Podcasts about cooperative program

In this episode, Craig speaks with Chris Hefner to discuss their experiences at the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting. They explore the structure and governance of the Southern Baptist Convention, the significance of the Cooperative Program, and the highlights from the meeting, including updates on missionaries and the role of seminaries. They also address the North American Mission Board's efforts in church planting and disaster relief, the function of the Executive Committee, and the current scrutiny facing institutions within the convention. Chris and Craig also discuss the importance of integrity and transparency in leadership within the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), particularly focusing on the Ethics and Religious Liberties Commission (ERLC). They explore the challenges faced by the ERLC, its role in representing Southern Baptists in political matters, and the tensions that arise from differing views on its purpose. The discussion also touches on the ongoing debates regarding women in pastoral roles, the future of the SBC's governing documents, and the perception of a liberal drift within the convention. Ultimately, they emphasize the importance of unity, community, and worship among Southern Baptists despite controversies.TakeawaysThe Southern Baptist Convention operates through local churches and associations.The Cooperative Program supports missions and theological education.The annual meeting is the world's largest business meeting.Over 400 new missionaries were put on the field this year.Southern Baptist seminaries are financially healthy and conservative in theology.The North American Mission Board focuses on church planting and disaster relief.Southern Baptists are active in disaster relief efforts across the country.The Executive Committee manages the finances and operations of the convention.Institutional trust is a significant issue in today's cultural climate. Integrity and transparency are crucial for leadership.The ERLC has faced significant criticism over the years.The ERLC serves as the voice of Southern Baptists in Washington, D.C.There is tension between the ERLC's role and the views of Southern Baptists.Disagreements exist on the purpose and direction of the ERLC.The SBC's governing documents are under scrutiny regarding women's roles.Unity is essential despite differing opinions within the convention.Social media often amplifies division rather than unity.Worship and community are vital aspects of the SBC's gatherings.Chapters00:00Introduction to the Southern Baptist Convention02:24Understanding the Structure of Southern Baptist Governance05:10The Cooperative Program: A Foundation for Missions07:17Highlights from the Annual Meeting: Missionary Updates10:36The Role of Southern Baptist Seminaries14:13North American Mission Board: Church Planting and Disaster Relief18:30The Executive Committee: Governance and Oversight22:48Addressing Institutional Scrutiny and Trust Issues25:04Integrity and Transparency in Leadership26:34The Role and Challenges of the ERLC28:27Understanding the ERLC's Purpose30:04The Tension Between ERLC and Southern Baptists32:31Debating the ERLC's Direction35:02Women in Pastoral Roles and the SBC38:00The Future of the SBC's Governing Documents40:05Unity Amidst Controversy43:24Addressing Perceptions of Liberal Drift46:45Worship and Community at the SBC Convention

In the early days of the Southern Baptist Convention, when the costs of ministry opportunities were beginning to expand, convention leaders proposed the 75 Million Campaign, a five-year pledge campaign with the purpose of funding missions. This campaign planted the seed for what would grow to be the Cooperative Program in 1925. Now, 100 years later, the Cooperative Program continues to use every dollar given by faithful Southern Baptists to further the Great Commission. On today's episode, we'll talk to  Tony Wolfe, executive director of the South Carolina Baptist Convention; and Madison Grace, provost and vice president for academic administration at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Tony and Madison will talk through the history, purpose, and impact of the Cooperative Program throughout the decades. They'll also share more about their new book,  A Unity of Purpose: 100 Years of the SBC Cooperative Program.

Welcome to The Weekly, produced by TAB Media Group, which publishes The Alabama Baptist and The Baptist Paper. Each episode features news headlines read by TAB Media Group staff and volunteers. New episodes are released weekly on Wednesday mornings. Articles featured in this episode: Cooperative Program 100th anniversary celebration held in Memphis (0:40) Purpose of Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission under debate (1:21) Alabama Legislature wraps up 2025 session (1:57) Family friendly movie recommendation: “The Wild Robot” (4:40) Visit TAB Media HERE Subscribe on iTunes HERE

S2 Ep. 8: Jeff Iorg on CP at 100, Dallas, and Where Abuse Response Stands Jared Cornutt sits in this week as host, and is joined by Jeff Iorg for a conversation about the ongoing response to the abuse crisis in the SBC, the importance of the Cooperative Program, and key decisions facing messengers at the upcoming SBC Annual Meeting in Dallas.   Jeff Iorg serves as the the eighth President and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee.   The Baptist Review exists for Southern Baptists to engage in good faith discussion about the issues, current events, and questions that matter in our Convention. To follow the conversation, read The Baptist Review online at www.thebaptistreview.com Thanks to our podcast sponsor: Communio Learn more about how Communio can train and equips your church to evangelize through the renewal of healthy relationships, marriages, and the family. ----more---- Follow us on X Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Instagram

The year 2025 marks the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. What happened at Nicaea, and why does it matter? Drs. Scott Pace, Steve McKinion, and Stephen Eccher continue address these questions and more in the second episode of Milestones — a new video podcast from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. In Milestones, Southeastern faculty and special guests help you reflect on your Christian heritage and its practical outworkings in your life and ministry. You'll learn about historic Christian milestones with significant anniversaries in 2025 — such as the council of Nicaea (1700th anniversary), the recovery of believer's baptism and the memorial view of the Lord's Supper (500th anniversary), the Cooperative Program and the Baptist Faith and Message (100th anniversary), and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (75th anniversary). This great heritage isn't just our inheritance; it's also our stewardship — to remember, rehearse, and reaffirm the faith in our day for our generation. This is your inheritance. This is your stewardship. To learn how Southeastern can equip you to make disciples and share the faith once for all delivered to the saints, visit sebts.edu/degrees

The year 2025 marks the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. What happened at Nicaea, and why does it matter? Drs. Scott Pace, Steve McKinion, and Stephen Eccher address these questions and more in the first episode of Milestones — a new video podcast from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. In Milestones, Southeastern faculty and special guests help you reflect on your Christian heritage and its practical outworkings in your life and ministry. You'll learn about historic Christian milestones with significant anniversaries in 2025 — such as the council of Nicaea (1700th anniversary), the recovery of believer's baptism and the memorial view of the Lord's Supper (500th anniversary), the Cooperative Program and the Baptist Faith and Message (100th anniversary), and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (75th anniversary). This great heritage isn't just our inheritance; it's also our stewardship — to remember, rehearse, and reaffirm the faith in our day for our generation. This is your inheritance. This is your stewardship. To learn how Southeastern can equip you to make disciples and share the faith once for all delivered to the saints, visit sebts.edu/degrees

Southern Baptist churches and disaster relief workers respond to overwhelming needs across the Southeast due to Hurricane Helene, the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission speaks to the president and Congressional leaders about the escalation in the Middle East and Southern Baptists give more than $191 million through the Cooperative Program in the 2023-24 fiscal. Brandon and Laura talk about this and more in this episode.

In this episode, the KBC's own Michael Cabell outlines the importance of the Cooperative Program, and what he believes cooperative effort can accomplish.

This episode features a conversation about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in career development services. Melissa Venable hosts Dr. Bret Anderson of h2 Communication, LLC and Leeann Fields of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. They discuss the benefits and challenges of using AI tools, sharing examples from their own work. The discussion includes ethical considerations for using AI-generated content, the value of skepticism to vet new tools, and the need for critical thinking by both career practitioners an their students and clients when making decisions about what tools to use, including AI. Cost and budgeting concerns are also discussed. More about Bret and Leeann:Dr. Bret Anderson is President of h2 Communication, LLC, providing job readiness training, executive coaching, and frontline leadership development.Leeann Fields serves as the Executive Director of the Office of Educational Compliance at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. She has rich experience and leadership in online education coming to UNLV after 16 years with the University of Colorado Denver as a Senior Instructor and Instructional Designer. Prior to that, Leeann served as the head of Quality Assurance for the Cooperative Program for Operational Meteorology, Education and Training (COMET), in Boulder, CO. Her special interest wherever she has worked has been in creating opportunities for growth through professional development offerings. Leeann holds an M.A. in administration, supervision, and curriculum development with an emphasis in instructional technology from University of Colorado Denver's (UCD) School of Education. RESOURCESCCSP - Certified Career Services ProviderCPRW - Certified Professional Resume WriterGrowth Mindset vs Fixed MindsetRAND Veterans Study [PDF]ChatGPTGeminiSend us a Text Message.

Minh Ha Nguyen, the director of the Southern Baptist Ethnic Research Network, passed away tragically this week in a drowning accident off the coast of North Carolina. Also, Lifeway Research released new data on sentiment related to the Cooperative Program.

Show Notes:Explore our resourcesFind rest and retreat at one of the many Shepherd's House locationsFind offerings provided to Women in Ministry Advancing the Church (ATC) Podcast EpisodeWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyVisit the contact Page(02:07) Biblical framework for giving for gospel advancement(06:02) How Reformed Baptist Church Louisville determined missions giving(10:00) Cooperative Program giving for Auburndale and other Southern Baptist Churches(14:48) How do we appropriate missions giving as a church?(18:12) Being strategic and intentional in missions giving(22:44) Prioritizing when church funds are limited(25:57) Determining who receives support and who doesn't(29:12) Final word and prayer

Show Notes:Explore our resourcesFind rest and retreat at one of the many Shepherd's House locationsFind offerings provided to Women in Ministry Advancing the Church (ATC) Podcast EpisodeWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyVisit the contact Page(02:07) Biblical framework for giving for gospel advancement(06:02) How Reformed Baptist Church Louisville determined missions giving(10:00) Cooperative Program giving for Auburndale and other Southern Baptist Churches(14:48) How do we appropriate missions giving as a church?(18:12) Being strategic and intentional in missions giving(22:44) Prioritizing when church funds are limited(25:57) Determining who receives support and who doesn't(29:12) Final word and prayer

Dr. David Hankins is passionate communicator of God's Word and Pastor Eric's father. Dr. Hankins has served as the Executive Director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, Vice President of Cooperative Program for the SBC, and as pastor of churches in Texas and Louisiana. He is the author of One Sacred Effort, which is required reading by every Southern Baptist seminary student. Since retirement Dr. Hankins loves spending time with his wife Patty and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also like to get a round of gold in whenever possible.

Dr. David Hankins is passionate communicator of God's Word and Pastor Eric's father. Dr. Hankins has served as the Executive Director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, Vice President of Cooperative Program for the SBC, and as pastor of churches in Texas and Louisiana. He is the author of One Sacred Effort, which is required reading by every Southern Baptist seminary student. Since retirement Dr. Hankins loves spending time with his wife Patty and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also like to get a round of gold in whenever possible.

GUEST OVERVIEW: Peter Koenig worked for over 30 years with the World Bank, including 10 years in a Cooperative Program with WHO, in Environmental Health. As a macro-economist, specialized in water resources, his work took him to some 70 countries around the globe. It also gave him the rare opportunity to observe as an “insider” how these so-called UN agencies and the UN system at large operates: who finances them, who influences them and to whose tune they dance.

