Life By Design conference

I spoke at a conference recently about some things God has illuminated to me regarding worship and student ministry.

Songs on 6/17/2012

Worship songs from Sunday

Call to Worship
The Trees of the Field Will Clap Their Hands (Isaiah 55:12)


Worship
From the Rising of the Sun (113:3)
There is None but You
He Is Exalted
I Need You

Getting ready for camp!

I have updated my bio page, and I’m seeking God’s opportunities to preach the Gospel of Jesus to his church and the lost. In the meantime, I am looking forward to preaching at week of camp for Jr. High students in the end of June. Selah’s second birthday and my 8^th wedding anniversary (woot!) will be celebrated at Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch (my “summer home” for so many years).

My pride now diminished, and full of encouragement from reading Charles Finney’s Lectures on Revivals of Religion, I am reaching out to friends, family, and fellow ministers to pray with me for the outpouring of God’s revival through these efforts. I remember what Dr. Gordon Anderson wrote, and I am challenged to “pay the price for a miracle.”

Revelation, Response, Repeat

Isaiah 50:4-11

4 The Lord YHWH has given me the tongue of those who are taught,
that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary.
Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are
taught.
5 The Lord YHWH has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward.
6 I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard;
I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting.

7 But the Lord YHWH helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.
8 He who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me?
Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me.
9 Behold, the Lord YHWH helps me; who will declare me guilty?
Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up.

10 Who among you fears the YHWH and obeys the voice of his servant?
Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the YHWH and rely on his God.
11 Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who equip yourselves with burning torches!
Walk by the light of your fire, and by the torches that you have kindled!
This you have from my hand: you shall lie down in torment.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Is 50:4–11). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

I want to take us through this passage to form an idea of discipleship and worship; what worship and discipleship are and what they are not. When I talk about worship, a lot of us have this idea that worship is music or singing. I will be speaking to a much broader context of worship, which is giving to God what he is due. So, that covers quite a bit (music, time, energy, possessions, money, attitude, etc.). As we go through this, I will be using these terms (discipleship and worship) together, and that’s because they are so closely linked, it will be like two sermons at once. It’s still zero calories, so that’s good. Discipleship and worship are passions of mine, and I’m glad to have the opportunity to share what God has revealed to me and placed on my heart.

In Isaiah 50:4, God, speaking through his prophet Isaiah, tells us, “The Lord YHWH has given me the tongue of those who are taught [or of disciples], that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught [or as a disciple].”

The purpose of our discipleship as believers in Jesus Christ is to become more like our rabbi, our teacher: Jesus. The result of that is that as we engage God, we are able to speak as God teaches us. Our discipleship happens when we hear. The fruit of our discipleship is that we sustain others. In Ephesians 4, the Apostle Paul tells us that by the Spirit we are “equipped for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood … speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”

We mature as disciples and we grow and we sustain one another. This is what happens with discipleship and maturity, but how does it happen? How do we mature? The first step in maturing as disciples is to be taught!

The Prophet Isaiah does not say that he has the tongue of one who thought great things — he didn’t say he was a philosopher. He says he was taught. He learned! He received some sort of education as a disciple. That learning is by the revelation of God. We use this word a lot. Revelation. There’s an entire book in the Bible called Revelation. It’s this word that means something that is revealed. When we talk about the Bible, it is God revealing himself to us through the Prophets. Our discipleship and our worship begin with revelation!

In the pagan worship of ancient times, and even now in witchcraft and idolatry, worship was initiated by the worshiper. The follower of an idol would petition the false god - or demon - and expect for the god to respond. We see firsthand in 1 Kings 18. YHWH has sent Elijah to challenge the false prophets of the false god Baal. They all pray, and whichever deity responds by burning up the sacrifice first is true. The false prophets of Baal setup their altar. They started yelling and praying for Baal to answer them. They jumped around and made a big show, but nothing. Then they started cutting themselves. They wanted to get Baal’s attention! Surely he would be concerned now that they were bleeding over everything. Nothing happened.

Elijah’s altar was drenched in water. He prayed, “that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.” And then YHWH set fire to the altar and consumed the offering and the wood and the stones.

What was the difference between Elijah and the prophets of Baal? You might say, “Well, the difference is that Baal was false, and that YHWH is real.” Yes, that’s a difference here, but it’s not the key. In fact, Baal was an idol of the Caananites. The word Baal even meant “Lord.” On the surface, the followers of Baal had many of the appearances of holy worship. Casual followers in the culture may have had no idea of the real differences between Baal worship and worship of the One true God, YHWH. The key difference is not the false idol versus the real God, but it’s found in Elijah’s prayer in 1 Kings 18:36, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word.”

