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Weekend Preview – 2 John

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This coming Lord’s Day (2/7/16), we’ll be journeying into the book of 2 John.  Here’s a good intro from the ESV Study Bible on the themes found in this book:

The focus of 2 John is living in the love of God in accordance with the truth of Jesus Christ. This love extends not only to God but to other people. It is also discerning; it does not “go on ahead” of biblical revelation (v. 9), and it does not lend aid to enemies of the gospel message (vv. 10–11). Instead, Christ’s followers “walk according to his commandments” (v. 6) and through faith “win a full reward” (v. 8).

I hope you come expecting great things from God in this book this Sunday.  

Weekend Review – 1 John is a Wrap

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My 1/31/16AM sermon, Believer’s Benefits (2) from 1 John 5:18-21, is now online.  This sermon wrapped up my series on 1 John (I’ll attempt 2 John and 3 John in the next couple of weeks).  It’s been a great study and, like most books of the Bible, authors front and back load their content which makes those opening and closing verses of the book pack a powerful wallop. I chose to outline these closing verses as unpacking a few more benefits that the believer enjoys.  I hope it encourages you.  

Leadership Reno County 2016 Begins Today

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I’m privileged to serve as a facilitator with Leadership Reno County, a program of the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce.  Today, a new leadership journey begins for a group of our program participants.  Right about now, they are starting to get oriented to the big problems our community is facing, how we can think about them differently, and how we can act or behave in ways that might help us make progress in these areas.  If you’d like more info on the type of curriculum we use to develop people who engage in acts of leadership, check out the many resources at the Kansas Leadership Center.

Ray Ortlund on Men With A Whole Heart

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Love this post from Ray Ortlund in so many ways.  Here you go:

There is only one way to play football — 110% effort every play, all the way to the end of the fourth quarter.  You lay it all down on that field.  Then you crawl off the field after the final gun with nothing left to give.  Football must be played with wholehearted abandon.  It’s the nature of the game.  It prepares us for life.
If I could change the Bible, all I would do is add “play high school football” to the qualifications for elders.  Men who have experienced such intense effort, hurling themselves into every play, especially as a team sport — such men understand what ministry demands and how good it feels to give their all for a cause greater than self.
Of course, there are other ways God provides for men to punch through to the experience of total abandon.  Football is not the only way.  But every man needs some kind of experience like this, to become the warrior God wants him to be.
There is only one way to serve Christ — all-out passion.  Passive men don’t understand, men who are afraid they might get knocked down or hurt.  Christianity must be lived with wholehearted abandon.  It’s the nature of the faith.  It prepares us for eternity.
Men with a whole heart — joy awaits them!
“Blessed are those who seek Him with their whole heart.”  Psalm 119:2

Weekend Preview – Finishing 1 John

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This coming Lord’s Day (1/31/16), I hope to wrap up expositions through the book of 1 John.  We’ll be honing in on 1 John 5:18-21.  Notice this emphasis:

18 We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.
19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 

21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
While there’s much I hope to say in this “big finish,” I think this summary from Curtis Vaughan gets at where we’ll be Sunday: In this passage, we have “a resume of the chief facts relating to the believer’s new life. Most of it has to do with his union with God and the holiness that union involves.”

Mon Update – Bethlehem Conference for Pastors

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I’m privileged to get to attend the 2016 Bethlehem Conference for Pastors with Meghan this week.  The sessions look helpful, time with Meg is needed, and connecting with friends is always a highlight.  You can connect with us too, if you’d like over on the DG Live site.  Pray for us.  And here’s the schedule…

Monday


  1. Renaissance – The Power of the Gospel However Dark the Times

    Os Guinness


  2. Impossible People – Facing up to the Challenges of Advanced Modernity

    Os Guinness


  3. Yesterday, Today, Forever – Living Tradition and the Challenge of ‘Generationalism’

    Os Guinness


  4. Q&A Session

    Os Guinness


  5. Think It Not Strange: Fiery Trials and the Testimony of Christ

    John Piper

Tuesday


  1. How Long O Lord? Steadying Our Soul in the Midst of the Storm

    D. A. Carson


  2. The Gift of Suffering: The Purpose and Pleasure of God in Persecution

    Jason Meyer


  3. Small Talks

    Various


  4. Boldness Under Threat: Speaking the Gospel with Clarity as Opposition Grows

    Léonce Crump II


  5. Preaching to a Persecuted People: The Pastor as Leader, Comforter, and Guide

    John Piper

Wednesday


  1. The Blood of the Martyrs Is Seed: Learning from Missions and for Missions

    Tim Keesee


  2. Questions & Answers – Jason Meyer, Léonce Crump, Tim Keesee, and John Piper

    Speaker Panel

Gospel Friday – Christ Suffered For You

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I love how 1 Peter draws out our hearts and shows us what Christ was up to in sufferings.  We read: “[22] He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. [23] When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. [24] He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. [25] For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”(1 Peter 2:22-25 ESV)

Today, you may be going through suffering yourself. Look to Jesus. And find comfort in your suffering Savior.


New Music I’ve Enjoyed…

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Some new projects I’ve enjoyed in recent days are:

Lauren Chandler’s Steadfast Love single.

This goes along with her new book.  The great people that surround her musically make this an excellent song to engage.

Passion’s Salvation’s Tide Is Rising

Here’s a video from the title track…Passion’s music rarely disappoints.


Breakaway Ministries’ Lift Him High 

From Breakaway Ministries, meeting on the campus of Texas A & M.  Jeff Johnson and band have pulled together some amazing songs to help you exalt Jesus.