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VBS Wrap

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We’ve had an amazing week of Vacation Bible School. We again used and were very pleased with Lifeway’s theme/curriculum. This year’s theme was Amazing Wonders Aviation. For our missions project, we took an offering and trumpeted the ministry of The Elisha Foundation, which cares for the needs of disabled children and their families by offering Gospel encouragement.

On a deeper level, we were humbled that God entrusted us nearly double the number of people we were expecting.  This caused some restructuring and thought to reorganize early in the week, but it was no problem for the amazing support staff and workers God had already provided.

We closed our week with an In-Flight Movie for parents highlighting the week.  Here’s that video:

Our hope is that God was glorified and the lives of children and workers were changed this week.
 

Uncle Drew

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I enjoyed this video from Kyrie Irving & Pepsi Max.  “Uncle Drew” appears to be an old washed up player, but proves he is really a “playa.”  Hope this makes you smile…

Weekend Recap – Faith & God’s People

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My 6/10/12 sermon entitled Faith Developed in God’s People from Hebrews 11:29-31 is now online.  The sermon sought to show how God seemed to work faith in His people in this passage.  Specifically, we saw faith trust God’s Word of deliverance as the children of Israel crossed the Red Sea.  We saw faith cling to God’s promises in the midst of tough circumstances as they marched around Jericho 7 times and saw it fall.  And faith obeyed, as Rahab evidenced her faith in obedience to God’s call for her salvation.

There are many rich applications for our lives from this.  For instance, we all face tough times and this passage shows how to unrelentingly hold to God through those.  I hope you found it encouraging.  Have a blessed week.

Weekend Preview – Jericho (In & Out) and God’s People…

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Been a rather busy week, so I haven’t blog as consistently, but work still has been in motion for our corporate gatherings tomorrow. In the AM, we are looking at God develop the faith of His people as they cross the Red Sea and conquer Jericho (and with Jericho, we see faith in those outside and inside the city). So, plan to come as we look at Hebrews 11:29-31 and see faith related to God’s people. I’m hoping God works through His Word to develop faith in us.

In the evening, our church will start a week of VBS. We meet from 6:30-8:30 on June 10-14. For more info on this check out the church website. Here’s a short video I made today to promote our week…
VBS 2012 Promo Video from Phil Auxier on Vimeo.

S’More books I’ve read…

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Last weekend, I highlighted 3 books I had finished and over the weekend I finished up a few more:

40 Questions About the End Times by Eckhard Schnabel
Schnabel is a first class scholar and the 40 Questions series are a very accessible set of books.  What I appreciated about this overview of many of the questions we have about the end times was how thoroughly Biblical he was.  Part of the struggle in end times is deciphering what’s literal and what’s figurative in the apocalyptic genre (Revelation isn’t the same genre as say one of Paul’s letters).  Schnabel helps navigate the waters with a thorough Biblical case.  One other practical things that makes this appealing is in helping one see how different interpreters have erred and seeking to avoid that.  Really helpful piece.

Rose Guide to End-Times Prophecy by Timothy Paul Jones
I am working through this book right now and have found it very helpful in again, thinking about the 10,000 foot level of eschatology.  One thing I love so far is how centered on Jesus the book is.  One frustration I have about end times fanaticism is that the interpretations can leave Christ on the curb and other things are sensationalized and showcased.  Jones helps the reader see how different schools of thought are making much of Christ and what this means for the average person out there.  This book also helps by bringing end times things throughout the history of the church, and, in this, helps all readers.

Loving the Church . . . Blessing the Nations: Pursuing the Role of Local Churches in Global Mission by George Miley
Last month I attended a conference at a missions agency to help local church missions committees think about their role in relation to both the church and the call to reach the nations.  At that conference, one resource that popped up in a few quotes was this one.  I gave this a quick read and found many things helpful.  This book helps highlight a methodology for church planting.  But, in a deeper way, shows a love for the local church and the strength she can wield in planting churches internationally.  The church can be about God’s work and I was encouraged in this regard by this book.

Hope you’re enjoying your summer reading.

Weekend Recap – Faith’s Actions/Moses

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My 6/3/12AM sermon entitled Faith’s Actions from Hebrews 11:23-28 is online.  This sermon looked at the recap of Moses’ life in the book of Hebrews and helped us see how his faith related to action (informed by the Gospel, of course).  One big thing I was driving at in the sermon was how many of us think that faith doesn’t require action, which is good if we’re talking about entering into a relationship with God.  However, long term sanctification and growth occurs out of faith-filled action, evidencing what we really believe.  In this sermon, I was driving at how being saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone produces a faith that is not alone, but filled with God-glorifying, Gospel-provoked action.

I hope it benefitted you and you had an enjoyable Lord’s Day standing in awe of God and His amazing mercy towards you.

Tweets from Revelation 1

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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 1.  Here’s a compilation of my tweets followed by the reference.

The final book of the Bible is a singular revelation of a specific person: Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:1)
John was qualified to capture this b/c he saw it (Revelation 1:2)
If you apply yourself to study the final book of the Bible you’re promised a blessing (Revelation 1:3)
God: the timeless One (Revelation 1:4)
Jesus is a Sovereign Savior (Revelation 1:5)
Because of what Jesus has done for His people, He’s worthy of all worship forever. (Revelation 1:6)
Jesus is surely returning and everyone will know! (Revelation 1:7)
The Lord God Almighty is everything. (Revelation 1:8)
As Christians, we partner together in Jesus, which means tribulation, a kingdom & endurance. (Revelation 1:9)
Sundays are great days to devote ourselves to seeking the Spirit. (Revelation 1:10)
God’s revelation of His Son is meant to build up churches. (Revelation 1:11)
God means to clearly communicate through His Word. (Revelation 1:12)
Jesus, the Son of man, dwells among His people. (Revelation 1:13)
Jesus is wisdom personified. (Revelation 1:14)
The work and the word of the Son of God are powerful and effective. (Revelation 1:15)
Jesus is radiant in His people through His powerful word. (Revelation 1:16)
A revelation of Jesus will drive us to our knees in worship. (Revelation 1:17)
Jesus lived, died and lives forevermore with all authority over eternity. (Revelation 1:18)
God has always clearly articulated who He is for people in His Word. (Revelation 1:19)
God sometimes unveils mystery for the good of His people. (Revelation 1:20)