Baptists Preaching is a column from the Baptist Standard. It is not an effort to advance any one theology or style but to present what a collection of Baptists considers a word from God. Likewise, Baptists Preaching offers a repository of Baptist preaching for future study and research. To recommend a sermon to be featured in Baptists Preaching, please contact [email protected].
Jeb Barr: What Consumes Your Mind Controls Your Life (2 Samuel 13)
Jeb Barr, pastor of First Baptist Church in Elm Mott, likens the danger of target fixation—what can result in a pilot flying into the ground—to desires other than God that occupy our mind. Desires not submitted to God can become dangerous.
The story of Amnon and Tamar is a tragic example. Amnon became consumed with his desire for Tamar—his sister—raped her and then despised her. His consumption resulted in her desolation and the fracturing of the family.
Barr suggests diagnostic questions for self-examination. With regard to desire: Is this desire from God? Is this desire for God? Have I forgotten what he has already given me? With regard to fear, anger and hate: Is my fear, anger or hate justified? If so, is their place in my mind compatible with a close walk with God? Is my response to them honoring God?
This sermon was delivered Sun., Feb. 28, 2021, for the morning worship service of First Baptist Church in Elm Mott. It is part of a series on 1 and 2 Samuel titled “Learning to Be Led by God.”
We seek to connect God’s story and God’s people around the world. To learn more about God’s story, click here.
Send comments and feedback to Eric Black, our editor. For comments to be published, please specify “letter to the editor.” Maximum length for publication is 300 words.