The Start of the Great Commission…Nov. 2nd

If you ask a believer where to find ‘the Great Commission’ they would point you to Matthew chapter 28. But in all actuality the words great commission aren’t found in this passage or any other scripture for that matter. So why do we refer to some of Christ’s last words as a commission, and a great one at that? Or maybe we should be asking what is a commission and why is this one great?

The words of Christ found in Matthew 28:18-20 are as follow: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age.” The commission from Christ is to GO. The reason this commission is great is because of the mission…making (baptizing) disciples and teaching them about Christ. Sunday morning we’ll look and see how we can be an active part, perhaps even start ‘the Great Commission.’

“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15

Sunday morning, November 2, 2014

You’ll notice the following songs come from the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“Praise Him! Praise Him!” – 300

Opening our time together we’ll give our praise to God! Fulfilling the commission includes teaching, and in teaching we know we come to praise Him…ever in joyful song!

“Come Share the Lord” – 364

This contemporary song is a reminder of why we come together. “We gather here in Jesus name. His love is burning in our hearts like living flame. The One we love the most, is now our gracious host, come take the bread, come drink the wine (the fruit of the vine), come share the Lord…” Are you sharing your love for God? Will you tell others of His saving grace?

“Let the Lower Lights Be Burning” – 642

This older hymn is a strong example of evangelism. Looking toward the sea (of life), we see thousands adrift, and most don’t even realize their lost state. The Lighthouse (Jesus Christ) shines brightly calling for those who are seeking a refuge. We stand at the foot of the Lighthouse as the ‘lower lights’ direct and guide the weary traveler past the ‘treacherous shoal’ toward the light. Perhaps you need to check your light and see how brightly it’s shining. Remember, this is part of the Great Commission, directing those who are seeking.

“Send the Light” – 650

There is calling for all Christians every where to shine their light…albeit their lower light. As we strive to fulfill the commission Christ gave us more than 2000 years ago we have to ask ourselves if we’re really sending the light or if we’re holding it close. If you’re tired and would just as soon someone else do the work, then maybe you should sing the last verse of this song…“Let us not grow weary in the work of love…let us gather jewels for a crown above…”

“Far and Near” – 784

Our invitation song is one we don’t sing often, but one that explains more clearly the great commission. It finds root in Christ’s words to His disciples in Luke 10, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of harvest to send out laborers in His harvest. So we sing, “Lord of harvest send forth reapers, hear us Lord to Thee we cry. Send them now the sheaves to gather ‘ere the harvest time pass by.”

“The Gospel is for All” – no book

This is one of my favorites as we proclaim the fact that ALL can come to Christ. The blessed gospel is for all! We’ll sing this as we set aside time to give toward the Great Commission Sunday. Our mission work will be our focus this morning!

“Into Our Hands” – no book

Life is passing by quickly. Just take a look in the mirror see how many gray hairs are adorning your crown as opposed to 10 years ago. Or look at the pictures of your children you have hanging on the wall…from 20 years ago. “Swiftly we’re turning life’s daily pages…how are we using God’s golden moments, shall we reap glory…shall we reap tears?” We’ll sing this question, and we know what the answer should be, therefore we sing, “…into our hands the gospel is given, into our hands is given the light.” Fulfilling the great commission means we’re willing and ready to take the message from our hands to the hearts of those who are dying. Get ready and prepare yourself to start the great commission.

1, June 19, 20141, June 19, 2014

The Adopted…June 22nd

During the early 70’s, my mom and dad served the West Texas region as ‘foster parents’ for children who were waiting adoption. In some situations we received new born babies so early, we were given the responsibility of giving them their name. A huge obligation, but though we ‘fostered’ these young children for months, we never took the step to adopt them.

Perhaps it was because my folks were already feeding 4 boys, and they weren’t sure about feeding five? But the adoption process is more than just signing some papers and putting food on the table. The responsibilities and obligations of adopting a child includes offering security, ensuring stability and providing an inheritance in the family’s estate. As a ‘child of God,’ we go through an adoption process to be in God’s family. Christians understand there is security and stability in Christ, but more importantly the adoption process ensures that we are heirs in our Father’s kingdom. Ask yourself, have I been adopted? Join us Sunday morning as we consider adoption and…”The Adopted.”

“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15

Sunday morning, June 22, 2014

The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“Praise Him! Praise Him!” – 300

What a beautiful call to worship as we join our voices in praise to our Father; “Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus our blessed Redeemer…” If the truth be known we’re actually sing as edification to one another at the same time we’re singing praise to our God. Are you praising Him today? On Sunday morning will you lift your voice and ‘tell of His excellent greatness?’

“May I Call You Father” – 769

This song fits perfectly with the message of today’s lesson; as adopted children into the family of God we come before Him seeking to call Him our Father. But notice the words we sing; “…I’ve hurt You, Jesus, I’ve hurt You with my sin.” So the question is sincere, with the pain I have caused I humbly ask, can I call God my Father? Within the adoption process the answer is clear…YES!

“Come Share the Lord” – 364

Another great support to this lesson as we sing to remember the Lord’s death, burial and resurrection. “We are now a family of which the Lord is head. Though unseen He meets us here in the breaking of the bread.” Though the blood of Jesus, and because of God’s redeeming grace, we are a family. Come share the Lord and recognize the Father of our heavenly family.

