Day 2 - Light in the Darkness

Read: John 1:4-5; Genesis 1:3; 1:27-31; 2:15-17 & 3:1-19

As a boy, I remember hearing my great-grandfather talk about life before electricity. Kerosene lanterns and candles were essential. People would wake long before dawn so they could make use of every minute of daylight, and everything ended before sunset so people could get safely home.

We live in a very different world today. The availability of electricity and the light it produces is taken for granted. We no longer fear the dark because we are seldom faced with it. Flip a switch and darkness flees. Flood the streets with lights and there is no reason to go home early. We don't value the light of day because we can easily make our own. That is until a storm comes and the power goes out. Then we are confronted with the reality of darkness and our powerlessness against it. Suddenly, we fear the darkness and the dark intent of those who lurk within it.

After the creation of the heavens and the earth, God’s first order of business was to turn the lights on. He dispelled the darkness by creating light even before creating the sun. The first words the Bible records from God are, “Let there be light.” (Genesis. 1:3) John picks up on this in the opening of his gospel account. After referring to Jesus as the “Word” of God, he says that in this Word was the “Light” of all humankind. The Word and the Light are the same: Jesus Christ.

The world without Jesus is a dark place. Jesus came into the darkness of our world, but more importantly, into the darkness of our hearts. Not even an electric light can illuminate the dark heart of humanity, and so we follow the example of Adam. We try to hide from God to avoid exposure to His Light. We do not want our darkness revealed to others, to ourselves and especially not to God. But Jesus came to meet us in our darkness and offer us His light.

After the fall in Genesis 3, creation was once again plunged into darkness. This darkness, while spiritual in nature, appeared to overcome God’s light. John now offers us a glimpse of a new creation account. God has again sent light into the world. This Light will not be overcome by the darkness of sin. This Light is life for all those who have been lost in the darkness.

Light of the World, 

Shine your light on my heart. Dispel any darkness in me and help me to walk in your light as You are the Light. As your light shines through me, use me as a lantern in a dark world to lead others to the source of Light.

Amen

To purchase a printed copy of The Disciple Jesus Loves, click here.

Day 1 - This is no "Once Upon a Time"

JOHN CHAPTER 1

Read: Genesis 1:1-27; John 1:1-3; Col. 1:15-17; Revelation 21:5

Our favorite childhood stories all begin with the words, "Once upon a time." Those words captivate our hearts and open our minds to the endless possibilities of knights, dragons, princesses and trolls. "Once upon a time" stirs our imagination with dreams of adventures that take place at any time in any location our minds can imagine. The mystery and wonder of "Once upon a time" come with the unknown of what may have already happened. Why was Snow White's stepmother so vain, and where did she get that mirror? What happened to Cinderella's father? Why is Gepetto all alone? These questions come when we are dropped into the middle of a "Once upon a time."

As John opens his Gospel account, he does not use any random point in history, any "once upon a time." He begins by taking his reader to the very beginning of time itself. There is no question what happened before; there is no "before." "In the beginning" there was God.

John's quote of the first words of the Torah must have captivated his original readers. An old story they knew well was suddenly new. The curtain was pulled back, and we begin to make the connection between God and a man named Jesus whose story John is about to unfold.

From the Genesis account, we are told creation came into being by the spoken Word of God, "God said, ‘Let there be …'" and it was so. The rhythm of the creation poem reiterates that creation came to be by the power of God's spoken Word. Now, millennia later, John explains that this Word became flesh and came to dwell on earth (John 1:14) and that all things were made through Him (John 1:3). Later the Apostle Paul adds that not only was everything made by Jesus, but the entire creation is held together by Him (Colossians. 1:15-17). The author and sustainer of life has come to live among us. Long before Jesus was known as a teacher, healer, philosopher or prophet, He was and is the very Word of God, through whom God spoke all things into existence.

This story is not a fairytale, but a beautiful account of a new beginning. Jesus has come to make all things new (Revelation 21:5). Perhaps you would like to start over. This same Word that spoke the world into existence stands ready to do a transformative work in you.

Word of God made flesh, 

Breathe new life in me. As you spoke creation into being, speak to my heart that I might know you even as John knew you. I have no life apart from you. You hold me together. Help me surrender to your embrace and live my life as you intended in the beginning.

Amen

To purchase a printed copy of The Disciple Jesus Loves, click here.

Meeting People WHEN They Are

The Need for Diversity in Church Programming

In 1980, Dolly Parton released the hit song 9 to 5. It became a classic, inspiring a movie and a Broadway show. The song and its title reflected a paradigm in the American work culture that has been radically altered over the past 35 years. Changes in technology have profoundly impacted the typical American work week, affecting everything from transportation to office equipment to employee environments. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 21 million U.S. salaried employees currently work outside a traditional Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., schedule. For many of these workers, regularly attending church is simply impossible. Hospital personnel, first responders, shift workers and bivocational individuals often work or sleep during the traditional service times offered by many churches.

