Thursday, March 31, 2016

2016 A-Z Challenge


I am interrupting our regularly scheduled postings for the month of April in order to participate in the A-Z Challenge!

I will be breaking from our normal format of theological and biblical posts. Please join me each day!


Monday through Saturday I will be posting on places I have lived or visited. Check in and see how I do. I would appreciate your comments, please remember to be kind!

Monday, March 28, 2016

The Plan for Having a Poor Perspective



As you know I mentioned that I attended the Pacific Northwest IFCA Regional last week in Stevenson, WA. First let me say if God said, "Gregg, you have ten (10) minutes to move to Stevenson on My dime, I would simply ask God what did He want me to do with the other 8 minutes? It was so beautiful!

Second, on Wednesday, the final day of the conference, there were two (2) electives for the men to choose from. One of them did not interest me at all and the second was a close second. But I figured that the one I chose might be beneficial, and after all you can learn something from anyone, even if it is "what not to do."

I think the topic was an excellent topic. I simply think the speaker missed the point of the topic and took it a different direction. Had he remained on topic I think it would have been extremely valuable and profitable, especially to me.

The topic was Suffering in the Ministry. Without any detail or criticism our speaker zeroed in on the "suffering" that causes pastoral burnout. It was a ninety (90) minute presentation on the various (all most all non-spiritual) situations, reasons, and peoples that lend themselves to pastors burning out of the ministry. 

Let me say that I learned from a car sales motivational speaker a principle that has served me well, he basically would state that, "If you don't like my numbers (referring to statistics) cut them in half. If you still don't like them, cut them in half again until you are comfortable, but whatever "number" you end up with, is that number satisfactory or unsatisfactory to you?" 

I relay this principle because I felt his statistics were "high" and unlikely. Even if I cut them in half I am not sure I would buy into them without further evidence. So, regardless of how many pastors burn out, or how many do not finish the course, etc., I disagreed with his multi-point reasons of why pastors burn out.

As I sat there I took out last week's bulletin from church and summarized why pastors burn out in five (5) easy reasons. I blog this for the benefit of any pastor who might read this but I think these reasons can be applied as to why so-called Christians "burnout." I don't intend today to develop them, however, down the road I just might develop them further. Here are at least five (5) reasons pastors and/or Christians burn out:


  • Failure to trust or have absolute confidence in God
       They trust self, gimmicks, worldly ideas, programs, polls, & other pastors
  • Failure to trust or have absolute confidence in the Word
       When things don't work as planned, they circumvent the word by methods & programs
  • Failure to die to self - ego/pride is not yet crushed
       They identify with principles of worldly success rather than success w/God
  • Failure to trust or have absolute confidence in the gospel
        By not understanding the gospel, they attempt to do the work of the gospel
  • Failure to expect, understand, and embrace suffering
       Suffering is not bad church members, low attendance, etc- it is persecution



Sunday, March 27, 2016

Tragedy or Triumph?



SERMON               GMT16-044

SERIES:              Topical Messages:  Special Days – Resurrection Sunday

SETTING:          North Kelso Baptist Church

SERVICE:          Sunday AM (March 27, 2016)

SUBTITLE:        Tragedy or Triumph? (Mary sees the risen Christ!)

SCRIPTURE:     John 20:11-18

SUBJECT:          Mary sees the risen Christ

SUMMARY:       Mary was deeply grieved not knowing what had been done with Jesus until she recognized Jesus which caused her to obey his instructions.

SCHEME:           To provide testimony in support of the reality of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead
_____________________________________________________________

Friday, March 25, 2016

My Vision Statement for My Life

Vision Statement

This testifies that

Gregory Dean Metcalf

Has adopted this vision statement for his life

I envision my life to be a witness of God's grace through Christ to my wife, children, and Grandchildren; leaving a godly example of Christ's transforming power in the life of this sinner.

I envision my life to be a vehicle or a medium whereby God through Jesus Christ, empowered by His HS chosing to magnify His glorious character and nature to both the church and to the pagan world.

I envision my life to be a life spent in the service of Jesus Christ by utilizing
my God given spiritual gift of teaching to the church of Jesus Christ.
                         
Circle with word 'seal' inside
Dated this 3 day of February, 2015                        

Gregory D. Metcalf

Christian, Husband, Father, Pastor

Thursday, March 24, 2016

The Purpose Statement of My Life


Someone once said, “If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.” I have seen a large majority of people, both believers and unbelievers who seem to live their lives in that manner. Sadly, many believers “react” rather than live proactively. I do not want to be guilty of this either. Some time ago I made some observations and decisions that I prayed would prevent me from merely reacting or responding to life and to be proactively living my life. Particularly when it comes to my spiritual life. And so I want to share some things with you that might be of some benefit.

