Servant's Heart Fellowship

Justified By Faith Alone... Or Not?

2011-11-29T08:58:00.000-08:00

Justification by "faith alone" is one of the great truths of Christianity. It's a reminder that we are saved through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone by grace alone. I believe this, preach this, and contend for this on a regular basis. But last Sunday we bumped right into James 2:24: "You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone." It stopped us in our tracks.

What's going on? Here we find the only place in the entire Bible where the words "faith" and "alone" are joined together in the same verse... and it appears to be saying the exact opposite of what we want it to say? How is this possible? Is salvation by "faith alone" the wrong message? What about Ephesians 2:8-9 or Romans 3:28?

The long answer was my sermon last weekend. The short answer is this: The problem is not with the message of the Scriptures, the real problem is with our (often) inadequate or non-biblical definition of the word "faith". Faith is never merely believing a set of facts about God, or Jesus, or the Bible. James says that even demons believe that stuff (and supposedly most Americans do too). Demons aren't atheists. They most certainly believe in God. But that's not that same as biblical faith. James is saying that biblical faith is obvious - you can see that it is real by obedience, by fruit (good works) in a believer's life. That's saving faith. The other kind is mere dead orthodoxy. Can you tell the difference between these two definitions of faith? I hope so.

The book of James: This ain't no pie eating contest!

2011-10-15T16:41:00.000-07:00

One of my friends says that reading James is like getting into a boxing match. Another pastor calls it a dangerous book. One scholar says that James' candor and clarity are like a two-edged sword - penetrating, almost too penetrating.

For the rest of 2011 (and into 2012) we are wrestling with the teaching of James. A warning: he pulls no punches. And he covers so much ground for such a short book (only 108 verses). James body slams useless faith and challenges his readers to be "doers of the Word". He fearlessly tackles trials, worldliness, favoritism, anger, suffering, and temptations... just to mention a few.

I'm praying that we emerge out of James with only minor bruising, but with major growth as followers of Jesus. But get ready, because as Rocky Balboa says, "This ain't no pie eating contest..."

Am I on the wrong road...?

2011-09-07T13:57:00.000-07:00

"I'm just wondering, is it possible that you think you are on the narrow road but you are actually on the broad road? Could it be that you have set cruise control, turned up the Christian radio, and are traveling down the road of destruction with a Jesus fish on your bumper?" -Kyle Idleman

Jesus says "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew 7:13-14)

Am I a follower of Jesus... or just a fan of Jesus?

2011-08-31T09:22:00.000-07:00

"The biggest threat to the church today is fans who call themselves Christians but aren't actually interested in following Christ. They want to be close enough to Jesus to get all the benefits, but not so close that it requires anything from them." -Kyle Idleman, Not A Fan

This new book I'm reading from Kyle Idleman pulls no punches! Many today think they are OK with God because they attend a church, or say they believe in Jesus, or have a fish on their car, when in fact they have fooled themselves. This book is helpful in evaluating whether or not we are simply fans of Jesus (something He is never interested in having), or if we are truly committed followers (something He absolutely requires). The difference between the two has serious consequences - both now and later! I'll be posting some quotes from it over the next few weeks.

While we have "hurricane" on our minds...

2011-08-29T12:49:00.000-07:00

"How happy are we if the hurricanes that blow across life's raging sea have the effect of making Jesus more precious to us! It is better to weather the storm with Christ than to sail smooth waters without Him" - J.R. Madcuff

(thanks Margaret Land)

Are my friendships wise?

2011-07-19T05:07:00.000-07:00

Good friends... bad friends. We all have them. But who are your closest friends? Who do you go to when you are in need of counsel or help?

"The problem is not conversation or acquaintance or even the occasional hang-out. The problem arises when bad friends replace our inner circle of godly, wise friends. The real problem happens when they replace Scripture and Jesus-loving friends... when they become our inner circle, our wise counsel, or our support during trial, we will be overcome by their foolishness and become fools ourselves." -James Pruch

A really good question that stings...

2011-07-15T06:45:00.000-07:00

The following quote is from John Piper.

“Does your mouth usually heal people with words of grace and love and kindness, or does it wound people with insensitive, harsh, critical, unhelpful words?”

Yeah... I know. It stings doesn't it? I've read it several times (and even quoted it in my sermon last week) and it still stings - especially the word "usually". May God help us all to use our mouths to heal and not wound people!

Help For Christians Who Make Bad Decisions!

2011-06-14T11:27:00.000-07:00

When is the last time you said, "Why in the world did I do that?" As a pastor I am privileged to help people work through some very difficult situations, but by far the most serious are ones that were created by making really bad decisions. Or even sinful decisions.

There is no doubt that we Christians need to learn how to make wise decisions about parenting, finances, and sexual purity (just to name a few). Pleasing God does require making wise decisions. Thankfully we are not left to ourselves to figure life out. The Scriptures - and especially Proverbs - are loaded with much help for those in need of wisdom (like me)!

Join us this summer as we dig into Proverbs in search of wisdom together.

All Or Nothing For Jesus

2011-05-31T07:05:00.000-07:00

“Jesus' call to commitment is clear: He wants all or nothing. The thought of a person calling him or herself a 'Christian' without being a devoted follower of Christ is absurd."
-Francis Chan

Hosanna!

2011-04-13T14:48:00.000-07:00

It's that time again! Palm Sunday. Christians all around the world will celebrate Jesus' glorious and triumphal entry into Jerusalem. We call it the "deep breath before the plunge" into holy week. Jesus was betrayed, abandoned, falsely arrested, tortured and brutally murdered before the week was up. And we know why - to save us.

At Servant's Heart Fellowship we always go big on this day - palm branches for everyone to wave as we sing Hosanna! Join us as we celebrate our king. He is worthy of all this attention (and so much more).

"We Drift Toward Compromise..."

2011-03-18T10:09:00.000-07:00

"People do not drift toward Holiness. Apart from grace-driven effort, people do not gravitate toward godliness, prayer, obedience to Scripture, faith, and delight in the Lord. We drift toward compromise and call it tolerance; we drift toward disobedience and call it freedom; we drift toward superstition and call it faith. We cherish the indiscipline of lost self-control and call it relaxation; we slouch toward prayerlessness and delude ourselves into thinking we have escaped legalism; we slide toward godlessness and convince ourselves we have been liberated." -D.A. Carson

This quote by D.A. Carson stopped me in my tracks. Go ahead and read it again. Have you been drifting toward compromise? Have you convinced yourself that you have been "liberated" when in reality you are sliding toward godlessness and disobedience? One word sums up this quote: Wow.

This Is The Word Of The Lord...

2011-02-19T13:03:00.000-08:00

Our response each Sunday: Thanks be to God!

“Christians should be grateful to God for the gift of his written Word, and conscientious in basing their faith and life entirely and exclusively upon it. Otherwise, we cannot ever honor or please him as he calls us to do.” JI Packer

Have I Really Repented From My Sin?

2011-01-29T14:29:00.000-08:00

Some people encounter Jesus and say, "Sweet! Jesus, do You want to join the party of my life with this sin, that addiction, this destructive relationship, and we'll all co-exist together?"

But repentance means saying, "Sweet Jesus, You are the best thing that has ever happened to me! I want to turn from all the sin and selfishness that rules me. I want to let it go and walk with You. Only You. You are my life now. Help me to walk away from the enslaving, worthless things in life."

Do you see the difference between these two examples? Which do you think more accurately portrays your own life?

-Francis Chan, Forgotten God

Christ Is Everything!

2011-01-12T13:57:00.000-08:00

What do JC Ryle, Max Lucado, and John Piper all have in common? They all "get it" when it comes to the centrality of Jesus Christ. Eternal life in heaven is not our treasure. Forgiveness of sins is not our treasure. Denominations or church affiliations are not our treasures. Jesus Christ is our supreme reward and treasure. See for yourself...

"We are all traveling fast towards a place where names and forms and Church government will be nothing, and Christ will be everything." - JC Ryle

"The reward of Christianity is Christ" - Max Lucado

"We become what we crave and what Christians crave above all else is the glory of Christ." - John Piper

Resolutions

2010-12-30T13:19:00.000-08:00

Resolutions - you either love them or hate them. Many hopeful people make (and inevitably break) resolutions every single new year. Others, perhaps more pessimistic, believe resolutions are a waste of time and don't even bother. What about you? Is it wise or foolish to resolve to do things each year? The famous pastor and theologian Jonathan Edwards evidently thought so and he made 70 resolutions (over a period of two years) that he reviewed every week.

