Finding Grace among the Graves

One year ago, on Friday June 14^th my dear friend Rainey Buscher died. I use the word “died” because it reflects the horrible reality that we all too often like to soften by describing it as a passing. Complications to chemotherapy are what killed Rainey. I watched him in the hospital fight so hard. We all were hoping just a few weeks/days earlier he had actually beaten the cancer. It turns out he might have beaten the cancer, but the effects of the drugs meant to kill the cancer would actually take his life. The chemotherapy caused some type of virus or something to attack his lungs. The reports, the best I can remember didn’t offer any hope. Death was quickly approaching despite my disbelief that my friend would soon be gone.

Rainey was transferred from the hospital to hospice where he would spend his last days. On the evening of Sunday June 9^th Heather and I decided to go visit with Rainey knowing his days had nearly expired. To our surprise we happened to crash in on a party. Many of Rainey’s friends from both the Discovery and New Life Churches had brought food, music and wanted to celebrate. This was the most bittersweet celebrations that I have been and most likely will ever be privileged to participate in. It was a celebration of Jesus! It is how I prefer to remember Rainey. Rainey was a man passionately in love with the Lord Jesus which was expressed through his music and love for others. I remember crying, laughing, singing, praying and hoping that night would not end.

I visited Rainey again a day or so later and the enemy which we call death was drawing near. Rainey’s mind was slowly fading as was his ability to breath. He was a man on a mission. He shared with me a particular project he wanted me to at his house and explained in great detail every aspect of the job. I gave him my word that I would. This both brought joy to my heart knowing that I could actually do something to bring comfort to him while crushing my heart knowing I would never see him at his home. After leaving I could not stop the tears. I sobbed…I prayed…I sobbed…I prayed.

On Thursday June 13^th while in a meeting with another pastor I received a call from Heather. Laura, Rainey’s wife, had told her that I needed to get to the hospice center ASAP. I left the meeting with an unbelievable amount of weight on my chest. While on the way to the hospice center I received a call from our social worker asking if the two girls, whom we would eventually adopt, could come stay with us early, like that evening. I remember wondering “what exactly are you doing Lord?”  I told her our predicament, but agreed to take them in that evening. I visited with Rainey and all who were there. They were about to increase or had just increased the pain medication and soon he would no longer be able to communicate. I hated the thought of that, but knew it was his wishes.

I also visited with Rainey on Friday. Everyone knew it was no longer a matter of weeks or even days, but hours and minutes. Rainey died soon after I left on Friday June 14^th. I have wept almost weekly for the last year. My heart is still crushed and I still struggle to believe that he is dead. His death has affected me more than the passing of any other friend or family member. Why, I don’t really know except to say that young people are not supposed to die. It is not supposed to end this way.

A few weeks ago Heather and I had a weekend getaway in downtown Raleigh. We literally stayed a few blocks away from where Rainey was buried. On Sunday May 18^th I decided to go for an early morning run to visit the place where Rainey’s body was placed in the ground. I spent a great deal of time praying for Rainey’s wife, sister, brother, mother and friends. I prayed for them who do not know Christ Jesus and follow Him would be saved. I prayed for others to be comforted by the Holy Spirit and God’s people.

I eventually started looking around and the grave stones and spotted one that stuck out. The stone read “Grace”. I again started praying and asking God where His Grace was among all these Graves. The honest truth I told God is the graveyard is a brutal reminder of the curse. It is a reminder that multitudes have perished because of the disease called sin of which no one can escape. While looking around at the thousands of graves I was reminded that broad is the way that leads to destruction and narrow is the path that leads to life. And that is when I really discovered Grace among the Graves. I remembered the story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16. I thought if the multitudes in the graveyard could speak they, like the rich man, would want someone to tell their loved ones about salvation found in Christ Jesus alone. I was reminded that the Grace of God was displayed among the Graves when God demonstrated His power over death and the grave. You see the God who is revealed in the bible gave his life for us. He died a horrific and bloody death, but after three days He rose again. He later ascended to the right hand of the Father where He rules and reigns. The Bible declares that all men everywhere must turn from their sins and trust in Jesus. Trust that by dying, He died for your sins. Trust that forgiveness is possible only through the sacrifice of the Son of God. Trust that he can save you and grant you new life. Trust him with your life, your all. Seek Him, pray to Him, and plead with Him to save you. I am confident based on the Scriptures that if you will call upon the name of the Lord you will be saved.

