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Weekend Recap – Eternally Saving Savior

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My 10/7/12AM sermon, Eternal Jesus, Eternally Saving from Hebrews 13:7-12 is online.  The big point of the sermon was how we need to keep committed to the truth of the Gospel.  The Gospel of grace is a message that doesn’t change.  We must continually hold before us what God has done for us in Christ and it is through that truth that our hearts are strengthened.  We have a singular access to God in Christ.  And, Jesus’ work to save has changed us.  These truths were what we reveled in yesterday.

In the evening, we gathered for a church picnic.  Always a fun time of fellowship.

Hope you had a great Lord’s Day.

Weekend Preview – Committed To the Gospel

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This Sunday, Lord willing, I hope to dive into Hebrews 13:7-12.  We keep making our way closer and closer to the end of this great book.  And, this book is ending in an amazing way.

In Hebrews 13:1-3, we’ve seen that our love is to be towards other believers, towards strangers and towards the needy.

In Hebrews 13:4, we were reminded that God does care about what marriage is and desires to be honored in it.

In Hebrews 13:5-6, we saw that God is enough.  We should keep ourselves free from coveting and the allurements for “more” and find rest in God, who will never leave us or forsake us.  The content soul in God is able to confess from a heart of faith: The Lord is my Helper, I don’t have to be paralyzed by fear, and there’s nothing the world will throw at me that will change this.

In Hebrews 13:7-12, we are drawn back to the Gospel, that established these Hebrew Christians (13:7), is a message about an unchanging eternal Savior (13:8), is consistently challenged (13:9), is based on a singular access to God (13:10) and has the effect of changing all of those who believe its truth (13:11-12). This message calls for our commitment.  I hope you’ll be with us in worship to dive deep into these truths.

Your Marriage Needs The Gospel

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The Gospel Transforms Marriage.  I loved this post over at DG and as I’m working through some pre-martial sessions, I was confronted with these glorious truths again.  Here’s a quote of 9 ways the Gospel transforms marriage:

In their book, Love That Lasts, Gary and Betsy Ricucci list out nine ways that the gospel directly affects marriage (and so much more).

  1. Because of the gospel, Christians have become new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). Therefore, in our marriage, our past does not define us, confine us, or determine our future.
  2. Because of the gospel, we are forgiven (Ephesians 1:7). Therefore we can live free of all guilt and condemnation for every sin, and we can trust that God, in his mercy, will be gracious to us.
  3. Because of the gospel we can forgive, just as Christ forgave us (Ephesians 4:32). Nothing done against us compares to our sin against God. Therefore all offenses, hostility, and bitterness between Christians can be completely forgiven and removed.
  4. Because of the gospel, we are accepted by God (Romans 15:7). Therefore we are not dependent on a spouse for who we are or what we need.
  5. Because of the gospel, sin’s ruling power over us is broken (Romans 6:6, 14). Therefore we can truly obey all that God calls us to do in our marriage, regardless of any circumstance or situation.
  6. Because of the gospel, we have access to God through Christ (Hebrews 4:14-16). Therefore we can at any time take any need in our marriage to the One who can do all things.
  7. Because of the gospel, we have hope (Romans 5:1-4). Therefore we can endure any marital difficulty, hardship, or suffering, with the assurance that God is working all to our greatest good (Romans 8:28).
  8. Because of the gospel, Christ dwells in us by his Holy Spirit (Galatians 3:13-14). Therefore we are confident that God is always with us and is always at work in our marriage, even when progress is imperceptible (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).
  9. Because of the gospel, we have power to fight and overcome remaining sin , which continues to dwell and war within us (Romans 7:19-21, 24-25; Galatians 5:16-17). This indwelling enemy represents the essence of what is called the doctrine of sin.
Love That Lasts: When Marriage Meets Grace (Crossway, 2006), 22–23, numbering added.

Tweets from Revelation 15

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In late May, I began 202 days of journaling through the 404 verses of the final book of the Bible, Revelation.  To go along with my personal study and preparation to preach through this book in 2013, I’m trying to tweet something from every verse.  Today I finished chapter 15.  Here’s a compilation of my tweets followed by the reference.

