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ARLINGTON?Jack Graham, president of the Southern Baptist Convention and pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, challenged those attending the SBTC emPOWER Conference Feb. 9 to have a “full-throttle” passion for Christ.
In an upside down culture, Graham challenged the conference attendees to model their lives after the apostles who fought with a passion to keep their world right side up.
“A lot is changing in America and around the world,” Graham said. “We are living in a changing culture and an increasingly corrupt culture. We are to be a light shining in the darkness ? and show the world we have something so much better.”
Graham challenged Christians to have two conversions: to get out of the world at salvation, then get back into it. “We are called to get out of the world’s system and stand apart in distinctiveness for Jesus Christ. But, we are also to get back into the world, this time, with the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Preaching from the book of Acts, Graham explained that Jesus is risen, redeemer, reigning, and returning king. “As we look at our culture ? we have to ask the question, ‘Why are Christians making so little impact?'”
Conference attendees were implored to understand the attitudes and passion of the apostles who were not professionals, but mere fishermen and tax collectors changed by Christ. Graham described the intense passion and fire in the hearts of Christ’s followers.
The SBC president urged believers to “wake up and smell the culture. Though the alarm sounds, Christians are hitting snooze. So the church of Jesus Christ must act.”
With the debut of Mel Gibson’s film, “The Passion of the Christ,” Graham reminded the crowd that although controversial to some, the movie brings to life what Christ did on the cross.
“This movie is not about anti-Semitism,” Graham said. “We all put Jesus on the cross. Christ laid himself down voluntarily.”
Graham’s message exhorted listeners to engage their generation for the gospel of Jesus Christ. The audience was encouraged to get fueled, ignited, and on fire for Jesus.
“So what’s missing in so many churches today?” Graham asked. “Passion. Fire.”
In a world of increasing threats and stones thrown daily at believers, Graham explained that Christians during that day faced the same persecutions.
“We’re not only to love the word of God, we’re to live the word of God. The Bible is not only a book to be learned, it is a book to be lived.”
Graham described the powerless nature of professionalism, polish, and programs among believers acting without the Holy Spirit. “The sun never sets on the work of Southern Baptists around the globe,” Graham said. “When we pray and support those missionaries around the world, we are changing the world one heart at a time.
“We know for certain that (God’s) message is the only message that can change people’s lives. We need to get fired up and get passionate about what we believe. God has called us to do the work of evangelism. We do not have to wonder what we are to be doing. Christ has clearly told us.”
