. So, instead of transforming yourself into a giant in the field of your interest, focus instead on the long game of slower but lasting transformation.

Christians, for example, can focus on how we face the future instead of what the future holds. Tucked away in Proverbs 3:5-6 are the keys to a consistent, meaningful strategy for facing whatever 2025 might bring. The text simply says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Notice the three helpful guidelines within these words that can redirect the trajectory of our lives over time.

One, trust God completely. Trusting the Lord bears the idea of putting your full weight upon Him. Doing so with all your heart requires the totality of your being. The first step of walking with God is relying upon Him fully. Refusing to lean on your own understanding is an unwillingness to be wise in your own eyes. It means we trust what God says more than whatever we think or feel that might be contrary to Scripture. These steps of faith liberate us from the anxiety of carrying our burdens alone. We should live believing God’s Word will continue to be true; God’s way will continue to be best; and God’s work will continue to be important. Learn to trust Him no matter what comes your way this year.

Two, acknowledge God always. The purpose of every human life is to make much of God by living for Him rather than ourselves. Acknowledging God means that we are always pondering what He desires or what He is doing in every situation. Socially, financially, professionally, recreationally, and vocationally—in ALL our ways we are to look for and submit to God’s will for our lives. It’s true about big things like where we live, whom we marry, or what career path we choose. But it’s also the goal with the small, seemingly mundane parts of life as well, things like how we use our time, how we treat other people, and what food we put into our bodies. How would our lives be different, even better, if we simply sought to make much of God in every place, every day of 2025?

Three, follow God’s plan. The promise that the Lord will make our paths straight is conditional. When we trust Him always and acknowledge Him continually, God’s plan for our lives unfolds without interruption. Most of the world lives with the mantra, “I will do whatever I want to do.” Many well-meaning Christians make decisions with a spiritual twist, “I do what I think I ought to do.” A better way, though, is the commitment, “I will do whatever God leads me to do.” Intrinsic to living this way is a settled conviction that God has a plan for every person’s life. Through the pages of Scripture, the accountability of a church family, and the counsel of godly friends, the Lord makes His direction plain for those eager to follow.

Foundational to all these commitments is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He is the doorway to trusting God, the way to acknowledge God, and the first step down the narrow road of walking with God. My prayer for you, and all in our community, is that you will experience God’s best in the coming year.

Happy New Year!

Adam B. Dooley
December 29, 2024

Dec 18
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The Price Tag of Christmas

By Christmas, Cross, Grace, Incarnation, Salvation, Sin No Comments

Each year, the National Retail Federation predicts the spending patterns of Americans during the holidays. As 2024 winds down, Christmas expenditures are ahead of last year, with an anticipated total of $989 billion nationwide. The typical shopper will spend $641 on family or friends and an additional $261 on seasonal items like wrapping paper and decorations. Interestingly, 57% of consumers plan to buy something for themselves this Christmas.

Since most don’t budget for these additional financial strains, many of us will not know exactly how much we spent on Christmas until that first credit card statement arrives in January. Through finance charges and late fees, the Ghost of Christmas Past often keeps our celebrations alive well past the New Year. One in five Americans will live with the ghoulish reminder of overindulged shopping and impulse purchases until Independence Day of next year!

These observations notwithstanding, I want to suggest that no matter how much our festive indulgences cost us, the real price tag for Christmas is astronomically higher. No amount of spending can begin to compare to the great sacrifice the Lord Jesus made because of His first coming. From beginning to end, His mission to seek and to save the lost was costly in every conceivable way.

Though we herald the birth of the newborn King, Jesus’ incarnational arrival was an incredible step down from His eternal home. Taking on human flesh veiled the glory that Jesus had with the Father before the world was (John 17.5). As Mary held the Lord in her arms, the omnipotent One was too weak to raise His head; the omniscient One could not form a single sentence; and the omnipresent One resided as a tiny baby boy within time and space.

Added to all of this was the sobering reality that Jesus’ birth was one unto death. The miracle of Christmas was not merely that Jesus was born to live among us, but that He was born to die for us. As inspiring as the manger is, the real wonder this season is in the mission the manger represents. Jesus left His home in heaven in order to long for home on a cross as He died for sinners like you and me. The salvation which is free to all who will believe was the most costly gift in human history.

And what was the price Jesus had to pay? The Scripture simply says the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23). Biblically, death is both a physical and spiritual reality. Because all people are sinners, all of us will physically die one day. Those who are outside of Jesus Christ, however, will face a second death that is spiritual in nature. Though the reality of hell has become uncouth to some, the saving purpose of Christmas is tied directly to God’s effort to rescue the lost from perishing (Luke 19:10).

