By Philip Timothy, Message Managing Editor LAFAYETTE – His presidency was defined by challenges but tempered by encouragement. Through it all, though, he led the way by example. Over the last two years, Steve Horn, pastor of First Baptist Church of Lafayette, faithfully served Louisiana Baptists as president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention in which he faced significant cultural and financial challenges. But in typical Horn fashion he took each one head on relying on God’s Holy Word and providence. His term officially ended at the LBC’s 168th annual meeting Nov. 10th. “I want to first of all to say thank you Louisiana Baptists for allowing me to serve these last two years,” said Horn. “The greatest blessing I received during this time has been strengthened relationships and some new relationships. “I also want to say thank you for responding to the challenges facing our convention, our state and our country,” he continued. “Many of you responded to my challenge to come and pray with me corporately and individually in 2014. “In 2015, you once again responded by taking ‘The Pledge’ toward increasing giving to the Cooperative Program,” said Horn. “I look with great anticipation to see how God blesses your renewed … [Read more...]
Home for Christmas: Siblings find ‘forever family’
By Robin Cornetet, Kentucky Baptist Convention SHEPHERDSVILLE, Ky. (BP) -- Sam and Stephanie Patterson's long and emotional quest to become parents was finally realized last December when they adopted four young siblings through foster care. "It feels like the greatest Christmas present we could have ever received," Stephanie said of her and her husband's journey. Dec. 18 marks the first anniversary of the adoption of Carrie, now 12, Carissa, 8, Austin, 4, and 3-year-old Kali. The children lived in the Pattersons' home for more than a year while waiting for the Commonwealth of Kentucky to make it official. "We will celebrate that day [Dec. 18] every year in some way," said Stephanie, a music ministry associate at Little Flock Baptist Church in Shepherdsville, Ky. "It's the day they became Pattersons, the day they became part of our forever family and everything was final." The Pattersons' pursuit of parenthood was a rocky one, as the couple struggled with infertility for 10 years. Sam sensed God opening his heart to adoption in watching "the compassion my brother had with his two adopted sons." "The challenges are there, yes, but the rewards are beyond compare." Kentucky's Cabinet for Health and Family … [Read more...]
Your Christmas Eve message
By Joe McKeever A pastor’s Christmas Eve message will have a flavor all its own. Because of the relaxed nature of the evening, the sermon is often directed toward the child in all of us. Hence, the following…. My friend Annette loves to pass along to me her assignments. Her Mississippi church frequently invites her to give a talk on this or that, and she messages for my take on that subject. She uses nothing I do verbatim, but I suspect some of my responses provokes creative ideas in her. Some of the most interesting pieces on our website were instigated by Annette. The other day her message said, “I have to explain the Christmas story to children ages 4-11 in my church. Help!” I began by assuring her that I am not the best one to ask about this. I’m fast approaching birthday number 75 and my youngest grandchild becomes a teenager in February. Furthermore, women explain things to children better than men do. But always eager to assist, I jotted down a few thoughts for her. And that’s when something occurred to me. All the people sitting before the pastor on Christmas Eve will be children. Some will be old children, with white heads (or bald ones), while others will be younger parents and adult singles. … [Read more...]
The Good Shepherd cares for all people
By Billy Graham On that first Christmas night, the angels appeared to shepherds on a hill near Bethlehem. Alfred Edersheim, the great 19th-century Jewish-Christian scholar, wrote in his book The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah that the shepherds and the sheep to whom the angels appeared near Bethlehem were no ordinary shepherds and sheep. The sheep were those bound for the temple sacrifices. The shepherds were outcasts because of their necessary isolation from religious ordinances. And their manner of life rendered legal observances unlikely, if not absolutely impossible. How wonderful that in God’s wisdom and love the angels should appear to them—the doomed and the outcast—that night. Today we can declare to the world that the Good Shepherd cares for all people and wants to give them peace. Christ came on that first Christmas for one great purpose—to die on the cross for our sins. Now God offers forgiveness, inner peace, and eternal life to all who will repent and believe in His Son. This is the Christmas message! Do you know people who need to hear about God’s love and forgiveness? Will you share the true Christmas message with them this year? … [Read more...]
Christmas: to receive is to give
FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) - This poignant beatitude from the lips of Jesus is so typical of the Savior -- "... and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive'" (Acts 20:35). Though not found in the four Gospels, its spirit is seen in Luke 6:38: "Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure -- pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return." These words represent the heart of the Lord with marvelous clarity. Although the greater blessing lies in the right kind of giving, the implication is that to receive is also blessed. The whole ministry of the Lord was wrapped up in giving, and the glory of the Gospel is its testimony to the unfolding of God's gift to man. GIVING & RECEIVING How often have you given or tried to give in a spirit of love and compassion only to be rejected or ignored? There is nothing that cuts so deeply and leaves an ache so painful as spurned giving -- whether it be an object carefully chosen or a deed lovingly planned. Surely God has designed that the receiving of a gift or ministry is a vehicle that will also bless the receiver … [Read more...]
