Ministry

Last Words from a Great Leader

Sean Vickers

Joshua 24:14-25

God worked through Joshua’s life in a powerful way. His life and the journey of Israel to the Promised Land provides great insight into the character and strength of God and how we should respond to Him. In this passage, Joshua gives a farewell address and makes a charge to the people Israel before his death. Joshua 24:14-25

Think about these ideas about final words:

  • Final words are chosen carefully
  • Final words are focused on the needs of the audience
  • Final words from credible sources should be heeded

In the first part of Joshua 24, Joshua reminds the people of Israel about God’s powerful acts and His faithfulness. Then starting in verse 14, he charges Israel to fear God and serve Him with faithfulness. He also charges them to throw away the gods their forefathers worshiped beyond the river and in Egypt. Choosing to serve the Lord becomes the focus of verse 15. Joshua 24:15 is the most famous verse in the book of Joshua. It says,

“But if it doesn’t please you to worship the Lord, choose for yourselves today the one you will worship: the gods your fathers worshiped beyond the Euphrates River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my family, we will worship the Lord.”

At the end of his life, Joshua challenged the people of God to follow his example by worshiping and serving God alone.

Clear Application for Today

  • Final words are important.
  • Remembering God’s faithfulness in the past helps us follow Him in the present.
  • Who we worship and serve is a choice all must make.
  • Fathers are the leaders of the family who can make this decision to honor God for the whole family.
  • God desires our worship, service, and allegiance.

City of Refuge

Sean Vickers

Joshua 20:1-9

Before the People of God crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land, God told Moses to set aside six cities to be known as Cities of Refuge. These cities were places that people who may have accidentally killed another person could flee to a city of refuge and be protected from the “avenger of blood” (family of the deceased) until the elders of the city could investigate the circumstances. If the person seeking refuge was found guilty, they were put to death. If they were found to be innocent, they could continue to live in the city of refuge without fear.

These Cities of Refuge can be seen as a picture of our salvation in Jesus Christ. We are all guilty (Romans 3:23), and there is an avenger seeking our souls. (John 10:10) There is a place we can run and find safety for our souls. The place is a Person, Jesus Christ. (Acts 4:12) We must run to our Savior Who is our Refuge.

Has God brought you to a place where you understand you are guilty? Have you taken your guilt to Jesus and placed your faith in Him. He is our Refuge.

Growing in Faith

Sean Vickers

Each of us are known for:

  • Our families
  • What we do
  • Where we live
  • What we drive
  • The hobbies we have

Our online persona consists of:

  • facebook profile
  • twitter feed
  • our klout score

Of of all the things we can be known for, we need to strive to be known as people of abiding faith.

What does faith look like?

Faith Described –

Hebrews 11:1-2

  • This is not a definition, it is a description
  • Faith is more than wishful thinking
  • Biblical faith is not a blind faith
  • Faith is practical
  • Faith enables us to understand what God does
  • Faith enables us to see what others cannot see
  • Faith enables us to do what others cannot do

Faith is God enables us to know God, to please God, and to do what He has called us to do. Hebrews 11:6

Faith Demonstrated

Hebrews 11:22

Joseph was:

  • Sold into slavery by his brothers
  • Tempted by Potiphar’s Wife
  • Falsely accused of rape
  • Forgotten by his jail mate friends

Yet, Joseph continued to put his faith in God. Joseph looked forward to the Promised Land and longed for home. Hebrews 11:22

Faith Developed

Hebrews 12:1-2

Hebrews chapter 12 gives us clear instruction about developing faith that pleases God and changes our lives

Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.

1. Learn from the faithful

2. Eliminate any barrier to Faith

3. Strive for endurance

4. Focus our life on Jesus

Faith is only as good as its object. The object of our faith is Jesus. He never fails.

Joshua 7 Defeat on the Way to Victory

Sean Vickers

God gave the people of Israel a great victory when He caused the walls of Jericho to fall. He was fighting for His people and giving them victory that they could not accomplish by themselves. Joshua 6:27 says, “And the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout the land.” As is the case after spiritual victories, defeat and discouragement closely followed.

