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"We Would See Jesus"
For the thirty-fourth year in a row, the Southside church is planning a lectureship program for this summer. Since 1980, the Southside Lectures have been a source of great encouragement and exhortation to this congregation and to God’s people in other places. We anticipate that this year’s program will be just as well received.
The dates for the 2013 Lectures are June 17-20. That gives us only four more months to prepare. But that also gives us plenty of time to put the dates on our calendars so that we can be here to hear every lecture we possibly can.
The theme for this year is another timely one: "We Would See Jesus." You will recognize that request from John 12:21. In that setting, some Gentiles came up to Philip the Apostle and said, "We wish to see Jesus." They had no doubt heard about the Lord and His teachings and miracles. They wanted to see Him for themselves. And they were not disappointed.
Each disciple must have this same burning desire to see Jesus. It is not enough to say that we know "of" Him or know "about" Him. We must know Him personally. That comes from seeing His humility in how He lived, seeing His power to calm the sea, seeing His compassion in hanging on the cross, and seeing His glory in rising from the dead. You can’t witness all of these things and just walk away. When you "wish to see Jesus," you will come to see yourself as He would have you be.
We have invited four men to come preach on the theme "We Would See Jesus." These men are not only effective communicators of the gospel, they have the same attitude of the apostles in the First Century. "For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake" (2 Cor. 4:5). They will help us to better see Him who did not come to be served but to serve.
Wilson Adams first preached on the lectures in 2001. His father, Connie Adams, was on the very first program. Wilson’s powerful preaching style has endeared him to our people. For several years, he edited Biblical Insights, and his writings were also well received. He has a love for Jesus and His word. We are excited that brother Adams and his wife, Julie, will be back with us this year.
Tim Jennings has the ability to reach the heart of the hearer. He preached on the lectures in 2009 and has been attached to us ever since. He and Jennifer and their three children do an effective work in Plano, Texas. Tim’s genuine character and humble demeanor make him like the Savior He preaches. We welcome him back as well.
Bob Owen has been a frequent participant on the lectures over the years. Though he has formal training in speech and communication, he has the ability to make the gospel story easy to understand. Like Brother Bowman, he has done a lasting and effective work in training young men to preach the gospel. We look forward to being reunited with Bob and Janelle Owen. And we are confident in the Biblical preaching and personal desire to see Jesus that Brother Owen will bring with him.
David Posey preaches and serves as elder for the church in Folsom, California. For many years, he co-edited Focus Magazine with Tim Jennings. You will enjoy meeting him and his wife, Christie. David is true to the text and practical in his applications. He is highly intellectual, highly motivated, but a simple preacher of the gospel. We welcome for the first time on the lectures.
Tim Stevens will be back to direct the congregational singing. Like his father before him, Tim has an interest not just in singing but in song worship. He and Vicki are fine examples of what it means to be a Christian. Through Tim’s direction, we can praise God together as we ask Him, "Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus."
Will you start praying for these men this week? Will you pray for opportunities to bring someone who wishes to see Jesus? Will you pray that these four days of worship will help us be better followers of Jesus and a better church that wears His name? Will you pray that God will be gloried in all we do?
Whether you realize it or not, the most important participant in the 34th Southside Lectures is you.