Here are three of his that just might help stir up some resolutions of your own:

Resolved, Never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions (sin), however unsuccessful I may be.

Resolved, Never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.

Resolved, to ask myself, at the end of every day, week, month, and year, wherein I could possibly, in any respect, have done better.

No Worship Service December 26, 2010

2010-12-26T03:16:00.000-08:00

Due to the weather we will not have our worship service today. Please be safe, enjoy the snow, and take time to praise the Lord in the warmth of your own homes!

"God As A Fetus"

2010-12-21T14:37:00.000-08:00

“God became a man. While the creatures of earth walked unaware, Divinity arrived. Heaven opened herself and placed her most precious one in a human womb. The Omnipotent, in one instant, made himself breakable. He who had been spirit became pierceable. He who was larger than the universe became an embryo. And he who sustains the world with a word chose to be dependent upon the nourishment of a young girl. God as a fetus. Holiness sleeping in a womb. The creator of life being created. God was given eyebrows, elbows, two kidneys, and a spleen. He stretched against the walls and floated in the amniotic fluids of his mother. God had come near.” – Max Lucado

God With Us

2010-12-15T08:04:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite descriptions of Christmas:

“It is here, in the thing that happened at the first Christmas, that the profoundest and most unfathomable depths of the Christian revelation lie: The Word became flesh; God became man; the divine Son became a Jew; the Almighty appeared on earth as a helpless human baby, unable to do more than lie and stare and wriggle and make noises, needing to be fed and changed and taught to talk like any other child. And there is no illusion or deception in this: the babyhood of the Son of God was a reality. The more you think about it, the more staggering it gets. Nothing in fiction is so fantastic as is this truth of the Incarnation. The Christian message rests upon the staggering fact that the child in the manger was – God.” -JI Packer Knowing God

A Hole In Our Holiness

2010-11-23T06:42:00.000-08:00

Kevin DeYoung has written a penetrating article about the absence of holiness among so many professing Christians today. I urge you all to read it (maybe twice) and then have a moment of self-evaluation alone with God. Here's how he begins:

"I have a growing concern that younger evangelicals do not take seriously the Bible’s call to personal holiness. We are too at peace with worldliness in our homes, too at ease with sin in our lives, too content with spiritual immaturity in our churches."

Click here to read the rest of it.

Preparing For Sunday

2010-11-13T13:09:00.000-08:00

November 14, 2010

Songs we will sing:
Your Love O Lord
How Can I Keep From Singing
Glorious & Mighty
Jesus Paid It All
Your Name

Sermon:
Acts 7:54-60. Not long after Stephen was given the responsibility to help care for some widows he was brutally murdered. This Sunday we will see why he was murdered and what we can learn from this man's brief (but lasting) example of living and dying for Jesus Christ.

Preparing For Sunday

2010-11-06T02:35:00.000-07:00

November 7, 2010

Songs we will sing:
We Exalt You
Beautiful One
Come Thou Fount
Arise My Soul Arise
All I Owe
Behold The Lamb (Communion Song)

Sermon:
Acts 6:1-7. This Sunday we continue our Acts series by examining how the early church handled a potentially explosive internal conflict. Join us as we continue to learn how they solved this immediate threat to unity, and ultimately why the early church gained that now famous reputation of turning their world upside down.

Preparing For Sunday

2010-10-15T07:36:00.000-07:00

October 17, 2010

Songs we will sing:
Holy Is The Lord
Your Name
What A Savior
Amazing Grace
How Deep The Father's Love

Sermon:
Acts 4:1-13. After spending a night in jail, Peter and John appear before the Sanhedrin. These are the same men who condemned Jesus to death. They had all night to think about it, and now the moment has arrived. How will they react? What will they say? One word describes Peter's response: BOLD. Join us this Sunday as we continue our Acts sermon series Upside Down.

Do I Give God Leftovers?

2010-10-04T14:24:00.000-07:00

Does God get my leftovers? It is a haunting question. I've been thinking about this ever since hearing another pastor preach about it last week and reading about it in Crazy Love. We all know what leftovers are. Some people give their best to their work... or hobbies... or the football game the night before (or some other event). Then Sunday morning rolls around and they drag themselves to church and give God leftovers. So sad. So heartbreaking. And yet it happens all the time.

Here is what Francis Chan wrote about it:

"For years I gave God leftovers and felt no shame. It's easy to fill ourselves up with other things and then give God whatever is left. God gets a scrap or two only because we feel guilty for giving Him nothing. A mumbled three minute prayer at the end of the day, when we are already half asleep. Two crumpled-up dollar bills thrown as an afterthought into the church's fund for the poor. Fetch, God!"

Don't Be A Cumberer Church!

2010-09-28T12:55:00.000-07:00

Even after Googling it, I'm still not exactly sure what a "cumberer of the ground" is, but I don't want our church to be one, that's for sure! As usual, JC Ryle shoots it straight:

"Whenever a Church keeps back Christ crucified, or puts anything whatever in that foremost place which Christ crucified should always have, from that moment a Church ceases to be useful. Without Christ crucified in her pulpits, a Church is little better than a cumberer of the ground, a dead carcass, a well without water, a barren fig-tree, a sleeping watchman, a silent trumpet, a dumb witness, an ambassador without terms of peace, a messenger without tidings, a lighthouse without fire, a stumbling-block to weak believers, a comfort to infidels, a hot-bed for formalism, a joy to the devil, and an offence to God." JC Ryle

Crazy Love

2010-09-23T10:16:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan. It's a book that is encouraging, confrontational, delightful, bold, humble, and risky - all at the same time. I've decided to share some of his thoughts with you as I read it.

"There is an epidemic of spiritual amnesia going around, and none of us is immune. No matter how many fascinating details we learn about God's creation, no matter how many pictures we see of galaxies, and no matter how many sunsets we watch, we still forget."

Forget what? That God is glorious.

Preparing For Sunday

2010-09-18T12:12:00.000-07:00

Sunday, September 19

Songs we will sing:
How Great Is Our God
God Of Wonders
By Thy Mercy
There Is A Fountain
Mighty To Save

Sermon:
Acts 1:1-11. This Sunday we will begin going through the book of Acts to see what it was about the early church that led to the accusation that they "turned the world upside down" (see Acts 17:6). Join us as we spend the next few month studying Acts to learn how the early church earned that now famous reputation.

Introducing Justin Nale

2010-09-09T10:11:00.000-07:00

This Sunday our guest speaker will be Justin Nale. He is the pastor of Mount Hermon Missionary Baptist Church here in Rocky Mount. Justin is married to Crystal and they have two sons, Jonathan and Benjamin. It has been my absolute pleasure getting to know him over the past several years. I always enjoy spending time with Justin - whether it's sipping coffee and discussing theology, or sharing the responsibility of teaching at a local conference. Justin has already been a guest speaker at one of our men's breakfasts, and I'm delighted that he will fill the pulpit this Sunday. I know I'll be listening intently. He will be speaking on a topic that both he and I are passionate about - the local church.

Not A Smart Idea...

2010-09-09T05:40:00.000-07:00

As a pastor, words fail me when I read about all the media craze surrounding one Florida pastor who is organizing a "burn the Koran" event for this Saturday (the anniversary of 9/11). So I'll let Kevin DeYoung speak for me: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2010/09/09/burning-the-koran-and-shooting-yourself-in-the-foot/ (click to read)

Ears To Hear - Wrapped Up

2010-09-04T15:16:00.000-07:00

This Sunday we will wrap up our Summer Series on Revelation 1-3 called Ears To Hear. I'll be concluding with 3 lessons that we can learn from examining all of these messages from Jesus to the seven churches in chapter 2-3. One thing has stood out each week as I preached through this series - Jesus is both obviously and openly passionate about His Church. Join us as we review these letters and rejoice again in His great love for His own.

Missions Sunday 2010

2010-08-16T11:35:00.000-07:00

Introducing Randall Smith

2010-08-04T08:24:00.000-07:00

This Sunday, August 8, Randall Smith will preach at our church. Randall is married to Jennifer, and they have one son, Jeremy. He's the associate pastor at Cornerstone Vineyard Church here in Rocky Mount, and a Lieutenant with the Sheriff's Office responsible for overseeing the Nash County jail. I'm encouraged by Randall's eagerness to preach God's Word, his willingness to humbly serve in any setting (I've witnessed some of his VBS skits first hand), his commitment to Jennifer and Jeremy, and his obvious passion for his local church. Cornerstone Church is blessed to have this man serving as an elder. And we are blessed to have him as a guest speaker.

