There are many items of this chapter that I find interesting such as the order and structure in which it is written. Normally when we write we have to present an argument so that we can then discuss and support the thesis. However, in this chapter God begins declaring His sovereignty and unconditional love for His people and concludes revealing the argument/thesis which is how filthy we are with sin.
First let’s remember, sin is not just some inappropriate behavior; instead it is living a lifestyle that does not line up with God’s character. I like the way the Message puts it:
22-24“But you didn’t pay a bit of attention to me, Jacob.You so quickly tired of me, Israel.You wouldn’t even bring sheep for offerings in worship.You couldn’t be bothered with sacrifices.It wasn’t that I asked that much from you.I didn’t expect expensive presents.But you didn’t even do the minimum—so stingy with me, so closefisted.Yet you haven’t been stingy with your sins.You’ve been plenty generous with them—and I’m fed up.
For this very reason God reveals to us the need of a savior/redeemer who would lead us in a path and make harmony with Him. And yes this person would be Jesus, who does not keep a list of our sins.
25“But I, yes I, am the onewho takes care of your sins—that’s what I do.I don’t keep a list of your sins.
And better yet as the book Romans states in the eighth chapter:“Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins…”
So in a couple of hours I’ll have the honor to marry my pastor, Derek and future wife Miranda, and am looking forward to this ceremony. When Derek first ask me to marry them I did not know what to say, because in one hand the Bible does not give clear instructions about marriage, because after all Christ is really the one bringing these two together. On the other hand, I also figured that if Christ has mandated that we lead people to Him (through His Spirit) and baptize them; and even notified us that we could even perform greater miracles than He did. So why not partake in leading the unity of a marriage ceremony?
I find it amazing how much we all in leadership staff are learning about ministry because really we do not have much experience but yet Christ has set us in this role and is teaching us to not be intimidated. Basically, to boast, as Derek preached on last Sunday, on the power of Christ’s sacrifice at the Cross. For the reason that is not easy being called “pastor” and having or being responsible for spiritual care of a number of persons. But yet we delight in fulfilling the call Christ has given us. And find joy in building Christ center fellowship with the amazing people He keeps bringing to His church.
We must take our Lords promises seriously and gratefully
1 Corinthians 2
9However, as it is written:
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him”
Psalm 12:6
6 And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.
Program 7.06.08
Go outside………………………………..……………………..……Amj
Announcements
Opening scripture: Job 11:5-6
Oh worship the King…………………………………….F#mj
Marvelous light……………………………………………Amj
Found. …………………………………………………………F#mj
Lead me to the cross……………………………………F#m
Message: Tearing down booths
Jonah by Jimmy Reeves…………………………………………..Bm
What an amazing Sunday! Today we were reminded “to not get comfortable” to not be Sunday Christians who only rejoice in God on a Sunday morning service bass; But to do our best to live a life in our city of Greenville that draws people to the Cross of Jesus…
Sunday’s is a day that I look forward to everyday of the week but one thing that I do pay attention to is that the following Sunday is a product of the previous one, therefore I look for results. One way we can view the effects of what God is revealing to us is by whether or not we are attracting people to Jesus through His Spirit in us. And today’s message came from the book of Jonah, who knew of God’s abounding grace and love and refused to act in spreading the great news of God. This was in modern days a Christ follower whom refused to share Jesus in his surroundings, who knew doctrine, knew Jesus but yet the message did not move his heart and instead of offering himself as a tool for the Gospel he much rather kill himself then to spread the news of Jesus. But God’s response to such Christian mediocrity is given in Jonah 4:11.
Conclusion: God is concern about Greenville N.C and the rest of the world knowing Jesus. Are you?
Program 6.29.08
Jonah by Jimmy Reeves………………………….Bm
Psalm 145:4-8
Our God reigns by Brandon Heath……………..Fmj
Saviour King by Hillsong………………………D#mj
Message: Compassion for others
Psalm 145 by Shane & Shane………………….Dm
Notes from message:
If there is one verse that never gets old in my life is one that was brought up in this message from Jonah 4:1-2 “1-2 Jonah was furious. He lost his temper. He yelled at God, “God! I _knew it—when I was back home, I knew this was going to happen! That’s why I ran off to Tarshish! I knew you were sheer grace and mercy, not easily angered, rich in love, and ready at the drop of a hat to turn your plans of punishment into a program of forgiveness!”
