To any church biblical teaching is vital in order for it to be healthy. Upholding God’s Word is the most important thing a church should do. God’s Word is still relevant for the 21st Century. Unfortunately many churches and mainline denominations have took the “low road” when it comes to the truthfulness of Scripture. Indeed this trend has filtered down to certain world leaders and to the culture in which we live. We are living in a world where it is the politically correct thing to do and the socially acceptable “badge of honor” to tout evolution as the genesis of life and Christianity as a way to salvation or heaven.
No doubt about it the line has been drawn in the sand for the battle of the souls of men. Biblical teaching will be the bedrock of this church plant. We believe biblical teaching to be the truth and understanding that the Bible is the inerrant and infallible Word of God; meaning that it is without error and does not contradict itself. It contains the answers for all of our problems today. So….when we read that God created the earth in six days and rested on the 7th in Genesis chapter 1 that is exactly what we believe to have happened. In John 14:6 where Jesus claims, “I am the Way…” this means that the path to Heaven is very narrow and the road to hell is as wide as the ocean.
Biblical teaching should be based on the inerrancy of Scripture and not the rationalization of post-modern thinking. Our church plant will utilize the method of small group Bible studies in two phases. The first phase will be a group of 8-12 comprising of married couples or single adults. The intention is simple…to teach Scripture and address the issues and concerns that may be facing the group members. The second phase will be smaller groups of three. Theses groups will be of the same gender and serve the purpose of being accountability groups. In both groups biblical teaching will be pivotal as we invest in the lives of people. We believe that investing in people’s lives with God’s Word is a powerful way to see lives changed for the glory of Christ.
Because He lives
Jeremy
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Mission Part 1: God Centered Worship
If you have seen the Living Christmas Tree produced each year by Sevier Heights Baptist Church in Knoxville, then you are familiar with the Heaven scene at the end of the production. This scene is probably my favorite for many reasons. As I watched this scene over the weekend I noticed that as "Jesus" approached the stage to take His seat upon the heavenly throne, everyone was watching Him. All eyes were fixed upon the King of kings in adoration and worship. This is exactly what worship is all about, not just in Heaven but in our churches as well.
In our church plant we are seeking to change lives through worship. This is something that can only be done when the worshippers have their eyes fixed on Jesus. In too many churches the focus of a worship service is not on the Lord. The focus might be on a soloist, music director, choir member, or even the worship style. Churches have gone to contemporary services and traditional services and in the process have put labels on worship. I advocate biblical worship services. By this the focus is not on style but on the Savior. I think we are caught up too much in music preferences, instrument preferences, carpet preferences, hymnal preferences, etc. and in the process we miss the power of Jesus in our congregations.
I believe that true biblical worship can only take place in the life of a believer of Jesus Christ. This is because worship is much more than just one hour on Sunday morning. Worship is a lifestyle of glorifying God with our actions and words. However every church should have a corporate worship service in which believers and non-believers are present. Worship in a corporate setting should include the lifting up of God's Word. Yes the preaching of the Word is still needed and relevant to us today. I am also reminded of the biblical example of when the children of Israel returning from exile heard Ezra read aloud the law of God and how they were struck to the heart by its power, Scripture reading is important!
Another element is prayer. I remember services as a child where prayer was a pivotal part of the service. Imagine a worship service that is totally committed to the power of prayer. Sevier Heights has a service that they call the "House of Prayer." This is a part of worship and it can have a powerful effect on the lives of those who participate. A church that prays during its services and prior to its services will see lives changed! Worship is also orderly and Spirit led. I would encourage you to read 1 Corinthians 14 for more on this aspect of worship. We know that God is orderly and so is the Spirit's leading. Worship services should be structured but not to the point in which they remove the focus and power of the Lord. However I have found that they usually go together. Coincidence? Not a chance....