Revelation 1 | Revelation 2 | Revelation 3 | Revelation 4 | Revelation 5 | Revelation 6 | Revelation 7 | Revelation 8 | Revelation 9 | Revelation 10 | Revelation 11 | Revelation 12 |Revelation 13 | Revelation 14

God sends a complete # of angels with a complete # of plagues to complete His wrath. (Revelation 15:1)
Tribulation and trials may come for a season, believer, but eternal praise will be your employment. (Revelation 15:2)
The song of Moses & the Lamb extols God as true King of all nations, marveling @ His great, amazing, just, true works. (Revelation 15:3)
God’s holiness demands fear…His righteous acts provoke worship from all. (Revelation 15:4)
In heaven, we can anticipate intimate fellowship with God Himself. (Revelation 15:5)
From God comes perfect wrath. (Revelation 15:6)
An eternal God dispatches agents of wrath to the world. (Revelation 15:7)
God’s unfolding wrath causes His eternal glories to shine all the more glorious. (Revelation 15:8)

God’s Word Is True…

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Every Word of God proves true; He is shield to those who take refuge in Him. (Proverbs 30:5)

We live in a day and age that is increasingly hostile to the truth claims of the Bible, which is some ways is to be expected.  A panel from SBTS was recently assembled to Revisit Inerrancy.  I hope you find this video helpful.  You can also download it.

Here’s the video:

I was also helped on this topic by a Piper sermon online: Thank God For An Inspired Bible.

Leadership Email – Diagnosing the Problem of Yourself…

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Here’s my weekly email to leaders in Reno County from October 1:

Greeting Fellow Leaders of Reno County and Happy October.

I love the resources provided from the Kansas Leadership Center.  I just opened my snail mail box on Friday to find a postcard from them entitled “Take Care of Yourself.”  I want to include its contents here for those of you who might not get the mailings.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
A resource for Managing Self created by Kansas Leadership Center alumni
“Leadership is risky.  You stand a better chance of succeeding when you’re at your best.”  This resource is designed to help you engage in civic leadership more effectively.  It is based on experiences shared by KLC alumni in a September 5, 2012 “On the Balcony” conference call, hosted by KLC President & CEO Ed O’Malley.
WHAT DOES TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF MEAN?
·         Recognizing when you need to take care of yourself.
·         Finding what balances you.  Personal projects, quiet time for self, physical activity.
·         Having kindness and compassion for yourself and the work you’re doing.
WHY IS TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF NECESSARY FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP?
·         When we neglect to take care of ourselves, we can’t bring our best selves to work.  If we can’t bring our best selves, we’re less likely able to engage in leadership effectively.
THREE WAYS TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF:
1.       Take quiet time for yourself: Prayer, reflection, meditation.
2.       Care for your physical needs: get enough sleep and exercise regularly.
3.       Ask for what you want or need.
WHY DON’T WE TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES MORE?
·         Competing values.  We choose to make managing work and family more important than taking care of ourselves.
·         It’s risky.  We fear job loss, income loss, and the perception that we’re selfish.
·         Caring for ourselves is not valued enough culturally.
WARNING SIGNS THAT INDICATE YOU NEED TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF:
·         You become restless, irritable and discontent.
·         You can no longer meet people where they are.
·         You start forgetting things.
·         You become physically sick.
·         You take things personally that were meant as constructive criticism.
I know I’ve bombarded you with a lot to think about here, but mull it over and consider how you might better take care of yourself and make progress as an effective leader.
Until next time…

Weekend Recap – Content in God

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My 9/30/12AM sermon, Contentment, from Hebrews 13:5-6 is now online.  The big idea of the sermon is that we should be content in God, our Helper, and flee the love of money, look to Him and be confident that He will provide for our needs.  The confession of a contented soul flows in v.6, “The Lord is my Helper; I will not fear, what can man do to me?”  As we rest in God’s promise to never leave or forsake us, we find our souls revived to rest in Him alone.  This is contentment.  The music for our morning pointed to this and to Christ’s finished work on the cross.  Is there a better way to boost contentment than to gather at the Lord’s table together and reflect on what God’s done for us in Christ?  This was our morning yesterday.  It was such a blessing to be a part of it.

