HBlog Charles Jr.

We Have Moved!!!

noreply@blogger.com (H.B. Charles Jr.) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 02:42:00 +0000

We've moved!

I am no longer blogging at this site.

Click here to reach my new blog site.

Make a new of the new address: www.hbcharlesjr.com

All of the content from this blog is found at the new site.

Thanks for reading.

Hope you will continue to follow my thoughts about life, church, preaching, and other stuff.

God bless.

hbc2

How Do You Protect Your Voice?

noreply@blogger.com (H.B. Charles Jr.) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 22:25:00 +0000

A new friend sent me a text yesterday, “Do you have any advice for voice control in and out of the pulpit?” he asked.

I should have responded, “You are asking the wrong person.” Instead, I ventured a brief answer. I doubt it was helpful. This post is my fuller answer to the question I should not be answering in the first place.

My father had a big, preaching voice. And many of my early preaching heroes sounded like preachers, whatever that means. However, I do not have a preacher’s voice. I sounded like Simba practicing his roar in the Lion King. This resulted in me losing my voice often in preaching.

I had to learn a way to protect my voice in and out of the pulpit. Over the years, these simple practices have helped me to maintain my voice for preaching.

1. Get some rest. Nothing saves your voice for preaching like resting it before you preach. Unfortunately, there are many Sunday mornings that I give the Lord a ready mind and heart, but a tired body. One of the best things you can do for your preaching overall is go to sleep on Saturday. Or take a nap before you preach an evening service. Rest your voice.

2. Drink plenty of water. This may be the only good habit in my diet. I drink a lot of water before I preach. I even keep a glass of water on the pulpit at my home church, just in case. If I need it, I will pause to drink it. But it must be room temperature water for me. If I drink cold water before I speak, it will close up my voice.

3. Avoid exotic vocal cures. I knew a famous preacher who drank ice-cold sodas before he preached. Many other preachers drink special concoctions before to clear their voices. I think rest and water are good enough. Avoid becoming dependent upon special remedies. A guest pastor drank a special potion before he preached for me. A few weeks later, my voice was sore between services. The ushers made me that potion. I sat in the pulpit looking troubled. One of the preachers asked if something was wrong. I mumbled, “I cannot feel my lips or my tongue!” True story.

4. Get good monitors. Having floor monitors on the platform, which will project your voice back to you, is quite helpful in protecting the voice of the preacher. If I cannot hear myself, I start talking louder and preacher harder. I assume the congregation cannot hear me, because I can’t. Unfortunately, there are many days when my presentation is shaped by the fact that I cannot hear myself. If you are a pastor, make sure you have good monitors. Make sure you have people on the soundboard who know what they are doing!

5. Pace your presentation. In this regard, voice lessons, speech training, or presentation feedback can be valuable to the preacher. You need to learn how to pace yourself in the presentation. Talk at a comfortable pace. Use pauses. Raise your voice sometimes for emphasis. Whisper other times. Speak in your pitch. I was preaching at a convention. In my nervousness, I started preaching in a high voice. I was thinking to myself, “What are you doing?” But I couldn’t stop. Halfway through the sermon, I had no voice. The same will happen to you if you do not pace yourself.

6. Guard your instrument. Some singers where hats and scarfs out on warm, sunny days, determined to protect their voices. You do not have to go to extremes. But protect your instrument. Where a coat, when necessary. Don’t ride to the service with the air in the car on you. Refuse to sit under AC vents in the service. I don’t know what else to advise here. But do what it takes to guard your voice.

7. Do your homework. I am always nervous when I stand up to preach. However, after the first minutes of the sermon, I am able to calm down. It is the ministering help of the Holy Spirit that enables me to relax and preach. It is also the assurance that I have not done my homework. I know what I want to say and, most times, how I want to say it. This eases tension and removes anxieties that I believe can affect your voice as you preach.

8. Don’t worry about it. As a young preacher, I had the opportunity to quiz one of my favorite preachers. I asked him what he does to protect his voice. Firmly but graciously, he responded that young preachers like me worry about stuff like that. He claimed that he did not worry about it anymore. He just gets up with whatever he has by way of voice and preaches the message God has given him. I thought his answer was ridiculous. But now as an older preacher, I fully agree. Focus more on the message than the delivery. And trust that God will give you what you need to be faithful to your assignment (2 Co. 12:7-10).

Do Whatever It Takes To Be Clear

noreply@blogger.com (H.B. Charles Jr.) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 22:57:00 +0000

The scribbles to the left are the preaching notes from my sermon this past Sunday.

Typically, I write out a complete sermon manuscript for preaching. I usually do not have to bring any notes to the pulpit. But I am not neurotic about it. If I need the entire manuscript, I take it (having an iPad has made this much easier for me). Or if I need an outline or specific notes, that is what I created.