Because He lives,
Jeremy
In our church plant we are seeking to change lives through worship. This is something that can only be done when the worshippers have their eyes fixed on Jesus. In too many churches the focus of a worship service is not on the Lord. The focus might be on a soloist, music director, choir member, or even the worship style. Churches have gone to contemporary services and traditional services and in the process have put labels on worship. I advocate biblical worship services. By this the focus is not on style but on the Savior. I think we are caught up too much in music preferences, instrument preferences, carpet preferences, hymnal preferences, etc. and in the process we miss the power of Jesus in our congregations.
I believe that true biblical worship can only take place in the life of a believer of Jesus Christ. This is because worship is much more than just one hour on Sunday morning. Worship is a lifestyle of glorifying God with our actions and words. However every church should have a corporate worship service in which believers and non-believers are present. Worship in a corporate setting should include the lifting up of God's Word. Yes the preaching of the Word is still needed and relevant to us today. I am also reminded of the biblical example of when the children of Israel returning from exile heard Ezra read aloud the law of God and how they were struck to the heart by its power, Scripture reading is important!
Another element is prayer. I remember services as a child where prayer was a pivotal part of the service. Imagine a worship service that is totally committed to the power of prayer. Sevier Heights has a service that they call the "House of Prayer." This is a part of worship and it can have a powerful effect on the lives of those who participate. A church that prays during its services and prior to its services will see lives changed! Worship is also orderly and Spirit led. I would encourage you to read 1 Corinthians 14 for more on this aspect of worship. We know that God is orderly and so is the Spirit's leading. Worship services should be structured but not to the point in which they remove the focus and power of the Lord. However I have found that they usually go together. Coincidence? Not a chance....
Because He lives,
Jeremy
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Trip to Westview Baptist Church
Sunday I had the opportunity to travel to Chattanooga and visit Westview Baptist. Westivew was my first congregation of service in 2003. Rachel and Isaac were not able to go so it kinda felt like the old days. During my time at Westview I traveled twice a week (at least) on Wednesday and Sunday down I-75. The drive never got on my nerves. I was serving the Lord and doing His will for my life, so how could it get old?
The purpose for going to Westview was to discuss how the church could help Rachel and I with the church start. I am very excited to be able to work with this church again. Awesome congregation and leadership. Westview is very structured and everything it does is based upon Scripture. However....there was a little surprise on Sunday morning. Sterling Jetton the pastor of Westview (and the pastor I served with during my time there) is beginning his 10th anniversary at the church. I was asked to share some thoughts about what Sterling has meant to me personally, which I gladly agreed to do.
Simply put, Sterling took me in and became my mentor. It was a time in my life when I had accepted the call into ministry but had no guidance. I was simply trying to figure things out for myself, thinking that this was how it should be. However Sterling taught me the importance of mentoring others in the faith of Jesus Christ. It established a driving conviction in my heart to mentor (especially young men in the ministry) those under my care.
What I am most proud of during my time at the church is that we established ministries based upon the proper and correct teaching of God's Word. In our youth ministry, the foundation was not silly games, retreats, conferences, mission trips, lock ins, or movie nights. It all started with God's Word. I knew that Sterling and I would work well together because this was his interest also. The activities we did flowed from the teaching of the Bible. The students grabbed hold of the idea and exploded. It's very comforting to be able to go back and see many new faces and know that the Lord used me to help get things going.
Back to Sterling for just a second....I have many cherished memories with him and his family. I literally hung out with them on many weekends and Sundays. I also had a chance to spend valuable time with the Millions' when I was away from the church. Great solid family for Jesus! Connally is a blast! Both families made me feel right at home. It was a very special time in my life. I will always treasure the conversations I had with Sterling, the times we went visiting, and of course eating lunch. I am thankful he allowed me to be a part of his family.
Now we press on toward the future...more to come later this week.
Because He lives
Jeremy
The purpose for going to Westview was to discuss how the church could help Rachel and I with the church start. I am very excited to be able to work with this church again. Awesome congregation and leadership. Westview is very structured and everything it does is based upon Scripture. However....there was a little surprise on Sunday morning. Sterling Jetton the pastor of Westview (and the pastor I served with during my time there) is beginning his 10th anniversary at the church. I was asked to share some thoughts about what Sterling has meant to me personally, which I gladly agreed to do.