Another interesting point brought up in this message was that we can have doctrine but no devotion; In the case of Jonah, he knew about God’s mercy but did not take value in God’s merciful attribute. So really we can know of God but have no relationship in His sacrifice (the cross). Which also reminds me of a point brought up in Echo group in regards to Judas and how he knew Jesus and ministered w/Jesus for three and some years but yet denied him…. So just what is important? HIS LORDSHIP OVER OUR LIVES.
Worship Program 6.22.08
9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philipians 2:9-11 (The Message)
Song of the redeemed………………………F#m
Spring of life……………………………………Bbmj
Center……………………………………………..Emj
Message on worship
Found………………………………………………Bmj
my favorite verse of the message Revelations 1:12-17 . This verse tells me that when Christ is revealed one comes to realize that He is almighty and powerful and hearts can’t help to but to surrender and human flesh to act “as though dead.”
I just finished reading Stephen’s blog post and was amazed at how his church took on the challenge of raising a great amount of money in one week in order to buy 17 acres of land for orphans and abandoned kids in Haiti. But this praise report is not like your average praise report this one has another element involved which really I won’t say and instead led you see it for yourself: Stephen’s blog post…
Remember today’s Psalm 30 spoke about dependency, and after reading this post once again God confirms that our reliance of joy is not on what we have in this earth but what we have eternally.
Psalm 30
Today’s reading is a reminder that we do not rely on our riches. That is that our money or achievements/accomplishments are not our source of salvation or bright future, but instead it is Jesus and His word that should be more than enough for us. Many time our riches can easily become idols in our life and there fore we choose to disregard the fact that our future does not rely on our $ or skills but on God alone.
6-7 When things were going great
I crowed, “I’ve got it made.
I’m God’s favorite.
He made me king of the mountain.”
Then you looked the other way
and I fell to pieces. (The Message)
To rely on something and not Jesus as a means of security/success is again “idolatry” which is sin. In this case David acknowledged that he was sinning by relying on his wealth and ruling position (as a king over Israel) and God “hid” his “face” from him. David finally repents and thanks God for restoring relationship w/him: “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing”. Again, this is another example of what makes PraiseWorship so intimate/genuine and that would be repentance, which is what God is looking for b/c in doing so we are recognizing the perfect sacrifice of Jesus for our sins. That it is only through His blood that we have access to salvation.
Something good to think about today as worship directors/leaders would be to ask ourselves if we are relying too much on what we have and and not on who God is or what the Cross signifies God’s ministry of praise and worship. The talent God has given us is not the essence of our worship but it is Christ and His Spirit.
Worship program 6/15/08
Oh worship the King by …………………Fmj
Let us love and sing in wonder……….Fmj
Majesty by Delirious………………………Bbmj
Psalm 145 by Shane & Shane………….Dm
This service was interesting; I messed up like never B4. I completely forgot the chorus melody of “oh worship the king” and made up my own on stage. Ya, it was one of those moments when you want to just of stage, but I don’t think many really knew the song so it wasn’t as bad. But this service taught me to avoid doing 2 hymns combine, just b/c of the lyrics and the terminology. Also learned that I need to at least give my self 2 weeks in advance B4 presenting a song so that I know the song lyrically well.
Psalm 145 on the other hand came out better then expected. As ya know Shane sings way up there and so its not done as often b/c of that reason but thanks to God’s Spirit it was sung and it filled the building with a message that God is sovereign and gracious to all, not just His children but to all.
Psalm 86 reminds us that God’s revelation will cause people to leave their gods and come to worship Jesus (2 Corinthians 4:6), b/c He is the maker of all the nations: “all the nations you have made”, and He is unlike any other god. He also gives God praise for delivering him from an extremely painful situation: “band of ruthless men seeks my life”. And although the miracle has not yet occurred he knows that it will and thanks God b/c he really does not deserve to be rescued. He is a sinner in need of a true devotion to God, which is why he says: “teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name”.
What I like here is that this section of the psalm reminds us that when God rescues us we ought to see this deliverance as a mean to testify that it wasn’t by our strength but “because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me”.
So when it comes to worship ministry and the necessities involved, do you boast on your skills? Band members? Equipment? According to this psalm we are to recognize that what we have is all thanks to God’s “merciful, gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness”.
