It was a good day of worship and fellowship today at Shiloh. The Lord blessed both of our services today in a special way.
We had quite of few guests in worship with us today. Some were special guests - teachers and administrators from local schools. And others who were invited by our members. However, they got there today, I was glad to have them in worship. For the record, a church cannot grow if no guests are attending.
When is the last time you personally invited someone to church?
Praise God for the one who was baptized today.
Our young adult chorale and youth choir led the musical praise today. It is always encouraging to have our young people serving in worship.
Deacon Harold Simmons, a member of the 8th Street Baptist Church of Kansas City and president of the Laymen's Department of the National Baptist Convention, USA Inc., led a special class for our men today during our Bible Study Fellowship time. Deacon Simmons was with us this week to speak at our Deacons' retreat. He was a blessing to our men all weekend.
In our 10 AM worship service, we held a special time of prayer for the school administrators, teachers, and students who begin classes tomorrow. As always, my prayer is that our children will grow as Jesus grew - in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:51).
Pastor Kenneth A. Duke, who has served the New Jerusalem Primitive Baptist Church in MIami, was our guest speaker today. He preached from Habakkuk 3:17-19 in both services. He entitled the message, "I Still Have Joy!" It was a very encouraging message.
I met Pastor Duke a few years ago, as we were both preaching in Oklahoma City. It was during that meeting that I heard him preach for the first time. I have followed his ministry since then. And I have a great respect and appreciation for him. It was an honor and blessing to have him minister the word to our church family today.
Habakkuk is a Minor Prophet with a major message! My faith is always stretched in great and unique ways when I read or hear this book.
Praise God for those who were saved and added to the church today.
I cannot describe how good it was today to sit under the teaching of the word and to join the saints in being ministered to today. Most Sundays, I am preaching in worship. Today was a rare treat to be under the teaching of the word today.
Not being scheduled to preach today, I was all more prayerful today for my brothers who had to stand today to declare the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
I have a compulsion. Before I was out of church three hours, I was thinking about the next sermon I have to preach on this Wednesday night. Woe unto me if I do not preach!
Throughout the day, I have been thinking that the real strength of a church is not found in what happens on Sundays, but on what happens between Sundays.
Just in case you did not know, NFL football has begun. I know it's only preseason. But I am enjoying the games anyway. I am ready to get the season started and cheer the Dallas Cowboys onto a Superbowl championship!
Wondering what AFC team will meet the Cowboys in the Superbowl. Any predictions?
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
You Have To Do What You Have To Do
"You have to do whatever the Lord says you have to do in order to preach that Bible."
When I heard a friend say this in a conversation with a group of preachers, I laughed. He was asked his philosophy of sermon preparation. Specifically, they wanted to know what steps he takes to get from text to sermon. How long does it take him to prepare? Things like that. His answer: "You have to do whatever the Lord says to do in order to preach that Bible."
I laughed.
(Some things we laugh at because they are funny. Some things we laugh at because they are true. And some things we laugh at to keep from crying.)
Sermon preparation is both an art and a science. It is a science in that there are basic rules and principles you must follow to develop a biblical sermon (assuming you are seeking to prepare a biblical sermon). But it is an art in that the dynamic of each person's process is unique. Two men can go through the same steps of sermon preparation on the same text. But that does not mean they are going to end up with the same sermon (that is, unless they both wind up stealing a sermon from the same internet site).
But one thing is the same for all who would preach faithfully. You have to do whatever the Lord says you have to do in order to get ready to faithfully preach the word of God.
There are times when you go through all the steps and still end up without a sermon. You have read the text dozens of times. You have performed word studies and examined comparative translations. You have researched the historical and contextual background of the passage. You have looked up cross-references. And you have consulted the commentaries. As the Gospel song says, "You prayed and cried... You prayed and cried...." But still no sermon.
I have a cartoon picture in my study of a man on his hands and knees crawling through a dessert. He approaches a sign that says, "SERMON." Under the sign is a map with a dot that says, "You are here." But there is absolutely nothing else on the map! I have approached the weekend feeling that way many times.
Other times you sit at your desk and it almost seems that the Lord is sitting next you whispering in your ear. "This is what I meant in that text. And this is what I want you to say to my people Sunday." The point of the text is clear. You have a good idea about how to organize the text for preaching. The material you need to develop the sermon just falls into your lap like manna from on high. It rarely happens like this. But some times it does.
I think this mystery of sermon preparation is meant to both encourage and humble preachers. The sermon can be hard to come by when you have had a great week of study to remind us that scholarship alone does not produce the message God wants us to deliver. And the sermon can just come to you when you have had a hectic week that has stolen hours from your study to remind us that God is with us and he understands the burden we bear.
Above all, this mystery of sermon preparation keeps us from cheating! You have to do whatever you have to do to get ready to preach.
We preachers need to remember this. And so do those who sit in the pew and listen to us from week to weak. I often think that church members either misunderstand or underestimate what it takes most preachers to prepare. It seems they think that preachers learn everything they need to know in seminary. And from week to week, we just pick a text and stand up to preach from some storehouse of biblical wisdom. Believe me, you do not want to sit under a preacher who just picks a text and stands up to preach! If your pastor makes preaching look easy, it is usually the result of much hard work.
When the MacArthur Study Bible was being released, I saw an advertisement in a magazine that said something like this: "A young preacher asked Dr. MacArthur was the different is between average preachers and great preachers. He was surprised by the answer. 'Good preachers stay in the seat until the hard work is done.'" How true.
You have to do whatever the Lord says that you have to do to get ready to preach the word of God.
When I heard a friend say this in a conversation with a group of preachers, I laughed. He was asked his philosophy of sermon preparation. Specifically, they wanted to know what steps he takes to get from text to sermon. How long does it take him to prepare? Things like that. His answer: "You have to do whatever the Lord says to do in order to preach that Bible."
I laughed.
(Some things we laugh at because they are funny. Some things we laugh at because they are true. And some things we laugh at to keep from crying.)
Sermon preparation is both an art and a science. It is a science in that there are basic rules and principles you must follow to develop a biblical sermon (assuming you are seeking to prepare a biblical sermon). But it is an art in that the dynamic of each person's process is unique. Two men can go through the same steps of sermon preparation on the same text. But that does not mean they are going to end up with the same sermon (that is, unless they both wind up stealing a sermon from the same internet site).
But one thing is the same for all who would preach faithfully. You have to do whatever the Lord says you have to do in order to get ready to faithfully preach the word of God.
There are times when you go through all the steps and still end up without a sermon. You have read the text dozens of times. You have performed word studies and examined comparative translations. You have researched the historical and contextual background of the passage. You have looked up cross-references. And you have consulted the commentaries. As the Gospel song says, "You prayed and cried... You prayed and cried...." But still no sermon.
I have a cartoon picture in my study of a man on his hands and knees crawling through a dessert. He approaches a sign that says, "SERMON." Under the sign is a map with a dot that says, "You are here." But there is absolutely nothing else on the map! I have approached the weekend feeling that way many times.
Other times you sit at your desk and it almost seems that the Lord is sitting next you whispering in your ear. "This is what I meant in that text. And this is what I want you to say to my people Sunday." The point of the text is clear. You have a good idea about how to organize the text for preaching. The material you need to develop the sermon just falls into your lap like manna from on high. It rarely happens like this. But some times it does.
I think this mystery of sermon preparation is meant to both encourage and humble preachers. The sermon can be hard to come by when you have had a great week of study to remind us that scholarship alone does not produce the message God wants us to deliver. And the sermon can just come to you when you have had a hectic week that has stolen hours from your study to remind us that God is with us and he understands the burden we bear.
Above all, this mystery of sermon preparation keeps us from cheating! You have to do whatever you have to do to get ready to preach.
We preachers need to remember this. And so do those who sit in the pew and listen to us from week to weak. I often think that church members either misunderstand or underestimate what it takes most preachers to prepare. It seems they think that preachers learn everything they need to know in seminary. And from week to week, we just pick a text and stand up to preach from some storehouse of biblical wisdom. Believe me, you do not want to sit under a preacher who just picks a text and stands up to preach! If your pastor makes preaching look easy, it is usually the result of much hard work.
When the MacArthur Study Bible was being released, I saw an advertisement in a magazine that said something like this: "A young preacher asked Dr. MacArthur was the different is between average preachers and great preachers. He was surprised by the answer. 'Good preachers stay in the seat until the hard work is done.'" How true.
You have to do whatever the Lord says that you have to do to get ready to preach the word of God.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Day 1 of Proclaimer's Place 2010
I am in Oxford, England. I am participating in Proclaimer’s Place – a week of group Bible study and seminar of sermon preparation led by Joel Gregory.
I flew all night Monday night. I was armed with books, magazines, calendars, notebook, and study tools. I boarded the plane with big plans to get a great deal of study and reading done during the uninterrupted quiet time. But I basically went to sleep not long after the flight took off.
It was 6:30 AM when I arrived in London (five hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time).
The ride from London to Oxford is a little more than an hour. After I checked into my hotel, I walked a few blocks down the street and joined the session that had already begun.
Yesterday, we spent the entire day studying Jonah 2. I cannot believe how much I learned! I just preached a series on Jonah last summer. Yet I learned so much out of that chapter that I had missed before. I also learned several tools and keys to help me dig a little deeper in my studies.
Today we will study Acts 27.
More than the specific study of the text, I benefited greatly from the discussion about preaching. I believe that most preachers preach too often. We are always in the batter’s box, and do not get enough batting practice to check our swing. Or let me just speak for me. Preaching is my passion. But with so many other things I am responsible for, it is hard to give my preaching as much attention as I desire, during this season of my life. So it was very refreshing to just spend a day just studying the Bible and talking about preaching!
It is about fifteen of us studying together this week.
Several of us followed one of my friends to a special place he found to eat for lunch… Kentucky Fried Chicken!
