Brett Clements Ministries

Sermons and Bible Study

2011-01-07T03:03:00.000-08:00

Many of my sermons can be viewed in text form at http://freesermons.wordpress.com/

Reading List for 2011

2011-01-07T02:51:00.000-08:00

Books I am currently reading in 2011

An Unstoppable Force by Erwin McManus
Confessions of a Reformission Rev by Mark Driscoll
Jesus the Evangelist by Rev. Richard Phillips
Compelled by Love A Journey to Missional Living by Philip Nation and Ed Stetzer
Words of Cheer by Junior Hill and Bob Pitman
Read through the Bible both Old and New Testaments
What the Bible Says About Healthy Living by Rex Russell, MD

I will be adding reviews as I finish the books.

Update on GCRTF

2010-03-22T13:47:00.000-07:00

Recently the GCRTF issued a progress report. Southern Baptist people issued statements (http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32535) , commented on blogs (http://noba-blog.blogspot.com/2010/03/systems-key-to-effective-reorganization.html) and waited to see if the Task Force would show any sign of reaction.
I have no way of knowing the reasons behind the latest statement issued by email to those on the GCR email list. We can be hopeful that they are responding to the multitudes of Southern Baptists who have asked for more practical ideas.

If you haven't read the latest statement by a Task Force member you can find it here.
http://www.pray4gcr.com/2010/03/southern-baptists-aim-to-do-more-together-for-the-glory-of-god/

The Great Commission Resurgence: Southern Baptists Aim To Do More, Together For The Glory of God
God’s people are never without an assignment, and the Southern Baptist Convention came into being more than a century and a half ago as a means of answering the call of the nations and mobilizing Southern Baptists for the Great Commission. Thankfully, we are still focused on that call. Strategically, we must ask if there is a way to do even more.

When Baptists came together to form the Southern Baptist Convention in 1845, they left Augusta, Ga. with a clear sense of purpose, a unique Southern Baptist way of mobilizing for missions, and a brave commitment to move into the future together. Nothing less than those commitments is demanded of us now.

The Great Commission Resurgence Task Force has been assigned to consider how Southern Baptists can work more faithfully and effectively in obeying the Great Commission. We face unprecedented challenges even as we see unlimited opportunities.

Let’s be thankful for this —Southern Baptists still believe in the Great Commission. While so many other denominations have experienced a loss of theological nerve and a decrease of Great Commission commitment, Southern Baptists have experienced a theological recovery that underlines the very theological convictions that brought the Convention into being. We know that there is no hope of salvation apart from Christ, and we know that those who believe in Christ will be saved. Of these truths we are certain, and this fuels our passion.

The great question for Southern Baptists now is this—will this passion be translated into concrete action and the mobilization of greater numbers of missionaries for the mission fields of the world?

The interim report of the Task Force is out, and I am encouraged by the interest and insights of Southern Baptists from across the country who, along with our missionaries around the world, have responded with eagerness, excitement and new ideas.

At the same time, it is clear that some areas of our report and intentions need to be explained and discussed further. This is why we released an interim report. We want to hear from Southern Baptists and to find a way to do even more, together, for the glory of God.

One particular aspect of recent discussions offers a good opportunity for all Southern Baptists to reclaim and affirm every good thing we do together in the service of the Gospel of Christ.

A key aspect of this is the relationship of the Southern Baptist Convention and the state conventions. Outsiders often have a difficult time understanding the structure of the Southern Baptist Convention and our cooperative Baptist work. The SBC is not a national entity with state and local divisions. Baptist associations and state conventions exist on their own right and direct their own mission programs and work. At the same time, the national convention and the state conventions must work together, rather than competitively. There is more than enough for all of us to do, and it will take all of us doing all within our reach if we are to be faithful in the future, even as we look to the achievements of the past.

We do not want to weaken or marginalize the state conventions. To the contrary, we want to see the state conventions play an even greater role in the future.

I am the product of Southern Baptist work at every level and in every context. In my childhood and youth I had the privilege of belonging to two churches that were deeply involved in the SBC and Baptist work at every level. I attended choir festivals and clinics conducted by the local association. As a boy, one of my chief ambitions was to attend Royal Ambassador camp at Lake Yale, the assembly of the Florida Baptist Convention. I attended a Baptist university deeply connected to its own state convention.

