PreachingNow

Joe McKeever is a cartoonist and frequent contributor to Preaching. His website (www.joemckeever.com) is a great place to keep up with what is happening in New Orleans, particularly among many of the churches. (Joe is Director of the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans.) In a recent entry, Joe talked about visiting one church where the hurricane and resulting flooding literally tore the bricks off the church structure.

"How can a storm tear the bricks away from a church like that?" I asked Ed and Freddie, both of them builders. "Look here," one of them said. A quick inspection showed that the workers who constructed St. Bernard Church had not tied the masonry to the wood structure of the building. The metal ties were there, but it was a rare one that was fixed into the masonry. I said, "How can you be sure the workers are tying your brick and your house together?" They both answered, "Be there and watch it done. Or know your contractor."

"For years that little church has sat there looking strong. As sturdy as a brick house, we might say. Paul Gregoire, admissions director for our seminary, has been pastor of that church longer than any other minister in our association. When the storm came, it revealed a weakness in the construction no one had ever noticed. There's a sermon there. Life's storms do not cause the weaknesses; they reveal them. That's why in the good times, when we're well and the children are behaving and the bills are paid, this is the time to make sure of the solid construction of our lives, our faith, our relationship with the Lord. Because sooner or later, the storm is coming."

Continue to pray for Joe and the many Christian leaders on the Gulf Coast who face unprecedented challenges and opportunities.

Click here to visit "I Was Just Thinking" for insights and observations about faith and culture issues. Some recent topics: Filling a Supreme Court seat.

If you missed this year’s National Conference on Preaching, you can still obtain audio tapes and CDs. Click here to learn more. And be sure to mark your calendar for April 24-26, 2006, for the next NCP in Dallas, with the theme “Preaching Creatively.” (Click here for information on NCP 2006.) October 17 is the deadline to get the lowest cost for your registration!

In his commentary for yesterday, R. Albert Mohler observes, "The shift from modernity to postmodernity has not been pretty. In the end, relativism is a more deadly enemy than denial, for it rejects the very possibility of truth, even as it allows for infinite forms of meaning. This has made the apologetic task substantially more difficult. In the pre-modern age, the great issue was which supernatural claims are justified and true. In the modern age, the assumption was that no supernatural claims are justified or true. In the ethereal vapors of postmodernity, any supernatural claim is assumed to be true, whether justified or not. But no claim to truth can be absolute, universal, or exclusive.

"Oddly enough, all this is enough to make the Christian apologist almost nostalgic for Enlightenment rationalism. We can take head-on an honest, straightforward, and bold denial of Christianity. At least a true atheist knows what he denies. Postmodernity's smug "whatever" pales against Friedrich Nietzsche's bold claim that God is dead, and that we have killed him. The vacuous and unthinking relativism of the postmodern mind, however, is numbing. . . .

"At this critical time of cultural and intellectual transition, the Christian ministry, taken as a whole, must be understood as an apologetic calling. Apologetics -- the task of setting forth the truth claims of Christianity and arguing for the unique truthfulness of the Christian faith -- must be the major mode of ministry in a postmodern age. This means that apologetics cannot be reduced to a course taken at the seminary or a book securely placed on the shelves. Great Commission proclamation in our generation must be accompanied by apologetic ministry. Gospel witness must be undergirded by the defense of truth." (Click here to read the full commentary.)

In his book Breakout Churches (Zondervan), Thom Rainer points out that there was a strong sense of momentum (or "Big Mo") in most of the churches his team identified as "breakout churches" -- congregations which went through a period of plateau or decline, then turned around to experience significant growth. And a major factor in that momentum was the strength of their preaching ministries.

Raimer says there was a "common theme among many of the breakout church leaders. In the process of leading the churches in the breakout, these leaders reported a heightened awareness of the importance of their preaching ministries. Some of them expressed a belief that the Big Mo would not have taken place if they had not given greater attention to the ministry of preaching.

"This information did not surprise us [Rainer's research team]. In a previous study, our research found a direct correlation between time spent in sermon preparation and evangelistic effectiveness. In another study, we found that one of the key reasons the unchurched were attracted to particular churches was the quality of the preaching ministry. Consistently we heard the members of the breakout churches tell us that one of the key reasons their church is experiencing a positive momentum is the consistent quality preaching of the senior pastor. . . .