Do you see it? Do you see in Elijah’s prayer that he testified that he was doing this in response to YHWH? God revealed himself to Elijah and then he responded in obedience.

The question is of initiation! True worship is initiated by God, false worship is initiated by us. Don’t be confused by what I mean here. We don’t merely stand still, waiting for God to send a ghost hand to write out lyrics on a wall. God has worked similarly to this — just check out the Book of Daniel. I mean that our true worship is set into motion by God revealing himself to us. True worship is not predicated on me selfishly desiring a benefit or a character trait or something for myself. In Genesis we read how God breathed into Adam’s nostrils, and the very first act of worship was Adam obediently exhaling — obediently doing what God had made him to do.

Our God is not manipulated! God is not impressed with our suffering! We do not elicit his favor by playing the victim. Even our good deeds are like filthy rags to God. John Piper wrote about the Christians in the days of William Wilberforce, who observed that they “were ‘nominal’. They pursued morality without first relying utterly on the free gift of justification by grace alone through faith alone on the basis of Christ alone. They got things backward: first they strived for moral uplift; then they appealed to God for approval. That is not the Christian gospel.” We do not convince God of how great our plans and thoughts and ideas are, because our worship is our obedient response to God’s revelation. When we get it right, our good deeds and works pour out of a heart delighting in God. Elijah did not schedule an event to show of God’s mighty power. He didn’t say, “I’ve got a great idea,” and then take out advertising and lease out the convention center. God said, “Elijah do this,” and Elijah worshiped God by doing what he was told.

Do you struggle to hear God? Audibly? Spiritually? Isaiah writes of this disciple, “YHWH opened my ear.” This is a struggle! Not all of us are prophets, who hear an audible voice of God speaking to us. Even those who do, it may not be an all day every day sort of thing. We don’t all have visions and dreams.

I said before that the Bible is the written Revelation of God, given to us. God initiated worship of him by revealing himself to us through the prophets and the Holy Scriptures and then in the person of Jesus Christ. I want to cover three ways in which God has revealed and continues to reveal himself. This is not all-inclusive, but it is a starting point for a disciple of any age.

1. The Bible.
If you want to mature in your discipleship, it starts with scripture. Learn the Word of God. Prayerfully engage God in this way, and ask for conviction and understanding. When you understand, respond to God in praise. When convicted, respond with confession and repentance. That’s what James is talking about when he writes that we must be doers of the Word. When we engage God and wrestle with what he reveals to us about himself we cannot remain the same. He leaves his mark on us! We are changed forever. When Jacob wrestled with God, he was left with a limp the rest of his life. We should limp! But you and I could pretend to have a limp, but that is trying to force a result that God did not initiate.

2. The Spirit. God initiates his revelation to us through scripture. And now also through the workings of the Holy Spirit. This happens through preaching, teaching, prophecy, and other gifts. That’s not to say that every sermon and every person who says that have a word from God should be followed blindly. That’s foolish! We must discern by scripture and by the gift of discerning of spirits.

3. Nature.
Now here’s one where the environmentalists get all excited and conservatives get nervous, but the fact is that God reveals himself to us through nature and his creation. It’s true! [slide 29] In Romans 1:20, Paul tells us, “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.” Where this gets people into trouble and into idolatry is when we worship the creation and not the Creator. That’s why polytheists think there are gods of the sun and the moon and the grass and the river and all sorts of things — the Devil has deceived them into worshiping the creation over the Creator.

Now our obedient response to this revelation of God to us is what we call worship. And we mature as disciples of Jesus Christ by repetition of this. As we engage God, and we respond to his Holy Spirit, often going beyond our comfort zone for the sake of loving God’s people, we learn all the more how God speaks to us.

Outside our comfort zone? We talk about it like it’s a place we visit on weekends. “Wow, that was outside my comfort zone. I’m glad that’s over!” We love talking about it in the past tense. It’s like a terrible vacation that we can’t wait to share with everyone. “Did I tell you about my stay outside the comfort zone? I can’t wait to share it with you — I have a four hour slide show.” We can’t wait to get back into our comfort zone! Comfort? Forget about it! Read through Ezekiel to see what he did in obedience to his maker. Let’s just say, I know my wife is glad I haven’t been told to cook disgusting biscuits over flaming pooh! That’s outside of my comfort zone, but it is something that God directed his prophet to do in order to reveal himself to his people.

