Tuesday, October 27, 2009

All Saints Day Celebration


This Sunday, Nov. 1, is All Saints Day. I know, your first thought might be, "What in the world is All Saints Day... isn't that just some Roman Catholic thing?"

You might be a bit surprised, but many Protestants celebrate this holy day including Anglicans, Methodists, Lutherans, and other "liturgical" churches. But admittedly, it hasn't been very popular among most "non-liturgical" evangelicals, such as Baptists or Pentecostals. I'll be honest, I didn't think much of this holy day until a few years ago. That has changed.

Some of my beloved friends (many of whom are listed as links on this blog) may think I've gone completely (and liturgically) nuts, but I'm going all out for this little holy day in 2009! So this Sunday at Servant's Heart Fellowship we will explore the value of All Saints Day, celebrate the redemptive work of Christ in the whole church, and even sing a new song, specifically written by Jason for our celebration of All Saints Day.

See you all Sunday! I'll be wearing robes. Not really.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Sunday Quotes!

Last Sunday we celebrated one of the most important verses in Mark's gospel: "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." -Mark 10:45.

As usual, my old friend JC Ryle was helpful:

"By that death Jesus made a full and complete satisfaction for man's countless transgressions. He bore our sins in His own body on the tree. The Lord laid on Him the iniquity of us all. When He died, He died for us. When He suffered, He suffered in our stead. When He hung on the cross, He hung there as our Substitute. When His blood flowed, it was the price of our souls."

"It is true that we are sinners, but Christ has borne our sins. It is true that we are poor helpless debtors, but Christ has paid our debts. It is true that we deserve to be shut up forever in the prison of hell. But thanks be to God, Christ has paid a full and complete ransom for us. The door is wide open. The prisoners may go free. May we all know this privilege by heartfelt experience, and walk in the blessed liberty of the children of God."


Maybe I need to add Ryle's name as co-pastor of SHF...?

Friday, October 9, 2009

"With Man It Is Impossible, But Not With God."

The late great CS Lewis once said, "It was not until I tried to clean up my life that I finally realized how truly sinful I was."

Too bad this was not the experience of the rich young ruler in Mark 10:17-27. Instead of realizing his own sinfulness, he actually thinks he is good enough to save himself. Even after Jesus lovingly exposes this young man's sinful heart, he still ends up walking away unchanged... and still unable to save himself. This encounter prompts our Lord to inform his disciples that it is impossible for people to save themselves. Only God can do this.

This Sunday we will apply this passage and celebrate His saving grace!