Jul 21, 2011 | Biblical Studies, Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching
Carefully Think Read through Leviticus 1-5 and make a list of the various offerings Israel was to give. What was the role of the priest? What did the one making the offering have to do? What was the overarching reason for all of the offerings? Read Leviticus 10. What was Nadab and Abihu”™s failure? What does this suggest about God? What does it suggest about people and their approach to God”™s commands? Read Leviticus 16. What is the main theme of this chapter? Who”™s sin was covered? How? What do you learn about how sin is atoned for in this chapter? Read Leviticus 18-20. What is the overarching motive mentioned over and over that should move the Israelites to obedience? Prayerfully Meditate According to Leviticus, how much of life was treated as worship? What does this suggest about how God”™s people should think about life? According to Leviticus how do you know that God took public worship so seriously? What does it suggest to us about our approach to worshiping God? Read Hebrews 8-10. In what ways is Jesus the fulfillment of what you read in Leviticus? Read Matthew 5-6. In what ways is Jesus the fulfillment of what you read in Leviticus? What should the most significant effect of Leviticus be on your approach to worship this Sunday? Intentionally Act What areas of sin have been brought to your mind in contemplating Leviticus and its affect on worship and life? Confess those specifically to God in prayer. Respond in prayer to God for what you have learned from Leviticus and Hebrews (mentioned above) and the role Jesus plays... read more
Jul 20, 2011 | Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Video, Worship
Be sure to see our web-site bookstore to find links to the music we sing each week. To order one of our hymnals clicker HERE. Download Songs for the Cross Centered Life Download Awaken the Dawn, Keith and Kristyn Getty Download Enfield’s O For That Day Don’t forget about our Dessert Fellowship with the Bowmans this Sunday Evening at 5:30 p.m. Bring your favorite dessert to... read more
Jul 19, 2011 | Featured Articles, Ordinary Pastor, Pastoral Ministry, Time/Life Management
This week I will spend the better part of a morning reviewing major personal and ministry goals from the past three months and evaluating what I should focus on over the upcoming three months. I make these plans in theological pencil, recognizing that God riules over every detail in both the short and long term ““ I am desperate to avoid presumption (James 13-17). At the same time, I want to be wise and intentional about the life and ministry God has entrusted to me as a stewardship. So what will I do this Thursday morning in evaluation and planning. Pray. This is more than an obligatory beginning step; it is a cry to an almighty God from a desperate heart that is deeply affected by His merciful grace, seeking wisdom and leadership from the one who is all-knowing. I dare not plan without a spirit of dependency, and dependency is deepened when I humble my heart in prayer. Review my long-range goals. I base these on the providential roles I have (husband, father, pastor, etc), as well as key verses that describe God’s desires for me inch of these roles. Some of my roles have been broken down into additional categories (i.e., pastor: teacher, shepherd, staff supervisor, etc.). I often find myself revising these long-term goals, seeking greater clarity insight of providential circumstances, better understanding gained through the study of Scripture, the passing of time and gaining specific experience. My aim is to to be practical in how I apply God’s word in each of the roles God has blessed me. Review my annual goals. Each year I... read more
Jul 18, 2011 | Biblical Studies, Bookreviews, Featured Articles, General Theology, Ordinary Pastor, Video
Cap-Review: The Glory of God from Bret Capranica on Vimeo. An Ordinary Pastor’s Brief Review of The Glory of God: Christopher W. Morgan and Robert A. Peterson have blessed the church with a helpful volume in Crossway”™s “Theology in Community” series, entitled, The Glory of God. The aim of the book is to ask and answer the question, “what does the Bible teach” about God”™s glory (20). The editors seek a two pronged attack in achieving their aim. Chapters 1-6 seek to “help us glorify God in our minds by focusing on biblical and theological truths related to his glory. Chapters 7 and 8 help us rejoice in our hearts as they illuminate how these truths about God”™s glory shape our view and approach to the church, pastoral ministry, and missions” (21). Nine different authors, all instructors at theological institutions, contribute to the volume. The audience is intended to be college and seminary students and those pastors with such training (14). The book is arranged by addressing the subject of God”™s glory historically, then from the perspective of the Old Testament, New Testament, the Synoptic Gospels/Acts/General Epistles, John”™s Gospel/Revelation, and Paul”™s Epistles. The book then contains a chapter on the overall theology of God”™s glory, and concludes with chapters on pastoral and missional implications of God”™s glory. I found the structure and arrangement of the book helpful. Moving from an historical sweep to looking at how God”™s glory is described in detail from the Old Testament through the emphases in various New Testament genre, then to a more global evaluation of the biblical material, ending with more practical implications was... read more
Jul 15, 2011 | Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching
