Desired of All Nations
This is what the Lord Almighty says:
In a little while I will once more shake the
heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land,
I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations
will come, and I will fill this house with glory,
says the Lord Almighty.
Haggai 2:6-7
One of my favorite high impact songs from Everything Glorious is “Desired of All Nations”. I think it is good if we take a look at the basis for this song because I am really big on understanding what we are singing. For when we understand, we have a clearer message and more passion for what we are singing. If you look at the song and the context in which it is used in the musical, you may think that it is speaking of the first coming of Christ. This passage can be used for this purpose, but there is so much more. In fact, Dr. Anderson used Haggai 2:9 in his sermon two weeks ago when speaking of Israel in the last days.
The passage is speaking of the coming day of God’s judgment on all nations. In Hebrews 12:26-27, this passage is quoted referring to the judgment of the nations at the second coming of Christ. When the Lord refers to once more shaking the nations (v. 6), He is referring to the judgment on Egypt at the Red Sea. But there will be another shaking when Jesus comes again. “Desired of all nations”, can refer to individuals, but it also has a Messianic reference. The people were looking for a Messiah to come the first time and turn the world right side up. We are looking for the Messiah to come again to set things right. For when He comes, the earth will be filled with His glory. In verse 9, the Lord even says that “the glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house.” When that time comes there will be peace. Can we, in our finite minds, even grasp the concept of peace on Earth? I look back on just the 38 years that I have been alive, and I can’t remember a time when there has ever been peace. Praise be to God that there is a day coming when Jesus will reign on Earth again and peace will abound.
As we begin this Christmas season, let us keep our minds and hearts on the reason we are here - to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. In doing so, we are to tell others about our Peace Bringer. The world around us is seeking and longing for this peace that comes only from Christ. We often keep this truth of a coming Messiah to ourselves. We are too afraid of what people may think of us. We have a precious gift that is worth sharing. May we, this Christmas, proclaim loud and clear that Jesus is here and is coming again!
Amen! Come Lord Jesus.
Aaron Hodges
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
A THANKFUL HEART
A Thankful Heart
During this time of the year, we focus on being thankful. We come together as family and friends to eat and fellowship. It is a wonderful time of the year. Thankfulness is not merely something we should have this time of the year; instead, it should be a way of life. You have probably heard the old, kind of cheesy, statement that says, “Thanksgiving is thanks-living.” It may be a little cheesy but it is so true. Throughout the scriptures, we find example after example of God’s people being thankful.
I will give thanks to the Lord… Ps. 7:17
I will give thanks to Him in song… Ps. 28:7
My God, I will give You thanks forever… Ps. 30:12
Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory… 1 Cor. 15:57
Thanks be to God who always leads us…. 2 Cor. 2:14
Give thanks in all circumstances… 1 Thess. 5:18
Do we spend time other than at dinner expressing our thankfulness to God? We so often get in the mindset of petitioning God that we tend to forget thanking God. In Philippians 4:6, Paul says that our petitions to God must come with thanksgiving. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” In the next verse we are given a promise that if we do verse 6, then we will experience the peace of God. I don’t know about you, but I enjoy the peace of God. In the rat race that most of us call life, it is important to know that at the end of it all, we can have peace.
Today, what are you thankful for? Let me list just a few things that I am thankful for: my wife, my kids, my church, my choir, my orchestra, my band, all the children’s choir workers, the staff at FBC, my ministry assistant Edie, a roof over my head, Godly parents, food on the table, clothes on my back, employment, ministry, music, a God who wants me, a Savior who loves me, a Holy Spirit who guides me, salvation, and an eternal home.
We ought always to thank God for you, brothers,
and rightly so, because your faith is growing
more and more, and the love every one of you
has for each other is increasing.”
2 Thessalonians 1:3
With a thankful heart,
Aaron Hodges
During this time of the year, we focus on being thankful. We come together as family and friends to eat and fellowship. It is a wonderful time of the year. Thankfulness is not merely something we should have this time of the year; instead, it should be a way of life. You have probably heard the old, kind of cheesy, statement that says, “Thanksgiving is thanks-living.” It may be a little cheesy but it is so true. Throughout the scriptures, we find example after example of God’s people being thankful.
