Sermon Preview 12-6-09

Lord willing, we will look at Ephesians 3:1-13.  In this passage, Paul takes a deeper look at the mystery of the gospel: "that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Jesus Christ through the gospel" (Eph. 3:6, ESV).  Paul's reflection on his ministry to the Gentiles is meant to remind them that in Jesus "we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him" (Eph. 3:12, ESV).
Please pray for me as I study through this passage.  Pray that I would understand the passage correctly and be able to preach it with clarity.

Sermon Preview 11-29-09

Morning:  The sermon, "He Didn't Have to Love You, But He Did--Be Thankful," will look at Ephesians 2:11-22.  Paul writes directly to the Gentile believers in Ephesus and explains the reasons God's grace towards them is especially amazing. This passage is a continuation of Paul's explanation of the "spiritual blessings" that belong to Christ's followers.  It flows from his explanation of those blessings (Eph. 1:3-14), his prayer that his audience would understand those blessings (Eph. 1:15-23), and his explanation of grace's role in salvation (Eph. 2:1-10).  In this passage, Paul is going to showcase the exceedingly graciousness of grace.  Ephesians 2:11-22 demonstrates grace abounding toward us who believe.

Evening: We will continue to look at the doctrine of Scripture.

Sermon Preview 11-15-09

Lord willing, we will look at Ephesians 1:15-23 on Sunday.  In this passage, Paul shares a page from his prayer journal to allow the church in Ephesus to understand his motives and desires concerning them.  I encourage you to read it several times (in more than one translation) in preparation for the worship gathering.

We are going to be looking at our doctrinal statements during our Sunday evening services (6:00 pm).  Those confessions are The Baptist Faith and Message 1963 and Monticello's Articles of Faith (which is drawn primarily from the Abstract of Principles).  We will also be comparing the Baptist Faith and Message 1963 with the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 to see where they differ, and to determine if we need to adopt the 2000 confession.

Sermon Preview 6-7-09

Morning: In keeping with my annual tradition I will preach from the Vacation Bible School theme verse since this Sunday is our VBS kickoff. The message will come from 1 John 4:9. The message, "It All Comes Back to Jesus," will remind us that God's love is demonstrated through the sending of Christ into the world. We will also see how through faith in Jesus we can live a life that pleases God.

Evening: VBS kickoff (6:00 pm-8:00 pm). We always have a great time on kickoff night. Come out and enjoy the food and fun.

Sermon Preview 5-31-09

Morning: We will continue the series, Redeeming the Harlot Bride. The passage will be Hosea 6:1-7:16, in which the Lord expresses his desire to see the nation return. He expresses his desire for the nation by stating, " For I desire steadfast love not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings" (Hosea 6:6). This passage sets forth several images meant to expose the danger facing Israel. The Lord warns that without repentance destruction will follow.

Evening: We will have our last VBS clinic. We will look at Peter's Obedience (Acts 12:1-17). The theme for Track 5 (Day 5) is: Because Jesus helps me, I can follow God's plan for me. We will look at Acts 12:1-17 in greater detail during Discipleship Training.

Sermon Preview 5-17-09

Morning: We will return to our series Redeeming the Harlot Bride. The sermon will draw from Hosea 3:1-5 and be entitled, "I Would Do Anything for Love." In this passage, Hosea is commanded to go and get his harlot wife and show her his love once more. Through Hosea's life, God is demonstrating his own love toward wayward Israel, and ultimately, fallen creation. Hosea must buy back (redeem) Gomer just as our Lord Jesus, years later, would come and buy back his bride.

Evening: (5:00 p.m.) We will continue our VBS clinic. Tonight's theme will be Confess him. We will review the songs we learned and learn the movements for "Because." Track 3 (Night 3) centers around Luke 22:31-34, 54-62; 23:44-46; and 24:1-12. The life application is "because Jesus died for me, I can confess him as my Savior." (6:00 p.m.) We will look at Luke 22:31-34, 54-62 during Discipleship Training.

Sermon Preview 5-10-09

Morning: The morning sermon will come out of 1 Kings 3:16-28 and will be entitled, "A Tale of Two Mothers." This story reveals the wisdom of Solomon and the love of a good mother. Wisdom teaches us what a good mother is and should be.

Evening: There will be no evening services so families can spend time together.

Sermon Preview 5-3-2009

Morning: We will continue the series, Redeeming the Harlot Bride. The message, "T-R-O-U-B-L-E Spells Hope," comes from Hosea 1:10-2:23. The corrective hand of God is about to come upon the harlot. The harlot bride will be humiliated through chastisement, her so-called "lovers" will be exposed as liars, and the Lord will prove himself to be a faithful husband. The theme of this message centers around Hosea 2:15, "And there I will give her her vineyards and make the Valley of Achor (trouble) a door of hope." The message to Israel (and us by extension) is that once their sin has been punished they will be presented to him as a pure bride. Their chastisement points to another chastisement. Speaking of the coming Christ, Isaiah spoke, "But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace" (Isa. 53:5). Their forsakenness points to another forsakenness. As Jesus cried, "My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me?" The chastisement Israel faces is not as sign of God's hatred, but of his love. Because, the Lord chastises those he loves (see Heb. 12:5-11). Through great trouble the Lord provides the hope of unconditional love.

