Ogletown Baptist Church, 316 Red Mill Rd, Newark, DE 19713

  • SUNDAY SERVICE TIMES
  • Traditional: 9:00 A.M. Sanctuary
  • Contemporary: 10:30 A.M. Ogletown Exchange
  • Sunday School: 9 A.M & 10:30 A.M

OBC Men's Ministry Events

  • Every Wednesday---Men of Integrity 6:30-7:30 p.m. Room 211 OEX
  • Every Thursday---Men's Bible Study 7 a.m. Room 113 OBC

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Being Remembered

I found out recently that the father of one of the guys on my ministry team (Karl Lehman) and my mother both had the same birthday. Their birthday was the same day as our recent men's worship night and I told Karl that I think they'd both be proud of their sons. It made me stop and think about the importance of being a godly parent and one whom their children would have fond memories of someday.

My mom was a godly woman who believed in God but for years didn't know Jesus Christ. Through God's grace, she accepted Christ as her Savior shortly before she died in 2003. Even though for years she didn't understand the Gospel, she was still the reason that I knew there was a God who created everything and had an eternal plan for me. Though I fought and often rebelled against her godly wisdom, she was able to lay down enough of a foundation that I always had an awareness of God's presence. I know that she had a part in a long and often painful journey that finally led me to a time that I put my full faith and trust in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

What Mom and so many others miss is the truth that our Heavenly Father, above all else, desires a relationship with us. As James Dobson once said, rules minus relationship equals rebellion. Our children need rules to guide their lives, but much more important is their need for relationship. From us. A relationship that points them to the Father. A relationship that models for them the character of Jesus Christ.

As God's men, we have an awesome privilege and an awesome responsibility to spiritually lead our families. Many of us have fathers who never stepped up to the plate and assumed their God-given role, but we don't have to continue that kind of legacy. Scripture tells us nothing about Abraham's father, so we don't know what kind of influence he had on the man who became the father of many nations. The godly heritage in your family can start with you. What a great way to be remembered!

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

In Whose Image?

One of my favorite Scriptural truths is that each and every one of us was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). The Creator of the Universe--who in the first chapter of the Bible spoke all of creation into existence--chose to make us the centerpiece of His handiwork. What a great counter to the times when the enemy lies to us about our value to God and His everlasting love. Talk about an eternal super-espresso shot of self-esteem!

We can read with awe the creation account in Scripture and marvel at the majesty of God and then in a few short moments lose sight of who was created in whose image. How often do we consciously or unconsciously reverse the roles? How often to we try to create God in our own image? How often do we fail to seek and understand His revealed will and choose instead to assume what we think would be pleasing to him? How often do we just forge ahead with our own plans and desires and seek God's blessing on the back end? If we are gut-level honest, it happens far too often and surfaces in so many different ways.

In Matthew 16, we see how Peter boldly declared that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God (v.16). Jesus then told Peter that he would be the rock upon which he would build his church (v.18). But just a few verses later, we see Peter is being admonished for disputing what Jesus told him about his future; that he must suffer and die on the cross (v.21-23). Even during a glorious recognition of the Deity of Christ, Peter too was trying to re-create the Messiah into his image.

It isn't enough to remind ourselves who created who. Since Jesus Christ is the Word of God that became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14), doesn't it make sense that we should pour ourselves into the Word to know Him better? Then we can begin to see the One in whose image we were created. And we can then become image bearers of Him.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Eternal Perspective

I can't tell you the number of times I've talked to people who, in the face of difficulties, begin to question the sovereignty and goodness of God. If they hang onto the first, they can't grasp why a loving God would allow them to suffer. If they cling to the second, they may start to question God's involvement in the day-to-day happenings in our world.

Isaiah 55:9 reminds us that our Heavenly Father's ways and thoughts are higher than ours. So it stands to reason that we can't possibly understand fully why certain events happen in our lives. God allows trials to fall into every one's lives--both believers and non-believers (Matthew 5:45)--so doing good does not insulate us from trials. We can also cause difficulty in our lives by being disobedient to God's will and harboring known sin in our lives.

James 1:2-4 provides us with some eternal perspective: Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meets trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Often times, the Lord has a purpose and plan for what he allows to come into our lives and his plan for us is not to harm us, but to give us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

Reading the book of Philippians, we see that even though he was imprisoned, Paul could see how God was accomplishing great things through his difficulty. Likewise, we must strive to never allow the circumstances in our lives to cause us to doubt the sovereignty and goodness of our Heavenly Father; who allowed his own Son to pay our sin debt on the cross. Eternal perspective points us to this glorious promise: For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Friday, February 18, 2011

The Household of Faith

Now that we've defined what discipleship is (helping others follow Christ), we will periodically expand on how we as God's men can be active disciplers and help grow and strengthen the body of Christ.

