Discipleship

May 13

Building Men, Not Just Players

By Adam Dooley Discipleship, Mentor, Ministry No Comments

Sports have been a big part of my life over the years, though admittedly I have no major accolades to boast of. In my youth I enjoyed being a participant on numerous teams, and as an adult I have relished opportunities to coach my kids and cheer them on from the sidelines. Beyond the thrill of competition itself, key lessons about life and eternity readily emerge on the fields and courts of play.

Not surprisingly Scripture is full of athletic references. From running your race (Heb. 12:1-2) to the discipline of boxing (1 Cor. 9:26-27), the Bible continually admonishes us through the imagery of physical contests. Utilizing the backdrop of competing, Christians can learn to live according to God’s rules (2 Tim. 2:5) if they want to win the prize that accompanies a faithful, self-controlled life (1 Cor. 9:25). By arguing from the lesser to the greater, personal fitness can teach us the eternal value of godliness (1 Tim. 4:8).

For these reasons, I genuinely appreciate coaches who not only understand but also seize the opportunity to leverage sports as a tutorial on life. As you might expect, the leader of any team has an incredible opportunity to develop his players while displaying strong Christian faith. Let me tell you about a local hero in our corner of the world who has excelled in this way.

For five years now, I’ve had a front-row seat to the extraordinary leadership of Coach Dexter Williams, who lives out his faith both on and off the court. With a total record of 102-46, multiple district titles, two state tournament runs, and numerous players moving on to compete at the next level, Coach Williams has led our small Christian school to new heights in the sport of basketball. These are not, however, his greatest accomplishments.

The best coaches are servant leaders. Rather than seeking to relive their previous glory through others, they prioritize the growth, maturity, and success of their players. In keeping with Jesus’ command, those who wish to become great must be willing to serve the people around them (Mark 10:43). Coach Williams has numerous decorated past achievements as a coach and a player, but you would never know it. For him, it’s always about his boys. He understands that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

The best leaders are willing to hold people accountable as well. Being a Christian athlete does not mean, as some assume, that you settle for mediocrity. The faithful wounds of a friend are what make us all better (Prov. 27:6, 17). Pushing players to be their best has been a hallmark of Coach Williams’ leadership. Through the discipline of hard work, consistency, and great patience, he pulls the very best out of each of his players, often exceeding everyone’s expectations (Eph. 4:2, 1 Thess. 5:11). Many will run from high expectations, but skilled mentors will refuse to lower the standard.

Wise coaches also understand and insist that the team must come before any single personality. Everyone has a role to play, and the good of the whole diminishes if one member exalts himself too highly (1 Cor. 12:14-26). Rather than hamper individual success, though, a team mindset empowers players like a rising tide. During Coach Williams’ tenure, numerous players have broken school records, including two new all-time scoring leaders. Each milestone, while acknowledged, was never prioritized above the success of the group.

Finally, memorable coaches love their players well (1 Cor. 16:14). Playing any sport is tough, both physically and mentally. The challenges of personal development, rival atmospheres, and enormous time commitments are not for the weak or timid. Knowing that you have a coach who cares about you as a person outside the lines of competition often makes all the difference. I am thankful for how Dexter Williams cares for each member of his teams. Because of our leader, we value star athletes and role players equally, functioning as a family that works and plays together.

Overall, my greatest admiration for Coach Williams stems from his unwavering commitment to lead his players to be more like Christ (Prov. 10:9, 1 Cor. 11:1). Early on he invited me to serve as his team chaplain, giving me a front row seat to his leadership. Not once have I ever doubted his faith or integrity. Even during the most intense moments, I have never heard a single profanity fall from his lips. He takes copious notes during our team devotions. He repeatedly points his players to Jesus, challenging them to live as Christian men.

Obviously, the biblical principles mentioned above apply to our lives in more areas than just sports. Winning and losing; putting in the practice and performing under pressure; working hard when everyone sees and when no one sees; striving to succeed and learning to stay humble; doing your best and prioritizing others—these are life skills that live far beyond your final game. Having the right people in place to pass them on to the next generation is essential. Thank you, Coach Williams, for being that kind of man.

Don’t ever underestimate the value of a godly coach.

Adam B. Dooley
May 13, 2026

Jan 28

Love0

How Can I Know For Sure?

By Adam Dooley Assurance, Christian Living, Discipleship, Faithfulness, Holiness, Obedience, Sanctification No Comments

How can I know for sure that I am a Christian?