I do not really set the entire sermon to memory. I basically internalize it over the course of writing and editing the manuscript. But I do intentionally memorize the structure of the sermon. Not just the outline, the whole sermon. I memorize the message pretty much thought for thought, relying on key words.

If I can remember this string of key words, I free pretty comfortable for preaching. If I am struggling to remember my series of word associations, I jot them down on an index card or sticky sheet to stick into my Bible.

Sunday, after the first service, I wrote out an extended outline to the pulpit. I had already preached the sermon once. But there were several things I did not want to forget. So I wrote out the entire outline.

I was almost finished with the sermon, when it dawned on me that I had never pulled the note page out of the front leaf of my Bible.

I bring this up to remind you to do what you have to do to preach the word faithfully and clearly. “By any means necessary,” should be your strategy for pulpit preparation. If you need a full script, use it. If you need a little cheat sheet, take it. If you are at your best without any notes, do it. Do whatever it takes to preach the word faithfully and clearly.

Preaching With No Unnecessary Words

noreply@blogger.com (H.B. Charles Jr.) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:35:00 +0000

A veteran pastor took me to lunch yesterday.

As preachers tend to do, we spent most of the lunch talking about preaching and preachers.

The conversation continued as he drove me back to my office.

The last preacher he brought up, as we were turning onto Beaver Street, was the late Dr. S.M. Lockridge. Dr. Lockridge was the pastor of the historic Calvary Baptist Church in San Diego, a well-respected preacher, and noted denominational leader.

The veteran pastor recalled the first time he heard Dr. Lockridge preach. It was at a Southern Baptist Convention event. He said it was the greatest sermon on the Lordship of Jesus Christ he had ever heard. He noted that the sermon was barely twenty minutes long. And he added one more compliment… There were no unnecessary words in the sermon.

That final compliment grabbed my attention. No wasted words?

I have never heard any sermon given such a compliment. And I do not know any sermon to which I could attribute that compliment, especially my sermons!

But this is a worthy standard for preachers to strive for, isn’t it?

There is a spiritual global warming that is slowly yet progressively ruining the atmosphere of the church. It is the result of a great deal of pollution that comes from the pulpit. Our preaching is littered with too many unnecessary words.

One of my favorite proverbs is Proverbs 25:11: “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” Translation: The right word spoken at the right time is priceless! This should be our goal in preaching.

Of course, preaching with no unnecessary words requires hard work. We must study diligently. We must read ourselves full. We must write and rewrite until our message is clear. We must determine to stay on message when we get to the pulpit. And we must pray that the Lord will use us to speak a word fitly spoken.

Let’s join Paul who asked the saints to pray “also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak” (Ephesians 6:19-20).

A Morning Prayer by John R.W. Stott

noreply@blogger.com (H.B. Charles Jr.) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:55:00 +0000

Good morning heavenly Father, good morning Lord Jesus, good morning Holy Spirit.

Heavenly Father I worship you as the creator and sustainer of the universe. Lord Jesus, I worship you, Savior and Lord of the world. Holy Spirit I worship you, sanctifier of the people of God.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Heavenly Father I pray that I may live this day in your presence and please you more and more. Lord Jesus, I pray that this day I may take up my cross and follow you. Holy Spirit, I pray that this day you will fill me with yourself and cause your fruit to ripen in my life: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Holy, bless, and glorious Trinity, three persons in one God, have mercy upon me.

Amen.

Roger Steer, Basic Christian: The Inside Story of John Stott, pp. 246-247.

Mac Brunson Speaking @ Wednesdays in the Word Tonight

noreply@blogger.com (H.B. Charles Jr.) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:17:00 +0000

Our Wednesdays in the Word series continues tonight at the Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church.

Over the past three weeks, we have been greatly enriched by the ministry of the word from Marcus Cosby, Kerwin Lee, and Arthur Jackson III.

Tonight, we are privileged to have as our guest speaker, Dr. Mac Brunson, Senior Pastor of the historic First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Florida.

We are neighbors with First Baptist, with only six blocks separating us. And Pastor Brunson has been both kind and encouraging to me, since my arrival in Jacksonville.

I am honored to have him as our guest tonight. Dr. Brunson is a sound, faithful, and powerful proclaimer of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. You do not want to miss hearing this man of God proclaim the word tonight!

If you are in the Jacksonville area – and you are without a church home or your church does not have a previously scheduled meeting – please join us for worship tonight at Shiloh at 7 PM.

You can also watch the service online at www.smbcjax.com or www.streamingfaith.com

Notes from Sunday - 2/19/12

noreply@blogger.com (H.B. Charles Jr.) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:12:00 +0000

Happy President’s Day!

Great day of worship yesterday at the Shiloh Church!

I really enjoyed teaching my Sunday school class. We are studying the attributes of God. Yesterday’s lesson was on the glory of God.