I made my profession of faith in Christ after hearing the Gospel preached in Vacation Bible School. I first experienced a call to ministry while sitting in the auditorium of the state convention’s assembly—a nine-year-old in an RA t-shirt and camp shorts who felt, quite unexpectedly, that God might be calling me to full-time Christian service. I was propelled in ministry and theological education by a state convention college. As president of its student ministerial association, I traveled with the university’s president to the state convention meeting and sessions of its state missions board.

Later, I received my theological education at The Southern Seminary, where for 17 years I have had the experience of serving as president. I have been across this nation and in far regions of the globe where I have seen first-hand the commitment and faithfulness of Southern Baptist missionaries, church planters and other Great Commission workers.

I would never put my name on any proposal that would weaken any aspect of our work together. I want Southern Baptists of the future to have ever richer opportunities than I knew.

We hear the call of the nations; we feel the energy of younger pastors and Baptist leaders at every level who call for us to do more, not less; we are determined to bring a report that will thrill and unify Southern Baptists at every level.

So, we have work yet to do. We asked Southern Baptists to suggest what they thought needed to be changed or adjusted in order for us to work more faithfully together. We received an earful—all valuable and graciously offered. Our report reflects these suggestions, and is driven by sense of urgency.

The bare facts speak for themselves. In the United States, Southern Baptists are falling behind in reaching the great cities, ethnic populations and underserved regions. We must do what it takes to redirect all of us toward greater faithfulness. Around the world, there are more than 5,000 unreached people groups. We know the Great Commission, and we know our task. Are we willing to do whatever it takes to move us into greater effectiveness and faithfulness?

That question will be answered first in the hearts of individual Southern Baptists. Next, it will be answered by our churches. Eventually, every aspect of our denominational work will give its own answer.
We know what that answer must be. We must be willing to do whatever it takes. I am convinced that Southern Baptists will answer this call—and I am also convinced that we can only answer it together.
The Great Commission Resurgence will never happen if it is not embraced by Southern Baptists who are deployed for the Great Commission in every dimension of our work, from the Southern Baptist Convention to every state convention and association.

I am so thankful for the commitment and generosity of Oklahoma Baptists. I am humbled by your commitment and invigorated by your vision. I am thankful for the visionary leadership of Anthony Jordan, and I deeply appreciate his personal words of encouragement and counsel to me and to the Task Force.

Our work is not yet finished—not by a long shot. But we are determined to arrive in Orlando with a report that the Southern Baptist Convention will eagerly embrace. Pray for us as we work to that end, and give us your best thoughts. It will take all of us working together to make this happen.

It has been years now since I was that boy in t-shirt and camp shorts at Royal Ambassador camp, but I still have the same excitement to be a part of what Southern Baptists are doing at home and around the world. Let’s move into the future determined to do even more, together, for the glory of God.

R. Albert Mohler, Jr.
President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY

A Crituque of the GCRTF Progress Report

2010-03-16T20:06:00.000-07:00

A critique of “The GCRTF Progress Report” Part One/Component One & Two
Let me be clear concerning the belief I hold. I believe the GCRTF is working with the best intent. They are mission minded. Each of them can give statistics to prove their hard work and great results. Though we share the goal of getting the Gospel to the end of Earth we hold different opinions in relation to the best way to improve our stewardship as a convention.
The men whom sit on the GCRTF are men I have looked up to. I still enjoy listening to sermons by these men. At the risk of being opposite many friends on this issue I feel compelled to write my opinions concerning the report from the GCRTF. http://www.pray4gcr.com/downloads/GCRTF_Progress_Report.pdf
Component One:
• As I see it we already embrace the thoughts and vision presented in this component (see Acts 1:8).
• The responsibility to take the Gospel to the end of Earth is already our task set forth by Christ Himself. That is the case with or without a GCR. Changing the structure of the SBC and how it funds will still not change the heart of SBC church members.
A. Christ Likeness, Truth, Unity, Relationships, Trust, Future, Local Church & Kingdom
a. Scripture already teaches believers to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (see Romans 12:1-2).
• If the GCRTF gets their proposal approved in June the people not currently following the above scripture truths will not change. As a matter of fact it will take away from the efforts of local DOM’s offering support to the pastors in the rural churches where seminary educated men rarely dare to go. The DOM is often the closest our rural SBC pastors will come to meeting and building a friendship with a degreed minister. DOM’s know there people and the needs of local churches. They are the ones to ask how we can better serve the churches for more effective ministry. The DOM’s who spend time building relationships with pastors and securing training for them through CP funds supplemented by NAMB will no longer have time to assist these men serving in the trenches of the lost world.
Component Two
• Reinventing NAMB is a lofty and worthy goal, but not at the expense of souls in the rural areas of North America.
Rural America has been and continues to be a vital part of the Nation. Today, rural America comprises 2,288 counties3. It contains 83 percent of the Nation's land and is home to 21 percent (51 million) of its people. In 1992, nonmetro counties supplied 18 percent of the Nation's jobs and generated 14 percent of its earnings.
http://www.nal.usda.gov/ric/ricpubs/understd.htm
USDA, Rural Information Center
National Agricultural Library
10301 Baltimore Ave., Room 132
Beltsville, MD 20705-2351

