My 12/1/13AM sermon, Come Lord Jesus, from Revelation 22:10-21 wrapped up our church’s formal verse by verse exposition of the book of Revelation. It was a sweet providence that this final message fell on the first Sunday of Advent. I hope this sermon was helpful for the people in engaging with the amazing reality of Christ’s return and living accordingly.
Lord’s Supper As Thanksgiving
Our church took the Lord’s Supper together yesterday, 11/24/13. Taking the Lord’s Supper always seemed like a meaningless add-on in worship to me growing up. I knew it meant something serious spiritually speaking, but couldn’t make the connection to why that rhythm was needed and I feel I’m just getting to a point where I’m starting to understand it.
Having the Lord’s Supper during the week of Thanksgiving is terrific. Some traditions call the Lord’s Supper or Communion the Eucharist, which means to give thanks. This thought originated as Jesus took the bread and gave thanks, then broke it for the disciples. When we come to the Lord’s Supper table together, we should come thankful for all that is ours in the Gospel. Because Jesus gave His life and blood for me, I know forgiveness, grace, hope and am set apart to worship forever.
This week as you gather with your family to give thanks think of the work of Jesus Christ, sinless Godman, who came to earth to seek and save the lost. He came for us and that is something for which we can be forever grateful.
Weekend Recap – Reminders in Revelation
My 11/24/13AM sermon, Important Reminders from Revelation 22:1-9, is now online. It’s an odd sermon in that it brings together many important themes in this book yet packs a powerful punch in giving us truths that are important for our living. Things like our future before God, the trustworthiness of His Word and the priority of worship all are things that needed to be consistently kindled in our walk with God. I hope this sermon helps your walk, then.
LRC Email – The Gap and Others
I sent out my email to Leadership Reno County alumni on 11/20/13. Here’s what I wrote this week:
About a month ago, I wrote about how there is a huge gap between our current reality and our expectations. Part of my contention, as reflected in recent weeks was that bridging the gap between those challenges we face and where we’d like them to be takes us acting different. It requires us to engage in an act of leadership, which will help move people to difficult work. We talked a bit about authority and how anyone can lead, anytime, anywhere, it’s not just the most gifted people at the table that can bridge the gaps you see in your reality.
Today, one further point I want to hold up is how working to bridge this gap starts with you and must engage others. There’s way too much (of the wrong kinds of) action in two extremes, methinks. On the one hand, many of us sit around and make excuses as to why we can’t make progress. Maybe we’re not the authority or the decision maker or how it may be costly and we don’t have time. On the other hand, it’s easy to slip into “expert mode” and give a million reasons why those working for progress aren’t effective. One is kind of a passive critique (I’d do it this way) and one is an active one (what could little ol’ me do). And, our principle today is that making progress in these areas starts with you. You. Not the other person or someone who’s going after it “wrong” but you. And, your engagement is with others. It’s working in collaboration with others for the common good.
So, today, revisit that area that you’d give yourself for. What progress would you like to see made? What are you waiting for? Acts of leadership start with you and must engage others. Let’s move in, then, for the common good and progress of our community.
Dangerous Calling Email – What Now?
On Tuesday, 11/19/13, I wrapped up a year of writing emails to the Elders and Deacons of Crestview on Paul Tripp’s book, Dangerous Calling. Here’s my conclusion:
Today’s our big finish for thinking about Dangerous Callingand all that it’s meant for our lives. The suggested reading that influenced this final session was chapters 7, 8, 12, 14, 15, but particularly the final appeal in the closing pages. Here’s what Tripp gives in reminding us of Peter’s appeal to leaders in 1 Peter 5:6-11…
“Peter has one final punch line. He is eager to remind you that your Savior has dominion forever and ever. The one you look to for hope has absolute rulership over every ministry situation in which you’ll find yourself. It is impossible to ever be in a ministry situation, location, or relationship that is not ruled by King Christ. Here’s why this is so important: all of his promises to you depend on his sovereignty. He is only able to guarantee the delivery of his promises in the places where he has complete control. And since he has complete control over everything, there is no place in ministry where you will be unable to depend on the delivery of everything he has promised you. Also, the hope for your ministry is not the success of your pastoral control or ingenuity but that a sovereign Savior will complete his plan for his church.” (pp.223-224)
I can’t think of a better place to end than by resting in the control of our Savior. Let’s be preaching the Gospel to ourselves then and encouraging others to give it to us. If something’s been exposed in your heart this year, let’s confess it and seek help. Let’s pray for one another and encourage one another in this amazing work, that God may be glorified and enjoyed among our people. Blessings.