Preparing For Sunday

2010-07-31T10:02:00.000-07:00

Sunday, August 1

Songs we will sing:
Cannons
Lord Most High
What A Savior
Once Again
Mighty To Save
Jesus Thank You (our communion song)

Sermon:
Revelation 3:1-6. Ears to Hear: Sardis. Perhaps the worst thing a church could ever hear was the message that Jesus sent to this church. He said, "You are dead..." There is no good news for the Sardis Church, just a call to repent. Join us this Sunday as we humbly contemplate our Savior's warning to this church.

Preparing For Sunday

2010-07-17T06:50:00.000-07:00

Sunday, July 18 @ Servant's Heart Fellowship

Songs we will sing:
O Worship The King
Everlasting God
Sweetly Broken
In Christ Alone
Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus

Sermon:
Revelation 2:12-17. Week four of our Ears to Hear series. Some in the church at Pergamum had compromised with the culture of this city. We have much to learn from this message to this church about church and culture. Join us this Sunday as we read what Jesus had to say about it.

Polycarp's Prayer

2010-07-13T13:15:00.000-07:00

Polycarp was martyred in 155 or 156AD. He was the bishop of Smyrna and a very bold witness for Christ, faithfully proclaiming his faith right up to his death. His bravery was incredible, as were his final words - this prayer uttered right before he was brutally murdered:

"O Lord God Almighty, the Father of Your beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ, by whom we have received the knowledge of You, the God of angels and powers and of all creation and of the whole race of the righteous, who live in Your presence; I thank You because You have granted me this day and hour, that I might receive a portion amongst the number of martyrs in the cup of Your Christ unto resurrection of eternal life, both of soul and of body, in the incorruptibility of the Holy Spirit.

May I be received among these in Your presence this day, as a rich and acceptable sacrifice, as You did prepare and reveal it beforehand, and have accomplished it, You that are the faithful and true God. For this cause, yea and for all things, I praise You, I bless You, I glorify You, through the eternal and heavenly High-priest, Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, through Whom, with Him and the Holy Spirit, be glory both now and ever and for the ages to come. Amen."

Sunday Quotes!

2010-07-04T17:42:00.000-07:00

Today I preached on Christ's message to the Ephesian church (Revelation 2:1-7). Here are the sermon quotes:

“They had yielded to the temptation, ever present to Christians, to put all their emphasis on sound teaching. In the process they lost love, without which all else is nothing.” Leon Morris

“Christ’s warning to Ephesus is just as appropriate to us today. Our own church’s light will be extinguished if we stubbornly persevere in our refusal to love Christ. The church has no light without love. Only when its love burns can its light shine. Many churches today have ceased truly to exist. Their building may remain intact, their ministers minister and their congregations congregate, but their lamp-stand has been removed. No glimmer of light radiates from it. It has not light because it has no love. Let us heed this warning before it is too late.” John Stott

“The cross is the blazing fire at which the flame of our love is kindled, but we have to get near enough to it for its sparks to fall on us.” John Stott

Preparing For Sunday

2010-07-02T08:27:00.000-07:00

Sunday, July 4 @ Servant's Heart Fellowship

Songs we will sing:
Here I Am To Worship
Oh For A Thousand Tongues To Sing
Join All The Glorious Names
You Are Everlasting God
Jesus Paid It All
There You Were (Communion Song)

Sermon:
Revelation 2:1-7. This is week two in our series Ears To Hear - seven churches, seven messages, one Lord. We will examine our Savior's message to the church at Ephesus, a commendable church with one major flaw - they had lost their love. Join us to find out what Jesus thinks about this (hint - He's not OK with it)!

Ears To Hear - Summer Sermon Series

2010-06-25T12:31:00.001-07:00

Ears To Hear - Seven churches, seven messages, one Lord.

Our Summer Sermon Series from Revelation 1-3
June 27 -Series Intro: Christ’s Message to Seven Churches (chapter 1)
July 4 - The Message to Ephesus (2:1-7)
July 11 - The Message to Smyrna (2:8-11)
July 18 - The Message to Pergamum (2:12-17)
July 25 - The Message to Thyatira (2:18-29)
August 1 - The Message to Sardis (3:1-6)
August 22 - The Message to Philadelphia (3:7-13)
August 29 - The Message to Laodicea (3:14-22)

Preparing For Sunday

2010-06-18T14:44:00.000-07:00

Sunday, June 20 @ Servant's Heart Fellowship

Songs we will sing
Cannons
Indescribable
Mighty To Save
Grace Flows Down
Before The Throne Of God Above
Sermon
Ephesians 6:1-4. A Father's Day message. If you're thinking that it won't apply to you because you aren't a father, guess again, this sermon is really about our Father in heaven!

Preparing For Sunday

2010-06-12T04:23:00.000-07:00

Sunday, June 13 @ Servant's Heart Fellowship:

Songs we will sing

Hosanna (a new song we introduced Palm Sunday)

Open The Eyes Of My Heart

Praise To The Lord The Almighty (a great hymn)

Once Again

I Stand Amazed

Sermon

Luke 7:36-50. I'll be preaching about lessons we can learn from Simon's dinner table. Several things happened at dinner - Simon behaved poorly as a host, a sinful woman interrupted the meal, and Jesus used the occasion to take Simon to school for a lesson on forgiveness. We will end our worship service with Communion.

Sermons You Need To Hear

2010-05-26T14:11:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, I listen to quite a few sermons (always hoping to improve my own, of course!). Occasionally I recommend some of these to you. Here's a strong one recently preached by my friend Brandon Powell over at Christ Baptist Church in Wilson. His sermon was on Psalm 1, and he was very effective at describing what it means to "delight" in the law of God. Add to that his obvious gratefulness for our Savior, and this sermon should find its way onto your own personal "sermons you need to hear" list.

Download it here: http://www.christbc.com/sermons.html (Brandon's is at the top of the sermon list)

Pentecost Sunday

2010-05-19T06:20:00.000-07:00

This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday. No doubt about it, this was certainly an exciting day in church history. Picture it if you can: the gathering of believers... the sound like a mighty rushing wind... the appearance of fire resting upon them... the filling of the Holy Spirit... the overflow of praise in multiple languages... the bewilderment of the crowd... and the instantaneous growth of the early church from 120 to 3000 after Peter's first sermon. What a day! Although not the "greatest day" in history - that esteemed honor belongs exclusively to Resurrection Sunday - it's definitely up there with the best of of them!

How do the events of that day affect us as believers today? Join us as we consider this and celebrate this exciting holy day at Servant's Heart Fellowship.

"How To Pray Badly"

2010-05-05T06:38:00.000-07:00

It's no secret that Christians often struggle with prayer - especially when they feel like God is not listening. When this does happen (and it will) it is always good to do a self evaluation. Here's a helpful tool: Tim Challies has written an article called "How to Pray Badly" that lists 6 reasons why our prayers may seem to go unanswered by God.
1. selfish motives
2. turning away from Scripture
3. unforgiving hearts
4. family discord
5. unconfessed sin
6. doubt

Read the whole article: www.challies.com/christian-living/how-to-pray-badly

Happy Earth Day...

2010-04-22T14:56:00.000-07:00

Most of you know that I'm not the most "environmentally conscious" guy on the planet (I use Styrofoam cups with absolutely no guilt). It's not that I don't care about pollution... or rain forests... or whales... or recycling. It's just that I care about a lot of other things much more. And what I really don't care about is the hype that so often goes along with celebrating Earth Day. However, Kevin Deyoung wrote a great Earth Day article that I can fully agree with. It's definitely worth reading.

Check it out: here

Introducing Jim Upchurch

2010-04-14T10:20:00.000-07:00

Our church has graciously arranged for Autumn and I to spend a long weekend in Myrtle Beach. We are so grateful, and eager to enjoy this gift! And while I'll certainly miss preaching at our church, I'm very excited about the guy who will take my place behind the pulpit of Servant's Heart Fellowship this Sunday: my good friend Jim Upchurch (seen above with his son Isaiah).

Jim is married to Rachel and they have two young children, Isaiah and Jana. I've known Jim for a couple of years, and have been honored to partner with him in several local events including a marriage conference, a parenting conference, and the recent God Revealed conference. He is a very encouraging friend, a humble man, and his passion for God is both obvious and contagious.

