Sunday message titled “Finishing Strong” from Genesis 5. Click here to listen or download (Recorded live at First Baptist Paducah on September 28, 2014): 2014.09.28.FinishingStrong.Genesis5.CharlesMoore

So you likely already know that I’m preaching on “aging for the glory of God” this Sunday. With that subject on my brain, I happened to notice the movie reviews in today’s New York Times, where The Equalizer – opening today – is reviewed by A.O. Scott.

You probably respect the talents of Denzel Washington like I do, so when I saw him described as “one of our leading middle-aged action heroes” it grabbed my attention. According to Scott, the only other guy earning that exact badge of honor is Liam Neeson.

Though I have not seen the film, it apparently takes quite a bit of time (though you know it’s coming if you remember the 1980’s TV series) before there’s even a hint that Robert [Denzel Washington’s character] is a C.I.A. assassin. Scott summarizes: “Bob, who works at a Home Depot-like building supply store, is a widower with meticulous habits and friendly relations with most of the people he meets. A ready source of self-help catchphrases that would sound silly coming from anyone other than Mr. Washington, he is a mentor to a younger co-worker. When insomnia hits, Bob repairs to a 24-hour diner, where he drinks tea, reads classic novels and makes avuncular small talk … Eventually, he’s going to kill someone, of course, but before he does The Equalizer is disarmingly quiet, almost as if it were committed to remaining the low-key, lower-middle-class character study that nobody in the theater has bought a ticket to see.”

If the acting is believable, why are action movies with those kinds of themes generally such fantastic successes at the box office?

Because, deep down, we’re all excited about the possibility of becoming something we’re not.

Since I was a new Christian, one of my favorite Bible verses has been Second Corinthians 5:17. You likely could quote it from memory: If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come! Interesting, isn’t it? One of the greatest longings of the Christian heart ought to be – instead of desire to become who we’re not – a desire to become who we really are.

I’m posting this blog today because I want to remind you that BECOMING WHO YOU REALLY ARE IN JESUS CHRIST is one of the most exciting adventures upon which you could ever embark. Regardless of your age or circumstances. That’s because, as Christians, we never stop learning, growing, and changing. That’s the nature of the Christian life. Embrace it!

Writing for RELEVANT, Stephen J. Mattson wisely reminds us that “we often treat our faith as if it’s something static, immovable and permanent. God is eternally unchanging, but our faith isn’t. We see this throughout the Bible, as the Israelites – and even the disciples in the New Testament – had their understanding of God change as different occurrences and events happened to them. Our faith is a ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’ involving ups and downs and numerous changes. Many believers fearfully avoid change and see it as some sort of sin – and you can certainly go from a good belief to a bad belief – but the concept of change itself shouldn’t be avoided, especially since it’s at the very heart of Jesus’ teachings.”

Some of the real-life stuff through which our Lord allows us to be stretched and strengthened gives new meaning to the word “drama.” But it’s all exactly what we need in order to be conformed to the likeness of our Savior (Romans 8:28).

Mattson goes on to point out that we, as believers, make plenty of mistakes. But that’s all part of the plan too, as those experiences are designed by God as learning experiences along the road of our great adventure! “The most dangerous and self-righteous people are those who think they’re incapable of doing anything wrong and who never admit mistakes. To be human is to blunder. Christianity doesn’t change that. You’ll still fail, stumble and make horrible decisions, but the difference is that you’ll have the reassurance of God’s grace, mercy and
love.”

Hey! Denzel Washington is older than I. Liam Neeson too. Maybe it’s not too late for my stint as an action hero. Any personal trainers out there? You’ve got your work cut out for you, but I’m willing to give it a try. Until then I’ll drink my tea and embrace the adventure.