I am staying at the historic Randolph Hotel, where some of the filming of the C.S. Lewis movie “Shadowlands” was filmed. It is said that was in the restaurant of this hotel that Lewis first met his wife in person. Way cool!
I did not get an opportunity to do much sightseeing. I hope that I will be able to get some in before this trip is over.
They are not pants here. They are trousers. It is not an elevator here. It is a lift. It is not a bathroom or restroom here. It is the toilet.
Please pray for the remainder of this trip. I hope to come home spiritual refreshed and with my skills for preaching sharpened.
I flew all night Monday night. I was armed with books, magazines, calendars, notebook, and study tools. I boarded the plane with big plans to get a great deal of study and reading done during the uninterrupted quiet time. But I basically went to sleep not long after the flight took off.
It was 6:30 AM when I arrived in London (five hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time).
The ride from London to Oxford is a little more than an hour. After I checked into my hotel, I walked a few blocks down the street and joined the session that had already begun.
Yesterday, we spent the entire day studying Jonah 2. I cannot believe how much I learned! I just preached a series on Jonah last summer. Yet I learned so much out of that chapter that I had missed before. I also learned several tools and keys to help me dig a little deeper in my studies.
Today we will study Acts 27.
More than the specific study of the text, I benefited greatly from the discussion about preaching. I believe that most preachers preach too often. We are always in the batter’s box, and do not get enough batting practice to check our swing. Or let me just speak for me. Preaching is my passion. But with so many other things I am responsible for, it is hard to give my preaching as much attention as I desire, during this season of my life. So it was very refreshing to just spend a day just studying the Bible and talking about preaching!
It is about fifteen of us studying together this week.
Several of us followed one of my friends to a special place he found to eat for lunch… Kentucky Fried Chicken!
I am staying at the historic Randolph Hotel, where some of the filming of the C.S. Lewis movie “Shadowlands” was filmed. It is said that was in the restaurant of this hotel that Lewis first met his wife in person. Way cool!
I did not get an opportunity to do much sightseeing. I hope that I will be able to get some in before this trip is over.
They are not pants here. They are trousers. It is not an elevator here. It is a lift. It is not a bathroom or restroom here. It is the toilet.
Please pray for the remainder of this trip. I hope to come home spiritual refreshed and with my skills for preaching sharpened.
Sunday, August 08, 2010
Notes from Sunday - 08/08/10
We had a good day of worship and fellowship today at the Shiloh Church.
Praise God for those who were baptized in worship today.
Our children’s choir led in musical praise today. As always, it was encouraging to have the little ones participating in worship today.
It was really cool to meet some of the guests who were in worship today. It is great that the members are inviting their family and friends to church with them.
Our choir sung “But God” today from Ron Winans Family & Friends IV. I really love this song. And it was a great blessing to hear it today. I was tempted to get a piece of it when I stood up to preach, but my better judgment prevailed. I had work to do.
I continued my brief series on the book of Ruth today with a message on Ruth 2 that I entitled “Nothing Just Happens!”
I’ll let you in on a little secret: I needed that sermon that I preached today more than anyone else!
This is the second week in a row that I have struggled to organize the text for preaching. Late last night, I wrestled with two different ways to preach the text. I am glad the Lord led me to preach it the way I did.
I had a lot of text and a limited amount of time. It was a challenge. But I really enjoyed preaching this message today. What a mighty God we serve!
I read a statement years ago that has really stuck with it: “The Bible is filled with stories about people. Let them live.” The more time I spend studying the stories of the Bible, the more I am learning to appreciate the rich theology embedded within biblical narratives.
I cannot wait to get to chapter 3.
I am thinking about and praying for a family that suffered a tragedy this weekend.
Praise God for those who were added to the church today!
Crystal cooked dinner today. It is rare for her to cook on Sundays. It was a rare treat! We “fared sumptuously”!
The Dallas Cowboys are playing the Cincinnati Bengals in a pre-season game this evening. It is still in the first quarter as I write, but you already know my prediction. Cowboys win!!!
In the morning, I am scheduled to fly to London to participate in The Proclaimer’s Place preaching seminar under the leadership of Dr. Joel Gregory. Pray for my travels and that my skills as a student of the word and preacher will be sharpened.
Praise God for those who were baptized in worship today.
Our children’s choir led in musical praise today. As always, it was encouraging to have the little ones participating in worship today.
It was really cool to meet some of the guests who were in worship today. It is great that the members are inviting their family and friends to church with them.
Our choir sung “But God” today from Ron Winans Family & Friends IV. I really love this song. And it was a great blessing to hear it today. I was tempted to get a piece of it when I stood up to preach, but my better judgment prevailed. I had work to do.
I continued my brief series on the book of Ruth today with a message on Ruth 2 that I entitled “Nothing Just Happens!”
I’ll let you in on a little secret: I needed that sermon that I preached today more than anyone else!
This is the second week in a row that I have struggled to organize the text for preaching. Late last night, I wrestled with two different ways to preach the text. I am glad the Lord led me to preach it the way I did.
I had a lot of text and a limited amount of time. It was a challenge. But I really enjoyed preaching this message today. What a mighty God we serve!
I read a statement years ago that has really stuck with it: “The Bible is filled with stories about people. Let them live.” The more time I spend studying the stories of the Bible, the more I am learning to appreciate the rich theology embedded within biblical narratives.
I cannot wait to get to chapter 3.
I am thinking about and praying for a family that suffered a tragedy this weekend.
Praise God for those who were added to the church today!
Crystal cooked dinner today. It is rare for her to cook on Sundays. It was a rare treat! We “fared sumptuously”!
The Dallas Cowboys are playing the Cincinnati Bengals in a pre-season game this evening. It is still in the first quarter as I write, but you already know my prediction. Cowboys win!!!
In the morning, I am scheduled to fly to London to participate in The Proclaimer’s Place preaching seminar under the leadership of Dr. Joel Gregory. Pray for my travels and that my skills as a student of the word and preacher will be sharpened.
Notes from Sunday - 08/08/10
We had a good day of worship and fellowship today at the Shiloh Church.
Praise God for those who were baptized in worship today.
Our children’s choir led in musical praise today. As always, it was encouraging to have the little ones participating in worship today.
It was really cool to meet some of the guests who were in worship today. It is great that the members are inviting their family and friends to church with them.
Our choir sung “But God” today from Ron Winans Family & Friends IV. I really love this song. And it was a great blessing to hear it today. I was tempted to get a piece of it when I stood up to preach, but my better judgment prevailed. I had work to do.
I continued my brief series on the book of Ruth today with a message on Ruth 2 that I entitled “Nothing Just Happens!”
I’ll let you in on a little secret: I needed that sermon that I preached today more than anyone else!
This is the second week in a row that I have struggled to organize the text for preaching. Late last night, I wrestled with two different ways to preach the text. I am glad the Lord led me to preach it the way I did.
I had a lot of text and a limited amount of time. It was a challenge. But I really enjoyed preaching this message today. What a mighty God we serve!
I read a statement years ago that has really stuck with it: “The Bible is filled with stories about people. Let them live.” The more time I spend studying the stories of the Bible, the more I am learning to appreciate the rich theology embedded within biblical narratives.
I cannot wait to get to chapter 3.
I am thinking about and praying for a family that suffered a tragedy this weekend.
Praise God for those who were added to the church today!
Crystal cooked dinner today. It is rare for her to cook on Sundays. It was a rare treat! We “fared sumptuously”!
The Dallas Cowboys are playing the Cincinnati Bengals in a pre-season game this evening. It is still in the first quarter as I write, but you already know my prediction. Cowboys win!!!
In the morning, I am scheduled to fly to London to participate in The Proclaimer’s Place preaching seminar under the leadership of Dr. Joel Gregory. Pray for my travels and that my skills as a student of the word and preacher will be sharpened.
Praise God for those who were baptized in worship today.
Our children’s choir led in musical praise today. As always, it was encouraging to have the little ones participating in worship today.
It was really cool to meet some of the guests who were in worship today. It is great that the members are inviting their family and friends to church with them.
Our choir sung “But God” today from Ron Winans Family & Friends IV. I really love this song. And it was a great blessing to hear it today. I was tempted to get a piece of it when I stood up to preach, but my better judgment prevailed. I had work to do.
I continued my brief series on the book of Ruth today with a message on Ruth 2 that I entitled “Nothing Just Happens!”
I’ll let you in on a little secret: I needed that sermon that I preached today more than anyone else!
This is the second week in a row that I have struggled to organize the text for preaching. Late last night, I wrestled with two different ways to preach the text. I am glad the Lord led me to preach it the way I did.
I had a lot of text and a limited amount of time. It was a challenge. But I really enjoyed preaching this message today. What a mighty God we serve!
I read a statement years ago that has really stuck with it: “The Bible is filled with stories about people. Let them live.” The more time I spend studying the stories of the Bible, the more I am learning to appreciate the rich theology embedded within biblical narratives.
I cannot wait to get to chapter 3.
I am thinking about and praying for a family that suffered a tragedy this weekend.
Praise God for those who were added to the church today!
Crystal cooked dinner today. It is rare for her to cook on Sundays. It was a rare treat! We “fared sumptuously”!
The Dallas Cowboys are playing the Cincinnati Bengals in a pre-season game this evening. It is still in the first quarter as I write, but you already know my prediction. Cowboys win!!!
In the morning, I am scheduled to fly to London to participate in The Proclaimer’s Place preaching seminar under the leadership of Dr. Joel Gregory. Pray for my travels and that my skills as a student of the word and preacher will be sharpened.
Monday, July 26, 2010
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.
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.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Notes from Sunday - 07/18/10
It was a good day of worship and fellowship at Shiloh Church today.
We sang, “Here I am to Worship,” today. This song is really growing on me.
We had quite a few guests in worship today. Way cool.
I am thankful for all of our volunteers for their service. You make it happen!
Praise God for those who were baptized today. One of our pastors had the privilege of baptizing his two daughters today.
