How to Break Up the Story
October 29, 2008
We're moving into John Chapter 4 and I've been wrestling with how to break it up exactly. I was tempted to just preach the whole narrative of the woman at the well straight thru--but there is so much here I felt I couldn't do it justice all in one sermon. So I came up with 4 tenative messages (which are subject to change.)
“A Heart For Those We Hate” or “Going Out of the Way for the Gospel” John 4:1-9
Jesus inconvenienced himself to reach those he should not have cared for. The Samaritans. Who are some people in our midst that we simply cannot stand?
“Quenching Your Thirst – Or The Water That Satisfies.” John 4:10-26
People are chasing and chasing, but finding no satisfaction. That thirst—that God-shaped hole—cannot be satisfied except in Jesus Christ. Come to Him. He offers living water.
“Meeting God at Starbucks – The Nature of True Worship” – John 4:19-26
Funny that Jesus used an adulterous woman to make a point about true worship? He didn’t speak this to Nicodemus. He didn’t speak it to the religious leaders of his day? Why? Because, as he told the woman at the well, worship isn’t confined to one temple or the other. It can be done even at a well, or as we might say today, even a Starbucks.
“Reaping the Harvest” – John 4:27-42
The disciples didn’t really get it, did they? But a disgraced Samaritan woman did. She became a better evangelist than they. Why is it that we think things of this earth are so much more important than the eternal souls?
John Wooden--A Great Man
October 29, 2008
Those that know me best know I'm a huge sports fan. I played basketball (not well) in high-school and have always admired great coaches. One of the best coaches and leaders and best men is John Wooden. Here is a link to an article about Wooden by Rick Rielly.
Great Column on the Election
October 13, 2008
Chuck Colson wrote a very important column on the election.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/october/22.150.html
A Sure-Fire Election Prediction
October 13, 2008
Top 10 Predictions No Matter Who Wins the Election
1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost.
God approves this message !
ISN'T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS REALLY IN CONTROL ?!!
7 Things a Christian Can Do In a Crisis
October 10, 2008
Everyday it seems more bad news eminates from Wall Street and in spite of the government's best efforts, it seems we're in a freefall. How should Christians react?
1) Don't Panic. 2 Timothy 1:7 says that God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a disciplined or sound mind. People are panicking, the media is hyperventilating, but as believers who trust God, we should not panic.
2) Be Anchored in Christ. Why shouldn't we panic? Because our anchor is in Jesus Christ. John 3:31 says that Jesus Christ is "above all." Do we really believe that Jesus Christ is above all, above the stock market, the job losses, the crisis unfolding around us? Hebrews says we have an anchor for our soul. My favorite Bible passage during a crisis is Psalm 46. I read this on 9/11 and I'm reading it now.
3) Check Your Greed. Let's face it. Greed got us into this mess. And while its tempting to point fingers only at a few so-called Wall Street "fat cats," everyone of us got caught up in the pursuit of a dangerous, greedy lifestyle. People wanted homes they couldn't afford. People wanted to spend more than they made. What happens when the credit runs out? This generation more than any other has a sense of entitlement. 1 Timothy 6:10 says that the love of money is the root of all evil. It also says that loving money can cause people to steal their attention away from God. Christians, of all people, should see this world as just a temporary home. Our riches are in Heaven. We don't live for this earth.
4) Make Wise Decisions. Proverbs says in a multitude of counselors is wisdom. If you've got big financial decisions to make, seek out godly, wise, financial advise from a variety of sources. Don't be impulsive. Don't be reactionary. Don't allow today's blaring headlines cause you'll regret later.
5) Pray. Pray for wisdom in your financial decisions. Pray for our leaders. The tendency is to blame Washington. Blame Wall Street. I accidentally turned on a talk-show the other day while riding into the office. I came upon some overheated conservative talk show host who was ranting and raving about the President and Congress and Wall Street. He sounded like a lunatic. I hear Christians get into this irrational blame game. That's foolish. Let's be wise, cool-headed, and prayerful. Didn't James caution us to be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath? Pray for our country.
6) Recommit yourself to the Lordship of Christ. Times of crisis are the exact times to go back to the church. Its my hope that financial crisis will drive people to church. Sometimes it takes a crisis of this magnitude to wake people up to their need for a Savior. If you're pursuit of success has taken you away from church, perhaps its time to come back and redicate yourself.
7) Demonstrate compassion. I've heard well-meaning Christians say, "Well, if someone forecloses on their house, that's what happens when you make poor decisions." But do we really want to see people lose their homes? What if it was someone in your neighborhood or someone in your family? No, let's demonstrate compassion and empathy. Perhaps our Christlikeness will point them to faith.
How Sweet to Hold a Newborn Baby
October 3, 2008
Daniel Michael Darling, Jr. - Born 1:48 PM - September 30th, 2008 - 8lbs 8oz 21.5 inches long.
I can't help but to think how blessed I am right now. I think of the 2nd verse of "Because He Lives" - one of my favorite hymns written by Bill Gaither.
How sweet to hold our newborn baby,
And feel the joy and love he brings,
But greater still, the calm assurance,
We can face in each new day, because he lives!
As Daniel Michael entered the world, the news on TV, in the papers, on the Internet--wherever you get your news--was not good. Economic uncertainty, corruption, war, crime, natural disasters, terrorism. So how can little Daniel Michael survive in this world? Because He Lives. I'm glad I was born into a family that believed this. And I'm going to work my hardest to instill the faith in another generation of Darlings.
I'm so grateful to have a loving, caring, giving wife, Angela. A mother really sacrifices to bring her children into the world. We forget that. I'm also extraordinarly grateful for grandparents on both sides who love God and will help foster the faith of my own children. And I'm blessed to have such a caring, warm, beautiful group of people at Gages Lake Bible Church who so generously and kindly have helped bring little Daniel Jr into the world.
|