In 2014, Southside adopted the 2020 Vision which included a call to diversify ministry in an effort to reach the people of Jacksonville. Just as Jesus made himself accessible by entering our reality, the church must continue to enter the modern world in ways that make the gospel accessible to everyone, regardless of history, language, ethnicity, and even work schedules.

As a result of this call to diversify, Southside recently consolidated two Sunday morning worship gatherings then developed a mid-week experience called TABLES. The concept is fairly simple: a ministry environment couched between Monday and Friday where both individuals and families can GATHER to worship God, GROW in the grace and knowledge of Jesus, and from which they can be sent out to GO in the power of the Holy Spirit. After a family-style meal, children proceed to various age-appropriate classes while adults gathering for worship beginning at 6:30 p.m., in the Maguire Fellowship Center. This time of music, prayer and praise is followed by a small group discussion shared around the table, allowing any adult unable to attend worship or groups Sunday morning an opportunity to experience both on a Wednesday evening. Meanwhile, children can participate in AWANA Clubs, middle school and high school environments where students take part in their own age-appropriate worship experience.

In addition to these great weekday ministries, Southside also provides dinner at no cost, starting at 5:30 p.m., for individuals making reservations by noon on Mondays. This allows families to arrive directly from work or school and still eat together as a family. While there is no set fee for dinner, individuals are given an opportunity to give an offering to help offset the cost of the food.

Another way we are working to make Southside’s ministry more accessible is our use of technology. Currently, progress is being made to upgrade the live video stream of our Sunday morning worship experience. A new HD camera, supporting computer and online streaming service have been employed to allow individuals to log in through our website and watch a Sunday worship gathering. These services are also archived so people can watch at their convenience or share messages with friends. In addition to video streaming, we continue to make the Sunday morning sermon available through the church’s podcast and accessed through ssbc.org or iTunes.

Later this year we will introduce a new website for church members called mySSBC.org. Think of this site as a “virtual campus” for SSBC. The site will allow members to access small groups, register to attend events, volunteer, support the church financially, check personal giving records, view the church calendar, and much, much more. Look for more information in the coming months.

Already we are seeing people engage with the ministries of SSBC in ways that were not possible just a few years ago. Each week members who are physically unable to reach our San Marco campus are now able to log in through our website and participate virtually. On average, more than 50 people download the podcast of any given Sunday sermon. Almost 20 percent of our giving is now done online, and approximately 90 percent of first time guests have already checked us out online before stepping through our doors.

The mile markers described in this article are only the beginning of our journey of meeting people when and where they are. As we strive to remove every barrier to the Gospel the need for additional worship gatherings at alternate times may become a next step. We may discover the need for online small groups where people can log in from their computers or devices from anywhere in the world. Investment in new technologies that we can’t even imagine right now may be absolutely necessary in the months and years ahead.

Jesus met people where they were … the woman drawing water from the well, the lame man sitting by the pool, Zacchaeus in a tree, of all places. But He also met people WHEN they were … a woman grabbing his robe on a crowded street, a widow on her way to attend her son’s funeral, fishermen rowing into shore after a disappointing night on the water. If we hope to reflect the life and ministry of Jesus, it is imperative that we meet people when and where they are. While 9 to 5 may have been a great song, it is no way to do ministry.

What ideas do you have? How can you help us increase the reach of the gospel through technology and innovative thinking? Send me an e-mail at pastor@ssbc.org.

Builders Built to Last

Ninety-one-year-old former president, Jimmy Carter, spent last weekend helping to build a house for Habitat for Humanity. This is all the more remarkable given President Carter’s recent diagnosis of cancer. When he is not building houses, Carter still teaches Sunday School at his home church in Plains, Georgia. Many have called Carter the most successful former president in American history.

I believe the secret to Jimmy Carter’s success has been a faith that was built to last. While running for office, Carter publically professed to being a “born again” Christian, a phrase that was then catapulted into the public arena where it received everything from jeers to cheers. Although many question Carter’s politics and his theology, few have questioned his faith. The evidence of his convictions are on display for the world to see. He not only builds houses, he is building a legacy through which others may see the glory of God and the love of Jesus.

We are in a season of prayerfully considering the leadership of Southside Baptist Church. We need individuals who not only have a faith that is built to last, but who, like President Carter, are committed to building the faith of others through sacrificial service. Here are the steps for nominating a person to serve on the Council of Trustees:

1.   Read 1 Corinthians 13, Galatians 5:22-23, 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9 to understand the    

      biblical requirements for these leaders.

