The Message That Moved The SBC

Just a little over thirty years ago, the fate of the SBC hung in the balance. It seemed as though it was going to adapt to the times and embrace theological liberalism, just as countless denominations had done in the U.S.. But at the 1985 SBC Convention in Dallas, Texas, a 75-year-old minister stepped to the podium and decided to take a stand. His message is the next entry in the Great Sermon Series.
Note: In the video I say membership in the SBC is 50 million; that should, of course, be 15 million.
This video is brought to you in part by the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. You can download a free book from Southern, and learn more about training for preachers at www.sbts.edu/challies.
(Written by Tim Challies & Joey Schwartz; produced by Thaddeus Maharaj)

[@hughhorne9139]

Thanks for the video! I'm in the SBC fighting this battle now. I'm not a pastor (yet) but I'm absolutely gearing up for war.

[@saschaspring2198]

Hugh Horne Been there.

[@solascriptura7975]

Thank you brother!

[@davidkugel]

Thanks Tim. We live or die based on our view of God's inspired and inerrant Word.

[@JoeHenkel]

For sure!

[@JoeHenkel]

Man, I'd love to see more of the videos of you discussing historical powerful sermons!

[@JohnJosefUnger]

Same! Clear and focused videos with good production too.

[@Roman-555]

NO OTHER GOSPEL "For I (Paul) determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." [1 Corinthians 2: 2] "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." [Galatians 1: 8] ✝️

[@jacobreaume6073]

Thanks for this Tim. Encouraging, challenging, convicting, inspiring. May God's favour continue to rest upon you.

[@jsddf8455]

Love this series! So many great sermons and moments!

[@gus2600]

Back in the 70 s I had the occasion to ask Dr. Criswell what seminary I should attend . He said ," young man if you want to be a big shot in the S.B.C go to a Southern Baptist seminary , if you want to know and preach the Bible go to Dallas Theological Seminary." It is good to know that First Baptist of Dallas has taken his advise with it current pastor.

[@mrssalina]

Too bad he isn't around today to plead with the SBC to get right.

[@StingofTruth]

Amen!

[@davidcrutchfield138]

I'm shocked about Al and his T4G group of men. I went for years and the last time I went I took my oldest son who was 12 years old at the time. I was as shocked as I've ever been to hear how the social justice had taken over their minds and their actions. That is everybody but John MacArthur. And the rest is history. I'm a SBC pastor. I don't know what's going to happen with the denomination. Can there be another resurgence? It looks highly unlikely. It's a sad day to see how liberalism has come in by stealth and taken over. I think I will stay and fight. I know one man commented that he left the SBC, there are many others who have as well. But I believe that there are enough pastors to make a difference. "Maranatha."

[@fuzfire]

It is my belief, having just found out a few weeks ago that in 2019 that the SBC's adoption of Critical Race Theory & Intersectionality as "analytical tools are to be used now, is the new assault of liberalism on Scripture as the stand alone authoritative, Inerrant Testament of God. Our young people going into our Baptist learning institutions have already been under the compromised hands of educators in their formative years. If these young people who will be our pastors and leaders of God's Kingdom work in the future, are given more of the world's pablem today, then our churches will go the way of the other denominations have, into heresy and then into history, as has been for the Kingdom of God. Remember what Scripture says about yeast in Galatians 5:9, NASB: "A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough."

[@josiahbates7936]

@@fuzfire Stand firm, brother. I'm an 18-year-old student studying for ministry, and I have resolved to stay standing in the SBC as a conservative voice. I look up to men like Voddie Baucham, Tom Ascol, and Paul Washer. The founders conference on June 14th in Nashville Tennessee is going to be amazing, and the men who are speaking are very strong voices in the SBC among my peers.

[@austinwright6722]

Great job TIM! Just found your channel and am loving these greatest sermon series you made. Can't wait for more of them.

[@josephsneed1409]

The gathering of the 45,000 messengers in Dallas in 1985, was the largest gathering of a deliberative body, of any kind, in the history of mankind! We forget what a monumental battle it was, and what a victory God's people won that year.

[@markrood8760]

Isn't it sad that Charles Stanley emerged for this time and his son now carries the "moderate " view

[@wanda520]

Andy Stanley is very liberal

[@blaxlandpianopathways]

Good one, Tim. I’m enjoying these talks about significant sermons.

[@JoeHenkel]

For sure! Some of my favorite on his channel!

[@debrasadler3780]

I wish I could double like this. What a mighty man of God. What a mighty God we serve.

[@timd484]

Great post, Tim!

