Pastor Ricky Powell

The Spirit of Christmas by Ray Charles

The Real Christmas Story

How To Remain Flexible When Your Church Is Changing

We live in an ever changing world. From technology to health-care, things are changing at breakneck speeds. However, it seems that in the church people often confuse man-made tradition with truth. We must be able to carefully distinguish between what is unchangeable from what is temporal. If a church is to effectively reach its community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ then it must learn to see the difference between the message and the methods; that which is sacred versus that which is merely traditional.

Let’s make sure we understand what is sacred, and therefore, unchanging. The Word of God is sacred! Psalm 119:89 reads, “Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens” (ESV). Many things change is this world, but the Word of God remains unchanged because God Himself is unchanging. It is comforting to know that we can rest upon the Word. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Matthew 24:35). As our church presses on to reach the community with the Gospel we will do so with the same message of God’s redemption through Christ that has been declared by believers for over 2000 years.

Methods, traditions, and worship forms are never to be confused with the sacred Word of God. A dynamic church must regularly abandon old methods that are no longer effective. It must embrace new methods that that will not compromise Scripture, but will aid the church in fulfilling its mission. A church can become so attached to its traditions that its members lose sight of why the church exists. When this happens, it is usually the beginning of the congregation’s decline. It has been said that the last words of a dying church are, “We’ve never done it that way before.” In his book, Shepherding the Church into the 21^st Century, Joseph M. Stowell wrote, “…we must realize that those of us who are unwilling to wrestle with the issues of a radically changed society and who assume that the old forms are the best and only forms will soon be presiding over ministries that are passing from the scene with the passing of the last generation that understands those forms. In light of our changing society, the reevaluation of and reconfiguration of forms within a proper theological context, without compromising biblical functions, may no longer be a preference but a necessity given the fact that the thought paradigms and cultural languages of the modern American have radically changed. Reaching them and discipling them demands a clear understanding of the appropriate and effective passageways to both their head and their heart” (p. 35).

Changes in church methods is nothing new. For example, the church has not always had the same worship format for the service that we have today. In the year 1690 a controversy was raging in the Baptist Churches of England. It centered on a movement in many churches to allow congregational singing. It was considered by many to be worldly and disrespectful. Today we could not think of a service without congregational singing. Thank God for change! Martin Luther also created a controversy in his day when he put “sacred” songs to “secular” music. Remember that the next time your church sings, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.” You are singing a song put to the melody from an old bar tune. William Tyndale also helped initiate a radical change in how churches operate by being the first to translate the New Testament from Greek into the English language. He died a martyr’s death for his work of giving the English people the Holy Scriptures in their own tongue.

Countless other changes have occurred throughout the centuries of Christendom. Architectural styles, musical styles, worship service schedules, the length of sermons, the attire of the ministers and congregation (pastor’s once would not consider preaching without a black suit and black hat!), and many other traditions have changed over time. Some changes have been harmful to the church, but most of them were helpful in helping that group of Christians reach their culture and generation.

There is one point that remains constant; some people do not like change. People like routine because it is less threatening than constant change. People find comfort in what is familiar. Change can be especially true hard on the older generation of believers. They have watched the world change before their very eyes at a pace no other generation has experienced. Their world is becoming less friendly and familiar. So they turn to the church for a source of stability, and lo and behold, the church has changed too!

It is imperative that we make the necessary changes to fulfill our mission of making disciples. The bricks and mortar, the style of music, nor the order of worship are inspired of God in Scripture. The church must change or stagnate and die. However, we must also seek to help the congregation understand the reasons for the changes. The majority of senior adults are not inflexible. They are just fearful that all they have worked hard to achieve in the church may be thrown out for the sake of change. I have discovered that if I help people see from Scripture what God has called us to do, if I show them from Scripture that the changes being proposed are not un-biblical, and if I love people no matter what, the majority of them will be supportive. They may not like all that is done, but they understand the vision God has given us.