In the evening, equally blessed were those who attended a time of corporate prayer for needs that are all around us.  Casting our cares on the Lord freed us from the burdens we came with.  It was truly a marvelous Lord’s Day.  I hope yours was filled with grace as well.

Tweets From Revelation 14

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In late May, I began 202 days of journaling through the 404 verses of the final book of the Bible, Revelation.  To go along with my personal study and preparation to preach through this book in 2013, I’m trying to tweet something from every verse.  Today I finished chapter 14.  Here’s a compilation of my tweets followed by the reference.

Revelation 1 | Revelation 2 | Revelation 3 | Revelation 4 | Revelation 5 | Revelation 6 | Revelation 7 | Revelation 8 | Revelation 9 | Revelation 10 | Revelation 11 | Revelation 12 | Revelation 13

Throughout eternity, God and His people will remain. (Revelation 14:1)
God consistently reveals Himself in the Bible through speaking. (Revelation 14:2)
God’s redeemed people always have a new song to sing of God’s mercies. (Revelation 14:3)
God’s people are characterized by purity, devotion to Christ and freedom from sin. (Revelation 14:4)
God’s people are also truthful. (Revelation 14:5)
The gospel is always meant to be advancing to ALL people.  (Revelation 14:6)
God’s call to ALL: “fear & worship Me or face judgment.” (Revelation 14:7)
God’s message to ALL people warns them of the allure that this world offers. (Revelation 14:8)
A sad reality (part 1): the world can follow the god of this world. (Revelation 14:9)
A sad reality (part 2): following the god of this world gets us God in His righteous anger.  (Revelation 14:10)
God’s punishment of those who follow Satan is eternal torment. (Revelation 14:11)
The reality of God’s wrath inspires God’s followers to endure in obedience and faith. (Revelation 14:12)
Resting in Jesus means laying down our works and dying in Him. (Revelation 14:13)
Jesus is a King ruling in righteous judgment. (Revelation 14:14)
Whether we like it or not, deny it or not, God’s judgment is coming. (Revelation 14:15)
And it is Jesus Himself who exercises judgment. (Revelation 14:16)
Let judgment begin in the house of God. (Revelation 14:17)
The time of judgment is compared to a ripe harvest, O, please be right with God when the time comes. (Revelation 14:18)
One day, like a harvest, those rejecting God will be gathered for the winepress of His wrath. (Revelation 14:19)
The winepress of God’s wrath is a terrifying prospect. (Revelation 14:20)

Stop Being Such A Greedy Pig

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We must guard ourselves against all selfishness, greed and coveting.  As Charles Spurgeon said:

It is not possible to satisfy the greedy.  If God gave them one who world to themselves they would cry for another; and if it were possible for them to possess heaven as they now are, they would feel themselves in hell, because others were in heaven too, for their greed is such that they must have everything or else they have nothing.  

This Sunday, we will look at Hebrews 13:5-6 and its call to contentment.  Search your heart?  Are you greedy, loving money and “more”?  Come Sunday and hear how God is more than enough for anything you need.

Corporate Prayer at Crestview

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I love that our church regularly disciplines our time for corporate prayer.  This Sunday (9/30) at 6PM, we will take time to gather together and pray.  Recently, Sinclair Ferguson commented on the importance of corporate prayer in a post entitled Does Your Church Pray Together.  He said:

There is the lack of prayer and of the Church praying. This is to me the most alarming, for this reason: we have built apparently strong, large, successful, active churches. But many of our churches never meet as a congregation for prayer. I mean never! What does that indicate we are saying about the life of the Church as a fellowship?

By contrast, the mark of a truly apostolic spirit in the church is that that we give ourselves to prayer and the Word together (Acts 6:4). No wonder “the Word of God continued to increase and the number of the disciples multiplied” (Acts 6:7). If this is so, it should not surprise us that while many churches see growth, it is often simply reconfiguration of numbers, not of conversion. I greatly wish that our churches would learn to keep the main things central, that we would learn to be true Churches, vibrant fellowships of prayer, Gospel ministry and teaching, genuine mutual love. At the end of the day, such a Church simply needs to “be” for visitors who come to sense that this is a new order of reality altogether and are drawn to Christ.

Will you join us?  Let’s gather and see if God doesn’t do amazing things through these prayers.