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Weekend Recap – John 3 and Eternal Life

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My 4/24/16AM sermon, Eternal Life from John 3:1-21, is now online (including some small group questions).  This section includes what might be the most well-known passage of Scripture in the Bible.  It has to do with someone who has a deep, religious background coming to Jesus for clarification about who He is and why He does what He does.  Jesus redirects Nicodemus to see that this is all about eternal life, telling him that you must be born again, you must believe, and you must do what is true.  I hope this sermon and the small group that went with it encourages you.

LRC 2016 Wraps Up Today

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I wrote an email to the alumni of Leadership Reno County explaining all the different ways they can connect to our program.  I love this program.

The backstory is that in 2010 I didn’t know what was happening in the community in which I pastor.  I was in a meeting with other pastors and was shocked to hear about some big issues plaguing our community.  I knew I had to do something.

So, I used the Leadership Reno County experience as a time to learn and refocus on the community in which I live and serve.

Fast forward to today and I get the privilege of serving as a facilitator of this program.  We are working for the common good of Reno County by trying to do something about the leadership behaviors of people.  I love this work.  We wrap up another class today.  There’s a celebration tonight of this group.

Leadership is an activity, not a position.  I’m hoping I continue to model and live this reality out through our local community leadership program.

T4G 2016 Recap

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Last week, I posted that I was at T4G 2016.  Here’s a post in which I recap some highlights/reflections…

T4G is an amazing event in the circles I run in theologically.  This year, over 10,000 pastors assembled in Louisville, KY to think about matters of eternal significance and to encourage one another.  Here are some random reflections:

1) It’s about people — The content, which I’ll say more about in a second, is usually stellar.  But, T4G is about people.  There are lots of friends with whom I connect.  Also, there are people who usually come from our local church.  Getting unhurried time with them on the road and around this conference makes the experience for me.  This time, in particular, we were happy to have friends from India with us.  T4G is about coming together with others around these truths.  That’s what always stands out to me about this experience.

2) There were some outstanding talks — I thought Mark Dever’s sermon was one of  the best I’ve heard at T4G.  Piper’s sermon gave an amazing picture of mankind and how we need a Savior.  Platt’s usually on point and his sermon was the right call at the end of this conference for application.  Resources will soon be up on the T4G website.  I’ll let you weigh the content for yourself.

3) Books — You get many free resources at T4G and this year didn’t disappoint.  Some I had already and I’ve passed them on to others.  But, many of these works will have a lasting impact in my life.

4) Singing – Hearing 10,000 people sing is always something I remember.  This year, the song He Will Hold Me Fast especially gripped me.  We’ll probably be teaching this one soon.

I’m blessed to have a church that allows me to participate in things like this.  I hope this helps you see what I appreciate about events like this.

Weekend Preview – John 3

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This coming Lord’s Day (4/24/16) is going to be full of a lot of amazing things…
1) My sermon will cover John 3:1-21, the famous story of Nicodemus coming to Jesus at night.  In this narrative, we have maybe the most famous verse of the Bible (John 3:16).  I love how Kent Hughes meditated on this and I had Elizabeth Wood develop some artwork on it (see the pic above).  So, I’m excited to think about eternal life in this passage.
2) Related to this, we will be having small groups and discussing John 3:1-21.
3) We’ll be taking the Lord’s Supper together.  We will be using the Ligonier Statement on Christology during this portion of our service.  
So, I hope you plan to join us.  It’s going to be a great gathering to worship together. 

Weekend Recap – 4/17/16

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My 4/17/16 sermon, Cleansing The Temple from John 2:13-25, is now online.  This particular passage shows an amazing picture of Jesus cleansing the temple.  I try to make sense of this and at the same time help show why Jesus did what He did related to signs.  To put it simply, He pointed to His life, death, and resurrection in what He was showing.  I hope this sermon encourages you.

Gospel Friday – Gospel Propulsion

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As you think about the amazing good news that God loves sinners and has made a way for them to be right with Him through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, remember that this message is meant for all people.  Praise God for the Gospel and ask Him to use you for the nations.

The Church’s Worship Helping The Culture

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Great quote from Marva Dawn’s Reaching Out Without Dumbing Down:

“Christians can help society recognize the danger of its loss of reasonable discourse in the all-consuming ubiquity of entertainment.  By offering worship that educates instead of entertains, that uplifts and transforms through the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2), the Church exposes the meaninglessness of our present culture.” (p.72)

Weekend Preview – Connections

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We’ve been anticipating this coming Sunday for a while (really since last year when we were in India).  On 4/10, we’re excited to welcome Vivek and Luke, some international partners of ours in India to Crestview.  We’re going to have a weekend to connect with them:

  • Church Wide Meal Saturday, 4/9, at 6PM 
  • Sunday School, 4/10, at 9AM – Vivek sharing testimony, calling and about ministry
  • Corporate Worship, 4/10, at 10:15AM – Phil, Luke and Vivek sharing about connections we have to the work taking place in India
Please prioritize this and plan to be a part of this amazing Sunday.