Thus, the same Jesus covered in swaddling clothes under a Bethlehem sky would later be wrapped in similar burial rags after dying on a cross. Recording his final hours before death, the gospel of Matthew offers clues about the tremendous expense of providing salvation. For three hours, from high noon to 3 p.m., darkness fell upon the land while Jesus hung in agony (Matt. 27:45) as a picture of mourning (Amos 8:9-10). During those painful moments, Jesus received the punishment we deserved as He became sin for us (2 Cor. 5:21). No wonder Jesus described hell as a place of outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt. 8:12).

Even worse, however, was the relational separation from His Father that Jesus faced. In anguish, He lamented, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me (Matt. 27:46)?” The God who is light, and in whom there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5) cannot tolerate sin of any kind. As Jesus became the curse for us (Gal. 3:13) and the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:10), God the Father was pleased to crush Him on our behalf (Isa. 53:10). Remarkably, the One in whom the fullness of deity dwells in bodily form (Col. 2:9) drank deeply from the wrath of God for those He came to save.

Admittedly, these reminders are not pleasant. In fact, the efforts of many to minimize the true meaning of Christmas may be nothing more than a refusal to own the universal wickedness of humanity. Yet, the sobering price tag of our favorite holiday reveals the glory of our Savior. Despite the tremendous cost, Jesus paid it all. Because of Him, salvation is possible for any person who will call upon His name in repentance and faith. So, as we remember who He is this Christmas, let’s celebrate why He came.

Adam B. Dooley
December 18, 2024

Dec 12
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History’s Greatest Gift

By Christmas, Incarnation, Salvation, Virgin Birth No Comments

A century ago, the famed Christian apologist G.K. Chesterton lamented, “The world will never starve for want of wonders, but only for want of wonder.” Indeed. Astonishing realities, even miracles, are all around us, but our recognition of and appreciation for the admirable is often lacking. Such is the case with the familiar details of Christmas.

Approaching the nativity of the Christ Child often evokes little more than a yawn as we apathetically admit that this is the reason for the season. Limited by the pressures that we sometimes feel this time of year, the extent of our celebratory wonder is usually tied to contemplating how much food it will take to feed the family or how many gifts we really need to buy. Children are busy wondering how Santa can visit every house in a single night; how he can eat so many cookies without getting sick; and how he enters homes without chimneys. Many young people find Arthur Christmas, Elf, or Tim Allen’s version of St. Nick more captivating than the Son of God who made a manger His home.

Yet, the biblical record of the first Christmas lauds history’s greatest gift, which came in the most miraculous way possible. God not only gave His only begotten Son, but He did so through the remarkable means of a virgin’s womb. Some will gloss over the particulars of Jesus’ birth as if they are unimportant. Others will dismiss the notion of virgin birth outright due to its supernatural element. Faithful Christians, however, understand that the virgin birth of Jesus is essential for salvation.

Interestingly, the Bible offers little defense of the virgin birth, simply stating it as a fact instead. The Old Testament prophets repeatedly predicted the coming Messiah’s miraculous birth (Isa. 7:14; Jer. 31:22) while the New Testament authors consistently proclaimed its reality. Matthew simply reports that Mary was with child by the Holy Spirit (Matt. 1:18) before also recording Joseph’s dream where an angel of God affirmed the same (Matt. 1:20). Luke shares the birth announcement Mary received (Luke 1:31-33) as well as her confusion due to her virginity and the angel’s resulting explanation (Luke 1:34-35).

At this point some are quick to dismiss the narrative as superstitious myth. Even those who celebrate Christmas sometimes doubt the historicity of these highlights. Though our modern skepticism is disturbing, it is not all that surprising. The first critics of this account were the most religious people during Jesus’ day. The Pharisees chided the Lord, “Where is your Father? (John 8:19).” The inquiry was less about geographical curiosity and more about accusatory antagonism. Lest we doubt their cynicism, they later boasted, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God (John 8:41).”

Admittedly, different words (Hebrew and Greek alike) appear and translate as virgin in the Bible. While writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, though, Matthew chose the Greek, parthenos, which in every circumstance refers to a virgin girl (Matt. 1:23). Even those who disagree with the conclusion should not dismiss the clarity with which Scripture establishes the supernatural nature of Jesus’ birth.
But why does all this matter? Simply put, Christianity crumbles if Jesus Christ was not born of a virgin in Bethlehem. But why? Let me suggest three clear reasons.

Apart from the virgin birth, the Scriptures would be inaccurate. If you cannot take at face value what the Bible so plainly states about Jesus’ birth, why would you have confidence in what it says about His death and resurrection? Rejecting this central doctrine undermines everything else the Bible says. The moment you begin picking and choosing which parts of the Word are reliable, the entire witness of Scripture unravels.

