UL vs. UK Game This Weekend!

Just wanted to remind everyone that the youth will be watching the University of Louisville vs. the University of Kentucky this Sunday. We will meet for lunch right after church. The game starts at 3:30 central.

We are also having a contest to see who can dress the best. So come and support your favorite team. By the way, if you wear U of L gear, you get extra points. Just Kidding!

GO CARDS!!!

Christmas Sermon from Luke 2

The audio from Sunday's sermon is up and posted if anyone is interested. To download my notes, click here.

Christmas Sermon: Luke 2

To download my notes, click here.

Resources:

Books

Barnett, Paul. Is the New Testament Reliable?: A Look at the Historical Evidence. Downders Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1986.

Blomberg, Craig L. Jesus and the Gospels: An Introduction and Survey. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1997.

Bock, Darrell L. Jesus According To Scripture: Restoring the Portrait From the Gospels. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002.

Bruce, F.F. New Testament History. Garden City, NY: Anchor Books, 1972.

Lewis, Clive Staples. Mere Christianity. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers, 1980.

MacArthur, John. God in the Manger: The Miraculous Birth of Christ. Nashville, TN: W. Publishing Group, 2001.

Stein, Robert H. Jesus the Messiah: A Survey of the Life of Christ. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996.

Swindoll, Charles. Jesus, Our Lord. Bible Study Guide. Fullerton, CA: Insight For Living, 1987.

Tenny, Merrill C. New Testament Times. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company,1965.

Software

Clarke, Adam. Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible. software, E-Sword.

Gill, John. Luke. software, E-Sword.

Henry, Matthew. Commentary on the Whole Bible. software, E-Sword.

Jamieson, Robert, A. R. Fausset, & David Brown. A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments.

Henry, Matthew. Commentary on the Whole Bible. software, E-Sword.

Basic Christianity Sermon Series Online

The full sermon series on Basic Christianity is online. I have mostly just the .pdf of my notes. I pray that they will help. My notes are very detailed and not vague. On some I have a manuscript and on others I have audio. This is the foundation by which everything else we do will be built upon. If we want to be faithful Christians, we must learn to submit, to serve, and to be selfless.

Basic Christianity Series

We just finished our first series discussing what Basic Christianity is. Here are all of them in order:

Submission

• Basic Christianity: Psalm 81 - Submit to God
• Basic Christianity: Romans 13:1-7 - Submit to the Institutions Established By God
• Basic Christianity: Ephesians 5:22ff - Submit to Others

Slavehood

• Basic Christianity: Romans 6 - Slaves of Christ
• Basic Christianity: John 13:1-17 - Jesus As the Model of Service

Selflessness (Humility)

• Basic Christianity: Daniel 4:29-37 - Humility Before God
• Basic Christianity: James 4:1-10 - Humility Before Others

Weekly Recommendation: God In The Manger

I want to recommend a book this week regarding the Christmas story. I can't think of a better book that is simple and yet deep at the saem time. If you want to know more about what really happened in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago, check out John MacArthur's book, "God In the Manger: The Miraculous Birth of Christ."

To read my full review on the book, click here.

Dr. John MacArthur is the most influential pastor/author/theologian in my life. I highly recommend everyone to read his books and listen to his sermons. He is relentless in proclaiming the truth and much of the ministry that God has given me reflects his influence in my life.

Basic Christianity: James 4:1-10 - Humility Before Others

Here is the last installment on our series on Basic Christianity. The three parts have been Submission, Slavehood, and Selflessness (Humility).

To download the notes, click here.

Merry Christmas

Amanda and I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and pray that God's glory is seen through us this Christmas season.



I want to point you to an article I just wrote regarding the true meaning of Christmas. I hope that it is insightful.

Funeral For Phyllis Berry

For the second time in a week, we have lost another sister. Phyllis Berry and passed away this week and her funeral is scheduled for Sunday at 1:00. I encourage everyone who can to go and support the Berry family as they mourn the lost of their loved one. I had the opportunity of meeting and knowing Phyllis. One of the things I will never forget is her and her husbands love for one another. Each of them would have done anything for each other. I pray that I will love my wife like that!

Isn't it interesting that the week of Phyllis' burial, we will be celebrating Christmas. Christmas is a time when Christians are to celebrate the birth of their Savior. Christmas, furthermore, would be pointless if it wasn't for Easter. The cross of Christ is the heart of Christianity. Without it, Christianity does not exists. Therefore, in the birth of Christ we celebrate the death of Christ.

