Bible Reading Plans for 2012

Many Christians take the beginning of a new year to evaluate their Bible reading habits, and then change or begin a Bible reading plan.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. — Psalm 119:105

For your convenience, we've compiled a list of Bible reading plans for you to choose from. Maybe this year you will read more of the Bible each day. Perhaps you'll slow down your reading and instead spend more time considering what you read. Whatever it is you're looking for in a reading plan, you should find it below.

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52 Week Bible Reading Plan

Read through the Bible in a year, with each day of the week dedicated to a different genre: Epistles, The Law, History, Psalms, Poetry, Prophecy, and Gospels.

Duration: One year | Download: PDF

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5x5x5 Bible Reading Plan

Read through the New Testament in a year, reading Monday to Friday. Weekends are set aside for reflection and other reading. Especially beneficial if you're new to a daily discipline of Bible reading.

Duration: One year | Download: PDF

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A Bible Reading Chart

Read through the Bible at your own pace. Use this minimalistic, yet beautifully designed, chart to track your reading over 2012.

Duration: Flexible | Download: PDF

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Chronological Bible Reading Plan

Read through the Bible in the order the events occurred chronologically.

Duration: One year | Download: PDF

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The Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Plan

Four daily readings beginning in Genesis, Psalms, Matthew and Acts.

Duration: One year | Download: PDF

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ESV Daily Bible Reading Plan

Four daily readings taken from four lists: Psalms and Wisdom Literature, Pentateuch and History of Israel, Chronicles and Prophets, and Gospels and Epistles.

Duration: One year | Download: PDF

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Every Word in the Bible

Read through the Bible one chapter at a time. Readings alternate between the Old and New Testaments.

Duration: Three years | Download: PDF

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Historical Bible Reading Plan

The Old Testament readings are similar to Israel's Hebrew Bible, and the New Testament readings are an attempt to follow the order in which the books were authored.

Duration: One year | Download: PDF

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Professor Grant Horner's Bible Reading System

Reading ten chapters a day, in the course of a year you'll read the Gospels four times, the Pentateuch twice, Paul's letters four to five times, the Old Testament wisdom literature six times, the Psalms at least twice, Proverbs and Acts a dozen times, and the OT History and Prophetic books about one and a half times.

Duration: Ongoing | Download: PDF | Facebook: The 3650 Challenge

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Robert Murray M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan

Read the New Testament and Psalms twice and the Old Testament once.

Duration: One or two years | Download: Website

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Straight Through the Bible Reading Plan

Read straight through the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation.

Duration: One year | Download: PDF

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Tabletalk Bible Reading Plan

Two readings each day; one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament.

Duration: One year | Download: PDF
App: Accessible in the Ligonier App (iPhone / iPad & Android)

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The Legacy Reading Plan

This plan does not have set readings for each day. Instead, it has set books for each month, and set number of Proverbs and Psalms to read each week. It aims to give you more flexibility, while grounding you in specific books of the Bible each month.

Duration: One year | Download: PDF

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Two-Year Bible Reading Plan

Read the Old and New Testaments once, and Psalms & Proverbs four times.

Duration: Two years | Download: PDF

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In addition to your daily Bible reading, if you're looking for devotional material that will help you understand the Bible and apply it to daily living, consider Tabletalk magazine. Try it out for three months absolutely free.

Disappointment - His appointment

“Disappointment—His appointment,”
Change one letter, then I see
That the thwarting of my purpose
Is God’s better choice for me. —Young

(This poem appeared October 26, 2011 in "Our Daily Bread"

Why Discomfort Is Good For You - By Michael Hyatt

Think you have big goals? Think again. Several years ago, I read an article in Wiredmagazine about a long-distance runner named Dean Karnazes.

Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/skodonnell

Get this:

• He ran fifty marathons in fifty states on fifty consecutive days.
• He once ran 350 miles in three days—without stopping and with no sleep.

• He’s run the Badwater Ultramarathon seven times. It starts in Death Valley, 250 feet below sea level and concludes, 135 miles later, halfway up Mt. Whitney, at 8,360 feet. He won the race in 2004 on his fifth attempt.
• He runs 100 to 170 miles a week.
• He couldn’t find time to run 4–6 hours a day, so he began sleeping less. He currently only sleeps four hours a night.
• His resting heart rate is 39 beats per minute!

I was so inspired by the article, I bought his book, Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All Night Runner and devoured it. I then made a commitment to run my first ever half marathon. I have run one per year ever since.

In another interview in Outside magazine, Dean makes an important point that many of us have forgotten:

Western culture has things a little backwards right now. We think that if we had every comfort available to us, we’d be happy. We equate comfort with happiness. And now we’re so comfortable we’re miserable. There’s no struggle in our lives. No sense of adventure. We get in a car, we get in an elevator, it all comes easy. What I’ve found is that I’m never more alive than when I’m pushing and I’m in pain, and I’m struggling for high achievement, and in that struggle I think there’s a magic.

This rings true for me. I think there are three reasons why you and I should embrace discomfort, whether we deliberately choose it, or it simply happens to us.

1. Comfort is overrated. It doesn’t lead to happiness. It makes us lazy—and forgetful. It often leads to self-absorption, boredom, and discontent.
2. Discomfort can be a catalyst for growth. It makes us yearn for something more. It forces us to change, stretch, and adapt.
3. Discomfort is often a sign we’re making progress. You’ve heard the expression, “no pain, no gain.” It’s true! When you push yourself to grow, you will experience discomfort.

A few weeks ago, I started participating in a Pilates class with Gail. It sounded easy enough. Boy, was I wrong. It has proven to be incredibly challenging. I hurt when I am doing it, and I am sore afterwards.

But that’s the very reason I love it. I feel like I am making progress and becoming stronger with each class.

The bottom line is this: you can either be comfortable and stagnate or stretch yourself—become uncomfortable—and grow. You may think that comfort leads to happiness. It doesn’t. Happiness comes from growth and feeling like you are making progress.

Stop The Hop

by Steven Furtick

Looking back at 2011, I’ve decided to post some of my top viewed blog posts of the year that really seemed to make an impact in people’s lives. Check this out.

Stop the Hop

One of the things that really troubles me about the church today is the phenomenon of church hopping and church shopping. It’s a consumeristic mindset towards the body of Christ that grieves the heart of God.

It’s time for us to stop the hop. This isn’t Christianity. Jesus didn’t die so we could sample different churches like varieties of meat on a party platter. Jesus died to establish His church as the most powerful entity on the planet.

