We introduced “Every Praise” by Hezekiah Walker a few weeks ago at North Side. It is a great gospel song. While it is a great call to worship song, it is also pretty incredible that the song helped rescue a little boy from a kidnapping. The news story goes like this: A gospel song saved a 10-year-old Atlanta boy from …
A. W. Tozer is a mentor from afar. I have been changed by his writings and his life has impacted me after his death. Tozer on Worship and Entertainment is a collection of writings and excerpts from his sermons on the commercialization of worship. While his ministry was in the middle of the 20th century, his words are still poignant. …
As Americans observe Election Day, here are some things to consider regarding how you react to the results in the presence of your family. Main Points Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s but keep from Caesar what belongs to God (See Matt. 22:21). Never allow your politics to change your religion (see Ezek. 43:8). Don’t idolize or demonize a politician …
For there is no partiality with God (Rom. 2:11). Service Order Reading – John 8:12 Here I Am to Worship – Tim Hughes Come Ye Sinners – Keith and Kristyn Getty Here and There Video Prayer Time In Christ Alone – Passion Christ Is Risen – Matt Maher Because He Lives – Bill Gaither Sermon – The Impartiality of God …
Why do bad things happen to good people? People ask this question all the time. While it is a good question, there is one key word that significantly flaws it. The word “good” is a problem in relation to people. No person is good (Rom. 3:10; Ps. 14:3; Lk. 18:19). The only person who was good was Jesus Christ. He …
This book by Paul David Tripp was an invaluable gift from friends. Awe: Why It Matters for Everything We Think, Say, and Do, is a simple and yet profound book. Tripp does a masterful job by unearthing things inside you that you weren’t even aware were there. He makes it so obvious you wonder how you never saw it in …
It’s one thing to claim you are better, and another thing to claim you are biblical. Enjoy this video? Check out the growing collection of Family Alter videos!
If you haven’t heard, there’s a presidential election coming up. In case you were wondering, not every American is thrilled concerning the slate of candidates. Whether your beef is with deleted emails, recorded conversations, the first spouse options, Aleppo ignorance, Supreme court justices, Benghazi, the Apprentice, what they stand for, or what they stand against, we got a situation on our …
He will render to each one according to his works (Rom. 2:6). Service Order Reading – Ps. 86:12 Every Praise – Hezekiah Walker Come Thou Fount – Kings Kaleidoscope Prayer Time One Size Doesn’t Fit All – One-on-One Discipleship Offertory How Deep the Father’s Love for Us – Liberty Campus Band Christ Is Risen – Keith and Kristyn Getty Sermon …
I grew up thinking that the fish that swallowed Jonah was evidence of God’s anger. In reality, it was evidence of his mercy. A fish named Grace swallowed up a drowning prophet who was unwilling to show grace. Jonah was a prophet. While the book with his name made him famous, the dreaded Ninevites were not his first assignment. Before …
It was such a joy to read Gospel Hoarders. I was blessed to get to know some of the Via boys when I went to North Greenville University. Eventually I would get to know the entire clan. When I met their dad, Rick, I understood partly why I loved these guys so much. Rick Via exemplifies ministry passion and personal …
If you are considering divorce, is there any motivation for giving the marriage one more chance? If so, go with it. Enjoy this video? Check out the growing collection of Family Alter videos!
You can’t truly appreciate a pastor that you don’t know. While you may think that you know him, there are things you may not understand about him and his position. While he will appreciate a card, a meal, or a gift this month, he will appreciate something even more – acknowledgement and understanding. As a pastor of a local congregation, there are …
Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed (Romans 2:4-5). Service Order Reading – Psalm 136:1-3 You Are Good – Israel Houghton …
The Book of Hosea is the account of when God asked a preacher to marry a prostitute to illustrate how he loves his people. We should not be amazed at what Hosea the preacher did for Gomer the prostitute – we should be amazed that God did that for us. God revealed that not only had Gomer been a prostitute, …
One of the leadership world’s standard books has been Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. I decided to give it a read and become familiar with the principles. The book is full of helpful wisdom that can be applied to anyone who so desires to be effective in any arena. Favorite Quotes Our character, basically, is a composite …
While it is great when the entire family worships together, there is danger there as well. What are we teaching our children? Enjoy this video? Check out the growing collection of Family Alter videos!
