In every fight movie, like “The Karate Kid” or “Rocky”, the hero has to train like crazy to get their self ready before the big fight. Part of that preparation process is cutting away the fat that slows them down and removing the distractions that take away their focus. Acts chapter 5 shows us that same preparation scene in the life of the early church. Satan throws some internal conflict at the church in an attempt to hinder the church in its upcoming prize fight with the Sanhedrin. Can the church get in shape in time?! Discover the exciting conclusion; our study through Acts chapter 5 has just gone live!
The Unstoppable Church
Soul Food
It’s that time again, time for the “Y” study (if you are scratching your head over the name see the previous post). We’ll be continuing our study in James (1:9 if you want to read ahead) and eating, good for your soul/bad for your heart, Beacon drive-in breakfast.
Last time guys started trickling in a little before 8 am so we could get started right away. We had a great turn out, including a few guys from Costco where I also work, and by the time we started up we were using two tables.
If you’ve never been to the Beacon or just want to have a good biblical conversation with other men this Saturday is your time to do both. See you at 8am.
The “Y” Study
This weekend Calvary Spartanburg will be starting our newest ministry called the “Y Group”. It’s a once a month bible study for men. You may be thinking what’s up with the “Y”? We’ll I could have just called it the “men’s bible study”, but that’s a little “on the nose” don’t you think?
The “Y” stands for two things; first it’s a subtle nod to the fact that the Y chromosome is what makes men, well… men. Second, this is more than just a bible study, it’s a chance to get together as men and ask wh(Y). Think of it as one part bible study and one part discussion group. We will take a slower pace than on Sunday so we can really talk about what God has to say to us through the scriptures as men. It’s open to any man who wants to study the scriptures and ask questions with a group of guys.
Here are the details:
Where: The Beacon Drive-in (map below)
When: The first Saturday of every month at 8am
Who: Any guy old enough to contribute to the discussion
What: A Study through The Book of James
Hope the see you there!
View Larger Map
I [Love] Clarksville
My friend, and fellow church planter, Kevin Miller is the pastor of Awaken church in Clarksville, TN. You’ve probably seen the destruction the flooding in and around Nashville caused last week. One of the casualties in this flood was the church building Awaken church uses. It was covered in about 8ft of water for a few days, and they are not sure how long it will be before the’re able to move back in, if ever.
One of the many ways you can help is by buying one these cool shirts. Kevin, who is a prolific graphic designer, made these so people who want to give to the rebuilding project could have a tangible and heart felt thank you.
If you are in the center of the venn diagram that is defined by having; $20, 2 minutes of free time, and the desire to help a new church continue spread the gospel in Clarksville TN. Then click the image above.
Thanks.
A Quick Recap
This a verson of a newsletter my wife and I send out every few months. It summarizes the last 6 months so well, I thought I’d share it here.
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I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for your continued prayers and support. And I wanted to share with you what’s been going on at Calvary Spartanburg, just in case you haven’t been keeping up to date.
We’ve reached a mile-marker…6 months! We held our first service on November 8 of 2009. We held our first service with lots of help, and a few new faces, some of whom have become the church core.
I’ve been thinking about the journey God has taken us on…first to Montreal, and now here in Spartanburg, and I am amazed and blessed by His care.
Last year at this time, I was preparing to attend the Deep South Pastor’s Conference in Stone Mountain, Georgia. It was the first tangible step I was able to take on the journey to plant a church in South Carolina. I didn’t know where we were going to live, where I was going to work, when we were going to begin the church, or where it would be.
God has clearly led us each step of the way, and best of all, each provision was clearly from Him.
When we first moved to SC, we were staying with my mom. The Minister of Music from her church was over for Sunday lunch. I was chatting with him, and mentioned that we didn’t know where we were going to live yet. Ten minutes later we were looking at a house that he had intended to sell, and after a few days of prayer, we rented that house, for the exact amount we could afford. The house is perfect for our family and ministry—perfect in size and location.
In July, after we moved to SC, I applied for a lot of jobs. We then spent a month in ABQ, and when we returned, I received no call backs. But we did receive some sizable donations towards beginning the church. And a member of the board of the local YMCA connected us in such a way that we were able to rent space for Sunday mornings. Since a job wasn’t forthcoming, but means to begin the church was, I spent 100% of his time getting the church started.
In October I began a strategic coffee outreach at one of the local universities. And in November we held a Family Fun Day in a local park. And held our first church service.
The very next day we felt like it was time for me to apply for jobs again. The very first application I turned in, for temporary Christmas help, at Target was accepted. So I began work. I was also able to develop my web building business on the side (www.nbrightidea.com).
Home, job, church…all these questions have been answered. Several families and a few college students are regularly attending Calvary Spartanburg now. The church is still very small, but slowly growing.
Despite our support and my job, finances were tight. About a month ago, we ate at Costco after church. Our membership card wasn’t working, so I went with a manager to get things straightened out. As the manager and I talked, he offered me a job! And for several weeks now I’ve been working at Costco…and my pay is much better than it was at Target! Again, God’s provision is so perfect and His timing so right!
