Notes from Sunday - 07/26/10

It was a long but good day of worship yesterday. I really enjoyed worshiping with and ministering to the Shiloh family.

I started my day a little earlier than usual, so that I could check my bags in at the airport before our 8 AM service. I did not want any hassles for my 12:40 PM flight to Atlanta.

I am grateful for all who volunteer to serve at Shiloh. May the Lord be glorified as we speak his word and serve in his strength (1 Peter 4:10-11).

I really had a great time teaching my new members class yesterday. It did not hurt that I was explaining the gospel, either. What a Savior!

Good to have our guests in worship yesterday. Three families, celebrating their family reunions over the weekend, attended our service yesterday.

No Hailey incident yesterday. Security must have stepped their game up. Good job!

I preached from 1 Peter 2:1-3. I entitled the message, “It’s Time To Grow Up.” Peter exhorts the saints to change their clothes (v. 1) and change their appetites (vv. 2-3) to grow in spiritual maturity.

I love this text. I pray through this passage regularly before my private study of the word. I also pray this passage publicly in worship before I preach. It is a remarkable reminder that the power of the word will be nullified in our lives if our hearts are not cleansed of unconfessed sin and set on the pure spiritual milk of the word.

For some reason, I felt that I was not clear in our 8 AM service. I left out of the serving considering whether I should preach something else at 10. I am glad I did not.

Praise God for those who were added to the church in our worship services yesterday.

Next Lord’s Day, I plan to begin a new series on the book of Ruth. I intend to preach the four chapters of Ruth in four messages. This will be my first time ever preaching from Ruth. And I find it quite difficult to preach from narrative texts. Pray for me.

After putting on a dry shirt, Crystal and the kids drove me to the airport. I flew to Atlanta and went straight to church to preach again. I am here to preach for Dr. Timothy Fleming and the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church.

It is hot in Jacksonville. It is HOT in Atlanta.

Mt. Carmel celebrated their annual homecoming yesterday. It was an “old style” worship service. And food was prepared for the members of the community. I preached as briefly as I could. The congregation was very kind, considering the smell of B-B-Q was in the air.

Dr. Fleming sung his signature song, “Got The Devil Under My Feet,” in the service last night. It was great.

Crystal and the kids arrived last night. We hung out and then passed out.