As always, I was encouraged by the presence of those who were guests in worship with us yesterday.

During the 8 AM service, the song of preparation was “Beams of Heaven.” I love that song. My mom used to sing it a lot when I was a boy. I have not heard it in a long time.

Praise God for those who were baptized yesterday!

I continued my study of 1 John with a message on 1 John 2:1-2 that I called, “What Every Christian Should Know About Sin.”

There are two essential truths every Christian should know and always remember about sin: (1) God hates sin. And (2) God loves sinners.

Praise God for those who were saved and added to the church yesterday.

Next Sunday is our Ministry Emphasis Day. I plan to interrupt my study of 1 John to preach on the subject of Christian service and ministry. At this point, I plan to do Matthew 20:20-28. We’ll see.

I plan to spend the next two days writing.

Pray for me.

Please, Just Sing!

noreply@blogger.com (H.B. Charles Jr.) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:13:00 +0000

A national Gospel Music conference begins here in Jacksonville today. It will meet for the next several days.

I have not been invited to speak at this conference. In fact, it would be a safe bet that virtually no one who will attend this conference even knows that something called H.B. Charles, Jr. exists.

But I have something important to say to the hundreds, maybe thousands of Gospel music artists and attendees who are influenced by their recordings. I have a message to deliver. I have a class to teach. I have a word to give.

Here it is: Please, please, just sing!

I say this in the most loving way I can say something that really irks me. Please, for God’s sake, just sing!

I do not know who started this trend in Gospel Music. And I do not know who popularized it. But I am begging someone to take a stand and stop it. Anyone, start a new trend by just getting up and singing.

It is not edifying for singers to get up and talk before they sing. You don’t need to introduce yourself. You don’t need to tell us to praise the Lord (We will if you sing!). And you don’t need to mention your project or material that is available (That goes for preachers, too. We deserve a post entitled, Please, Just Preach!”) Just sing.

And it is most definitely not edifying for you to talk during the song! If you wrote the song but cannot sing, let the singers sing. Don’t compensate for your inability to sing by talking through the whole song, or worse, talking over the people who are actually singing. You know who you are!

This is called “music,” isn’t it? Then sing it. If you want to preach or exhort or whatever, then acknowledge your calling, get some training, and be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved (2 Timothy 2:15).

I am targeting Gospel artists, because what you do on you records has great influence on what local church musicians, directors, choirs, and soloists do. It shouldn’t be that way. It may be better if hymnals – representing music that has stood the test of time – have more influence. But it is what it is. However, you can at least use your power for good. Don’t just think about how many CDs you can sell. Think about those who are influenced by what you record.

To be fair, there is a place for spoken communication in music ministry (Col. 3:16). Exhortations and encouragements are fine. But much of the talkativeness seems to be unprocessed, insensitive, and not helpful.

When I was a boy preacher, my dad taught me to do what you are asked to do. If they ask you to pray, pray. Don’t sing. If they ask you to read the scripture, read the scripture. Don’t give a sermonette on it. People may not be impressed with you, he said, if you just do what you were asked to do. But they will respect you. And you may get an opportunity to do more at a later date. I still think this is good advice.

So, please, just sing. Is that asking too much?

Arthur Jackson III Speaking at Wednesdays in the Word tonight at Shiloh

noreply@blogger.com (H.B. Charles Jr.) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:40:00 +0000

Wednesdays in the Word continues at the Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church of Jacksonville tonight at 7 PM.

We have been richly blessed the past two weeks by Marcus Cosby of the Wheeler Avenue Church (Houston) and Kerwin Lee of Berean Christian Church (Lithonia, GA).

Pastor Terry K. Anderson of the Lilygrove Baptist Church in Houston was scheduled to be our guest speaker tonight. However, he will not be able to attend. We are praying for Pastor Anderson’s full recovery. And we look forward to him ministering to us some time down the road.

But there is a ram in the bush!

Pastor Arthur Jackson, Senior-Pastor of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Miami has graciously consented to pinch-hit for us tonight. Pastor Jackson is a faithful preacher and strong leader through whom the Lord is making disciples in Miami and beyond.

You do not want to miss this special time of worship tonight.

Dinner will be available at 5:30 PM. Our pastors will be in the main auditorium to pray for any personal needs at 6:30 PM. Service begins at 7 PM.

If you live in the Jacksonville area – and you do not have a church home or your church does not have a previously scheduled meeting – please join us for worship tonight.

You can also catch the service through www.smbcjax.com or www.streamingfaith.com.

Please forgive the delay in the live feed last week. The issue has been resolved. Thanks for your patience.

We covet your prayers for tonight’s service.

May the Lord be glorified in all that takes place!

A Older Man, Still A Young Preacher

noreply@blogger.com (H.B. Charles Jr.) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:44:00 +0000

Several months ago, one of my staff members sat in my office. He shared with me how an older pastor had offended him with unkind words.

