Mark Hunnicutt

Philemon 6-10 Kindness is not an option…

Scripture

6 And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. 7 Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God's people.

8 That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do. 9 But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you. Consider this as a request from me—Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus.

10 I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison.

Observations

• Good intentions are not enough when it comes to accepting others
• The goodness of acceptance of Christ should be the backdrop on which our goodness and acceptance is played out
• Love produces joy and comfort and kindness refreshes
• Kindness is not an option
• Demonstrating kindness to those not "like me" is an obligation of obedience

Applications

• Stop thinking and feeling and start acting and doing
• Meditate of the goodness and acceptance of Christ today
• Do a productivity analysis of my joy, comfort and refreshing
• Don't see kindness to others as optional

Prayer

God the backdrop of your goodness to me is IMAX! I do not feel like my output of kindness fits that screen. The intent but not the product, maybe. This is not your plan for me and I confess this as sin and ask for Your forgiveness and empowerment. Lord help me today to produce joy, comfort and refreshment through my kindness to others.

My experience and some expressions from David Treadway's visitation...

This day was tough. Up early to get programming finalized for Wednesday environments, lunch and meetings. 3 o'clock was the designated time for approximately 50 people from Mud Creek to go to David Treadways visitation to pay our condolenses and pray for his church. The drive was the typical MC ride full of laughter and catching up, how ya doin, the Panthers don't look good. We also shared and discussed the past when David served with us. Tears and laughter prefixed and followed these dotted discussions. The typical grief question was brought up a couple of times, why? Along with that question came well meaning cliche answers. When Sandy Ridge Baptist Church came into sight the seriousness of the situation saturated our souls. Even at 5pm the wait was long and tense. David's dad Mac has worked at the local funeral home for well over 30 years. You could tell that this wasn't just another business day for them, this was personal. As the line slowly moved forward, you could audibly hear the guttural groans of grief coming from the family. Their backs were to us and for a brief moment Landon turned, he looks just like David. I could not believe this little kid that shattered my first laptop screen had grown into a young man seemingly overnight. Lyndsey is taller than her mom and just as beautiful. Cheryl was in front of me and she was the first to speak to Lyndsey. At this point words left me. I felt helpless, whispered a prayer and gave a hug I never thought I would ever have to give. I reassured both kids that David was always so proud of them and they need their faith and family now more than ever. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Cheryl and Melissa embrace and Cheryl spoke healing words of encouragement. Before I could utter any words Melissa told me of David's love for me and how he was proud of me. My response was a hug and affirmation of my love for them. I told her that he would be missed and to allow people to minister to her at this time. I then turned and stood in front of a lifeless body. The casket was lined with family pictures and a closed Bible. That now motionless mouth was one of the first to ever speak life into me. His encouraging words set my ministry into motion. We turned to walk up the aisle and through the sea of people. I don't remember the next hurried steps through hundreds of people to get outside. Outside there was more cordial small talk and nervous hand shakes of people entering. Now, on the long ride home, I'm still trying to process it all. Here is what I know. God's grace is the answer to grief. God will work this situation out for His glory and the growth of His Kingdom. We need each other. Sin and its consequences are very serious and go further than we can ever realize. Here is what I'm going to do. Pray for the Treadway family and continue to participate in God's ministry to a hurting world. I know that's what David would expect me to do.

Heading to David Treadway's visitation in Hickory with 2 van loads and a caravan of Mud Creekers...

We love you Treadway family and Sandy Ridge Baptist Church!

S.O.A.P. Philemon – Are your relationships bunching up or branching out?...

Christ was a clique breaker. He encouraged diversity and empowers cliques to branch out and not bunch up. One of the greatest models of branching our instead of bunching up is in this short letter of Philemon. As you S.O.A.P. this personal letter of reconciliation, consider what keeps you bunched up instead of branching out for Jesus. Ask God to untangle the prejudice, stereotypes and labels that keep you from branching out.

 

Context:

Paul's letter to Philemon is the most personal of all his letters. It is written on behalf of Onesimus, a slave who had fled from his master Philemon and had somehow become Paul's friend and convert to the Christian faith while Paul was in prison (verse 10). Paul is returning Onesimus to his master, and the letter is written to intercede with Philemon, who had been converted to the Christian faith by Paul (verse 10), to receive Onesimus back as a Christian brother (verses 15–17). It should be remembered that at that time a runaway slave, when caught, could be put to death by his master.

This letter is closely related to Paul's letter to the Colossians. Assuming that Colossians is by Paul (which some scholars deny), the letter to Philemon was written at the same time and from the same place as the letter to the Christians at Colossae (see Introduction to Colossians).

In Colossians 4.9, Onesimus is said to be from Colossae; as a consequence, it must be assumed that Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, and the church that meets in Philemon's house are all also in Colossae, but this is not explicitly said in the letter to Philemon.