Naturally, I am me and you are you, therefore not everything will “work” for you. However, somethings certainly will work. Take time and think through these things. Change them, adapt them, and/or develop them into something that will be of benefit to you. May you be changed for the better and in doing so, magnify (make larger and more visible) the glorious character of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ and God our Father.

Let’s start with a purpose statement I developed for my life. This purpose statement is a long term vision of what I desire and pray that my life would look like as God renders me into the likeness of His dear Son and uses me in His eternal purpose.

“The purpose of my life is to glory God and to enjoy Him forever by His grace through His Spirit and because of Christ’s atoning work by living with the mind of Christ, and working out my salvation with fear and trembling, and by shepherding my family, as a nurturing husband father and grandfather, and to edify and equip God’s people by teaching the entirety of the New Testament.”

What is your purpose statement for your life?

What does it look like?

How are you doing with it?


Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Tragedy or Triumph

Last Sunday at North Kelso Baptist Church for Palm Sunday, the sermon (John 12:12-19) title was Triumph or Tragedy?

Christ rode in triumphantly, but tragically the crowd missed the significance.

This coming Sunday for Resurrection Sunday the sermon title will be (John 20:11-18) Tragedy or Triumph?

The "tragedy" of the death of Christ is erased by the triumphant resurrection of our Lord.

Come join us Sunday @ 10:30 AM. 

(Warning: no Cantata's, Choirs, Processions, Passion Plays, recreations, tombs, or Roman soldiers - just plain bible exposition, edification, exaltation of our Lord, with an evangelistic appeal.)

Sunday, March 20, 2016

Triumph Or Tragedy?



SERMON               GMT16-043

SERIES:              Topical Messages:  Special Days – Palm Sunday

SETTING:          North Kelso Baptist Church

SERVICE:          Sunday AM (March 20, 2016)

SUBTITLE:        Triumph or Tragedy?

SCRIPTURE:     John 12:12-19

SUBJECT:          The Triumphant Entry of Christ

SUMMARY:       Jesus reveals Himself as King

SCHEME:           To enable my people to transcend the Jews political aspirations and embrace Christ as their King
_____________________________________________________________

Our theme is:  Jesus reveals Himself as King

Proposition:  Christ entered Jerusalem to present Himself as the promised King

Interrogatory Sentence:  Why did Jesus ride into Jerusalem?

Transitional Sentence:  Our passage reveals four (4) aspects of why Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a young donkey; The Parade for the King, The Prophecy of the King, The Popularity of the King, and the Protest toward the King. 

Friday, March 18, 2016

Happy Birthday Sharon!



Happy Birthday

to

Our third Daughter

Sharon A. Jones

  • AKA SAM3
  • Born in West Covina, CA
  • Lives in Marcilles, Illinois
  • Daughter of Gregg & Irene Metcalf
  • Wife of Jasson Jones
  • Mother of Paul Diontre Dupre Gresham IV





Thursday, March 17, 2016

Happy Birthday Stacy


Happy Birthday
to

Our Youngest Daughter

Stacy A. Gallegos



  • AKA SAM4
  • Born in West Covina, CA
  • Lives in Ottawa, Illinois
  • Daughter of Gregg and Irene Metcalf
  • Engaged to an American Farmer

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

IFCA Church Leader's Conference


Have been attending the Spring Regional Conference of the IFCA Pacific NW Regional.(March 14-16, 2016 at the River Christian Church of Stevenson, WA.


The main emphasis is "Success in the Ministry." And not the kind you might think - benefiting from the Divine and Sovereign power of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through His Holy Spirit.

The Speakers:


  • Dr. Roy Sprague
  • Gary L. Taylor (Albany, OR)
  • Dr. Glen Daman
  • Dave Gorgas

Hosted by the:

  •  River Christian Church of Stevenson, WA 
  • Carson Bible Church, Carson, W

Monday, March 14, 2016

Puppies & Prayer


Robert Murray M’Cheyne once wrote, “A man is what he is on his knees before God, and nothing more.”



When Martin Luther's puppy happened to be at the table, he looked for a morsel from his master, and watched with open mouth and motionless eyes. Luther said, "Oh, if I could only pray the way this dog watches the meat! All his thoughts are concentrated on the piece of meat. Otherwise he has no thought, wish, or hope."
 