We are alive at the greatest time in history for the advance of the gospel. We have so much going for us.

We have the ability.
We have the resources.
We have the people.

What we don’t have is them committed to a place where they can actually be used for their God-ordained purpose.

If this generation doesn’t make the impact it should, it won’t be because it didn’t have the resources. Or even the passion. It will be because it was too busy hopping to different churches to stop and commit to one where its resources and passion could actually find an outlet.

The church is the change the world is waiting for. God help us if we keep the world waiting for us while we try to find the perfect church for us.

If you’ve fallen into the trap of church hopping, let me encourage you: embrace your place somewhere where God can use you. At the end of your life, God’s not going to be impressed or pleased that you saw what He was doing at ten different churches. He’s going be more pleased that you were a part of what He was doing at one church.

And you’re never going to find the perfect one, so give up looking. If the church you’re visiting doesn’t have what you’re looking for, it might be because God wants you to provide it.

Let’s all commit together to begin a campaign to stop the hop.
Find a place to get planted. Embrace it. And start changing the world.

The question of our day isn’t if God wants to do incredible things through the church. The question is will we be in place to experience it?

The Day After Christmas - Dr. Vance Havner

Dr. Vance Havner (1901-1986) shares the following,

The day after Christmas
Is a day of broken toys, opened boxes,
Torn packages, threads of ribbon galore,
The surprises all over, thank yous all said.
A long time coming and so soon gone!
But, when Jesus Christ is born in your hearts,
There are no sad days after,
No waiting a year,
No putting away the thank yous
For another twelve months.
Every day is Christmas
When the Savior lives within,
The same today as yesterday.
Each day brings fresh gifts from above,
Not a holiday but a holy day.
And we are not merely the recipients,
We give because He gave,
We love because He loved,
And we want to share Him with everybody.
Once-a-year Christmas
On the calendar is precious,
But there is no ‘day after’
When we cannot say, ‘Christ dwelleth in me.’

My favorite Christmas blog entry - December 24, 2007

Christmas officially begins for me at the Christmas Eve service (not in October when the malls all decorate for Christmas). Then when you drive home from the service, you realize all the malls, grocery stores and gas stations are closing down. No more making money. The only ones working are those who are offering compassion to the sick and hurting. The only ones on the road are those who are going to and from gatherings. How quiet. You really get the sense of a "Silent Night."

Then you have your family. Everyone who can possibly be there is there. There is always a high priority for "being home for Christmas." Hopefully, no one is missing. No one is in a hurry. Sit, laugh, eat, watch a movie, share memories, look at old pictures, talk sports (no politics, it's Christmas), meet potientially new family members, welcome new babies to their first Christmas, sing a carol or "Christmas in Dixie". What a time. You want to put it in a bottle and capture it.

Is this not the closest thing to Heaven on earth? There will come a day when work will be over. Do you remember those words by Bill Gaither?

The market place is empty,
No more traffic in the streets,
All the builders' tools are silent,
No more time to harvest wheat;
Busy housewives cease their labor,
In the courtroom no debate,
Work on earth is all suspended
As the King comes thro' the gate.

My wife actually has that song on my cell phone ringtones. The King is coming and all of God's family will be home. Not for just a day-or-two; but all eternity. And not only for those who are alive. But the family from Adam to Abraham to John. Mom and Dad will be there. And no one will be in a hurry. The music will be "heavenly" and you talk about a meal God will spread for His children.

Yes, Heaven will be like Christmas. Except for two things - in Heaven, there will be no sadness. No tears for those who are missing. No more tears period. And in Heaven, Jesus will be the center of attention. He will be receiving the gifts of crowns, the bowed knees and shouts of praise. He gave His life and paid the way for everyone who would believe in Him to come home for eternity. And everyone there will realize they didn't get there by their merits or money; its all about what Jesus did.

Thank you Lord for a foretaste of Heaven this Christmas. It was after John saw Heaven and experienced it that he cried "Come, Lord Jesus!" I join my voice with Him and say, "Maranatha." And we wait for Christmas 2008 or "to be really home for Christmas." You decide Lord! Either way is fine with me.

(Originally posted December 24, 2007)

"You're Going to Have a Special Baby" - told by children

The Christmas Story' (2010), as told by the children of St Paul's Church, Auckland, New Zealand. Anyone is welcome to show this film publicly, but not change it in any way, nor make money out of it.

Jesus, Joy of the Highest by Keith and Kristyn Getty

The Name of Jesus

by Kevin DeYoung

Over the past 2000 years, more people on planet earth have known the name of Jesus than any other name. Since 33 AD, over 8 billion people, by one estimate, have claimed to be followers of this Jesus—or Jésus or Isus or whatever the Christ is called in your language. Billions more have heard of his name. Presently, the name of Jesus can be found in over 6000 languages and more are being added every year.

On the one hand, it’s strange that this single name has dominated the last 2000 years of world history, especially Western history. For most of us, Jesus has a sacred ring to it; it sounds holy and divine. But this wasn’t the case when Mary and Joseph followed the angel’s instructions and gave their baby his name. Granted, it had a special meaning, but it was not an unusual name. The first century Jewish historian Josephus mentions at least twelve different people he knew with the name Jesus, including four High Priests. In Acts 9 we read of the Jewish false prophet, Bar-Jesus. In Colossians 4, Paul mentions one of his fellow workers, Jesus, called Justus. And some ancient manuscripts of the gospel of Matthew call the robber released by Pilate, Jesus Barabbas, which can be translated, ironically enough, “Jesus Son of the Father.”

Jesus was a common name, like Jim or John or Jerry. When Mary and Joseph called their son Jesus, there were no prayers in his name. No one used it as a swear word. No one sang songs about this name, just like there is no religion I am aware of that sings songs to Jim (except that he’s not to be messed around with). We don’t name our sons John with the expectation that over the next 2000 years 8 billion people will pray in his name. We don’t croon, “Jerry, Jerry, Jerry, there’s just something about that name!”

But common as it was, Jesus was “Jesus” by design. In Greek it is Iesous, in Aramaic, the language Jesus spoke, Yesu. Both are derived from the Hebrew, the name is Yeshua or Joshua. Joshua is made up of two parts: Ya which is short for Yahweh, and hoshea which means salvation. Hence, Mary and Joseph give their little baby the name Jesus, “Yahweh is salvation.”

