Aug 31
Wes GeorgeUncategorized
I am back again. I have been catching up from being off in July and getting ready for an exciting yet busy Fall. First I want to respond to the text message questions that I was unable to answer during our worship services on August 23. So let’s get to those first.
Question: People bring up church being full of hypocrites during witnessing. How do we explain everyone sins…that doesn’t make all hypocrites?
I agree that is often brought up. I always like to clearly define what a hypocrite really is. A hypocrite is someone who pretends to be something that they really aren’t. Someone who does not pretend to have it all together, but rather is struggling in whatever area of life is not a hypocrite. They are simply struggling, seeking, learning in their spiritual journey. In reality, that’s all of us. After clearly establishing what a hypocrite really is and is not; then I acknowledge that there are some hypocrites in the church, but probably not as many as many people suggest. I like to use the illustration that if you are wanting to have an example of a football player to teach your child to play the game the best way it can be played, you do not pick the guy who never comes to practice, never plays, does not know the plays. No, you pick the the best player on the team as an example of a football player. But when it comes to church, people often pick the worst example and completely ignore the best examples. I like to say, I know some wonderful people who love God and serve people in a great way and I begin to tell them about those people. All of this is still preliminary to actually sharing the Gospel. But I do think you can make a great case for authentic believers loving God and loving others through Christ.
Question: The gospel has been so watered down that it is frustrating that so many people have a completely wrong understanding of what it really is to be saved.
That is really not a question but a statement and I agree with it. My suggestion is to take our frustration and turn it into positive energy in making known the authentic gospel in word and deed.
Question: How do you really reach people who don’t believe? How do you overcome bitterness and hate they often feel and overcome their fears without losing yourself in the process ?
Basically, that is the nature of evangelism. Those who do not believe are lost and need Christ. We must depend on the Holy Spirit to convict and convince them and in essence transform them. The beginning of belief (faith) is sharing the gospel. ”Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Christ). The key to overcoming any barrier is speaking the truth of the Gospel. God’s Word is powerful. Typically, those who have bitterness need to know that God loves them and that love was demonstrated on the cross by the sacrificial death of Christ. By sensitively communicating that we are all enemies of Christ and that He chose to forgive us to the point of His own death, instead of condemning us. That simple but radical message has the power transform people.
Question: I have a friend/co-worker who has made it clear that she does not want to be a part of a fellowship of believers because of some past hurt that came from people in her former church. I sense that it is because she truly is lost. What is the best way to reach out to her without pushing her further away?
Let me first of all say, that if you really do love someone and are sensitive to their needs, then most of the time they know that. It may be harder to push them farther away than you think. Actually, when a person is lost, they are as far away as they can be. Certainly do not argue or talk with people about Christ or the church if they make it clear that they do not want you talking to them. At that point, you certainly should be praying for them. Past hurt in a church situations keeps a lot of folks away from the church today. I usually just say, I am sorry that you have been hurt or had a bad experience in a church and then explain that the church is made up of people just like you who have problems and difficulties. I always speak highly of the church as the bride of Christ and that Christ loves the church. I always speak of the great things the church has done in our community and around the world and how my life has personally been blessed. I use the illustration of the family about how great it is to have family but also sometimes we disagree and hurt each other. That does not make it right or easy; but we overcome many disappointments in many areas of life to keep on doing what we know is right and we know that God wants us to be a part of a local church. We have all been hurt by a friend or a family member but that does not keep us from having friends or family.
Question:How do you witness to friends who knew you before you became a believer without hypocrisy?
This is a great opportunity, because you can share with them the change and the difference Christ has made. The contrast with how you were before and how you are now will stand as a great object lesson for the transforming power of the gospel. There is no hypocrisy, that is unless, you have not changed.
Question: Why do some people think that being baptized is the only way God will love you?
That is more common than what many of us like to think. The influence of Catholic infant baptism has contributed greatly to this idea. But all who practice baptism without proper baptism instruction to the candidate can also lead to this assumption. Clear teaching from the pulpit and in sharing the gospel is really the only way to correct this misconception. The follow up question should be how do we reach people who think that baptism gets them to heaven? This is technically called “regenerational baptism.” While I certainly do not wish to offend friends from those persuasions, this practice and doctrinal belief waters down the doctrine of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Many consider this concept of crossing the line of what we would call a “works salvation.” In our attempts to distance ourselves from this teaching, some of us have minimized baptism to fault. Baptism in the New Testament has always been closely associated with salvation. It is important and closely associated to salvation, but it does not save. I do think that baptism discussion is appropriate in the gospel presentation to clarify what it is not and yet to also speak of its importance to authentic followers of Christ.
Until next time,
Jul 19
Wes GeorgeUncategorized
I am in the midst of a July Sabbatical. Hopefully, I will get the blog started back in early August. Ran into Tony and Stephany Wood at UBC this morning so we enjoyed lunch with them afterward. They may be ready for some Indian food now. We did Red Robin. Until next time. . .Wes
Jun 23
Wes GeorgeUncategorized
The official first day is over for the 2009 SBC. I got up early and attended the Mid-America Alumni breakfast. I met a few new people. Visited with Celia Thompkins father for a while today. He has been coming to the SBC since 1978 and it sounds like Celia spent a lot of time through the years traveling to the SBC. He retired from the Army as an officer and upon retirement entered the ministry as an associate pastor then becoming the missions pastor where he has been for the past 22 years.
The Great Commission Resurgence Task Force was approved overwhelmingly tonight. President Johnny Hunt will appoint a 12 member task force to study our convention. The motion was made by Al Mohler, pres. of Southern Seminary and spoken for by past SBC pres. Frank Page. The IMB report was challenging because of the short fall in giving keeping folks from the field. Jim and Shirley McGimpsey were able to give a testimony tonight on the big stage of the IMB report. They did a great job. They did not reveal their names or where they served, but we were sure proud of them.
