An exposition of Psalm 75:1-10. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Wednesday evening, November 2, 2011.
... November, 2011
To say, “I’m not a good speller” is one tremendous understatement. When spell check says, “I have no idea what you’re trying to spell” you know you’re in trouble. Dictionaries are no help. Honestly, if you can’t spell how do you look up a word in the dictionary? Thus I find word games frustrating. Rheadon loves to play Words with Friends. For those of you who don’t play, you play Scrabble online with your smart phone. It is frustrating to play a game you are not equipped to play. The game is not very forgiving. It expects you to know how to spell. My problem is when it comes to spelling I agree with Mark Twain, “I have no respect for a man who can only spell a word one way.”
I suppose it is this struggle with trying to do what is so unnatural that keeps interfering with my spiritual life. I’m not naturally forgiving. Or understanding. Or patient. Or prayerful. Or compassionate. Or…well you get the idea. Here is the good news – I don’t have to be any of those things naturally. In fact God knows I’m not. Jesus has even said left to myself I never would be any of those things. He said, “Apart from me you can’t do anything.” He went on to say if I learn to “be at home” in him, I would bear much fruit. In other words I’d learn to be all those things and more by his power and through his enabling. G. Campbell Morgan said, “Living the Christian life is not difficult, it is impossible! There is only one who has ever done it successfully and he does it again and again in you and me.” I find great comfort in that. Now, if only he played Words with Friends.
I’ll see you Sunday.
Rod
On November 16, 2011, Pastor Rod began a Wednesday-evening series from Paul’s epistle to the Philippians.
- 11/16/2011: Being Other-Centered, from Philippians 1:1-11.
- 11/30/2011: It’s a Matter of Perspective, from Philippians 1:12-26
- 12/07/2011: The Demands of Christ-likeness, from Philippians 2:1-11.
- 12/14/ 2011: Joy: the Fruit of God’s Work in You, from Philippians 2:12-16.
- 12/21/2011: The Joy of Knowing Christ, from Philippians 3:1-16.
- 12/28/2011: What Is Your Life Saying, from Philippians 3:17-21. (We’re sorry, but this message was not recorded.)
- 01/04/2012: A Biblical Model for Dealing with Conflict, from Philippians 4:1-5.
- 01/18/2012: A Prescription for Peace, from Philippians 4:6-7.
- 01/25/2012: Peace in the Midst, from Philippians 4:8-9.
- 02/01/2012: Resting in God’s Gracious Provision, from Philippians 4:10-19.
This past Sunday we began our emphasis on the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. Our International Mission Board currently has 4,887 field personnel under appointment. We are engage with 763 people groups. That’s exciting and we praise God for what we are doing together through the work of the Southern Baptist Convention. In 2010 we baptized 360,879 and started 29,237 new churches! However, there are 3,629 unreached people groups. These are people who have no meaningful contact with the Gospel. The need is great.
For the first time in our history we have more personnel trained and ready to go then we have money to send. The need is great. How important is the Lottie Moon Offering? 57% of the IMB’s budget is provided by this offering. The need is great.
What can you do? You can pray, you can give and you can go. We are engaged in a spiritual battle for the souls of men. Such a battle demands that we pray. Pray that God will continue to open doors of opportunity. Pray that missionaries will have the courage and boldness to speak. Pray that God will protect those who serve. Pray for the freedom of the Gospel around the world.
You can give. Your gift to the Lottie Moon Offering goes directly to mission efforts around the world. Your gift helps to keep a missionary on the field. Your gift provides much needed supplies. Your gift helps to feed a village. Your gift puts the Bible in the language of the people. Your gift brings light into the darkness.
You can go. God is still calling for laborers to enter the harvest. Perhaps He is calling you. At a time when money is scarce it may be that you can go as a volunteer for a week, 2 weeks, 6 months a year? The need is great.
As you plan your Christmas giving why not make an eternal investment? Give generously to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. I’ll see you Sunday.
Rod
