http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php en-gb copyright 2012 - New Hope Presbyterian Church - Salem, Virginia cameronsmith2@verizon.net cameronsmith2@verizon.net Sat, 12 May 2012 12:22:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=2421 In preparation for tomorrow, I give you a quote from theologian Miroslav Volf. He addresses our natural repulsion to the idea that there is a God in heaven who might actually judge evil in the world. Volf is no hell fire and brimstone preacher by any means. How could he be? He teaches at Yale! Yet, he has a perspective on evil that many of us will never, thankfully, know in our lifetime. He was raised in eastern Europe under the heavy, oppressive thumb of communism. He saw quite a bit...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Fri, 11 May 2012 15:07:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=2414 Okay, it has been one of those weeks. I mean, one of those weeks. I believe you know what I mean. For fun, but seriously. Click the link below and see what I mean. What Sermon Prep Really Looks Like [1] This kind of reminded me of a cartoon I saw when I was in seminary. Caption one: A seminary student languishing in Greek class daydreaming of the day when he will be a great preacher! Caption two: A worn out minister sitting at his desk daydreaming of the good old days in semi...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:04:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=2316 I noted at the beginning of my sermon on Sunday that the opening line of the book could be read in two ways: "The revelation of Jesus Christ...." Meaning that it could read that this is a revelation from Jesus, or this is a revelation about Jesus. I think it means both. But, let's suppose that it's the latter today (about). The book of Revelation utilizes more titles and descriptions of the second person in the Trintiy than any other Biblical book. Let's count the ways! ...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:36:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=2272 2012 Revelation Sermon Series: Back to the Future! * April 22 Rev. 1:1-8 Apocalypse Now * April 29 Rev. 1:9-20 Love Letters * May 06 Rev. 4:1-5:14 The Lion & The Lamb * May 13 Rev. 6:1-17 The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse * May 20 Rev. 7:1-12 The Apple of God’s Eye * May 27 Rev. 12:1-14:5 Stink, Stank, Stunk * June 03 Rev. 18:1-24 The Way of the World * June 10 Rev. 19:1-16 An I...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Mon, 16 Apr 2012 19:08:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=2265 What a wonderful service on Sunday with our guest speaker. Thanks to Mark Brungard, Jr. for taking some time out of his busy schedule to be with us and preach the Word. Preaching is hard. preaching before total strangers is even more difficult. But, he is now pulling in his anchor and heading out to sea. Our best to him as he considers where God will use his talents and faithfulness! As for us, we will be beginning a new sermon series this upcoming Sunday. The book is Revelation. ...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:35:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=2253 This Sunday marks a very special day for me. My good friends from my twenty-something days are going to be joining us for worship. In fact, one particular couple - Mark & Sherri Brungard - will also have a special day, because their son, Mark, Jr. will be preaching for the very first time. More on Jr. a little later. The other couple coming on down for the service is Michael & Wende Parker. All of them live in Lynchburg now, and we don't get together very much because life has just ...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:12:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=2245 Boogers and such coming at the end of this entry. I promise. But, first things first. I want to take a late look back in the mirror at this past Sunday's Easter message, How God Became King. I was thinking about the message this morning as I was getting ready to come into work. Often I will try to imagine what some past colleagues and mentors would make of my handling of the Word. This morning, I was fondly recalling the man who gave me my first preaching opportunity. Elder Dave K...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Fri, 06 Apr 2012 18:26:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=2211 This Sunday, I will be preaching from the lectionary. I chose Acts 10:34-43. The broader context here is Peter's trip to the household of Cornelius. Cornelius is a "God-Fearing" gentile. This expression, "God-Fearing" referred to non-Jews who embraced Israel's God, but stopped short of being circumcised. We are not going to be dealing with all of the events leading up to Peter's speech, which we will use. Unfortunately, there is just not enough time to preach a sermon th...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Thu, 05 Apr 2012 23:12:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=2206 While other churches were hosting the traditional Maundy Thursday services and Seder Meals -- we tried something a little different tonight. We got together for dinner and a movie. We just recently installed a new 60 inch flat panel HD TV in the Fellowship Hall. It is hooked up to our PA system there making it a pretty nifty place to watch a flick! About 20 of us viewed Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ. Many of us had already seen the film. There were a couple that had not...