Jimmy Draper Interview

https://vimeo.com/56047191

It was recently my privilege to interview Jimmy Draper regarding many key issues in church life.

Beware of a Prayerless Life

It is way too easy to get caught up in the events of life and neglect prayer.  A busy day awaits most of us and we rush off to meet the day.  Even in vocational ministry it is easy to be surrounded by all of the right books, sermon resources, and reminders of the need for prayer, but to neglect the time in prayer needed to accomplish the work.  Prayerlessness is our great sin.  The life without prayer will find no power to quench the fiery darts of the evil one.  After writing with skillful instruction about equipping ourselves with the whole armor of God, Paul says we must be, "praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit...with all supplication" (Eph. 6:18).  In other words, PRAY! PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!  There is no ability to discern the events of life without prayer and there is no power to stand victoriously without prayer.  We must pray long and we must pray hard.  We must pray without ceasing.  

E.M. Bounds, in his immortal book, "Power Through Prayer" shares these piercing words:
"A prayerless ministry is the undertaker for all God's truth and for God's Church.  He may have the most costly casket and the most beautiful flowers, but it is a funeral, notwithstanding the charmful array.  A prayerless Christian will never learn God's truth; a prayerless ministry will never be able to teach God's truth.  Hell has enlarged herself and filled her dire caves in the presence of the dead service of a prayerless Church."

So many of our sins are wretchedly flowing out of prayerless lives.  Pray, and please don't think you can be or do anything truly good without it.  Communion with Christ is our greatest need, and our only hope.

The Cure Begins With A Proper Diagnosis

In these days of people hurting without knowing their source of pain.  People avoiding responsibility with terminology such as "sickness" and "mental illness".  Society blaming inanimate objects for destruction of life that requires a wicked person to pull the trigger or to set the switch.  I found these words from one of the great preachers to be very fitting:

Now the problem with the world today is we’ve never really seen where the problem is. And the heart of the human problem is the problem of the human heart, which is desperately wicked. But I wouldn’t expect anyone to stand up in Congress and say, “Gentlemen, the problem is sin.” Would you expect that? Or would you expect someone to stand up in one of our great universities—a PhD—and say, “Sirs, I have finally found the problem with mankind. It’s sin”? Of course not! Would you expect anybody to come running out of the laboratory with a test tube and saying, “Eureka! I’ve found it! The problem is sin”? Do you think the Security Council of the U.N. is going to stand up and say, “The problem in the world and the problem between nations is sin”? No, they’re not going to say that, and that’s the reason they’re never going to solve the problem. You see, they never do get a proper diagnosis; so how on earth are they ever going to get a proper remedy? They can’t do it. And so all of these agencies and all of these people they’re spending time sweeping down cobwebs rather than killing the spider, which is sin.

And we’re just dealing with the effects. For example, we have a war on poverty. Well, we don’t need a war on poverty nearly as badly as we need a war on sin. Now I’m not saying poverty is a good thing, but dear friend, poverty is even rooted in sin: the greed, and the grasping, and the carelessness, and the hatefulness, and the waste, and the strife, and the wantonness, that has turned this world into a garden of weeds and a swamp where the mosquitoes of hate are breeding by the millions. The costliest thing around is sin. Don’t you forget it. And I tell you, if we’d just have a war on sin, we’d do something about the poverty problem and every other problem. But you see, nobody wants to admit what the problem is, so no wonder we are never coming to the solution.

From the sermon, “The Victory of Faith,” by Adrian Rogers

Considering the Sinner's Prayer

Considering the Sinner’s Prayer

The debates can be intense and the misrepresentations superfluous regarding the role and use of a sinner’s prayer.  Certainly we have seen many improper uses of a sinner’s prayer that have led many to a false sense of security regarding salvation.  These excesses must be avoided.  Yet we also must confess that Scripture provides precedent for one convicted about their sin crying out for God to be merciful.  Jesus speaks of a humbled tax collector who felt the convicting power of God in Matthew 18:13.  The man, “standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’”  Peter certainly offered a prayer of acceptance and humility, when after Jesus showed him divine power over the fish of the sea, Peter “fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” (Luke 5:8)  The prodigal son came to the realization of his sinful condition and expressed a prayer of repentance in Luke 15:18, “I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.”  The clear repentance reflected in this great parable manifests the heart’s cry of one turning away from sin and turning to God.  The thief on the cross offers a type of sinner’s prayer when he spoke up for righteousness by correcting the other thief, and expressed repentance with, “do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the condemnation?  And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds.”  And then He turned to Jesus and said, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” (Luke 23:29-40)  At Pentecost, Peter even instructs his responsive audience after preaching a convicting sermon.  In response to their question, “What shall we do?” Peter tells them they must “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” (Acts 2:37-38)  Paul and Silas instruct the Philippian jailer in the same manner as he asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”  They guide him to a proper response in salvation, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:30-31)  The biblical record is clear that a proper response to the hearing of the gospel is for a sinner to pray to the merciful God.  The mistake against which we must guard is the false promise that seems to accompany some type of mechanized prayer.  We must not give a sense of assurance to someone just because they have repeated the words of a prayer recited before them.  It is right and biblical to instruct someone honestly responding to God’s grace, but we must never cheapen the call to discipleship.  There are too many today who, “went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.” (1 John 2:19)  It is my fear, and the fear of others, that many have contributed to this error by offering people a half-true gospel.  And in the end a half-true gospel makes half-true disciples, who are no disciples at all.

We Give Thanks

We Give Thanks

Pastor Richmond Goolsby

"We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks!  For your wondrous works declare that Your name is near."  Psalm 75:1

It is that wonderful time of year when we set aside a special day to give thanks to God.  We are to give Him thanks with great exuberance as reflected in the repetition of “we give thanks!” in Psalm 75.  Enthusiastic praise is the cry of the hearts of God’s people everywhere, for we know that “every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights.” (James 1:17)  It is the providential hand of our Father which reaches into the depth of His goodness and dispenses multiplied blessings to His children.  And as we look at His wondrous works we stand amazed in His presence. We stand amazed not only because His works are so wondrous, but that He would extend them to us.  As undeserving as we are of God’s bountiful blessings, we give Him thanks out of a gratitude that knows He gives goodness that we do not deserve.  At no time in history has God declared His wonder more than in the life of Jesus Christ.  The Bible tells us that Jesus “became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)  In the incarnation of Christ we find the glory of God displayed.  In the first coming of Jesus we see God dwelling among us.  God has made His name near and proclaimed it to be so in the works of our merciful Savior.  As Jesus died on the cross, He displayed God’s love for fallen sinners and provided the way for salvation.  As Jesus rose from the grave, He declared that victory is won for all who depend upon Him.  For this, and so much more, we give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks!

