Archive for the ‘Blog’ Category

 

Song List from 02/05/12

Monday, February 6th, 2012

Indescribable | Author Laura Story | Copyright 2004 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Gleaning Publishing (Admin. by EMI
Christian Music Publishing) Catalogs: worshiptogether.com songs sixsteps Music Gleaning Publishing Admin EMI Christian Music Publishing | Buy it on Amazon

You Bled | Author: Rend Collective Experiment | Copyright: 2009 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | Catalog Thankyou Music | Buy it on Amazon

By Faith Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Stuart Townend | Copyright 2009 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Gettymusic (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)  Buy it on Amazon

 

What Contaminates The Gospel: Galatians – Pure Series

Monday, January 30th, 2012

Song List from 10/29/2012

Monday, January 30th, 2012

Sing, Sing, Sing | Authors: Chris Tomlin, Daniel Carson, Jesse Reeves, Matt Gilder , Travis Nunn | Copyright: 2008 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | Amazon Link

Lord, I Need You | 2011 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Sweater Weather Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Valley Of Songs Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | Amazon Link

Blessed Be Your Name | Beth Redman | Matt Redman | Copyright 2002 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Catalog: Thank you Music Admin EMI Christian Music Publishing | Amazon Link

Psalm 62 | Aaron Keys & Stuart Townend | 2007 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

Knowing God by J.I. Packer–Free audio book

Saturday, January 28th, 2012

Christianaudio.com offers one free audio book each month.  For the month of January they have been offering Knowing God by J.I. Packer.  If you’re at all interested, be sure to download it before the end of the month!  Here’s a description of the book. 

A lifelong pursuit of knowing God should embody the Christian’s existence. According to eminent theologian J.I. Packer, however, Christians have become enchanted by modern skepticism and have joined the “gigantic conspiracy of misdirection” by failing to put first things first. Knowing God aims to redirect our attention to the simple, deep truth that to know God is to love His Word.

What began as a number of consecutive articles angled for “honest, no-nonsense readers who were fed up with facile Christian verbiage” in 1973, Knowing God has become a contemporary classic by creating “small studies out of great subjects.” Each chapter is so specific in focus (covering topics such as the trinity, election, God’s wrath, and God’s sovereignty), that each succeeding chapter’s theology seems to rival the next, until one’s mind is so expanded that one’s entire view of God has changed.

Author Elizabeth Eliot wrote that amid the lofty content Packer “puts the hay where the sheep can reach it–plainly shows us ordinary folks what it means to know God.” Having rescued us from the individual hunches of our ultra-tolerant theological age, Packer points the reader to the true character of God with his theological competence and compassionate heart. The lazy and faint-hearted should be warned about this timeless work–God is magnified, the sinner is humbled, and the saint encouraged.

Salvation, election, rejection… Why all this deep theology?

Friday, January 27th, 2012

As Pastor Mike has began his new series on Romans 9-11 one question that has already emerged more than once is, “Why all this deep theology about God?”  There’s something immediately applicable from sermons on Galatians or serving or giving, but a series on God’s sovereignty on the election, rejection, and salvation of Israel?  How does that change me Monday morning?

I can’t help but think of Tozer’s first chapter to his book The Knowledge of the Holy.   Fifty years ago Tozer was alarmed at the absence of thought about God in a society (not to mention a Church) saturated by entertainment.   And he wrote before YouTube and iPhone Apps and Sportscenter on ESPN and The Food Network.  So Tozer calls the church again to a grander, more glorious knowledge God because God is worth knowing because He is God, not just because there is an immediate practical use to Him.  Tozer wrote:

What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.  The history of mankind will probably show that no people has ever risen above its religion, and man’s spiritual history will positively demonstrate that no religion has ever been greater than its idea of God. Worship is pure or base as the worshiper entertains high or low thoughts of God.

For this reason the gravest question before the Church is always God Himself, and the most portentous fact about any man is not what he at a given time may say or do, but what he in his deep heart conceives God to be like. We tend by a secret law of the soul to move toward our mental image of God. This is true not only of the individual Christian, but of the company of Christians that composes the Church. Always the most revealing thing about the Church is her idea of God, just as her most significant message is what she says about Him or leaves unsaid, for her silence is often more eloquent than her speech. She can never escape the self-disclosure of her witness concerning God.

Were we able to extract from any man a complete answer to the question, “What comes into your mind when you think about God?” we might predict with certainty the spiritual future of that man. Were we able to know exactly what our most influential religious leaders think of God today, we might be able with some precision to foretell where the Church will stand tomorrow.

