Being Involved in International Missions

Last updated on: June 5, 2018 at 11:06 am By Jim Erwin

Being Involved in International Missions “Then He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15, HCSB) I just returned from the annual meeting of the International Baptist Church Ministries (IBCM) at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas this weekend. This organization provides financial support to international English-speaking baptistic churches throughout the world, including churches associated with the International Baptist Convention (IBC). The IBC is involved in planting and... Read more

The Power of Delegation in Leadership

Last updated on: June 5, 2018 at 11:02 am By Jim Erwin

The Power of Delegation in Leadership “But how can I carry, all by myself, your troubles and burdens and quarrels?” (Deuteronomy 1:12, The Message) Moses asked a fundamental question in leadership. When you lead people, people are going to expect to help them with their troubles, burdens, and quarrels. Why? Because there will challenges as you lead people forward, and they will look up to you for answers. The problem is that in order to keep moving people forward... Read more

Luke 8:1-15 The Right Conditions for Balanced Christian Growth

Last updated on: June 2, 2018 at 10:18 pm By Jim Erwin

Luke 8:1-15 The Right Conditions for Balanced Christian Growth Last year, I planted a garden. I thought I had a green thumb. My grandmother Louis had a business growing and selling cactus. My grandmother Loraine planted a garden every year here on the farm. My dad used to plant a garden every year while we were in Texas. So I thought it was in my blood. I was wrong. Here is what happened. There is a plot of land just... Read more

Mark 4:1-20 The FarmVille of Your Soul

Last updated on: June 2, 2018 at 10:12 pm By Jim Erwin

Mark 4:1-20 The FarmVille of Your Soul INTRODUCTION – FarmVille This is the Farmville parable in Jesus’ time. Just like Farmville, you have to plant seeds and then watch them grow and then harvest them. What Jesus talks about in His parable is the types of soil in which the seed will grow. Here are the four soils Jesus describes and then His definition: Road Rocks Weeds Good Soil Interest No Interest Fun Worship Work Purpose Crowd Congregation Committed... Read more

What Difference Does It Make?

Last updated on: June 2, 2018 at 9:06 pm By Jim Erwin

What Difference Does It Make? “But in the end, does it really make a difference what anyone does?” (Ecclesiastes 3:9, The Message) The famous quote in the title refers to Hilary Clinton‘s response to the Senate panel review about the Benghazi United States Embassy attacks which occurred on September 11, 2012. Her point is that instead of complaining about the past and placing blame, the panel should be concerned about how to change the system so that this kind of... Read more

Divorce Is Like a Bloody Amputation

Last updated on: June 2, 2018 at 8:00 pm By Jim Erwin

Divorce Is Like a Bloody Amputation “He answered, “Haven’t you read in your Bible that the Creator originally made man and woman for each other, male and female? And because of this, a man leaves father and mother and is firmly bonded to his wife, becoming one flesh—no longer two bodies but one. Because God created this organic union of the two sexes, no one should desecrate his art by cutting them apart.”” (Matthew 19:4–6, The Message) God tells us... Read more

Live Long and Prosper

Last updated on: June 2, 2018 at 7:39 pm By Jim Erwin

Live Long and Prosper “God bless you and keep you, God smile on you and gift you, God look you full in the face and make you prosper.” (Numbers 6:24–26, The Message) This passage is called the “priestly blessing.” For the longest time, this passage was shared by priests to bless families. The priest gives the blessing using both hands to form the letter “Shin.” (This was the first letter in the Hebrew word “Shaddai” which means Almighty God.) The... Read more

Flowing Justice – The Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. in America

Last updated on: June 2, 2018 at 7:33 pm By Jim Erwin

Flowing Justice – The Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. in America Flowing Justice – The Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. in America “But let justice flow like water, and righteousness, like an unfailing stream.” (Amos 5:24, HCSB) He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetuate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it. — Martin... Read more

Matthew 21:12-17 How to Foster an OPEN Worship Experience

Last updated on: June 2, 2018 at 8:57 pm By Jim Erwin

Matthew 21:12-17 How to Foster an OPEN Worship Experience What were you thinking when you came into this building? What was on your mind when you entered this church? Who are you thinking about when you came in here? Perhaps you thought of the argument you had with your husband or wife before you came. Perhaps you worried about your child’s health before you walked in here. Maybe you thought: “I wonder if someone will say hello to me today.”... Read more

John 8:1-11 What Would Jesus Say to Lance Armstrong

Last updated on: June 2, 2018 at 8:24 pm By Jim Erwin

John 8:1-11 What Would Jesus Say to Lance Armstrong This sermon was inspired by a blog post I created. If you want to see the interview with Oprah, you can find it at that post. How would Jesus deal with Lance Armstrong ““No one, Lord,” she answered. “Neither do I condemn you,” said Jesus. “Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.”” (John 8:11, HCSB) Jesus would restore him (Neither would I condemn you…), Jesus would give him hope (Go…), Jesus... Read more

What Christian group uses the term "Elder" for its church leaders?