What Kind of King?

For Palm Sunday I preached as a character from Bible times who observed the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. It was challenging doing a 20+ minute sermon of memorized script and acting it out. However, the power of storytelling really captures the imagination in a way that allows truth to penetrate. It is noteworthy that the Gospel accounts (Luke 19:28ff, and John 19) from which I drew my sermon content are written in a narrative form as well. Jesus often used stories to tell truth. Enjoy the story below that I wrote about the greatest Story that God wrote (is writing?) with Jesus as the King. The headings in bold were not spoken but I used them as milestones in my mind to walk through the script. May I present: What Kind of King?
============

I. A PILGRIM MEETS JONATHAN
Oh, shalom! I'm sorry I didn't see you out there, I was finishing up some work outside my house. My name is Jonathan. Are you just now getting to town?
--Yeah, the robbers are pretty bad on the road. Well, you missed a lot this week! You should have seen what happened on Friday... Oh, let me back up. You're not going to understand until I tell you what happened, what I saw last Sunday.

II. LAST SUNDAY AT BETHPHAGE
Last Sunday, you know how this time of the year all the pilgrims are coming down the road to Jerusalem, well here in Bethphage we're a little off the path but that road runs right by Bethany, a few miles from here and pilgrims are streaming into Jerusalem. Well, a lot more people than you're traveling with now because most of them are already here. So last Sunday, there was a big group coming down the road and they were coming into Jerusalem. You know, we are here on the East Side--some people like to go up the Mount of Olives, and let me tell you, if you haven't been up there yet, what a view! As you crest the top you will see Jerusalem, the Holy City, and you're right across from the Temple Mount and there's the East Gate and you're coming down the mountain. You're going to enjoy the pilgrimage you're on. But here I am getting off topic. Let me tell you what happened last Sunday. Well, the pilgrims were coming down the road and many of them were weary and weak and stopping at places along the road. And me and my brother Daniel, were getting some things ready, we are normally tradesman but this time of the year we like to sell a lot of our figs. We get rid of our old figs that we have dried and try to sell them to the travelers on the road because right now is not the time for figs. The trees here have little green buds on them that you can eat--the early figs, but we've got some old dry ones we are trying to sell. And by this time of the year people are tired from the journey, they're almost there, they stop a night in Bethany or here since it is a little cheaper than going on into Jerusalem.

III. NEWS OF THE LORD!
So we go out to the road to sell figs and my other brother, Josiah, he goes down the road to get some news and he is running back and forth each day. Josiah comes to me and says, "the LORD is coming!" And I talk with Josiah and say, "Is it Him?" And he says, "Yes, he's staying at Mary and Martha's house." Let me tell you about the Lord, this Jesus of Nazareth. For three years, he's been teaching and we have heard word of him. I've got a cousin who says he saw him make a blind man see! The man could not see and Jesus took some mud and put it on his eyes and the man saw! I heard other people talk about this Jesus of Nazareth and they said he teaches like no one else, that He has this authority--it's not like the Rabbis in synagogue on the Sabbath. This Jesus, when he speaks, it's as if God himself is speaking.
I asked my friend what the Rabbi's think of Jesus and he said, "He makes most of them as mad as a hornet." They think, 'Who is this guy? He's just a peasant--some carpenter's son from Galilee.' But others are saying, "He is the Messiah, he's the promised one from God." Well, anyway, my brother Josiah comes back and says, "the Lord is coming, he's just a few miles away, staying in Bethany at Mary and Martha's house." This is the same Mary and Martha who's brother Lazarus was dead. My cousin, Shlomo tells me he went to Lazarus' funeral and that he was dead. He saw them wrap Lazarus up and put him in the tomb. But several days later, this Jesus of Nazareth came and the dead man came got up out of the tomb! So everyone wants to see this Jesus.

IV. RUMORS ABOUT THE MESSIAH
As you know, all the pilgrim's are streaming in to Jerusalem at this time of the year. We Jews are coming for the Passover, we're going to purchase the lambs to be sacrificed at the temple. We eat the Passover meal in the Holy City but this year Jesus himself is coming!. There have been rumors and discussions: "Is He the One, is he the promised Messiah?" He is shaking up things, I tell you! Many of the pilgrims that are coming decided to travel around Jesus. And now he was close by!

