East Frankfort Baptist Church Pastor's Blog: February 2017

Monday, February 27, 2017

February 26, 2017 | Mark 6:7-13: When Disciples Become Ambassadors

Here is the sermon from Sunday morning taken from Mark 6:7-13.

⁷And He *summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits; ⁸and He instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a mere staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belt— ⁹but to wear sandals; and He added, “Do not put on two tunics.” ¹⁰And He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave town. ¹¹Any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off the soles of your feet for a testimony against them.” ¹²They went out and preached that men should repent. ¹³And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them.

Audio
Notes

For more:
January 10, 2016 | Mark 1:1-15: Jesus is the Gospel, Stupid
January 17, 2016 | Mark 1:16-20: The Correlation Between Repentance and Obedience, or, If Jesus Jumped Off a Bridge Would You Follow?
January 17, 2016 | Malachi 3:13-4:6: Is it Vanity to Worship God?
January 24, 2016 | Mark 1:21-28 - This Means War!
January 31, 2016 | Mark 1:29-45: Rusted and Weathered
February 7, 2016 | Mark 2:1-12
February 14, 2016 | Mark 2:13-17: God Helps Those Who Cannot Help Themselves
February 21, 2016 | Mark 2:18-22
February 28, 2016 | Mark 2:23-28
March 6, 2016 | Mark 3:1-6
March 13, 2016 | Mark 3:7-19 - How to Change the World
March 20, 2016 | Mark 3:20-35
January 1, 2017 | Mark 4:1-20: The Parable of the Soils, Part 1
January 1, 2017 | Mark 4:1-20: The Parable of the Soils, Part 2
January 15, 2-17 | Mark 4:21-25 - Hide It Under a Bushel?: The Beauty and Blessing of Taking the Gospel Seriously
January 15, 2017 | John 9
January 22, 2017 | Mark 4:26-34: The Kingdom of God is Coming. Wait For It Y'all
January 29, 2017 | Mark 4:35-41: We Have Nothing to Fear But God Himself
January 29, 2017 | Jonah: God Pursues
February 5 2017 | Mark 5:1-20: What Can Wash Away My Stains?
February 5, 2017 | On Spiritual Warfare, Part 1
February 12, 2017 | Mark 5:21-43
February 19, 2017 | Mark 6:1-6: The Nazarene School of Rejection
February 19, 2017 | On Spiritual Warfare, Part 2
February 26, 2017 | Mark 6:7-13: When Disciples Become Ambassadors

Friday, February 24, 2017

Recommended Books on Spiritual Warfare

Sunday evening we finished our brief series on spiritual warfare. You can access both sermons at the bottom of this post. In light of that, I want to pass along a number of helpful resources on the subject that will allow you to explore the subject in more detail.

Did the Devil Make Me Do It? by Mike McKinley

This short volume is part of the the "Questions Christians ask" book series published by The Good Book Company. Like the other books in this series, the author offers a simple and precise introduction to the subject at hand. This book is brief and helpfully summarizes the question of spiritual warfare. This volume is not long enough to answer every question you may have, but if you are new to the subject, I recommend you start here.

3 Crucial Questions about Spiritual Warfare by Clinton Arnold

The best book I have read on the subject of spiritual warfare is Clinton Arnold's work. It is part of the Three Crucial Questions series. Although its structure is centered around three questions: What is Spiritual Warfare?, Can a Christian Be Demon-Possessed?, Are We Called to Engage Territorial Spirits?, the book explores much more than this. Arnold offers a much more thorough exploration of spiritual warfare.

Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis

Lewis is one of my favorite writers of the 20th century. In this work, the late apologists imagines a series of letters from senior demon Uncle Screwtape to his apprentice nephew Wormwood on how to tempt his Christian subject. In my opinion, Screwtape Letters is one of those books that every Christian should read and reread throughout their lives.

Discipled Warriors: Growing Healthy Churches That Are Equipped for Spiritual Warfare by Chuck Lawless

I will admit up front that I have not sat down and read this book cover to cover. Not yet at least. But have interacted with Dr. Lawless personally (he taught at SBTS) and have followed much of his teachings on spiritual warfare. I suspect that he is one of the most influential voices on spiritual warfare among Baptists today. This is his primary work and was followed by the book Putting on the Armor: Equipped and Deployed for Spiritual Warfare.

For more:
February 5, 2017 | On Spiritual Warfare, Part 1
February 19, 2017 | On Spiritual Warfare, Part 2

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Worship Minimovie: Spiritual Warfare

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Worship Minimovie: Faith on a Wire

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

February 19, 2017 | On Spiritual Warfare, Part 2

Here is the sermon from Sunday evening concluding our study of spiritual warfare. Part one can be accessed here.