The apostle Paul had to remind the Corinthians church of the motives behind his missionary methods. He wanted them to know that he was willing to change his methods depending upon the situation at hand and what was required to best share the Gospel. He found common ground with Jews when he was trying to reach them. He found common ground with the Gentiles when he was with them. Never did he compromise Scripture! He wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:19–23, For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those 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 might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.(ESV)

Pastor John MacArthur gives three keys to helping a church remain flexible in the midst of change. Here they are:

1. First, recognize that spiritual life takes precedence over structure.What goes on in a Christian’s life outside the church is more important than what goes on inside its walls. The church building is not God’s house; the believer is (1 Cor. 6:l9). Greek scholar Kenneth Wuest translates 2 Corinthians 6:16 as follows: “As for us, we are an inner sanctuary of the living God” (The New Testament, An Expanded Translation [Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, l980], p. 426).
2. Second, be open to the Holy Spirit. If the Holy Spirit is the One behind change, believers should be ready and willing to change.
3. Finally, make sure that procedure follows needs. To remain spiritually alive, a church must adapt to the needs of people. If society changes, then the church is going to have to be flexible so that it can minister effectively. A church must get rid of the attitude “We’ve never done it that way before.” Citation: MacArthur, John. The Master's Plan for the Church, p 115. Chicago: Moody Press, 1991.

One Nation Under God

This is a speech I recently gave to the Exchange Club of Jacksonville, Florida. They asked me to speak about the topic of why I believe America is one nation under God.

It is an honor to be here with you today. I truly appreciate the work you do in our community as the Exchange Club. I also want to thank you for this gracious invitation to speak. Dave Ledbetter asked me to join you today, so if this goes south, you will know who to blame. I also want to thank my dear friend and former church member, Jonny Moore for bringing me here.

Now, I do not know most of you, but you must be people of faith. I do not know your individual religious background and beliefs, and I do not know if you attend worship services regularly. However, I surmise that you are all people of faith because you invited a Southern Baptist preacher to speak to you, believing he will end on time. Now that is what I call faith! I will not keep you long today because I know you have other appointments. I also know you may get sleepy after this wonderful lunch. My wife defines preaching as talking in someone else’s sleep, so I’ll not preach to you today.

I simply want to share with you why I believe we truly are, “one nation under God.” I believe there is ample evidence to support the premise that this nation was founded by men who believed that we derive our rights from, and are accountable to, Almighty God.

The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering (Partnering With Our Missionaries)

"The needs of these people press upon my soul, and I cannot be silent. It is grievous to think of these human souls going down to death without even one opportunity of hearing the name of Jesus. People talk vaguely about the heathen, picturing them as scarcely human, or at best, as ignorant barbarians. If they could live among them as I do, they would find in the men much to respect and admire; in the women and girls they would see many sweet and loving traits of character. They would feel, pressing upon their heart and conscience, the duty of giving the gospel to them. It does seem strange that when men and women can be found willing to risk life—or, at least, health and strength—in order that these people may hear the gospel, that Christians withhold the means to send them. Once more I urge upon the consciences of my Christian brethren and sisters the claims of these people among whom I dwell. Here I am working alone in a city of many 11 thousand inhabitants, with numberless villages clustered around or stretching away in the illuminate distance: how many can I reach?"

Lottie Moon was appointed a missionary to China July 7, 1873. She gave her life and love in devotion to her beloved Chinese people. She died December 24, 1912. This letter was published in the January 1888 Foreign Mission Journal. In it she calls for support as she and others seek to carry the Gospel to those who need Jesus. Will you prayerfully give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering?

The Weather Vane

One day C. H. Spurgeon was walking through the English countryside with a friend. As they strolled along, the evangelist noticed a barn with a weather vane on its roof. At the top of the vane were these words: “GOD IS LOVE.” Spurgeon remarked to his companion that he thought this was a rather inappropriate place for such a message. “Weather vanes are changeable,” he said, “but God’s love is constant.”

“I don’t agree with you about those words, Charles,” replied his friend. “You misunderstood the meaning. That sign is indicating a truth: Regardless of which way the wind blows, God is love.”
Citation: Morgan, Robert J. Nelson's Complete Book of Stories, Illustrations, and Quotes. electronic ed., p 357. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2000.

