Article by Dr. Les Hollon, Pastor, Trinity Baptist Church

Zacchaeus was a seeker who wanted to become a believer.

The importance and urgency of his quest came together when he heard that Jesus was walking through his hometown of Jericho.  The “time” was now and he needed to get himself to Jesus.

But how?  As a short man he would not be able to see Jesus if he stood among the crowd.  So he saw a sycamore (fig & mulberry) tree as his way to Jesus.  With a short trunk and broad limbs this tree was easy for Zacchaeus to climb.  When Jesus saw him in the tree, he looked into Zacchaeus’ soul and saw a person who was living in public desperation.

Zacchaeus’ ached to live out the meaning of his name, “pure.”  He had heard Jesus say “blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.”  Zacchaeus wanted to heal the disconnect between who he could be and who he actually was.  Every seeker knows this ache.

So when Jesus called out to invite Zacchaeus to come down from the tree, He walked with him through the crowd and into his plush home … and Zacchaeus jumped to run into the changed life Jesus was offering him. Read More »

Article by Dr. Les Hollon, Pastor, Trinity Baptist Church

There was a Matthew behind the Gospel of Matthew.  Matthew, a person much like us, wrote the Gospel which bears his name.  Like us, he knew the stress of fear and the power of hope.  He felt the anguish of guilt and the joy of forgiveness.  He cried and laughed.  And his life came together on the day Jesus called him to the ultimate adventure, “follow me.”

Those words were the invitation of a lifetime.  And by saying “yes” to the offer, Matthew walked into eternal salvation.  Such is the gospel’s power to transform us when we:

Accept our need for Christ;

Believe in Christ;

Commit our life to Christ. (Matt. 9: 9-13)

When Matthew arose from his tax collector’s table to follow Jesus, he became a first-hand witness to the world’s most amazing story.  Feeling responsible, he wrote an account of what he had seen and heard so future generations could know the events of Christ’s virgin birth, messianic ministry, atoning death, and victorious resurrection.

Forty years went by after Christ’s resurrection before Matthew wrote his account.  Then under God’s inspiration, he penned the tale that is told the world over.  The last verse of his twenty-eight chapters climaxes not only the Great Commission but his entire Gospel.  It’s the promise of Jesus never to abandon us, “and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Read More »

Article by Dr. Les Hollon, Pastor, Trinity Baptist Church

The disciple John is the one and same person described as:  John the Apostle; brother of James; fishing partner of Peter & Andrew; son of Zebedee and Salome; the beloved disciple.

I believe the Apostle John is the same John who received “the Revelation” that became the New Testament’s closing book and became a respected leader in Ephesus who disciple many people in the Christian faith.  John was the closest disciple to Jesus and can give us a closer look into the inner Messiah.  John shared the relationship of what Jesus said and how those words shaped what He did.

John was as common a name in Jesus’ day as it is in our day … which is meaningful because John means “believed by God.”  John the Apostle was referred to in the New Testament as the beloved disciple because he lived out the meaning of his name.  John beautifully loved Christ which enabled him to love people as Christ loved people. Read More »

Article by Dr. Les Hollon, Pastor, Trinity Baptist Church

God is knowable and His ways are doable.  Living in the light of these two truths guides us into living the most exciting life possible.  We learn God’s will by trusting God and acting on what we learn through Him.  Then we are positioned to know the part of God’s will that had been previously unclear to us.

Growing up, I was told that the most exciting place to live was in the center of God’s will.  This advise got hold of me as a value to reassure and a truth to pursue.

Like many of you, I have entrusted myself in a relationship with God that shapes:

1) My mind in the quest to understand God’s will;

2) My heart to desire God’s will;

3) My body to enact what I know of God’s will;

4) My spirit to be empowered by God’s will. 

Seeking to know and do God’s will is always humbling because God’s ways and purposes are always bigger than we can ever fully comprehend. Read More »

Article by Dr. Les Hollon, Pastor, Trinity Baptist Church

God’s Promise:  The following 25 words from Romans 8:28 can change your life:  “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God and to those who are called according to His purpose.”

Central Truth:  What is God’s will?  God’s will is God’s best hope for us and our world.  As the maker of heaven & earth, God is always working to bring about His very best from any given situation.  As the One who lovingly made you in His image, He desires for you to experience the very best for your life.

An Example:  “First things first,” were the words I recalled when Super Bowl champion quarterback Kurt Warner announced his retirement a few days ago.  Shortly after his team won their first of two National Football League’s championships, the reporter said to him, “first things first, tell us about that go ahead touchdown pass you threw with a minute and fifty seconds left to go in the game.”

Showing the composure of a champion, Warner responded, “with first things first, I want to thank my Lord & Savior Jesus Christ who made all this possible.”  Then he went on to thank his teammates, his coaches and the fans for their winning contributions.  Five years earlier Warner had been stocking groceries in Iowa. Read More »