Sunday message titled “Foolish Wisdom” from 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. Click here to listen or download (Recorded live at First Baptist Paducah on September 21, 2014): 2014.09.21.FoolishWisdom.1Cor1.18to31.CharlesMoore

Beloved First Baptist Family, our God is calling us to humbly and desperately intercede for our brothers and sisters in Christ who at this moment are situated in the path of the ISIS tsunami. The world is changing precipitously, and the rise of radical Islam threatens millions in its track. We tend to feel a sense of safety here in America that may or may not be grounded in fact, but our hearts should be burdened for our Christian family – as well as for other victims of the “Islamic State” – in other parts of the world.

Within the last few hours Sean Malone of Crisis Relief International (CRI) contacted American supporters with this alarming message: “We lost the city of Queragosh. It  fell to ISIS and they are beheading children systematically. This is the city we have been smuggling food to. ISIS has  pushed back Peshmerga (Kurdish forces) and is within 10  minutes of where our CRI team is working. Thousands more fled  into the city of Erbil last night. The U.N. evacuated its staff in Erbil. Our team is unmoved and will stay. Prayer cover needed!”

Beyond the Middle East, the nation of Australia reports today that it has thwarted a “demonstration killing” plot by the Islamic State. Australian authorities have detained fifteen people who allegedly planned to publicly behead a random person in Sydney before draping them in the ISIS flag. “That’s the intelligence we received,” announced Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

And even closer to home, A Rochester, New York, man has been indicted following accusations that he attempted to recruit people to travel to Syria to fight for the jihadist army. Police say Mufid Elfgeeh made his way to Buffalo to obtain a passport for one of the people he was attempting to enlist in his diabolical plot. Agents say Elfgeeh also purchased guns with plans to attack American military members as they returned home from serving our country overseas.

The wealthiest and most lethal terrorist group in world history is making its presence known on the global stage in an entirely gruesome way. From beheadings to crucifixions to mass executions to a new wave of anti-Christian persecution, the ISIS army has cut a bloody path across the Middle East, taking over large parts of Iraq and Syria. We can barely imagine being a follower of Jesus Christ called to endure the very real threat that is ISIS, yet we have sisters and brothers in that exact situation as I write these words.

Were our God not absolutely and entirely the Sovereign Ruler over all things, things seen and unseen alike, we would have no hope in the face of news accounts like these today.

“If My people …”

Sunday message titled “The Power Of The Cross” from 1 Corinthians 1:10-17. Click here to listen or download (Recorded live at First Baptist Paducah on September 14, 2014): 2014.09.14.PowerOfTheCross.1Corinthians1.10to17.CharlesMoore

Sunday evening message from Revelation 22. Click here to listen or download (Recorded live at First Baptist Paducah on September 7, 2014):

2014.09.07PM.ChristReturn.CharlesMoore

Sunday message titled “Faultless to Stand” from 1 Corinthians 1:1-9. Click here to listen or download (Recorded live at First Baptist Paducah on September 7, 2014): 2014.09.07.FaultlessToStand.1Cor1.1to9.CharlesMoore

My last full day in Romania was spent exploring the Maranata Baptist Church and their expanding adventure in Christian education. Pastor Sabin graciously toured me around the newly-readied classroom space for preschool, kindergarten, first grade, and (starting this fall) second grade. This is a tremendous platform for the church’s evangelism and outreach, as most of the children – whose parents are drawn to the school for its excellent learning opportunities – come from homes where the gospel is not understood. Some of the moms and dads hear about Christ’s message of salvation for the first time when they’re invited to chapel services at the school.

Enjoy this collage of photos. The words over the MBC pulpit are “We preach Christ and Him crucified” from First Corinthians 1:23. It makes me eager to begin our new fall preaching series from the same book of the Bible.

I was able to spend some time on a fishing boat with Pastor Elijah from the Coronini Baptist Church. Another example of the warm hospitality which was extended to me by many from among the Romanian shepherds who went out of their way to make me feel welcome and at home. You’ll see from my boat that the Romanian scenery is generally vividly picturesque – I tried to capture that in a couple of landscapes – and you already know that I think the Romanian people are lovely indeed. They are a gracious people, and most willing to help even a stranger in any way they can.

