Colossians 1:9-14 Fully Pleasing to God As the gospel transforms us from the domain of darkness into saints standing in the light, our lives are meant to be fully pleasing to God. Disciples strive to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. Pray for Spiritual Wisdom (Col. 1:9) Knowledge is the content of truth, wisdom is the comprehension of …
Need some Weekly Wisdom? Here are my favorite resources of the week. Verse of the Week Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. -2 Corinthians 5:9 Book of the Week The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman I reread this book every few years. Ever since I read it in …
As an adoptive family, we have more random stories of interactions with strangers than we care to count. For whatever reason, close associates or random passerbys feel inclined to make conversation regarding your family when they realize a child is adopted. In our situation, it is very obvious that we are an adoptive family, and so we have heard it …
With the rise of social media and the barrage of technological connectivity, marriages can become endangered if proper precautions are not in place. Operating from numerous devices and connecting through various mediums, we are able to connect with people in a host of ways. The ability to have pseudo-community with other people is at an unprecedented level and will continue …
We talk about making disciples, but do we know how to do it? In this series of lessons on Personal Discipleship, let’s pray that we start obeying the biblical mandate regarding discipleship.
Before we can make a disciple, we need to figure out what one looks like.
Colossians 1:1-8 Disciples Keep Growing Paul recognized the Colossian church as a group of disciples who had been changed and yet were still being changed by the gospel. As disciples, the gospel should be continually bearing fruit and increasing within us and through us. 9 Traits of Growing Disciples Disciples keep growing if: their faith is in Jesus – Faith …
Need some Weekly Wisdom? Here are my favorite resources of the week. I am going to try something different this year in sharing weekly resources that impacted me. Last year, I read 1 book per week and would post my favorite quotes from each volume here on the blog, but I also have been benefiting so much from other types …
Can a church have polished programs and personable pastors?
Here I raise my Ebenezer, Hither by Thy help I’ve come; And I hope, by Thy good pleasure, Safely to arrive at home. This familiar lyric to the hymn, “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” warms many hearts and yet confuses many minds. What is an Ebenezer anyway? Most people are familiar with it due to Ebenezer Scrooge in the …
As 2017 comes to a close, here is a list of the archived sermon series for the year at Rocky Creek. I have loved our time in the Word together and can’t wait to continue in 2018. For Such a Time as This January 22, 2017 1 Sermon Jonah February 12 – March 5, 2017 4 Sermons Titus March 12 …
Here I Raise My Ebenezer (1 Sam. 7:2-17) Samuel remembered God’s faithfulness in the past to help him go forward. As individuals and as a church, it is important to celebrate his activity in the previous year as we anticipate his work in the coming year. REPENTANCE (1 Sam. 7:2-6) True repentance always involves a turning to and a turning …
I set out to read 1 book every week this year, and I am happy to say that I made it to book #52. What’s Best Next is not only the last book of 2017 but maybe my favorite. It definitely has such a rich combination of doctrinal vibrancy and practical brilliance that is a great read in preparing for a …
I am always honored when an article I have posted on my blog has impacted a reader like you. 2017 was a year to remember for sure, and for those who tagged along, thank you. Here is a list of the most read posts of 2017. Top Posts How to Handle the NFL Protests – To kneel or not to kneel …
When people hear of Jesus, they either ignore Him, challenge Him, or worship Him. It was that way at the first Christmas and this Christmas. The people have changed but not the situation. When the wise men, pagan astrologers, made their way to Jerusalem to see the King of Jews who had been recently born, they stirred up a lot …
Peace on Earth There Can Only Be One King (Matt. 2:1-21) Herod felt threatened when his throne was challenged by Jesus’ birth. There is only room for one king on the throne of your life, and you cannot experience peace until Jesus sits upon it. Seeking the King (Matt. 2:1-6) God notified pagan astrologers about Jesus’ birth out of His …
Humility by C. J. Mahaney is a great read and full of great reminders regarding humility and pride. I wanted to read this book because it was written 10 years prior to Mahaney’s resignation due to issues of pride. Book Overview “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” —1 Peter 5:5 A battle rages within every one …
In a time when few families watch TV together, eat a meal together, or share a Saturday playing together, the thought of worshiping together seems like a far-fetched goal. Our culture bombards us with the notion that children need to be independent and have room to develop on their own. Children use the overstated line that their friends get certain …
Have you heard the story about Zachary Boyd? Army Specialist Zachary Boyd, 19, of Fort Worth, Texas has gained unlikely celebrity after the Associated Press captured a photo of him fighting the Taliban in a bright red t-shirt, pink “I love NY” boxer shorts, and flip-flops. Boyd was asleep at his base in the Korengal Valley in the Kunar province …
Peace on Earth The Dragon Outside the Nativity (Rev. 12:1-17) The Book of Revelation reveals a different perspective that happened at the birth of Jesus. While the enemy comes to bring chaos, Jesus has come and will come again to bring peace. The Anticipation You will never experience peace until you wake up to the fact that you are at …
We mainly focus on Jesus’ birth during the Christmas season, but the message of God taking on flesh to come and reach us is not an account that should only be reserved for 1/12th of the year! It is part of the beloved gospel! You may not be aware, but we get a lot of the account incorrect in our …