In Joshua 6: 17-19, Joshua clearly instructs Israel that everything taken from the city belonged to God. He warned them to stay away from “devoted things.” He told them that failure to obey God would make the camp of Israel “liable to destruction and bring trouble on it.” (NIV) One of the soldiers, Achan, son of Carmi, disobeyed this clear instruction which led to defeat for the people of God.

The next nation to conquer in the Promise Land was the people of Ai. After Joshua scouts them out, he determines that the conquest of Ai will be easy for the army and only sends three thousand men to fight. They are defeated and embarrassed by the army of Ai. The victory of Jericho is quickly overshadowed by the defeat of Ai. It is important to understand what caused the defeat at Ai. It was the disobedience of Achan, which resulted is God allowing the Israelites to fight in their own strength, leading to defeat. Sin must be dealt with in the lives of God’s people for God’s presence and power to be experienced.

Joshua is broken over this defeat and seeks the face of God. God leads him to consecrate the people and search out the disobedient tribe. Achan is found out, and he and his family are judged and stoned.

After the sin of Achan is discovered and confessed, the conquest of Ai continues. With God once again fighting for His people, Ai is soundly defeated and taking possession of the Promise Land continues.

Clear Application for Today

  • God is the source of victorious Christian living. By faith we can be strong and courageous.
  • Knowing right from wrong must be followed by obedience. Achan knew what was right and chose his will over the will of God.
  • Seeking more knowledge about God is important, but not as important as obedience to what we already know.
  • Disobedience to God strips the power of God working in our lives.
  • If we want God to fight our battles and give us power to do what He has called us to do, we must be obedient to do things God’s way.
  • Like Achan, our sin affects our family.
  • Confession of sin leads to restoration and renewed spiritual power.
  • When you surrender to the Lord, no defeat is permanent and no mistake is beyond remedy.

Is there a spiritual barrier present in your life that must be dealt with before the power of God returns in your life?

Joshua Courageous Living

Joshua Courageous Living

Sean Vickers

In Joshua Chapter 1, God commissions Joshua to take Moses’ place of leadership as the people of God move toward the promise land. God tells Joshua three times to be strong and courageous. (Joshua 1:6,7,9) The basis for this strength and courage is found in verse 5, where God tells Joshua that He will be with him like He was with Moses. God promises, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Again in verse 9 God shows Joshua where his strength and confidence should come from. “Have I not command you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Clear Application for Today

  • God will never call you to something He will not give you strength and courage to do. Joshua 1:5,9
  • The Word of God is essential in your life if you are to fulfill God’s calling. Joshua 1:8
  • God will involve others in the work as you fulfill God’s calling in your life. Joshua 1:16-17
  • Others involved in God’s work will encourage you to be “strong and courageous.” Joshua 1:18

 

Awake Church-wide Fast for Revival

Awake Church-wide Fast for Revival

Sean Vickers

Boiling Springs First Baptist just finished 21 days of Prayer and Fasting. This is a annual emphasis where churches all over world humble themselves and seek God though prayer and fasting. Awake21.org is the website that coordinates the effort. God truly changed my life and the life of our church during this time.  At the end of the 21 days we had a church-wide fellowship that featured testimonies and a meal to break the fast. Members young and old shared how God had spoken to them during the 21 days.

A Heart towards God

Sean Vickers

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”  1 Samuel 16:7

There is a fascinating account in the Bible in 1 Samuel 16. When it was time to replace King Saul, Samuel went to Bethlehem and called together Jesse and his sons. Each of Jesse’s sons were presented to Samuel and God would select a new King. As seven sons passed by Samuel there was no suitable replacement found. Samuel asked if all of Jesse’s sons were there. Jesse had one more son, David, who was tending the sheep. They called for David and he was the one and was anointed by Samuel to be the future king of Israel.