Giving Thanks

"We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks!  For your wondrous works declare that Your name is near."  Psalm 75:1

God is so worthy of our thanksgiving.  With His gentle hand He has provided our lives.  With the might that holds up the universe, He sustains each breath we breathe.  Each individual act of God's power and grace is a gift.  And the gifts He gives are innumerable.  We give Him thanks because He is good.  He gives because He is good.  Out of His goodness flows the wondrous works we receive.  Each wondrous work declares the goodness of His name.  But the goodness of God refuses to leave His name out of reach, for we see that His works declare His name is near.
In His transcendent magnificence He is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light.  No man dare to even consider looking upon His full glory.  Certainly there are times that He chooses to reveal a portion of the glory which surrounds Him, but no man can look upon God and live.  Yet, in all of His omnipotent splendor God has chosen to come near.  He has chosen to declare that He is near by declaring so through His wondrous works.  He has chosen to come near in the person of Jesus Christ.  As John says, "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father."
God is near today for all who follow Christ, and we should thank Him.  He is good.  He is powerful.  He cares enough to intervene.  Give Him thanks with your life.

Knowing How To Pray

I always feel so insufficient in my prayers.  This is normal when we consider to whom we are speaking.  When we pray we are speaking to the One who placed the works of His omnipotent hand to the grindstone of His creative will and hung the universe on nothing, therefore making it a most beautiful something.  When we pray, we are speaking to the One who angels dare not even look upon as they cry out the majestic nature of His infinite holiness.  Not only do we feel insufficient, but so many times we feel so unworthy to approach the Holy One.  We feel so polluted by our sins that we cannot imagine the ability to approach the One who dwells in the high and holy place.  His throne seems so unapproachable, and it is to the person without Christ.  But those who have placed their faith in Christ must remember that because of the perfect work of Jesus, our Intercessor, we can and should “come boldly before the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16)  There are times we don’t know what to say.  Either the pain is so difficult that words just won’t come out, or we feel so filthy that we hide in shame from our Father.  It is then we must remember Romans 8:26, “the Spirit helps in our weaknesses.  For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”  With these things fresh upon our minds, here are some thoughts on prayer from Matthew 6:5-6.

Our prayers should be private devotion not public exhibition.  Jesus begins teaching us how to pray by first telling how not to pray.  “Do not be like the hypocrites” He says.  They loved to pray publicly but were void of internal communion with God.  Jesus says we are to pray without distraction.  He says in verse 6, “when you pray, go into your room, and shut your door.”  The still and quiet place is where we find God’s guidance.  We must pray in such a way that we enjoy the presence of our Father.  Jesus says in verse 6, “pray to your Father...and your Father sees you and will reward you.”  It is a heavenly conversation as we pray to the One who is not only God, but He is our Father.  A little girl was once asked to pray in her Sunday School class.  She bowed her head, closed her eyes and said, “The Lord is my Shepherd, and that’s all I want.”  She was right.

How I Became Last

My Life Before Christ

My life before Christ was characterized by pain and turmoil.  My parents divorced when I was only three years old due to clashing desires and constant disagreement.  My early years of life were without great stability except that which was provided by both sets of my grandparents.  My father quickly remarried a young widow with two children and they are still married today.  My mother remarried soon after, and following twelve years of tumultuous marriage they divorced.  His tragic death occurred not many years later.  I certainly cannot blame my childhood for the many sinful and destructive decisions I would later make, but there were obviously contributing factors.  My parents made mistakes, as do all parents, but they loved me and taught me many important lessons despite their conflicts.

By the time I reached the age of 14 I had become angry and confused with life.  I began a pattern of destruction that would damage myself and others for the next 10 years.  Although I was responsible and hard-working in many areas of my life, I was also given over to much revilement and sinful existence.  Violence, substance abuse, and riotous living were my modus operandi.  I existed without truly living, and attempted to hide my pain and anger with worldly substitutions in order that I might avoid dealing with the reality of the lack of a man I had become.  I remember moments in my life that God impressed His truth upon my thinking, but I only suppressed His truth in my own unrighteousness.  I dare not boast in the sins of my destructive past, however this is the generally stated truth of my life before Christ.  It was no life at all.

How I Came to Trust Christ as Savior

I am certain that I had been exposed to the gospel at various times in my early years, for much of my extended family were Christians and many times throughout those years I attended gospel-preaching churches, although not regularly.  My drift to selfish secularism was quite natural, as I thought life was all about me.  I do not recall ever hearing the gospel during the years of 14 to 24, in spite of knowing several church-going people.  Possibly I just did not have ears to hear in my sinful suppression of the truth.  

I met my wife when I was 23, and she initially had more concern for her spiritual condition than I had for mine.  My love for work and alcohol caused her great concern regarding our future.  Her neighbor invited her to attend a church service at Denton Bible Church, and she invited me to attend also.  At first, I thought it was good for me to be present in order to help establish myself as a respectable young business owner in the community.  My interest in God’s word and ministry was minimal and I especially thought the singing was ridiculous.  However, God began to change my thinking and I became very interested in the biblical messages that were being proclaimed.  As far as the singing, I remember one day watching some people standing next to me, with the corner of one eye on them and the other eye on the bulletin, while they were singing, “How Great Thou Art”.  They were singing with such joy that I realized I did not possess what they possessed.  Their faith was real, mine was an empty lie.

I became hungry to know the truth about life, and my church attendance became constant.  After listening to power-packed Bible sermons for about one year, I became introspective about my own spiritual condition.  Then one day while at home, I felt the conviction of God in a way that I had never known.  I realized for the first time in my life that I was guilty of sinful rebellion against the holy God, and I deserved His judgment.  I fell to my knees as I felt like the judgment of God was pummeling me into the foundation of my bathroom floor.  I cried out the only words I knew to cry, “Jesus, save me!”  In that moment I knew that I had passed from judgment to mercy, as times of refreshing came from the presence of the Lord and cleansed my soul.  I confessed to God that I had spent my life running from Him and hurting every one in my path.  I confessed that I was truly a sinner and believed that Christ alone could save me from the judgment I deserved.  I turned away from my sin and was embraced by Jesus.  Christ became my Savior that most wonderful day and I arose a new man.  

How My Life Has Changed

I spent the first 24 years of my life confused and damaged by sin without realizing the source of my problem.  Since becoming a follower of Jesus, I have gained awareness of the source of emotional turmoil and have increasingly received victory over it.  I once lived for myself and deceptively exploited others for my own personal gain, but as a child of God I wish to lose my life for the sake of others and their eternal destiny.  I now realize that my life does not exist for me to be famous, but for Jesus to be made famous through my life.  While I still do not know the answers to everything life presents, I have found the God-given wisdom through God’s word to live a life of peace and joy.  My hurts and pains had no apparent purpose before I trusted Christ, but I now know that God works all things together for good to those who love Him and are the called ones, according to His purpose.  For years I felt so alone, but now I know the presence of God through the Holy Spirit.  Summarily, I once was lost, but now I am found.  I once was blind but now I see.  Jesus has rescued me from myself and now my life completely belongs to Him.