Pull a seat up to the table and join us in a conversation with Tim Ruth about Guidestone.  Many leaders may be familiar with the services available through the Cooperative Program connection with Guidestone, but Tim breaks down some common misconceptions when helping ministers with financial planning.  Around the Corner Events: All Events: mbcb.org/eventsApril 6: Disaster Relief Training - Emmanuel BC, GrenadaApril 7: Baptism SundayApril 15: State Preaching Conference - Blue Mountain Christian University April 16: State Preaching Conference - Clinton, MSApril 17: State Preaching Conference - William Carey UniversityApril 26: African American Leadership Retreat - JacksonMay 7: Senior Adult Choir Festival May 14: Church Safety for Minors Workshop - ByramContacts: Jon Martin, Chief Strategy Officer - jmartin@mbcb.orgTanner Cade, Communication Services Director - tcade@mbcb.orgTim Ruth, Financial Services Consultant - truth@mbcb.org

Pull a seat up to the table and join us in a conversation with Dr. Shawn Parker about recent news across the Southern Baptist Convention.  He shares about plans to celebrate 100 years of the Cooperative Program and the recent unanimous vote for Dr. Jeff Iorg to lead the SBC. Around the Corner Events: All Events: mbcb.org/eventsApril 6: Disaster Relief Training - Emmanuel BC, GrenadaApril 7: Baptism SundayApril 15: State Preaching Conference - Blue Mountain Christian University April 16: State Preaching Conference - Clinton, MSApril 17: State Preaching Conference - William Carey UniversityApril 26: African American Leadership Retreat - JacksonMay 7: Senior Adult Choir Festival Contacts: Jon Martin, Chief Strategy Officer - jmartin@mbcb.orgTanner Cade, Communication Services Director - tcade@mbcb.org

Will the Southern Baptist Conventions's Cooperative Program Crumble?

Preached 2/18/24

Ep 3: Bart Barber on Cooperation and Conviction (pt. 2) In this episode, SBC President Bart Barber joins David Sons and Jared Cornutt for a conversation about cooperation, amending the BFM2000, the future of the Cooperative Program, state conventions, and more. This is the second of a five part series with SBC President Bart Barber. The Baptist Review exists for Southern Baptists to engage in good faith discussion about the issues, current events, and questions that matter in our Convention. To follow the conversation, read The Baptist Review online at www.thebaptistreview.com Thanks to our podcast sponsors: Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Click here to learn more about Southeastern's degree programs and how they can equip you for ministry and mission. The North American Mission Board Listen to the Reconstructing Faith podcast from Trevin Wax and the North American Mission Board. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Lifeline Children's Services Click here to learn more about adoption services from Lifeline Children's Services. ----more---- Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Instagram

Join us as we dive into the hidden world of spiritual abuse within church communities, uncovering shocking revelations and the urgent need for justice. But what happens when the very institutions meant to provide solace and support become complicit in perpetuating harm? Tune in to find out what happens next.If you're feeling frustrated and helpless because your efforts to stop abuse in your church or faith community are being ignored, then you are not alone! You may have already tried reporting the abuse to church leaders or authorities, only to see it swept under the rug or dismissed. Instead of seeing justice and accountability, you may be witnessing the perpetrators being protected and the victims being silenced. It's time to come together and take action to demand change and ensure that everyone in your community is safe and treated with respect.My special guest is Johnna Harris(Listen to part 1 of this two-part interview here.)Johnna Harris, a dedicated advocate and co-host of the Bodies behind the Bus podcast, brings a wealth of experience and empathy to the conversation around spiritual abuse in church and faith communities. Her unwavering commitment to amplifying the voices of survivors and promoting awareness is truly commendable. With a unique blend of personal insight and professional dedication, Johnna's work is making a real impact in the lives of many. Her passion for fostering healing and understanding shines through in her thoughtful approach to advocacy, making her a valuable voice in the ongoing dialogue about supporting survivors and creating positive change within faith spaces.We have to be willing to say no person is perfect, and no person is above questioning. And our church leaders, our pastors, these ministry organizations, all of them, we have a rubric for what their integrity and character should look like. That has been thrown into survivor faces over and over and over again in the SBC. It's thrown into women's faces. You cannot be here. You cannot be leading if you are a woman, because it needs to be a man. Here's what it says in the Bible. Yet we're not holding them to those standards. All I'm asking people is to actually be consistent and hold our leaders, hold our churches to the standards that we were told matter to them, that we were told matter to God. - Johnna HarrisIn this episode, you will be able to:Understand how to address Southern Baptist Convention sexual abuse.Discover survivor stories and advocacy for change.Embrace the importance of justice and accountability in faith communities.Take action against spiritual abuse within your church.Join a Patreon community for difference-makers in promoting justice.Hear survivor storiesListening to survivors' narratives is a powerful way of understanding the gravity and reality of spiritual abuse in faith communities. Each story offers a firsthand perspective that illuminates the complexity and nuance of this issue. It is through these narratives that we can become better allies, advocates, and agents of change within our communities.Listen to Part 1 of this 2 part interview with Johnna Harris. If youu haven't heard part 1, listen to it here. The resources mentioned in this episode are:Join the Defund the SBC movement by designating your donations to specific areas in your church and asking for transparency on where the money goes, especially in relation to legal fees and image management efforts.Send letters, emails, and make phone calls to church leaders and denomination policymakers to advocate for justice and transparency in handling abuse cases.Follow abuse survivors in the SBC on social media and read their stories to understand the impact and importance of seeking justice for survivors.Consider making a New Year's resolution to actively do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God in your circle of influence, taking tangible steps to make a difference.Join the Difference Maker community on Patreon to access exclusive episodes and engage in deeper conversations about advocacy and making a difference in various spaces at www.patreon.com/aworldofdifference.Key Takeaways:Understand the impact of Southern Baptist Convention sexual abuse on individuals and communities.Hear survivor stories and learn about their advocacy efforts for change.Recognize the importance of justice and accountability within faith communities.Take actionable steps to combat spiritual abuse in church settings.Join a Patreon community for difference-makers in promoting justice and accountability in faith communities.The key moments in this episode are:00:00:00 - Introduction to Johnna Harris's advocacy work00:04:02 - Trigger warning and self-care00:08:47 - Impact of spiritual abuse on women's voices00:11:45 - Healing journey and self-care00:13:10 - Connection between Acts 29 and the SBC00:15:16 - Sexual Abuse Scandals in the SBC00:16:01 - Corruption Within the SBC00:17:48 - Samantha Killary's Lawsuit00:21:49 - Transparency with Cooperative Program Funds00:30:42 - Hope for Change00:33:33 - SBC's involvement in thwarting justice00:35:23 - The role of good people in complicity00:37:40 - Holding church leaders accountable00:41:18 - Making wrongs right00:43:38 - Taking action for justice00:49:17 - The Power of Stories and Advocacy00:49:42 - New Year's Resolution for Justice00:50:22 - Invitation to Do Justice00:51:05 - Join the Patreon Community00:52:40 - Reflecting on the Year and Making a DifferenceTimestamped summary of this episode:00:00:00 - Introduction to Johnna Harris's advocacy workJohnna Harris discusses her advocacy work on behalf of Southern Baptist Convention and the Acts 29 network survivors, focusing on survivors of spiritual abuse themselves.00:04:02 - Trigger warning and self-careThe host provides a trigger warning for the discussion on abuse and emphasizes the importance of self-care for those who have experienced religious trauma.00:08:47 - Impact of spiritual abuse on women's voicesJohnna and Lori discuss the silencing of women's voices in some religious spaces, sharing their own experiences and the challenges they faced as women in leadership roles.00:11:45 - Healing journey and self-careJohnna shares her healing journey, including therapy and avoiding retraumatization in religious settings, highlighting the importance of self-care for survivors of spiritual abuse.00:13:10 - Connection between Acts 29 and the SBCThe discussion delves into the connection between the Acts 29 network and the Southern Baptist Convention, shedding light on the lack of robust accountability structures within the SBC and its impact on survivors of spiritual abuse.00:15:16 - Sexual Abuse Scandals in the SBCDiscussion on the handling of sexual abuse within the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) and the numerous lawsuits and scandals related to survivors coming forward.00:16:01 - Corruption Within the SBCThe Guidepost report findings of corruption within the SBC in handling and reporting sexual abuse cases, with mention of multiple lawsuits in Kentucky.00:17:48 - Samantha Killary's LawsuitDetails about Samantha Killary's lawsuit, the entities involved, and the implication of the SBC's intervention potentially affecting other abuse survivors in Kentucky.00:21:49 - Impact of Cooperative Program FundsHighlighting the use of Cooperative Program funds for legal actions and the potential negative impact on abuse survivors if the Supreme Court in KY rules in favor of the SBC's stance.00:30:42 - Hope for ChangeDiscussion on the challenges of bringing about accountability and change within the SBC and other western evangelical entities, expressing a desire for positive growth within churches.00:33:33 - SBC's involvement in thwarting justiceJohnna discusses the potential impact of the Southern Baptist Convention's (SBC) amicus brief on the statute of limitations for second-party perpetrators. She highlights the potential consequences for survivors seeking justice and the disturbing reality of justice being thwarted by powerful entities.00:35:23 - The role of good people in complicityJohnna emphasizes the complicity of good people in allowing injustice to persist. She urges listeners to educate themselves and take action to hold leaders and organizations accountable for their actions, particularly in cases of abuse and cover-ups.00:37:40 - Holding church leaders accountableThe conversation delves into the need for consistency in holding church leaders accountable to the standards they espouse. Johnna urges people to consider where their tithes and donations are directed, emphasizing the importance of transparency and responsible stewardship of financial contributions.00:41:18 - Making wrongs rightThe discussion emphasizes the importance of making wrongs right and pursuing justice, rather than succumbing to "himpathy." It calls for a collective effort to address spiritual abuse and hold leaders accountable for their actions, advocating for defunding the SBC as a potentially necessary course of action.00:43:38 - Taking action for justiceJohnna encourages listeners to take action in various ways, including defunding the SBC legal efforts by designating offerings, seeking transparency in financial contributions, and advocating for abuse survivors. The conversation underscores the need for accountability and highlights the role of individuals00:49:17 - The Power of Stories and AdvocacyLori and Johnna emphasize the importance of hearing abuse survivors' stories in the SBC to understand the significance of advocating for justice. They encourage listeners to actively engage in advocacy efforts and share their ideas in a Patreon episode at www.patreon.com/aworldofdifference.00:49:42 - New Year's Resolution for JusticeLori encourages listeners to make New Year's resolutions focused on doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God. She emphasizes the importance of actively participating in advocacy efforts within their circle of influence.00:50:22 - Invitation to Do JusticeLori invites followers of God to consider how they can do justice within their denominational and church homes. She encourages listeners to join their Patreon community for deeper discussions on advocacy and making a difference.00:51:05 - Join the Patreon CommunityLori invites listeners to join their Patreon community, where they can access exclusive episodes and engage in conversations about making a difference in their respective spaces. She welcomes individuals from diverse religious backgrounds to share their perspectives.00:52:40 - Reflecting on the Year and Making a DifferenceLori encourages listeners to reflect on the past year and consider what they want to stop, start, or continue doing. She invites them to connect with her on social media to share their reflections and discuss their plans for making a difference.https://www.facebook.com/A-World-of-Difference-613933132591673/https://www.twitter.com/@awodpodhttps://www.youtube.com/@aworldofdifferencehttps://www.linkedin.com/company/aworldofdifference/https://www.aworldofdifferencepodcast.comhttps://www.patreon.com/aworldofdifference