Without doubt, the mightiest thought the mind can entertain is the thought of God, and the weightiest word in any language is its word for God. Thought and speech are God’s gifts to creatures made in His image; these are intimately associated with Him and impossible apart from Him. It is highly significant that the first word was the Word: “And the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” We may speak because God spoke. In Him word and idea are indivisible.

That our idea of God corresponds as nearly as possible to the true being of God is of immense importance to us. Compared with our actual thoughts about Him, our creedal statements are of little consequence. Our real idea of God may lie buried under the rubbish of conventional religious notions and may require an intelligent and vigorous search before it is finally unearthed and exposed for what it is. Only after an ordeal of painful self-probing are we likely to discover what we actually believe about God.

A right conception of God is basic not only to systematic theology but to practical Christian living as well. It is to worship what the foundation is to the temple; where it is inadequate or out of plumb the whole structure must sooner or later collapse. I believe there is scarcely an error in doctrine or a failure in applying Christian ethics that cannot be traced finally to imperfect and ignoble thoughts about God.

It is my opinion that the Christian conception of God current in these middle years of the twentieth century is so decadent as to be utterly beneath the dignity of the Most High God and actually to constitute for professed believers something amounting to a moral calamity….

The heaviest obligation lying upon the Christian Church today is to purify and elevate her concept of God until it is once more worthy of Him – and of her. In all her prayers and labors this should have first place. We do the greatest service to the next generation of Christians by passing on to them undimmed and undiminished that noble concept of God which we received from our Hebrew and Christian fathers of generations past. This will prove of greater value to them than anything that art or science can devise.

Song List from 01/22/12

Monday, January 23rd, 2012

O, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing by Charles Wesley | David Crowder | Jack Parker- Copyright 2007 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

Constant | Author Charlie Hall | Copyright 2010 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Catalogs worshiptogether.com songs sixsteps Music Administrator EMI Christian Music Publishing | Amazon Link

Bless the Lord | Jonas Myrin | Matt Redman | 2011 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Said And Done Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) SHOUT! Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | Amazon Link | Song Story

Song List from 01/15/12

Monday, January 16th, 2012

All We Need | Author: Charlie Hall | Copyright: 2006 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Amazon Link

It is Well | Words by Horatio Spafford, Music by Philip Bliss. Additional Words and Music by Todd Fields | Copyright © 2009 Music at North Point | Robinson Lane Music (BMI) (adm. by North Point Music Publishing). All rights reserved. Used by permission. Amazon Link

Jesus Paid it All | Alex Nifong, Elvina M. Hall, John Thomas Grape | Copyright: 2006 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | Amazon Link

Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) – Chris Tomlin – John Newton – Louie Giglio – Copyright – 2006 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | Amazon Link

We Fall Down | Author Chris Tomlin | Copyright 1998 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)|Amazon Link

Song List from 01/08/12

Monday, January 9th, 2012

Mighty to Save – Ben Fielding – Reuben Morgan – 2006 Hillsong Publishing

Nothing But the Blood  | Brett Younker copyright 2001

All I Have is Christ | | Author: Jordan Kauflin | Copyright: 2008 Sovereign Grace Praise (c/o Integrity Music, Inc.) Amazon Link

Building the Superstructure While Anchored to the Substructure

Sunday, January 8th, 2012

 

download .mp3

Song List from 01/01/12

Monday, January 2nd, 2012

Let Your Kingdom Come | Author: Bob Kauflin | Copyright: 2006 Sovereign Grace Praise (c/o Integrity Music, Inc.)| Amazon Link

Here I Am to Worship | Tim Hughes | Copyright: 2000 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | Amazon Link

Because of Your Love | Phil Wickham | 2008 Phil Wickham Music (Admin. by Simpleville Music, Inc.)

Here is Love | Author:  Matt Redman | Robert S. Lowry | William Rees | Copyright: 2004 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Amazon Link

Song List from Christmas Eve

Sunday, December 25th, 2011

O Come O Come Emmanuel | Henry Sloane Coffin | John Mason Neale | Steven Curtis Chapman

O Little Town of Bethlehem | Lewis Henry Redner | Phillips Brooks

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear | Lewis Henry Redner | Phillips Brooks

What Child Is This | William Chatterton Dix

Lo How a Rose E’re Blooming | arr. Derek Webb

Away in the Manger | James Ramsey Murray | John Thomas McFarland | Martin Luther

Angels from the Realms of Glory | James Montgomery | | Henry Thomas Smart

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

The First Noel | Arr. Phil Wickham | Amazon Link

Infant Holy

Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne | Emily Elizabeth Steele Elliott | Timothy Richard Matthews

Silent Night | Franz Xaver | GruberJohn Freeman Young | Joseph Mohr

Advent Scriptures: December 23rd

Friday, December 23rd, 2011

Read: Matthew 2:1-23

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:
“A voice was heard in Ramah,
weeping and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”
But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.

