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Adam Dooley

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

Nov 24
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Why Thanksgiving Matters

By Gratitude, Thanksgiving, Uncategorized No Comments

The week of Thanksgiving affords us the opportunity to unplug, evaluate, and offer thanks for the numerous blessings in our lives in a way that the pace of our normal routines doesn’t always allow. I have a lot to be thankful for this year, and every year.

My relationship with Jesus is growing. I find myself in a place that I deeply love, surrounded by people who enrich my life, leaving my family happier than we have ever been. A wonderful wife and five healthy children fill each of my days with joy despite the typical trials that come and go. In addition to these personal blessings, I pastor a healthy, growing congregation that has me enthusiastic about my calling in a way that resembles my earliest years of ministry.

Simply put, life is good.

But why should you care about my blessings? And why would I take the time to share these personal realities here? The answer lies in one of the most neglected disciplines found in Scripture. According to the Bible, thanksgiving should be more than a holiday on our calendars. A day devoted to thankfulness is helpful to be sure, but God desires for the pulse of our hearts to beat with the rhythm of gratitude and appreciation.

Even with a cursory reading of God’s Word, the theme of thankfulness emerges. King David instructed, appointed, and admonished leaders in Israel to offer thanks to God after settling the Ark of the Covenant in Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 16). He tells the people to make God’s deeds known (16:8), to speak of God’s wonders (16:9), to glory in God’s name (16:10), to remember God’s work (16:12), to proclaim the good tidings of God’s salvation (16:23), and to ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name (16:28-29). Then, at a high point of praise, David admonishes: “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting (1 Chronicles 16:34).”

Neither time nor space will permit me to cite all the verses extolling the virtue of gratitude. My personal favorite simply reads “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thess. 5:18).” But why does God care so much about our expressions of appreciation?
At the risk of being overly simplistic, two primary reasons reveal why God prioritizes a heart of thanksgiving. To live without gratitude expresses two egregious mentalities that are fundamentally opposed to Christianity.

First, thanklessness is an expression of idolatry. Candidly, we are often guilty of celebrating what God gives rather than God Himself. So much of modern Christianity reflects a bait and switch that magnifies the gifts of life above the Giver of life. We may not worship idols made of wood, but we live with an arrogance that hopes in health, possessions, and success more than God our Father. Diagnosing our spiritual ailment, 1 Timothy 6:17 forcefully commands: “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches . . .” This verse uncovers the universal temptation to place our hope in the temporal realities of earth rather than the eternal God of heaven.

What is the remedy? Our verse continues, “. . . but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.” In other words, learn to appreciate the blessings of life, but put your hope in God rather than His gifts. Continually giving thanks enables us to distinguish between what we enjoy and who we worship.

Second, thanklessness is an expression of atheism. Each year around Thanksgiving I always chuckle when I read about atheist and humanist groups attempting to express appreciation to no one in particular. Some will merely voice gratitude to family and friends (we can learn much about the value of esteeming the people in our lives). Notions of secular grace, however, leave many worshipping the universe or luck in general. Not only is this logically and theologically inadequate, but it is also a colossal waste of time. Giving thanks, by its very nature, requires that someone be there to receive it.
Thanklessness is a form of independence from God, which is nothing more than practical atheism in disguise. Giving thanks not only reminds us that God is real, but also that He is both active and benevolent in our lives.

So, join me this week, and every week, in giving thanks to the Lord for the magnificent work of His hands. Count your blessings and voice your love and appreciation to the Father above (Psalm 105:1). If you find yourself in the midst of a difficult trial or burden, stop to thank God for the promise that He is working all things together for your good (Rom. 8:28). On your good days and on your bad days, remember the will of God and give Him thanks through everything (Eph. 5:20).

Happy Thanksgiving!