¹⁰Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. ¹¹Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. ¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. ¹⁴Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, ¹⁹and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Audio

For more:
January 10, 2016 | Mark 1:1-15: Jesus is the Gospel, Stupid
January 17, 2016 | Mark 1:16-20: The Correlation Between Repentance and Obedience, or, If Jesus Jumped Off a Bridge Would You Follow?
January 17, 2016 | Malachi 3:13-4:6: Is it Vanity to Worship God?
January 24, 2016 | Mark 1:21-28 - This Means War!
January 31, 2016 | Mark 1:29-45: Rusted and Weathered
February 7, 2016 | Mark 2:1-12
February 14, 2016 | Mark 2:13-17: God Helps Those Who Cannot Help Themselves
February 21, 2016 | Mark 2:18-22
February 28, 2016 | Mark 2:23-28
March 6, 2016 | Mark 3:1-6
March 13, 2016 | Mark 3:7-19 - How to Change the World
March 20, 2016 | Mark 3:20-35
January 1, 2017 | Mark 4:1-20: The Parable of the Soils, Part 1
January 1, 2017 | Mark 4:1-20: The Parable of the Soils, Part 2
January 15, 2-17 | Mark 4:21-25 - Hide It Under a Bushel?: The Beauty and Blessing of Taking the Gospel Seriously
January 15, 2017 | John 9
January 22, 2017 | Mark 4:26-34: The Kingdom of God is Coming. Wait For It Y'all
January 29, 2017 | Mark 4:35-41: We Have Nothing to Fear But God Himself
January 29, 2017 | Jonah: God Pursues
February 5 2017 | Mark 5:1-20: What Can Wash Away My Stains?
February 5, 2017 | On Spiritual Warfare, Part 1
February 12, 2017 | Mark 5:21-43
February 19, 2017 | Mark 6:1-6: The Nazarene School of Rejection
February 19, 2017 | On Spiritual Warfare, Part 2

Monday, February 20, 2017

February 19, 2017 | Mark 6:1-6: The Nazarene School of Rejection

Here is the sermon from Sunday morning taken from Mark 6:1-6.

Jesus went out from there and *came into His hometown; and His disciples *followed Him. ²When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue; and the many listeners were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things, and what is this wisdom given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands? ³Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?” And they took offense at Him. ⁴Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household.” ⁵And He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. ⁶And He wondered at their unbelief.
And He was going around the villages teaching.

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Worship Minimovie: Broken Together

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Recommend Reading on Marriage and Relationships

In case you didn't know, today is Valentine's Day (hint hint fellas). Since today is the national day of love, I want to recommend a number of helpful resources on marriage and romantic relationships. The following is not an exhaustive list but is a good start. The main thing is to continue to work on your marriage.

When Sinners Say "I Do": Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage by Dave Harvey

This is, without a doubt, one of the best books on marriage and relationships I have read in recent years. The premise of the book is identified in the title: marriage is the uniting of two sinners. What lies at the root of every problem every couple faces is sin. Both sides are guilty of sin. The key to a lasting, healthy, and vibrant marriage, then, is the gospel. Harvey walks us through this unlike any other marriage book does. I strongly recommend this work.

His Needs, Her Needs: Building an Affair-Proof Marriage by Willard Harley

The premise of this book is simple. Men and women are different. The author walks the reader through the five needs of both the husband and wife and how each spouse should serve the other. In principle, it is gospel. If my focus is on meeting the needs of my spouse rather than being consumed with my spouse meeting mine, then our marriage will thrive. This is the model set forth by Paul in Ephesians 5.

The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God by Timothy and Kathy Keller

Tim Keller is one of the best writers and thinkers of our day. Here he and his wife apply his wit and wisdom to marriage. Its worth investing in and includes a fuller treatment of what the Bible says about marriage.

Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs by Emerson Eggerichs

Again the premise is simple. Men and women are different. At our core, each have one basic need. women need love and men need respect. The writer walks the reader through how each gender understand those terms and what role they play in marriage and how we can serve the other the right way. This is not my favorite book, but it remains popular and helpful for many couples.

"Black, and White, and Red All Over: Why Racial Reconciliation is a Gospel Issue": A Sermon Preached by Russell Moore

Sunday even we addressed the issue of racial reconciliation. One of the most powerful sermons I have heard on the subject is Russell Moore's "Black, and White, and Red All Over: Why Racial Reconciliation is a Gospel Issue." I encourage everyone to listen/watch it below.

