Next Saturday, January 1st 2011, marks the first day of the decade when we begin what we are calling, “The 2020 Vision!” As I shared with you on Sunday, August 29th, (the day you voted to call me as your Pastor full-time) I believe it is certainly possible to grow our church at a rate of 15% per year for the next ten years.
If the Lord allows us to reach this lofty goal, at the end of this coming decade we will have grown from 90 to 350 in Sunday School each week; from 140 to 570 in worship each week; and, we will have baptized 338 new believers and added another 338 people to our church by Letter or Statement!
This morning, as we stand at the threshold of this amazing journey, I want to provide you with biblical answers to the three most vitally important questions we face about the 2020 Vision: “Why”; “How”; and “Why Now?”
Why? Because of Four Relevant Realities:
The COMMANDS from Above!
Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 14:23;
John 15:16; John 20:21
The CRIES from Below!
Luke 16:19-28
The CONDITIONS Around Us!
Revelation 22:14-15
The COMPASSION Within Us!
Matthew 9:35-38
How? By Renewing Three Commitments:
Renewed Commitment to our Individual Spiritual Growth
TALK to God Luke 18:1
LISTEN to God 2nd Timothy 2:15
OBEY God James 1:22; 4:17
SERVE God Matthew 20:28
Renewed Commitment to our Corporate Spiritual Growth
MEET with One Another Acts 2:42-47
MINISTER to One Another Hebrews 10:23-25
MENTOR One Another Proverbs 27:17
MULTIPLY MEMBERS Who Meet with, Minister to, and Mentor one Another 2nd Timothy 2:2
Renewed Commitment to our Numerical and Financial Growth
BEGINNING Relationships with New People
BUILDING Relationships with New people
Bringing New People to CHRIST
Bringing New People to CHURCH
Why Now? At least three great reasons:
Why us? Because we’re the Right FOLK!
Why here? Because we have the Right FACILITIES!
Why now? Because we do not know the FUTURE!
God has given us a great vision of what we can accomplish for Him through the ministry of our Church. I hope you will join me in praying for this vision to become a reality; and participating in the thousands of things we will have to do to see this come to pass. God bless you!
Monday, December 27, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
It's Wednesday, but Sunday's Coming!
On this cool December Wednesday, I am thinking about Sunday! No surprise there! Hopefully, every Lord’s Day and Sunday Sermon is important to your life; but, there are a few things that I believe will make this one special:
First, as it is the last Sunday of December, we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper together! This is always a beautiful and deeply spiritual time for believers as we examine ourselves, repent of sins, and come to the Lord’s Table with a renewed and refreshed walk with Him.
Second, I will be preaching an, “end of year” sermon about how we are currently doing in light of the vision God has given us for ministry in our area. I believe all of us will need to consider carefully this biblical message on what the Lord is calling us to be and to do as we serve Him.
Finally, we are in for a musical treat, (as usual)! Bill Fleming is feeling much better and he and his family will be worshipping the Lord and serving us through the songs that they had prepared for last week’s Christmas Musical.
I hope to see you Sunday with a smile on your face, your Bible in your hand, and family and friends by your side!
First, as it is the last Sunday of December, we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper together! This is always a beautiful and deeply spiritual time for believers as we examine ourselves, repent of sins, and come to the Lord’s Table with a renewed and refreshed walk with Him.
Second, I will be preaching an, “end of year” sermon about how we are currently doing in light of the vision God has given us for ministry in our area. I believe all of us will need to consider carefully this biblical message on what the Lord is calling us to be and to do as we serve Him.
Finally, we are in for a musical treat, (as usual)! Bill Fleming is feeling much better and he and his family will be worshipping the Lord and serving us through the songs that they had prepared for last week’s Christmas Musical.
I hope to see you Sunday with a smile on your face, your Bible in your hand, and family and friends by your side!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Pastor Lanny's Schedule Changes!
Beloved Ones,
I am sorry for any confusion these changes may cause, but the “Second Shift” Schedule I have worked for the last two months is not working well.
Starting today, (12-1) I will be on the field on Tuesdays through Fridays from 9am to 5pm, and I will be available at other times as needed. I will be taking Monday as my day off. I will be present each week at AWANA to help as needed.
I will be making Member and Prospect visits on two Saturdays each month during daylight hours!
Hopefully, this will be more convenient for you and more efficient for me. I am available at any time for emergencies. God bless you.
I am sorry for any confusion these changes may cause, but the “Second Shift” Schedule I have worked for the last two months is not working well.
Starting today, (12-1) I will be on the field on Tuesdays through Fridays from 9am to 5pm, and I will be available at other times as needed. I will be taking Monday as my day off. I will be present each week at AWANA to help as needed.
I will be making Member and Prospect visits on two Saturdays each month during daylight hours!
Hopefully, this will be more convenient for you and more efficient for me. I am available at any time for emergencies. God bless you.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Heart-felt Thanks!
Lin and I want all of you to know how very much we appreciate being appreciated! Your kindnesses over these past four years; and certainly over the past month, have been overwhelming! We are humbled and thankful for the very generous gifts you have sacrificed to give to us.
It is the great joy of my life to be your Pastor and I look forward to every day the Lord allows us to serve Him together. I need to figure out how to have a CONGREGATION APPRECIATION MONTH to let each of you know how very much Lin and I love you and how much Lin and I thank God for the joy of serving Him by serving you!
It is the great joy of my life to be your Pastor and I look forward to every day the Lord allows us to serve Him together. I need to figure out how to have a CONGREGATION APPRECIATION MONTH to let each of you know how very much Lin and I love you and how much Lin and I thank God for the joy of serving Him by serving you!
Friday, October 29, 2010
A Night to Remember!
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 (ESV)
What a truly wonderful experience last Thursday evening was as many of our friends from Central Baptist Association (along with notes from many who could not attend) shared their appreciation and best wishes to Lin and I. Of course, all of this was not necessary as the Association has over and over again made sure that we know that we were loved and our work was appreciated. Not necessary – but very much enjoyed!
Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to pull off this “surprise” card shower and made it such a happy evening for us. It was my great joy to serve you for the past sixteen years and I pray that God will bless our efforts. I am humbled by the generosity shown to us through the check that we were presented from the Association and the many cards and gifts.