Adam B. Dooley
November 24, 2024

Nov 19
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Our Common Problem

By Christian Living, Discipleship, Faithfulness, Grace, Peace, Sanctification, Sin, Uncategorized No Comments

The small town of Centralia, Pennsylvania, is dying. Literally. A place that used to be home to over 1,000 residents reported a population of just five people in the 2020 census. But why are people fleeing the quaint community? For years the town has been home to several underground coal mines. Unexpectedly, in 1962, a fire began in one of those mines that is still aflame today. Beneath the surface, a hidden inferno is still consuming a particularly slow-burning type of coal that experts expect to simmer for another 250 years! Both the depth and the heat of the fire make it impossible to put out.

As a result, there are hot spots, buckled highways, and parched grass. Most of the buildings in Centralia have already collapsed. Residents permitted to stay are under a court order not to pass their property down to the next generation. The fire and gases are destroying everything good about the hidden borough three hours west of New York City.

Temptation is like that. Deep within all of us at an unseen level there is a burning desire to rebel against God. The fires of enticement want to consume everything good and holy in your life, sometimes even resulting in an abandoned walk with God. No matter how hard we try, the fires of temptation will burn throughout the entirety of our lives.

Most people respond to temptation in one of three ways. Some will just give in to it and reason, “If it feels good do it!” Others will fight hard against it but repeatedly lose the battle. These are those who yield to sin, feel guilty for doing so, and vow to never succumb again, only to renege hours or days later. But some will overcome temptation by the grace of Jesus Christ. Obviously, most want to be in the latter category. But how do we get there? Let me suggest three realities about temptation we must recognize in order to be victorious.

YOU WILL ENCOUNTER TEMPTATION

The Bible says in 1 Cor. 10:13a: No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man. That means all people everywhere will face temptation. We need to admit that none of us are exempt from the allurement of sin. Furthermore, temptation in and of itself is not sinful if we do not yield to it.

• Adam and Eve were tempted in the Garden of Eden.
• Israel was tempted in the wilderness.
• David was tempted in the palace.
• Peter was tempted in Jerusalem.
• Even Jesus was tempted in the desert.

The commonness of temptation also means that our allurements are not unique. Regardless of how we feel, there is nothing new under the sun. You are not the only person who in the history of the world who has struggled with whatever is seducing your heart.

GOD CALLS EACH OF US TO ENDURE TEMPTATION

The Bible goes on to say that God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it (1 Cor. 10:13b). We often mistakenly assume that those who do not give into temptation know nothing of its power. The opposite is really true. Those who surrender to temptation the most actually know the least about the full burden and challenge it brings. We yield to what pulls our heart away from God because of the desire to find relief from our struggle. When we resist, though, the battle persists with annoyances that do not go away. Yet, this is the narrow road God calls believers to walk. We won’t always succeed in our efforts, but victory rather than defeat should be the pattern of our lives.

YOU CAN ESCAPE TEMPTATION

If we are to endure in faith, we should always be looking for the way escape when we are tempted. The idea is not the God will help us to avoid temptations, but that He will walk with us through them, helping us to persevere. Sometimes we give the false impression that if a Christian loves God, all their previous worldly inclinations will immediately disappear. While some experience that kind of dramatic deliverance, what is more common is the daily battle to resist lifestyles that on contrary to God’s design.

The way of escape is trusting God who promises to help us overcome. It means allowing the Lord, not the culture, to define right and wrong for us. It means that sometimes we run away from people, situations, or circumstances that cause us to stumble. It means we proactively fill our minds with Scripture, remind ourselves of the gospel, and seek the Lord in prayer. It means that we recall how vulnerable we are and continually pledge our hearts to Christ. The question is not will God provide a way of escape to prevent our waywardness, but will we be looking for it instead?

Adam B. Dooley
November 19, 2024

Nov 13
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Passing the Gospel Baton

By Discipleship, Evangelism, Sanctification No Comments

Chances are you’ve never heard of Ed. Years ago he paced back and forth outside of Holton’s Shoe Store in Boston. The reason for his angst was the 18-year-old store clerk who worked inside that had been attending his Sunday School Class. Prompted by the Holy Spirit, Ed felt compelled to share his faith with the young man. His doubts, however, ravaged his good intentions with uncertainty.

What if he won’t listen to me?
What if he finds me pushy?
What if he throws me out?

