New Testament

Damascus & Council

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Saul’s conversion dramatically changed the missional focus of the early Church and Christianity as a whole. During that time, the gospel opened the door to both Jews and Gentiles, and the Jerusalem Council ensured it would stay that way.

The 4 Gospels

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As we study the New Testament, we must unpack the reasoning, audience, and direction of the 4 Gospels. Download Handout – 05 – The 4 Gospels Video Audio

The Story of the Bible

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The Bible is not a collection of disconnected, moralistic stories. It is the one overarching story of how the cross of Christ will rescue a fallen people. OLD TESTAMENT SECTIONS Creation– God created the world out of nothing. Fall– Mankind rebelled against God. Flood– God punished sin. Covenant– God made a covenant with Abraham’s family. Placement– God placed Joseph and his …

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Intro to the New Testament

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He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” -Matthew 16:15 The Meaning of the New Testament The Bible is made up of two units – the Old Testament and the New Testament. “Testament” means covenant, so the first section of the Bible describes the Old Covenant, while the second section describes the New Covenant ushered in …

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Why People Abandon Jesus

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Judas betrayed, the disciples fled, the people accused, and Peter denied. After all Jesus had done for this world, the world abandoned Him. Mark 14:43-72 43 And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.44 Now the betrayer had …

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Jesus Doesn’t Fit Into Your Box

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The religious leaders of the day became increasingly frustrated because Jesus didn’t minister in the way they deemed appropriate. We must stop trying to fit Jesus into our religious boxes and realize that He came to do something new.

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Open Your Home for Ministry

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As Jesus gathered disciples, He befriended sinners in home settings.  Acknowledging the needs of those around us, we should open our homes and open our hearts to minister to those in close proximity to us.

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Who Are the Pharisees in the Southern Baptist Convention?

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It is true that in any arena of life, people have the capacity to position themselves intentionally or inwardly hope that they will rise to a certain platform.  While we wish that was untrue in relation to ministry, it unfortunately exists there as well.

As a pastor, I see the attempts around me and notice the trends inside me to advance our personal agendas.  But as someone who teaches the truth for a vocation, obviously, I should beyond such trivial pursuits.  When I teach from the Bible, I should be able to come from a grounds of moral and leadership superiority and yet I often discover that quite the opposite is true.

Sometimes the religious leaders are the problem.

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Who Do You Say I Am?

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This sermon was used by a college traveling team when they had an away Sunday game. The message is from Matthew 16:13-23 and talks about the need to get Christ’s identity correct. It doesn’t matter what you or I think about God.  It matters what God thinks about God.

Your Word [Storytellers]

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“Your Word” was written for “The Word” project to cover the time and the themes covered by the New Testament Epistles. “The Word” is a project by North Side Worship telling the grand narrative of the Bible.  It is available at North Side (May 3, 2015) and iTunes (May 5, 2015). “The Word” project was somewhat simple to begin songwriting on Creation, Exodus, Pentecost, etc.  Big events …

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Lyrics to “Your Word”

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I have heard so many encouraging words concerning the songs from “The Word.”  The song we wrote to cover the epistles has been a really unique part of it.  We took 1 line from all 21 epistles and constructed the song around it.  Yesterday, as we sang, the video flipped through the Bible to each new book. I have had …

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“Your Word” – Storytellers

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We are making finishing touches on “The Word” songs for our big event in April.  These are a special collection of songs as we walk through the grand narrative of the Bible. Please keep the prayers coming! Yesterday, we shared a new song from the upcoming project.  This one is entitled “Your Word.” It was somewhat simple to begin songwriting …

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Intro to the New Testament

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We are just a little over a month from Lander University being back in session and I am so excited to be able to teach Intro to the New Testament this coming semester.  This will be my first time teaching this course.  In the past, I have taught World Religions, Sacred Texts & Ideas, and Intro to the Old Testament. …

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What Kind of Faith Do You Have?