Thanks also to our dear friends at FBC Atwood for setting up the facility and managing the event; and to those from our Church who attended and also brought cards and gifts. You are a blessing and Lin and I are looking forward to the years of ministry we will have together, as the Lord allows!
Thank you!
What a truly wonderful experience last Thursday evening was as many of our friends from Central Baptist Association (along with notes from many who could not attend) shared their appreciation and best wishes to Lin and I. Of course, all of this was not necessary as the Association has over and over again made sure that we know that we were loved and our work was appreciated. Not necessary – but very much enjoyed!
Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to pull off this “surprise” card shower and made it such a happy evening for us. It was my great joy to serve you for the past sixteen years and I pray that God will bless our efforts. I am humbled by the generosity shown to us through the check that we were presented from the Association and the many cards and gifts.
Thanks also to our dear friends at FBC Atwood for setting up the facility and managing the event; and to those from our Church who attended and also brought cards and gifts. You are a blessing and Lin and I are looking forward to the years of ministry we will have together, as the Lord allows!
Thank you!
Sunday, September 19, 2010
A Beautiful Church!
What a wonderful weekend we have shared as a Church family over these last three days! Friday was a happy and blessed time of reflection, remembrance, and fellowship. We enjoyed each other, a great meal, and an encouraging message from Don Lusk.
Saturday was exactly as advertised, "A Party!" Well over one hundred people come together to play and eat and to share our thanks to God by giving gifts to the people of our Community.
Today, was as expected, "the icing on the cake." We shared a wonderful day of music and singing, three baptisms, a great passage of Scripture, and, we tossed our copies of the original mortgage into a burn barrel and thanked the Lord for enabling us to pay off our building debt more than four years early!
On each of these special days, we had great fellowship among our faithful members and we enjoyed the presence of several visitors!
This afternoon I have been thinking about the lessons from this weekend, and one stands out more clearly to me than any other: OUR BEAUTIFUL BUILDINGS ARE NOT OUR CHURCH... WE ARE!
Yes, we went into the Sanctuary to sing and give thanks to God on Friday after watching a video of it's construction; but, I realized that we had not been watching the building of a Church, but we were watching the Church building a building!
We were in and out of the fellowship hall, kitchen, and foyer on Saturday as we set up outside for the Block Party; but, I realized that we were not going in and out of the Church, the Church was going in and out of the building!
We gathered together in the Sanctuary this morning for worship; but, I realized that we were not worshipping in the Church, the Church was worshipping in the building!
Thank God for our three beautiful, useful, and debt-free buildings; but, these buildings are not the Church - we are! How we thank God for each other, for being family, and for the profuse and public love that we have for one another.
People often comment about our facilities, "this is a beautiful church!" I instantly agree with them and quickly add, "and the buildings are not bad either."
We are a beautiful Church meeting in a beautiful place. I love you, I thank God for you, and I rejoice in the happy providence of being your Pastor.
Lesson learned. God bless you.
Saturday was exactly as advertised, "A Party!" Well over one hundred people come together to play and eat and to share our thanks to God by giving gifts to the people of our Community.
Today, was as expected, "the icing on the cake." We shared a wonderful day of music and singing, three baptisms, a great passage of Scripture, and, we tossed our copies of the original mortgage into a burn barrel and thanked the Lord for enabling us to pay off our building debt more than four years early!
On each of these special days, we had great fellowship among our faithful members and we enjoyed the presence of several visitors!
This afternoon I have been thinking about the lessons from this weekend, and one stands out more clearly to me than any other: OUR BEAUTIFUL BUILDINGS ARE NOT OUR CHURCH... WE ARE!
Yes, we went into the Sanctuary to sing and give thanks to God on Friday after watching a video of it's construction; but, I realized that we had not been watching the building of a Church, but we were watching the Church building a building!
We were in and out of the fellowship hall, kitchen, and foyer on Saturday as we set up outside for the Block Party; but, I realized that we were not going in and out of the Church, the Church was going in and out of the building!
We gathered together in the Sanctuary this morning for worship; but, I realized that we were not worshipping in the Church, the Church was worshipping in the building!
Thank God for our three beautiful, useful, and debt-free buildings; but, these buildings are not the Church - we are! How we thank God for each other, for being family, and for the profuse and public love that we have for one another.
People often comment about our facilities, "this is a beautiful church!" I instantly agree with them and quickly add, "and the buildings are not bad either."
We are a beautiful Church meeting in a beautiful place. I love you, I thank God for you, and I rejoice in the happy providence of being your Pastor.
Lesson learned. God bless you.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
It's Thursday, but Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are Coming!
What a weekend! We have been thinking about, praying for, and planning the events of this weekend for several weeks. So, what's up?
It's "THANKSGIVING IN SEPTEMBER!" No, we did not move the National Holiday two months ahead, we are having an, AREA-WIDE PARTY to personally and publicly give thanks to God for the gift of our beautiful and DEBT-FREE FACILITIES! Yea!
Friday at 6pm, we will have a catered banquet featuring great food, fellowship, and some fun! Don and Ruth Ann Lusk will be our special guests and Don will share a devotional message with us. We will have special music, a video of the building project, and - did I already mention - great food!
By God's grace and blessing, we have paid off our mortgage four years early! God has blessed us and our people have given sacrifically... now, it's time to PARTY!
The party continues on Saturday from 5 to 8pm with outdoor games, door prizes, food (yup, more food) and tours of the facilities. We have run ads in the local paper and invited everyone of whom we can think! It's is an AREA-WIDE PARTY, and we want YOU to be with us!
Sunday will begin with the baptism of the Poole family! We will have great music, prayer time, and a sermon from Acts 3:1-16.
At the end of the Morning Service, we will all be given a copy of the mortgage and we'll march outside and BURN THESE COPIES OF THE MORTGAGE on the backlot! Yahoo!
Because we will be so tired... estatically happy, but truly tired... we will not have services on Sunday afternoon or evening.
IT'S GOING TO BE A THREE DAY PARTY... FRIDAY, SATURDAY, AND SUNDAY! I hope to see you there...