[@dr.donald]

Tim, Thank you for that tremendous, inspiring message by Dr. Criswell. I am a graduate of Southern Seminary, and I pray God will always keep our denomination strong on the inerrancy of the Word of God. Keep up the great work.

[@poppyozark]

That message hit home. Powerful

[@SkogKniv]

Timely video Tim given what's been going on with the sbc.

[@toshmeister92]

How so? Just curious

[@williamallen5369]

@@toshmeister92 just research the sbc and problems.

[@mrssalina]

And the SBC is in worse shame today than it was in 1985.

[@fostercarlock5571]

The SBC will always have hot topics, but it is far healthier today than 1985.

[@jeffreyarnold2929]

What an awesome sermon. Glad I found your channel.

[@claytonmcminn1121]

"It is my opinion that of all the congregants in the sbc, about 15% are actually saved". Al mohler

[@dr.krinkleweldon5934]

You mean the "woke" Al Mohler?

[@missdfm.]

AMEN powerful thank you!!!

[@JoeHenkel]

Yes! Criswell was such a powerful preacher.

[@davidpierce8942]

I find it ironic that southern seminary released this because currently the liberal shift in the convention is coming from these reformed pastors out of southern. I'm grateful for this video regardless

[@ferrellparker3176]

this meetings are so wondrerful I hope my church will do the same

[@Palmettohorn-fm9jl]

At the risk of being nitpicky, but... the SBC is actually not a denomination in itself but a "convention" of cooperating Baptist churches, hence the name "Southern Baptist Convention. Regardless, GREAT post. Thank you.

[@frogdawg2562]

You can feel the Holy Spirit when the talks about missionaries.

[@kannaraosaladi]

Don't play background music

[@JoeHenkel]

Why? haha

[@RubyCrockettsolitude]

@@JoeHenkel I love the message, however, the background music is distracting.

[@JoeHenkel]

@@RubyCrockettsolitude I gotcha! :-)

[@saschaspring2198]

An imitable speaker .... Bless his heart.

[@txlonghorn82]

This is exactly why I chose, as a southern baptist, to attend Dallas Seminary in 1984 rather than Southwestern. The weak view of Scripture and emphasis on denominational structure at SWBTS made DTS the obvious choice. My BSU director in college told me I'll never be a pastor of a SBC church...and he was right. I have served as a Teacher and Principal now in the public school since graduating from DTS and impact many more each day than if I had been a Pastor. Such are the plans of God...rarely are they the plans of man.

[@melvinhunt6976]

If you're involved in public schools, you aren't Allowed to be or do ANYTHING scriptural! Public schools are the breeding ground for Liberalism and socialism! How is that working for you?

[@billc2122]

Txlonghorn That's why in 1980 I attended and graduated Criswell College--very good then--and followed up going to DTS as well. Accepted by some SVC churches but ended up E-Free. Many brothers and friends in SBC but we don't communicate a lot.

[@tonycole5209]

The SBC has already lost it's edge and losing parishioners every year. It's in rapid decline.

[@steven_bock]

Love your videos, Tim. Don’t think you need the backtrack music, though.

[@kristiantonnesen7261]

Great video. Thanks for all the content you post. Very informative

[@JoeHenkel]

Yes! This channel is incredible!

[@mrssalina]

In the SBC everybody general assumes the label of conservative evangelical but the actual reality is another thing altogether today.

[@RohitThombre7]

I would like to request to add Ravi Zacharias some of the sermons which have changed many lives.

[@JoeHenkel]

He has some incredible messages! Rohit, what's your favorite Ravi Zacharias sermon?

[@grantkemink4484]

This didn’t age well...

[@MyFeltMusic]

@@grantkemink4484 Not at all lol

[@mrssalina]

But if we would examine ourselves, we would not be judged by God in this way. 1 Cornthians 11:31. The SBC refuses to exercise Church discpline on itself.

[@lowenstaat]

Q: "Will we tolerate liberalism and a low view of the scriptures?" A: God doesn't, so we shouldn't either.

[@laurenkuo5320]

About ten years ago we had a battle with the New Perspective and the Federal Vision. I believe Dr. Mohler took a strong stand on that issue. Was that a major issue that had to be addressed by the SBC? It certainly took a toll on the PCA.

[@HearGodsWord]

Not heard this sermon in full, yet.

[@naveenjamalmudi4420]

I would like you Sir, to make a video on Bakht Singh. An Indian evangelist who changed the way of living of many Indians. Please i request

[@CATDABOSS]

The SBC's worst blindspot has been at a certain church in north carolina thag rhymes with smellivation...