The Gospel must be preached to all nations because God has elected some from every tribe, language, people, and nation to be in heaven. - SERMON TRANSCRIPT - Turn in your Bibles if you would, to Mark, chapter 13, and you can also turn as well to Matthew 24. We're going to be looking at both of those places. The Scripture reveals that despite all of its swirling complexity, human history has a purpose. We are moving to a destination. We're going somewhere with all of this. It's not just random chaos, but God has a plan and a purpose. The destination the Bible reveals, to which we're going, is a perfect universe, a perfect world free from all sin and a beautiful radiant city. The New Heavens and the New Earth are that perfect universe and that radiant city is called the New Jerusalem. The Bible reveals that the light source of that new universe and of the New Jerusalem, according to Revelation 21 and 22, is the glory of God, the glory of God. Revelation 21:23 says, "The city”[the New Jerusalem] "does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it for the glory of God gives it light and the lamb is its lamp." Again, in the next chapter, Revelation 22:5 it says, "They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light." But what is that? What is the glory of God? In my studies and my meditations, I've thought a lot, it's an important topic. I believe the glory of God is the radiant display of the attributes or the perfections of God. Sometimes it's just brilliant light, as 1 Timothy 6:16 says, "God dwells in unapproachable light." Well, think about that, unapproachable light. How amazing must that be? For this reason, the Seraphim in Isaiah's vision were constantly covering their faces, though they had no sin or guilt, but just in that unapproachable light, the presence of the glory, they were covering their faces. For this reason also, the theophanies, or the displays of God, where God shows up in human history are frequently attended by overpowering light, like in Ezekiel's vision of the likeness of the glory of God by the Kibar River east of Babylon. Ezekiel 1 says, "High above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. And I saw from what appeared to be his waist up, He looked like glowing metal as if full of fire. And that from there down He looked like fire and brilliant light surrounded Him, like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell face down." So radiant, light, brightness connected with the glory of God. Also at the time of the birth of our Lord in Bethlehem, an angel appeared to shepherds outside Bethlehem and it says in Luke 2:9-10, "There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over the flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified." This was a glory of the eye, not of the mind or heart. It was just bright light, and it stunned the shepherds that night. But the glory of God is seen not just in brilliant light, sometimes it's in the radiant display of the perfections of God, the attributes of God woven into the tapestry of historical events. That takes the eye of faith to see it, but it's there. The attributes of God woven into the tapestry of history. The perfections of God, attributes of God, include His wisdom, His power, His love, compassion, justice, patience, kindness, mercy. These are attributes. God has ordained history, the story of history, for this reason to put Himself on display in the sequence of events and unfolding history. He put Himself on display in a history, a story, that He predestined before Christ began, written in His own mind before time began. The sequence of events, this history, has all been written out by the author of history and it's intrinsically connected with the Christ event, the story of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus himself said in Revelation 22:13, "I am the alpha and the omega. I am the first and the last, the beginning and the end." History is linear, and Jesus is history. Jesus is what the story is all about. The radiant display of the glory of God in heaven, I believe, will consist in part in a retelling of His mighty works in saving His people from their sins and in their individual context all over the world, across the centuries, a retelling of the mighty works of God and saving sinners. I believe it's the most glorious thing God has ever done. His glory is greatly on display in salvation. Revelation 7:9-10 says, "After this, I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes, and they were holding palm branches in their hands, and they cried out in a loud voice, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb.'" "The radiant display of the glory of God in heaven, I believe, will consist in part in a retelling of His mighty works in saving His people from their sins and in their individual context all over the world, across the centuries." Here's a multitude, a huge quantity of people, from all over the world, every imaginable context, standing around the throne of God in heaven praising God for salvation. The specific stories of these individual people that make up these millions from every nation on Earth, will bring infinite and eternal glory to God. A few verses later, Revelation 8:13, "Then one of the elders asked me, 'These in the white robes, who are they and where did they come from?'" As I've said many times before, that story will take forever to tell fully. It is so complex, but it is woven through with light, it’s woven through with glory. "These redeemed," who are they and where do they come from? Well, how long do you have? We have all eternity. So, pull up a chair and let's hear the story of how God redeemed this one and that one and the other one from all over the world. Heaven will be filled with the stories of the greatness of God put on display in the amazing tapestry of history that He wove in every century. This is the story of missions. The spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ from Jerusalem to the ends of the Earth across every generation of history, that unspeakable glory as before us this morning. We're going to focus just on two verses of scripture. Mark 13:10, right in the middle of our Mark study, and then a parallel verse, Matthew 24:14. Mark 13:10, "And the gospel must first be preached to all nations." Matthew 24:14, "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations and then the end will come." I want to tell you something about the science of Bible interpretation. The Gospels, there are four of them, three of them basically take the same approach to the life of Jesus. Matthew, Mark ,and Luke. They're called synoptic because they see things from about the same perspective. Then the fourth Gospel, John, comes at it from a different perspective, but they all tell the same thing. We believe that all scriptures God-breathed is perfect, so therefore these are four perfect accounts of the life of Christ, but they have some differences with one another. When we have those differences between, let's say, Matthew and Mark, we harmonize. We don't pit them against each other, we put them together. We try to harmonize, and that's not always easy to do. Generally, I look on it as a two-for-one sale. I'm going to take both statements here as true, and if one of them tells me one thing, He said that and that's true, and if one of them tells something else, He said that, and I just harmonize, I put it together. I. Context: Jesus’ Prediction of the Destruction of the Temple Let's talk about the context here. We're moving through the Gospel of Mark. Mark 13 is Jesus's description of the history of the end of the world and the events leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple and the end of the world. It came from a statement Jesus made in Mark 13:2: "Not one stone will be left on another. Everyone will be thrown down." This was a prediction of the destruction, at least of the Temple, but probably really of the whole city of Jerusalem and focused on the temple. It was the final week of Jesus's life. Things were hurdling to a conclusion, the dramatic turbulent events culminating in His arrest and His trial before the Jewish leaders. His condemnation by them is being handed over to Pontius Pilate for condemnation by the Romans and then His crucifixion by Pontius Pilate and the Romans. So that's where we're heading. Jesus has given a seven-fold denunciation of the Scribes and Pharisees, the spiritual leaders of the Jewish nation. It's fully depicted in Matthew 23. It's just quickly summarized in Mark. But it culminates in this statement in Matthew 23: 38-39, "Jesus says, 'Behold your house is left to you desolate.'" This is a very important statement—your house is left to you desolate. “Desolate” means “empty." The reason I'm saying that is, "For, I tell you, you will not see Me again until you say ‘Blessed is He comes in the name of the Lord.’" “Not seeing Me again” is the essence of your desolate house. That's what makes your house desolate. Then Jesus dramatically walked out of the Temple, never to return again. The disciples came up at that moment and chose that moment to talk about how beautiful the Temple was. We shouldn't be surprised at this. This is what the disciples, the apostles were like, frequently off message. This is who we are as well. “As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Look, teacher, what massive stones, what magnificent buildings.’ ‘Do you see all these great buildings?’ replied Jesus. ‘Not one stone here will be left on another, every one will be thrown down.’" That must've been incredibly distressing to them. They come to Him later, privately, when He's out of the city, He's up on the Mount of Olives, across the Kidron Valley, they're out of the city and they're there. As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, Matthew 24:3, “The disciples came to Him privately. 'Tell us,' they said, 'When will this happen and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?’" Matthew 24 and Mark 13 cover roughly the same ground, but Matthew 24, in much more detail. There's almost nothing found in Mark 13 that's not found in Matthew 24, and there are other things besides in Matthew 24, so I have my eye on both. Matthew 24 has the full question the disciples asked and the fuller answer that Jesus gives. The three parts of the question in Matthew 24 are, "Tell us, when will this happen?" And, "What will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?" The complexity of Matthew 24 and of Mark 13 comes in discerning and kind of to some degree, unweaving the tapestry of Jesus's answer. What is He talking about right now in this part? Is He talking about the destruction of Jerusalem in 870 AD by the Romans? Is He talking about the end of the world? What is it? They weave it through. Jesus, I believe, is giving a history of the world between His First and Second Comings. It's bigger than just the destruction of the Temple. Just to tell you, if you look at Mark 13:10, a key word for me in that is the word “first.” First. "This gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations." First before what? Before the destruction of the temple? That didn't happen. So clearly, Jesus's scope is bigger than the destruction of the Temple. He's looking at, I believe, all history, from the First to the Second Comings of Christ, and He's traveling and traversing that history. Look at verses 5-13, Mark 13. Jesus has said to them, “Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name claiming I am He and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There'll be earthquakes in various places and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. You must be on your guard. You'll be handed over to local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of Me, you'll stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them." Here's our focus verse, verse 10, "And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given to you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. Brother will betray brother to death and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents, and have them put to death. Everyone will hate you because of Me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." Last week, we traced out those thirteen verses and looked at the whole answer. Just to summarize, it begins with a warning against false teaching. He goes from that to a prediction of the ordinary convulsion of events of history, wars and rumors of wars. That happens in every generation, almost every year of history, nation rising against nation, kingdom against kingdom. That's all the time. There'll be famines, earthquakes, various places. He calls all this the beginning of birth pains. The birth pains means a terrible convulsion or pain resulting in something beautiful and wonderful. We're heading to a good destination, but we have a lot of pain to go through first. That's what “beginning of birth pain” means. Then He mentions persecution. They will be handed over to the local councils. They'll be flogged in synagogues. These will be opportunities for them to be witnesses to Him. They will testify to Jesus. "On account of me, you'll stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them." The flow of human history is a canvas on which the masterpiece of redemptive history is being painted. These commonplace convulsions, wars, rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, arrests, trials, all of that is being sovereignly controlled to accomplish the spread of the Gospel, to accomplish the salvation of God's people, to accomplish the glory of God. That's what's going on here. It's amazing how God controls history even down to the micro-level, to achieve His purposes. I found a number of years ago a great example of this in the life of John Calvin. John Calvin is a great reformer who spent most of his life in Geneva, a great theologian, tremendous leader. However, he was not originally Swiss. Geneva is a city in Switzerland. He was French and he was basically a refugee, a religious refugee running for his life because he believed in the Reformation. The Catholic King of France was persecuting what they called Lutherans, and he was running for his life. By this time, he had already written a significant theological work, and he was on his way to the French city of Strasbourg. He had in mind a quiet life as a scholar. He was going to be quiet in his room and eat little bowls of gruel and write theology books, and that was going to be his life. That would've made him happy. He was that kind of person. At any rate, he was a scholar but already well known. Amazingly, en route to Strasbourg, he couldn't go there because an obscure war had broken out between the King of France and Charles the Fifth, the Holy Roman Emperor. It's not at all one of the most famous wars ever. It's one of those wars and rumors of wars that Jesus talked about. But as a result, the straight road to Strasbourg was blocked with troop movements. So here, this fleeing man, this refugee has to divert through the city of Geneva. At any rate, there he is in Geneva, and William Farel, who started a Reformation work there hears that Calvin is there, and he thinks this is just the guy that we need for the Reformation here in Geneva. He was right, but Calvin had no such intention. When Farel came and said, "I want you to work here in Geneva," he said, "No, no, I'm going to go have a quiet life writing books in Strasbourg." He didn't say it just like that, but it probably went something like that. After Farel tried to persuade him and wasn't successful, Farel rose up in what Calvin called intemperate zeal and threatened him with the judgment of God if he chose a quiet life of academia rather than taking part in the Reformation in Geneva. Calvin was wired to fear that kind of thing and said, "Okay, I guess I'll stay in Geneva,” and he did. He was there most of the rest of his life. What's my point? Wars and rumors of wars for a purpose. "Are you saying that God orchestrated a war between Catholic King Francis of France and Catholic King Charles the Fifth, so that John Calvin would end up in Geneva and not Strasbourg?" Yes, that's what I'm saying, and other things too. Other things too, but at least that. That's what God does. Isn't it amazing that history has a purpose? Even as it seems to be churning and random and destructive, God is at work in the midst of all of it. The central work of all of this is, "You will be witnesses for me. You'll be my witnesses. You are going to proclaim this gospel." Look at verse 10, "And the gospel must first be preached to all nations." The power of the Holy Spirit is central to this mission. He said, "Do not worry ahead of time what to say, what to speak. It will not be you speaking, but the Holy Spirit." The Spirit is the driving orchestrator and force of the spread of the gospel, the third person of the Trinity, that is His role and He's extremely good at his job. As Acts 1:8 says, "You'll receive power when the Holy Spirit comes in you and you'll be My witnesses in Jerusalem and Judea, Samaria to the ends of the Earth." In the midst of all this, there'll be a tremendous amount of pain for the witnesses, painful betrayals, family relationships will be compromised. Your own closest relatives will turn their backs on you. "Everyone will hate you because of Me," Jesus says. Intense persecution, and that's what makes this journey so glorious. The courage, the boldness, the suffering, the willingness to pay the price. That's the story. That's big picture. II. A Command in Mark Let's zero in on the command, Mark 13:10, “And the gospel must first be preached to all nations." In Mark's version, Mark 13:10, it takes a command form, effectively. It's a command in Mark. It uses the Greek word “dei”, which means “it is necessary,” but that's frequently a command, a sense of a command. It is necessary for the Gospel first to be preached to all nations. What is the Gospel? The Gospel is the message of the kingdom of God with Jesus as the King of the kingdom of God. He's the centerpiece, he is the King, he's the Lord, he's the Savior. The Gospel is the good news about Jesus Christ and all that that means. That's what the Gospel of Mark has been unfolding all along. It's a message about the kingdom of God, that God is King. "What is the Gospel? The Gospel is the message of the kingdom of God with Jesus as the King of the kingdom of God. He's the centerpiece, he is the King, he's the Lord, he's the Savior. The Gospel is the good news about Jesus Christ and all that means." The kingdom is the spiritual realm where the subjects of the King are delighted to have God as their King, and they're pleased to obey Him and to follow Him. They're delighted about it. God's sovereignty over rebels is a different matter, but the advancing kingdom of God has to do with individuals who throw down their weapons of rebellion and come in gladly under the kingship of Christ. The Gospel is, as we've said before, God, man, Christ, response. That God created the universe, the heavens and the Earth, and as the Creator, He has the right to make laws and rules by which we live our lives. God, the Creator, God the King, God, the Lawgiver and God the Judge. That's God. Man, we are created in the image of God to have a relationship with Him, to have a love relationship with Him and to love each other, but we have sinned. We have broken the two Great Commandments. We have not loved God with all of our hearts, all mind and strength. We have not loved our neighbor as ourselves. We have sinned. Therefore, we stand under God's judgment, physical death, eternal death in hell. Christ is God's answer to that problem. The Son of God, fully God, fully man, born, took on human flesh. We celebrate it this time of year. He lived a sinless life under the laws of God. He died in our place as our substitute, a transfer of guilt effected. When we believe in Jesus, our guilt put on Jesus, He dies in our place, His righteousness is given to us, and that's the white robes that we're going to stand in on Judgment Day and for all eternity. The imputed righteousness of Christ, that's what Christ came to do. Then the response, we need to repent of our sins, turn away from our rebellion against God the King. Believe in Jesus, trust in Him, and we'll receive forgiveness of sins. That's the Gospel: God, man, Christ, response. It is necessary for that message to be preached, to be proclaimed to all nations. That's what He's saying. That has to happen first, before the end of the world. That's what first, first is tied to the end of the world. Why? Why is it necessary? Why don't I give you four reasons, four reasons why it is necessary for the Gospel. Let's keep it simple, because Christ the King commanded it. We'll start there. Christ told us to do this. These were his last words before He ascended back to heaven. The Great Commission, so-called, which is a commandment to all of His followers, to make disciples of all nations, is in all four Gospels, a different version but in all four Gospels and in Acts. The most famous version is Matthew 28, "Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and Earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I'm with you always to the very end of the age.’" To all nations in all eras of history, that's the Great Commission. It is necessary, therefore, that this happened because it is the will of God and of Christ for us. Secondly, it is necessary because the Gospel is the only way for sinners to be forgiven and reconciled to God. There is no other way. There is no other plan. The Gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. Or as it says in Romans 10:12 -15, "There is no difference between Jew and Gentile. The same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him, for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How then, can they call on one they have not believed in and how can they believe in one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they're sent?" As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring Good News?’” That's the logic of missions. It's a logical work that Paul does in Romans 10, using a series