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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Adam B. Dooley
May 20, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Adam B. Dooley
May 14, 2025

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

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

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

But how?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Adam B. Dooley
May 8, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Adam B. Dooley
April 30, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

And so do we.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Adam B. Dooley
April 14, 2025