Honored Guest This Sunday: Senator Hank Erwin

This Sunday, we are delighted and honored to have with us State Senator Hank Erwin. Senator Erwin is a champion of godly values in government and a true friend to Christian homeschooling families in Alabama. He will be speaking on the subject of courtship and marriage. We look forward to hearing him share from the Word and from his own life experience as a father and husband.



Senator Hank Erwin was born April 2, 1949, in Birmingham. He received a B.S. degree from Troy State University, a B.A. degree from Southwestern Bible College and an M.A. degree from Dallas Seminary. He and his wife, Shelia Joyce Erwin, are the parents of two children: Andrew and Jonathan. He is a member of the Lakeside Baptist Church, in Birmingham. Senator Erwin serves on the ALCAP Board, Freedoms Foundation Advisory Board, a Major in the Civil Air Patrol, member of the National Rifle Association, and a member of the United States Golf Association. He is President and CEO of Save America Foundation. Senator Erwin is the host of a daily radio show on 101.1 FM.

Sunday Ministry Recap (Apr. 15)

Scripture Focus:

Genesis 24 - A Bride for Isaac

Key Thoughts Shared by Various Brothers:

Principles of finding a marriage partner: (1) Marry only spiritual "kin" ... "be not unequally yoked" - v. 3. (2) You are not alone in the process - v. 7. (3) Pray for guidance (applies to both young people and parents) - v. 12. (4) Go where you are likely to meet the right kind of people - v. 11. (5) Be committed to purity before marriage - v. 16. (6) Look for someone (and be someone) with a servant heart - v. 19. (7) Involve parents in the process - v. 28. (8) Final decision up to the young people involved ... i.e., not forced marriage - v. 57. (9) Be committed not only to purity but also to modesty before marriage - v. 65. (10) Love is a choice, not something you "fall" into - v. 67.

When we reject the world's "dating" system and come to the Word for guidance in finding a marriage partner ... for instance, in looking at a passage like this ... we must try to distinguish the cultural incidentals from the lasting principles. One lasting principle presented clearly here (one that may play out differently in different cultures) ... is parental involvement and authority. Young people are foolish to spurn their parents' involvement and authority in this decision ... and many have bought for themselves a lifetime of regret by doing so. "But I'm in love" ... exactly the worse time to expect to make a sound and rational decision! Girls, your father can read a young man's motives and character better than you can. Friendly interaction with young men is one thing, but when it comes to any hint of romantic pairing off, that needs to be channeled through your father!

Greg reminded us as parents not to dread or be fearful in this process ... be excited about it with your children. Approach it with joy and good humor. Alan noted the specific prayer of Abraham's servant and encouraged us to be specific in our prayers regarding finding a marriage partner ... and gave an example from his own "courtship" with Teresa. Steve drew attention to verse 27 ... "being in the way, the Lord led me" ... guidance is not usually a process of sitting around waiting on the "leading of the Lord."

This passage also presents a type (picture) of the Holy Spirit being sent by the Father to call out a bride for Christ. We are commanded to love our wives as Christ loved the church.


Next week: Senator Hank Erwin.

Josh McDowell - Summary of Evidence for the Resurrection

We discussed Sunday that the historical evidence for the Resurrection of Christ is so powerful that, in some cases, men who have set out to refute the Resurrection have been converted to Christ after an examination of the evidence.

Josh McDowell was one such man. Once a skeptic, Josh became a noted defender of Christianity on college campuses and other venues across America. Click on the link below to read Josh's summary of the historical evidence for the Resurrection. (This is chapter 20 from the book, A Ready Defense, by Josh McDowell.)

http://www.greatcom.org/resources/areadydefense/ch20/

Sunday Ministry Recap (Resurrection Day - Apr. 8)

Scripture Focus:

Matthew 28:1-20 - The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Key Thoughts Shared by Various Brothers:

The Resurrection is central to the Christian faith ... even though in modern times there are those who profess to be Christians that do not believe in the literal resurrection of Jesus. It is also possible to assent to the truth of the Resurrection but not live in its power. While we criticize some for focusing on a dead Christ (i.e., the crucifix), we need to make sure our own faith and walk reflect a risen Christ. Using the famous Resurrection hymn as an analogy, are we living in the minor key ("Low in the grave He lay....") or in the triumphant chorus ("Up from the grave He arose....")? The Resurrection took a greatness of power that we cannot comprehend ... and that power is at work in us.

Craig shared the sad story of a home-schooled young person who started college at UAB last fall .... and has told his parents that after conversations with some of his professors, he has lost his faith in God. Even those raised as Christians face the question, "What shall I do with Jesus?"

The historical evidence for the Resurrection is one of the strongest bulwarks in the case for the truth of the Christian faith. It is, as R. A. Torrey put it, "the Gibraltar of Christian evidences and the Waterloo of unbelief." Most of those who reject God and Christianity have never taken the trouble to study the evidences for the Christian faith ... especially the Resurrection.

Frank Morrison was an unbelieving attorney who decided to write a book disproving the Resurrection. To his surprise, he found the evidence for the Resurrection to be convincing. He wrote a book on the historical evidence for the Resurrection entitled, Who Moved the Stone? Significantly, the first chapter was called, "The Book that Refused to be Written."

We also discussed that, apart from "evidences," the Bible is self-authenticating ... and every time we choose to follow one of its precepts or principles, it proves itself to be true in our lives.


Next week: Genesis 24 - A Bride for Isaac.