Paul is in prison (verses 1, 10, 23); Timothy is named as a fellow writer (verse 1); and with Paul are Epaphras, Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke (verses 23–24). He hopes to be set free from prison before long and to go visit Philemon and the others (verse 22). - Robert G. Bratcher and Eugene Albert Nida, A Handbook on Paul's Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon

 

Scripture

This letter is from Paul, a prisoner for preaching the Good News about Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy. I am writing to Philemon, our beloved co-worker, ² and to our sister Apphia, and to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your house. ³ May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. ⁴ I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon, ⁵ because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God's people.

 

Observations

• Paul was prisoner literally and figuratively
• Preach about Christ Jesus
• Valued relationships
• Had a passion for the church
• Giving and grateful
• Philemon lived his faith loud

 

Applications

• What do I get in trouble for? Ouch, not the gospel. Work on that!
• Do my words express the Gospel
• Connect with various types of people
• Pray and have more passion for other churches
• Pray more for those churches and brothers
• Evaluate the prejudices that keep me from living a loud faith!

 

Prayer

I am so inspired when I read a letter from Paul. I want to thank You for mentors I can met with in your Word daily. I'm challenged by Paul to reach out to diverse people and value those relationships. I'm also led by Philemon to live out load! God empower me to be known for my love and faith! I want You name to be glorified through my life whether I'm Paul in prison or Philemon in a palace.

 

 

Church is still in shock and saddened by pastor's death...

HICKORY - Condolences and messages of support are pouring into Sandy Ridge Baptist Church after the death of the pastor.

David Treadway, 42, the Sandy Ridge minister since October 2004, was found dead in his car Sunday morning. He apparently took his own life.

Hickory police were called to the home at 8:47 a.m. Sunday. The car was in the garage.

Police are continuing the investigation, and Treadway's body was sent to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem for autopsy.

News of his death was posted on The Biblical Recorder's Web site.

The Recorder said Treadway was found "by his wife as she was leaving to go to church."

"Although Hickory police are investigating, a note Treadway left indicates he died by his own hand," the Recorder wrote.

"Several months ago Treadway, pastor at Sandy Ridge about five years, told the congregation he was under doctor's care for depression. An early statement Sunday from church leadership said their pastor had 'succumbed to the disease of depression.'

"Treadway was chairman of the Baptist State Convention Board of Directors Business Services Committee.

"Catawba Valley Baptist Association Director of Missions Duane Kuykendall met Sunday night with church leadership. He said the 895-member church has undergone 'significant growth' during Treadway's tenure."

The church's Web site contains condolences from many friends of the congregation throughout North Carolina and from other states.

"My mother and father-in-law attend your church and on numerous occasions I have attended there with my wife and her family. I am the youth pastor at Antioch Baptist Church in Mount Airy ... and (I) thought a great deal of David," the Rev. David Gantt wrote Monday.

"In fact the way I preach I modeled from the way that he did. My heart broke yesterday when my mother-in-law called me. No words could ever provide the magic cure for the hurt that we are all feeling right now, but God is still on his throne. The world has lost one of the best pastors that I have ever heard. I know that David is in the presence of the King that he always preached of.

"I pray that God's hand of mercy, grace and peace, be on the Treadway and the SRBC family during this time of loss ... Our God is good yesterday, today and tomorrow no matter what this world and life may throw at us. Seek his face always."

Gantt's message is an example of the support and compassion people are sharing on the Web site.
Worship Pastor Rodney Powe, who is leading the Sandy Ridge congregation through the tragedy, thanked everyone for their caring on the church Web site.

On the Net:
• www.sbc.net
• www.biblicalrecorder.org

via www2.hickoryrecord.com

Pastor David Treadway: Where you can read & post condolences...

Had a phone conversation with David's 19yr old daughter Lindsey this morning.  I assure you she is reading the condolence comments being posted at these two sites - SRBC on her dad's blog & The Biblical Recorder.  Please take some time to share a word.  

The "tentative" times for the Visitation and Funeral are 5pm Tuesday, Sept. 29th & 2pm Wednesday, Sept. 30th at the church.  Please check Sandy Ridge Baptist Church website for "official" times later in the day.    

Post from Biblical Recorder:  

David Treadway, pastor of the fast growing Sandy Ridge Baptist Church in Hickory, was found dead in his car Sunday morning by his wife as she was leaving to go to church.

Although Hickory police are investigating, a note Treadway left indicates he died by his own hand.

Several months ago Treadway, pastor at Sandy Ridge about five years, told the congregation he was under doctor’s care for depression. An early statement Sunday from church leadership said their pastor had “succumbed to the disease of depression.”

Treadway was chairman of the Baptist State Convention Board of Directors Business Services Committee.