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Tue, 03 Apr 2012 04:37:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=2181 Okay. This has nothing to do with a sermon, either past, present or future. Just totally out-of-the-blue, non-sequitur, tangential fluff. However, since Salem is about to open one of these "5 Star" dining experiences of the Christian culinary world, perhaps this is relelvant, in a practical way. Enjoy! The Ten Commandments of Chick-fil-A [1] Best response to this article? It is this: "Thou shalt learn to say polynesian sauce or just ask for bbq. My daughter used to be one of th...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Sat, 31 Mar 2012 20:38:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=2162 A friend of mine once said that he was having doubts about whether or not to publish a certain article on his Facebook page. He said, when in doubt, don't! But he did anyway. I have been having the same thoughts about the platform for my sermon tomorrow. The sermon is using Homer Simpson's famous cry of despair, "D'oh!" to drive home a point about the Christian walk. My subject tomorrow is Peter and his fearless proclamation that Jesus is the Christ! However, he follows tha...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Fri, 30 Mar 2012 15:23:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=2152 We are finished with the major prophets for a while. Last summer, we took a tour through Ezekiel. And for the last ten weeks, the pulpit has been consumed with the last half of the book of Isaiah. If I were to throw in the other major prophet Jeremiah and ask what all three prophets have in common, what would you say? Well, the short answer is that they all have a fairly common vision for the future expressed a little differently. The short and sweet, down and dirty is that they all ...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Fri, 23 Mar 2012 08:57:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=2117 Perhaps as a way of justifying this post, I must say that the article that I am linking up to is an application of everything I have ever tried to teach you in my pulpit time. The reality is, if you walk out of here week after week and have no change of heart in any shape or degree...well, perhaps you could find better things to do with precious R&R time on the weekend! Oh, that is a hard thing to say! The bottom line, I think, is that we don't do church for the sake of entertainme...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Tue, 20 Mar 2012 06:04:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=2093 Interesting link that you may find helpful for your Sunday morning worship! How To Listen To A Sermon [1] Links: ------ [1] http://yearnforgod.org/2012/03/19/how-to-listen-a-sermon/ Mon, 19 Mar 2012 07:58:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=2081 As I think about what I commended to you yesterday in the sermon, I must tell you that I have somewhat mixed feelings about it. You see, even though you needed to hear some of that, you were probably not shocked by what you heard. Smile a little more? Check. Be a good employee? Check. Stop gossiping? Oooh, well, okay, I think... Check! Perhaps you thought my main drift was "just be nice"? Perhaps. And if you did, well, that's okay by me. You see, I think the "congregation" t...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Sat, 17 Mar 2012 07:04:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=2068 This from Doug Wilson's blog, Blog & Mablog: "I think good preachers shouild be like bad kids. They ought to be naughty enough to tiptoe up on dozing congregations, steal their bottles of religion pills, spirituality pills, and morality pills, and flush them down the drain . . . But preachers can't be that naughty or brave unless they're free of their own need for the dope of acceptance" (Robert Farrar Capon, The Foolishness of Preaching, p.14). Thu, 15 Mar 2012 09:20:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=2064 This past Sunday, I preached from a very rich text in Isaiah. The Fourth Servant Song (52:13-53:12) is usually read in our pulpits during Holy Week, most especially during Good Friday services. The words here in this Song reveal the depth and costliness of God's involvement in our salvation: Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and by his st...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Wed, 29 Feb 2012 12:21:01 -0600http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1941 We are moving rather quickly to the 3rd Servant Song for Sunday's sermon, and you will notice that the theme of suffering and shame is coming into view now. In the first two songs, this wasn't very prominent. But, with Isaiah 50, and especially the 4th Servan Song in chapters 52-53, the atonement is clearly on display. What I want to contemplate this Sunday is the unbelievable concept that God would suffer shame and reproach to redeem and reclaim us! How could this be? This i...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Wed, 29 Feb 2012 12:01:01 -0600http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1939 Now, of course, we realize -- or should realize -- that we do not need the world's most interesting man for our most basic need. We need the most faithful man! Yet still, here is a listing of all (at least, most of them) the great one-liners from that Dos Aquis commercial: * If he were to pat you on the back, you would list it on your resume. * Both sides of his pillow are cool. * When in Rome, they do as he does. * His words carry weight that would break a less interesting mans...