Which he was. And is. Through Christ alone. Ever since the first Christmas, Jesus has been more than just a name. It’s been our only comfort in life and in death, our only hope in a hopeless world. When you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, you may life in his name (John 20:31). There is, in fact, no other name under heaven given among men whereby we can be saved (Acts 4:12). So naturally, whatever we do, in word or deed, we ought to do in the name of the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:17). For God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:11-12).

But let’s be clear: the name of Jesus is not a magic wand. Chanting it does not give one special powers. The power in the name is the person behind the name. In the Old Testament, names meant something. They were more than badges of identification. They often told others who you were and what purpose God had for your life. So Adam was the first man. Eve was the mother of all living things. Abraham was the father of many nations. Benjamin was the son of his father’s right hand. Moses was drawn out of the water. Peter was the rock. Barnabas was the son of encouragement.

And what about Jesus?

“And you shall call his name Jesus,” the angel told Joseph, “for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). More than a great teacher, more than an enlightened man, more than a worker of miracles, more than giving us meaning in life, more than a self-help guru, more than a self-esteem builder, more a political liberator, more than a caring friend, more than a transformer of cultures, more than a purpose for the purposeless, Jesus is a Savior of sinners.

“The name of Jesus charms our fears and bids our sorrows cease; tis music in the sinner’s ears, tis life and health and peace.” That’ll sing. “All hail the power of Jesus’ name! Let angels prostrate fall. Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown him Lord of all.” That’ll work too.

I guess there really is just something about that name.

No, not just something: make that everything.

This article originally appeared in the December issue of Tabletalk.

12 Reasons for Christmas by John Piper

1. “For this I was born and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth” (John 18:37).
2. “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8; cf. Hebrews 2:14–15).
3. “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17).
4. “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10).
5. “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
6. “God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:5).
7. “For God so loved the world that whoever believes on him shall not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16).
8. “God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him” (1 John 4:9).
9. “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).
10. “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against . . . that the thoughts of many may be revealed” (Luke 2:34ff).
11. “He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18).
12. “Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarches, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy” (Romans 15:7–8; cf. John 12:27ff).

Christmas and the King of Kings by Doug Hibbard

“The Lord is King forever and ever…” Psalm 10:16

It is not enough to think of Jesus as King of the world by virtue of creation. It is crucial to think of Him also as the coming King of God’s People. That has two things that need to be considered: the Kingdom of Israel and the Kingdom of God.

To consider, first of all, the Kingship of God over Israel, we must look back at the Old Testament. Beginning with Exodus, we see God as the King of Israel in opposition to Pharaoh, King of Egypt. Pharaoh has oppressed the Israelites and they have cried out to God. God sends Moses, not to rule over Israel, but to be His spokesman to Pharaoh. The whole showdown is a 15^th Century BC equivalent of a showdown between powers.

What Pharaoh does not grasp is that he is not the Superpower in the situation. At the time, Egypt is the power in the Mediterranean region, exerting influence around the area, up the Nile, and as far away as the Iberian Peninsula. He has known no king that can stand up to him. Typically, the ambassador that comes before Pharaoh is there to seek his favor, to request peace and mercy from the great one.

Moses is not that ambassador. He comes, not on his knees to beg, but on his feet to bring a warning. On his feet to deliver a demand. On his feet, representing the King of Israel with a basic statement: let His people go or else. Then, God follows through on the “or else.” He is the King there. In the following centuries, God leads the people of Israel in battle, provides for their needs, corrects their religious failures, and provides human leadership to guide them to Him. In the course of that time, a human line rises to represent Him, but not to supplant Him.

That line is headed by the man David, and his descendants are promised to rule Israel for ever. God provides a promise that He will establish David’s throne forever. Yet that promise cannot be fulfilled in merely human terms. That King must be one who will never surrender the throne due to death. There can be no stopping this Kingdom. It is, however, important to recognize that when Jesus came, it was not an empty question that the Magi asked “Where is the born king of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:2) Jesus is born as King of the Jews, first and foremost.

This is not the limit of His Kingdom, however. Starting with Rahab in Joshua, moving forward through Ruth, and on to the Centurion of Luke, Cornelius in Acts and the whole of the Roman Empire in the years after the Resurrection, the reader of the Bible sees God as King over all those who call upon Him. It is not an empty call in Romans 10 to confess that “Jesus is Lord:” this is a statement affirming His kingship above all. It is a statement of loyalty to Him and His Kingdom.

This Christmas, let us not fail to honor Him as the King. We owe our complete allegiance to Him, our devotion. He is the King of His people. Let us remember that.

Philippians 2:9-11 (ESV)

“Therefore God has highly exalted him

and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”

(Click here to see the original post).

Sermon Notes from Sunday, December 11, 2011

This past Sunday I completed the portion of Romans that we have been studying together since Labor Day. The notes from December 11, 2011 of the message "The Doxology of Theology" from Romans 11:33-36 are here.

How To Meet the World's Greatest Need: Answer 3 Questions

by Ronnie Floyd (see at the end for biographical information)

"While we might bemoan the events occurring in the world today, we need to see these moments as God moments. This is a special defining moment for the church to become awakened spiritually, resulting in an awakening of telling every person in the world about Jesus Christ and making disciples of all the nations."

SPRINGDALE, Ark. (BP) -- Research suggests that only 11 of every 100 people in the world claim Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. About 50 percent of the world's population presently has no realistic opportunity to hear the Gospel and the percentage is growing. Every minute, 120 people are born, likely to live their entire lives and never hear the name of Jesus, not even once.

What is the greatest need in the world today? Awakening! We need to see an awakening of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the earth. We must go places we've never gone to, talk to people we've never talked to, and share Jesus where His name has not yet been spoken. Our last great hope in this world is to experience an awakening of the Great Commission.

Consider three brief questions that I believe must be answered if we are going to meet our world's greatest need:

1. How should we define the Great Commission?

It really is a clear vision: Tell every person in the world about Jesus Christ and make disciples of all nations. The challenge is getting people to realize that the Great Commission is about more than going "over there." It is also about reaching people "right here." It is not an either-or for Christ-followers, but a both-and!

In fact, Jesus shows us in Acts 1:8 the progression of how we are to fulfill the Great Commission. "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Jesus starts where the listeners were and moves farther away. Notice it is not progressive in a chronological sense. He never uses the word "then." We are not intended to go here then there, but here and there. We are to be witnesses for Jesus locally, nationally and internationally, all at the same time.