Weekend Recap – The Bride’s City
My 11/17/13AM Sermon, The Bride’s City, from Revelation 21:9-27 is online. This sermon sought to “wow people with God and who He is.” I was intrigued of how this city is meant to be a picture of the Lamb’s Bride (read v.9) and sought to press applications in light of this. Specifically, I want my life to show forth the beauty and perfections of the God who can make such a beautiful city. I hope this sermon was helpful to others and you, if you choose to listen.
All This Is Because of the Gospel…
Reflecting on the truth that “in the new earth, we will have unhindered access to the fellowship, goodness and glory of our God (presented here in terms of a new and improved Paradise; Revelation 22:1-5), for all that is unclean is now outside the new Jerusalem (Revelation 21:27; cf. Revelation 22:3, 15)” Jim Hamilton, study note writer for the Gospel Transformation Study Bible writes:
“All this is because of the Gospel. Jesus was the one clean person to every walk the face of the earth, but he went to a cross. There he became ‘unclean’ so that we unclean sinners can be fully and finally cleansed, all by grace (2 Corinthians 5:21).”
Great thought as we prepare for Sunday’s sermon on Revelation 21:9-27.
Dangerous Calling Email – Bridging the Gap Within
Here’s my email to Elders/Deacons at Crestview on 11/13/13:
As we look to wrap up this year and think about what it means to re-engage community, live in the already and the not yet and separate from the outside world (Chapters 6, 11, and 14 in Tripp’s Dangerous Calling), I loved the practical reminders Tripp gives for “vital gospel-in-everyday-life applications that every leader must preach to himself again and again”:
1) I do not have to be anxious that I will never measure up, because Jesus perfectly measured up on my behalf.
2) Because grace allows me to get my identity and security vertically, I am freed from building them on what people think of me.
3) I do not have to be haunted by what may be exposed about me, because everything that could ever be exposed has already been covered by the blood of Jesus.
4) I need to remember that my weaknesses are not in the way of productive ministry, but my delusions of independent strength are.
5) I can rest assured that God didn’t get a wrong address when He called me to ministry. My spiritual neediness doesn’t compromise the message of the Gospel; rather, my need preaches it.
6) There is only one Messiah, and I am definitely not Him!
Rehearse these themes and rest in the liberating truth of the Gospel.
LRC Email – Another Important PSA from Our Sponsors
Here’s my email to Leadership Reno County alumni, sent out on 11/12/13:
Good Morning. I was asked to write another brief word from the Leadership Reno County Alumni Association (we’re also on Facebook: LRC Alumni). As you know, many of you reading this weekly email at one point went through the Leadership Hutch or, as it was later (and currently) called, the Leadership Reno County program. What is Leadership Reno County about? Well, like I’ve said before, that would be an interesting discussion, but one theme that emerges for me is equipping leaders in Reno County to make progress on issues that we care about deeply. Many of you are in the trenches, behind the scenes, working to make our community a better place. Leadership Reno County exists to help you make progress in your difficult work.
A new class for the winter and spring is in the process of filling up. As is usually the case when we are preparing for a new class, we are facing immediate needs for scholarships for our program. The Alumni Association would like to encourage you to join them by renewing your membership before the end of the year. This will ensure membership through next year and it will help our community by enabling others to make progress in their work. You, most of all, probably recognize the change factor that comes once you’ve gone through the LRC program and, therefore, you will want to be a part of this opportunity. Therefore, would you please send a $25 membership renewal fee payable to “Leadership Reno County Alumni Association” to the following address: Debbie Cowl, Treasurer
Leadership Reno County Alumni Association
% First National Bank of Hutchinson
P O Box 913
Hutchinson, KS 67504-0913
Thanks for taking time with this important request.
Weekend Recap – At Home and Abroad
At the request of the Elders of Crestview, I was encouraged to get some time away with Meghan without children (although we brought Micah with us since he’s nursing) and we were gone this weekend. We went to Grand Lake, OK and had some great time relaxing, laughing, living unhurried and talking through our current life situation. It was refreshing, even though it was a short window.
There are numerous people who helped back home. Grandparents watched the boys, a family in the church watched Lauren, people covered my duties at church and Mickey Zimmerman filled the pulpit for me, preaching Ephesians 2:1-10 on one of his favorite passages. The audio of the sermon, which I entitled My Favorite Passage for him, is online. He had some great applications at the end on how the Gospel of grace silences and moves us to action.
We’re coming off a great weekend, then. I hope it was encouraging for you.
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