Jespersen encouraged seminary community that ‘God is always there’ in chapel message

In spite of appearances that may suggest otherwise, “God is always there” for His people, preached Ryan Jespersen, executive director of the Dallas Baptist Association, during his Nov. 1 chapel message at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Texas Baptist College.

In his introduction of Jespersen, a Southwestern Seminary alumnus, Interim President David S. Dockery said he was “delighted” to have Jespersen as the speaker and “thankful for the partnership we have with them in the work of the churches across the Dallas Baptist Association.”

Jespersen expressed “joy” to be on the campus of Southwestern, “a place where God did so much in my life.” He and his wife, Joanna, also a Southwestern alumnus and current Doctor of Philosophy student, met on the campus of the Fort Worth institution. Jespersen thanked Dockery and O.S. Hawkins, senior advisor and ambassador-at-large, for their leadership and expressed gratitude for them, too.

Preaching from 2 Kings 6:8-23, and recalling the plot of the Arameans to take Elisha captive, Jespersen stated the title of the message is “always there.”

“The first truth is that God is always there, and God is always greater,” Jespersen said, noting the heavenly host seen after Elisha’s prayer for his servant. He said he knows that there is “frustration” and “sadness” among other turbulent emotions because he “knows the human condition.” Jespersen read the truths found in Hebrews 13, John 16:13, and 1 John 5:4. “No matter what it is that you are facing or will face in ministry one day, you can look around and know that God is always with you.” He admitted that in the life of serving as a pastor, “there will be a loneliness in leadership that you never knew existed.”

Second, it is in the pain that provision is often seen, Jespersen said. Referencing 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Jespersen said, “Friends, whether it is cancer or a car wreck, or the loss of any kind or the death of a loved one at an early age, no matter what it is, it’s often in those moments that God will bring the greatest provision.”

Jespersen shared his personal testimony of uncertainty when he was diagnosed with cancer. Surgery was done to remove the cancer and weeks later he was told he would not need chemotherapy. During that intense time of the unknown, Jespersen said God began to draw him very closely to Himself. He said he was forced to cling to God in desperation when the thoughts of his mind swirled around in fear.

“In what was the darkest time of my life, God became so very real to me,” Jespersen remembered. Later, after he was cleared of cancer he said he thought, “I don’t ever want to have cancer again, but I also don’t want to miss the intimacy with God that the cancer brought into my life.”

“The reality of living in a Genesis 3 world is we are going to experience pain, heartache, and difficulty,” Jespersen reflected. “When you are walking through the pain and the darkest nights, may you look up and see the provision of God in your life. When you are walking through that difficult season in your life, know that God is enough.”

Third, Jespersen reminded the Southwestern and TBC community, the situation will work out. Jespersen stated, “The truth of Scripture is this, for those of us who have given our lives to Christ Jesus, ultimately, it is going to work out.”

Concluding by quoting Jeremiah 29:11, Jespersen said, “No matter what you may be walking through today, you can know for sure that God is going to work it out. That He is going to use it for His glory and that He is going to use it to conform you to be more like the image of His Son.”

Jespersen, a native of Duncanville, Texas, served as pastor of Grace Temple Baptist Church in Dallas from 2006-2013. He has also worked with Baptist General Convention of Texas from 2013-2017 as director of urban missions, and at Dallas Baptist University as the director of denominational relations from 2017 to 2021. He has a Bachelor of Arts from Dallas Baptist University, a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Jespersen’s entire sermon can be viewed here.

Chapel is held every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 10 a.m. (CT) in MacGorman Chapel on the campus of Southwestern Seminary and TBC. Chapel may be viewed live at swbts.live.