The above sermon was explored further in panel discussion.

Monday, February 13, 2017

February 12, 2017 | Mark 5:21-43

Here is the sermon from Sunday morning taken from Mark 5:21-43

²¹When Jesus had crossed over again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around Him; and so He stayed by the seashore. ²²One of the synagogue officials named Jairus *came up, and on seeing Him, *fell at His feet ²³and *implored Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death; please come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will get well and live.” ²⁴And He went off with him; and a large crowd was following Him and pressing in on Him.

²⁵A woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years, ²⁶and had endured much at the hands of many physicians, and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but rather had grown worse— ²⁷after hearing about Jesus, she came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak. ²⁸For she thought, “If I just touch His garments, I will get well.” ²⁹Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. ³⁰Immediately Jesus, perceiving in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My garments?” ³¹And His disciples said to Him, “You see the crowd pressing in on You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’” ³²And He looked around to see the woman who had done this. ³³But the woman fearing and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. ³⁴And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction.”

³⁵While He was still speaking, they *came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the Teacher anymore?” ³⁶But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, *said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.” ³⁷And He allowed no one to accompany Him, except Peter and James and John the brother of James. ³⁸They *came to the house of the synagogue official; and He *saw a commotion, and people loudly weeping and wailing. ³⁹And entering in, He *said to them, “Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is asleep.” ⁴⁰They began laughing at Him. But putting them all out, He *took along the child’s father and mother and His own companions, and *entered the room where the child was. ⁴¹Taking the child by the hand, He *said to her, “Talitha kum!” (which translated means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). ⁴²Immediately the girl got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were completely astounded. ⁴³And He gave them strict orders that no one should know about this, and He said that something should be given her to eat.

Thursday, February 9, 2017

Worship Minimovie: Mapping Center

Crossing the GPS Goal Line by 2020 from Chris Cooper on Vimeo.

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Worship Minimovie: Beautiful Things

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

February 5, 2017 | On Spiritual Warfare, Part 1

Here is the sermon from Sunday evening which is part one of our brief study on spiritual warfare.

in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. ³Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

Monday, February 6, 2017

February 5 2017 | Mark 5:1-20: What Can Wash Away My Stains?

Here is the sermon from Sunday morning taken from Mark 5:1-20:

They came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gerasenes. ²When He got out of the boat, immediately a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit met Him, ³and he had his dwelling among the tombs. And no one was able to bind him anymore, even with a chain; ⁴because he had often been bound with shackles and chains, and the chains had been torn apart by him and the shackles broken in pieces, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. ⁵Constantly, night and day, he was screaming among the tombs and in the mountains, and gashing himself with stones. ⁶Seeing Jesus from a distance, he ran up and bowed down before Him; ⁷and shouting with a loud voice, he *said, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God, do not torment me!” ⁸For He had been saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” ⁹And He was asking him, “What is your name?” And he *said to Him, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” ¹⁰And he began to implore Him earnestly not to send them out of the country. ¹¹Now there was a large herd of swine feeding nearby on the mountain. ¹²The demons implored Him, saying, “Send us into the swine so that we may enter them.” ¹³Jesus gave them permission. And coming out, the unclean spirits entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, about two thousand of them; and they were drowned in the sea.

¹⁴Their herdsmen ran away and reported it in the city and in the country. And the people came to see what it was that had happened. ¹⁵They *came to Jesus and *observed the man who had been demon-possessed sitting down, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the “legion”; and they became frightened. ¹⁶Those who had seen it described to them how it had happened to the demon-possessed man, and all about the swine. ¹⁷And they began to implore Him to leave their region. ¹⁸As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed was imploring Him that he might accompany Him. ¹⁹And He did not let him, but He *said to him, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.” ²⁰And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.

Friday, February 3, 2017

Thursday, February 2, 2017

January 29, 2017 | Jonah: God Pursues

Here is the sermon from Sunday evening taken from the book of Jonah.

The word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai saying, ²“Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and cry against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me.” ³But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. So he went down to Joppa, found a ship which was going to Tarshish, paid the fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

January 29, 2017 | Mark 4:35-41: We Have Nothing to Fear But God Himself

Here is the sermon audio from Sunday morning taken from Mark 4:35-41:

³⁵On that day, when evening came, He *said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.” ³⁶Leaving the crowd, they *took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. ³⁷And there *arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. ³⁸Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they *woke Him and *said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” ³⁹And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. ⁴⁰And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” ⁴¹They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”