Yesterday, I continued our exposition of Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus. I finally made it into the second chapter of the letter. The passage I am studying consist of verses 1-10. However, I only did the first three verses. I will take me at least two, possible three, more sermons before I finish this passage. I look forward to this being a rich study for me and MSMBC, seeing that this is one of the New Testament statements of the way of salvation: by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone to the glory of God...

This past Sunday, I preached the pastoral anniversary celebration for my longtime friend Reginald Payne. He has served the Full Gospel Baptist Church in Los Angeles for thirteen years now. (For the record, the name of the church does not reflect its theology. Reginald is as sound as they come. He has simply chosen to honor the previous pastor and the congregation’s history by not changing the name of the church.)We were junior deacons together at Mt. Sinai. I was eleven when I preached my first sermon. It was during the youth choir’s musical. Reginald was the president of that...

I am in Seattle. Last night, I preached the first of three nights for Pastor Curtis Taylor and the Progressive Missionary Baptist Church. The congregation is celebrating sixty-five years of ministry. And this three-night meeting is a part of the celebration, which will continue Friday night and conclude Sunday morning.I experienced a first yesterday. Of all my travels, it was the first time I had been on a plane with a medical emergency. An older gentleman began to have heart complications. The flight attendants seemed concerned that he was having a heart attack. And the pilots were considering landing, even...

Yesterday, I resumed our exposition of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians during our Sunday morning workship services. I preached the first part of the passage, verses 15-19, more than a month ago. I did verses 19-23 this time, finishing this opening chapter of the letter. Here is the sermon skeleton:Title: “God’s Power on Display in Christ”Text: Ephesians 1:19-23Theme: God’s Power on Display in ChristPoint: Jesus Christ himself is the ultimate proof of God’s power to change your life.Transition Sentence: Verses 20-23 highlight four ways God’s power to change your life was put on display through Christ.Outline: I. God raised Jesus...

During my flight home from Detroit today, I read God, Grits, and More by Dr. R.A. Williams, Jr., who pastors the McCoy Memorial Baptist Church in Los Angeles. He is also the president of the WHW Conference on Bible exposition. I was a boy preacher when I first heard him. I had gone to hear Pastor Melvin Wade speak at a local church. The two were doing the meeting together. But I had never heard of Dr. Williams. And I knew I would not make it back to the meeting. So I bought a tape of Dr. Williams. It was...

Last night, I began three nights of preaching at the Oakland Avenue Baptist Church in Detroit. Pastor Larry Walker is my host this week. He is kind and generous. And it always a joy to be with around him. This is the third straight year I have had the privilege of ministering to this congregation during the annual Christian education institute and church revival. Dr. William Burwell is doing the Bible institute. He is a provocative teacher, who is zealous about sound doctrine. I am always inspired and challenged when I hear him speak. Please pray for the next two...

Today in my son's seventh birthday. Seven years ago, when he was born, I was on an overnight trip to Atlanta. He was born six weeks premature. I guess he was in a hurry to get here and to get on with things. And I don't think his attitude has changed. This weekend, he informed me, "I am seven now. So I am almost a man." Well, not quite. But he is surely on his way. For months, he has been asking me when he will be able to shave. I told him it will be a while. But I...

Yesterday, I preached one more message on our "Getting Connected" theme before I return to exposition. It was basically a sermon on forgiveness from the story of Joseph and his brothers. Here is the sermon skeleton:Title: “Getting Even God’s Way”Text: Genesis 50:15-21Theme: Confidence in God that enables forgiveness of othersPoint: Your faith in God is authenticated by your complete forgiveness of others.Transitional Sentence: Joseph’s response to his brothers' appeal for forgiveness teaches us three ways to get even God’s way.Outline: I. Don’t play God (50:19). II. View life through the lens of God’s good providence (50:20).A. Come to grips with...

I am at the airport in Atlanta, awaiting my flight home. I have been in Georgia the last two days, with Pastor Maurice Watson. His congregation, Beulahland Bible Church (one church, two locations - Macon & Warner Robbins), is in revival this week. And Pastor graciously asked me to bring the message for the Wednesday night service. First of all, Pastor Maurice Watson is one of the best Bible preachers in this country - hands down. And the Lord is doing a great work through him at Beulahland. The Tuesday night service was held at the Warner Robbins location. Last...

I am in Atlanta. I am here to preach Wednesday night for Pastor Maurice Watson at the Beulahland Bible Church in Macon. This is an unscheduled trip for me. The scheduled speaker for Wednesday night was not able to come. So Pastor Watson asked me to fill in. All he had to do was ask. And here I am. Pastor Watson is a homiletical hero, a pastoral mentor, and a dear friend. And I am honored that he asked me to come and share the word with his congregation.I flew in a day early to hear the Tuesday night speaker:...

Here is the sermon skeleton from tonight's message:Title: “Are You Determined to Live For God?”Text: Psalm 119:105-112Theme: The steadfast determination of a sanctified lifePoint: Your commitment to scripture must go from desire to determination in order to live for God.Outline:I. Be determined to follow the guidance of God’s word (119:105-106) A. The spiritual nature of biblical guidance (v. 105)B. The proper response to biblical guidance (v. 106II. Be determined to trust the sufficiency of God’s word (119:107-108)A. You can give God your burdens (v. 107)B. You should give God your best (v. 108)III. Be determined to obey the wisdom of...

I have been quite busy since my last post. Wednesday through Friday of last week, our church hosted a series of "revival" services in connection with our church anniversary. We were blessed to sit under the preaching of Pastor Tellis Chapman of the Galilee Baptist Church of Detroit for three nights. His messages truly ministered to our congregation each night. Saturday morning, I flew to Chicago to preach. My friend, Romell Williams was celebrating two years as pastor of the Lilydale Progressive Baptist Church. I preached the two morning services. And then went to two afternoon services, one at 3:30...