"Our study of breakout churches did not measure such quantifiable factors as hours spent in sermon preparation. All of the research team members, however, indicated that preaching was primary in the ministry of the breakout pastors. We would surmise that the pastors gave significant hours to sermon preparation much like leaders in other effective churches we have studied." (Click here for more information about the book Breakout Churches.)

In the November-December issue of Preaching, Thom Rainer talks about breakout churches and the role preaching plays in their growth. Click here to begin your subscription.

"The average American is a ravenous media junkie, consuming up to nine hours a day of television, web time or cell-phone minutes, according to new research which raises fresh questions about how technology is revolutionizing society," an Oct. 4 AFP story indicates.

The story, which appeared on BreitBart.com, asserts, "From iPods filling commuters' ears, the screens scrolling headlines in the elevator at work to proliferating on-the-move tools like cell-phones and Blackberry handhelds, media is everywhere in the United States, like much of the rest of the developed world. As information technology marches on, and search engine giant Google even raises the prospect of free wireless Internet access for whole cities, media in all its forms is almost impossible to escape."

The survey -- which was conducted by Ball State University -- found that television is still the most dominant media device used by the average American, but computers are catching up fast.

One of the survey's conclusions is that multi-tasking is on the rise, with 30 percent of 'media time' spent on one or more devices simultaneously -- such as people watching TV while reading their email. (Click here to read the full story.)

In World War II, the Allied Forces sealed their victory on "D-day," when they invaded the beaches of Normandy. At that point in time, the war was essentially over -- there was no way the Axis Powers would be able to resist. However, the fighting continued for some time after the Normandy invasion. In fact, it was after the invasion that the fighting became fiercest! But eventually, the victory which was sealed on "D-day" was completed on "VE-day" when the Germans surrendered.

The process of our sanctification, of our coming into union with Christ, is very much like the war in Europe between "D-day" and "VE-day." God's "invasion" of our lives was sealed when we were justified, and will eventually be completed when we are glorified with Christ. In the meantime, we are caught in the struggle between our sinful nature and the Spirit of Christ who now indwells us. Like the war in Europe, it is now that the victory has been sealed that the resistance of sin becomes fiercest and most frantic.

In contrast with those who believe that the indwelling of the Spirit should raise us above the struggle with sin, this view of sanctification asserts that it is the presence of the Holy Spirit which produces the struggle in the first place. The invasion of God's righteousness has begun, and we long for the day when it will be completed. At that time, when we are glorified with Christ, "we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is" (I John 3:2), but in the meantime, we who have this "hope" must "purify" ourselves, "just as He is pure" (I John 3:3). That is the challenge of sanctification. (Joel C. Hunter, The Journey to Spiritual Maturity: The Challenging Road)

Plan now to be part of one of our "Preaching Truth in a Whatever World" one-day conferences. Register today to attend the St. Louis conference this Thursday!

Our Nov. 29 conference originally planned for New Orleans has now been rescheduled for Birmingham. Location information is available on our website at www.preaching.com/truth. Our Oct. 11 conference in Louisville, Mississippi has been cancelled.

Here are dates and areas for fall conferences (exact church location/address is at our website, www.preaching.com/truth):

Here's a comment by a pastor who attended the Cleveland conference in September: "I found the conference to be very insightful in explaining the shift in thinking related to worldview, the media and other influences. The emphasis on strong Biblical preaching was also an encouragement." (Clyde Davis, Pastor, Girard Alliance Church, Girard, PA)

These conferences will offer insights into the unique preaching challenges of today, and will offer a toolbox of strategies and ideas for effective biblical preaching in today's "whatever" culture. Visit our information page (www.preaching.com/truth) for more information or to register.

In a National Geographic article about the Portia spider, author Robert Jackson detailed the various ways it deceives its prey. Sitting still, the spider looks like a piece of dried leaf or foliage until a meal walks by. It also will crawl onto another spider's web and tap the threads, mimicking the actions of a trapped insect. When the host spider appears, the Portia devours it. Deception is the Portia's primary tool.

