An exposition of Matthew 18:21-35. This message by guest preacher Rev. Bowden McElroy was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, June 5, 2011.
... June, 2011
A Wednesday-evening study of the Cross of Christ.
- 06/08/2011: The Centrality of Christ’s Atonement, from 1 Corinthians 2:1-2.
- 06/15/2011: Why Is the Atonement Necessary? from Genesis 18:16-33.
- 06/22/2011: Debtors, Enemies & Criminals.
- 07/06/2011: Slaves, Brides & a Price.
- 07/20/2011: Our Substitute.
- 07/27/2011: The Necessity of the Incarnation.
- 08/10/2011: The Suffering Servant.
- 08/17/2011: Forsaken.
- 08/24/2011: Questions Related to the Topic of the Atonement.
This Sunday is Fathers Day. I was joking the other day with a friend and said, “I didn’t get my dad anything for Fathers Day, he already has everything.” I’m grateful for the knowledge that my dad is in heaven enjoying the presence of the Lord and the glories of eternity and I’m grateful for what he taught me. Billy Sunday is credited with saying, “Give a boy a godly mother and any old stick will do for a dad.” I can appreciate Mr. Sunday’s enthusiasm for mothers but I’m afraid he underestimates dad’s role.
A father sets a standard of manhood for his children. He teaches his sons what it means to be a man and he model’s for his daughter what she should expect from a husband. Dad your role is important and it will have long-term affects on your children and grandchildren. My father was not a perfect man. He was a frail child of dust, broken, flawed yet redeemed. Yes I’ve inherited some of his flaws and added a few of my own. But he taught me unconditional love. He taught me to sacrifice myself for the sake of my family. He taught me the importance of demonstrating, in tangible ways, the value of my children. He taught me the power of “presence,” of love and support. He taught me to stand up for what I believe, even if it is unpopular. He taught me to live by conviction. Most importantly he taught me to love Christ, the Word of God and the church.
I hope and pray that through my own brokenness I’ve been able to pass on those valuable lessons to my own children. Happy Fathers Day. I’ll see you Sunday.
Rod
We got off to a great start last night with our Big Apple Adventure for Vacation Bible School. We’ve got a great group of kids, fantastic workers and a topnotch kitchen crew! This is going to be a good week. Pray that we will see fruit from our labor this week.
Sunday will be a big day as we gather for worship and recognize God’s grace given to our Nation. I know that many have plans for this holiday weekend but I hope that you will join us for worship on Sunday morning July 3. We’ll not have evening service on the 3rd and encourage you to enjoy time with family and friends.
It is important to recognize God’s grace given to us nationally. We are who we are by God’s grace. We’ve enjoyed a place of prominence in world events but that is not because we are entitled. It is not because we are righteous but because of God’s sovereign will and purpose. I’m grateful for the fact that the church and the teachings of Christ have played a dominate role in our history but only the most naïve among us would fail to recognize the landscape has changed. We are well on our way to being a secularized society (if we are not there already). The church’s influence is waning, attendance is in sharp decline and hostility towards our faith is increasing. I love this country. There’s no place I’d rather live but we need a spiritual rebirth. We need a fresh movement of the Spirit of God in our land. That comes not through arrogance or demanding our seat at the table. It comes through humility and repentance. It comes as a result of our crying out to God to be merciful to us. It comes when we understand that God does not need the USA but we are helpless without Him.
I’ll see you Sunday.
Rod