Popularity? Was Elijah popular? No. Not even a little bit. He was well-known, and the King called him a troublemaker. The King wanted him dead. But he did it anyway, because he served God and he was no slave to fear. Isaiah writes, “and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward.” He heard from God and he responded with obedience. This is worship!

“I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard. I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting.” There is opposition to disciples of Jesus Christ, but our strength is found in God! “But the Lord YHWH helps me, therefore I have not been disgraced. Therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.” My wife pointed out that setting one’s face like a flint is to not only stand with strength against an assault, but that by our testimony in obediently presenting our face in obedience to our God a spark of holiness may ignite the fire of the Holy Spirit.

Our discipleship is a process, like our sanctification. It is a process of God revealing himself to you, you responding in obedience and worship, and then repeating it. This process develops maturity. This process serves others! The fruit of the Spirit at work in you will be a tangible blessing in the lives of those that God is loving through you!

A few years back, my grandma passed away. My step-mom had told Lisa the story of how every time she would return home from college, Grandma would have a plate of her favorite cookies all ready for her. Lisa told me she felt that my step-mom was going through a difficult time, and thought it was important to make up a batch for her. When we got to the funeral, which was a six hour drive for us, and about three hours for my parents, Lisa presented them. Now, on the surface you may think, “What a nice gesture that comforts a family member.” The fact is that my step-mom had also made these cookies and was planning to bring them to the family dinner, where so many relatives were bringing Grandma’s classic dinners. Lisa didn’t know this. Lisa also didn’t know that in the midst of all that goes into an extended trip and funeral planning, my step-mom had forgotten the cookies at home. Lisa, by obedience to the Holy Spirit at work in her in hospitality, ministered to God’s people! God loved my step-mom through the obedience of my wife. Praise God.

Discipleship and worship will develop maturity, serve others, and serve ourselves as we benefit from the grace of God at work in us. And most importantly, our discipleship and worship will exalt Jesus Christ. God, the initiator of worship, is also the primary purpose and benefactor of our worship. Jesus Christ is the Word that God spoke that went forth in creation. As we engage God and are convicted of sin, we are convicted to repent of those things that are against God. This brings glory to God.

This must be done on God’s schedule, not our own. We must commit, as Christ followers, to be open to God’s schedule for our discipleship and not simply “when we feel like it.” God spoke through his prophet Isaiah, “Who among you fears YHWH and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of YHWH and rely on his God. Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who equip yourselves with burning torches! Walk by the light of your fire, and by the torches that you have kindled! This you have from my hand: you shall lie down in torment.”

When we worship in response to God’s revelation, it will be emotional. There is passion of heart. When we are in the dark, we must turn God’s true light. It will never do for a Christ follower to manufacture and whip up an emotional event that is born within. A gospel of experience will never stand once faced with the experience of the gospel.

Our response to God’s revelation must be a commitment to authentic worship, responsive and obedient. To hearts, actions, speech, and words that bring glory to Jesus Christ. We must actively seek the revelation of God and his direction, and not passively respond to our emotions and feelings and logic.

I encourage you, that as you engage God’s Word, break up the fallow ground. Those areas where you may have once been fertile but have since become hardened. In our lives, it is a simple matter to take a rake across hard ground and scratch the surface. We are only too willing to put on a show of the work involved. But to break up the fallow ground, we must dig deep, like a plow, and turn up that soil so that it is unrecognizable. Confess your sins against God to God, and your sins against one another to each other, and repent. Declare that Jesus Christ is your head and the Lord over those areas of your life which had been given over to sin. Respond to the revelation that Jesus Christ gave his life for us. That his death paid the price of our sins, revealing God’s will for us to be in relationship with him. Respond to the revelation that Jesus Christ’s resurrection tells us that death will not have the last word. Sing his praises. If you’re not a singer, then pray his praises. As you leave this place and head into your week, may you walk in the strength of Jesus Christ and abandon any lie that your strength is sufficient for yourself. May you walk in the understanding and revelation that God’s grace is sufficient for you. May the disciples of Jesus Christ worship him with true hearts of worship, directed by the Holy Spirit in ministry for the sake of glorifying the name of Jesus.

Amen.

Unequally Yoked

What does it mean for someone to be unequally yoked with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14)?

