Who Dat!!!

In 1967, my Dad and Grandfather went to the Old Tulane Football Stadium to witness the very first New Orleans Saints football game. The opening kickoff was returned for a touchdown and the stands went crazy...for the next 30 years though that was the only Saints highlight.

I was raised watching Saints football...my friends were all raised Cowboys fans whereas I was raised with two favorite teams...the Saints and whoever was playing the Cowboys that particular Sunday. I saw the fans wearing the bags on the head...I heard the boo birds...I heard references to the 'aints! But they were still my team...through the good and the bad.

Last night the cups of my cajun heritage, kinship to South, LA and family sufferage with Saints were overflowing. As Tom Benson hoisted the Lombardi trophy and said, "This proves that Lousiana is back!" I have to admit my heart strings tugged a bit.

You may not understand "Who Dat!" and that is ok...I dont understand whoo pig sooie either but Who Dat is a New Orleans thing and it is what it is. The Saints went marching in and won the game....they slew the Colts...they are the World Champion New Orleans Saints and no body can take that away from them.

Who Dat! Who Dat! Who Dat say de gonna beat dem Saints! Who Dat! Who Dat!

CONSIDER THE CAUSE

CONSIDER #2/3 A Study through Haggai February 7, 2010 MW
Stockwell Road MBC
CONSIDER THE CAUSE
Haggai 2:1-9
INTRODUCTION:
A. Today is Super Bowl Sunday pitting the Indianapolis Colts against the New Orleans Saints in Miami, FL. Around here you would think the Saints have been everyone’s favorite team forever but we all know that isn’t the truth. There are a lot of people who have jumped onto the proverbial bandwagon. The online urbandictionary defines bandwagon as, “When someone adopts a popular point of view for the primary purpose of recognition and/or acceptance by others.” I am glad they have jumped on but the problem is they are usually the first ones to jump off. Where were they when they were known around the league as the New Orleans Aints whose fans wore bags on their heads? Worse than that is where will they be come tomorrow morning if they don’t win tonight?

B. I feel like there are some aspects of bandwagonism today in the Lord’s Churches. When that is the case we all need to pause and consider the cause. Many young Christians get on board and find things do not always go as they first envisioned. They thought a lot of things would change but they don’t. As a result they hop off the bandwagon. Many more mature Christians get tired of staying the course and maintaining the cause. They want to hand off to the next generation and just rest and take it easy. When we find ourselves feeling this way we need to stop and consider the cause!

C. This is where we find the returning Jews in the Book of Haggai. In v. 3, we find many who were working who were discouraged in the work. They were about to hop off of the bandwagon they had jumped on in the preceding chapter. Many of these men could remember the beauty and glory of Solomon’s Temple. When they looked at this Temple only 3 weeks into construction it paled in comparison. The Jews note four points of inferiority: The absence from the second temple of (1) the sacred fire; (2) the Shekinah glory; (3) the ark and cherubim; (4) the Urim and Thummim. These issues were beginning to wear down the older which was causing the younger workers to be discouraged. Haggai comes with the message of encouragement for them to CONSIDER THE CAUSE.
God’s message to them for consideration was “CONSIDER THE CAUSE!”

BODY: When we consider the cause we need to pay close attention to…

I. THE PURPOSE OF ACCOMPLISHING THE CAUSE vs. 1-3
Note: For these Jews the cause was completing this Temple and they were motivated to do so because of the Chapter 1 sermon. They were building a Temple to replace the previous Temple however they were not replacing the purpose of the Temple. It was always to be a place for the proper worship of God. Zerubbabel’s Temple was going to stand for the same purpose…it was unchanging. What is our cause? It hasn’t changed either!
A. Our Purpose is STILL to Worship God
B. Our Purpose is STILL to Glorify God
C. Our Purpose is STILL to Witness for God

II. THE POWER FOR ACCOMPLISHING THE CAUSE vs. 4-5
Note: If you want your vehicle to go anywhere you must put gas in the tank. God gives us the fuel we need to accomplish His purposes for us.
A. The Requirements of this Power
1. His placement—I am with you not against you!
2. His presence—I am among you!

B. The Realities of this Power
1. strength and courage(3x He tells them to be strong)
2. stronger faith—fear ye not

III. THE PROSPECT OF THE ACCOMPLISHED CAUSE vs. 6-9
Note: Sadly we often pay more attention to the here and now and fail to focus on the big picture. What would happen if we stayed the course and endure the difficulties, heartaches and let downs and considered the prospect? We would be more faithful!. We would be more focused! We would find ourselves on fire for the Lord! So consider the prospects that God had for this Temple…
A. A Place Where People Come v. 6-7a
B. A Place Where God is Experienced v. 7b-9a
C. A Place Where Needs are Met v. 9b

CONCLUSION:
I guess you have figured out what I believe the “cause” is? It is the Church…it is us! We live in a day when the cause is belittled and many see her as unnecessary!
The “cause” is too great for her to be considered a bandwagon to be jumped on? This morning, will you consider the cause?