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:03:01 -0600http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1869 What wonderful timing yesterday! We were able to get in all the activities that we had scheduled before the snow really hit hard. Sunday School, worship, the 2nd annual Chili-Cook-Off, the field trip to Dixie Caverns and the wedding shower for Mike and Lindsay Noto. Better yet, the weather did not impact our numbers yesterday. Thank you New Hope for a wonderful day! Another providential note: We rolled into our long, steep and merely wet driveway at about 4:15 yesterday. As soon as...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Sat, 18 Feb 2012 19:13:01 -0600http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1862 Sitting here wondering if we are going to be having church tomorrow as we are under a winter storm warning with up to 7 inches of snow expected by sundown tomorrow night. We shall see. As of now -- we are on! I wanted to drop my three points on the sermon tomorrow. The text is Isaiah 48:1-11. That's the focus. Here are my points: * GOD’S ACCEPTANCE OF YOU IS NOT BASED ON YOUR ABILITY TO EARN IT. * WALKING WITH AND SERVING GOD DOES NOT COME NATURAL. * THE LIFE OF FAIT...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:50:01 -0600http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1851 I will have to say that Sunday did not turn out exactly as I had hoped. My worst fears as a pastor center around the very real possibility of being too opaque in the pulpit. As Mark Futato at RTS Orlando used to always say in Comm. Labs: "Fuzzy in the pulpit; foggy in the pews!" In my defense, I will say that this stuff in Isaiah is so extremely rich, that it's hard to unpack everything in little preaching portions. Yes, I know, you most likely think 20 minutes is forever -- but, it...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:10:01 -0600http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1817 For those of you who check out this blog, you're in for something different here! As I just put the finishing touches on Sunday's sermon, I realized that I had too much material for Sunday! And so, for the first time ever, I am placing the introductory section of the sermon right here on this blog. Read this and you'll be a leg up for Sunday! The Gospel According to Isaiah - The Meaning of Easter: The Down Payment (Part #4 of 10) Isa. 44:23-45:8 Let’s review jus...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:05:01 -0600http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1793 Here is the sermon text for this Sunday. As I told you last Sunday, the topic of Isaiah's Servant is a well-debated, much-traveled topic. However, this Sunday's text is in the same category. Point being, if Isaiah of Jerusalem -- an eighth century BC prophet -- wrote all of the book that bears his name, then how can he name the name of an historical figure--Cyrus the Persian -- that came on the scene nearly two hundred years after his own demise? Why, Isaiah would have had to, gu...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:10:01 -0600http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1775 That was a line I heard from a pastor friend: "Hey, I've got this really great illustration..if only I could find a sermon text to go with it now!" Hopefully that doesn't happen a whole lot in our pulpits! But, when I was thinking through the flow of yesterday's message, this illustration just kept coming to the surface. And, my response was, I really want to use it -- but, it is just too close to crossing the line that I have determined that I will never cross. Alas, ...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:43:01 -0600http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1753 This week, we finally get to look at one of the actual servant songs. The first one is in chapter 42 as I noted in the last blog entry. I will be covering the four verses of the poem, but, have decided to extend the preaching section to verse 12. It is just too rich not to talk about. Let me tell you, this week has been glorious as I have been preparing for this message. It is quite incredible that these prophecies -- for that is truly what they are -- find their complete fulfillment in ...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:07:01 -0600http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1742 Okay, I want to look backward and forward today. Here's the backwards part. Hopefully, we were able to connect on a vital point Sunday. Forget active and passive obedience for a moment! God's people were called to be the light of the world. To be a kingdom of priests. They didn't do that! As we saw on Sunday, they had to be coaxed and wooed into the reality of their privileged call. God, through Isaiah, tells them, "That's it -- you're out of here, 'cause you ...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Sat, 28 Jan 2012 11:25:01 -0600http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1719 I am so happy to have this blog to be able to unload stuff that would most likely go over like a lead baloon in the pulpit! Tomorrow, I will be asking the question: Why did Jesus have to come? In answering the question, I introduce a concept that many will likely have never heard of -- or maybe never will care to hear again! Most of the time, we think of Jesus coming solely in terms of his passive obedience: He came to die for our sins on the cross. In dying, he passively let his ...