It's "THANKSGIVING IN SEPTEMBER!" No, we did not move the National Holiday two months ahead, we are having an, AREA-WIDE PARTY to personally and publicly give thanks to God for the gift of our beautiful and DEBT-FREE FACILITIES! Yea!
Friday at 6pm, we will have a catered banquet featuring great food, fellowship, and some fun! Don and Ruth Ann Lusk will be our special guests and Don will share a devotional message with us. We will have special music, a video of the building project, and - did I already mention - great food!
By God's grace and blessing, we have paid off our mortgage four years early! God has blessed us and our people have given sacrifically... now, it's time to PARTY!
The party continues on Saturday from 5 to 8pm with outdoor games, door prizes, food (yup, more food) and tours of the facilities. We have run ads in the local paper and invited everyone of whom we can think! It's is an AREA-WIDE PARTY, and we want YOU to be with us!
Sunday will begin with the baptism of the Poole family! We will have great music, prayer time, and a sermon from Acts 3:1-16.
At the end of the Morning Service, we will all be given a copy of the mortgage and we'll march outside and BURN THESE COPIES OF THE MORTGAGE on the backlot! Yahoo!
Because we will be so tired... estatically happy, but truly tired... we will not have services on Sunday afternoon or evening.
IT'S GOING TO BE A THREE DAY PARTY... FRIDAY, SATURDAY, AND SUNDAY! I hope to see you there...
Thursday, September 9, 2010
It's Thursday, but Sunday's Coming!
We are praying for and expecting the Lord to bless us with a great Lord's Day on September 12th!
In the morning service, I will continue my series, "Understanding Acts - Body #2 Takes Over" with a sermon from 2:41-47 on the subject, "The Life Changing Power of the Gospel!" This passage is one of the clearest pictures in the New Testament of what happens in the lives of people who come to know the Lord Jesus as Savior and Lord.
3,000 brand new believers filled with the Holy Spirit and turned loose on the City of Jerusalem! WOW!
Sunday evening at 6pm, International Missionaries Ravshan and Lisa Uraimov will be with us to update us on their ministry and the heart-breaking events currently going on in his native Country. We have supported them monthly for over ten years and they have proven to be faithful and effective ministers of the gospel among multitudes of athletes around the world.
Please pray about bringing a very generous love offering to share with them at that service.
I hope to see you Sunday with your Bible in your hand, a smile on your face, and your family and friends by your side!
In the morning service, I will continue my series, "Understanding Acts - Body #2 Takes Over" with a sermon from 2:41-47 on the subject, "The Life Changing Power of the Gospel!" This passage is one of the clearest pictures in the New Testament of what happens in the lives of people who come to know the Lord Jesus as Savior and Lord.
3,000 brand new believers filled with the Holy Spirit and turned loose on the City of Jerusalem! WOW!
Sunday evening at 6pm, International Missionaries Ravshan and Lisa Uraimov will be with us to update us on their ministry and the heart-breaking events currently going on in his native Country. We have supported them monthly for over ten years and they have proven to be faithful and effective ministers of the gospel among multitudes of athletes around the world.
Please pray about bringing a very generous love offering to share with them at that service.
I hope to see you Sunday with your Bible in your hand, a smile on your face, and your family and friends by your side!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Ordinary Means
It was a joy today to preach Peter’s Pentecost Sermon from Acts 2:14-41. (If you are going to steal someone else’s sermon, for heaven’s sake steal it from an Apostle!) What an extraordinary servant, sermon, and number of salvations that day! Thank God for such divine intervention and blessings upon His people.
But, this has me thinking about how the Lord so often works through, “Ordinary Means” rather than “Extraordinary Means.” Reflecting on Peter’s sermon and the blessed and happy result, I am tempted (from time to time) to consider a day to be, “a down day” when we do not see immediate and quantifiable fruit from the efforts of our faithful people.
The truth appears to be that while the Lord continues to do extraordinary things in a few places, the vast majority of people who are saved and made disciples of Jesus are won and equipped one-by-one through the ordinary means of ordinary people doing ordinary things in ordinary churches.
I really don’t know quite what to make of this. I know that our job is to be faithful and let the Lord take care of the fruitfulness of our life and ministry, but I am always disappointed when we do not see more fruit from our labors.
I want all of us to do the ordinary things extraordinarily well. I want all of us to be extraordinarily faithful. I want the Lord to use all of us to accomplish extraordinary things through the life and ministry of our beloved church.
We have just experienced a great series of revival meetings. A great concert brought a great crowd of people to our church. We have just heard an update on our 2020 Vision for ministry in the future. I have just had the joy of being called as your Pastor-Teacher full time.
I want us to do the ordinary things extraordinarily well, and I join you in prayer that the Lord will choose to use us to do extraordinary things through us and for us for the everlasting Glory of His Son, Jesus.
But, this has me thinking about how the Lord so often works through, “Ordinary Means” rather than “Extraordinary Means.” Reflecting on Peter’s sermon and the blessed and happy result, I am tempted (from time to time) to consider a day to be, “a down day” when we do not see immediate and quantifiable fruit from the efforts of our faithful people.
The truth appears to be that while the Lord continues to do extraordinary things in a few places, the vast majority of people who are saved and made disciples of Jesus are won and equipped one-by-one through the ordinary means of ordinary people doing ordinary things in ordinary churches.
I really don’t know quite what to make of this. I know that our job is to be faithful and let the Lord take care of the fruitfulness of our life and ministry, but I am always disappointed when we do not see more fruit from our labors.
I want all of us to do the ordinary things extraordinarily well. I want all of us to be extraordinarily faithful. I want the Lord to use all of us to accomplish extraordinary things through the life and ministry of our beloved church.
We have just experienced a great series of revival meetings. A great concert brought a great crowd of people to our church. We have just heard an update on our 2020 Vision for ministry in the future. I have just had the joy of being called as your Pastor-Teacher full time.
I want us to do the ordinary things extraordinarily well, and I join you in prayer that the Lord will choose to use us to do extraordinary things through us and for us for the everlasting Glory of His Son, Jesus.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
It's Thursday, but Sunday's Coming!
