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Devotion Preached Sept 2011 MP3

Mark — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 14:37:13 +0000

I preached the Sunday evening devotion before the congregation on Sept. 5. My text for the devotion was “For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37 ESV). To provide context for the verse I read Luke 1:26 – 38 which is quoted below.

I offered threes points of consideration: 1) God’s actions, 2) Mary’s reaction and 3) Our response and then closed by offering some application. Something sorta funny happened concerning the translation I used.

Read the text and I’ll comment afterward.

²⁶ In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, ²⁷ to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
²⁹ Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. ³⁰ But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. ³¹ You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, ³³ and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
³⁴ “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
³⁵ The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. ³⁶ Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. ³⁷ For no word from God will ever fail.”
³⁸ “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. NIV®

Notice anything different about the text? I didn’t! I rarely use the NIV, but since our pew Bibles are NIV that is what I quoted. I used the text from Biblegateway.com which now has the 2011 NIV update as their default.

I repent!

Hopefully, no one will bring this up at the Southern Baptist Convention floor to use against SBC bloggers.

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February 2011 Devotion MP3

Mark — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 16:11:42 +0000

Isaiah 49:3 He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor. (NIV) (ESV - in whom I will be glorified)”

I.Introduction

A. The focus of tonight’s devotion is on Isaiah 49:3.

1. What did God teach and how did it affect His people then?
2. How do we understand this verse today?
3. What can you take home tonight from this verse?

II. Body

A. What did God teach and how did it affect His people then?

1. God’s servant will restore Israel and be glorified in His servant.
2. God was bringing hope to His exiled people, a hope of restoration/salvation.

B. How do we understand this verse today?

1. It speaks of Jesus the Messiah.

a. True Israel
b. Abraham’s seed
c. Show that it is Jesus.

Isaiah 49:6 he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. (point) I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”

The Servant Israel is a person distinct from Jabob/Israel in this context. So it is not speaking of the same “Israel” twice. This verse is quoted in Acts 13.

Acts 13:46-48 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ 48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

John 17:4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.

2. Christians should rejoice in Jesus (think about Israel above).

a. Not restored from exile, but saved from sin.
b. Present the Gospel.
c. Unbeliever-believe the Gospel & live. Believer-are you living for God’s glory?

III. Closing

C. What can you take home tonight from this verse?

1. Exhortation- John 15:8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (We are Christ’s body.)
2. A new born baby in Sunday School this morning. The glory of that family.
3. Jesus has saved you. Does your life reflect His glory?

a. Only God knows your heart. Pray through your weekly activities seeking to discern where your life is not reflecting His glory. Do others know you are a Christian? Why/why not?
b. What is your motivation for making decisions? Yourself? To be seen? Or Christ?
c. What does your life (actions/thought) look like when you are alone and not around or Christians?

Consider and trust these words from Jesus.

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

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My Recent Sermon On James 3:7-8

Mark — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 16:11:51 +0000

Last Thursday night I got a call from a friend at a somewhat unusual time around 5:30 pm. It was a friend named Kevin Griggs who pastors a local church a few cities north of me. Due to unexpected events he asked if I could fill his pulpit that Sunday. We spoke the next morning to confirm that he did, in fact, need me to preach Sunday. So, I had less than two days to prepare a sermon.

So I just bought one for a small, one-time fee of $50. I’m just kidding! You’ll know I’m kidding if you listen. Anyway, I took one of my devotions and lengthened it some. Providentially, everything seemed to work out just fine. That is, despite the short notice and my lack of preaching experience, it seems the Lord blessed the message as far as I can tell from the feedback. I write that with the thought of how hard it is to answer the question, “So how did your sermon go?”

Well, that’s the back story and I’m very appreciative that Kevin asked me to preach and for the kind folks at Hickory Road. If anyone is interested in listening you can find the sermon at this link:

Christ, the Tongue Whisperer

I can’t, however, take credit for the clever title. That was all Kevin!

September 2010 Devotion MP3

Mark — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 15:11:36 +0000

Theme: No one but Jesus can tame the tongue, which is evil and full of poison.

I. Introduction

“Tonight we’re going to look at taming the tongue. We will be in James chapter 3, which explains how no one can tame their own tongue. We will see the root of the tongue’s true problem and how only Jesus can solve this problem. Open your Bibles to James 3:7-8, pew Bible page #855.

“James 3:7-8 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” (NIV)

II. Body

A. Verse 7-Taming the Animals

1. Elephants-lions-dolphins-dogs
2. We put hours of effort into taming/training animals.

Transition: “How much effort would it take to tame our tongues? How hard do we have to work to tame our tongue? Ultimately, the work would be for nothing because we can’t do it!”

