New Book by Pastor Dave - Debtors of Grace

Pastor Dave has published a new booklet for several of the Discipleship Groups called "Debtors of Grace - A Biblical and Practical Look at Evangelism."

If you would like a copy of the book email (or talk) Dave (his email is davidjvanacker@hotmail.com).

Here is a pdf version of the book for you to download and read on your computer or print.

Dave's intro gives an overview of what he covers in the booklet:

When it comes to evangelism (sharing the Gospel
with non-Christians or making grace payments),
there are four very important—indeed, necessary—
elements: communicating the Gospel to
non-Christians 1) is part of following Jesus, 2) is
usually most efficacious, and always most pleasing
to God, when it springs from deep, personal
satisfaction in God, 3) requires a clear, Biblical
understanding of the Gospel, and 4) involves intentionality,
purpose, and practice. While we will
briefly address the first three elements, the primary
purpose of this booklet is to look at element
4 (the intentionality, purpose, and practice of
evangelism). However, please do not think that
because, in the context of this booklet, we are not
spending a great deal of time on elements 1-3
they are not important. As I said above, they are
absolutely essential. No biblical evangelism can
take place without them. Again, please do not
gloss over them. Do not minimize or marginalize
them. We must begin there. It is only after we
have them in place that we have any hope of engaging
in Biblical evangelism.

How Should We View Corporate Worship? - Sermon

The audio was not recorded this Sunday, but here is the manuscript for my sermon that I preached on August 3rd. This is the second sermon from the series - "God's Glorious Gift of Corporate Worship."

In this sermon I asked the question - "How should we view corporate worship?"
I gave six observation that should inform our view of corporate worship.

1. Corporate Worship Has Always Been the Joyful Practice of God’s People in the Bible. (see manuscript for Scripture)

2. Corporate Worship is Implied by the Content and Nature of the Psalms

3. Corporate Worship is the Joyful Occupation of Heaven

4. The Nature of Corporate Worship brings more Glory to God than Private or Individual Worship.

5. Corporate Worship Brings More Edification than Private and Individual Worship.

6. Corporate Worship Reflects the Picture of the Church Better than Private and Individual Worship.

Given these truths – we should consider corporate worship as very significant, meaningful, worth pursuing, prioritizing, growing in…

Preparing for Corporate Worship - Sunday, August 3rd

I encourage you to read through and think about the words we are going to sing tomorrow morning during the corporate worship service at Grace Church.

Here is a document with the songs and lyrics for tomorrow.

Why Does God Want Us To Sing? Bob Kauflin

Why does God want our praise to be expressed in songs?

Psalms 47:6-7 Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! (7) For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm!

Here is a video clip of musician and pastor Bob Kauflin (author of "Jesus, Thank You, You Are the Way, O Great God) on why God wants us to sing:

If We Are Not Worshipping God, We Are Nothing

I though I would share with you something I read this week from N. T. Wright's book - For All God's Worth:

Though we sing with the tongues of men and of angels, if we are not truly worshipping the living God, we are noisy gongs and clanging cymbals. Though we organize the liturgy most beautifully, if it does not enable us to worship the living God, we are mere ballet-dancers. Though we repave the floor and reface the stonework, though we balance our budgets and attract all the tourists, if we are not worshipping God, we are nothing.

Worship is humble and glad; worship forgets itself in remembering God; worship celebrates the truth as God’s truth, not its own. True worship doesn’t put on a show or make a fuss; true worship isn’t forced, isn’t half-hearted, doesn’t keep looking at its watch, doesn’t worry what the person in the next pew may be doing. True worship is open to God, adoring God, waiting for God, trusting God even in the dark.

Worship will never end; whether there be buildings, they will crumble; whether there be committees, they will fall asleep; whether there be budgets, they will add up to nothing. For we build for the present age, we discuss for the present age, and we pay for the present age; but when the age to come is here, the present age will be done away. For now we see the beauty of God through a glass, darkly, but then face to face; no we appreciate only part, but then we shall affirm and appreciate God, even as the living God has affirmed and appreciated us. So now our tasks are worship, mission, and management, these three; but the greatest of these is worship. (For All God’s Worship, N. T. Wright, pp. 8-9.)