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Weekend Recap 1/17 – OT Story

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Last night, we began a series of sermons highlighting the Old Testament story. The first sermon, using various references but springing from John 5:39-40, entitled Jesus: The Point of the OT is now online.

One application I pressed toward the end, of which I have been guilty in the passed is to avoid moralizing. What is moralizing? “reading the Old Testament not to learn about Jesus, but only to learn principles for how to live my life as a good person by following the good examples of some people and avoiding the bad examples of others” (as defined by Driscoll in A Book You’ll Actually Read on the Old Testament).

Another application I pressed was to look for Jesus in the OT. An interview with John Sailhamer on his latest book, the Meaning of the Pentateuch, was very helpful is seeing a balance and avoiding overspiritualizing.

At any rate, I hope you are encouraged to see how every page of the Bible “whispers His name” and ask God that through this series, we would have spiritual eyes to behold Jesus in the Old Testament.

Weekend Prep — Reconciled & Jesus

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Here’s the scoop for where we’re headed this weekend as we look gather corporately.

On Sunday AM, we will be focusing in on Colossians 1:21-22 and seeing 3 snapshots of our reconciliation, a before Christ element, the element Christ accomplished in His death and an “after” element looking forward into eternity. Pray for the Gospel to be clear to unbelievers who might be present and for God’s Word to richly build us up.

In the PM service, we will be starting a new series overviewing the big storyline of the Bible. The sermon is entitled “Jesus: The Point of the Old Testament.” I hope to give reasons we know the OT is about Jesus in this message, which will be an important framework for the sermons that will follow.

I am looking forward to seeing each of you this weekend.

Preeminence

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Today’s sermon, Preeminence, from Colossians 1:19-20 is online. I thought we had a great morning. The sermon itself focused on Jesus’ incarnation as well as His death to reconcile sinners. It was encouraging to look at these truths, because I know in my sin, I don’t focus on Christ the way I need to during this season.

Anything stick out to anyone out there?

Who is Jesus?

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C.S. Lewis famously remarked that He’s either a liar, a lunatic or the Lord. Today at Crestview, we looked at Colossians 1:15-16 to see a clear revelation of Jesus in a sermon entitled Who Is Jesus? The main points were pretty simple:

Jesus is God (15)
Jesus is Creator (16)

The big implication is that we weren’t made to spend our days serving ourselves. We were made for something greater…we were made by Him, through Him and for Him.

I hope you were encouraged as we looked at Jesus today.

VBS is here…

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Well, it’s here. This year, we are using the curriculum entitled Boomerang Express, featuring an Aussie theme (anyone else thinking OUTBACK?) Seriously, though, this week should be a great week as God’s Word is opened to children. The stories center in the life of Peter and include calls for children to center all of their lives on Jesus (Following Him, Worshipping Him, Confessing Him, Serving Him and Obeying Him). Last night, our church did a service devoted to praying and serving to ensure that this week happens to God’s glory. Will you join me in praying to that end. That we would serve in the strength that God supplies so He is glorified. Also, pray that children would see the light of the glorious Gospel in the face of Christ.

Lot’s Wife…

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I came across Luke 17:32 in my devotions this morning and really benefited from Mark Altrogge’s post on “Remembering Lot’s Wife” when it came up in my feed reader this AM.

Here’s the final two paragraphs:

Remember her love of the world, her attachment to things. Her failure to wholeheartedly follow the Lord. These things cost her her life.

Jesus is returning. Invest yourself in heaven. Give your life away serving others. Give to the kingdom and the poor. Follow Jesus with all your heart, and you’ll be ready when he comes.

Remember Lot’s wife and I’m sure you will see why these conclusions are reached. Enjoy.

1st vs. 2nd…

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J.C. Ryle, from his Commentary on Mark, p.210…
“The second coming in Christ will be utterly unlike the first. He came the first time in weakness, a tender infant born of a poor woman in the manger at Bethlehem, unnoticed, unhonored, and scarcely known. He will come the second time in royal dignity, with the armies of heaven around Him, to be known, recognized and feared by all the tribes of the earth. He came the first time to suffer – to bear our sins – to be reckoned a curse – to be despised, rejected, unjustly condemned and slain. He will come the second time to reign – to put down every enemy under His feet – to take the kingdoms of this world for His inheritance – to rule them with righteousness – to judge everybody, and to live forevermore.”