Thu, 09 Sep 2010 16:11:45 -0500WeeblyThu, 09 Sep 2010 16:02:32 -0500http://www.theologyforthechurch.com/1/post/2010/09/teaching-opportunity-and-request.htmlDear friends,
Tomorrow morning I depart for a week in Southeast Asia.  I will teach about 50 of our brothers there, hopefully encouraging and strengthening them in the great work they are accomplishing in their city. I would be so grateful if you would talk to the Father on my behalf – that I will be used to further His work in that place, that I would have wisdom in all I say and do, as well as for protection and good health as I travel. Thank you for supporting me in this way! I look forward to bringing you a good report on my return.
“…the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” James 5:16b]]>Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:02:15 -0500http://www.theologyforthechurch.com/1/post/2010/09/the-condition-for-salvation-trust-god.htmlGen 15:6 “And he [Abraham] believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.”

Here is the condition for salvation. Abraham believed in the Lord. Literally it means Abraham trusted God.  You may ask, “Isn't believe and trust the same thing?” No, not really.  Literally the text says that Abraham “faithed” God. That does not translate very well into English since we do not have a verb for the word “faith”.  Therefore, “faithed” is often translated “believe”. Personally, I think this word “faithed” should instead be translated “trust.” To believe is intellectual; trust, however, is volitional – it involves the will. You do not trust God with your head, you trust God with your heart. ]]>Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:12:45 -0500http://www.theologyforthechurch.com/1/post/2010/08/an-astrological-object-lesson.htmlGen 15:4-5
4 And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.” 5 Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”

This promise to Abraham is explicit. God did not promise him an adopted child or a cousin; He is promising Abraham a son who will come from his own body. Then God patiently gave Abraham an astrologica object lesson, telling him to “Go outside - look up - can you count the stars?” God reminds Abraham that He put all those stars in place; He is the creator of heaven and earth.  Is anything too hard for a God like that - including giving Abraham a son from his own body, or descendants as innumerable as the stars?

God did not respond to Abraham’s weak faith with anger or rebuke; he very patiently reminded him of his immeasurable power and renewed his promise to Abraham once again.  ]]>Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:10:04 -0500http://www.theologyforthechurch.com/1/post/2010/08/take-your-fears-to-god-he-is-your-shield-and-great-reward.htmlGen 15:10-2

1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” 2 But Abram said, “Lord GOD, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 Then Abram said, “Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!”

These are the first recorded words of Abraham speaking to God, and he is complaining and afraid! What do you think Abram is afraid of?  He is afraid God’s promises are not going to come true.  Abraham is not angry and he is not unbelieving. But he sure is struggling! 

Here is one of the things I love about the Bible – it never idealizes those we read about in scripture. Abraham is not presented as a perfect character with this amazing, dynamic faith.  It doesn’t say that God looked at Abraham and thought “Look at this guy - what a great fellow he is! I owe him a blessing!” Instead, the Bible presents Abram as a lot like you and me - his faith is often plagued with doubts and fears.  If the father of faith struggled to trust in God’s promises, then it is not surprising that we will struggle too.

Follow Abraham’s example and take your weak, piddling faith to God – tell Him just what you are afraid of. You may ask, won't God be offended? No, he won't. Taking your fears and struggles to God is always the right thing to do.  Remember, God Himself is our shield and our great reward.
]]>Tue, 17 Aug 2010 15:15:35 -0500http://www.theologyforthechurch.com/1/post/2010/08/salvation-is-by-grace-through-faith-plus-nothing-and-minus-nothing.htmlGenesis 15:6 “And he [Abraham] believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.

Some people have a mistaken idea about salvation. They think that in the time of the Old Testament people were saved by their works; but now we of the New Testament era have the blessing of being saved by grace. The apostle Paul does not agree! The crux and conclusion of the book of Romans is this: salvation is by grace through faith. And salvation by grace through faith is not a new way of salvation – it is the only way anyone has ever been saved or ever will be saved. Abraham is called the father of faith. (Romans 4) He is the father of everyone who believes because he is the example and the demonstration of how a person is saved by faith. 

]]>Thu, 05 Aug 2010 15:17:16 -0500http://www.theologyforthechurch.com/1/post/2010/08/will-the-master-say-well-done.htmlThere is a story of a young musical prodigy who was a brilliant violinist. When he performed rustling would stop, little children would listen, and tears would fill the eyes of those listening. One day the prodigy was to give a graduation recital and many people, having heard of his reputation, came to hear him. To their delight, he lived up to the hype and was every bit as good a musician as was told.  His repertoire was magnificent and moving. When he finished, the crowd exploded in applause and spontaneously stood to give him a standing ovation. As they cheered and applauded he simply stood there, not acknowledging the accolades. In fact, he acted as if no one was in the room; as though he did not care. He was staring up into the balcony as though he was waiting for something. Finally, the audience turned to look up in the balcony as well, following the young man’s gaze. Seated in the front row of the balcony they saw the student’s mentor and teacher – the maestro - who had not yet applauded. Finally, the maestro smiled, stood and applauded. When he did, then the young prodigy took his bow.