The Hope of a Nation

What is the hope of a nation?  How can the people that make up a nation’s citizenship expect continued prosperity in this world?  Election time is approaching and the political rhetoric has been heating up on both sides.  People are anxious about the future of our country, and although the USA is still the most prosperous nation on earth, many Americans are struggling.  I believe that it is in times like these that we must remember the hope of our nation is not in the White House.  Bigger government will not solve our every woe, and shrewder financial decisions will not bring healing to our land.  The hope of our nation is found in God’s house, the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.  These words are attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville (19th century), “I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers - and it was not there . . . in her fertile fields and boundless forests and it was not there . . . in her rich mines and her vast world commerce - and it was not there . . . in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution - and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.”  The hope of our nation is found in the churches which are proclaiming the righteousness of God and the merciful love He has extended to all through Jesus Christ.  Loving our enemies, sacrificing self for the good of others, taking care of the poor and needy, and religious freedom are all American ideas because they were first Christian ideals.  2 Chronicles 7:14 is a promise from God to His people, “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn form their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”  This is a promise to God’s people, which is today the churches of Jesus.  As the churches go, so the nation will go.  The hope of our nation is for people to turn to God, one heart at a time.  America must never cease to be good, or she will indeed cease to be great.

Uganda Trip July 2012 Report

GateWay East Africa

Uganda Trip July 2012 Report

The long flight never gets easier although I am thankful that we were kept safely in the kind hands of our God.  We arrived late Saturday night at Entebbe and then traveled to Mpigi Sunday morning in time to gather with our brothers and sisters for worship at Mmembe Baptist Church in the Mpigi district.  My first ever 9 hour worship service was followed by Ugandan potluck.  Yum.  I was so encouraged by their love for God and His word as evidenced by their desire to worship corporately all day.  

Monday morning we traveled by van to the village of Busombo to help Pastor Wasswa and the church in their efforts to reach their village.  Busombo is an area filled with witchcraft and drunkenness which has greatly contributed to their spiritual darkness and financial desperation.  We appreciated a lunch prepared by the church members and spent a few hours providing Bible teaching to the core group of the church.  We also provided money for a wheelchair for a 3 year old boy inflicted by an unknown malady which is causing abnormally large swelling to his head.  We shared the gospel with some of the people in the village and showed the “Passion of the Christ” movie that night in the Lugandan language.  Pastor Wasswa is faithful in a very difficult context for ministry.  Response to the gospel is low and the church is few in number but they are shining the light in a dark place.  

Tuesday we traveled to Bukasa where Pastor Frank serves a small congregation.  Frank is very evangelistic and appears to have good relationships in the small community.  While sharing the gospel in the village I was able to share with a man named Simon who grills meat for sale.  I shared the gospel with him and a few others gathered together.  One man said he was a follower of Christ but Simon and Matthias both made professions of faith.  Simon then went next door and brought his friend, Herman, over to hear the message I was sharing.  He also professed faith in Christ.  This village was also filled with drunkenness and spiritual darkness but about 300 gathered for the showing of the “Passion” film.  We arrived back at the motel at midnight.

Wednesday we spent the day witnessing around Mmembe Baptist Church.  We had some great visits and some professions of faith but overall the level of response was less than what I have experienced in other parts of east Africa.  I was especially impressed with Pastor Gingo’s work ethic, faithfulness, and doctrinal integrity.  He is truly a man of God who is loving people and teaching the Bible in a context that would discourage lesser men.  Two special highlights of the day were watching Nathan Bural preach at the school in Kalagala and Landon Northcutt preaching on the street near Mmembe BC.  Nathan boldly declared the word of God with precision and power and many students received Christ as Lord.  Landon started slow from Isaiah 53 and rose high as he called the people to trust Christ and avoid eternity in Hell.  We had dinner at a restaurant and discovered they could fry fish and chicken.  Although it was different than our customary fare, it was appreciated after a few steady doses of matoke.

Thursday began our two day Pastor’s Conference.  In attendance were 17 pastors from the Lake Wamala Baptist Association which began in 2000, representing 9 churches and other mission efforts.  Jacob Rowe did a great job teaching the pastors and church leaders.  The need for pastor training is great and Gingo is putting forth great effort as their Director of Missions, but he needs more help.  We shared the Scriptures with the students at the Green Valley School and about 20 made professions of faith, notably a few of the students were coming from Muslim families.  That evening we had an evangelistic meeting in which Harold “Smitty” Smith shared his testimony and Robert Whitefield delivered a great sermon.  We found our way back to the fried chicken and fish that night and back at motel at 9pm.

Friday we continued the Pastor’s Conference with Robert sharing from John 15 and I shared from Psalm 51 and Romans 6.  The afternoon was spent witnessing on the streets of Mpigi and we had an evangelistic meeting on an empty lot in the town.  The “praise team” of Mmembe BC led in music which joyfully continued for 45 minutes.  I preached from Mark 13 on the subject, “What You Can Expect When Christ Returns.”  Although the crowd was much smaller than we expected each night in Mpigi, there were many passersby and a couple of hundred gathered for the showings of the “Passion” movie.

Saturday was a productive day of witnessing on the streets of Mpigi.  Landon and I shared the gospel with one lady named Teresa who was so thankful to hear God’s Word.  She received the gospel of Christ with joy unspeakable and rejoiced unlike few I have ever seen.  Her response strengthened my soul.  A young man named Absalom said he recently had been experiencing many “disturbances” and had been asking God to show him the truth.  When we shared the good news of Jesus with him, he said that he had been “longing for the message” and gladly received Christ as Lord.  We held another meeting that night and Jacob Rowe delivered the sermon with earnestness.  After the meeting we found our way back to the fried chicken.

Sunday was a great day of worship with our Ugandan brethren.  Jacob preached at Gateway BC, which is a plant of Mmembe BC.  Gingo preaches at Gateway at 9am and then returns to Mmembe BC every Sunday to preach afterward.  Robert preached at Bukasa and I preached at Mmembe.  God blessed the service in so many ways.  Of those responding, one young man is of particular note.  He had been at one of the schools where we had shared earlier in the week.  He came from a Muslim family and his father had told him not to listen to the “born-agains” for they spoke silliness.  The young man said, “I want silly things, I want to follow Jesus!”  We all rejoiced in the faithfulness and benevolence of our God.  We enjoyed a going away dinner hosted by the dear ladies of Mmembe BC and then departed for Kampala.

Sunday evening in Kampala brought us closer to some of our cultural comforts as we had pizza at Nando’s.  It is very sad to see all of the street-children and beggars in the streets.  Every time I go to Africa I want to bring a plane load of children back with me.  Although I don’t have the resources to give them many things, I take comfort in knowing that what we offer in the gospel of Jesus Christ affords immeasurable riches.

We arrived at Entebbe Airport at 6:30pm and departed on our long flight home at 11:30pm.

I thank God for the work he is doing among the people of east Africa and the work he does in our hearts each time we go.  I pray that He will continue to provide the resources we need for GateWay East Africa to grow and help in the areas of church planting and pastoral training.