Discuss: How many Old Testament prophecies are fulfilled in this chapter?

Learn: 2 Corinthians 8:9

So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything.

Advent Scriptures: December 22nd

Thursday, December 22nd, 2011

Read: Matthew 1:1-25

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king.
And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph, and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.
And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.
So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Discuss: Why is Jesus’s lineage important?

Learn: 2 Corinthians 8:9

So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything.

Advent Scriptures: December 21st

Wednesday, December 21st, 2011

Read: Luke 2:1-22

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Discuss:

Learn:  2 Corinthians 8:9

So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything.

Advent Scriptures: December 20th

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

Read: Luke 1:26-38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Discuss: See 2 Samuel 7:13-14. How is this similar?

Learn: 2 Corinthians 8:9

So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything.

Advent Scriptures: December 19th

Monday, December 19th, 2011

Read: Luke 1:1-25

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.
In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.
Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”
And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.
After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

Discuss: What in this passage seems new to you?

Learn:  2 Corinthians 8:9

So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything.

Song List from 12/18/11

Monday, December 19th, 2011

Joy To the World | George Frederic Handel | Isaac Watts | Buy it on Amazon

O Come, O Come Emmanuel | Traditional

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day | Henry Wadsworth Longfellow | Jean Baptiste Calkin | Public Domain | Buy it on Amazon | Song Story

The First Noel | Arr. Phil Wickham | Amazon Link

…you have to deal with Tim Tebow

Sunday, December 18th, 2011

Sunday Pastor Mike used Tim Tebow as an illustration. He said, because of his Christian testimony you have to have an opinion about him. In a similar fashion because of Christ’s greatness and controversial nature you have to make a decision about Christ. In the illustration Pastor Mike referenced a fantastic video about Tim. You can catch the video below

Advent Scriptures: December 16th

Friday, December 16th, 2011

Read: Revelation 1:12-18; 19:1-16

Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out,
“Hallelujah!
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,
for his judgments are true and just;
for he has judged the great prostitute
who corrupted the earth with her immorality,
and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”
Once more they cried out,
“Hallelujah!
The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.”
And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” And from the throne came a voice saying,
“Praise our God,
all you his servants,
you who fear him,
small and great.”
Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,
“Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God
the Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and exult
and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
and his Bride has made herself ready;
it was granted her to clothe herself
with fine linen, bright and pure”—
for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

Discuss: What is the event of Christ’s coming going to be like.

Learn: 2 Corinthians 8:9

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

Advent Scriptures: December 15th

Thursday, December 15th, 2011

Read: Psalm 2

Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying,
“Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us.”
He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.
Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
“As for me, I have set my King
on Zion, my holy hill.”
I will tell of the decree:
The LORD said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron
and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son,
lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Discuss: When will this Psalm be completely true?

Learn: 2 Corinthians 8:9

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

Advent Scriptures: December 14th

Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

Read: Isaiah 11:1-10

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.
And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
or decide disputes by what his ears hear,
but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist,
and faithfulness the belt of his loins.
The wolf shall dwell with the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat,
and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together;
and a little child shall lead them.
The cow and the bear shall graze;
their young shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra,
and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den.
They shall not hurt or destroy
in all my holy mountain;
for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD
as the waters cover the sea.
In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.

Discuss: What will the world be like when Jesus comes back again someday? 

Learn: 2 Corinthians 8:9

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

Advent Scriptures: December 13th

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011

Read: Jeremiah 33:14-18

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.’
“For thus says the LORD: David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel, and the Levitical priests shall never lack a man in my presence to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings, and to make sacrifices forever.”

Discuss: When will there be justice? 

Learn: 2 Corinthians 8:9

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

Song list from 12/11/11

Monday, December 12th, 2011

O Come All Ye Faithful | C. Frederick Oakeley | John Francis Wade

O Come, O Come Emmanuel | Traditional

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen | Traditional

What Child Is This | Traditional

Advent Scriptures: December 12th

Monday, December 12th, 2011

Read: John 14:1-6

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Discuss: What will Jesus do when he returns?

