Call to Repentance - Eight Things of We Should Repent

From last Sunday:

As one pastor blogged this week, this is the time when we hear and see a lot of scary stuff. We see it and we hear it from people in all types of mediums and of course I am talking about the campaigns of the midterm elections. It is common for Christians to react to all this hype with pessimistic dismay, fearful panic or frustrated indifference. Truly, our nation is in a mess and it is never helpful to declare peace, when there is no peace. But God’s people are always called to respond to sin and sins’ consequences with repentance and faith. So we must begin by pointing the finger at the person we see every morning in the bathroom mirror (and I am not talking about your spouse). Yes, I think we should cast our votes this Tuesday and do so with informed minds, strong conviction, humble spirits, and thankful hearts. We surely can enter this weekend with a prayerful anticipation or hope that certain results will move more inline with biblical wisdom and common sense for the good of the nation. However, any true reformation of government will only come as a result of a biblical reformation of the people of that government which will only happen through the reformation of the church…The BODY who has been given the GOOD NEWS of the new KING of the World…the church is the preservative entity that is designed by Christ to be salt and light in a dark world.

The political and governmental mess we read about in the Star Tribune or watch on Foxnews is our mess…and not because we voted for them (which we all have to some degree). It is our mess because we as the people of God have lost our saltiness and our brightness is dimmer than my kid’s nightlight. We are guilty of worshipping the same idols as the rest of our country, we relate to our spouses and kids with similar abdication or unfaithfulness as the world does, we are reckless and lazy in our finances, we are cowards in declaring the Gospel, we grumble and complain because our blessings from God are not wrapped with glittery paper (we can’t afford a 42 in TV so we had to settle for 32 inches), we act with selfish “what’s best for me” motives, and we quickly run to government, politics or something else as our Savior or security.

So what do we do? We repent. We confess our sins to a gracious God and believe the Gospel. Jesus came to save sinners. He did not come to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved. Let us begin by taking responsibility for our nations woes by confessing our own guilt as a church beginning as individuals and families. Let us confess our sin of abdication of salt and light and look to the One who gives us His Spirit and restores His people to be THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD in obedience to King Jesus. He is LORD. Let us not forget this. All authority has been given HIM and he has brought us together to disciple the nations…including our own. It begins by humble confession and repentance of our own sin…and hopeful joy in the One who declared forgiveness when rose from the dead!

Here are eight things to begin with:

1. Spiritual Adultery

Definition: The giving of one’s devotion to something or someone other than God. 

2. Marital Unfaithfulness

Definition: The lack of Christ-centered fidelity to your spouse in mind, words and actions.  

3. Child Sacrifice to False Gods

Definition: The surrendering up of our children to numerous dangers through a selfish abdication of our role as spiritual shepherds and disciplers. 

4. Scandalous Stewardship

Definition: The irresponsible, lazy and reckless use of our talents (money, skills, time, etc) leading to a burden of indebtedness rather than fruitfulness. 

5. Shameful Ingratitude

Definition: The inexcusable forgetfulness of God’s constant blessings manifested in pride or discontent rather thank thankful faith. 

6. Gospel Cowardice

Definition: The lack of joy and confidence in Biblical Truth (in general) and the Gospel (in particular) leading to fearful, embarrassed and lazy closet-Christians.

7. Self-centered Individualism

Definition: The “what is best for me” first mindset with little or no concern for who it affects others that you are really connected to – family, church, community, nation.  

8. Idolatrous Trust

Definition: The reliance on anything other than God to be your savior.

Two Great Books on Ecclesiastes

I just started preaching through Ecclesiastes.
Here are two really good books on the subject.

Joy at the End of the Tether by Douglas Wilson
I use Wilson's outline in my introduction sermon as the structure of the book.
This book is worth reading over and over.

Ecclesiastes with New Eyes: A Table in the Mist by Jeffrey Meyers
Meyers' book is more in depth and yet very spiritually edifying (in contrast to dry commentary). Very helpful.

Sermon - MAN UP and Be MEN

Sunday was Father's Day and I preached to myself and to Grace Church giving the charge to men to "MAN UP"-- and fulfill the responsibility God has called them (us) to.

In the attempt to Man Up we face opposition from within (Douglas Wilson says its like riding up-hill because of our sinful nature) and from without -- the culture wreaks with the male-irresponsibility syndrome.

Here were my four points:

1. Man up and be Men of God.
2. Man up and be Men of the Word.
3. Man up and be Men of Responsibility.
4. Man up and be Men of Grace.

Here is the sermon audio -- "Man Up - A Father's Day Sermon."