Paul ended his letter to the Galatians by stressing the importance of helping fellow believers. He instructed them to gently restore those who have fallen into sin (Galatians 6:1) and to bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ (v.2). This is an essential part of fulfilling the Great Commandment to love others as you love yourself (Mark 12:31). Paul goes on to provide encouragement to those who help others; reminding them that they will reap benefit if they don't grow weary and quit (v.9).

Now catch the priority focus in verse 10---So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone and especially to those who are of the household of faith (emphasis added). While we should never dismiss the importance of outreach, the first place to love others is right in our church! Fellow believers must be a priority in our lives because we share the common bond of faith in the person of Jesus Christ. We should actively seek opportunities to pour into the lives of others at Ogletown and encourage them to grow in Christ likeness. Nothing strengthens the church like disciples making disciples.

It is a blessing for me to be able to minister to the men of Ogletown and help them in their spiritual walk. It is a blessing to see how others in our church family minister to and meet the needs of others in our body. It is a privilege to belong to the household of faith; a family that will last throughout eternity because to what Christ did on Calvary.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Go and Make

Previously, we looked at the first command of Jesus' earthly ministry--come and follow me--and how it still applies to us today. Now let's consider the final command of his time on earth, which also has here and now application, found in Matthew 28:19--Go therefore and make disciples of all nations...

Go means take immediate action. Just like his initial earthly command, Jesus isn't telling us to develop an action plan and research market conditions. Of all nations means everywhere. Both near and far. No restricted territories. Simple enough, right? Now comes the part that might be a little confusing for some--make disciples. What does that look like? Are we supposed to find twelve men to teach and follow us around like Jesus did?

By definition, a disciple is a follower of Jesus Christ. So to make disciples means to produce more Christ followers. It is truly that simple. We complicate this very basic command by trying to absorb more and more Biblical knowledge to qualify ourselves for what we think is an arduous task. Or worse yet, we disqualify ourselves from making disciples by thinking only those with more spiritual depth are up to the task. Our enemy loves for us to get tangled up in either of these flawed notions because it keeps us from advancing God's Kingdom. It keeps us in isolation and prevents us from allowing God to work in us and through us to help others grow.

Jesus made disciples by building relationships, by investing deeply into the lives of a few close friends, by sharing the truth of God's Word, by demonstrating God's grace in very real and practical ways to those He encountered. Discipleship is helping others to grow in Christ-likeness. Our families, our churches, our friends and our neighbors all benefit when God's men get serious about making disciples instead of making excuses. Go and make!

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Come and Follow...

The instructions Jesus gave when he began and ended his earthly ministry still hold much value for us today. First, we'll look at the beginning. When he called his first disciples, he told them to come (John 1:39) and follow him (Matthew 4:19). Scripture records their obedience to the Lord's command: Immediately they left their nets and followed him (Matthew 4:20).

The disciples' response is void of the typical human reaction. No need to check schedules. Peer pressure not a factor. Market research and opinion polls not required. Exploring other options not even a consideration. They simply obeyed Immanuel. Without hesitation. So how then do we as God's men show this same level of obedience? How do we come and follow the Savior?

John 1 tells us that in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God (v.1). The son of God was present from the beginning; light and life to all of creation (v.3-4). His purpose was to reveal the glory of God to all so that all who believed in Him would have eternal life (v.9-13). Then the Word became flesh and dwelt among men; showing the glory of God full of grace and truth (v.14).

Since Jesus is the Word of God made into flesh, we come and follow Jesus by immersing ourselves in God's Word. A casual, long-distance relationship just doesn't cut it. We follow the truth of Scripture and reject our own faulty human thinking. We take on the mindset of Christ and love others as He loves us. We share the truth of the Word with others who need to see Jesus. We take time to rest and get alone with the Father in prayer; thanking Him for what he's done in our lives. We go to Him boldly in faith with complete confidence in his ability to provide grace and comfort in time of need.

Come and follow. Drop the nets. Right now.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

An Unwelcome Guest

Imagine for a moment if you said to your wife or your family, "Hey, I've invited a thief and a murderer over to our house tonight!" The response to this news--horror, disgust, anger, fear--would be anything but positive. Our loved ones would probably think we've lost our mind.

Yet in a way, this is exactly what we do when we allow unconfessed sin to creep into our lives. Things that we rationalize as okay but are contrary to God's revealed will opens the door; sometimes ever so slightly, for our enemy to slide in. John 10:10 reminds us that our enemy comes only to steal, kill and destroy. His plans are never for our benefit. And he usually doesn't come at us with a full frontal assault. He sneaks his way in, often as quietly as possible, but still does what he does best--steal, kill and destroy. He wants to steal your affection for the things of God and distract you with the things of this world. He wants to keep people from the saving knowledge of Christ; thus killing them for eternity. He wants to destroy your family, your relationships, your happiness, your health and your testimony.