I really had a good time teaching our new members class today, so much so that I did not finish my lesson today.
I sat on the floor today. All was going well until a little girl named Hailey confronted me. Apparently, I look like her dad or something. She jumped on my lap and would not leave. Her mother finally had to come get her so that I could preach. Last I heard, security escorted the little girl from the auditorium.
I prefer to sit on the floor. Definitely.
Today I concluded my series on the Ten Commandments with a message on Exodus 20:17 entitled, “Overcoming Covetousness.”
I think I had a good understanding of the text. I wish, however, that my message had been better. I don’t think I was as clear I wanted to be. Praise God for blessing his Word in spite of the weakness of the messenger.
I really enjoyed preaching through the 10 Commandments. And I am really glad this series is over. It was hard work.
Praise God for those who were saved and added to our church family today.
I have a free Sunday next Sunday before I get to my next series. I need to determine what I will preach next week. Fast.
We ate soul food for lunch after church. I give you one guess where were ate.
This evening, a beloved deacon of Shiloh, Charles Brown, went home to be with the Lord. Please remember his wife, family, and our congregation, in your prayers.
We sang, “Here I am to Worship,” today. This song is really growing on me.
We had quite a few guests in worship today. Way cool.
I am thankful for all of our volunteers for their service. You make it happen!
Praise God for those who were baptized today. One of our pastors had the privilege of baptizing his two daughters today.
I really had a good time teaching our new members class today, so much so that I did not finish my lesson today.
I sat on the floor today. All was going well until a little girl named Hailey confronted me. Apparently, I look like her dad or something. She jumped on my lap and would not leave. Her mother finally had to come get her so that I could preach. Last I heard, security escorted the little girl from the auditorium.
I prefer to sit on the floor. Definitely.
Today I concluded my series on the Ten Commandments with a message on Exodus 20:17 entitled, “Overcoming Covetousness.”
I think I had a good understanding of the text. I wish, however, that my message had been better. I don’t think I was as clear I wanted to be. Praise God for blessing his Word in spite of the weakness of the messenger.
I really enjoyed preaching through the 10 Commandments. And I am really glad this series is over. It was hard work.
Praise God for those who were saved and added to our church family today.
I have a free Sunday next Sunday before I get to my next series. I need to determine what I will preach next week. Fast.
We ate soul food for lunch after church. I give you one guess where were ate.
This evening, a beloved deacon of Shiloh, Charles Brown, went home to be with the Lord. Please remember his wife, family, and our congregation, in your prayers.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Notes from Sunday - 07/11/10
Praise God for a blessed day of worship at the Shiloh Church today!
I am grateful for all of our guests in worship today.
I have been away from home preaching all week. It was great to be home to worship with and minister to my own congregation this morning.
The musical praise was exceptional today. I am grateful for our music team. Thanks for your service today.
I rejoice with all who were baptized today to express their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is very encouraging to be a witness to this important step of faith today.
It was tough preaching today after being at a preaching conference all week long. I have been reminded this week of how far I have to go as a preacher. May the Lord help me to continue to grow as a Christian and pastor-teacher.
Today I continued my series on the Ten Commandments with a message on Exodus 20:16 entitled, “Tell The Truth.” I argued that God commands us to be people of truth who (1) tell the truth about God, (2) tell the truth about ourselves, and (3) tell the truth about God.
A little boy came up to me after church and told me what he learned from the message today, “Do not lie!” I think he was listening.
God willing, I will conclude this series with a message on Exodus 20:17 entitled, “Overcoming Covetousness.”
Praise God for all who were saved and added to the church in our services today.
A big “shout out” to our security team for the service today. Thanks guys!
I received the news this evening that Dr. WIllie Smith, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in San Diego, went home to be with the Lord Saturday. Please remember his family and congregation in your prayers.
I also received news that Walter Hawkins passed away today. Please remember his family and congregation in your prayers.
I am grateful for all of our guests in worship today.
I have been away from home preaching all week. It was great to be home to worship with and minister to my own congregation this morning.
The musical praise was exceptional today. I am grateful for our music team. Thanks for your service today.
I rejoice with all who were baptized today to express their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is very encouraging to be a witness to this important step of faith today.
It was tough preaching today after being at a preaching conference all week long. I have been reminded this week of how far I have to go as a preacher. May the Lord help me to continue to grow as a Christian and pastor-teacher.
Today I continued my series on the Ten Commandments with a message on Exodus 20:16 entitled, “Tell The Truth.” I argued that God commands us to be people of truth who (1) tell the truth about God, (2) tell the truth about ourselves, and (3) tell the truth about God.
A little boy came up to me after church and told me what he learned from the message today, “Do not lie!” I think he was listening.
God willing, I will conclude this series with a message on Exodus 20:17 entitled, “Overcoming Covetousness.”
Praise God for all who were saved and added to the church in our services today.
A big “shout out” to our security team for the service today. Thanks guys!
I received the news this evening that Dr. WIllie Smith, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in San Diego, went home to be with the Lord Saturday. Please remember his family and congregation in your prayers.
I also received news that Walter Hawkins passed away today. Please remember his family and congregation in your prayers.
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
The 2010 E.K. Bailey International Expository Preaching Conference
I am attending the E.K. Bailey International Expository Preaching Conference in Dallas. Pastor Bryan Carter and the Concord Church host this conference. The theme this year is “Preaching Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:5).
The late Dr. E.K. Bailey, the founding pastor of the Concord Church, established this conference. In a recent article by Michael Duduit, Dr. Bailey was listed among the twenty-five most influential preachers of the past twenty-five years. I fully agree. My own commitment to expository preaching was sealed as a result of hearing Dr. Bailey preach. He is one of my homiletical heroes. And his conference has been used by God to introduce and equip many preachers to rightly handle the word of truth.
The conference is already off and running. Last night, Michael Duduit and Maurice Watson brought the opening messages. Wow! That’s all I can say. This morning, Dr. Ramesh Richards and Pastor Bryan Carter will speak in the general sessions. Many other great preaches will be speaking this week. And there are many classes that area available. At the same time, a women’s conference is taking place under the leadership of Dr. Shelia M. Bailey.
I am scheduled to teach a session this afternoon on developing expository sermons. I will bring the message in the general session this evening. Wednesday morning, I am scheduled to participate in an extended session on developing a preaching plan. Then I have two sessions to teach Thursday afternoon, on developing expository sermons and the theology of preaching.
Please pray for the meeting and for the hundreds of Christian ministers who are here to learn, worship, and fellowship. And pray for Pastor Bryan Carter and the Concord Church, as they give leadership to this meeting.
Next year’s conference is scheduled for July 11-14, 2011.
The late Dr. E.K. Bailey, the founding pastor of the Concord Church, established this conference. In a recent article by Michael Duduit, Dr. Bailey was listed among the twenty-five most influential preachers of the past twenty-five years. I fully agree. My own commitment to expository preaching was sealed as a result of hearing Dr. Bailey preach. He is one of my homiletical heroes. And his conference has been used by God to introduce and equip many preachers to rightly handle the word of truth.
The conference is already off and running. Last night, Michael Duduit and Maurice Watson brought the opening messages. Wow! That’s all I can say. This morning, Dr. Ramesh Richards and Pastor Bryan Carter will speak in the general sessions. Many other great preaches will be speaking this week. And there are many classes that area available. At the same time, a women’s conference is taking place under the leadership of Dr. Shelia M. Bailey.
I am scheduled to teach a session this afternoon on developing expository sermons. I will bring the message in the general session this evening. Wednesday morning, I am scheduled to participate in an extended session on developing a preaching plan. Then I have two sessions to teach Thursday afternoon, on developing expository sermons and the theology of preaching.
Please pray for the meeting and for the hundreds of Christian ministers who are here to learn, worship, and fellowship. And pray for Pastor Bryan Carter and the Concord Church, as they give leadership to this meeting.
Next year’s conference is scheduled for July 11-14, 2011.
Monday, July 05, 2010
Notes for Sunday - Independence Day Weekend 2010
Happy Independence Day weekend!
It is a great blessing to live in the United States of America, with all of the liberties we enjoy. Thank God for those who have given their lives and continue to stand in harms way for our freedom.
Because it was the 4th of July, we adjusted our worship schedule. All Bible Study Fellowship groups were cancelled. And we only held one worship service – at 9 AM.
For the record, attendance was much better than I thought it was going to be.
I am praying for all the members of Shiloh who are traveling over the holiday. May the Lord put a hedge of protection around you and grant you to come and go in safety.
I am grateful for all the guests who were present in worship with us yesterday.
It was our privilege to celebrate the Lord’s Table yesterday. This is always a special time of worship and fellowship for us as a congregation.
Thank you to our deacons and deaconess for your service in and for our celebration of Communion.
I was greatly encouraged by the musical praise yesterday.
I continued my series on the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) with a message on the eighth commandment that I entitled, “How Did You Get That?” (Exodus 20:15)
Sermon Point: Do not take or keep anything that does not belong to you.
Outline:
I. Do not rob other people.
II. Do not rob yourself.
III. Do not rob God.
Next Sunday’s sermon: “Tell the Truth” (Exodus 20:16)
Praise God for those who were saved and added to the church in our worship service yesterday.
I am grateful to God for our Health Ministry and Security Team at Shiloh. When there is a medical emergency, these men and women are there to care for the sick and calm our members. Thank you for your service yesterday.
After church, I did absolutely nothing. It was wonderful!
What team do you think LeBron James will finally end up signing with? My guess is that he is going to remain with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Congratulations to Serena Williams Rafael Nadal on their 2010 Wimbledon championships.
Please pray for me this week as I participate in the E.K. Bailey International Conference on Expository Preaching in Dallas.
It is a great blessing to live in the United States of America, with all of the liberties we enjoy. Thank God for those who have given their lives and continue to stand in harms way for our freedom.