Beloved Ones, I hope you will be able to be part of a very special day in the life of our Church this coming Sunday, August 29th. We are, as announced last Sunday, going to have a special called Member's Meeting immediately following the AM Service!
As I continue my AM Series through the Book of Acts, I will be preaching this week from Acts 2:16-17 on the subject, "An Old Man's Dream for His Church!" This will not be one of my typical expository sermons on the text of Acts 2, but, it will be an application that will give me an opportunity to share with you a Vision for our Church that I am calling the "2020 Vision."
For the past three and one-half years that I have served as our Pastor-Teacher, we have been focused on ways to reach the 20,000 people who live in and around the 20 Towns that are within a 20 mile radius of Atwood.
We have previously referred to this as the "Tri-County Vision" since Atwood is located at the intersection of three Counties; but, since three of these Towns, Ivesdale, Sadorus, and Pesotum are in Champaign County; I thought we had better find a more accurate name!
Because our goal is to put specific plans and programs in place in order to reach many of the 20,000 people in these 20 Towns by 2020; I believe we should identify this "Dream" as the "2020 Vision!"
At 6pm, I intend to begin, (as requested) a verse-by-verse study of the Book of Daniel. I hope you will not miss this follow-up to our recent study of the Book of Revelation!
I hope you will be with us this coming Lord's Day. I pray that we will be unified in our understanding of the Lord's will for our blessed and happy Church. I hope to see you Sunday with a smile on your face, your Bible in your hand, and your family and friends by your side!
As I continue my AM Series through the Book of Acts, I will be preaching this week from Acts 2:16-17 on the subject, "An Old Man's Dream for His Church!" This will not be one of my typical expository sermons on the text of Acts 2, but, it will be an application that will give me an opportunity to share with you a Vision for our Church that I am calling the "2020 Vision."
For the past three and one-half years that I have served as our Pastor-Teacher, we have been focused on ways to reach the 20,000 people who live in and around the 20 Towns that are within a 20 mile radius of Atwood.
We have previously referred to this as the "Tri-County Vision" since Atwood is located at the intersection of three Counties; but, since three of these Towns, Ivesdale, Sadorus, and Pesotum are in Champaign County; I thought we had better find a more accurate name!
Because our goal is to put specific plans and programs in place in order to reach many of the 20,000 people in these 20 Towns by 2020; I believe we should identify this "Dream" as the "2020 Vision!"
At 6pm, I intend to begin, (as requested) a verse-by-verse study of the Book of Daniel. I hope you will not miss this follow-up to our recent study of the Book of Revelation!
I hope you will be with us this coming Lord's Day. I pray that we will be unified in our understanding of the Lord's will for our blessed and happy Church. I hope to see you Sunday with a smile on your face, your Bible in your hand, and your family and friends by your side!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Growing Larger by Growing Smaller
Romans 16:3-5 “Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Greet also the church in their house.”
Growing Larger by Growing Smaller!
As we look toward a very exciting future for our happy Church, I am thinking of an easily overlooked reality faced by every group of Christians. That is, the best way for a Church to grow larger is by intentionally growing smaller! Huh?
Of course, I am speaking about the phenomenal growth power and potential of involving people in small groups. Every study, every survey, and every piece of empirical evidence proves that the more people are involved in a small group of caring, sharing, and need-meeting people the more likely they are to both stay involved in their church and to bring others.
As we look to the future of small-group ministry in our beloved and happy church, we need for focus on three key things:
1) Lighthouses! This key outreach and assimilation strategy, (formerly called JOY Groups) can be the most effective and most productive source of new believers and new members in the years ahead. If you really want to reach lots of new people, you will want to be involved in this wonderful ministry!
2) On-campus Bible Study and Fellowship Groups, (also known as Sunday School) can be a truly effective small group ministry! If the people already involved in Sunday School will begin to see ourselves as a small group and begin to function as a healthy, ministering, and reproducing small group many new people will be added to our classes and to our Church over the coming years.
3) Off-campus Bible Study and Fellowship Groups must be developed in order to provide additional opportunities for evangelism, fellowship, ministry, and relationship building! These must be available to people from Youth through Senior Adults who love to get together with a small group of their peers and study the Bible, fellowship, and minister to one another.
Yes, there is a lot of work ahead. We will provide the training, assistance, and materials necessary to accomplish these worthy goals. I will have much, much more to say about this in the weeks and months ahead.
“They’re out there… let’s go get them!” Pastor Lanny
Growing Larger by Growing Smaller!
As we look toward a very exciting future for our happy Church, I am thinking of an easily overlooked reality faced by every group of Christians. That is, the best way for a Church to grow larger is by intentionally growing smaller! Huh?
Of course, I am speaking about the phenomenal growth power and potential of involving people in small groups. Every study, every survey, and every piece of empirical evidence proves that the more people are involved in a small group of caring, sharing, and need-meeting people the more likely they are to both stay involved in their church and to bring others.
As we look to the future of small-group ministry in our beloved and happy church, we need for focus on three key things:
1) Lighthouses! This key outreach and assimilation strategy, (formerly called JOY Groups) can be the most effective and most productive source of new believers and new members in the years ahead. If you really want to reach lots of new people, you will want to be involved in this wonderful ministry!
2) On-campus Bible Study and Fellowship Groups, (also known as Sunday School) can be a truly effective small group ministry! If the people already involved in Sunday School will begin to see ourselves as a small group and begin to function as a healthy, ministering, and reproducing small group many new people will be added to our classes and to our Church over the coming years.
3) Off-campus Bible Study and Fellowship Groups must be developed in order to provide additional opportunities for evangelism, fellowship, ministry, and relationship building! These must be available to people from Youth through Senior Adults who love to get together with a small group of their peers and study the Bible, fellowship, and minister to one another.
Yes, there is a lot of work ahead. We will provide the training, assistance, and materials necessary to accomplish these worthy goals. I will have much, much more to say about this in the weeks and months ahead.
“They’re out there… let’s go get them!” Pastor Lanny
Thursday, July 1, 2010
It's Thursday, but Sunday's Coming!