What About Those Who Have Not Heard of Jesus?

What About Those Who Have Not Heard of Jesus?

by Pastor Richmond Goolsby

This question comes in many forms, but it always comes.  How can God hold people responsible for their sins if they have not heard of the saving grace that comes through Jesus?  Would God actually allow people who have not heard the gospel to spend eternity in hell?  What about the person living in the deepest, darkest jungle who does not have exposure to the Christian message?  Will God condemn the one who sins and has not heard of Jesus?  In order to properly respond to these questions we must  consider what the Bible says about the modes through which God makes Himself known.

The Scripture states that God reveals Himself generally.  Psalm 19:1 says, “the heavens declare the glory of God.”  As a person looks into the heavens and sees the sun, moon and stars, the handiwork of God is revealed.  The creation of God’s hands manifests the reality of God.  Romans 1:20 says, “since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead.”  The majestic characteristics of the created order reveal to humanity the majestic character of God.  His “invisible attributes” are seen by the magnificence of His creation.  We can see that God is powerful, for by the power of His word He spoke the universe into existence and sustains it day by day.  God tells the sun when to rise and set.  He has told the oceans how far they may extend and commands the mountains to stand.  We can see that God is benevolent, for by His mercy He provides breath to every living being.  He fills His created beings with provision for existence each day.  We can see that God is orderly in His providence, for He has established laws in the universe which maintain its order.  The awesomeness of the universe reveals the eternal power of God.  Acts 14:17 reminds us that, “God did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”  God sends the rain from heaven as a testimony that He is real and active.  He provides fruitful seasons to testify that He oversees the universe and mercifully provides for His creation.  God is the primary witness of the reality of His existence.  The heavens declare His glory, His attributes are clearly seen, and He has provided an eyewitness account of His being through general revelation.  This form of revelation is enough for man to know that God is, but it is not enough to know who God is.

The Bible says that the general form of divine revelation given to men is not enough to save man from his sin.  2 Corinthians 4:3-4 says, “the gospel is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded.”  The god of this age, the devil, is using his deceptive tactics to blindfold the minds of the human population through sin.  People are living in the midst of general revelation which is declaring daily the glory of God but they will not see Him unless, “the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine upon them.”  Although everyone is surrounded by the glory of God, His attributes will remain invisible to those without the light of the gospel of Christ shining upon their hearts.  The Apostle Paul declared to the Areopagus at Athens, “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.” (Acts 17:30)  God has mercifully allowed the continuation of life without pouring out His divine judgment upon sin, but now is commanding those who have heard the truth of sin and salvation to turn away from their personal rebellion and trust Christ.  In verse 31 he provides the reason for the urgency of immediate response, “because God has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man (Jesus) whom He has ordained.”  The message is clearly presented, God has been merciful but you must repent and trust Christ or receive divine judgment.  Romans 10:14 removes any uncertainty with these words, “And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?  And how shall they hear without a preacher?”  Although God has revealed His divine existence through His creation, no person can be saved without believing in Christ.  No one will hear the truth of Christ unless the gospel is preached (declared) to them.  While God has extended great kindness by the manifestation of His existence through general revelation, only the gospel of Jesus Christ is sufficient to save man from sin.

Salvation only comes through the particular revelation of Christ.  The created universe declares to us that God is real, but only the gospel tells us how God saves man from sin through Christ.  The heavens declare the glory of God but only Jesus can reconcile us to the glory of God.  Acts 4:12 provides eternal truth for all, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”  Although the stars of the sky point to the splendorous Creator, the heavenly luminaries did not die to receive the penalty of sin.  Majestic mountains refer us to the beauty of our God, but they cannot provide righteousness on behalf of the sinful soul.  Only Jesus has accomplished the necessary work for man to be at peace with God.  In John 14:6, Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father except through Me.”  He is the only way to God.  He is the only way to know the truth of God.  He is the only way to gain the true life of God.  No person can receive these gifts apart from Jesus Christ.  The Philippian jailer realized the condemning presence of his sin and cried out, “what must I do to be saved?”  Paul and Silas responded with liberating truth, “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:30-31)  They did not call him to believe that God created the sun.  There was not a commendation for believing merely in the existence of God, but the command, “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.”  Salvation comes only through faith in what Christ has done through His substitutionary death and victorious resurrection.  Sincerity in the pursuit of worshipping one’s idea of God is insufficient to save.  One must receive the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice as the appeasement of God’s wrath upon their own sin to be saved.  God has revealed this glorious truth specifically in the good news of His Son, and it is this particular revelation that must be cherished for the reception of salvation.

A most logical question is in order at this point in the discussion.  What happens to the person that recognizes the existence of God but has not heard of Jesus?  Can someone who sincerely responds to the general revelation of creation alone be saved?  Will God condemn someone who has not heard the gospel of Christ before they die?  Remember this, God grants further revelation to those who respond to the revelation they have been given.  The Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8 was earnestly reading Isaiah 53 while sitting in his chariot.  He was sincerely responding to the revelation God had given him but he did not understand all that he was reading.  God sent to him Philip, who preached Jesus to him, beginning at the Scripture in Isaiah 53.  The eunuch responded by believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and was baptized as a follower of Christ.  The man from Ethiopia responded to the revelation God provided and God delivered to him the further revelation necessary for salvation.  Recently, while in a small village in Uganda, I met a young man working on the side of the road.  I shared with him the message of Jesus and asked him if we would like to receive Christ and follow Him.  The young man said that he knew that God was real and that he had been longing for this message of good news.  He told me that he had been asking God to show him more of the truth and so God sent me there to that tiny village with an open Bible in my hand, declaring the way to reconciliation with God through Christ.  That young Ugandan man now has eternal life because he responded to the revelation God had given him and God sent to him the gospel.  

In the immutable faithfulness of God, He will not neglect one precious soul who desires to be saved.  We can trust in the infinite justice and mercy of God as He requires perfect righteousness for salvation and provides the righteousness of Christ for all who believe.  God reveals Himself to all, and to all who respond in repentance and faith in Christ, God saves.

Unashamedly Christian

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.”  Romans 1:16

Our church is working throughout the community this week in an effort we call Victory in the ‘Ville.  We are seeking to be ambassadors for Christ as we help others through service projects, visiting nursing homes, praying with people door to door, and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We have been met with overall appreciation and kindness as we seek to serve our community with the love of Christ.  Although it would be easier to sit in our holy huddles, we cannot hold back the truth that has set us free.  We are unashamedly Christian for these reasons:

The gospel of Christ is good news.  The bad news is that everyone has sinned against God and deserves divine judgment.  The good news is that Christ died in our place to receive the judgment we deserved.  Through turning away from sin and trusting in Christ, people receive reconciliation with God and eternal life.  In the midst of a lost and hurting world, Jesus has come to set the captives free.  This is what the Bible calls the gospel, and it is unashamedly great news.  

