August Read - "The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus"

Over the past year I have been exposed to this book – “The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus.” Maybe you’ve seen this book on the shelves through the years (that orange and black cover with two men with their eyes bugging out in shock as they are looking at some man whom you only see from the back? That would be this book. The old cover of this book claims that it can help you understand the “world’s best seller” in “clear and simple” terms. This claim is most certainly true!

Maybe you’ve wondered what this book is all about. What’s with the title? It comes from Luke 24 when two men are travelling on a road out of Jerusalem to a city called Emmaus. It is just 3 days after Jesus has died, and now Jerusalem, which the two men have just exited, is all abuzz about this crucified Rabbi who has apparently vacated His final resting place. His followers claim it was a “resurrection.” While walking home a stranger meets up with these men—a stranger who acts as if he has no idea what has just happened in Jerusalem. Baffled, one of the two, named Cleopas, says, “Are You the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that happened there in these days?” (Luke 24:18).

After hearing the two men’s explanation (and confusion) of the events of the weekend, the Stranger shows that He knows much more than He has been letting on. “He said to them, ‘How unwise and slow you are to believe in your hearts all that the prophets have spoken! Didn’t the Messiah have to suffer these things and enter into His glory?’ Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted for them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures” (Luke 24:25-27).

The Stranger is Jesus Christ—but the two are still clueless to this truth! After He tells them His story, He goes home with the men to share supper, but He doesn’t get too far. At supper Jesus prays, breaks bread, and then the Bible says that the men’s eyes were opened—and now they know: the Stranger is Jesus! But then Jesus vanishes from their sight.

Notice how Jesus explained the gospel beginning with Moses and all the prophets (that is, from the Old Testament). John Cross, the author, does an excellent job of clearly laying out the gospel story from Genesis to the Resurrection. This book is wonderful to share the gospel with people who know nothing about the Bible. At my church in Pana we are using this as a way to share the gospel with people around us – constantly praying for God to give us opportunities to go through this Bible study with someone.

If you’re looking for a way to evangelize, than look no further! This book is great! Check it out yourself and get to know the whole story of “The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus,” the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. 

July - Worship God East Conference

Like most New Year’s Resolutions, they eventually fail. Well, it took me until July to hit my failure. I wasn’t able to finish a book for July, but I still wanted to make an entry for July. Though I didn’t finish a book, July was still a month where I was challenged to grow spiritually.

July 31-August 3 I was able to attend Sovereign Grace’s “Worship God East Conference” with my brother-in-law Joe. The theme of the conference was “Called to Be Faithful.” I came away challenged and renewed in so many ways. While there we attended five main sessions and four seminars on a wide variety of topics – most of them about music.

While there I was reminded of the incredibleness of God and how He showed His power, love, grace, and mercy through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ in my place for my sin. Yes, I certainly learned much from the tremendous preaching from God’s Word, but I was challenged in each session through worshipping with music. The opportunity to lift my voice and sing out to God was incredibly refreshing. How wonderful that when we give of our worship to God, He also freely and richly blesses us in return. After each session of singing (most of the time singing more than 40-45 minutes!!!) I always felt like we could be dismissed! The music was so theologically and biblically full that this part of the service was a sermon in itself!

Practically, as Associate Pastor of Music, I was challenged to return home and more closely examine the music I select for each service. Is the music pointing our thoughts and affections towards God the Father and Jesus Christ His Son? Is the music encouraging others and giving hope through Christ? It is my prayer that the music sung at First Baptist Church would reflect those truths.

I learned so many wonderful songs while there. It's hard to narrow it to my favorites. Here are two links to my top picks. "Shine into Our Night" and “Not in Me”. Praise the Lord that salvation is based on the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross and nothing to do with me!  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mU2FLhNGpjI&list=PL64B277E8E9DA4D35

http://thegospelcoalition.org/lukealbum/ (For this one you will have to scroll down to find "Not in Me" song #7. While there check out all the other great songs!)