In our continuing conversation on worldliness, the Apostle John has some helpful words: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world — the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in …
We are so excited about Date Night on Saturday. While part of our staff and many volunteers are busy editing, printing, making, praying, or preparing, we are nearing the day and we are getting pumped! Last count I heard we had over 180 201 (UPDATED) couples coming to this event! That is so much more than we were anticipating. If …
In John 17, Jesus is teaching his disciples a pretty lengthly lesson. Aware that his crucifixion is near, he really starts to remind his disciples that he is about to be gone. To prepare them for life without the physical presence of Jesus near them, he shares these words: “I do not ask You to take them out of the …
After my sophomore year in college, some of my college buddies and I served for a couple of weeks on the mission field in South Asia. I remembered getting a yellow sheet at a BCM conference that had a list of all the different mission projects that were available for college students the coming summer. As I read through the …
Today at North Side, we worshipped to: Happy Day – Tim Hughes Everlasting God – Brenton Brown Make Me Holy – Travis Agnew We Fall Down (Tag) – Chris Tomlin Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) – Chris Tomlin What a great day of worship and commitment at North Side as we concluded our series, “What Happens in Vegas.” Today’s …
This week’s book of the week is none other than The Gospel of Matthew. The first gospel in the New Testament was written by Matthew, one of the original twelve disciples. As a tax-collector, he really hit on many parables on money. And ethnically, as a Jew, he included more Old Testament quotations than any of the other gospel writers. …
While we have one week left of our current series, “What Happens in Vegas,” February will kick off “Marriage by the Book.” I am so excited about this series. Jeff and I did some planning over the services this morning, and I am extremely excited about what is going to happen Sundays @ North Side in February. For those wanting …
One leadership principle that impacted me in a pivotal way in college was a message that I heard from Dr. Frank Page. Page spoke during a spiritual emphasis week at North Greenville University when I attended (the year was probably 2000 – I’m getting old). During one of his messages, he spoke about a leadership principle from an obscure Old Testament story. While …
So what exactly are they using in the Herrin Landfill? Suspect.
Top 8 Viewed Posts from My Blog as of Late: About Passion Church?! Giglio and Tomlin Church Plant?! Why People Under 30 Hate Their Jobs Culmination of a 32 Month Anticipation of a Sermon Series Bad Church Sign of the Week: Don’t Let Worries Kill You Storytellers: “All Things New” 2009 Bible Reading Plan Christmas Eve Service
A couple of years ago, I read a line in a book called Big Idea by Dave Ferguson. In this book, he lays out how his staff handles a logistical nightmare in how they plan. The way their church organizes around one thought and gets so much accomplished requires a ton of work. When I read it, I was a …
In the third week of this series, we focused on this line: whatever happens in Vegas, follows you home. Sin is not an isolated incident, and our sin hurts more than just ourselves. Our sin follows us home. Our sin hurts those that we love the most. Our families feel the consequences of our sin. So, what is following you …
My son is a thug…
This week’s book of the week is Andrew Hill’s “Enter His Courts with Praise!” This treatment is a thoroughly biblical study of worship. Looking at how worship was prescribed in the Old Testament, Hill attempts to give guidelines for New Testament worship. Top 5 Ideas: “For our purposes Shaper best captures the idea and ideal of worship when he characterizes the event of worship …
This post is the result of a study I have been doing lately. It seems like that many people around the age of 30 are miserable in their jobs, state of life, status, acquired wealth, etc. I recently had a discussion with some friends about this issue, and I have come up with some conclusions that might help some of …
During The Perfect Gift series, I was honored that so many people have told me that God used the “Mighty God” message on Dec. 14 in their lives. It’s simple why it impacted you: when we lift Jesus up, everything else comes into perspective. Since I preached it three times, the conclusion was a little different each time, but I tried …
How I love this week’s church sign: “Don’t let worries kill you, let the church help.” While this sign is intended to let passerbys know that a church body can help with the stresses of life, this sign actually speaks volumes. Unfortunately, I know that churches can sometimes do more to create havoc in the lives of people than sometimes they do …
What happens in Vegas, never goes unsettled. Many actions taken in Vegas require people to settle up. God treats our sin the same way. Have you ever wondered what God does when His children sin? Jeff and the entire service attempted to answer that yesterday. It was an incredible day in the life of our church. I rarely hear messages …
For anyone suffering from conflict today, I thought I would provide you with some guidance. Taken from one of my favorite scenes of The Office, the following dialogue gives you some ideas if you are struggling with how to confront someone. Darryl: Well see, um, in a gang world, we use something called fluffy fingers. Michael: What is that? …
The final leadership principle modeled by Jesus was his empathy. Since Jesus did not come to be served but to serve (Mark 10:45), Jesus had an uncanny knack of identifying with people and empathizing with them concerning their needs. Jesus was able to ascertain current events and evaluate how to minister to people’s true spiritual needs. Due to his close …
If you are looking for a good New Year’s resolution, why not reading through the Bible? Many people always feel guilty about not reading the Bible. Most of the time it is because they do not have a plan for doing it. I have tried different things, but this year, Amanda and I are going to do the Robert Roberts’ …
You know this one is going to be a problem just by the title. This week’s bad church sign states: “Bible Study 7 PM Bring Bible, Scissors” Normally, at this point, I try to explain to you what the intended message probably was, but this week I have no clue. They either are doing crafts or they are taking bits …
We have experienced some problems with the website over the last few weeks, but now the sermons are back up and things should be normal. Go to northsidebc.org and you can listen to the latest messages and even the message from Christmas Eve!
