Month: December 2025

               As I am writing the bulletin article for this week, I am four weeks ahead of the time you are reading. This is necessary, as you see I am not attending the service today because of my trip to Kentucky. This week I should be in a brief loop to Washington D.C. and then back to Kentucky tomorrow. This gives me opportunity to visit my son and his church. Each trip I tell you what a delight it is to hear his pastor speak. He is a young man who gives hope for the next generation of preachers who must lift the name of Christ.

               This thought is the basis of my article this week. Due to the offset nature of the timing of bulletin articles to accommodate schedules, I drafted this one the day after the death of Dr. Voddie Baucham. Dr. Baucham, 56, died of heart failure on September 25. You may not know of him but those of us who attended the Shepherd’s Conference for years were always anxious to know if he would be on the guest list of speakers.

It seems I never know the proper ways to address a person’s race because of razor thin skins who take offense at the slightest provocation. Bear with me if you do not approve of what I am about to say. Dr. Baucham was a large black man who grew up in the slums of Los Angeles. Most would not have given him a chance to break free of those social restraints but through an intelligent mind and diligent work he became a voice of hope for those who struggle as he did. Dr. Baucham was clear that receiving Christ as his Saviour was the bedrock on which he built his life. This man was important because as a black man he stood against this society’s wholesale surrender to the false tenets of social justice. Today, this is known as Critical Race Theory (CRT) that bogs down any progress in this country towards racial equality by saddling every white person with the moniker of racist. You hear the claim nonstop from certain political parties which are glaring examples of their divisive racial politics.

               Dr. Baucham authored a best-selling book that I highly recommend. The title is Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism’s Looming Catastrophe. It is a warning against the infiltration of CRT and Intersectionality into the church which is reshaping Christian doctrines of race, justice, and morality. These redefine and undermine the doctrines of salvation, objective truth, and sufficiency of scripture to supply us with the true gospel and unite us in the fulness of Christ. Dr. Baucham contends the “Cult of Antiracism” is a works-based salvation that offers no true forgiveness and replaces categories of sin and salvation with secular notions such as white privilege and reparations.

               Now I must tie the first paragraph and the last together. Dr. Baucham was a defender of the faith. There are few preachers who have not fallen to the nonsense of the social justice movement. The disagreement over this created a rift in the dais of the Shepherd’s Conference with preachers we had confidence in falling victim to the social justice movement. They are no longer dependable to safeguard the gospel at all costs. Sadly, MacArthur passed and is also gone who at least kept his venue cleared of these compromising speakers. Now Voddie is gone, and my prayer is that young men who stand unashamedly on the gospel of Christ will continue the good fight until Christ comes to receive His people to their home and purge this wicked world of its hellish schemes.

Pastor V. Mark Smith

               In last week’s bulletin article, I announced a new Sunday afternoon class in which we will discuss the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith. I also made a plea for attendance because it is important for our people to expand their understanding of the reasons we are members of a Baptist church and not one of the dozens of denominational, nondenominational, or interdenominational churches we could choose. Even more specific are the reasons this Baptist church is different from others also using the name. The 1689 Confession helps us better understand our purpose in describing ourselves as a historic Baptist church. The Baptist church dates to the first church in Jerusalem founded by Christ during His earthly ministry. Although the Confession appeared 1700 years later, the doctrines expressed in it confidently say the church is the pillar and ground of the truth which rests on the foundation of Christ, the prophets, and the apostles. The doctrinal positions are the same as the original New Testament church.

               It is impossible for all churches to make this claim as the doctrines of these churches are clearly different from ours and they have their own confessions to elucidate their opinions of scripture. With interpretations that have critical and fundamental differences, the claim of agreement is logically unsustainable. This makes it unacceptable for us to be in close fellowship with all. This is not to say that Baptists of our variety are the only Christians. If this were so, salvation would be in the practices of the church not in the person of Christ. In the New Testament, churches were already departing from doctrines taught by Christ and the apostles, thus the plentiful warnings to guard fellowship and have no part with them.