Any serious Christian can relate to fears like these. Sharing our faith with others can be one of the more intimidating disciplines of Christianity. Thankfully, Ed mustered up his courage, walked into the store and declared, “I have come to tell you how much Christ loves you.” The two men talked for several minutes before, in a moment of commitment, the young man kneeled in prayer as he called out to Christ for salvation.

Ed Kimball never preached the gospel to millions, but his efforts to be faithful in that single moment left a profound legacy on the world. That teenage store clerk, you see, was an impressionable D.L. Moody, who went on to become the 19th century’s most influential evangelist and founder of the Moody Church, Moody Bible Institute, and Moody Press in Chicago. His ministry also influenced a soon to be Presbyterian minister, J. Wilbur Chapman, who joined Moody in guiding a professional baseball player named Billy Sunday to pursue the calling as well.

Sunday’s preaching in Charlotte, North Carolina was so powerful in 1924 that the Charlotte Businessman’s Club was born. Ten year later, the same organization invited a minister named Mordecai Ham to preach revival services, resulting in another impressionable 18-year-old’s conversion to Christ and calling to ministry. His name? Billy Graham.

Can you imagine how different the world would be if Ed Kimball never found the courage to entrust the gospel to that young shoe clerk in Boston? A single, unknown believer touched the world for Christ simply because of his willingness to share with others what he received from the Lord. Believers today share the same charge as Christ commissions us to make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19-20).

The Apostle Paul echoes the same theme as he writes to Timothy, his protégé in the ministry. “The things you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who are able to teach others also (2 Tim. 2:2).” The clear priority here is making sure that the gospel passes from one generation to the next. Thus, discipleship is not a ministry of the church, but THE MINISTRY of the church. As God strengthens us with His grace, we should work heard to empower others with same gospel.

So where should we begin?

First, the priority of a soldier invites us. Using the illustration of a soldier, Scripture beckons us to be willing to suffer for the sake of the gospel (2 Tim. 2:3). Think about the tremendous sacrifices those who don their country’s uniform face. They endure harsh conditions away from the people they love, all while putting their lives at risk. Thus, if we are serious about making disciples, we must accept that the work will be difficult.

To stay on task, we should always remember that a good soldier serves with the single purpose of pleasing his commanding officer (2 Tim. 2:3). In a similar way, our goal should never be to please men, but God who examines our hearts (1 Thess. 2:4). Doing so requires avoiding worldly entanglements that distract us from our primary mission of stewarding the gospel well.

Second, the precision of an athlete inspires us. Turning to the world of athletics, Paul next emphasizes the need to play by the rules if we are to succeed in God’s mission. Like an athlete battling for a prize, we must compete according to the rules (2 Tim. 2:5). True competitors familiarize themselves with the agreed standards of play through diligent study and repetitious practice. Likewise, Christians must pursue godliness through reading and obeying Holy Scripture. Versions of Christianity that undermine or contradict the Bible may appeal to many, but they are anything but Christian. Cutting biblical corners will disqualify even those with the best of intentions from serving the Lord.

Third, the patience of a farmer instructs us. In what may be my favorite example of all, Scripture reminds us that making disciples is only possible when you realize that doing so requires the patience of farmer working a field (2 Tim. 2:6). Just think about how much forbearance bringing in an abundant harvest requires. The farmer must wait for winter to end. He plows and plants, then he waits some more. He waters the seed, and then waits. He covers the crops when the frost comes, and then he waits. He waits knowing how the season works. He waits believing that the harvest will come. And He waits trusting that his hard work will pay off.

Then, one day, the harvest does indeed come in and, in that moment, the sacrifice of waiting is well worth it. Before the farmer’s food feeds your family, it covers his table. Before his cotton covers your back, it fills his closet. His vegetables will occupy jars in his cupboard before they line the shelves of your pantry in cans. The meat from his livestock will load his freezer before it replenishes yours. And rightly so, because the hardworking farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.

So, let’s keep making disciples. Let’s keep the main thing the main thing. No matter how much you sacrifice, no matter how long it takes, and no matter how long you must wait, you’ll be glad that you did.

