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We will never, in this life, have perfect knowledge of all that occurs or the full extent of the commitment we are making in our baptism.  However, as we learn and grow, we will spend the rest of our lives living out the implications of our baptism.  My current sermon series seeks to encourage us to live out our baptism!

Last week we discussed the tragedy of baptized believers for whom “the Christian gospel seems to have no meaning, no power, no relevance to their lives.”  (N.T. Wright, emphasis mine)*.  Paul confronted the Corinthians on this very issue in 1 Cor. 10:1-14.  We discussed his analogy between those “baptized into Moses” and those baptized into Christ.  There are many parallels, but Paul’s point is those who did not live up to their deliverance in the O.T. were punished and they are warning examples to us.

This morning we will examine Paul’s theology of baptism in his letter to the Romans.

Romans 6:1-12 What shall we say, then?  Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?  By no means!  We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?  Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.  If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.  For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin– because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.  Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.  For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.  The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.  In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.  Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.

Living up to our baptism means we must count ourselves dead to sin. I’ll say more in my lesson.

Are you living out your baptism?  Joey

*http://reformedworship.org/article/december-2008/n-t-wright-word-and-sacraments-

Joshua 1:9
…Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.(NIV)

Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”(NIV)

Psalm 71:5
For You are my hope, O Lord GOD; You are my trust from my youth.(NKJV)

Psalm 119:9
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.(NIV)

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.(NIV)

Proverbs 3:5–6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.(NIV)

Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.(NIV)

Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.(NLT)

1 Timothy 4:12
Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.(NLT)

Congratulations Graduates!!

Have a Great week! Joey

In the summer of 1980 I served as youth intern for the Flint Church of Christ in Decatur, AL.  The preaching minister was Charles Stidham, a family friend, and the minister who had baptized my parents in the early 1960s.  Charles was a colorful individual who often served up a little humor in his preaching.

On the fourth Sunday in June 1980 (the Sunday after Father’s Day), he stepped behind the pulpit and announced, “Today is the day set aside for honoring fathers, Father’s Day!” Immediately, several members of the audience began to shake their heads –none so vigorous as his wife.  We all thought poor Charles had “lost it.”  After all, he had children and surely they would have at least given him a call or sent a greeting card the week before.  How could he get the date so wrong?

“You mean today is not Father’s Day?” he asked.  Several “nos” echoed about in the old, a–framed auditorium.  “Well,” he said, “Today, I’m preaching a sermon that doesn’t really honor fathers, anyway.”  Then he went on to share a message rebuking fathers for not living up to their vocation.  To this day, I am unsure of whether he really misspoke or if he was uniquely introducing a Father’s Day rebuke.

This story is illustrative of my own struggle to preach a relevant message on Father’s Day.  On Mother’s Day, I have no trouble –Proverbs 31 and the Virtuous Woman, Great Mothers of the Bible, Mary the Mother of Jesus, or the command to Honor, Obey, and Care for Mothers.  Most all of us are brimming with warm stories of the love and nurture of our mothers.  However, I wrestle with Father’s Day.  As I look back on my preaching schedule over the years, I have, more often than not, just skipped the Father’s Day sermon even when I have preached one for Mother’s Day.

The problem is not material.  The Bible is full of stories of good and bad fathers.  Of course, there are always messages on God as Father to exalt that relationship and serve as an example to earthly fathers.  I don’t think the problem is with my relationship with my earthly father.  I have mentioned he was not an affectionate man or expressive in his emotions.  Early on I saw him as a bit remote and cold, but growth and maturity –not to mention having my own children –helped me to see how much he really loved us as expressed in his actions, if not his words.  I believe I have worked through most of my issues there.

I think the problem, for me anyway, is I have such a great relationship with my mother that it is easier for me to preach on mothers.  This may be a gender thing.  You know, little girls idolize their daddies while little boys, their mothers.  Part of the problem may be societal.  Mother’s are portrayed in the various media as kind and nurturing while fathers are often depicted as buffoons, incompetent, or the butt of a joke.  A bad mother is almost always seen as the horrifying exception, but the deadbeat dad does not come as a surprise.

Of course, we know that life is a mixed bag and there is enough blame and blessing to go around.  However, it is a shame that fathers don’t seem to get the respect that they deserve.

Sunday’s message will be a bit autobiographical for me blending stories of my father, Billy Aaron Gafford, with biblical mandates for fatherhood.  I hope you will come and join us for worship.

Oh, and don’t let your father forget that this Sunday is Father’s Day!

Have a Great week! Joey

The tag-line we have chosen for our new logo, “Where Church is Family” is especially appropriate for us considering our experience over the past year. The lockdown in many cases created a lockout for many of us in regard to our church family relationships. I can’t help but draw parallels to my biological family relationships.

Our children all live in Arkansas and our mothers live in Alabama. For most of the year we were stuck in the middle (literally, in Mississippi) close to four hours drive from both. Our busy lifestyles, job situations, and health concerns kept us from our normal visits and holiday celebrations. We talked a lot on the phone. We Zoomed and Facetimed each other. We even arranged to make a few “socially distanced” in person activities, but it was just not the same. In our case, we are a close-knit family group, so while difficult; the year didn’t prove devastating to our relationships. However, I know that is not the case with all families and certainly not with many in the church.

For many churches the lockdown has devastated church attendance, contribution, Bible school programs, ministries, spiritual growth,
discipleship efforts, and personal relationships. The Boise church has not been spared these difficulties. However, for many of us (perhaps most), our spiritual maturity and close-knit relationships have allowed us to survive this ordeal. Not everyone can make that claim and even those of us who can, have suffered.

This is why we need to remember that our church is family. We are the children of God. He is our Father. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. The church is called the household (family) of God (John 1:12; Matthew 5:23-24, 6:9, 12:50; Ephesians 1:5, 2:19; 1 Timothy 3:15).

