AuthorTerry R Baughman is Lead Pastor for LifeChurch in Gilbert, AZ. See his complete bio at trbaughman.com Archives
October 2024
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Spirit Promised5/31/2020  Spirit Promised
The 2020 Awakening! Terry R. Baughman “For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:39). The promise of the Spirit and call of God continue to reach across the centuries and is more relevant today than it has ever been. There is an urgency in our day for hope, for spiritual renewal, for a new awakening. It is time to arise, to shine, for the Lord has come! The prophet Isaiah predicted darkness on the people similar to what we witness in our day, a day of darkness, a time of despair, and a promise of restoration. He wrote, “Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising” (Isaiah 60:1–3). In a study of renewal history, there is a time prior to the revolution and the Declaration of Independence referred to as, “The Great Awakening.” It spans the years from 1730–1755. The eighteen century was also seen as the “Age of Enlightenment.” It is interesting that while society was caught up in their superior self-sufficiency and celebrated an age of reasoning, there was also a spiritual hunger growing among the people. Art can never feel the spiritual void of the soul. Science, philosophy, or logic will never satisfy the hunger of the heart. While some celebrated the advancement of humanity, those who sought the Creator found the light of life and began to proclaim the Glory of God in their generation. Jonathan Edwards was a minister from Yale who avoided the formal conventions of the Church of England and began voicing his opposition to the worldly manners he saw around him in the New England colonies. He is most famous for his sermon addressing the sins of his generation, “Sinners in the hands of an Angry God.” He read his sermon to those who gathered in his congregation and conviction gripped the hearts of those who heard his words. George Whitefield was a British minister who preached among the colonies with great passion; “He would shout the word of God, weep with sorrow, and tremble with passion as he delivered his sermons” (https://www.ushistory.org/us/7b.asp). Thousands of colonists would gather to hear his sermons and religious fervor began to spread. It was time for an awakening! Across the pond, John and Charles Wesley began to seek to understand the difference between formal profession of Christianity and the inward experience of conversion and transformation that they begin to witness. The Methodist movement began as an outgrowth of this Evangelical Revival they experienced and proclaimed in the British Isles. Again today, we find ourselves in an age of incredible advancements in science and technology, but unfortunately, we find our society increasingly void of spiritual pursuits and moral values. It is time for another awakening. Through international pandemics, national injustice, overwhelming societal problems of homelessness, uncontrolled immigration and global challenges, there is a spiritual vacuum that cries for renewal and spiritual demonstration. This is the hour for Pentecostal power, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the declaration of God’s plan for restoration. This is our day! … This is our time for a New Awakening, the LAST Awakening! This is our promise.
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Ultimate Triumph5/24/2020  Ultimate Triumph
Victory! Our Hope in Christ Terry R. Baughman “So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory’” (1 Corinthians 15:54). The perfect way to ruin a good book is to turn to the last chapter before you get there. Some readers become so anxious to know if their hero survives they cannot resist skipping over to read the final outcome. In movie reviews the words are chosen carefully to avoid giving away the story. Sometimes they will issue a spoiler alert if they are about to reveal something in the plot that may disclose an unexpected outcome. It is a warning that they are about to spoil the story. There is one book that is designed to reveal what ultimately happens in the greatest drama of all times. That book is the Bible and the end is recorded in the Book of Revelation. It is intended to reveal the end, the final outcome. It was not intended to spoil the story, but to reveal value of faith and evidence of future grace. When John saw the Lord he said, “I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this’” (Revelation 1:17–19). He was instructed to tell the end, spoil the story, and share the outcome, “We win! Christ is victorious and we shall overcome!” Many passages of scripture reveal the culmination of all things, letting us in on the secret that God is working with us and through us and He has already been in our future to assure us of the outcome. Paul expressed the hope we have in Christ, “Then the final stage of completion comes, when he will bring to an end every other rulership, authority, and power, and he will hand over his kingdom to Father God. Until then he is destined to reign as King until all hostility has been subdued and placed under his feet. And the last enemy to be subdued and eliminated is death itself” (1 Corinthians 15:24–26 TPT). Death is our last enemy, but it has already been subdued. Its sting has been neutralized. Its doorway is not fatal; it is just a passage to a new and glorious reality. Jesus has gone before us. He tasted death for every individual and defeated it. Death is dead! Jesus occupies the full spectrum of life. He initiates life and He suspends it. Jesus said, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts” (Revelation 21:6). Jesus is not just present with us but He exists in the end. He didn’t just read the back of the book, He wrote it! Jesus is, “the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). He has a plan for us right up to the final hour … then we will be with Him in Glory. The ultimate triumph is the conclusion of death, hell, and the judgment. Jesus Christ came to set captives free, open prison doors, and deliver the oppressed. His plan is to bring about the final victory for us. We shall be victorious in Him! I read the back of the book. Guess what? … spoiler alert …We win! Theme passage: “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).