Satan is like the Portia spider in that deception is his weapon of choice. He does whatever he can to counterfeit the words of God -- to make the unwary and naïve think that God is present and speaking when in fact He is not. The apostle Paul wrote about Satan masquerading as an "angel of light" and about his agents acting like "servants of righteousness." The book of Revelation says a day is coming when the satanic Antichrist and False Prophet will deceive most of the world. Only those who know the Word of God will be prepared and protected. Know the truth -- don't be deceived by a counterfeiter like Satan.

The more you get to know the truth -- and the One who is Truth -- the easier it will be to spot deception when it appears. (Turning Point Daily Devotional, 9-23-05)

The surgeon looked up, annoyed "I'll cut your heart open," he continued, to see how much damage has been done . . . "

The surgeon looked to the parents, who sat quietly. "When I see how much damage has been done, I'll sew your heart and chest back up, and I'll plan what to do next."

"But you'll find Jesus in my heart. The Bible says He lives there. The hymns all say He lives there. You'll find Him in my heart."

The surgeon had had enough. "I'll tell you what I'll find in your heart. I'll find damaged muscle, low blood supply, and weakened vessels. And I'll find out if I can make you well."

The surgeon sat in his office, recording his notes from the surgery, " . . . damaged aorta, damaged pulmonary vein, widespread muscle degeneration. No hope for transplant, no hope for cure. Therapy: painkillers and bed rest. Prognosis: (here he paused), "death within one year."

He stopped the recorder, but there was more to be said. "Why?" he asked aloud. "Why did You do this? You've put him here; You've put him in this pain; and You've cursed him to an early death. Why?"

The Lord answered and said, "The boy, My lamb, was not meant for your flock for long, for he is a part of My flock, and will forever be. Here, in My flock, he will feel no pain, and will be comforted as you cannot imagine. His parents will one day join him here, and they will know peace, and My flock will continue to grow."

The surgeon's tears were hot, but his anger was hotter. "You created that boy, and You created that heart. He'll be dead in months. Why?"

The Lord answered, "The boy, My lamb, shall return to My flock, for He has done his duty: I did not put My lamb with your flock to lose him, but to retrieve another lost lamb."

The surgeon wept. The surgeon sat beside the boy's bed; the boy's parents sat across from him. The boy awoke and whispered, "Did you cut open my heart?"

The pastor is walking down the street one day when he notices a very small boy trying to press a doorbell on a house across the street. The boy isn't very tall and the doorbell is too high for him to reach.

After watching the boy's efforts, the pastor steps across the street, walks up behind the little fellow and, placing his hand kindly on the child's shoulder leans over and gives the doorbell a solid ring.

Crouching down to the child's level, the pastor smiles and asks, "And now what, my little man?"

Act by Oct 17 for best discount on NCP 2006

October 17 is the deadline for the lowest available registration rate for the 2006 National Conference on Preaching, set for April 24-26, 2006 at Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas (Dallas area). Our theme will be "Preaching Creatively."

The regular registration rate is $250 per person (for the first registrant from a church or organization), but if you register by October 17 you'll save $100 off the regular rate with our Super Early-Bird discount. (A spouse or additional attendees from the same church can register for just $100 each.) You can register by calling us (toll free) at 800-288-9673 (outside the US call 615-599-9889), or you can register on-line at www.preaching.com/ncp. That site also has a downloadable registration form if you'd like to use a check and register by mail.

NCP 2006 already has a great line-up of speakers, including Haddon Robinson, Calvin Miller, Jack Graham, Dieter Zander, Doug Pagitt, Steve Wende, Bryan L. Carter and many more. Click here to go to the NCP webpage and learn more about the 16th annual National Conference on Preaching.

ILLUSTRATION: Emergencies, Urgency

We are often warned that the "911" emergency call number is only to be used for genuine emergencies. Unfortunately, not everyone has gotten the message. For example, a call came into 911 because two couples were going to share a hotel room and there weren't enough towels.

A man called 911 and said: "Please connect me to Switzerland."

A lady called 911 because of a fight going on in a parking lot. When asked to describe the combatants, she said: "I'll try. There's one man, and he's dressed like Elvis. He's kicking another man who's laying on the ground and screaming 'You aint nothing but a hound dog.'"

Another person called to report he had the hiccups.

A thirteen-year-old boy called to report he had "stuff" coming from his navel. Paramedics examined the boy and all they found was belly-button lint.

