May 27, 2007
Above and Beyond the Call of Duty
Pastor Spike Coleman
Above and Beyond the Call of Duty
Click here to get your own player.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Above and Beyond the Call of Duty
Sermon Podcast
May 27, 2007
Above and Beyond the Call of Duty
Pastor Spike Coleman
Above and Beyond the Call of Duty
Click here to get your own player.
~BUILD FAITH~~NURTURE HOPE~~SHARE GOD'S LOVE~
May 27, 2007
Above and Beyond the Call of Duty
Pastor Spike Coleman
Above and Beyond the Call of Duty
Click here to get your own player.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
God and Music: A Celebration of Song
The choir held a farewell concert for Mandy Keathley in celebration
of her years
of service to St. Andrew's.
They sang many of her favorite anthems and hymns.
We were graced by spirited soloists and scripture.
of her years
of service to St. Andrew's.
They sang many of her favorite anthems and hymns.
We were graced by spirited soloists and scripture.
After a presentation for Mandy, a reception was held
in the fellowship hall for her.
We hate to see her go as
she truly has a special gift of music.
We wish her well on her new position.
in the fellowship hall for her.
We hate to see her go as
she truly has a special gift of music.
We wish her well on her new position.
When God is Not in a Hurry
Sunday Sermon and Service: May 20, 2007
Spike's podcast
Give it a listen!
When God is Not in a Hurry
Enjoy! -- Spike Coleman
~BUILD FAITH~~NURTURE HOPE~~SHARE GOD'S LOVE~
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Hearing the Voice of the Good Shephard
Sunday Sermon Summary: Guest Pastor Mark Cooke
This is the fourth Sunday of Easter, when Jesus Christ declares to the Jews that he is the good shepherd. What does it mean to hear the voice of the good shepherd? To hear the voice of God? We need to embrace the idea that we are sheep. The shepherd psalms are
Can you pass the sheep test? You know you are a sheep when...
What does he do? Reference John 10:3-4 and 11:14-15. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. He gave sheep eternal life. He gives eternal life so they will never perish. He guards and protects his sheep. He pens the sheep and calls each one by name. The relationship of good shepherd to sheep is that he knows hos own and his own knows him...knows his voice.
God calls us gently. The sheep follow him. The Lamb will guide us to the book of life. The sheep love Him. A sign of not being a sheep is unbelieving. When we get before the Lord there will be no denomination. We will be ONE flock with one shepherd. The 12 tribes become one flock.
We need to ask ourselves:
~BUILD FAITH~~NURTURE HOPE~~SHARE GOD'S LOVE~
This is the fourth Sunday of Easter, when Jesus Christ declares to the Jews that he is the good shepherd. What does it mean to hear the voice of the good shepherd? To hear the voice of God? We need to embrace the idea that we are sheep. The shepherd psalms are
- psalm 78: 52 But he brought his people out like a flock;
he led them like sheep through the desert. - psalm 77: 20 You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron. - psalm 79: 13 13 Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture,
will praise you forever;
from generation to generation
we will recount your praise.
- psalm 80 1 Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock;
you who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth - psalm 100
- psalm 23
Can you pass the sheep test? You know you are a sheep when...
- you can control your words at all times
- you are at peace with all
- you have no fears
- you need no forgiveness
What does he do? Reference John 10:3-4 and 11:14-15. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. He gave sheep eternal life. He gives eternal life so they will never perish. He guards and protects his sheep. He pens the sheep and calls each one by name. The relationship of good shepherd to sheep is that he knows hos own and his own knows him...knows his voice.
God calls us gently. The sheep follow him. The Lamb will guide us to the book of life. The sheep love Him. A sign of not being a sheep is unbelieving. When we get before the Lord there will be no denomination. We will be ONE flock with one shepherd. The 12 tribes become one flock.
We need to ask ourselves:
- do I belong to Him?
- do I recognize His right to me?
- do I respond to His authority and acknowledge His authority?
- do I find freedom and complete fulfilment in this arrangement?
- do I find deep contentment and a sense of peace under his direction?
- do I know and respond and belong to the good shepherd?