As bitter as it is dealing with the death of my friend it is much sweeter than you can imagine. You see, I am confident that Rainey did trust in Christ as Savior and Lord. I am confident that Rainey, although absent from his body is present with the Lord. I am confident that Rainey is experiencing the fullness of joy in the very presence of God. I am confident you too could experience that reality if you will believe on Jesus.

If you are like me and Christ Jesus is your Lord, join with me and as ambassadors for Christ allow God to make an appeal to others through you to be reconciled to God.  Let us be moved by the Grace of the Grave by Praying, pleading and proclaiming the gospel in order that men will be saved. Let us do it for the glory of God alone.

Pursuing the Glory of God

This morning I spent some time meditating on the Scriptures. When I read John 5:44 it seemed to leap off the page. In this passage Jesus said to the religious leaders of His day "How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God?"

Reflecting on this passage I noticed that personal belief is connected to our deep rooted motivations. We are called to passionately pursue the glory of God in all things. The Westminster Catechism states " Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever." We were created to the end that we would magnify God with all of our lives. Paul said it this way "...whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God."

If our glory is our aim or goal, we will most likely receive some temporary satisfaction in this life, but if we make God's glory our aim we will have complete joy, both now and for all eternity. I recognize I am too often shortsighted and self-centered. I seek personal gratification and glorification when Jesus is constantly calling me to deny myself and the temporary glory I might receive and discover the deep and lasting satisfaction found in pursuing Jesus and His glory.

Sinner's Prayer

During the SBC meeting in New Orleans a resolution was made that troubled me. The resolution was titled "AN AFFIRMATION OF A “SINNER’S PRAYER” AS A BIBLICAL EXPRESSION OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH".

I appreciated the work of the Resolutions Committee in improving the language that was submitted, but did not feel they went far enough. I decided to try to amend the resolution asking the convention to strike "sinner's prayer as" from the title and "often identified as a 'sinner's prayer'" from the body of the resolution. I know from my history in Baptist politics that I had a much greater chance at amending the resolution than I did convincing others to vote the resolution down. I was proved right by the results of my amendment compared to the results of the resolution as presented by the Resolutions Committee.

The failure of my amendment was reported on as follows:
"Messengers defeated two efforts to amend the resolution. One called for removal of the words “a ‘Sinner’s Prayer’” from the resolution’s title and a paragraph. That amendment failed by what appeared to be a comfortable though not overwhelming margin." --Baptist Press

The vote on the resolution as presented by the Resolutions Committee was reported on as follows:
"With an estimated 80 percent majority, messengers approved the resolution on a "Sinner's Prayer" with some careful descriptions."

What troubled me about this resolution was not that they were using words that are not found in the Bible, but the understanding most people in churches have regarding the "sinner's prayer." Too often in the church I serve I find myself dealing with people who have said the "sinner's prayer" multiple times and believe they are saved based solely on the prayer they prayed and the confirmation that pastors and others gave them. They have been often told if they pray the "sinner's prayer" with sincerity they they will be saved.

I know the Resolutions Committee worked hard to include the language of Repentance (6 x's) and Faith/Trust (6 x's), but the reality is most Churches and Christians will only hear that the SBC believes in the "sinner's prayer." Most will never read the resolution, but continue to believe that the "sinner's prayer" is "an incantation that results in salvation merely by its recitation" and will continue to "be manipulatively employed or utilized."

