Simple Things

Good Morning,

The famous Highland Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee, grew to amazing size and productivity with souls saved, and this ministry was probably was the most successful missionary-sending church in America.  Dr. Lee Roberson was the pastor there for approximately forty-five years and built his ministry on simple things.  His sermons were basic, and his ministry simple. 

“Never vary” was one of the key phrases of his ministry.  Do not change.

Another phrase heard often was “Three To Thrive.”  Get to church three times a week, and you will thrive.

“The Crucified Life” was often the subject of his preaching.  “Die To Self” was the key to getting along at home and in the community -- not spectacular acts, just simple Christian living.

His counseling was unique as well.  If you went to him for advice, he would almost always tell you the same thing:  Go to church three times a week, read your Bible every day, and when you have done that for thirty days straight, come see me again.  That took care of a lot of counseling.

As a pastor,  Bro. Roberson told me he built his ministry on twelve visits a day.  Whether it was a hospital call or knocking on a door, five days a week, making twelve visits a day was the way he built the church.

We love new things, bright unusual ideas, catchy styles, or miracle foods:  the “eat all you want and lose weight” diets.  In reality, greatness is found in doing the simple things over and over and doing them right. 

In hopes of finding a new, easy way to get things done, do not chase the spectacular; do not ignore the simple, accepted things that work.  Just do right; love God; live holy; serve others; read the Bible; go to church three times a week, and your Christian life will do just fine.

Simplicity, sincerity, consistency!

Pastor