In Isaiah 33:21 the prophet describes the Lord will be for us "a place of broad rivers and streams"
this sermon
from Oct 25, 2009 explores the beauty of this statement and discovers the rich blessing this truth reveals to all who are in Christ.
It is far too easy for us to forget the tremendous blessing that is our Lord and the faithful way He provides for His children. Far too often we allow Satan to distract our eyes and hearts from all the goodness that is ours in Christ and in doing so we rob God of His glory and deny ourselves the joy of living a life in Christ.
As you listen to this message remember all the times that He has provided for you, recall your lost condition and the amazing grace that sought you and saved you. Recall the rich treasure that is the scripture and the stories of old and promises for tomorrow. Rest assured in the eternal safety that is found in the arms of Jesus. Yes, Isaiah said it well, our Lord is for us "a place of broad rivers and streams"
This is one of my very favorite versions of the old gospel song "Down by the Riverside." This is Rosetta Tharpe...gotta love this, especially her guitar! This song has little to nothing to do with the sermon expect they both have "river" in the title, by hey its my blog and I dig this song.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
temptations
This sermon from Oct. 18, 2009 has three points...but I only covered two of them, my time ran out. But hey, God is teaching me that it is better to get across one or two points that people can (hopefully recall) then to simply try to get three points in because I had three points when I went to the pulpit. The older I get the more I realize that sometimes less really is more, God can do so much more when I am so much less. So if you want the third point, give me a call and I will come to your house and share it with you...or maybe on the phone...or maybe in an upcoming sermon, as God wills.
The text, Matt. 4:1-11 deals with the very unique situation of Jesus being tempted by Satan. Wow...there is so much in this text that I could never finish it in one sermon, as I found out.
Take a few minutes and listen to this message"
And then examine how you deal with temptation. Our Lord provides an awesome model for us to follow as we combat the temptations that comes to us everyday. As a Christian we need to always remember the scripture makes it clear in I Corinthians 10:13 13 "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
In 1978 I was a senior in High school and the single most impacting musician in my life at the time was Keith Green. If you don't know anything about Keith, google him and you will learn a lot. His songs were passionate, Christ centered and mission focused. Keith was unlike the majority of Christian musicians of his day or any day. He died a sudden death in a plane crash, but his music and his passion continue to bless generations of Christians.
This video is from 1978, the song is called "Dear John Letter to the Devil" It is a little (OK a lot) different, but I recall as a teenager singing this song in my pickup as it played on my "under dash" cassette player. So, indulge me and let me post this song about defeating the Satan because that is exactly what Christ gives us the power to accomplish. And if you are inclined check out more of Keith Green's music, I hope it speaks to you as it has to me, for more than 30 years.
The text, Matt. 4:1-11 deals with the very unique situation of Jesus being tempted by Satan. Wow...there is so much in this text that I could never finish it in one sermon, as I found out.
Take a few minutes and listen to this message"
And then examine how you deal with temptation. Our Lord provides an awesome model for us to follow as we combat the temptations that comes to us everyday. As a Christian we need to always remember the scripture makes it clear in I Corinthians 10:13 13 "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
In 1978 I was a senior in High school and the single most impacting musician in my life at the time was Keith Green. If you don't know anything about Keith, google him and you will learn a lot. His songs were passionate, Christ centered and mission focused. Keith was unlike the majority of Christian musicians of his day or any day. He died a sudden death in a plane crash, but his music and his passion continue to bless generations of Christians.
This video is from 1978, the song is called "Dear John Letter to the Devil" It is a little (OK a lot) different, but I recall as a teenager singing this song in my pickup as it played on my "under dash" cassette player. So, indulge me and let me post this song about defeating the Satan because that is exactly what Christ gives us the power to accomplish. And if you are inclined check out more of Keith Green's music, I hope it speaks to you as it has to me, for more than 30 years.
When Jesus Shows Up
This sermon "
from Sept. 20, 2009 explores John 5:1-15 where Jesus heals a lame man. While there are many interesting aspects to this text the heart of the message is simply that Jesus is aware of this man and only Jesus is able to do for him what he can not do for himself.