What a great question! This statement of “unequally yoked” most often comes up as it relates to marriage. Before we get there, however, let’s lay it out. The yoking of one to another is to become tied to them in such a way as those being yoked are now about accomplishing the same mission. Oxen, for example. In a metaphorical sense, when a student would be accepted by a rabbi, he took on the “yoke” of the rabbi – that is, what the rabbi teaches. As disciples of Jesus, we take on his yoke (a light burden, so he says), and we work with him to accomplish his goal.

Being yoked with another pertains to partnership. Being unequally yoked with an unbeliever also pertains to marriage, but I do not believe it is only in marriages. Unbelievers are not yoked with Jesus. They have not taken on the mission and responded to his call. In such a manner, they are effectively workingagainst Jesus. Being joined in marriage to one who is not joined to Jesus is being unequally yoked – there is now a covenant bond between two who serve different masters. Additionally, in 1 Corinthians 7:39, Paul writes that a woman must only marry a man who is “in the Lord.” The married couple must have "one common allegiance to the true God” (John Piper, Bloodlines p. 210). I believe that this yoking has more far reaching ramifications in how one conducts oneself in business and life, but that this is the key aspect of these verses.

I do not find that these restrictions can be appropriately applied to ethnic, racial, political, or even denominational “lines”. I don’t know if that can be stated strongly enough.

The Road to Emmaus versus the Road to Damascus

The following is the text from The Underground sermon preached on May 15, 2011. Normally these messages are recorded, but we had technical difficulties.

The Road to Emmaus versus the Road to Damascus

Prologue, part 1

[ Introduction ]
Grace and peace to you! Good evening church! Welcome to our friends listening to the podcast online.

What a journey we have been on. This is our second to last gathering studying the book of Luke. Next week (don’t miss next week) we will conclude, and then we have some stuff planned for June 5^th and for the Summer.

As we begin, let’s pray together.

Todd Bentley is not on God's side

The following was written by Pastor Tim Snell from Christ's Church of the Valley in Appleton, Wisconsin. He writes regarding Todd Bentley. I agree with Reverend Snell on this matter.

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

Matthew 7:15

One of the most consistent warnings God’s people are given throughout scripture is to be aware of false teachers and false prophets.  These people not only introduce teachings into the church which are incompatible with Biblical Christianity, they also operate under demonic spirits that are to have no part in our lives today.

Certainly all of us can point to examples we have personally experienced.  However, I want to highlight one … because we have one such teacher coming to our Valley…and we in the body need to be warned.

Here is the scoop.  Starting the first full week of June, Todd Bentley is coming to town.  Todd is well known for several things which should cause flags to go up … and then cause us to ultimately run away.  First of all, Todd is known for his healing revivals during which he claims God tells him to punch people in the face and kick them as a part of healing them!  Yikes!   Beloved in Christ, this is not from the Lord!  God simply does not tell people to do this.  However, even more troubling is Bentley’s character and morality.  Just about 2 or 3 years back Todd was leading one of the biggest “revivals” in our nation down in Florida.  During the time he was leading this revival, he was sleeping with one of this ministry associates.  Ultimately then, rather than repenting, he divorced his wife and married the gal he was having the affair with.  Of course, he claimed that God was “restoring him” even as he married this other gal.   

Church of God, be warned!  Todd Bentley is operating under a spirit other than God’s Holy Spirit.  Do NOT go to hear him.  Do not be taken in by those who say that this is all okay.   Opening yourself up to this man is to open yourself up to something quite dangerous spiritually.

CCV, I want all of us to follow hard after the Lord.  I also want us to have a discerning heart and mind about what often happens under the banner of “Christianity.”  Not everything “Christian” is of Christ.  By staying vigilant in prayer and by keeping our feet planted on the Word of God, we can avoid the spiritual dangers the scripture warns us about.

What Bible should I give to my son or daughter?

This is a quick series on "What version...?" recommendations. It's not an in-depth study or anything like that. Very informal.

I recommend the New Living Translation for students and new believers who are unfamiliar with the Bible. If one is extremely unfamiliar with the Bible and would not call themselves "a good reader," then start off with The Message Re-Mix (a paraphrase). From there advance to NLT and then once proficient add NASB or ESV into the mix.

 

A great Christmas/Easter/Birthday/Graduation/Confirmation gift is a NLT Life Application Study Bible.

What version of the Bible should I use for preaching?

This is a quick series on "What version...?" recommendations. It's not an in-depth study or anything like that. Very informal.

When preaching, I generally use the New Living Translation, unless I have found that a different or literal version better illustrates or speaks to a key point based on which word is chosen. I may find that the idea in the NLT is accurate, but may feel compelled that the precise word is lacking and so go to the ESV or even NIV.