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:16:01 -0600http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1682 As those words left my mouth yesterday in the pulpit, I was thinking, "uh, oh." "Without Christ, people are like alley cats rumaging through the garbage cans looking for something, completely unaware of the stink around 'em." Or something to that effect, anyway. I know what I meant, but I'm sure a sensitive person could get offended. I haven't heard from anybody yet, so maybe this one passed through unnoticed. What I wanted to convey with the crass remark was this: The w...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:27:01 -0600http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1671 Things are still taking shape for the upcoming sermon series. There will be ten sermons located in what some scholars have called "2nd Isaiah" -- chapters 40-55. However, since I am a pastor who loses no perspiration in seeing the book as a cohesive unit when measured with the entirety of scripture, I will probably expand the sermon text limits to chapter 61:1-3 to be a righteous rebel! What I will try to do in this series is to help you gain a better understanding of what Easter is al...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:30:01 -0600http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1632 Hello from somewhat warmer Florida! I am in the process of planning the preaching layout for the next ten weeks. What´s in store? Well, Isaiah. Specifically, the Servant Songs towards the middle of the book. These are incredible poems describing God´s plans for his people. God´s plan of providing a savior who is not quite like a savior that you might imagine for a typical book. Anyway, we will break the mold of seven sermons and stretch it to ten. This will take us up to Palm Sunday. Wh...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Fri, 06 Jan 2012 20:19:01 -0600http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1590 Wanted to get this quote up ahead of time. I will be using it on Sunday to remind our newly elected leaders of the essence of Christian leadership. But, it is also good for all of us to chew on. By the way, the book, Simply Jesus, is rich. Consider its inclusion here on this blog to be a hearty, unqualified endorsement! “The church is not supposed to be a society of perfect people doing a great work. It’s a society of forgiven sinners repaying their unpayable debt of lov...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Fri, 06 Jan 2012 10:20:01 -0600http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1587 Inevitably, when you are trying to preach a sermon, there is far too much stuff to fit into a short period of time. 20 minutes, give or take a few strokes on either side of the divide, goes very fast! And so, I realize that I will not be able to include all of the Scripture I want this Sunday. The primary text is from Philippians 4:13. In context, here is the full rendering: I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secr...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:07:01 -0600http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1575 Now, with that title, I am not planning on running for president! I assure you. This is the title that has been swimming in my mind as I prepare for the message that I will preach to the four newly elected officers (and which you will actively overhear!). The text is that wonderful exhortation in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things, through Christ, who gives me strength." I heard this line from Paul quite a bit when I was a student, long ago, at Liberty University. Dr. Falwell see...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:26:01 -0600http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1529 I have an assignment for those of you who will be present in worship on Sunday. The text will be from Psalm 90. The only psalm explicitly identified with Moses. I want you to read this psalm over several times and reflect on what it has to say to us in the upcoming new year. What is the wisdom here? What are the cautions? What are the blessings of hearing with a willing heart? Try breaking the psalm up into three parts (as I will do on Sunday): 90:1-6; 90:7-11; and 90:12-17. Try ...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Fri, 23 Dec 2011 16:41:01 -0600http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1520 Christmas Eve is upon us! And, long before we even think of New Years' resolutions, I want to make a Christmas one: Preach the Gospel as the Gospel. Period. I have been thinking alot about the reason and purpose of sermons. What are they supposed to do? How are they supposed to be? Seems to me that we preachers land in either one of two extremes. There is the preacher who is always beating you down from the pulpit with your sins. Bottom line: God is mad at you! Whew! Good t...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Sat, 17 Dec 2011 11:50:01 -0600http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1501 I was on the Trevin Wax's Kingdom People blog yesterday, and came across what he said was one of his favorite clips from Everybody Loves Raymond. He spelled out the exchange that caught his fancy: Ray: “I practice being a good person every day. I’m a decent fellow. I do good things. I always leave a big tip. If a squirrel runs in front of the car, do I not swerve? I am considerate of people’s feelings. Remember the plumber who came over with the big eye? I treated...