B. Verse 8–No One Can Tame the Tongue

1. No amount of effort can tame the tongue.
2. Why does the tongue need to be tamed?

a. Restless – unstable
b. Evil – harm, morally bad
c. Full – completely
d. Deadly – death bringing
e. Poison – venom (snake)

Transition: (Feel the weight of the harm the tongue can do? – gossip, slander, lying, self-boasting, accusation, blasphemy, flattery…)

C. The Root of the Tongue

1. What is the real problem? A mind of its own? Does it speak on its own?
2. Sinclair Ferguson, “The tongue is the hinge on which the door into our soul swings open in order to reveal our spirit. In effect, our words are like so many media people rushing to file their reports on the condition of our soul.”
3. The problem is a heart issue: Matthew 12:34b “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” (NIV)

D. How the Tongue is Tamed

1. How then, is the tongue tamed? It is not tamed by simply following Jesus as an example (2x) – until, you submit to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
2. 1 Peter 2:22:“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. 23When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats… 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness.” (NIV)

Transition: The Christian is to pursue godliness. Here are some practical ways to do this for the tongue.

E. Applications for Taming the Tongue

1. God first.
2. Ask others.
3. Confession. (To God/others–gossip, slander, unknowingly) 4. Guard thoughts.
5. Daily prayer/Scripture reading.

III. Closing

Remember that only Jesus can tame your tongue by saving your soul. And be mindful of the practical things you can do to pursue godliness in this area.

Closing prayer: Psalm 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. (NIV)

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August 2010 Devotion MP3

Mark — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:14:03 +0000

This is a short devotion I gave on Malachi 3:3-4 during our evening worship service on August 1, 2010. I tried a little different approach in this devotion.

Below is my rough outline.

Critiques welcomed and encouraged!

I. Introduction
A. Malachi

1. 12^th of the Minor Prophets
2. Concludes the Old Testament
3. Last to minister before Christ
4. “My messenger”
5. Returned from exile/temple rebuilt
6. Persian government
7. Violating Mosaic Law
8. Not trusting/living by faith in God

II. Body
A. Open Bible to Malachi 3 (pew #676)

1 “See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the LORD Almighty. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, 4 and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the LORD, as in days gone by, as in former years. (NIV)

V. 1 foretells of John the Baptist – Matthew 11:10 This is the one about whom it is written:” ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ (NIV)
Lord/messenger of covenant – John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (NIV)

::::::::::::::::::::::::::Tonight’s verses 3 and 4::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

B. Verse 3 – The Lord the refiner

1. Refined with fire.
2. Impurities removed (Levites too)
3. Offerings brought in faith

C. Verse 4 – Offerings accepted

1. By faith as in the past.
2. Through Jesus sacrifice in New Covenant.

D. Scripture speaks of two types of fire.

1. Eternal fire of God’s judgment for those rejecting Christ.
2. The fire of God’s refinement we are looking at tonight.

III. Closing

A. The refining is painful.

1. Two NT examples

a. Hebrews 12:7-11 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8 If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (NIV)

b. 1 Peter 1:6-7 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. (NIV)

B. How is Christ refining us V 3?

1. Refiner’s illustration

a. God’s work of perfection
b. Conforming us to be like Christ.
c. Remember it’s when He sees the reflection not us.

C. How is God refining you? Us? (Practical)

1. We are family/body of Christ/priesthood

a. Example of wife’s injury.

1. Our plans – good job, baby, house
2. Learned of selfishness, patience, empathy.
3. Wife – trust in God.
4. Not alone.
5. Be there for each other/similar stories.

2. Many issues today through which God is refining us.

a. job loss, financial, death, illness, etc.
b. May not know specific reason.
c. Big picture = God refining you to be Christ-like.
d. Make offerings/worship by holding onto Christ.

Be there for one another. Whatever your situation seek God through prayer and ask for wisdom that He show you where in your life you are not reflecting Christ. And walk in faith as He refines you remembering along the way that while it may be painful to you, it cost Jesus His life.

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July Devotion MP3

Mark — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:48:13 +0000

This is a short devotion I gave on Ezekiel 36:25-26 during our evening worship service on July 25, 2010. Below is my rough outline.

Critiques welcomed and encouraged!