This guy was passionate about wanting to be made whole, but he could not make it happen simply by his own will. Jesus, the Son of God, the crucified and risen saviour is the source of our life, our hope and our joy!
Without Jesus we have no hope, with Him we have more than we need!
Check out this great gospel song by the best Gospel singer America has ever known, Mahalia Jackson. The song written by Thomas A. Dorsey is "Precious Lord, take my hand". Dorsey has shared the story many times that he wrote this song in the midst of overwhelming grief at the death of his wife, at a very young age.
Dorsey recalls he was devastated and the sudden and tragic loss of the love of his life. Crying, praying and crying some more he sat at the piano and these words and this melody came almost instantly to him. They have been a blessing to millions since.
from Sept. 20, 2009 explores John 5:1-15 where Jesus heals a lame man. While there are many interesting aspects to this text the heart of the message is simply that Jesus is aware of this man and only Jesus is able to do for him what he can not do for himself.
This guy was passionate about wanting to be made whole, but he could not make it happen simply by his own will. Jesus, the Son of God, the crucified and risen saviour is the source of our life, our hope and our joy!
Without Jesus we have no hope, with Him we have more than we need!
Check out this great gospel song by the best Gospel singer America has ever known, Mahalia Jackson. The song written by Thomas A. Dorsey is "Precious Lord, take my hand". Dorsey has shared the story many times that he wrote this song in the midst of overwhelming grief at the death of his wife, at a very young age.
Dorsey recalls he was devastated and the sudden and tragic loss of the love of his life. Crying, praying and crying some more he sat at the piano and these words and this melody came almost instantly to him. They have been a blessing to millions since.
Growing in Grace
As we read the Gospels we quickly see a pattern in the lives of the disciples. First they are simply followers, then they grow in their passion for and understanding of Christ they become disciples. Not long after this Christ gives them service to perform and they are servants and at the end of His earthly ministry he calls them friends.
The sermon from Oct.4 explores this progression in the lives of the disciples and calls me to examine my own commitment to my Lord. I am growing deeper and stronger in my love and commitment to Him? Or am I easily distracted by sin and Satan to seek my own inferior pleasure rather then the vastly superior pleasure of God.
Before you listen to the sermon, take a listen to this great hymn sung by one of America's greatest hymn singers, George Beverly Shea. It is simply called "I'd rather have Jesus" and it was recorded live in 1957.
When I was a child we had a simple record player and only a handful of records. (I was a preacher's kid - and grateful for that- and my parents were intentional about what we watched and listened to) Each night my dad would put on one of our gospel records as we went to bed and I would fall to sleep listening to Ethel Waters or George Beverly Shea. This song, by Bev Shea was one that I listened to over and and over night after night. The words are powerful and the older I get the more meaningful they have become.
Indeed, as we grow in grace we realize, we would rather have Jesus.
By the way, Bev Shea is now 100 years old and recently he sang in person for the inmates at Angola Prison, the LA state prison.
Luke 22:7 - Growing in Grace. Are you?
"click to listen
The sermon from Oct.4 explores this progression in the lives of the disciples and calls me to examine my own commitment to my Lord. I am growing deeper and stronger in my love and commitment to Him? Or am I easily distracted by sin and Satan to seek my own inferior pleasure rather then the vastly superior pleasure of God.
Before you listen to the sermon, take a listen to this great hymn sung by one of America's greatest hymn singers, George Beverly Shea. It is simply called "I'd rather have Jesus" and it was recorded live in 1957.
When I was a child we had a simple record player and only a handful of records. (I was a preacher's kid - and grateful for that- and my parents were intentional about what we watched and listened to) Each night my dad would put on one of our gospel records as we went to bed and I would fall to sleep listening to Ethel Waters or George Beverly Shea. This song, by Bev Shea was one that I listened to over and and over night after night. The words are powerful and the older I get the more meaningful they have become.
Indeed, as we grow in grace we realize, we would rather have Jesus.
By the way, Bev Shea is now 100 years old and recently he sang in person for the inmates at Angola Prison, the LA state prison.
Luke 22:7 - Growing in Grace. Are you?
"click to listen
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