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:44:01 -0600http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1491 Well, actually, Mark doesn't contain a birth narrative! Only Matthew and Luke have an account of that happening. So, you may ask yourself, why am I preaching from Mark 1:1-3 this Sunday? Shoot, I'm not even going to be saying anything about John the Baptist -- and when you preach on this text during Advent, that's usually the reason you do it! Well, I am going to preach from this text because I want to explore the essential meaning of Advent. Often, we turn sentimental...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:33:01 -0600http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1468 I came across yet another article on the Christmas vs. Dandy December match-up. I wanted to link to this because I find that I do not agree with this author's ultimate discomfort with the way Christmas is celebrated here in the West but it is something to chew on and wrestle with. This is, I want to point out, a Christian perspective on the issue. Go here: Let's put "Christ"-mas in its place [1] Now first of all -- X-mas is nothing more than taking the Greek letter chi (X --...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:38:01 -0600http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1457 The sermon that I preached yesterday on Matthew 1:18-25 was one that I initially used back in 2004. I used the same title -- A New Creation. However, the focus then was heavily weighted to the thought that we get so upset over trivial things like the world refusing to say "Merry Christmas" or giving us their blessing so that we can say it in public. Why not rather, I preached earnestly, give more thought to the reality of the new creation we've become in Christ? All of the mechanics ...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:33:01 -0600http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1447 This Sunday, we will be looking at Matthew's acount of the birth of Jesus Christ. Specifically, we will be focusing on the virgin birth of Christ. Usually, when this topic is presented in the pulpit, the typical minister gets fired up at those who would cast aspersion on the Bible's account of what happened in Bethlehem that night. (Read: You sorry liberal!) My sympathies are certainly closer to this righteous indignation -- more so than the other side of the coin. On that othe...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:05:01 -0600http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1437 I wanted to throw these Michael Card lyrics up before the sermon this Sunday. The song is called The Final Word. No other Word was needed! Emphasis in bold mine! You and me we use so very many clumsy words. The noise of what we often say is not worth being heard. When the Father’s Wisdom wanted to communicate His love, He spoke it in one final perfect Word. He spoke the Incarnation and then so was born the Son. His final word was Jesus, He needed no other one. Spoke flesh ...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Mon, 07 Nov 2011 07:31:01 -0600http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1355 Okay, here on this Monday morning, I am going to give you the game plan for the week. So, prepare yourself. Are you ready for this mind-load? The sermon for this upcoming Sunday will be on stewardship. Oh, I can hear the groans already. Now, get ready for the second punch. The sermon text will come from the book of Leviticus. Stewardship and Leviticus? On the same day? At the same time? You've got to be kidding! Well, no. I'm not. Not to give away any fire at this ...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:46:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1341 This past Sunday, the title to the sermon was "A Woman Named Jezebel." There was only one problem: The sermon was not about Jezebel! For sure, her act of extreme callousness towards Naboth and his sons was front and center. The plot must rank within The Top Ten of the Greatest Wicked Acts in the Bible. However, the story was not about her. The story was not about her husband, King Ahab. Even Elijah played a smaller role in this episode. The spotlight, as I hope was clear from the ...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Fri, 28 Oct 2011 19:06:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1331 One of the greatest turns in my understanding of the Bible came when I could finally appreciate the sermons of Puritan writers. When you read those sermons -- and they were lonnnng sermons (none of the 15-25 minute sermonette stuff!) -- you realize how immersed they were in the entire story from Genesis through Revelation. The sermon text might be Matthew 28:19-20, but you can best be believing that the preacher was going to go throughout the entirety of Scripture showing that God planned ...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Sun, 23 Oct 2011 17:50:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1310 Today, I gave you a modified rendering of Elijah's run down to Mount Sinai. The most popular understanding of Elijah's run from Jezebel has him scared and mad. He's disobedient and flees like a coward. God has to upbraid him and kick his hiny back north to finish the job. "Get back up there, Elijah -- don't you know who I AM? However, there is another interpretation that is gaining traction these days, and that understadning is not a negative one. It hinges on anothe...