2.     Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to show you who He would have serve on the Council of Trustees.
3.   Complete the Trustee NominationForm, submitting it by Sunday, November 15, 2015
4.   Attend the Special Called Church Conference on Wednesday, December 9, at 6:30 p.m., to vote    

      on the Council of Trustees.

We are not setting leaders apart to excuse ourselves from the responsibilities of spiritual leadership and sacrificial service, rather we are seeking to promote those who best exemplify what it means to be a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ. By their witness and example, we can all work together to build a church that prevails and a faith that endures.

A Structure That Is Built to Last

In our most recent Quarterly Celebration, the members of Southside Baptist Church voted unanimously to adopt a new set of Bylaws. While this decision may not seem very exciting to some, it marks the single greatest shift in church governance in Southside’s 75-year history. The new Bylaws uphold and strengthen the core beliefs and values of our great church. I would encourage every member of SSBC to read the summary description of the new governance structure. I also invite you to join me in thanking the members of the Governance Task Force (GTF), who have invested more than two years in crafting and developing Southside’s new Constitution and Bylaws. The members of the GTF are Linda Anderson, Charles Baggs, Barbara Carroll, Carl Holden, Jim Price, Pam Rush, and Mark Trednick. If you see these folks in the hall, let them know how much you appreciate their work.

The GTF has had four overarching goals:

1. To involve more people in the ministry of the church
2. To align Southside’s structure and systems with the mission of the church
3. To simplify the governance of the church
4. To clarify the beliefs of the church

Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life and pastor of Saddleback Valley Community Church in Orange County, California, writes, “While the kind of structure a church has does not cause growth, it does control the rate and the size of growth. And every church must eventually decide whether it is going to be structured for control or structured for growth. This is one of the most crucial decisions your church will ever face.” I believe Southside has faced this decision and has opted for growth over control.

Southside believes that Jesus Christ is the head of His body, the Church. We also believe that every believer is called to minister and has equal access to the Spirit. For this reason, our Bylaws uphold the biblical model of congregational governance. This means that under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, the members of Southside have ultimate and final say in all matters related to the church governance. We also recognize, however, that it is not realistic for 700-plus people to make every decision necessary for the church to function in a healthy and effective way. That is why the new governance model calls for the creation of the Council of Trustees. These nine members are to be nominated and elected by the congregation for the purpose of guiding and overseeing the mission and operations of the church.

Let me summarize in bullet form:

· Under the Lordship of Jesus Christ,
· the leadership of the Holy Spirit,
· and the authority of the Bible,
· Southside Baptist Church is congregationally governed,
· guided by the Council of Trustees
· and administered by the Staff
· to mobilize every member in ministry
· to the glory of God.

In the upcoming days and weeks, the members of SSBC will be asked to prayerfully nominate Trustees to serve on the Council. This will be a significant decision that has the potential to shape our church for years to come. I hope every member will read the scriptures and pray, asking the Spirit to guide us in the selecting these leaders.

I am thankful to be a part of this exciting season in the life of our church. I fully believe Southside’s best days lie ahead. With a faith that is built on the unshakable foundation of Jesus Christ, the blueprint of God’s Word, and solid building materials represented by godly leaders, I am confident that Southside is BUILT TO LAST.

Built to Last: A Church That Prevails and a Faith That Endures

October 18 – November 22, 2015
Southside Baptist Church

In his best selling book, Built to Last, Jim Collins describes some common characteristics of our world’s most enduring companies. The characteristics Collins identifies in companies such as Ford, Boeing, 3M, and Johnson & Johnson, include setting “big hairy audacious goals,” stimulating progress while preserving the core, and developing homegrown talent.

Long before Collins attempted to identify the qualities of an enduring business, the apostle Paul described the essentials of an enduring faith and a prevailing church. Writing to Christians in the city of Corinth, Paul said, “I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 3:10-11).

What does it take to have a faith that can withstand the storms of life? How do we build a church that endures shifting culture, politics and an apparent erosion of biblical values? Paul’s answer is first to make sure to build on the right foundation. Jesus said that “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matt. 7:24). A faith built on any foundation other than the Word of God is doomed, regardless of the quality of the building.

Paul also indicated, however, that the quality of the materials used to build on that foundation matters: “If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work” (1 Cor. 3:12-13). Simply stated, Paul is warning us to choose our building materials carefully.

