harvestoc.net blog, Thursday, August 27, 2009
30-Aug Worship Booklet Available Online
[click here to view; right-click to download]
Labels: Worship Booklet
¶ 5:33 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Psalm 42:1-6a 'Desiring God Means Desiring Corporate Worship' (26-Aug Prayer Meeting Booklet)
[click here to view; right-click to download]
It contains tonight's lesson, our published prayer request list, and questions for study for next week's passage. Hope you can come pray!
It contains tonight's lesson, our published prayer request list, and questions for study for next week's passage. Hope you can come pray!
Labels: Prayer Meetings
¶ 5:06 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Monday, August 24, 2009
Rom 9:24-29 - Election's Living Proof (23-Aug Evening Sermon)
[click here to save; right-click to download]
In this text, the theological and rational argument cuts off abruptly to point out that what he has been arguing is indeed what we have seen happen in history and have experienced in our own stories. God's electing word has widened the scope and quickened the speed of the display of His mercy! Indeed, God's election is God's evangelism, and it should energize the evangelism of His people.
In this text, the theological and rational argument cuts off abruptly to point out that what he has been arguing is indeed what we have seen happen in history and have experienced in our own stories. God's electing word has widened the scope and quickened the speed of the display of His mercy! Indeed, God's election is God's evangelism, and it should energize the evangelism of His people.
Labels: Sermons
¶ 5:20 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Jer 16:14-17:11 'The Tragedy of Trusting in False Things' (23-Aug Evening Reading)
[click here to listen; right-click to download]
Elder Gary Vander Hart led us in this reading, showing us from the text that we must not trust in anything except God Himself; instead, we should look to Jesus for forgiveness and wisdom.
Elder Gary Vander Hart led us in this reading, showing us from the text that we must not trust in anything except God Himself; instead, we should look to Jesus for forgiveness and wisdom.
Labels: Serial Readings
¶ 5:17 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Sunday, August 23, 2009
Gen 25:27-34 'Jacob: Gamer of the Hunter' (23-Aug Morning Sermon)
[click here to listen; right-click to save]
In this sermon, we learned from this text to love our sons and to watch out for Satan’s shortcut and depend instead upon Christ alone!
In this sermon, we learned from this text to love our sons and to watch out for Satan’s shortcut and depend instead upon Christ alone!
Labels: Sermons
¶ 3:49 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Mark 6:32-56 'Jesus Is Sufficient' (23-Aug Morning Reading)
[click here to save; right-click to download]
From this passage, we learned that Jesus is sufficient for our fellowship, provision, safety, and healing.
From this passage, we learned that Jesus is sufficient for our fellowship, provision, safety, and healing.
Labels: Serial Readings
¶ 3:02 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Friday, August 21, 2009
23-Aug Worship Booklet Available Online
[click here to view; right-click to download]
Labels: Worship Booklet
¶ 3:42 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Heely Hearts
Those who have been paying attention to the morning sermons the last couple weeks may have a feel for some of the background to "heely." As I was working through one of the more familiar passages in Jeremiah, I found a Hebrew surprise (no, that's not a lamb dish, but lamb does sound good right now...).
Jer 17:9 actually begins by saying that the heart is more heely than anything! Yep, there's the heel again. This particular instance seems to mean that it is completely tracked over with heel prints. And what an apt image that is for our hearts.
Most of us never even stop to think about our motives. Those of us who do find a terrible mess of trails going in different directions. It's just like being a tracker who tries to make sense out of a space completely marked up with heel prints!
The verse goes on to say that it is even worse than that, because our hearts are also incurable. This word is variously translated "desperately wicked" or "desperately sick." I like the basic meaning of 'incurable', and it goes well with the 'point' of the engraver's tool in v1. So even if we could know it, we're powerless to do anything about what we would then find! This makes VERY precious Heb 4:12 and Eze 11:19 and 36:26.
Heb 4:12 tells us that God's written Word is living and active and can actually make sense out of all the tracks--showing us the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. The other verses say that though our hearts be as hard as Jer 17:1 and incurable as Jer 17:9, yet God can perform a transplant and actually give us new ones.
Those are glorious truths, and I would like to make application to parenting (though we all ought to do this with our own hearts). Some in the congregation have observed how different from their prior experience has been this concept of speaking to our children's hearts and specifically doing so from Scripture in order to reveal thoughts and intentions. I'm glad that we've caught the vision for this, and I still hope to communicate this Scriptural vision to those who don't have it.
But knowing our hearts and their sickness/wickedness through Scripture isn't enough to solve the problem of Jer 17:9. It only solves the heely problem, not the incurable problem. If we say nothing about how a heart can be changed, our children will default to thinking that heart change comes through resolve and effort. How heartless we would be to let them think and try that way, without addressing it!
So, in our interaction with our children, and especially in correction and reproof, let us never leave out the gospel. Let us expose hearts, but let us go beyond diagnosis and complete the checkup with prognosis and treatment. Let us make sure that they know that their condition is humanly incurable (though they must try anyway), and that God is the giver of new hearts (so that they try in faith, resting upon Christ crucified and risen).
Jer 17:9 actually begins by saying that the heart is more heely than anything! Yep, there's the heel again. This particular instance seems to mean that it is completely tracked over with heel prints. And what an apt image that is for our hearts.
Most of us never even stop to think about our motives. Those of us who do find a terrible mess of trails going in different directions. It's just like being a tracker who tries to make sense out of a space completely marked up with heel prints!
The verse goes on to say that it is even worse than that, because our hearts are also incurable. This word is variously translated "desperately wicked" or "desperately sick." I like the basic meaning of 'incurable', and it goes well with the 'point' of the engraver's tool in v1. So even if we could know it, we're powerless to do anything about what we would then find! This makes VERY precious Heb 4:12 and Eze 11:19 and 36:26.