of rhetorical questions, assuming negative answers. The statement is made worldwide, anyone in any nation on Earth who calls on the name of the Lord Jesus in faith will be saved. But how can someone call on someone they've not believed in? They can't do that, can they? No, of course, they can't. No one can believe in someone they've never heard of, can they? No, of course they can't. And no one can hear without someone preaching or proclaiming the message. No, they can't. Absolutely not. And no one can do that preaching unless they're sent out. Hence, the need for missions. That's the logic of missions, and it's the answer to why it is necessary for this Gospel to be proclaimed. Thirdly, it is necessary for the Gospel to be proclaimed to all nations because God has chosen people in every tribe and language and people and nation. They're called the Elect, chosen before the foundation of the world. God wants those people reached. Jesus said in John's Gospel, "I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. They must be brought in, and there'll be one flock and one shepherd." Those are people, not just Jews, but all the ends of the Earth. God has people out there. There will be people from every tribe, language, people, and nation. It's been ordained. They were chosen in Christ before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless and they have to be brought in, and the only way they're going to be brought in is by the preaching of the Gospel. That's the third reason. The fourth, it is necessary for the Gospel to be preached for the maximum glory of God. That's the ultimate reason for everything. It is for the glory of God that this be done. Ephesians 1:11-12 says, "In Him we're also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him, works out everything in conformity to the purpose of His will, in order that we who are the first to hope in Christ might be for the praise of His glory, that we might be, exist, for the praise of His glory and that we might praise His glory, that we might ourselves notice His glory.” So we will be glory, and we will see glory, and we'll praise Him for it. That's the reason why. Or again, in Romans 15:9, "That the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy." So those are four reasons why it is necessary for the Gospel to be preached. To whom should the Gospel be preached? What we've already said, to all nations. To all nations, the Greek is “panta ta ethne”. The word “ethne” is from which we get the word “ethnic”, and that's the key. We as Protestants, as Evangelicals, we have had a progressive, growing understanding of missions over the last 500 years. Little by little by little, we've understood more and more clearly our obligation in this matter. For the first three centuries, the church just exploded all over the Roman Empire. People were going everywhere preaching the gospel. Apostles, non-apostles, everybody, and it was spreading everywhere. It went as far north as Scotland, it went as far south as Sub-Saharan Africa. There's clear evidence of this. It went as far east as India. It went as far west as Tarshish, which is like Gibraltar. It was all over the place, and the Gospel was spreading. However, once the Dark Ages fell and politics wove together with some form of Christianity, Christendom came about. We had the Crusades, which are the most abhorrent misconstrued incident of mission that's ever been in history; we still paying the price. But there was this mixture of church and state, and it was a mess. To make matters worse, the Gospel itself, for the most part, was lost in a false “gospel of works" religion. The Dark Ages fell, but praise God, the Reformation came and scraped away all that darkness and the Gospel was reclaimed. The Gospel of justification by faith alone, apart from works of law, was shining in those Protestant churches, Lutheran churches, Calvinist churches, the Anabaptist churches. But those folks weren't doing missions initially. They were really just trying to survive. Missions, at that point, was done mostly by Roman Catholics through the Jesuits, who were spreading the power of the Pope and of their Catholic kings, like the King of Spain and the King of Portugal to distant places like Japan and other places. But they didn't bring the true Gospel with them. Meanwhile, the Protestants continued to establish doctrine and to reach their own countries, but not doing missions. But God worked in Protestant churches, little by little, a clearer understanding of our obligation concerning missions in four key steps. The first step, or insight, comes from William Carey. He was a Baptist, a cobbler, a blue collar guy, and he wrote an incredible work called An Inquiry into the Obligation Christians Have to Use Means for the Evangelization of the Missions to the Heathen. Heathen will be pagans or lost people. He was a trailblazer in Protestant missions. The insight is that we Protestants should do missions. We should go to distant lands and share the Gospel. Not just the Jesuits should do that, we should do it. That was step one. Step two came from a leader named Hudson Taylor. Hudson Taylor was a missionary to China. He went on his first missionary trip and just like most missionaries did in the mid-nineteenth century, he stayed on the coastlands such as Shanghai, port cities. He had a vision for the inland regions of China, teeming hundreds of millions of Chinese that had no hope of hearing the Gospel. He founded something called the China Inland Mission. So step number two is, we need to get off the coast and go into the dark heart of Africa, the dark heart of India and of China, and find people there who have no physical access to the Gospel. Step two, inland missions. Step three came from a leader at the end of the 19th century into the beginning of the 20th century named Cameron Townsend. He was a missionary in Latin America and South America. He was working with some tribal people, and they were doing all of their work in Spanish, the trade language. At one point, one of these tribal men said, "If your God is so smart, how come he doesn't speak my language?" Good question, right? Good question. So Cameron Townsend started a ministry called Wycliffe Bible Translators to get the Bible into the heart language of people all over the world, and that work continues to this very day. Insight number four came in the middle of the 20th century from a missionary leader named Donald McGavran, and he began to see that the issue wasn't reaching political nations, like nations that are represented at the United Nations. It had to do with understanding the word ethne as a people group, a group of people characterized by a language and a culture and a heritage and a self-identifying focus. And so that started the people group conception of the work. “Panta ta ethne” means to all people groups. Now, how many people groups are there in the world? No one knows, only God knows. It's very difficult to see lines of border and demarcation between people groups. Donald McGovern did his work in India, and there are probably at least 5,000 people groups, if not more, in India, but there's a lot of overlap. Joshuaproject.net, which you can go and check that out, they say 17,446. As an MIT engineer, I'm like, "I don't think there's that many significant figures." I would say roughly 18,000. or roughly 16,000. I don't think we can get down to 17,446. However, there's a lot. There's a lot of people groups. IMB has a smaller number of people groups. Then you go to the next level, which is “unreached people groups.” What are unreached people groups? It's defined as less than two percent evangelical in that nation. When I was a missionary to Japan, the Japanese were the largest unreached people group in the world, less than two percent evangelical. Since then, they've been superseded by another group. But that's a people group. That's what “unreached” means. “Unengaged,” another U is added, meaning, as far as the IMB knows, there is no effort to try to reach that people group. There's no one working on that, as far as they know. So you've got the UUPG, which is unengaged, unreached people groups. That's the focus. That's where the work should go. It is necessary for us to do that, for the church to do that. It is necessary for us to reach them with the Gospel. And this stands as a permanent command from our Lord and King Jesus Christ. "If you love Me, you'll keep my commandment." That's Mark 13:10, the command. III. A Prophecy in Matthew Look over at Matthew, where it comes across as a prophecy, or perhaps a promise. I'm okay with either one. Look what it says in Matthew 24:14, "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as the testimony in all nations and then the end will come.” So prophecy, promise. What is Jesus saying there? "And this Gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as the testimony of all nations, and then the end will come." The preaching of the Gospel to every tribe, language, people, and the nation is as guaranteed as the end of the world is. They're equally guaranteed. It's going to happen. This is a remarkable assertion by Jesus, more remarkable than not one stone left on another. Picture Jesus on that tiny little rocky outcropping there in the Mount of Olives surrounded by a band of followers that were frequently off message. You know those guys. Surrounded by a very small number of people saying, "This thing that we're doing here is going worldwide, everyone on Earth will hear about this." All peoples on Earth, all peoples, all nations will hear. That's incredible. Effectively, then, “the Jewish conception of their own kingdom will end, the Messianic kingdom, and My kingdom will be established and will reign for all eternity." That's awesome. How does He know that? He knows it because He's God, but He also knows it because the Old Testament scripture predicted that this would happen. God willing, next week, we'll look at Isaiah 49, but in Luke 24, "This is what is written. The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day. And repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." It's going to happen. Which scriptures? Many. There are many scriptures. But I'm going to look at Isaiah 49 next week. Isaiah 49, 1 and 6, "Listen to me, you islands, hear this, you distant nations." Islands and nations, distant nations. God says to Jesus, "It is too small a thing for You to be my servant, to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make You," [Jesus] "a light for the Gentiles that you may bring My salvation to the ends of the Earth.” Jesus is actually not saying anything different than Isaiah the prophet said or that many other prophecies gave. Friends, this is a great encouragement. How does a team play if it's guaranteed, if they think they're absolutely going to win? They're going to play better than if they think they're going to lose. How does an army fight if they think ultimate victory is guaranteed? They fight better. We are going to win because Christ is going to win. This gospel is going to win. The task seems difficult. 3,150 unreached, unengaged, unreached people groups. None of them are easy to reach, or they would've been reached. They're in very difficult situations or places. I went through and thought about some of our units. If you guys don't know what the word “units” means, it means either a married couple, like a family or single. That's why we use the word units because some of them are single men and women, but sometimes family. We call them a mailing address or a group, a family unit. That's what we mean by it. I was reading about units in Turkey, 1.29 million practice Shia Islam. They speak North Levantine Arabic, a significant minority in Turkey. Their goal is to keep their Arabic culture alive in the secular Muslim state of Turkey and pass that on to their children and grandchildren. They mix elements of Sufism, which is Islamic mysticism and Shia Islam. Then we've got Thailand, where we have some units, I won't say their names, but they're there working, and there are people there that are following a certain flavor of Theravada Buddhism. Then in Bangladesh, overwhelmed with poverty, where we have another family unit there. People there are practicing Sunni Islam. They're tragically poor, and they're in darkness, in the grip of darkness. When we think about how difficult it is, and how long it takes to learn a language well enough to share the Gospel in it, and how long it takes to learn a culture, and how long it takes to make friendships, and then that whole journey, and then how long it takes to see one person cross over from darkness to light, that's the challenge in front of us. We need to be encouraged. Remember the lesson of the fig tree that we preached on a number of months ago? Mark 11:23-24, "Truly, I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he has said will happen, will be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mountain moving, faith-filled prayer is made for the Great Commission. That's the mountain that needs to be moved. Remember what I said about prayer at that time. Prayer is not you giving God an idea He didn't have before or persuading Him to do something He didn't want to do. That's not what prayer is. Prayer is you learning from Scripture what God is doing in the world and asking Him to do what He has decreed and ordained to do but hasn't done yet. That's what it is. God has decreed and ordained that people from every tribe and language and people and nation will be standing in those white robes around that throne. That's what He's decreed. It is encouraging to see the progress of the Gospel. Those other signs, wars, rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, those don't mark anything. They're characteristics of every generation. But the progress of the Gospel, that's like a ticking clock to the end of the world. If you were to put dots on a map all over the world of what we would consider to be healthy Bible-believing, gospel-preaching churches in the year 1550, where would you put the dots? It would be almost all Central and North Europe, 1550. If you advance 50 years later, [1600] you would see more dots in those same areas, but still nowhere else. If you put dots where you had healthy Bible-believing, gospel-preaching churches in 1650, by then you would have to add some North American colonies, in Virginia, and New England, and other places, and more over Europe, but nowhere else [1650]. If you advance another 50 years, many more dots up and down the 13 colonies. Many more dots in Europe, and nowhere else. By 1750, by then you had the Great Awakening, lots of dots all over the 13 colonies that eventually became the United States of America. You have some dots in the Caribbean where some Moravian missionaries went and sold themselves into slavery to preach the Gospel to the slave population there. Then, of course, Central and North Europe, some in the Catholic areas in Europe as well, but nowhere else. By 1800, William Carey's in India. So you put a dot there. But all the rest, just more dots in those same areas. As the new country of the United States spreading westward, there's more dots there, et cetera. In 50 more years, unbelievable. The 19th century, called the great century of missions, and they started to explode. By this time you've got Hudson Taylor in the inland regions. You've got dots in China. You've got a lot more dots in India, definitely dots in Burma. Because by the time Adoniran Judson finished his work, there were 25,000 baptized Burmese Christians. Now in 1850 there are dots all over. And by this time you can start putting them in Sub-Saharan Africa and other places. Add another 50 years, 1900, the great century of missions has ended. You got churches all over Asia, Mongolia, India, Burma, South America, Sub-Saharan Africa. In 50 more years, post-World War II, you've got the Gospel spreading to the islands of South Pacific, Irian Jaya, and Papua New Guinea. Soldiers that had fought there then went back to some of those places with the Gospel. Remarkable. 50 years later, the year 2000, the map's covered with dots, the entire world map. There's not a political nation on earth that doesn't have a healthy church. Not one. All the nations, I don't know how many nations are in the United Nations,230 some odd, all of them have some healthy church planted. But still, you've got those unreached people groups. So big picture, I can't tell you this progression without smiling. We are winning, the Gospel's spreading. The Holy Spirit is good at His job. He puts a compulsion on people, and they go where He wants them to go, and they lay down their lives as He wants them to, and the Gospel spreads. But there's still work to be done. I'm not going to burden you with statistics, that would be hard to communicate. But there's been a kind of a flattening of mission endeavor over the last 10 or 15 years. It's a little discouraging as you look, and it's just a narrow window, but missionary thinker Ralph Winter said, "More of the same will not get it done.” The burden is laid on churches like us and many other churches around the world to recommit ourselves to missions, recommit ourselves to the work left to be done, and to give sacrificially as we are called to do. IV. Applications First and foremost, if you're here listening to this mission sermon, but you came in here not a Christian, your work is to believe in Jesus. No point in talking about missions if you're lost. First and foremost, you've heard the gospel: God, man, Christ, response. I'm calling on you while there's time, repent and believe in Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. If you're already a Christian, understand both the command in Mark 13 and the promise or the prophecy in Matthew 24. Take it seriously. This is the command laid on us, but rejoice in the sovereignty of Christ to get it done. Be confident in the final outcome. The Lord is going to win. He will be glorified. I'm looking forward to all eternity of hearing those stories. It's going to be phenomenal. Pray confidently in the spirit of Matthew 9 for more laborers, laborers in the harvest field. Churches like ours send out two precious commodities to the mission field: people and money. That's what IMB does. We gather people, and we gather money from Southern Baptist churches and point them strategically in directions. The Lottie Moon Christmas offering that we take every Christmas, our goal is $150,000. The Southern Baptist Convention exists in part for that. It was originated for that, and it's why we do. It's the crown jewel, I think, of our cooperation with Baptist churches all over the country. We pool resources to do a job too big for any one church to do. We couldn't afford to send very many fully-supported missionaries, just one church, to these various places. So we pool resources with thousands of churches. Truly, 100% of the money you give to Lottie Moon goes to missions. I was a trustee for nine years. What that means is we take more money in than Lottie Moon. It takes more money than Lottie Moon to put those missionaries on the field. I don't know how they tag dollars that go... Whatever, it gets pooled. The point is, the budget is bigger than the Lottie Moon offering. Where does the rest of the money come from? It comes from something called the Cooperative Program, where throughout the year, 12 months a year, we pool resources and a chunk of that goes to missions as well. A hundred percent of your giving goes, and our goal is $150,000. What I always say to you as a member of this church is engage, pray about your financial giving. We also have the opportunity through our home fellowships and through just your own initiative to get to know our friends that are serving overseas. We live in an iPhone or a smartphone world. You can contact them and be with them real-time. I FaceTime with these folks. You can find out what they're going through, support them, pray for them. I'm going to end this time now in prayer, and then we can get ready for the Lord's Supper. Father, thank You for the message that we have heard, the Gospel message of the Gospel going to the ends of the Earth and to the end of time. Now as we turn our hearts to the Lord's Supper, we thank You for the Word that we've heard and for the ordinance we're about to partake in. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Freedom to be Generous Matthew 25:14-30 (ESV) Greed begins where contentment ends. Debt accrues where Greed prevails. James 4:1-4 What causes and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with , that you may spend what you get on your. 4 You , don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” Proverbs 21:26 All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing. Matthew 25:14-30ESV14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants[a] and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents,[b] to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts withthem. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.' 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.[c] You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.' 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.' 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. 6:33 But his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be as well. Deuteronomy 8:18 “But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. God gives you ability to produce wealth to be generous.Generosity reflects the heart of God. Malachi 3:6 “I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have from my decrees and have not kept them., and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?' 8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.“But you ask, ‘ are we robbing you?' “In . 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 the into the storehouse, that there may be food in . in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. We were 11th in the state in giving to missions.Cooperative Program $135,000You were 3rd in the state in baptisms.Since 2008 we have seen over 1,100 people baptized.65 in ministry or preparing for ministry.