               Part of our study of the 1689 Confession will concern the need for it in 17^th century England. In just a simplified statement, it was necessary for Baptists in a persecuted position to prove their orthodoxy. Both Protestants and Roman Catholics upheld the right of magistrates to enforce the tenants of the state church. The state church seesawed depending on the faith of Kings and Queens. Catholicism was most restrictive during their reigns with Protestants not far behind in their own. In the late 17^th century, Protestantism was back in control along with more tolerance for those who had not been a part of the state church. However, there was no toleration for those who differed on major doctrines illuminated during the Protestant Reformation. The 1689 Confession expressed solidarity with the Reformation mainly in the areas of Soteriology with emphasis on the sovereignty of God. This separated the authors not only from the heretical splinter groups but also from Baptists that still today reject these doctrines. It is not possible to term these others as historical Baptists. While they may be as old as the Confession, they are not as old as the roots of it.

               I have already alluded to the antiquity of apostasy beginning in apostolic times (fine alliteration). The struggle to maintain truth through the centuries has been difficult especially since the wedding of the Roman government to the apostate Catholic church under Constantine. Believers often used Confessions of Faith to pass down proper interpretations from generation to generation. Among the churches persecuted and often hiding to escape it, documents of their faith reflect consistency with the later 1689’s intentions. We want to show our solidarity with our Baptist brethren who faithfully endured all efforts to eradicate the truth of God’s word. Like those Baptists of the 17^th century who could not agree with every tenet of the Reformation, neither can we support all they believed outside the boundaries of soteriology. Our disagreements are not major and neither do they represent any doctrine that affects the salvation of God’s people. We will note these appropriately as we study.

               I have left much to explain which should leave you with curiosity. I live for these opportunities. Why are we historical Baptists? You should know!

Pastor V. Mark Smith

• He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. (Deuteronomy 32:4)

               Each day around 5:00 p.m., I sit in my family room and read the Bible. The hub of each day’s activities is church work whether administrative or sermon preparation which means this time of Bible reading is meant for relaxation rather than concentrated thought-provoking study for sermons. Since I read sequentially and chronologically, when possible, I find myself pleased and smiling whenever I happen across one of the familiar stories I have read hundreds of times. These quiet minutes also allow sufficient time to settle my stomach as assuredly I have just eaten a horrible meal. I am not so much concerned about this as for months the doctor has supplied me with a prescription to kill the effects of my cooking.

               I wrote this bulletin article earlier in the day before the demons showed up after contemplating the need to produce an article that is better than my culinary skills. I remembered weeks earlier I was reading in Deuteronomy, one of my favorite Old Testament books. I landed on chapter 32 which is the song of Moses after Joshua assumed command to take Israel into the Promised Land. I do not mean what I say now to be an exposition of the song—I only want to comment on this one verse. It is a verse of praise for the God who always does all things well. I have always wondered what Moses felt deep inside when after forty years of wilderness wanderings, God reminded him of his accountability for striking the rock a second time at Meribah. This act of disobedience was significant enough that it overshadowed Moses’ impressive career and kept him from the final triumph of accomplishment he dedicated his life to.

               Notice the first phrase of verse 4: “He is the Rock…” Moses had not forgotten his sin and this recollection tells us when he struck the rock his disobedience was as striking God. God’s judgment for the act was perfect judgment. There was no room for argument and no just cause for pleading. Moses took the punishment knowing he would never enter the place for which he endured every personal injustice at the hands of ungrateful Israel. None of them were as faithful as he, yet they entered as if they were fully deserving. There are pitifully few of us who do not think we rightfully merit every reward of our meager service. To stop and think about Moses standing on Mt. Nebo longing to go where he could not go, should strike our hearts with the deepest humility.

               My thoughts in the late afternoon while reading for relaxation always bring me to a prayer of quiet solitude telling God He is more gracious than I can express. How can I thank Him enough for saving me at an early age, young enough that I do not remember what life was like not knowing Christ? Surely, my Mt. Nebo is nearer than I know. If so, I do not have any wilderness experiences to lament although I am certain my record does not show faithfulness equal to Moses. He is, after all, Hebrews 11 material. I am thankful none of those experiences God remembers against me. The Christ I have always known sits with me every afternoon comforting me through bitter food and blessing me with a thousand precious memories.

Pastor V. Mark Smith

               This week I have been thinking about the number of sermons I have preached from the Berean pulpit. A conservative figure lands around six hundred considering the smaller numbers preached through the COVID years and the times of illness and mourning. While a number of sermons have similar themes, I am happy to say the spectrum of subjects is broad enough that I have heard comments through the years that there is something new to learn in every sermon. This is not because of the vast extent of my knowledge but because of the extreme depth of the Bible. The few Bible stories that most Christians know are just a miniscule part of scripture and their knowledge often touches only the tip of the doctrinal implications in each.