• Focusing on areas through a population gauge as the body of Christ is just wrong.
o Jesus left the multitudes to minister to the individuals, not the stereotype or the cultural curve.
o Jesus said if one sheep leave He would leave the ninety and nine to retrieve the one.
• I understand we must consider the cost when we build and the house we build is the kingdom of God. I don’t believe we can do evangelism as a target group advertising strategy.
o Of course it will cost more to take the Gospel to a man in rural Alabama than it will to share with 100 residents in a metro high rise. Good stewardship does not mean neglect the one to go to the 100.
Let me end Part One by saying if there were only one point I could disagree with in the GCR report it is component Two. Anytime it is suggested we should leave the one to go to the 100 I am appalled. If this one point doesn’t cause you to question the motives of the GCRTF it should.

Support your local Children's Home

2010-01-03T03:47:00.000-08:00

Serving New Bethel Baptist Church as pastor affords many wonderful new found friendships to my family and I. Our relationship with the Alabama Baptist Children's Home and Family Ministries (http://www.abchome.org/index.html) has been a blessing. Each year we have Bro. Steve Sellers preach for us and tell us what is happening with Abchome&fm.You can count on tears flowing. You can rejoice in the hope God provides to children through this wonderful ministry.

If you haven't had someone from your local Children's Home visit your church I encourage you to ask your pastor if it is ok with him if you do a little research and get the contact info. If you are in Alabama I am happy to help you with that info.

When Steve preaches at New Bethel we always take up a love offering for him to take back to the children's home. The service they provide to tomorrow's leaders is worth every penny you can give, each drop of sweat you can put into them and all the prayers you will offer up on their behalf.

No Fire in the Pulpit Means Ice in the Pew

2010-01-02T05:23:00.000-08:00

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

In 2010 we are sure to see more of the same from pulpits across America. Many today fear offending congregants. Following such fear is the preaching of watered down versions of sermons. The Bible is plain, true and powerful. If we are to see transformed lives we are going to have to preach the transforming truth without compromise.

Things called sin in scripture should be called sin by the pastors around the world. Subjects covered in scripture should not be detoured by pastors. Our churches are supposed to be places offering hope to the hopeless and help to those in need. The Gospel is Hope. The Gospel is Help. But when it is not presented in truth it lacks power. The True Gospel message is the power of God unto salvation.

If we are to see transformed lives in 2010 we will have to see transformed pulpits. All who are called by God to preach the Gospel should not be ashamed to do so. Opinions are not the Gospel. Politics are not the Gospel. Preach the Bible with love. The Holy Spirit will lead the preacher, convict the sinner and save lost.
My appeal to all the preachers; let us not forget to enter the pulpit having already repented of our own sins.

May God bless you in 2010. My prayer is for real revival to begin in all Bible believing churches this year.

(Title taken from a statement made by a member of First Baptist Church Dallas Texas during W.A. Criswells pastorate)
http://www.wacriswell.org/Search/videotrans.cfm/sermon/180.cfm

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T03:43:00.000-08:00

This is a time of year when the emotional roller coaster is running full speed ahead. It doesn't stop. People experience feelings of joy, gladness, depression and madness. All of these are produced by our current experiences and situations. On this day (Christmas Day) I want to encourage everyone to change your thinking for a few moments.

Our current experiences and situations should not be the overpowering influence in our attitude and outlook. Something that happened a long time ago should be the experience that directs our thoughts. A long time ago in Bethlehem a baby was born. He was a promised child: Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

The promise of a son (God with us) was fulfilled and offers us hope today (see Luke 2 w/emphasis on verse 12). The angel of the Lord declared good tidings of great joy then and such joy is still available. The angel and the hosts of Heaven praised God saying peace on earth good will toward men. That was not a temporary promise. You and I can experience peace today.

