Monday, February 6, 2012

Harvest Blog

News from Harvest Baptist Church

True Worship

Posted by admin On April - 28 - 2010

“Why do we do the things we do?” Since I became pastor (4 1/2 weeks ago) I have been trying to answer this question in my Sunday morning messages. This last Sunday I preached on Romans 11:33-12:2. We looked at the real meaning of worship. When you think of worship what comes to your mind? Is it singing? Is it praying? Is is a feeling of love or devotion to God? Is attending it a service at Church? Though you can worship God while doing all of these things none of these by themselves is worship. The peak of worship does not occur primarily in a church service or while praying or feeling close to God. Truly worshiping God happens every time that you yield your will to His will. It happens when you live on the sacrificial altar, when you allow God to transform your life. True worship is living for God and doing what he is calling you to do right now. That may be choosing to give up a certain sin, attending church on Sunday or Thursday, reading your Bible daily, getting more involved at Church, witnessing to your friends and family, or even giving your life to full time ministry.

As you read this you may be thinking, “If I live my life like that I’ll be miserable because God wants to do __________ to me.” This quandary is where we see the greatest miracle of worship. The end of Roman’s 12:2 says, “that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [NASB].” The Bible says by worshiping God with our Lives we prove his will. The first thing we prove about God’s will is that it is good. The word good in the original language means generous. It implies a relationship having a relationship to goodness. The scripture is telling us that if we worship God with our lives we will be happy. 1 John 1:4 says, “And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.” The happiest most joyful life that you can live will be the one that worships and glorifies God the most. This does not mean the absence or trials or difficulties, but the presence of joy that can only come from God in those circumstances of life. This thinking is revolutionizing my life and I am praying that it will revolutionize our Church. Just imagine what God would do in Castle Rock if every one of us would Worship God with our life.

This next Sunday I will be answering the question, “Why is preaching so important?” I hope and you will be there to hear God speak to you this Sunday.

Monday we held the Funeral and Memorial Service for Helen Nick. It was a joy to celebrate a life that was lived for Christ and see how her life impacted her family. Continue to be in prayer for the family as they grieve.

Continue to pray for Wil Kroeker’s digestive system. He is still struggling with eating and is in much pain.

Pray for the 2 Inquires Bible Studies that we have going on right now. I am praying that we would see both of these individuals saved and added to our church.

Pray with me that we would see visitors this next Sunday.

I am praying for each of you,
Pastor Josh

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Highlights

Dear Church Family,

What a beautiful to sight to look out at the landscape transformed by the white snow. As I look out the window preparing for tomorrow I can’t stop thinking about the sacrifice that Jesus made for me to make my sin as white as snow. I pray that you will begin thinking these thoughts today and prepare your heart for tomorrow’s service. We have a very special service planned tomorrow. Our singing will be focused on the sacrifice that Christ made for us on the cross. Maria Barta, one of our newest members, will be singing one of my favorite songs tomorrow, The Look (the lyrics for this song can be found at the bottom of this post). We will conclude the service with our Sacrifice Sunday Offering. In this offering you will be asked to place your financial, as well as time, sacrifice to Christ. It will be a wonderful time of focus on the work of our precious Savior.

I understand that the snow has made it difficult for many to get out; however, I believe that tomorrow’s service is extremely important for our church. We have a quick fellowship after the service tomorrow followed by a presentation of the plans for our new auditorium. If our church is going to move forward on this building project I believe it is vital for us all to be on the same page. We are planing the future of our church tomorrow. We spent the entire month of January building up to this service. I believe this is a critical time for our church body. We have the opportunity to gather together and focus on the sacrifice that Christ made for us on the cross. I pray that you will be here tomorrow to worship together with the body of Christ.

In Christ,

Pastor Josh


The Look


I saw one hanging on a tree in agony and blood

Who fixed His loving eyes on me as near His cross I stood

And never till my dying breath will I forget that look

It seemed to charge me with His death though not a word He spoke


My conscience felt and owned the guilt and plunged me in despair

I saw my sins His blood had spilt and helped to nail Him there

But with a second look He said “I freely all forgive

this blood is for your ransom paid; I died that you might live”


Thus while His death my sin displays for all the world to view

Such is the mystery of grace; it seals my pardon too

With pleasing grief and mournful joy my spirit now is filled

That I should such a life destroy yet live by Him I killed


CHORUS

Forever etched upon my mind is the look of Him who died

The Lamb I crucified and now my life will sing the praise

Of pure atoning grace that looked on me and gladly

took my place



Original lyrics by John Newton. New and Alternate lyrics by Bob Kauflin. © 2001 PDI Praise (BMI). Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Ministries.

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