The frequency of this question over the years has been staggering. Initially, we might falsely assume that the concern signals weakness. The reality, though, is that most Christians doubt at some point whether they are truly born again. From the youngest to the oldest, from the newest convert to the seasoned saint, churchgoers of all kinds sometimes struggle with questions about their salvation.

The famed preacher Charles Spurgeon began his ministry in London, England at age 17 and remained in the pastorate until his death at 57. If you are unfamiliar, Spurgeon was the Michael Jordan, Babe Ruth, and Tom Brady of pastors during the late 1800s. Long before the modern mega church movement, more than 6000 congregants crowded into services in order to hear him preach. At 27, he shared a message before 23,000 people without any electronic amplification. Newspapers around the world printed his sermons weekly. Today, those collected messages fill 63 volumes, making him the most prolific author in the history of Christendom.

Yet, at the height of his spiritual power and popularity, Spurgeon shared an honest confession in his autobiography, “I felt at that time very weary and very sad and very heavy at heart; I began to doubt in my own mind whether I really enjoyed the things which I preached to others” (Autobiography, Vol. 2). Likewise, in his Lectures to My Students, Spurgeon lamented, “There are times when the believer questions whether he has ever been converted at all, and fears that all his religious experience has been a mistake.” Remarkably, the greatest preacher since biblical times wrestled with seasons of doubt, too.

Testimonies like these reassure us that we are not alone in our struggles but do little to guide us toward clarity. So, what is the greatest evidence that an individual has experienced genuine salvation? In a word, obedience. More than mere outward conformity, true obedience flows out of our inward transformation. God not only expects us to keep His commandments, but He also empowers us to do so by writing His law on our hearts (Jer. 31:31-34). Grace encompasses both the gift of forgiveness and the means of perseverance.

No wonder Jesus insisted, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Ultimately, the thin line between religious hypocrisy and sincere affection for Christ is a heartfelt willingness to obey what God says. At the conclusion of His Sermon on the Mount, our Savior even warned, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter” (Matt. 7:21).

Admittedly, the subject of personal holiness has, in many ways, fallen on difficult times. On the one hand, some erroneously teach that Christians can reach a state of moral perfection, always obeying everything that Scripture teaches. Yet, an honest reading of the Bible does not bear out such lofty expectations (1 John 1:8-10). Additionally, the failed efforts and lifestyles of biblical saints stand in stark contrast to any quest for unblemished purity. Abraham’s lying, Jacob’s deceptions, David’s adultery, Solomon’s hedonism, and Jonah’s selfishness illustrate our shortcomings. Peter’s hunger to be the greatest in God’s kingdom, his threefold denial of Jesus, and his capitulation to legalism in Galatia all prove that we continue to fall short of God’s standards even after we are born again.

On the other hand, though, are those who readily admit their flaws but quickly jettison any talk of personal obedience or holiness as legalistic. For these, loving God becomes a substitute for adherence to any and all scriptural commands. The idea is that we simply love God rather than obey, as if the former contradicts the latter. To the contrary, according to the Bible, “The one who says, ‘I have come to know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:4).

None of this means that an unbeliever can obey one time in order to be saved, nor that a believer becomes unsaved after committing a single transgression. The point is that Christians display a pattern of life change. “By this we know that we are in Him,” wrote the Apostle John (1 John 2:5). Or, to simplify, the more you obey God the more assurance you will have that you belong to Him. As your love for God grows, so does your obedience, giving you increased confidence that your faith and commitment are real.

Good works may not be the cause of our relationship with the Almighty, but they are the consequence of it. Scripture describes faith in God that fails to produce life change as dead and worthless (James 2:14-26), even as it encourages us to look for deeds appropriate to repentance (Acts 26:20). Jesus Himself explained, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free (John 8:31-32).”

The key to avoiding legalism here is understanding good works an expression of love to our heavenly Father (2 John 6). The world says, “I’ll do what I want to get what I want.” Lust says, “I’ll do you want to get what I want.” But only love says, “I’ll do what God wants to get what He wants.” Seeking the Lord’s will above our own is the greatest witness of love for Him. Openly celebrating or continually practicing sinful behavior is entirely contrary to saving faith, no matter how passionately we insist otherwise. Frankly, doing so is the opposite of loving our Savior.

Adam B. Dooley
January 28, 2025

Jan 21

Love0

How Much Does It Cost To Follow Jesus?

By Adam Dooley Christian Living, Discipleship, Love, Priorities, Righteousness, Surrender No Comments

How much does it cost to know Jesus? Well, it depends.