This is the missional vision model we have adopted at Cross Church where I pastor: "Reaching Northwest Arkansas, America, and the world for Jesus Christ." The Great Commission is the task of reaching every person in the world with the life-changing power of the Gospel and helping them grow in their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. How can I see my church awakened?

We need to see a major global spiritual awakening in the church of Jesus Christ. We need a global spiritual shaking to occur all around the world. In seeking the catalyst for this spiritual movement, we need to:

-- Wake up to the need itself. The world has seen too long what the arm of the flesh will do in and through the church. We need the world to see what God will do in and through the church. Business as usual has to stop and stop immediately. We need to experience a mighty spiritual movement of God.

-- Prioritize prayer. When we pray, it demonstrates that we are depending on God. When we do not pray, it shows we are depending on ourselves. Prayerless worship services will develop prayerless churches. Prayerless churches will operate in the power of the flesh, rather than the power of the Spirit.

-- Act on fulfilling the Great Commission NOW. Yes, this is our NOW moment. We can no longer delay in capturing our communities with the Gospel or proclaiming the Gospel to the ends of the world. Spiritual awakening will occur when the church is doing Gospel work. Acts 1:8 affirms that spiritual power is commensurate with our commitment to taking the Gospel to people and places where the Gospel has never been before.

3. How can I make the Great Commission more personal to me?

One of the reasons many churches do not have an emphasis on the Great Commission is that the members and leadership of those churches are not personally committed to it themselves. Each Christ-follower must own the Great Commission!

To awaken the Great Commission personally, we each need to ask ourselves three questions:

-- Do I know Jesus intimately? Developing an intimate relationship with Jesus will create a deep desire to fulfill the Great Commission. It works the other way too. The more passionate you are about the Great Commission, the more intimately you will know Jesus.

-- Do I love Jesus passionately? There is no better way of becoming passionate, intimate Christ-followers than through prayer and the Word of God. Despite our best efforts, awakening the Great Commission will lack its full effectiveness if we do not follow biblical principles and cover everything in prayer. Pray for a personal rediscovery of your passion for Jesus and a Great Commission awakening will surely follow.

-- Do I share Jesus constantly? Knowing Christ intimately and loving Him passionately will always lead to sharing Him with others. These three ideas are inseparable. To know Christ is to love Him; to love Him is to share Him.

Never has there been a better time to live than today. While we might bemoan the events occurring in the world today, we need to see these moments as God moments. This is a special defining moment for the church to become awakened spiritually, resulting in an awakening of telling every person in the world about Jesus Christ and making disciples of all the nations.

I am believing God for a global spiritual awakening. This is our last great hope!

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Ronnie Floyd is senior pastor of Cross Church (crosschurch.com) in northwest Arkansas, with campuses in Springdale, Pinnacle Hills and Fayetteville, and the author of a newly released book, "Our Last Great Hope."

This article comes from Baptist Press. Copyright (c) 2011 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press. Used by permission.

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Billy Graham's Sermons on line

More than 1,600 of Billy Graham's sermons dating back to 1949 are now available in audio format online.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (BP) -- The sermons -- available at www.BillyGraham.org -- are categorized by year, location and topic.

The messages include everything from Graham's famous Los Angeles crusade in 1949 to his comments at President Lyndon Johnson's 1973 funeral to his sermons in Baltimore and New Orleans in 2006.

"Mr. Graham's messages have inspired millions around the world and will continue to do so with the release of this audio library," said Ken Barun, senior vice president of communications for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. "With more than 2 billion users on the Internet, his messages can now be accessed by many more for easy listening and sharing. Our ultimate goal is to continue Billy's mission of using whatever means possible to spread the Gospel."

The website and audio files are compatible for desktop computers and smartphones.

Billy Graham's sermon archive

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Compiled by Michael Foust, associate editor of Baptist Press.

This article comes from Baptist Press. Copyright (c) 2011 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press. Used by permission.

Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress) and in your email (baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp).

A Reminder of Who You Are in Christ

A Reminder of Who You Are

• You are God’s child
  John 1:12
• You are a friend of Jesus
  John 15:15
• You have been justified
  Romans 5:1
• You’ve been united with the Lord and are one with him in Spirit
  1 Corinthians 6:17
• You’ve been bought with a price…you belong to God
  1 Corinthians 6:19-20
• You’re a member of Christ’s body
  1 Corinthians 12:27
• You’ve been chosen by God and adopted as his child
  Ephesians 1:3-8
• You’ve been redeemed and forgiven of all your sins
  Colossians 1:13-14
• You are complete in Christ
  Colossians 2:9-10
• You have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus
  Hebrews 4:14-16
• You are free from condemnation
  Romans 8:1-2
• You cannot be separated from the love of God
  Romans 8:28
• You are free from any condemning charges against you
  Romans 8:31-34
• You’ve been established, anointed, and sealed
  2 Corinthians 1:21-22
• You were washed…you were sanctified. You were justified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God
  1 Cor 6:11
• You are hidden with Christ in God
  Colossians 3:1-4
• God started this work in you, and he will bring it to completion
  Phil 1:6
• You are a citizen of heaven
  Philippians 3:20
• You haven’t been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind
  2 Timothy 1:7
• You are born of God, and the evil one cannot touch you
  1 John 5:18
• You are a branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of his life
  John 15:5
• You have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit
  John 15:16
• You are God’s temple
  1 Corinthians 3:16
• You are a minister of reconciliation
  2 Corinthians 5:17-21
• You are seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm
  Ephesians 2:6
• You are God’s workmanship
  Ephesians 2:10
• You can approach God with freedom and confidence – not because of your obedience, but because of Jesus’ obedience
  Ephesians 3:12
• When you are faithless, he will remain faithful, because he cannot deny himself
  2 Timothy 2:13

Wednesday Night (12-7-11) Notes from Galatians 6:11-18

I finished our Wednesday night study of the book of Galatians last night. Here are the notes "Glory Only in the Cross" from Galatians 6:11-18.

Sermon Notes from Sunday, December 4, 2011

I am about to finish the series through Romans 9-10-11 but yesterday's sermon was "The Salvation of Israel" based from Romans 11:25-32. Here are the notes. I will complete this series this coming Sunday.

Worship Is.....

7 Things That Worship Is…

by Perry Noble

#1 – Repentance - Where there is no repentance there may be an emotional experience, but it’s not worship! Worship does not become worship until it IMPACTS the WAY WE LIVE!