Simply put, Sterling took me in and became my mentor. It was a time in my life when I had accepted the call into ministry but had no guidance. I was simply trying to figure things out for myself, thinking that this was how it should be. However Sterling taught me the importance of mentoring others in the faith of Jesus Christ. It established a driving conviction in my heart to mentor (especially young men in the ministry) those under my care.
What I am most proud of during my time at the church is that we established ministries based upon the proper and correct teaching of God's Word. In our youth ministry, the foundation was not silly games, retreats, conferences, mission trips, lock ins, or movie nights. It all started with God's Word. I knew that Sterling and I would work well together because this was his interest also. The activities we did flowed from the teaching of the Bible. The students grabbed hold of the idea and exploded. It's very comforting to be able to go back and see many new faces and know that the Lord used me to help get things going.
Back to Sterling for just a second....I have many cherished memories with him and his family. I literally hung out with them on many weekends and Sundays. I also had a chance to spend valuable time with the Millions' when I was away from the church. Great solid family for Jesus! Connally is a blast! Both families made me feel right at home. It was a very special time in my life. I will always treasure the conversations I had with Sterling, the times we went visiting, and of course eating lunch. I am thankful he allowed me to be a part of his family.
Now we press on toward the future...more to come later this week.
Because He lives
Jeremy
Thursday, December 10, 2009
A New Ministry
Waiting on God is not easy. Hard to believe that I have been out of seminary for two years! In that time God has placed a desire upon my heart to pastor and for Rachel to be a pastor's wife. As is usually the case, the Lord will take you down a path that you do not expect. Thus at this time we are in the process of doing a church start. Definitely not what I imagined myself doing while attending The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
We are still in the beginning part of the process but process is being made. We have completed all of our on-line tests that determine our spiritual gifts, personality, and church planting qualities. We have also been through a 3.5-4 hour interview with a "Behavioral Assessor" that was appointed to us by the Tennessee Baptist Convention. Dewayne thanks for the uplifting and encouraging experience!
After Christmas we will be beginning to outline our strategy to birth the church. In the meantime we have been informing friends and family about what we are doing and asking for your prayers. Have you ever considered being a part of something new, exciting, different, and powerful? Are you looking for a church home? If so....I encourage you to talk to me. Stay tuned, more information will be posted in the following days.
Because He lives
Jeremy
We are still in the beginning part of the process but process is being made. We have completed all of our on-line tests that determine our spiritual gifts, personality, and church planting qualities. We have also been through a 3.5-4 hour interview with a "Behavioral Assessor" that was appointed to us by the Tennessee Baptist Convention. Dewayne thanks for the uplifting and encouraging experience!
After Christmas we will be beginning to outline our strategy to birth the church. In the meantime we have been informing friends and family about what we are doing and asking for your prayers. Have you ever considered being a part of something new, exciting, different, and powerful? Are you looking for a church home? If so....I encourage you to talk to me. Stay tuned, more information will be posted in the following days.
Because He lives
Jeremy
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Obama is not what Dr. King envisioned
In his I Have a Dream Speech Dr. King said, "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." As of Tuesday night November 4, 2008 this dream is still unrealized. In the weeks and days leading up to the election, I tried to listen to as many people as I could concerning why they were voting for Obama. In the overwhelming majority of the responses the answer was because Obama is black!
I thought this election was not about race? Turns out it was. Those who voted for Obama simply because he is an African-American are as guilty of racism as those who voted against him for the same reason. They have become the very thing that Dr. King was trying to avoid. Anyone who knows what Obama actually stands for understands that he is the antithesis of everything the Founders promoted through the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Federalist Papers. The Founders believed in small limited government--Obama thinks government should be as big as you can get it. The Founders believed in a capitalistic society--Obama thinks socialism is the way to go. The Founders believed that citizens had the right to possess their own guns--Obama wants to take your guns away, including ammunition used for hunting. The Founders believed in the concept of Life--Obama will not stand up for the unborn even after an abortion is botched. The Founders believed that war was necessary in order to correct the evils of illegitimate rulers--Obama thinks that he can talk his way out of conflict.
