The Oak Ridge Boys Elvira

Enjoying a little "Elvira" at the Kentucky State Fair last night! Giddy up!

Bryan's Baptism Story

This past Sunday, I showed this video of a PCC member talking about the difference Jesus has made in his life. I love these baptism stories!

Baptism: What's the Big Deal?

This Sunday morning, we're going to talk about the purpose and importance of baptism. No doubt that baptism is an emotional topic for many people. There are so many opinions about baptism, depending upon one's religious background and tradition. Our goal for this Sunday is to simply unpack what the Bible says about baptism. Because ultimately, it doesn't matter what we think or what church tradition thinks. It's all about what the Bible says.

As we gear up for this Sunday, I thought I'd post some FAQ about baptism. You'll have to come this Sunday for further explanation :)

BAPTISM FAQ

WHY BE BAPTIZED?

1. Because you want to follow Christ’s example.

Mark 1:9
At that time Jesus came from Nazareth and was baptized by John in the river.

2. Because Christ commanded it. (Matthew 28:19)


WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BAPTISM?

1. It is a symbol of Christ’s burial and resurrection.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4
Christ died for our sins…he was buried…and he rose again.

Colossians 2:12
For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ.

2. It is a symbol of your new life as a Christian. Baptism is the outward symbol of the commitment you made in your heart.

2 Corinthians 5:17
What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!

Romans 6:4
By our baptism then we were buried with Him and shared His death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead also we might live a new life!


WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?

Every person who has made the decision to believe and commit their lives to Christ.

Acts 2:41
Those who believed and accepted His message were baptized.

Acts 8:13
Simon himself believed and was baptized.


HOW ARE WE TO BE BAPTIZED?

1. Like Jesus was baptized—by being immersed in water.

Matthew 3:16
As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water.

2. Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion under water.

EXAMPLE:
Acts 8:38-39
Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water…

3. The word “baptize” (the Greek word “baptizo”) literally means “to dip, to plunge.”

4. It is the best way to picture a burial and resurrection.


WHEN ARE WE TO BE BAPTIZED?

As soon as you have believed! You shouldn’t delay.

Acts 2:41
Those who believed…were baptized…that day!

5 Fearsome Facts of Christianity

My wife and I host a Community Group (small group Bible study) at our house every week. Currently, we are reading through a study by Ed Young, Jr. called "I Need to Change." Tonight's topic is VERY interesting as he offers what he says are "The Five Fearsome Facts of Christianity." All 5 facts go against culture, but all 5 facts go with what Jesus said clearly. I just thought I'd list these 5 facts below, along with the words of Jesus on which they are based. If a few of these facts make you a little uncomfortable, that's okay. A lot of what Jesus says causes a little discomfort.

FACT #1 > Not everyone is going to heaven.
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"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew 7:13-14)

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FACT #2 > More people will go to hell than heaven.

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Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)

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FACT #3 > Many who think they are Christians aren't.

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"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' " (Matthew 7:21-23)

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FACT #4 > You will not get another opportunity after you die.

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Each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment. (Hebrews 9:27)

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FACT #5 > This could be your last chance.

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"When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. You will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Lord, open the door for us!’ But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ " (Luke 13:25)

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These facts/truths would sound pretty arrogant if they came from you or me. But they didn't. These facts are from the mouth of God Himself. Our response to these facts has eternal implications. What's so amazing about God is that He offers eternal life while there's still time:

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"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

Obvious Living

Obvious, adj. > easily perceived or understood; quite apparent

Yesterday, I showed a video about a couple with two young children (one newborn) who recently decided to leave the comfort of home and move to Indonesia. Why would they want to do that? Well, for them it is a matter of fulfilling God's purpose for their lives: showing and sharing the love of Christ with those who are not yet followers of Christ. In the video, this young couple said something that I found very thought-provoking:

"We need to live our lives in such a way that demands an explanation."

