I'm currently listening to a sermon I preached last year on Zechariah. I'm posting the link because this message is an encouraging message on God's grace and encouragement to us when things seem impossible.
http://calvarymedia.org/audio/121408ADoubtingBeliever%27sGod.mp3
Showing posts with label Sermons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sermons. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Mother's Day Fears
I preached this past Sunday's Mother's Day message and I have to admit that I approached it with some fear and trepidation. Let me explain....
Think about the more common Mother's Day messages that you might have heard in the past. The message usually seems to be something like this: "Mom's, you're great! You do so many great things. Way to go, moms!" Many times the mother's day messages - at least in my recollection - target the mom's at the expense of magnifying God's glory primarily. So, this Sunday, I preached a message that was different. Not that I didn't encourage mom's and lift them up as integral and valuable in Christ's Kingdom, but I preached from a different point of view - the point of view that all messages must be preached from - Christ being central and God's glory being the aim.
It was interesting how I had moms talk before this past Sunday about how mother's day messages are usually so trivial, and how they wanted more. That encouraged me, but I still was concerned. I felt like I was going to convict them too much (or unnecessarily). But, God is gracious. I preached the message from Titus 2 and I believe God was glorified. Here's one response that I received from a mom:
So, keep proclaiming Christ ensuring that God's glory is the aim of preaching by the power of the Spirit!
"Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness to me in granting me clarity of speech and passion for you. Without you, I wouldn't have gone the direction I did. But, thank you, Jesus! And, thank you that you will continue to teach me and other pastors about the value of your Word and it proclaimed accurately to the people around us."
Think about the more common Mother's Day messages that you might have heard in the past. The message usually seems to be something like this: "Mom's, you're great! You do so many great things. Way to go, moms!" Many times the mother's day messages - at least in my recollection - target the mom's at the expense of magnifying God's glory primarily. So, this Sunday, I preached a message that was different. Not that I didn't encourage mom's and lift them up as integral and valuable in Christ's Kingdom, but I preached from a different point of view - the point of view that all messages must be preached from - Christ being central and God's glory being the aim.
It was interesting how I had moms talk before this past Sunday about how mother's day messages are usually so trivial, and how they wanted more. That encouraged me, but I still was concerned. I felt like I was going to convict them too much (or unnecessarily). But, God is gracious. I preached the message from Titus 2 and I believe God was glorified. Here's one response that I received from a mom:
I just wanted to encourage you and tell you how much I appreciated the message you gave out of Titus.... I was encouraged greatly as a mom and challenged, too. You didn't say anything so fluffy and nice for mothers, but taught from God's Word and focused on God being the One to get the glory. I appreciate that so much. Thank you.
So, keep proclaiming Christ ensuring that God's glory is the aim of preaching by the power of the Spirit!
"Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness to me in granting me clarity of speech and passion for you. Without you, I wouldn't have gone the direction I did. But, thank you, Jesus! And, thank you that you will continue to teach me and other pastors about the value of your Word and it proclaimed accurately to the people around us."
Monday, April 14, 2008
The Sermon Stint
Yesterday I preached my third week at my home church. I preached on Counting the Cost (from Acts 5:17-32).
As I reflect on the messages that God gave me and the process that I went through in putting those sermons together, I am reminded of some key truths concerning preaching. I hope that this will be an encouragement to your soul, too.
1. God gives great strength to those who preach the Word when they truly study the Word. This is a great reminder to all pastors to be truly seeking God in the Word and seeking to have him minister his grace to you as you hear his voice through the pages of Scripture. Note the key point: you must be "hearing" (studying). God's Word is a means of grace to his children. Don't take it lightly. Study it with intensity and fervor and rely on God to change your own heart through this process first.
2. When depending on God, you "loose yourself" while preaching. This doesn't mean have some out of body experience. What I mean by this is that you should be so focused on God and his glory that you are not worrying about your next line of argument or how good your illustration is going to be. "Loose yourself" in God means to be primarily and solely focused on him throughout the time you're preaching. Fear (worship, adore) God, not man.
3. When the Word is preached rightly, you encourage your own soul even though you're preaching to others. In a sense, it's not just that you're preaching to others. You are God's mouthpiece. He's using you to communicate his truth to everyone (including you).
As I reflect on the messages that God gave me and the process that I went through in putting those sermons together, I am reminded of some key truths concerning preaching. I hope that this will be an encouragement to your soul, too.
1. God gives great strength to those who preach the Word when they truly study the Word. This is a great reminder to all pastors to be truly seeking God in the Word and seeking to have him minister his grace to you as you hear his voice through the pages of Scripture. Note the key point: you must be "hearing" (studying). God's Word is a means of grace to his children. Don't take it lightly. Study it with intensity and fervor and rely on God to change your own heart through this process first.
2. When depending on God, you "loose yourself" while preaching. This doesn't mean have some out of body experience. What I mean by this is that you should be so focused on God and his glory that you are not worrying about your next line of argument or how good your illustration is going to be. "Loose yourself" in God means to be primarily and solely focused on him throughout the time you're preaching. Fear (worship, adore) God, not man.
3. When the Word is preached rightly, you encourage your own soul even though you're preaching to others. In a sense, it's not just that you're preaching to others. You are God's mouthpiece. He's using you to communicate his truth to everyone (including you).