I remember one pastor preached a message and based a key point of the sermon on a word that was only in the NLT translation. He told everyone to underline that word in their Bibles. He didn't realize that it wasn't in everyone's Bible, because he had only used the NLT to study.

The NLT is great for preaching from, because it was designed to be easily understood language. As a listener who is not familiar with scripture, it is far easier to understand what is being said when it is being read from the NLT than from the ESV or even New King James.

Paschal Homily

This is the Paschal Homily from St. John Chrysostom, followed by "Christ is Risen" by Matt Maher. Christ is risen, indeed!

If anyone is devout and a lover of God, let them enjoy this beautiful and radiant festival.

If anyone is a grateful servant, let them, rejoicing, enter into the joy of his Lord.

If anyone has wearied themselves in fasting, let them now receive recompense.

If anyone has labored from the first hour, let them today receive the just reward.

If anyone has come at the third hour, with thanksgiving let them feast.

If anyone has arrived at the sixth hour, let them have no misgivings; for they shall suffer no loss.

If anyone has delayed until the ninth hour, let them draw near without hesitation.

If anyone has arrived even at the eleventh hour, let them not fear on account of tardiness.

Beautiful Painting

This painting was a gift to my wife and I from a student at our church whom we love very much. Thanks!

What version of the Bible should I study from?

This is a quick series on "What version...?" recommendations. It's not an in-depth study or anything like that. Very informal.

So, you're a preacher just getting started in the world of exegesis and hermeneutics and you're wanting to eschew prooftexting and eisegesis. Wonderful. You wonder "What version of the Bible should I study from?"

 

The answer is: multiple Bibles. I recommend using a good literal translation (NASB, ESV) or an interlinear (Greek/Hebrew + English) in order to be able to look up the words and their possible definitions (using Strong's Concordance). You see, in the interlinear Bible, you will see numbers above each Hebrew or Greek word. This number corresponds to a number in Strong's Concordance. Look up that number in Strong's and you'll have a list of other occurrences of that exact word.

 

Then you can look that word up (helpfully, by number) in a lexicon. The lexicon is like a dictionary of possible definitions and uses of the original word.

 

From their, you are able to assemble your notes and thoughts on what the original text meant.

 

In addition to the literal translation, I recommend using a version of the Bible that is in language you can understand easily, such as the New Living Translation, New International Version, or even the Message (a paraphrase). Use these in combination with the NASB or ESV.

Matt Maher's Grey Shirts

I recently mused about Matt Maher's grey shirts on Twitter:

@Adam Posegate Wondering if @mattmahermusic just has one grey shirt he washes over and over again, or many. Either way, I am intrigued.

It's primarily because the only time I saw him live, and in the only videos I saw of him, he was wearing grey shirts.


And all the videos here... http://www.mattmahermusic.com/journey/

So, despite Mr. Maher's assurances, I feel this was a fair question.

@adamposegate I don't currently own a gray shirt. But I have many shades of black #isitthehair?

Though, it might be the hair. Thanks, Matt! You're a good sport, and I also want to thank you for your worship leading and writing. Praying for you.

My Rough Conclusions on Rob Bell's "Love Wins"

“And God let heretics vex His Church so as to arouse the mind by conflict, and to lead it to search God's Word.” – Abraham Kuyper, The Work of the Holy Spirit

Having read Rob Bell’s previous works, “Velvet Elvis,” “Jesus Wants to Save Christians,” his many Nooma short-films, and even my familiarity with his preaching, I looked forward to what would be revealed about his doctrine and theology in his new book, “Love Wins.” The phrase, “Love Wins,” is years-old and apparently on bumper stickers adorning vehicles all over the Grand Rapids, Michigan, area, where Bell is the pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church. With all of that being noted, this will not be a dissection and exegesis of the book. Read the book, or don’t, but as with any teaching, discern it carefully. I hold the strong belief that if you are going to judge the book, then you should first read it. This mitigates the need for backpedaling, apologies, blog updates, flux capacitors, forget-me-now amnesia pills, the proverbial eating of proverbial birds, and the subtle proverbial sweeping of things under proverbial rugs (that being said, I will update this as is necessary). It is okay to be informed. This is a brief version of my review and conclusions.

The Source - Session #2

Spiritual Leadership Principles - Chet Caudhill

Hebrews 12:1 is a reference to Hebrews 11

Abel - Worship

1. Leaders don't offer God their leftovers. They realize He deserves our very best in everything we endeavor.

Enoch - intimacy

2. If you desire to lead others in spiritual growth, you must be growing yourself.

Noah - Righteousness

3. Leaders must stand for what's right in spite of what others do or don't do. Leadership necessitates a willingness to stand up for what you believe in.