On October 16, Warren Community Church hosted the 97th Annual Fayette Baptist Association Meeting. Introduced by the new Director of Missions, Dr. Gregg Hauss - the night closed with a powerful message from guest speaker, Dr. Roc Collins, based in Romans 10. Dr. Roc Collins is the Strategic Objectives Director for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board (TBMB). In that role, he oversees TBMB's work related to evangelism, discipleship, church planting, church revitalization, Cooperative Program, and Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions giving initiatives. Don't skip this very special episode of our podcast!

We are joined this week by Matt Ross from the National Deer Association to chat about the importance of private lands and private land management for America's favorite game species, the white-tailed deer. We discuss how whitetails can be a catalyst for private lands habitat management and all the work NDA does to assist private landowners. Resources discussed: National Deer Association – https://deerassociation.com/ 2023 Deer Report - https://deerassociation.com/2023-deer-report/ Deer Steward Program - https://deerassociation.com/steward/ Land Certification Program - https://deerassociation.com/land-certification/ Cooperative Program - https://deerassociation.com/coop/ Golden, K. E., M. N. Peterson, C. S. DePerno, R. E. Bardon, and C. E. Moorman. 2012. Factors shaping private landowner engagement in wildlife management. Wildlife Society Bulletin 37:94–100. https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/wsb.235 Macaulay, L. 2016. The role of wildlife-associated recreation in private land use and conservation: Providing the missing baseline. Land Use Policy 58:218–233. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264837716306159 Mitterling, A. M., B. A. Rudolph, and D. B. Kramer. 2021. The Influence of Private Land Deer Management Cooperatives on Harvest Outcomes and Hunter Satisfaction. Wildlife Society Bulletin 45:456–464. https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/wsb.1209?af=R Pruitt, H. P., B. B. Boley, G. K. D'Angelo, and M. D. McConnell. 2022. Deer management cooperative members' likelihood of engaging in conservation initiatives: an importance-likelihood analysis. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 0:1–20. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10871209.2022.2077483