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Overcoming Life5/17/2020  Overcoming Life
Victory! Our Hope in Christ Terry R. Baughman “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). An overcomer is one who rises above adversity and becomes victorious. It may be an entrepreneur who has overcome bankruptcy or previous failures to become a financial sensation or sports icons who have overcome defeats to win championships. We always enjoy stories of those who have overcome disappointments, setbacks, or injustice to become successful. A story about one such sports figure was dubbed, “The Comeback Kid.” Others have adopted that moniker to illustrate their tenacity to overcome obstacles, hinderances, and adversities to achieve their goals. Bill Clinton claimed that title for himself when he came in second place in the New Hampshire Democratic primary in 1992. He went on to win the presidency of the United States of America. When we hear the word overcome we understand that there was some adversity by implication. To overcome there first must be resistance, an enemy, or a challenge. There has to be a problem before there can be a victory. There can be no testimony without a test. Some of our greatest growth opportunities come when we endure the difficult times in our lives. Discouragement challenges us to press on and press through to victory. The darkness calls us to hold on, waiting and believing for the dawn of a new day and new opportunities. Joseph, son of Jacob, was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. He was transported by a camel caravan to Egypt where he was sold to work in Potiphar’s house. In time he was seduced by Potiphar’s wife and when he rejected her proposition and ran, she grabbed his coat and screamed that she had been attacked. Though falsely accused, Joseph was confined to prison where he served a long sentence. When fellow inmates who had been the butler and baker to the Pharaoh had prophetic dreams Joseph was given the interpretations. One was restored while the other was executed. The survivor forgot Joseph until Pharaoh had a dream that troubled him. Joseph was able to interpret the dream and he was exalted to a place of prominence to prepare for the seven years of famine that was a partial fulfillment of Pharaoh’s dream. Eventually he was restored with his family when they came to Egypt seeking food and relief from the devastating famine. It was then Joseph recognized the good that came from his many years of repression, rejection, and adversity. While his brothers feared his wrath against them, he recognized the hand of God in all these events. He said, “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones” (Genesis 50:20–21). God give us insight to see the bigger picture when we find ourselves in a hard place. The struggle makes us stronger. The trial increases our faith. We can begin to comprehend the wisdom of James when he said, “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience” (James 1:2–3). The power of God working within us produces His attributes. We can be overcomers because the greater One is working in us and through us! Theme passage: “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).