[@conradmiller8984]

that church has left the SBC

[@melvinhunt6976]

The Truth WILL set you Free! This particular saying is scriptural. ANYONE who adds to or takes away from ! I go to a southern Baptist church because they teach the WORD of God! They TRUTH is ALWAYS the Truth! SIN is ALWAYS SIN!

[@michaelstertz3953]

Criswell was perhaps the best pulpiteer of the 20th century.

[@chanlu8779]

Is there a link to see the entire sermon? I would love to watch it.

[@JoeHenkel]

Is that a green screen or actual wood background?

[@crucifiedwithchrist9367]

Green screen. It remains stationary when the camera is panned in and out. Unless Tim is constantly running back & forth between each sentence.

[@JoeHenkel]

@@crucifiedwithchrist9367 ooh, good point!

[@SanthoshKumar-yp8wl]

Link of the whole sermon?

[@jimgrable4619]

Tim, have you examined Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby?

[@donnafranks-oldpathhome]

Let God be true and every man a liar. If you compromise, then you are corrupt. Why would anyone want to be rotten. The pure in heart see God. 🕇🕇🕇

[@Stephensry]

I thought at the beginning he was going to say the SBC is a collosal catastrophe

[@setapartsanctuary2657]

oh how it's changed brother

[@DipsyDoodleDaisy]

What are your thoughts on the SBC and the men of T4G today?? For me…it has been a reminder to not put too much “faith” in man. They will inevitably let you down. 😕

[@RoseMichels]

Just in case anyone is interested, here's the KZbin link to the sermon, 'Whether We Live Or Die' (starts at 16:30): kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4m8k6FsaciIqrs

[@sherrimiller5258]

Rose Michels thank you for posting the link. I definitely want to watch the entire sermon.

[@francoajuga6794]

🤝

[@poppyozark]

JD Greear....ugh! We need Liberalism, Marxism, and this soft talk concerning homosexuals dealt with again by a real Spirit filled brother like brother Criswell

[@keithwilson6060]

Greear is one of the most murderous wolves in charge since it’s beginning. This fact cannot be driven home firmly enough.

[@sovereigngrace9723]

Have you seen the current state of the SBC :(

[@Precisionreelworks]

Wonder what he would think about the 2022 convention...

[@robertcobb8205]

Really wish you had left the music off, other wise, thank you for posting.

[@dr.krinkleweldon5934]

Dr. Criswell was the Martin Luther of the SBC

[@jetdriver26]

Now its back to liberalism once again.

[@michaeltowslee4111]

Do you get a shovel with this podcact?

[@solomonnallapu]

Please make a video on Ravi Zacharias

[@MsMoves]

It seems the missionaries ceased to exist in England.

[@screwball1010]

Maybe called it a little early on this one.

[@nitoygonzales4581]

Criswell is a Calvinist?

[@brotherarn]

Nitoy Gonzales that's a good question. I'm going to look into if he calvinistic. I doubt it very much. Why would I say that is because the Evangelistic fervor with which Criswell is willing to die for.

[@justgideon]

I think Jim Cymbala's My House Shall be a House of Prayer preached at the Praise Gathering in the early 90's was one of the most important sermons preached in the last 30 years. Unlike Criswell's sermon at the SBC though, I don't believe the church at large has heeded that message, aside from those in attendance and those who bought the DVD obviously. I was also at a David Wilkerson rally in Australia in the 2000's which was poorly received, but that is another story...

[@solascriptura7975]

We cannot dishonor our Lord by compromising with unbelievers. I wish we would stop calling them moderates and call them what they are. Wolves.

[@shiwalogo2]

50 million???

[@jesschidianyanwu4611]

Is this the same dude that was VEHEMENTLY against desegregation??

[@arcc8513]

why do you have to put a noisy music background, please delete the music it's disturbing

[@mrssalina]

The SBC took the correct doctrinal stance. But failed to clean up its Seminaries. What does it mean to say you believe in God's Word but continue to allow bad teaching at the seminaries? The SBC leadership has failed obey God in its actions. It allows Russell Moore to denounce faithful believers and take stances against the teaching of scripture.

[@JDawg-FR]

mrssalina what stands have Russell Moore taken that you are talking about. From reading his books, Twitter, etc. He's a faithful witness of the convention

[@mrssalina]

He condemned those seeking to deliver homosexuals declaring gays are born gay and cannot stop being gay. In doing so he condemned people faithfully serving God and went against the clear teaching of scripture that the blood of Christ can deliver any captive from any bondage. He condemned Chief Justice Roy Moore for his faithful stance against gay marriage. He is allied with the progressives in the domination pushing a neo-Marxist group identity agenda regarding race and sex. They don't call themselves progressives because the agenda is clearly a neo-Marxist agenda. In general he does not boldly raise up the standard of truth but carries the water of the Republican Establishment.