In one sense, following the Lord is entirely free. Scripture is robustly clear that we cannot earn the grace of God. We cannot buy His forgiveness. None of us deserve the salvation that our Savior alone provides. No amount of sacrifice, effort, or work would ever be enough to merit any part of our redemption. Grace through faith alone is the recipe (Eph. 2:8-9).

Yet, in another sense, the grace by which we are saved never remains alone (Eph. 2:10). Ultimately, walking with God will cost you everything. He demands your whole heart and life. Your family and loved ones belong to Him. Your wealth and possessions are rightly His. Your future and dreams must bend to His direction. We are but stewards who manage the reality God entrusts to us.

C.S. Lewis aptly explained, “Every faculty you have, your power of thinking or of moving your limbs from moment to moment, is given to you by God. If you devoted every moment of your whole life exclusively to His service, you could not give Him anything that was not in a sense His own already.”

Thus, every moment of every day is for Him. Every dollar we accumulate is for Him. The job we go to is for Him. The family we enjoy is for Him. The future we seek is for Him. Nothing about our lives is off limits when we identify as a Christ follower. These parameters are key to understanding one of the stranger statements Jesus made during His earthly ministry. The first time I read these particular words it took my breath away.

“If anyone comes to Me,” He said, “and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple (Luke 14:26).” Even when you understand that Jesus is using hyperbole, the statement remains jarring.

How can these words possibly be true in light of the Bible’s seemingly contradictory imperatives? Scripture instructs husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church (Eph. 5:25); wives are told to respect their husbands (Eph. 5:33); children are to honor their parents (Ex. 20:12); and a refusal to provide for your family is a sign of unbelief (1 Tim. 5:8). Even more broadly, Jesus Himself insisted that we should love our neighbors (Matt. 22:39) and enemies alike (Luke 6:27). Christians from every generation have correctly understood that love is a hallmark of genuine faith.

So, what biblical principle could possibly emerge from such a direct, unexpected command? To understand our Savior’s application, we need to first appreciate that varying degrees of love are not only normal, but also healthy. For instance, as a Christian man I want to love all people generally by being a good neighbor. But, as the pastor of a local church, I love the congregation I serve differently because of the beautiful relationship that exists between a flock of believers and their earthly shepherd. Additionally, though, I have close friends that I have laughed with, hurt with, and rejoiced with whom I love at an even greater level.

Yet, none of these remarkable friendships even compare to the deep connection I have with my family. I love my parents more than anyone on the outside because they gave me life and shaped the man I am today. My children are at a greater level still, because as bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh I see myself and the future in their eyes. But my wife, my precious helpmate, is my greatest earthly love. Because we are one flesh, both her successes and burdens are equally mine. No one even begins to compare to her.

These degrees of love are not only proper, but they also promote healthy boundaries by which I protect the people closest to me. We should love ALL people, but NOT in the same way. Relationships of all kinds are important, but none should compare to those between parents and children, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives.

Except for one.

When Jesus speaks of hating those who are closest to us, He is not suggesting that we loathe, resent, or despise family members. Rather, His principle is intended to compare and contrast. The idea is that as much as you care for your relatives, and even yourself, you should love them LESS than you love God. The things and people you prize the most in this life must pale in comparison to your love for Christ. In terms of depth and degree, being a disciple of Jesus means that we love Him even more than our families.

Realizing how costly such a commitment is, our Savior offers two parables to drive His point further home. Just like a builder who constructs a tower will first assess the obligations of construction (Luke 14:28-30), we must decide if we are willing to pledge ourselves to the Lord without reservation. Or, if you prefer, like a king who calculates the probability of victory before going to war (Luke 14:31-32), we reckon with the price to be paid before identifying ourselves with Christ.

In a modern world that continually dumbs down the gospel and dismisses the importance of doctrine in an effort to make it as easy as possible to follow Jesus, these words are particularly sobering. To the contrary, our Savior is saying that every person is free to decide that the Christian faith is not for him, but he is not free to redefine what biblical faith is. You are free to make whatever choice seems right to you, but you are not free to categorize anything less that total surrender, affection, and commitment to Jesus Christ as Christianity. Count the cost and choose carefully.

Adam B. Dooley
January 21, 2026

Aug 27

Love0

Accountability in the Body of Christ

By Adam Dooley Accountability, Church, Discipleship No Comments

“You cannot continue as a member of this church while you are actively unfaithful to your wife.”
“You cannot remain a member in good standing if you continually sow discord in the body.”
“You cannot deny the bodily resurrection of the saints and call this your church home.”