Likewise, during the mourning over the loss of a loved one this time of year, we can rejoice because a Child was born who came to die for us so that we might live. And all who accept Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on our behalf will, in their death, live forevermore.

Keep the Berry family in prayer!

Funeral for Hallie Pierce

Today, another member of our church, Hallie Pierce, has passed away. She has gone home to be with her Lord. Hallie was the first person I visited at the hospital and I have enjoyed the time that I got to spend with her. For the past week, I have either visited or called checking up on her and have see her deteriorate to her death. Her death has been stressful for her family and let us pray for her family as they mourn. They clearly loved her and were willing to do anything for her.

The one thing that Hallie wants most is for her family, friends, church family, and loved ones to be with her one day in heaven. Hallie loved Christ and want to spend the rest of eternity with both God and those that God had placed in her life. Therefore, at her funeral, we will, at the request of the family, we will be making the gospel the main theme of the services and we will even have an invitation at the end.

As a pastor, I could not be more pleased to see that in the midst of suffering and death and mourning, the family is pleading that we share the gospel with others. What a legacy! I can't think of a better way to honor Hallie. As Christians, let us want the same thing in our lives and in our death: the salvation of souls.

Basic Chrsitianity: Humility Part 1 Sermon Notes

To download my sermon notes, click here.

Basic Christianity: Daniel 4:29-37 - Humility Before God

To download my sermon notes, click here.

Weekly Recommendation: 'Humility'

Over the past 2 months, we have been looking at Basic Christianity. What does it mean to be a Christian? We have answered that in 3 ways: Submission, Servanthood, and Selflessness (humility). We are currently discussing humility. Over the past 2 weeks, I have been re-reading my favorite book on the subject, "Humility: True Greatness," by C J Mahaney.

I had the opportunity to meet Mahaney and have him sign my copy of his book. He wrote:

Kyle,

With Appreciation

C J

James 4:6

What is interesting is that we will be looking at James 4 this upcoming Sunday as we conclude our discussion on Basic Christianity. I highly recommend this book. It is simple, short, and yet, profound. I have recently written a short review of the book. If it helps, I encourage everyone to read it and to check out this book. Mahaney is one of the best public examples of what humility looks like. Pride is a constant battle we fight. We all fight it, and this is a great resource to help us in that struggle.

His best advice: remember the cross.

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." -James 4:6

Basic Christianity: John 13:1-17 - Jesus As the Model of Service

To download the sermon notes, click here.



List of works consulted:

Blomberg, Craig L. Jesus and the Gospels: An Introduction and Survey. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1997.

Bock, Darrell L. Studying the Historical Jesus: A Guide to Sources and Methods. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002.

Bock, Darrell L. Jesus According to Scripture: Restoring the Portrait from the Gospels. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002.

Bruce, F.F. The Gospel & Epistles of John: Introduction, Exposition and Notes. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2001.

Burge, Gary M. The NIV Application Commentary: John. gen. ed. Terry Muck. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000.

Calvin, John. John 12-21 vol. 2. Calvin’s Commentaries vol. XVIII. trans. Rev. William Pringle. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2003.

Green, Jay P., Sr. Interlinear Greek-English New Testament. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1996.

Hendriksen, William, New Testament Commentary: Exposition of the Gospel According to John, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic), 1953.

Jeffers, James S. The Greco-Roman World of the New Testament Era: Exploring the Background of Early Christianity. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 1999.

Metzger, Bruce M. A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament. 2nd ed. Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft: United Bible Societies, 1994.

Stein, Robert H. Jesus the Messiah: A Survey of the Life of Christ. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996.

Swindoll, Charles R. Improving Your Serve: Insight For Living Bible Study Guide. Waco, TX: Word, 1980.

Whitney, Donald S. Spiritual Discplines for the Christian Life. Colorado Springs, CO: Navpress, 1991.

Basic Christianity: Romans 6 - Slaves of Christ

To download the sermon notes, click here.

To read Manuscript.



Works Consulted:

Bruce, F. F. Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1977.

Elwell, Walter A. and Robert W. Yarbrough. Readings from 1st Century. 143-144.

Hendriksen, William, New Testament Commentary: Exposition of Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic), 1981.

Jeffers, James S. The Greco-Roman World of the New Testament Era: Exploring the Background of Early Christianity. Downers Grove: IL: IVP Academic, 1999.

Luther, Martin. Luther: Lectures on Romans. vol. 15. ed. and trans. Wilhelm Pauck . London: SCM Press, LTD, 1961.

MacArthur, John. Freedom From Sin: Romans 6-7. John MacArthur’s Bible Studies. Chicago: IL: Moody Press, 1987.