Congratulations America!! The world is rejoicing with you!! By the way, did anyone else besides me wonder why Iran was celebrating Obama's win? Congrats to America! You have elected a man who attends a racist church. You have elected a man who claims to be a Christian but does not accept the truth of John 14:6 nor the biblical truth that homosexuality is a sin.
You have elected a man who's party in 2004 ignored the banking industry's pleading that its banks were in trouble and they painted those who tried to warn them as trying to hold a lynch mob (which led to the $700 billion bailout). You have elected a man who has connections to KNOWN TERRORISTS during a time when we are trying to fight terrorists. You have elected a man who in previous times has sided with the enemies of Israel. You have elected a man who has accused our troops of "raiding villages and killing innocent civillians." You have elected a man who supports the Fairness Doctrine which could make it a crime for a church to preach against homosexuality and abortion. Essentially it would make it difficult to preach the gospel.
So...congrats to all you who voted for the most liberal and inexperienced candidate in the history of America. Obama talks about change well...change is certain to come. It will mean change for our churches and believers. It will mean change in the Constitution as the very bedrock principles of our free market society are put to shreads. It will also result in a change in our nation's morality as we drift even further to the left to an ammoral society. It will result in the change of First Amendment rights. Ultimately it will result in the change of a more socialistic society. Hard working Americans who employ other Americans and provide the backbone for the economy will be taxed more than they can afford which in turn means that many Americans will lose their jobs. Thus the very people Obama campaigned to help will be the ones that ultimately suffer the most.
Change is definately in the air, but I'm not sure the majority of Obama supporters are going to like it when it happens. With all the immorality and post-modern relativism that encompasses our nation today, I can not help but believe that Obama's election is further evidence that the "strong hand of providence" of God that George Washington talked about many years ago concerning the reason behind America's founding, is slowly being removed. When God's protective hand is removed from our nation...that should scare us but it should also cause believers to stand strong, keep your faith, and relish in the fact that regardless of who the president is the Lord is still in control.
sola fidei, sola sciptura
Jeremy
I thought this election was not about race? Turns out it was. Those who voted for Obama simply because he is an African-American are as guilty of racism as those who voted against him for the same reason. They have become the very thing that Dr. King was trying to avoid. Anyone who knows what Obama actually stands for understands that he is the antithesis of everything the Founders promoted through the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Federalist Papers. The Founders believed in small limited government--Obama thinks government should be as big as you can get it. The Founders believed in a capitalistic society--Obama thinks socialism is the way to go. The Founders believed that citizens had the right to possess their own guns--Obama wants to take your guns away, including ammunition used for hunting. The Founders believed in the concept of Life--Obama will not stand up for the unborn even after an abortion is botched. The Founders believed that war was necessary in order to correct the evils of illegitimate rulers--Obama thinks that he can talk his way out of conflict.
Congratulations America!! The world is rejoicing with you!! By the way, did anyone else besides me wonder why Iran was celebrating Obama's win? Congrats to America! You have elected a man who attends a racist church. You have elected a man who claims to be a Christian but does not accept the truth of John 14:6 nor the biblical truth that homosexuality is a sin.
You have elected a man who's party in 2004 ignored the banking industry's pleading that its banks were in trouble and they painted those who tried to warn them as trying to hold a lynch mob (which led to the $700 billion bailout). You have elected a man who has connections to KNOWN TERRORISTS during a time when we are trying to fight terrorists. You have elected a man who in previous times has sided with the enemies of Israel. You have elected a man who has accused our troops of "raiding villages and killing innocent civillians." You have elected a man who supports the Fairness Doctrine which could make it a crime for a church to preach against homosexuality and abortion. Essentially it would make it difficult to preach the gospel.