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Enduring Love5/10/2020  Victory! Our Hope in Christ
Terry R. Baughman “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, .… When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” (John 19:25–27). One of the most tender moments at the scene of the cross was this final interchange between Jesus and His mother. Of course, she was there. She followed His life as closely as she could and was present whenever possible. She was the one who pushed Him to do something at the wedding in Cana of Galilee when the host ran out of wine. Jesus resisted at first, but His mother knew that it was time for Him to begin the ministry for which He had been born. (See John 2:1–11.) She observed many of the miracles performed by Jesus, saw the massive crowds that gathered to hear His teaching, and heard the praise and the criticism among the onlookers. Having a mother’s intuition she could tell when the public sentiment turned adversarial and they began threatening violence. She feared for His life, yet she knew that was part of the plan as well. How well she remembered the words of Simeon in the Temple, when Jesus was just eight days old, “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Luke 2:34–35 NIV). She was aware of every event and traced the steps as Jesus fulfilled His destiny and followed after the calling of His ministry. When the messenger ran to her door late on the night of the Passover, it was with a sense of dread she released the latch and invited him in. Jesus was apprehended in the Garden and taken to the high priest. Maybe it was outside the chambers where the religious council convened, or maybe it was following the crowd that gathered to escort Jesus to appeal to Pilate to bring judgment upon Him, but somewhere Mary found where Jesus was and stayed as close as she could to follow the proceedings and hear of His fate. Her love for Him far exceeded any fear of danger to herself. She wept as she followed Jesus through the judgment, the visit to Herod, the scourging, and finally the path of suffering as the sadistic entourage led Jesus to Golgotha. In spite of the searing pain, the nausea and the weakness that Jesus suffered, He remembered His mother kneeling close by as the other women sought to comfort her as they also grieved. He also saw John, the only disciple that remained faithful to the end while the others fled in fear. In a few words uttered in His dying moments, Jesus acknowledged His mother and indicated that John should take care of her and that Mary would receive John as one of her sons. His final act on the cross was to assure that His mother would be taken care of after His death. Throughout the thirty-three years of the life of Jesus, Mary had loved Him and cared for Him. Throughout His ministry she was content in the background and remained supportive to the end. Mary demonstrated the depths of a mother’s love. That love was rewarded by Jesus’ final acts. The love of Jesus is enduring and strong. His character is love and His plan is redemption. We need never be afraid. Paul said, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). Theme passage: “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).
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Proclaiming Praise5/2/2020  Proclaiming Praise
Victory! Our Hope in Christ “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). The declaration of the glory of God is the essence of praise. Throughout Scripture, but predominately in the Psalms there is exaltation of God’s majesty and glory, “O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens!” (Psalm 8:1). Even when David lived as a fugitive from the King and was hiding in a cave, he still sang, “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory be above all the earth” (Psalm 57:5, 11). Regardless of our personal difficulties or perilous situation we can always have a praise on our lips and a song in our heart that exalts the name of the Lord. Praise is recognizing the wonderful works of God and understanding that He is always worthy. We praise Him because what He has done. Worship, on the other hand, is an acknowledgement of who He is. While they are sometimes seen as synonymous terms we actively participate in praise and worship. Jesus spoke of the quality of true worshipers when he met the woman by the well of Samaria. Jesus said, “True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.” He went on to declare, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24). True followers of Christ have the privilege and the responsibility to be true worshipers. Only they have the ability to worship God in spirit and truth. Becoming a true worshiper is neither a duty nor drudgery, but a joyful opportunity to express gratitude to God for who He is and for what He has done in our lives. We cannot help but proclaim His praises when we have been the recipients of so much grace and so many blessings! Peter compared our spiritual experience as being, “Called out of darkness and into His marvelous light” (See the text above.) We have all experienced the darkness of sin and the oppression of evil. We have stumbled through life without direction, hindered by the inability to focus, and crushed with the weight of despair, but when Jesus called our name all the darkness dissipated, direction became clear, and the oppression melted away in the light of His glorious truth. The old path was leading to destruction. As the wise man observed, “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 16:25). Jesus came with an assurance of hope and a promise, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). He declared,“I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Our hope for a better life is found only in Jesus Christ, and He is our assurance of victory over sin, death, hell, and the grave. The message of the Gospel and the power of the resurrection guarantees the victory over darkness and the illumination of His presence in our lives. That is why we sing, we rejoice, and we celebrate Jesus throughout our lives. He is worthy! We can celebrate with the psalmist, “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the Lord is the great God, And the great King above all gods” (Psalm 95:1-3). Welcome to the victorious life! Theme passage: “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57). |
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