#2 – Intellectual – We’re called to worship the Lord with our minds by renewing it and fixing it on Him. (Colossians 3:1-2)

#3 – Emotional- Worship is overwhelming when we realize how deeply we were entrenched in sin, how helpless we were and how incredible it is that Jesus would rescue us. (The reality of Romans 5:8 BLOWS ME AWAY!)

#4 – Intentional- No one accidentally follows Christ…if we are going to worship Him, it will be done purposefully!

#5 – Relational – Worship impacts every relationship we have, it is impossible to be a fully devoted worshipper of Christ and be a jerk to your wife or try as often as possible to take advantage of the opposite sex.

#6 – Financial – Until following Christ has impacted our finances in a sacrificial way we are not followers of Christ. Would you like to see the primary object of your worship…look at your checkbook!

#7 – Unconditional – (and NOT situational!) Worship is consistent, 24/7, not just when I feel good or God is giving me all that I want. If we worship only when things are good, we do not worship God…we worship a genie!

Bible Reading Plans

As the church finished "Radical" by David Platt in November, one of the challenges was to read the Bible through in a year. Here are four plans you might use to read the Bible through.

Here is the page off our church's web site where you can find the following four documents:

KINGDOM-Bible-Reading-Plan- (every day you read from the Law, the Prophets, the Writings and the New Testament)

Chronological Bible Reading Plan – reading chronologically

Read the Bible for Life – same as above but is sightly different format

Two-Year-Bible-Reading-Plan of reading the Bible Through

Also, you may wish to use Operation World as a tool to pray through the world. Go to www.operationworld.org.

Alabama-Auburn Thoughts November 25, 2011

Seems every year I write before the Alabama-Auburn football game. This may be my last time to do so. I am 51 years old and I am becoming less and less enthused by college football at Alabama and Auburn. I have never been the biggest football fan (love basketball much more), but I am becoming less and less of whatever level of a "fan" I was.

And to be hones as I look back over the years, I may have only "liked" the game out of dislike for the other team more than a love for the other team. I mean, I was raised in the state of Alabama and that is what every boy and girl has to do. I found myself enjoying Alabama-Auburn football more when I lived in Louisiana (where I came to like LSU).

Let me give you a few reasons why I am becoming less a "fan":

1. This is no longer a sport - it is a rivalry and bragging rights more than a game.

If it was a sport first, then I might it enjoy it better. But in this state, this game and the two college football teams are more than a sport -

2. Anything that can take my joy or cause my grief as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ needs my careful attention. Enough said for believers and un-believers wouldn't understand.

3. The college football game is so corrupt. Oh, come on - you think I'm wrong. Let me just name...Cam Newton, Gene Jelks, Logan Young, Bobby Lowder. And anyone who does not believe that players are being paid and extra benefits are given are simply naive - yes, at YOUR university.

4. College football is now about money, first and foremost. If not, then why on earth is Texas A&M and Missouri coming into the SEC? And the B.C.S. - .... And for coaches in a public, educational institution being paid what they are and they still want to talk about a "student-athlete" - give me a break.

And I made the statement from our pulpit in 2011 that the best thing that could happen to the state of Alabama spiritually (see #5 below) would be for Alabama and Auburn to go into the game tomorrow 0-11. One person said that the success of their football team added millions and millions of dollars to this state, thus it would be bad on the economy for that to happen. My point made....

5. Alabama-Auburn is becoming very close to idolatry in this state. The last two years of national championships and Heisman winners have accelerated this process. It has always been seen as a religion, god and church. Now it is worse than ever. Many believers identify with one of the two schools more than they do with Jesus.

Conclusion: here is a thought - why don't Alabama and Auburn (and most of college football as far as that goes) go professional and withdraw from their school's campuses. They don't have to be the NFL - just a junior league. Then they can pay the players, pay the million of dollars to their coaches, stop the hypocrisy of a "student-athlete" and be what they are .... something else than a college sport. In fact, most of the "fans" of Alabama and Auburn football never attended that school as a student. Perfect for a "professional" status.

Sermon Notes from Sunday, November 20, 2011

Here are the sermon notes from Sunday's message "God is Not Finished with Israel" from Romans 11:1-10. Click here.

Four Reasons to Passionately Pursue God by John Piper

Pastor John Piper in 1984:

Why do I insist that you must go hard after God, or, which is the same thing, why must we go hard after Christ? Here are four reasons:

1. In Order to Know Him

First, we must go hard after Christ in order to know him. Philippians 3:7–8: "Whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." Paul went hard after Christ, forsaking all the things people normally boast about; and he did it in order to know him.

Why? Because knowing Christ is a value that surpasses everything else. The evidence of conversion is whether you become a Christian Hedonist. Christian Hedonists always go hard after the highest value. They sell everything joyfully for the buried treasure and pearl of great price (Matthew 13:44–45). We must go hard after Christ, because not to means that we don't want to know him. And not to want to know Christ is an insult to his value and a sign of spiritual stupor or deadness in us. But when you go hard after Christ, to know him, the reward is your joy and his honor.

2. To Confirm Our Justification

Second, we must go hard after Christ to confirm our justification. Justification refers to the wonderful act of God in which he forgives all our sins and imputes to us his own righteousness through our faith in Christ. Philippians 3:8–9, "For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish in order that I may gain Christ, and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith."

Philippians 3:9 is clear: the righteousness Paul pursues is based on faith. But he is pursuing it! As a Christian he counts all things as loss in order to have this righteousness. The faith which justifies is a faith which forsakes earthly values and pursues Christ. If justification depends on faith, and if forsaking the world as rubbish is necessary for having the benefits of justification, then it is plain: saving faith is not merely a one-time decision for Christ, but is an ongoing preference for Christ over all other values. The pursuit of Christ is the evidence of genuine faith in Christ as our treasure. Therefore, we must go hard after Christ in order to confirm our justification.

3. Because We Are So Imperfect

We must go hard after Christ because we are so imperfect. Philippians 3:12, "Not that I have already obtained or am already perfect; but I press on to make it my own." We must go hard after Christ because we are so deficient. A failing student should pursue a special tutor. Nearsighted people should pursue an optometrist. People with strep throat should take antibiotics. Alcoholics should pursue a support group. Young apprentices should follow their master at his work.