V. THE DONKEYS
Well, when Josiah told me the news that Jesus was close by last Sunday, I was excited. But I still had a lot of things to do at the shop to finish up so I told Daniel, "When Jesus gets close, you tell me and we're going to go into town at the same time."
Well, I don't know what happened to Daniel, he's unreliable. So Daniel left and I didn't see him all day. So I'm closing up shop and our two donkeys--we have a mother and a foal--I went to tie them off out in front. I tied them really good because I was tired at the end of the day and I wanted to get some rest without having to watch them. You know you never can trust these pilgrims coming through--some of them wander off the main path and they take things. You have to watch out! I tied off the donkey and the colt and no sooner had I done it than I see two guys wandering down the road. I can tell by watching them that they have no clue where they are going because they are looking around and talking. So I stand off to the side and I see them point to my donkeys. They can't see me because I am standing in the shadows. And they walk over there and these two guys come up to my donkey and the mother and start trying to untie the donkey! I run over and say, "Just what do you think you're doing?" They look surprised but one of them motions to the other who says, "The Lord has need of this." When he said, "the Lord" my heart jumped. The Lord Jesus? The One? Then I said, "take them both! take them both!" He's over in Bethany right?
They seemed surprised that I would just give them the animals and they said, "Yes. We were told that we would find a donkey here and we only need the little one."
I said, "You can take the little one but no one has ever ridden on it" He can certainly carry packs or a person but he is not broken in."
They said, "we are going to take the little one."
I said, "Ok, take it." Then I asked them, "It's getting late but do you mind if I follow you?" They said, "Sure." Then I discovered they were followers of Jesus. They were the ones that were close to him. Not like all these other people who have been checking Jesus out but the very ones who know Him and have been walking with Him these 3 years.

VI. PROCESSION INTO JERUSALEM
Well when we arrived at the area, the place was packed with pilgrims. They tell me this is the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. And Jesus comes out. I had to listen to the crowd to try to figure out what was going on. Finally, I spotted my brother Daniel and I said, "There you are! What's going on?" He says, "Jesus is going into Jerusalem."
"Right now, tonight?"
"Yes!" he says.
The sun's going down but it's only a few miles into Jerusalem.
Jesus, the Messiah, this one everyone has been talking about, with a large crowd around him, begins to go down the road. He rides on my donkey, my donkey!

It did not have a saddle but I saw some of his disciples take their cloaks off and put it on the donkey's back to make his ride more comfortable. He rides, and we leave Bethany, and we pass by Bethphage and my house, and then we go up the Mount of Olives and did I tell you already that it is a magnificent view? Oh? Well, it is part of the local pride of my little village. We go up the Mount of Olives and we come down the other side and guess what we see? People streaming out of Jerusalem who have heard about Jesus and are coming to meet him. The two crowds meet like a wave touching the shore and the excitement is contagious. Suddenly, someone shouts, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!"
And they begin to declare him king. And then someone in the crowd says, "Hosanna!, "Hosanna! Someone in the crowd says, *wait for audience participation*

VII. THE KING
I see some of them now taking off their outer garments and setting them down in front of him and it's like their are saying, "You are the King!" and they are bowing down in front of him. Some who did not have their cloaks on ran to cut down palm branches to throw down in front of him. And I look at Jesus... Is He the One?
There is a smile on His face, a confidence as he trots into town.
He's the One I tell you, the One we've been looking for all these years. And he accepts their praise. It sure seems like all that we sing from the Psalms are coming true "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel!" Hosanna! Save us now! Save us from oppression. Come and deliver us from God's enemies. Deliver us!"

I tell you friend if you would have been here last Sunday. You would have seen the King.
He was not on a war horse... he was on a donkey. Much like King David had been, or King Solomon. But he was on the foal of a donkey and although he was confident and smiling, there was a humility in him that I had never seen in a king. The people continued praising and shouting. There was so much expectancy in the crowd with the season and the Passover, and all the pilgrims who have come to see God work. The crowds were at a fever pitch.


