Morning: The sermon, "A Gracious Refuge," focused on Ruth 2:1-23. In this passage, the author points us to Christ through Boaz, the kinsmen redeemer.
We looked at 4 principles:
1. There is no such thing as a chance encounter.
2. God uses men and means to bless this world.
3. God's kindness abounds in our lives.
4. Just because God is gracious doesn't mean he doesn't expect us to work.
What do we do with these truths?
1. Make the most of every opportunity.
2. Work hard to "glean" from the Lord.
3. Recognize that grace is not deserved.
Evening: We looked at Daniel 6:1-23. In this passage, we are reminded that God is in control of our circumstances. Daniel's life teaches us:
1. Righteous living will raise opposition.
2. Stay the course, no matter what the cost.
3. Trust in God, not man.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Spiritual Psalms: "Now Unto Jehovah"
This song, "Now Unto Jehovah," is actually a recasting of the 29th Psalm. I enjoy the folk sound of this song. I hope you enjoy it.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Sunday Recap 4-22-12
Morning: The sermon, "A Bitter Blindness," focused on Ruth 1:14-22. In this passage, we are reminded that we need to have the eyes of our hearts opened to see the God's work in our lives. We looked at four truths.
1. God loves his people in spite of them.
2. God can even use an imperfect witness to draw people to himself.
3. Grief left unchecked or unchallenged can turn into an all consuming bitterness.
4. Bitterness blinds. It blinded Naomi to the spiritual costs of our grief. It blinded her to the magnificent riches of God's grace. It blinded her to God's work in her life. It even blinded her to the opportunities around her.
What do we do with these truths?
1. Expect hardship. Jesus warned us it would happen (Matt. 5:10-12, 24:9; Luke 21:1). Paul warned us it would happen (Acts 14:22; 2 Cor. 4:8-11; 1 Thes. 3:4). Other warned us it would happen (Heb. 12:7; James 1:2-4; and 1 Pet. 4:12-14).
2. Don't grieve like those who have no hope.
Ask God to open the eyes of your heart to see his love and power at work in your life.
Evening: We kicked off our VBS clinics by looking at Day 1 of Amazing Wonders Aviation VBS. It looks like it will be a fun year. At 6:00 pm, we looked at Jeremiah 32:17. Jeremiah focuses on God's Sovereign power in order to strengthen his faith. We are reminded that nothing is to hard for the Lord.
1. God loves his people in spite of them.
2. God can even use an imperfect witness to draw people to himself.
3. Grief left unchecked or unchallenged can turn into an all consuming bitterness.
4. Bitterness blinds. It blinded Naomi to the spiritual costs of our grief. It blinded her to the magnificent riches of God's grace. It blinded her to God's work in her life. It even blinded her to the opportunities around her.
What do we do with these truths?
1. Expect hardship. Jesus warned us it would happen (Matt. 5:10-12, 24:9; Luke 21:1). Paul warned us it would happen (Acts 14:22; 2 Cor. 4:8-11; 1 Thes. 3:4). Other warned us it would happen (Heb. 12:7; James 1:2-4; and 1 Pet. 4:12-14).
2. Don't grieve like those who have no hope.
Ask God to open the eyes of your heart to see his love and power at work in your life.
Evening: We kicked off our VBS clinics by looking at Day 1 of Amazing Wonders Aviation VBS. It looks like it will be a fun year. At 6:00 pm, we looked at Jeremiah 32:17. Jeremiah focuses on God's Sovereign power in order to strengthen his faith. We are reminded that nothing is to hard for the Lord.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Hymns: Jesus Paid It All
Music is an important part of the human experience. It captures our attention in unique and diverse ways. It can be used to teach, to express worship, to spread philosophies, etc. The Church is no exception. There is something powerful about truth embedded in music. It has a way of striking both heart and mind. It helps us to lock the truth deep within us.
Here is a song worthy of meditation. "Jesus Paid It All" helps us to remember that our righteousness rests in the work of Christ alone. Without the atoning work of Christ, we would be unable to to meet God's righteous requirements. But because he has died in our place, we can experience forgiveness.
May this song encourage you:
Here is a song worthy of meditation. "Jesus Paid It All" helps us to remember that our righteousness rests in the work of Christ alone. Without the atoning work of Christ, we would be unable to to meet God's righteous requirements. But because he has died in our place, we can experience forgiveness.
May this song encourage you:
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Sermon Recap 4-15-12
Morning: The sermon, "Grief Clouded Providence," focused on Ruth 1:1-13. This passage reminds us that God is in control even in the bad times. We looked at four truths drawn from the text.
1. God's activity often goes unobserved. The first five verses set the stage for the unfolding drama of Ruth, but they never mention God.
2. God uses hardship to drive us to where we need to be. If Elimelech hadn't taken his family to Moab and if his son hadn't died childless, Noami would have never take Ruth back to Bethlehem. No Ruth, no David. No David, no Jesus.
3. God always works for his glory and the good of his people. He not only aided the Israelites by giving them food, he was working to bring about redemption for all of his people.
