This Sunday, October 19th at the 10:30 a.m. service only, I will be sharing a message on "What To Do With Your Worry." It's been kind of scary lately with everything that has been happening in the financial markets and the economy in general. We are living in anxious times, but the Lord has a word of encouragement for us. Use this opportunity to invite someone to worship with you this week. The message will be very practical as to what we can do with our worry and will focus on Christ as our refuge in uncertain times. See you Sunday.
For His Glory!
Pastor Joe
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Sermon Text for Sunday, October 19, 2008
Malachi 3:6-12 (New King James Version)
[6] “ For I am the LORD, I do not change;
Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.
[7] Yet from the days of your fathers
You have gone away from My ordinances
And have not kept them.
Return to Me, and I will return to you,”
Says the LORD of hosts.
“ But you said,
‘ In what way shall we return?’
[8] “ Will a man rob God?
Yet you have robbed Me!
But you say,
‘ In what way have we robbed You?’
In tithes and offerings.
[9] You are cursed with a curse,
For you have robbed Me,
Even this whole nation.
[10] Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,”
Says the LORD of hosts,
“ If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.
[11] “ And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes,
So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground,
Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,”
Says the LORD of hosts;
[12] And all nations will call you blessed,
For you will be a delightful land,”
Says the LORD of hosts.
For His Glory!
Pastor Joe
[6] “ For I am the LORD, I do not change;
Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.
[7] Yet from the days of your fathers
You have gone away from My ordinances
And have not kept them.
Return to Me, and I will return to you,”
Says the LORD of hosts.
“ But you said,
‘ In what way shall we return?’
[8] “ Will a man rob God?
Yet you have robbed Me!
But you say,
‘ In what way have we robbed You?’
In tithes and offerings.
[9] You are cursed with a curse,
For you have robbed Me,
Even this whole nation.
[10] Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,”
Says the LORD of hosts,
“ If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.
[11] “ And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes,
So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground,
Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,”
Says the LORD of hosts;
[12] And all nations will call you blessed,
For you will be a delightful land,”
Says the LORD of hosts.
For His Glory!
Pastor Joe
Monday, October 6, 2008
Sermon Text for Sunday, October 12, 2008
Malachi 2:10-16
[10] Have we not all one Father? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our fathers by breaking faith with one another? [11] Judah has broken faith. A detestable thing has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem: Judah has desecrated the sanctuary the LORD loves, by marrying the daughter of a foreign god. [12] As for the man who does this, whoever he may be, may the LORD cut him off from the tents of Jacob—even though he brings offerings to the LORD Almighty.
[13] Another thing you do: You flood the LORD's altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer pays attention to your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. [14] You ask, "Why?" It is because the LORD is acting as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.
[15] Has not the LORD made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.
[16] "I hate divorce," says the LORD God of Israel, "and I hate a man's covering himself with violence as well as with his garment," says the LORD Almighty. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith.
For His Glory!
Pastor Joe
[10] Have we not all one Father? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our fathers by breaking faith with one another? [11] Judah has broken faith. A detestable thing has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem: Judah has desecrated the sanctuary the LORD loves, by marrying the daughter of a foreign god. [12] As for the man who does this, whoever he may be, may the LORD cut him off from the tents of Jacob—even though he brings offerings to the LORD Almighty.
[13] Another thing you do: You flood the LORD's altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer pays attention to your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. [14] You ask, "Why?" It is because the LORD is acting as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.
[15] Has not the LORD made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.
[16] "I hate divorce," says the LORD God of Israel, "and I hate a man's covering himself with violence as well as with his garment," says the LORD Almighty. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith.
For His Glory!
Pastor Joe
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Sermon Text for Sunday, October 5, 2008
GONE FISHING!
John 21:1-6
[1] After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: [2] Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. [3] Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately[a] got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. [4] But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. [5] Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?”
They answered Him, “No.” [6] And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.
For His Glory!
Pastor Joe
John 21:1-6
[1] After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: [2] Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. [3] Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately[a] got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. [4] But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. [5] Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?”
They answered Him, “No.” [6] And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.
For His Glory!
Pastor Joe
Monday, September 22, 2008
A Lengthy Response to "Happiness Is the Residue of a Holy Life"
September 22, 2008
The following is my response to the above article by Patrick Morley which recently generated quite a bit of email discussion among some of the men of the church.