Adam B. Dooley
November 14, 2024

Nov 07
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Don’t Sweat the Big Stuff!

By Anxiety, Hope When Life Unravels, Peace, Prayer, Trials, Uncategorized, Worry No Comments

We know something about anxiety. Sometimes it shows up on an x-ray. You can hear it in the pacing rhythm of footsteps late at night. Troubled eyes and wrinkled foreheads are also telltale signs. Desperate silence and nervous chatter are dead giveaways. I heard about one man who worried so much that his hair fell out – of his toupee! Today’s priorities often fall victim to tomorrow’s problems due to anxiety.

Despite Jesus’ admonitions to the contrary, we worry about physical needs like food and clothing (Matt. 6:25), how long we will live (Matt. 6:27), and the potential trouble tomorrow will bring (Matt. 6:31). The uneducated worry because they don’t know enough. The educated worry because they know too much. The poor worry because of what they do not have. The wealthy worry because they fear losing what they have. The young worry because they don’t want to get older. The elderly worry because they are afraid they won’t get older.

So what are we to do? How do we shed the anxiety that plagues us?

First, we need to confess our burden to the Lord. While writing to Philippian believers, the Apostle Paul instructed, “Be anxious for nothing” (Phil. 4:6a). The predicate behind this command is that all of us frequently battle the temptation to despair. A divided mind will pull your heart in completely different directions. We know that God can take care of us, but doubt and concern distracts us from our otherwise resolute faith. Admitting our vulnerability is the first step toward coping with our weakness.

Remarkably, God’s apostle wrote these words from a Roman prison cell. False teachers continually attacked the church he loved, and each day brought the possibility of his death by execution. Yet, knowing that worry signals a lack of trust in God, Paul calls on all Christ followers to be anxious for nothing. Jesus Himself insisted that continually fretting is the behavior of unbelievers who are unaware that God is providentially watching over us.

Second, we need to communicate our needs to the Lord. Through the means of prayer and supplication, we are to let our requests be made known to God (Phil. 4:6b). With no concern for how we sound, we should humbly, even desperately, express our deepest fears and our heartfelt pleas directly to the Lord.

In addition, these inquiries should be seasoned with thanksgiving. The idea is that we worship God before He answers because of our intentional commitment to submit to His will. Doing so reassures us that God is trustworthy and that His will is purposeful and best, even if it is contrary to our desires. Specificity is important here because general prayers lack particular power. Weak generalities and platitudes seldom move the heart of God.

Third, we need to welcome the peace of the Lord. What is the result of our intentional prayers? The unexplainable peace of God guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:7). This holy serenity is supernatural in its origin and comprehensive in its effect. God promises to intervene in the midst of our trials and troubles by protecting us with his peace. If prayer opens the door to the Lord’s consolation, learning to think correctly enables us to enjoy the relief God affords. Thus, the Bible admonishes, “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”

If all this seems too good to be true, take a moment to consider the lilies of the field and the birds of the air (Matt. 6:26-30). Have you ever heard of a bird being treated for high blood pressure? Or stress? Though they do not know where their next meal will come from, God feeds them. Think about the beauty of wildflowers growing in a field. They do nothing to grow and yet they clothe the countryside with their beauty. These natural wonders are here today and gone tomorrow, yet God still covers His creation with them. If the Lord will feed the animals and dress nature with such elegance, how much more will He take care of human beings who bear his image (Gen. 1:26-28)?

Adam B. Dooley
November 7, 2014

Oct 29
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A Prayer and Promise for Our Nation

By America, Faithfulness, Politics, Prayer No Comments

I cannot remember a more heated presidential election in my lifetime. The stakes are so high that folks on both sides of the political aisle are anxious and afraid concerning the future. With only a few days remaining before we choose our next leader, I find myself offering a simple prayer on behalf of our nation while, at the same time, holding on to an eternal promise in order to steady my heart.

With confidence that God hears the cries of His people, I am asking the Lord the be merciful and lead us back to our national roots. Despite the efforts of many historical revisionists anxious to deny the spiritual influences that helped to birth our nation, the seeds of our budding republic were watered by the principles of Christianity.