The gospel is the power of God.  God has benevolently chosen to act on our behalf by sending His Son to rescue us from ourselves.  This message of grace and mercy has been the divine power which has saved us from our own personal rebellion and its subsequent pain.  Christians now know joy unspeakable and hope immeasurable by the power of God through Christ crucified and risen from the dead.

The gospel saves everyone who believes.  To believe is not mere intellectual agreement with these statements.  To believe is to fully depend upon and completely trust in the saving grace of Christ.  It is this saving faith in Jesus that had the power to change my life and has the power to change yours.  

This gospel of Christ is worthy of faithfulness until our last breath expires, and it is worthy of unashamedly living for the glory of God.

Report to Harvey Baptist Church on Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting 2012 Convened at New Orleans, LA by Messenger Richmond Goolsby

Upon arrival late Monday evening we heard a challenging message from James McDonald, Pastor of Harvest Bible Fellowship in suburban Chicago, during the closing session of the Pastor’s Conference.  The final sermon of the evening was delivered by Fred Luter, Pastor of Franklin Ave. BC in New Orleans.  He preached a passionate and stirring message declaring the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We are not ashamed because it is the power of God!  Luter proclaimed, “If the Word of God has changed you, it can change them!”  Frank Page, President of SBC Executive Committee, declared a wonderful message in which he stated that the headquarters of Southern Baptist life is the local church, not the Convention or its entities.  He made an earnest plea for unity regarding the discussions concerning the doctrine of salvation.  

Many motions were made about practices of the SBC and its entities with approximately 7,500 messengers registered.  I will only highlight the few I thought were most significant.  

1. A motion was made by Richard Tribble, Pastor of Emmanuel Southern BC Decatur, Illinois, that the convention “establish a policy and procedures manual for convention officers, including procedures to investigate allegations of misconduct by officers.”  Under current practice any research regarding practices of officers would not occur until the end of their term rather than before.  If I remember correctly, the motion was forwarded to the Executive Committee for further action.
2. A motion was made by Tim Overton, Halteman Village BC Muncie, Indiana, that LifeWay reconsider its decision to sell the 2011 NIV.  The motion asked trustees to allow Paige Patterson and Louis Markos to address trustees on the matter, they agreed to do so.
3. A motion by Channing Kilgore of South Whitwell BC Whitwell, Tennessee, that the convention establish a “historical research committee” to study the views of SBC founders “regarding predestination and election and how they understood these terms”.  The motion was referred to the six SBC seminaries.
4. A motion by Todd Littleton of Snow Hill BC Tuttle, OK, that the Convention agree with Richard Land, president of ERLC, that statements he made regarding the Trayvon Martin killing were harmful and that the SBC “publicly affirm the reprimands” of Land by ERLC trustees.  The purpose stated for the motion was that this would authoritatively speak to our desire for racial reconciliation and prevent newly elected president of SBC Fred Luter from being required to redundantly respond to the SBC’s position concerning the issue.  After much discussion, the motion was ruled out of order.
5. A motion by Luke Johnson of Highland BC Laurel, Mississippi, that salary packages of all SBC entity and state convention employees be disclosed to Southern Baptist messengers and churches.  After much debate, the motion was ruled out of order with the reason stated as the SBC has no authority over the state conventions.
6. A motion by Ron Wilson of Wynnbrook BC Columbus, Georgia, that the SBC president appoint a committee to audit NAMB’s “Mega-Focus Cities: San Diego” program due to a concern of approximately 1 million dollars.  The motion was ruled out of order.
7. A motion by Steve Bailey of Earle BC Arkansas, that “no entity of the SBC be allowed to use the name Great Commission”.  The motion was ruled out of order.

Many resolutions were offered but only some were accepted.  I shall mention 4 that I thought were most significant.

1. On Cooperation and the Doctrine of Salvation.  While Southern Baptists have always represented a variety of views regarding the exact process of salvation we resolved to “celebrate our history of cooperation for world evangelism and missions” and “affirm the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message as a sufficient statement of the doctrine of salvation” and “encourage all SBC churches to continue in faithful cooperation to equip the saints and reach the lost with the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
2. On Biblical Scholarship and the Doctrine of Inerrancy.  Since there are some scholars that consider themselves evangelicals and yet deny the doctrine of Inerrancy as well as deny the historicity of Adam and Eve and the fall of mankind into sin, we affirm what the Bible asserts for itself.  It is “God-breathed” (2 Tim. 3:16), the authors were “moved by the Holy Spirit, men spoke from God” (2 Pt. 1:21), and as such it is entirely “truth, without any mixture of error” and “totally true and trustworthy” (as previously stated in the Baptist Faith and Message).  Therefore, we reaffirm our belief in and adherence to the doctrine of the Inerrancy of Scripture and call all biblical scholars in Southern Baptist institutions to carry out their work in submission to Jesus Christ and in the service of the inerrant Word of God.
3. On “Same-sex Marriage” and Civil Rights Rhetoric.  Marriage is a covenant relationship and an institution established by God rather than a social construct and we affirm the biblical definition of marriage as the exclusive union of one man and one woman.  We deny that the effort to legalize “same-sex marriage” qualifies as a civil rights issue.  We express our love to those who struggle with same-sex attraction and stand against any disrespectful attitudes as we affirm that we must preach the truth of God’s Word on human sexuality, marriage, and purity.  We proclaim that Christ offers forgiveness of sin to those who turn from their sins and believe on Christ for the forgiveness of sin.
4. An Affirmation of a “Sinner’s Prayer” As a Biblical Expression of Repentance and Faith.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ offers full forgiveness of sins to anyone who repents of sin and trusts in Christ.  The “sinner’s prayer” is not an incantation that results in salvation merely by its recitation and should never be manipulatively employed or utilized apart from a clear articulation of the Gospel but it is biblical for a sinner to cry out for the mercy of God.  We promote any and all biblical means of urging sinners to call on the name of the Lord in a prayer of repentance and faith.

Other significant actions occurring during the SBC Annual Meeting were as follows.

1. Jimmy Draper presented a motion as Chairman of a Committee appointed by SBC President Bryant Wright to add the name “Great Commission Baptists” as a descriptor to be optionally used with the name Southern Baptist Convention.  Messengers were reminded that no SBC entity can legally change its name without approval from the messengers of the Convention and that churches already have the option of calling themselves whatever they desire as each church is autonomous.  The reasoning of adding such a descriptor was stated that it would be helpful for churches located in parts of the nation other than the south and for churches of various ethnicities.  After much debate the motion passed on ballot by 2546 (52.78%) affirmative and 2232 (46.27%) negative.
2. Fred Luter, Pastor of Franklin Avenue BC New Orleans LA, was elected President of the SBC.  He is the first African-American President of the Convention and ran unopposed.  He has been a faithful pastor and preacher of the gospel.  The Convention Center was filled with emotion when he was elected.  Although a vote was unnecessary, we were allowed to cast our ballots with a repeated standing ovation granted by a standing-room only crowd.