VIII. SOME REJECT THE KING
Then I saw some other guys, you know them, the Rabbis with their long robes and tassels, the phylacteries on their heads. And they could not control the crowds.
They were screaming, "Don't say that. Blasphemy! What are you doing?" They could not control the crowds so they worked their way towards Jesus and they said, "Teacher, tell your disciples to stop it!"
Everyone grew quiet for a moment because they wanted to hear what Jesus, the king, had to say. Jesus of Nazareth looked at them and said, "I tell you the truth, if they do not cry out then the stones themselves will cry out!" At that answer, the crowd erupted again, and we continued with the Hosannas and we saw the king go into the East Gate of Jerusalem and ride into town.

IX. THE NEXT WEEK
What an evening! I heard he went on to the temple, but I had to go back, and take care of some things with my shop. And I was exhausted after all the excitement of the day.
But let me tell you what happened the next day. I'm working in the shop and my cousin Shlomo comes in with a report from Jerusalem. He says, that on Monday Jesus went to the temple, which caused a big stir. But what Jesus did next after arriving was even more surprising. They say he looked around and saw those people---you know, those vendors that are sitting there in the temple with their coins and pigeons? And everyone is buying and selling, and buying and selling--and let me tell you, if you are a pilgrim you get gouged on the prices. Here it is , you as a pilgrim can't bring a sacrifice so you bring money to buy one like a lamb or dove instead.
Well, Jesus comes in and he starts turning over the tables and tells them "Get out!!! My Father's house is to be a house of prayer, it's to be for all nations, and you! you have turned it into den of thieves!"
The guys in the long robes were furious. Shlomo says, he saw them talking off to the side, plotting. But there was a fire in Jesus' eyes, a zeal for his Father's house... I'm sure he's the One.

X. SOMETHING'S GOING ON
Well, the rest of the week goes by and the people don't know what to expect. Many start to believe it will be a typical week.
But, after we had the Passover meal on Thursday I went to bed full of lamb. I lay there in bed wondering about the Deliverer to come, the Messiah to come. You know God sent a deliverer so many years ago to our fathers when they were in bondage and slavery in Egypt. And we have this Passover meal every year and we eat it and look for the One to come. Is God going to send another Deliverer? And I think about the King that we hailed on Sunday. I went to sleep late that night, only to be startled awake very early by my brother Daniel.
"Get up, get up!" He says, "Something's going on! We have to go!"
"Where are we going?" I say.
"I'll tell you on the way." he says. So I pull on my outer garment.
"Are we going to Jerusalem? What are you doing here, Daniel? I thought you were staying in town with uncle." (You see, we have an uncle named Antigonus who lives in Jerusalem.)
Daniel said, "Something is up. Some men came in the middle of the night and beat on Antigonus' door and said, 'We've got him! Come on, quick! We're getting the Sanhedrin together.'" Daniel said he couldn't sleep after that and he thinks they captured Jesus of Nazareth. So he ran to our village and we hurried back to Jerusalem. By this time the sun is starting to come up and there are people and crowds in the streets. I started asking, " What's going on with Jesus?"
Someone said, "Caiphas has got him."
"No, he's already been to Caiphas, and is sent to Annas." said another. So we ran over there but soon others said, "No that's old news. They took Jesus to Herod and now he's on his way to Pontius Pilate."

XI. PONTIUS PILATE
"Pontius Pilate? He's the Roman governor. Why would they take him there?" I said. And a pilgrim answered, "Some are saying that our leaders want the death sentence."
Daniel and I made our way through the crowded streets of Jerusalem to the Praetorium, the palace of Pontius Pilate. By that time, we saw many of the same people in the crowd there that we saw last Sunday. Some are now yelling, "Crucify him, crucify him!" We arrived late because they told me that Jesus had already appeared before the crowd with Pontius Pilate and Pilate said he had done nothing wrong. But Pilate took him back inside to question him further.
Some believe Pilate will let Jesus go but others point out that he already let Barabbas, the murderer, go in his place.