Evening: (5:00 p.m.) We will have the second of our VBS clinics. We will look at the moves to the VBS theme song, "Boomerang Express," and the Track (Day) 2 theme song, "This Is Why." We will also look at the "Peter's Discovery," day two's Bible story which comes from Matthew 14:22-33. In this lesson the kidaroos (children who attend VBS) learn that because Jesus is the Son of God, they can worship him. (6:00 p.m.) We will be looking at Matthew 14:22-33. (7:00 p.m.) We have our business meeting.

Sermon Preview 4-26-09

Morning: We will begin a new series of sermons from the book of Hosea. Redeeming the Harlot Bride will look at how Christ is revealed in the life and ministry of Hosea the prophet and his marriage to Gomer the prostitute. The first sermon in the series, "Signs, Signs, Everywhere There's Signs," will come from Hosea 1:1-9. In this passage the prophet is called to take a harlot bride, and to give their children symbolic names. His life not only reflects the situation in Israel in his day, but it also reflects Christ's love for his church. This passage helps us to understand the thrust of the book. While Hosea's message deals primarily with Israel's adulterous (idolatrous) ways, it is set in contrast to the Lord's steadfast love. The true depth of the Israel's treason is seen as Hosea reflects on God's steadfast love.

Evening: At 5:00 p.m. we will have a VBS clinic. The clinic is meant to help us learn the music, movements, and message. This will be our first clinic and we will look at "Track 1: Peter Met Jesus" from John 1:35-42. I am still pray about what to do during Discipleship Training at 6:00 p.m. Please pray with me.

Sermon Preview 4-19-09

Morning: We will have a guest speaker from the Gideons. It is a wonderful time to refamiliarize ourselves with their important ministry.

Evening: I am prayerful considering a couple different options for this service. Please pray with me.

Sermon Preview 4-12-09

Morning: Easter services will begin with the traditional sunrise service at 6:15 a.m. The message for sunrise service will come from 1 Corinthians 15:1-9.

The regular service (11:00 a.m.) will have a message from John 19:30. This is the last saying from the cross that we will examine. In this passage, Jesus states, "It is finished." The sermon will explore what Jesus meant and what it means for us.

Evening: No evening service.

Sermon Preview 4-5-09

Morning: We will continue looking at the seven sayings of the cross. This message will come from Luke 23: 44-46, where Jesus cries, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" This message will look at the implications of Jesus' statement.

Evening: We will look at evangelism once more. During this session we will look at potential passages that one might wish to mark in their "witnessing" Bible.

Sermon Preview 3-29-09

Morning: Lord willing, we will continue our look at the seven sayings of the cross. The sermon will come from Matthew 21:46, "My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me?". In this passage, we find Jesus in the midst of his suffering. We will seek to answer the question and understand the implication for believers. We will also celebrate the Lord's Supper during this service.

Evening: We will conclude our study on evangelism by looking at how to pray for the lost.

Sermon Preview 3-15-2009

Morning: This message will look at Luke 23:39-43. The message will focus on the statement, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." We will seek to explore what this statement reveals about Jesus' work and ministry.

Evening: We will continue to work on evangelism.

Sermon Preview 3-8-09

Morning: Lord willing, we will explore John 19:26-27. In this passage, Jesus appoints John to be his mother's caretaker and son. Again, we are given a demonstration of Christ's love and provision.

Evening: We will be practicing evangelism through some role playing.

Sermon Preview 3-1-09

Morning: We will look at the Seven Sayings of the Cross leading up to Easter. This mornings sermon will come from Luke 23:24, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. We will look at the implications of this verse on Christ's followers.

Evening: We will continue to look at gospel presentations.

Sermon Preview 2-22-09

Morning: We will be looking at "An Everyday Faith," from Hebrews 13:1-25. This passage concludes the book of Hebrews with a series of practical guidelines for living our faith out in this world why we seek the one to come. The theme of this passage if found in the exhortation to consider Jesus' example. The author states, "And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore" (Heb. 13:12-13). In other words, if we are to follow Jesus' example we must humbly submit to the will of God.

Evening: We begin looking a different approaches to sharing the gospel. This will be a two part presentation that deals with gospel presentations. The focus is on the message, not the method. However, we must acknowledge that some consideration must be given to the method.

Sermon Preview 2-15-09

Morning: We will look at a "Holy Faith" from Hebrews 12:14-29. In this passage the author reminds his reader that without holiness we will not see the Lord. He also reminds us that holiness is a characteristic of God himself. Thus, our call to be holy is really a call to reflect God's character.

Evening: We will look at "Becoming a Friend of Sinners." As we continue to discuss evangelism we will talk about how we can develop relationships with lost people in order to present the gospel to them.

Sermon Preview 2-8-09

Morning: Lord willing, this week we will cover Hebrews 12:1-13. The sermon, "Disciplined Faith" calls us to look to Jesus in order to be able to endure until the end. The author calls us to a faith mindset the practices self-discipline and perceives divine discipline in the events around us. He reminds us that a faith that practices discipline and the receives discipline is a faith approved by God.

Evening: We will continue to focus on evangelism. We will look at the various styles of evangelism that people have.

Sermon Preview 2-1-09

Morning: We will be looking at the "Disciplined Faith." The sermon will focus on Hebrews 12:1-13. The author will compel us to consider Jesus in order to avoid growing weary in the faith and to prevent losing heart.

Evening: We will continue looking at evangelism. We will look at few helpful gospel presentations. We will focus on the message more than methods.