Theology

Theology

FIFS : Genesis 6:5-7

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5. Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6. And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7. So the LORD said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.”

Wow. I wonder, “What went so wrong so fast?” A few generations after Cain and Abel, mankind was living in such a way that was dishonoring and appalling to God.  As God watched what was happening, as He read the thoughts of the mind and hearts of His creation, He was grieved. The actions of the people were such that they were using one another for personal pleasure and neglecting to love. Such were the days of Noah. The language of the Bible is very plain and pointed. Look again, read again slowly v.6, “And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart”. It is tragic to see how quickly an environment of peace, joy, and worship, with God saying that His creation was “very good”, to an environment of sin, pride, and pleasure, with God saying that He was sorry that He had made mankind.

We live in the “days of Noah”. The description God gave of the people in verse 5 of Noah’s day characterizes the hearts of people today. We live in an evil and fallen world. Mankind seems to lean and bend toward evil and resist anything holy and pure. This is the world in which we live. This is also the world that Jesus Christ stepped out of heaven and into. He came to redeem a people who were held captive by the power of sin. He came to restore a relationship that had been broken when man tried to go His own way without God. He came to save those who were lost and didn’t even seek after God. Speaking of Jesus, Paul wrote, “And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in  the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight”. (Colossians 1:21-22) We have had extended to us what we did not deserve and what didn’t even know we desired. Through Christ, we have the desire for love over hate, peace over strife, and holiness over evil.

Surprising Insights : Part #6

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Chapter 6 is a straight forward and a no-nonsense chapter. A good reminder. This chapter deals with the issue of doctrine and the importance of it in the mind of the unchurched. A false assumption is put to rest by the research conducted in the writing of this book. The false assumption is that you have to water down and compromise on sound biblical truth in order to reach an unchurched person. The point I found most interesting was the unchurched were looking for absolutes. The doctrine of the church provided absolutes in a culture where very few exist. The unchurched also looked to the church to actually believe and live out the doctrine they say is important. As a church, we must keep a focus on the importance of living before the world what we say with our mouths to be important. The unchurched are counting on it.

“That’s My King”

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I have been trying to get away from posting videos. However, I could not pass up posting this video because it speaks volumes about my Savior. This video is the best known message by the late African American pastor Dr. S.M. (Shadrach Meshach) Lockridge, who was the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in San Diego California from 1953-1993. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.

Toward a Great Commission Resurgence

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Today, Dr. Johnny Hunt, pastor of First Baptist Church of Woodstick, Ga and President of the Southern Baptist Convention released a declaration entitled, “Toward a Great Commission Resurgence”. The goal and purpose of this declaration is a renewed attempt to unite all Southern Baptists around the common cause of a renewed focus on the Great Commission given to us by the Lord Jesus Christ. You can view the declaration at www.greatcommissionresurgence.com

I encourage you to take time and read the declaration carefully. Dr. Hunt has penned some very powerful, stirring, convicting, and challenging words for us as a convention. There is a place provided for you to sign if you are in agreement.