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Wed, 19 Oct 2011 09:16:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1297 Last Sunday, it was kind of fun to bring out the humor that's embedded in Scripture. Many readers of the Bible don't expect the kind of biting humor that comes through every once in a while in the narrative. But that's exactly what we found with Elijah's sarcastic response to the prophets of Baal and their lack of success in calling down fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice. "Hey, call a little louder, maybe Baal is deaf or heard of hearing? Maybe he's asleep? P...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Wed, 12 Oct 2011 10:47:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1272 As we get into this sermon series on the life of this prophet, I am finding that the adventures of this prophet make good pulpit fodder. His life reads like a major action adventure movie. I am somewhat surprised that a major Hollywood movie has never, to my knowledge, been made. (Note: Anything before 1970 doesn't count -- and made for TV movies don't count either. They are usually low-to-no-budget and lousy and cheesy!) The story of the widow of Zarephath and her son is ri...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Mon, 26 Sep 2011 11:29:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1204 It was bound to happen at some time in my life. And...it happened. Got burned by technology. I was, on Friday afternoon, just finishing my sermon at my home computer. It felt good. Done early in the day. Now I had time to make a visit and then head to Christiansburg to a meeting, and then home early to get to bed so that I could get some rest before heading to Busch Gardens with my church family. All was well and good. And then. Well, let's just chalk it up to the process of ...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Thu, 22 Sep 2011 09:18:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1185 Here it is! A new sermon series on the life of the prophet Elijah. I have already mentioned this -- but I think it merits saying again: This sermon series was a suggestion from the pew. And, being the reasonable man that I am, I went along with the idea. The more I thought about it, the more I was excited about doing a series like this! As I have been preparing for this topic -- I have found it very enriching for my own purposes. I hope and trust that you will find it likewise! Th...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Mon, 12 Sep 2011 13:08:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1137 What a day it was yesterday! Thanks to all of you who helped us fill our sanctuary up. I know you can do it now! Having my family there was a delight. However, it was also a temptation. I must take a few moments to explain my thinking process when presented with an opportunity to preach with family in the house. This was my third crack at preaching a baptism sermon for one of my kids. The first time, back in 2002, the family traveled to Orlando where I was interning at Woodbu...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Thu, 08 Sep 2011 09:48:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1117 Sunday will be an extra special day for my family. We get to baptize our newest little girl, Noelle. She will become a child of the Covenant -- An heir to the promises of God. For me, it is doubly extra special because not only do I get to administer the water, but my family will actively participate in service. My sister and brother-in-law will be reading the Scripture lessons and my father-in-law will be propounding the constituional questions to Shannon and I, as well as to the cong...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Mon, 05 Sep 2011 10:37:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1099 There always things in sermons that a preacher offers up with fear and trembling. yesterday, I had one of those moments. It was with this statement: "The life that God desires for us doesn’t mean that we are [or become] perfect people. It means that we become faithful people in ever-increasing measure." That was a big one! The reason it kind of spooks me is that you have to realize that you can't say everything when you say something. Now, if I was a well-known, famous...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Fri, 02 Sep 2011 10:55:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=1087 My goodness, it is so easy to get out of the habit of blogging! Kind of like a Sunday morning habit of doing other interesting things. But I am back on this page on the eve of the wrap of yet another 7-UP sermon series in Hebrews. If you are keeping count, we have done a series in Ezra (actually ten sermons there), Romans, Genesis, Matthew and Deuteronomy. That's a pretty good spread and balance of significant Scripture! In a few weeks, we will drop the catchy, if a little cheesy, o...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Fri, 19 Aug 2011 14:39:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=973 Okay, the news. Noelle's viral load -- the name of the blood test that actually searches the body for the HIV virus --- came back negative this morning. She is clear. She does not have HIV. She had a false positive on her initial screen. The horror of last weekend is now in the rear view mirror. We are grateful and relieved. We are thankful for the many friends who expressed concern and care and prayed for us and our littlest girl. You really were Jesus to us. But now, as I r...