As I prepared for a sermon series through the Gospel of Mark, I wanted a resource to help guide me through the debated last few verses. Book Overview Because it is conspicuously absent from more than one early Greek manuscript, the final section of the gospel of Mark (16:9-20) that details Christ’s resurrection remains a constant source of debate among …
Welcome to Christmas. Tis the season to be broke. In the midst of the holiday pressures, I wanted to make sure that you don’t start the upcoming year in a bad, indebted way. Here are some financial tips to survive the Christmas season: Make a Christmas budget. Here’s how we do it. We establish how much money we have saved …
One of the best ways to abide with Christ is to memorize key passages on critical topics. One common question that people ask: “Is Jesus the only way?” Let’s hear what the Bible says about that. Here are 10 verses that speak to the exclusivity of Jesus. John 14:6 – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, …
Peace on Earth Obedience Over Feelings (Matt. 1:18-25) Joseph thought he had been betrayed by Mary and yet surrendered his personal feelings to obey God’s commands. We must submit to God’s Word to experience God’s peace. THE PROBLEM (Matt. 1:18-19) Submitting to God’s plan can often involve surrendering your reputation. Joseph chose to extend grace when he experienced disgrace. Joseph’s …
It’s a new month and that means it’s time for a new focus for the leadership at Rocky Creek. Each month, we are focusing on a specific area to really develop as a church body. Just to catch you up, here’s what we have been focusing on at Rocky Creek: January: Pastor – I am so thankful you allowed me …
As a pastor, one of my greatest desires is to see our people grow in their knowledge of the Word. If believers can make scriptural study a habit, every other good work will come out from it (2 Tim. 3:17). That’s why it is so important to get them into the Word. I want to provide some resources to you …
Jonathan Edwards on Revival is a great volume collecting three great works. This volume contains one of Edwards’ most analytical treatises on revival, Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God, and his famous Narrative of Surprising Conversions, a detailed account of the famous revival of religion at Northampton, Massachusetts, in 1735. Favorite Quotes But as the gospel …
Many marriages struggle due to dealing with extended families. One common issue for many couples is how for adults to interact with their adult parents. Regarding your parents, there are two equal marital dangers: dishonoring abandonment or reluctant detachment. Even while it seems difficult to obtain, there is a healthy balance. When you start your family with your spouse, …
When the angels announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, they told them that peace on earth had come. As we look around us, how do we reconcile this supposed peace with the state of the world? Did the Angels Waste Their Words? December 3, 2017 Peace on Earth Did the Angels Waste Their Words? (Luke 2:8-14) When the angels …
Peace on Earth Did the Angels Waste Their Words? (Luke 2:8-14) When the angels announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, they told them that peace on earth had come. As we look around us, how do we reconcile this supposed peace with the state of the world? ANNOUNCING PEACE Jesus’ birth announcement came to lowly outcasts before the religious …
Maybe you have heard of Lottie Moon. She is famous in Southern Baptist circles for a missionary offering that bears her name. She spent close to 40 years serving as a missionary in China. In her last years in China, the Chinese were struggling with poverty, famine, and the effects of war. When Moon returned from her second furlough in …
Book Overview I enjoyed reading through The Case for Christmas. By focusing on the hows and whys of Christmas, this warm yet journalistic book will help believers reaffirm their faith while guiding seekers as they pursue solid answers about this miraculous occurrence. With material from The Case for Christ as well as new ideas from author Lee Strobel, this book …
The old adage goes: When you point your finger at someone, three more are pointing back at you. It’s a fairly accurate statement but it doesn’t stop us from doing it. One of the easiest ways to distract people from our shortcomings is to point them out in other people. Politics: In recent weeks, I’ve watched at how Republicans have …
The final book of the Bible is full of glorious promises and yet significant challenges. While the entire Bible has interpretive challenges, none is so difficult as the Book of Revelation. In our last session of hermeneutics, let us focus on how to be unashamed in our accurate study of this final book.
The Word All Things New (Rev 21:1-8) What once was broken will be made right again. Jesus is making all things new. CONTEXT The Apostle John was exiled on the island of Patmos when he received a revelation from Jesus. Addressed to seven churches, he encouraged the people to persevere in the increasingly challenging times. Jesus sought to protect the …
Consider this story that opens up The Greatest Thing in the World by Henry Drummond: D.L. Moody had been preaching in England in 1884 when someone asked in a home setting for him to teach. He replied: “No, you’ve been hearing me for eight months, and I’m quite exhausted. Here’s Drummond. He will give you a Bible reading.” He would later …
On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus admitted that He was enduring a level of overwhelming agony. So, apparently, it isn’t sinful to feel anxious, but we must respond to that feeling in a God-honoring way.
In our study of hermeneutics, the New Testament epistles are an important biblical genre on which to focus.
The Word When Jesus Sat Down (Heb. 10) Priests could never sit down in worship because sacrifices would always need to be offered. Once Jesus offered himself, he sat down at the right hand of God because the task was finished once and for all. CONTEXT As the early Church grew in doctrine, they saw the complete biblical picture become …
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