Keith Brault, senior pastor from the Sovereign Grace church in Chesapeake, VA, preached yesterday from Col. 2:6-15. His message is titled Living in Him. Here are a couple application questions for us to consider this week:
1. Do you view sin as a desperate problem? Why or why not? How might your perspective on sin in your heart affect your perspective on God’s grace?
2. How has conviction of sin in your own life left you vulnerable to look for salvation in “human tradition”? Share a specific example.
3. Why does legalism never cause us to “abound in thanksgiving”? Where are you tempted to look for peace with God in your own performance? 
4. How can you be taken captive according to Christ? Has he satisfied your desperate problem?
5. Is your life characterized by gratitude for the Savior? What would those closest to you say? How can you grow in thanksgiving for Christ by pursuing satisfaction in Christ?
6. Do you ever feel like Satan has grounds to put you to shame before God? What specific accusation is hard for you to hear as the “clicking of an empty revolver”? How can you grow in confidence of your standing before God?
Like many of you Aliza and I are getting ready for some time at the beach this summer. When discussing that time away the talk inevitably turns to what I’ll be reading. So I thought I’d let you all in on what this year will look like.
This year, one of the works I’ll be returning to is a favorite of mine, “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott. I would be of the understanding that fine literature shouldn’t be left for just the ladies to enjoy.
I will make the disclaimer that I find the books of this genre (Jane Austen, et al) far more engaging and delightful than the numerous films they have spawned, but reading them makes clear why they are still popular after so many years. Jo (the protagonist in “Little Women”) was someone I readily identified with during my teen years and I still find her sense of perspective and grit to be inspiring today.
While the guys on staff kid me about my reading preferences and say the only thing they would read remotely related to this genre would be “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” you can count me firmly in the classics camp.
‘Tis the season for graduations!
Whether high school or college, May and June mark a significant milestone for many families in the church. We prayed for all the graduates during our pastor’s meeting yesterday. King David’s words in Ps. 25 capture the essence of our desire for your experience of God during this season of transition.
“Good and upright is the LORD;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble his way.
All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness,
for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.”
We’re rejoicing with each of you!
Aliza and I returned late last Wednesday night from the Sovereign Grace Pastor’s Conference in Gaithersburg, MD. Our entire pastoral team enjoyed 2 1/2 days of worship, teaching and fellowship equipping us to more faithfully “shepherd the flock of God that is among you”. (1 Pe 5:2) Jeff Purswell gave a particular outstanding message on Tuesday evening from 2 Tim. 2:15. He asked the question, “Where does your confidence lie?” in reference to pastoral ministry. During a season of change on the pastoral team and office staff, it’s easy for my confidence to be in identifying wise methods, models & procedures. God used Jeff’s message to remind me that my confidence in pastoral ministry must only lie in the power of the Word of God. Through the power of His word, God is building His church. My job is to faithfully proclaim God’s word and trust Him to accomplish the work only He can do! Needless to say, I came home refreshed and full of greater faith for all that lies ahead at Kingsway - faith not in my ability, but in the powerful Word of our Heavenly Father.
I first came to Kingsway with my family in 1990 when I was 6 years old. Little did I know that 19 years later, I would have the privilege of serving as a pastor in the same church writing a blog post about the last 20 years of church life! As I review the last two decades, I’m primarily grateful for the many ways God has used relationships in the church to prepare and equip me for the work of ministry.
But I’m not alone. Our history is full of testimonies of how God has used relationships to accomplish His work in our lives. In preparation for our 20th Anniversary celebration on Saturday, March 21, we’re creating a timeline of individual and family pictures, providing a visual demonstration of God’s work through relationships over the years.
During one of the next two Sundays, please bring a photo of you or your family and add it to one of the three timeline sections in the foyer. Then we’ll combine them into one large timeline on the evening of the 21st.
Knowing how to respond to suffering is never easy. How many times has a friend disclosed a particular trial they’re going through and if you’re honest, you have no idea what to say? “Don’t worry. God is sovereign” is too trite. “Let me know how I can help” doesn’t really speak to the hurt they feel. So what do you say? Trust me. I’ve been in this spot many times!
Based on a recommendation from CJ Mahaney, I recently picked up Suffering and Sovereignty of God, edited by John Piper and Justin Taylor, and started reading chapter 7 by David Powlison. Powlison does an outstanding job helping us understand God’s heart to personally care for and comfort us in the midst of suffering. And he gives us practical suggestions for helping others connect truth about God to the real trials we all face.
If you’re like me and have limited time to read a whole book, buy a copy from the Book Shoppe and just read chapter 7. I highly recommend it! (You can also click on the image of the book to hear related messages and even read the book online!)
Which is more godly? The old hymns of the faith? Or the praise choruses of today? I believe that’s the wrong question. The question Scripture begs us to answer is this. Which songs enable the word of Christ to “dwell in us richly” as we sing “psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in our hearts to God” (Col. 3:16)? Last Sunday we learned a new song written by Chris Tomlin called “All the Way My Savior Leads Me”. Tomlin takes the verse lyrics from an old Fanny Crosby hymn by the same name, rewrites the melody and adds a new chorus:
You lead me, and keep me from falling
You carry me close to Your heart
And surely your goodness and mercy will follow me
I love how the chorus reminds us of our security as son and daughters of God. He is holy. He is mighty. His glory fills the heavens. Yet he is near to those who call on him and gently leads us all our days. May God use these lyrics to fill our hearts with gratitude for the Savior who makes relationship with the King of Glory possible for you and me!
We hope these posts serve you and your families, but we don’t claim to have the corner on either good content or good blogging technique! Bob Kauflin has an excellent blog called Worship Matters, covering the spectrum of topics from a theology of worship and worship leading to songwriting tips and music reviews. Whether you lead worship in any context or simply desire a biblical perspective on the world of music, Worship Matters will equip you with a greater measure of practical discernment. I highly recommend it!
Apart from our wives, no one does more to support us in serving you than the folks working in the office. So we wanted to take this opportunity to thank them for their behind-the-scenes roles.
Last week, James Brewer commented that half the scheduled events in the church building are under my sphere of pastoral leadership. 
That spells serious trouble apart from Micaela. During the last year, Micaela has faithfully served me as both a personal secretary and meeting administrator. Translated: I tell Micaela what I’d like to accomplish with all our events and she makes it happen! Micaela often jokes that anytime I say, “We’ll take care of that,” what I really mean is Micaela will take care of it. She has personally embraced our vision for student and music ministries, enabling her to serve with joy and exceptional attention to detail across a broad range of events. You are a blessing from God to me, Micaela!
This is just a reminder to please invite your friends to join us tomorrow evening for a Christmas Eve candlelight service of Lessons and Carols at 7:00pm in the Auditorium. Bring a plate of cookies to share.