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Tue, 16 Aug 2011 09:17:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=939 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb. 4:14-16 ESV) This passage that I preached on this past Sunday wa...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Wed, 10 Aug 2011 15:49:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=902 I mentioned this book in my Sunday school class on Sunday, and heartily commend it to you: GOD BEHAVING BADLY: IS THE GOD OF THE OLD TESTAMENT ANGRY, SEXIST AND RACIST? BY DAVID T. LAMB. [1] This is the book that I have always wanted to write -- and I am thankful that the author of the book has undertaken the task. I can't tell you how many times I've heard good and thoughtful Christians commit many of the thought burps addressed in this book. (A thought burp is an unrefined ...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Fri, 05 Aug 2011 21:17:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=864 Indeed. As we approach this Sunday's text in Hebrews (3:7-4:13), this will be the question I will be trying to address. As always, there are so many things we could do in this big play room of a sermon bite. I know it sounds wierd, but as I was on my way home from a movie today -- I kept thinking, "Why didn't they do it this way?" "Why didn't they add more warmth to this character?" "Why didn't they expand on that important (to me) theme?" And then, it hit me. Mo...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Tue, 02 Aug 2011 11:22:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=843 As I reflect on Sunday's message from Hebrews, I am aware that in preaching, there is always a need for qualifications. For instance, when I said on Sunday that one of the biggest problems with the Faith is not that we don't think the right things about Jesus, but that we don't think enough of him. Now, quite obviously, it should go without saying that there are huge problems with what we think about Jesus in the Church! (Heresy, I'm afraid, is still alive and well in the ...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Tue, 26 Jul 2011 10:44:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=788 Okay, so I am falling down on the job. By now, Sunday's sermon is on the shelf collecting dust -- and yet, I still have some stuff that is overflowing the cup. So, let me come back to that old message. Christ: The One & Only. The first sermon of the new 7-UP series. What I wanted to say was: Whatever it is that might be claiming your heart's affections apart from Christ -- don't do it! Don't go there! There is no good reason to leave or lapse. Why? Because "in thes...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Tue, 19 Jul 2011 05:09:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=758 Last Sunday we looked ever so briefly at the "remembrance" portion of the Supper. Why is it that Communion should arrest us in our steps and elicit even greater praise to God for the things he has done? We must be ever vigilant and persistent in reminding ourselves of these things so that we will grow in ever-increasing amounts of grace and leave behind the ways of the forgetful hearer. This is why God commanded his people out of Egypt to repeat the Passover feast on a regular basis, t...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Sat, 16 Jul 2011 18:14:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=747 The title of this entry is the memorable way the old King James Bible records the words of institution for the Lord's Supper. Remembering the Lord Jesus Christ in his life and his death and his resurrection. Tomorrow's sermon will try to unpack what it means to take communion in remembrance of those Christological realities -- his life, his death on the cross and his resurrection and ascension to the right hand of the Father. As a matter of course, when I preach on communion, I...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Mon, 27 Jun 2011 08:23:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=667 One of the most excruciating tasks for a minister is to lay down the law, so to speak. To speak a word that is not popular. To point out a boundary that one should not transgress without serious ramifications. To say "no" when the prevailing wisdom of culture says "yes." I suppose that there are ministers out there who take extreme delight in playing the pious gas bag down from Sinai. Not me. I would much rather spend my pulpit and lectern time reminding and exhorting you of God&#39...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Thu, 23 Jun 2011 20:02:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=658 One of the things that drives me a little nuts as a pastor is hearing Christians say things like, "Well, I like the New Testament; but I have no use for the Old Testament." Over Christmas, I had the audacity to suggest to my in-laws that I might preach a series from the book of Leviticus. Oh, you could have heard the gasps of disbelief and the howls of derision at least two rooms away. How could I even think of preaching from such an irrelevant book? What an offensive book! In the back ...