Posted by Rev Mac on May 31, 2009
Below are my notes of a sermon by Pastor Stuart Johnson of Grace Community Church, Houston, Texas delivered on November 9, 2008. The information impacted me so, that I wanted to share it with you. My hope is that it will also bless you as it has me. Return to it over and over again to keep these principles fresh in your mind.
He Healed All Our Infirmities (Inadequacies)
Isaiah 53:4-5, Mat 8:16-18, 2 Cor 12:9-12
Infirmities – Sickness, diseases, anxiety (caused by feelings of inadequacy) Scriptural references: Phil 213, 4:13-, 1 Cor 1:26-31, Mark 11:22-26, 2 Kings 2:9-14 (Mantle – God’s grace)
Principles learned over a life-time of being placed by God in situations when I felt totally inadequate. When I asked myself, why me? When I exclaimed, “I’m not ready!”
- God has chosen the weak to accomplish great things for His kingdom.
- When God leads you to do something, God will provide the resources. Resources are not your problem. Your responsibility is to say YES.
- Resources will be there when you need them, not before. It won’t happen until you get in the chair (your dreams and aspirations). Your dreams and aspirations are in the chair. God provides the grace for your current position. (Grace – Resources and accomplishments at Christ’s expense)
- Don’t look too far into the future because you will get overwhelmed Mat 6:34.
- God’s grace is like a coat. God gives grace (a coat) to a pastor at a particular church assignment. The coat stays at that position. God provides a new coat for your new chair. In between assignments, you will experience feelings of inadequacies. God provides grace for that too. It may not always feel like it. Nevertheless, it is still true.
- Don’t compare yourself to others; their coat is a different size. Why am I this way? Why can’t I perform, relate, produce, speak like someone else you admire? Each coat is a different size. God can give you a coat that fits you perfectly!
- What you must do is give God your talents and gifts (even yourself) to be used for His glory. And watch God work!
Posted in Believe (Belief), Christianity, Church, Faith (Trust), Love | Tagged: gift | 1 Comment »
Posted by Rev Mac on November 9, 2008
It has been more than eight months since my last post on the subject of Church 101. During this time, we have visited several churches, attending some for an extended period. The primary purpose of our visits was to observe how these churches see their mission based on the way they practice church. We have learned a great deal.
Tradition seems to be the overriding theme in most of the churches we have visited. In other words, what is being done in these churches is based on what has been done in the past. While I am not in favor of throwing out our past for the simple reason that it is old and this is the twenty-first century, I am concerned that the picture I see in the Scriptures isn’t always being carried out. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Christianity, Church, God & Jesus, Love | 4 Comments »
Posted by Rev Mac on March 10, 2008
In Luke chapter 19, we find the story of Zaccheus, a Jew and a chief tax collector for the Roman government. Tax collectors were considered to be chief sinners, without a doubt. Yet Jesus walked directly to Zaccheus and said “…today I must stay at your house”. And when the crowd saw it, they began to grumble saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” Zaccheus told the Master that if he has defrauded anyone, he would give back to them four times as much. As a result, Jesus said, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke chapter 19, verse 10). Of course this event occurred well before the crucifixion. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Christianity, Church, Love, Seeking God | Tagged: Church, Jesus, purpose, save, seek, Sin, sinners, work | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Rev Mac on August 8, 2007
Have you ever had your mind set on something, you knew exactly what you wanted to happen, when it should happen, and how it should happen? But when it comes, it is not happening the way you were expecting. So what do you do? Click here to read more …Unmet Expectations 01
Posted in Believe (Belief), Christianity, God & Jesus, Relationships | 1 Comment »
Posted by Rev Mac on July 1, 2007
Thank you Lord for my Spouse! Yet God says I gave them to you and I charge you with the task of ministering to their deepest needs for love and self worth, to minister to your mate for Me. I know you think I gave them to you for you to get your needs met. But in fact, I have given them to you so you can care for them, so you can minister to their needs. Click here to read more… Marriage Is Ministry
Posted in Christianity, Love, Man (Woman), Relationships | Leave a Comment »