Some might ask how is it possible to experience peace today with the mess we find ourselves in. The peace declared by the hosts of Heaven is a peace that doesn't come from those around us. It comes from within. It is produced only by the baby who laid in a manger and when He was grown He died, was buried and rose again. You who are saved by grace have a duty as a believer to show good will toward men. Jesus Christ offers peace that passes all understanding to those who will trust in promises given to believers.

While the world around us continues as they are today, Christmas Day, may we who believe in the Christ pause and remember He really does offer peace to those who will trust Him and embrace Him by faith. Whatever your situation is today remember Christ offers peace, rest and eternal life. These far outweigh the burden of temporary emotions. Let us all remember to celebrate the promise fulfilled when; And she (Mary) brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn (Luke 2:7).

ATM Christianity (not what you think)

2009-11-06T03:01:00.000-08:00

When you open a checking account you put money in. It is your money. Your ATM card comes in the mail. On it is a number to call and activate your card. Once your card is activated you can begin using it to make purchases through your account. When you were saved you were given a Heavenly Account. It is your duty now to follow through.

First you must look at your statement to find what you have in your free account. The Bible is your statement. All sins are wiped off the ledger and you have been given everything that belongs to Christ. If you have not read the statement (Scriptures) you have been missing out on the Heavenly Account awarded you at Faith in Christ!

Your account must be activated. You have a Father with your best interest in mind. He activated it for you. This took place on the day of Pentecost. The Holy Ghost was given to all who believe. You received this personal account administrator on the day you believed. Your account has been activated. You now have access to all the Father has gifted to you. But maybe you didn’t know this. Probably because you haven’t been reading your statement (Bible)!

Now you have the account. You are aware of its activation. What are you waiting on? Now is the time to spend some Heavenly money. It is yours, but it is for a specific purpose. As believers we belong to a faraway place called Heaven. Our account is for the purposes of Heaven. We are given all we have for the work and enjoyment of the place where we will spend eternity. We are not given our resources for poor stewardship in earthly purposes.

Believers are of a far country. The place is Heaven. Our home is eternal. We are to be workers for the Kingdom of God. All we have is for that purpose. Our Father leaves us without need when it comes to our service to and fellowship with Him. Until we open His record of our account we don’t know what we have to accomplish what He has planned for us to do. If we were account managers in any worldly firm and had this record we would be fired immediately!! Thank God we serve a forgiving and merciful God!

Asking for Revival (the Great Commission)

2009-08-20T02:54:00.000-07:00

In the Old Testament book of Ezra the Temple was under construction after the People of God experienced a long exile under Babylonian captivivity. When the foundation of the Temple was laid (chapter 3) the older men wept and the younger shouted. The young men were viewing something they had only heard about. The elders were carried away by the memories of the Temple destroyed by the Babylonians. Weeping was certainly called for in remberance of the fellowship with God that was broken by sin and rejection of God's warning and call to repentance.
We as believers can look to a time that should cause us to weep. The time I will call your attention to is a time none of us have physically witnessed. We only have a record of the time when all believers were assembled together waiting. They waited for a person. The person they waited for was Jesus Christ in the person of the Holy Ghost. Coupled with the promise of the Holy Spirit they waited with a Great Commission in mind. After the person, Holy Spirit, was sent from on high and recieved by the Church a passion for fulfilling the Great Commisson propelled believers into life long ministry.
As we weep over a time past may we make it the time when the Church was given the Great Commission and made that commission the purpose of life. Sharing the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth was imperative to the early church and should still be for us today. The uttermost carries deeper meaning than most understand. Yes we should share the Gospel to the ends of the physical earth, but there is much more. Uttermost means not only the end of the physical but also the end of the time. We are in the time of the Church. Until we rest in Heaven in the presence of our Savior we are under the call of the Great Commission. May God Revive=change, awaken us to the original work of the Church.
One Commission, the Great Commission.

Praying for the work in 2010

2009-08-09T19:29:00.001-07:00

Please be in prayer for all churches participating in the GPS initiativehttp://www.greatcommissiongps.com/templates/System/default.asp?id=48151 .

I desire your prayers in all areas of ministry.

1, Preparing for Discipleship Study (Soul Shaping) @ Cherokee Baptist Association Feb. 9 2010 @ 6:30 pm.

We serve a Jealous God

2009-08-03T02:45:00.000-07:00

A lukewarm ministry is a withering blight. It is an iceberg in the Church. It
freezes and deadens. But can lips be cold which speak of heaven—of hell—of
never-dying souls—of God's everlasting love in Christ!
Henry Law, Beacons of the Bible, 1869.

