Here’s a simple Sermon Prep Sheet I’ve created that might be helpful for some of you. It’s nothing new, but rather a collaboration of thoughts gathered from more experienced preachers and communicators than I over the years.
Good post here on 3 things dads can do to make a difference in their daughter’s lives.
Most of the time when we talk about trials, we think of physical suffering, pain, and loss. And we should. After all, the Bible does. For example, 2 Cor. 11:24-28 records the many difficult trials Paul faced as an apostle of Jesus Christ.
Paul knew the pain of suffering and loss. And through these trials he learned to trust in God. But he learned something else. Something we often forget. Paul learned to be content in EVERY situation.
In Philippians 4:12, Paul speaks of God’s provision and how he learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. Paul knew how to be brought low and how to abound. In every circumstance, he was content because he understood that life was filled with both trials and blessing, suffering and prosperity.
I don’t know about you, but when I think of Paul I picture him suffering all the time. I picture a man who never enjoyed one moment of physical comfort or pleasure. Yet, it’s clear that there were times where he had plenty. I’m not sure what that entailed, but in those times Paul knew what to do. He abounded in thanksgiving. He continued to trust in God and not in what he had. I wonder if we do the same.
You see, for most of us, we face a different kind of trial each day. The trial of prosperity. Prosperity can be a dangerous trial for the Christian. Instead of bringing us closer to God, it can take us further away from him. Charles Spurgeon once said,
The crucible of adversity is a less severe trial to the Christian than the refining pot of prosperity. Oh, what leanness of soul and neglect of spiritual things have been brought on through the very mercies and bounties of God!
Wow. Most of us have never thought that God would test our faith by giving us abundance. And these mercies of God can actually take us away from God if we receive them with the wrong heart. So like Paul, I want to learn to be content in every circumstance. I want to learn what it means to be brought low in times of adversity. And I want to learn how to abound in times of prosperity – so that my soul would be satisfied in Christ alone no matter what comes my way.
That’s my prayer for you today as well.
My friend, Matt Perman, helps us understand the doctrine of vocation and how our work is a calling from God. I found this very helpful. I’m also looking forward to Matt’s forthcoming book called, What’s Best Next: How the Gospel Changes the Way You Get Things Done.
Monday Morning Motivation from The Gospel Coalition on Vimeo.
I commend to you this Daily Bible Meditation Guide written by my good friend, Dr. Eric Johnson. Here’s a blurb from the introduction:
The purpose of this Bible reading schedule (shortened considerably from schedules that get through the Bible in one year) is actually to limit the amount of Bible we read daily. Reading quickly through many verses may not be as profitable as savoring deeply a few verses. So the aim of this schedule is not to read less, but to meditate more.
You will also benefit from Dr. Johnson’s thoughts on the “what” and “how-to’s” of meditation.
Many of you know that I’ve recently transitioned from serving as Family Pastor at LaGrange Baptist Church in LaGrange, Kentucky, to Senior Pastor at Oak Hill Baptist Church in Humboldt, Iowa. It’s been a big change (thus the lack of blog posts!), but God has been very good. We sense that He has us right where he wants us for such a time as this.
Maybe the biggest lesson God is teaching me so far is that He’s with me. He’s given me the gift of himself – the Holy Spirit. I’m learning to rely on him more than ever as I remind myself that the help I need lives right within me.* The Holy Spirit gives me power to do things I cannot do on my own. So when I’m faced with circumstances that are beyond my wisdom, instead of thinking to myself, “I can’t do this,” I’m reminding myself, “I can do this, by the power of the Holy Spirit in me.”
What an amazing gift to ponder at Christmastime. The help of the Holy Spirit living within us.
Praise God.
*Paul Tripp elaborates on this concept in his excellent DVD series called, “Portrait of a Struggle.”
Advent is a time of expectation and preparation for the celebration of Christ’s birth. I encourage you to set aside some time with your family to focus on Jesus in these weeks leading up to Christmas. Here are some ideas:
Christ the King Presbyterian Church has developed two Advent devotionals you can download here and here.
Jared Kennedy posted some great ideas for families to celebrate the Advent season.
The Resurgence also has an excellent series of posts onLearning to Advent together.
Justin Taylor points to a new Advent Narrative Book that looks really good.
Tony Kummer highlights some Advent Lessons for Kids that teach through the nativity.
One thing we do in our home is sing Christmas songs together (I can still manage to play a few on the guitar!) and talk about the words to these songs. I’ve found that some of them are rich in theology (i.e. Joy to the World). Whatever you do, make it simple and fun for your kids!
For those of you who don’t know, my twin brother, Mark Wolter, is a missionary in Kyoto, Japan. Check out this video below to see a bit of his world. I got the opportunity to visit Kyoto back when Mark and Maki got married. It was amazing to see my brother speak the language and interact so well with the people. I’ll never forget him going through a drive-thru at a Japanese burger joint and ordering our food in Japanese. It was pretty crazy! Please pray for him and his wife, Maki, and two sons, Noah and Taka. I miss these guys!
Yesterday I got to see Tullian Tchvidjian preach at Southern Seminary. I love his focus on the gospel of grace. Toward the end of his message he asked an interesting question: If Christ accepts me based on his righteousness and not mine, then what is my motivation to do good? In other words, if I have a great day, I’m accepted, if I have a bad day, I’m accepted. So why do good? He answered the question with a quote from Spurgeon:
When I thought God was hard, I found it easy to sin; but when I found God so kind, so good, so overflowing with compassion, I smote upon my breast to think that I could ever have rebelled against One who loved me so, and sought my good.
In other words, the deeper I go into the gospel, the greater my motivation toward obedience. I encourage you to watch this message and be amazed again at God’s grace for desperate sinners like you and me.
|
|