After the failure of the amendment and passage of the resolution I was shocked to find some would mock me over my attempt to amend the resolution. One man asked me mockingly if the word's "great commission" were found in the Bible. To him I simply responded "no sir" (he was much older than I). Next he started laughing obnoxiously and telling everyone in the area that we are all unbiblical and have just passed an unbiblical resolution. He continued his mocking and laughing to which I did not respond.

What bothered me most about that encounter was not that I was mocked for standing up for I believed to be right, but rather the ignorance the man displayed. I was in shock that the man would continue laughing and jokingly stating that we are all unbiblical. I think I understand the man's position on the matter, but could not for the life of me understand how someone could jokingly boast about how himself and the SBC were all unbiblical.

In the end I have learned some valuable lessons:

If you plan to speak for or against a resolution or amend it be prepared and communicate your point thoroughly and clearly. I fell I lacked both. I also was very intimidated to get up and speak in front of nearly 8,000 people.

When trying to communicate your point don't try to demonize others but commend them where you can and emphasize your concern in your differences. In meetings like this it is always good to remember that we are all on the same team with the same mission. The differences we have is most often in the particulars.

Never underestimate the power of the people. I was amazed at how many people agreed with my proposed amendment. I don't know the numbers, but it looked like around a 60/40 split. This means I was able to convince somewhere around 20% who would later vote for the resolution to vote in favor of the amendment.

When you lose, don't become bitter but rather join arms again with your brothers and sisters and focus on the mission of God. God would not have us be divided but untied in the power of the Holy Spirit focused on making disciples.

My favorite time at the SBC was the election of Fred Luter as President of the SBC. That was a historic moment that I will never forget. With tears in my eyes I praised God for His kindness.

To God be the glory...

Overcomers

This morning I read through the book of 1 John and was "overcome" by how much John talked about both Jesus the Overcomer and his followers who have overcome will overcome. This lead to a word search in all of John's writings and what follows is what I have discovered and what currently brings me great hope.

My prayer is that God would minister to you as he has me this morning. I pray you will grasp the reality that Jesus has overcome the world. I pray that your circumstances regardless of how bad they might be and how hopeless they may seem are under the sovereign reign of Christ our Lord.



I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. 1 John 2:14

You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:4-5

These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God. Rev 2:7

He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death. Rev 2:11

To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it. Rev 2:17

He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS Rev 2:26

He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. Rev 3:5

He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God Rev 3:12

He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. Rev. 3:21

“Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.” Rev 5:5

These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful. Rev 17:14

He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. Rev 21:7

Lost

This morning the Lord directed me to Luke 15 where I spent a good portion of time reflecting on verses 1-10. There we discover the parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin.

Jesus told these parables in response to the grumbling of the Pharisees and scribes. They were upset that Jesus received and ate with sinners. Both parables tell a similar story: Something was lost, Someone sought after that which was lost, What was once lost was found and the response of Joy once the lost was found.

Over the weekend my family went to the Eno River with several other families. While there I noticed a man kept going around yelling something. As I continued to watch him for thirty minutes or so I noticed he appeared to be in anguish, frustration, and fearful. The next time I saw him, he was walking down the path yelling into the woods. I decided to ask him if he was looking for someone and if he needed any help. He described to me that his son decided to take an alternate path out, but he could not locate him. I asked what his son looked like and was wearing. He told me, although he described the wrong color shirt, and I decided to join in the search.

I began by going up a path looking through the woods and by the river. Everyone I passed I let them know of a boy who was lost and what he was wearing. I frantically was running around hopeful I would find him. After searching for some time I came out of the woods and saw the man again. This time there was a boy walking with him. I pursued him and asked if the boy with him was his son. He replied yes, this is my son. I knew prior to him telling me because the look on his face had turned from anguish to what appeared to be joy.