The earliest pilgrims who came to these lands in 1620 stated their purpose on the Mayflower Compact as being “for the glory of God and for the advancement of the Christian faith.” These ambitions soon led to a Declaration of Independence, where America’s founders recognized that only our Creator can endow the basic human rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. You could say that our independence from another country was only as good as our dependence upon Almighty God.

The father of our US Constitution and fourth president of our nation, James Madison, said unapologetically, “We’ve staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government. Far from it. We have staked the future upon the capacity of each and every one of us to govern ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the 10 commandments of God.” Our seventh president, Andrew Jackson, similarly declared, “The Bible is the rock upon
which our republic stands.”

Our drift away from convictions like these is so stark today that many will label similar statements as dangerous and extreme! The same Judeo-Christian values that gave rise to our flourishing nation are repeatedly maligned and dismissed. Our unstable economy, compromised security, secularized media, and growing government are all symptoms of a nation in rebellion against its Creator.

We have forgotten the biblical reality that “righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people (Prov. 14:34).” Apart from a spiritual awakening, our country is deep trouble. I am asking God to humble us and bring us to repentance. While I do not believe that this year’s presidential election is inconsequential, neither do I accept that a new leader in the White House is the only solution we need.

Thus, even as I intercede on behalf of the land that I love, I do so remembering an eternal principle that overrules every election cycle. Namely, God is sovereign over all governments, no matter who leads them. He establishes all governmental authority in order to accomplish His purposes (Rom. 13:1).

Sometimes He raises up godly leaders to be a conduit of His blessings on a people. Or, He may choose a wicked ruler as a means of judgment on a citizenry. Our tendency to believe that God loses when an unbeliever wins an election or makes bad decisions is patently false. The Bible doesn’t suggest that God tolerates wicked leadership despite His desires otherwise, but that He ordains leadership according to His greater plan.

Take for example, a wicked Pharaoh who became a testimony of God’s glory throughout the earth (Rom. 9:7). Then there was the first king over Israel, who God appointed 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 bless the nations forever. But in both instances, the Lord can, and did, use good and evil leaders to achieve His goals for history.

In other words, there has never been, nor will there ever be, panic in heaven over our political woes. God establishes all authority that exists. Or, to use scriptural language, He changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings (Dan. 2:21). No matter who our next president might be, the Lord remains thoroughly purposeful and perfectly in control.

Do you remember what Jesus said before Pilate? No governmental atrocity in history compares to the reckless, shortsighted decision to crucify the Son of God. Yet, Jesus refused to wilt in the face of the injustice unfolding before Him because He understood God the Father was sovereign and the cross was necessary. Therefore, with confidence our Savior declared to Pilate, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin (John 19:11).”

Don’t be fooled by the corruption of Washington, D.C. or the genuine disappointment you feel toward our politicians – God is still in control. I refuse to tremble in the shadow of a misguided electorate when the Lord of heaven and earth reigns on high. The kingdom of Christ marches on even as the nations of the earth rise and fall. When the principles of liberty and freedom are in jeopardy, God’s plan and purposes are not.

Don’t misunderstand, Christians have a sacred obligation to live out our faith in the public square and to vote according to Scriptural guidelines. I cast my ballot early and pray people of faith will flood the polls on election day. Additionally, we should work with our whole hearts for the betterment of our community and our nation. Even as we do, however, we should continually remind ourselves that this world is not our home.

Like Abraham, we desire a better country that only eternity can provide (Heb. 11:16). We are looking for a city whose architect and builder is God (Heb. 11:10). I don’t ever want to be so at home here that there is no longing in my heart for the world that is to come. We must be sure that our current lament over the direction of our nation is not a reflection of misplaced treasure rather than a biblical love for country (Matt. 6:19-21). My heart breaks for America, but it does not belong to it. So, no matter what this next election brings, I rest knowing that the Lord is not shaken.