I tried to encourage him. I don’t remember exactly what I said. But it went something like this: “Don’t worry about it. Older preachers have a way of… us younger preachers.”

Staff member’s response: “Did you say, ‘Us young preachers?’”

Ouch.

He was right. I am not young anymore.

Today is my 39^th birthday.

I have been a pastor for more than 21 years. I have been married to my wife, Crystal, whom I met in high school, for more than 13 years. I am the father of three children. Two of them are preteens. Teens! And, of course, my three-year-old, Hailey, is already a grandmother.

I am not a young man anymore. People call me “sir” when I go into stores. When did I become a sir? Historical events that shaped my youth happened decades ago. I cannot stand that music those young people seem to like these days.

I am not a young man anymore. And when I start to forget it, it seems that my body is now first in line to remind me.

Okay, Okay. I am not a young man anymore.

But I am still a young preacher.

I remember when I was in my late teens and early twenties, people used to say, “Just imagine what of preacher this boy is going to be when he gets thirty-five!” Well, that time has come and gone. When I finished preaching, older preachers used to say, “It has not yet appeared what this young man shall be.” I cannot tell you the last time I heard that.

I know that I am not a young preacher anymore. Translation: I am no longer a rookie! I have been preaching since I was eleven. I have been a pastor since I was seventeen. It takes a lot to shock me at this point. I have been there, done that, and have the commemorative hat, t-shirt, and coffee mug!

But this older man is still a young preacher. That is, I am still a growing preacher.

I am more excited about following the Lord Jesus Christ as I have ever been. I love the word of God more than ever! Studying it and preaching it seems to take years off of my life! I am still in awe of the fact that get to pastor the people of God. I feel like that eighteen-year-old who couldn’t believe that as pastor he would get to preach every Sunday. Every Sunday! Twice!

I am convinced that still have so much to learn. No one has heard by best preaching yet. I have gifts that the Lord is still developing in me. My vision is broadening and my focus is narrowing. There are doors I prayed would be open ten years ago that I am only now ready to walk through. God is not through with me yet!

I often tease that I am looking forward to becoming a cynical old preacher. But the very opposite is happening in my life. They used to call me an old young preacher. I trust they will call be a young old preacher. Get it?

The last time that staff member reminded me that I was not a young preacher anymore, I informed him that this old man would out grow him and the rest of his ilk over the course of this year.

God willing, may it be so.

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” – Moses (Psalm 90:12)

Prayers are Prophecies.

noreply@blogger.com (H.B. Charles Jr.) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:48:00 +0000

Prayers are prophecies. They are the best predictors of your spiritual future. Who you become is determined by how you pray. Ultimately, the transcript of your prayers becomes the script of your life. - Mark Batterson, The Circle Make, p. 14

Kerwin Lee Speaking @ Wednesdays in the Word 2012

noreply@blogger.com (H.B. Charles Jr.) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:14:00 +0000

We will continue our Wednesdays in the Word series tonight at the Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church at 7 PM.

Last wee, Pastor Marcus Cosby of the Wheeler Avenue Church in Houston kicked us off in a great way.

This week, we are privileged to half Pastor Kerwin Lee of the Berean Christian Church in Lithonia, GA, as our special guest.

A native a Los Angeles, Pastor Lee is a church planter, leadership expert, published author, and featured speaker of a national television broadcast. Moreover, Pastor Lee is a man of God and faithful preacher of the word of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

You will not want to miss this special night of spiritual renewal as pray together, sing praises to God, and hear the word of God proclaimed.

If you live in the Jacksonville area and do not have a church home, or your church does not have a scheduled meeting, join us for worship this evening at the Shiloh Church. You can also watch online at www.smbcjax.com or www.streamingfaith.com.

SPECIAL NOTE: God willing, I along with several other of Shiloh pastors will be in our main sanctuary at 6:30 to pray for any personal requests we receive.

Notes from Sunday - 2/5/12

noreply@blogger.com (H.B. Charles Jr.) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:13:00 +0000

We have a great day of worship this past Lord’s Day at the Shiloh Church.

I love my congregation!

It is encouraging that our members were blessed by our Wednesdays in the Word kick-off this past week.

Saturday morning, I taught our New Members Class. It was the first time being on Saturday. I think the first time around went pretty well.

I am enjoying teaching my new Sunday school class. I finished my lesson this morning on the nature of God that I called, “Who is God?”

As always, I am grateful for all of the guests who were in worship with us.

Our Fighter Verse(s) today were Psalm 103:1-4. The verses to memorize this week are Psalm 103:5-7.

We celebrated the Lord’s Supper in both of our morning services. What a blessing!

We extended the Right-Hand-of-Fellowship to our new members for the first time. It was nothing formal, but special, nonetheless. I simply want to affirm our new members before the congregation and share with the congregation how the Lord is adding to the church.