“The Love of God” – 133

Written almost 100 years ago, this spiritual song shares a great message of God’s love. Singing we try to put into perspective the vastness of His love. “Could we with ink the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made; Were every stalk on earth a quill and every man a scribe by trade; To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry, nor could the scroll contain the whole though stretched from sky to sky…” Now consider the words of John; “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.” John 21:25

“Redeemed” – 514

How many of us love to proclaim our salvation? Do we show just how happy we are in Jesus? Some would rather not repeat a phrase over and over again while singing, but perhaps this time it’s justified. “Redeemed, redeemed, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Redeemed, redeemed, redeemed, redeemed…His child (through adoption) and forever I am!” Don’t be afraid to proclaim your membership in the family of God.

“Jesus Paid It All” – 922

How much would an adopted child owe for his membership into someone’s family? On the contrary, the adopting parents must ‘pay the price’ for their child. The child isn’t free and yet that little one isn’t charged membership into the family. The same is true in God’s Family; Jesus paid the cost for our adoption process. Who do you owe to be able to ‘stand before the throne of God?’ Jesus paid it ALL…all to Him I owe!

“God’s Family” – 744

In a family there are times when we laugh together, and there are times when we cry together (either out of frustration or sadness). The same is said for the family of God! We sing this song realizing we are adopted into God’s family when we are baptized into His death. Accept His salvation (the adoption) and be part of the family…‘that’s been born again.’

1, February 9, 20131, February 18, 2013

Face Time…Feb 10th

Sunday, February 10th at Waterview church of Christ, our sermon title is “Face Time”.

In today’s terminology, when you hear the term ‘face time’, you most likely think about talking on the phone or computer and seeing the face of the one you’ve called. But Sunday morning at Waterview, as we listen to Robert’s sermon, the meaning will be a bit different. Join us as we consider “Face Time”. The following ‘order of worship’ will serve as our song service for Sunday morning, February 10th. As always, let me encourage you to think about the songs you sing in praise to God.

Remember I Corinthians…”I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.”

Sunday morning, February 10, 2013

You’ll notice the following songs come from the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“O Worship the King” and “All Things Praise Thee” – 144 & 43

As we sing this medley let’s consider the message. We sing to bring glory to God as we worship the King. Notice the last line in our first song in conjunction with the first line of the next song; “…pavilion in splendor and girded with praise.” “All things praise Thee, Lord most high…” Though we see the connection with the words (and the key), what does it mean ‘pavilion in splendor’; how can something be ‘girded with praise’? The fact is, our God is our shield and defender. He is the ancient of days and He is our pavilion in splendor (which mean’s He is ‘covered with splendor’) and He is girded (surrounded) with praise!

“We’ll Work Till Jesus Comes” – 634

An old spiritual song that admonishes the singer to keep working. Have you ever sighed for something? We sing, “O land of rest…for thee I sigh, when will the moment come when I shall lay my armor by and dwell in peace at home?” You know, I think I can understand what Elizabeth Mills must have been thinking we she wrote this song; our life is full of work (at least it should be) and after a long day’s work our thoughts go to resting…”when will the moment come?”

“Come, Share the Lord” – 364

A contemporary song by Bryan Leech encourages us to come together as we remember the Lord’s Supper. Perhaps we should keep in mind the third verse as we draw this song to a close and sing, “…now we anticipate the feast for which we wait. Come take the bread, come drink the wine (drink from the cup) come share the Lord.”

“Gentle Shepherd” – 845

“Gentle Shepherd, come and lead us, for we need you to help us find our way…” As sheep we are often lost and in need of direction, protection and guidance from our Shepherd. The good news, our Shepherd not only guides us and leads us, He is also gentle. This beautiful hymn (because it is sung to HIM) reminds us that we are a blessed people…

“Face to Face” – no book

A song that speaks toward the end of life as we anticipate coming face to face with our God. As we pass the collection plate on Sunday morning we’ll sing this song. Let’s think about our life when we see Him “…by and by.” HINT: This is a good lead in for our lesson…

“I Am Resolved” – 948

This familiar hymn serves as our song before the lesson. Listen to what you say in the chorus, “I will hasten to Him, hasten so glad and free. Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to Thee.” How about singing it this way… “I will hurry to Him…” Are we eager to see Jesus, eager enough to hurry?

“Only a Step” – 940

As we sing this song of encouragement on Sunday, take a look at the message found in the second verse, “Casting your heavy burden down, come to the cross, the world may frown: Yet you shall wear a glorious crown, when He makes up His own.” How often do we hold on to the things that hinder us and keep us back? We could better our health, but poor eating habits hold us back. We could grow in our education, but laziness has a tendency to hold us back. We struggle with our spiritual walk, but our sins hold us back. Today’s a good day to cast your heavy burden down and come to the cross. It’s only a step…

“Faithful Love” – no book

Faithful Love came to earth to show the Father’s love. And I never be the same…do you know why? Because I have seen Faithful Love (Jesus) all around me. Can you see the majesty, the love of Jesus in this world? Have you read the Word of God? Jesus came to this earth, lived as a man, died on the cross and reconciles us to God. When we are looking for Faithful Love, we need to look no further than our Bibles…then we’ll see Him face to face!