Link to the Article: http://www.maninthemirror.org/alm/alm166.htm
First, let me say that I enjoy reading all of the comments that have been arriving to me as emails. Very spiritually stimulating dialogue. Thanks Brett Crow for getting these conversations started. Second, all of you (and you know who you are) who are not leading a study group should be! Seriously, this is the kind of well-thought-out dialogue that should characterize Hebron’s Sunday School and Bible Studies. Third, I am “weighing in” late on the topic as the church did not have internet for most of last week and I have been unable to access my account. Anyway, having said all that, let me throw my two or three cents in.
I enjoyed the article, “Happiness Is the Residue of a Holy Life” and felt that Patrick Morley was right on target. True holiness, which is living a God-centered and directed life, does produce true happiness or “blessedness.” This makes perfect sense. When you pursue God with all of your heart, soul, and strength, you discover the kind of true happiness that is described in the Beatitudes (God’s radical attitudes for life). Of course, the issue seems to be, “Is it appropriate for the church to offer people the way of happiness?” “Is this somehow selling out or commercializing the Gospel?” “Can we preach the Beatitudes to people in the hopes that they will discover God’s way of happiness?” My answer is a resounding “Yes!”
In understanding a text, it is imperative to know at least two things: (1) What kind of literature you are dealing with and, (2) What was the author’s original intention (purpose). Keep in mind that the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) are by there very nature considered evangelistic literature. In other words, they present in the purest form the basic materials for Gospel preaching; that of calling people to faith in Christ. This makes the Beatitudes fair game for evangelistic preaching. In my preaching from the Beatitudes, my underlying approach has always been to make clear to people, “This is what God says true happiness is; therefore, if you will radically reorient your life towards God (become God-centered through repentance), you will discover that God’s blessedness is far different from the worlds, but also far more satisfying.”
I agree with Brett’s statement that it is God-honoring to preach a message on a topic (e.g., “True Happiness” [my phrase]) as a starting point with the intention of showing people that this is a result of a God-glorifying relationship. Let me digress for a moment and veer off into the field of preaching. Homiletics (the art of preaching) has to do with the way a preacher develops a sermon – its content, structure, and style. Because preaching is art (but not fine art), there will be many variations in how a biblical text is presented, all of which can be faithful biblical sermons. For instance, some preachers chose to begin with a topic which is supported with various biblical texts (e.g., Rick Warren’s approach), while other preachers chose to begin with a text which is developed as a unified message (e.g., John MacArthur’s approach). Topical sermons (once the mainstay of preaching, especially in Baptist churches), generally speaking, are not held in high regard by many people today. This may be a poor generalization, but people that listen typically to a John MacArthur or John Piper are not big Rick Warren fans. Nevertheless, both styles of preaching are evident in Baptist churches (and others as well) every week and can be God-honoring, biblical, expository in nature (i.e., explaining and applying the text) and effective in calling people to salvation in Christ.
In case you’re wondering, probably 90% of my sermons begin with one unit of text and are expository in nature. Last week’s sermon, “If I Were Satan,” was an exception to my general practice. Although I will preach topical sermons on occasion, I generally prefer to preach a biblical unit of thought (usually a paragraph in length) and I often preach successively through Books of the Bible. (Commercial) This week I will begin an expository series of sermons from the Book of Malachi.
What does all of this have to do with our discussion of “Happiness”? It is biblical to promote God’s way of life (His Word on happiness) in a topical fashion that appeals to people outside of the faith in the hopes that individuals will be open to God’s Spirit at work in their lives. Of course, we do have an obligation to preach the truth with integrity and not just tell people what they want to hear. I admit that some preaching today sounds like man-centered pop psychology, “Ten Easy Steps to Being Happy” (minus God). However, just because some preachers (and churches) are preaching happiness (and other “felt-need” topics) from a man-centered view doesn’t mean we should not apply the proper corrective by preaching what God really says on these subjects.