Responding to God’s call
By Billy Graham We’re given just a little glimpse of Mary and Joseph before Jesus was born. They lived in the hill country of Galilee. Joseph was a religious man. Mary gives every evidence of having a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures, even though she was a teenager. The Bible teaches that God was so pleased with her that He chose her to be the mother of Jesus. Mary and Joseph weren’t married, and yet Mary became pregnant. I’ve often put myself in Joseph’s place— imagined his thoughts, his aspirations about the girl to whom he was engaged. But Joseph decided to break the engagement privately. While he was thinking about these things, God’s angel appeared to him in a dream to give Joseph an explanation of the situation. All Joseph’s suspicions were put away. He accepted what God had said through the angel, and he was immediately married to Mary. Both Joseph and Mary followed the call and plan of God, and through their obedience the way was prepared for Christ to come and bless us. Are you seeking to follow God’s call on your life? Are you actively responding to Him? … [Read more...]
Trinity Baptist-affiliated school giving adults brighter future
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – A high school for adults age 19 and older operated by a Louisiana Baptist church has received state approval to operate as a non-public school. The move now allows students to take advantage of financial aid that was not available before this year and positions the school for a brighter future, school leaders say. “It’s a ministry for us,” said Dan Davis, director of the year-round school. “There is a need and I believe if there is a need, there’s a ministry. There’s a need to give adults a chance at an alternative to the GED program. Plus, we’re giving them the gospel.” Located at Trinity Baptist Church in Pineville, the year-round school allows students who lack anywhere from a few credits to a few years of high school to attend classes and take a test to earn their high school degree. The school charges a maximum tuition of $665 for the entirety a student is enrolled. A new student can enroll every eight weeks. Two years after opening its doors, Trinity High School saw the first graduates in 2005. The school has been operating as a Christian accredited entity but in June received non-public school approval by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary … [Read more...]
Christmas: it changes everything
By Michael Duduit ANDERSON, S.C. (BP) - It's that time of year again, when we put trees inside our houses, make strange egg-flavored drinks we'd never consume any other time of the year, and spend hours we don't have buying gifts we can't afford for people who will exchange them for something they really wanted. Welcome to Christmas! A Pew Research survey in 2013 found that 96 percent of Americans still celebrate Christmas. What may be more surprising is that only about half of all Americans still considered Christmas to be primarily a religious holiday; about one out of every three considered it essentially a cultural celebration with no religious meaning. So when you hear about the war on Christmas, that's only half right. The war isn't on Christmas; it's a war on identifying Christmas with Jesus. But even among people of faith, there's a lot of confusion about Christmas. We tend to fit Christmas into our own romantic pictures of the season, with chestnuts roasting on an open fire, home for the holidays and a picturesque nativity scene. No wonder the culture tries to draw us into this consumer-driven celebration, because the real picture is far more dangerous, far more revolutionary. If we understand what God has … [Read more...]
First days of Jesus’ life explored
By David Roach, Baptist Press NASHVILLE (BP) - Everyone knows the biblical Christmas story, with Mary riding on a donkey, an innkeeper turning away Mary and Joseph, animals surrounding the Christ child and three wise men visiting Jesus on the night of His birth. Or do they? It may come as a surprise to some that none of these elements are included in the two scriptural accounts of Jesus' birth in Matthew and Luke -- though they commonly are featured in Christmas pageants. In "The First Days of Jesus," published this year by Crossway, two authors with Southern Baptist ties urge believers to separate fact from fiction through "a careful reading of the New Testament infancy narratives in their historical context." Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary professor Andreas Köstenberger and Southeastern Ph.D. graduate Alexander Stewart argue such a reading will help Christians "clear away the brush so [they] can truly encounter and be changed by the Christ of Christmas." The authors analyze the birth narratives in Matthew and Luke as well as the theological presentation of Jesus' incarnation in John. They also propose a harmonization of the narratives in Matthew and Luke to refute critics who erroneously claim the … [Read more...]
Why was Jesus’ birth so important?
By Billy Graham All Christians look forward to celebrating Christ’s birth during this season of the year. Why was Jesus’ birth so important? The reason is because slightly over 2,000 years ago, God stooped down from Heaven and became a human being: Jesus Christ. As the Bible says, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” — John 1:14, NIV Think of it: God became a man! He did it because He loves us—and that’s what we should celebrate as Christmas approaches. Week One: November 29—December 5 Read Isaiah 9:6 — In this Scripture we find the message and meaning of Christmas. Isaiah the prophet gave five awe-inspiring names of our Lord that encourage us, thrill us, and fill us with hope at this Christmas season. Wonderful. When He did His many miracles, the Scripture says, “The people wondered” (Luke 11:14, KJV). Counselor. The people said, “No one ever spoke the way this man does” (John 7:46, NIV). The Mighty God. He is the God-Man. He said that He and the Father are one (John 10:30). The Everlasting Father. It was by Him, the living Word, that all things were created. He is the designer of the whole universe (John 1:3; Hebrews 11:3). The Prince of Peace. There will never be lasting peace on … [Read more...]