I am thankful for everyone who turned out this evening for our TNT dinner and Bible Study! Special thanks to Bill and Shari Fleming for the meal and to Bill Kleiss for staying in the Nursery for us! BTW - Pray for Bill and Jessie as they drive out to Salt Lake City this weekend to take some of Jessie's things to her new apartment.
Our study this evening was on, "Is Jesus Christ the only way to Heaven?" Next Thursday evening will be a time of follow-up and Questions and Answers on this vitally important topic!
This coming Sunday morning, I will continue my series on, "Understanding Acts - Body #2 Takes Over" with a sermon from 1:4-5 on the subject of "The Baptism with the Holy Spirit."
We will not have any afternoon classes, activities, or the PM Worship Service due to the Holiday.
I hope to see you Sunday morning with a smile on your face, your Bible in your hand, and your family and friends by your side!
PTL: Thanks for praying for Cory Schultz, he got the job he was praying about in Champaign!
Our study this evening was on, "Is Jesus Christ the only way to Heaven?" Next Thursday evening will be a time of follow-up and Questions and Answers on this vitally important topic!
This coming Sunday morning, I will continue my series on, "Understanding Acts - Body #2 Takes Over" with a sermon from 1:4-5 on the subject of "The Baptism with the Holy Spirit."
We will not have any afternoon classes, activities, or the PM Worship Service due to the Holiday.
I hope to see you Sunday morning with a smile on your face, your Bible in your hand, and your family and friends by your side!
PTL: Thanks for praying for Cory Schultz, he got the job he was praying about in Champaign!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Body #2 Takes Over!
Oh my, how well the Church did… at first!
41 “So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Acts 2:41-47 (ESV)
Everyone I know wants the Church to do that well again, and always! So, the question is with so many good people wanting the Church to be biblical in all we do and to experience the manifest blessings of God, why do we not see the Church experiencing the manifest blessings of God?
As the Lord allows, I will explore this question over the next twelve to eighteen months in a series of sermons I am calling “Understanding Acts: Body #2 Takes Over!” This coming Sunday morning, 6-6-2010, I will begin the series with an introductory sermon by that very title.
When God determined to save His people, He did so by taking on a human body in which He lived a sinless life, perfectly obeyed the Law, died an atoning death, and three days later rose again from the grave! Body #1, the Divine Person of Jesus Christ, perfectly did His Father’s will and work in the world!
Forty days after His resurrection, Body #1 ascended back to His Father where He now serves us as our Great High Priest. Thankfully, He did not leave us without divine aid. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer to enable and empower us to finish the work that Jesus Christ came to do.
The Book of Acts was divinely inspired to instruct us (both by precept and by example) in the way by which we are to accomplish the great world-wide task of evangelization we are both called and commissioned to accomplish.
It takes an average reader about 2.5 to 3 hours to read the 28 Chapters of the Book of Acts. I hope you will start reading now. Maybe reading for 2.5 hours at one sitting will work well for you. Or, maybe 5 sessions of 30 minutes each per week will be best. Either way, I hope you will read this “Christian and Church Growth Guidebook” over and over again as we work through this series in the coming months.
We begin this Sunday! Start reading now! I hope to see you Sunday morning with your Bible in your hand, a smile on your face, and family and friends by your side.
41 “So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Acts 2:41-47 (ESV)
Everyone I know wants the Church to do that well again, and always! So, the question is with so many good people wanting the Church to be biblical in all we do and to experience the manifest blessings of God, why do we not see the Church experiencing the manifest blessings of God?
As the Lord allows, I will explore this question over the next twelve to eighteen months in a series of sermons I am calling “Understanding Acts: Body #2 Takes Over!” This coming Sunday morning, 6-6-2010, I will begin the series with an introductory sermon by that very title.
When God determined to save His people, He did so by taking on a human body in which He lived a sinless life, perfectly obeyed the Law, died an atoning death, and three days later rose again from the grave! Body #1, the Divine Person of Jesus Christ, perfectly did His Father’s will and work in the world!
Forty days after His resurrection, Body #1 ascended back to His Father where He now serves us as our Great High Priest. Thankfully, He did not leave us without divine aid. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer to enable and empower us to finish the work that Jesus Christ came to do.
The Book of Acts was divinely inspired to instruct us (both by precept and by example) in the way by which we are to accomplish the great world-wide task of evangelization we are both called and commissioned to accomplish.
It takes an average reader about 2.5 to 3 hours to read the 28 Chapters of the Book of Acts. I hope you will start reading now. Maybe reading for 2.5 hours at one sitting will work well for you. Or, maybe 5 sessions of 30 minutes each per week will be best. Either way, I hope you will read this “Christian and Church Growth Guidebook” over and over again as we work through this series in the coming months.
We begin this Sunday! Start reading now! I hope to see you Sunday morning with your Bible in your hand, a smile on your face, and family and friends by your side.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Sundays Coming!
Beloved Ones, this coming Lord's Day morning may be sunny both inside and outside our Church! It is always sunny inside, but lately we have not seen a lot of sunshine outside.
As the Lord allows, I will continue my series of "Simple Salvation Sermons" with a message from Luke 23:32-43 entitled, "What is Essential for Salvation?" At the last night of revival last month, we named 22 people for whose salvation we are praying and we committed to try our best to get them here in May.
This is certainly not a new sermon to me! I have been preaching this message in churches for nearly thirty years. This sermon has been used of the Lord to bring more people to faith than any other message I have ever preached.
I hope to see you Sunday Morning with a smile on your face, your Bible in your hand, and your family and friends by your side!
Remember, Sundays Coming!
As the Lord allows, I will continue my series of "Simple Salvation Sermons" with a message from Luke 23:32-43 entitled, "What is Essential for Salvation?" At the last night of revival last month, we named 22 people for whose salvation we are praying and we committed to try our best to get them here in May.
This is certainly not a new sermon to me! I have been preaching this message in churches for nearly thirty years. This sermon has been used of the Lord to bring more people to faith than any other message I have ever preached.
I hope to see you Sunday Morning with a smile on your face, your Bible in your hand, and your family and friends by your side!
Remember, Sundays Coming!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Revival!