I pushed close to the religious leaders and they were angry. They said, "We demand this man's death." They tell the crowds that he's no messiah and is a blasphemer. Maybe so, the crowd is divided in its opinion.

XII. WHAT KIND OF KING?
Suddenly, Pontius Pilate comes out. And he leads out the king.
Pilate says, "Behold, the man."
I could tell that they had already beaten Jesus severely. His blood was dropping on the stone pavement. He did look like a king in a way. Someone had placed a very expensive robe on him. And he had a crown, of thorns!, on his head. The crowd quieted a little bit. Some to hear the judgment. Others were shocked into silence at the bloody sight of Jesus of Nazareth. Some even hid their faces to not have to look at him.
All I could think of when I saw him was the blood had seen the day before from our Passover lamb.
Jesus looked like a king, but "What kind of king would wear a crown of thorns? What kind of king would be whipped and beaten?"

The tense silence was burst by Pilate saying, "I find no basis for a charge against him. What do you want me to do with your king?"
And they said, "Crucify him. And the chant went out "Crucify him! Crucify Him!"
And Pilate said, "you want me to crucify your king?"
And the religious leaders spoke for all by saying, "We have no king but Caesar. If you let this man go then you are no friend of Caesar. Crucify him!"
And Pilate said, "Very well, you take him and crucify him."
Well, I had seen enough and I went home. That was yesterday. I thought, "what kind of king would die on a cross?"

XIII. PROLOGUE
**At this point in the sermon, I snap out of the character of Jonathan the shopkeeper and become myself again. Then I share that there are two ways to live, one with Jesus as king or with yourself as king. The first way results in having the king of the universe, Jesus, as your leader and forgiver--one who is a good master and loves you. The second way results in having yourself as king (though really sin and the Devil is your master, and he is a harsh taskmaster who hates you and wants to destroy you). When you reject Jesus as king of your life then (surprise, surprise) you are shut out of his kingdom forever. If you will humble yourself, admit that you have been his enemy, and trust what he did on the cross to pay for your sins, then Jesus will be your king and savior. What kind of king would die on a cross?-- A compassionate, mercifuly, and gracious one.**

Devotional from Leviticus Chapter 18

Devotional from Leviticus Chapter 18

Prohibitions* against sexual relations with...

• Mother (verse 7)
• Step-mother [father's wife] (verse 8)
• Sister and half-sister (verse 9)
• Granddaughter (verse 10)
• Step-sister (verse 11)
• Aunt [father's sister] (verse 12)
• Aunt [mother's sister] (verse 13)
• Aunt by marriage [father's brother's wife] (verse 14)
• Daughter-in-law (verse 15)
• Sister-in-law [brother's wife] (verse 16)
• A woman and her daughter (verse 17a)
• A woman and her granddaughter (verse 17b)
• Wife and her sister [wife must be dead before sister can become wife] (verse 18)
• A woman menstruating (verse 19)
• Another man's wife (verse 20)**
• Against child sacrifice (verse 21)***
• A man (verse 22)
• An animal (verse 23a)
• A woman with an animal(verse 23b)
• Pagans of the land did these things but God's people were not to--they were to be holy (verses 24-30)****

* Prohibitions are from the perspective of a man. Women are addressed in verse 23. However, it can be inferred that women should also not willingly participate in these sexual unions which are prohibited for men.

** This whole section could be summarized as "Do not have sex with anyone or anything other than your wife." Sadly, because of our own wicked hearts, God has to get specific to show us there are no exceptions.

*** Not a sexual prohibition since it is against child sacrifice but much of idol worship was tied to fertility, prosperity, and immoral acts.

**** God's people are to still be holy. If you are practicing any of these then repent, turn to God before it is too late. There is hope for those who put their trust in Jesus. 1Cor. 6:9-11 "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."

Moving to Washington

I (Barry) was born in Gatesville, TX and lived in Gatesville, TX until I graduated highschool and attended college in Austin. Years later, I began pastoring a church in Gatesville, TX. I have relatives buried in the cemetary in Gatesville, TX where I assumed I would be buried as well. But now, I am moving to Washington state.

