by Bret Capranica | Mar 10, 2011 | Biblical Studies, Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching, Worship
Carefully Think Read through Revelation 4 & 5 in one setting (it won”™t take long). Make a list of one-word statements that would describe the kind of worship taking place in heaven. Put a star beside those words in the list that would be transferrable and helpful in how we should think about our own worship when we gather as a church. Prayerfully Meditate Make a list of one-word characteristics that you find to be true about our church”™s worship gatherings. How could the list of heaven”™s characteristics improve our worship? Review this week”™s bulletin and the various elements of our worship gathering. Which elements can you find biblical warrant for? Can you think of biblical texts that would describe each element? Can you think of biblical texts that need to better inform our worship? How would these additions help you worship with all your heart and soul on Sunday? Meditate on the lyrics to this Sunday”™s songs. What are they teaching about the subject of worship? What themes in these songs are also present in the worship scene in heaven? Actively Respond Pray for all those who will be assisting the church in our worship gathering. Pray that they will arrive with humble hearts ready to serve and focused on making God central in what we do together. Pray specifically for Dawson Bryant and Bret Capranica as they work together each week to prepare our weekly gatherings. Pray that they will be driven by God”™s word and sensitive to how we can best express our praise corporately. Read through Revelation 4 & 5 with your family. Talk through...
by Bret Capranica | Mar 7, 2011 | Biblical Studies, Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching, Worship
Know The sermon manuscript below will help if you want to review references, or review what was covered. Sermon Manuscript The exaltedness of jesus 5.11 14 View more documents from Summit Woods Baptist Church. Worship is central to the activity of heaven. If you are interested in expanding your thinking on the subject of worship, I recommend a few resources to read: 2 Good Books on Worship Christ Centered Worship, Bryan Chapell Worship Matters, Bob Kauflin Be How do our weekly gatherings affect your daily living? In what ways have you chosen to take any of the material that brought conviction or encouragement to your heart and begin to use it practically in your life? Read through Revelation 5:11-14 and review the ways Jesus”™ nature is praised by the angels and creation. In what ways have rested in the sufficiency of Jesus? In what ways have you found yourself trying to rest in something other than his sufficiency? Do Read again through the passage. Write down how you have found Jesus”™ worthy in his: Capability to handle the issues of your life Wealth (spiritually and materially) ““ how would his wealth affect your attraction to earthy wealth? Wisdom ““ has secular philosophies become more predominant in the way you conduct your finances, business, family, personal life? In what ways are you specifically trusting in Christ as an all sufficient and praiseworthy source of wisdom? Might ““ what are you trusting the power of God to do? Or would mere self-effort be an apt description of how you live? Honor ““ what/who are you finding value in to the extent...
by Bret Capranica | Mar 3, 2011 | Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching, Worship
Carefully Think What is the main idea of Revelation 5:11-14 How is Jesus specifically exalted? What characteristics of Christ are specifically mentioned? Why do those who exalt Jesus do so with such exuberance? What has he done (in this context) that causes their worship? Prayerfully Meditate Use the list of Jesus”™ characteristics in personally exalting Christ in a time of prayer (personally, and with your family, or a group of fellow Christians). Meditate on the lyrics of this Sunday”™s songs (see a link below). How do these lyrics help exalt Jesus in unique ways? Lyrics for Sunday Morning Morning service march 6, 2011 View more presentations from Summit Woods Baptist Church. Actively Respond Read the passage (Revelation 5:11-14) with your family (or someone else) this Saturday evening or Sunday morning before coming to church. Pray specifically for those who will attend the service, that all of our hearts will be tuned into what this passage is saying to all of us as a congregation. Pray specifically for those who will be leading us in our worship service (musicians, elders, staff, etc.). Ask that they be spiritually and mentally prepared for leading us in worship. How could this Sunday”™s passage impact the way you interact with people? Pray that you will be sensitive in how you could serve others who are gathered together with us this...
by Bret Capranica | Mar 2, 2011 | Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching, Worship
MidWeek Minutes 3-2-11 from Summit Woods on Vimeo. Books on the Cross The Cross of Christ, John Stott The Cross Centered Life, C. J....
by Bret Capranica | Mar 1, 2011 | Biblical Studies, Expositions, Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching, Worship
Hear this week’s message HERE. Know The sermon manuscript gives additional references you can review to see how some of the details of the passage were derived. This may serve as a helpful way to digest more of the material. See the manuscript below. Sermon Manuscript The worthiness of jesus 5.6 10 View more documents from Summit Woods Baptist Church. The slain lamb was central to the worship of Heaven. In order to expand your contemplation on the role of redemption in the life of the church and individual believer, consider reading the following books that unpack the theme of Christ’s work on the cross: Books on the Cross The Cross of Christ, John Stott The Cross Centered Life, C. J. Mahaney Be Review the major points of the message and ask yourself How has the perfect sacrifice of Jesus enhanced your public praise of Christ? How has the perfect power of Jesus given you greater confidence in Him regarding the challenges you currently face? How has the perfect knowledge of Jesus comforted you and given you a greater since of joy in your worship? Have you been able to enter worship with your problems and see God’s wisdom at the center of them? Think through the final point (the praise of Jesus) – perhaps read through the manuscript above and consider how the heavenly praise of Jesus should affect the way your praise Christ in our corporate gathering. Write out some responses. Do Jesus’ praise was seen in how he vindicates the saints’ suffering-it is a vivid reminder of those who are persecuted for their faith. How have you...
by Bret Capranica | Feb 28, 2011 | Featured Articles, Ordinary Pastor, Pastoral Ministry, Presidential History, Technology
Regardless of what you think of our President’s policies, Barak Obama‘s team is doing an excellent job in its use of media, particularly social media. Technology is enhancing how we communicate our messages and priorities, and the Obama White House has a firm handle on how to do it well. From the first days after his election and as the President-elect, Barak Obama began weekly video addresses (in addition to the old-guard radio address), and a series of video posts from various internal groups working on policy issues. They are always enhancing how they use media to connect with people. Media tends to connect people in a more personal way and not merely in a starched policy manner. In fact, one of the ways the White House is utilizing media well, is to bring the public inside the secured walls of the White House and show them how people and the process work. An excellent illustration of this was the 2011 State of the Union. In addition to a brief video on how the speech was constructed, the White House, for the first time, included enhanced on-line media (like a power-point presentation), chats, use of Twitter, and live online interviews with the President after the speech. I’ve seen few public sector organizations work this well on connecting people more personally. State of the Union Video There is much modern church ministry can learn from the rapid growth of technology. While the message is most important and should be the laser-like focus of leaders and members alike, technology has provided unprecedented ways to publicly broadcast our message. From the use of Twitter and Facebook to quickly inform...
