Matt's last Sunday was yesterday. He has been a great pastor, preacher, leader, and friend.
Do you have a message that you'd like to send him? Feel free to post it here.
If you've got a chance to surf the web, check out Matt's new church at www.thewatershedchurch.com
Monday, August 27, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
The Kingdom of God
John mentioned 3 parables that Jesus told from Matthew chapter 13. One was about a treasure hidden in a field, one was about a pearl of great value, and one was about fish. How ridiculous does it sound to sell every single posession just for a "treasure" or a "pearl"? Do we have that kind of passion for our own relationship with God?
How ridiculous does it sound that God "sold" everything he had (he became human - heaven came to earth) to be in a relationship with you? That you are God's "treasure" that Jesus Christ has "purchased" through his blood (perhaps it was the evil one who owned the world, but he was not aware of the great value you are to God)?
How ridiculous does it sound that God "sold" everything he had (he became human - heaven came to earth) to be in a relationship with you? That you are God's "treasure" that Jesus Christ has "purchased" through his blood (perhaps it was the evil one who owned the world, but he was not aware of the great value you are to God)?
Labels:
Kingdom of God,
salvation
Monday, August 13, 2007
Ministry of All Christians
We are all called to be ministers. In what ways are you serving in ministry?
John mentioned his friends Bob and Joyce, each who, because of the grace God had shown them, became "ministers" (literally, "servants"). They served in their everyday non-church-related jobs (one in a violin shop and one in Jazzercize). Their ministries were about giving, generosity, listening, and compassion.
Their ministries were more than just a bumper sticker, fish-on-the-back-of-their-car, Christian T-shirt, or crucifix jewelry. What about your ministry?
John mentioned his friends Bob and Joyce, each who, because of the grace God had shown them, became "ministers" (literally, "servants"). They served in their everyday non-church-related jobs (one in a violin shop and one in Jazzercize). Their ministries were about giving, generosity, listening, and compassion.
Their ministries were more than just a bumper sticker, fish-on-the-back-of-their-car, Christian T-shirt, or crucifix jewelry. What about your ministry?
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Calling to Ordained Ministry
On Sunday, John told us the story of his calling to ordained ministry and the way he doubted his calling because he felt like Jeremiah (who said, "Ah, Sovereign LORD...I do not know how to speak; I am only a child." Jeremiah 1:6)
Have you ever felt doubts about your own skills and abilities that may have really been doubts about God's abilities? In other words, when have you not done something to which you felt called because you didn't have faith that God could use you for ministry?
Have you ever felt doubts about your own skills and abilities that may have really been doubts about God's abilities? In other words, when have you not done something to which you felt called because you didn't have faith that God could use you for ministry?
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
8 Tips to discernment
8 tips to trying to help us discern whether God is speaking to you (From sermon on 07/29/07):
1) If you are being moved out of your comfort zone . . . pay attention, it’s probably God. (The story of Abraham: Gen. 12:1-4)
2) If you don’t want to go where you are feeling led to go… pay attention, it’s probably God calling you. (The story of Jonah: Jonah 4:1-3),
3) If you feel unequipped to do something that is pulling you toward it…pay attention, it’s probably God. (Exodus 3-4)
4) If you find yourself arguing with the bible and trying to make it say what you want it to say . . . pay attention, it’s probably God. (Hebrews 14:12)
5) If you get mad at any person who tells you something that you didn’t really want to hear, but which is consistent with God’s nature and character…pay attention, it may be God. (Matthew 12:9-14).
6) Open doors or closed doors…pay attention, it may be God (Acts 12:1-5).
7) If the voice in your head or heart is inconsistent with the scriptures and the advice of other Holy Relationships in your life . . . run the other way . . . God is not talking to you. (2 Timothy 3:14-15).
8) If, despite the hardship and difficulties, the calling has led to a more abundant life in the end . . . Be thankful. It was definitely God. (John 10:10, Jeremiah 29:11)
1) If you are being moved out of your comfort zone . . . pay attention, it’s probably God. (The story of Abraham: Gen. 12:1-4)
2) If you don’t want to go where you are feeling led to go… pay attention, it’s probably God calling you. (The story of Jonah: Jonah 4:1-3),
3) If you feel unequipped to do something that is pulling you toward it…pay attention, it’s probably God. (Exodus 3-4)
4) If you find yourself arguing with the bible and trying to make it say what you want it to say . . . pay attention, it’s probably God. (Hebrews 14:12)
5) If you get mad at any person who tells you something that you didn’t really want to hear, but which is consistent with God’s nature and character…pay attention, it may be God. (Matthew 12:9-14).
6) Open doors or closed doors…pay attention, it may be God (Acts 12:1-5).
7) If the voice in your head or heart is inconsistent with the scriptures and the advice of other Holy Relationships in your life . . . run the other way . . . God is not talking to you. (2 Timothy 3:14-15).
8) If, despite the hardship and difficulties, the calling has led to a more abundant life in the end . . . Be thankful. It was definitely God. (John 10:10, Jeremiah 29:11)
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