Nov 29, 2009 
This is my sermon from Matthew 8:23-27, “Jesus quiets the storm.” You might have heard this a million and six times and seen it on the flannel-graphs in Sunday school, but I hope I have presented a different aspect to it. As Paul prays in Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
worshipping God, building up His church, reaching the world
Browsing the blog archives for November, 2009
No Comments My sermon from November 22 deals with “grace to the family”, from Matthew 8:14-17.
The Pocket Dictionary of Liturgy and Worship by Brett Scott Provance is a compact yet valuable (and inexpensive) resource for leaders, students, and lay-people of the church who want to renew, check, or expand their knowledge concerning matters of liturgy and worship. It is part of a series of pocket dictionaries that IVP has published. It provides over 600 entries concerning people, history, forms, dates, denominations, holidays, seasons and styles that shape church liturgy and worship service across the lines of denominations and throughout the history of the church. A system of cross references, table of abbreviations, and a detailed bibliography are included to help in further study. This is by no means a complete and detailed reporting of all that is “Christian liturgy and worship”, but it does provide clarification on what and who has most impacted worship in the church from its birth to the modern day. It is a helpful reference for every leader, student, and lay-person to keep on his or her bookshelf.
This is a book review written for Intervarsity Press at www.ivpress.com
I don’t suffer nearly as much as others do. Perhaps what I go through does not deserve to be called suffering. Yet, the hard things I experience are real for me and what I can feel as “suffering.” Many events have come to a head this past week which leads me to new ideas and fresh dealings with my “sufferings”. In many ways I already know this information in my head but as life is lived, God speaks in new ways and shows new insights and applications. He also continues to mold and shape me and is gracious to me despite my thick-headedness.
My discontent and grumblings and complaints about my suffering is sin. Dwelling on how “bad” and “unfair” things are denies God’s goodness and grace and says to Him, “You made a mistake, you are not in control, you don’t know what you’re doing.” This all is displeasing to Him and doesn’t play out well in my life.
How could Paul rejoice and have hope in prison? I’m sure he must have had some hard days, but he found God’s glory and His grace in those hard events. Can’t I do this? Can’t the same Holy Spirit work this in my life?
I have complained and grumbled and not asked God or sought Him out in these sufferings. Sufferings and “deserts” we go through are designed to draw us closer to Him and lean on Him and see Him show up. It has become a regular prayer of mine now to ask Him to “incline my heart” and “please let me see your glory in these events.” I have to confess that my heart these past 2 or 3 days has been softened and my attitude improving. I pray and ask for daily filling through all these difficulties.
My sermon on November 15 looks at the hope of the centurion and Jesus’ showing His grace to him and the servant.
Have hope today and God will show you His grace.
“Why does it matter what I believe? Do all religions lead to God? Wasn’t Jesus just another religious teacher?” These questions and others are answered at the Vimeo link, A Passion for Life
I am beginning a sermon series on “Grace, Peace, Restoration” this week, covering it for the next nine weeks. The series comes from Matthew 8 and 9.
Jerry Bridges has written a powerful new book of hope for all Christians, Respectable Sins. This book is for all sinners, especially evangelical Christians. It is a painful book to read because it forces us to be honest with our ugliness in all its forms, yet it is hopeful because he reminds us of 1 Peter 5:5, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” It is easy to read and consistent with much of his previous writings. In the first half of the book he provides an overview of the gospel and its effects upon our lives; in the second half he applies it practically in dealing with specific and “respectable” sins we tolerate in ourselves, such as discontent, pride, and unthankfulness. Jerry Bridges draws upon years of wisdom and experience in his book and is honest and personal in admitting his struggles and successes and weaknesses in his walk with the Lord. An optional study guide is available for purchase as well. This is an excellent book for spiritual formation and our progressive sanctification and deeper growth and commitment to the Lord.
This is a book review for www.navpress.com
Our visiting missionary gave this report on the “good news in Africa” this past Sunday.
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