This past week we had the opportunity to help Lake Russell Baptist Church with their new church facilities. I want to say a special thanks to Brandi, our do all, amazing staffer... Also known as our administrative assistant. She was there almost every day keeping things straight. she was a huge blessing to me because I wasn't able to be there nearly as much as I needed to be. Thank you so much Brandi. Also, a huge huge thanks to my wife for still loving me after this crazy week. I had a ton of stuff going on with my business, we have a home study for our adoption process that we have been trying to get ready for, and we had the mission week with Lake Russell. Not to mention that all of this took place on the week of her birthday and I didn't get home on her birthday until 10pm. She is amazing! And also, thanks to all of you who helped this past week. Lake Russell was so appreciative for all that you guys invested in their church and the kingdom.
Here are a few highlights from today's message:
Often times, we worship the sabbath instead of worshiping Jesus.
3 things we need to know about the Sabbath.
#1. -We are no more holy or right whether we observe the sabbath on Saturday, Sunday, or any other day.
Romans 14:5-6a
#2. -We value the object lesson over the lesson.
Colossians 2:16-17
The fact is, God has given us the example of the Sabbath to teach us about heaven, and we completely miss the point. We end up being more excited about keeping our day than we are about celebrating Heaven as the true sabbath rest.
#3. -It's a shortcut to righteousness.
-Observing the Sabbath makes us feel good about ourselves.
Colossians 2:20-23
-Going to church on Sundays can often times be nothing more than something to make you feel good. As if you have done better than those who didn't go to church.... because it's the right thing to do.
-It doesn't matter if you observe the sabbath for yourself... for your own ego... If that's why you go to church, then you would have been better off to just stay at home.
Does your faith go beyond Sunday?
-John 4:21&23
What do you do when you are not at church... and why do you do those things? Is it to honor God or to puff up your ego?
P.S. Hey... Perfect religious people... get over yourselves... you're not that great!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Sunday Sum-up.
I have literally not had time to write a blog this past week until tonight. Sorry for the late post. I HAD to post about this past Sunday even though I'm late.
First, a couple of important things
1. We will be having no service on July 4th. The 4th is on a Sunday this year, and we want all of our volunteers and attenders to be free to spend time with their families.
2. Our mission week is next week. If you want to sign up for a time to help build Lake Russell Baptist Churches new church building, please let us know. You can email the church to tell us when you can be there. Our email is Web@ocgreenwood.com
Okay, so this Sunday was amazing. I really felt like the Lord worked in the hearts of everyone in attendance. The greatest thing was that we had a guy give his life to Jesus!... That's what it is all about! YEA!
Here's a few highlights.
-We read from John Chapter 4
-Read it and listen to the podcast. God's word is POWERFUL!
-Jesus HAD to go through Samaria.
-Jesus went to the most sacred places of the most lost people, and yet that is exactly what the church tends to teach it's members not to do.
-Jesus went to Jacob's well in order to abolish every ounce of hatred between the Jews and the Samaritans.
-The culture of lost people is our current day Samaria and the church is doing no better than the Jews did reaching the Samaritans.
-Churches are fighting over paint and carpet, meanwhile people are dying and going to Hell because we don't have time to share the gospel because our petty arguments are taking up all of our time.
-One of our greatest challenges is that we tend to worship our sacred places more than we worship the Savior.
-Our love for our sacred places are keeping people from the Gospel!
-Are you worshiping the church, Sunday, the church building , or just the idea of church, instead of worshiping Jesus?
-Let's choose to be part of a new church. A church that is filled with "True worshipers" who worship in spirit and in truth.
-A guy met Jesus this past Sunday! Heaven is one more person crowded! That's why we do what we do. We are so blessed to be part of God's gospel of salvation!
First, a couple of important things
1. We will be having no service on July 4th. The 4th is on a Sunday this year, and we want all of our volunteers and attenders to be free to spend time with their families.
2. Our mission week is next week. If you want to sign up for a time to help build Lake Russell Baptist Churches new church building, please let us know. You can email the church to tell us when you can be there. Our email is Web@ocgreenwood.com
Okay, so this Sunday was amazing. I really felt like the Lord worked in the hearts of everyone in attendance. The greatest thing was that we had a guy give his life to Jesus!... That's what it is all about! YEA!
Here's a few highlights.
-We read from John Chapter 4
-Read it and listen to the podcast. God's word is POWERFUL!
-Jesus HAD to go through Samaria.
-Jesus went to the most sacred places of the most lost people, and yet that is exactly what the church tends to teach it's members not to do.
-Jesus went to Jacob's well in order to abolish every ounce of hatred between the Jews and the Samaritans.
-The culture of lost people is our current day Samaria and the church is doing no better than the Jews did reaching the Samaritans.
-Churches are fighting over paint and carpet, meanwhile people are dying and going to Hell because we don't have time to share the gospel because our petty arguments are taking up all of our time.
-One of our greatest challenges is that we tend to worship our sacred places more than we worship the Savior.
-Our love for our sacred places are keeping people from the Gospel!
-Are you worshiping the church, Sunday, the church building , or just the idea of church, instead of worshiping Jesus?
-Let's choose to be part of a new church. A church that is filled with "True worshipers" who worship in spirit and in truth.
-A guy met Jesus this past Sunday! Heaven is one more person crowded! That's why we do what we do. We are so blessed to be part of God's gospel of salvation!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Sunday Sum-up.
Important Announcement: Summer mission.