The convention looks a little younger this year. I think there is some excitement in the air for some while some are wondering what it will look like. One more day and we will be heading home. We have heard some inspiring messages, got reacquainted with several people that we have not seen in a long time.
Let’s pray for Nate Gairhan who will be having back surgery at Children’s Hospital tomorrow. We also need to lift up the family of Gary Akers who went home to be with the Lord last Friday. Gary was the faithful pastor of Central Baptist in Pine Bluff for over 20 years. He was faithful husband and father also. These needs just remind me of how much we need and depend on God for every thing from our children’s needs to our own next breath. While some of us are inspired by great messages and great ideas, many are struggling suffering and just hanging on. In the midst of it all, Jesus Christ is Lord. This highlights the fact that life, pain, struggle is all ultimately about the glory of God and His purposes for eternity. . . . until next time. Wes
Jun 22
Wes GeorgeUncategorized
We have just returned from the SBC Pastors’ Conference here in Louisville. We arrived around midnight eastern time Sunday night. Alvin Reid and David Platt preached a couple of great sermons tonight. Johnny Hunt concluded the night with a call for forgiveness, kindness, and allowing God to unblock whatever has caused a dam in our lives. Lisa and I met a neat couple in their 70s while eating ice cream before the evening session began. Roscoe Brewer founder of E.P.I.C. is doing some amazing things among unreached people groups around the world especially among Muslims. I forwarded an urgent prayer request last week from Johnny Hunt about a newly baptized Muslim believer who had been arrested, beaten, hospitalized, then beaten again while distributing Bibles (maybe even some Bibles that FBC Rogers purchased with the MBD emphasis). Roscoe was the contact for this prayer request and is close to the persecuted believe being called Bento (not real name). The official convention business begins tomorrow. Johnny Hunt will deliver his president’s address and will certainly speak to the Great Commission Resurgence document. There has certainly been much made about the shortfall in the IMB offering which has resulted in suspending all ISC appointments. That really hits close to home since Tim and Adrienne Terrazas are in the ISC pipeline and their progress has been put on hold. Some interesting facts that were brought out was that France would become a Muslim nation by 2020 at the current rate of growth of Islam. That even emphasizes more the importance and guidance of God in pointing us toward Turkish Muslims in France.
On a personal note, I want to give a shout out to Caleb on his birthday. We are certainly proud of him. Unfortunately, we are out of town on his birthday. A big thank you to Barb and Kearsten for taking Caleb out for a birthday dinner tonight while we are in Louisville. He had a birthday lunch on Saturday at the Catfish Hole in Fayetteville. It’s getting late here. Everyone is in bed except me and they are ready for the lights to go out. I have an early start tomorrow with a breakfast meeting at 7:00 am before the convention activities begin. Until next time. . .Wes
Jun 12
Wes GeorgeUncategorized
Our Southern Baptist Convention is promoting or proposing a document that was written under the leadership of the president, Johnny Hunt and much of the credit or blame depending on your take on the matter for writing the document goes to Danny Akin. Let me say at the beginning that I appreciate both of these men and their commitment to God’s Word, the Gospel, and our denomination. I wrote an article in the Arkansas Baptist Newsmagazine that was a brief cautious but optimistic support of a Great Commission resurgence.
In the article, I pointed out that I thought the document was too long. I expressed that opinion to Johnny as he allowed the state presidents to have a look at it. The document was modified by removing some language that included the word “bloated” when referring to the bureaucracy of the SBC. Denominational workers were offended by the language although I did notice some signatures on the document by some state executives. I think we can learn a lot from this whole discussion and how we go about the discussion. No one who believes the Bible would not support a Great Commission resurgence. Unfortunately, that’s where the common ground stops especially as we evaluate how we accomplish this.
For me, the local church is the only institution that is given the responsibility of fulfilling the Great Commission. I have heard Jerry Rankin say that the Great Commission was not given to the IMB. I agree. Neither was it given to the SBC, or the ABSC or associations, etc. Now I have great friends who work in all the agencies and organizations that I have mentioned and many that I have not mentioned. Simply passing a resolution or adopting a new theme or calling for a new emphasis at a gathering of messengers will not translate into life change in the local community. That’s my opinion anyway. While others whose opinions are probably much more valuable than mine discuss or debate what is working and what is not, how to correct the issue and get headed in the right direction. I have read in Baptist publications of a underground strategy to consolidate the IMB and NAMB. I certainly do not have any first hand information that proves or disproves such speculation.
This kind of speculation and question and even discussion can really turn off a lot of people who are great folks who believe the Great Commission and want to honor God. Guys my age and older wonder why young guys don’t have denominational loyalty while others say that young pastors do have it. This stuff frustrates an older guy (that is older than the young guys) like me. There are a lot of people I think that are looking around to see if anything significant happens to change the decline of what I think is the greatest group of cooperating churches on the planet. Lots of folks are tired of red tape and bureaucracy. Lots of folks want to see the power of God and lives changed. Lots of folks want to see their life, their ministry, and church count for something significant. Lots of folks understand that significance only comes from glorifying God in obedience to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.
We need on the local level to honestly evaluate what we are doing. Are we honoring God first in Worship and also in witness where we are located? You can’t brush with a broad brush because God always has the remnant. Usually the remnant is not jumping up and down saying I am the remnant! Do it like me! Or even come to my conference for $$$$$ and I will help you do it like me. (Hey, I know I just went to a conference. . .that’s the next blog). But generally speaking and for most specifically speaking, we are not being as effective as we should or better as we want to be. Some keys might be repentance, humility, responsibility,focus, and determination. Until next time. . . .Wes
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