A male called and requested police call gas stations on all exits of I-95 to find out which ones were open.

A woman called 911 to report she had seen a wild mouse in her house. Someone else called 911 to report the parrot got out of his cage and is in a tree outside.

A man broke up with his girlfriend and wanted police to go by her house and report to him the owners of any cars, other than hers, in her driveway.

A man called to report he had a roach stuck in his ear. (Pastor Tim's CleanLaugh List, http://www.cybersalt.org/cleanlaugh)

"God does not comfort us to make us comfortable but to make us comforters." (J.H. Jowett)

ILLUSTRATION: Sin, Forgiveness

The delightful family movie "Because of Winn-Dixie" is now out on DVD, and MovieMinistry.com offers this illustration:

The Big Idea: Everybody sins, but too few remember.

Scene Setup: Gloria Dump listens to Opal talk about Otis, the man at the pet store.

Scene: Opal tells Gloria that Otis is a criminal, and she asks Gloria if she should be afraid of him. When Gloria asks why Opal should be afraid, Opal replies, "For doing bad things; for being in jail."

Gloria thinks for a second and then invites Opal to come with her to her back yard. They stop in front of a giant tree, and Gloria asks, "What do you think about this tree?"

From nearly every branch of the tree hang empty bottles, suspended by cords. The sunlight dances through the many-colored bottles. It is quite a spectacle. Opal wants to know why there are so many bottles hanging from the tree? Gloria says, "To keep the ghosts away." Opal wants to know what she means, and so Gloria clarifies, "The ghosts of all the things I done wrong."

Opal is surprised. She cannot imagine that Gloria has done that many things wrong. But Gloria says that she has done even more wrong things than are represented by the bottles.

Opal complains, "But you're the nicest person I know!" But Gloria corrects her, "Don't mean I haven't done bad things." Gloria tells Opal that she used to drink too much. When Opal asks if the drinking made her do the bad things, Gloria confesses, "Some of them. Some of them I would have done anyway, with alcohol or without it." Gloria tells Opal to learn "the most important thing" so that she can avoid many of the same pitfalls. Gloria says that Opal will have to discover it on her own, but tells her that she can begin by not judging people for their past, but by what they are doing now. Especially her friend Otis, who had spent time in jail, but now makes beautiful music and is kind to the animals in his shop -- "Cause that's all we know about him now, right?"

Application: Lest we become too prideful, it is always a good idea to remember where we came from. Gloria has crafted a memorial to her sin so that she will not forget and return to it. It reminds her that she has made mistakes, and encourages her not to make more. She says that she has "learned the most important thing."

While Gloria does not reveal "the most important thing" to Opal, we can tell others what it is. It is the pardon we receive from the blood of Christ, and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to live a more godly life. But as James warns us, we must understand ourselves, and where we have come from, so that we will not walk away and forget "what kind of person" we were.

Everyone sins. We are not to judge others harshly, because we are sinners just as are they. We need to learn the most important thing. All good lessons for those seeking to walk humbly with God. (Rating: PG. Start Time: 1:01:17 End Time: 1:04:08 DVD Chapter: 15)

For more great film-based illustrations, visit www.movieministry.com/?aid=1085.

You Know You've Been out of College Too Long When . . .

~ Your potted plants stay alive.

~ 6:00 a.m. is when you get up, not when you go to sleep.

~ You hear your favorite song on the elevator at work.

~ You carry an umbrella.

~ You watch the Weather Channel.

~ You go from 130 days of vacation time to 5.

~ Jeans and a sweater no longer qualify as "dressed up."

~ You're the one calling the police because those kids next door don't know how to turn down the stereo.

~ You don't know what time Taco Bell closes anymore.

~ Your car insurance goes down and your car payments go up.

~ You feed your dog Science Diet instead of McDonald's.

~ Sleeping on the couch is a no-no.

~ You no longer take naps from noon to 6:00 p.m.

~ MTV News is no longer your primary source of information.

~ You actually eat breakfast foods at breakfast time.

~ Grocery lists have more on them than macaroni & cheese, Diet Pepsi, and Ho-Ho's.

~ Over 90% of the time you spend in front of a computer is for real work. (from Mikey's Funnies)

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