CONSIDER YOUR CONDITION

CONSIDER #1/3
A Study through Haggai
January 31, 2010 MW
Stockwell Road MBC

CONSIDER YOUR CONDITION
Haggai 1:1-15
INTRODUCTION:
A. Have you ever had one of “those” days? You know, one of those days where nothing seems to go right and everything seems to just fall apart. Your day might be like the paratrooper I heard about. He was told by his jump master to jump when told to jump, count to 10 and pull the rip cord, if the chute didn’t open pull the back-up chute and when he landed a truck would pick him up and carry him back to base. Time came and he jumped, counted to 10 and the chute didn’t open, he pulled the back-up chute and it didn’t open either! As he fell he thought to himself, great, I bet the truck won’t be there when I land to pick me up and take me back to base either!

B. I wonder if that is what the returning Israelites must’ve felt like. Nothing they did seemed to work out, notice vs. 6. They were having one of “those” years. I wonder if they ever stopped to consider why? I don’t think they did because it was God who told them to consider their ways. They needed to stop and see why things were going the way they were going. A little background may help. The Southern Kingdom had been taken into Babylonian captivity and had spent 70 years there. Nehemiah came back with a group and rebuilt the wall then Ezra came back and restored the worship and even got the foundation of the Temple laid. Then after some persecution they stopped working on the Temple, for 15 years no work was done on God’s House. Haggai then comes on the scene for them to CONSIDER why their lives were in such disarray.

C. Have you ever been there? Have you had “those” days? I think a lot of people are having days like this. People seem to be working more and more, going more and more and doing more and more but seem to have less and less. I have a friend who is a mortician and he told me that he was seeing much younger people dying with stress related illnesses. Why? I think that we all need to take God’s advice from Haggai and stop and consider our ways. We need to consider our condition today and hear what the proper pathway is. Jeremiah 21:8 says that God sets before us a way of life and a way of death! Jesus said in Matthew 7 that there are two roads: a broad and a narrow. Today you and I need to CONSIDER which one we are on.

BODY:
I. CONSIDER YOUR PRIORITIES vs. 1-8
Note: Tom Landry will forever be known to me as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, he said, "The thrill of knowing Jesus is the greatest thing that ever happened to me ... I think God has put me in a very special place, and He expects me to use it to His glory in everything I do ... whether coaching football or talking to the press, I’m always a Christian ... Christ is first, family second and football third." When talking about his success as a coach he said, "In 1958, I did something everyone who has been successful must do, I determined my priorities for my life — God, family, and then football." His priorities were right!
A. Improper Priorities
1. you are in control v. 2
2. you are most important v. 4, 6
B. Proper Perspective v. 8
1. obeying God
2. pleasing God
3. glorifying God

II. CONSIDER SOME PRINCIPLES vs. 9-11, Deut. 11:13-17, Gal. 6:7-8
Note: God is a God of principles not preferences, commands not suggestions! There are many immutable, unchanging, laws that we would do well to hear and heed. These principles will help us to see if we are on the right track or not.
A. He Chastens Because of His Love
--he must break us before he can bless us
B. He Allows Things to Happen
--God has a right
--God has a reason
--God has a reward

III. CONSIDER THE PEOPLE GOD USES vs. 12-15
Note: Many times we think the people of the Bible had a special working of God’s grace that is unattainable by all…only a select few like Billy Graham! This is not true! God uses people of faith and people who desire to be used of him. Does this describe you? Notice the order here!
A. People of Faith and Fear Who Desire God’s Word v. 12
B. God Sends A Man with His Message v. 13
C. Men Who Accept God’s Word and are Revived v. 14

CONCLUSION:
The invitation in the Church is your time to CONSIDER your CONDITION. What kind of days have you been having and what kind do you want to have?

Principles for Practice

Stockwell Road MBC
January 10, 2010 MW
PRINCIPLES FOR PRACTICE
I Corinthians 13:13 & I Thessalonians 1:3
INTRODUCTION:
A. A championship football team would have some identifying characteristics such as: a big offensive line, a stout defense, an accurate quarterback, powerful running game and strong special teams. Teams that lack in one or more of these areas are not going to be championship football teams they will be mediocre teams at best.