We will be helping Lake Russell Baptist Church with building their new church. This will happen only two weeks from now. So you don't have much time to sign up. The dates are June 21-26th. For those who would like to participate, please let us know when you can help. You can basically help at any time during those days, even if it's a day after work. I'm so excited that we get the chance to help a church that has been so supportive of us from day one. Lake Russell has supported us financially, in prayer and through the encouragement of their pastor. Oasis, Let's blow Lake Russell away with how much we help them. If you don't know how to use a hammer or a paint brush, don't worry, their is something for everyone. You can sign up several ways. Sign up by emailing the church at web@ocgreenwood.com, going by the guest services table over the next two Sundays, or just by telling one of the staff. Bring some friends if you want... that would rock! This is an amazing opportunity to help the kingdom advance. Let's do this full on!
Sunday Sum-up
This past Sunday I just talked to Oasis as a family about what I so desperately want our family to be like.
-First off, I promised Oasis that we would never play it safe. Our church will always be a go hard or go home church. The problem with so many American churches is that we just want to be comfortable. The only problem with this mindset is Jesus... and the Bible!
-I shared three family rules that we will constantly break at Oasis.
-1. The Perfect family rule.
Oasis will never be a family of perfection. We will always be a church full of screwed up people. Because if we weren't screwed up then what would be the purpose of Jesus hanging on the cross? Besides, who gets the glory when God does amazing things through messed up people?... He does! So if you think you are too messed up to go to church, then Oasis is just the place for you.
-2. The Predictable family rule.
Oasis will never be a church that tries to control you and turn you into some sort of Christian robot. Church people can be so stupid when it comes to telling christians what they can and can't do. I had a guy tell me that I needed to burn my Guns and roses CDs years back... man that would have been a huge mistake! "Every Rose has it's thorn...".... Guitar solo..... YEA! The most powerful thing I can do for you as your pastor is to teach you about the freedom that comes with Christ and then Unleash you to do crazy things for Jesus!
-3. The Passive family rule.
Christians are so good at coming up with spiritual reasons that they don't have to do anything... "But God says get along with everyone." Yea, but read that whole verse and read it in context. Do you really think that Jesus was aiming to get along with everyone when he consistently called the pharisee snakes and a brood of vipers.... Um.. NO! The spiritual cop out is a skill that is well acquired by many church people. It's like this... If your grandmother is lost and laying on her death bed. DON'T call me to come and pray for her... that is a cop out so that you don't have to talk to her. Get on your knees beside her bed, pray for her and share the gospel with her. Just because I'm the pastor, that doesn't mean I have a red phone on my desk with a direct line to God. However, I do have Him on speed dial... but so should you if you are a believer.
Commit today to serve Jesus boldly and faithfully.
We will be helping Lake Russell Baptist Church with building their new church. This will happen only two weeks from now. So you don't have much time to sign up. The dates are June 21-26th. For those who would like to participate, please let us know when you can help. You can basically help at any time during those days, even if it's a day after work. I'm so excited that we get the chance to help a church that has been so supportive of us from day one. Lake Russell has supported us financially, in prayer and through the encouragement of their pastor. Oasis, Let's blow Lake Russell away with how much we help them. If you don't know how to use a hammer or a paint brush, don't worry, their is something for everyone. You can sign up several ways. Sign up by emailing the church at web@ocgreenwood.com, going by the guest services table over the next two Sundays, or just by telling one of the staff. Bring some friends if you want... that would rock! This is an amazing opportunity to help the kingdom advance. Let's do this full on!
Sunday Sum-up
This past Sunday I just talked to Oasis as a family about what I so desperately want our family to be like.
-First off, I promised Oasis that we would never play it safe. Our church will always be a go hard or go home church. The problem with so many American churches is that we just want to be comfortable. The only problem with this mindset is Jesus... and the Bible!
-I shared three family rules that we will constantly break at Oasis.
-1. The Perfect family rule.
Oasis will never be a family of perfection. We will always be a church full of screwed up people. Because if we weren't screwed up then what would be the purpose of Jesus hanging on the cross? Besides, who gets the glory when God does amazing things through messed up people?... He does! So if you think you are too messed up to go to church, then Oasis is just the place for you.
-2. The Predictable family rule.
Oasis will never be a church that tries to control you and turn you into some sort of Christian robot. Church people can be so stupid when it comes to telling christians what they can and can't do. I had a guy tell me that I needed to burn my Guns and roses CDs years back... man that would have been a huge mistake! "Every Rose has it's thorn...".... Guitar solo..... YEA! The most powerful thing I can do for you as your pastor is to teach you about the freedom that comes with Christ and then Unleash you to do crazy things for Jesus!
-3. The Passive family rule.
Christians are so good at coming up with spiritual reasons that they don't have to do anything... "But God says get along with everyone." Yea, but read that whole verse and read it in context. Do you really think that Jesus was aiming to get along with everyone when he consistently called the pharisee snakes and a brood of vipers.... Um.. NO! The spiritual cop out is a skill that is well acquired by many church people. It's like this... If your grandmother is lost and laying on her death bed. DON'T call me to come and pray for her... that is a cop out so that you don't have to talk to her. Get on your knees beside her bed, pray for her and share the gospel with her. Just because I'm the pastor, that doesn't mean I have a red phone on my desk with a direct line to God. However, I do have Him on speed dial... but so should you if you are a believer.
Commit today to serve Jesus boldly and faithfully.
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