Today’s sermon, Affluenza (1), is now online. Affluence would be defined as having lots of stuff and affluenza would be the disease or sickness associated with having lots of stuff. This sermon, from Matthew 6:19-20, helped diagnose affluenza (laying up earthly treasure) and provide a remedy for affluenza (lay up heavenly treasure).
I hope it was helpful. I did allude to Randy Alcorn’s book, the Treasure Principle. Here are the six keys I pointed to.
Lecrae‘s song Killa from Rehab is one of the best descriptions of the fight with sin I’ve seen in a while. Here’s the lyrics:Uh, I know it’s going to kill me but I just can’t let it go
And the, taste so appealing it’s got a grip upon my soul
These honey dip lies mesmerize me
Pride’s got its crooked fingers twisted all inside in me
Fools walk the path I’m on, never to be seen again
Sipping on seduction while we eating on some secret sin
(No one will ever know) says the whisper in my ear
And I know I should be over this, but I ain’t seeing clear
And I ain’t leaving here, unless somebody save me
Walking to my grave letting evilness enslave me
Evil looks so lovely covered in her lace of lies
And the silky smooth seduction just manipulates my mind
Her fabric of fabrication is fueling my fascination
While I’m intoxicated she starts her assassination
I’m losing all my honor and my years to the merciless
Giving all my life away but I’m just so immersed in this (Killa)
Hook:
Baby this is innocent (Killa) it won’t even hurt a little bit (Killa)
I’m only here for your benefit (Killa) I’m your every wish (Killa)
Come on and let me in (Killa), baby this is innocent (Killa)
And it won’t even hurt a little bit (Killa) Close your eyes and let’s get lost tonight
(Killa) It’ll be alright(Killa), You’ll see I’m not a (Killa)
Her feet go down to DEATH, so don’t let her consume you
Even though her heart is black, her exterior’s beautiful
She’ll take your life away, strip away your joy
Pretends that she gon build you up but she’s just gon destroy you
My friends fell low, when they was so high
Got me running scared of myself, no lie
And I know I’m gon die, I tried cold turkey
But when I’m feeling worthy, Satan’s sure trying to merk me
I’m doing myself dirty, flirting with what’s perverted
I should follow the word but I guess I’d rather be murdered
(Eh-hreehmm) —Excuse me I mean martyred ‘cause I’m killing myself
My sin conceived a baby, and we gon name her death, breath
(Gasps) —Taken, she take my breath away
Replaces it with poison and I’m so swept away
I need some PRAYER today hope I wake up
Before they start my wake up somebody make me break up
I’m dating a (Killa)
Hook:
Baby this is innocent (Killa) it won’t even hurt a little bit (Killa)
I’m only here for your benefit (Killa) I’m your every wish (Killa)
Come on and let me in (Killa), baby this is innocent (Killa)
And it won’t even hurt a little bit (Killa) Close your eyes and let’s get lost tonight
(Killa) It’ll be alright(Killa), You’ll see I’m not a (Killa)
The latest album from Hillsong United entitled Aftermath is now available. It’s available from Amazon for $7.99
DeYoung posted his article from this month’s Tabletalk magazine today entitled A Tale of Two Corners: Knowledge and Maturity. What I loved about this was the pastoral prowess exhibited in recognizing this. In church life, we have those who love theology and want to go DEEP, which is a great thing. However, often those same people have huge maturity issues. And, in the church we have those who are more simpleton’s but demonstrate maturity in innumerable ways. This article highlights this and urges both camps to grow. I found it to be greatly helpful for me as a pastor, not only in shepherding others, but growing myself.
Last night’s sermon, Your Family Needs God’s Word, from James 1:16-25 is now online. In the world we live in, God’s Word or family worship is often pushed by the “tyranny of the urgent” to the side. In last night’s sermon in the Gospel-Centered family series, I tried to give an apologetic from God’s Word as to why it’s so important that we keep pursuing it. I hope this sermon encourages you to this as well.
We finished out our series on prayer by looking at Matthew 6:13. The sermon, Model Prayer (5), is now online. The big idea was that just like we need God to help with physical needs and our salvation, we also need His help for sanctification issues of fighting temptation and evil.
I’m hoping God uses these sermons on prayer in our church to draw us closer to Himself and make us a praying people.
Tomorrow, 2/20, we plan to spent some time in Matthew 6:13, wrapping up the Lord’s prayer. The basic idea is that the same God we trust for physical needs (daily bread) and ultimate spiritual needs (forgiveness) needs to be the One we rely on as we face temptation and evil. The sermon will highlight 3 ways that God provides for us in prayer.
As you prepare to come, what is the greatest underdog moment you can imagine? Maybe you think of the greatest upsets in sports history, biggest oversight, or something to that effect? Why did this really take place? What did it show? Might it be the case for us, too, that we fail to recognize our true Helper in facing temptation and evil?
I look forward to seeing you tomorrow…dv.
As many of you know, we gave birth to our third child on 2/17. About 1PM yesterday (2/18) we were able to come home. Now, a little over 24 hours at home, I thought I would update on some questions I get:
How’s Meg? — She’s doing well. Obviously, post pregnancy is a bit uncomfortable physically but she seems to have a good deal of strength and nursing is going well so far as well.
How’s Lauren? — She’s doing well, too. We had a rough night getting her to sleep (I’d forgotten that first night home with the child isn’t like the peaceful moments we’re used to before). But, eventually she calmed down and we were able to get some sleep. But, seems to be fine physically, getting acquainted to our world.
How’s the boys? — Lauren’s two older brothers seem to be doing well with everything. Obviously, they both want attention, too, so they are learning to be patient, and, having Meg’s mom here is a big help. But they are very gentle and anxious to help when we let them.
Thanks for the concern. Now, somehow, I have to recalibrate my settings to be prepared for a full Lord’s Day teaching SS, preaching AM and PM messages.
…for Lauren.
Each time we have a child, I use the whiteboard in the room we deliver to record the obvious facts:
LAUREN KAYLEA
2/17/11 @ 2:27AM 7lbs.13oz. 19 inches
But I also write out a verse so that everyone who comes and looks at the board sees what our focus is. It helps people see who we are really thankful for. Here’s Lauren’s verse:
“Praise the Lord!
For it is good to sing praises to our God;
For it is pleasant and a song of praise is fitting.”
– Psalm 147:1
Join us in praising and thanking God for His amazing kindness and grace to us, in spite of what we deserve.
We all know choosing a name for a child can be a difficult task. In naming Lauren, we were drawn to that for some reason. The name means crowned with victory or honor. Lauren’s middle name, Kaylea, is especially meaningful to us, because it pays tribute to our mothers. My mother’s middle name is Kay. Meg’s mother’s middle name is Lea. Put them together and you get Kaylea. Thanks moms for the way you have been such a blessing to us. Lauren’s name will always remind us of the blessing you are.