I welcome your comments, criticisms, questions and suggestions.

Check Out RESOLVED 2009 Conference

I recommend you downloading some of the sermons from the 2009 Resolved Conference that took place last week in Palm Springs.

At least check out the Trailer below. I have also copied the sermon links for you to access easily.

Resolved 2009

Resolved 2009

• The War Against Your Soul
  • MP3
  • Rick Holland
    
  • Fri, Jun 12, 2009
  Purchase Video
• Blessed Bankruptcy
  • MP3
  • Steve Lawson
    
  • Sat, Jun 13, 2009
  Purchase Video
• Who’s Really at Work?
  • MP3
  • C.J. Mahaney
    
  • Sat, Jun 13, 2009
  Purchase Video
• Enfield Concert (unavailable)
  • MP3
  • Enfield
    
  • Sat, Jun 13, 2009
• Blessed Purity
  • MP3
  • Steve Lawson
    
  • Sun, Jun 14, 2009
  Purchase Video
• A Theology of Creation
  • MP3
  • John MacArthur
    
  • Sun, Jun 14, 2009
  Purchase Video
• God’s Sovereignty Over Satan’s Fall
  • MP3
  • John Piper
    
  • Sun, Jun 14, 2009
  Purchase Video
• A Biblical Strategy For Fighting Sexual Sin
  • MP3
  • Rick Holland
    
  • Mon, Jun 15, 2009
  Purchase Video
• The Sanctifying Shepherd
  • MP3
  • John MacArthur
    
  • Mon, Jun 15, 2009
  Purchase Video
• The Troubled Soul
  • MP3
  • C.J. Mahaney
    
  • Mon, Jun 15, 2009
  Purchase Video
• How Sin Serves the Glory of Christ
  • MP3
  • John Piper
    
  • Mon, Jun 15, 2009
  Purchase Video

Free Evangelism Seminar Audio

Last Friday and Saturday Grace Church put on an evangelism seminar called "On a Stand: The Heart, Mind and Practice of Evangelism." Our Pastor for Discipleship, Dave VanAcker, did a great job putting this together as well as teaching the seminar. The sessions were powerful and foundational. If you were not there, you need to listen to them. Here are the session's audio and manuscripts (right click the "listen" link to download the session).

Session 1 -- The Evangelical Mind Listen
Session 2 -- The Evangelical Heart Listen
Session 3 -- The Evangelical Life - Part 1 Listen
Session 4 -- The Evangelical Life - Part 2 Listen
Session 5 -- The Evangelical Church Listen

Fear and Evangelism

Last Sunday I preached on evangelism and fear.
Here is the audio of my sermon -- "Fear and Discipleship".

I really like what Pastor Dave said at the end of the evangelism seminar on fear and evangelism:

It can be very easy to submit to (and even seek to justify) the fear that we all experience to some degree; especially in light of the institutionalization of our fear. However, despite the ease of doing so, we must fight against it by clinging to the promises of God and choosing, by the power of the Spirit that lives in us, to obey rather than to disobey. We must recognize the need to pray for ourselves and each other. We must avoid any guilt-based methods of spurring one another on toward obedience in evangelism; but we must create a culture of evangelistic expectation at Grace by our words and actions.

Here is the outline of my sermon. You can read the sermon manuscript at www.gracewyomingmedia.com

1. DISCIPLES FOLLOW JESUS

2. FOLLOWING JESUS INCLUDES EVANGELISM

3. EVANGELISM MEANS SHARING OR PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL WITH OTHERS.

4. THE GOSPEL IS A SPECIFIC TRUTH THAT IS HELPFULLY EXPLAINED WITH SIX POINTS

God - There is a God who is infinitely glorious.

Obligation - We were created by God for His glory.

Sin – We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.

Penalty – The cost of our sin—of failing to live for the glory of God—is death.

Exoneration – In order to show His love, uphold His justice, forgive sinners, and display His glory,

Life Change – The forgiveness of sins and the everlasting life bought by Jesus death belongs to all who repent, believe, and love Jesus.


5. THE GOSPEL PROCLAIMED IS GOD’S APPOINTED MEANS TO BRING THE POWER OF SALVATION. – Or – The Gospel is Powerful

6. TWO NEGATIVE (SINFUL) EMOTIONS ATTACK DISCIPLES IN EVANGELISM

Apathy
Fear

7. WE MUST LET THE GOSPEL SHAPE OUR EMOTIONS –
SIX POTENTIAL FEARS FACING YOU REGARDING EVANGELISM

1. They might harm me…

2. They might ridicule and dislike me…

3. They might expose my ignorance…

4. They might be turned off to Christ by my method or manner…

5. They might expose my sin…

6. They might disown me…

Sermon - "The Obedience of Discipleship"

Last Sunday I preached on the obedience of discipleship.