               I remember the first few years of sermon preparation. We were on a steady diet of three sermon series per week with each far more complicated than the usual “be good people” sermons. We were on a quest to discover the reason for every doctrine and why each complimented our understanding of the faith. I have not diminished the intensity of the sermons, only the numbers of them. I must be as true and transparent with you as I can. Health, both mentally and physically, is more of a barrier than 25 years ago. There is no place on earth I love more than the Berean Baptist Church. God called me here in an amazing way and He has always been the source of my strength. I feel responsibility for my church, but also during the past two decades I felt the weight of my promise to fulfill my marital vows. I tried to do both faithfully at the expense of my own health as much as the Lord would allow. There is not a more pressurized crushing responsibility than being the undershepherd in the Lord’s church. While the fellowship of God’s people can be the most joyful, pleasantly appealing part of ministry, it can also be the most painful, destabilizing, and discouraging part. This alone can shave off unrecoverable years. It is a good reason for the Lord’s warning against “trusting in man” and “making flesh his arm.”

               I know not everyone understands the reasons I may be abundantly cautious when making certain moves and managing different people. Others, I move swiftly without equivocation because the stakes are high and the ramifications of not acting only result in a slow agonizing death. As I get older, it is tempting to make every move slowly, but then my Spirit-led conscience leaves me like David, “I am weary with my groaning; all the night I make my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.” These few words are to help you understand how each of us must consider the pains others experience and not think satisfying self is bigger than the needs of the church community.

               While recognizing areas worthy of complaint, these past few weeks have brought much delight. Excitement in baptism, willingness to learn new disciplines, and time given up to the church because helping our church far exceeds the importance of anything else we do. Duty glues me to church until I can no longer go. Who will help pick up the pieces we just cannot seem to bend over to reach for?

Pastor V. Mark Smith

               Yesterday, I started my Saturday morning finishing details on the Sunday sermon and making sure the scripture readings for each part of the service were in order. I checked my weekly list to be sure I marked off all items and since I put in extra time earlier in the week, I finished ahead of schedule. With extra time, I decided to focus on tasks that top the Monday morning list. Besides writing a new sermon each week, the hardest task is the bulletin article. I avoid it as long as possible and then finally surrender when there is no more time. It is rare for me to start writing before I squeeze the last minute out of my task schedule, but I decided to at least start an article and get a little ahead for next week.

               I always fear the subjects I choose are not as interesting to others as they are to me. Controversial articles float the boat for the high-strung and they hope I will rag on the government or someone else who will help start their blood pumping on Sunday morning. Others like devotional topics which sadly for them, are not often in my wheelhouse. I imagine there are complaints I am far more likely to chastise than coddle. On a purely personal level, this is quite strange because I am far from the meanest person you will meet. I hope you will consider that my personal level is where I live and none of what I write I intend to be spiteful or anything other than helpful. I concern myself with leaving good impressions although never compromising truth to make anyone feel better about themselves. The apostle said we must examine ourselves. How foolish would it be for you or me to ignore, leave buried, or continue to cover up what we find? Please consider my most unpleasant activity is exposing what lies beneath the dirt. I am as uncomfortable with it as you. Do not mistake my excitability at the prospects as either anger or glee at what we find.

               I spend hours contemplating church issues. I am at times overly perplexed when I do not see proper results. This is especially true when someone’s adverse reaction to solid teaching is beyond my ability to comprehend. I am by no means a perfect person, but I have learned not to fight what God puts in my heart to know is right. My Christian experience makes these instances almost immediately recognizable. It is difficult to cling to those things the Holy Spirit rakes out of your hands. The other side of this is something I experienced a few days ago. A member was resistant and then called to tell me exactly what I just said: “I knew I was wrong the minute I did it.”

               Much of the time we must cycle through distasteful experiences to achieve the joy and peace of obedience to the Lord. The hardest and most painful experiences will never be worse than being sideways with Christ. It is always best to consider the motivations your pastor has for insisting that we promptly and righteously deal with sin in the church. Compromise is not an option. You would never mistake this when the scriptures warn that pastors face greater scrutiny in judgment than anyone. I just noted that I spend hours contemplating church issues. The hours would turn into interminable days if I were wrestling with compromises or bad faith decisions.

               These are Saturday afternoon’s thoughts. Sunday morning is the respite—unless you start me off with crushing news!

Pastor V. Mark Smith