To Sign or Not To Sign?

A group of prominent Christian clergy, ministry leaders and scholars released the Manhattan Declaration, which addresses the sanctity of life, traditional marriage and religious liberty. The 4,700-word declaration issues a clarion call to Christians to adhere to their convictions and informs civil authorities that the signers will not—under any circumstance—abandon their Christian consciences. The document was drafted by Dr. Robert George, Dr. Timothy George and Chuck Colson and signed by more than 150 Orthodox, Catholic and evangelical Christian leaders. (citation: Manhattan Declaration Press Release)

Since then the number of signatures has increased to over 275,800. You can click the logo above and read the entire Manhattan Declaration as well as view the list of religious leaders signatories. Many Christian leaders I respect have signed the statement. On the other hand, John MacArthur has refused to sign it. I have been asked to sign the declaration. Read the entire document and tell me what you think? Here is a brief overview from ManhattanDeclaration.org.

A Call of Christian Conscience
Christians, when they have lived up to the highest ideals of their faith, have defended the weak and vulnerable and worked tirelessly to protect and strengthen vital institutions of civil society, beginning with the family.

We are Orthodox, Catholic, and evangelical Christians who have united at this hour to reaffirm fundamental truths about justice and the common good, and to call upon our fellow citizens, believers and non-believers alike, to join us in defending them. These truths are:

1.the sanctity of human life
2.the dignity of marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife
3.the rights of conscience and religious liberty.

Inasmuch as these truths are foundational to human dignity and the well-being of society, they are inviolable and non-negotiable. Because they are increasingly under assault from powerful forces in our culture, we are compelled today to speak out forcefully in their defense, and to commit ourselves to honoring them fully no matter what pressures are brought upon us and our institutions to abandon or compromise them. We make this commitment not as partisans of any political group but as followers of Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen Lord, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

What Would Lottie Do?

We have begun a new message series for the month of December titled, "WWLD? (What Would Lottie Do?). In this series we will consider what it means to be a missional church by learning from the example of Lottie Moon. Here is the link to the first sermon manuscript titled, "Me? A Missionary?" You can learn a little more about this legendary Southern Baptist Missionary by reading the sermon or by visiting the International Mission Board website. I hope you will join us each Sunday morning for worship!

A Pearl Harbor Prayer

This prayer is in memory of those who lost their lives on Sunday, December 7, 1941, as well as the remaining survivors. I am especially honored to pastor a man named Harold Saly who is a Pearl Harbor survivor. God bless you, Harold.

O God of our Fathers,
We guard in our hearts today the sacred memory of those who gave their lives on that day which will live in infamy. Bless us, O Lord, as we humble ourselves in Thy presence to remember our shipmates and friends who served our country so valiantly.

Let us not disgrace those who still lie in the quiet places through our indifference or forgetfulness. Rather, help us to always remember Pearl Harbor and help us to keep America alert. May we never forget that more than 2,000 of our sons, fathers, brothers, and friends were killed and more than 1,000 citizens of our land were wounded on December 7, 1941. Their sacrifices were not in vain. They defended America’s freedom and demonstrated America’s goodness.

Heavenly Father, we give thanks for the brave men who embodied your love by making this ultimate sacrifice. You have declared “greater love hath no man than this, than to lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). May we be willing to follow their example when duty calls.

We also give thanks for those who survived the attack on our country and who went on with their lives in a way that portrayed honor to a watching world. They carried on with life even as they bore deep within them the haunting memories of what they witnessed, heard, and felt. Bless them with continued grace and mercy from your holy hand.

Guide us and direct us in all that we do. Let us live to bring glory and honor to Thee.
This we pray in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Amen.

The Difference Between Santa and the Savior (A Christmas Sermon)

Here is a Christmas sermon I preached several years ago. I offer it as an inspiration to my preacher friends who may be looking for a sermon idea!

Download The Difference Between Santa and the Savior