I really do count it a privilege every time I have the opportunity to lead the congregation in corporate praise.

I preached from 1 John 1:8-10. I called the message, “Being Honest with God.”

Focusing on verse 9, I sought to explain what it means to confession your sins to God.

Outline:

I. The place of confession

A. Confession is a necessary part of the Christian life.

B. Confession is a natural part of the Christian life.

II. The practice of confession

A. Take personal responsibility.

B. Be specific.

C. Repent.

D. Do it promptly.

III. The power of confession

A. Confess your sin with confidence in God’s holy character.

B. Confess your sin with confidence in God’s amazing grace.

I have enjoyed preaching these first three messages from 1 John. I look forward to the remainder of the study.

My next message from 1 John: “What Every Christian Should Know About Sin” (1 John 2:1-2).

Praise God for those who were saved and added to the church today.

After church, we had lunch with one of our Bible Study Fellowship groups. It was a good time of fellowship. I need to set Galatians 5:22-23 to memory again. I was not ready for the pop quiz.

The New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots 21-17 to win Super Bowl XLVI.

In typical H.B. fashion, I slept through the second half and woke up to see the last two plays of the game.

Sheep Want Good Food!!!

noreply@blogger.com (H.B. Charles Jr.) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:00:00 +0000

The people of God will follow the pastor who feeds them the Word of God. That isn’t to say that they won’t balk once in a while. They can make the pastor’s life a living hell. But week in and week out, year in and year out, Christians will not cut themselves off from the one who sets their spiritual table. Even the delinquent son has an uncanny sense of when dinner’s on, and he knows he will not be refused.

While the people of God want desperately to flock to the spiritual food of the Word of God, pastors flock to seminars on how to run church boards, administrate programs and raise up volunteers. They come home with straw to feed their people. Then they wonder why their parishioners are not energized by their new social-scientifically correct leadership methods for manipulating them. Cows don’t like being herded into vaccination chutes. People don’t either.

David Hansen, The Art of Pastoring: Ministry Without All The Answers (IVP), pp. 153-54

Marcus Cosby Speaking at our Wednesdays in the Word Tonight

noreply@blogger.com (H.B. Charles Jr.) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:43:00 +0000

Today begins our Wednesdays in the Word preaching series at the Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church of Jacksonville.

Each Wednesday evening in February, during our regular Midweek Worship Service time (7 p.m. EST), we will host a series of pastors from around the country to minister the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Actually, two of our guests are from Georgia, two from Houston, and one serves right down the street from us here in Jacksonville.

I pray this will be a greatly encouraging time for our people. This may seem like a simple goal. but do not understate the importance of encouragement. Many are facing dangers, toils, and snares. Their faith is being tested. Their minds are confused. Their hearts are broken. Their hopes are deferred. Their needs are overwhelming. They need encouragement. What better way to offer it than through the proclamation of the word of God!

Likewise, I believe it is important for a congregation to hear other preaching voices. This includes preachers the Lord is raising up within that particular local church. It also includes those who are not. It is foolish for a pastor or church to think or act like they are the only faithful pastor and church. Indeed, there are great preachers from around the country – many who are friends – that I want my congregation to be blessed to hear. This month will provide that opportunity.

Tonight, our guest speaker will be Dr. Marcus Cosby, who is the Senior-Pastor of the historic Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston The Lord is doing great things in and through this congregation. Likewise, Dr. Cosby is one of the most sought-after speakers of my generation of preachers. I am honored that he has chosen to take time out of his busy schedule to share with us tonight.

If you are in the Jacksonville area, and you own congregation does not have a scheduled meeting this evening, we welcome you to join us for worship at Shiloh. Or you can watch online at 7 p.m. EST through our website: www.smbcjax.com

God bless.

Speaking @ 93rd Street Baptist Church in Miami

noreply@blogger.com (H.B. Charles Jr.) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:36:00 +0000

I am in Miami.

I arrived yesterday to speak for Pastor Carl Johnson at the 93^rd Street Community Baptist Church.

Pastor Johnson is a kind host and passionate leader. And it was great to worship with the 93^rd Street family last night.

I also had the opportunity to reconnect with a Pastor Tyrell Brown from Virginia, who lectured before I spoke. We met almost ten years ago, when we were much younger preachers. It is good to hear the ways the Lord is blessing Pastor’s Brown’s work.

I will be on my way home in a few hours.

I am looking forward to our Midweek Worship Service at Shiloh tonight. I am working on a message from Psalm 84 that I am calling “The Heart of a True Worshiper.”

Join us at Shiloh at 7 PM or online at www.smbcjax.com.

Notes from Sunday - 1/15/12

noreply@blogger.com (H.B. Charles Jr.) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:54:00 +0000

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Yesterday ended our 2012 Prayer Emphasis Week. It has been a powerful week of prayer.