Ezekiel 36:25-26
(Correlating with the morning sermon: Be Born Again – John 3:1-21)

I. Introduction
A. Opening
How many of you remember the day you were born? How many of you remember the day you were born-again? Following this morning’s sermon about being born-again from John 3 we’re going to look at this from an Old Testament perspective through the prophet Ezekiel.

B. Background

1. Prophet in exile with southern Kingdom Judah.
2. 6th Cen. B.C.

C. Fittingly enough, Ezekiel means “God strengthens” or “May God strengthen”.

1. Fitting b/c brought God’s message of restoration and renewal to His people.

::::::::Open Bible to Ezekiel 36:25-26:::::::::
25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

II. Body (Walk through the text)
A. Sprinkling would be related to the cleansing rituals in the Mosaic Law.

1. Cleansing from touching a dead person.

a. Cleansing idols.

2. V. 25 represents an outward cleansing.

B. In V. 26 God’s gives a new heart and spirit.

1. This is an internal action.

2. What does this tell us about God’s people?

a. Impure
b. Idolaters
c. Spiritually dead
d. Stone hearts

C. What led God to take these actions?

1. V. 17 Israel defiled their land by their ways and deeds.

a. V. 18 God poured out his wrath and scattered them.

2. V. 20-21 His people profaned God’s name among the Nations.

D. God acts for His own sake, V. 22-23.

1. To vindicate His name.
2. To vindicate His holiness among the Nations.

E. Relate to this morning’s sermon from John 3.

1. In our text we see a foreshadowing of Jesus words to Nicodemus.

a. Must be born of water and of Spirit.
b. Must be born again.
c. It is God the Holy Spirit’s work.
d. V. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.

TRANSITION::::::Again, we see God identifying Himself with His people. It’s like a parent who wants their children to dress and act a certain way because their is an identity connection. The children reflect on the identity of the parents. It’s the same reason kids get embarrassed by their parents in certain situations. Your child feels that tension of identification. Honestly, I think some parents get pleasure by embarrassing their children at times. I know I do. What about embarrassing or disappointing God? Do we find pleasure in these things?::::::

III. Closing (Application/Exhortation)

A. It wasn’t a pleasurable experience for the Judaens.

1. But they did it – Are we any different?

a. Impure
b. Idolaters

B. Yes! Because of Jesus Christ we are different.

1. In our natural state we are the same.
2. But as those trusting in the gospel of Jesus we are different.
3. Ezekiel was pointing to the New Covenant/gospel/Christ seen in John 3.

C. Christian, let this new heart from God drive your life.

1. Ezekiel said God saved His people for His namesake.
2. Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or
whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
3. B/c of new heart you can live for God.

D. Christian, ground your life in God’s regenerating work.

1. When struggling with temptation and sin:

a. Look back to God’s work, not your own.
b. It’s counter-cultural; you must look to Christ’s work through faith alone.

2. Exhort when tempted with idols/impurities

a. Trust in God through Christ.

- Given the Holy Spirit & a new heart.

b. Christ is the only one who has/can overcome.

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March Devotion MP3

Mark — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:00:12 +0000

This is a devotion I gave at our evening service on March 7. The first 1.5 minutes did not get recorded so I added it myself. The change in audio can be heard on the recording. It is interesting how different it was trying to recreate this short intro sitting at my computer versus being in the pulpit.

Again, I want to acknowledge the appreciation I have for those who preach weekly. It is not an easy task and it is not a light task to handle the word of God as such.

As always, critiques welcome.

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August Devotion MP3

Mark — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:00:08 +0000

I gave this devotional for our Sunday evening service on August 16. My previous devotion was the evening of April 5 if you’d like to listen.

My text for this devotion was Isaiah 24:23 The moon will be abashed, the sun ashamed; for the LORD Almighty will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and before its elders, gloriously. (NIV)

I hope this is edifying to those who listen. I would love to hear any feedback whether encouraging or constructive.

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April Devotion MP3

Mark — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:00:54 +0000

My pastor said something I found funny while introducing me. He mentioned that I was a blogger. I was still too nervous at that point to comment.

Below is a recording of the devotion I gave that I wrote about yesterday. I hope it’s edifying. If not, then shoot the messenger (me) because the message of the Gospel was clearly given to us.

Any feedback whether positive or constructive is appreciated.

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My Testimony Podcast

Mark — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 23:30:18 +0000

I started playing around with podcasting and figured that recording my testimony was a good place to start. I don’t know what, if anything, I will do in the future with audio.

Anyways, if anyone wants to hear my brief testimony you can listen or download it below.

For what it’s worth…

Mark

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