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Velvet Elvis
God never changes, nor do the central truths of Christianity. But our understanding of those truths is in constant flux. Christians will always be exploring and discovering what it means to live in harmony with God and each other. Now in softcover, Velvet Elvis offers original and refreshingly personal perspectives on what Christianity is really about. Might be interesting reading. Check it out.
The book is written by Rob Bell. Robert "Rob" Bell (born August 23, 1970) is an author, Christian speaker, and the founding pastor ofMars Hill Bible Church located in Grandville , Michigan
~BUILD FAITH~~NURTURE HOPE~~SHARE GOD'S LOVE~
The book is written by Rob Bell. Robert "Rob" Bell (born August 23, 1970) is an author, Christian speaker, and the founding pastor of
Internation Justice Mission
Founded in 1997, IJM began operations after a group of human rights professionals, lawyers and public officials launched an extensive study of the injustices witnessed by overseas missionaries and relief and development workers. This study, surveying more than 65 organizations and representing 40,000 overseas workers, uncovered a nearly unanimous awareness of abuses of power by police and other authorities in the communities where they served. Without the resources or expertise to confront the abuse and to bring rescue to the victims, these overseas workers required the assistance of trained public justice professionals. More of the history here.
IJM was established to help fill a void, acting as an organization that stands in the gap for victims when they are left without an advocate. They do have a four fold purpose:
- Victim Relief - Relieve the victim of the abuse currently being committed.
- Perpetrator Accountability - Bring accountability and just consequences under the law to the specific perpetrator(s) of abuse.
- Structural Prevention - Prevent the abuse from being committed against others who are also at risk by strengthening community factors that are likely to deter potential oppressors, reduce the vulnerability of at-risk populations and empower local authorities to stop such abuses.
- Victim Aftercare - Provide access to services to help victims transition to their new lives and to encourage long-term success.
Friday, April 06, 2007
Good Friday Service
Summary of the Good Friday Sermon given by Spike Coleman
As mentioned before in the Maundy Thursday post, the sermon is the 2ND part of a three part Easter message. Last night we focused on a community of love and what it means to die with Jesus Christ. The scripture lesson is Luke 23: 1-49. It is the story that makes us tremble.
Some of us have had the opportunity to meet Steve Hayner. While he was president of a small christian college, one of his jobs was to separate the students from their parents so that they could attend orientation. He planned events for the parents and often times he would ask them what they wanted for their children. The parents would often say that they wanted their kids to be happy. Steve would say that the was, "so very sorry. I want so much more for my kids. " He would tell the parents he wanted them to be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. When we are conformed to this world we pay the price of sin. We think worldly things will make us happy. What does it mean to be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ? Think about that.
A friend of Spike's is an associate pastor named Todd. One Sunday when conducting the children's sermon, he asked the children what they needed to do to get to heaven. He got a multitude of different answers. One child said that to get there, first you gotta die. Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. (Luke 17:33) Paul writes in Romans about dying in sin. Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? (Romans 6:2) And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. (Romans 6:21) We will find salvation in Christ. Christ lives in Him and he lives by faith in the son of God.
Tonight we are here to remember the sacrifice made for us so that we die to the powers of sin and evil in the world. What does that mean? It means getting rid of bad habits, the improper way we treat our family, examining the way we use resources, our time and our treasures. We must recognize that the power of evil and sin are greater than our mistakes. Sin corrupts our most noble virtues.
When Spike first got out of school, he at first was dealing with a church located in a bigger metropolitan area. The church was healthy, people came often. It seemed all he had to do was open the doors and they would come. The church was growing and it was strong. Later while working in a different area...Kingston, things were different. Spike was living in the middle of a tobacco field in an area where tobacco used to be king long ago. It was a place where the family farm used to be a way of life. Several generations used to live on the family farm. Now it was a place where all the young people moved away to find work. It was a tough place.
There were some wonderful people there. There were people who loved the Lord and were kind. Years ago there used to be quite a few youth (about 40), but since the younger families were moving away, there were only about four. Parents came to church, not to make it strong, but for healing. There were hard times there and it was tough. One particularly hard day, Spike went home and after reflecting on a Byzantine icon he had acquired from Greece, he lit a candle and prayed for hours. He thought, God, I don't know what you have gotten me into, but if you will provide a moving truck, I will not step foot into another Presbyterian church.
