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Published: 06 May 2015

I’ll be preaching this weekend but not in Greenville. I’ll be in Ohio at Perry Baptist Church giving an “Ordination Charge” to our oldest son Tim. Tim is the pastor of a growing flock of believers just outside of Canton, not far from the Football Hall of Fame. Those of you who attend Calvary in person or on line will have the treat of hearing Kurt Dillinger from LIFE International. Kurt is the Founder and President of LIFE and he is passionate about Jesus, the Word of God and abundant life. I am praying even now that you will catch a bit of his enthusiasm about living a “life-giving life.” Back to “Ordination” for a moment…we don’t talk about it often but here is how these things work in our circles. When a local church recognizes God’s gifts and calling on a man’s life, they invite an Ordination Council to examine the man’s salvation testimony, call to ministry and orthodoxy (what he believes). That council, made up of about 20 Ordained Pastors was on April 28. We had the privilege of being there to hear Tim rehearse his journey with Jesus and clarify his love for Him. Lots of practical and doctrinal questions were asked and at the end of the day it was unanimously recommended to the church he serves that they proceed with the recognition of Tim’s call. Technically, ordination is the recognition of God’s work in a man’s life. The church recognizes the hand of God on a person but they are not the primary agent of ordination…God is. I’m sharing all this with you today because Tim grew up here. He (and Tom) graduated from Greenville High School and were participants in the Children’s and Student Ministries of this church. I want to say “Thanks” to God for His faithfulness in their lives. I want to say “Thanks” to all of you that had/have a part in their lives. Tom is still here faithfully serving and we are blessed to have his wife Wendy and their four boys close at hand. Tim, Mary Beth and their three children are 360 miles away but we are so grateful for their obedience to God and service for Him. I don’t believe in a “highest calling.” I believe the high calling of God in Christ Jesus refers to each individual taking on the character and likeness of Jesus wherever they are and whatever they do. I’m thankful that both of my boys and their wives are pursuing Him with that purpose in mind. So, I could use your prayers on Sunday as I preach…a sermon to one…our son, your brother in Christ, a dearly loved child of God set apart by Him to a life of vocational service. Thanks.

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Published: 01 May 2015

I know that is the name of a group of churches in our area…and I like that name.  Resurrection life is the kind of life the believer in union with Christ should live.  It is a life characterized by “overcoming” the world, the flesh and the devil.  It refers to a life that is characterized by power, grace, victory and service.  Resurrection life doesn’t have to be flashy or bold.  After Jesus rose from the dead He almost appeared shy before He ascended to the Father.  Resurrection life is a new kind of life.  It is not novel, it is original.  It is the kind of life that we were made to have as humans.  Sin, otherwise known as self-will, brought destruction, damage and death.  The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ brings help, healing and life! Resurrection life is what Paul prayed the Ephesian believers would enjoy.  (See Ephesians 1:15-23)  To live in the reality that Jesus Christ is alive, His Kingdom is present, His life is available to us, the penalty for sin is removed and the power of sin broken would be living a new kind of life!  That is the life the believer should be living.  Dead to sin and alive to God.  Is it a fight?  Oh yes my friends, it is an all-out war.   But the good news is that the victory has already been determined—He won and in Him and through Him we can win.  We can be overcomers because Christ is risen from the dead.  So, I’m not lobbying for a new church name but on Sunday I will be encouraging you to live the “new kind of life” that Jesus Christ made possible to those who identify with Him by faith.  We have a part to play in this “overcoming process” and we have what we need.    Let’s do this.ction Life