Resurrection Sunday

2010-04-01T03:30:00.000-07:00

This Sunday we will once again celebrate the glorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ. At the empty tomb that morning the angel said to the women, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”

Question for you to consider as you prepare for this celebration: Why must Jesus be turned over to sinful men, be crucified, and rise from the dead? Why must He do these things? Find out Sunday.

"GOD REVEALED" CONFERENCE

2010-03-19T08:12:00.000-07:00

Jason and I are very honored to partner with friends to provide this area (Wilson/Rocky Mount) conference on the glorious attributes of our God. Here is the schedule:

Sunday, March 21 6:30 p.m. @ Mt. Hermon Baptist Church
(5556 Bend of the River Road, Rocky Mount)
God has Revealed Himself: Exploring the Knowability of God
Pastor Justin Childers of Christ Baptist Church

Monday, March 22 6:30-8:30 p.m. @ Christ Baptist Church
(New Hope Elementary School 4826 Packhouse Road, Wilson)
God Revealed as Sovereign: Exploring the Supremacy of God
Pastor Jim Upchurch of Red Oak Baptist Church
God Revealed as Triune: Exploring the Nature of God
Pastor Justin Nale of Mt. Hermon Baptist Church

Tuesday, March 23 6:30-8:30 p.m. @ Mt. Hermon Baptist Church
(5556 Bend of the River Road, Rocky Mount)
God Revealed as Holy: Exploring the Perfection of God
Pastor Jason Gault of Nashville Baptist Church
God Revealed as Just: Exploring the Wrath of God
Pastor Jonathan Brooks of Christ Baptist Church

Wednesday, March 24 6:30 p.m. @ Christ Baptist Church
New Hope Elementary School 4826 Packhouse Road, Wilson
God Revealed as Love: Exploring the Kindness of God
Pastor Dan Rolfe of Servant's Heart Fellowship
Q & A Session

The Prodigal Son

2010-03-11T13:45:00.000-08:00

This Sunday at SHF we will look at a parable that has been called "a flawless piece of art" and "the finest short story in literature." This parable even inspired the masterpiece painting (seen above) by the famous artist Rembrandt. But, even more importantly, the parable of the "Prodigal Son" contains the most astonishing message of sheer mercy and forgiveness to be found in any of the parables of Jesus Christ. I can hardly wait to preach it!

Repent Or You Will Perish!

2010-03-04T12:52:00.000-08:00

What does the title of this post make you think of? An angry white haired Bible-thumping preacher with a scowl upon his face as he slams his fist on the pulpit? Or maybe a tie-dyed street preacher with long hair holding a cardboard sign with these words written on it? Perhaps an uptight and obnoxiously clean cut Bible college student who seems to know a lot more about "original languages" than he does about loving his neighbors?

All good guesses, but not who I'm thinking about! This Sunday we will take at look at the famous guy in Scripture who really said this, and we'll consider what he meant by it.

Want a hint? Luke 13:1-5.

I Found A Good Thing 17 Years Ago!

2010-02-27T14:57:00.000-08:00

"He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord." (Proverbs 18:22). Seventeen years ago today Autumn and I exchanged sacred marriage vows before God. I intend to spend the rest of my life keeping those vows and "rejoicing in the wife of my youth" (Proverbs 5:18). Not going to be a problem... I'm crazy about her! And it only gets better as the years go by.

Beautiful Feet!

2010-02-17T10:24:00.000-08:00

This minister sure has style! I laughed when I saw this because I used to wear these exact shoes - but with a black leather jacket and a long mullet! As the Scriptures say, "As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” (Romans 10:15)

Get Ready For Some Valentine's Day Snuggling!

2010-02-11T14:00:00.000-08:00

It isn't often that pastors mention "Bible reading" and "snuggling" in the same sentence... but here is some great Valentine's Day advice from Pastor Kevin Deyoung:

"Sunday is Valentine’s Day: a holiday for Hallmark and flower shops to make money, an occasion for single people to feel miserable, a snare for the negligent husband, a celebration of rampant sensuality, and a common grace reminder for husbands and wives to delight in each other. It’s all in what you make of it. If you are married, I suggest snuggling up with your spouse and reading Song of Solomon’s eight chapters, the romantic jumper cables of the Bible."

Read the rest of his outstanding romantic advice for husbands here.

Sunday Quotes!

2010-02-08T08:30:00.000-08:00

It's astonishing to me that Bishop JC Ryle, who died 110 years ago, wrote these words. When I read them, they sound like they could have been written yesterday. What insights this man had about the Church!

“There is a generation of professing Christians now-a-days, who seem to know nothing of caring for their neighbors, and are completely swallowed up in the concerns of number one--that is, their own and their family's. They eat, and drink, and sleep, and dress, and work, and earn money, and spend money, year after year; and whether others are happy or miserable, well or ill, converted or unconverted, traveling towards heaven or toward hell, appear to be questions about which they are supremely indifferent. Can this be right?”

“The vast majority of professing Christians, whether rich or poor, seem possessed with a devil of detestable selfishness, and do not know the luxury of doing good. They can argue by the hour about baptism, and the Lord's supper, and the forms of worship, and the union of Church and State, and such-like dry-bone questions. But all this time they seem to care nothing for their neighbors.”

Generous Christianity

2010-02-05T04:56:00.000-08:00

Generosity should be an attribute of every Christian. And I'm not just talking about money here. I'm talking about a generous way of life. Why should we be generous? It's rather simple. God has been very generous to us. Think about it, the gospel is the most generous news you'll ever hear! God graciously and generously crushed His Son for us so that we could be forgiven. And that is not all. He also graciously and generously gave us His Spirit to be our Helper in this life. Furthermore, He has graciously and generously secured our future where we will forever be in His Presence. Perhaps "generous" might be an understatement.

This Sunday at SHF we will begin to explore Generous Christianity together. Join us!

January 31 Worship Service Canceled

2010-01-30T09:41:00.000-08:00

**CANCELED WORSHIP SERVICE**

Due to the snow, sleet, and ice our Worship Service for Sunday, January 31st has been canceled. Instead, please stay home, drink hot chocolate, and consider listening to one of our recent online sermons! Be safe and make sure you look out your window and remember this verse:

Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow."

Water For People In Haiti

2010-01-16T07:56:00.000-08:00

One of the most basic needs during this crisis is water. Something I know I take for granted every time I turn on our kitchen faucet. Please prayerfully consider helping this ministry get water to Haiti by clicking here.

"Collision" - An Athiest & Christian Debate

2010-01-09T12:51:00.000-08:00

ATHEIST AUTHOR… Christopher Hitchens

&

CHRISTIAN PASTOR… Douglas Wilson

Debating… “Is Christianity Good for the World?”

Movie Screening:
Thursday, February 4th @ 7:00pm
Mount Hermon Missionary Baptist Church
5556 Bend of the River Rd.
Rocky Mount, NC 27803

Free to the Public

Call (252) 904-9751

(Thanks Jason!)

Sunday Quotes!

2009-12-22T07:37:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday we looked at the "Magnificat" - Mary's Song - from Luke 1:46-55. Here it is, and (as a bonus) I've also tossed in John Piper's thoughts about this amazing song.

Mary's Song of Praise: The Magnificat
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;

he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;

he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,

as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

Piper said, “[Mary] sees clearly a most remarkable thing about God: He is about to change the course of all human history; the most important three decades in all of time are about to begin. And where is God? Occupying himself with two obscure, humble women—one old and barren, one young and virginal. And Mary is so moved by this vision of God, the lover of the lowly, that she breaks out in song—a song that has come to be known as the Magnificat.”

The Santa Claus Slap!

2009-12-16T08:22:00.000-08:00

I know most people don't read long posts, but this is by far my absolute favorite article that I have ever read about Santa Claus. Seriously, it is that good. So go ahead and read the whole thing... you'll love it too!

Slappy holiday
Why not take the Santa Claus tradition a little further?
Gene Edward Veith

Santa Claus had his origins in St. Nicholas, the fourth-century bishop of Myra in present-day Turkey. Known for his generosity and his love of children, Nicholas is said to have saved a poor family's daughters from slavery by tossing into their window enough gold for a rich dowry, a present that landed in some shoes or, in some accounts, stockings that were hung up to dry. Thus arose the custom of hanging up stockings for St. Nicholas to fill. And somehow he transmogrified into Santa Claus, who has become for many people the secular Christmas alternative to Jesus Christ.

