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Recap – Will of God

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Today’s sermon from Colossians 1:10 entitled “Walking in the Will of God” is up and online. Continuing the thought he began in 1:9, Paul elaborates and unpacks what walking in God’s will looks like. This morning, specifically, the characteristics of those walking in God’s will are:
1) They live to please the Lord
2) They are blossoming in good deeds
3) They are growing in their knowledge of God

I thought these principles can be applied in many ways…

These are great things to pray for another believer.
They are great characteristics to pursue.
We can have confidence that, as we practice them, we are “walking in God’s will.”

Any thoughts?

Knowing God’s Will

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In yesterday morning’s sermon, I alluded to some ideas about how we view the will of God and what ramifications this has for our life.

Too many people narrowly define the will of God in terms of this or that decision they are facing. I think God, in His Word, is wanting us to see His will as something larger (i.e. sanctification in 1 Thessalonians 4:3, believing in Jesus as Savior in John 6:40). When we narrowly define God’s will in terms of who we will marry, which job to choose, or other decisions like this, we run the risk of missing out what God’s will actually is for us.

For more info, I would also recommend Kevin DeYoung’s excellent work, Just Do Something.

Weekend Recap – Prayer, Love and Much Praise to God

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Today’s sermons are now online.

In the AM, we looked at Colossians 1:9. The title of the sermon was Prayer. This sermon helped us to see that we are to pray consistently, for others, and for God’s will. In the section on God’s will, we saw that what Paul was primarily thinking about wasn’t some decision help, but specifically that they would know God’s will as seen in Jesus Christ.

In the PM, we looked at Hosea 11:1-13:3, in a sermon entitled God’s Gracious Love. I was utterly amazed at this picture of God’s love and really received benefit from seeing it.

I hope you were encouraged this past Lord’s Day and were able to apply God’s Word to your life.

Weekend Recap – Helping The Church

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Sunday AM’s sermon (10/25), entitled Helpful People, is now online. We looked at the amazing example of Epaphras from Colossians 1:7-8 and saw how we can use our talents and abilities to benefit the body of Christ. Specifically, we can help others by: centering our lives on the Gospel, serving, being faithful, and being in step with the Spirit.

I thought Sunday nights small group material on “the Church and the Yo-Yo” really tied in nicely to the morning emphasis. We had a great small group and I’m really encouraged with all that God is doing in the life of our body.

One more thing: Have you checked out the women’s ministry page?

The Universal, Effective Gospel, full of grace and truth…

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Today’s sermon from Colossians 1:5-6, entitled The Gospel, is now online. This sermon highlighted God’s Word speaking of the Gospel as truth, universal, effective, and grace. It was really enjoyable to see what God’s Word clearly has to communicate to us about what the Gospel is and what it produces in us.

I hope it encouraged you and, deeper still, hope God takes it and works repentance and belief in the lives of others.

Weekend Recap – Jesus Is The Greatest!

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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?

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…according to Rick Cornish…

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

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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…

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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.