Apart from the virgin birth, our Savior is imperfect. Think about the alternative to the biblical narrative. If Jesus was not virgin born, He was an illegitimate son born to an immoral, promiscuous woman. Furthermore, if Jesus had an earthly father, He was born under the curse of sin like every descendant of Adam (Rom. 5:12). Practically, He would have needed a Savior like the rest of us. If He was not born of God at the cradle He would have been defeated by Satan at the cross. If Jesus was unworthy as a sacrifice for our sins, we remain dead in our trespasses (Eph. 2:1).

Apart from the virgin birth, our salvation is impossible. As far back as the book of Genesis, the Bible prophesied a Messiah who would overcome the Fall, rescue us from our sins, and crush the head of the serpent by way of a virgin’s womb (Gen. 3:15). There, the emphasis on the “seed of the woman” should not be lost on us. In a book that emphasized the fatherhood of every family (Gen. 5), God declared that the offspring of a woman would rise, though no woman possesses the seed necessary to birth a child. Instead, Holy Spirit would overcome a virgin in order to bring forth the promised child who would save His people from their sins (Matt. 1:21) because nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37).

Merry Christmas!

Adam B. Dooley
December 12, 2024

Dec 04
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Home for the Holidays

By Attributes of God, Christmas, Evangelism, Salvation No Comments

Of all the things on our wish lists for Christmas each year, being home for the holidays with the people we love ranks at the top for most. So profound is the desire that we sing about it: I’ll be home for Christmas, you can count on me, Please have snow and mistletoe, And presents under the tree. . . . I’ll be home for Christmas, If only in my dreams. 

Perry Como had the most popular recording of the song that said, Oh, there’s no place like home for the holidays, ’cause no matter how far away you roam, When you pine for the sunshine of a friendly gaze, For the holidays, you can’t beat home, sweet home. Our desire to be at home is universal, almost synonymous with our Christmas observances.

But each year as I think about finding my way home during the holiday season, I am quickly reminded of the great, often hidden irony behind the very first Christmas. Namely, Jesus left His home to make the first Christmas possible. Though Heaven was His throne and Earth was His footstool, Jesus left His glory behind in order to make a home in a manger. He left His home in Heaven so that we could one day call Heaven our home.

With festive doxology, the Apostle Paul instructs us to emulate the attitude of Jesus, “who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped (Phil. 2:6).” The Jesus who inhabited a Bethlehem crib existed in the form of God because He was, and is, God in human flesh.

Repeatedly, Jesus asserted His divinity with statements like “I and the Father are one (John 10:30)” and “He who has seen Me has seen the Father (John 14:9).” His enemies hated Him precisely because Jesus unapologetically maintained His equality with the Father (John 5:18). Yet, incredibly, our Savior did not seek to hold on to the privileges associated with His identity.

Why does all this matter? Because we cannot truly experience Christmas until we bow before Jesus as God in human flesh. Fully appreciating His cradle requires our first acknowledging His crown. Before revering His manger, we must recognize Him as our Master. The absence of room to house Him at the inn is only remarkable because He made the inn, along with everything else in Heaven and Earth. If Jesus is anything short of the God who came to save us from our sins, the celebration of Christmas is the greatest hoax in human history.

All of this means that the sacrifice of Jesus commenced, not on Calvary’s cross, but under a Bethlehem sky. The first Christmas was far from a step up; it was a dramatic step down for the King of kings. Scripture explains, “[He] emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (Phil. 2:7-8).”

A bond-servant is a common slave. God the Father sent His Son to die on a cross, requiring Jesus’ humble submission and obedience throughout His earthly life. Accompanying His appearance as a man were also the numerous weaknesses common to humanity. Jesus experienced hunger, fatigue, and temptation. With the salvation of sinners as His aim, our Savior emptied Himself completely by sacrificing daily.

These realities serve as a somber reminder and a sober warning each Christmas. Unless we receive the forgiveness Jesus provided, our celebrations of His birth are in vain. Jesus was born so that He could die as the one and only way to Heaven; therefore, if we don’t embrace Him as such, we are denying the very reason for which He was born! The baby in the manger and the Savior on the cross are inseparable.

Tragically, hell is full of people who sang Christmas carols, read the nativity story, and shared gifts in the name of Christ. His coming to save means nothing apart from our cleansing from sin. Thus, He was obedient to the point of death on a cross. We can never really be home for the holidays if we don’t have a home reserved for us in Heaven. Thankfully, Jesus left His home to make it all possible.