Because it was the 4th of July, we adjusted our worship schedule. All Bible Study Fellowship groups were cancelled. And we only held one worship service – at 9 AM.
For the record, attendance was much better than I thought it was going to be.
I am praying for all the members of Shiloh who are traveling over the holiday. May the Lord put a hedge of protection around you and grant you to come and go in safety.
I am grateful for all the guests who were present in worship with us yesterday.
It was our privilege to celebrate the Lord’s Table yesterday. This is always a special time of worship and fellowship for us as a congregation.
Thank you to our deacons and deaconess for your service in and for our celebration of Communion.
I was greatly encouraged by the musical praise yesterday.
I continued my series on the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) with a message on the eighth commandment that I entitled, “How Did You Get That?” (Exodus 20:15)
Sermon Point: Do not take or keep anything that does not belong to you.
Outline:
I. Do not rob other people.
II. Do not rob yourself.
III. Do not rob God.
Next Sunday’s sermon: “Tell the Truth” (Exodus 20:16)
Praise God for those who were saved and added to the church in our worship service yesterday.
I am grateful to God for our Health Ministry and Security Team at Shiloh. When there is a medical emergency, these men and women are there to care for the sick and calm our members. Thank you for your service yesterday.
After church, I did absolutely nothing. It was wonderful!
What team do you think LeBron James will finally end up signing with? My guess is that he is going to remain with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Congratulations to Serena Williams Rafael Nadal on their 2010 Wimbledon championships.
Please pray for me this week as I participate in the E.K. Bailey International Conference on Expository Preaching in Dallas.
Friday, July 02, 2010
Save Us from False Ambition
God, I am just too busy. Too many people, too many questions, too much to do. We confess we stay busy because we fear acknowledging our emptiness. How amid this busyness do we rest? How do we worship you? Please create space, which may be other people, to make time, our time, serve you. Force us to rest through the activity of prayer so that all our loves and fears might be made perfect in you. Help s see how such busy service, if it is service, may be just the rest we need – just the worship we need. Finally, and most importantly, save us from false ambition. Amen. - Stanley Hauerwas, Prayers Plainly Spoken, p. 72
Monday, June 28, 2010
I resumed my study of the Ten Commandments this past Sunday with a message on the seventh commandment. Yes, where's still counting number seven!
Here is the sermon skeleton...
Title: "Keeping Pleasure in its Place"
Text: Exodus 20:14
Series: The Ten Commandments: Loving God, Loving Your Neighbor
Theme: The sanctity of marriage and sex
Point: Do not have sex with any person you are not married to.
Outline:
I. Do not commit literal adultery: To commit adultery is to put pleasure beyond its God-designed place.
II. Do not commit moral adultery: To commit fornication is to put pleasure beyond its God-designed place.
III. Do not commit emotional adultery: To lust is to put pleasure beyond its God-designed place.
IV. Do not commit spiritual adultery: To live in sin is to put pleasure beyond its God-designed place.
Here is the sermon skeleton...
Title: "Keeping Pleasure in its Place"
Text: Exodus 20:14
Series: The Ten Commandments: Loving God, Loving Your Neighbor
Theme: The sanctity of marriage and sex
Point: Do not have sex with any person you are not married to.
Outline:
I. Do not commit literal adultery: To commit adultery is to put pleasure beyond its God-designed place.
II. Do not commit moral adultery: To commit fornication is to put pleasure beyond its God-designed place.
III. Do not commit emotional adultery: To lust is to put pleasure beyond its God-designed place.
IV. Do not commit spiritual adultery: To live in sin is to put pleasure beyond its God-designed place.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Notes from Sunday - 6/27/10
What a joy it was to be in worship with the Shiloh Church family and to minister the word of God to them today.
By the way…
I had the privilege of preaching at the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education this past Tuesday in Houston. It was my first time attending the congress. I appreciate the privilege of preaching the word to this assembly.
Wednesday, I preach in Dallas for Pastor Brian Carter and the Concord Church as they celebrated their 35th anniversary.
I returned to Houston to hear President George Waddles’ address to the congress.
I also got to hear Dr. Jerry Black from Atlanta preach for the first time in a very last time. It was very encouraging.
I made it home Saturday afternoon. Hung out with the family. Prepared for Sunday.
Thank you to all of our volunteers. You make it happen!
I led our parent-child dedication for the first time today. It was a joy and privilege to lead the church in this important act of devotion.
Praise God for the one who was baptized today.
I am grateful for all of our guests in worship today, including our special guests - the Jean Ribault High School (not the William M. Raines) graduating class of 1985.
Two weeks in a row.
I continued my study of the Ten Commandments today with a message on Exodus 20:14 entitled, “Keeping Pleasure in its Place.”
I was supposed to preach this three weeks ago, but changed in the last minute. The next Sunday was Youth Sunday. And last Sunday was Father’s Day. So I am just getting to it today. Better late than never!
During lunch, H.B. told me to stop “double-looking” at his mother. Later, he asked me if my wife was my sister. At least he was listening to the sermon.
Next Sunday’s sermon: “How Did You Get That?” (Exodus 20:15)
Praise God for those who were added to the church today.
Thanks Mae for learning the tag to that song so quickly for me.
I enjoy baseball. But I am ready for football to begin. Go Cowboys!
Hung out with the kids this evening. Caught a movie. Good times.
By the way…
I had the privilege of preaching at the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education this past Tuesday in Houston. It was my first time attending the congress. I appreciate the privilege of preaching the word to this assembly.
Wednesday, I preach in Dallas for Pastor Brian Carter and the Concord Church as they celebrated their 35th anniversary.
I returned to Houston to hear President George Waddles’ address to the congress.
I also got to hear Dr. Jerry Black from Atlanta preach for the first time in a very last time. It was very encouraging.
I made it home Saturday afternoon. Hung out with the family. Prepared for Sunday.
Thank you to all of our volunteers. You make it happen!
I led our parent-child dedication for the first time today. It was a joy and privilege to lead the church in this important act of devotion.
Praise God for the one who was baptized today.
I am grateful for all of our guests in worship today, including our special guests - the Jean Ribault High School (not the William M. Raines) graduating class of 1985.
Two weeks in a row.
I continued my study of the Ten Commandments today with a message on Exodus 20:14 entitled, “Keeping Pleasure in its Place.”
I was supposed to preach this three weeks ago, but changed in the last minute. The next Sunday was Youth Sunday. And last Sunday was Father’s Day. So I am just getting to it today. Better late than never!
During lunch, H.B. told me to stop “double-looking” at his mother. Later, he asked me if my wife was my sister. At least he was listening to the sermon.
Next Sunday’s sermon: “How Did You Get That?” (Exodus 20:15)
Praise God for those who were added to the church today.
Thanks Mae for learning the tag to that song so quickly for me.
I enjoy baseball. But I am ready for football to begin. Go Cowboys!
Hung out with the kids this evening. Caught a movie. Good times.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Remember my Dad on Father's Day
My Father passed away Father’s Day weekend, 1989 – twenty-one years ago. I was 16-years-old.
I remember that day like it was just yesterday. I was young. But I think I understood what was going on. I prayed that I would be able to at least say goodbye to my day. That did not happen. But I was not angry with God at all. I did not know what was going to happen next in my life without my father. But I was not really worried.
I was numb with grief.
But I was also grateful. Very grateful.
I was immeasurably blessed to have H.B. Charles to be my father. He was not a perfect man – by no means. He made a lot of decisions that did not understand. Still don’t. But he was a good man. I am still reaping the harvest of the seeds he planted in my life. And I am still benefiting from the things he taught me over two decades ago.
It’s been a long time since that memorable last conversation with my dad. But I can still hear his voice. I can still see his smile. I smile as I remember his style, mannerisms, and idiosyncrasies. He was truly one of a kind. And I miss him.
My theology of heaven doesn’t allow me to think that he is looking down on me. I think heaven is too wonderful and Jesus Christ too glorious for him to be paying me any attention. But I hope I have become (and am becoming) the man and preaching he was praying, nurturing, and encouraging me to become.
I love my dad. I miss him greatly. And I thank God for him on this Father’s Day.
I remember that day like it was just yesterday. I was young. But I think I understood what was going on. I prayed that I would be able to at least say goodbye to my day. That did not happen. But I was not angry with God at all. I did not know what was going to happen next in my life without my father. But I was not really worried.
I was numb with grief.
But I was also grateful. Very grateful.
I was immeasurably blessed to have H.B. Charles to be my father. He was not a perfect man – by no means. He made a lot of decisions that did not understand. Still don’t. But he was a good man. I am still reaping the harvest of the seeds he planted in my life. And I am still benefiting from the things he taught me over two decades ago.
It’s been a long time since that memorable last conversation with my dad. But I can still hear his voice. I can still see his smile. I smile as I remember his style, mannerisms, and idiosyncrasies. He was truly one of a kind. And I miss him.
My theology of heaven doesn’t allow me to think that he is looking down on me. I think heaven is too wonderful and Jesus Christ too glorious for him to be paying me any attention. But I hope I have become (and am becoming) the man and preaching he was praying, nurturing, and encouraging me to become.
I love my dad. I miss him greatly. And I thank God for him on this Father’s Day.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Bible Study Is Not Meant To Satisfy Our Curiosity
I think that there are people who enjoy Bible study the same way that other people enjoy filling out crossword puzzles. Get all the parts and get the thing completed – they find satisfaction. I think there are people that study the Bible that way. They can see how it relates to its context and how its details work to get across the concept. But if it never gets into your life, if it never really touches your experience, I doubt seriously that you can call it a study of biblical truth, because I think God’s truth is always designed to challenge and change us. – Haddon Robinson (Michael Duduit, Preaching with Power, pp. 155-56)
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Making Time for God
MAKING TIME FOR GOD
Exodus 20:8-11
Exodus 20:8-11 continues the train of thought of the previous three commandments. The first commandment -“You shall have no other gods before me” - instructs us to have the proper object of worship. The second commandment - “You shall not make for yourself a cared image” - instructs us to have the proper manner of worship. The third commandment - “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain” - instructs us to have the proper attitude of worship. The fourth commandment - “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” - instructs us to have the proper time of worship. We must worship God exclusively, correctly, reverently, and – and this fourth commandment teaches - regularly. If you are not careful, life has a way of crowding God out. But redeemed people must never forget to make proper time for the God who created us, sustains us, and redeemed us. That is the message of this text. We must make time for God. Let’s talk about three aspects of this fourth command.
