Preaching @ Auburndale Baptist: Psalms 51

It was a privilage, honor, & joy to finally preach for the first time at my home church in Louisville, KY. It was the first time my pastor, my family & friends have ever heard me in a formal setting at our Sunday night service. My text was Psalms 51 & my sermon was titled "True Repentance".... my goal was to explain what repentance means, why we must repent to be saved, & what true repentance looks like in a believer's life.

Before I got to examples of true repentance in a believer's life from Psalms 51, I wanted to clearly present one of the greatest problems in the Bible. That is: how can God uphold justice & still forgive guilty sinners (David & us)? Many know the story of David & Bathsheba... full of lust, adultery, decite, murder, shame, etc. Well then how can God be a just judge & just forgive David as if He is letting David go unpunished? And of course, sins will not go unpunished.... God is just and God is love! He has made a way for sinners to be forgiven, sins to be punished, & justice to be upheld: It is through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus fulfilled all righteousness & the law by living a sinless life & then died on a cross to pay our sinful debt to God the Father. We, as rebels, have broken God's law but Jesus removed God's wrath against our sin by stepping in to take our punishment for us.... Amazing grace: Jesus took our bullet, our death sentence, the judge stepped down to take our prision sentence! This is how God is just & yet justifer the one who has faith in Christ.

As I took the pulpit-though I was armed with prayer, hours of study, & a burden from God... it was extremely surreal looking out at all the faces of my life. I saw the lost, faithful brothers & sisters in Christ, mentors & friends I have witnessed too...all in expectation to hear what I would say. But I knew no words of mine, no eloquence, no pleading, nothing could save a single soul or geniuenly encourage a believer unless the Holy Spirit opened hearts. But I feel like the Holy Spirit blessed our time as the gospel was preached & the call for repentance & faith made & I know God's Word will take root in hearts. I encourage you to listen to this sermon if you get a chance. To God be all the glory, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to recieve the reward for his suffering.

Reflecting on recent Evangelism @ Southland

Recently I had the opportunity to share the gospel at a large sports banquet for Southland Christian Church. My coach informed me on the opportunity and I was all over it. Hey, 'we got one life to live that soon will pass & only whats done for Christ will last' right? I really prayed & prepared for this opportunity knowing I would get to share the gospel with who knows how many souls? Southland Christian is a huge mega church so I figured there would be a great turnout for this event. The director of this event was great, he gave me alot of freedom to speak what was on my heart (the gospel) and was very encouraging.

Game Day:
After practice I cleaned up & took Amanda with me to the church...my coach & teammate (T.J.) came as well for support. Amanda was getting nervous for me because alot of people started pouring in...I've never spoken to a crowd bigger than maybe 50...and by the time the banquet started there could of easily been over 400 people. Wow!!! what an opportunity to exalt Christ through the preaching of His Gospel. The banquet was pretty creative, it was set up like the NBA Draft for the kids involved and Southland had it all....announcers, highlight videos, a commissioner, you name it.

Tip Off:
Before you know it I was called up to the podium, but it was now a pulpit for me. I was pretty nervous, I mean I love preaching the gospel with all my heart but I'm still a weak, broken, flawed vessel who has no power unless the Lord blesses my words. So what was my message, my goal, my method??? Just to humbly & boldly preach Jesus Christ crucified & resurrected. I used a basketball analogy to grip the audience's attention & just went right into the 'ground work' for the gospel. The ground work is explaining the question before I give the answer.

You see, most Christians are quick to say 'Jesus is the answer' but a lost sinner doesn't even know what the question is. Christians say turn to Jesus but the unregenerate they're not that bad & would say 'I didn't even know I had to turn, I'm content of going my way.' Christian brothers & sisters we need to take our zeal for the gospel & use the evangelism methods of the ultimate evangelist, Jesus Christ. His method striped a sinner of their self-righteousness and exposed their sinfulness before a holy God. How did Jesus & the apostles do this? Simple, take them through God's law (10 commandments) and help sinners see their sin & understand how hopeless they are before God's righteous judgment....Then they'll see their need for grace, and a Savior from the wrath to come.

