The New Testament calls gospel churches to plant gospel churches. The New Testament model found in Acts 11-13 resulted in the gospel being proclaimed, the gospel being received, gospel churches being formed, and qualified spiritual shepherds being appointed to lead them. In Acts 13 when Paul and Barnabas were sent out by the local church at Antioch, they were sent out to proclaim the gospel, gather believers into gospel churches, and then in Acts 14, they appointed spiritual leaders for each congregation. Therefore, we know local gospel churches need to be sending out qualified persons to proclaim the gospel, gathering believers into gospel churches, and appointing qualified spiritual leadership to lead these newly formed gospel churches.

The very nature of a New Testament, gospel-centered church is to plant other gospel churches. Each existing gospel church needs to find a way to multiply itself into creating new gospel churches. While some churches may not feel they have the assets for resources for such a vision, through partnership, a way can be discovered and embraced. I am convinced there is a way for each gospel church to be involved in investing in and planting other gospel churches.

The Apostle Paul understood his role was not just to see people come to Christ, but to plant a gospel church in every city whereby these believers would be discipled into gospel-centered living, be nurtured in their walk, and then sent out to repeat the spiritual cycle. Paul would work his way back to Antioch, his sending church, through his missionary journeys to report all that God was doing in this church planting movement. The result was a major advancement of the gospel. This biblical model can be embraced by every gospel-centered people in the world. Church planting is in the spiritual DNA of every gospel church.

Can you imagine what could happen in America through the Southern Baptist Convention, which has 50,000 plus congregations, IF this biblical model would be embraced and practiced? No longer would we have to hold our heads in shame for the lack of gospel advancement in some of our major cities like Chicago, New York City, and Los Angeles, as well as in many under-served regions in North America. We must return to being gospel churches that plant gospel churches. If we desire to see a gospel advance in North America, it will involve gospel churches planting gospel churches. The 250 million plus people that comprise the “darkness of lostness in our nation” can be penetrated when we plant gospel churches that will plant other gospel churches.

Let’s become gospel churches that plant gospel churches.

Jeana gathered our family last night to celebrate my birthday. She did a great job with the meal for everyone and once again brought her “A” game, making me a red velvet cake, which she does annually. My trainer would not approve of my level of food today, but would provide a “release” for a day.

Imagine with me, we have three grandchildren, all under four, plus two on the way. One week from today, Meredith will have her baby boy, and months from now in June, Kate will deliver our fifth grandchild. It is wild already! It may become a jungle, but a fun jungle.

While the children do play together in some harmony, there are moments where territories are declared. Words like “mine,” “no,” and many more accompany moments of crying. Yet, within seconds, they are running and chasing each other, laughing, until the next crisis occurs.

Yes, this is our life now. A little spark at this point in life becomes a joy. What a blessed life we have.

God has blessed me with all of this – a great wife, incredible health, and a special church. Yes, I am a very, very blessed man.

On this Veteran’s Day, it’s important that we don’t forget the men and women throughout history who have sacrificed so that we may enjoy the freedoms we have today. Let’s not forget that we are quickly losing “The Greatest Generation.” This group lived through and fought in World War II. It’s absolutely crucial for us to not forget their sacrifice and to thank them while we have the opportunity. Let’s not forget the rich heritage of brave men and women who have helped give us the America we enjoy today.

Also, let’s not forget that we are still in the midst of a War on Terror. Today as we sit in comfort and safety, our men and women are in Iraq and Afghanistan fighting. We must not forget the sacrifice that these and their families are making on a daily basis so that we don’t experience again what happened on 9/11. Let’s not forget to show them our extreme gratitude when we see them in airports, at the mall, or in our church. Men and women throughout history have made sacrifices we will never fully understand. We honor them today. Thank you to all of our veterans and current military who have served and are serving throughout the world to preserve the America and the freedoms that we know.