We are joined this week by Matt Ross from the National Deer Association to chat about the importance of private lands and private land management for America's favorite game species, the white-tailed deer. We discuss how whitetails can be a catalyst for private lands habitat management and all the work NDA does to assist private landowners. Resources discussed: National Deer Association – https://deerassociation.com/ 2023 Deer Report - https://deerassociation.com/2023-deer-report/ Deer Steward Program - https://deerassociation.com/steward/ Land Certification Program - https://deerassociation.com/land-certification/ Cooperative Program - https://deerassociation.com/coop/ Golden, K. E., M. N. Peterson, C. S. DePerno, R. E. Bardon, and C. E. Moorman. 2012. Factors shaping private landowner engagement in wildlife management. Wildlife Society Bulletin 37:94–100. https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/wsb.235 Macaulay, L. 2016. The role of wildlife-associated recreation in private land use and conservation: Providing the missing baseline. Land Use Policy 58:218–233. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264837716306159 Mitterling, A. M., B. A. Rudolph, and D. B. Kramer. 2021. The Influence of Private Land Deer Management Cooperatives on Harvest Outcomes and Hunter Satisfaction. Wildlife Society Bulletin 45:456–464. https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/wsb.1209?af=R Pruitt, H. P., B. B. Boley, G. K. D'Angelo, and M. D. McConnell. 2022. Deer management cooperative members' likelihood of engaging in conservation initiatives: an importance-likelihood analysis. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 0:1–20. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10871209.2022.2077483

Giving totals for the year are out and while both Cooperative Program giving and the Lottie Moon Christmas offering both topped $190 million, the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering set a new record with more than $70.2 million given to support missions and church planting across North America.

Jared, Allen, and Matt are joined by Dr. Bart Barber, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, about how God has been working in and through First Baptist Farmersville, why they support the Cooperative Program so generously and sacrificially, and what to expect in New Orleans for the SBC Annual Meeting.. Bart is set to be nominated for a second term at #SBC23––make plans to be there! That's all well and good and the oppo research folks can comb through as necessary, but the real goods here are at the end as we dig into some Blue Bell Dr Pepper Float. Bart Barber on B21: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-136-interview-with-2023-sbc-presidential/id1441454363?i=1000614626252Bart's Nomination: https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/louisiana-pastor-to-nominate-barber-for-second-term-as-sbc-president/Make sure you are following us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PotluckPodcastSBC

Pastor Todd chats with the Executive Director of the Baptist Convention of Iowa, Tim Lubinus.

In this episode, Brent and Lindsay talk to Hannah Daniel about the ERLC's advocacy priorities for 2023. These priorities are in the important areas of religious liberty, marriage and family, sanctity of life, and human dignity.  ERLC ContentJordan Wootten with Can Christians make it in American Politics? Hannah Daniel with What the ERLC is advocating for in 2023: A look into this year's Public Policy Agenda CultureERLC's 2023 Public Policy Agenda Connect with us on Twitter@ERLC@LeatherwoodTN@LindsNicolet SponsorsInternships | While it may seem early, now is the time when many college students begin planning for their Summer 2023 internships. You likely already know this if you have a college student in your life—whether it's in your own household, or your church ministry. At the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, we believe strongly in investing in the next generation. Our internship program exists to prepare students and young professionals with a gospel-centered, kingdom-focused perspective on the issues of everyday life. Interns come alongside ERLC staff to equip church leaders to address complex ethical issues in their communities, local churches, and represent Southern Baptists to the United States government. They help write policy briefs, draft correspondence to congressional staff, assist with communication strategy, provide research on ethical debates, meet with state and federal Christian officials working in the public square, and so much more. In sum, ERLC Interns do much more than simple errands and coffee runs. If you know of a college student looking for an internship for summer 2023, or you are a college student in need of an internship, visit ERLC.com/interns to apply. That's ERLC.com/interns Psalm 139 | Thousands of women are now traveling to states where abortion is still legal. Abortion providers like Planned Parenthood are targeting these states by placing mobile abortion centers near the border to take advantage of vulnerable women. The need for lifesaving ultrasound machines is greater than ever. That's where the Psalm 139 Project comes in. As an initiative of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, the Psalm 139 Project works on behalf of Southern Baptists to place ultrasound machines in pro-life clinics across the country. Will you help us save vulnerable lives in 2023 and beyond? When you partner with the Psalm 139 Project, 100% of your gift goes directly to placing ultrasound machines and training PRC staff and volunteers. All of our administrative costs are covered by the ongoing generosity of Southern Baptists through the Cooperative Program. That's what makes us unique — and that's why partnering with us will make a real, tangible difference. Learn more and partner with us at ERLC.com/psalm139. That's ERLC.com/psalm139.

In this episode, Brent interviews Jon Nelson, a pastor in Missouri, about racial unity and the SBC. Lindsay also reviews a few pieces of ERLC content focused on life in light of the 2023 March for Life.  ERLC ContentKadin Christian with Helping single moms choose life and education: An interview about The MOMentum NetworkAshlyn Portero with 5 small pro-life steps churches can takeCultureBaptist Press: Jon Nelson: from atheist to 1st black Mo. Baptist VPMarch for Life 2023Connect with us on Twitter@ERLC@LeatherwoodTN@LindsNicoletSponsorsInternships | While it may seem early, now is the time when many college students begin planning for their Summer 2023 internships. You likely already know this if you have a college student in your life—whether it's in your own household, or your church ministry. At the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, we believe strongly in investing in the next generation. Our internship program exists to prepare students and young professionals with a gospel-centered, kingdom-focused perspective on the issues of everyday life. Interns come alongside ERLC staff to equip church leaders to address complex ethical issues in their communities, local churches, and represent Southern Baptists to the United States government. They help write policy briefs, draft correspondence to congressional staff, assist with communication strategy, provide research on ethical debates, meet with state and federal Christian officials working in the public square, and so much more. In sum, ERLC Interns do much more than simple errands and coffee runs. If you know of a college student looking for an internship for summer 2023, or you are a college student in need of an internship, visit ERLC.com/interns to apply. That's ERLC.com/internsPsalm 139 | Thousands of women are now traveling to states where abortion is still legal. Abortion providers like Planned Parenthood are targeting these states by placing mobile abortion centers near the border to take advantage of vulnerable women. The need for lifesaving ultrasound machines is greater than ever. That's where the Psalm 139 Project comes in. As an initiative of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, the Psalm 139 Project works on behalf of Southern Baptists to place ultrasound machines in pro-life clinics across the country. Will you help us save vulnerable lives in 2023 and beyond? When you partner with the Psalm 139 Project, 100% of your gift goes directly to placing ultrasound machines and training PRC staff and volunteers. All of our administrative costs are covered by the ongoing generosity of Southern Baptists through the Cooperative Program. That's what makes us unique — and that's why partnering with us will make a real, tangible difference. Learn more and partner with us at ERLC.com/psalm139. That's ERLC.com/psalm139.

Kyle and Matt get together to riff on some Christmas gift ideas for those who receive Cooperative Program support.If you're looking for theological education that includes both academic challenge and hands-on ministry experience, then might I suggest Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary? Wherever God calls, Southwestern Seminary wants to help you get there. And the best way to experience SWBTS is to attend its Spring Preview Day on March 31.See first-hand all that Southwestern Seminary has to offer. During your visit, you'll tour the campus, speak with faculty members, chat with fellow students, and experience the unique campus community of Southwestern Seminary.Register today at swbts.edu/preview

"When you're the busiest is when you need people the most. When you're doing the most is when you need to make sure you're keeping connections with other ministers, with other leaders. So get outside your bubble, get outside yourself."Hear from guest speaker Dr. Steve Hogg, Pastor of First Baptist Church in Rock Hill, as he speaks about lessons in leadership, spiritual growth, and pastoral care.This South Carolina Baptist Convention resource is made possible through the Cooperative Program giving of South Carolina Baptist churches. For more information, visit www.scbaptist.org.Video version here.

Dr. Kevin Williams has been the pastor of First Baptist Church Villa Rica, Georgia for the past nine years. He is finishing his second term as President of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. Dr. Williams was one of the few individuals to receive the ARCOM badge which for the ARMY is the peacetime version of the Bronze Star Medal to recognize outstanding performance. Kevin has a passion for world-wide missions and evangelism. Fun Fact: Kevin hung upside down from a helicopter in Tokyo, Japan. He was married in the US Embassy in Japan, but he and his wife are actually from my same hometown! In today's episode: • Kevin shares that the greatest form of discipleship is grabbing someone by the hand and showing them how to do it. • Kevin shares how to connect a local church's mission efforts to the command to make disciples not just make converts. • The benefits for members going on mission out of state as well as in the ministry area where you serve. • “One's capacity to lead publicly is based on their commitment to grow personally.” • Kevin shares lessons learned to lead an historic existing church to make shifts that increase gospel impact, build momentum, and won't get you fired. • Senior Adults can be the “canary in the coal mine” giving indication of whether the atmosphere in the church is toxic or life giving. • Scott shares that “healthy leaders look more like an iceberg than an icicle”. • Kevin talks about navigating the rough days when people push back on your attempts to move forward. • How to create an atmosphere where everyone feels an open door with you to share their heart but still respects your authority. • The value of leading your church to give to the Cooperative Program even when you do not agree with everyone. • If Satan is not bothering you, then you're probably not bothering him. • Two practices of effective leaders that create and sustain momentum: focus on solutions and learn to CEO your situation!

