To God's Beloved At Cloverdale Baptist Church:
It is good to be home...although we thought we left the SNOW and COLD behind in Winnipeg! Thank you for all who were praying for us, we had a wonderful time there with Lori's families and were blessed and a blessing!
It is good to have heroes, and Piper says our heroes should be dead (so they don't mess up), and although I don't agree with him fully, one of my heroes died on January 31, 1892. He was a man who came to know Jesus through a small service in a storm, and from there went on to become Englands greatest preacher. I have on the wall in my office an original page of a marked up manuscript of one of Spurgeon's sermons to remind me to seek to point people to Jesus every time I preach. By the time Spurgeon was in his prime, his sermons were being published and sent around the world to be read by people who used them to grow in their faith. You can still get these precious sermons, and I used to read one a day just to get my heart warmed to the greatness of Jesus. He said, "Preach Christ, and Christ, and Christ, and nothing but Christ". He is well worth learning from, celebrating, and following. Who are your heroes? Do they help you follow Jesus and display His beauty now? For me, Spurgeon is near my top!
I was challenged last week while I listened to a podcast on leadership to make sure I have and follow a set of core values. For me, this is helpful, and one of my precious values is GRACE, both received, and given. This week, as you are around other people, take the time to bless them and offer them grace and love. Pray for one another, and remember that your prayers, your love, your blessing could make a life and death difference in the life of the person God has allowed to cross your path, or your mind. Choose to overflow your experience from Him, so others see that in you!
We are starting our Romans Series this Sunday. Please make sure you have picked up a book in the foyer to follow along, and take notes...even more, interact with the questions on the paper, and with other people. Many of our growth groups are doing the sermon based discussion questions to seek to apply God's Word to every day life, and grow deeper, but if you are not in a Growth Group, or they are not using this tool, make sure to talk to people around you so that you can join us as an entire family in discussing these great Biblical truths. Come Sunday's, take notes, grow, and share that growth with others so that we together become more conformed to the image of Jesus, and more successful on mission for Him.
On Sunday I preached on Psalm 138:2, and was reminded again of the importance of us as God's people valuing God's Word! He has exalted above all things, His Name (who He has revealed Himself to be) and His Word (His revelation). For us a reminder that we must evaluate all we believe by God's Word. He wants us to know Him, and the only authoritative way to grow in this is through the intake of His Word. Memorize, meditate, receive messages, read, read, read! It must become the lens by which all of life is seen and the filter by which all of life is brought through. LET THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELL IN YOU RICHLY!
Sunday Is Coming:
I love the book of Romans, and my favourite chapter in Romans (and the entire Bible) is Romans 8. Sunday we begin our journey through this great chapter. The 31 day challenge of devotionals from the book is also through this great chapter and if you want to read with the community at Cloverdale, start on Monday.
Text: Romans 8:1-4
Title: Experience Freedom
- Why is it important to read this text in context?
- What does it mean to be condemned?
- Why is it helpful to grasp our condemnation if we don't believe in Christ?
- How can we experience this freedom?
- What are some things you can do in your life to remind yourself of your salvation (preach the Gospel to yourself every day)?
Looking forward to a great Sunday, if you happen to have a pen that I have made, there is a good chance that under the wood, in the heart of the pen, there written, ROMANS 8:1, I hope that each person who prepares their heart and then hears from God's Word on Sunday would have that written on their hearts,
Rejoicing in our return, as we look forward to His,
Pastor Rob