I am going to Springfield, Illinois, today to preach at the Illinois Baptist Pastors’ Conference. It is always a privilege to minister to men of God who lead our churches in America. My heart is thrilled to have this opportunity.

After I preach at this conference, I will conduct a Great Commission Resurgence Listening Session with interested Illinois Baptists. The purpose of this meeting is to listen to fellow Southern Baptists about how they feel we need to see the Great Commission fulfilled in our generation. If you have friends in Illinois who want to join us, please encourage them. These are great days. God is moving. We have a rare opportunity, and we must seize it all the way.

Please pray for me today. The schedule will be challenging, but the opportunity is great.

Make a difference today!

One of the great blessings of my life is the commitment to study the Word of God. I do not believe I have a greater privilege than when I get to share God’s Word with His people. After hours of study and coming to an understanding personally, it is just really special to be able to have the opportunity to communicate it.

Reflecting on yesterday as I talked with our people about being “Free In Suffering,” I want to revisit the five insights shared from Romans 8:18-27. When we experience any present problems or temporary affliction, this is suffering. We may see them as setbacks, problems, obstacles, and so much more, but can we really sense peace and freedom when we are walking through tough times?

How can I be free and peaceful when I walk in days of suffering? I need to remember these insights because they will lead me to sense freedom in suffering.

1) Everyone and everything experiences suffering. I do not have to feel like “God is picking on me” because He says that even creation suffers, as do all people. Why? The fallen nature of man. The choices of our flesh always lead to sin and death.

2) All suffering is temporary. It is comforting and encouraging to realize that suffering is temporary. There is coming a day when we will not suffer again.

3) Eagerly expect the redemption of my body. When I realize my full “adoption status” into God’s family, I will be free from all suffering in life. When will this happen? When Jesus comes again and He raises all from the dead, my body will be raised from the dead and glorified before Him. Between now and then, I can eagerly expect that one day my full rights and privileges of spiritual adoption will be realized. Gratefully, that day is closer today than yesterday.

4) Greatest suffering is incomparable to the coming glory of God.
Just think, regardless of how great my suffering really is or ever becomes this side of heaven, it is really incomparable to the coming glory of God. One day that glory will consume us and all, I mean all, tribulations, problems, and suffering will fade away.

5) Holy Spirit is with me.
Yes, I am not alone, because He entered my life at conversion. He is the first-fruits of more to come, the down payment of so much more to come. He hurts with me. He prays for me. He is interceding for me to do God’s will. The Holy Spirit is not only with me praying for me, but He is with me in my weaknesses. By His power, I can become strong, even in weakness.

Finally, when I realize the following reality, I am enveloped with God’s peace and freedom. All of us will realize one day what this statement says that was made by Corrie Ten Boom:

“You may never know Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.”

This Sunday morning we will continue the series “We Are Free” with a message entitled “Free in Suffering” from Romans 8:18-27. Without a question, this chapter in Romans is one of the crown jewels of the entire New Testament. I have read through it so many times, have taught it along the way through the years, but each time I work through it, I am amazed at its incredible power and promise. Thank God for His Word and for Romans 8. Please join us on Sunday for this study.

As you look towards this Sunday, consider:

Both of these are so important to your spiritual vitality. Sharing life in Christ with others helps create even more life in you. Sharing life with others in connection groups can make you healthier in every way in your spiritual life. Please make both of these decisions a priority for the rest of your week.

The first-tenth and offerings going to the Lord’s church should always be your goal and your action weekly. Resolving to make Christ first in all things is important, beginning with how you relate to all God has entrusted to you. Walking with Christ should be our priority and one of the priorities of walking with Christ is honoring God with the first-tenth and offerings weekly. Weekly, NOT weakly!

Please come alongside of our splendid Blessing Baskets Ministry this month. This is a simple, yet powerful way to help us feed close to 4,000 families in our region. You have the privilege to join us in this endeavor. Please mark “Reaching Our Mission” on your contribution envelope, knowing that $25 will feed one family.