Henry Law wrote the words above in 1869. They still hold true in 2009. God will spew out of His mouth the lukewarm church. That is from His word which is forever settled. It never changes. Why is it so important for believers to be serving with a sense of urgency accompanied by unmatched diligence? Because the God we serve is a jealous God?

God tells us through His giving of the Ten Commandments He is a jealous God. We should have no other god before Him. We are warned in the New Testament we cannot serve two masters. We will love one and hate the other. Everything we do must be for and toward one master. The right master is the Heavenly Father who is a jealous God.

We are not without instruction as to how to live a life of diligent service to our Lord. Countless examples are also given to us showing what happened to those who did not serve God (a jealous God) with their whole heart. Israel as God's chosen people often sought pleasure and went after false gods. Nineveh, a Gentile people, repented after Jonah preached only to later return to former sins. Both groups were not given a free pass. We read in Nahum chapter one what happened to the Gentile people. God told them He is a jealous God. Why jealous over a Gentile people? Because they were called to God. Through repentance they belong to God.

All who come to God by faith in Jesus Christ are made His. He is jealous when it comes to His own. Just how deep is His jealousy? So deep He has fixed a gulf between the prepared place of His people so no one can cross. Only Christ can take Gods people across. So deep He uses His word to rebuke and chastise His own children when we step outside His will. So deep He will one day destroy all who do not trust Jesus Christ as savior.

Our God will not share His Glory with another, He will not accept partial worship, He casts out all who do not accept His Son and He will one day right every wrong done toward Himself and His people. Why? Because He is jealous.

The Great Commission

2009-07-31T17:56:00.000-07:00

Bloggers are having fun with the Great Commission Resurgence called for by leaders in the Southern Baptist Convention. Some are writing favorably and some not so favorably concerning the document laying out ten commitments believed to be necessary for a Great Commission Resurgence. The manuscript mentioned can be viewed here, http://greatcommissionresurgence.com/

Regardless where you stand concerning the GCR effort we are still called to fulfill the Great Commission. May we join in prayer concerning the Church and the Great Commission. When the United States are among the top three in most lost souls we should be greatly disturbed as believers. The Great Commission begins at home, but that is never a reason to not evangelize the people of the world. We should not strive to stop world missions because of our sin. The goal should be to repent of the sin, get it right at home and be vigilant in spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth.

Their is a Great Commission still before us. It has not been removed. May we be active in the commission, reliant upon the Commissioner and ready to go where commissioned!!

Another Sunday Rolls Around

2009-07-26T03:13:00.000-07:00

For many Sunday is a day of rest. Not everyone thinks of the day of rest the same way. Some think it is the day to sleep in, go from bed to couch and do as little as possible all day long. Others view Sunday as the day to wake up early, get out of the house to play and not return until bed time. What is your plan the next time Sunday rolls around?
God said Sunday was a day of rest. A rest from regular work and activity. A day for refreshing. Not only physical rest and replenishing, but for spiritual revitalizing. To go farthar it is not simply for your individual stimulation, but Sunday is for both you and the entire community of faith. Hebrews 10:25 happens to be one of the most quoted verses in scripture by pastors. It says; "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. " What is often overlooked is the verse before verse 25. Verse 24 says; "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:" To overlook verse 24 is to overlook the full meaning God intended for His people. We are to be active in the lives of all believers. Workin together for the spiritual benefit of one another is part of our purpose when we assemble together on Sunday.
When Sunday rolls around will you reject the command to observe the Lord's Day? Will you conciously decide to decline the privilge of being strengthened by God's People.
Not only do we need to provoke others to love and good works we have the privilege of being provoked when we may not feel like doing good works and loving the way Christ did. I pray you will take advantage of what God has provided to His people through His Word and promises. Another Sunday is rolling around. Why not get up, get ready and Worship the Lord in the company of other believers today?

A new survey released by The Barna Group, which has been tracking America’s
religious behavior and beliefs since 1984, reveals that one out of every three
adults (33%) is classified as unchurched - meaning they have not attended a
religious service of any type during the past six months. While that figure is
considerably higher than the one out of five who qualified as unchurched in the
early Nineties, it is statistically unchanged since 36% were recorded as having
avoided religious services in the company’s 1994 study.
http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/12-faithspirituality/107-unchurched-population-nears-100-million-in-the-us
(The Barna Group of Ventura, California; www.barnagroup.org)

citations
http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Hbr&c=10&v=25&t=KJV&sstr=0