I greatly enjoyed our participation in the SBC Annual Meeting.  I was challenged and strengthened by some great biblical sermons and discussions with some wonderful brothers in the Lord.  There were a few disappointments but overall I am glad to be a part of a group of churches that are seeking to stand for God’s truth in the midst of a sinful world.  God is blessing our cooperative work in so many ways.  We now have over 16,000 students preparing for gospel ministry in our 6 SBC seminaries and the 2011 Lottie Moon Missions offering was the 4th largest offering ever, totaling $146.8 million.  We are supporting missionaries all over the world who are committed to the inerrant Word of God and the saving grace of the Lord Jesus.  May God continue to be praised and may His work continue through the churches that cooperate through the Southern Baptist Convention!

Respectfully Submitted, 

Pastor Richmond Goolsby

June 24, 2012

A Few Thoughts On Preaching Prophetically

To preach prophetically is to declare the truth of God with clarity and compassion.  One must speak forthrightly and make the truth plain while also extending the love of God to all.  Prophetic preaching is many times predictive in the same way that the prophets of old spoke with divine foresight.  I do not mean that we are to predict stock market crashes, earthquakes, or specific disasters of any kind.  We are to speak predictively the principles of reaping and sowing.  The Old Testament prophets did speak in ways of national and natural disaster, but under a divine inspiration that we do not today experience.  They were writing Scripture, inspired by the Holy Spirit.  We are to proclaim what has been written with careful attention not to add to nor take away from God's Word by the illumination of the Holy Spirit.  God says, "do this and you will blessed; don't do this or you will be cursed."  The predictive portion of our preaching should be in accord with these principles.
Beyond the definition of prophetic preaching it is also important to notice the compassion with which God's message should be delivered.  Jeremiah is known as the "weeping prophet" and Jesus "wept" over rebellious Jerusalem.  Divine warnings are intended to protect people from the destruction of sin and drive us to the grace of Christ.  We are to avoid preaching in unrighteous anger or even a righteous anger delivered in a hateful manner.  Our flesh sometimes camouflages the anger issue.  As one wise preacher once said to me, "You will never help people walk in the Spirit if you are in the flesh!"  God will bless the man who is faithful to expose the truths of Scripture with a passionate, "Thus saith the Lord."  But we also must remember the patience God extends to us every moment of every day.
I offer three precepts that have guided me well:
1.  Let the people plainly know God's truth.
2.  Let the people know you care.
3.  Let the people know challenges are real but God is faithful.
While I studied at Southwestern Seminary I sat under the teaching of Dr. Raymond Spencer.  He is now at home with the Lord but his words echo in my mind weekly.  He once said to me, "The people need to know the heart of a pastor so they may hear the thunder of a prophet."  May we do this to glory of God and the edification of the saints.

My Response to Exclusionary Tactics by Calvinists and Arminians in the SBC

I have watched and listened to many people on both sides of the soteriological debate.  I have been misrepresented and caricatured for my honest efforts to exegete the Scripture by those on both sides of the issue.  I believe the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 provides a sufficient statement of doctrinal understanding as to salvation.  Articles IV and V deal responsibly with the biblical text and graciously to those understanding certain details diversely.  The BFM can be accessed here:  http://www.sbc.net/bfm/bfm2000.asp.
While people are debating how Jesus saves a person, I am resolved more than ever to expend my energies telling everyone possible that Jesus Saves!  He has saved me, He can save you, and He will save all who repent and believe.
I know we need effective and lucid doctrinal confessions and some of these discussions are iron sharpening iron.  But our swords should be sharp by now, let's use them to remove sin instead of each other.
I am reminded of a story once told of A.W. Tozer.  A young man was coming out of his church in Chicago and headed to Bible College.  The young ministerial student was concerned that maybe he was not well-versed in the Calvinism/Arminianism debate so he sought the advice of Tozer.  He asked the wise pastor what he should do to be better equipped for the conflicts that were sure to encounter him in the academic world.  Tozer wisely responded by telling the young man that he would surely encounter such debates.  The pastor told him that there would be groups studying certain doctrines and emphasizing certain aspects of God's sovereignty and that many would attempt to engage him with a debate.  Tozer told the young man that every time someone sought to enter into these discussions with him he should depart and pray.  At the end of your years they will still be debating, but you will be closer to God and know much more about His sovereignty.

May we do the same.

The Plan for SBC Seminaries

I recently brushed the dust off of an old Training Union book entitled, "Our Baptist Story" by Pope Duncan.  A great little book filled with historical accounts of the Baptist witness in the United States, especially the South.  While Boyce, Manly, and Broadus were drawing up the original plan of instruction for The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary they offered these three fundamental points.  (1)  that the seminary should admit men not only of college education, but those who had been kept from obtaining more than "a common English education"; (2)  that the seminary should offer such courses as would enable the best students to receive an education equivalent to that anywhere obtainable; (3)  that each professor should be required upon inauguration to sign an abstract of principles.

It is obvious from these three points that at the least these concerns were prominent for our forefathers:   (1)  that the seminary should be a theological training ground for church leaders with sole priority given to serving the churches; not to be an institution for the academically elite; (2)  that the theological training provided should be academically challenging; not lacking in quality; (3)  that those providing the education must be committed to the full integrity of the Scriptures and the biblical heritage set forth in the Abstract of Principles (written 1859); not dissuaded from sound doctrine.

Duncan mentions that these three principles were the guiding fundamental principles in the founding of each of our SBC seminaries.  I offer them again as a reminder, lest we forget.  

Facing Their Faces

The prophet Jeremiah lived in dark days.  His nation was largely in rebellion against God and His precepts.  The last thing they wanted to hear was someone declaring that they were wrong before God.  This is exactly what God called Jeremiah to declare.  Jeremiah knew the possible consequences he would face by speaking such an unpopular message, and he knew the fear of facing a rebellious crowd.  God comforted him with these words, “do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you.” (Jer. 1:8)  

Jeremiah became known as the “weeping prophet”.  He wept over the sins of his countrymen.  He wept over the impending judgment of God upon his nation.  But even his tears of sincerity would not turn back the sinful hearts of his friends and neighbors.  He faced their faces with tears in his eyes and pleaded with the people to cease calling that which was good evil, and that which was evil good.  How did Judah respond?  They attempted multiple times to kill him.

Jeremiah preached the importance of true worship instead of false religion.  He called for true social justice according the dictates of God’s word.  He proclaimed the importance of loyalty to God rather than alliances with the world.  Jeremiah’s message still rings true today.

We are a nation that has largely rejected God.  Our countrymen are attempting to offer new and acceptable definitions to those things which God has declared to be sinful.  Our cities and church gatherings are filled with false religion instead of true worship of the Holy One.  We have sought social equality in a way that rejects divine justice.  Our nation has emphasized likeness with the world over loyalty to the one true God.