I. THE PRINCIPLE OF THE SABBATH
This fourth commandment charges us to be faithful stewards of the gift of time. It gives us three ways to sanctify our time to and for God.
A. IT IS A CALL TO WORSHIP.
Exodus 20:8 commands: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” This command to remember the Sabbath indicates that they already knew about it. After God delivered Israel from Egypt, he provided heavenly food called “Manna” for them to eat. Every day, when they woke up, it would be on the ground. And they would go out and collect enough for their households. On the sixth day they were to collect twice as much, because God did not provide the manna on the seventh day. Exodus 16:23 says, “This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Tomorrow is a day of solemn rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord.’” So Israel had already been introduced to the concept of the Sabbath. Now, in this Mosaic legislation of it, God tells them to remember the Sabbath. Verse 8b states the reason why it is to be remembered: “to keep it holy.”
The word “holy” means to be sanctified or set apart for the special purposes of God. In scripture, certain people, places, and things are called holy. But here we find that certain times are also holy. The Sabbath was to be remembered so that it would be kept holy. This emphasis on the holiness of the Sabbath is a call to worship. It is a call to deliberately set aside time for God. It is a call to regularly schedule time in your life where you and your family stop working to worship God. MATTHEW HENRY rightly said that the Sabbath was made a day of holy rest so that it might be a day of holy work. The Sabbath is a call to worship.
B. IT IS A CALL TO LABOR.
Verse 8 commands Israel to stop working one day a week to worship God. But verse 9 commands, “Six days you shall labor, and do all your work.” This verse makes it clear that God expects his people to work daily and diligently. This call to labor reminds us that work is good. Many people view success as getting to the place where you do not have to work anymore. But that view of life reflects our sinful nature, not God’s holy wisdom. God has wired us to work. Work is not the curse. God created us to work. Genesis 2:18 says, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” The dignity of work was established by God in creation. The fall of man into sin in Genesis 3 resulted in work being difficult, exhausting, and frustrating. But work itself is good. Work is a part of what it means for human beings to be made in the image of God. Our God works.
• God was at work in the creation of the world.
• God was at work through the history of Israel. God was at work in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
• God is at work in the church of Jesus Christ.
• God is at work in and through every one of you who has been born-again by faith in Jesus Christ.
• God is at work in this place right now.
GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS, HIS WONDERS TO PERFORM
HE PLANTS HIS FOOTSTEPS ON THE SEAS, AND RIDES ON EVERY STORM
God works. People often say that the devil is busy. But the devil cannot out-busy God. God never takes a break. God never calls in sick. God never takes a vacation. God is always at work. God works the night shift. And God always finishes the work that he begins. Our God works. And he commands us to work. ARTHUR W. PINK has written, “He who never works is unfit for worship. Work is to pave the way for worship, as worship is to fit us for work.”
C. IT IS A CALL TO REST.
In The Tender Commandments, Ron Mehl writes of waking up in the ICU to see the face of his friend Jack Hayford, who had flown from Los Angeles to Beaverton to check on him. “Good enough for you?” was Hayford’s strange greeting. “You’re a prideful man, Ron,” he went on to say. “You think people are really impressed that you work seven days a week.” Hayford had told him this many times before. But Mehl always found a way to escape the subject. But this time he was trapped in ICU, recovering from a heart attack. Hayford continued “This is an ego thing for you, isn’t it, Ron? You want affirmation. You want everybody to say, ’Isn’t he amazing? Look at that Ron Mehl. Always in the office. Never misses a service. Works seven days a week!’ Get serious, Mehl. Who are you trying to impress? God? Well, I can tell you something. He’s not impressed. God’s only impressed with one thing, and that’s His Son?”
After this stern confrontation, Hayford lovingly counseled his longtime friend to take the life principle of Sabbath-rest more seriously. And I want to challenge us to embrace the wisdom of God that calls us to rest. Exodus 20:9-10 says: “Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work.” This commandment should is not some restrictive rule. It is loving concern of a good God. Our heavenly Father, in his infinite wisdom, commands us to rest. It’s a personal call to rest. God knows that you cannot make it without rest, refreshment and rejuvenation. So he gave us this human maintenance schedule. God calls those who will not work lazy. But God calls those who will not rest disobedient. In Mark 6:31, Jesus told his disciples, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” VANCE HAVNER used to say of this verse that if we do not come away we will fall apart. You need rest.
It is also a communal call to rest. Verse 10 says: “On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates.” Every one was to rest – you, your children, servants, and animals, even strangers. This all inclusive call to rest was meant to affirm equality and justice for all, the precious nature of creation, and the human dignity of even the people from foreign lands. We need to remember that our family, coworkers, and possessions belong to God. Every person that you come across is a person of value who has been created in the image of God. The Lord affirmed this by calling the entire community – including the cattle – to rest on the Sabbath.
Lastly, it is a spiritual call to rest. Exodus 20:11 explains: “For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, an rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath and made it holy.” God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh day. God did not rest because he was tired. Omnipotence cannot become weary. He rested in order to set a pattern for us to follow. The Lord blessed and sanctified the seventh day in creation to get us to stop and remember that he is the Creator. God established the pattern of six days of work and one day of rest to remind us to that our lives do not depend on our work. It depends on God’s work. God is our creator, sustainer, and redeemer. Our lives depend on his work; not ours. RAY PRITCHARD said it well: We give 1 day in 7 to God because 7 out of 7 belong to him!!!
II. THE PRESCRIPTION OF THE SABBATH
This fourth commandment is the longest of the Ten Commandments. It is the only one that is not taught, repeated, or affirmed in the New Testament. And it is, without a doubt, the most controversial commandment. The principle of this commandment is clear. But the prescription of it is very controversial, because it does not just tell us to make time for God; it tells us when that time should be. The prescribed time is named in verse 8: the Sabbath day. It is specified in verse 10: the seventh day.
For the record, today is not the Sabbath day. It is not the seventh day. It is not Saturday. Today is what the people of the text would have called the first or eighth day. Today is what the early church called the Lord’s Day. It is what we call Sunday. This Saturday-Sabbath/Sunday-Lord’s Day distinction makes this commandment so complicated. The issue is this: Do Christians violate this commandment by worshiping on Sunday? Why do Christians worship on Sunday when this commandment sets apart Saturday as the day of worship? Sabbath keeping is the fourth commandment; therefore, if we believe that Christians are obligated to obey the Decalogue, aren’t we saying that they are to keep the Sabbath? My answer is no. As I mentioned, each of the Ten Commandments is emphasized in the New Testament, except this fourth commandment. There is no place in the New Testament where Christians are taught to keep the Sabbath. It is not even suggested.
Matthew 19:16-20; Mark 10:17-20, Luke 18:18-21; and Romans 13:8-10 record summaries of the law. But none of them mention the Sabbath-keeping. In Romans 13:9, Paul gives a summary of the commandments, without mentioning the Sabbath. But he says that any other commandment can be summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” In the New Testament, love is the law. In John 13:34, Jesus says: “A new commandment I give to you, that your love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” This verse affirms the fact that love supersedes the law. It also affirms the preeminence of the Lord Jesus Christ over everything. This is the key reason why the New Testament church is not commanded to observe the Saturday-Sabbath. The impeccable life, bloody cross, and empty tomb of Jesus has changed everything. This is why the early church intentionally, willingly, and naturally changed their day of worship to Sunday. It was to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. They did not just celebrate the resurrection in an annual Easter observance. They celebrated it in their Lord’s Day worship meetings every Sunday.
Colossians 2:16-17 says: “Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.” This is God’s word to every person who defines his relationship to God in terms of strict diets or special days. Stop chasing shadows. Embrace the reality. Trust in Jesus. Christ is our Sabbath-rest. Hebrews 4:9-10 says: “So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.” Did you get that? True rest comes through saving-faith in and personal devotion to Jesus Christ. In Mathew 11:28-30, Jesus says: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Jesus is our rest.
The Sabbath was one of the greatest points of tension between Jesus and the Jewish religious establishment. By the time of Jesus, Sabbath-keeping had been entangled with many restrictive rules that made the fulfillment of the fourth commandment hopeless for most Jews. It is said that there were some 1521 rabbinical rules that many religious leaders could not faithfully keep. In what I believe was a sincere attempt to keep this commandment, the religious establishment built “fence laws” around the Sabbath. And these applications were eventually given the same authority as the commandment itself, so if one broke the rules of the establishment he was viewed as a Sabbath breaker. That was one of the religious leaders’ charges against Jesus himself. The Gospels record six incidents in which Jesus’ actions resulted in controversy over the Sabbath. Mark 2:27 records how he responded on one of those occasions. Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”
III. THE PRACTICE OF THE SABBATH
The prescription of the Sabbath is controversial. However, the controversy must not as an excuse to neglect or reject the principle of the Sabbath. The confusion about the specific designation of this command does not free us from the reality that God commands that we make time for him. What is the practical application of this commandment for us today? Let me give you two ways we as Christians can honor the spirit of this fourth commandment.