The week climaxed with our first All-Night Prayer Meeting. It started Friday night at 10 PM and went through Saturday morning at 6 AM. What a time!

Thanks to all of our staff and volunteers. It was a long week. But you made it happen!

Saturday afternoon, I spoke at the Christian Educations Conference for the Progressive National Baptist Convention. I spoke on the Personal Develop of the Christian Educator. Thanks to Pastor Streeter for the invitation and opportunity.

We held a rally during out Bible Study Fellowship (Sunday school) hour. The new groups were introduced. And we prayed for the BSF workers. More than 450 new people have signed-up for a BSF group over the past two weeks. We are in store for a serious space problem. Praise God!

I am grateful for all of our guests who joined us in worship yesterday.

Praise God for the brother who was baptized yesterday.

The song of preparation was Yolanda Adam’s “Just a Prayer Away.” The young lady was only scheduled to sing it at 8 AM. But I asked Roger (our Minister of Music) to have her stay for our 10:15 service. I cannot get that song out of my system now.

I did a little bit of Albertina Walker’s “I Can Go to God in Prayer” with the choir during the 10 AM service. I love that old school Gospel music!

I preached a message from Matthew 6:5-8 that I simply labeled, “When You Pray.”

In this passage, Jesus gives two simple but profound instructions about how not to pray:

1. Do not pray like the hypocrites (6:5-6).

2. Do not pray like the Gentiles (6:7-8).

This is now what I planned to preach. But I trust it was helpful to the congregation.

Praise God for those who were saved and added to the church.

I plan to start preaching through the Epistle of 1 John this coming Sunday. I intend to begin with a message on 1 John 1:1-4. I am really looking forward to it.

The New York Giants defeated the NFL champion Green Bay Packers. Impressive.

The 49ers defeated the red-hot Saints Saturday. It will be a crime if Jim Harbaugh does not will the Coach of the Year this season.

The beat-you-up Ravens manhandled the upstart Texans. But I predict you will see the Texans in the mix again next season.

The Patriots whipped the Broncos like they stole something this weekend. No more Tebow-Mania until next season.

I had no problem with any of these teams going to the Super Bowl!

All-Night Prayer Meeting Tonight at Shiloh

noreply@blogger.com (H.B. Charles Jr.) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 01:07:00 +0000

This is Prayer Emphasis Week at Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church.

We are climaxing it with an All-Night Prayer Meeting. It begins tonight at 10 PM and will last through 6 AM.

The Psalms frequently mention praying to God in the night watches. Jesus spent all night seeking the will of the Father. Throughout church history, devout Christians have set times where they have sacrificed sleep for prayer.

We are gathering as a church family for a night of prayer to call on God for a special work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We are also asking for the favor of the Lord on our church and revival in our city and nation.

Each member is asked to spend at least one hour to join nus for this tie of prayer, praise, fellowship, study, and meditation.

Childcare will be available. Breakfast will be served when we conclude at 6 AM.

Join us.

Pray for us.

Oxford Sermons: Volume IV

noreply@blogger.com (H.B. Charles Jr.) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:19:00 +0000

This past summer, I had the privilege to attend the Proclaimer’s Place preaching conference in Oxford, England. It was led by Dr. Joel C. Gregory in conjunction with the

It was my second year attending. And I was challenge, refreshed, and inspired to continue growing in my preaching.

I also had the opportunity to speak at a local Baptist congregation on the Lord’s Day that I was in England. It was a wonderful experience.

A collection of sermons from Proclaimer’s Place attendees has been published.

I am privileged to have a sermon included in this collection. It is a message on Psalm 23 entitled “Living with Confidence in God.”

There are also contributions by two of my preaching heroes – Maurice Watson and Ralph Douglas West

Pick up a copy of “Oxford Sermons: Volume IV” edited by Joel C. Gregory today.

Guidelines for Participating in Prayer Meetings

noreply@blogger.com (H.B. Charles Jr.) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:43:00 +0000

Corporate prayer is an expression of Christian fellowship. Therefore, it should be our goal that our prayer meetings promote our unity in Christ. Here are ten practical guidelines that will help us honor the Lord Jesus in our times of prayer together.

1. Recognize the appointed leader of the prayer meeting. Look to this person to give direction.

2. Use prayers that bless, are biblical, and brief (The 3 B’s).

A. Bless: Are others up or torn down? (1 Co. 14:26)

B. Biblical: Does my prayer align itself with the word of God? (John 15:7)

C. Brief: Am I respectful of others who also want to pray? (Matt. 6:7)

3. Direct prayers Godward. Avoid prayers that teach, counsel, or give information to others in the group.

4. Seek God’s perspective. Ask God to address the relevant heart issues (Prov. 4:23) that go beyond practical matters of finances, health, relationships, etc.