Come Sunday, ready for God to meet with us!

Dr. J. D. Greear and I conducted a Great Commission Resurgence Listening Session yesterday at the Arkansas Baptist State Convention Annual Meeting. The room was packed with standing room only and the interest was high. The attitude was positive and there was a real desire for us to provide a compelling vision.

I realize there are many voices being heard on this subject right now, but I am becoming increasingly convinced that the vast majority of Southern Baptists expect us to present a bold, compelling future vision for the Southern Baptist Convention. The vast majority of our people know we are in desperate condition in America and in the church of America. They also realize that while structure changes may be needed and recommended, the real need above all is for a major move of God to happen in the hearts of each Christ-follower and in our churches.

What an amazing challenge we have before us, but what an exciting possibility. Friends, we must pray and seek the Lord now more than ever before. The time is right, the need is clear, and the desire to see God do a new work among us is growing. God is answering our prayers, so continue to join us in praying.

God is going to fulfill the Great Commission. We have the joy of joining Him in it. He can do it without us and does not need us. Yet, the privilege is humbling and the opportunity is astounding. Let’s join Him in fulfilling the Great Commission.

These are exciting days.

Due to my schedule over the past few weeks and weeks to come, I am only able to leave mid-morning today to drive to Benton, Arkansas, for the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. While I am attending the convention, our President, Wes George, has asked me to conduct a GCR Listening Session today at 3:30 p.m. My colleague and fellow-GCR member, J.D. Greear, will join me as he is speaking this afternoon at our convention.

Therefore, please pray for us as we conduct this GCR Listening Session. I am grateful for the opportunity to do so and look forward to engaging Arkansas Baptists in Great Commission action. What a wonderful opportunity awaits all of us as we move forward in taking the gospel to the ends of the earth, beginning right here in our state.

What a great vision it is to present the gospel to every person in the world and to make disciples of all the nations. This Acts 1:8 and Matthew 28:18-20 vision is powerful. We must be committed to present the gospel to every person in the world and make disciples of all the nations. I want to give the rest of my life to doing just that as a Christian and as a Pastor. What greater calling exists than to see the gospel presented to every person in the world and to make disciples of all the nations. As Christ-followers, we are called to do just that!

May God raise us all up to see this vision come to reality in our generation. Sign me up Lord, I want to see this happen in my lifetime.

As I studied Romans 8:12-17 and prepared to preach it yesterday, it really blessed my life. As I worked through this dynamic and challenging text, I was charged with understanding the power of spiritual adoption. The Holy Spirit adopting us into the family of faith grants us full rights, privileges and responsibilities of being a child of God. As a hopeless spiritual orphan, I was called into this personal grace relationship with God by His Spirit. Miraculously and supernaturally, I was blessed with being adopted by Him.

This spiritual adoption grants me the joy of entering into a new level of depth and intimacy with God. I can call unto Him as “Abba, Father,” meaning “Daddy or Papa,” powerful terms of intimacy and endearment. As I call upon my Heavenly Father in this manner, I am released from all fear and covered with the assurance that God will meet my needs miraculously. As you may recall, now that we are adopted, the Father will keep us safe.

When I witness the powerful experience of some of our people adopting children worldwide, is there a greater picture of the gospel of Jesus Christ? I do not think so. You see, the world has an estimated 147 million orphans. This great number of children are in need of parents who can love them and meet their needs. I am so encouraged and blessed by the many parents of our church who are pursuing the possibilities of adoption. I commend you and bless you. Your generation is so much more conscious of matters like this than my own generation. You are amazing adults!

May we pray for God to help us care for the widows and orphans of the world. This global need reminds us of an even greater global need, and that is for the gospel to be taken to the entire world. The world may have an estimated 147 million orphans, but the world has billions of spiritual orphans are who in need of hearing and embracing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The next time you see or hear of an adopted child, remember what God has done for you through spiritual adoption.