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True followers of Christ share a common faith.  This faith is drastically different that what many professing Christians exhibit today.  In this service, we examined what saving faith looks like. After celebrating baptisms in both of our services (which is always great to experience), we continued our worship time together with “Something About That Name” (in which Richenda sang her …

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“Woe to You” – Storytellers

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It happened again last night.  I was moments away from pulling the song “Woe to You.”  We were leading the “Knowing Jesus” worship event at FBC Moncks Corner, and as I looked out at the congregation, I felt the same way 1st time we sang it at North Side – people aren’t going to like this one.

In fact, it may be too much.  It’s too edgy.  Very confrontational.  I kinda have to scream some.  Maybe we shouldn’t do it.

But each time, I went ahead with it, I sang the truth of Jesus’ words and let him handle the results.  I have been overwhelmed at the response of the song “Woe to You.”

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God Is More Concerned with Your Future Than Your Past

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In church, we want any change in you that happens to be change that lasts for a lifetime. If we can’t apply the message, we are wasting our time in learning the truths (James 1:22-25).

We don’t want to make shallow commitments. We want to start walking in this truth, and we want to be faithful for the long haul. Oftentimes, we get bogged down in our past mistakes or our shallow commitments.  But God is more concerned with your future than your past.

Let’s learn from Peter’s example. His words and actions changed from time to time and reveal some of our own tendencies.  Look at how quickly his words and actions change:

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Peter’s Denial

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Great, impacting, insightful, honest worship today at North Side.  I took this picture on my phone during Cole’s soundcheck and it looked like the heavens were opening up!  Cole Strickland did a fantastic job on a Peter monologue to setup the message on Peter’s denial perfectly.

In addition, we heard a powerful testimony about mission work in West Africa this summer.  She did such a great job making the passage of the day go along with her testimony.  It was incredible to hear how someone who followed Christ across the world still struggled with denying Christ but saw him move anyway.  So wonderful that 2 of our main worship leaders today were our college students.  So great to see so many of these students not waiting until they graduate to serve, they get it now!

Today, we worshiped to:

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The Exhortation of the Christ

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As we continue this Christology, we reached the section where we focus upon Jesus’ relationship with the Pharisees.  Volatile, to say the least.  Jesus was doing so much good, but these religious leaders were so upset that he wasn’t doing it on the right day or in the right way.  They were more concerned with their traditions than they were God’s Kingdom expanding right before their eyes.

Here are some things to remember about this group that couldn’t stand Jesus:

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Pharisees and Tax Collectors in Your Worship Services

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Sunday was a full day of ministry with the highs and lows.  We had great services, I had a wonderful group time, got to preach at Lander’s FCA, and so much more even in between.  While we had many great moments yesterday, we also had 2 of our members pass in the night.  Working in a church, you deal with so many different issues in a day.

That’s why Sunday morning when I’m leading worship is one of the most unique times of my week.  My unique vantage point reveals so much of where people are.  As I invite people to stand and worship the living God, different levels of engagement are present.  Our passage we studied in C-Group last night reminded me so much of every worship service.  Because in every worship service there are Pharisees and tax collectors present:

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Should I Tithe While in Debt?

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One of the most frequented asked questions I receive from people concerning giving is: “should I tithe while in debt?”

My short answer is yes.

Now, here is the medium answer concerning why I say, “yes.”

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The Hope for the Suffering Church

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We concluded the New Testament 101 series today with another great Sunday @ North Side!  I snapped this picture in between services of two of the most dedicated team members anyone could ever ask for.  David Hjalmers runs sound most Sundays and is dependable and encouraging as they come.  Jessica Griffith Wolfe, serves as my assistant on staff, and she …

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The Long-Awaited Messiah

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I scheduled this post a while back.  If all goes according to plan, I’m back in the States with my son, but didn’t get to worship with you this morning.  So, I know what is on the agenda: Carl shares his passionate heart about the Gideon’s ministry. Kennerly and the gang leads you in a powerful Jesus-focused worship time. Today, …

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Heaven: More Than Clouds, Harps, and St. Peter at the Gate

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In my C-Group last night, we talked a lot about eternity, and we realized that we have misconceptions about heaven and hell.  I thought I would share some of what we talked about last night on heaven and then also talk about hell later this week.  We talked about if St. Peter is really at the gate, is there a …

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