But there is more to the story of Nicholas of Myra. He was also a delegate to the Council of Nicea in a.d. 325, which battled the heretics who denied the deity of Christ. He was thus one of the authors of the Nicene Creed, which affirms that Jesus Christ is both true God and true man. And unlike his later manifestation, Nicholas was particularly zealous in standing up for Christ.

During the Council of Nicea, jolly old St. Nicholas got so fed up with Arius, who taught that Jesus was just a man, that he walked up and slapped him! That unbishoplike behavior got him in trouble. The council almost stripped him of his office, but Nicholas said he was sorry, so he was forgiven.

The point is, the original Santa Claus was someone who flew off the handle when he heard someone minimizing Christ. Perhaps we can battle our culture's increasingly Christ-less Christmas by enlisting Santa in his original cause. The poor girls' stockings have become part of our Christmas imagery. So should the St. Nicholas slap.

Not a violent hit of the kind that got the good bishop in trouble, just a gentle, admonitory tap on the cheek. This should be reserved not for out-and-out nonbelievers, but for heretics (that is, people in the church who deny its teachings), Christians who forget about Jesus, and people who try to take Christ out of Christmas.

This will take a little tweaking of the mythology. Santa and his elves live at the North Pole where they compile a list of who is naughty, who is nice, and who is Nicean. On Christmas Eve, flying reindeer pull his sleigh full of gifts. And after he comes down the chimney, he will steal into the rooms of people dreaming of sugarplums who think they can do without Christ and slap them awake.

And we'll need new songs and TV specials ("Santa Claus Is Coming to Slap," "Deck the Apollinarian with Bats of Holly," "Frosty the Gnostic," "How the Arian Stole Christmas," "Rudolph the Red Knows Jesus").

Department store Santas should ask the children on their laps if they have been good, what they want for Christmas, and whether they understand the Two Natures of Christ. The Santas should also roam the shopping aisles, and if they hear any clerks wish their customers a mere "Happy Holiday," give them a slap.

This addition to his job description will keep Santa busy. Teachers who forbid the singing of religious Christmas carols—SLAP! Office managers who erect Holiday Trees—SLAP! Judges who outlaw manger displays—SLAP! People who give The Da Vinci Code as a Christmas present—SLAP! Ministers who cancel Sunday church services that fall on Christmas day—SLAP! SLAP!

Perhaps Santa Claus in his original role as a theological enforcer may not go over very well in our contemporary culture. People may then try to take both Christ and Santa Claus out of Christmas. And with that economic heresy, the retailers would start to do the slapping.

Copyright © 2009 WORLD Magazine
December 24, 2005, Vol. 20, No. 50

Sunday Quotes!

2009-12-13T12:17:00.000-08:00

On the third Sunday of Advent we looked at Zephaniah 3:17, "The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."

Here are some quotes from the sermon:

"The Bible has been called the greatest story ever told. It could also be called the greatest song ever sung. It’s a song of a Warrior-King who is intent on winning back his beloved from her false suitors and exulting over her with loud singing.” Reggie Kidd

“Zephaniah 3:17 tells us that God is a Singer… God composes a song with us in mind, and sings it to us.” Randy Alcorn

One last quote by John Piper - it's a bit long, but well worth reading!

“Can you imagine what it would be like to hear God singing? A mere spoken word from his mouth brought the universe into existence. What would happen if God lifted up his voice and not only spoke but sang! Perhaps a new heaven and a new earth would be created. What do you hear when you imagine the voice of God singing? I hear the booming of Niagara Falls mingled with the trickle of a mossy mountain stream. I hear the blast of Mt. St. Helens mingled with a kitten's purr. I hear the power of an East Coast hurricane and the barely audible puff of a night snow in the woods. And I hear the unimaginable roar of the sun 865,000 miles thick, 1,300,000 times bigger than the earth, and nothing but fire, 1,000,000 degrees centigrade, on the cooler surface of the corona. But I hear this unimaginable roar mingled with the tender, warm crackling of the living room logs on a cozy winter's night. And when I hear this singing I stand dumbfounded, staggered, speechless that he is singing over me – one who has dishonored him so many times and in so many ways. It is almost too good to be true.” John Piper

A "Holiday" Post You Should Read...

2009-12-10T09:48:00.000-08:00

Father Paul Edgerton (pictured with his wife, Christie, and son, Isaac) is a priest in the Reformed Episcopal Church and is currently planting The Church of the Redeemer in Wilson, NC. He also happens to be a friend of mine. He recently wrote a blog post about Advent and Christmas, and clearly he is no fan of what he calls "ambiguous holiday stuff". It was so intense that I had to read it twice just to let it sink in. Here's a sample:

"And, well, blame it all, it ain’t Christmas yet. It’s Advent. Yes, Advent. Purple doesn’t look good with red, folks. And the clash between Advent and the culture’s preemptive Christmas melee is more than just a clash of colors. While the world dreams up or sneers about the possibility of Peace and Joy and Hope and Family, we Christians are taking some time out instead for recognition that not a stinkin’ bit of it is at all even remotely possible for us on our own terms and in our own power or certainly by our own gift-giving."

Click here to read the whole thing.

JI Packer, "I am no Gandalf"

2009-12-02T14:48:00.000-08:00

I'm a huge JRR Tolkien fan. If you don't believe me just drop by my office and have a look at the huge Middle-Earth map hanging on my wall (a gift from Autumn!). His books are in my all-time favorite category. I'm also a JI Packer fan. His writings have shaped my theology deeply. I still remember reading Knowing God for the first time. This is why when I came across an article from World Magazine that mentioned both Tolkien and Packer - I just had to share it:

When theologian, teacher, and writer Dr. J.I. Packer reached his 80th birthday on July 22, 2006, his home church in Vancouver, British Columbia—St. John's Shaughnessy Anglican Church—honored him with a special celebration.

One after the other, friends from church and colleagues from nearby Regent College, where he has taught for three decades, spoke of Packer's impact on the evangelical movement and themselves. Several, referring to the great mentor in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, called Packer their own Gandalf.

But Packer, when it came his time to speak, gently protested. "I am no Gandalf," he said, his normally strong and clear voice choked with emotion. "I'm much closer to the lowly Sam."

This is just one more reason why I appreciate Packer - he is brilliant and very humble.

An Advent Call to Worship

2009-11-26T07:42:00.000-08:00

"God of power and mercy, You call us once again to celebrate the coming of your Son. Remove those things that hinder our love of You, that when He comes, He may find us waiting in awe and wonder for Him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!" -Advent Call to Worship, The Worship Sourcebook

This Advent prayer is an excellent reminder (for all seasons!) of our desire to be "waiting in awe and wonder" for our Savior's return!

A Great (And Uncomfortable) Reminder...

2009-11-17T06:43:00.000-08:00

Erik Kowalker over at www.jcrylequotes.com shared this power-packed Ryle quote today:

"Men entertain thoughts in private, and say words in private, and do acts in private, which they would be ashamed and blush to have exposed before the world. There is an all-seeing Witness with us wherever we go. Lock the door, draw down the blind, shut the shutters, put out the candle; it matters not, it makes no difference; God is everywhere, you cannot shut Him out and prevent His seeing."

And just think... this was long before the Internet!

Jason & Beth Sessoms Share About Rosa

2009-11-06T09:09:00.001-08:00

Dan asked Beth and I to write a little bit about Rosa Porter. This has created two dilemmas for us. On the one hand, it is almost impossible to put into words how great of a lady she is. So no matter how hard we try, we will fall short at expressing to you how wonderful she is. The other dilemma is that in trying to be honest about how special she is, we will most certainly come across as making her out to be perfect. But the truth is, she is as near perfect as anyone we have ever met. No, really.

Some background for you, she is the wife of our former pastor, Roy Porter. And to say he is our former pastor is not an adequate description of our relationship with him. Our family spends birthdays, holidays and other special events with the Porters throughout the year. And although we are no longer members of the church he pastors, he will always be a spiritual father to us and we grow closer as friends with each new day.

Now about Miss Rosa. If she has ever had a negative word to say to or about someone, then we have not heard it or heard about it. She is probably the only person we can say that about, and she certainly is the only redhead we can say that about. Though she must have flaws, we have never seen them or heard anyone else point them out to us. She has the rare ability to make everyone feel like they are the most important person in the room. She speaks with a soft voice but people listen. She gives wise counsel. she invests in people's lives. She is precious, simply precious. You must meet her to know.