As you can imagine, it will be hard for me to move 2000 miles away from family, life-long friends, and some new ones I have made along the way. As a pastor I wonder if I have completed the work that God had me here for. I think of all the sweet people of Hay Valley Baptist church--how loving, patient, and hard-working they are. I have been praying for my replacement there ever since it became clear I would be moving to serve as a pastor of a church near Spokane, Washington.

So why am I moving? The short answer is that God calls the shots in my life and it is clear to me that He is leading me to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ in an area of the U.S. that is desperate for it.

"But," you may say, "isn't there a need for people to hear about Jesus in Texas and in Gatesville?" Yes, of course there is. In fact, looks can be deceiving because Gatesville has a church on every corner in town but there are still so many people who are not Christians. Many of these go to church regularly but it evident by the way they live Mon. through Sat. that there has been no new birth in their heart like Jesus talks about in John 3:3. In other words, they are as lost as a ball in high weeds. I should know because I was one of them.

Let me explain. I grew up going to church and was by all outward appearances a "good kid." I got baptized. I knew a lot about the Bible and called myself a Christian (in other words, a follower of Jesus Christ.) But I, and everyone else I knew lived a double life. Church and Christianity were simply a cultural thing we did on Sundays. This was part of growing up in Gatesville. I am sure there were true Christians that I knew then but at the time everyone I met called themselves a Christian and the waters got so muddy. Ironically, it wasn't until I was in college in the morally decadent town of Austin, that I became a true, born-again, follower of Jesus Christ. You see, in college, everyone my age just stopped pretending to be something they were not and gave up outward appearances of Christianity. People dove into sex, drink, drugs, etc. It became clear what their "god" was. As for me, I realized during this time that my heart was wicked. While I may have fooled others into thinking I was good, I knew who I was. And worse than that God knew who I was, too. I began to fear that God would judge me (and rightly so) for my sins and that I would perish in Hell when I die and that there was no hope for me. I came to a point where I was so desperate to be forgiven for my sins that I cried out to God, "If you don't save me then no one can. Please, if you will save me I will follow you." This all sounds dramatic but if it's happened to you then you understand that I am not exaggerating. In fact, this is a short summary of a lot of difficult things that God used in my college years to bring me to the point of surrender to Him.

Well, what happened was this: I knew from the Bible that Jesus was God's Son and that He died on the cross for sinners. I knew that if I trusted in Jesus, His sacrifice on the cross would make me right with God. Jesus' goodness would cover my badness. It all finally made sense, I was a sinner and I needed a savior, Jesus. Instead of God being my judge, by faith in Jesus, God became my savior (Ephesians 2:8-9). I would be saved from His judgment. What a loving God!

I can tell you that God radically changed my heart in college. I began reading the Bible and understanding it. I had new desires, like wanting to follow God and do what He says. I said earlier that God calls the shots in my life and I meant it--He is my boss. I want to tell others the Good news of Jesus Christ. I want to tell them that they can be saved too from the judgment of God for breaking His laws and instead given a new life.

This has been a long explanation for why I am going to Washington: to tell others the Good News about Jesus and because I want to obey God, my boss (Matthew 28:19-20).

I am excited about Washington state but I still am praying for Gatesville. It is a town that I think is especially in spiritual darkness. The people have a hard time listening to the truth because they have a "been there, done that" attitude towards anything Christian. But sometimes, when things are the darkest, is when the light shines the brightest. God is alive and giving life to those who turn to Him. Where do you stand?

Alcohol & Money

Recently, a couple of members from our church asked some good questions during a Weds. night meeting--"What does the Bible say about alcohol" and "Is it wrong to pray for financial gain?"
I like the challenge of questions like these because it gives us Christians an opportunity to go to God's Word, the only authority, and see what it says about very real issues we face today. Here are the verses I shared with them and I hope it will be helpful to you as well. Acts 17:11 -Barry

ALCOHOL & DRINKING CONSIDERED FROM SCRIPTURE

It is not wise.
Proverbs 20:1
1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

Warnings against
Proverbs 23:29-35
29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?
30 Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine.
31 Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.
32 In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder.
33 Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things.
34 You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast.
35 They struck me," you will say, "but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I must have another drink."