Not to go hard after Christ means that either you don't trust his power and willingness to change your imperfections, or that you want to cling to your imperfections. In either case, Christ is scorned and we are lost.

4. Because He Has Made Us His Own

The final reason why we must go hard after Christ is that he has gone hard after us and, indeed, has by faith made us his own. Philippians 3:12 again: "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own." This sentence explodes the false logic which says that if Christ has found us, we need no more seek him. If he has laid hold of us, we need not press on to lay hold of him.

Paul reasons exactly opposite to this: I press on in order to gain Christ, because Christ has already gained me. Paul's conversion was not a cage to hold him back but a catapult into the pursuit of holiness. The irresistible grace of Christ overcoming Paul's rebellion and saving him from sin did not make Paul passive, it made him powerful!

Adapted from Going Hard After the Holy God.

Sermon Notes from Sunday, November 13, 2011

I continue preaching through Romans 9-10-11 this past Sunday, November 13 dealing with the question of why "Israel was Rejected." The text is Romans 10:16-21. Click here to get the notes.

Wednesday Night Notes from Galatians

I continue the teaching through Galatians on Wednesday nights. Here are the notes from Wednesday, November 9 "Limit of Freedom - Love" from Galatians 5:13-16.

Reaching the unchurched requires relationships

by Jon Walker as published from Saddleback on 11-9-11 here. (When you see things in italics and bold below, that was added by me for emphasis - David).

“When Jesus heard this, he said, ‘Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.’ Then he added, ‘Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: “I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.” For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.’” Matthew 9:12-13 (NLT)

A friend of mine once belonged to a cult, and he told me he never once felt fear when he told people about the things he believed. But, after becoming a Christian, he said he was filled with fear when he began sharing his faith.

It’s a powerful reminder that we do not struggle “against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12 NIV).

The enemy doesn’t want us to share our faith, and so he fights us with fear. But God does not give us his spirit to make us slaves again to fear; he fills us with his spirit to show us we are his children and that he is “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15-16).

Some interesting research by Sam Rainer of Rainer Research suggests that only five percent of the unchurched in America are likely to be highly resistant to the Gospel, antagonistic toward Christians, or belligerent in their conversations with and about Christians. At five percent, Sam says these “hardcore unchurched” account for about 8 million people, but he estimates the other 152 million who are unchurched are far more open to hearing the Gospel.

That being the case, we’re more likely to find people open to the Gospel than not, and the things we often fear will happen will only happen — if they happen — with a very small minority of those outside the Church.

When it comes to reaching those most resistant to the Gospel, Sam says we need to be prepared to defend our faith and to deal directly with misperceptions about Christianity. We also need to be sensitive to their hurt and anger.

Most of all — and this is true with anyone we want to talk to about Jesus — we have to develop relationships with those outside the Church. When the religious leaders expressed a concern that Jesus was making friends with the unchurched, Jesus said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. . . . For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners” (Matthew 9:12b, 13b NLT).

During your prayer time today:

• Ask God to reveal to you two people he wants you to talk to about Jesus.

• Ask him to prepare their hearts for hearing the Gospel.

• Also, ask him to prepare your heart for talking to them.

Then, in faith, step past your fears and believe Jesus is already at work creating a “divine appointment” for you to talk to them. Now, watch for the way he answers your prayer.

May God anoint you this week as you share your faith.

Jon Walker’s new book, In Visible Fellowship: A Contemporary View of Bonhoeffer's Classic Work “Life Together,” is an explanation of why every believer needs to be involved in a small group and why small groups put flesh on the Body of Christ.

Jon Walker is managing editor of Rick Warren’s Daily Hope Devotionals. © 2011 Jon Walker. Used by permission.

Sermon Notes from Sunday, November 5, 2011

Here are the sermon notes from yesterday's message "The Call" from Romans 10:11-15. Click here.

Sermon Notes from Sunday, October 23 and 30, 2011

Here are the sermon notes from the past two Sundays:

October 23, 2011 "Paul's Desire Expressed and Explained" Romans 10:1-4

October 30, 2011 "Simply Faith" Romans 10:4-10

Wednesday night (10-19-11) notes from Galatians 4

I continue the teaching through Galatians on Wednesday nights. Here are the notes from last night "Paul, the Pastor" from Galatians 4:12-20.

My Lord, I did not choose You

This past Sunday, as we finished Romans 9, Bro. Adam Casey led our church in this great hymn. Read through the words:

1. My Lord, I did not choose You,

For that could never be;
My heart would still refuse You,
Had You not chosen me.
You took the sin that stained me,
You cleansed me, made me new;
Of old You have ordained me,
That I should live in You.

2. Unless Your grace had called me
And taught my op'ning mind,
The world would have enthralled me,
To heav'nly glories blind.
My heart knows none above You;
For Your rich grace I thirst.
I know that if I love You,
You must have loved me first.

Sermon Notes from Sunday, October 16, 2011

Here are the sermon notes from yesterday, October 16, 2011 "God is Glorified" from Romans 9:23-33. Click here.

Wednesday night (10-12-11) notes from Galatians 4

I continue the teaching through Galatians on Wednesday nights. Here are the notes from last night "Sons of God" from Galatians 4:1-11.

Some quotes of interest:

‎"I've always believed that the local church is the hope of the world." Bill Hybels. Organizational, I believe that, too. So, pastors be encouraged today. God has placed you over the greatest organization in the world.

Mormans are not Christians

The question of Mormons have been raised in the last few days concerning two Republican candidates who are clearly of the Mormon faith. The question is concerning whether Mormons are Christians. The answer is NO - NO - NO.

Now whether you vote for one of these is your own business, but you need to know that what was said by Dr. Robert Jeffress, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dallas, TX is right - Mormons are a cult. I'm not here endorsing Governor Perry (as the Dr. Jeffress was), all I am saying is that Jeffress was right in his stance.

Dr. Albert Mohler, President, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, wrote a very good article today and you may read it be clicking here. I would encourage you to read it all.

For more about Mormons, click here and scroll down the page.

Youcef Nadarkhani's Letter to His Church by Trevin Wax

by Trevin Wax

A letter from Iranian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani who currently faces the death sentence for apostasy. Please continue to pray.

(This message has been translated from Farsi to English.)

Dear brothers and sisters, Salam

In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I am continuously seeking grace and mercy to you, that you remember me and those who are bearing efforts for his name in your prayers. Your loyalty to God is the cause of my strength and encouragement.

