Biblical Blueprint
Families can focus upon numerous worthless pursuits. As believers, we must build our families based upon the biblical blueprint provided.
Gospel Essentials
When we think about having a Gospel Focused Family, we need to first focus upon gospel essentials. What is essential for your family member to understand in order to respond to the gospel? Your family’s greatest need is the gospel. Concerns You might have concerns about sharing the gospel with your family. These are common concerns: What if I don’t …
Unless the LORD Builds the House
Psalm 127 3/4 of those raised in the church are no longer in the church after their freshman year of college. With 16 million Southern Baptists, we will decrease to 4 million in 1 generation. In order just to maintain status quo, each Southern Baptist must reach 3 people for Christ. It currently takes 43 Southern Baptists to reach 1 …
2017 Sermon Series
I’ve been asked where we were going after the Titus series at Rocky Creek. As of right now, I’ve got a plan for the rest of the year – series by series, week by week. While I am open to change, I believe that through the time in the Word and prayer, I am really excited about what is coming up. …
Visual Theology
Loved the content and visuals presented in Visual Theology by Tim Challies and Josh Byers. It is a uniquely appealing volume presenting an intro into systematic theology. Favorite Quotes As we grow close to Christ and as we grow in our knowledge of his work, we will find ourselves with a longing to become like him (14). We never move past …
Is Tithing an Old Testament Concept?
Talking about money in the church always makes people uncomfortable. In reality, some people have taught unbiblical principles that makes people gun-shy. Some preachers use guilt tactics relentlessly. And some listeners have money as their idol and resent anyone teaching how they should use it. As a pastor, I have heard people pushback regarding tithing by citing that it is an …
May’s Focus: Leadership
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: January: Pastor – I am so thankful you allowed me to be your pastor! February: Website – …
Until Every Need Is Met
Until Every Need Is Met Titus 3:12-15 Christianity was founded upon what Jesus gave and yet we have turned church into what we get. The tendency in church can be to give as little as possible. Instead of showing minimal generosity, we should see how we can sacrificially give until every need is met. We have been shown God’s …
Read Titus in One Sitting
I am so grateful for the time we have spent in the Book of Titus. On Sunday, I will preach the 8th sermon in the series from this book. I do pray that it has helped you grow in knowledge, faith, and godliness. It has done a work on me! As we prepare for Sunday, I want to encourage you to …
Biblical Blueprint
God has a plan for your home. In May 2017, I will preach a sermon series at Rocky Creek entitled “Biblical Blueprint.” It’s all about family discipleship. While this topic started as a doctoral project, it quickly became a ministry centerpiece. I have had more opportunities to preach on this topic than any other. The concept hit a chord in …
Titus: The New American Commentary
I used Dr. Hayne Griffin Jr.’s commentary on Titus extensively during the Titus series at Rocky Creek. The New American Commentary is for those who have been seeking a commentary that honors the Scriptures, represent the finest in contemporary evangelical scholarship, and lends itself to the practical work of preaching and teaching. Dr. Griffin was one of my seminary professors …
Happy Rebirthday
The most enduring memories are the most ritualized ones. 1. John 3:3 – Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. 2. 1 Pet. 1:3 – according to his great mercy he has caused us to be born again to a living hope 3. The most enduring memories are the …
Truths, Trends, and Traditions
There is a major difference between an inspired book and an inspiring book. Scripture is the only book inspired (literally, breathed out) by God (2 Tim. 3:16). While other books may be inspiring, they are not inspired. One is written by God and the others are written by men and women. In the same way, there are inspiring speeches, music, …
Stirring Up Division
4/23/17 – Titus: Stirring Up Division (Titus 3:9-11) In our striving for church unity, we must avoid majoring in the minors. God’s Word teaches us how to maintain unity and deal with those who stir up division. Avoid Divisive Arguments (Titus 3:9) We must discern the difference between truths, trends, and traditions. Truths are the unchanging, unbending doctrines of God clearly …
5 Hindrances to Discipleship
Many churches talk about discipleship. Many Christians say that discipleship is important. If discipleship is so important, why aren’t we doing it? While there are many reasons why discipleship doesn’t happen in our churches, here are 5 hindrances to why it may not be happening in yours. Authority – If Scripture isn’t your source of authority, Christian discipleship cannot take place. …
The Silver Chair
I finished the 6th of 7 Narnia books this week. The Silver Chair was a delight! Through dangers untold and caverns deep and dark, a noble band of friends is sent to rescue a prince held captive. But their mission to Underland brings them face-to-face with an evil more beautiful and more deadly than they ever expected. Favorite Quotes “You …
The Hangout House
Kids will spend the most time where they feel the most welcomed. 1. Josh. 24:15 2. Bad company corrupts good morals. (1 Cor. 15:33) 3. Kids will spend the most time where they feel the most welcomed. 4. If you earn your child’s trust, you can better communicate your concerns.