Now it is time to offer the free gift of Salvation that comes through Jesus Christ. He alone fulfilled God's righteous requirements by living a sinless life and then amazingly died on a Cross in our place as a sacrifice for our sins. 3 days later He rose from the grave as a victorious Savior over sin & death. We have rebelled and God commands us to repent & put our trust in Christ. Sins will be punished, either we will pay for our sins in hell or we will have Christ pay for our sins on the cross.

Needless to say everything went great & I could see in the eyes of many in the audience that they were taking in this message. I only pray that God gave them ears to hear & the eyes of their hearts see the glory of Christ. A few men in leadership at Southland came up to me and said they really appreciated the clear explaination of the gospel. What more could a soul want or need? We were created to glory in God & be enthralled by his love. Christ has done the work for us to be reconciled back to God. What can the world offer us? Money, fame, possessions, praise? Its all empty & it will only last for a vapor of time & then its gone. Joy in God is ever increasing & will satisfy for all of eternity!!! God offers Himself as our supreme treasure...God demands that we have what will bring us the most joy & happiness forever......Himself!

Sharing the gospel with middle school squad

One thing I love about Asbury College is the freedom to talk about the Lord and its not awkward....usually. Being at a conservative Christian college that emphasises holiness has been encouraging in my evangelism efforts. Today I had another privilege to lift up Christ and share His gospel. A former Asbury basketball player brought his middle school basketball team to our game tonight. A few hours before tip off me, my coach, and another teammate had a chance to meet these young people, encourage them, tell them about Asbury, and most importantly share the gospel.

My teammate Daniel spoke first, he talked about utilizing the simple gifts God has given us to be the best we can be. Daniel is a great teammate and that is saying alot in a generation of selfish players. Then I spoke with a bible in one hand and basketball in the other. I started with Col. 3:23 "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men." I grew up playing with & against some great ball players in Louisville, but the best would have to be Rajon Rondo. He's the starting point guard for the Boston Celtics and we grew up playing with or aganist each other from church league, YMCA, middle school, high school, and even won an AAU state championship together. I realized at a young age that I was never going to be as athletic as Rajon so I'd have to work very hard and become as skilled a player as I could to compete at a high level. Working hard is rewarding & a must in life but to work hard as unto the Lord rather than men is the prime objective. God alone deserves the glory and its His favor and blessing that one must truly have when its all said in done.

I then took my bible and showed them how I had exchanged God's Word for a basketball when I was their age (12-14 yr old). Basketball is a blessing but not the reason for our existence...in the end the most important thing is if we have a right relationship with God. To hammer this home I scanned the room & asked, "Did anyone see how many points Michael Jordan scored last night?"....their faces seemed blank & confused....I answered, "Of course you didn't, MJ doesn't play anymore because he is to old now"....the kids smile back...I then ask, "Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points in a game once but did anyone see how many points he had last night?"...blank looks again...I answer back, "You didn't see Wilt Chamberlain score last night because he's dead".....now I'm getting sober looks from these kids with pin drop silence.

I said this to bring to light the fact that we're all going to die one day and have to stand before a holy God and give an account for our lives. Basketball won't really matter on this day, all that will matter is if we are right with God. These kids may be young, but they're old enough to sin and they're old enough to die and I care about them & their souls. Life is but a vapor, yesterday I was in their shoes and tomorrow I'll have grandchildren (Lord willing). I then guided them through the standard of God's law (10 commandments) to show them their need for a Savior. Explained sin, God's justice and why we deserve nothing but a place in hell. All this was to bring forth the glory of Christ our only Savior who takes away the sin of the world!!!