4. We need to make sure theology (biblical truth) shapes our emotions, and not the other way around.
What do we do with it?
Meditate on God's faithfulness.
Meditate on God's kindness.
Acknowledge and Rejoice in God's sovereignty over all things.
Evening: The message, "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands," focused on Acts 4: 23-31. In this passage, we see a prayer of the early church. The overarching theme is the sovereignty of God.
To speak of God's sovereignty is to speak of his dominion, authority, and power. God has the authority to rule everything. The pray shows us several reason to rest in God's sovereignty.
1. He is the Maker. God is the Creator of the heavens, the earth, and the sea and everything in them. As the Creator he has the right to rule over what he made.
2. He is the Forthteller. When God speaks about the future, he speaks about it with certainty. God doesn't predict the future. He reveals what will happen in the future.
3. He is the Preplanner. God has determined beforehand what will happen. He orchestrates circumstances in such a way that his good purposes come to pass and where tragedy is turned into glory and goodness.
4. God is the Empowerer. He not only sends us out to do his will. He equips us to do the work. Through the Holy Spirit, God has supernaturally empowered his people to do his will.
God has the whole world in his hands, and he will not let us go.
1. God's activity often goes unobserved. The first five verses set the stage for the unfolding drama of Ruth, but they never mention God.
2. God uses hardship to drive us to where we need to be. If Elimelech hadn't taken his family to Moab and if his son hadn't died childless, Noami would have never take Ruth back to Bethlehem. No Ruth, no David. No David, no Jesus.
3. God always works for his glory and the good of his people. He not only aided the Israelites by giving them food, he was working to bring about redemption for all of his people.
4. We need to make sure theology (biblical truth) shapes our emotions, and not the other way around.
What do we do with it?
Meditate on God's faithfulness.
Meditate on God's kindness.
Acknowledge and Rejoice in God's sovereignty over all things.
Evening: The message, "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands," focused on Acts 4: 23-31. In this passage, we see a prayer of the early church. The overarching theme is the sovereignty of God.
To speak of God's sovereignty is to speak of his dominion, authority, and power. God has the authority to rule everything. The pray shows us several reason to rest in God's sovereignty.
1. He is the Maker. God is the Creator of the heavens, the earth, and the sea and everything in them. As the Creator he has the right to rule over what he made.
2. He is the Forthteller. When God speaks about the future, he speaks about it with certainty. God doesn't predict the future. He reveals what will happen in the future.
3. He is the Preplanner. God has determined beforehand what will happen. He orchestrates circumstances in such a way that his good purposes come to pass and where tragedy is turned into glory and goodness.
4. God is the Empowerer. He not only sends us out to do his will. He equips us to do the work. Through the Holy Spirit, God has supernaturally empowered his people to do his will.
God has the whole world in his hands, and he will not let us go.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Sunday Recap 4-8-12
Sunrise: We had our annual sunrise service this morning. The sermon focused on Romans 1:1-4, especially in verse four where Paul says of Christ, "who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead." Jesus' sonship was proven with power. In the power of the Spirit he foretold of his death and resurrection. He also spoke of his power to lay down his life and to take it back up again. He proved his power was greater than the power of death because he defeated death and came back to life again.
Morning: The sermon, "Called to Cross Bearing," focused on 1 Peter 2:21-25. In this passage, Peter calls us to follow Jesus' example as we face suffering. The driving principle behind Peter's exhortation is that the servants are better than the master. To put it another way, we should expect to suffer because Jesus suffered. Peter says Jesus is the example.
Like Jesus, we are to patiently endure suffering. We look at Jesus and we see the righteous dying for the unrighteous. Peter says Jesus had no sin, no deceit, no need to retaliate, and never threatened his enemies. He was able to live this way because he entrusted himself to God, who judges justly.
We are able to follow Christ's example because he died for us. Peter says, "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live to righteousness" (1 Pet. 2:24). Through Christ death we are freed from the power of sin. His death has brought us forgiveness.
As we return to the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls, we find hope and healing. We find freedom from sin and freedom to obey Christ.
Evening: No services
Morning: The sermon, "Called to Cross Bearing," focused on 1 Peter 2:21-25. In this passage, Peter calls us to follow Jesus' example as we face suffering. The driving principle behind Peter's exhortation is that the servants are better than the master. To put it another way, we should expect to suffer because Jesus suffered. Peter says Jesus is the example.
Jesus set the example
Like Jesus, we are to patiently endure suffering. We look at Jesus and we see the righteous dying for the unrighteous. Peter says Jesus had no sin, no deceit, no need to retaliate, and never threatened his enemies. He was able to live this way because he entrusted himself to God, who judges justly.
Jesus paid the price
We are able to follow Christ's example because he died for us. Peter says, "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live to righteousness" (1 Pet. 2:24). Through Christ death we are freed from the power of sin. His death has brought us forgiveness.
As we return to the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls, we find hope and healing. We find freedom from sin and freedom to obey Christ.
Evening: No services
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