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| Admin Techie Joined Feb 7, 2002 42 posts |
 Question of the month: October, 2007 |
Posted Oct 6, 2007; 10:54 am |
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This month's online poll:
Do the sermons you hear make an impact on your life?
Everyone can vote in this poll, even if you're not registered at MB Forum. |
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| Sudsy Member Joined Sep 23, 2003 2833 posts |
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Posted Oct 8, 2007; 7:59 am |
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I like to listen to sermons from various Christian preachers as well as the thousands we can get and read here on the Internet. The ones that most impress and impact me are often those preached in previous centuries.
It was Bible based, Christ centered, straight shooting, practical preaching that first drew me to my current MB church. Since our pastor is retiring, I pray that our new pastor will also be lead by the Holy Spirit to bring forth what God wants said to impact our lives.
Some sermons I listen to today on T.V. do not impact me in a positive way spiritually. Sometimes they are very disappointing as they promote self-centered living which is not what the Christian life is about.
I believe we need to pray for our pastors that they will preach what God wants said to their specific congregation and not what man might like to hear. In some churches this may be a big risk to their jobs. |
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| Sewing Member Joined Feb 1, 2007 200 posts Location: Vancouver |
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Posted Oct 8, 2007; 2:07 pm |
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| Sudsy wrote: | | I believe we need to pray for our pastors that they will preach what God wants said to their specific congregation and not what man might like to hear. In some churches this may be a big risk to their jobs. |
Yes, from what I've read, in churches where man-centered worship becomes the norm, preaching on the Cross becomes scandalous.
May the Holy Spirit guide your church in selecting a new preacher who will preach the whole Gospel of sin, grace, and salvation through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. |
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| rudyhiebert Member Joined Oct 2, 2003 481 posts Location: Abbotsford BC |
| Sermons |
Posted Oct 8, 2007; 6:12 pm |
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I wonder if we really know what sermons are. When I was a youth, what we heard was a lot different that what hear now days, and I'm sure they were called sermons back then. Don't get me wrong, some darn good stuff is being preached from pulpit and podium but there is the odd time one hears a "take-it-or-leave-it" discourse from a stage or tele/radio evangelist.
Seeing a live online web cam from your church is a slick way to get the Sunday sermon for the week under your belt. |
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| Sewing Member Joined Feb 1, 2007 200 posts Location: Vancouver |
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Posted Oct 12, 2007; 12:07 pm |
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| I am convicted and built up (but not, I pray, puffed up!) every week by the preaching at our church. As someone who grew up with an innate suspicion of everything to do with evangelical Christianity, I never thought I'd live to see the day that I would actually look forward to showing up at church at 8:30 every Sunday morning to hear a Biblical sermon, but by God's grace it's happened. |
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| rudyhiebert Member Joined Oct 2, 2003 481 posts Location: Abbotsford BC |
| PTL |
Posted Oct 12, 2007; 12:19 pm |
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| Sewing wrote: | | I am convicted and built up (but not, I pray, puffed up!) every week by the preaching at our church. As someone who grew up with an innate suspicion of everything to do with evangelical Christianity, I never thought I'd live to see the day that I would actually look forward to showing up at church at 8:30 every Sunday morning to hear a Biblical sermon, but by God's grace it's happened. |
That is so cool, Sewing, great stuff to hear. When a pair of door knockers paid me a visit yesterday to show me an article in one of their society's publications, I was grateful to the H.S. for suggesting they check out one our congregations in the neighborhood that uses the the local ice rink/bar & grill facility. They would sure get the straight goods from the group and pastor there because they wouldn't even realize they'll be hearing a sermon but they would leave different persons compared to their arrival. |
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| Sewing Member Joined Feb 1, 2007 200 posts Location: Vancouver |
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Posted Oct 12, 2007; 12:51 pm |
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Amen! They might have even heard the Good News that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, whom God gave as atonement for our sins, so that we may have eternal life!  |
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| Bro Member Joined May 4, 2004 912 posts Location: Richmond B.C. |
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Posted Oct 12, 2007; 6:08 pm |
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Sewing wrote:
| Quote: | | Amen! They might have even heard the Good News that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, whom God gave as atonement for our sins, so that we may have eternal life! |
That is a fantastic statement Sewing.That is christianity in a nutshell.    |
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| westcoast frame of mind Moderator |
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Posted Oct 12, 2007; 10:57 pm |
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| Quote: | Sewing wrote:
Quote:
Amen! They might have even heard the Good News that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, whom God gave as atonement for our sins, so that we may have eternal life!