A. PRIVATE DEVOTIONS
Psalm 118:24 says: “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” This verse affirms a fundamental fact you can count on every day: God is in charge. God is in control. God is sovereign over every moment, event, and situation you will face today, tomorrow, and everyday. The Lord makes every day. And he reigns over all that he creates. Because God is in charge, you ought to rejoice and be glad every day. If you really believe that God the Father is good, faithful, and sovereign, you ought not to be miserable, frustrated, and hard to get along with. You ought to be grateful, joyful, and content. I am not saying that you have to like everything that is going on in your life. But you ought live with the confidence of Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore.” It is one thing to know the truth of the Lord’s unchanging goodness. But it is another thing to live it out. The question is how do you practice the presence of God on a daily basis? Let me answer that by recommending to you that you make it a priority to spend quality time with God in private devotions every day.
• Make time to offer thanksgiving to God everyday.
• Make time to read a portion of his holy word every day.
• Make time to bring your personal needs to God in prayer every day.
• Make time to pray for the needs of others every day.
• Make time to bless God every day.
I was a teenager preaching out of town. I was bored, lonely, and homesick. It was miserable. And I didn’t know what to do about it. I ended up turning on the TV. A football game was on. After watching the game for a few minutes, I saw something that I have never paid attention to before. The quarterback threw an interception. And when they showed him on the sideline after the series, he had a phone to his ear. And the commentators began to talk about the instructions he might be getting from the press box. And God used that to turn my room into a sanctuary. You see, the head football coach is on the sidelines. But the other key coaches are often up in the press box, where they can have a better vantage point on the whole field. When the series is over; players call up to the press box to get instructions about what they are doing wrong and what they are doing right. And every day God blesses you to go out on the field of life; call up your press box through scripture and prayer.
B. CORPORATE WORSHIP
Hebrews 10:24-25 says: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” This passage emphasizes the fact that we need one another. And the mutual care that builds one another up requires that we regularly meet together for worship, prayer, service, fellowship, and instruction. In fact, we should disregard the profession of faith of any person who habitually neglects the corporate meetings of their local church. Our failure to submit to the wisdom of this text dishonors the Lord, stunts our growth, and hinders our mission.
Don’t use your family as an excuse to neglect corporate worship. “God understands,” people say. “Sunday is the only time I have to spend quality with my family.” Let me respond to that two ways. First, if you really want to spend quality time with your family, the best thing for you to do is bring your husband, wife, and children to worship God together. Shame on you if you think that staying in or hanging out with your family on Sunday is of more quality then bringing them to praise the Lord for who is he and thank the Lord for what he has done. Likewise, if Sunday is really the only time you have to spend with your family, you need to check your priorities. Shame of you if the Lord gives you six other days every week, and you cannot find any time in them to spend with your family. This also applies to extended family and friends. “God understands,” people say. “But I couldn’t come to church because I had guests at my house.” Let me remind you of something: God gave you what you have. So use your family as an excuse to miss corporate worship.
Do not use your work as an excuse to miss corporate worship. I know you are busy. I know you have a lot to do. I know that you have bills to pay. I know that you have places to go, things to do, and people to meet. But if your are too busy to come to worship the God who has been so good to you, you may too busy. J.C. PENNY said: If a man’s business requires so much of his time that he cannot attend the Sunday morning and evening services, and Wednesday night prayer meeting, then that man has more business than God intended him to have. Don’t use your work as an excuse to miss corporate worship.
A certain man took over the presidency of a large corporation. An aide told him that there was a very important meeting called for the next day at ten o’clock. He said, “I’m sorry. I won’t be able to be there.” The aide said, “But, sir, this is regarding a very important matter. It’s a crisis that must be dealt with.” But he just shook his head and said, “I’m sorry, but I have a previous appointment. I can’t make it.” His aide said, “Sir, “I’d really like to know what appointment means so much to you that you can’t break it for something as important as this.” The president smiled and explained, “I have an appointment with the Lord God Almighty tomorrow at ten-thirty, in his house, at his table, and I will be there.” This man’s name was James Garfield. And he went on to become the president of the United States.
Lastly, don’t use church as an excuse to miss corporate worship. I have pastor friends who extended the invitation to church membership by saying, “If you aren’t growing; why are you going?” I struggle with this statement because I am convinced that church-hopping weakens Christians and sheep-stealing weakens churches. But, I admit, that statement does make a good point. You ought not force yourself to go to any church where you are not being taught, edified, and challenged. It grieves me to hear that some person or family has left our church. But I recognize that the best thing some people can do for the development of their faith is to find another church.
• If you cannot receive the clear and faithful teaching of the word of God, you may need to find you another church.
• If you live so far away that the distance easily becomes a regular reason why you can’t make it, you may need to find you another church.
• If you do not respect the leadership of your church, you may need to find another church.
• If your heart is hardening so that you cannot worship freely, serve willingly, and fellowship sincerely, you may need to find you another church.
Before you run out and find another church, let me challenge you to examine yourself. The problem may be your unwillingness to submit, reach out, forgive, get involved, or consider others. But there is a right time, a right reason, and a right way to leave your church. And you ought to find a new household of faith before you allow yourself to use the church as an excuse to miss corporate worship. God is too good, time is too short, and life is too hard for you to keep going to a place where you are not growing. So don’t let the church keep you from coming to corporate worship. And don’t let the church keep you from worshiping when you come.
There was an old lady who shouted in church every week, not matter what. If the preach died or hit it out of the park, she shouted. If the choir was on it or missed it, she shouted. If the atmosphere of the worship was warm or cold, she shouted. Some people around her could understand how she praised the Lord like that every Sunday. And they asked her how is that you praise God like that every Sunday, no matter how good or bad the service is. She answered, “Well, when the preacher is good; I look at him and see Jesus, and I shout. But if he’s bad, I look around him to see Jesus, and I shout. If the choir is good, I look at them and see Jesus, and I shout. And if they’re bad, I look around them and see Jesus, and I shout.
JESUS IS ALL THE WORLD TO ME, MY LIFE, MY JOY, MY ALL
HE IS MY STRENGTH FROM DAY TO DAY, WITHOUT HIM I WOULD FALL
WHEN I AM SAD, TO HIM I GO, NO OTHER NAME CAN CHEER ME SO
WHEN I AM SAD HE MAKES ME GLAD, HE’S MY FRIEND
Exodus 20:8-11
Exodus 20:8-11 continues the train of thought of the previous three commandments. The first commandment -“You shall have no other gods before me” - instructs us to have the proper object of worship. The second commandment - “You shall not make for yourself a cared image” - instructs us to have the proper manner of worship. The third commandment - “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain” - instructs us to have the proper attitude of worship. The fourth commandment - “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” - instructs us to have the proper time of worship. We must worship God exclusively, correctly, reverently, and – and this fourth commandment teaches - regularly. If you are not careful, life has a way of crowding God out. But redeemed people must never forget to make proper time for the God who created us, sustains us, and redeemed us. That is the message of this text. We must make time for God. Let’s talk about three aspects of this fourth command.
I. THE PRINCIPLE OF THE SABBATH
This fourth commandment charges us to be faithful stewards of the gift of time. It gives us three ways to sanctify our time to and for God.
A. IT IS A CALL TO WORSHIP.
Exodus 20:8 commands: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” This command to remember the Sabbath indicates that they already knew about it. After God delivered Israel from Egypt, he provided heavenly food called “Manna” for them to eat. Every day, when they woke up, it would be on the ground. And they would go out and collect enough for their households. On the sixth day they were to collect twice as much, because God did not provide the manna on the seventh day. Exodus 16:23 says, “This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Tomorrow is a day of solemn rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord.’” So Israel had already been introduced to the concept of the Sabbath. Now, in this Mosaic legislation of it, God tells them to remember the Sabbath. Verse 8b states the reason why it is to be remembered: “to keep it holy.”
The word “holy” means to be sanctified or set apart for the special purposes of God. In scripture, certain people, places, and things are called holy. But here we find that certain times are also holy. The Sabbath was to be remembered so that it would be kept holy. This emphasis on the holiness of the Sabbath is a call to worship. It is a call to deliberately set aside time for God. It is a call to regularly schedule time in your life where you and your family stop working to worship God. MATTHEW HENRY rightly said that the Sabbath was made a day of holy rest so that it might be a day of holy work. The Sabbath is a call to worship.
B. IT IS A CALL TO LABOR.
Verse 8 commands Israel to stop working one day a week to worship God. But verse 9 commands, “Six days you shall labor, and do all your work.” This verse makes it clear that God expects his people to work daily and diligently. This call to labor reminds us that work is good. Many people view success as getting to the place where you do not have to work anymore. But that view of life reflects our sinful nature, not God’s holy wisdom. God has wired us to work. Work is not the curse. God created us to work. Genesis 2:18 says, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” The dignity of work was established by God in creation. The fall of man into sin in Genesis 3 resulted in work being difficult, exhausting, and frustrating. But work itself is good. Work is a part of what it means for human beings to be made in the image of God. Our God works.
• God was at work in the creation of the world.
• God was at work through the history of Israel. God was at work in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
• God is at work in the church of Jesus Christ.
• God is at work in and through every one of you who has been born-again by faith in Jesus Christ.
• God is at work in this place right now.
GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS, HIS WONDERS TO PERFORM
HE PLANTS HIS FOOTSTEPS ON THE SEAS, AND RIDES ON EVERY STORM
God works. People often say that the devil is busy. But the devil cannot out-busy God. God never takes a break. God never calls in sick. God never takes a vacation. God is always at work. God works the night shift. And God always finishes the work that he begins. Our God works. And he commands us to work. ARTHUR W. PINK has written, “He who never works is unfit for worship. Work is to pave the way for worship, as worship is to fit us for work.”
C. IT IS A CALL TO REST.
In The Tender Commandments, Ron Mehl writes of waking up in the ICU to see the face of his friend Jack Hayford, who had flown from Los Angeles to Beaverton to check on him. “Good enough for you?” was Hayford’s strange greeting. “You’re a prideful man, Ron,” he went on to say. “You think people are really impressed that you work seven days a week.” Hayford had told him this many times before. But Mehl always found a way to escape the subject. But this time he was trapped in ICU, recovering from a heart attack. Hayford continued “This is an ego thing for you, isn’t it, Ron? You want affirmation. You want everybody to say, ’Isn’t he amazing? Look at that Ron Mehl. Always in the office. Never misses a service. Works seven days a week!’ Get serious, Mehl. Who are you trying to impress? God? Well, I can tell you something. He’s not impressed. God’s only impressed with one thing, and that’s His Son?”