For I know well that you will be rewarded; as it’s stated: blessed is the one who has faith, for what has been said to him by God, will be carried out. As we believe, heaven and earth will fade but his word will still remain.

Dear beloved ones, I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of a few verses, although you might know them, So that in everything, you give more effort than the past, both to prove your election, and for the sake of Gospel that is to be preached to the entire world as well.

I know that not all of us are granted to keep this word, but to those who are granted this power and this revelation, I announce the same as Jude, earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints.

We are passing by special and sensitive days.They are days that for an alert and awake believer can be days of spiritual growth and progress. Because for him, more than any other time there is the possibility to compare his faith with the word of God, have God’s promises in mind, and survey his faith.

Therefore he (the true believer) does not need to wonder for the fiery trial that has been set on for him as though it were something unusual, but it pleases him to participate in Christ’s suffering. Because the believer knows he will rejoice in his glory.

Dears, the “ judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?”

Therefore those who are enduring burdens by the will of God, commit their souls to the faithful Creator. Promises that he has given us, are unique and precious. As we’ve heard he has said: “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you”

How can it be possible for a believer to understand these words?

Not only when he is focusing on Jesus Christ with adapting his life according to the life Jesus lived when he was on earth? As it is said ” O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.”

Have we not read and heard: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Many attempt to flee from their spiritual tests, and they have to face those same tests in a more difficult manner, because no one will be victorious by escaping from them, but with patience and humility he will be able to overcome all the tests, and gain victory.

Therefore in the place of Christ’s followers, we must not feel desperate, but we have to pray to God in supplication with more passion to help us with any assistance we may need.

According to what Paul has said: In every temptation, God himself will make a way for us to tolerate it.

O beloved ones, difficulties do not weaken mankind, but they reveal the true human nature.

It will be good for us to occasionally face persecutions and abnormalities, since these abnormalities will persuade us to search our hearts, and to survey ourselves. So as a result, we conclude that troubles are difficult, but usually good and useful to build us.

Dear brothers and sisters, we must be more careful than any other time. Because in these days, the hearts and thoughts of many are revealed, so that the faith is tested. May your treasure be where there is no moth and rust.

I would like to remind you of some verses that we nearly discuss everyday, (Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.) but as long as our human will has priority over God’s will, his will will not be done.

As we have learned from him in Gethsemane, he surrendered his will to the father, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

What we are bearing today, is a difficult but not unbearable situation, because neither he has tested us more than our faith and our endurance, nor does he do as such. And as we have known from before, we must beware not to fail, but to advance in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, And consider these bumps and prisons as opportunities to testify to his name. He said: If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

As a small servant, necessarily in prison to carry out what I must do, I say with faith in the word of God that he will come soon.”However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

Discipline yourself with faith in the word of God. Retain your souls with patience. For there is no man that doeth anything in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly.

May you are granted grace and blessings increasingly in the name of Lord Jesus Christ.

Yusef Nadarkhani
Lakan Prison in Rasht
2/June/2010

(HT)

The Cumulative Effect

by Dave Kraft

Over the years I’ve attended many weekend conferences and one-day seminars. I consider myself blessed if I come away with a single idea that significantly impacts me and seems to be the kind of idea that can also be of help and encouragement to lots of other people.

A number of years ago I attended a conference on the east coast. I don’t remember the city, the nature of the conference, or any of the speakers’ names. I am sure I received lots of good information, but can’t remember any of it, except for one idea.

The cumulative effect of small things over an extended period of time…

I can’t give credit where credit is due, as I don’t remember who said it. I even Googled it, but that didn’t reveal the source.

This is one of those life principles that is true in any context, for any person, at any time. It works in all areas of life.

1. Financial - If a person saved just a little bit each month, but did so for a long period of time, having sufficient funds for retirement would not be the issue it is for many people. On the other hand, those who spend just a little more than they make and do it for a long time are amazed at how fast the debt accumulates.

2. Exercise - It is better to exercise 3 times a week for 30 minutes over a long period of time, than to leap into action with a guilty conscience every once in a while.

3. Reading - Most people are hard pressed to find large amounts of time to read, but sincerely want to read. If you are one of those people, try reading consistently for 10-15 minutes every day over a long period of time and you will experience the joy of reading 20-25 books a year. This has been totally doable for me for 25 years.

4. Relationships - It is better to invest consistent but shorter times with those you love week after week after week than a larger block of time once or twice a year.

5. Eating - Eat a little less than you normally do and, if you are consistent over an extended period of time, you will lose weight. Eat just a bit more than your body really needs and do it consistently and you will gain weigh; it sort of sneaks up on you.

6. Intimacy with Jesus- It works as you deepen your intimate walk with Jesus as well. Spending time alone in his presence. Praying, scripture, confessing and repenting works better if you are consistent as opposed to once in a while. He wants to hear from you daily not when you think you can get around to it

The bottom line is that many of us can’t seem to stay consistent with anything over the long haul, which is why our finances, exercise, reading, relationships and weight take a hit. Charles Swindoll said, “The problem with life is that it is so daily;” Funny but true. We live life daily--not monthly, quarterly or yearly.

Look at the six areas listed above (and maybe add some of your own) and determine what you can do empowered by Him and to honor Him as you experience the cumulative effect of small things over an extended period of time. Try it and you may like it, “Sam I am!”



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Revival Theme from Nancy Leigh DeMoss

For those who follow this blog regularly and for several years know of my love and deep respect for the ministry of Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I daily receive her emails of the transcripts of her radio broadcast "Revive Our Hearts."

This week I was excited to see another favorite speaker, Richard Owen Roberts. I have written of him before on this blog.

He was the guest for three days sharing about how he was called to preach at twelve, his definition of revival and the main manifestation of a real revival.

The transcripts are too long to include here, but I am including the links to each day for you to read. Beside each link is a brief description of some of the topics of that day.

May revival come in our hearts and churches.

The Beauty of Holiness - his definition of revival, his call to ministry at the age of twelve, and the number one way of knowing what is revival is

Reversing the Decline - he shows why revival is possible in our day, further discussion about early influences on his life at the age of twelve, and encouraging parents to realize their nine-ten-eleven year olds have great ability to know God.

More Than Praying a Sinner's Prayer - tells the story of converted church members and how to know you are truly converted.

Sermon Notes from Sunday, September 25, 2011

Here are the sermon notes from yesterday, September 25, 2011 "Talking Back to God" from Romans 9:14-24. Click here.

