Yesterday’s sermon is now up and online (Faith, Love and Hope – Colossians 1:4-5a). I thought we had a great time exploring what should inspire gratitude in our hearts for one another. God has done amazing things to knit us together in His body. Therefore, gratefulness to Him should characterize us as a church. Any thoughts on how this influenced anyone?
Weekend Recap – Jesus Is The Greatest!
Today’s sermon on the Supremacy of Jesus Christ from Colossians 1:1-4:18 is now online. I had a simple goal of letting God’s Word speak for itself and unfold how great Jesus is in this book. It was a fun day.
Also, reading the entire book during the course of a message was an interesting discipline. It seems that many preachers today are more anxious to comment on Scripture than to let them speak for themselves. Hopefully, people found that helpful.
I was struck by the sheer scope of the supremacy of Jesus. Still kind of awed by that! Hope you have a good week.
Why Be Involved in Missions?
1) Because missions is God’s passion
2) Because the need is great.
I thought we had a great day yesterday and were challenged throughout the day to be about God’s business. I also thought this tied really well with the emphasis we’ve seen in Luke 15:1-32 and also in our Sent small group study.
Hopefully yesterday left you encouraged and motivated to honor God by being involved with missions.
Weekend Recap – Luke 15
The final message from our brief summer series on Luke 15 is now online. It was entitled “Compassionate Father and Lost Sons (3)” from Luke 15:25-32. This sermon was after the self-righteous tendencies we have as religious, elder brother types. I mentioned Jerry Bridges’ book, Bookends of the Christian Life, and how Bridges calls self-righteousness Gospel Enemy #1. Here are the questions Bridges gave to determine if we were self-righteous or not:
1) Do you tend to live by a list of dos and don’ts?
2) Is it difficult for you to respect those whose standards aren’t as high as yours?
3) Do you assume that practicing spiritual disciplines should result in God’s blessing?
4) Do you feel you’re better than most other people?
5) Has it been a long time since you identified a sin and repented of it?
6) Do you resent it when others point out your “spiritual blind spots”?
7) Do you readily recognize the sins of others but not your own?
8) Do you have the sense that God owes you a good life?
9) Do you get angry when difficulties and suffering come into your life?
10) Do you seldom think of the cross?
(taken from p.49)
The best remedy for our self-righteous thinking is the compassionate father and His unending love for us. Repent and turn to Him!
Weekend Wrap Up…
Today’s sermon Compassionate Father & Lost Sons (2) from Luke 15:17-24 is now online. We looked at the character of the Father and the amazing initiative He has taken to change us. I was struck by the awesome example that is of how we are to love lost people. I actually felt like the Pharisees felt (in vv.1-2) and realized that my heart is so hardened to loving others. I hope God’s Word had a profound impact on you, as well.
Sermon/Recap – 8/23
Yes, the sermon from today, 8/23, is online. It is entitled “Compassionate Father and Lost Sons (1)“. I thought we had a great Lord’s Day morning. Full fellowship and lots of people serving one another and working to make the morning be pulled off in a way that brought glory to God. So I praise God for that, first of all.
I thought the sermon on Luke 15:11-16 was especially good is exposing what lost people see. I have a hard time remembering what it was like to be lost, since I am so entrenched in church culture. This sermon was really eye-opening in that regard to me.
And, it had been some time since we came to the Lord’s table together. That was an especially deep time of fellowship. So, I’m full. What a wonderful work God has done today. And we still have small group tonight.
8/16 Recap…
Yesterday’s sermons are up and on the web…
In the AM, “God and The Lost (2)” from Luke 15:8-10, we noticed how we can have heart attitudes that match God’s heart for the lost. The parable of the lost coin speaks volumes into our lives in this regard.
In the PM, “God Isn’t Pleased” from Hosea 8:1-9:17, we sought to find a course that would please God by looking at what provoked His displeasure.
I thought we had a great Lord’s Day. Lots to chew on and lots to spur us on in further growth and sanctification. Any thoughts on your end?
Recap – Josh…
Well, we are back. Got back into town last night and am back in the office rolling on another week. Have a busy day today as well.
Just got done getting Josh Seachris’ sermon preached here yesterday online. I’m excited about listening to it. Josh always handles the Scriptures well and points us to great application as he wrestles with texts. The sermon was entitled “Reverence, Contentment, and Faith: The Appropriate Response to a Sovereign God” from Ecclesiastes 3:1-15. Any applications stick out to anyone from this sermon?
Hope you all have a great week.
Recap on God..HIs Heart and His People
I mentioned in a previous post about where we were headed this weekend. Well, today is in the books and it’s time for the diligent work of application.
In the AM, we looked at God’s Heart for the Lost in Luke 15:4-7. I was struck with how I am so religious in my orientation and this keeps me from loving the lost with the same aggressiveness that God does. Lining up my heart with His is what I am called to.
In the PM, we looked at A Stiff Necked People from Hosea 6:7-7:16. God had contention with His people because they are going their own way and being led astray, while seeking to draw near to Him with a shallow repentance. This message struck me in that I am much too casual with sin. It’s an affront to God because of His holiness and justice. Turning to Him in heartfelt repentance is the only prudent action.
Anything stick out to you all?
1 Corinthians 13 Remix…
Last night in small group, we read a section from an incredible book: Counsel From The Cross on God’s amazing love and how it is exemplified in Jesus Himself. We often read 1 Corinthians 13 as a list of things that we must do and fail at. This approach and paraphrase of how Christ is perfect love was a blessing to us as we considered how love binds us together to one another.
As the author of language and as God’s Living Word, Jesus can speak in the tongues of men and angels, and yet he condescends to speak simple words that nourish, soothe, and delight our souls. He knows the past and the future, understands all mysteries and knowledge; has all faith and reigns as Ruler over all; and yet, his love caused him to humble himself and remove our mountain of sin. Because of his love, we who are nothing have become “beloved.” He gave away what was rightfully his, humbled himself, and delivered up his body to be burned in the scorching furnace of the wrath of his Father.
Jesus is patient and kind; he doesn’t envy or boast. When faced with Satan’s temptation to prove his Godhood in the wilderness and on the cross, he never showed off his power. He was utterly humble. He wasn’t arrogant or rude, railing on the disciples, deserting them because of their selfish ambition. He isn’t arrogant or rude with us either. When standing before his accusers he didn’t insist that they treat him with respect, nor did he proudly demand their accolades. He was silent, like a lamb before her shearers. The humble King of heaven wore a crown of thorns and a purple cloak. He is never irritable or resentful, picking away at ever little foible he sees. In love, his blood covers our multitudinous sins.
He doesn’t gleefully rejoice when you sin, glad to finally have an opportunity to give you your comeuppance. He rejoices when you believe the truth, not simply the truth about you—that you are sinful and flawed—but also the truth about him—that he loves and welcomes you. Out of love for you, he bears all things. He has unflinching faith and hope in your transformation because he knows the power of his love. He knows that one day he will bring you to be with himself. He has endured and continues to endure all things out of love for you. His love never ends. Never.
Ten zillion years from now, when he has had time to really see what sort of person you are, his love won’t have worn out. In fact, he knows you through and through right now and loves you all the same. Your shameful secrets cannot shock or repel him. His love never ends. One day we will see him face-to-face and then we will fully understand, for the first time, what real love looks like.(Elyse Fitzpatrick and Dennis Johnson, Counsel From The Cross, (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2009) p.63)
May you rest today in the perfect love of Jesus Christ.