Praying For Rosa Porter

2009-11-05T10:22:00.000-08:00

Here is Pastor Roy Porter's link to stay updated about his wife Rosa's surgery: http://www.rnporter.wordpress.com/

Let's continue to pray for them.

O Almighty God, who art the giver of all health,
and the aid of them that turn to thee for succour;
We entreat thy strength and goodness in behalf of thy servant,
that she may be healed of her infirmities, to thine honour and glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

-A Prayer for Healing
The Book of Common Prayer, 1789 AD

All Saints Day Celebration

2009-10-27T06:35:00.000-07:00

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.

Sunday Quotes!

2009-10-21T08:19:00.000-07:00

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...?

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

2009-10-09T15:48:00.000-07:00

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!

Youth Lesson: "Substitution of Christ on the Cross"

2009-09-21T10:03:00.000-07:00

Last night Jason Sessoms taught our youth about the substitution of Christ on the cross. I firmly believe that there is no topic more important than this one. He has made his lesson available here. I urge all of you to download the lesson, read it over carefully, and then once again be utterly amazed by God's incredible and generous mercy.

"Sermons You Need To Hear"

2009-09-10T06:43:00.000-07:00

No surprise to those who know me well, but I listen to a lot of sermons. So I decided that one new way I could serve you better is to pass some of these along to you! I'll call it "Sermons You Need To Hear" (creative, huh?).

Just finished listening to my friend Jim Upchurch's sermon about serving. In it he mentions that he uses the word "great" way too much and subsequently, if everything is great... then nothing really is. His point was obvious: Jesus defines "greatness" very different than our culture does. It is an excellent sermon and I recommend you go listen to it. He has a one-two punch combo near the end that should cause you to repent of serving out of selfishness... I know I did.

You can find this sermon here.

Sunday Quotes!

2009-09-07T05:26:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we examined and reaffirmed our belief that our great Savior is "fully man" and "fully God." This truth is beautifully laid out for us in Mark 4:35-41. This is where we find Jesus, fully man, resting sound asleep in a boat during a raging storm. Next we see him, fully God, commanding the storm to stop... and the wind and waves obey the voice of the Creator. These quotes were helpful:
"We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the virgin Mary, and was made man." -Nicene Creed

"As Man he had slept. As God He stilled the storm." -JC Ryle

"Who is this man? He is the Lord of the storm. He is Lord of death and the grave. He is Lord of the seas, indeed of all creation. And since he love us and has purchased us with his own blood, he will never leave us nor forsake us, even when things look bleak and no hope is to be found. The wind and the waves obey this man because he is Lord. He is our Lord. For he is our God and we are his people." -Kim Riddlebarger

Sunday Quotes!

2009-08-31T03:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I preached from Mark 3:20-35 and we examined two false accusations about our Savior: (1) He was out of his mind (verse 21), and (2) He was possessed by the devil (verse 22). These three quotes were helpful to us as we looked more closely at this text:

"A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things that Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic - on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg - or else he would be the devil of hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to." -CS Lewis

"It is a strange paradox that in any times of religious revival or obvious working of God's Spirit, it is often the religious leaders who oppose the work of God most strenuously, and seem to misunderstand it most willfully." -Alan Cole

"It is interesting to mark the quiet, firm perseverance of our Lord, in the face of all discouragements. None of these things moved Him. The slanderous suggestions of enemies, and the well-meant remonstrances of ignorant friends, were alike powerless to turn Him from His course. He had set His face as a flint towards the cross and the crown. He knew the work He had come into the world to do." -JC Ryle

JC Ryle Quotes

2009-08-18T14:27:00.000-07:00

It's no secret at our church that one of my favorite dead guys is JC Ryle. He is probably the (deceased) author that I quote the most in my sermons. His writings have had a large influence on me and I appreciate his theologically sound insights - especially in the area of the doctrine of sin. This is why I was very excited when Jason Sessoms shared a new JC Ryle website with me. It's a site that offers a new Ryle quote each day (I've added these quotes to the bottom of this blog). Check it out for yourself: www.jcrylequotes.com

"What Is This?"

2009-07-31T13:26:00.000-07:00

Today's title is taken right out of Mark 1:27. It's the question that people ask after their (otherwise) ordinary worship service is turned upside down by two unusual events, of which Jesus is responsible for both. First, he teaches with such authority that the people are blown away. They obviously weren't prepared for this kind of teaching when they arrived at the synagogue that morning. And second, he casts a demon out of one of the people who was actually there attending the service - and it doesn't go out quietly! I doubt that the Order of Service included that. Imagine how that would look in a bulletin...

Opening Prayer
Psalm Reading
Hymn of Praise
Welcoming Guests
Sermon
Demonic Interruption
Loud Exorcism, complete with convulsions and screams
Benediction

No, I think it is pretty accurate to say that the members of that synagogue had a service that they would not soon forget. This is what we will look at this Sunday as we continue our walk with the Savior through the gospel according to Mark.

"Stretch Out Your Hand To Heal..."

2009-07-16T05:10:00.000-07:00

This Sunday we will wrap up our series "We Believe In The Holy Spirit" by looking at an early church prayer meeting and asking some very important questions: What did they pray for (big hint - the title of this post!)? What was their expectation that God would really hear their prayer and act? Did they believe that God moved in mighty power? How does this compare with our prayers? Do we believe that God not only did great things, but that he still does amazing things?

We will consider all of these questions as we examine Acts 4:23-31 together.

"Informed Passion"

2009-07-08T05:44:00.000-07:00

I admit it, I cruise ministry blogs often. It's one way that I keep up with what's happening in the "church catholic" (the universal Christian church around the world), make new ministry connections, and also how I gather resources for our own local church. While on one such "cruise" I bumped into this little phrase used to describe a worship resource: "Informed Passion". (you can visit this resource here)

It jumped off the screen at me and made me immediately think of what we are trying to do here at SHF. We don't want "uninformed passion" where a worship service is "red hot" but nobody really knows why. And we certainly don't want "informed non passion", where the worship content is all proper and orthodox but nobody seems to care (think - yawning through Amazing Grace).

No, we strive for informed passion. We want to be increasingly informed about the gospel so that we will respond with much passion for the Savior!

Wisdom From Dead Guys...

2009-06-26T11:38:00.000-07:00

As I study about the Holy Spirit I come across many wise words from beloved pastors or theologians who are long dead (physically speaking, of course). Here's a sample:

"We must have the Holy Spirit's power and presence, otherwise our religion will become a mockery before God, and a misery to ourselves." -Charles Spurgeon

"We need more of the presence of the Holy Spirit – more in the pulpit, and more in the congregation. Where He is, there will be life, health, growth, and fruitfulness. Where He is not, all will be dead, tame, formal, sleepy, and cold." -J.C. Ryle

Amen. I couldn't have said it any better myself. No, really, I couldn't!

Sunday Quotes!

2009-06-23T04:26:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday we considered what it means to be "filled with the Spirit". These quotes were very helpful:

“We are not only to come to Jesus once, in penitence and faith, but also thereafter to keep coming and keep drinking, because we keep thirsting. We do this physically. Whenever we are thirsty, we get a drink. We must learn to do it spiritually also. The Christian is a spiritual dipsomaniac, always thirsting, always drinking. And drinking is not asking for water, but actually taking it. It is extremely simple. Drinking is one of the first activities that babies learn; indeed they do it by instinct.” -John Stott

“What we should seek (and this applies to all Christians) is that God pour his Spirit out upon us so completely that we are filled with joy, victorious over sin, and bold to witness. And the ways he brings us to that fullness are probably as varied as people are. It may come in a tumultuous experience of ecstasy and tongues. It may come through a tumultuous experience of ecstasy and no tongues. It may come through a crisis of suffering when you abandon yourself totally to God. Or it may come gradually through a steady diet of God's Word and prayer and fellowship and worship and service. However it comes, our first experience of the fullness of the Spirit is only the beginning of a life-long battle to stay filled with the Spirit.” -John Piper

Sunday Quotes!

2009-06-10T03:07:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday we examined the gracious work of the Holy Spirit called "regeneration" - aka: "born of the Spirit", "born again", or "new birth". Whichever name you prefer, it is still an incredible and mysterious work of God that causes our dead spirits to become alive so that we may see our need for the Savior.

