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Hardness of Heart…

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This coming Lord’s Day, we will be looking at Hebrews 3:7-19 and a negative example of what faithfulness to God looks like (from the children of Israel in Numbers 13-14). One of the big warnings is to not have a hard heart. Here’s an excellent definition from William Lane in his book Hebrews: A Call To Commitment:

Hardness of heart signifies treating the Lord with contempt; it is the refusal to believe in the Lord; it is choosing to listen to human voices of despair rather than listening to the voice of God. (p.64)

As you think about your response to God’s Word, are you characterized by a hard heart? Think about your response? Do you treat God with contempt? Are you refusing to believe Him in any area? Are you choosing to listen to human voices over God’s voice? Check your heart and keep it with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life (Proverbs 4:23).

Weekend Recap – Focus on Faithfulness

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After my week off for vacation, I was back at Crestview today with a sermon Focus on Faithfulness from Hebrews 3:1-6. God’s Word seemed to compel us to continue to focus on Christ as the confidence, boast and hope of our lives. Sad to say, but some strands of evangelicalism place stock in a decision and not in Christ. The writer of Hebrews has timeless truth for them and us: Christ.

Weekend Recap – Jesus, the GodMAN and wisdom for parents

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…audio from our weekend is now online:

In the AM, we looked at Hebrews 2:11-16, a sermon called GodMAN, and how Jesus took on human flesh to identify with us, defeat death and deliver us from slavery.

In the PM, we sought wisdom in Proverbs 4:1-9, a sermon entitled Parental Counsel, to see the high calling we have as parents to impart wisdom, be examples and made wisdom attractive.

I hope you had a blessed Lord’s Day.

All I Have Is Christ Animated Video

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This coming Lord’s Day, May 15, we will show this video as our offertory…

Some things about this:
1) The song is amazing in helping us hold onto Jesus as our Righteousness
2) The setting of this video and the setting of the readers who read the book of Hebrews the first time were pretty much the same. Both were holding on Christ as their hope and both needed hope to persevere.
3) Christ is our only Hope. He is able to sustain us in that difficult hour of testing.

I hope this inspires fresh courage in us all.

Weekend Recap – Babies, Salvation…

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The weekend at Crestview is complete (we have no evening activities today so that families can enjoy Mother’s Day together). Our service began with a baby dedication. In planning this, our elders were greatly helped by Sojourn Kids‘ handout entitled First Steps, preparing for baby dedication. We used these to formulate the commitment both the parents and church community are making together.

For the sermon, I continued working through Hebrews focusing today on Hebrews 2:10 and a sermon entitled Founder of Salvation. This sermon highlighted the grace shown believers from God in Jesus’ sufferings and the what, why and how of God’s amazing plan of salvation. Hopefully, people were helped by it. I know for me, the sermon reminded me that I am being saved and one of those sons being brought to glory–oh for that day to be realized.

Hope you had a blessed Mother’s Day as well.

Weekend Preview – Men’s Ministry & Mother’s Day…

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We have a busy weekend coming…

First off, our Men’s Ministry 7 in ’11 breakfasts will meet Saturday, 5/7 at 7AM. Conor Eastman will be talking about gluttony. Plan to join us for fellowship, teaching and prayer from 7-8AM.

On Sunday, in the AM service, we will have baby dedications, but also continue working through Hebrews, looking at Hebrews 2:10 and the Founder of our salvation. F.F. Bruce, in his excellent commentary mused, “There are many who are ready to tell us confidently what would and what would not be worthy of God; but in fact the only way to discover what is a worthy thing for God to do is to consider what God has actually done.” There might be some out there who wonder why salvation is a certain way and what it does. Hebrews 2:10 opens up to show some of the answer. Therefore, join us for Sunday AM worship at Crestview, 10:15AM. We will have no PM activities on Sunday.

Weekend Recap – Future & The Family…

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Enjoyed a great Lord’s Day yesterday:

In the AM, my sermon was from Hebrews 2:5-9 and entitled Already, Not Yet. The sermon had to do with not being too preoccupied with the future, but being consumed what who we do see now: namely Jesus.

In the PM, my sermon was from Luke 18:9-14 and entitled Gospel Foundations for Families. Thinking about this parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector helped us see how many of us tie our righteousness to the success of the parenting event. In the introduction, we met 2 ladies: Farah C and Fay Lure.

At any rate, hope you enjoyed a great Lord’s Day as well.

Weekend Recap – Drifting

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Today’s sermon, Drifting, from Hebrews 2:1-4 is now online. Among other things, the sermon talked about why we drift, using Kent Hughes’ helpful insights. We drift due to years, familiarity with the truth, and/or busyness. The text proved to helpful in helping us understand how we can grow (by paying careful attention to the message we’ve heard in the Gospel). What things did God do in you through this weekend at Crestview?