5. Be sensitive to others who are present. What may be appropriate in your own personal prayer time may not be appropriate when you are praying with others.

6. Agree in prayer. Bring your thoughts in captivity. Don’t let your mind wander. Instead of thinking about what you are going to pray next, listen to the one praying. Giving a sincere word of agreement such as “amen” can stir faith in the one praying.

7. Model faith-filled prayers. Pray with an attitude of expectation that God will answer. Focus on God’s faithfulness and ability rather than the problem.

8. Pray with thanksgiving. Don’t just give God a to-do list. Thank him for his faithful promises, for the privilege of prayer that we enjoy through Jesus Christ, and for the fact that God knows and cares about all of our needs and desires.

9. Speak up when leading out in prayer. This enables others to come into spiritual agreement with you.

10. Assume that all person matters of prayer are confidential. To share even with a close friend or spouse could violate the trust of another person. If you want to share a request outside the prayer group, ask the person who requested prayer for permission.

Notes from Sunday - 1/8/12

noreply@blogger.com (H.B. Charles Jr.) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:57:00 +0000

Yesterday began Prayer Emphasis Week 2012 at the Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church.

What better way is there to start a new year than in prayer?

This week we give ourselves to pray as a church family, seeking God’s face, submitting ourselves to God, and petitions God’s blessings on our disciple-making efforts.

Our congregation will pray through prayer guides this week that will enable us to be praying about the same things throughout this week.

There will be prayer meetings each day this week at the church from 12-1 PM.

Pastor Carison Adams of the St. Paul Baptist Church in Marion, Indiana, will be our guest speaker Wednesday. He will lead our midday prayer meeting at noon. He will also be our guest speaker during our Midweek Worship Service, Wednesday evening at 7 PM.

We will also have an all-night prayer meeting from Friday night (10 PM) to Saturday morning (6 AM). I will teach the “Midnight Special.”

I led a mass Bible study during our Bible Study Fellowship hour. I taught: “Pray for your Church.” No comment.

We had many guests in worship yesterday. Way cool.

Our children’s choir sang in our 10:15 service and did a great job.

Praise God for those who were baptized yesterday as followers of Christ and new members of the body of Christ.

I preached from John 14:12-14. I called it “Following Christ with Great Expectations.”

I argued three reasons why we should follow Christ with great expectations:

1. We have a sovereign promise that enables us to do great things for God (14:12).

2. We have a special partner that enables us to do great things for God (14:12).

3. We have a sacred privilege that enables us to do great things for God (14:13-14).

John 14:12-14 is not an easy text to preach.

Praise God for those who were saved and added to the church in our services yesterday!

I plan to preach a message entitled, “What To Do When Things Go Bad,” 2 Chronicles 7:12-14.

The NFL playoffs got off to a great start this weekend.

The Tim Tebow led Denver Broncos beat the Pittsburg Stealers in overtime yesterday, 29-23. It was a good day.

The New York Giants beat down the Atlanta Falcons yesterday, 24-2. It was not a good game.

As for Saturday's wild card games... The Saints whipped the Lions. Sorry George. And the Texans whipped the Bengals.

I have no predictions. But I am enjoying the playoffs so far. Can't wait!

As for tonight's BCS national championship game, I predict Alabama will defeat LSU, unless LSU defeats Alabama!

One more thing.

Brodes Perry should not be allowed to the the video announcements ever again! LOL

Notes from Sunday - New Years Day 2012

noreply@blogger.com (H.B. Charles Jr.) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 10:06:00 +0000

I am in Los Angeles.

I flew in to attend the annual Prayer Bowl, hosted by Pastor Melvin Wade and the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church of Los Angeles. The Prayer Bowl is a daylong service of preaching – one sermon after another that Mt. Moriah has hosted at the beginning of the year for almost 30 years. I have attended it since I was a boy. And I preached in it every year until I moved to Jacksonville.

I am not here to preach. I just want to attend and be preached to. But Pastor Wade warned me that I need to be prepared to give a word. We’ll see.

So… My flight that was supposed to leave JAX at 3:30 left an hour later. My connection through Miami went from 5:15 to 7:55. And when I arrived, my bag did not. By the time I finally get to the front of the lost bag line, they tell me that my bag would be arriving on the next flight. It finally arrived. And I made it to my room before 2013!

New year. But some things never change. H.B.'s airport adventures continue.

Anyway…

We had a great day of worship at Shiloh Sunday.

We only had one service today – at 9 AM – because it was New Year’s Day. But the saints came out to worship!

Ray did a great job leading the corporate singing.

Glad to have had all the guests who were in worship with us.

As always, it was a privilege to lead the congregation in the celebration of the Lord’s Table.

Gloria led “He Wants It All” as the song of preparation. Beautiful.

I preached “God Knows What He’s Doing” from the doxology of Paul in Romans 11:33-36.

