Monday Quote

A few Notes:

• Got to preach this weekend.
• Supposed to be 63 degrees on the Christmas Day, forget that whole White Christmas thing.
• Colts are in the playoffs.
• Heading to Indiana on the night of the 25th or morning of the 26th.  Any tips for REALLY long drives with a baby?

Today’s Quote comes from JC Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on the Gospels.  This quote are taken from his thoughts on Matthew 1:21, “for he shall save their people from their sins.”

“He saves them from the guilt of sin, by washing them in His own atoning blood.  He saves them from the dominion of sin, by putting in their hearts the sanctifying Spirit.  He saves them from the presence of sin, when He takes them out of this world to rest with Him.  He will save them from all the consequences of sin, when He shall give them a glorious body at the last day.  Blessed and holy are Christ’s people!  From sorrow, cross, and conflict they are not saved. But they are saved from sin for evermore.  They are cleansed from guilt by Christ’s blood. They are made meet for heaven by Christ’s Spirit.  This is salvation.”

Have a good week and good luck finishing up the Christmas shopping.

Matt

 

 

Jury Duty

I’m getting a late start to my week due to my recent assignment of jury duty.  I reported on Monday with about 300 other potential jurors.  After two hours they announced only 40 would stay because only one trial needed jurors.  Of course out of those 40 I was selected.  Thinking I would never be one of the 12 I went to the courtroom and soon found out I was juror number 3. 

This was my second time getting selected to serve on a juror and although I did complain, it never fails to be an interesting process.  Once the judge and the lawyers found out that I was a pastor they had many questions for me before they approved me for the jury.  I keep thinking my title would get me thrown out, but they choose to keep me around. 

The case began and the evidence was presented and we eventually found the 18 year old guilty.  I believe beyond a reasonable doubt he was in fact guilty and I believe he got a pretty light sentence given all the judge said during sentencing, but that didn’t stop me from really feeling sorry for this young man.  I didn’t feel sorry for him because the judge raised his voice at him at the end of trial asking him “how many times this was going to happen” or “what is it going to take to get his attention.”  I didn’t feel sorry that he was going to spend 20 days in jail, although I realize he will spend his Christmas day behind bars.  The reason  I had compassion for him was because I wondered if anyone had ever introduced him to Jesus.  Here in front of me was an 18 year old boy about to graduate High School and he didn’t have a clue. 

The things of this world are very appealing and I understand if not for the grace of God that could have been me in that defendants chair.  In fact that could have been any of us.  I don’t want to be like the Pharisee who thanked God he was not like that tax collect, but instead like the tax collect who prayed for mercy.  You know what is worse than dealing drugs?  Is to be PROUD that you are not a drug dealer.  You know what is worse than being a murder?  Is to be PROUD that you are not one.  We sit where we sit today not because of our own goodness, but only through the goodness and grace of our eternal God.  Let me leave you with a couple of verses:

When pride comes, then comes disgrace,but with the humble is wisdom.     —Proverbs 11:2

One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.   —Proverbs 29:23

matt

Church Marketing

Some people don’t like the term “church marketing,”  yet those same people will create websites, business cards, etc for their church.  Some say that it is a term from the secular world and that we should avoid it, but marketing is defined as promoting or distrubting. We need to be aware how the world is perceiving the message we are trying to reach them with. 

As a future church planter I have tried to be more conscious of the “marketing” side of ministry and the church.  I have found that their are numerous websites that seek to help us reach people with gospel through a clear and creative marketing.  I type all this not to introduce a new creative marketing strategy, but instead to introduce a creative video.  I hope you enjoy. 

Monday Quote

A few notes:

• Watch Francis Chan’s sermons on Living Sacrificially!! You will be challenged.
• Had a good Thanksgiving, Jenn made a few new desserts and killed any attempt I had at dieting. 
• Starting a new series on Wednesday night, “Mary Did You Know.”  I know my title isn’t creative, but it will work.
• Stayed in bed on Black Friday, missed some deals.  Loving buying the Christmas gift that nobody asked for and are not expecting.  You always take a chance they will hate it but at least it will be a surprise.
• Small Group Christmas Party this Friday I still have to MAKE my gift for the exchange. 
• Church was good.  I got to baptize five and afterwards had some good conversation with two others. 
• Pray for Alora, she was in our student ministry last year.  She went into the hospital this weekend. 

During Seminary I started John Piper’s book, “Brother’s We Are Not Professionals” a number of times, but due to school assignments and poor time management I never completed it.  This morning I once again began this book.  In the first Chapter I was challenged by several quotes here are two.

“the love of professionalsim kills a man’s belief that he is sent by God to save people from hell and to make them Christ-exalting, spiritual aliens in the world.”

“We are fools for Christ sake.  But professionals are wise.  We are weak. But professionals are strong. Professionals are held in honor.  We are in disrepute.  We do not try to secure a professional lifestyle, but we are ready to hunger and thirst and be ill-clad and homeless.”

                                           John Piper