Behind the Sacred Desk

Dr. Hickman M. Johnson delivered the Doctrinal Sermon at the 2014 Annual Session of the General Baptist State Convention of Mississippi. Dr. Johnson identified five doctrinal controversies confronting the messengers assembled in that 1893 Convention. Of particular interest was the Committee on Doctrine’s recommendation regarding the celebration of Easter. In this sermon, Dr. Johnson discusses the meaning of the resurrection as a salvific event.

This is the third in the series. The first is, “To Behold the Face of God”. The second and third sermons develop further the theme: “Seeing God,” however, both are built on the Sermon-poem, “To Behold the Face of God”. The sermon text is: Job 33:14-16;42:5-6. Dr. Johnson discusses the idea of revelation: self-disclosure. For the Christian believer, this idea takes on form in the person of Jesus.

What happens when we are permitted to “behold the face of God”? In this sermon, Pastor Johnson introduces us to Job, Isaiah and Paul at the moment they are permitted to see God’s face. How does each respond to his God sighting? Humankind’s desire to seek the face of God is fueled by a primitive past—a memory, though faint, that will not allow him or her to rest, except they find rest in God. This search ends in a way neither had imagined. Instead of vindication, praise or favor, the seeker discovers the woeful state of his existence and yet the sufficiency of God’s grace.

An ancient longing is satisfied when humankind can behold the face of God. Inspired by Job 42:5, Dr. Hickman M. Johnson preaches a sermon-poem of the believer’s quest to look into the face of the Divine, in spite of the risk. An occasional glance leaves the believer desiring more. Imagine what Adam must have experienced when, “in the cool of the evening,” God visited him and Adam is permitted to see God face-to-face? The use of poetry, as a literary device, allows the preacher to soar beyond the limits of prose.

Dr. Hickman M. Johnson, Senior Pastor, Farish Street Baptist Church, Jackson, MS preaches from the subject, “They Called Themselves Christian”. The occasion is the 119th Church Anniversary. Organized in 1893 and located within the Farish Street Historic District, this congregation has witnessed to the transforming power of the gospel of Christ. Celebrate the rich tradition of a people committed to the creation of a new world order.