You’ll be glad to know that the churches with whom we now labor in Romania are genuinely friendly, and solidly committed to honoring Christ in worship, preaching, and community service. The funds which our church family have shared with the Romanian church members have been put to excellent use. A little money from here goes a long way there. The hungry are fed, the neediest are clothed, and the downtrodden are built up in exuberant faith.

I’m grateful to God for a great mission opportunity alongside some of the established Christian works dotting a very special stretch of the Danube. The evangelical churches there have learned how to serve our Lord with very few of the material resources that we consider commonplace. My mind is swimming with ideas regarding how we might encourage Pastors Damian and Daniel, as well as all of our other Romanian brothers and sisters, in days and years ahead. Please stay tuned.

So I’ll borrow a few of Paul’s words from this Sunday’s text and “apply” them as I bid my friends a temporary farewell (1:2-3): “To the church of God that is in Romania, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Beloved First Baptist Paducah, may we continue to seek God for all of the creative wisdom and energy that we can muster: that Christ’s light might shine ever more brightly through you and through me, bringing robust hope to a lost and dying world desperately in need of His glorious good news.

“Answered prayer!”

We’ve seen a lot of that during our mission to Romania. All of the services and both of the conferences were well-attended and wonderfully filled with God’s grace and truth. Praise be to God!

This morning I visited the village of Belobresca, which is made up of about 300 homes and which is (at least statistically) some 99% dominated by the Romanian Orthodox Church. We toured the large Orthodox cemetery and the tiny Baptist cemetery, as well as the church for which Tom’s mother prayed for over fifty years. The plaque commemorates her faithful petitions to the Lord for an evangelical witness in the community. You’ll see photos of the plaque and the church’s pastor.

We had the joy of distributing food to, and praying with, some of the neediest families among the believers. Some of these sweet sisters and brothers are too ill to attend worship. I fell in love with one precious little girl at one of our stops. I’ll attach that picture too.

I must admit that some of the stories about life here under Communism are almost more than I can take in. Such cruel oppression and hardship marked the people’s lives for so long (many were shot and killed trying to cross the treacherous river right where we’re staying), but the true church grew strong in persevering faith during that same period.

My friend Garry Ellis always says: “Tough times for the country are good times for the gospel.” He’s right. We tend to forget that God’s economy isn’t ours. Our Lord uses every circumstance for our good and His glory.

Thank you for praying for us. I’ve made some new friends who I think will be lifetime partners in ministry and missions. To God be the glory!

“The peace of the Lord Jesus!” I’m learning this familiar greeting among Christian believers here in Romania. That’s better than a “Hi” any day.

I wanted to send home a quick update and a few prayer requests. Tom and I arrived safely via Chicago, Munich, and Timisoara. I included a couple of photos of the Timisoara city center, apparently abounding in new retail activity and construction brought on by an improving economy. The region seems culturally and historically dominated by the Orthodox Church, but also to be experiencing a growing evangelical presence.

I also included a couple of shots of the village where I’m staying. You can see Serbia on the other side of the Danube River.

This morning I was invited for coffee by the mayor of Coronin, whose church family will be coming together with Grace Baptist of Moldova Noua for combined worship tonight at 6:00. I included a picture of the Grace sanctuary which is expected to be full. I’ll be bringing the sermon on forgiveness that I shared during our revival series, so please pray for God’s Spirit to touch many hearts tonight.

Saturday morning at 10:00 I’ll preach for a pastors’ conference, and Saturday evening at 6:00 for a youth conference. Sunday morning at 10:00 I’ll preach for a baptismal service, and Sunday evening (also at 6:00) I’ll preach an evangelistic message for the community.

We are eight hours ahead of Paducah but, if you’re interested, you will be able to access most of the services online at:

www.harulmoldovaveche.ro

Pastor Damian sends his warmest greetings. I send my love to all of you. Thank you for praying bold kingdom prayers for this weekend.

Un Domn. O Credinta. Un Botez. Ephesians 4:5. One Lord. One faith. One baptism.

One Christ!