After this stern confrontation, Hayford lovingly counseled his longtime friend to take the life principle of Sabbath-rest more seriously. And I want to challenge us to embrace the wisdom of God that calls us to rest. Exodus 20:9-10 says: “Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work.” This commandment should is not some restrictive rule. It is loving concern of a good God. Our heavenly Father, in his infinite wisdom, commands us to rest. It’s a personal call to rest. God knows that you cannot make it without rest, refreshment and rejuvenation. So he gave us this human maintenance schedule. God calls those who will not work lazy. But God calls those who will not rest disobedient. In Mark 6:31, Jesus told his disciples, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” VANCE HAVNER used to say of this verse that if we do not come away we will fall apart. You need rest.
It is also a communal call to rest. Verse 10 says: “On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates.” Every one was to rest – you, your children, servants, and animals, even strangers. This all inclusive call to rest was meant to affirm equality and justice for all, the precious nature of creation, and the human dignity of even the people from foreign lands. We need to remember that our family, coworkers, and possessions belong to God. Every person that you come across is a person of value who has been created in the image of God. The Lord affirmed this by calling the entire community – including the cattle – to rest on the Sabbath.
Lastly, it is a spiritual call to rest. Exodus 20:11 explains: “For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, an rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath and made it holy.” God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh day. God did not rest because he was tired. Omnipotence cannot become weary. He rested in order to set a pattern for us to follow. The Lord blessed and sanctified the seventh day in creation to get us to stop and remember that he is the Creator. God established the pattern of six days of work and one day of rest to remind us to that our lives do not depend on our work. It depends on God’s work. God is our creator, sustainer, and redeemer. Our lives depend on his work; not ours. RAY PRITCHARD said it well: We give 1 day in 7 to God because 7 out of 7 belong to him!!!
II. THE PRESCRIPTION OF THE SABBATH
This fourth commandment is the longest of the Ten Commandments. It is the only one that is not taught, repeated, or affirmed in the New Testament. And it is, without a doubt, the most controversial commandment. The principle of this commandment is clear. But the prescription of it is very controversial, because it does not just tell us to make time for God; it tells us when that time should be. The prescribed time is named in verse 8: the Sabbath day. It is specified in verse 10: the seventh day.
For the record, today is not the Sabbath day. It is not the seventh day. It is not Saturday. Today is what the people of the text would have called the first or eighth day. Today is what the early church called the Lord’s Day. It is what we call Sunday. This Saturday-Sabbath/Sunday-Lord’s Day distinction makes this commandment so complicated. The issue is this: Do Christians violate this commandment by worshiping on Sunday? Why do Christians worship on Sunday when this commandment sets apart Saturday as the day of worship? Sabbath keeping is the fourth commandment; therefore, if we believe that Christians are obligated to obey the Decalogue, aren’t we saying that they are to keep the Sabbath? My answer is no. As I mentioned, each of the Ten Commandments is emphasized in the New Testament, except this fourth commandment. There is no place in the New Testament where Christians are taught to keep the Sabbath. It is not even suggested.
Matthew 19:16-20; Mark 10:17-20, Luke 18:18-21; and Romans 13:8-10 record summaries of the law. But none of them mention the Sabbath-keeping. In Romans 13:9, Paul gives a summary of the commandments, without mentioning the Sabbath. But he says that any other commandment can be summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” In the New Testament, love is the law. In John 13:34, Jesus says: “A new commandment I give to you, that your love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” This verse affirms the fact that love supersedes the law. It also affirms the preeminence of the Lord Jesus Christ over everything. This is the key reason why the New Testament church is not commanded to observe the Saturday-Sabbath. The impeccable life, bloody cross, and empty tomb of Jesus has changed everything. This is why the early church intentionally, willingly, and naturally changed their day of worship to Sunday. It was to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. They did not just celebrate the resurrection in an annual Easter observance. They celebrated it in their Lord’s Day worship meetings every Sunday.
Colossians 2:16-17 says: “Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.” This is God’s word to every person who defines his relationship to God in terms of strict diets or special days. Stop chasing shadows. Embrace the reality. Trust in Jesus. Christ is our Sabbath-rest. Hebrews 4:9-10 says: “So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.” Did you get that? True rest comes through saving-faith in and personal devotion to Jesus Christ. In Mathew 11:28-30, Jesus says: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Jesus is our rest.
The Sabbath was one of the greatest points of tension between Jesus and the Jewish religious establishment. By the time of Jesus, Sabbath-keeping had been entangled with many restrictive rules that made the fulfillment of the fourth commandment hopeless for most Jews. It is said that there were some 1521 rabbinical rules that many religious leaders could not faithfully keep. In what I believe was a sincere attempt to keep this commandment, the religious establishment built “fence laws” around the Sabbath. And these applications were eventually given the same authority as the commandment itself, so if one broke the rules of the establishment he was viewed as a Sabbath breaker. That was one of the religious leaders’ charges against Jesus himself. The Gospels record six incidents in which Jesus’ actions resulted in controversy over the Sabbath. Mark 2:27 records how he responded on one of those occasions. Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”
III. THE PRACTICE OF THE SABBATH
The prescription of the Sabbath is controversial. However, the controversy must not as an excuse to neglect or reject the principle of the Sabbath. The confusion about the specific designation of this command does not free us from the reality that God commands that we make time for him. What is the practical application of this commandment for us today? Let me give you two ways we as Christians can honor the spirit of this fourth commandment.
A. PRIVATE DEVOTIONS
Psalm 118:24 says: “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” This verse affirms a fundamental fact you can count on every day: God is in charge. God is in control. God is sovereign over every moment, event, and situation you will face today, tomorrow, and everyday. The Lord makes every day. And he reigns over all that he creates. Because God is in charge, you ought to rejoice and be glad every day. If you really believe that God the Father is good, faithful, and sovereign, you ought not to be miserable, frustrated, and hard to get along with. You ought to be grateful, joyful, and content. I am not saying that you have to like everything that is going on in your life. But you ought live with the confidence of Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore.” It is one thing to know the truth of the Lord’s unchanging goodness. But it is another thing to live it out. The question is how do you practice the presence of God on a daily basis? Let me answer that by recommending to you that you make it a priority to spend quality time with God in private devotions every day.
• Make time to offer thanksgiving to God everyday.
• Make time to read a portion of his holy word every day.
• Make time to bring your personal needs to God in prayer every day.
• Make time to pray for the needs of others every day.
• Make time to bless God every day.
I was a teenager preaching out of town. I was bored, lonely, and homesick. It was miserable. And I didn’t know what to do about it. I ended up turning on the TV. A football game was on. After watching the game for a few minutes, I saw something that I have never paid attention to before. The quarterback threw an interception. And when they showed him on the sideline after the series, he had a phone to his ear. And the commentators began to talk about the instructions he might be getting from the press box. And God used that to turn my room into a sanctuary. You see, the head football coach is on the sidelines. But the other key coaches are often up in the press box, where they can have a better vantage point on the whole field. When the series is over; players call up to the press box to get instructions about what they are doing wrong and what they are doing right. And every day God blesses you to go out on the field of life; call up your press box through scripture and prayer.
B. CORPORATE WORSHIP
Hebrews 10:24-25 says: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” This passage emphasizes the fact that we need one another. And the mutual care that builds one another up requires that we regularly meet together for worship, prayer, service, fellowship, and instruction. In fact, we should disregard the profession of faith of any person who habitually neglects the corporate meetings of their local church. Our failure to submit to the wisdom of this text dishonors the Lord, stunts our growth, and hinders our mission.
Don’t use your family as an excuse to neglect corporate worship. “God understands,” people say. “Sunday is the only time I have to spend quality with my family.” Let me respond to that two ways. First, if you really want to spend quality time with your family, the best thing for you to do is bring your husband, wife, and children to worship God together. Shame on you if you think that staying in or hanging out with your family on Sunday is of more quality then bringing them to praise the Lord for who is he and thank the Lord for what he has done. Likewise, if Sunday is really the only time you have to spend with your family, you need to check your priorities. Shame of you if the Lord gives you six other days every week, and you cannot find any time in them to spend with your family. This also applies to extended family and friends. “God understands,” people say. “But I couldn’t come to church because I had guests at my house.” Let me remind you of something: God gave you what you have. So use your family as an excuse to miss corporate worship.
Do not use your work as an excuse to miss corporate worship. I know you are busy. I know you have a lot to do. I know that you have bills to pay. I know that you have places to go, things to do, and people to meet. But if your are too busy to come to worship the God who has been so good to you, you may too busy. J.C. PENNY said: If a man’s business requires so much of his time that he cannot attend the Sunday morning and evening services, and Wednesday night prayer meeting, then that man has more business than God intended him to have. Don’t use your work as an excuse to miss corporate worship.
A certain man took over the presidency of a large corporation. An aide told him that there was a very important meeting called for the next day at ten o’clock. He said, “I’m sorry. I won’t be able to be there.” The aide said, “But, sir, this is regarding a very important matter. It’s a crisis that must be dealt with.” But he just shook his head and said, “I’m sorry, but I have a previous appointment. I can’t make it.” His aide said, “Sir, “I’d really like to know what appointment means so much to you that you can’t break it for something as important as this.” The president smiled and explained, “I have an appointment with the Lord God Almighty tomorrow at ten-thirty, in his house, at his table, and I will be there.” This man’s name was James Garfield. And he went on to become the president of the United States.