We have experienced a wonderful day today at "The Greatest Church on Earth!" (OK, OK, I know that is boastful... but it is not bragging since it is true). ;>)
4 Baptized, 4 bricks taken down, great attendance, singing, offering, specials, and a typically biblical and soul-stirring sermons from Bobby Boyles! It was a joy to have "Touched by Grace" with us this evening for special music!
We will have three more services this week: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at 7pm. I hope you will be able to attend and bring your family and friends with you.
4 Baptized, 4 bricks taken down, great attendance, singing, offering, specials, and a typically biblical and soul-stirring sermons from Bobby Boyles! It was a joy to have "Touched by Grace" with us this evening for special music!
We will have three more services this week: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at 7pm. I hope you will be able to attend and bring your family and friends with you.
Monday, April 5, 2010
16:20. The End of Mark
This coming Sunday, as the Lord allows, I will preach the final sermon (#66) from the Gospel of Mark completing the series I began nearly 18 months ago!
Mark 16:14-20 is about the forty day ministry of Jesus following His resurrection from the dead. There are three great controversies about these verses:
1) Are these verses actually scripture?
2) Is being baptized required for salvation?
3) Are the miraculous signs that followed still for today?
I will certainly address each of these issues, but, let me say that the great controversy I find in these verses is why Christians have not made more progress toward accomplishing the Great Commission nearly 2,000 years after Jesus spoke these words! Read the verses, pray, and get ready to learn!
I hope to see you Sunday with a Bible in your hand, a smile on your face, and your friends and family by your side!
Mark 16:14-20 is about the forty day ministry of Jesus following His resurrection from the dead. There are three great controversies about these verses:
1) Are these verses actually scripture?
2) Is being baptized required for salvation?
3) Are the miraculous signs that followed still for today?
I will certainly address each of these issues, but, let me say that the great controversy I find in these verses is why Christians have not made more progress toward accomplishing the Great Commission nearly 2,000 years after Jesus spoke these words! Read the verses, pray, and get ready to learn!
I hope to see you Sunday with a Bible in your hand, a smile on your face, and your friends and family by your side!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Great Expectations!
William Carey, (1761-1834) English Baptist Missionary, Founder of the Baptist Missionary Society, and known as “The Father of Modern Missions” served the Lord in Serampore, India. His most famous quote, (from a sermon on Isaiah 54:2-3) is, “expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.”
It is from this quote that I have been meditating on the idea of “Great Expectations!” What exactly do I mean when I say that we, as the people of God, should live our life with Great Expectations?
Recently, I attended a Sunday School leadership training event led by Dale Davenport of IBSA. He gave us some great material including a booklet by David Francis entitled, “Great Expectations.” In this booklet, he lists three things that we ought to see in a “Great Expectations Sunday School”:
First, we should expect new people every week!
Second, we should expect people to say yes!
Third, we should expect classes to reproduce!
I want to springboard off of these ideas and get us thinking about several “Great Expectations” for our Church in the future:
1) We should expect (and be ready for) new people every week!
2) We should expect (and be ready for) God to save lost people every week!
3) We should expect (and be ready for) new believers to be baptized every month!
4) We should expect (and have the process and programs in place for) new members to grow spiritually!
5) We should expect (and have training in place for) spiritually growing members to serve the Lord!
6) We should expect (and provide training) to start new classes and new Ministry Teams continually!
7) We should expect (and be spiritually prepared for) opposition from the evil one and his helpers!
May God grant that we will always be known as “The Great Expectations Church.”
It is from this quote that I have been meditating on the idea of “Great Expectations!” What exactly do I mean when I say that we, as the people of God, should live our life with Great Expectations?
Recently, I attended a Sunday School leadership training event led by Dale Davenport of IBSA. He gave us some great material including a booklet by David Francis entitled, “Great Expectations.” In this booklet, he lists three things that we ought to see in a “Great Expectations Sunday School”:
First, we should expect new people every week!
Second, we should expect people to say yes!
Third, we should expect classes to reproduce!
I want to springboard off of these ideas and get us thinking about several “Great Expectations” for our Church in the future:
1) We should expect (and be ready for) new people every week!
2) We should expect (and be ready for) God to save lost people every week!
3) We should expect (and be ready for) new believers to be baptized every month!
4) We should expect (and have the process and programs in place for) new members to grow spiritually!
5) We should expect (and have training in place for) spiritually growing members to serve the Lord!
6) We should expect (and provide training) to start new classes and new Ministry Teams continually!
7) We should expect (and be spiritually prepared for) opposition from the evil one and his helpers!
May God grant that we will always be known as “The Great Expectations Church.”
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Beautiful Foyer
The new carpet is complete in the foyer of the church. It is beautiful! Thanks to everyone who came up with the idea, picked the style and color of the carpet, and to THE SUPER-DUPER VOLUNTEER CLEANING TEAM who have worked and worked and worked to get it cleaned up and ready for Sunday! God bless you!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sunday School Changes Beginning Next Sunday!
The fastest way to grow a Church is to start new units! No doubt, no argument, and no kidding! NEXT SUNDAY, 3/7/2010, we will give birth to a NEW YOUNG ADULT SS CLASS! David and Kim Senseney will lead the new Class for Young Adults. They will be having a get together with the prospective Class Members at church on Friday evening.
Here is how it works! David and Kim are leaving the Jr and Sr High Class to lead this new Class; Jim and Lynnette Wilson are taking over leadership of the Jr and Sr High Class along with Leslie Schultz; Matt Voyles and Andy Appleby will take over the leadership of Jim Wilson's Men's Class... Got all that?
We already have over 30 prospects for the new Class, of which only about 10 are currently attending Sunday School at our Church. Please pray that God will bless our efforts to reach these young people and build this new Class; and, that He will continually provide us the workers to start more new Classes!
We currently have classes for all ages from Birth to Senior High; and, Adults have 7 Classes from which to choose:
Young Adults - Dave and Kim Senseney
Adult Men - Matt Voyles and Andy Appleby
Adult Women - Misty Appleby
Life Principles Class for Men - Patrick Curry
Mixed Adult Class - Bob Eads
Mixed Adult Class - Pastor Lanny Faulkner
Senior Adults Class - Freda Black
I hope to see you Sunday Morning at 9:00am with your Bible in your hand; a smile on your face; and family and friends by your side!