MacArthur, John, Gospel According To Jesus: What is Authentic Faith?. Grand Rapids: MI, Zondervan, 2008.

MacArthur, John. The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: Romans 1-8. Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1991.

Murray J. Harris. Slave of Christ: A New Testament Metaphor for Total Devotion to Christ. Downers Grove, IL: Apollos/InterVarsity, 1999.

Moo, Douglas J. Encountering the Book of Romans: A Theological Exposition. Encountering Biblical Studies. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002.

Polhill, John B. Paul & His Letters. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999.

Schreiner, Thomas R. Paul Apostle of God’s Glory In Christ: A Pauline Theology. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2001.

Basic Christianity: Ephesians 5:22ff - Submit to Others

To download my sermon notes, click here.

Funeral for Bessie Phillips

One of our members passed away this week. Her funeral will be held Saturday December 6, 2008 at Goshen Baptist Church and her burial will be at the church graveyard. Her husband had been a deacon and she served as the church clerk for decades. I encourage everyone to attend the funeral or the visitation (on Friday) and help the family during this time of morning.

As a new pastor, I do not know every member. There are many members who are shut-ins and are unable to attend church on a regular basis or at all. Recently, I have been able to visit and call many of them. Bessie was one of them.

I contacted her the Monday before Thanksgiving and we spoke for about 20 minutes on many things. I introduced myself, we talked about her health, her experience with the church for so many years, her work as a clerk, who I was, who my family was, where we were from, etc. I really enjoyed our conversation. I was eager to meet Mrs. Phillips.

The week came for my visit and at church it was brought to my attention that she was in the hospital. The next day I swung by and paid a visit. For the first time, and only time, I met Mrs. Phillips. She had been told that there was a good chance that she would get to go home the next day. Excited I sat down and we continued our conversation. She was such a blessing.

Before leaving, I prayed with Mrs. Phillips. I thanked God that he had allowed her to go home. Little did I know that within a few hours, she would go home, though not the home we had been talking about. God had called her home into His arms where she is to this day. As Christians we are to mourn the loss of a loved one but rejoice that she has returned to her heavenly home. We are not citizens of this world and Mrs. Phillips is walking the streets of gold. So though we mourn, we rejoice nonetheless.

I want to briefly reflect on the legacy that Mrs. Phillips will have in my life. I will be reading the Lord's Prayer at her funeral and the chairman of the deacons will be performing the funeral. A text that comes to mind to me is Jesus' prayer in the Garden just prior to his arrest. Why? Because it is there that we see Christ on His knees awaiting the sacrifice that would redeem many.

Likewise, I will always remember Mrs. Phillips as a woman of prayer. Why? Because whenever I asked if she would like to pray, her countenance chanced and she was eager to speak to her Lord. There was an eagerness there. Not just for health, but to be drawn into His presence. In the garden we are confronted with desperate prayer for God's Will and at the same time propitiation for sins. Mrs. Phillips has been forgiven and is in heaven with Her Lord because of the death and resurrection of Christ. And I will always remember her as a woman of prayer. What a legacy!

Basic Chrsitianity: Submission Part 2 Sermon Notes

Here is the second part of our series on Basic Christianity and Submission.

Click here to download my sermon notes. Also, I had previously posted the manuscript for this sermon. To read it, click here.

Basic Christianity: Romans 13:1-7 - Submit to the Institutions Established By God

Here is the second part of our series on Basic Christian and the role of submission.

Click here to download my sermon notes. Also, I had previously posted the manuscript for this sermon. To read it, click here.

Basic Chrsitianity: Submission Part 1 Sermon Notes

I think I have finally figured out how to put my notes and stuff online, but it's going to be a slow process. I still don't have Internet at the house. Hopefully soon, I'll be able to catch up. Here is the first sermon we did on our series looking at Basic Christianity looking at Submission to God from Psalm 81.

These are free to download. I am posting these in order that they might be helpful to anyone. Hopefully soon, I'll be able to put some audio on here as well.

For more sermons from the past, click here. If the following .pdf doesn't work or fit on the screen, click here.

Basic Christianity: Psalm 81 - Submit to God

This was the first part of our series on Basic Christianity. The first aspect of what it means to be and live as a Christian is to Submit. We begin with the Christian's responsibility to submit fully to God.

If you cannot read or see the following .pdf, click here.

Here are the pictures I took my first official Sunday as pastor at Goshen as an illustration of what a snapshot of the church should be. I took 3 pictures, one of each section of the church, in case anyone was interested.