Sunday Sermons

Sunday morning we continued our new series on the church. I wanted to bring out the importance of the centrality of God's Word. I preached from Psalm 119:1-16. You can hear the sermon here.

Sunday evening we continued our exposition of Luke's Gospel by focusing on Luke 18:18-30. In this passage Jesus lets the disciples know that salvation is impossible by man, but it's quite possible with God. You can hear it here.

Being One for the Glory of God

Yesterday morning I started a new preaching series on the local church. I started this series for a couple of reasons, but one of the primary reasons is that I hope we, Cypress Lake Baptist Church, will be united as one in Christ as we continue to move forward as a faith family. You can listen to the sermon here.

Sunday Sermons

Yesterday morning I preached Romans 4:23-25 for an emphasis on the resurrection of Jesus and our justification. Last night I preached Colossians 2:11-14 with a hope that our people would be helped to walk freely in Christ knowing that all their sin has been washed away by the blood of Jesus. You can listen to either sermon here:

Romans 4:23-25 - Raised for our Justification

Colossians 2:11-14 - Alive in Christ

Books on the Church

I asked a question recently to get some feedback from friends on Facebook, Twitter, and through this blog. I plan to preach a series soon on the local church and wanted to find out what books were recommended. Below is a list of books that were suggested. I have not read a lot of these books, so I cannot necessarily endorse them, but here they are.

Total Church

Biblical Eldership

The Deliberate Church

What is the Mission of the Church

What is a Healthy Church Member?

What is a Healthy Church?

The Church and the Surprising Offense of God's Love

When the Church was a Family

Biblical Theology in the Life of the Church

9 Marks of a Healthy Church

Dangerous Church

For the City

Vintage Church

The Trellis and the Vine

Elders and Leaders

Biblical Foundations for Baptist Churches

40 Questions about Elders and Deacons

Church Planting is for Wimps

I'm sure there are more to be added. Any suggestions still?

Sunday's Sermon

This past Sunday morning we continued through our exposition of Luke's gospel. The text was Luke 18:9-14. The subject was on humility and mercy. You can listen to that sermon here.

Any Book or Subject Recommendations?

I am planning to preach a series on the local church beginning the week after Easter. I have several areas to emphasize, and I plan on this being an extended series covering as much as possible. With that being said, what are some of the best resources (books, articles, etc.) on the local church? What are some subjects that are of most importance?

God's Power and God's Plan

There are times when I'm reading God's Word that thoughts come to my mind. I hope and pray these thoughts are from the Holy Spirit, but I also recognize that is only true when it lines up with His Word. A thought came to my mind recently as I was reading through Exodus. When God is sending the plagues upon Egypt He displays His power and His plan.

Even before this God displays His plan by making sure Moses goes to Pharaoh. If you recall Moses is called by God, and yet comes up with excuse after excuse to not go to Egypt. God continues to counter those excuses until Moses has none. And then he goes to Egypt and begins pleading for the people of Israel.

Back to the plagues. In Exodus 9:15-16, I believe, we see clearly God's power and plan declared. I hope you see this. His power is declared in verse 15. His plan is declared in verse 16.

(15) For by now I could have put out my hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, and you would have been cut off from the earth.

From this verse I can see clearly God's power. He states that He 'could have' put out His hand and struck the Egyptians (talking specifically to Pharaoh). If God decided to do this the result would be that they would have been cut off from the earth! Surely our God has great power.

(16) But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.

From this verse I see God's plan. God raised Pharaoh up for the purpose of God's name being proclaimed in all the earth. That was Pharaoh's purpose. And the all-powerful God of the universe will accomplish His purose.