Well, I only intended on making a comment on my preaching plan. Somehow that comment turned into a 3 part run-on sentence. Let me say a couple of things about my preaching plan, especially since it runs through the end of 2015 at this time.
First - my plan, although thought out and developed is subject to the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit. He can, and I am sure He will interrupt and/or make changes to my plan as He sees fit based on circumstances, congregational needs, and current events. From time to time I fully expect to "jetison" the POD (the Plan Of the Day) and be superintended to a much greater or needed divine substitute.
Second - my plan, again although thought out and developed is not a "straight-jacket." It is a plan, a guide, a tool, and/or help. I am not "married" to it or inescapably bound to it. If the eventual Council of Elders, congregational needs, or current conditions demand or deem necessary I will deviate or even re-do portions of the plan.
So, having made these observations, please permit me to share with you the design that I have drafted in hopes of:
"My little children, of whom I travail in birth again, until Christ be formed in you." (Galatians 4:19, Geneva Bible - emphasis mine)
"Whom we preach, admonishing every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect [mature or complete] in Christ Jesus. Whereunto I also labor and strive, according to his working which worketh in me mightily." (Colossians 1:28-29, Geneva Bible - emphasis mine)
"Go therefore, and teach all nations [Kelso, WA] baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, Teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, until the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:19-20, Geneva Bible - emphsis mine)
The Magna Carta Series
I want this series to permeate the thinking of each believer that we are not just a casual after thought in God's mind. We as the church have a tremendous role in the eternal plan of God. This series is named The Magna Carta because it is, behind the Bible, the greatest truth we can be motivated by to wage offensive war against the demonic forces of hell as we witness to the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and as we make known and much of the glorious character of our Sovereign God.
In this foundation series we will establish that we, the church have A Great Commander, A Great Commandment, A Great Commission, and A Great Course, and A Great Consumation
The Foundational Series
I have come to believe that when a pastor goes to a new church he is automatically prejudiced by two potentially lethal assumptions:
How does he assume these potentially lethal assumptions? He begins preaching and teaching in the wrong area. Most preachers assuming their membership is converted or regenerated emphasize sanctification. Their messages, lessons, studies, and sermons center on the doctrine of sanctification.
I believe after studying Scripture, and reading about the life and ministry of Lloyd-Jones, a pastor with a new charge should begin with the emphasis on justification. He should begin by laying a solid foundation of what the gospel really is and what effect justification has on the soul of the redeemed.
So, I want to exposit such topics and doctrines as:
I do believe only God knows the heart and I cannot determine who is a believer and who is not a believer. But I want to start on solid and common ground. I want believers to know the seriousness, the sanctity, and the satisfaction of salvation.
Lord, willing tomorrow we will look at two more series that I want to teach the entire congregation. Again, because we have the greatest number of members in attendance on Sunday morning, I want to move the book study to Thursday or Friday night and teach these foundational series to the greatest number of people possible.
First - my plan, although thought out and developed is subject to the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit. He can, and I am sure He will interrupt and/or make changes to my plan as He sees fit based on circumstances, congregational needs, and current events. From time to time I fully expect to "jetison" the POD (the Plan Of the Day) and be superintended to a much greater or needed divine substitute.
Second - my plan, again although thought out and developed is not a "straight-jacket." It is a plan, a guide, a tool, and/or help. I am not "married" to it or inescapably bound to it. If the eventual Council of Elders, congregational needs, or current conditions demand or deem necessary I will deviate or even re-do portions of the plan.
So, having made these observations, please permit me to share with you the design that I have drafted in hopes of:
"My little children, of whom I travail in birth again, until Christ be formed in you." (Galatians 4:19, Geneva Bible - emphasis mine)
"Whom we preach, admonishing every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect [mature or complete] in Christ Jesus. Whereunto I also labor and strive, according to his working which worketh in me mightily." (Colossians 1:28-29, Geneva Bible - emphasis mine)
"Go therefore, and teach all nations [Kelso, WA] baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, Teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, until the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:19-20, Geneva Bible - emphsis mine)
The Magna Carta Series
I want this series to permeate the thinking of each believer that we are not just a casual after thought in God's mind. We as the church have a tremendous role in the eternal plan of God. This series is named The Magna Carta because it is, behind the Bible, the greatest truth we can be motivated by to wage offensive war against the demonic forces of hell as we witness to the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and as we make known and much of the glorious character of our Sovereign God.
In this foundation series we will establish that we, the church have A Great Commander, A Great Commandment, A Great Commission, and A Great Course, and A Great Consumation
The Foundational Series
I have come to believe that when a pastor goes to a new church he is automatically prejudiced by two potentially lethal assumptions:
- That the majority of the members are actually saved
- That the majority of the members understand the gospel
How does he assume these potentially lethal assumptions? He begins preaching and teaching in the wrong area. Most preachers assuming their membership is converted or regenerated emphasize sanctification. Their messages, lessons, studies, and sermons center on the doctrine of sanctification.
I believe after studying Scripture, and reading about the life and ministry of Lloyd-Jones, a pastor with a new charge should begin with the emphasis on justification. He should begin by laying a solid foundation of what the gospel really is and what effect justification has on the soul of the redeemed.
So, I want to exposit such topics and doctrines as:
- The Description of Christianity
- Called to Be Saints
- The Infinite Gift of God
- The Foolishness of Unpreparedness
- The Brevity of Life
- God Against You!
- You Must Be Born Again
I do believe only God knows the heart and I cannot determine who is a believer and who is not a believer. But I want to start on solid and common ground. I want believers to know the seriousness, the sanctity, and the satisfaction of salvation.
Lord, willing tomorrow we will look at two more series that I want to teach the entire congregation. Again, because we have the greatest number of members in attendance on Sunday morning, I want to move the book study to Thursday or Friday night and teach these foundational series to the greatest number of people possible.
2 comments:
You certainly do give food for thought each day in your post and today was no exception. Wonderfully set out and written so we can understand.
Yvonne.
can't wait brother.
Post a Comment