While I admit that some aspects of student ministry need to be evaluated, edited, or eliminated, I am not one who desires to get rid of the entire paradigm. I believe that there is biblical teaching and cultural wisdom that shows the need for the home and the church to partner together for the discipleship of the next generations.
As King David prepares to bring the Ark of the Covenant back into Jerusalem, something shocking occurs. The Israelites were transporting the ark on a cart driven by oxen because that’s how they saw the Philistines do it. The problem was God commanded them to have the priests carry it on poles. When the ox stumbled, the Ark gets tipsy, …
After God’s Own Heart Worship by the Book (2 Samuel 6) When David returned the ark to Jerusalem, he learned how God takes worship very seriously. We can’t worship God if we neglect the Word of God. Worship Commenced The people of God learned how to worship God from those who did not know God. We are called to obey …
I have loved preaching through 1-2 Samuel. This video explores the main ideas and flow of thought of the book of 2 Samuel. The Bible Project is a non-profit creating animated videos that explain the narrative of the Bible. These videos are free to use for personal and educational purposes. Download a full resolution version of this video along with …
Fuge 2017 – Convergence Psalm 1 Point of Connection: The best way to follow God is walking beside others who are going in the same direction. Dangerous Relationship Progression From Psalm 1 Walk in the counsel of the wicked Stand in the way of sinners Sit in the seat of scoffers Those who are closest to me must be closest …
Fuge 2017 – Convergence 2 Samuel 9; cf. Rom. 5 The King’s Pursuit (2 Sam. 9:1-5) The king was more concerned with keeping his promise than he was securing his protection. Grace seeks out those who are unqualified to give them what is undeserved. Grace finds us hiding helplessly in barren places. The Servant’s Response (2 Sam. 9:6-8) Being discovered by …
I have loved preaching through 1-2 Samuel. This video explores the main ideas and flow of thought of the book of 1 Samuel. The Bible Project is a non-profit creating animated videos that explain the narrative of the Bible. These videos are free to use for personal and educational purposes. Download a full resolution version of this video along with …
Fuge 2017 – Convergence Ps. 145:14-18 All Scripture is inspired by God. Psalms are inspired for God. Psalms exist because we do not know how to speak to one so glorious. When we pray Scripture, we are not led by our feelings but guided by truth. Using the day of the month, pray through that psalm or an increment of …
Fuge 2017 – Convergence 2 Samuel 6 Theme for the Day: Point of Truth We are not called to justify our opinions but to obey his commandments. The people of God learned how to worship God from those who did not know God. We are called to obey the Word – not imitate the world. It is a dangerous thing …
Fuge – Convergence – 2017 Ps. 119:9-11 Why Memorize God’s Word? ◦9 – keeps me from impurity ◦10 – keeps me from wandering ◦11 – keeps me from sinning •I will memorize Scripture as much as I hate sin. •We must discipline our minds to have the Bible accessible even when the Bible is not available. •Scripture memory positions me …
Fuge 2017 – Convergence Psalm 139 Theme for the Day: Point of Inception God is all-knowing, all-present, all-powerful, and all-holy. All-Knowing (Ps. 139:1-6) God is intimately aware of every single one of my actions, thoughts, and words. The infinitely knowing God is intimately familiar with me. God’s detailed investigation of me is comforting and convicting. All-Present (Ps. 139:7-12) I can …
Tim and Kathy Keller’s The Meaning of Marriage is the most complete book on marriage I have ever read. Somehow, they are able to dissect the theological while display the practical. It is thorough and robust. Favorite Quotes In a few years, however, marriage manuals look dated. In the Bible you have teaching that has been tested by millions of …
Fuge 2017 – Convergence Psalm 19 The Convergence. Two paths. Choose one. •In order to follow God, you need to know where he is going. •You discover God’s ways by studying God’s Word. •“Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.” 1 Tim. 4:7 •Spiritual disciplines are not meant to make you more liked by Jesus but to make you more …
TEACH ME YOUR PATHS Convergence – Fuge 2017 1 Sam. 13:8-14; Ps. 25:4-5 Flag Football – Your talent can take you places where your character can’t keep you. Sin can start by refusing to wait on God’s timing which leads to disobeying God’s commands. When we believe we have earned what has been given, we will ultimately take what has …
As you study the Old Testament, you begin to see the foreshadowing of Christ. Typological characters and events fill the pages. While these events are important in and of themselves, they are a shadow of something greater to come. In studying the life of David, you begin to realize something very important. Jesus is the greater David who defeated the …
After God’s Own Heart There’s Always Somebody Taller (1 Samuel 17) Israel put their strength in King Saul the tall until Goliath the taller came around. In the battle against a giant, never forget the greater story of which we are a part. Disclaimer: The story of David and Goliath is not about how you need to be brave regarding your …
Before David was a king, he was a shepherd. He was a warrior. He was a musician. At a young age, he was known as skillful instrumentalist upon the lyre (1 Sam. 16:18). That doesn’t happen over night. At some point, he was some kid plucking away at the lyre. Before he could ever shred the strings on this tiny guitar-like …
I had the privilege of reading G. K. Chesterton’s Orthodoxy while on the beach. It is one of those classics I hadn’t gotten around to yet. Written by G. K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy addresses foremost one main problem: How can we contrive to be at once astonished at the world and yet at home in it? Chesterton writes: He says, “I …
It’s a new month and that means it’s time for a new focus at church. 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 to be your pastor! …
Amidst David’s successes and failures, he showed the good and evil potential of every person. Despite all his setbacks, he was still a man after God’s own heart.