These are just a few examples of the real conversations I have had over the years in an attempt to reinforce our congregational commitment to truth in the body of Christ. Each one represents a difficult but necessary effort of accountability among believers. I realize that words like accountability and discipline are not popular today, largely because they feel harsh and unloving. Perhaps some of our confusion stems from the popular misinterpretation of Jesus’ command to judge not lest you be judged (Matt. 7:1).

Yet, Scripture unequivocally instructs members of the local church to restore those who stray in a spirit of gentleness (Gal. 6:1). Our Lord reminds us to judge ourselves first and more severely than others, precisely because we will need to make judgments about others at times (Matt. 7:3-5). Jesus also outlines the necessary steps which ensure that discipline within the church is fair and redemptive (Matt. 18:15-20).

When the church at Corinth celebrated the sexual deviance of a member, the Apostle Paul rebuked their arrogance before calling for the man’s excommunication from the fellowship (1 Cor. 5:1, 5, 7, 13). Their efforts to be affirming, accepting, and inclusive were the opposite of God’s expectation, insulting the Savior who washed, sanctified, and justified them (1 Cor. 6:9-11). Likewise, one of the greater weaknesses of modern Christianity is the reckless insistence that the acceptance of bad behavior is an expression of love.

The broader principle Paul offers believers today is that we should not “associate with a so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler (1 Cor. 5:11).” Note the emphasis is on those who parade themselves as Christ followers. Accountability is God’s prescription within the church, not outside it.

Christians are not called to judge unbelievers (1 Cor. 5:9) knowing that they are outside of God’s grace and recipients of divine judgment (1 Cor. 5:13). Instead, we should befriend non-Christians, pray for them, and continually seek to share the good news of the gospel (Matt. 5:13-15; Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 1:8). Tragically, we often invert these principles. Far too many believers are guilty of judging those outside the church whom God wants us to reach while ignoring those inside the church whom God wants us to judge. We are to evangelize the former while preserving the integrity of the latter.

The difference, you see, is one of expectation. We should expect unbelievers to live in wickedness, openly defying the Lord’s commandments. Those who are dead in trespasses and sins will walk according to the course of this world (Eph. 2:1-2). The standard for professing believers is much higher, though, because of the transformative work of the Spirit who dwells in us (John 14:16-21).

So why does the Lord require accountability among His people?

Of all the reasons given in Scripture, the opportunity for repentance is perhaps the most persuasive. Without mincing words, Paul insisted that delivering the immoral man to Satan “for the destruction of his flesh” was the best hope for the salvation of his spirit (1 Cor. 5:5). Clearly, the goal was not public shame, but eternal repentance and salvation. If this professing believer was unsaved, he might come to the faith. Or, if he was simply a wayward, prodigal son, he would assuredly turn from his wickedness. Either way, the goal of holding him accountable for his actions was restoration not retaliation.

What requires accountability? And when should a congregation exercise discipline?

Albert Mohler offers three helpful categories that would justify turning a member out of the church. First, are matters of doctrinal fidelity. Put simply, we are not free to believe whatever we want to believe while remaining part of Christ’s body. Those who do not abide in the teachings of Jesus do not have God (2 John 9). You cannot, for example, deny that the Son is God in human flesh, that the Trinity exists, or that salvation is by grace through faith and call yourself a Christian. These are heretical doctrines that put people outside of the faith.

Second, are matters of morality, or purity of life issues. Here, we are not free to live however we choose and continue as a member of the Lord’s church. When crafting a picture of unrighteousness, Paul includes fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, the effeminate, homosexuals, thieves, the covetous, drunkards, revilers, and swindlers as those in unbelief (1 Cor. 6:9-10). While the list is not exhaustive, the point is that these are behaviors God saves people out of, not lifestyles we should remain in (1 Cor. 6:12).

Third, are matters of unity. No congregant is free to cause division within the church. Scripture admonishes us to keep our eyes on those who cause dissensions (Rom. 16:17) and to reject a factious man after a first and second warning (Titus 3:10-11). Sitting by idly while schisms grow can cause significant damage in a congregation.

No matter the reason for the drastic actions that accountability sometimes requires, repentance and restoration must always be the goal. Measures like these are always meant to help and never hurt. Accountability matters in the local church.

Adam B. Dooley
August 27, 2025

Mar 27

Love0

The Art of Finishing Well

By Adam Dooley Christian Living, Discipleship, Holiness, Righteousness No Comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Adam B. Dooley
March 27, 2025

Nov 29

Love0

The Danger of False Positives

By Adam Dooley 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 19

Love0

Our Common Problem

By Adam Dooley 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

Love0

Passing the Gospel Baton

By Adam Dooley 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

Topics