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01.31.06 Dr. Luder Whitlock Interim president speaks about difficulty of life, ministry Dr. Luder Whitlock, interim president of Erskine College and Seminary, was the featured speaker Tuesday at the seminary’s opening chapel service of the spring semester. Whitlock's sermon, which concerned the difficulty of life and ministry, was based on 2 Corinthians 4:7-15, which was read to the congregation by seminary Dean Dr. R.J. Gore. In that passage, the Apostle Paul says that although Christians are persecuted and face difficulty at every side, there is hope in the blood of Christ Jesus. Whitlock said the entire book of 2 Corinthians was dedicated to Paul explaining and defending his ministry. "The Apostle Paul was essentially saying life is difficult," Whitlock said. "The ministry is no different. I've been through it." Still, he said, as ministers encounter difficulties, no amount of suffering could come close to what the Apostle Paul experienced — floggings, stoning, shipwrecks, imprisonment, lack of sleep and food, plus his daily concern for all the churches. Whitlock said one lesson the Apostle Paul was teaching was that if someone goes into the ministry, difficulty is certain to be encountered. In fact, he said, the difficulties will take their toll. "You'll find yourself in circumstances in which you become very discouraged and you're ready to give it all up," Whitlock said. He said the Lord's people in general face difficult situations every day and not just in watching their children stray from the Lord and other similar issues. Whitlock spoke of Christians in the city of Bethlehem, the location of Jesus' birth, where a wall is being constructed around the city and traffic is being restricted going in and out of the city. "There's a political strangulation of believers in Bethlehem," he said. The Erskine interim president said being a believer can be difficult even in easier circumstances than those in Bethlehem. "Sometimes you wonder, 'where is God now in my situation?'" Whitlock said. The Apostle Paul pointed out that no matter what kind of struggle he faced, he always relied on his faith to carry him through. Whitlock said that in the end, the only way we can get through difficulties and problems is to trust and rely on the Lord. "He can enable us to do things we could never do in our own strength," he said. Seminary Executive Vice President the Rev. Neely Gaston offered the prayer for the new semester, and Associate Dean of Students Dr. Robert Bell gave the benediction. |
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