6.7.09

The Obedience of Discipleship

Matthew 7:21-27

Read

Listen

Those who are followers of Jesus obey Jesus. They don't obey so that they can become disciples, they obey because they are disciples.

Obedience is not a virtue we do well in - especially obedience to the things that are hard (it's easy to be obedient to the command not to have more than one wife - it is entirely different to abstain from looking at a woman with lustful intent).

Here are some questions I asked - Are you obedient?:

Do you read and meditate on the Word of God?

Is prayer a powerful and intentional element of your life?

Do you have sins that you make excuses for but care little to fight against?

Do you still view pornography? Are you fighting against it with accountability and counsel?

Husbands, do you lead and love your wife? Are you spiritually leading?

Wives, do you respect and submit to your husband?

Fathers, do you lead spiritually your children?

Mothers, are you gentle and loving as well as firm and wise? Do you let your husband lead?

Singles, are you seeking GOD’s will for a spouse? Does He call the shots in how you think about dating?

Fathers, are you harsh with your children?

Children, are you obedient to your parents?

Do you gossip? Do you regularly use critical speech?

How important is the body of Christ? Did you plan your vacation with any thought towards the impact it may have on the body of Christ?

Are you a member of your church?

Baptism? Have you been baptized as a believer? What holds you back?

Why are you not in a discipleship group when your spiritual leaders have formed these groups with the purpose of helping your grow in Christ as a disciple?

How do you spend your money? Do you give significantly as an act of worship and an expression that your money is really God’s?

Do you make the worship of God a priority? Do you prepare yourself to receive the Word of God?

Do you have friends that are in sin but you have not lovingly confronted them though you know that you should (because you are afraid you might lose their friendship)?

Are you obedient as a witness for Jesus Christ?

Do you have neighbors or friends that you have known for years but you have never shared the Gospel with them or have not invited them to church?

Have you reached out to people in this church that are not in your comfort zone?

Sermon - The Joy of Discipleship

The result of regeneration (or the new birth) is that a person sees real things with new eyes. The things that he sees were always there but his old eyes couldn't see them. The new birth gives us the sight to see the kingdom of heaven (John 3:3). Fundamentally, the person sees Jesus Christ as a Treasure and Pearl of Great Price. So great is the valuing of Christ that a person JOYFULLY gives up everything to gain Him.

My sermon last Sunday looked at these two parables -- Matthew 13:44-46.

Here is my sermon audio from May 31, 2009.

Sermon - You Have a Call On Your Life

Here is my sermon from last Sunday entitled - "You Have a Call on Your Life."

5.17.09

You Have a Calling on Your Life

Ephesians 4:1

Read

Read

Listen

You can download by right click on "listen" and saving.

Every believer has a call on their life. I am reminded of this quote from Paul David Tripp:

I am persuaded that the church today has many more consumers than committed participants. Sure, Joe and Sheila may volunteer for a specific activity like VBS or a diaconal project, but this frequently falls woefully short of the “everyone, all the time” model of the New Testament. Our tendency toward ecclesiastical consumerism has seriously weakened the church. For most of us, church is merely an event we attend or an organization we belong to. We do not see it as a calling that shapes our entire life.
(Paul David Tripp – Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands, p. XII)

Sermon - Motherhood as a Reflection of God

Here is my Mother's Day sermon with audio and notes:

MOTHERHOOD AS A REFLECTION OF GOD

5.10.09

Motherhood as a Reflection of God

Isaiah 49:13-16

Read

Read

Listen

(Right click on listen and save to download)

Sermon - Giving as Sowing to the Spirit

Last Sunday, May 3, I preached from Galatians 6:10. Below is the sermon notes and audio from www.gracewyomingmedia.com where we post all the sermons.


(Right click and save on the "listen" link to download)

5.3.09

Giving, Sowing, Reaping, and Eternal Life

Galatians 6:6-10

Read

Read

Listen

My main point was this:

Partner in the Ministry of the Word through giving and serving…

…As a way of sowing to the Spirit for eternal life…

…While patiently trusting in the Lord of the Harvest.

Sermon - Pharisee or Tax Collector

Sermon from last Sunday, April 26th at Grace Church per www.gracewyoming.com

“Religion vs. Christ”The Pharisee and Tax Collector

Luke 18:9-14

Read or Listen to this sermon.