Wednesday night (9-21-11) notes from Galatians 2:11-21

I continue the teaching through Galatians on Wednesday nights. Here are the notes from last night "Standing Up for the Gospel" from Galatians 2: 11-21.

Sermon Notes from Sunday, September 18, 2011

Here are the sermon notes from today, September 18, 2011 "God is God" from Romans 9:6-14. Click here.

Two sets of sermon notes from Sept. 7 and Sept. 11

This blog post is catching me up on two sets of sermon notes.

First, from Wednesday night, September 7 from Galatians 2: 1-10. Click here.

Second, I started again preaching through the book of Romans. I have been taking sections of Romans for the past five years and now I am starting chapters 9-11. (Click here to see some past sermons.) This past Sunday (9-11-11) I preached "God's Passion for Israel" from Romans 9: 1-5. click here to see the notes.

Sermon Excerpts from 9-11 Memorials

From Tim Keller’s 9-11 Memorial Sermon:

One of the great themes of the Hebrew Scriptures is that God identifies with the suffering. There are all these great texts that say things like this: If you oppress the poor, you oppress to me. I am a husband to the widow. I am father to the fatherless. I think the texts are saying God binds up his heart so closely with suffering people that he interprets any move against them as a move against him. This is powerful stuff!

But Christianity says he goes even beyond that. Christians believe that in Jesus, God’s son, divinity became vulnerable to and involved in – suffering and death! He didn’t come as a general or emperor. He came as a carpenter. He was born in a manger, no room in the inn.

But it is on the Cross that we see the ultimate wonder. On the cross we sufferers finally see, to our shock that God now knows too what it is to lose a loved one in an unjust attack. And so you see what this means? John Stott puts it this way: “I could never myself believe in God if it were not for the Cross. In the real world of pain, how could one worship a God who was immune to it?”

Do you see what this means? Yes, we don’t know the reason God allows evil and suffering to continue, but we know what the reason isn’t, what it can’t be. It can’t be that he doesn’t love us! It can’t be that he doesn’t care. God so loved us and hates suffering that he was willing to come down and get involved in it. And therefore the Cross is an incredibly empowering hint. Ok, it’s only a hint, but if you grasp it, it can transform you. It can give you strength.

From John Piper’s 9/11 Sermon:

The way I want to strengthen your hope this morning is not by glossing over how utterly vulnerable we are in our earthly existence, or by deflecting your attention away from the Biblical truth that God’s judgments fall on believer and unbeliever alike – purifying in some cases and punishing in other cases, depending on whether we repent and make Christ our Treasure instead of the idols of this world. I want to stare those realities of vulnerability and judgment square in the face with you and give you real, solid, Biblical hope. Not just hopeful feelings based on naive notions of earthly stability or escape from painful, purifying, disciplinary judgments.

So then, what is this hope and what is the basis for it? I’ll give you my answer, and then show you where I got it from the Word of God.

· Our hope is that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ, not suffering and not even death.

And the two foundations for this hope are the death of Jesus and the sovereignty of God.

· Our Savior and King, Jesus Christ, died and rose again to bear our sins, become our curse, endure our condemnation, remove our guilt, and secure our everlasting joy in the presence of the all-satisfying God.

· And the sovereignty of God over all persons and events guarantees that what Jesus Christ bought for us by his own blood will infallibly become our inheritance.

9/11 Prayer by Max Lucado

As we remember 9/11, below is an actual prayer that Max Lucado wrote for America Prays, a national prayer vigil held Sat., Sept. 14, 2001:

"Dear Lord, We're still hoping we'll wake up. We're still hoping we'll open a sleepy eye and think, 'What a horrible dream.'

"But we won't, will we, Father? What we saw was not a dream. Planes did gouge towers. Flames did consume our fortress. People did perish. It was no dream; and, dear Father, we are sad.

"There is a ballet dancer who will no longer dance and a doctor who will no longer heal. A church has lost its priest, a classroom is minus a teacher. Cora ran a food pantry. Paige was a counselor; and Dana, dearest Father, Dana was only 3 years old. (Who held her in those final moments?)

"We are sad, Father. For as the innocent are buried; our innocence is buried, as well. We thought we were safe. Perhaps we should have known better, but we didn't.

"So we come to You. We don't ask You for help; we beg You for it. We don't request it; we implore it. We know what You can do. We've read the accounts. We've pondered the stories; and now we plead, 'Do it again, Lord. Do it again.'

"Remember Joseph? You rescued him from the pit. You can do the same for us. Do it again, Lord. Remember the Hebrews in Egypt? You protected their children from the angel of death. We have children, too, Lord. Do it again.

"And Sarah? Remember her prayers? You heard them. Joshua? Remember his fears? You inspired him. The women at the tomb? You resurrected their hope. The doubts of Thomas? You took them away. Do it again, Lord. Do it again.

"You changed Daniel from a captive into a king's counselor. You took Peter the fisherman and made him Peter an apostle. Because of you, David went from leading sheep to leading armies. Do it again, Lord, for we need counselors today, Lord. We need apostles. We need leaders. Do it again, dear Lord.

"Most of all, do again what you did at Calvary. What we saw here on that Tuesday, You saw there on that Friday. Innocence slaughtered. Goodness murdered. Mothers weeping. Evil dancing. Just as the ash fell on our children, the darkness fell on your Son. Just as our towers were shattered, the very Tower of Eternity was pierced. By dusk, heaven's sweetest song was silent, buried behind a rock.

"But You did not waver, O Lord. You did not waver. After three days in a dark hole, You rolled the rock and rumbled the earth and turned the darkest Friday into the brightest Sunday. Do it again, Lord. Grant us a September Easter.

"We thank You, dear Father, for these hours of unity. Disaster has done what discussion could not. Doctrinal fences have fallen. Republicans are standing with Democrats. Skin colors have been covered by the ash of burning buildings. We thank You for these hours of unity.

"We thank You for these hours of prayer. The enemy sought to bring us to our knees and succeeded. He had no idea, however, that we would kneel before You; and he has no idea what You can do.

"Let Your mercy be upon our president, vice president, and their families. Grant to those who lead us wisdom beyond their years and experience. Have mercy upon the souls who have departed and the wounded who remain. Give us grace that we might forgive and faith that we might believe.

"And look kindly upon your church. For 2,000 years You've used it to heal a hurting world. Do it again, Lord. Do it again.

"Through Christ, Amen."