Learn: 2 Corinthians 8:9

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

A Modern-Day letter of Galatians

Saturday, December 10th, 2011

What would the book of Galatians sound like if it were written to our church in 2011? Who would the false teachers be, and what would their message sound like? Obviously, they would not be teaching about circumcision and the Old Testament law, so what would legalistic teaching look like in our culture? As we summarize the entire Galatians series today, I want to help us to apply the book to our lives and situation one last time.

I have composed my version of the book of Galatians that I will read in a moment. Pretend with me that a faction within Willow Creek began teaching heresy in our church. In fact this group was led by a former pastor with seminary training. His credentials were golden, his personality was warm and engaging, and he seemed to have a good resume of ministry and many pastor friends who seemed to agree with his message. It didn’t take long for his influence to spread through ABF classes and small groups. In a short period of time, he had persuaded a third of the congregation toward his teaching.

What was he teaching? He convincingly argued from Scripture that in order for people to be saved, they must prove to God that they were faithful and worthy of salvation. He taught that God saves us through Christ’s death and resurrection, but when we reach the judgment seat, he will also check to be sure we proved our worth by loving him and living faithfully. In addition, God reserved special blessings for Christians who would sow wisely in this life. If you lived righteously, modeled Christianity, gave generously, and were right with God, then you were guaranteed to prosper in this life with large houses, nice cars, great jobs, godly children, and physical health. If you lack any of these things, it means you are not living by faith.

To make things even worse, he claimed that he and Pastor Mike were in agreement with these doctrines, but that Mike has intentionally strayed away from the true gospel, and is teaching a watered-down, less offensive gospel, the result of which will be depriving his church of God’s richest blessings. In order to combat this damaging heresy, Pastor Mike composes a letter for the people of Willow Creek and sends it to your homes. Here is how the letter would sound.

Modern-Day letter of Galatians:

Dear Willow Creek: I write you today in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who died in order to take our penalty for sin so that we can stand before God with no fear of condemnation. I am completely shocked to hear that someone so easily persuaded you to believe a false gospel. In your hearts, you know that I do not agree with this message, and you would be wise to reject this new teaching and hold firm to the message that I have faithfully taught you since becoming your pastor. Let me make this clear: If you ever hear me preaching something opposite of what I have always preached, reject it and treat me as an unbeliever. Even if an angel or anyone else tries to sell you this garbage, tell them to box that message up and send it straight to hell.

You know me better than this! You know I would never believe one thing, but teach you something different. You know that I don’t believe works can save or that a person can gain material or physical blessing from God by being a good Christian. Think about it for a moment: if this were true, then I would be a very blessed person! I’ve sacrificed a promising career as a football player for the Denver Broncos in order to serve as a pastor. I started training for the pastorate in 1995, and I’m still in school because of my dedication to serve Christ better. I served faithfully in Waterloo for 7 years, and now have labored as your pastor for 3 years. Has God made me rich, or kept me from going through hard times? NO! Right in the middle of all this serving, my wife and I have been through the hardest times of our lives struggling with infertility and failed adoption attempts. If I were actually a proponent of this false gospel, then my very life experience would be a contradiction! I’ve always believed that works cannot save, and that we cannot do good things to make God love us more, and my life proves it.

I believe, and I’ve always believed that the only way we are justified before God is by faith in Jesus. By faith you accept Christ’s payment of your sin-debt and trust that when you stand before God, you will be judged on the basis of the applied righteousness of Christ. In light of this truth, attempting to gain favor with God by strict obedience is a concept that represents the system you were under before you were saved. Therefore, why would I propose going back to a failed system of works and earning favor with God when the perfect righteousness of Christ is ours by faith? You see, if you have placed your faith in Christ, then his righteousness is yours! You do not have to earn a standing before God. You ARE righteous in Christ. You are accepted. If the opposite of this is true, then Jesus died for no purpose.

Oh foolish Willow Creek members! You knew these things! How could you so easily have bought the message of this charlatan? Think back with me: when you were first saved, did you experience the power of the Holy Spirit by earning it, or by faith? It was clearly by faith! So if your life in the Spirit started by faith, then why wouldn’t your continued growth in the Spirit also be by faith? The Spirit’s work ignites by faith, and is squelched by works!

Now, I’m sure at this point you are thinking about some of the texts of Scripture that the opponent quoted and taught. He leaned heavily upon the book of James as well as some Old Testament passages relating to material blessing for obedience. James 2:24 says, “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” James is using Abraham to prove his point. However, look carefully, Willow Creek! James references Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac as that which “justified” him. However, Genesis 15:6, which came before the Isaac incident, says that Abraham believed God and was justified. You see, Abraham was already justified at the time of the Isaac account! Therefore, what James is saying is that Abraham’s faith was proven through his willingness to sacrifice Isaac. His status before God was not earned. As for the passages in the OT that indicate material blessing for obedience, you must be careful to understand the context and the original audience. God placed Israel under an arrangement where if they obeyed, they would prosper as a nation. However, those promises were for Israel alone and cannot apply to us today. I really don’t need to tell you these things. Your Bible study skills are better than this! You have just been sweet-talked by a certain condemned false teacher.