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Sermons
Just wanted to let all of you know that I've been (and will be) preaching more often at my church. As a result, I wanted to post the most recent sermons. Last week I spoke on Acts 5:12-16 and on March 31st, I spoke on the story of Ananias and Sapphira. I will also be speaking this Sunday on Acts 5:17-32. If you could pray for me, I'd greatly appreciate it.
If you want to listen to either messages, you can click HERE (for Ananias and Sapphira) or HERE (for the text on Miracles and Fellowship).
If you want to listen to either messages, you can click HERE (for Ananias and Sapphira) or HERE (for the text on Miracles and Fellowship).
Monday, November 26, 2007
The Dangerous and the Deluded
This past Sunday, I preached in our morning services. I spoke on Matthew 7:15-23. This is an intense passage - scary and comforting at the same time.
I trust that it would be a spiritual benefit for you. If you're interested in the sermon, you can either read the notes or listen to the sermon on-line.
I trust that it would be a spiritual benefit for you. If you're interested in the sermon, you can either read the notes or listen to the sermon on-line.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Ahab...
On Sunday, June 17th, I preached for our services. I believe God used the message to speak to hearts yesterday, and I was refreshed as I went back to the Old Testament for some good old narrative study!
I don't know if I've ever studied Ahab's life in 1 Kings up to this point, but it is definitely sad. Yet, as I studied this unrepentant life, I still see much of God's great grace (and obviously His justice, too). There's much encouragement to be found in this study as we see that "...religious decline ends either in repentance or in the judgment of God" (The Message of the Old Testament, Dever, p. 306).
If you are able, listen to the sermon or read the notes.
Have a blessed day.
I don't know if I've ever studied Ahab's life in 1 Kings up to this point, but it is definitely sad. Yet, as I studied this unrepentant life, I still see much of God's great grace (and obviously His justice, too). There's much encouragement to be found in this study as we see that "...religious decline ends either in repentance or in the judgment of God" (The Message of the Old Testament, Dever, p. 306).
If you are able, listen to the sermon or read the notes.
Have a blessed day.
Monday, November 27, 2006
The Virgin Birth
Just yesterday (11/26), I preached a sermon on the Virgin Birth. If anyone is interested in hearing or reading the sermon, click HERE.
I do just want to say this: God definitely wanted me to feel weak yesterday. The doctrine of the Virgin Birth can tend to be more academic; so, in my mind I was struggling with how I was going to preach it. Eventually, the Lord did move me towards specific texts. However, even after I had practiced preaching it 3-5 times, I still didn't feel ready. On Saturday night, I knew I needed to pray; however, I felt so tired. So, I took a shower to wake myself up. I went to bed, prayed, read the Bible and Valley of Vision. Then, at 11:00 pm, I was ready for sleep.... Or, so I thought.
I'm guessing my body was overtired. So, I ended up not falling asleep until around 12:30 am. Then, my wife, having been gone for a few days, returned home at 2:00 am. So, I didn't get much sleep. BUT, I knew that God wanted to teach me His faithfulness. Whether I preached in a way that people said "Ooh, wow!" or "Ew, ick!", the Lord was in control. And, I had to trust Him (thank You, Lord, for enabling me).
People did learn and were encouraged by God's Word. So, I end by saying, TO GOD BE THE GLORY! May He continually teach us and enable us to decrease as we see His immeasurable greatness!
I do just want to say this: God definitely wanted me to feel weak yesterday. The doctrine of the Virgin Birth can tend to be more academic; so, in my mind I was struggling with how I was going to preach it. Eventually, the Lord did move me towards specific texts. However, even after I had practiced preaching it 3-5 times, I still didn't feel ready. On Saturday night, I knew I needed to pray; however, I felt so tired. So, I took a shower to wake myself up. I went to bed, prayed, read the Bible and Valley of Vision. Then, at 11:00 pm, I was ready for sleep.... Or, so I thought.
I'm guessing my body was overtired. So, I ended up not falling asleep until around 12:30 am. Then, my wife, having been gone for a few days, returned home at 2:00 am. So, I didn't get much sleep. BUT, I knew that God wanted to teach me His faithfulness. Whether I preached in a way that people said "Ooh, wow!" or "Ew, ick!", the Lord was in control. And, I had to trust Him (thank You, Lord, for enabling me).
People did learn and were encouraged by God's Word. So, I end by saying, TO GOD BE THE GLORY! May He continually teach us and enable us to decrease as we see His immeasurable greatness!
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Sermon - YIKES!
Okay, well, I'm taking a break from working on my sermon for this Sunday (March 5th). I feel like I might have taken on too big of a topic, but I think once I start practicing it, I will feel better.
Anyway, I'm talking about the Law and the Gospel. So, please be praying for me that I'll communicate in such a way as to cause comfort to the despairing and truth for the "pharisees" so that both will walk away with a greater view of the Gospel!
Also, pray for me that I'll be gripped by the Gospel through this study.
~ PT2
Anyway, I'm talking about the Law and the Gospel. So, please be praying for me that I'll communicate in such a way as to cause comfort to the despairing and truth for the "pharisees" so that both will walk away with a greater view of the Gospel!
Also, pray for me that I'll be gripped by the Gospel through this study.
~ PT2
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