Catawba Valley Baptist Association Director of Missions Duane Kuykendall met Sunday night with church leadership. He said the 895-member church has undergone “significant growth” during Treadway’s tenure.

Treadway and his wife, Melissa, have two children, Lindsey and Landon.

A post on the church web site Sunday night by a staff pastor, Rodney Poe, asked prayers for the church family and indicated that funeral information will be posted when it becomes available

via www.biblicalrecorder.org

Saddened by tragic death of friend, mentor, former leader and fellow pastor.

I haven't yet processed all the pain and emotion of yesterday's events. I'm waking up in a house David helped build. Going to an office in which he ministered out of. Leading from a structure he helped establish. Yes, I'm shaken but I'm settled that this tragedy will not outrun my trust in God and I know it cannot overshadow His grace. Be much in prayer for the Treadway family and Sandy Ridge Baptist Church.

Donna Gibbs, friend and MC Counselor, wrote these comforting words this morning.

Yesterday brought news that was shocking to all of us who served with David Treadway. I was devastated by the news, as David was a great encourager to me in my early days and years at Mud Creek. He wholeheartedly supported my vision for counseling and marriage ministries. He went out of his way to make the way for a counseling program at Mud Creek, at a time when no-one else was doing this. The loss of David left me without words. I could only remember his silly smirk and belly laughs at the episodes of Hunnicutt and Ducker. You remember, he'd cross his arms and rest his chin on one hand while he doubled in laughter. Then he'd mutter to me how crazy they were. I struggle to reconcile those memories with what happened yesterday. I was only about an hour away from Hickory when I got the call shortly after lunch yesterday. I made phone calls to try to connect with Melissa. I reached a gentleman on the phone who is a friend of the family...he voiced to me his struggle in faith as a result of David's decision yesterday. He asked me how Romans 8:28 applied to this situation. There are no words, or explanations, for that conversation. After visiting a short while with Melissa we made our way back home. I tried to call Hunnicutt to update him...but words failed me. There were no words in the English language to describe what I felt and experienced there. After I got home, broken and speechless, I decided to meditate on the very verse this gentleman struggles with. I attempted to pray through Romans 8:28, but all I could do was sit, once again without words. Then, I looked back to the verse before, and God sweetly reminded me that I didn't have to have words. The Holy Spirit searches the heart and utters groans on our behalf. So, if you find yourself broken today, confidently know that the Holy Spirit speaks for you. I am doing a radio interview in less than an hour, and counseling appointments the rest of the afternoon. I am confident God will provide words when I have none. Satan won a battle yesterday with a precious friend. Let it be a reminder to us all to never serve in ministry in isolation. In isolation, Satan will take us to the darkest of places. So, if you struggle today, don't do it alone. Even if words fail us, God will be faithful to those who gather before Him!

Why are Mondays so hard on ministers? Insight from @Clayton_king...

The Chemistry Inside a Pastor’s Body

I pray this post is both a blessing and a warning to you, pastor.  It’s Monday again, and for many pastors and ministers, today will be challenging.  It seems my earlier post on the dangers associated with Mondays struck a chord, judging by the amount of comments made.  I spent some time over the past 7 days reading more on what happens inside the body of a pastor.  I had a long conversation with a good friend who is a psychologist in CA.  And I found out about a prominent pastor who just suffered from a massive heart attack at a relatively young age not long after recovering from a total nervous breakdown.  All of that to say…I pray this post is a blessing and a warning to you.

3 MC Kid's lives were changed for eternity tonight at Powered Up!!!

Jude 20-25 What to do in the imperfect church while waiting on the perfect Savior…

Scripture

20 But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, 21 and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God's love.

22 And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. 23 Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.

24 Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. 25 All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.

Observations

• Jude starts to contrast the false from the faithful, "But you"
• As friends we will build each other up on the platform of faith and in the power of the HS
• Wait on Jesus. This is not a passive wait. It is a proactive wait
• Protection and provision come when I'm connecting and constructing with other Christians. I need to also be communicating in the power of the HS about them through prayer. Plus, having confidence in the return of Jesus and our escape from judgment.
• To the weak, mercy (not giving what they deserve). To the lost, preach Jesus, be cautious and hate the sin that contaminates their lives.
• Jude builds this letter off the glory of God!
• I WILL stand before God PERFECT because of Jesus
• Jude ends letter with a praise and worship session

Applications

• Deepen friendships by building instead of "ballin'"
• More measurable accountability
• Anticipate Jesus return, together – talk about it!
• Pray for my friends more intentionally
• List weak/wounded and lost
• Step back, look up and have the right perspective

Prayer

God I'm charged up this morning! Thank You for this revelation and the passion of Jude. The church is Your church and you will protect and provide for Her. God empower me to connect with, construct and be constructed with other Christians. Give me have more confidence in Your supremacy.

I along with Jude give You all the glory, majesty, power and authority!