4. Leaders must be confident in their leadership abilities and decisions. Obedience is the key.

Isaac - Romance

5. Leaders turn to God for direction and guidance.

Jacob - Persisitence

6. Leaders must have a "never-say-die" attitude

Joseph - Dreamer

7. Leaders dream, communicate the dream, unwilling to give up.

Moses - Deliverer

8. Leaders have the courage to say "yes" in spite of the risks.

The greatest enemy to faith is FEAR!

1 John 4 - love.

From Chaperon to Shepherd - notes

Jeremy Chapman from Germantown

Relational Discipleship

Shepherding is all about relationship

Chaperones versus Shepherds

Chaperons

• Respond to needs
• Doing it because they get something out of it (it feels good)
• Monitors
• Control
• Operates via rules
• Responds to situations
• Watchers of others
• Hired hand
• Clueless at ministry

Shepherds

• Doing it because of the call
• Inspires
• Leads
• Engages via relationship
• Proactive
• Investors in others
• Has a sense of ownership
• Understands the power of every minute

Passages mentioning shepherding

Psalm 23

John 10, 21

Acts 20:28

1. Awakened - Become aware of those who have sheperded

2. Realize your impact.

A shepherd

• Is patient with sheep
• Loves his sheep (love is feeling with actions)
• Knows his sheep. Who are you praying for? (should be praying for your leaders)
• Values his sheep.
• Never underestimate the average.
• Some people are labeled "Extra Grace Required"
• Sheep are sheared, not scalped
• They are sacrificed, not slaughtered
• Observes his sheep
• Feeds his sheep
• Hungry sheep are unhappy, noisy
• Knows the best fields to graze in during the right season
• Knows the condition of the flock
• Is an abundance creator
• There are servant leaders & shepherd leaders
• Vision leaks from holey vessels, so we have to keep bringing that back up. It's not a one and done sort of deal.
• Always speeks well of his sheep
• Pursues his sheep
• Rests with his sheep (but does not rest during adversity)
• Is the authoritative guide

Jeremiah 3:15

Questions:

What's the next level for you?

What models/mentors are you looking to?

Have faith to follow, and lead by example. (Are you smoking what you're rolling?)

The Source Youth Leaders Conference 2011 - Session #1

Chet Caudhill - National Speed the Light Director

Imagine...

- Quote from J. Robert Oppenheimer regarding the creativity and imagination of children.

There are children playing in the streets who could solve some of my top problems in physics, because they have modes of sensory perception that I lost long ago.

• Quoted at Vision '65 "New Challenges for Human Communications", 21-23 October 1965 and published in v 65: New Challenges for human communications, Volume 4, International Center for the Typographic Arts, Southern Illinois University (1965), p. 221

Risk involves failure.

What happens if we influence a generation to not believe?

Obstacles

- Discouragement from Others

- Disappointment - what you do to yourself

- Exhaustion

- Inadequacy

 

Briefly mentioned Ephesians 3:13-21

Give, Give, Give it All - A Message on Stewardship

This message was preached on January 9, 2011, at The Underground. It is posted here because the recording equipment failed.

Give, Give, Give it All

What We're Made For, part 8

Text: Luke 21:1-4

Topic: We are made to give

Tonight we are going to discuss giving. I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking, “Oh great, another sermon about tithing and giving more money to the church. Wake me when the music starts.” I know that’s how I get when I hear someone is going to preach about giving-- and I’m a pastor! Pastors rely the people in their congregation being committed and obedient givers in order to get paid. In order to buy groceries. In order to put gas in their cars. But there is something that is so much more important than a pastor making you feel bad for not giving an offering. Giving and stewardship are important parts of our discipleship, and we should never ignore it or tune it out. In fact, even if you’ve heard a sermon on the same subject, or even the same passage of scripture more times than you can count, when you approach the message with a heart that anticipates God speaking to you, then he will. I promise you that. When you say, “God, open my heart and my mind to understanding you in a new way today,” and you believe that he will, then he will. Be ready to take plenty of notes, because I’m going to be jumping all over the place tonight.

Stop Keeping Secrets!

"Stop keeping secrets from our world."


Tell your world from Dan Herod on Vimeo.

Dan Herod - How to Make Your Campus Club Great

How to make your campus club great! from Dan Herod on Vimeo.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you have a campus club going?