Another objection this man raised about my teaching relates to the practical daily living of the Christian. He claims that salvation by faith alone and growth in the Christian life without strict rules will lead to complete anarchy and rebellion. He proposes that gaining favor with God ensures that we have the motivation to live a godly life. Without this motivation, people would be tempted to live sinfully, knowing that God has already forgiven everything because of the death of Christ. I charge you to reject this notion! Receiving the new birth from the Holy Spirit completely precludes living a rebelliously sinful life. We do not need a strict code of conduct to govern our lives as Christians! Don’t let anybody drag you into that slavery! Keeping rules will not save you, sanctify you, and it will not gain you extra merit with God! Stand fast in your liberty from a list-driven, law-enforcing system of Christian living! In fact, I wish the false teacher’s message would be disqualified. He flaunts his material possessions and claims that God has rewarded him because of his righteous living. Wouldn’t it be awesome if his house burned down and he lost everything he owned? If that happened, it would certainly shut his mouth and make him reexamine his theology!

So, if we don’t need a list to govern our Christian lives, and if we really can’t do anything to make God love us more, then what motivates a Christian to live righteously? You see, the answer lies in the Holy Spirit. By faith he regenerates us at salvation, and God declares us righteous in Christ. We don’t earn that salvation, and likewise, the motivation for holy living, and even the righteous acts themselves are somewhat of a passive result of walking in the Spirit. What are we required to DO in the Christian life? What are the necessary “works” of being a Christian? Only one thing: Walk in, be filled by, be led by the Spirit. When we are staying in step with the Spirit and exercising our faith, he produces love in our lives, and as we love God and love others, we fulfill the law of Christ. If you do not have the Holy Spirit, then you will naturally act out of the desires of the flesh. So, if someone claiming to be a Christian consistently lives a rebelliously sinful life, then they are not truly saved, even though they claim to be saved. However, if you truly possess the Holy Spirit and have placed your faith in Christ, you will live a life guided by the Spirit, and your life will exemplify godly character. Thus, the false teacher’s insistence upon works as a means for motivation is a moot point. Those possessing the Spirit live by the Spirit. Those without the Spirit live by fleshly desires.

I’m already anticipating your next question! How does a Christian make sure he or she is walking in the Spirit? Well, therein lies the struggle of the Christian life. We still possess the flesh with its desires. When we are faced with decisions in our lives, we will hear the flesh, passionately lobbying for its cause. However, we also have the Spirit attempting to lead us into righteousness. The Spirit’s power to lead generates from the Scriptures and our interaction with the Scriptures. He leads us with the Scriptures. Therefore, as we fill ourselves with the Scriptures, the Spirit then can lead us more effectively. Every Christian, then, should fervently seek a disciplined life in the Scriptures and prayer. Why? Not in order to gain favor with God, but to strengthen our walk with the Spirit, and to give the Spirit the necessary tools to lead us in our daily living.

Just a few closing comments. Some of you have been duped by this ignorant counterfeit. However, the majority of you have not sold out so quickly. Therefore, those of you who are living a life apart from works; those of you who are led by the Spirit, please confront and restore those who have fallen into this doctrinal error. However, do it in a Spirit of humility, understanding your own depravity and propensity for sin. As you confront each other’s sin, don’t ever, ever, begin to feel superior to others as you compare your struggles with their struggles. Listen closely: when you stand before God, you will not be rewarded on a comparative basis. Because of this, none of us have any room to boast, unless we have achieved a perfect standard of holy living, which is impossible.

Never forget that if you attempt to live your Christian life by works, then you will reap a harvest of fleshly destruction. However, if you make the tougher choice and live by faith, then you will reap an abundant spiritual harvest. God rewards us with spiritual blessings….he has never promised that we will be rewarded with physical or material blessing.

I trust that you will listen carefully to the words of this letter. I pray that those who listen to this letter and abide by its truth will experience peace and joy in their lives. See to it that you confront and expel the one who has caused so much pain and strife so that I can continue my ministry at Willow Creek.

Love in Christ,

Pastor Mike

This letter was part of the final sermon in our Galatians series Pure. Click Here to listen.