So...congrats to all you who voted for the most liberal and inexperienced candidate in the history of America. Obama talks about change well...change is certain to come. It will mean change for our churches and believers. It will mean change in the Constitution as the very bedrock principles of our free market society are put to shreads. It will also result in a change in our nation's morality as we drift even further to the left to an ammoral society. It will result in the change of First Amendment rights. Ultimately it will result in the change of a more socialistic society. Hard working Americans who employ other Americans and provide the backbone for the economy will be taxed more than they can afford which in turn means that many Americans will lose their jobs. Thus the very people Obama campaigned to help will be the ones that ultimately suffer the most.
Change is definately in the air, but I'm not sure the majority of Obama supporters are going to like it when it happens. With all the immorality and post-modern relativism that encompasses our nation today, I can not help but believe that Obama's election is further evidence that the "strong hand of providence" of God that George Washington talked about many years ago concerning the reason behind America's founding, is slowly being removed. When God's protective hand is removed from our nation...that should scare us but it should also cause believers to stand strong, keep your faith, and relish in the fact that regardless of who the president is the Lord is still in control.
sola fidei, sola sciptura
Jeremy
Monday, July 21, 2008
Obama's Christianity
Sometimes trying to stay out of political races can be very hard, especially when your uncle (David Duggan) is involved in a local campaign and the opponent is trying to gain the upper hand by being less than ethical. Of course the other side of this is that it makes you very proud to know that your uncle will not stoop down to practicing the tactics of the opponent. It gives me great pride knowing that my uncle does not have to win a political race in order satisfy an ego that thrives on power. He has always been an honest, hard working, and fair man and no election will change his ethics or core beliefs. Those of you in Blount Co., vote wisely.
As for another person involved in a campaign, I must make some important comments. The only reason why I feel compelled to comment is because Obama is invoking religion while on the campaign trail. His comments use a similar language that most evangelicals are familiar with. But are Obama's beliefs biblical? Is he relying on the ignorance of many individuals in hopes that they will vote for him because he uses a language of religion? I think the answer to this is startling and demands a fight for truth on the part of local churches around the country.
In a previous interview with the Chicago Sun Times Obama said, "I believe there are many paths to the same place, and that is a belief that there is a higher power, a belief that we are connected as a people." Someone please tell me how a correct biblical hermeneutic can come to that conclusion? Does Obama in claiming to be a Christian who believes in many paths not remember Jesus' words in John 14:6? In case we have forgotten, Jesus Himself said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life no man comes to the Father except through Me." Sounds as if Christ was against this whole universal idea that we all get to the same place through many paths.
In case you're wondering, Obama has responded to this issues which leaves you still scratching your head. Obama's response to the truth of John 14:6 is that it all depends upon how you hear the verse. What??????????????? Since when did the truth of Scripture depend upon the emotional status of Barack Obama? Does this thinking not also open up the possibility that Obama could "accidentily" not hear a word or two in a verse? For example, could this not provide Obama justification in hearing John 14:6 as "I am A way, a truth....." I think this shows that Obama has a very low view of Scripture.
To another issue that involves Obama's Christianity. Here is another Obama quote concerning a tenet of the Christian faith, "I don't presume to have knowledge of what happens after I die. When I tuck in my daughters at night and I feel like I've been a good father to them, and I see that I am transferring values that I got from my mother and that they're kind people and that they're honest people, and they're curious people, that's a little piece of heaven."
If this is his definition of heaven, then he is truly missing the biblical description of what Heaven is. This seems to allude to a works salvation which Martin Luther began a Reformation over. Obviously, Scripture does not share Obama's view that we must work and do good deeds to see Heaven. Heaven can only be found if one has repented of their sins and trusted in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. And yes Senator hell is a real place and people do in fact go there.
sola fidei
Jeremy
As for another person involved in a campaign, I must make some important comments. The only reason why I feel compelled to comment is because Obama is invoking religion while on the campaign trail. His comments use a similar language that most evangelicals are familiar with. But are Obama's beliefs biblical? Is he relying on the ignorance of many individuals in hopes that they will vote for him because he uses a language of religion? I think the answer to this is startling and demands a fight for truth on the part of local churches around the country.
