Why I am a Southern Baptist

This week, Stephanie and I are at the Southern Baptist Convention in New Orleans. If my guess is right, this will be a fairly historic convention as we elect our first African American president in history – Fred Luter. I’m excited about this opportunity.

But, as usual, there has been a bit of controversy leading up to the convention. My intention is not to deal with the controversy here, but to give two simple reasons why I am still a Southern Baptist.

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Five Words That Can Change Your Life – Loved

This post will conclude our series in Romans 8 entitled Five Words That Can Change Your Life. Here are the five words again: freed (1-8), empowered (9-11), adopted (12-17), transformed (18-30), and loved (31-39).

The theme of God’s unfailing love is woven throughout the entire Bible. It is written on every page and every line. And in Romans 8:31-39 we see one of the most profound passages in the Bible regarding God’s love.

In this post, we will talk about the word, Loved from Romans 8:31-39. There should never be any doubt about God’s love for you. As Christians, we are secure in the love of Christ.

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Five Words That Can Change Your Life – Transformed

I’m doing a series on the blog in Romans 8 called, Five Words That Can Change Your Life.  Five words that provide five themes for Romans 8: freed (1-8), empowered (9-11), adopted (12-17), transformed (18-30), and loved (31-39).

Today, we will talk about the word, Transformed from Romans 8:18-30. When Jesus Christ takes up residence in your life, you cannot and will not be the same. Your life will be radically changed – transformed.

One of the best ways to know that you are truly a child of God is by asking the question, “Has my life been transformed?” You may be able to “turn over a new leaf” without God. You might can make some improvements, additions and renovations. But when you come to Christ, there is an internal transformation that cannot be denied! If you say you’ve met God and have never experienced transformation either God is a liar or you are. I’m betting it’s you!

What does Romans 8 teach us about being transformed? Here are four ways your life can be transformed by the power of God.

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Five Words That Can Change Your Life – Adopted

I’ve been adding posts on the blog in a series entitled, Five Words That Can Change Your Life. It’s a series on one of my favorite chapters in the Bible, Romans 8. The series will cover five words that provide five themes for different sections of the chapter: freed (1-8), empowered (9-11), adopted (12-17), transformed (18-30), and loved (31-39).

I’ve posted on the words freed and empowered and today the focus is the word adopted. Erwin Lutzer said, “There is more grace in God’s heart than there is sin in your past.” Romans 8:13-17 reveals four things that happen in our lives when we are adopted into the family of God.

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