B. The Lord’s Church is to have several characteristics to her as well. Some might say that large crowds are characteristic of the Lord’s Church or beautiful buildings are characteristic. Some may say a dynamite youth program and family life center are necessary characteristics. Others may focus attention on song services that bring tears to the eyes or special music that causes chills when each note is perfectly hit. Unfortunately, a glance at the Church in the New Testament will reveal none of these things. Aside from crowds that gathered you will not find buildings, programs, special music or anything emotionally driven. What you will find are three principles that must be the main characteristic of every Church: Faith, Hope and Love.

C. Last week we noticed two simple things that we, as a Church, must commit to, the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. This week I want for us to go from simplicity to substance and see how we will practice these two simple truths every day of our life. In other words, when people look at our Church, at Stockwell Road MBC, what aspects should they see? The answer is these three things, faith, hope and love. For the infant Churches of the New Testament, God gave certain temporary gifts to each of them and He named them in I Cor. 12:8-10. These temporary gifts were to be coveted by these members but according to v. 31, Paul would show them a more excellent or better way. In Chapter 13, Paul shared of a more permanent help for the Lord’s Churches, the Bible, and when it would come ALL of the former things would be done away but there would be three abiding, or permanent gifts and I Corinthians 13:13 identifies, faith and hope and charity or love.

D. As Paul penned his first letter to the brethren in Thessalonica he commended this Church greatly. He offered no words of correction to these beloved in the faith. In every chapter Paul encourages them about the coming of Jesus and he had great love and appreciation for this Church. Somebody once called this Church the Model Church. Paul reveals the secret of their success in v. 3. Paul noted these three things were evidence of their faithfulness to Christ and were PRINCIPLES to be PRACTICED! These principles are to still be practiced today by Stockwell Road MBC.

BODY:
I. A WORK OF FAITH
Note: The Bible speaks of many types of faith such as saving faith, scripture faith and serving faith. Saving faith is the response an individual has to the revelation of the Gospel. We are saved when we place our faith in the work that the Lord Jesus paid for on the Cross. Scripture faith is the faith once delivered to the Saints and is what we believe and is revealed in the Scriptures. Finally there is serving faith or daily faith. This is the type of faith that Paul is referencing here and is the type of faith that we must express daily.
A. The Elements of this Faith Hebrews 11:1, 6
1. hearing—the basis is God’s Word, not man
2. believing—we choose to accept or reject
3. acting—we act upon what we believe—this pleases God
B. The Evidence of this Faith James 2:17-18
1. cheerful obedience to God’s commands
2. steady conformity to God’s will

II. A LABOR OF LOVE
Note: this word labor is an interesting one which means to cause one trouble, make for him or intense labor united with toil and trouble. Granted we as a Church are to love God and love each other but what this phrase means is that love is to be the cause of our labor, our motive.
A. The Source of this Love Gal. 5:22-23
1. a work of salvation
2. a work of the Spirit
B. The Supply of this Love John 4:14
C. The Subjects of this Love Mat.5:44, Prov. 25:21-22
--God, all men

III. A PATIENCE OF HOPE
Note: This is not something we like to talk about but patience is a virtue we should all endeavor to have as a part of our life and it is commanded for our Church.
A. The Person of Hope—“…in our Lord Jesus Christ”
--the objects of faith in him like Heaven, His Return, Eternity
B. The Power of Hope
1. an anchor to hold too
2. an ability to endure

CONCLUSION:
What do we as a Church need? Faith, Hope and Love! Without these three characteristics a Church is just simply not a Church.

These are not preferences...they are principles! We are not to be people of preference but rather people of principle!

They are nothing more than a building that people meet in like a social club. These are PRINCIPLES FOR PRACTICE!

The Real Identity of Bethlehem's Baby #5/5

#5/5 The True Identity of Bethlehem’s Baby Stockwell Road MBC
December 27, 2009 MW
“PRINCE OF PEACE”
Isaiah 9:6-7
INTRODUCTION:
A. Just before Christmas Paul Harvey told the story of a father whose son had gone off to fight for the union army during the American civil war. After months of camp fever, his son finally saw battle and was seriously wounded. News of his son’s wound came to the father on Christmas Eve, and being a poet he sat down and expressed his anguish in a song. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote these words as he contemplated that bleak Christmas morning:
And in despair I bowed my head
"There is no peace on earth I said,
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of Peace on earth goodwill to men."