Humanity is obsessed with the glamorous. Mankind naturally gravitates towards the attractive, popular individuals. Notable men are tall, dark, and handsome. Memorable women are head-turners. While we naturally follow certain types of people, it is very intriguing regarding how God looked physically when he showed up on earth in the flesh. Jesus could have come into the world looking any …
For months we have been talking about updating our church covenant. Today, we took time in our services to highlight the need for us to take church membership seriously. Service Order Reading – Psalm 115:3 Open Up the Heavens – Meredith Andrews Break Our Hearts – Billy Foote Cornerstone – Tim Neufeld Discipleship Video One Size Doesn’t Fit All – …
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 Main Points The reason holiness is so elusive to us is because we judge it by the world’s standard instead of the Word’s standard. Most of our presumed holiness is based on a comparison to the world rather than an evaluation from the Word. In this life, holiness is a pursuit and not a destination. If …
We closed out the Gathering tonight! It was an intense time as we tackled holiness as it relates to sexual immorality. I preached tonight and our worship team did a great job leading. Service Order Scripture Reading – Isaiah 55:6-11 Open Up the Heavens – Meredith Andrews Almighty – Chris Tomlin “Spiritus Sanctus” – Valley of Vision Prayer Sermon – …
In preparation for a sermon on lust, temptation, and sexual immorality, I reread Sex Is Not the Problem (Lust Is) by Joshua Harris. While I read this book while I was in college, I was amazed at how much his teaching had influenced the way I personally handled and taught on these issues. While I couldn’t directly quote from the …
3rd night in and I love watching what Jesus is up to in the life of our church! Dick Williams did a great job unpacking Heb. 12:12-14 regarding our pursuit of holiness. Incredible, honest, sincere time of worship tonight. Service Order Scripture Reading – Revelation 4:8-11 Revelation Song – Kari Jobe How Deep the Father’s Love for Us – Liberty …
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 Main Points The reason holiness is so elusive to us is because we judge it by the world’s standard instead of the Word’s standard. Most of our presumed holiness is based on a comparison to the world rather than an evaluation from the Word. In this life, holiness is a pursuit and not a destination. If …
If your marriage is drifting, don’t wait for your spouse to make the first move. Pursue your spouse. Enjoy this video? Check out the growing collection of Family Alter videos!
Wonderful 2nd night of the Gathering. Jeff led us from 1 Peter 1:15-16 and gave us reasons for the pursuit of personal holiness. The worship team did a fantastic job. Loved how the worshipers got after it from the first second. Service Order Scripture Reading – 2 Corinthians 5:16-20 Jesus, Son of God – Passion Cornerstone – Tim Neufeld “Longings …
Great 1st night of the Gathering! Our theme is “The Pursuit of Holiness.” Scott Hill gave an incredible sermon from Isaiah 6. Our worship team did a fantastic job leading out! Service Order Scripture Reading – Jeremiah 8:4-12 Break Our Hearts – Billy Foote No Longer Slaves – I Am They “The Awakened Sinner” – The Valley of Vision Prayer …
Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things (Rom. 2:1). Great day as we began in Romans 2 this morning. Can’t wait for the Gathering that starts tonight! Service Order Reading – Psalm 134 In the Sanctuary – …
As we prepare for The Gathering 2016, I re-read this essential volume on holiness. The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges should be required reading for Christians. “Be holy, for I am holy,” commands God. But holiness is something that is often missed in the Christian’s daily life. According to Navigator author Jerry Bridges, that’s because we’re not exactly sure …
How can you protect media influence from corrupting your children? Enjoy this video? Check out the growing collection of Family Alter videos!
Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them (Romans 1:32). Special day as we finished up Romans 1. I love what God is doing in the life of this church. Service Order Reading – Psalm 122 New Doxology – Gateway Worship Prayer Time …
We had a great time at Harvestfest this year! I had the wonderful privilege of putting the team together to lead worship. The band was composed from 3 different churches. Our worship team and tech team did a wonderful job leading the thousands gathered. David Sons brought a great message and we had some wonderful food. The night was capped …
As a pastor who leads worship, I am well aware of every type of argument on every side of the worship wars. One important discussion is regarding the decrease of congregational singing. In a majority of congregations, people are lamenting the fact that people just don’t sing as much as they used to sing. While I have read many reasonings on why …
As a pastor, I have regular conversations with those who are suffering through depression. Many people are wondering if the struggle they are experiencing can be labeled depression or something else. In the evangelical world, there are many people who believe in the diagnosis of depression and the need for medicinal aid, and there are other people who feel like …
Before you teach your children how to live for the Lord, have you taught them how to love the things of the Lord? Enjoy this video? Check out the growing collection of Family Alter videos!
Christians love talking about the day when we met Jesus or when we will see Jesus, but what about every other day when we are supposed to become like Jesus? Let me give you 3 theological terms that you need to learn: Justification – the declaration of holiness Sanctification – the process of holiness Glorification – the completion of holiness …
We sang “Holy, Holy, Holy” in our services yesterday. While this hymn has been a favorite by so many through the years, we sang an additional verse along with it. Before anyone screams, “sacrilege,” I think you will appreciate the change. I read about a verse that someone added because concerning the holiness of God, the hymn doesn’t articulate the …
I wanted to use a responsive reading from Isaiah 6 for worship, but I couldn’t find one. So I wrote this one to guide our people to reflect upon God’s holiness, our sin, and his grace. Leader: In the year that his king died, the prophet Isaiah saw the Lord still alive. In a moment when he beheld the glory …
Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. -Romans 1:24-25 Great time gathering with the church family through a very sensitive topic today as how the Bible speaks …
Planning a worship service should be more involved than the worship leader picking out his current favorite songs. Unfortunately, it can oftentimes be just that. Leading worship must be more intentional than picking out 2 fast songs and 2 slow songs that happen to be your personal favorites. For years, I have planned worship services around the text of Scripture being preached …
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