I will give thanks to the Lord… Ps. 7:17
I will give thanks to Him in song… Ps. 28:7
My God, I will give You thanks forever… Ps. 30:12
Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory… 1 Cor. 15:57
Thanks be to God who always leads us…. 2 Cor. 2:14
Give thanks in all circumstances… 1 Thess. 5:18
Do we spend time other than at dinner expressing our thankfulness to God? We so often get in the mindset of petitioning God that we tend to forget thanking God. In Philippians 4:6, Paul says that our petitions to God must come with thanksgiving. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” In the next verse we are given a promise that if we do verse 6, then we will experience the peace of God. I don’t know about you, but I enjoy the peace of God. In the rat race that most of us call life, it is important to know that at the end of it all, we can have peace.
Today, what are you thankful for? Let me list just a few things that I am thankful for: my wife, my kids, my church, my choir, my orchestra, my band, all the children’s choir workers, the staff at FBC, my ministry assistant Edie, a roof over my head, Godly parents, food on the table, clothes on my back, employment, ministry, music, a God who wants me, a Savior who loves me, a Holy Spirit who guides me, salvation, and an eternal home.
We ought always to thank God for you, brothers,
and rightly so, because your faith is growing
more and more, and the love every one of you
has for each other is increasing.”
2 Thessalonians 1:3
With a thankful heart,
Aaron Hodges
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
PRECURSOR TO MINISTRY
Precursor to Ministry
Last week we looked at missions being our response to worship. This week we are going to examine what should always come before ministry. So often we get caught up in doing ministry that we forget to do the preparation. I am guilty of this many times. I get so engrossed in the “work” of ministry that I forget to do the preparation of prayer. The scripture is very clear that the precursor to ministry should be prayer. We read this in 2 Chronicles 7:14 when God says “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” For God to do everything with us and for us, we must first humble ourselves and in confession, come to Him in prayer. We don’t often realize how relevant the Old Testament is to the New Testament church. When God gave this promise to Solomon, it was right after Solomon had completed the temple. The Lord was speaking to His church. We are that Church! Do you want to see God do marvelous things here at First Baptist Church, Canton? Do you want to see lives changed? Do you want to see a move of God like we have never seen before? Do you want to see God bring revival? These questions must be answered affirmatively before we can think about committing ourselves to praying for these things. If we do not have a desire to see God work, then we need not pray for it. If we want these things to happen, we must take the time to earnestly pray for them.
We have looked at what the Old Testament says about this subject. Now we will look at the example of Jesus. There is no better example. In Mark 1:35, we are introduced to how Jesus prepared for ministry. Jesus was getting ready to go throughout Galilee preaching in the synagogues and driving out demons. In order to prepare for this work, he pulled off to a solitary place and prayed. Jesus knew the energy that he was going to need. Jesus knew the amazing things He was going to do. He knew the confrontation He was going to experience. Therefore, He knew that He needed His one-on-one time with His Father. If Jesus, the Son of God, needed it, then why do we think that we can do it on our own without the Father’s help?
Are we satisfied with what we see happening here at FBC? Are we satisfied with the worship ministry here at FBC? I hope we never say that we are satisfied with what we see at FBC. May God put in us such a strong holy discontent that He brings us to our knees to seek His face!
Desiring a stronger prayer life and desiring to see God work,
Aaron Hodges
Last week we looked at missions being our response to worship. This week we are going to examine what should always come before ministry. So often we get caught up in doing ministry that we forget to do the preparation. I am guilty of this many times. I get so engrossed in the “work” of ministry that I forget to do the preparation of prayer. The scripture is very clear that the precursor to ministry should be prayer. We read this in 2 Chronicles 7:14 when God says “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” For God to do everything with us and for us, we must first humble ourselves and in confession, come to Him in prayer. We don’t often realize how relevant the Old Testament is to the New Testament church. When God gave this promise to Solomon, it was right after Solomon had completed the temple. The Lord was speaking to His church. We are that Church! Do you want to see God do marvelous things here at First Baptist Church, Canton? Do you want to see lives changed? Do you want to see a move of God like we have never seen before? Do you want to see God bring revival? These questions must be answered affirmatively before we can think about committing ourselves to praying for these things. If we do not have a desire to see God work, then we need not pray for it. If we want these things to happen, we must take the time to earnestly pray for them.
We have looked at what the Old Testament says about this subject. Now we will look at the example of Jesus. There is no better example. In Mark 1:35, we are introduced to how Jesus prepared for ministry. Jesus was getting ready to go throughout Galilee preaching in the synagogues and driving out demons. In order to prepare for this work, he pulled off to a solitary place and prayed. Jesus knew the energy that he was going to need. Jesus knew the amazing things He was going to do. He knew the confrontation He was going to experience. Therefore, He knew that He needed His one-on-one time with His Father. If Jesus, the Son of God, needed it, then why do we think that we can do it on our own without the Father’s help?