Think I’m overstating the Bible’s message? The Apostle Paul goes on to laud these truths as the single reason that Christ has been given a name above every other name, which will one day result in every knee bowing before Him and every tongue confessing that He is Lord (Phil. 2:9-11). We can worship by choice or by force, but all will bow before Jesus. Satan will bow. The demons in hell will bow. Unbelievers will bow. The angels in Heaven will bow. Faithful saints will bow. The question is not WILL we bow, but WHEN will we do so? Christmas is a great time to start!

Adam Dooley
December 4, 2024

Nov 29
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The Danger of False Positives

By Christian Living, Discipleship, Faithfulness, Grace, Liberalism, Peace, Pluralism, Truth, Uncategorized No Comments

Though it’s been several years ago now, I still remember one of the more exciting trips to St. Jude Hospital with my son during his battle with childhood leukemia. Back in those days we lived in Mobile, Alabama, requiring us to fly for weekly chemotherapy in Memphis. Over a three-year period, we made 128 consecutive trips in order to jumpstart and protect my son’s remission from cancer.

While passing through security on our return trip, a Ziploc bag containing a bottle of medication tested positive for a small amount of glycerin, which can be used to make explosives. Quickly, TSA workers surrounded us with a bomb sniffing dog. They pulled us aside and began a battery of tests. Thankfully, our faces were familiar and employees recognized us. My son’s glistening, bald head gave away our recent trip to the hospital

Still, it was only after several minutes of awkward suspicion and investigation that we were allowed to pass through the security checkpoint. Turns out it was a false positive caused by a melting icepack that was cooling the medication. The whole ordeal got me to thinking about the misleading consequences of false impressions, which can leave us happy or scared depending on what they report.

For example, you might be overjoyed initially only to be disappointed later if a pregnancy test falsely reveals that the child you’ve prayed for is on the way. Or, you might be immediately frightened when airport security suspects foul play as you travel, even if you are able to laugh about it afterward. The problem, though, is that neither reaction is trustworthy. False positives are dangerous because they invite us to live outside of reality based upon something that is not true.

Unfortunately, American Christianity has its share of false positives. Many Bible teachers are anxious to assure their listeners that God’s primary goal is our personal happiness. Others insist that hell cannot be real because a loving God would never allow anyone to go there. Notions of remaining in sin while following Jesus is the most damning false positive of all. These untruthful assertions are usually received with enthusiasm, but they create a false narrative about WHO Jesus is and WHAT He came to do.

The historical reality that God would sacrifice His Son to deal with our sin problem is insulting to some and downright barbaric to others. Retired Methodist theologian, William Willimon, fairly critiqued, “If you listen to much of our preaching, you get the impression that Jesus was some sort of itinerant therapist who, for free, traveled about helping people feel better.”

Thankfully, Jesus had a way of turning our temporal ambitions on their head in order to focus on what we really need. Take, for example, the familiar story of Jesus healing the paralytic (Matt. 9:1-8). Without question, this man’s burdens were significant. He could not walk, eat, or bathe without the help of others and, by consequence, he was an outcast in society. We can hardly blame his friends for attempting to help him.

Rather than heal the man immediately, though, Jesus said to him, “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven (Matt. 9:2).” By doing so, Jesus reminded us that our temporal burdens are merely symptoms of our greatest needs. He is not a Savior who came to improve the quality of our lives (though He often does), but who came to forgive our sins. Yet, popular false positives deceive us into believing that God solving our earthly problems is more important than His addressing our eternal condition.

Because the scribes accused Jesus of blasphemy (Matt. 9:3), He immediately exposed their blindness with a piercing question. Is it easier to say, “Your sins are forgiven,” or “Get up, and walk (Matt. 9:5)?” Amazingly, Jesus chose to heal the paralytic in order to demonstrate His authority to forgive sins, not distract from it (Matt. 9:6). The real goal was much bigger than the man’s physical healing. In fact, had Jesus only forgiven the paralytic’s transgressions it would have solved his greatest threat.

I am not suggesting that we should not seek God’s intervention when trials come. During my son’s fight against cancer, I repeatedly begged the Lord to heal him. Yet, we often equate our present comforts as an indicator of our eternal health. Our desperation for temporary relief from earthly troubles often far exceeds our concern about spiritual matters. Even worse, we sometimes reduce God’s faithfulness to His meeting our immediate needs.

God, show me a miracle and prove you’re real.

God, answer this prayer and prove you’re real.

God, give me what I want and prove you’re real.

God, heal me and prove you’re real.

God, open this door and prove you’re real

Tragically, expressions of temporary grace often grip us more than eternal realities. Our need for forgiveness, though, is so urgent that we ought to be willing to lose this life entirely in order to receive it from Christ (Matt. 16:24-27). Nothing is more necessary, and nothing is more remarkable than the glorious truth that Jesus would come to seek and to save the lost!

Adam B. Dooley
November 29, 2024

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