In conclusion (a favorite expression of preachers), let me say that I think holy people are happy people. They are happy because the Beatitudes are fleshed-out in their thinking and lives. The godly man does live a “blessed” (“makarios,” exuberantly happy) life. Some Christians have adopted a suspicious attitude toward happiness as if being happy is somehow less than holy or God-honoring. I praise God that He has made me righteous (holy) through Christ (2 Cor. 5:21). Because Christ has set me free by His amazing grace (Eph. 2:8-10; Jn. 8:31-32), I am living a “blessed” (happy) life. Does God want people to be happy or holy? Based on Scripture, I would have to say God desires that people be both holy and happy. It’s not an either or situation that we are confronted with as one of the first paragraphs in the article points out: “But why do they [i.e., holiness and happiness] have to be mutually exclusive? . . . I think a better solution is to describe the correct relationship between happiness and holiness.” So I ask, “Why does the church have to present holiness and happiness as mutually exclusive?” The answer to the first question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism is helpful at this point. To the question, “What is the chief end of man?,” the catechism states the following: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” There it is – holiness (“glorify him”) and happiness (“enjoy him”) residing together in wonderful harmony. The better path is to preach and teach both holiness and happiness. Faithfulness to the biblical text demands that we do no less.
“Happy in Jesus!”
Pastor Joe
The following is my response to the above article by Patrick Morley which recently generated quite a bit of email discussion among some of the men of the church.
Link to the Article: http://www.maninthemirror.org/alm/alm166.htm
First, let me say that I enjoy reading all of the comments that have been arriving to me as emails. Very spiritually stimulating dialogue. Thanks Brett Crow for getting these conversations started. Second, all of you (and you know who you are) who are not leading a study group should be! Seriously, this is the kind of well-thought-out dialogue that should characterize Hebron’s Sunday School and Bible Studies. Third, I am “weighing in” late on the topic as the church did not have internet for most of last week and I have been unable to access my account. Anyway, having said all that, let me throw my two or three cents in.
I enjoyed the article, “Happiness Is the Residue of a Holy Life” and felt that Patrick Morley was right on target. True holiness, which is living a God-centered and directed life, does produce true happiness or “blessedness.” This makes perfect sense. When you pursue God with all of your heart, soul, and strength, you discover the kind of true happiness that is described in the Beatitudes (God’s radical attitudes for life). Of course, the issue seems to be, “Is it appropriate for the church to offer people the way of happiness?” “Is this somehow selling out or commercializing the Gospel?” “Can we preach the Beatitudes to people in the hopes that they will discover God’s way of happiness?” My answer is a resounding “Yes!”
In understanding a text, it is imperative to know at least two things: (1) What kind of literature you are dealing with and, (2) What was the author’s original intention (purpose). Keep in mind that the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) are by there very nature considered evangelistic literature. In other words, they present in the purest form the basic materials for Gospel preaching; that of calling people to faith in Christ. This makes the Beatitudes fair game for evangelistic preaching. In my preaching from the Beatitudes, my underlying approach has always been to make clear to people, “This is what God says true happiness is; therefore, if you will radically reorient your life towards God (become God-centered through repentance), you will discover that God’s blessedness is far different from the worlds, but also far more satisfying.”
I agree with Brett’s statement that it is God-honoring to preach a message on a topic (e.g., “True Happiness” [my phrase]) as a starting point with the intention of showing people that this is a result of a God-glorifying relationship. Let me digress for a moment and veer off into the field of preaching. Homiletics (the art of preaching) has to do with the way a preacher develops a sermon – its content, structure, and style. Because preaching is art (but not fine art), there will be many variations in how a biblical text is presented, all of which can be faithful biblical sermons. For instance, some preachers chose to begin with a topic which is supported with various biblical texts (e.g., Rick Warren’s approach), while other preachers chose to begin with a text which is developed as a unified message (e.g., John MacArthur’s approach). Topical sermons (once the mainstay of preaching, especially in Baptist churches), generally speaking, are not held in high regard by many people today. This may be a poor generalization, but people that listen typically to a John MacArthur or John Piper are not big Rick Warren fans. Nevertheless, both styles of preaching are evident in Baptist churches (and others as well) every week and can be God-honoring, biblical, expository in nature (i.e., explaining and applying the text) and effective in calling people to salvation in Christ.
In case you’re wondering, probably 90% of my sermons begin with one unit of text and are expository in nature. Last week’s sermon, “If I Were Satan,” was an exception to my general practice. Although I will preach topical sermons on occasion, I generally prefer to preach a biblical unit of thought (usually a paragraph in length) and I often preach successively through Books of the Bible. (Commercial) This week I will begin an expository series of sermons from the Book of Malachi.