As I was unpacking the gospel and explaining all that Christ accomplished on the cross I was encouraged to see a young girl in the back nodding her head as if the light bulb had come on. I finished with the power of Christ's resurrection and the command to repent & trust in Jesus for Salvation with a new heart. These kids were very attentive and that's all I could hope for when sharing the good news. There is no feeling like sharing the gospel, its like beginning born again & again....it reminds us of the miracle of our own conversion. Lord I praise You for Your loving kindness toward sinners, glorify Your great name by saving those who heard Your gospel today. Amen

Winter Storms glorify God

The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge. -Psalms 19:1-2






Over the last week we have experienced an amazing winter storm. Its just been freezing weather, power outage, falling tree branches, snow, ice, ice and more ice. Through all this I have tried to enjoy the beauty of God's power in creation. On my way to the gym or class I have seen some of the most beautiful and breathtaking views I have ever witnessed. Massive ice sickles hanging from power lines, frozen trees sparkling with thick ice, and a soft canvas of snow covering the ground.... these are just a few of the glories of God's hand.

I pray that this winter storm only points believers to love, adore, fear, and worship God even more. To be in awe of His power, creativity, and his transcendent nature that makes us finite humans lay our hands over our mouths in reverence of the only One worthy to be praised. May we give glory to God...not sleding, not frosty the snow man, not days off from school, not snowball fights. These are fun & can be blessings but may we treasure God and see His beauty in all that He reveals to us.

Dear Father, be merciful to me a sinner. Thank you for your love and patience through Christ. You truly are long suffering and full of lovingkindness...You not only give rain to the just and the unjust....you also give snow. To You belongs the glory. Amen.

Home for the holidays...or better yet CHRISTmas!!! I am truly blessed, my wife and I are back home for a week to enjoy family, great food, relaxation and even gifts. But as a follower of Christ I am on guard and aware of all the idolatry and silly things that are done in the name of Christmas that bring empty satisfaction and false hope. I'm not trying to put coal in anyone's stalkings but I'm so grieved that everything seems to get glory around Christmas except Christ. Santa, the mall, wrapping paper, football, food, Christmas trees, etc. all of it seems to get more attention and adoration this time of year than Christ Himself! Is not this Savior who came to save His people from their sins (Mt. 1:21) the reason for the season?

Sure the world will ignore Christ, this babe in a manger who would soon call men to repent and follow Him. But even the church in America seems hypnotized by rampid materialism and a fat jolly myth who lives upon parent's lies and stealing God's glory. Santa works for Jesus, and he was once a saint who would be appauled at what his story has become. I am a pilgrim who journey's through this world until I am at home with Christ. May Christ get the glory on Christmas in the hearts of His people whom He has redeemed with his very blood.

I pray that my heart is kept from loving this world or anything else for that matter anywhere close to my passion and love for Christ. I don't want to waste my life, or my marriage, my abilities, opportunities, holiday, or money on anything. But Lord, may all that you give me to stewart be used to bring glory to your awesome name!

Speaking at 'Fields of Faith' event

The FCA (fellowship of Christian Athletes) held a nation wide event on many college athletic fields recently called 'Fields of Faith'. College students gathered to tell their testimonies, worship, and pray. I had the privilage to be one of the speakers and this is how it went down.

I know I go to a Christian college but this one of the most dangerous places to be for 'good kids who aren't saved but think they're saved'. On top of that, the staff talks to every student as if they're a Christian....but what if they aren't a Christian? What if their superficial and they've never recieved a new heart and biblically repented? Jesus is the one who told us that very few people who call themselves believers actually enter through the narrow gate and walk on hard path that leads to eternal life. Most are decieved... I was decieved most of my life so I know first hand that its hard to see when you're blind. So I wanted to make the most of this opportunity and be faithful to God.

I incorported verses from Matthew 7 into my testimony. I wanted people to see how we can decieve ourselves into thinking we're saved by being around believers or knowing orthodox creeds but never really examine our hearts in light of Scripture. Mt. 7:21-23 states a terrifying fact, many people who call Jesus their Lord will die and think they're right with God and on their way to heaven but will be rejected and sent to hell! Why? Because only those who do the will of God will be saved. ITS NOT WHAT YOU SAY, ITS WHAT YOU DO,HOW YOU LIVE, AND WHAT YOU'RE REALLY TRUSTING IN! So if so many people are decieved how can we know we're not one of them?

