Monday, January 24, 2011

Good Grief! Blessed Are the Mourners (Matthw 5:4)

Sunday, January 30th we will continue the series of messages from the beatitudes, a section of Scripture that forms part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.

This Sunday, we will look at Matthew 5:4, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." I hope that you will join us for this thought-provoking study through the life-changing words of Jesus. We will discover what it truly means to follow Jesus.

See you Sunday as we gather for worship and life-changing Bible study!

For His Glory!
Pastor Joe

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

"Be-Attitudes: Radical Attitudes for 21st Century Christians"

Sunday, January 23rd I will begin a series of messages from the beatitudes, a section of Scripture that forms part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, a summary of Jesus' essential teachings. The subject of "Radical" Christianity has been discussed much lately. Clearly, what Jesus taught in the beatitudes is "Radical" but essential teaching for all followers of Jesus.

This Sunday, we will begin with Matthew 5:3, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." I hope that you will join us for this thought-provoking study through the life-changing words of Jesus. We will discover what it truly means to follow Jesus.

See you Sunday as we gather for worship and life-changing Bible study!
For His Glory!
Pastor Joe

HBC Wednesday Night Devotion & Prayer

On Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. as a part of our prayer and devotion time we are discovering the meaning of some of the Bible's most famous verses. Each week we are asking the following inductive questions of the text under consideration.

Inductive Bible Study Questions
1. What is the text about? (Central Theme)

2. What does the text mean to you?

3. What key words or ideas are emphasized in the text?

4. What don't you understand about the text?

5. What command(s) is there to obey?

6. What promise(s) is there to claim?

7. Based on this text what specific applications can I make in my life this week?

Tonight (January 19th) our text is Jeremiah 29:11. Here is a schedule of some of our upcoming studies:

January 26 -- Romans 8:28
February 2 -- Philippians 4:13
February 9 -- Genesis 1:1, 26, 27
February 16 -- Proverbs 3:5-6
February 23 -- Romans 12:1-2

You are invited to explore God's Word with us on Wednesdays. Devotion and prayer will do your soul good!

For His Glory!
Pastor Joe

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

This Sunday at HBC! January 9, 2011

It's Good to Be Back!
It is great to be back in LA after a week of visiting with family in Florida. I'm looking forward to our time of worship this Sunday! Over the holidays I read two books from two distinct theological perspectives on Jesus, yet they shared similarities in respect to the radical life and message of Jesus. Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan's, "The Last Week" shows us a Jesus who confronted the Imperial domination system of his day through nonviolence and a passion for justice. Jesus calls his followers to share in his passion by following in his path.

David Platt's, "Radical" shows us a "stripped away" picture of following Jesus that much of the western church has glossed over or explained away. This book is a must read for all who take the call to follow Jesus seriously. Beginning this Sunday at 5:00 p.m. Arnold Swartz will be leading a study of this thought-provoking book. All are welcomed to attend this study. This would be a great study to begin your new year.

In the morning services this week I will be dealing with some of the recurring themes in the book, "Radical." For example, what does it mean to be called a Christian? What is involved in following Jesus? Does our Christianity reflect the truth of Scripture or have we settled for a westernized and watered down version?

The text for the week is Matthew 4:18-22 (New International Version)

Jesus Calls His First Disciples
18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.

19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them,

22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday!
For His Glory!
Pastor Joe