I continue to stand amazed in the presence of our great God! I have read the passages. I have studied the contexts. I have parsed the verbs. I have preached the sermons. And yet, I am continually amazed and astounded at His great love that He has for us and His great power He gives to us.
Brad WhittCase in point: This past Sunday, I was preaching in a series of sermons on the church that I had begun the week before. The subject for the day was that of lost church members. I directed the congregation at Temple to Dr. Luke’s account in Acts 2 and began to lay out my case for a converted church. I shared about the tragedy of an unconverted church, the tests for a converted church, and the triumph of a committed church.
Just a simple three-point sermon, but when the invitation was extended, four people raised their hands and then came forward to make it publicly known that they had personally prayed to receive Christ as their Savior.
Now, salvation is a miracle in and of itself. But there was something different about this day. One of our members had invited some friends to come to church – a young Hispanic couple from New Jersey. They had been raised Catholic, but really would not be considered devout in their faith.
I watched during the sermon and from time to time saw a nod or a smile. I noticed that they followed along with me in their new Bibles. When I asked for people to raise their hands if they had prayed that simple sinner’s prayer with me, they both raised their hands. I was surprised. And when we stood and began to sing, they both stepped out together and came straight up to me and told me that they had asked Jesus to come into their heart and life.
I met with them the next day and believe that they were sincere and that Jesus began a work in their life that day that will culminate in glory.
I tell this story to illustrate the point that God wants to do a great work in and through our churches and ministries. He is able to save, strengthen, secure and subdue. And the greatest thing to me about His ability is that He willingly gives it and shows it when we are simply available to be used by Him.
I am truly trusting God to do exceedingly, abundantly above anything that we could ask or think at this year’s SCBC Pastors’ Conference. A brochure will be sent out soon giving a detailed schedule and listing of those who will be leading in our time together. Also, if you’d like to keep check on our progress more closely, you can follow us through the 2010 SCBC Pastors’ Conference page on Facebook.
I am excited about what God wants to do in and through the pastors of our great state and hope that you will join us on Nov. 15 at the Riverland Hills Baptist Church in Irmo. It’s going to be a great day together with Jesus!