As finish the 40 Days of Awakening, it is vital that we obey Jesus’ command to “keep watch and pray.” We must commit ourselves to build only on the foundation of God’s Word. We should select and use the best building materials, knowing that the storms are coming, but our foundation is secure. We must follow the “master builders” who have preceded us, continuing to build a Church that provides a shelter for generations to come.

Join me beginning this Sunday for a new sermon series entitled, “Built to Last.” We will look to the Bible for ways to build a Church that prevails and a faith that endures. I will be sharing some exciting plans for the future of Southside as we seek to build a ministry that inspires and equips people to have a faith that is Built to Last.

Don't Forget the Baby!

When I was a teenager, one of the ministers at our church forgot his newborn son in the nursery following Sunday services. His wife picked up their older son and left instructions with her husband to get the baby. After the young minister finished his post-service responsibilities, he got into his car and left for home. He forgot the baby. Fortunately, the church nursery was staffed with loving volunteers who kept the baby until the husband made it home where he was quickly made aware of his mistake and then promptly returned to collect the forgotten child.

Once upon a time when I was a young minister myself, with four children all under the age of seven, my wife and I were always counting heads. We did not want a similar story told of us. We navigated those preschool years with success and without ever “forgetting the baby!”

Unfortunately, I’m not sure others can say the same. The Church in general, for instance. Every year, we celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus. His is a birthday worth celebrating! He is the ultimate expression of God’s love for all humanity. Christians spend weeks rehearsing Christmas productions, decorating, cooking, buying gifts, and listening to those familiar and well-loved carols. We re-tell Bible stories about wise men and shepherds, we light candles, sing, attend services and Midnight Mass. From Thanksgiving to December 24, the season of Advent is a flurry of activity anticipating the arrival of that precious baby. And then, on December 26, when the Christmas pageants are over, we go home and leave the baby lying in the manger, abandoned on the altars of our sanctuaries.

Given that the modern Church spends so much time celebrating the birth of Jesus, it is interesting that only two of the four gospel writers even bother to mention the circumstances of His birth. In fact, Jesus Himself never mentioned His own birth. He never asked His followers to celebrate it in particular, or to remember it as He instructed them. to remember His death every time they drank from the cup or broke the bread. How telling.

Now before I get in trouble with all Christmas lovers out there, let me say that we have much to learn from this familiar story. We should reflect upon it, not just this month, but on each and every day. To do so, we will need to strip away the glitter and gold, ask the orchestras to pause and tell the choirs to pipe down long enough for us to hear the true story. Remember the circumstances of His birth as they really were, not what we’ve made them to be, and recall that He was born to a couple of poor refugees. Do not overlook that His mother was a simple teenager whose family and neighbors were highly suspicious of her pregnancy. Do not forget that He was born in a stable full of noisy livestock, cow dung and flies. The scenes from Bethlehem invite us to admit Jesus into the reality of our lives. He comes to the dirty places in our world because it is only when we let him in that He can pull us out.

We should also remember and celebrate that, despite the evil King Herod’s best efforts, Jesus did not die as a baby, but grew to manhood. Jesus, the man, would not conform to the pious wishes of the religious establishment. He smashed their erroneous image of an invisible God with a God all too visible as He ate with sinners, walked with tax collectors and spoke openly to harlots and prostitutes.

Too often our response to the scandal of the Christmas story is to sanitize it. We attempt to scrub Jesus clean of His humanity. We do so in order to keep Him neatly preserved in cathedrals and sanctuaries. Moreover, we prefer Baby Jesus lying in a manger to bloody Jesus dying on a cross. Baby Jesus doesn’t talk. He doesn’t tell us to love our enemies, or forgive those who have wronged us. Baby Jesus does not remind us that we are broken, nor does He broach the topic of our sinful choices. We prefer stained-glass Baby Jesus because He resides in the lofty, unreachable corners of our church buildings and not in our own homes. We assume that keeping Him in a porcelain creche eliminates the probability of Him walking into our schools, offices and boardrooms.

As long as Jesus remains an icon, bound within the four walls of the church house, we can manage our lives the way we want without interference. We relegate Jesus to our westernized nativity scenes and, quite like Herod, prefer that He never reach His adult years. At Easter, we Christians celebrate the fact that the grave could not hold him, only to lock Him away in the manger eight months later.

The problem with Jesus is that He won’t stay put. The grave could not stop Him, the manger could not keep Him, and no church can contain Him. How ludicrous that we would even try.

Yes, celebrate the birth of the Holy infant, but do not leave Him that way. He grew up. Maybe when you weren’t paying attention. Don’t attempt to lock Him up. Embrace the man who speaks, loves and heals. Invite the man who challenges the religious and welcomes the sinner—who lived, died and rose from the dead.

This Sunday, after church, don’t forget to get the baby.