Fellow Christians, you might have the applause of the world; you might have everyone giving you the glad hand and saying “attaboy”. But there is only one approval that really matters - the approval of our Savior and King, Jesus Christ. He is the one who created you; who saved you; who provides for you.  He is your maestro; your Lord.  Those of us who are saved have the desire in our heart to hear Him say on that final day, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”  ]]>Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:46:35 -0500http://www.theologyforthechurch.com/1/post/2010/07/is-god-in-charge-of-your-wallet.htmlI'm a Baptist. Baptist born and Baptist bred, and when I die I'll be Baptist dead! When I was saved at 17 years old, I worked at the local gas station – and my pastor began to teach me about tithing. I was just a high school guy - I think I was being paid about $2 dollars an hour. Pastor Parker told me that if God gave me two dollars, I should honor and worship Him by returning twenty cents. So as a high school student - before I became a pastor and preached sermons on tithing - I became a church member who practiced tithing.  

Tithing is a wonderful blessing and a magnificent act of worship. It is God’s ordained method of financing his church and his work in the world. Tithing shows due respect to the God who created us and who is the source of anything we have. You may say, “But I made that money myself!” Yes - and your heart beats because God wants it to beat. If we have anything, it is because God has allowed it. We are simply the managers; the stewards of our possessions. A person’s checkbook will say as much about his or her spirituality as any other area of life. 

Consider this a challenge – Let God be God, not only of your heart, but of your wallet!

]]>Tue, 20 Jul 2010 11:52:20 -0500http://www.theologyforthechurch.com/1/post/2010/07/the-world-is-watching.htmlI wonder how many unbelievers have stumbled because of the way we Christians have handled ourselves during times of trouble. Remember this! The world is watching - they want to see how disciples of Jesus Christ handle the adversities of life.
Are Christians any more noble?
Are they any kinder to one another?
Do they show any more patience, more love?
Does knowing God make any difference in their lives when tragedy strikes? 
I don’t know all the reasons why God allows suffering in the life of his children - but I can tell you that the Bible teaches we are often allowed to experience these things because there is someone watching who needs to see God’s grace lived out; someone who needs to see faith manifested. It is not just a cliché to say that we are the only Bible some will ever read; the only Jesus some will ever see. And they cannot see it when everything is going just fine and dandy. The only way the lost will know if the Christian faith really works, is when our life is as messy as theirs. ]]>Tue, 06 Jul 2010 09:27:25 -0500http://www.theologyforthechurch.com/1/post/2010/07/drive-through-church.htmlIn May I posted an article entitled "God's house is not a spiritual McDonalds" discussing the consumeristic attitude we often have toward church.  A reader sent me the following youtube clip entitled "Drive-through church" that aptly illustrates this point.   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4QFKS4LzS4]]>Sun, 06 Jun 2010 12:26:17 -0500http://www.theologyforthechurch.com/1/post/2010/06/without-him-i-can-do-nothing-john-155.htmlDear friends –  It has been a great blessing to receive so many expressions of support since the announcement was made that I will be taking on a new assignment at our beloved seminary (see copy of email below).  During the interim period this spring, I have had time to pray and consider – would I want this position if it were offered to me?  The eventual answer to that question was definitively, “Yes”!  I love this school and our students, and God has given me a passion for the ministry and mission here at Southeastern - to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission.  It is an honor to have this opportunity to serve alongside the president and this great faculty, and I covet your prayers.   This I know – without Christ, we can do nothing! Please pray with me that all of us serving here at SEBTS will humbly seek God’s face and let His Word guard our hearts and guide our steps; that the ministry here at SEBTS will flourish and bring praise, honor and glory to our Savior, Jesus Christ.       

“I am delighted to announce after months of prayer, conversations and seeking the Lord that Dr. Ken Keathley has agreed to become Senior Vice President for Academic Administration and Dean of the Faculty.  Dr. Keathley has done a stellar job in the interim period and I am thrilled he has agreed to take on this responsibility permanently.  I have received enthusiastic support from trustees with whom I shared this decision.  I believe he will continue to serve this faculty and institution well in the days ahead in this new assignment.  Please extend to Ken your congratulations and also pledge to him your prayers.  It is a joy to see God working His will at this school as we seek to bring praise and glory to His Son the Lord Jesus.”
Daniel L. Akin
President]]>