Here is how it works! David and Kim are leaving the Jr and Sr High Class to lead this new Class; Jim and Lynnette Wilson are taking over leadership of the Jr and Sr High Class along with Leslie Schultz; Matt Voyles and Andy Appleby will take over the leadership of Jim Wilson's Men's Class... Got all that?
We already have over 30 prospects for the new Class, of which only about 10 are currently attending Sunday School at our Church. Please pray that God will bless our efforts to reach these young people and build this new Class; and, that He will continually provide us the workers to start more new Classes!
We currently have classes for all ages from Birth to Senior High; and, Adults have 7 Classes from which to choose:
Young Adults - Dave and Kim Senseney
Adult Men - Matt Voyles and Andy Appleby
Adult Women - Misty Appleby
Life Principles Class for Men - Patrick Curry
Mixed Adult Class - Bob Eads
Mixed Adult Class - Pastor Lanny Faulkner
Senior Adults Class - Freda Black
I hope to see you Sunday Morning at 9:00am with your Bible in your hand; a smile on your face; and family and friends by your side!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Monday Morning Memo
Monday Morning, February 22, 2010
God richly blessed us again yesterday at FBC! We had 95 people in Sunday School; 155 people in AM Worship; and we were able to take down another Brick from the Wall of Debt. We had two baptisms and several visitors were present in the service.
The Lord again provided us with a generous offering, and our usual crowd of faithful folk came out for the Sunday Night study. 14 workers and young people attended Greatest Common Factor, including a first-time visitor!
REMEMBER, we are starting a new Sunday School class for Young Adults on March 7th and we are getting ready for the "Find It Here" Easter Evangelism Campaign! You will be hearing much more about that this coming week.
Also, "Life Builders" Discipleship Classes begin on March 7th at 4:45pm. Sign-up sheets are in the foyer.
WOW! Just six more days till Sunday!
God richly blessed us again yesterday at FBC! We had 95 people in Sunday School; 155 people in AM Worship; and we were able to take down another Brick from the Wall of Debt. We had two baptisms and several visitors were present in the service.
The Lord again provided us with a generous offering, and our usual crowd of faithful folk came out for the Sunday Night study. 14 workers and young people attended Greatest Common Factor, including a first-time visitor!
REMEMBER, we are starting a new Sunday School class for Young Adults on March 7th and we are getting ready for the "Find It Here" Easter Evangelism Campaign! You will be hearing much more about that this coming week.
Also, "Life Builders" Discipleship Classes begin on March 7th at 4:45pm. Sign-up sheets are in the foyer.
WOW! Just six more days till Sunday!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Before Jehovah's Awesome Throne!
Before Jehovah's Awesome Throne
Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Before Jehovah's awesome throne,
Ye nations, bow with sacred joy;
Know that the Lord is God alone;
He can create, and He destroy.
His sovereign pow'r, with-out our aid,
Made us of clay, and formed us men;
And when like wand'ring sheep we strayed,
He brought us to His fold again.
We are His people, we His care,
Our souls, and all our mortal frame;
What lasting honors shall we rear,
Almighty Maker, to Thy Name?
We'll crowd Thy gates with thankful songs,
High as the heav'ns our voices raise;
And earth, with her ten thou-sand tongues,
Shall fill Thy courts with sounding praise.
Wide as the world is Thy command,
Vast as eternity Thy love;
Firm as a rock Thy truth must stand,
When rolling years shall cease to move.
This is sung to the tune "Old 100th" (All People Who on Earth Do Dwell)
Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Before Jehovah's awesome throne,
Ye nations, bow with sacred joy;
Know that the Lord is God alone;
He can create, and He destroy.
His sovereign pow'r, with-out our aid,
Made us of clay, and formed us men;
And when like wand'ring sheep we strayed,
He brought us to His fold again.
We are His people, we His care,
Our souls, and all our mortal frame;
What lasting honors shall we rear,
Almighty Maker, to Thy Name?
We'll crowd Thy gates with thankful songs,
High as the heav'ns our voices raise;
And earth, with her ten thou-sand tongues,
Shall fill Thy courts with sounding praise.
Wide as the world is Thy command,
Vast as eternity Thy love;
Firm as a rock Thy truth must stand,
When rolling years shall cease to move.
This is sung to the tune "Old 100th" (All People Who on Earth Do Dwell)
Thursday, February 18, 2010
It's Friday, but Sunday's Coming!
Friday, February 19th
Yesterday was an exciting day! Sunday School lesson done; AM Sermon (The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus) and PM Sermon (Profiting from the Prophets - Introduction) done; and, while I was counseling a young woman about her upcoming baptism, one of her friends who came along with her accepted Christ!
We should have three or four to be baptized in the AM Service, and that always makes for a great Lord's Day!
Thanks to one of our very generous members, another brick is coming down!
Sunday is going be a great day! I hope to see you with your Bible in your hand, a smile on your face, and your family and friends by your side…
Yesterday was an exciting day! Sunday School lesson done; AM Sermon (The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus) and PM Sermon (Profiting from the Prophets - Introduction) done; and, while I was counseling a young woman about her upcoming baptism, one of her friends who came along with her accepted Christ!
We should have three or four to be baptized in the AM Service, and that always makes for a great Lord's Day!
Thanks to one of our very generous members, another brick is coming down!
Sunday is going be a great day! I hope to see you with your Bible in your hand, a smile on your face, and your family and friends by your side…
Thursday, January 14, 2010
ACTS 2 PART 2 - THE SERMON
ACTS 2 PART 2 – THE SERMON
“Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
Acts 2:37
What is the “this” that upon hearing cut them to the heart? It is either the specific declaration, “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” (2:36) or, (and more likely) it is the entire sermon Peter had just preached! (2:14-36)
Acts 2:14-37
(14-21) Peter preached that Jesus of Nazareth was the focus and fulfillment of the Old Testament Prophets!
14 “But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: 17 " ' And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18 even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; 20 the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. 21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.'”
(22-23) Peter preached that they were personally responsible for the murder of Jesus!