Carefully Think This Sunday we will be finishing up with Exodus 19-40. Our focus will be from chapters 32-40. Read through these chapters and see if you can identify and write down the main idea for each of them. Read Exodus 32 again. Note carefully, who did Israel and Aaron say the golden calf represented? How does Israel”™s sin relate to any of the Ten Commandments? Chapters 25-31 and 36-40 describe the construction of the Tabernacle. Why do you think this was so important in Israel”™s life? What indications do you see in the text? Prayerfully Meditate From reading chapters 32-34, what lessons was Israel to learn about themselves and about relating to God? How would those lessons correlate to us? In what ways do we pursue idolatry as Israel did in chapter 32? How would you relate your passion for God”™s glory to Moses”™ passion for God”™s glory as seen in 33-34? Intentionally Act From what you have been seeing both last week and this week, how should Exodus be impacting your approach to worship with God”™s people each Sunday? What needs to be enhanced, stopped, changed ““ in your personal approach to corporate worship? Spend some time praying for those who will be leading the service on Sunday (Bret Capranica, teaching; Dawson Bryant, music; Mark Krystyniak, prayer and Scripture reading). Pray that they will be thoughtful, focused, encouraging, helpful to the body, and full of Christ in their leadership. Pray for others who will be participating in the worship service ““ that they will have servant”™s hearts, affection for Christ that encourages others, focus on how their... read more
Jul 13, 2011 | Pastoral Ministry, Preaching, Video
How to Meditate on Sunday’s Message How to Meditate on Sunday’s Message In this week’s Mid-Week Minutes: This is VBS week – thank you to Stacy McCommon for the devoted leadership and to all who have given so much of their time and energy to teach Scripture to our kids. How to Meditate on Sunday’s Message: Re-read the passage Review the Main idea of the message Rehearse the main points that unfold the main idea Think through an application grid of questions on each point How seen in salvation history? Impact on the lost? Impact on the culture Impact on a Christian Impact on our Church Application Grids: Example filled out Blank... read more
Jul 6, 2011 | Pastoral Ministry, Video
How Are You Intentionally Assimilating the Truth You Hear Each Week? read more
Jun 30, 2011 | Biblical Studies, Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry
Carefully Think Read through Exodus 1-19. As you read begin underlining and make a list of the actions you see from the following: God (what does the text say he does), Moses (how does he respond to God, Israel, and Pharaoh), Pharaoh (how does he respond to Moses and God), and Israel (how do they respond to Moses and God). If you are limited for time, concentrate on the plague accounts of chapters 7-12. What is the chief purpose behind God”™s bringing the plagues (pay attention to the “so that” phrases)? How would you summarize the theme of Exodus 1-19? Prayerfully Meditate What do you learn about how God works within the actions of people from reading Exodus 1-19? What does this suggest is true about how God is presently working in our world and in your life? What do you learn from Israel”™s responses to Moses and God throughout these chapters? In what ways do we respond similarly or differently? What was God revealing to Moses, Israel, and Egypt about Himself? How should that impact you? Intentionally Act Pray in response to what you have learned from Exodus 1-19. What sin should you confess? How could you respond in unique praise for who God is? How would any of these lessons impact the way you are currently praying for others? Consider how what you have learned about God should impact the way you worship Him with God”™s people this Sunday. Write out a few responses. Pray for those in our gathering this Sunday who do not know Christ. Pray that they will see God”™s greatness and their need... read more
Jun 29, 2011 | The Gospel
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Jun 29, 2011 | Christian Living, Pastoral Ministry, Video
Don’t Waste Your Summer read more
Jun 23, 2011 | Biblical Studies, Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching
Carefully Think We didn”™t finish our tour of Genesis last week, so try and read through Genesis 32-50 and see if you can summarize each chapter”™s theme. As you read, look for and perhaps underline the activity you see God doing directly. Read again Genesis 50. Who was behind all of the negative events of Joseph”™s life? Think through this one carefully. What was Joseph”™s response to these circumstances and those involved? Prayerfully Meditate What lessons would you write down from what you have read in the latter part of Genesis (32-50)? How have you been responding to the events in your own life? How much like Joseph have your responses been ““ or unlike? Why? What is it that keeps you from responding like Joseph? What has helped your responses to resemble his that you could capitalize on even more? What lesson what God teaching the original writers of the book of Genesis? How should we apply that lesson today? Intentionally Act List unique events that have occurred in you or your family”™s life over the past year. Spend a moment meditating on how God has been involved and what you have learned about Him (and about yourself) through them. Spend some time in prayer, thanking God for His providence, confessing any sin for failed responses, seeking wisdom on how to respond to current issues unique to you. Pray for those in our gathering this week who do not know Christ. Pray that God will awaken their hearts through His word and bring them to the knowledge of Christ. Pray that the entire body will be strengthened in... read more
Jun 22, 2011 | Pastoral Ministry, Southern Baptist Issues, Video
Report from the 2011 Southern Baptist Convention Links related to the video post: On the NIV Issue, see a post from Southern Seminary professor, Denny Burk. On the Immigration resolution, see: The Adopted Resolution Russell Moore’s article To see video from the Convention click HERE. To see video from the Pastors’ Conference click HERE. John Piper’s sermon from the Pastors’ Conference – click... read more
Jun 9, 2011 | Biblical Studies, Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching
Carefully Think “¢ If you have the time, read through Genesis 1-11 and make a list of the most significant events in these chapters. “¢ Who are most significant people in these chapters? “¢ What do you learn about man and his relationship to God from these chapters? “¢ For a more significant reading, read through Genesis 1-11 and underline every phrase that indicates God”™s activity. What do you learn about God? Prayerfully Meditate “¢ From reading through Genesis 1-11, what issues of life are brought up in these chapters and where do you see them (i.e., marriage, worship, interpersonal relationships, sin, parenting, pride, humility, dependence on God, etc.)? “¢ Which of these issues is most relevant to your life right now? Why? What does the book of Genesis suggest is most biblical way to deal with it? How? Intentionally Act “¢ Make a list of any appropriate responses you think would help you apply your answer given in the last statement above. When and how can you carry these out, by God”™s grace, and in absolute dependence upon him? “¢ Make a list of issues or subject raised in Genesis 1-11 that you would like to give greater study or attention to. Which one should you begin addressing? When could you begin studying it further (this week?)? “¢ Pray for our church as a whole that we will all respond to God”™s word corporately. “¢ Pray for those who will be leading us through the service Sunday. Pray that our hearts will honor God and that our actions will be helpful in edifying the entire body. “¢ Meditate... read more
Jun 8, 2011 | Pastoral Ministry, Video
Praying for the persecuted and their persecutors Voice of the Martyrs Joshua... read more
Jun 2, 2011 | Biblical Studies, Christian Living, Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching
Carefully Think Read Romans 12:14-21. From this passage what ways are given to display the gospel when you are personally wronged or hurt. Can you think of any recent event, interaction, or issue in your life that one of these ways you listed above would apply? What constitutes persecution (v 14)? Who are the lowly (v 16)? Who would biblically be considered your enemy (v 20)? Prayerfully Meditate Which of the ways to respond, among those you listed above, seems to speak most pointedly to you? Why? Pray and ask God to give you wisdom in how you should apply the exhortation you see in the passage. Write out a few ways you could apply one or two of these exhortations. Intentionally Act Who do you need to speak to this week in light of how you responded above? Could you send a note of encouragement to someone? What are practical ways you could take the initiative to make sure you are living at peace with someone you find yourself at odds (v 18)? Pray for our church as a whole that we would evidence the characteristics mentioned in this passage. Pray for those who will be leading and assisting us in worship today. Pray that we honor the Lord and encourage each other in our gathering this week. Meditate on the lyrics of the songs we will be singing (see below). To listen to or download the songs, click on the links below. Songs we will sing: All Creatures Of Our God And King Before the Cross When I Survey Lyrics: Morning Service – June 5,... read more
Jun 1, 2011 | Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry
Responding to the disaster in Joplin Missouri Baptist Convention Disaster Relief... read more
May 27, 2011 | Biblical Studies, Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching
This week’s message will be the first of a 2 part series entitled, “Gospel-Centered Living” from Romans 12:9-13. Carefully Think Read Romans 12:9-13. Make a list of what the different characteristics you find here. After listing each one, try and write down a short definition of what each of them means. Can you think of any other Scriptures that would help you define them? What is the connection between these verses and the ones preceding them? Prayerfully Meditate How could you practically and consciously give attention to so many different gospel-driven characteristics? Which ones seem to be most practical to you in your life at the current moment? Why? What sin should you confess? Any relationships that need attention? How grateful should you be for the characteristics you do see in your life? Spend a few moments in prayerful reflection, confession, and thanksgiving. Intentionally Act Circle the characteristic that needs the most attention in your life. List the top 3 actions you can begin to take, by God”™s enabling grace, to strengthen this characteristic in your own life? Have you seen any of these characteristics uniquely demonstrated in the someone else”™s life? Who? How? Write them a note expressing how grateful you are to see God”™s grace being expressed in them. Or take a minute to have a personal conversation with them and express how you have seen God”™s grace uniquely displayed in their character. Encourage them. Pray for those who will be involved in this week”™s worship gathering Pray that they will all demonstrate these characteristics and help the congregation to focus together on God”™s Word. Pray for... read more
May 12, 2011 | Ecclesiology, Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching
This week”™s sermon will look at 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 and how the Lord”™s Supper should be a clear, visible indication of who the church is. Think through the following as you prepare for Sunday: Carefully Think Read 1 Corinthians 11:17-34. List as much as you can about the right ways we should approach the Lord”™s Supper. From what you read here, what were the Corinthians doing that prompted this instruction from Paul? In 11:28, we are called to examine ourselves so as not to participate in the supper in an unworthy way. How was the Corinthians”™ participation unworthy? What does that suggest about how we could participate this Sunday in an unworthy way? From what we learn about the Corinthian abuse of the Lord”™s Table, what does it suggest about how they improperly viewed the church? Read 1 Corinthians 10:16-17. What is the “body” referred to here? How does this impact how we should view the church during the Lord”™s Table? Prayerfully Meditate How do you normally prepare yourself to take the Lord”™s Table? How could what you see in 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 help you? In what ways do you think about those in our church with whom you will take the elements of the table? How could 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 help you? In addition to personal reflection and confession of sin as a means of preparation, reflect on the benefits of the body of Christ and the relationships you share in the church. If your relationships with those in the body are weak, why? What can you do to strengthen them? If your participation in the lives of... read more