As family, we have relationships with each other that need to be cultivated, nurtured, and grown. This is where the Bible speaks of the one-another bond we share. Allelon, “one another” is a reciprocal pronoun found one hundred times in the Greek New Testament. It is usually translated “one another” or “each other” and used as a direct object like in John 13:34,  “Love one another.” It is word that describes a relationship which, as in this case, is mutual and reciprocal. We are commanded to reciprocally love one another as Jesus’ disciples.

This mutuality is the subject of my latest series of messages. I’m using the term one-anothering to describe the behavior we are to exhibit in our relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Last week I spoke on our need to encourage, strengthen, motivate one another. This week we will discuss the need to pray for and confess our sins to each other and the many ways the Bible teaches that we are to help each other. Please join us!

Have a Great week! Joey

(allelon, “one another”)

is a reciprocal pronoun found one-hundred times in the Greek New Testament.  It is usually translated “one another” or “each other” and used as a direct object like in John 13:34,

A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

It is word that describes a relationship which, as in this case, is mutual and reciprocal.  We are commanded to reciprocally love one another as Jesus’ disciples.

While love is the overarching characteristic of our relationship with our fellow Christians, this mutuality is expressed in many different forms which are born out by the many occurrences in the NT.

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves (Romans 12:10); Submit to one another (Ephesians 5:21, 1 Peter 5:5); Consider others better than yourselves (Philippians 2:3); Look to the interests of one another (Philippians 2:4); Clothe yourselves with humility towards one another (1 Peter 5:5); Live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16); etc.

This mutuality is the subject of my latest series of messages.  I’m using the term one-anothering to describe the behavior we are to exhibit in our relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

I choose these lessons, at this time, because of the disconnection most of us have experienced because of our inability to assemble and fellowship, as we were accustomed, due to the pandemic.  Because of the wonders of technology (streaming, podcasts, Zoom, etc.), there is a tendency to think we can experience the fullness of Christian life without a personal connection with the rest of the body.  While these separations were necessary for a time, God never intended his church to exist as isolated individuals.  We need to interact with each other for encouragement, strength, and motivation.

Sunday, I’ll be sharing several one-anothering behaviors under these three categories; we are to encourage, strengthen, and motivate one-another as disciples of the Lord, Jesus Christ.  Please join us.

Have a Great week!  Joey

Sunday, we conclude our series on Purpose by examining our place in a post–covid world. 

I realize it is premature to say post–covid since the virus is still very much a part of our lives.  However, it feels like we have begun to turn the corner.  Reports of cases and deaths are way down, at least in many parts of our country, and things are beginning to open up.  Those of us who have been vaccinated or who have already recovered from the virus are feeling safer as we venture out of our homes to shopping centers, restaurants, and church services.

However, as we look toward a post–covid world (hopefully, in the near future), we have to admit that the virus has dealt a hard blow to our way of life and especially to the church.  It has caused us to rethink how we do church and what church will look like in the future.  This week’s lesson is designed to help us take some preliminary steps to return as much to normal as possible, but also to look forward to the exciting opportunities God has in store for us. 

Have a Great Week!  Joey

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!  Amen.

Ephesians 3:20–21

Last week we resumed our series on Purpose to discuss our purpose as a church.  We began with some foundational truths from Ephesians 4:11-16.

1.   God Accomplishes His Work Through the Church.
2.   God Has Gifted the Church to Accomplish his Work.
3.   God Has Ordained that Church Leaders Prepare the Church for His Work.
4.   God Expects Every Member of the Church to Do His/Her Part in Accomplishing His Work.

We also learned that the fundamental purpose of the church is to glorify God in everything that we do.

Ephesians 1:11-12 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.

A quick examination of Acts 2:42-47 revealed that the early church directed their efforts to glorify God in three directions –inward in discipleship and fellowship; outward in service and evangelism; and upward in worship.  In this week’s message, we want to specifically apply this to the Boise church as we have historically perceived our purpose/vision.  A few years back we adopted the following vision statement.

“To participate with Jesus in fulfilling His Great Commission in our lifetime, to become and make mature disciples.”

Of course this statement is based on the “Great Commission” Jesus gave to his disciples in Matthew 28:18-20;  Mark 16:15-16;  Luke 24:46-49;  Acts 1:8;  & John 20:20-22.

Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Mark 16:15-16 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.  Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

Luke 24:46-49 He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  You are witnesses of these things.  I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

John 20:20-22 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.  Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”  And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

Our vision statement attempts to incorporate this specific charge as the heart of our mission.

Have a Great Week!
Joey

Dr. Joey A. Gafford is a native of Birmingham, AL.  He has ministered with churches of Christ for over 45 years (39 full-time) in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, California, and now Idaho.  He recently concluded twelve years of service with the Southside Church of Christ in Grenada, MS.  He began work as Lead Minister with the Boise church Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021.

Dr. Gafford is a product of 37 years of Christian education beginning with West Birmingham Christian School (K-12).  He has an AA in Bible from Faulkner University, BA in Bible from Freed-Hardeman University, MA and MDiv in New Testament from Turner School of Theology at Amridge University, and a DMin in Preaching from the Harding School of Theology. He is the author of The Rhetorical Effect of Closure in Narrative Sermons.  He has also written many non-published Bible study booklets and resources.

He has been happily married 39 years to the former Tina Marie Hester of Tuscumbia, AL. They have three children:  Joe Aaron Gafford, II (28); Kayla Marie Riley (26); and Joshua Andrew Gafford (24).  Joe and Kayla are both married.  Their children reside near or in Little Rock, AR.  Dr. Gafford’s wife, Tina, ministers with her husband and currently serves as a homemaker.