"If you leverage relationships and share the work and the vision that you have for the place you're leading, there are folks out there who are willing to jump on board and help and support." Hear from guest speaker Steve Simpson, Associational Mission Strategist for the Aiken Baptist Association, as he speaks about church revitalization and the role of the church in reaching the lost. This South Carolina Baptist Convention resource is made possible through the Cooperative Program giving of South Carolina Baptist churches. For more information, visit www.scbaptist.org.

In this episode, Brent and Lindsay discuss the incredible gift of the Cooperative Program topping $200 million. They also talk about the HHS transgender rule that would threaten religious liberty and discuss DACA being sent back to a lower court for review. ERLC ContentKadin Christian with The need to serve pregnant women on college campuses: An interview about Baby Steps at Auburn UniversityJason Thacker with The disastrous moral harm of California's transgender ‘refuge' billCultureBP: National CP giving tops $200 million for first time since 2008BP: HHS transgender rule threatens doctors' religious liberty, ERLC letter saysNBC News: Appeals court sends DACA case back to lower court to review new Biden rule, temporarily protecting DreamersAaron Judge 62nd homerun.Connect with us on Twitter@ERLC@LeatherwoodTN@LindsNicoletSponsorsDobbs Resource Page | The release of the Dobbs decision marks a true turning point in the pro-life movement, a moment that Christians, advocates and many others have worked toward tirelessly for 50 years. Let us rejoice that we live in a nation where past injustices can still be corrected, as we also roll our sleeves up to save preborn lives, serve vulnerable mothers, and support families in our communities. To get more resources on this case, visit ERLC.com/Dobbs.Sexual Ethics Resource Page | Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the constant stream of entertainment and messages that challenge the Bible's teachings on sexual ethics? It often feels like we're walking through uncharted terrority. But no matter what we face in our ever-shifting culture, God's design for human sexuality has never changed. The ERLC's new sexual ethics resource page is full of helpful articles, videos, and explainers that will equip you to navigate these important issues with truth and grace. Get these free resources at ERLC.com/sexualethics.

Jeremy Smith and Chris Forbes look at some new Cooperative Program (CP) promotional resources and discuss how CP education encourages faithful stewardship.

“Marketing cannot replace the mission but that is what tends to happen. Handout these flyers, invite people to our service, we're having a fall festival, instead of you being in your neighborhood and sharing the gospel with people.”Hear from guest speaker Dr. George Robinson from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary as he speaks about evangelism and the role of the church in reaching the lost.  You can view a video of the podcast here.This South Carolina Baptist Convention resource is made possible through the Cooperative Program giving of South Carolina Baptist churches. For more information, visit www.scbaptist.org.

In this episode we are discussing the Southern Baptist Convention. We will answer some common questions, and briefly cover the history of the Convention. We will go into our church's involvement in the Southern Baptist Convention and local Associations. Also, we will recap our attendance at the 2022 Southern Baptist Convention and cover the key issues from the Convention. Follow this link to see how funds flow in The Cooperative Program: https://static.wixstatic.com/media/de8735_712c265584a34e90afb354fbe1188925~mv2.jpg About the SBC: https://www.sbc.net/about/ The Baptist Faith and Message, 2000: https://bfm.sbc.net/bfm2000/ SBC Legal Documentation: https://www.sbc.net/about/what-we-do/legal-documentation/ SBC Entities: https://www.sbc.net/about/what-we-do/sbc-entities/ Video Clips from the Southern Baptist Convention, 2022: Rick Warren: https://youtu.be/MBsT1zFmC3E Al Mohler: https://youtu.be/1ImXhQ8Hr6c "Pressing On with Joey" is a podcast production of Clayton Baptist Church, where it is our mission to; Glorify God by making disciples of all nations until Jesus returns. Contact us! send questions to: will@claytonbaptistchurch.com Phone: 706.782.4588 https://linktr.ee/Claytonbaptistchurch

In this episode, Brent and Lindsay discuss the Sexual Abuse Task Force recommendations, the Psalm 139 Project teaming up with former NFL player Ben Watson, and the baby formula shortage. They also discuss the debates on the Hill about gun control, and weeping with those who weep. ERLC ContentCasey McCall with How the Cooperative Program has funded SBC missions: A historic dilemma and the Southern Baptist solutionCasey B. Hough with Weeping amid the evils of this world: Mourning the shootings, facing our mortality, and hoping in ChristJason Thacker with Why a truncated vision of religious freedom is dangerous to the common goodCultureBaptist Press: New recommendations center on database and implementation task forceSpecial recognition for Dr. Tony Wolfe, of the SBTC, for this piece in BPBaptist Press: Watsons and ERLC team up again for a Psalm 139 ultrasound placementWSJ: Baby formula shortage is a “crisis”Punchbowl News: Inside the House's Gun StrategyLunchroomLindsay: Top Gun: MaverickBrent: The Southern Baptist Historical Library and ArchivesConnect with us on Twitter@ERLC@LeatherwoodTN@LindsNicoletSponsorsDobbs Resource Page Prayer Guide | Right now, the Supreme Court is considering a major Mississippi abortion case called Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. The ERLC and other pro-life organizations filed an amicus brief in this case urging the Supreme Court to overturn the disatrous Roe v. Wade decision. Members of our team also joined pro-life advocates on the steps of the Supreme Court when oral arguments were heard last December. As we approach the Supreme Court's final decision in June of this year, it's important for Christians to pray for this landmark case and begin preparing our churches to serve vulnerable women and children in a potential post-Roe world. Download our free prayer guide at ERLC.com/Dobbs.Sexual Ethics Resource Page |Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the constant stream of entertainment and messages that challenge the Bible's teachings on sexual ethics? It often feels like we're walking through uncharted terrority. But no matter what we face in our ever-shifting culture, God's design for human sexuality has never changed. The ERLC's new sexual ethics resource page is full of helpful articles, videos, and explainers that will equip you to navigate these important issues with truth and grace. Get these free resources at ERLC.com/sexualethics. That's ERLC.com/sexualethics.

Pull a seat up to the table and join us in a conversation with Tom Prather talking about the long history of ministry through The Baptist Children's Village across Mississippi.   Also, hear how the Governor, Tate Reeves, has recently recognized the ministry. Around the Corner Events: May 20-21: Financial Leaders Training - https://bit.ly/Financial2022Synchrony Events  - https://bit.ly/3E06nMxMay 19: Senior Adult Day Retreat: Salem Heights Baptist Church (Laurel) July 21-22: Mississippi Worship & Media Conference - FBC Laurel - https://bit.ly/MWMC2022More Events at www.mbcb.org/eventsThe Baptist Children's Village Website - LinkContacts: Jon Martin, Men's Ministries Director (jmartin@mbcb.org)Tanner Cade, Communication Services Director (tcade@mbcb.org)Dr. Tom Prather, Director of Convention Relations Minister to The Baptist Children's Village (tprather@bcvms.com)

1. Seth continues his review of the Matthew 10, further examining the peril of the disciples.2. Seth responds to a listener submission about the Cooperative Program.3. Seth discusses the coming United Methodist Split.

Seth continues his review of the Matthew 10, further examining the peril of the disciples.Seth responds to a listener submission about the Cooperative Program.Seth discusses the coming United Methodist Split. Become a Patron! Donate on PayPal. Check out all the BTWN podcasts.

As the S.B.C. continues on a leftward drift, with its newly elected President, Ed Litton at the helm, many Southern Baptist pastors and/or members are contemplating either stopping or lowering the percentages of how much they are currently giving to the Cooperative Program within the S.B.C. Pastors Harold Smith and Wade Lentz discuss in detail what giving to missions looks like outside of the S.B.C. As former S.B.C. pastors themselves, they share some insight and wisdom that is needed to grow a very fruitful, Christ-honoring missions ministry through your local church.  

In this episode, Josh, Brent, and Lindsay discuss the first american to receive the coronavirus vaccine, Biden and Pence getting the vaccine live on TV, how mouthwash slows COVID-19's spread, Brexit, J.D. speaking at the March for Life, snow days, and Dolly Parton saving someone's life. Lindsay also gives a rundown of this week's ERLC content including the ERLC Staff with COVID-19 and the concern about aborted fetal cells in medicine, Jordan Wooten with "How lament can lead to hope in a time of plague: Grieving our losses amid the pandemic," and Jason Thacker with "What is Parler, and why does it matter?" Also in this episode, the hosts are joined by Mary Wiley for a conversation about life and ministry. About MaryMary Wiley is the author of Everyday Theology, an eight-week Bible study exploring essential doctrines and why they matter in our everyday lives. She holds an MA in Theological Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, works in publishing, and hosts the "Questions Kids Ask" podcast. She and her husband, John, have two children and live near Nashville. You can connect with her on Twitter: @marycwileyERLC ContentERLC Staff with Explainer: COVID-19 and the concern about abortive fetal cells in medicineJordan Wooten with How lament can lead to hope in a time of plague: Grieving our losses amid the pandemicJason Thacker with Explainer: What is Parler, and why does it matter?CultureCritical care nurse in New York is among first in US to receive a coronavirus vaccineCovid has killed more than 300,000 nationwideBiden, Pence to get COVID vaccine soonGargling Could Slow COVID-19 Spread, Mouthwash Makers SayEmmanuel Macron: French president tests positive for COVIDBrexit Countdown: What To Know As The United Kingdom Breaks With The EUAP: The Electoral College decisively confirmed Joe Biden on Monday as the nation's next presidentInauguration committee urges people not to travel for Biden's inaugurationGreear to be first SBC president to speak at March for LifeParts of the Northeast blanketed by over a foot of snowFantastic snow day letter from Jefferson County Schools in West VirginiaNational Treasure Dolly Parton Literally Saved the Life of a 9-Year-Old Actress on the Set of Her Latest Christmas MovieLunchroomLindsay: Books We Enjoyed in 2020, Christianity Today's 2021 Book AwardsJosh: snowpocalypse videoBrent: The Man Who Ran WashingtonConnect with us on Twitter@ERLC@jbwester@LeatherwoodTN@LindsNicoletSponsorsEnd of Year Giving: If you've benefited from the content shared on this podcast, would you please consider making a year-end donation? Any individual donations we receive, apart from the Cooperative Program, goes to placing ultrasound machines in pro-life pregnancy centers, advocating for religious liberty, and human dignity here at home and across the globe.Searching for Christmas by JD Greear. This book is perfect for giving to unbelieving friends and family this Christmas.