Lastly, don’t use church as an excuse to miss corporate worship. I have pastor friends who extended the invitation to church membership by saying, “If you aren’t growing; why are you going?” I struggle with this statement because I am convinced that church-hopping weakens Christians and sheep-stealing weakens churches. But, I admit, that statement does make a good point. You ought not force yourself to go to any church where you are not being taught, edified, and challenged. It grieves me to hear that some person or family has left our church. But I recognize that the best thing some people can do for the development of their faith is to find another church.
• If you cannot receive the clear and faithful teaching of the word of God, you may need to find you another church.
• If you live so far away that the distance easily becomes a regular reason why you can’t make it, you may need to find you another church.
• If you do not respect the leadership of your church, you may need to find another church.
• If your heart is hardening so that you cannot worship freely, serve willingly, and fellowship sincerely, you may need to find you another church.
Before you run out and find another church, let me challenge you to examine yourself. The problem may be your unwillingness to submit, reach out, forgive, get involved, or consider others. But there is a right time, a right reason, and a right way to leave your church. And you ought to find a new household of faith before you allow yourself to use the church as an excuse to miss corporate worship. God is too good, time is too short, and life is too hard for you to keep going to a place where you are not growing. So don’t let the church keep you from coming to corporate worship. And don’t let the church keep you from worshiping when you come.
There was an old lady who shouted in church every week, not matter what. If the preach died or hit it out of the park, she shouted. If the choir was on it or missed it, she shouted. If the atmosphere of the worship was warm or cold, she shouted. Some people around her could understand how she praised the Lord like that every Sunday. And they asked her how is that you praise God like that every Sunday, no matter how good or bad the service is. She answered, “Well, when the preacher is good; I look at him and see Jesus, and I shout. But if he’s bad, I look around him to see Jesus, and I shout. If the choir is good, I look at them and see Jesus, and I shout. And if they’re bad, I look around them and see Jesus, and I shout.
JESUS IS ALL THE WORLD TO ME, MY LIFE, MY JOY, MY ALL
HE IS MY STRENGTH FROM DAY TO DAY, WITHOUT HIM I WOULD FALL
WHEN I AM SAD, TO HIM I GO, NO OTHER NAME CAN CHEER ME SO
WHEN I AM SAD HE MAKES ME GLAD, HE’S MY FRIEND
Monday, May 24, 2010
Notes from Sunday - 05/23/10
This was a great weekend in the life of Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church.
Saturday was our “Make a Difference Day.” The ministries, districts, and Bible Study fellowship groups blitzed our city with good works to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ. It was a wonderful day of service, fellowship, and witness. May the Lord be praised for all that was done in his name (Matt. 5:16)!
Thank you to all who served during MADD10. You make it happen!
As always, I am thankful for all of our guests who were in worship with us today.
There were two couples in worship today that celebrate 53 years of marriage this week. Way cool.
Our Youth choir and young adult choir led the music in worship this morning. I am grateful for their service.
They did not listen to the “Mand of Gawd” and allowed my wife Crystal to sing with the young adult choir today. What a setback to music! As wonderful as Crystal is, singing is not one of her gifts. However, she lip-syncs excellently
Lawrence Flowers, a very talented young man, led a selection in our 8 AM service. I was glad to have him as our special guest.
I continued our series on the Ten Commandments with a message on Exodus 20:8-11 entitled, “”Making Time for God.”
A good Ray Pritchard quote that I did not get to use in either message today: “We give 1 day in 7 to God because 7 out of 7 belong to him!”
As strange as it sounds, I actually had a good time preaching on “remembering the Sabbath day.”
Next Sunday’s message: “God’s Pro-Life Policy” (Exodus 20:13).
Now, in the latest episode of “The Strangest Things Happen in Church:” So I am preaching during the 8 AM service. And out of nowhere, a balloon begins to descend from the rafters right in front of the main camera. It took everything for me not to freak out when I saw some U.F.O. floating down on my members!
Praise God for all those who were saved and added to the church today.
Sunday afternoon, our congregation worshiped with the Emanuel Baptist Church to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Pastor Herb Anderson. Pastor Anderson is a beloved son of Shiloh. And it was a joy to join in this special celebration. Our youth choir led the music. I preached with the little bit of gas I had left in the tank.
Did the Lakers lose last night?
Saturday was our “Make a Difference Day.” The ministries, districts, and Bible Study fellowship groups blitzed our city with good works to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ. It was a wonderful day of service, fellowship, and witness. May the Lord be praised for all that was done in his name (Matt. 5:16)!
Thank you to all who served during MADD10. You make it happen!
As always, I am thankful for all of our guests who were in worship with us today.
There were two couples in worship today that celebrate 53 years of marriage this week. Way cool.
Our Youth choir and young adult choir led the music in worship this morning. I am grateful for their service.
They did not listen to the “Mand of Gawd” and allowed my wife Crystal to sing with the young adult choir today. What a setback to music! As wonderful as Crystal is, singing is not one of her gifts. However, she lip-syncs excellently
Lawrence Flowers, a very talented young man, led a selection in our 8 AM service. I was glad to have him as our special guest.
I continued our series on the Ten Commandments with a message on Exodus 20:8-11 entitled, “”Making Time for God.”
A good Ray Pritchard quote that I did not get to use in either message today: “We give 1 day in 7 to God because 7 out of 7 belong to him!”
As strange as it sounds, I actually had a good time preaching on “remembering the Sabbath day.”
Next Sunday’s message: “God’s Pro-Life Policy” (Exodus 20:13).
Now, in the latest episode of “The Strangest Things Happen in Church:” So I am preaching during the 8 AM service. And out of nowhere, a balloon begins to descend from the rafters right in front of the main camera. It took everything for me not to freak out when I saw some U.F.O. floating down on my members!
Praise God for all those who were saved and added to the church today.
Sunday afternoon, our congregation worshiped with the Emanuel Baptist Church to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Pastor Herb Anderson. Pastor Anderson is a beloved son of Shiloh. And it was a joy to join in this special celebration. Our youth choir led the music. I preached with the little bit of gas I had left in the tank.
Did the Lakers lose last night?
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Notes from Shiloh's 135th Anniversary Sunday
Today we celebrated 135 years of God’s faithfulness to the Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church. What a church! What a history!! What a God!!!
Our media team prepared a brief video highlighting the history of our church. It was a wonderful testimony to the faithfulness of God to and through this wonderful local church.
Today’s worship was very encouraging to me. I believe our dreams are greater than our memories.
May the Lord be pleased to use Shiloh to spread the gospel and make disciples in a even greater way until Jesus returns!
I am especially grateful today for all our volunteers who serve at Shiloh. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. You make it happen!
Praise God for those who were baptized today.
I led an “old school” number with the choir today, “Rise Up and Walk,” by Rev. Milton Brunson and the Thompson Community Singers. I enjoyed leading in the musical praise and singing with our choir.
All of the music was uplifting today.
Pastor Keelan Atkinson of the Word Reformed Baptist Church of Greensboro (NC) was our guest speaker today.
I still “blame” Keelan for me being at Shiloh (LOL!). He is the one who repeatedly encouraged Shiloh’s chairman to look me up and invite me to preach.
Keelan preached from Jonah 1 during the 8 AM meeting and from Philippians 3 in the 10 AM service. Both messages were timely, challenging, and encouraging.
Praise God for those who were saved and added to the church today.
Today was the first Sunday I have not preached (somewhere) since my installation as Shiloh’s pastor in November 2008. It felt weird at first. But I really needed it. I cannot describe what it meant for me to worship with my congregation today and sit under the word preached with them.
Lord willing, I will resume our study of the Ten Commandments next Sunday with a message entitled, “Making Time for God” (Exodus 20:8-11).
I took daughter Natalie out for a date this afternoon. We had a good time. But she wished her big brother was with us. That’s love!
Thanks for praying for me this past week as I preached the citywide revival in Buffalo. It was a great week of worship, ministry, and fellowship.
Please pray for our Make a Difference Day 2010 that will take place this Saturday. We plan to blitz the city of Jacksonville with good works that will demonstrate the love of Christ (Matthew 5:16).
Our media team prepared a brief video highlighting the history of our church. It was a wonderful testimony to the faithfulness of God to and through this wonderful local church.
Today’s worship was very encouraging to me. I believe our dreams are greater than our memories.
May the Lord be pleased to use Shiloh to spread the gospel and make disciples in a even greater way until Jesus returns!
I am especially grateful today for all our volunteers who serve at Shiloh. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. You make it happen!
Praise God for those who were baptized today.
I led an “old school” number with the choir today, “Rise Up and Walk,” by Rev. Milton Brunson and the Thompson Community Singers. I enjoyed leading in the musical praise and singing with our choir.
All of the music was uplifting today.
Pastor Keelan Atkinson of the Word Reformed Baptist Church of Greensboro (NC) was our guest speaker today.
I still “blame” Keelan for me being at Shiloh (LOL!). He is the one who repeatedly encouraged Shiloh’s chairman to look me up and invite me to preach.
Keelan preached from Jonah 1 during the 8 AM meeting and from Philippians 3 in the 10 AM service. Both messages were timely, challenging, and encouraging.
Praise God for those who were saved and added to the church today.
Today was the first Sunday I have not preached (somewhere) since my installation as Shiloh’s pastor in November 2008. It felt weird at first. But I really needed it. I cannot describe what it meant for me to worship with my congregation today and sit under the word preached with them.
Lord willing, I will resume our study of the Ten Commandments next Sunday with a message entitled, “Making Time for God” (Exodus 20:8-11).
I took daughter Natalie out for a date this afternoon. We had a good time. But she wished her big brother was with us. That’s love!
Thanks for praying for me this past week as I preached the citywide revival in Buffalo. It was a great week of worship, ministry, and fellowship.
Please pray for our Make a Difference Day 2010 that will take place this Saturday. We plan to blitz the city of Jacksonville with good works that will demonstrate the love of Christ (Matthew 5:16).
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