22 "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.”
(24) Peter preached that Jesus of Nazareth had been raised from the dead!
24 “God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.”
(25-35) Peter preached that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of David!
25 For David says concerning him, " ' I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. 27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.' 29 "Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, " ' The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, 35 until I make your enemies your footstool.'”
(36) Peter preached that Jesus of Nazareth is both Lord and Christ!
36 “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."
(37) When they heard that Jesus of Nazareth was the focus and fulfillment of the Old Testament Prophets; they were personally responsible for His murder; God had raised Him from the dead; He is the Son of David; and, He is both Lord and Christ, they were cut to the heart!
37 “Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
Beloved One, have you considered these five facts? Have you considered Who Jesus is? Have you considered your personal responsibility for His murder? Have you considered the implications of His resurrection from the dead? Have you considered what it means that He is the Son of David? Have you considered the biblical fact that He is both Lord and Christ; and not just the Christ?
Have you?
NEXT TIME: ACTS 2 PART 3 – PETER’S ANSWER
“Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
Acts 2:37
What is the “this” that upon hearing cut them to the heart? It is either the specific declaration, “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” (2:36) or, (and more likely) it is the entire sermon Peter had just preached! (2:14-36)
Acts 2:14-37
(14-21) Peter preached that Jesus of Nazareth was the focus and fulfillment of the Old Testament Prophets!
14 “But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: 17 " ' And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18 even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; 20 the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. 21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.'”
(22-23) Peter preached that they were personally responsible for the murder of Jesus!
22 "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.”
(24) Peter preached that Jesus of Nazareth had been raised from the dead!
24 “God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.”
(25-35) Peter preached that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of David!
25 For David says concerning him, " ' I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. 27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.' 29 "Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, " ' The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, 35 until I make your enemies your footstool.'”
(36) Peter preached that Jesus of Nazareth is both Lord and Christ!
36 “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."
(37) When they heard that Jesus of Nazareth was the focus and fulfillment of the Old Testament Prophets; they were personally responsible for His murder; God had raised Him from the dead; He is the Son of David; and, He is both Lord and Christ, they were cut to the heart!
37 “Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
Beloved One, have you considered these five facts? Have you considered Who Jesus is? Have you considered your personal responsibility for His murder? Have you considered the implications of His resurrection from the dead? Have you considered what it means that He is the Son of David? Have you considered the biblical fact that He is both Lord and Christ; and not just the Christ?
Have you?
NEXT TIME: ACTS 2 PART 3 – PETER’S ANSWER
Friday, January 8, 2010
ACTS 2 PART 1 – INTRODUCTION
Acts 2:37-47 37 “Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 38 And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself." 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation." 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
I am quickly coming to believe that reading, praying through, and meditating on Acts 2:37-47 is a very dangerous thing for the comfortable Christian! This passage reveals how the New Testament Church reached their world in a single generation. Every place and every way in which the modern Church has deviated from this pattern is why we may well lose our Nation in a single generation! In the days ahead, I want to take this passage apart piece-by-blessed piece and make application to us, our world, and our churches.
Some years ago I heard one of those sermon outlines that never leave you: “Why not Us, Why not Here, and Why not Now?” As I read these verses, these three questions come again and again into my thinking. The writer of Hebrews tells us in 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” With that being so, our failure to see anything like this move of God is not because Jesus has changed, the Word of God has changed, or because the Holy Spirit has changed.
The heart-breaking truth is that in most cases our churches have changed! Another great statement that bounces around in my head is, “God made the Church the way He wanted it; now, He wants it the way He made it.” I do too! And I believe that an important step in bringing about these needed changes in our lives and our churches is to carefully and prayerfully examine this passage and come to fully understand what it was about these one-hundred and twenty people that caused the Lord to be willing to use them in such a mighty way.
Next time, in PART 2, we will begin that examination.
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
I am quickly coming to believe that reading, praying through, and meditating on Acts 2:37-47 is a very dangerous thing for the comfortable Christian! This passage reveals how the New Testament Church reached their world in a single generation. Every place and every way in which the modern Church has deviated from this pattern is why we may well lose our Nation in a single generation! In the days ahead, I want to take this passage apart piece-by-blessed piece and make application to us, our world, and our churches.
Some years ago I heard one of those sermon outlines that never leave you: “Why not Us, Why not Here, and Why not Now?” As I read these verses, these three questions come again and again into my thinking. The writer of Hebrews tells us in 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” With that being so, our failure to see anything like this move of God is not because Jesus has changed, the Word of God has changed, or because the Holy Spirit has changed.
The heart-breaking truth is that in most cases our churches have changed! Another great statement that bounces around in my head is, “God made the Church the way He wanted it; now, He wants it the way He made it.” I do too! And I believe that an important step in bringing about these needed changes in our lives and our churches is to carefully and prayerfully examine this passage and come to fully understand what it was about these one-hundred and twenty people that caused the Lord to be willing to use them in such a mighty way.
Next time, in PART 2, we will begin that examination.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Weather and Weekend Update!
The Church office is closed today, 1-7, and tomorrow 1-8, 2010. If you need anything, call me on my cell phone.
The Saturday Morning Seminary Class has been canceled due to the weather.
Sunday, as the Lord allows, I will continue my series on "Revelation for Rookies" with sermons on "The Great White Throne" in the morning; and, "The Battle of Gog and Magog" in the evening!
Remember! If you have unsaved or unchurched family and friends, Sunday Morning will be a great time to bring them with you to church! The passage on "The Great White Throne" is one of the most powerful and convicting in the Bible.
I hope to see you with a smile on your face, your Bible in your hand, and your family and friends by your side...
The Saturday Morning Seminary Class has been canceled due to the weather.
Sunday, as the Lord allows, I will continue my series on "Revelation for Rookies" with sermons on "The Great White Throne" in the morning; and, "The Battle of Gog and Magog" in the evening!
Remember! If you have unsaved or unchurched family and friends, Sunday Morning will be a great time to bring them with you to church! The passage on "The Great White Throne" is one of the most powerful and convicting in the Bible.
I hope to see you with a smile on your face, your Bible in your hand, and your family and friends by your side...
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