by Bret Capranica | May 9, 2011 | Biblical Studies, Ecclesiology, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching
I am in the midst of a short series of sermons on What Makes a Church. Yesterday’s sermon was on the subject of baptism and looked particularly at Romans 6:3-5. Here are my notes from that message: Baptism Makes a...
by Bret Capranica | May 5, 2011 | Ecclesiology, Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching
Our sermon this Sunday will be on the subject of baptism as a defining marker of what makes a church. As you prepare for Sunday consider the following: Carefully Think Read through Romans 6:1-11. What is the main theme of this section? How do you know? Read through Romans 6:3-5. What do these verses emphasize in relation to the main idea of 6:1-11? Why does Paul use the word “baptize” in relation to our salvation? Does he have in mind water baptism? Spirit baptism? Some combination? How can you tell? In your understanding, what is the purpose for water baptism? Read through Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21; Acts 22:16; Acts 2:37-41. What relationship does baptism have to conversion? Prayerfully Meditate Have you been baptized? If so, When? Where? Why? If not, why not? Who should be baptized according to the verses you have read above? Conversely, from what you learn from the verses above, who should not be baptized and why? How important is baptism to the Christian life? Remember what you have read in relation to baptism and how it fits with Romans 6:1-11. Consider what Matthew 28:18-20 suggests. Actively Respond If you are a Christian and show the evidence of internal regeneration, but you have not been baptized, why not? Is this a biblical reason? Why would you delay openly professing your faith. Schedule a time to talk with one of the elders about this. What about children who profess faith? According to Romans 6:3-5 what is true about a person”™s soul and what is baptism depicting. Do you see specific evidence of such a radical regeneration...
by Bret Capranica | May 4, 2011 | Christian Living, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching, Reading
Taking a few mid-week minutes to think about how to enhance our fellowship with each other. Books linked here: One-to-One Bible Reading, David Helm Reverberation, Jonathan Leeman Sermon Manuscript from Sunday, May 1, 2011 on Church Discipline What makes a church discipline matt 18.15-20 View more documents from Summit Woods Baptist...
by Bret Capranica | Apr 27, 2011 | Pastoral Ministry, Preaching
Taking a few mid-week minutes to think about how practical the resurrection is impacting our lives. Click HERE to purchase a copy of John Piper’s book, Desiring...
by Bret Capranica | Apr 26, 2011 | Featured Articles, Ordinary Pastor, Preaching, Technology
I began using my iPad to preach in October of 2010. Actually, I have used my iPad since I bought it for some teaching, preaching, and other messages. I used it to speak and sing at several funerals. I”™ve used it at a wedding. But in my regular preaching, I”™ve used the iPad every week since late October 2010. No regrets thus far. No debilitating challenges. While there are some potential drawbacks, none have been significant enough to outweigh some of the benefits. Benefits No More Paper & Printers. I typically bought a specially cut and weighted paper on which I printed my sermons. The paper was perfectly suited for the laser printer I used, and was the perfect weight and thickness for my preferences in using paper notes in preaching. I didn”™t have to fold an 8 ½ by 11 sheet in two, creating more bulk. No cutting required. With my 6 x 9 sheet, I could use a larger font (14) and suitably indent sentences without creating too many pages or having to use larger sized paper. But no more. No more laser ink cartridges. No more screaming in agony when half-way through printing a sermon the cartridge begin to quit. No more purchasing the paper; nothing more to file afterwards. I greatly prefer the electronic means to the paper pushing. Less Mess & Bulk. Early in my ministry I carried my notes loose in my Bible. No problem as long as you keep the pages numbered in case they get out of order. Loose leaf notes may be fine assuming you have a tall enough pulpit...
by Bret Capranica | Apr 15, 2011 | Ecclesiology, Featured Articles, Preaching
Carefully Think Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10. Paul writes to “the church of the Thessalonians.” In the passage what are the characteristics of those who are in this church? Read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 10. How does Paul describe the people of this church? Read the following: Acts 2:41, 47; 4:4; 5:13, 14; 11:21; 14:21-23. Who were members of the church? Prayerfully Meditate Biblically speaking, who should be members of a church? Who should not be members? If non-Christians are not members, then what role does the church play in their life? What should their relationship to the church be? How would issues like the Lord”™s supper, baptism, church discipline, and church government all be affected by who is and who is not actually a member of a church? Why does it matter who is or is not a member of a local church? Why is this or is this not an important issue? Actively Respond Do you see the evidence of conversion in your life ““ the kind described in 1 Thessalonians 1? How so? Why not? Pray for those who will be leading the church in our corporate gathering on Sunday. Pray that they will have a focused attention in leading the entire church in a biblical manner. Pray for all who will be involved in the service (instrumentalists, sound technicians, ushers, etc.). Pray that we will help to enhance people”™s affections for God this week in how we serve the body. Meditate on the lyrics of the songs we will sing Sunday (found below). Listen to samples of the music we plan to sing (found below), or download...