See Previous Sermons Here

Daniel Patz will be preaching May 3
Sunday School 9 AM; 10:30 AM Worship

Sermon - Holiness of God

This Sunday (April 19, 2009) I preached on the Holiness of God.

My text was from Isaiah 6:1-8.

Here is my sermon manuscript.

Here is the sermon audio -- "A Vision of the Holiness of God."
(Right click and save to download)

Again, I strongly recommend R. C. Sproul's The Holiness of God.

Sermon - Have You Been Raised from the Dead?

On Easter Sunday I asked (in the sermon):

HAVE YOU BEEN RAISED FROM THE DEAD?

Here is the sermon manuscript and audio.
Right click on "listen" to download.

4.12.09

Have You Been Raised from the Dead?

John 3:1-8

Read

Read

Listen

The main outline of my sermon was based on five questions--

1. What do I mean by "have you been raised from the dead"? The New Birth/Regeneration
   
2. Why do I ask? (or why is this important?) Without it you will never see the Kingdom of God
   
3. Who has been raised from the dead? (or born again?) I share 1) false assurances, 2) danger markers and 3) indicators of life.
4. How are we raised from the dead? (born again) It is the complete work of God through His Word producing saving faith and repentance.
5. So now what? Words to disturbed believers and unbelievers

Sermon - It Is Not Death to Die

Here is my sermon from Howie's funeral on March 26th.

It was called - "It is Not Death to Die."

Right click on "listen" and save to download.

3.26.09

It Is Not Death to Die (Howie Holm's Funeral)

2 Corinthians 4:16-18; 5:6-8, 20-21

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Listen

I thankful that so many of your came to worship God as we celebrated the home-coming of our Friend and brother.

For related information on the title see "It Is Not Death to Die for Howie"

Sermon - Be Reconciled to God

Below is my sermon from last Sunday.

My main points was - "Be reconciled to God" - 2 Cor. 5:20-21.

I had 3 categories of people in mind:

1. Some are enemies of God and need to be reconciled by being truly converted (sincere repentance and trust in Jesus for salvation)

2. Some of you are children of God but are disobedient and you need restoration (1 John 1:9ff)

3. All of His children are given the charge to be give this message to others (being messengers of reconciliation)

My three points were:

Be Fearful.
Be Hopeful.
Be Urgent.

Here it is:

22.09

Be Reconciled to God

2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2

Read

Read

Listen

(right click the "listen" link and save to computer to download)

Last Week's Sermon - True Conversion

Each week we post the Sunday sermons at gracewyomingmedia.com

Here is last week's sermon on "True Conversion"

I asked four questions:
1) Why should I care?
2) What is true conversion?
3) How does true conversion happen?
4) Can we know if we have been truly converted?

Here is the sermon stuff that is pasted from gracewyomingmedia.com
(you can download the sermon by right-clicking and saving on the listen link)

3.15.09

True Conversion

1 Thess. 1:4-10; 2:13

Read

Read

Listen

Free John MacAurthur

From Justin Taylor:

There's some great news coming from Grace to You, the ministry ministry of John MacArthur.

I'm told that starting next Wednesday, November 5 (the day after the election), Grace to You will announce a new policy, effective immediately, that all of their mp3 downloads of John MacArthur's sermons will be completely free.

That's 3500 sermons for free--with no strings (like required registration) attached.

Hats off to Grace to You for this generous move!

Make sure to visit the site next Wednesday.

Introducing Ephesians - Sermon

On Sunday (September 7) I began a new sermon series on Ephesians.

Here is the manuscript for my sermon.
Here is the audio for the sermon (right click to download).

I liked what David Powlison has to say about the letter of Paul to the Ephesians:

You will not go wrong if you plunge into Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Master it. Be mastered by it. Work Ephesians into your thinking, your living, your prayers, and your conversation. The Bible is vast and deep, and human life is diverse and perplexing. But in a pinch you could do all counseling from Ephesians. It’s all there: the pig picture that organizes a myriad of details. And Ephesians is not only “counsel,” but also “counseling.” It talks and walks method as well as content. Paul himself is a changed man. He lives out and teaches wise pastoral strategy. Ephesians aims to teach you how to live. That is a synonym for counseling biblically, for doing face-to-face ministry. (See With New Eyes)

Sermon - Worshipping with the Lord's Supper

Here is the manuscript for the sermon I preached last Sunday on Corporate Worship and the Lord's Supper.

The audio is not up yet but will be posted at gracewyomingmedia.com

I asked four questions regarding the Lord's Supper:

1. What is the Lord's Supper?
2. Why was the Lord's Supper given to the church?
3. Who ought to participate in the Lord's Supper?
4. What should participates expect to receive from the Lord's Supper?