Thank you for your prayers and support. You are really making a difference in lives here in South Carolina! So many people have never heard the Word taught expositionally… and it is through His Word that He is known.
Living among the dead
Jesus is often compared to great political, spiritual, and philosophical leaders of the past. Confucius, Gandi, Plato, Buddha, and Churchill all stand in the enormous shadow cast over history by Jesus. There’s no question that Jesus leads the pack. However, this past weekend, as we celebrated Easter, the angels words from luke 24:5 got me thinking.
“Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?”
This is the great declaration of easter, He is Alive! But with it come some interesting realities. Since Jesus is alive He is not only the greatest leader of history, He is the greater leader of our time. And on top of that, at their best those other guys can only inspire others to follow there example. Jesus is the only one who can empower His followers to follow His example.
Before Easter got to far away from us, I just wanted to share that thought. He is alive. May we all seek not only to be inspired by Jesus, but empowered by Him as well.
I wish I could describe Him to you
There are some days that I wish I could preach like this.
Here is the Transcript also-
The Bible says
He’s the King of the Jews
He’s the King of Israel
He’s the King of Righteousness
He’s the King of the Ages
He’s the King of Heaven
He’s the King of Glory
He’s the King of Kings
and He is the Lord of Lords
Now that’s my King!
David says
The Heavens declare the glory of God
And the firmament showeth His handiwork
No means of measure can define His limitless love
No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply
No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing
He’s enduringly strong
He’s entirely sincere
He’s eternally steadfast
He’s immortally graceful
He’s imperially powerful
He’s impartially merciful
That’s my King!
He’s God’s Son
He’s the sinners’ Saviour
He’s the centrepiece of civilisation
He stands alone in Himself
He’s august
He’s unique
He’s unparalleled
He’s unprecedented
He’s supreme
He’s pre-eminent
He’s the loftiest idea in literature
He’s the highest personality in philosophy
He’s the supreme problem in higher criticism
He’s the fundamental doctrine in true theology
He’s the cardinal necessity of spiritual religion
That’s my King!
He’s the miracle of the age
He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him
He’s the only one able to supply all of our needs simultaneously
He supplies strength for the weak
He’s available for the tempted and the tried
He sympathises and He saves
He guards and He guides
He heals the sick
He cleansed the lepers
He forgives sinners
He discharges debtors
He delivers the captives
He defends the feeble
He blesses the young
He serves the unfortunate
He regards the aged
He rewards the diligent
And He beautifies the meek
Do you know Him?
My King is the key of knowledge
He’s the wellspring of wisdom
He’s the doorway of deliverance
He’s the pathway of peace
He’s the roadway of righteousness
He’s the highway of holiness
He’s the gateway of glory
He’s the master of the mighty
He’s the captain of the conquerors
He’s the head of the heroes
He’s the leader of the legislators
He’s the overseer of the overcomers
He’s the governor of governors
He’s the prince of princes
He’s the King of Kings
And He’s the Lord of Lords
That’s my King
That’s my King!
My King
His office is manifold
His promise is sure
His life is matchless
His goodness is limitless
His mercy is everlasting
His love never changes
His word is enough
His grace is sufficient
His reign is righteous
His yoke is easy
and His burden is light
I wish I could describe Him to you
He’s indescribable
He’s indescribable
He’s incomprehensible
He’s invincible
He’s irresistible
I’m trying to tell you
The heaven of heavens cannot contain Him
Let alone a man explain Him
You can’t get Him out of your mind
You can’t get Him off of your hands
You can’t outlive Him
And you can’t live without Him
The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him
but they found out they couldn’t stop Him
Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him
The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree
And Herod couldn’t kill Him
Death couldn’t handle Him
And the grave couldn’t hold Him
That’s my King!
He always has been
And He always will be
I’m talking about
He had no predecessor
and He’ll have no successor
There was nobody before Him
and there’ll be nobody after Him
You can’t impeach Him
and He’s not going to resign
That’s my King!
Praise the Lord
That’s my King
Thine is the Kingdom
And the power
And the glory
The glory is all His
Thine is the Kingdom
And the power
And the glory
For ever
And ever
And ever
And when you get through with all of the forevers
Then
Amen
Turn Your Radio On
Starting this week Calvary Spartanburg will be running a new spot on 2 radio stations here in the upstate. 93.3 the Planet (hard rock) and B93.7 (top 40) will be playing the spot for the next 2 weeks, and after a short break for Valentines day week, for 2 more weeks.
These 2 stations have a combined reach of 700,000+ people. That’s a lot of people! The figure that I’ve heard is that more than 80% of Spartanburg county is un-churched. I’ve never claimed to be a math nut but my back-of-the-napkin figure says… well, lets just say 80% of 700,000 is big number.
Luke 19:10 says that Jesus came “…to seek and to save that which was lost.” I think Jesus is still doing this today through His church. This spot is in line with that purpose. To seek out those who are lost so that we can tell and show them the live saving and changing message of Jesus.
Join me in praying that God would lead people to hear this spot and respond. That they would come to call on Jesus as Savior and Lord.
You can hear the spot by clicking here or by visiting www.calvaryspartanburg.com