John 10:10 also reminds us of a much better alternative: I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. Our Savior not only warns us of our enemy's true purpose and motive, but he offers us something that the enemy may promise but can never deliver--an abundant life. Jesus Christ came to earth and was our perfect, sinless sacrifice to break the stranglehold of death and give us the keys to everlasting life.

Just as a murderer or a thief would be an unwelcome guest in our home, the one who seeks to steal, kill and destroy should be an unwelcome guest in our lives as well.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Finding Common Ground

I can honestly say that I've yet to meet anyone who came to know Christ by having a complete stranger come up to them and say something like: "If you never put your faith and trust in Christ, you're going to burn in hell." As true as that statement is, it's hardly an effective way to build a relationship; much less lead anyone to a relationship with our Savior.

The Apostle Paul, perhaps the greatest soul-winner of all time, gives us this pearl of godly wisdom on the subject of reaching the lost: To the Jews I became a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I may win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some (1 Corinthians 9:20-22).

The key to effectively reaching people for Christ is finding common ground with others. Paul was willing to meet people wherever they were, in the state they were in, for the purpose of leading them to the Savior. He was willing to do whatever was necessary to find common ground; even knowing that he wouldn't necessarily reach everyone.

As an avid sports fan, I've been able to build relationships with hundreds of people through sports and as those relationships grow, I am then able to share what Jesus has done in my life. Our hobbies, our children, our life experiences are just a few more examples of areas where common ground can be found and a relationship can be built. Never forget how important relationships are to our Heavenly Father. He allowed his only Son to pay our sin debt on the cross to restore his relationship with fallen man.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Cleansed From All

Scripture is filled with promises of God's forgiveness of sin. My favorite is 1 John 1:9--if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness (emphasis added). Five other places in the Bible there is mention that when God cleanses us, his cleansing is for all sins. Every one. Past, present and future. No conditions, no restrictions, no expiration date.

We forfeit a great amount of joy and peace in our lives when we fail to realize or remember that God's forgiveness from sin covers all unrighteousness. We buy in to the enemy's lie that our sins are beyond God's grace or that He won't forgive repeat offenses. We wallow in self-imposed guilt over sins that have already been dealt with at Calvary. Think about it, why would our Heavenly Father allow his only begotten son to suffer and die on the cross as the perfect sacrifice if it wasn't an all-encompassing payment for the sin of the world? His blood is the only thing that frees us from sin (Revelation 1:5). God promises that our sins will be washed as white as snow (Isaiah 1:18). God promises that forgiveness means he will remember our sin no more (Hebrews 8:12, 10:17) and they are removed as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12).

Make no mistake, God hates sin. It is an offense to his holiness. Sin broke the perfect relationship He had with man in the Garden--a relationship that He couldn't bear to remain broken. And He dealt with sin in the most loving, most sacrificial way possible through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Nothing but the blood. Cleansed from all.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Put Him on Hold

As God's men, we must never forget that the spiritual battlefield is in our minds. And I don't mean it's just our imagination. Our enemy seeks to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10) and one of his favorite tactics is to put lies into our head that will draw us away from the Father. Here's a tactic to use when the enemy comes at out minds--put him on hold. That's right, put him and his unwanted noise on hold and make a call out to the Lord.

During times of discouragement, the enemy may say, "You know what, you'll never amount to anything. God can't use you to do anything great. You're a complete failure." Rather than let the evil one gain a foothold, say to him, "Hold that thought" and physically turn your back to him and speak to the Father. "Lord, I know that you love me so much that you sent Jesus to die on the cross to pay for my sins so that I may not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). I know in you that I have an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading awaiting me in Heaven (1 Peter 1:4). I know that even the smallest act that I do in your name is pleasing in your sight and will be rewarded by you (Matthew 10:42).

Because he lies, accuses and tempts, the enemy will throw many things at you. That's okay. The hold button is a great thing--it gives you time to recognize the deception and cry out to the Father who provides truth. And because of his prideful nature, I'm quite sure that he hates being placed on hold even more than we do.

When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by Satan (Matthew 4), he countered the enemies lies with the truth of God's Word (v. 4, 7, 10). The same tactics our Savior used to fight the enemy will work for us as well, and he will leave (v.11). He will go because as the father of all lies (John 8:44), he can't handle the God of truth (John 15:26). He's not going to wait on hold as you seek the Father; he will hang up and call to deceive someone else. And when he calls back later, you'll know what to do. Put him on hold!