In this episode, Josh, Brent, and Lindsay discuss the first people to receive the Coronavirus vaccine, Middle America racking up a ton of new Coronavirus cases, Mardi Gras being cancelled, Biden's ‘skeleton staff', record unemployment claims, the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, and a rare Christmas star. Lindsay also gives a rundown of this week's ERLC content including Jared Kennedy with "Two foundational truths to teach our kids about gender: Celebrating who God created us to be," Annie Kratzsch with "3 practical Advent practices to meet you in your suffering: Simple activities for your family from the “Unexpected Gift”," and C. Ben Mitchell with "What defines personhood? The distinct difference of humans." Also in this episode, the hosts are joined by David French for a conversation about life and ministry. About DavidDavid French is an American attorney, political commentator, and author. A fellow at the National Review Institute and a staff writer for National Review from 2015 to 2019, French currently serves as senior editor of The Dispatch. David is the author of Divided We Fall: America's Secession Threat and How to Restore Our Nation. David and his wife Nancy live in middle Tennessee with their three children. You can connect with him on Twitter: @DavidAFrenchERLC ContentJared Kennedy with Two foundational truths to teach our kids about gender: Celebrating who God created us to beA Parent's Guide to Teaching Your Children About GenderAnnie Kratzsch with 3 practical Advent practices to meet you in your suffering: Simple activities for your family from the “Unexpected Gift”C. Ben Mitchell with What defines personhood? The distinct difference of humansCultureA UK woman aged 90 was the first in the world to receive the Pfizer vaccine todayWilliam Shakespeare: to be vaccinated nor not to be vaccinatedMiddle America is still racking up a ton of new coronavirus casesNew Orleans Mayor Cancels Mardi Gras Parades In 2021Biden may start with 'skeleton staff'Explaining the Supreme Court lawsuit from Texas and Trump challenging Biden's winWeekly jobless claims surge to 853,000, highest since SeptemberUnemployment insurance claimsIMB missionaries and staff give more than $800,000 to LMCOJupiter and Saturn to align in rare 'Christmas Star'LunchroomLindsay: Why We Plan to Get Vaccinated: A Christian Moral PerspectiveJosh: One Year Pelaton Commercial anniversary: A year ago this week we all laughed at her. What did she know and when?Brent: AirPods Max Connect with us on Twitter@ERLC@jbwester@LeatherwoodTN@LindsNicoletSponsorsEnd of Year Giving: If you've benefited from the content shared on this podcast, would you please consider making a year-end donation? Any individual donations we receive, apart from the Cooperative Program, goes to placing ultrasound machines in pro-life pregnancy centers, advocating for religious liberty, and human dignity here at home and across the globe.Searching for Christmas by JD Greear. This book is perfect for giving to unbelieving friends and family this Christmas.

In this episode, Josh, Brent, and Lindsay discuss the highest day of COVID-19 deaths, UK and Russian approval of a coronavirus vaccine, COVID restrictions and court cases involving churches and private schools, President-elect Biden fracturing his foot, President Trump considering another presidential run in 2024, a 27-year-old embryo being born, Ellen Page now transgender, and Hawaii offering free round trips for remote workers. Lindsay also gives a rundown of this week's ERLC content including C. Ben Mitchell with "Who counts as a person? Today's question in the abortion debate," Amy Ford with "What you can do to help moms choose life: Getting the church ready to care for those with unplanned pregnancies," and Joey Kline with "Five things your kids (and you) should know about Lottie Moon." Also in this episode, the hosts are joined by Dane Ortlund for a conversation about life and ministry. About DaneDane C. Ortlund serves as senior pastor of Naperville Presbyterian Church in Naperville, Illinois. He is an editor for the Knowing the Bible series and the Short Studies in Biblical Theology series, and is the author of several books, including Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers. Dane lives with his wife, Stacey, and their five children in Naperville, Illinois. You can connect with him on Twitter: @daneortlundERLC ContentC. Ben Mitchell with Who counts as a person? Today's question in the abortion debateAmy Ford with What you can do to help moms choose life: Getting the church ready to care for those with unplanned pregnanciesJoey Kline with Five things your kids (and you) should know about Lottie MoonCultureCoronavirus hospitalizations top 100,000 for the first timeHighest ever daily death totalUK authorises Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccinePfizer says latest data shows its coronavirus vaccine is safe and 95% effectivePutin says Russia will begin large-scale COVID-19 vaccination next weekU.K. first nation to clear Pfizer coronavirus vaccine for mass rolloutAppeals court upholds Kentucky, Michigan COVID restrictions against Christian schoolsERLC urges court to block N.Y. pandemic orderJoe Biden's doctor says he suffered "hairline fractures" in foot after he slipped while playing with dogPresident Trump Seriously Considering 2024 Run As He Continues False 2020 ClaimsTrump legal crusade peppered with blundersCourt ruling on Medicaid funds for Planned Parenthood praisedEast Tenn. baby breaks record after being born from 27-year-old embryoEllen Page is transgenderHawaii offers free round trips for remote workersLunchroomLindsay: What are you asking for for Christmas?Josh: College Basketball is back. Hillbilly ElegyBrent: Nine Non-obvious Ways to Have Deeper ConversationsConnect with us on Twitter@ERLC@jbwester@LeatherwoodTN@LindsNicoletSponsorsEnd of Year Giving: If you've benefited from the content shared on this podcast, would you please consider making a year-end donation? Any individual donations we receive, apart from the Cooperative Program, goes to placing ultrasound machines in pro-life pregnancy centers, advocating for religious liberty, and human dignity here at home and across the globe.Searching for Christmas by JD Greear. This book is perfect for giving to unbelieving friends and family this Christmas.

In this episode, Josh, Brent, and Lindsay discuss the latest with COVID in the U.S., whether or not dogs can smell COVID, OANN channel, the Dow surpassing 30,000, Solomon Islands banning Facebook, Dr. Moore receiving a religious liberty award, the return of college basketball, and the most popular side dishes in the U.S. Lindsay also gives a rundown of this week's ERLC content including Stephen Grcevich with "5 ways churches can support members' mental health during the holidays," Jared Kennedy with "Why Advent is a time to build on family traditions: Recommended resources for preschoolers to adults," and Brooke Kramer with "6 ways we can pray for our country during the pandemic." Also in this episode, the hosts are joined by Amy Ford for a conversation about life and ministry. About AmyAmy Ford is the Co-Founder and President of Embrace Grace, a non-profit that inspires and equips the church to love on single and pregnant young women and their families. She is also the author of the upcoming book release, Help Her Be Brave: Discover Your Place in the Pro-Life Movement releasing January 2021 as well other books. Amy speaks nationally to a varied audience including women's ministry events, pro-life and adoption conferences, church leadership equipping and pregnancy center benefits. Amy has been married for over 22 years to her high school sweetheart, Ryan, and has four children. You can connect with her on Twitter: @amymfordERLC ContentStephen Grcevich with 5 ways churches can support members' mental health during the holidaysJared Kennedy with Why Advent is a time to build on family traditions: Recommended resources for preschoolers to adultsThe Characters of ChristmasBrooke Kramer with 6 ways we can pray for our country during the pandemicCultureCovid in the U.S.: Latest Map and Case CountCan dogs smell COVID? Here's what the science saysThe flu vs. CovidYouTube suspends OANN channel for fake Covid newsBiden transition names first Cabinet nomineesThe Dow just surpassed 30,000 for the first time everSolomon Islands set to ban FacebookSecret meeting between Netanyahu and Saudi crown prince?SBC DIGEST: Search for SBTC executive director; Moore receives religious liberty awardRFI Announces Russell Moore as Its 2020 Defender of Religious Freedom Award RecipientCollege basketball is backAlabama's Nick Saban tests positive for Covid-19 and is displaying symptomsThe United States of side dishesLunchroomLindsay: CSB Day-by-Day Chronological BibleJosh:  Sameness and Distinction: Rethinking Assumptions about God's Design of Men and Women by Jenn Kintner & Josh WesterBrent: The disturbing appeal of QanonConnect with us on Twitter@ERLC@jbwester@LeatherwoodTN@LindsNicoletSponsorsEnd of Year Giving: If you've benefited from the content shared on this podcast, would you please consider making a year-end donation? Any individual donations we receive, apart from the Cooperative Program, goes to placing ultrasound machines in pro-life pregnancy centers, advocating for religious liberty, and human dignity here at home and across the globe.The Christmas We Didn't Expect by David Matthis. 25 daily reflections for Advent will help you to adore Jesus—the one who came to save us and make our futures certain.

In this episode, Josh, Brent, and Lindsay discuss Coronavirus being as bad as it has ever been, the CDC warning people not to travel for Thanksgiving, the FDA approving at home rapid tests, Biden filling the west wing, and Michael J. Fox. Lindsay also gives a rundown of this week's ERLC content including Jared Kennedy with "Why every Christian should care about family ethics: Understanding what the Bible teaches and recognizing we're all part of a family," Jamie Aten and Kent Annan with "What you need for Spiritual First Aid during COVID: Biblical and research-based guidance to help churches respond to needs in a disaster-filled world," and the ERLC staff with an Explainer on "What you should know about the COVID-19 RNA vaccines." Also in this episode, the hosts are joined by Dr. Russell Moore for a conversation about life and ministry. About Dr. MooreRussell Moore is President of the ERLC. In this role, he leads the organization to connect the agenda of the kingdom of Christ to the cultures of local congregations for the sake of the gospel. He holds a Ph.D. in systematic theology from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and is the author of several books, including The Storm-Tossed Family: How the Cross Reshapes the Home, and The Courage to Stand Facing Your Fear without Losing Your Soul. He and his wife Maria are the parents of five boys. You can connect with him on Twitter: @drmooreERLC ContentJared Kennedy with Why every Christian should care about family ethics: Understanding what the Bible teaches and recognizing we're all part of a familyJamie Aten & Kent Annan with What you need for Spiritual First Aid during COVID: Biblical and research-based guidance to help churches respond to needs in a disaster-filled worldERLC Staff with Explainer: What you should know about the COVID-19 RNA vaccinesCultureIt's as bad as everCDC Warning for ThanksgivingFDA approves first rapid at-home testBiden fills his West WingRace To 2020RUMOR VS. REALITYAmericans' finances are in best shape in decadesCoronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Authorizes First COVID-19 Test for Self-Testing at HomeThe Lucira COVID-19 All-In-One Test KitMichael J. Fox is retiring from acting due to declining healthLunchroomLindsay: Prime lovin' on InstagramJosh: Love Thy Body: Answering Hard Questions about Life and Sexuality By: Nancy R. PearceyBrent: George Clooney Explains Why He Gave 14 Close Friends $1 Million EachConnect with us on Twitter@ERLC@jbwester@LeatherwoodTN@LindsNicoletSponsorsEnd of Year Giving: If you've benefited from the content shared on this podcast, would you please consider making a year-end donation? Any individual donations we receive, apart from the Cooperative Program, goes to placing ultrasound machines in pro-life pregnancy centers, advocating for religious liberty, and human dignity here at home and across the globe.The Christmas We Didn't Expect by David Matthis. 25 daily reflections for Advent will help you to adore Jesus—the one who came to save us and make our futures certain.