[@JDawg-FR]

mrssalina the idea of being born gay is the proven one. Even if homosexuals are not born that way, if they think they are then accepted them but making it known that christ will bring them out of that sin of homosexuality is the message we must tell them. I do not know the exact reason Russell Moore condemned Roy Moore but I would imagine it had to do with the sexual assult cases brought against him, regardless of his stance on gay marriage. I am also confused how Russell Moore can simultaneously hold the republican establishment but support a leftist neo-Marxist agenda?

[@mrssalina]

Russell Moore condemned Roy Moore years before that slander and directly because of his stance against gay marriage. He directly condemned those trying to deliver homosexuals from their sin. So I am not getting picky with his messaging - he is clearly doing wrong when he condemns those doing God's work.

[@mrssalina]

As the last vice - ask him that - but it probably relates to him being more a political correct politican doing what serves his self interest.

[@spartagirlful]

How do you justify Stanley’s divorce when he advised a woman being physically abused by her husband to stay in her marriage?

[@stevecoffey4884]

Why drums in the background? Also get a shave

[@jasonscroger5065]

and now what?

[@troy4666]

Methodism *cough *cough

[@TheSMEAC]

So the SBC delayed the liberal theology for 30 years only flush it all away.

[@2001BornAgain]

The SBC has become liberal. So sad to see them going backwards again. #MeToo #WomenPastors #CalvinisticDeterminism #AbandoningSoundHermeneutics

[@WilliamBranhamsermons]

hey nice videos keep it up but i want to say that use biblical words

[@jakesarms8996]

After 2021 - the SBC adopted CRT. Flee from them

[@MyFeltMusic]

Only racists would have a problem with CRT.

[@RameshBaburbabu]

Dude .. stop that backgroud music ..

[@allysonand]

Conzervatives

[@nharris1977]

Guy sounds like he is just crying in ever word. I guess this type of "performance" talking is ok, but no emotional charge for the music. Might seduce some into an alter call without understanding what a pre-determined dirt worm they are.

[@manny3549]

Tim, your edifying videos seem to have poor mixing to the point that makes the musice too LOUD. It takes a cringing effort to balance between mixing/equalization flaws. Ideally, REMOVE THE MUSIC if you want the emphasis on the WORD OF GOD. Content is great but the music kills the essence of the solid truths you are sharing. Too distracting, it is like listening to your professor when there is a youth fair outside.

[@HearGodsWord]

You've copy and pasted that a few times.

[@janebaker966]

Absolutely nightmarish. No Way.

[@JoeHenkel]

What do you mean Jane?

[@mychalpryor2473]

"Its flaws"... more like its racist inception but thanks be to God for reconciliation and repentance.

[@Anthony-gl3xd]

Unfortunate that these would be the two words of which you take hold and make comment. Satan desires to drive a wedge in the true church and separate believers over race, gender and ethnicity, thereby weakening our testimonies before the lost and dying world to whom we preach a gospel of reconciliation to God (2 Cor 5:20). But the great Apostle in writing the the church at Ephesus wrote, "having abolished in His flesh, the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity" (2:15-16). The hatred between Jews and gentiles was the most vicious, even more so that we have known in America between people of light skin and people dark skin. And, I have plenty of my own sin to repent of, it is not my place to repent for the sins of others (i.e: Christians that have gone before me and done evil to other Christians on the basis of gender, skin color or ethnicity). Please, seek unity and peace (Matthew 5:9) in the body as brothers and sisters ought, not division over the poor conduct of some from the past that may even upon death heard the sorrowful words from the Lord, "depart from me, I never knew you", because they weren't even genuine converts to Christ. I mean this in the most sincere Christian love. Blessings.

[@mychalpryor2473]

Thank you for your responses...

[@BillyBob-oy9gk]

I get so tired of hearing "Baptist" be so prideful in their denomination. I know you may find this hard to believe but Jesus was NOT a baptist and He didn't use the KJV of the bible.

[@JoeHenkel]

Our identity and passion should be found in Jesus Christ rather than a denomination.

[@watermelonbeast]

Does this guy earn a commission every time he talks about noted hyper-reformed preachers?

[@hectorsegura8167]

Lol,the only guy that fits that bill is RC Sproul,becausehe's actually reformed

[@sovereigngrace9723]

I suppose it’s telling that his “great sermon series” always includes reformers. I wonder if that’s because maybe,,, their biblical soteriology is sound?

[@jamesjones9708]

The SBC needs to get to the KJV and it's rich biblical doctrine.