B. We have come to the final name of Christ here in Isaiah 9:6. It is of course Prince of Peace. But this one is difficult for us because we seem to have so many mixed messages when it comes to peace. On the one side Jesus is called the prince of Peace and the angels proclaim peace on earth goodwill to men. However, on the other hand Jesus says in Matthew 10:34, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” As well, we have our own observations there is no peace on earth. I think many will be glad to see 2009 go and 2010 come. Peace is not the absence of troubles or conflicts but it is the knowledge of the presence of God. This title, “Prince of Peace” means prince of shalom. Shalom is indeed used to describe the cessation of hostilities, but the word itself also pictures health and wholeness. It denotes harmony and completeness. To have shalom is to have not only a quiet life but also to be fulfilled in every way.

C. Jesus is the Prince of Peace and He wants to bring peace into your life. If your heart is broken this morning, He wants to mend it. If your life is in shambles this morning, He wants to help pick up the pieces. If storms are raging within or without in your family, He wants to calm them. 2 Thessalonians 3:16, “Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.” How does the Prince of Peace deliver peace into our lives? According to Paul, in EVERY book, Paul declared grace first then peace! Grace is the vehicle God chooses to deliver peace! The unmerited favor of God is the vehicle that delivers peace to the weary heart! The Prince of Peace brings peace to our lives by his grace. Notice two forms of grace that He uses to bring peace to our lives.

BODY:
I. PEACE COMES FROM SAVING GRACE
Note: Eph. 2:8, “For by grace are ye saved…” and Titus 2:11, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.”
A. The Provider of Grace
--grace is wholly a work of God not man
--God saw our problem, God sent the solution

B. The Purpose of Grace
--bring salvation, forgiveness of sin

C. The Provision of Grace
--is available to all men! Not a select few!

II. PEACE COMES FROM SUFFICIENT GRACE II Corinthians 12:7-9, Titus 2:12
Note: The word sufficient in our text means to be possessed of unfailing strength. The grace of God is sufficient for any circumstance we find ourselves in.
A. Grace is Sufficient for Testing
--God wanted to keep Paul humble

B. Grace is Sufficient for Tribulation
--buffeted by Satan’s messenger

C. Grace is Sufficient for Timing
--prayer 3x, God said no for now!

D. Grace is Sufficient for Teaching Titus 2:12

CONCLUSION:
Here is the thing…you cannot experience the sufficient grace until you experience saving grace.

If you want to experience peace from God from the Prince of Peace it only comes by experiencing the grace of God.

The Real Identity of Bethlehem's Baby #4

#4/5 The True Identity of Bethlehem’s Baby Stockwell Road MBC
December 20, 2009 MW
“EVERLASTING FATHER”
Isaiah 9:6
INTRODUCTION:
A. Every single one of us in this room has or has had an earthly father. Some of us had good fathers while others had bad fathers. There may be some who don’t even know who their father is but I can say this with 100% assurance…each of us has the opportunity to have a Heavenly Father!

B. The prophet Isaiah makes it clear that the Messiah would be no ordinary man. Not a mere political or military leader; not the king of an earthly dominion, or a general to lead his people in conquest over the nations of this world. And far more than a common teacher or prophet; there had been dozens of those in Israel’s history. No, the Messiah would be absolutely unique; something never before seen in the history of the world. He would be God in the flesh, God become man. God, with all his power, and might, and wisdom, and glory; yet somehow fully revealed in the person of a male human being. Matthew’s account of the Christmas story reveals in 1:23, “…they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

C. This title is one that Jesus owned, during His ministry, more than the others. In John 10:30, “I and the Father are one.” 14:9, “…he that hath seen me hath seen the father…” also Hebrews 1:3, “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;” This title literally means the, “Father of Eternity” and we would do well to consider our eternity. We put a lot of thought into a career that we will do for 40-50 years but eternity is a place where we will be forever. We all had friendships that have come and gone but we are offered a relationship with our Heavenly Father that will last beyond the grave! What is your relationship with the Heavenly Father like? Is it like your relationship with your earthly father? In some cases that may be fine but in many cases it isn’t. Many times that relationship gets strained and sometimes can cease to exist. In some cases death has taken your father away and he isn’t around. All of those things and many more all go away when we speak of our Heavenly Father and here is why!
BODY:
I. OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FATHER IS PERSONAL “For unto us…”
Note: Remember the words, “unto us” are mentioned twice in this verse. This Everlasting Father wants to be our father and He is near! He isn’t some far away God that is in outer space or in another country. He stands knocking on the door of our hearts, He is constantly declaring himself to be God! He sees you as an individual…He doesn’t care about nationality, education level, financial status or anything else…he is no respector of persons!
A. The Problem of Sin—a gap
B. The Priority of the Soveriegn—to build a bridge
C. The Passion of the Son—shed his blood, built the bridge
D. The Plan of Salvation—repentance and faith

II. OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FATHER IS PERMANENT “Everlasting”
Note: The word, “everlasting” is used to describe Jesus! Many think that Jesus only existed during New Testament times but this is wrong. According to John 17:5, “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” Furthermore you may well remember the old story of the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace; how many went in? 3! And how many were seen? 4! What did the fourth look like? The Son of God! Jesus has always been and will always be! Our relationship with him is not a temporary thing! It is a permanent relationship!
A. Because of the Premise of Salvation—repentance, covenant
B. Because of the Promise of Salvation—eternal life

III. OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FATHER IS PATERNAL “Father”
Note: When a young man is 14 he thinks his father is the most ignorant man in the world. But when the young man turns 21 he becomes amazed at how much his father learned in 7 years. The older we get the more we understand the advice of our parents. AS well meaning as our parents may be sometimes they allow selfishness to creep in and give bad advice. Thankfully we have a wonderful counseling mighty everlasting father to lean upon!
A. Our Father Gives Life—physical, spiritual
B. Our Father Gives Lessons—advice, the Word
C. Our Father Gives Love—unconditional
D. Our Father Gives Leadership—best example

CONCLUSION:
What a WONDERFUL Savior! What a wise COUNSELOR! What a MIGHTY God! What an EVERLASTING Father!

Do you know Him? Do you have a personal relationship with Him? Are you enjoying the fact that eternally you are safe! Do you listen to your Heavenly Father?

The Real Identity of Bethlehem's Baby

#3/5 The True Identity of Bethlehem’s Baby Stockwell Road MBC
December 13, 2009 MW
“THE MIGHTY GOD”
Isaiah 9:6
INTRODUCTION:
A. As we have studied this passage of Scripture we have come to recognize that the tiny baby born in Bethlehem’s manger was altogether “Wonderful” and all-knowing as our “Counselor”. This morning we come upon another name attributed to Jesus which shows us that he is all-powerful as, “the Mighty God”.

B. This title is a combination of two words which mean together, God our hero. It means one who has been given all power. This is the most powerful of all of the titles that are given in this passage. The Scripture is plain about the power of God and specifically how that power is displayed in the life of Jesus. Jesus is not only the Son of God, He is God in the flesh. This means that all power attributed to God must be attributed to the Son. Remember the words of Jesus in the Great Commission, “ALL POWER IS GIVEN UNTO ME in heaven and earth.”

C. Think about this for a minute…as Mary held baby Jesus in her arms do you think she realized that the tiny baby that was so helpless in her lap, actually held the universe in place? Do you think that the baby crying for a drink of milk actually owned the cattle on a thousand hills? Do you think she realized as she watched the toddler Jesus learning to walk, fall over a bump in the road…actually made the highest mountains on the planet? I don’t know that she fully realized this but she did later in life as she beheld her Son hanging upon the Cross. We are often much like her aren’t we? As the song poet wrote, “He gets sweeter as the days go by”. I think we fail to realize the true power that Jesus has in our lives right now! We encounter problems that we insist no one can help us with, not realizing that Jesus, the Mighty God, is able! Paul told the Church in Ephesians 3:20, “He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, ACCORDING TO THE POWER that worketh in us.” The holidays can be very hard on people but know this…you have a wonderful counseling mighty God who stands ready to help and heal!

D. Notice four thoughts concerning Jesus, the Mighty God.

BODY:
I. THE IMPERSONATIONS OF THE MIGHTY GOD
A. He is Impersonated by False Religion
1. Islam—Allah is NOT the God of the Bible
2. Hindu—many gods—over 300 deities
3. Christian/protestant Denominations—show God a liar

B. He is Impersonated by False Advice
1. I know the Bible says, but…
2. God didn’t REALLY mean that when he said…

C. He is Impersonated by Free-spirited People
--doing whatever they want with no regard to God

II. THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE MIGHTY GOD
Note: If you are saved today then you already know that Jesus is the Mighty God! Here are some other proofs though that show that he is the Mighty God.
A. The Life of Jesus
1. the manner—John 14:8-11
2. the message—I am statements
3. the miracles—his touch, his spit, his voice

B. The Lives of His Children
1. your testimony of how he changed you
2. Did He?

III. THE IMPACT OF THE MIGHTY GOD
Note: Last week we saw that He was and is all-knowing. Today we see that He is all-powerful. It is right to say that Jesus is an person who makes an impact. In the NBA they talk of being one player away from a Championship. Jesus has shown His ability to make an impact time and time again.
A. In the Past—He conquered sin

B. In the Present—He is conquering in our lives

C. In the Future—He will conquer Satan

IV. THE INVITATION FROM THE MIGHTY GOD
A. We are Invited to Rest

B. We are Invited to a Reunion