In a previous interview with the Chicago Sun Times Obama said, "I believe there are many paths to the same place, and that is a belief that there is a higher power, a belief that we are connected as a people." Someone please tell me how a correct biblical hermeneutic can come to that conclusion? Does Obama in claiming to be a Christian who believes in many paths not remember Jesus' words in John 14:6? In case we have forgotten, Jesus Himself said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life no man comes to the Father except through Me." Sounds as if Christ was against this whole universal idea that we all get to the same place through many paths.
In case you're wondering, Obama has responded to this issues which leaves you still scratching your head. Obama's response to the truth of John 14:6 is that it all depends upon how you hear the verse. What??????????????? Since when did the truth of Scripture depend upon the emotional status of Barack Obama? Does this thinking not also open up the possibility that Obama could "accidentily" not hear a word or two in a verse? For example, could this not provide Obama justification in hearing John 14:6 as "I am A way, a truth....." I think this shows that Obama has a very low view of Scripture.
To another issue that involves Obama's Christianity. Here is another Obama quote concerning a tenet of the Christian faith, "I don't presume to have knowledge of what happens after I die. When I tuck in my daughters at night and I feel like I've been a good father to them, and I see that I am transferring values that I got from my mother and that they're kind people and that they're honest people, and they're curious people, that's a little piece of heaven."
If this is his definition of heaven, then he is truly missing the biblical description of what Heaven is. This seems to allude to a works salvation which Martin Luther began a Reformation over. Obviously, Scripture does not share Obama's view that we must work and do good deeds to see Heaven. Heaven can only be found if one has repented of their sins and trusted in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. And yes Senator hell is a real place and people do in fact go there.
sola fidei
Jeremy
Thursday, June 19, 2008
And then there was day 4
Our hope is that everyone has been enjoying the pictures and the blog entries we have posted this week. There are still more to come! Darren has been a real help throughout the week (he has taken most of the pictures). This blog has been a lot of work, but I hope it has helped you all keep up with what we are doing here in Mississippi.
Today provided a sense of real accomplishment. The walls went up today!!! It's a pretty cool feeling knowing that we started this house from the bottom and have worked our way up. Our group has worked very well together. I have said this before, but I am very proud of how they have served the Lord this week. Not everyone is the best at doing construction work, but on these trips that doesn't matter. All that matters is that everyone does the best they can at accomplishing a common goal. Tommorrow is going to be very exciting.
The Bible School continues to go very well. The kids have a real excitement about them that can be both tiring and contagious. Today they learned about how to use the Bible for their lives. My prayer is that these kids will somehow grab hold of the lessons and songs we have brought to them this week. Please be praying for us tommorrow at the Bible school as we close things out. The kids will be told the Gospel message and we pray hard tonight for those who may come to know Christ.
Jeremy
Today provided a sense of real accomplishment. The walls went up today!!! It's a pretty cool feeling knowing that we started this house from the bottom and have worked our way up. Our group has worked very well together. I have said this before, but I am very proud of how they have served the Lord this week. Not everyone is the best at doing construction work, but on these trips that doesn't matter. All that matters is that everyone does the best they can at accomplishing a common goal. Tommorrow is going to be very exciting.
The Bible School continues to go very well. The kids have a real excitement about them that can be both tiring and contagious. Today they learned about how to use the Bible for their lives. My prayer is that these kids will somehow grab hold of the lessons and songs we have brought to them this week. Please be praying for us tommorrow at the Bible school as we close things out. The kids will be told the Gospel message and we pray hard tonight for those who may come to know Christ.
Jeremy
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