Sermon Point: God is worthy to be praised because he knows what he is doing, even when we don’t!

How should you respond to the marvelous truth that God knows what he’s doing?

I. Celebrate the wonder of God’s greatness (11:33).
II. Embrace the truth of God’s greatness (11:34-35).
III. Affirm the scope of God’s greatness (11:36).

This text really ministered to me this past week. I struggled with the temptation to worry about something that is beyond my control. And I was frustrated. I really needed to be reminded that, whatever happens, God knows what he’s doing.

Praise God for those who were saved and added to the church in our service today. Wow!

I love my congregation. And I am grateful for the privilege of serving such great people. I did not get to see any football Sunday! Not cool.

The Jags beat the Colts. But the Colts won the Andrew Luck sweepstakes.

The Cowboys… aw, never mind. You know what happened!

The Gift of Gifts

noreply@blogger.com (H.B. Charles Jr.) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 10:36:00 +0000

O Source of all good, What shall I render to thee for the gift of gifts, Thine own dear Son, begotten, not created My Redeemer, proxy, surety, substitute, His self-emptying incomprehensible, His infinity of love beyond the heart’s grasp. Herein is wonder of wonders: he came below to raise me above, was born like me that I might become like him. Herein is love; when I cannot rise to him he draws near on wings of grace, to raise me to himself. Herein is power; when Deity and humanity were infinitely apart he united them in indissoluble unity, the uncreated and the created. Herein is wisdom; when I was undone, with no will to return to him, and no intellect to devise recovery, he came, God-incarnate, to save me to the uttermost, As man to die my death, To shed satisfying blood on my behalf, To work out a perfect righteousness for me. O God, take me in spirit to the watchful shepherds, And enlarge my mind; Let me hear good tidings of great joy, And hearing, believe, rejoice, praise, adore, My conscience bathed in an ocean of repose, My eyes uplifted to a reconciled Father; Place me with ox, ass, camel, goat, To look with them upon my Redeemer’s face, And in him account myself delivered from sin; Let me with Simeon clasp the new-born child to my heart, Embrace him with undying faith, Exulting that he is mine and I am his. In him thou has given me so much that heaven can give no more. The Valley of Vision, pp. 28-29

Christmas Concert Tonight at Shiloh

noreply@blogger.com (H.B. Charles Jr.) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:42:00 +0000

Tonight at 7 PM, the Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church of Jacksonville will host our music department's annual Christmas Concert.

Our Worship and Arts Department is under the capable hands of Dr. Roger Sears.

Our Mass Choir, Forgiven Ensemble, Children and Youth Choir, and Praise Dance Team will all be performing tonight.

It will be a great celebration of the miraculous birth and redemptive work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

If you live in the Jacksonville area - and your local church does not have a meeting scheduled - joins us for this special time of worship. Or watch it online at www.smbcjax.com

Notes from Sunday - 12/18/11

noreply@blogger.com (H.B. Charles Jr.) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 07:43:00 +0000

Happy Birthday Crystal!

I am not good at surprises. But I did a pretty good job this weekend. I sent from my niece Harriette, who is very close to Crystal, to visit for the weekend while I am away. I think it is the best birthday gift I have ever given Crystal.

I am writing this post from Chicago.

I filled in this Sunday for my friend, Romell Williams, at the Lilydale Progressive Baptist Church, as he is recovering from surgery.

Romell has bailed me out on many occasions. It was a privilege to return the favor.

Romell and his family mean so much to me that I not only left my pulpit on a Sunday morning, but I was also away on my wife’s birthday. This is an indication of what the Williams family means to the Charles family.

I am a better friend to Romell than he is to me. He preached for me last month. And I brought him from the cold of Chicago to the warmth of Jacksonville. But to preach for him I had to leave the warmth of Jacksonville to come to a snowstorm in Chicago!

It was a great day of worship and fellowship!

I preached to messages from the Psalms that I have recently preached at Shiloh. I love the Psalms!

I have been battling a cold all week. I felt the best Sunday than I have all week. Credit prayer, rest, and Dayquil.

I really missed being with at Shiloh today.

I received good reports of how the Lord used West Wilson and Donald Lewis to minister the word today. Praise God.

Praise God for those who were saved and added to the church today.

I am looking forward to preaching Christmas morning, God willing.

Did you know that the Dallas Cowboys whipped up on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Saturday night?

I missed a really good boxing match Saturday night. Can’t wait to see the replay.

Was the Lord with Tim Tebow Sunday?

The Indianapolis Colts finally won a game. And then announced that Peyton Manning will not play this season.

I can’t tell you how glad I am that the Green Bay Packers lost this weekend.

I think I am beginning to get excited about the upcoming NBA season. Go Heat!

Breaking News: This season, I will also be cheering for the Los Angeles… Clippers!!!