In the parables we learn that it is God who seeks, saves and rejoices over the lost who are found. As I began to think about the parable told by Jesus and the events of this weekend I began to be troubled. God has sent  all Christians on a rescue mission to seek and rescue those who are lost. The troubling part came when I realized how I walk through this life with little thought about how people will perish if they are not found. I lack the anguish and urgency over lost sinners. My life is not characterized by fear for those who are around me. I do not give enough thought, prayer and pursuit of to those who are perishing.

When I read that there are over 3,088,000,000 people who are considered "unreached" with the gospel unfortunately I'm not moved as I ought to be. These represent 3.088 Billion sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, grandparents, cousins, neighbors, etc. These are real people who have no hope without the gospel of Jesus.

I'm beginning to pray that God would give us a burden for the lost. I'm praying that God would give us the grace and boldness needed to begin an active pursuit of the lost. I'm praying that God would give us a deep concern and anguish for those who are perishing.

May we hope in God who has promised to seek and save some from all nations, peoples, and languages. May we have the joy of God as we see sinners reconciled to their God. May we rejoice when God grants sinners repentance and faith in Him. May we celebrate with the host of heaven who find joy in God accomplishing His mission.

Will of God

Most often we question God's will for our lives. If you are like me and often ask this question, I have some really good news for you. I have discovered the answer in black in white.

The answer is found in 1 Thessalonians 4 & Romans 12 

In 1 Thess. 4:3 The Spirit says through Paul "For this is the will of God, your sanctification..." and in 4:7-8 "For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification. So, he who rejects (sanctification) is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you."

Here we quickly discover that sanctification is contrary to impurity. Actually sanctification speaks of being set apart to holiness. Rejecting a pursuit of holiness or sanctification is a rejection of God and the work of the Holy Spirit in your life. 

God declared "You shall be holy for I am holy!" This will never be accomplished by our efforts alone. We need the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and immerse us in the truth of God. It is the truth found in the Scriptures that is able to transform and conform us into the image of Christ Jesus our Lord. 

In Romans 12:2 the Spirit says through Paul "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good & acceptable and perfect."

This is a peculiar verse. Here we learn that we can't transform ourselves, but rather we need to be transformed. We are transformed by the work of the Spirit as we turn our eyes to the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit is the One who inspired them,  illumines them, and uses them to transform us in such a way that we look more and more like Jesus each day. God's power, Spirit, and word are given to us that we might be holy.

This is God's will for you...Be like Jesus! Don't reject God's will or His Spirit, but rather prayerfully read God's Word. Ask His Spirit to chip away the old man that wants to be conformed to the world and ask Him to transform you into the image of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. To Him be the glory!

Grace of God

A friend of mine asked me about the book of Titus last night so I decided to pick it up this morning and meditate upon it. When I read Titus 2:11-14 God grabbed my attention. I began to think about how grace is an active force. I then decided to outline it so I can better understand the content. Below is how I outlined it and I made some comments following the outline.

For the grace of God has appeared(it was made manifest to man by God),

1. Grace came bringing salvation for all people
2. Grace came training us 
1. to renounce 
1. ungodliness 
2. worldly passions
2. to live in this present age
1. to live self-controlled lives
2. to live upright lives
3. to live godly lives
3. to wait 
1. for our blessed hope
2. for the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ
1. who gave himself for us 
1. to redeem us from all lawlessness 
2. to purify a people 
1. for himself
2. for his own possession 
3. who are zealous for good works.

So what or better who is the "Grace" that appeared? If you keep reading you will discover we are waiting for the "appearing" of Jesus who brought this salvation by redeeming a people for Himself. The grace that appeared was a person, His name according to Paul is "our great God and Savior Jesus Christ."

Jesus came to save a people by redeeming them through faith in His shed blood. Jesus came to purify those whom He saves by training them to renounce the world & its passions and training them to live in such a way that we reflect Him who is pure. Those whom He is making pure are characterized by possessing a zeal for doing good.