If you want a church to grow biblically, you must focus on evangelism. Much of what happens in churches can be attributed to transfer growth vs. conversion growth. Evangelism can catch fire in a church when everyone assumes the responsibility to grow in the gospel. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To …
After God’s Own Heart God Notices Nobodies (1 Samuel 16) David was the least likely to become king but God set him apart for this task. While man judges the external qualities, God judges the internal worth. The Setup Major theme of the Bible: God’s plan is for God’s people to live in God’s place under God’s rule. In Samuel’s time, …
Through successes and scandals, prosperities and persecutions, delights and distresses, David proved himself to be a man after God’s own heart. Join us this summer at Rocky Creek as we study the life of David through 1-2 Samuel and his response to God through certain psalms. 6/4 – After God’s Own Heart: God Notices Nobodies (1 Sam 16) – David was …
Seasoned pastor Alistair Begg observes that much of what is said from today’s pulpits cannot be counted as Bible-based, God-glorifying, and life-changing. Rather than preparing a steady diet of spiritual meat, pastors are mistakenly serving up a self-focused snack–ultimately leaving congregations malnourished and ill prepared to stand firm when their faith is challenged. Recognizing the need for a return to …
Does a child have a right to complete privacy regarding technology? The two parental extremes are: Grant your children complete privacy because you don’t want to push them away. Grant yourself complete access to everything possible so you can discover what they are really doing because you know the dangers. There are many options in addition these two, but every parent must make …
Biblical Blueprint: The Exposed Places (Neh. 4:10-14) In every home, there are exposed places for danger to enter. We must identify where they are, build up the walls, and fight against combative tactics. Nehemiah’s Context God’s people had lived in exile due to their sin, but God was gracious to allow them to return home. Ezra led the people to …
One day, as I was engaging in some yard work, I came across a curious display of foliage surrounding a small tree in the back. These growing sprouts were covered with lush leaves around the base of a tree. Plants normally have a difficult time growing around a tree since the larger arboreal structure steals the water from the smaller plants by …
Isaiah 6 Preached at One Church – Fairview Baptist Church, Greer, SC – May 24, 2017 Main Points We don’t see God as exalted until we have been humbled. Holiness by comparison seems promising until one encounters the LORD. You are not truly experiencing the presence of God if you believe that you deserve to be there. The most dangerous …
Enjoyed reading through the expansive volume, David: A Man of Passion and Destiny, by Charles Swindoll. It is a part of his series, Great Lives from God’s Word. I am preparing to preach a sermon series on the life of David entitled, “After God’s Own Heart.” I have always loved Swindoll’s scriptural insights and this book was a great companion …
When I was young, my family rescued a dog named Butch out of the county kennel. This mutt who used to live in a tiny cell was brought into a huge backyard where he had all the food, water, and running space of which a dog could only hope. Surrounded by love and protection, I knew he would happier than …
Listen to some snippets from our 8-week sermon series through the Book of Titus. Get the entire series here.
When a newborn is put into the hands of a parent for the first time, that parent has 936 weeks before that child turns 18. 936 Saturdays to go on adventures. 936 Sundays to worship together. 936 Mondays to seize the week. 936 Wednesdays to get over the hump of the week. 936 weeks. They are a gift. While parenting …
As you share the gospel with your child, there are many things to consider. One way to help you think through “the faith of a child” is by using the acrostic “CHILD.” These five steps are beneficial in evangelizing the children in your life. Chronologically Teach the Bible Highlight Teachable Moments Initiate Open-Ended Questions Live an Authentic Example Decipher a …
Biblical Blueprint Teach Your Children Diligently (Deut. 6:4-9) The Problem While the church provides important spiritual environments, the most critical spiritual environment is the one in which you live. You are called to be the primary evangelists and disciple-makers of your family. “Do as I say and not as I do” will not work in discipleship. It’s difficult for an hour-long …
I finished the last book in the Chronicles of Narnia. While I loved all of them, the seventh and final installment, The Last Battle, could easily be my favorite. The imagery of the final battle on earth and the depictions of heaven are simply glorious. What I loved most of all is that my son, Obadiah, and I read them …
Why do marriages fail? Why do so many end up in divorce? Divorce.com which seeks to resource you “before, during, and after a divorce” has a list of the top 10 reasons marriages fail: Financial Problems Communication Problems Family Problems Sex Problems Friend Problems Addiction Problems Abuse Problems Personality Problems Expectation Problems Time Problems While every marriage experiences problems of …
In marriage, you are meant to be a suitable helper for your spouse. Suitable Helper Genesis 2:4-25 Alive and Yet Alone Mankind is the only creation that was made in the image of God (Gen. 1:27). Out of all his creations, God reckoned that only one of them was not good – Man. “It is not good that the man …
I read Tim Cool’s book Why Church Buildings Matter: The Story of Your Space. I picked it up due to a great podcast interview he had with Rainer on Leadership. While the book was helpful and asked some good questions and contained some good ideas, the most helpful insights that a church can use instantaneously were contained within the podcast. …
Many of us are familiar with traditional wedding vows. While some of the verbiage might alter depending upon the context, certain elements are normally included. If you don’t plan to write your own vows, here are some sample Christian wedding vows to repeat. Depending upon who the officiant of your wedding is, you might provide your own vows or use the …
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