Clouds judgment
Proverbs 31:4-5
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink,
5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

Medicinal use
Proverbs 31:6
6 Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;

1 Timothy 5:23
23 (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) [this was a note from Paul to Timothy]

It is better to be filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit
Ephesians 5:18
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

IS IT WRONG TO PRAY FOR FINANCIAL GAIN?
Consider these Scriptures.

It is wrong to love money but money itself is not evil.
1 Timothy 6:10
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

Are we asking for selfish reasons or for God’s purposes?
James 4:3
3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

Jesus answers every prayer according to His will
John 15:7
7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Seek God first and He will honor you.
Matthew 6:33
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

We are to pray for daily provision.
Matthew 6:11
11 Give us this day our daily bread,

We are to invest what God gives us for His kingdom. Whoever is faithful with little will be given more
Matthew 25:14-30
Parable of the Talents

God provides for His children, in general.
Psalm 37:25
25 I have been young, and now am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
or his children begging for bread.

Spring 2010

Everything is beautiful this time of year here in Gatesville, TX! The first picture was taken in our backyard and the rest were taken by our church. We have been enjoying much fresh air and outdoor playtime. John Dalton is now 9 months old. Abigail will be 5 on May 4th and Reuben will be 3 a few weeks later.

Thoughts from the Bible

For some time now I have been wanting to put my thoughts down in writing on my beliefs from the Bible. I finally had a chance to sketch out some of them and I thought I would share them with others through this blog. Hopefully, these issues will help you think through what you believe and search the Bible for yourself (whether you agree with me or not.) In the future I hope to expand on these topics and others. If this already sounds too boring then check out this link or this one. --Barry

THE TRINITY
I believe that the God of the Bible is a triune God. Although the word “trinity” is not contained in the Bible, it is an accurate description of how God reveals Himself in His Word. There is only one God (see Deut. 6:4) but there are three distinct, separate persons in the Godhead: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each of these persons are fully God but not each other. The Father is God, the Son is God, the Spirit is God BUT the Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Father, the Spirit is not the Son, etc. In short there is one “What” and three “Whos,” that is, one God and three persons. This is unique to Christianity and difficult to grasp but it is what the Bible teaches and what Christians have always believed. If someone does not believe in the Trinity, whether they claim to be a Christian or not, then they have the nature of God wrong and therefore the wrong god. For this reason, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, and Oneness Pentecostals should not be considered Christians. Examples of the Trinity are throughout the Bible but one quick example is in the creation. The Father created everything (Gen. 1:1), yet through the Son everything was created (John 1:3, Col. 1:16), and the Spirit took an active role in creation as well (Gen. 1:2).

THE VIRGIN BIRTH
I believe that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary as scripture clearly indicates (see Lk 1:34-35, Matthew 1:18, 25 and the prophecy in Isa. 7:14.) The fact that Mary was a virgin attests to the supernatural power of God.

SPEAKING IN TONGUES
I do not believe in speaking in tongues, as it is popularly understood today. When the Bible talks about speaking in tongues it indicates a spiritual gift for speaking KNOWN languages (see Acts 2:7, 1Cor 14:10). Furthermore, if someone speaks in a “tongue” it must be interpreted for the edification of the church or else not used at all AND only 1 person at a time may speak in a tongue (1Cor 14:27-28).

For this reason, most of what is considered “speaking in tongues” today is unbiblical because it is unintelligible gibberish. Neither do many of those who practice them follow the biblical guidelines of having an interpretation when there are tongues or speaking 1 at a time. Furthermore, some denominations and movements try to use speaking in tongues as an evidence of a second blessing or baptism by the Holy Spirit. This is simply wrong. The Holy Spirit is received at the time of conversion by the believer. (Acts 10:47)

BAPTISM
I affirm the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 and I can not summarize my thoughts on baptism any better than it states in Article VII:
“Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer’s faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior, the believer’s death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Being a church ordinance, it is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lord’s Supper.”