"Exactly what happens in regeneration is mysterious to us. We know that somehow we who were spiritually dead have been made alive to God and in a very real sense we have been born again. But we don’t understand how this happens or what exactly God does to us to give us spiritual life." -Wayne Grudem

"One thing is very clear—we cannot work this mighty change ourselves. It is not in us. We have no strength or power to do it. We may change our sins—but we cannot change our hearts. We may take up a new way—but not a new nature. We may make considerable reforms and alterations. We may lay aside many outward bad habits, and begin to do many outward duties. But we cannot create a new principle within us. We cannot bring something out of nothing… Who then can make a dead soul alive? No one can do it but God." -JC Ryle

Sunday Quotes!

2009-06-02T14:36:00.000-07:00

We began our series "We believe in the Holy Spirit" by reading Acts 2:1-13 and considering this question, "What does this mean?" (verse 12). This was especially fitting as it was Pentecost Sunday. I preached on (1) the Promise of the Spirit, (2) the Presence of the Spirit, and (3) the Purpose of the Spirit.
These quotes were helpful:

"We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified." (Nicene Creed)

"This is the caution: whenever revival comes—whenever the Holy Spirit is poured out in extraordinary power—this division happens in the Christian community. Some genuinely inquire as to what this is, and test all things, and hold fast to what is good. Others stand outside and mock and write off the enthusiasm as merely human, "They are filled with new wine." -John Piper

"When floodlighting is done well, the floodlights are so placed that you do not see them; you are not in fact supposed to see where the light is coming from; what you are meant to see is just the building on which the floodlights are trained. This perfectly illustrates the Spirit’s new covenant role. He is, so to speak, the hidden floodlight shining on the Savior." -JI Packer

Sunday Quotes!

2009-05-26T02:57:00.000-07:00

We finished our series on 1 Peter by focusing upon the last portion of 5:12 "...I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it."

These two quotes were helpful as we considered how to stand in the true grace of God.

“At the end of this letter, Peter is concerned that his readers hold fast to the truth. They have received the gospel of God’s grace. Let them stand fast in it. They cling, not to an impersonal moral code, nor to philosophical abstractions. They cling to the grace of God; not what they have done for God, but what God has done for them in Christ.” -Edmund Clowney

“Forgiven souls are humble. They cannot forget that they owe all they have and hope for to free grace, and this keeps them lowly. They are brands plucked from the fire – debtors who could not pay for themselves – captives who must have remained in prison for ever, but for underserved mercy – wandering sheep who were ready to perish when the Shepherd found them; and what right then have they to be proud? I do not deny that they are proud saints. But this I do say – they are of all God’s creatures the most inconsistent, and of all God’s children the most likely to stumble and pierce themselves with many sorrows.” –JC Ryle

Coming Soon

2009-05-22T05:33:00.000-07:00

"WE BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT..."

Beginning on Pentecost Sunday, May 31, Servant's Heart Fellowship will take several weeks to look much closer at the ongoing ministry of the Holy Spirit. Some of the questions we will consider include: Who is the Holy Spirit? What does the Holy Spirit do? What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit? What about Spiritual Gifts?

Join us as we explore the ministry of the Holy Spirit together as a church.

Sunday Quotes!

2009-05-18T03:29:00.000-07:00

“It matters nothing what a man is called. He may be a Preacher, Minister, or Deacon. He is still a fallible man! Neither the education, nor the anointing oil, nor the laying on of hands, can prevent a man from making mistakes.” -JC Ryle The Fallibility of Ministers

I quoted Ryle to reinforce the point that leaders should always be pursuing humility as they set an example for the church to follow. I actually could have quoted much more from him because JC Ryle has so much to say to leaders. His two little sermon booklets The Fallibility of Ministers and Simplicity in Preaching are "must reads" for anyone in pastoral ministry.

Things We Hold Dear: Humble Leadership

2009-05-14T06:33:00.000-07:00

I sat at a recent conference and listened as CJ Mahaney preached about leadership. During the message he said, "We should be both amazed and humbled that God has called us to shepherd His flock." We should be amazed because, to be quite frank about it, we aren't much to look at. And we should be humbled for the exact same reason. It was very good for me to be reminded of this and it made me even more grateful for our church's leadership.

At SHF, we're not just looking to train and raise up leaders who are talented or gifted. These things are important, but they are not adequate in themselves. We also want leaders who are obviously and openly pursuing humility. Leaders who are growing in love for the Savior and for the local church. Leaders who are grateful for the gospel and eager to serve. Leaders who are still amazed by grace. As part of our 1 Peter series I'll be preaching this Sunday about humble leadership... something we hold dear.

Sunday Quotes!

2009-05-11T03:20:00.000-07:00

I preached from 1 Peter 4:12-19. Here's a helpful quote I shared from John Piper:

“The degrees of suffering and the forms of affliction will differ for every one of us. But one thing we will all have in common till Jesus comes: we will all die. We will come to that awesome moment of reckoning. If you have time, you will see your whole life played before you as you ponder if it has been well-spent. You will tremble at the unspeakable reality that in just moments you will face God. And the destiny of your soul will be irrevocable. Will you rejoice in that hour? You will if you entrust your soul to a faithful Creator.”

These "Sunday Quotes" posts also seem to give me an opportunity to clarify things I say in my sermons. So just in case you are not familiar with my (poor?) sense of humor... I confess it publicly -I got the speeding ticket in Maryland, not Autumn.

Sunday Quotes!

2009-05-04T03:36:00.000-07:00

I preached out of 1 Peter 4:7-11, which includes these verses: "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling." (verses 8-9). Here are two quotes:

“Where love abounds in a fellowship of Christians, many small offenses, and even some large ones, are readily overlooked and forgotten. But where love is lacking, every word is viewed with suspicion, every action is liable to misunderstanding, and conflicts abound – to Satan’s perverse delight.” -Wayne Grudem

“Christians are to provide hospitality without complaining or whining about the time and expense involved. This is an expression of agape love.” -David Walls

The second quote prompted people to go out to eat after the service for immediate application. As a side note - I promise to never use an illustration in a sermon that involves pregnant women and stretchy pants ever again. I'm an experienced enough preacher to know when an illustration bombs big time!

Without Grumbling!

2009-05-01T07:44:00.000-07:00

I've heard Christians say that 1 Peter 4:9 is one of the hardest verses to put into practice. Here it is: "Show hospitality to one another without grumbling." The hospitality part isn't so difficult, after all, many of us are willing to at least spend some time with other believers. It is the last two words of the verse that we struggle with - "without grumbling."

What's the problem here? I'll say it as clear as I can. Hospitality is often very inconvenient. To genuinely offer hospitality we must be willing to spend extended periods of time with other Christians. The problem is our sinful hearts. Sometimes we can be too selfish with our time, and when we do spend it with other believers... we end up grumbling about it.

Is there hope for us? Absolutely! We will be looking at this on Sunday as we once again gaze upon the Savior and apply His Holy Word. To get prepared go ahead and read 1 Peter 4:7-11.

Sunday Quotes!

2009-04-27T03:27:00.000-07:00

I rarely preach a sermon without including at least one quote from a theologian or a pastor (dead or alive) who has already said something much better than I can. So, as a new "blog feature", I'm going to start giving out these quotes on Mondays as a way to encourage us all at the beginning of each week. Enjoy!

"We are shown first, in this passage, what true Christians must expect to meet in this world--hatred and persecution. If the disciples looked for kindness and gratitude from man they would be painfully disappointed... Persecution is the lot of all really godly people at this very day. Ridicule, mockery, slander, misrepresentations still show the feeling of unconverted people against the true Christian... In public and in private, at school and at college, at home and abroad, "all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." (2 Tim. 3:12.) Mere churchmanship and outward profession are a cheap religion, of course, and cost a man nothing. But real vital Christianity will always bring with it a cross." -JC Ryle

"Though we say this world is vain and sinful, we are too fond of it; and though we hope for true happiness only in Heaven, we are often well content to stay longer here on earth. But the Lord sends afflictions one after another to quicken our desires, and to convince us that this world cannot be our rest. Sometimes if you drive a bird from one branch of a tree he will hop to another a little higher, and from thence to a third; but if you continue to disturb him, he will at last take wing, and fly quite away. Thus we, when forced from one creature-comfort, perch upon another, and so on. But the Lord mercifully follows us with trials, and will not let us rest upon any; by degrees our desires take a nobler flight, and can be satisfied with nothing short of Himself; and we say, 'To depart and be with Jesus is best of all!'" -John Newton

Things We Hold Dear: God-Centered Worship

2009-04-22T04:56:00.000-07:00

Not all "worship songs" are created equal. Some popular ones seem to focus more upon the people who have gathered than upon the Glorious Savior. We think this is a serious mistake of priorities. At Servant's Heart Fellowship we are committed to singing God-centered songs. This doesn't mean we never sing songs that mention people in them, but it does mean that we purposefully place all our attention upon God and His amazing salvation.