What does all of this have to do with our discussion of “Happiness”? It is biblical to promote God’s way of life (His Word on happiness) in a topical fashion that appeals to people outside of the faith in the hopes that individuals will be open to God’s Spirit at work in their lives. Of course, we do have an obligation to preach the truth with integrity and not just tell people what they want to hear. I admit that some preaching today sounds like man-centered pop psychology, “Ten Easy Steps to Being Happy” (minus God). However, just because some preachers (and churches) are preaching happiness (and other “felt-need” topics) from a man-centered view doesn’t mean we should not apply the proper corrective by preaching what God really says on these subjects.
In conclusion (a favorite expression of preachers), let me say that I think holy people are happy people. They are happy because the Beatitudes are fleshed-out in their thinking and lives. The godly man does live a “blessed” (“makarios,” exuberantly happy) life. Some Christians have adopted a suspicious attitude toward happiness as if being happy is somehow less than holy or God-honoring. I praise God that He has made me righteous (holy) through Christ (2 Cor. 5:21). Because Christ has set me free by His amazing grace (Eph. 2:8-10; Jn. 8:31-32), I am living a “blessed” (happy) life. Does God want people to be happy or holy? Based on Scripture, I would have to say God desires that people be both holy and happy. It’s not an either or situation that we are confronted with as one of the first paragraphs in the article points out: “But why do they [i.e., holiness and happiness] have to be mutually exclusive? . . . I think a better solution is to describe the correct relationship between happiness and holiness.” So I ask, “Why does the church have to present holiness and happiness as mutually exclusive?” The answer to the first question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism is helpful at this point. To the question, “What is the chief end of man?,” the catechism states the following: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” There it is – holiness (“glorify him”) and happiness (“enjoy him”) residing together in wonderful harmony. The better path is to preach and teach both holiness and happiness. Faithfulness to the biblical text demands that we do no less.
“Happy in Jesus!”
Pastor Joe
MALACHI: REKINDLING THE FIRES OF FAITH
Pastor's New Sermon Series Begins September 28th
What happens when the flames of faith burn low, sputter, and seem to be on the verge of being blown out by the winds of contempt and cynicism? God raises up a spokesman to call His people back to renewed faithfulness to Him. Malachi was such a spokesman for his time, and our time. Malachi – “God’s messenger” – ministered in perhaps the most difficult period of the nation’s history: a time of waiting for God’s promises to be fulfilled. Many people doubted that God cared or would act on their behalf. Malachi showed his people that what was needed was to rekindle the fires of faith that almost had gone out. Among the areas that Malachi addressed were worship, divorce, the day of the Lord, ethical living, stewardship, and God’s righteous remnant.
Malachi is a timely book for today. Beginning this Sunday, September 28th, I will be sharing a series of messages from the book of Malachi. “Rekindling the Fires of Faith” is designed to help us as a church focus on four important areas of faith.
September 28 “Rekindling Your Worship”
Malachi 1:6-14
October 5 “Gone Fishing!”
Sharing the Gospel Emphasis
October 12 “Rekindling Your Marriage”
Malachi 2:10-16
October 19 “Rekindling Your Stewardship”
Malachi 3:6-12
October 26 “Rekindling Your Hope”
Malachi 3:13-4:3
For His Glory!
Pastor Joe
What happens when the flames of faith burn low, sputter, and seem to be on the verge of being blown out by the winds of contempt and cynicism? God raises up a spokesman to call His people back to renewed faithfulness to Him. Malachi was such a spokesman for his time, and our time. Malachi – “God’s messenger” – ministered in perhaps the most difficult period of the nation’s history: a time of waiting for God’s promises to be fulfilled. Many people doubted that God cared or would act on their behalf. Malachi showed his people that what was needed was to rekindle the fires of faith that almost had gone out. Among the areas that Malachi addressed were worship, divorce, the day of the Lord, ethical living, stewardship, and God’s righteous remnant.
Malachi is a timely book for today. Beginning this Sunday, September 28th, I will be sharing a series of messages from the book of Malachi. “Rekindling the Fires of Faith” is designed to help us as a church focus on four important areas of faith.