CALVINISM/ REFORMED THEOLOGY
Although I know many wonderful Christians who are Calvinists and I appreciate many of the emphases of Reformed theology, I am not a Calvinist. Based on 1Jn 2:2, I believe that Jesus died for all people and not just the elect. I believe that God is all loving and loves all people based on John 3:16. However, I do not believe that all people will be saved but only those who believe (receive, trust, have faith) in Jesus. John 3:18 says, “...but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” Also, Acts 4:12 and John 14:6 make it clear that Jesus is the only way of salvation. God alone saves but we must receive this gift of salvation through faith (Eph. 2:8-9). For non-believers there is a real and eternal Hell at death (Lk 12:5, 16:19ff, Isa. 66:24, Mk 9:47-49). This sobering fact is one of the motivations for Christians to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with non-believers before it is too late for them.

CREATION
I believe that evolution is completely incompatible with the Bible. Furthermore, based on Gen. 1-11 (specifically chapter 1) and Exodus 20:11, I believe that God created the earth thousands of years ago rather than millions or billions.

END TIMES
I believe the Bible clearly states that Jesus will return visibly and bodily one day soon and judge the living and the dead. He will establish His kingdom forever where righteousness will dwell. Beyond this, I am still studying out the details from scripture but would describe my current view as premillenial.

WOMEN IN THE MINISTRY
Men and women are both made in the image of God and therefore are equal in value (Gen 1:27). Furthermore, the Bible reaffirms all Christians equal status in Christ (Gal 3:28). Women have figured prominently in Jesus’ ministry from the beginning (Luke 8:2-3) and women still should serve in the church. However, the roles for men and women in the church and in the home are distinct. Specifically, women are not allowed to be pastors/overseers/elders. This is based on 1Tim 2:12 and the requirements for an overseer found in 1Tim 3 and other places. The reason for this is not because a lack of ability, status, or desire on the part of a woman but because of God’s order in creation (Gen 1-2). Likewise, husbands are to be the head of their house, a spiritual leader, who love their wives unconditionally as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her (see Gal 5:23ff.) My view would be described as complementarian.

Greetings and Happy New Year from the Bishop family!

Greetings and Happy New Year from the Bishop family!

We did not get a chance to send out Christmas cards or pictures this year so we are sending an update letter for the New Year about our family. Thank you so much, as our friends and family, for all the love and support you have given to us!

2009: A Year of Triumphs and Trials

In January, I (Barry) began the year by traveling to Monclova, Mexico as part of a team of seminary students, in order to share the Good News of Jesus Christ there. Once again, I was amazed at the awesome power of God to change lives for eternity, as many responded to the message and put their faith in Jesus. Our team distributed 15,000 gospel booklets, hundreds of Bibles, and proclaimed the Good News door-to-door, in special church services, through music, and children’s activities. God blessed the trip immensely. Here’s a link to a video from last year.

While I attended classes at seminary, Karen (a stay-at-home mom) held things down at home. In addition, she earned a certificate in Seminary Studies for Student Wives and was awarded it in April. This meant that she had to take seminary level classes at night over three semesters. For the last year of seminary, Karen, the kids, and I would travel every weekend 120 miles south in order for me to pastor at Hay Valley Baptist Church in Gatesville. My wife is truly an amazing woman!

In May, I graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity. After 3 years, 97 credit hours, (not to mention several part-time jobs and ministry positions) I finished! Seminary was one of the hardest things I have ever done but a wonderful time of spiritual growth. There were some low points where I thought we could not make it—the demanding schedule, turning in papers, finances—but God always brought us through.

One example of how God was good to me is that I won the 2009 LifeWay Pastoral Leadership Award in May. It was awarded to one graduating student who is going into pastoral ministry. But more than the award, I was happy to get a $500 gift certificate that went with it which allowed me to buy books for my ministry library.

In June our family took a much needed vacation to San Antonio to see Karen’s parents. Our good friends, the Kurths, joined us and we had a great time together at the Riverwalk and Alamo. Our kids played with their kids and ignored all the cultural things that the adults enjoyed.

By July I had almost forgotten that we had a baby on the way, but John Dalton Bishop came into the world on the 15th. He was a chubby little cherub (9 lbs. 1 oz., 18.5 in. long) that reminded us of what it was like to have a newborn.

