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Spurgeon on Speaking Well…

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This Sunday, Lord willing, we will be exploring Colossians 1:7-8 and seeing how we can be helpful people in the body of Christ. Again, I quote Spurgeon:

“I like to read of godly men speaking well of one another. Nowadays, it is thought to be a distinguishing work of faithfulness to be able to pick holes in the coats of our fellow Christians. Now we cannot help perceiving some of their defects and sometimes it is our duty to speak of them – and to speak of them faithfully – but let us also observe all the virtues that are to be found in them, otherwise we may despise the work of the Holy Spirit and rob Him of His glory! How kindly Paul speaks of Epaphras, and how kindly Epaphras speaks of the church at Colossae!”

I was struck by these words because we are such a negative culture. We are always quick to voice our disagreements. Paul sets a great tone for encouraging body life. I hope we can take a cue from him and be encouraging people in the body of Christ.

Previewing the Week — The Gospel

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This Sunday, we plan to look at Colossians 1:5-6. Here’s a quote from Spurgeon on this section:

We do not know the grace of God in truth unless it brings forth fruit in us! We may know it with the head very correctly, but we do not truly know it unless it is knowledge in the heart, knowledge in the innner man.

Well said! As always, be meditating on where we’re headed this week and pray that I will have words from God to speak in a way that builds up the body.

Weekend Prep – Gratitude

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This Sunday AM, we will be looking at Colossians 1:4-5a. Here’s what vv.3-5a say:

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven.

This text will show us the grounds for Paul’s thanksgiving to God, specifically, faith and love, springing from the hope.

As we prep for the weekend, think about your heart and how gratitude is seen in your life, or, specifically, your prayer life?

The Hope Laid Up In Heaven

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Spurgeon preached a sermon, The Hope Laid Up In Heaven, back on October 13, 1878. This Sunday, I will be preaching on faith, love and hope in Colossians 1:4-5a: “since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven.” I thought this might be something you could read to get you ready for the weekend.

Weekend Preview – Colossians Begins..

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This weekend, we begin looking at the book of Colossians. The theme: The Supremacy of Jesus Christ. This Sunday, I intend to give an overview of this book and walk us through it. If you can’t be here, please read the book of Colossians, if you are planning on being here, prepare to see the supremacy of Christ in this book.

Weekend Prep on Older Brother

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This coming Lord’s Day (Lord-willing), we will finish up Luke 15:1-32 and, specifically, the parable of the lost sons and compassionate father. We will be honing in on lost son #2 – the older son from Luke 15:25-32. Most of us have no problem seeing the first son as lost, but many of us (church types) don’t see the self-righteous attitude we exalt we as something that separates us from the father. This sermon, then, is one we need. I hope you come prepared Sunday to wage war on your self-righteous, self-sufficient way of living and submit to a compassionate father full of mercy.

More on prep for Lord’s Supper…

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I thought Kevin DeYoung’s post on Tears and the Table is another helpful consideration in our preparation to come together at the Lord’s table this coming Lord’s Day. Here’s the quote from the Heidelberg Catechism that is so helpful…

Question 75 asks, “How does the Lord’s Supper remind you and assure you that you share in Christ’s one sacrifice on the cross and in all his gifts?” Here’s the answer:

In this way: Christ has commanded me and all believers to eat this broken break and to drink this cup. With this command he gave this promise: First, as surely as I see with my eyes the bread of the Lord broken for me and the cup given to me, so surely his body was offered and broken for me and his blood poured out for me on the cross. Second, as surely as I receive from the hand of the one who serves, and taste with my mouth the bread and cup of the Lord, given me as sure signs of Christ’s body and blood, so surely he nourishes and refreshes my soul for eternal life with his crucified body and poured-out blood.

Weekend Prep (Part 2)

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I just finished the sermon for this coming Lord’s Day from Luke 15:11-16. It is part 1 of 3 sermons on “The Compassionate Father and Lost Sons”. In this sermon, I hope to engage hearts as God’s Word shows us what it looks like to be lost. Honestly, I think one reason so many of us don’t love the lost like we should is that we have forgotten what it was like to be lost. God’s Word is up to the challenge of engaging us on this idea. Plan to join us this weekend.

Lord’s Supper This Sunday AM

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Yes, this Sunday AM we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper together. If you get a chance, work through the following links to get a good, Cross-centered focus working as we come to the table together.

Prayer for Lord’s Supper from Valley of Vision

From Matthew Henry’s Method for Prayer: Prayers For the Lord’s Supper (In Preparation for the Lord’s Supper, In the Celebrating of the Lord’s Supper, and After Celebrating the Lord’s Supper)