 

Adam B. Dooley
October 29, 2024

Oct 23
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The Selective Separation of Church and State

By America, Christian Living, Liberalism, Politics, Separation Church and State No Comments

(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

The Selective Separation of Church and State

I recently watched with amusement as Vice-President Kamala Harris spoke at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta on Sunday where she was likened to the biblical Esther because of her readiness to rescue her people from annihilation. Pastor Jamal Bryant went on to address what he perceived as the threatening policy agendas of the Republican ticket before insisting that Harris was born to be president and to lead a nation for such a time as this. The pastor then claimed that God had “anointed” them to flip Georgia in 2020 and that He would do so again.

When the Vice-President assumed the podium, she declared that our country is at a crossroads and that we should all ask what kind of nation we want to live in. Our answer, she asserted, must come by way of action and voting rather than mere words. Remarkably, the presiding pastor also chastised black men who were unwilling to support a sister in an effort to drum up additional support for the Democratic presidential nominee.

Now, to be clear, the arguments being made were not what made the scene humorous to me, nor did I find it offensive. Admittedly, I see the vision of the Democratic platform as a contradiction to the Christian faith rather than its fulfillment. In my view, comparing Mrs. Harris to Esther is laughable. Yet, these disagreements notwithstanding, I maintain the right of any politician and any pastor to contend their point of view with others. What is mindboggling, however, is how many secular elites on the left bemoan what they call a lack of separation between church and state for everyone but themselves. By doing so they remind us of what we already knew, namely – you cannot separate morality from policy.

Historically, Baptists have been the greatest proponents of the “the separation between church and state,” but few phrases suffer more misuse than this one. If you expose the atrocities of the abortion industry, offer a biblical definition of marriage and gender, or appeal to the morality of any public policy, many will quickly lament the mixture of religion and politics as if the two cannot coexist. Ironically, the loudest voices claiming that the church is becoming too political have no problem at all when their politics becomes more and more theological.

Though the First Amendment guarantees that Congress will pass no laws respecting an establishment of religion, it also guards against prohibiting the free exercise thereof. Sadly, many recklessly abuse this sacred right by insisting on the freedom from religion rather than freedom of religion. Today’s common refrain is that faith has no place whatsoever in the public square.

We need to acknowledge that the concept of “separation between church and state” is not found anywhere in our U.S. Constitution. Thomas Jefferson coined the phrase in 1802 while writing to Danbury Baptists in Connecticut. These believers expressed concern that the ratification of the First Amendment did not go far enough in protecting religious minorities from governmental intrusion.

Remember, many of America’s earliest citizens sought freedom from the oppression of the state sanctioned Church of England, and Baptists in particular were fearful of similar overreach in their new land. For smaller denominations, the rising influence of early Congregationalists and the taxes funneled to them felt eerily similar to the missteps of their previous experience.

Thus, Jefferson sought to reassure these Christians of their freedom to practice and verbalize their faith without interruption from the government. Rather than exile Christian ideas out of political debate, our third president sought to preserve their expression by eliminating the fear of legal blowback. From his perspective, the First Amendment successfully prevented the federal government from espousing a preference of religion without eliminating the presence of religion from our budding republic.

Tragically, our modern sensibilities erroneously maintain, contrary to Jefferson, that Christian influence is more dangerous than governmental interference. Religious liberty is the foundational cornerstone upon which our nation was built. Our founders understood that the best ideas will rise to the top when we persuade, not punish, those with whom we disagree. Discriminating against distinctly Christian ideas because of their morality is a failure to recognize that a code of ethics governs ALL expressed views. Even the most secular adherents are often quite religious about their atheism!

Christians rightly understand that government is a gift from God established for the good and safety of society (Rom. 13:1-7). The kingdom of God, however, is not of this world (John 18:36), so the former has no jurisdiction over the latter. As salt and light (Matt. 5:13-16), followers of Jesus are to contend for the souls of men and women first (Matt. 28:19-20), followed by the welfare of the cities wherein they live (Jer. 29:7). We have every right to express our views concerning morality, legislation, and the people who lead us. The world would be even more frightening if we did not. Regardless of outcomes, we should rest knowing that the kingdom of our God will prevail over the kingdoms of this world (Rev. 11:15).

Adam B. Dooley

October 23, 2024

 

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