We must examine our lives, what we desire, and see our fruits we produce to be able to know what kind of tree we are. In Mt. 7:16-21, Jesus lays out a way for us to test ourselves, by looking at our fruit. All the lost (including self-decieved false Christians) are bad trees who only produce bad fruit. Refering to a unregenerate heart that loves sin and is a slave to sin. Their fruit is evil, sinful, and self-righteous with no self denial and following after Christ. Out of this heart they may be able to fool themselves and other people but they're fruit isn't out of love for Christ or to the glory of God. They're trusting in all the they're deeds and things they've done in ministry rather than in the atonement of Christ alone. But Christians are good trees bearing good fruit as a style of life. Christians still sin and mess up but they're greatest desire is to be like Christ and to know Him. So they are constantly battling sin, overcoming, and denying themselves the fleeting pleasures of the world to follow Christ.

I closed with a plea to abandon any reliance on self or their good deeds. Only those who see themselves as hopelessly lost sinners will ever be saved. Only those who admit their guilt in killing Christ on the cross by their sin will ever recieve the grace it exhibits. Only the few who know they're sick will ever get the desire to seek healing from the doctor (Christ). So I finished with a call to repent and believe the gospel, don't decieve yourselves.

Lifting up Christ at Northpoint prison!!!!

After a passionate pursuit to know & treasure Christ, preaching the gospel is the greatest most satisfying blessing this side of heaven. I've shared the gospel many places and with many people but I've never had the opportunity to go into a high security prison and preach the gospel. That was until the Lord used basketball to open a door for his glory. On tues. I played a pre-season game with my team (Asbury) against Northpoint prison. The whole experience was awesome.

ENTER THROUGH THE PRISON GATE
It was pretty intimidating when we arrived. We went through many barb wired fences, checkpoints, and met cool correction officers. As we walked through the courtyard to the gym we received lazier stares and comments from prisoners. When we entered the gym it was loud, hostile and packed......I loved it. The court was caged in so imagine a cross between nba jam and street fighter. The prison team consisted of hyped-up, athletic brothers ready to throw down.....this was going to be fun.

THE GAME
I prayed over the game and then we tipped off. We came out hot and got the prisoner's in the gym all hyped up...(I was talking a little bit to the crowd but it was all in fun). The game was fast and intense, lots 3's, lots of cross overs, lots of nice moves, and one sweet dunk by Jordan Hammond. We had the game but it slipped away in the final minutes as the prison beat us 98-94. Our guys never backed down but it was all in the Lord's hands. If we would have won those prisoner's would have been fighting & cursing each other out. They would have never listened to me share the gospel. Both teams gathered together as my Coach said a few words and then handed it over to me.

THE GOSPEL
I knew I only had one shot with these guys and wanted to glorify God and lovingly speak eternal truths to these men who need hope. So I trusted in Christ that he would make himself known to the prisoners and my team through a broken and unworthy vessel. I wanted these guys to consider their soul and its worth and view themselves in light of God's standards not mans. I let them know we're all in the same boat, we're all in a prison waiting to die and stand before God in judgment. That this judgment would be of righteousness and that God will punish every sin and not accept anything less than perfect.
So I took them through God's law to expose our sinfulness, the filth that's hidden deep in our hearts that will leave us condemned and hopeless. The prisoner's minds really started turning when i said 10 out of 10 people die and we're all going to have to face this judgment. our only hope is that the God who will judge us would be the same one who show us mercy and provides a Savior to rescue us from the wrath we deserve. I then unfolded the glorious gospel, that Christ was the sinless man who died to as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. To pay the penalty we deserve and than grant us his righteousness through faith. Repent and believe the gospel.
The prisoners really embraced me afterwards, they said they'd be discussing what i said with each other. One guy said he was going to be reading his bible and I encouraged him to trust in the person and work of Christ for sinners not in what he is going to try to do in his own will power.
It was an amazing experience, I know I'm unworthy to speak of Christ but I'm so humbled to think God may of used me to draw some struggling men to himself. I hope to see some of those guys one day in heaven.


Here's a link to an article written in the jessamine journal about this event: "RAZOR WIRE, BASKETBALL AND FAITH"