I was invited this year to speak at the first annual Independent Baptist Friends International Conference hosted by Dr. Clarence Sexton at the Temple Baptist Church and The Crown College in Knoxville, Tennessee. As I look back at the meeting, there are several truths that stand out to me that I would like to share with you:
The Truth is the greatest need of this or any generation- John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
We have the inspired Word of God in the Authorized Version- 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Being around people with the right spirit refreshes your soul- Daniel 6:3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.
The right friends are critical to your own well being- Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
World evangelism is our mission statement- Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
The local church is God’s plan for this age- Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Bible preaching is ordained of God to share His message- Romans 10:8-9 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; (9) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Good music stirs the heart to worship- Psalms 149:1 Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
Some people will not be happy no matter what you do- 1 Corinthians 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
We have a wonderful heritage as fundamental Baptists- 2 Timothy 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Our message is the gospel, the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, nothing else- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; (4) And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
While I can only speak for myself I believe it was a great meeting! I came away with these tangible changes in my life.
I want to love my people greater that God has given me to Pastor.
I want to study, memorize, and use more Scripture in my preaching.
I want to lead my people to help start churches in America.
I want to lead my people to be more actively involved in world missions by both going and giving.
It is hard to believe that anyone could be upset about Truth, Friendship, and World Evangelism; but as it goes, I am sure there are some who question motives or decisions about this meeting. With that in mind, I share one final piece of advice that my father gave me years ago, that Dr. Curtis Hutson gave him, about doing something for the cause of Christ. He said, “Don’t waste time defending yourself. Your friends do not need you to and your enemies won’t believe you anyway.” I pray we go forward with Truth, side by side with Friends, for the cause of World Evangelism.