He thought that the ministry was what he could or would do with the church. That is not how it works. Sin is much bigger than our mistakes. Sin affects all we do and are. We need to confess our mistakes, hopes and dreams and plans made to save our lives. Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. If we try to save ourselves we will lose our lives.
Rayford. B. was one of the church members who was having a medical procedure the next day. Spike still had not energy at all. He did speak with Rayford's wife, Sue at the hospital. Spike tried to smile, but he had nothing to give. He stayed with them. The doctor ended up being called away to an emergency so the procedure was delayed. Spike and the family waited and prayed and sat in silence. After a while Rayford looked at Spike and said, "I am grateful to God that you are my pastor." Needless to say, the moving truck never came. Jesus came.
It is not our plan. It is what Jesus Christ wants to be in and through us. Our goal and life in church is constructed by the mission of Jesus Christ. If we are to get new life, first we must die.
~BUILD FAITH~~NURTURE HOPE~~SHARE GOD'S LOVE~
As mentioned before in the Maundy Thursday post, the sermon is the 2ND part of a three part Easter message. Last night we focused on a community of love and what it means to die with Jesus Christ. The scripture lesson is Luke 23: 1-49. It is the story that makes us tremble.
Some of us have had the opportunity to meet Steve Hayner. While he was president of a small christian college, one of his jobs was to separate the students from their parents so that they could attend orientation. He planned events for the parents and often times he would ask them what they wanted for their children. The parents would often say that they wanted their kids to be happy. Steve would say that the was, "so very sorry. I want so much more for my kids. " He would tell the parents he wanted them to be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. When we are conformed to this world we pay the price of sin. We think worldly things will make us happy. What does it mean to be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ? Think about that.
A friend of Spike's is an associate pastor named Todd. One Sunday when conducting the children's sermon, he asked the children what they needed to do to get to heaven. He got a multitude of different answers. One child said that to get there, first you gotta die. Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. (Luke 17:33) Paul writes in Romans about dying in sin. Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? (Romans 6:2) And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. (Romans 6:21) We will find salvation in Christ. Christ lives in Him and he lives by faith in the son of God.
Tonight we are here to remember the sacrifice made for us so that we die to the powers of sin and evil in the world. What does that mean? It means getting rid of bad habits, the improper way we treat our family, examining the way we use resources, our time and our treasures. We must recognize that the power of evil and sin are greater than our mistakes. Sin corrupts our most noble virtues.
When Spike first got out of school, he at first was dealing with a church located in a bigger metropolitan area. The church was healthy, people came often. It seemed all he had to do was open the doors and they would come. The church was growing and it was strong. Later while working in a different area...Kingston, things were different. Spike was living in the middle of a tobacco field in an area where tobacco used to be king long ago. It was a place where the family farm used to be a way of life. Several generations used to live on the family farm. Now it was a place where all the young people moved away to find work. It was a tough place.
There were some wonderful people there. There were people who loved the Lord and were kind. Years ago there used to be quite a few youth (about 40), but since the younger families were moving away, there were only about four. Parents came to church, not to make it strong, but for healing. There were hard times there and it was tough. One particularly hard day, Spike went home and after reflecting on a Byzantine icon he had acquired from Greece, he lit a candle and prayed for hours. He thought, God, I don't know what you have gotten me into, but if you will provide a moving truck, I will not step foot into another Presbyterian church.
He thought that the ministry was what he could or would do with the church. That is not how it works. Sin is much bigger than our mistakes. Sin affects all we do and are. We need to confess our mistakes, hopes and dreams and plans made to save our lives. Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. If we try to save ourselves we will lose our lives.
Rayford. B. was one of the church members who was having a medical procedure the next day. Spike still had not energy at all. He did speak with Rayford's wife, Sue at the hospital. Spike tried to smile, but he had nothing to give. He stayed with them. The doctor ended up being called away to an emergency so the procedure was delayed. Spike and the family waited and prayed and sat in silence. After a while Rayford looked at Spike and said, "I am grateful to God that you are my pastor." Needless to say, the moving truck never came. Jesus came.
It is not our plan. It is what Jesus Christ wants to be in and through us. Our goal and life in church is constructed by the mission of Jesus Christ. If we are to get new life, first we must die.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