September 28 “Rekindling Your Worship”
Malachi 1:6-14
October 5 “Gone Fishing!”
Sharing the Gospel Emphasis
October 12 “Rekindling Your Marriage”
Malachi 2:10-16
October 19 “Rekindling Your Stewardship”
Malachi 3:6-12
October 26 “Rekindling Your Hope”
Malachi 3:13-4:3
For His Glory!
Pastor Joe
Sermon Text for Sunday, September 28, 2008
New Sermon Series: REKINDLING THE FIRES OF FAITH
Sunday, September 28th begins a new series of messages from the book of Malachi.
Topic: "Rekindling Your Worship"
Text: Malachi 1:6-14
6 “ A son honors his father,
And a servant his master.
If then I am the Father,
Where is My honor?
And if I am a Master,
Where is My reverence?
Says the LORD of hosts
To you priests who despise My name.
Yet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?’
7 “ You offer defiled food on My altar,
But say,‘ In what way have we defiled You?’
By saying, ‘ The table of the LORD is contemptible.’
8 And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice,
Is it not evil?
And when you offer the lame and sick,
Is it not evil?
Offer it then to your governor!
Would he be pleased with you?
Would he accept you favorably?”
Says the LORD of hosts.
9 “ But now entreat God’s favor,
That He may be gracious to us.
Whilethis is being done by your hands,
Will He accept you favorably?”
Says the LORD of hosts.
10 “ Who is there even among you who would shut the doors,
So that you would not kindle fire on My altar in vain?
I have no pleasure in you,”
Says the LORD of hosts,
“ Nor will I accept an offering from your hands.
11 For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down,
My name shall be great among the Gentiles;
In every place incense shall be offered to My name,
And a pure offering;
For My name shall be great among the nations,”
Says the LORD of hosts.
12 “ But you profane it,
In that you say,
‘ The table of the LORD[a] is defiled;
And its fruit, its food, is contemptible.’
13 You also say,
‘ Oh, what a weariness!’
And you sneer at it,”
Says the LORD of hosts.
“ And you bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick;
Thus you bring an offering!
Should I accept this from your hand?”
Says the LORD.
14 “ But cursed be the deceiver
Who has in his flock a male,
And takes a vow,
But sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished—
For I am a great King,”
Says the LORD of hosts,
“ And My name is to be feared among the nations.
For His Glory!
Pastor Joe
Sunday, September 28th begins a new series of messages from the book of Malachi.
Topic: "Rekindling Your Worship"
Text: Malachi 1:6-14
6 “ A son honors his father,
And a servant his master.
If then I am the Father,
Where is My honor?
And if I am a Master,
Where is My reverence?
Says the LORD of hosts
To you priests who despise My name.
Yet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?’
7 “ You offer defiled food on My altar,
But say,‘ In what way have we defiled You?’
By saying, ‘ The table of the LORD is contemptible.’
8 And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice,
Is it not evil?
And when you offer the lame and sick,
Is it not evil?
Offer it then to your governor!
Would he be pleased with you?
Would he accept you favorably?”
Says the LORD of hosts.
9 “ But now entreat God’s favor,
That He may be gracious to us.
Whilethis is being done by your hands,
Will He accept you favorably?”
Says the LORD of hosts.
10 “ Who is there even among you who would shut the doors,
So that you would not kindle fire on My altar in vain?
I have no pleasure in you,”
Says the LORD of hosts,
“ Nor will I accept an offering from your hands.
11 For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down,
My name shall be great among the Gentiles;
In every place incense shall be offered to My name,
And a pure offering;
For My name shall be great among the nations,”
Says the LORD of hosts.
12 “ But you profane it,
In that you say,
‘ The table of the LORD[a] is defiled;
And its fruit, its food, is contemptible.’
13 You also say,
‘ Oh, what a weariness!’
And you sneer at it,”
Says the LORD of hosts.
“ And you bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick;
Thus you bring an offering!
Should I accept this from your hand?”
Says the LORD.
14 “ But cursed be the deceiver
Who has in his flock a male,
And takes a vow,
But sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished—
For I am a great King,”
Says the LORD of hosts,
“ And My name is to be feared among the nations.
For His Glory!
Pastor Joe
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