This past Monday and Tuesday, I had the rare and special opportunity to speak in the chapel services at The Master's College and the Master's Seminary in Southern California.I was invited to speak at the Master's College last year. But my move to Jacksonville forced me to cancel the engagement. And I concluded that it was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I would never have again. But I was graciously extended another invitation to come. And I was extremely grateful.Monday, I spoke in the chapel service at the college. It was the beginning of their Outreach Week. It...

We have a new monthly prayer meeting at Shiloh that I am calling the "Kingdom-Focused Prayer Meeting."During this prayer meeting, it is my goal that we would focus on prayer for kingdom, spiritual, eternal matters, not just personal matters. Of course, there is nothing wrong with praying about personal matters. You ought to pray about everything. But we often error by praying mainly for matters of health and finances and the like, without concentrating on the things of God in our prayers.I am guilty of this myself. And I need this prayer meeting just as much as the congregation does...

I love first Sundays. The celebration of the Lord's Supper is a special time in the life of our congregation. Today was no different.I am grateful for our deacons and deaconess who serve quietly and diligently to make the Lord's Supper (and baptism) a meaningful time of worship and fellowship.I was out of town last Sunday. So I think I was additionally excited about being in worship today with my own church family.In my new members class, I taught on "What You Can Expect from Shiloh," sharing some of our fundamental doctrinal convictions and spiritual priorities. The time seemed to...

I resumed my study of the Sermon on the Mount tonight in our midweek worship service. I am still in the beatitudes. My text was Matthew 5:6: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied" (ESV). I entitled the message, "How Is Your Appetite?"I addressed three aspects of this beatitude tonight: The Menu for True Satisfaction: "righteousness"   The Appetite for True Satisfaction: "hunger and thirst" The Blessing of True Satisfaction: "they shall be satisfied"There was a section of the first point that I failed to cover. But I thought it was important. I wanted...

I was in Chicago yesterday to preach the 5th pastoral anniversary services for Pastor Romell Williams and the Lilydale Progressive Missionary Baptist Church. Romell and I have been friends for some time. I preached for his installation services six years ago. And have preached every year since then, last year being the exception. The day of his anniversary last year was my first Sunday as pastor of Shiloh. He graciously understood. Not every did when my schedule abruptly changed. It was a honor to be invited to be a part of this celebration again. It was good to be with...

As I wrapped up a phone conversation with a friend yesterday, we exchanged prayer requests. I was hesitant to share my prayer requests, even though this brother is a longtime and trusted prayer partner. I was hesitant, because I did not know how to express what my sense of need is. I have been struggling with that a lot lately. I concluded that if I could not share where I am with this brother, I wouldn't be able to do it with anyone. So I took a shot at it. And, once again, I rambled. When someone asks me how...

The past three nights, I have had a great privilege of preaching for Pastor George Hurtt and the Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church. As I said to the congregation, of the many undeserved honors that have been graciously bestowed upon me, I do not know if there are any that are comparable or as special to me as the invitation to minister again to the church in which I grew up, met Christ, began my ministry, and served as pastor for many years. George Hurtt is my friend and brother, not just my successor. And I praise God for all...

I am on my way to Los Angeles to speak for three night at the Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, where George Hurtt is the pastor. Yesterday, the Mt. Sinai congregation celebrated its 67th church anniversary. My brother, Kevin Willis, who pastors the New Life in Christ Church in Mississippi, was their guest speaker. The celebration continues tonight with three nights of worship and the ministry of the word. I am honored to have been excited by Pastor Hurtt to be the guest speaker for this meeting. Pastor Hurtt is one of my best friends. And Mt. Sinai is the...

My Saturday morning bled into my Sunday morning. Not a good thing. It was a rainy morning here in Jacksonville. But I glad that many saints of SMBC pressed their way to worship anyway. The musical praise in worship today was very uplifting. I am grateful for all who serve the Lord in our music department and worship team. As I taught my new members class this morning, my mind and heart were on the importance of speaking the truth in love among brothers and sisters in Christ in the body-life of the local church. Praise God for the one...

The modern obsession with "user-friendly" ministry has stoked the fear of preaching into a pervasive phobia. Seminaries these days train men to be storytellers, entertainers, and motivational speakers - and discourage them from dealing with profound of difficult theological concepts from the pulpit. Suddenly "too much Scripture" is deemed a greater homiletical faux pas than a whole sermon with no reference to Scripture whatsoever! Seriously, in some circles it is perfectly acceptable to give a motivational lecture of comedy routine practically devoid of any biblical content, but a verse-by-verse exposition of Scripture would automatically be deemed too weighty and (this...

Last Sunday, I continued my study of the book of Philippians. I covered the first portion of Paul's testimony, in which he discusses his conversion from Judaism to Christianity. What a text! Here is the skeleton from Sunday's sermon. TITLE: “Lay Your Religion Down” TEXT: Philippians 3:4-9 SERMON SERIES: PHILIPPIANS: PARTNERSHIP IN THE GOSPEL THEME: The dynamics of Christian conversion POINT: Lay your religion down! OUTLINE: I. Paul’s past confidence in his flesh (3:4-6) A. Paul boasting about his confidence in the flesh (v. 4) A. A confession (v. 4a) B. A challenge (v. 4b) B. Paul basis for confidence...

Dr. Ray Pritchard the President and featured speaker of Keep Believing Ministries is our guest speaker tonight at Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church.Dr. Pritchard, the former pastor of Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park (Illinois), is a prolific author, a busy conference speaker, and a well-known blogger. I have benefited greatly from his his teaching, writings, and friendship.It is a great honor to have Dr. Pritchard here to share with our church family. At 6 PM, he will speak to our married couples on, "Love Is Blind, But Marriage is an Eye-Opener." He will also bring the message during our midweek...