The Centrality of Christ
We made it home from the SBC this evening. We had a good safe trip home even though we ran into some pretty hard rain on the way. I am thankful for God's angels He had all around the car.
This morning we heard a great message from Pastor Mac Brunson of First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL. He spoke on John 3:22-36. This passage contains the account of a conflict between the disciples of Jesus and the disciples of John, the Baptist. The debate arose because Jesus' disciples were baptizing people close to where John was baptizing, and more people were going to Jesus than to John. This led to his disciples being jealous, but John had no problem with that situation. He understood his ministry. He was to point people to Jesus, the bridegroom. The more Jesus increased the more he had to decrease. John was OK with that, because He was focused on Jesus. His disciples were focused on the crowds and being popular.
The same thing happens today when Christians forget that our focus must be on Jesus, not on our own ministry. We must not compete with other believers. We must work together and lift each other up to show Jesus to the world. It was a very appropriate message because there had been some strong words and hurt feelings before and during the convention. Dr. Brunson did a great job of telling everyone to look to Jesus and stop competing with each other.
Also, we went to the reception for Jerry and Bobbye Rankin at First Baptist Church of Orlando in the afternoon. He is retiring after 40 years of being with the International mission board, 23 years as a missionary and 17 years as president. In my opinion he is the epitome of a man of God who points people to Jesus. He never tried to point to himself for any of the successes of the IMB. He always gave all of the glory to God. It was a privilege to shake his hand, to thank him for his service, and to assure him that I would continue to pray for him as he returned to Mississippi and shifted gears in his ministry. I am confident that he will never fail to make Jesus the center of his life.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 72-74.
This morning we heard a great message from Pastor Mac Brunson of First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL. He spoke on John 3:22-36. This passage contains the account of a conflict between the disciples of Jesus and the disciples of John, the Baptist. The debate arose because Jesus' disciples were baptizing people close to where John was baptizing, and more people were going to Jesus than to John. This led to his disciples being jealous, but John had no problem with that situation. He understood his ministry. He was to point people to Jesus, the bridegroom. The more Jesus increased the more he had to decrease. John was OK with that, because He was focused on Jesus. His disciples were focused on the crowds and being popular.
The same thing happens today when Christians forget that our focus must be on Jesus, not on our own ministry. We must not compete with other believers. We must work together and lift each other up to show Jesus to the world. It was a very appropriate message because there had been some strong words and hurt feelings before and during the convention. Dr. Brunson did a great job of telling everyone to look to Jesus and stop competing with each other.
Also, we went to the reception for Jerry and Bobbye Rankin at First Baptist Church of Orlando in the afternoon. He is retiring after 40 years of being with the International mission board, 23 years as a missionary and 17 years as president. In my opinion he is the epitome of a man of God who points people to Jesus. He never tried to point to himself for any of the successes of the IMB. He always gave all of the glory to God. It was a privilege to shake his hand, to thank him for his service, and to assure him that I would continue to pray for him as he returned to Mississippi and shifted gears in his ministry. I am confident that he will never fail to make Jesus the center of his life.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 72-74.