This compelling story raises the question: What was the difference between David and his brothers? 1 Samuel 16:7 demonstrates that it was a matter of the heart. We tend to look at the exterior and God looks and the interior, the heart. 2 Chronicles 16:9

What does God see when He looks at your heart?

  • Pride – Proverbs 21:4, Jeremiah 17:9
    Our hearts will naturally focus on me, myself and I.
  • Guilt – Matthew 5:19
  • Brokenness – Psalm 51:17
  • Emptiness – King Saul – 1 Samuel 13:14
  • Belief – Romans 10:10
  • Jesus – Ephesians 3:14-19

What should we do?

  • Examine our OWN hearts
  • Eliminate pride and sin by confession and repentance
  • Turn our hearts toward God
  •  Trust Christ to dwell in our hearts as Savior and Lord
Top Ten Ideas about Hospital Visitation

Top Ten Ideas about Hospital Visitation

Sean Vickers

Top Ten Ideas about Hospital Visitation

During 15 years of full time ministry I have had the opportunity to minister to many church members and friends while they were admitted to the hospital. Below are some ideas about making hospital visits:

10. Don’t miss the opportunity to minister to your friends and family when they are in the hospital. Those in the hospital and their families appreciate your visit.

09.  Always check in at the information desk. Check the room number and get directions to the room.

08.  Once you get to the room, check with a nurse to make sure a visit is o.k.

07.  Use hand sanitizer and check the door for any instructions about those that enter. You may need to wear a mask and gloves. You always wanted to look like a doctor!

06.  If the door is shut. Knock before entering and go in slowly.

05.  When you enter introduce yourself unless everyone already knows you.

04.  Ask questions without going into too much detail. You may find out more than you want to know. Never give medical advice unless you are a doctor.

03.  Keep the visit brief. Let how well you know the person determine how long you stay. If you are visiting a family member you will stay hours. If you are visiting someone you just met you will stay 5 minutes max.

02.  Always have prayer for person you are visiting. Pray for the doctors and nurses that attend to your friend. Shorter heart-felt prayers are better than longer KJV prayers.

01.  Thank Jesus for the opportunity to represent Him to your friend in their time of need.

Courgeous Movie

Courgeous Movie

Sean Vickers

Courageous Movie

Our church, Boiling Springs First Baptist, rented out a theater to promote the movie Courageous and encourage our members to support the movie. I had the privilege to attend with my wife. We both were impressed by the quality and content of the movie. Being parents of five amazing children we completely support the message and strive to put a high priority on raising Godly children.

Top Three Ideas from Courageous

1.  The responsibility of fathers for their families is great. This responsibility can only be faithfully fulfilled through the power of God working in father’s lives.

2.  Parents must maximize their time with their children while they can.

3.  There is power in Godly Men standing together and chasing after the heart of God.

 

On November 6, 2011, our church is having a Courageous Resolution Service. On that night, I will stand in front of my family and read the Resolutions from the movie. By God’s grace and through His power at work in my life I will live up to these commitments and honor God as I lead my family. Below is the Courageous Resolution:

THE RESOLUTION

I do solemnly resolve before God to take full responsibility for myself, my wife, and my children.

I WILL love them, protect them, serve them, and teach them the Word of God as the spiritual leader of my home.

I WILL be faithful to my wife, to love and honor her, and be willing to lay down my life for her as Jesus Christ did for me.

I WILL bless my children and teach them to love God with all of their hearts, all of their minds, and all of their strength.

I WILL train them to honor authority and live responsibly.

I WILL confront evil, pursue justice, and love mercy.

I WILL pray for others and treat them with kindness, respect, and compassion.

I WILL work diligently to provide for the needs of my family.

I WILL forgive those who have wronged me and reconcile with those I have wronged.

I WILL learn from my mistakes, repent of my sins, and walk with integrity as a man answerable to God.

I WILL seek to honor God, be faithful to His church, obey His Word, and do His will.

I WILL courageously work with the strength God provides to fulfill this resolution for the rest of my life and for His glory.

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

—Joshua 24:15