150th Anniversary rallies move through South Florida

NAPLES (FBC/FBW)-A whirlwind of rallies in South Central and South Florida marked the beginning of the end of a month-long focus kicking off the 150th anniversary of the Florida Baptist State Convention.

Former Florida pastor O.S. Hawkins, now president of the Southern Baptist Convention Annuity Board, joined Kentucky pastor Kevin Cosby in delivering a message to celebrants at three Florida churches.

Speaking to a crowd of 379 at First Baptist Church, Naples, and 117 at Glendale Baptist Church, Miami, Cosby, pastor of St. Stephens Baptist Church, Louisville, Ky., likened celebrating one's heritage to driving a car. Saying it is impossible to drive without a rear-view mirror, Cosby suggested that glancing in the mirror helps in "navigating what is in front of you." But too long of a glance, he said, will result in a crash.

Urging Florida Baptists "to lift up Jesus" though evangelism, Cosby focused on the words of Christ found in John 12:32: "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." The Scripture speaks to the magnetism of Jesus Christ, he said.

In the New Testament, Jesus' magnetic personality drew people to him, Cosby noted. The same is true today. "In every heart there is Christ-shaped hole. Nothing can fill a Christ-shaped hole but Christ." Recalling the words of the Rolling Stones song, he added, "I can't get no satisfaction. There is no satisfaction independent of Jesus Christ."

Jesus did not say for the church, denomination, program, ministry or auxiliary to be lifted up, Cosby interjected. "He said, 'If I be lifted up.'"

The magnetic purpose of the church is evangelism, he added. Changing the world, city, community or neighborhood can happen only by changing the individual.

Finally the passage points to the magnetic power of Christ, Cosby noted. Jesus said, "'lift me up and I will draw people.' You don't have to drag people to church. You don't have to have gimmicks. Jesus says, 'If you lift me up I will draw like a magnet to me.'"

Hawkins, speaking to nearly 300 at Sheridan Hills Baptist Church, Hollywood, said throughout history one of the enduring questions of each age has related to the question Jesus asked his apostle in Matthew 16:15: "Who do you say that I am?"

Citing two types of leaders - those who lead by public consensus and those who lead by personal conviction - Hawkins said all too often "right or wrong," leaders give in and "lead people to do what they want to do."

And in relation to the question of who Christ is, Hawkins said often times the consensus is led by popular opinion, pluralistic compromise and political correctness.

All roads don't lead to heaven, Hawkins said, citing the decline in mainline denominations of an emphasis on missions and evangelism. "Doctrine always determines duty," he said. "The truth is narrow."

Recalling the language of the New Testament, Hawkins said Jesus' disciple put it simply when he answered the ageless question: "You alone are the Son of the Living God."

"We are the only hope for this culture," Hawkins said, reciting the lines of a popular hymn. "What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus."

March 15 the final 150th Anniversary rally was held at First Baptist Church, West Palm Beach with Ted Traylor, pastor, Olive Baptist Church, Pensacola, speaking.