Never Forget How Far You’ve Come
Ministry has gotten comfortably uncomfortable. One of my greatest prayers and passions as a Christian is to be salt and light within a community (Matt. 5:13-16). While many churches either do missions very well locally or very well globally, I have always believed that a church should be involved both here and there. At our church, we have an Acts …
Christ Have Mercy
Christ Have Mercy (Titus 3:1-8) – We will never do enough good works to earn God’s favor. Our only hope for salvation is if Christ shows us mercy. Objection #1: I’ve Been Hurt by the Church (Titus 3:1-2) The local church should be a force for good within the community. We should make it difficult for others to hate the message because …
Passover
Matthew 26:17-30 As we remember the sacrifice of Jesus, never forget that God is able to pass over our sins because Jesus was the perfect substitute. Perfect Substitute – The lamb must be without blemish (Ex. 12:5; cf. Heb. 9:14). How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify …
Encourage Your Spouse to Read the Bible
You need the Bible. Your spouse needs the Bible. So what can you do to help one another be consistent in studying the truths of God’s Word? The problem with being consistent in learning the Scriptures is that life happens. As parents, free time is a distant memory. Maybe you woke up earlier to have a quiet time, but your …
Excited About Fuge Camp
MFuge & XFuge on Mission Camps 2017 Charleston Southern University – June 12-16, 2017 Belmont University – July 5-9, 2017
I Am a Church Member
Thom Rainer’s I Am a Church Member is a great read for anyone who desires a biblical look at what church membership should look like practically. Favorite Quotes I am suggesting that congregations across America are weak because many of us church members have lost the biblical understanding of what it means to be a part of the Body of …
How to Encourage Your Family
People replicate what their loved ones celebrate. 1. Heb. 3:13 2. Never forget the power of private and public affirmation. (Matt. 3:16-17) 3. People replicate what their loved ones celebrate. 4. Meaningful encouragement always involves intentionality and specificity. 5. If you want it to happen, schedule it to happen.
Liar, Lunatic, or Lord
For those of us blessed enough to have heard the name of Jesus, we all have an opinion of him. For many, he is nothing more than a moral teacher or a revolutionary upstart, but for others he is the center of life and God in the flesh. C.S. Lewis wrote the trilemma argument as an apologist approach to affirming …
Working While Waiting
Working While Waiting (Titus 2:11-15) People tend to drift to either passively waiting on Christ’s return or actively working while ignoring his return. We are to show zeal in our work while we wait. Salvation (Titus 2:11) The grace of God appeared. It was not summoned, warranted, or earned. Salvation by grace knows no concept of merit. Sanctification (Titus 2:12) The gospel will produce godliness. God’s grace enables us to say “no” to …
Don’t Decry Church “Programs” from Within a Church Program
Church culture is always a funny thing. Every so many years, a new church trend comes along and everyone starts jumping on a bandwagon while criticizing the bandwagon they just jumped off. Right now, I feel like the bandwagon for many is to decry anything that is a church “program.” While I would agree that much of our church experiences have gotten …
The New Testament Deacon: The Church’s Minister of Mercy
Great read this week in Strauch’s The New Testament Deacon: The Church’s Minister of Mercy. Book Overview Our heartfelt burden is to help deacons get out of the boardroom and building-maintenance mentality and into the people-serving mentality. Deacons, as the New testament teaches and as some of the sixteenth-century reformers discovered, are to be involved in a compassionate ministry of …
Living Vicariously Through Your Child
The goal is not for your child to look more like you but to look more like Jesus. 1. Gen. 5:1-3 (cf. 1:27) 2. The goal is not for your child to look more like you but to look more like Jesus. 3. Don’t suffocate your child with lesser pursuits. 4. What needs to happen for my child to reflect more the …
April’s Focus: Guests
It’s hard to believe that my family has been at Rocky Creek for 2 months now. So much has happened in these initial weeks that I feel like I have been here much longer than that! So thankful for how God planted us here in this wonderful church. While the first few weeks were spent getting my feet under me …
On the Clock
On the Clock (Titus 2:9-10) – While we are on the clock vocationally, we are also on the clock missionally. Even if your job isn’t in the ministry, you are in the ministry. The concept of slavery in biblical times is extremely different from slavery in modern times. Old Testament teaching regarding the positive treatment of slaves was countercultural at the time. During the time of …
Why Your Marriage Is So Difficult
31 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. 32 This mystery is profound, but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 To sum up, each one of you is to love his wife as himself, and the wife is to respect her husband. …
Your Money Counts
With the economy reeling in the wake of the recent recession, many people are experiencing such financial challenges as credit card debt, downsizing, dead-end jobs, and inadequate or depleted savings. With these challenges come others as well. Recent studies confirm that more than half of all divorces are the result of financial pressures at home. And spiritually, many people are …
Sins of the Father
Resolve to defy any sinful legacy and turn your family around. 1. The sins of the father punish future generations when they become the sins of the children (Deut. 24:16). – Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers. Each one shall be put to death for …
The Multigenerational Church
Churches are prone to segregate groups by ages. The biblical example is quite different by modeling multigenerational relationships.
What God Has Joined Together
Many things will try to separate your marriage, but what God has joined together, let nothing separate. This video is one session in an 8-session series to help equip those considering or nearing marriage. In all honesty, these are helpful concepts for those who have been married for years as well.
Fusion
At Rocky Creek, we have a 1-word project our leadership is focusing on for every month this year. As we evaluate how we can best connect our guests into a relationship with Jesus and this church, I have been collecting many different types of resources. One of those is Nelson Searcy’s book, Fusion. Book Overview Next Sunday God will prompt hundreds …
Where Do You Get Your Standard?
My standard will be inside me, beside me, behind me, or above me. Each of us have a standard. It is the basis for which we make ethical decisions. It is the benchmark by which we determine where and how far to jump. But where does the standard come from? Our standard for morality will come from 1 of 4 …
All Talk
All Talk (Titus 1:10-16) – Many can profess doctrinal clarity but few can practice ethical purity. As believers, we cannot be all talk in our commitment. All talk Christians can profess doctrinal clarity but unable to practice ethical purity. Satan’s strategy is to get you to doubt, deny, and then defy God’s Word. False teachers are used by Satan to entice those within the Church since those outside the Church are already deceived. …
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