The great need of the hour in America is people who are willing to stand and speak God’s word prophetically and lovingly.  Blessed be the ones who stand with an open Bible and tears in their eyes as they declare the timeless truth of the immutable God.  May we not be afraid of their faces, for the Lord is with us.  We will be held responsible for our faithfulness to do so and the people will be responsible for how they respond.

Serving Faithfully In Lean Times

I have a special respect for those who continue to serve God in the lean times of life.  It is always easier for us to praise God while standing upon the lofty mountain tops of life but it is the valley where our faith is forged.  It is tempting to think that God changes His will for us every 2-3 years, just when things get rough.  Compared to so many of our faithful brothers and sisters in Christ serving around the world I have experienced great bounty even in my leanest times.  However, ten years of bi-vocational ministry while struggling to make a living, gave me a great appreciation for those who have been willing to say "no" to the things of this world and find their sufficiency in the riches of Christ.

One great example of this type of faithfulness is found in the early years of Southern Seminary.  Amidst the Civil War economic downfall of the southern states in 1865 was a striving faculty of a new seminary hoping to survive.  During one 12 month period the four faithful professors received no fiscal salary and yet they all made a commitment with one another that they would not quit.  Although they were repeatedly offered more prestigious positions (with actual salaries) at other schools and in secular employment, they stayed true to their call.  James Petigru Boyce was urged to accept the presidency of the South Carolina Railroad Company at a yearly salary of $10,000.  I am no expert on computing inflationary values, but I think this would be equivalent to about $400,000 today (or more when considering the deflated economy of the South at that time).  I would have been tempted to justify leaving my position at Southern by thinking about how much financial good I could do with the new salary.  Not Boyce.  He responded, "Thank these gentlemen for me, but tell them I must decline, as I have decided to devote my life, if need be, to building up the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary."

The names Boyce, Broadus, Manly, and Williams live as representations of faith in the lean times of life.  These four professors covenanted together that they would die or the seminary would die, but they would not quit.  And they didn't.  Today SBTS is producing many pastors and missionaries because there once were four men who were willing to serve God faithfully in the lean times of life.  May we do the same.

Faith Built On Feelings Is Not A Good Faith

The Christian faith is not built upon feelings but upon the truth of God as revealed in the Bible.  The Bible is our primary and ultimate source of authority, not our feelings.  What we feel is not to be the determinative factor in forming our decisions.

Recently President Obama spoke out in favor of redefining marriage to include homosexual partners based upon what he feels to be the right thing.  He offered poor scriptural reference by mentioning the golden rule (which I will not address here), while completely ignoring the whole of biblical revelation.  See also my "Open Letter To My Gay Friends" (on this blog) for other appropriate scriptural references on this issue.  There is a deeper issue that needs to be dealt with in this discussion.  It is the issue of  authority.

In an article by USA Today, Bishop Timothy J. Clark of the First Church of God in Columbus, Ohio responded to Obama's declaration with these words, "I believe the statement the president made and his decision was made in good faith.  I am sure because the president is a good man.  I know his decision was made after much thought and consideration and, I'm sure, even prayer."  There are two inherent problems with this statement.  One, that the decision is guided by "thought, consideration, and prayer" rather than the Bible.  Two, that this feeling-based faith is considered "good faith".  It leaves the impression that as long as one is sincere in one's thoughts/feelings and mixes in some prayer then all is well.  This is not a good faith.  The Bible records other such times in history when "each man did what was right in his own eyes."  It did not go so well.

God's leading in the lives of His people never contradicts what He has said in His word.  The Bible is clear regarding the definition of marriage as a covenant between a man and a woman.  Genesis 2 and 3 provide the foundational definition of what marriage is, a relationship ordained by God.  As God is the Creator of marriage, He rightly reserves the authority to provide definition to the relationship.  Others may attempt to redefine marriage, but they are only attempts of vanity, for the definition is forever settled.  Ephesians 5 lucidly describes the marital relationship between a man and his wife.  The Bible is filled with examples of the definition of marriage.  If someone believes that they have the right to attempt to redefine marriage based upon their "thoughts, consideration, and prayer" then they certainly have every right to their opinion.  But be honest, that is not a Christian decision.

Other professors of the Christian faith repeat this same error.  Many who should know better make important decisions based upon their feelings.  The endless quests of "finding God's will for my life" lead to decisions determined by feelings rather than biblical truth.  Where God has spoken in His word, listen and obey.  Remember that only the one who "hears" the word and "does" it is likened to a wise man building upon the rock.  God wants His people to marry believers, be a part of a church that seeks obedience to His word in all things, abhor that which is evil, teach sound doctrine, share the gospel, honor Him with their profession, teach their children the Scriptures, pray as a family, etc.  We don't have to pray about whether or not it is God's will to do these things although we should be praying for the strength and wisdom to do them.

I'm all for knowing and doing God's will.  I just wish we would all realize that His will is found in His word, not our emotions.  This will produce a good faith.

Voice of a Prophet: R.G. Lee

R.G. Lee - He served as president of the Southern Baptist Convention an unprecedented three terms. In his resignation address, Robert Lee stated his firm stand on the Word of God: "You can count on me until my tongue is silent in the grave and until my hand can no longer wield a pen to keep my unalterable stand for the Bible as the inspired, infallible, inerrant Word of God - giving rebuke to and standing in opposition to all enemies of the Bible, even as I have done for 50 years."

The Unnamed Faithful

I am reading Robert Baker's work on Texas Baptist history entitled, "The Blossoming Desert" in which a most amazing account stands out in my mind.  As Christians were faithfully working to spread the gospel across the plains of the new land of Texas there were many great names that arose in the Baptist work.  Men like Byars, Burleson, Buckner, and Carroll accomplished much to start churches and schools to expand the Christian witness.  They won the souls and support of such great men as Bowie, Travis, and Houston.  I admire each of these men but there were many who remain unnamed.

One account is told of a missionary preacher who gave it all for the sake of the gospel.  Texas missionaries faced the threats of Indians, bandits, malaria, yellow fever, and countless other trials.  Since there were few bridges many creeks and rivers had to be crossed in their missionary efforts.  Many times they had the choice of swimming icy creeks during freezing weather or turning back and leaving souls unsaved.

In May, 1849, J.W.D. Creath records the fate of an unnamed preacher who was so determined to preach the gospel at Clarksville that he crossed a frozen creek during an intensely cold winter.  Creath's account of the unnamed man,
"He was found dead in an old house by the roadside frozen.  He attempted to swim the creek in a buggy.  In the effort his horse was drowned, and he fatigued by his exertions to extricate himself from the flood, wet and chilled, turned into this old house, being unable to go further."

I continue to think of the countless unnamed people who have lived with such a burden for the souls of others that they have been willing to extend themselves even unto death so that people would know Jesus.  My prayer is that God would continue to send laborers into the harvest who cherish the words of Jesus, "whoever loses his his life for My sake will find it."  Although many of us will go unnamed in the books of men we know that our names are written in the Book of Life.  When the roll is called up yonder we will be there and hear the great words of our Lord, "well done, good and faithful servant."  Let us work to this end.

