In the sermon on Sunday, I drew specific focus on the people of Israel finally crying out to God for help and how I/we have a hard time doing that. I mentioned that what we typically do is complain instead.
Do you complain much? I think when we are honest, we tend to complain a little more than we'd like to admit. Why is that? Why do we complain? And what do you find yourself complaining about? And what's the remedy? I'm curious to hear what you think.
Brian.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Moses and Me: the long journey to humility
Moses went from a position of significance in the Egypt to obscurity in a foreign land. He wasn't even "good enough" to belong to a group of slaves. That's quite remarkable to think about; he was even rejected by his own people.
You know, Moses could have fought against this descent. Maybe he even did, we don't know all the details of the story. But through the providential circumstances, he had no other option other than accept his rejected lot in life. For Moses, humility meant he stopped fighting for something other than his reality.
Why do you and I fight against our reality (i.e. our brokenness, sin, evil, addictions, weakness, vulnerability)? I have my ideas, but what are yours? And according to the message on Sunday, what do we lose when keep holding tight to the illusion of respectability?
I'd be curious to here your thoughts on anything related to our Sunday message.
You know, Moses could have fought against this descent. Maybe he even did, we don't know all the details of the story. But through the providential circumstances, he had no other option other than accept his rejected lot in life. For Moses, humility meant he stopped fighting for something other than his reality.
Why do you and I fight against our reality (i.e. our brokenness, sin, evil, addictions, weakness, vulnerability)? I have my ideas, but what are yours? And according to the message on Sunday, what do we lose when keep holding tight to the illusion of respectability?
I'd be curious to here your thoughts on anything related to our Sunday message.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Did they lie or not?
In our passage this morning, pharaoh ordered Shiphrah and Ruah, these Hebrew midwives to kill these babies if they were boys. Ex. 1:17 says, "But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live." Then when pharaoh asks the midwives why they didn't do as he commanded they answered (vs. 19), "Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them."
What do you think of their response? Do you think they are being dishonest to pharaoh? Do you think there could possibly be an explanation for what they said; maybe we don't have full story? Do you think they lied to pharaoh or not? And does it matter? What might be some of the implications if they were dishonest?
I'm curious to hear your thoughts.
Pastor Brian
What do you think of their response? Do you think they are being dishonest to pharaoh? Do you think there could possibly be an explanation for what they said; maybe we don't have full story? Do you think they lied to pharaoh or not? And does it matter? What might be some of the implications if they were dishonest?
I'm curious to hear your thoughts.
Pastor Brian
Sunday, May 10, 2009
No compromise
Following up from our sermon on Sunday (5-10-09), I'm curious to hear you respond to a couple of things.
1. When I live life by my way rather than Jesus' way, I know I'm missing out seeing God work. What do you think you're missing by doing life your own way?
2. What do you think is holding you back from living fully in the love and grace of God? Are you afraid of what others will think? Maybe you don't know what that means; maybe you are new to this whole Jesus think and you're thinking, "I'm not even sure how to live with God?" Are you being distracted from life with God because of all the clutter around you? Maybe there's another reason (educate me!).
Pastor Brian
1. When I live life by my way rather than Jesus' way, I know I'm missing out seeing God work. What do you think you're missing by doing life your own way?
2. What do you think is holding you back from living fully in the love and grace of God? Are you afraid of what others will think? Maybe you don't know what that means; maybe you are new to this whole Jesus think and you're thinking, "I'm not even sure how to live with God?" Are you being distracted from life with God because of all the clutter around you? Maybe there's another reason (educate me!).
Pastor Brian
Sunday, May 3, 2009
No Accidents with God
We learned this Sunday that the people of Israel weren't in Egypt by accident, but instead by the providential hand of a merciful and gracious God.
God has you right where he wants you even if that has come through the unjust actions of others. Nothing escapes the providence of God and being good God is always working good for his children. What do you think about that and why? Is this an encouragement to you or not? If yes, why? If not, why?
Don't be content with you initial reactions, whatever they are. Explore why you think and feel the way that you do. Examine why you might see this as encouraging or discouraging. It's only when we get honest with ourselves do we really begin to grow.
I'm anxious to hear what you say.
Pastor Brian
God has you right where he wants you even if that has come through the unjust actions of others. Nothing escapes the providence of God and being good God is always working good for his children. What do you think about that and why? Is this an encouragement to you or not? If yes, why? If not, why?
Don't be content with you initial reactions, whatever they are. Explore why you think and feel the way that you do. Examine why you might see this as encouraging or discouraging. It's only when we get honest with ourselves do we really begin to grow.
I'm anxious to hear what you say.
Pastor Brian
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Expository Preaching and Exodus
As I shared on Sunday, we've been covering a number of sermon topics since finishing 1 Corinthians last fall. We are now returning to a book of the Bible, the book of Exodus. This strategy is called "expository preaching."
The fact of the matter is I always try to preaching expositionally. Exposition simply means "to expound;" as a preacher, my primary goal is to let the Word of God speak for itself whether I'm in a sermon series from a book of the Bible or I'm discussing a specific topic. So, I simply try to expound what God has already said. And when you march through a book of the Bible, you force yourself to address and take seriously everything that God says rather than jumping around and touching on topics and verses that peak your interest.
Help me out as we prepare to work through Exodus: what questions do you have that are related to this book? What questions do you hope will be addressed as we go through this book? What do you think about going through a book from the Old Testament? Your feedback will be helpful as I prepare these sermons.
Blessings,
Pastor Brian
The fact of the matter is I always try to preaching expositionally. Exposition simply means "to expound;" as a preacher, my primary goal is to let the Word of God speak for itself whether I'm in a sermon series from a book of the Bible or I'm discussing a specific topic. So, I simply try to expound what God has already said. And when you march through a book of the Bible, you force yourself to address and take seriously everything that God says rather than jumping around and touching on topics and verses that peak your interest.
Help me out as we prepare to work through Exodus: what questions do you have that are related to this book? What questions do you hope will be addressed as we go through this book? What do you think about going through a book from the Old Testament? Your feedback will be helpful as I prepare these sermons.
Blessings,
Pastor Brian
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Baptism
Tell me about your thoughts on baptism. If you've been baptized, what was that like for you? If you haven't been baptized, why not? Do you feel you have a good handle on the meaning and significance of baptism?
As we mentioned in the service, our annual baptism and picnic at the Thompsons is scheduled for Sunday after church, July 19. If you are interested in baptism, make sure you let us know. But by all means, put the day on the calendar; its a great day.
Let me know your thoughts; tell me your stories.
Pastor Brian
As we mentioned in the service, our annual baptism and picnic at the Thompsons is scheduled for Sunday after church, July 19. If you are interested in baptism, make sure you let us know. But by all means, put the day on the calendar; its a great day.
Let me know your thoughts; tell me your stories.
Pastor Brian
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