 Edward Payson (1783-1827) said:

We may judge the state of our hearts by the earnestness of our prayers. You cannot make a rich man beg like a poor man; you cannot make a man that is full cry for food like one that is hungry: no more will a man who has a good opinion of himself, cry for mercy like one who feels that he is poor and needy.

The symptoms of spiritual decline are like those which attend the decay of bodily health. It generally commences with loss of appetite, and disrelish for spiritual food, prayer, reading the Scriptures, and devotional books. Whenever you perceive these symptoms, be alarmed, for your spiritual health is in danger; apply immediately to the great Physician for a cure.

The best means of keeping near to God is the prayer closet. Here the battle is won or lost.

It appears very strange and wonderful that God should bestow any favors on creatures, so unworthy as ourselves, or pay any regard to prayers so polluted as our own.” 

Sunday, March 13, 2016

How to be Right With God (Part 8)



SERMON               GM16-077

SERIES:              Renewal Through Romans: The Gospel Defined, Explained, and Applied

SETTING:          North Kelso Baptist Church

SERVICE:          Sunday AM (March 13th, 2016)

SUBTITLE:        How to Be Right with God – Part 8

SCRIPTURE:     Romans 4:9-12

SUBJECT:          The Righteousness of God

SUMMARY:       The Righteousness of God is granted to all who believe in Jesus Christ apart from works as well as apart from the law, which ratifies the promise made by God resulting in definite benefits for the believer.


SCHEME:           To prove that God justifies sinners through faith rather than by their works including circumcision

Our theme is:       God justifies sinners who believe

Proposition:         The Righteousness of God is granted to all who believe in Jesus Christ apart from works as well as apart from the law, which ratifies the promise made by God resulting in definite benefits for the believer.

Interrogatory Sentence:  What do we need to understand about the righteousness of God?

Transitional Sentence:  The passage before us provides three (3) elements that helps us understand the righteousness of God. We gain an understanding of righteousness by Paul’s Introduction to Righteousness; by Paul’s Illustration of Righteousness; and by Paul’s Implication of Righteousness.

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Steps to the Sermon


In the last couple of weeks someone asked me how I prepare my messages for Sunday mornings. I actually do have a system that I follow pretty "religiously." I hope this demonstrates for the person who asked me about this and for anybody else that might be curious. Thanks for asking!

Sunday, March 6, 2016

How to be Right With God (Part 7)



SERMON               GM16-076

SERIES:              Renewal Through Romans: The Gospel Defined, Explained, and Applied

SETTING:          North Kelso Baptist Church

SERVICE:          Sunday AM (March 6th, 2016)

SUBTITLE:        How to Be Right with God – Part 7

SCRIPTURE:     Romans 4:1-8

SUBJECT:          The Righteousness of God

SUMMARY:       The Righteousness of God is granted through to all who believe in Jesus Christ

SCHEME:           To prove that God justifies sinners through faith rather than by their works

Our theme is:  God justifies sinners who believe

Proposition:   God justifies sinners through faith who believe in Jesus Christ

Interrogatory Sentence:  What do we need to understand about the righteousness of God?

Transitional Sentence:  The passage before us provides three (3) elements that helps us understand the righteousness of God. We gain an understanding of righteousness by Paul’s Introduction to Righteousness; by Paul’s Illustration of Righteousness; and by Paul’s Implication of Righteousness.

Thursday, March 3, 2016

Shipwrecked by Morality

"(Some people think) ...they are so good, that they scorn God's offer of mercy. Indeed these are often in the worst condition: these are they who think they need no repentance (Luke 15:7). Their morality undoes them. They make a 'savior' of it, and so on this rock they suffer shipwreck. A moral man is but old Adam dressed in fine clothing." (Thomas Watson)

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Delighting in God's Glory

Taken from:  A God Entranced Vision of All Things

God glorifies Himself toward the creature in two ways; by appearing to their understanding, and in communicating Himself to their hearts and their rejoicing in and delighting in Him, and enjoying manifestations He makes of Himself. God is Glorified not only by His glories being seen, but by its being rejoiced in. When those that see it delight in it God is more glorified than if they only see it. His glory is then received by the whole soul, both by the understanding and by the heart. God made the world that he might communicate and the creature receive His glory, and that it might be received both by the mind and the heart. He that testifies His idea of God’s glory doesn’t glorify God so much as he that testifies also his approbation of it and his delight in it.


- Jonathan Edwards