Less than two weeks later, we bought a house and moved to Gatesville, Texas, my hometown. Once again, God worked out the details for us to get a newly remodeled house that we could afford. Also, the house is one street over from my mother and she has been an immense help to us with our kids! Best of all, we finally live in the same town as the church that I pastor.

In August, I started a rewarding (yet challenging) job as a high school Spanish teacher. I took this job to supplement my income as a pastor. However, the job has some great advantages such as allowing me to make a difference in young peoples’ lives and helping me identify better with those church members who are in education as well.

Karen joined a group called HOT Moms (Heart of Texas Moms). It is a group of Christian mothers that meets for a Bible devotional and fellowship while the kids play.

Abigail (4 1/2 yr) is in a Ballet/Tap Dance class. She likes it and is quite the comedienne. She pretends to fall down and dances to only the songs she likes. Karen has been homeschooling her with a preschool curriculum from My Father’s World. Abigail loves it and knows all sorts of stuff I never knew at her age, like all the names of the planets and that “Pluto is icy cold.”

Reuben (a.k.a. “Mr. Mess”) is a typical boy. He is 2 1/2 yr old and is into clobbering things with toys and playing with everything that is not a toy. He loves to tackle me and be tickled. I love his roughness too, except when he scores a solid hit against me.

John Dalton is 5 months old now and he is a very happy, chubby baby. He is at a fun age. Lately, he has started swiping at things like glasses and noses.

We always thought that after completing seminary the pace of life would slow down, but it seems to be just as busy as ever! Karen is a wonderful wife who keeps me and the kids going each day. She is a hard worker and a great encourager. On any given day in our household there is drama with the kids and laughter at ourselves.

One day recently Karen said, “I sometimes wonder why I worked so hard in the business school at UT only to be wiping bottoms now.” I told her that Moses probably felt the same way, because although Moses was schooled “in all the wisdom of the Egyptians” he spent 40 years in the desert tending sheep before God called him and used him in mighty ways (see Acts 7). Sounds like a pretty good answer, right? But I, too, have had similar moments.

And so, like Abraham, we walk by faith. “For he was looking forward to the city... whose designer and builder is God.” (Hebrews 11:10.) I do not regret basing my life on Jesus Christ, I only regret times when I have been disobedient to Him. Jesus is my King and my Savior. He loves you and can be yours, too. Yet, you will never be reconciled to God until you confess that you have broken His laws and been an enemy to Him. Then put your faith in Jesus alone and trust that his payment on the cross can make you clean and forgiven before God the Father.

The Christian life is not easy, but there will be rewards in eternity. After all, there are only Two Ways to Live.

Happy New Year! I pray that you too might walk in the “newness of life” that is available through faith in Jesus Christ. And please keep our family in your prayers as well, that we will keep to our new year’s resolutions to lead more disciplined and godly lives.

Love,

The Bishops (Barry, Karen, Abigail, Reuben, and John Dalton)

Romans 6:4

We [believers in Jesus] were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

John at 2 months old

Welcome John Dalton

The photos from the past 2 months are finally uploaded! check them out by clicking on the link directly above to take you to our web album.

Welcome John Dalton Bishop

 

Our sweet son, John Dalton Bishop was born today (Wed., July 15th) at 4:46 pm. He weighed 9 lbs. 1 oz. and was 18.5 inches long. God is so good to bless us with our 3rd child!

Pictures from first half of 2009 & Life Update

OK, so seminary was really busy there toward the end, and now I'm in the ninth month of pregnancy, so I'm not going to feel too bad about not posting in so long. But since a picture is a worth a thousand words, here are the photos that tell the story, roughly, of our life for the past 6 months. Enjoy!

Jan to May 2009

BTW, our baby boy is due July 13th. Still deciding on a name. We are currently living in Fort Worth, but will move to Gatesville to be closer to the church that Barry pastors shortly after the baby is born. Barry just signed a contract today with Gatesville High School and will be their new Spanish teacher for the fall (as his second job -- he's a bivocational pastor). I'm proud of Barry and so thankful to God for providing for us in this way and answering our prayers. God is good!