What they mean is that we (Christ-followers) ought to be so in love with Jesus that our lives are radically different from those who do not yet know Jesus. In other words, our neighbors, co-workers, friends, and family members should notice something obviously different about us--about the way we spend our time and money, about the way we talk, and about the way we love others. And noticing this OBVIOUS difference in our lives, they should be inspired to ask: What's so different about you? Why are you so crazy about this Jesus guy?

I hate to admit it, but I'm just not sure I'm obvious enough. If I were to interview my neighbors or friends, I'm not confident they would call me a radical, crazy, sold-out follower of Christ. Sure, they might say I was a good guy or a nice neighbor. But following Christ goes way beyond the good guy or nice neighbor kind of living. The world desperately needs to see unmistakable Christ-followers, followers who OBVIOUSLY love God, love the church, and love the people around them. God, give me the desire and the courage to be more obvious.

To see the video I showed yesterday, go to http://www.cornerstonesimi.com/special/media_player.html and view the message by Francis Chan titled "What Do You Need in Order to Be Happy?"

Hudson Comes Home

After almost 5 weeks in the NICU at Baptist Hospital, Hudson Thomas O'Neal comes home for the first time! We are so thankful for all the prayers!

4 Types of Fathers

Father’s Day is only a few days away. I’ve only been a father for a little over a year now, but I find myself asking: “What type of father am I?” I think it’s healthy for me or any father to ask this question periodically.

According to Jesus, there are 4 types of fathers:

(1) The Indifferent Father (see Luke 8:12)—The indifferent father is a father who is not really open to hearing the truth about Jesus Christ. This father would rather not think about God or the implications of becoming a Christ-follower. Unfortunately, this father’s unbelief is what is keeping him from being forgiven and having a relationship with the God who created him.

(2) The Intellectual Father (see Luke 8:13)—The intellectual father is a father who is open to hearing the truth about Jesus Christ. He professes to follow Christ at first, but his shallow faith proves to be merely intellectual. Sadly, his unwillingness to love Jesus Christ with all his heart prevents him from becoming an authentic Christian. Growing up in a church-saturated country, many American fathers fall into this camp. They say they believe in God and Jesus. They are even open to attending church. But when the storms of life hit, or a test of faith comes, they ultimately bail on Christ and His church.

(3) The Interested Father—Jesus says that these fathers appear to be very interested in hearing the truth about Jesus Christ. Eventually, however, they are distracted by “the cares and riches and pleasures of life” (Luke 8:14). The interested father looks very similar to the intellectual father. Both profess to be genuine Christians. Both lack a radical commitment to Christ. For the interested father, it’s not necessarily the problems or trials in life that turn him away from God. It’s actually the “riches and pleasures of life.” In other words, this father’s commitment to this world (money, comfort, work, sports, family, etc.) prevent him from becoming committed to Christ.

(4) The Sold-Out Father—This father not only professes to know Jesus Christ, he actually proves by his actions that he is sold-out to Jesus. The sold-out father loves the Bible and lives under its authority. He loves the local church and serves others faithfully. The sold-out father is truly “born-again,” meaning that he has been forever changed by God from the inside out. Knowing that there is a cost to following Jesus, the sold-out father still decides to surrender every area of his life to Jesus. A favorite Bible verse of the sold-out father might be 2 Corinthians 5:15: “He [Christ] died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.”

So the question for you and for me is: What type of father am I? This question is important to answer because the type of father you are determines how you treat your wife, how you raise your children, and how you conduct every other arena of life. The type of father you are also indicates whether or not you have eternal life. Out of the four types, only the sold-out father is the real deal. The others are false and fake. I don’t want to be a false or fake father, do you?

No matter what type of father you are right now, the great news is that God loves you and is willing to forgive you and give you a fresh start in life. All you have to do is trust Him with your entire life. And if you do, be prepared to be blown away by your Heavenly Father’s care for you. There is no earthly father that compares to Him.

Go to www.juststopandthink.com for more info about what it really means to become a Christ-follower.