The Need For Baptist Churches To Associate

Jimmy Draper once wrote, "America will be reached not with the imposing presence of the superchurch but rather with the association of smaller churches joined together in local Baptist associations to do together what they can never do separately."

The Cooperative Program of the Southern Baptist Convention has been a wonderful tool to expand our missions work across the hills and plains of America as well as the farthest parts of the globe.  State Convention efforts have provided a faithful witness all along the ways of Texas.  But neither of these can provide the intimate fellowship of a local association of churches.  Recently many have developed a mindset that feels our churches can continue to prosper without a local associational relationship.

Let me clarify, by association I do not mean an institutional office residing in a building with a paid staff who develop to perpetuate yet another bureaucracy.  I do realize that someone should be responsible for organizing the tasks that I will set forth and possibly some compensation is in order.  But at this time I simply wish to communicate three reasons for which associating is necessary.

Local and likeminded churches should cooperate for the sake of missions.  We must work together for the sake of starting, supporting, and strengthening churches locally.  Local cooperation is necessary for the sake of educating and supporting our local works both prayerfully and financially.  No other denominational entity can replace this role.  Although conferences and seminaries are wonderful supplemental tools, the laborious journey of church leadership requires local relationships through which pastors and church leaders can sit down and talk to one another and gain from their collective experience and wisdom.  In this relationship we should strive to cooperate and not compete.  Rejoice in God's hand of blessing upon another brother's work instead of feeling threatened by it.  We can combine our resources on the local level to reach our communities for Christ.  The nation will only be changed as our states are transformed and our states will only be transformed as our communities are touched by the good news of Jesus and our communities will only be touched as our churches are faithful to God's Word...together.

Local and likeminded churches should be accountable with one another.  There should be support for one another as pastors and elders.  In this effort we should submit ourselves to one another for the sake of doctrinal accountability.  There was a time in Baptist history that our churches worked to maintain doctrinal accountability in not just their individually autonomous church but also the other neighboring churches.  If a church member was found to be doctrinally aberrant or just plain mad they were not allowed to simply leave and transfer their letter to a church down the road.  They were required to repent and seek reconciliation or their letter was not received because they were not in "good standing" with the sister church they had departed.  If a pastor was guilty of the same he was not allowed to escape without some sort of disciplinary measure.  In our day many appear to cherish autonomy above accountability but even a surface reading of the circulatory letters which now make up our New Testament will surely correct this flawed thinking.  I am suggesting both doctrinal and behavioral accountability through the associating of local churches for this purpose.

Local and likeminded churches have a mutual responsibility to one another.  We should strengthen one another doctrinally, encourage one another prayerfully, and be available to one another relationally.  I know our superchurches have vast resources and in many ways do not feel like they need anyone else for their mission.  But what about their responsibilities to other churches?  I also know that we all get caught up in the demands of daily responsibilities of studying, preaching, and visiting.  But there are thousands around us that we will not reach alone.  Let us strengthen each other with encouragement and personal prayer.  The kind that can only be accomplished by sitting down with others and locking our hands together with bowed hearts, petitioning that the Kingdom of our God may come on earth as it is in Heaven.

Voice of a Southern Baptist Prophet - B.H. Carroll

Speaking to the SBC in 1888:
"When a tree stops growing it begins to die.  When water stops flowing it stagnates, and stagnation is miasma and death.  Aggression is true defence.  The battles that defend our homes should be fought on the frontier and not around our firesides.  You cease to preserve what you have, when you cease to move your fences out.  Push out your work...Go...Carry the tidings...Make baptismal witnesses of the resurrection.  Push for your life as well as others.  Brethren, when God converted me from infidelity, he made me a missionary.  My heart is in it.  May that heart stop its beatings when it fails to love any man from any shore who is a child of God.  In this I have embarked myself, my wife, my children, yea, all that I am and have, and hope to be asking the captain of my salvation to write his name on my brain, and on my hand, and on my heart, and all over me as a possession forever."

Smoothie Recipe

Although this may seem like a departure from my normal posts I am reminded that the spiritual and the physical are inextricably linked.  We are told in Romans 12:1 to "present our bodies a living sacrifice to God."  This recipe is one way that has been helping me as well as others to do just that.  All of my life I have struggled with bronchitis and even a few bouts with pneumonia.  The first year after moving to Stephenville was filled with sinus and respiratory sickness for me and included several rounds of antibiotics.  For the last 6 months I have been drinking this smoothie every morning and I have had no sickness at all.  The protein provided keeps me full until lunch and I have experienced several health benefits.  Since many others have asked for this recipe I thought I would share it on my blog for easy access.  I have experimented much with this drink (and have had to choke down some nasty stuff) but I find this mixture to be very filling and tasty.

- small handful of kale leaves (sometimes substitute broccoli)
- small handful of spinach leaves
- small handful of carrot
- 2 tbsp. goji berries
- 2 tbsp. hemp seed
- 1 tsp. bee pollen (start slow and build up)
- 1 tbsp. local honey
- handful of frozen strawberries (sugar free), sometimes I substitute other fruit mixes
- 3/4 banana
- 8 natural almonds
- every other day I mix in 1/2 tsp. of wheatgrass powder (cut back on other veggies a bit because it is strong tasting)
- 8oz hemp milk
- 8oz organic milk

This makes about a 30 oz shake.  Enough for 2.  Enjoy!

GateWay East Africa Ministries - Uganda Trip July 2012

GateWay East Africa Ministries

April 3, 2012

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

Sifa Mungu!  Praise God!  Here is a list that contains ways that you can be a blessing to the national church leaders in east Africa that are working with GateWay East Africa.  We do not keep any money for administrative costs out of these gifts.  Each dollar given goes directly to the purpose for which it was given.  We ask that you will be praying for us regarding the other expenses needed regarding travel.

• Metal roof including trusses and labor     $1,000 each
• Purchase plot of land for new church     $600 each
• Purchase Bibles in Kirundi language     $7 each
• Sponsor a Pastor for 1 year in Bible College     $250
• Bicycle for a Pastor     $120 each
• Support one Pastor in Burundi     $40 per month
• Rent of land for new church     $50 per year
• Hymnal in Kirundi language     $5 each
• Purchase a goat for Pastor’s family     $35
• Purchase a cow for Pastor’s family     $350

God has been increasing the importance of this ministry and the burden of my heart for the people of east Africa.  Many others have shared with me that God has been doing the same in their heart.  More information will be coming, but for now you can look at GateWay East Africa on Facebook and richmondgoolsby.blogspot.com.  We are committed to continuing to plant new churches in this area of the world and to start Bible colleges to train the national leaders.  We are also praying about taking a medical team for a trip of medical treatment and evangelism to Burundi in the near future.  Please be praying for us and may God bless you as you serve Him.

Grace and Peace, 

Pastor Richmond Goolsby

“And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses,  commit these things to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”    2 Timothy 2:2