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Mon, 20 Jun 2011 08:12:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=641 What can you say about a sermon that proclaims "Rejoice in trials"? "Embrace misfortune"? Is James out of his mind? Obviously, easier said than done! These are the kinds of sermons that get us laughed at by the smarter folks who have better things to do on Sundays than listen to this kind of crutched-ted nonsense. (By the way, I just made that word up.) And yet, I don't find it to be nonsense. Quite meaningful, in fact. I must tell you that I am having to live out that sermon ...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Sat, 18 Jun 2011 06:43:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=635 Well, we've left Deuteronomy and the Old Testament (at least in the pulpit!) for the time being. We move now to the book of James for a couple of weeks before we begin another 7-UP series in Hebrews. The focus this Sunday will be on sanctification. My first introduction to this word came in 1977 through the Commodores. "I feel sanctified!" Had no earthly idea what the word meant then -- but liked the song anyway. The word means becoming holy. In other words, becoming more Chris...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Mon, 13 Jun 2011 19:53:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=618 Yesterday, we considered that great passage in Deut. 18:15 concerning the rise of a prophet like Moses. If there is one thing I like to point out concerning Old Testament prophecies, it is this: A prophecy may at times have an unfolding fulfillment until it reaches its ultimate fulfillment. In our case yesterday, there were many steps along the way to fulfillment. Many worthy, faithful prophets rose up along the way in fulfilling this prophecy at various stages of Israel's rise and d...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Sat, 11 Jun 2011 11:33:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=610 Navi (pronounced Nah-VEE) is the Hebrew word for prophet. This is what we will be talking about tomorrow. Kind of neat that we also begin a Sunday School Bible Study with Ezekiel tomorrow as well. I didn't overtly plan it out that way. Perhaps a God thing, I suppose. Here's my opening tomorrow: There really is so much crazy stuff out there when it comes to prophets and prophecy. Shoot, we just had a crazy, nationwide prophecy episode. Read this article here in the overflow...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Thu, 09 Jun 2011 07:50:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=596 Okay, I know we are past this topic, at least officially -- we will always be working on this one way or another -- but when I got up this morning and saw this article [1] in my daily morning read, I couldn't help but feel a little heat in the gut. The article comes from the Appomattox weekly news disseminator, The Times-Virginian. The high school's (Appomattox County High School) annual baccalaureate service did not happen this year. It was canceled at the last moment because, ac...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Mon, 06 Jun 2011 08:40:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=581 Having just listened to the sermon from yesterday, it gives me a little different perspective than when I am standing in front of you delivering it. One thing that occurs to me: I am sometimes not aware of how hard I'm pounding a particular point. In this case, my hope was that I could say, "Hey, all of the good stuff we read in the Bible about God's sovereignty is there to encourage us in God's love. Not make us mean, cold twits." I wanted to make sure that we know the poin...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Sat, 04 Jun 2011 12:42:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=571 Red Meat Reformed is my way of describing someone who is TR. TR stands for being Truly Reformed. People who are TR are gung ho on "the doctrines of grace". That phrase means, above all things, the sovereignty of God in salvation. Salvation is God's gift. It is not our own doing in any way. The most stinging accusation that can penetrate the heart of the TR is to hear the words "Works Righteousness" describe any part of their teaching or preaching. Being TR or Red-Meat Reformed me...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Mon, 30 May 2011 09:01:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=545 It occurs to me while I'm preaching that there are certain things you just do not have time to say in the pulpit. When you say something, you realize that there are always things that you need to qualify. For example: There's no such thing as a bad sermon. I did qualify a little bit there by saying that a sermon needed to proclaim Christ in a sincere way. But, the reality is, there are badly delivered sermons, even when the preacher is sincere and Christ is the focus, that don&#...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Sat, 28 May 2011 07:21:01 -0500http://www.nhpresbyterian.org/blog.php?blogID=538 Let me introduce the Sermon Overflow to you. The purpose of this blog will be to add things that didn't make it into the sermon due to time and space considerations. So much that I want to say I simply can't because we would run on too long. This is a place for me to deposit those cutting room floor items. But this is also a place for you, and your thoughts, your questions, and such and so on. From Sunday, May 29th: Speaking of brainwashing your kids... The sermon on Sunda...READ MORE by clicking on the title above.