We are careful to select songs that are centered on God. The reason? Well, in the words of David: "Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable." (Psalm 145:3)

There is no one else that this can be said about. Only God is greatly to be praised. Only His greatness is unsearchable! Remembering this incredible truth produces passionate, God-centered worship - something we hold dear.

Suffering, Who Needs It?

2009-04-16T10:19:00.000-07:00

Let me be very honest. I don't like suffering. Not in any of its various forms - illness, persecution, or pain. I don't like sickness (I'm not a quiet patient - just ask my wife). Or suffering for making poor decisions. And I certainly don't like suffering of any kind that involves pain. Why is this, you ask? The answer is selfishly simple: I am a person who struggles with being in control. I know it's sinful, but it is true. I love "ordering my day" around those things that I want to accomplish, and when suffering (in any form) bumps into my neat schedule and disrupts it I can get _______________. (You fill in the blank)

Suffering reminds me that I am not in control. Suffering has a way of smashing my "I'm in control" illusion like nothing else can. How do we correctly respond to suffering - regardless of how it arrives? What is a biblical perspective for suffering? And how can we prepare ourselves in advance for suffering?

We'll answer these questions this Sunday as we continue our 1 Peter study. We're back in chapter 3, verses 13-22. See you Sunday!

Celebrating Palm Sunday

2009-04-04T15:20:00.000-07:00

I just started reading Jesus, Keep Me Near The Cross, a collection of sermons by twenty-five theologians and pastors, some contemporary and some over 500 years old. In the introduction, editor Nancy Guthrie writes the following:

"I've often found myself in churches that made more of Mother's Day than Palm Sunday, with little focus given to entering into the passion of Jesus in an intentional and meaningful way as Easter approached. Too many years I've found that I have rushed from Palm Sunday into Easter morning, from palm branches to the empty tomb, without giving my mind and my heart over to thoughtful contemplation of the cross."

I can totally relate to what she writes. I'm not sure why, but Palm Sunday is sadly overlooked in some churches. We're doing our part to try to correct this. At Servant's Heart Fellowship we worship with very large palm branches on Palm Sunday. We hand them out to everyone (yes, even to children!) and wave them around during our singing. It's quite a sight. Some even hold a branch in each hand and end up looking like they are directing traffic at an airport. Why do we do this? The answer is really simple: We always want to make much of Jesus Christ and Palm Sunday gives us yet another opportunity to draw our attention toward our Crucified, Risen, and Glorious Savior!

Parenting Conference: Raising Great Kids

2009-03-25T10:30:00.000-07:00

It's no great secret that I have five children (one of which is taller than I am -shown above). I love my kids and want to be the best father I can possibly be with God's grace. And, because I'm a sinner, I need much grace and much help. This is why I'm very honored to be a part of the Reformation & Revival parenting conference: Raising Great Kids! Click here for details.

Things We Hold Dear: Cross-Centered Preaching

2009-03-17T06:53:00.000-07:00

Over the next week or two I am going to post about some "things we hold dear" here at Servant's Heart Fellowship. The first one is cross-centered preaching. I recently hung a quote from Bishop J.C. Ryle over my desk in my office. This is what it says:

“All the simplicity in the world can do no good, unless you preach the simple gospel of Jesus Christ so fully and clearly that everybody can understand it. If Christ crucified has not his rightful place in your sermons, and sin is not exposed as it should be, and your people are not plainly told what they ought to believe, and be, and do, your preaching is of no use.”

This man's strong exhortation hangs (literally) over my head as I prepare sermons. This is what he is saying to me: "Dan, if Christ crucified doesn't have his rightful place in this week's sermon... then your preaching will be useless!"

At Servant's Heart Fellowship, we take preaching cross-centered sermons very serious - it is something we hold dear.

Biblical Marriage On Display

2009-03-12T07:35:00.000-07:00

I'm convinced that our culture doesn't have a clue when it comes to marriage. So many people today view it as a temporary arrangement, easily broken when it is no longer convenient. Additionally, people clearly do not understand the divine purpose of marriage, or the roles of husbands and wives in marriage. And yet, the Bible is pretty clear about this. It really is not as complicated as some would try to make it.

We will explore a variety of issues this Sunday - including hairstyles, clothes, attitudes of wives, priorities of husbands, and prayer - but with one goal in mind: At Servant's Heart Fellowship we want passionate and biblical marriages that glorify God! Join us in this pursuit as we examine 1 Peter 3:1-7.

Phil Sasser Preaching At Servant's Heart Fellowship

2009-03-04T10:41:00.000-08:00

This Sunday Phil Sasser (pastor of Sovereign Grace Church in Apex, NC) will again be our guest speaker. Phil is a good friend of mine and a constant source of encouragement. He is always willing to spend time with me talking about ministry, and I'm sure that his influence is evident in the way I pastor our church . I'm grateful for his friendship and certain that Servant's Heart Fellowship will benefit from his time spent with us. Phil has an obvious passion for Jesus Christ, his wife Cassie, the local church, good books written by dead people, and The Ohio State University.

Join us this Sunday as we welcome Phil Sasser back to Servant's Heart Fellowship!

"Take This Job And..."

2009-02-21T03:43:00.001-08:00

Ever struggle with maintaining a godly attitude while at the workplace? You are not alone. Grumbling about work is probably on most people's "top ten" list of personal sins committed each week. In fact, it is probably so common for us that we no longer even recognize this as a sin, but simply as a part of accepted cultural expressions, like that Johnny Paycheck song. After all, aren't most bosses unfair? Is it really that big of a deal if I complain about my job? Interesting questions... let's find out together this Sunday as we look at 1 Peter 2:18-25.

I think the answers may include something you didn't quite expect!

Finally Back In 1 Peter!

2009-02-13T07:29:00.000-08:00

After spending a few weeks reminding ourselves of the importance of both the Church of Christ and the Cross of Christ we are turning our attention back to our study of 1 Peter.

This Sunday we will zero in on this verse: "Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor." (1 Pet. 2:17)

What does this verse mean? And how does this relate to our attitude and behavior towards our fellow citizens... our government... or our president? Come find out - join us this Sunday as we humbly ask God to adjust our lives as we look again intently into His holy Word!

Read ahead to get ready: 1 Peter 2:13-17

Introducing Our Guest Speaker - Justin Childers

2009-02-04T04:15:00.000-08:00

This Sunday (February 8th) my friend Justin Childers will be preaching at Servant's Heart Fellowship. Justin is the pastor of Christ Baptist Church in Wilson, NC. You can check out his church here and also find out more about Justin at his blog. Justin and his wife, Jeanna, have two children, Karis and Noah, and live in Wilson. We are excited about having them worship our glorious Savior with us this Sunday!

I had the privilege of speaking at the Surveying The Wondrous Cross conference last October with Justin and am regularly encouraged by his obvious passion for the cross.

Join us this Sunday this Sunday as we gaze upon the cross of Christ with increasing amazement, affection, and appreciation for our Savior.

What Is Marriage?

2009-01-29T06:23:00.000-08:00

Last night I had the privilege of speaking at a marriage conference here at Red Oak Baptist Church. During the session, I read this quote from Dave Harvey's excellent book, When Sinner's Say, "I Do":

“We obviously live in a day when the meaning of marriage is up for grabs. Unfettered from any source of authority, marriage follows culture… no matter where the culture goes. After a head-banging night of partying, one pop idol got married, then had the marriage annulled in the morning. To her, marriage may have simply seemed like a fun thing to do for a few hours, not too different from an afternoon at the mall or a visit to Starbucks. Just a spontaneous indulgence. No harm done.”

It is examples like this that make it critical that we get our understanding and definition of marriage from the Bible and make every effort to ensure that our own marriages reflect this understanding and not the culture. This is why I'm eagerly anticipating Jim Upchurch's session this Friday evening on "Acting Out The Gospel In Everyday Married Life". Join us at Red Oak Baptist, 6:30pm. It's free!