That is a fantastic statement Sewing.That is christianity in a nutshell. |
I think that anabaptists would tend to disagree a bit that the statement is "christianity in a nutshell" The statement fast-forwards and misses the life and example of Jesus. Christianity is meant to be more than a ticket to heaven. |
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| Sewing Member Joined Feb 1, 2007 200 posts Location: Vancouver |
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Posted Oct 13, 2007; 8:31 am |
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| westcoast frame of mind wrote: | | Bro wrote: | | Sewing wrote: | | Amen! They might have even heard the Good News that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, whom God gave as atonement for our sins, so that we may have eternal life! |
That is a fantastic statement Sewing.That is christianity in a nutshell. |
I think that anabaptists would tend to disagree a bit that the statement is "christianity in a nutshell" The statement fast-forwards and misses the life and example of Jesus. Christianity is meant to be more than a ticket to heaven. |
"He invites all the thirsty to the waters of life; all our sins He bore upon the cross in His own body, and our guilt He blotted out with his blood...Through the merits of Thy blood we receive the remission of our sins according to the riches of Thy grace. Yea, through this blood on the cross He reconciled all upon earth and in heaven above. Therefore, dear Lord, I confess that I have or know no remedy for my sins, no works nor merits, neither baptism nor the Lord's supper...but the precious blood of Thy beloved Son alone which is bestowed upon me by Thee and has graciously redeemed me, a poor sinner, through mere grace and love, from my former walk." (Complete Writings of Menno Simons, p. 79)
"Christ Jesus according to the promise of the Scripture finally appeared in this world a true man, born of the Virgin Mary, and in much misery, affliction, and labour, preached the saving and gracious Word to the house of Israel, that He sought the lost sheep and brought them to their true shepherd, and by His bitter death and precious blood, in love reconciled us unto His heavenly Father. As He Himself says, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosevever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life." (Menno Simons, circa p. 144) (Source for two quotes here)
Upon salvation, the Holy Spirit begins to work to sanctify us. As we study, pray, read Scripture, and learn to be Godly disciples, we are conformed in steps to the example of Christ. Being Christlike should in other words be (though often, sadly, is not) a natural corollary of hearing and receiving the Gospel. I agree that Christianity should never be merely viewed as "a ticket to Heaven," but Scripture itself makes it abundantly clear that what God is calling us to, is forgiveness of sins and eternal life. |
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| Sudsy Member Joined Sep 23, 2003 2833 posts |
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Posted Oct 13, 2007; 12:22 pm |
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Just a comment about the 'door knockers'. Sadly, they put most of us to shame with their zeal for witnessing. They are willing to be despised and looked down upon for their beliefs whereas many people who call themselves Christian hide their beliefs and are concerned about how well thought of they are by non-believers.
I think we need more Stephens (Acts 6&7) that are willing to be lead to speak the truth as the Holy Spirit leads even if it means making people angry and possibly risking one's physical life as it did his. Well, thats another topic but it gets me thinking when people come to my door to share their beliefs and I am impressed by their zeal and boldness. |
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| Sudsy Member Joined Sep 23, 2003 2833 posts |
| Regarding Sermons |
Posted Oct 13, 2007; 12:38 pm |
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I like to look back on the sermons of the early church and find it interesting how the primary focus of the apostles was on 'prayer and minstry of the word' Acts 6:4. I believe this focus is never outdated regardless of culture changes. Pastors need to be allowed time for this primary focus but often they are expected to do many other tasks that are not this primary focus.
I have a non-believing friend who attends a church primarily for social reasons and he says he really likes the preacher because he never opens that big black book for his sermons. He enjoys the stories and jokes, being entertained. How sad and how blessed I am to be where the preaching of the word is of high priority and where the word is believed and allowed to change lives. |
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| westcoast frame of mind Moderator |
| the "Christianity in a nutshell" comment revisited |
Posted Oct 14, 2007; 8:35 am |
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Sewing, thanks for your post (Oct 13, 2007; 8:31 am).
If I was to be bold enough to make a statement that has “Christianity in a nutshell” I might take your statement posted on Oct 12, 2007; 12:51 pm and tweak it a bit.
“They might have even heard the Good News that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, whom God gave as atonement for our sins, (my addition) so that through the power of the Spirit we might follow the example of Jesus in everything we do, (my addition) and that we may have eternal life!”
I recognize that you weren’t necessarily trying to encapsulate Christianity in your statement and the Christianity in a nutshell comment came from another forum member.
If I understand Anabaptism correctly, it emphasizes the life/example of Jesus.
I've copied some material .............
http://www.mbconf.ca/believe/pamphlets/anabaptism.en.html
#3 Emphasis on Jesus as central to all else.
Anabaptists derive their Christology directly from the Word and emphasize a deep commitment to take Jesus seriously in all of life. Such a view runs counter to notions that the commands of Jesus are too difficult for ordinary believers or that Jesus’ significance lies almost entirely in providing heavenly salvation. Rather, salvation of the soul is part of a larger transformation.[/u] |
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| Bro Member Joined May 4, 2004 912 posts Location: Richmond B.C. |
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Posted Oct 14, 2007; 9:54 am |
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Oh Westcoast it seems we are a bit nit picky are we? I just like the statement Sewing made.No need to get so defensive.
Nobody is discounting the life of Christ.I don't know where you got that from. |
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| Bro Member Joined May 4, 2004 912 posts Location: Richmond B.C. |
| Sewing |
Posted Oct 14, 2007; 9:58 am |
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Sewing ,I can see growth in your life since you joined the forum.You evidently are exposed to good teaching at your church,which is a result of having good pastoral leadership.
Keep up the good work. |
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