Bob Clanton

A NATION IN THE BALANCE:

“We Hold These Truths…”

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Dr. Robert W. Clanton

The second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence begins with these words:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.—

A similar sentiment was voiced 87 years later (four score and seven years) by Abraham Lincoln in the Gettysburg Address:

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

EQUALITY!

CREATED EQUAL. Continue reading →

Here are the Notes from the message this past Sunday at New Life Community Church, Monroe, Louisiana

A NATION IN THE BALANCE:

“Give Me Liberty…”

Sunday, June 12, 2016

Dr. Robert W. Clanton

Liberty is a theme that runs throughout human history.  It is a major theme in the Bible.  Here are some verses to get us started.

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.  John 8:36 (ESV)

and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  John 8:32 (ESV)

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.  Galatians 5:1 (NASB)

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  ² For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.  Romans 8:1-2 (ESV)

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; Isaiah 61:1 (ESV)

Continue reading →

Series: A Nation in the Balance, Part 1

Message: “A Time to Remember”

Sunday, May 29, 2016.  New Life Community Church, Monroe, Louisiana

This weekend is Memorial Day Weekend.  It is a time for remembering.  We are also beginning a series that will run this month called A NATION IN THE BALANCE.

I believe we are in a very important time in our national and cultural history.  It behooves us to take a moment to find out what God says about all this.  I was in a pastors meeting this past week and we all acknowledged that the old sound bites don’t seem to apply these days.  We are all in uncharted waters politically, culturally, economically, in pretty much every way.

So, in the coming month, we are going to look at our world and ask God what He is doing and saying to us.  If we are called to make a difference in North Louisiana, we need to know the playing field.  If we are called to advance the Kingdom both personally and as a church, we need to know what we’re up against.  We need to know the water we’re swimming in.  So, during June, I and we will look at an incredible picture.  It is a snapshot at our country.  In the words of I Chronicles 12:32, we must be like sons of Issachar. Continue reading →

To Tote or not to Tote. That is the Question.

What does the Bible say about self-defense? And particularly, is it acceptable for Christians to carry a gun?

The age-old question is again before us. With the horrible events of recent weeks, legitimate concerns arise about defense against such senseless killings as took place in Charleston, South Carolina (in a church of all places) and now a movie theater in nearby Lafayette, Louisiana. So, what does the Bible say? Continue reading →

⁵ What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.  ⁶ When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs.  The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.  ⁷ They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem.  Psalm 84:5-7 (NLT)

Pilgrimage was an important part of Israel’s life in the Old Testament.  Three times a year, every man was expected to travel to Jerusalem “to appear before God” (Ex. 23:17 and Dt. 16:16).

There is a group of Psalms called the Pilgrim Psalms (Psalm 120-134).  They describe the step by step journey Jews made to Jerusalem and the Temple.  But, they also describe our spiritual journey.

We do not have to travel to Jerusalem.  Ours is a journey of the heart.  We do not go three times a year.  We go every day. Continue reading →

One Year Bible, Friday, February 6, 2015:  Exodus 23:14-25:40; Matthew 24:29-51; Psalm 30:1012; Proverbs 7:24-27

Virtually every living thing is designed to GROW.  It’s natural and to be expected.  Babies
grow, trees grow, grass grows.  We usually want all good things to GROW, whether it is an investment account or a business, a friendship or a cause.

Most of us have no problem growing PHYSICALLY.  In fact, after we grow UP we tend to grow OUT.  Physical growth transitions from stature to structure, from growing up to getting fit.  This last part is where the challenge comes. Continue reading →