I woke up early this morning in anticipation of us kicking off the sermon series, What Happens in Vegas. Worship set list for the day: All Things New – Travis Agnew Marvelous Light – Charlie Hall Give Us Clean Hands – Charlie Hall Make Me Holy – Travis Agnew I Stand Amazed – Chris Tomlin version Did I ever …
Happy Saturday. I wanted to encourage you to make sure you make it to North Side tomorrow for the new sermon series, “What Happens in Vegas.” I have been anticipating this sermon series for over 32 months. In a brainstorming session back in the summer of 2006, the idea for this series was mentioned. We all loved the idea, but …
After all of my scholarly reading and my theological writing that I have embarked upon over the last few months, I have finished the first draft of chapter 3 and I only have one theological phrase to utter: woo hoo! I am currently listening to Crowder’s “We Win!” blaring in my home office and getting jacked up! Finishing this chapter …
This week’s book of the week is The Interventionist written by Lyle E. Schaller. Top 5 Ideas: Schaller stated that “this has become the central theme of this book, the most effective way to influence both individual and institutional behavior is to ask questions” (15). Speaking concerning the necessity for a minister to be well-presented, Schaller stated that “the pulpit …
Ah, 2009. I have awaited you with great anticipation. With the dawn of a new year, I will lay out my 9 resolutions for 09: To know Jesus more intimately To prize my wife above any treasure of this earth To model Christlikeness in front of my son To recreate just for the sake of relaxation To finish writing Freshmen …
This week’s church sign of the week speaks volumes culturally. At the bottom of this sign, it reads: “The church, unchanged for over 200 years, is now cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust.” While I imagine that this church is serving more as a museum than an actual meeting place from a church (or it may serve as both), …
After Jesus began his preaching ministry (Mark 1:15), one of the first tasks he engaged in was building a team of disciples (Mark 1:16-17). Calvin Miller stated, “In order to build a true team spirit, you must delegate accountability and glory as well as responsibility.” Jesus built a great team since he did all of those three items extremely well. …
The last Sunday of 2008. Wow. What a year. It was great to be able to tickle the ivories and lead in worship this Sunday. It seems like every week, I hear people singing out more and more! That’s so exciting. I truly believe God was honored with what happened today! We worshiped to the following songs: Joy to the …
I hope Yuletide bliss bit you severely over the last few days. As I am enjoying a restful day with the family, I have a few Christmas reflections: I am so thankful for Immanuel (Jesus came to us to live with us)! The Christmas Eve service was a blast. I saw a lot of guests in our crowded auditorium: come …
Jesus was not afraid to attempt the supernatural. Risk-taking was a common element of his ministry on earth. While Jesus often received requests to flaunt his power, he only revealed his supernatural abilities if it accompanied a significant purpose. God’s anointing on Jesus’ life reveals to leaders the need for a constant dependency upon God. He did not boast of …
This week’s bad church sign is carrying on with the holiday spirit. As we near Christmas, churches all around are posting signs on their marquees to inform passerbys of the opportunities at the church. This church is apparently holding a presentation of the “Nutcracker” ballet for the weekend services. Unfortunately, their sign advertises a “Nuncracker” instead. I don’t know what …
On the Sunday before Christmas, it was a great day to celebrate the birth of Jesus with all you North Siders. It was great to see many people who have moved away or in college be home for Sunday. It was a good time to gather as a family and celebrate. Jeff’s message on God being our “Everlasting Father” was …
This week’s book of the week is Walter Kaiser’s Mission in the Old Testament. Top 5 Thoughts: God’s original intention was to extend his offering of grace beyond merely the Jewish people to the Gentiles (9). Blessing had to start somewhere with someone. God’s purpose in blessing one people was to create an instrument to bless all other nations of …
Yesterday, we had our staff Christmas party at North Side. We ate too much, but it was great just to have some unrushed hang time. We played the “Dirty Santa” game, but people could only bring gifts that cost no money. We either had to find it, have it, or make it. Sitting on the Epic porch decorated with such …
This week’s bad church sign states: “Welcome Semi-Annual Worshipers.” This sign take around Christmas time is speaking to those people who only come to church semi-annually: Christmas and Easter. In an attempt to convict them for their attendance that Sunday, I guess they decided to sarcastically thank them for coming. While people who only come to church twice a year …
Today was a fun day at North Side. Filling in for Jeff, I preached on our “Mighty God.” I think sometimes we develop a small perception of God and it leads us to live faithless lives. My prayer is that we would walk away with a huge perception of our mighty God. I preached on Matthew 14-15 where Jesus fed …
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