Are we satisfied with what we see happening here at FBC? Are we satisfied with the worship ministry here at FBC? I hope we never say that we are satisfied with what we see at FBC. May God put in us such a strong holy discontent that He brings us to our knees to seek His face!
Desiring a stronger prayer life and desiring to see God work,
Aaron Hodges
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
A RESPONSE TO WORSHIP
A Response to Worship!
Matthew 28:16
My title here at First Baptist Church is “Worship Pastor”. What exactly does that mean? I feel that my “job” is to lead FBC in worship, teach FBC about worship, and be an example of how to worship in “spirit and in truth.” For so many years I went by the title of “Minister of Music”. I do not prefer this title because it only covers a portion of what I am called to do. Music is only a tool of worship. Albeit a great tool; nevertheless, a tool. Together we form the worship ministry of FBC. We are all called to learn more about worship and what ministries go right along with worship. Every few months, the staff gets to lead the Connection Class. This class is set up to teach new church members who we are and what we are about here at FBC Canton. Mary Lee Griffith put all the material together for the class. In that material, she defines worship as “attributing worth to God, recognizing who He is and what He has done and responding accordingly.” Jesus said it like this in Mark 12:30: “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.”
Let’s take a deeper look at the last part of the definition for worship provided by Mary Lee. The last two words are “responding accordingly.” What kind of response should worship produce? We could probably think of many responses that come from worship, but as I was reading in Matthew 28 I came across a great response. In this scripture, we find the resurrection of our Lord and Savior. As soon as the word got out about the resurrection of Jesus, the disciples went to Galilee. They had been told by Mary Magdalene and the other Mary about the resurrection and the instructions from Jesus that He would physically come to them in Galilee. The eleven went to Galilee (Judas had already committed suicide). It was there on the mountain that Jesus appeared to them. When they recognized who He was and what He had done, they worshiped Him. The story could have ended with them worshiping Jesus, but a response was needed. Out of worship, our response should be missions. As we come to a realization of who Jesus is and what He has done for us, we should have a burning desire to tell others about Him. So often we get apathetic about our salvation and we do not respond appropriately. I have always wondered why, so many times in my years of worship ministry, I have a love for missions. It is only because that should be the natural response to worship.
“All authority in heaven and 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.”
Matthew 28:18
See you Sunday as we blanket the city of Canton with the love of Christ.
Aaron Hodges
Matthew 28:16
My title here at First Baptist Church is “Worship Pastor”. What exactly does that mean? I feel that my “job” is to lead FBC in worship, teach FBC about worship, and be an example of how to worship in “spirit and in truth.” For so many years I went by the title of “Minister of Music”. I do not prefer this title because it only covers a portion of what I am called to do. Music is only a tool of worship. Albeit a great tool; nevertheless, a tool. Together we form the worship ministry of FBC. We are all called to learn more about worship and what ministries go right along with worship. Every few months, the staff gets to lead the Connection Class. This class is set up to teach new church members who we are and what we are about here at FBC Canton. Mary Lee Griffith put all the material together for the class. In that material, she defines worship as “attributing worth to God, recognizing who He is and what He has done and responding accordingly.” Jesus said it like this in Mark 12:30: “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.”
Let’s take a deeper look at the last part of the definition for worship provided by Mary Lee. The last two words are “responding accordingly.” What kind of response should worship produce? We could probably think of many responses that come from worship, but as I was reading in Matthew 28 I came across a great response. In this scripture, we find the resurrection of our Lord and Savior. As soon as the word got out about the resurrection of Jesus, the disciples went to Galilee. They had been told by Mary Magdalene and the other Mary about the resurrection and the instructions from Jesus that He would physically come to them in Galilee. The eleven went to Galilee (Judas had already committed suicide). It was there on the mountain that Jesus appeared to them. When they recognized who He was and what He had done, they worshiped Him. The story could have ended with them worshiping Jesus, but a response was needed. Out of worship, our response should be missions. As we come to a realization of who Jesus is and what He has done for us, we should have a burning desire to tell others about Him. So often we get apathetic about our salvation and we do not respond appropriately. I have always wondered why, so many times in my years of worship ministry, I have a love for missions. It is only because that should be the natural response to worship.
“All authority in heaven and 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.”
Matthew 28:18
See you Sunday as we blanket the city of Canton with the love of Christ.
Aaron Hodges
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