Heb 4:12 tells us that God's written Word is living and active and can actually make sense out of all the tracks--showing us the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. The other verses say that though our hearts be as hard as Jer 17:1 and incurable as Jer 17:9, yet God can perform a transplant and actually give us new ones.
Those are glorious truths, and I would like to make application to parenting (though we all ought to do this with our own hearts). Some in the congregation have observed how different from their prior experience has been this concept of speaking to our children's hearts and specifically doing so from Scripture in order to reveal thoughts and intentions. I'm glad that we've caught the vision for this, and I still hope to communicate this Scriptural vision to those who don't have it.
But knowing our hearts and their sickness/wickedness through Scripture isn't enough to solve the problem of Jer 17:9. It only solves the heely problem, not the incurable problem. If we say nothing about how a heart can be changed, our children will default to thinking that heart change comes through resolve and effort. How heartless we would be to let them think and try that way, without addressing it!
So, in our interaction with our children, and especially in correction and reproof, let us never leave out the gospel. Let us expose hearts, but let us go beyond diagnosis and complete the checkup with prognosis and treatment. Let us make sure that they know that their condition is humanly incurable (though they must try anyway), and that God is the giver of new hearts (so that they try in faith, resting upon Christ crucified and risen).
Labels: Parenting, Pastoral Counsel, Worship Follow-Up
¶ 1:06 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Thursday, August 20, 2009
Search Me and Find if there Is Any Unclean Thing in Me!
At prayer meeting yesterday, we noted that when Jesus quotes v9 about the treacherous friend, the disciples all ask Him if it is they. We discussed how this should be our reaction whenever the Scriptures identify a sin, or when we identify a sin in someone else.
Then, this morning, as I was pacing around and picking up the little bits of paper and wrapper that breed on the floor every Lord's Day, I thought how very much like our sanctification it is to pick up those bits.
First of all, just because all the visible bits are dealt with, doesn't mean the floor is clean. Just because I cannot see it, doesn't mean it is not there. Just because I cannot see it, doesn't mean that it is not dirty
Moreover, even if I could see every particle of dirt, every flake of dandruff, every microbe... I would see immediately that the task is impossible. My human fingers simply aren't capable of removing it all. And the number of particles would prohibitive. The fact of the matter is that even a lifetime of finger-picking couldn't get the job done.
So why do I do it? Why don't I wait until Friday or Saturday, when whoever has cleaning duty in the servants' rotation comes and runs the vacuum? Well, it's not because I'm OCD. I simply like to participate in the work. I'm walking around, maybe praying or thinking or listening to something or reading or talking or whatever--it's not much distraction to swoop down and pick up that bit of paper.
Now, we have a duty to sanctification. God commands it. But we should also see how killing our sin is very much like my hand-cleaning the carpet. Just because we don't see our sins, it doesn't mean that they're not there, or that they're not dirty. And if we could see them all, we would realize that we are not humanly equipped with the ability to remove things so impacted into our hearts, and that there are far too many to deal with even if we could.
What a tragedy it would be if all we wanted was the visible stuff removed--if we set the bar where we could reach it. Not only would we thereby water down God's perfect law (which Christians do not find burdensome, and in which Christians delight in their inner being; 1Jo 5:3, Rom 7:22); but, we would rob ourselves of this consistent delight of constant dependence upon grace.
Frankly, I don't want any religion that I find manageable. Such manageability indicates that it is not the real religion of the real God. It is a joy to me that the religion of the Bible commands me to do something that I find not manageable but only Godageable. And so I delight to do whatever part He gives me in the work of sanctification, even if I know that my efficacy in it is something analogous to my hand-cleaning our worship room's carpet.
Knowing that He is in fact managing it enables me to attempt the impossible with Spiritual alacrity. It is because I have the hope that I will be like Him that I purify myself as He is pure. He isn't just going to call me 'son' and then not give me the family resemblance. He isn't just going to promise that I will see Him and then not make me fit to do so (1John 3:1-10). I really do work out my own salvation, even though it is a fearful and tremulous task, because this obligation is actually the joy and high privilege of participating in God's own labors: for it is God who works in me both to will and to work for His good pleasure (Phil 2:12-13); and, my ineptness isn't going to keep Him from finishing the task (Phil 1:6).
If this is truly my mind, then I will be humble out my sin. I will be grateful for friends and enemies who unearth it (2Sam 16:10-11, Psalm 141:5, Prov 17:10, Prov 27:5-6). I will not acquit myself based upon the fact that I don't see it (1Cor 4:4). In fact, when I don't see it, I will ask God to show it to me (Ps 139:23-24). When I hear about grievous sin, of which I would not have thought myself capable, I will ask with the disciples, "Is it I, Lord?" And I will do this all not as some morbid exercise in naval gazing, but as obedience to God's delightful law, and as a claiming of the privilege of participation in a work that I cannot do but that cannot fail to produce the end of me in glory, bearing the family resemblance, and seeing my God and Savior face to face!
Then, this morning, as I was pacing around and picking up the little bits of paper and wrapper that breed on the floor every Lord's Day, I thought how very much like our sanctification it is to pick up those bits.
First of all, just because all the visible bits are dealt with, doesn't mean the floor is clean. Just because I cannot see it, doesn't mean it is not there. Just because I cannot see it, doesn't mean that it is not dirty
Moreover, even if I could see every particle of dirt, every flake of dandruff, every microbe... I would see immediately that the task is impossible. My human fingers simply aren't capable of removing it all. And the number of particles would prohibitive. The fact of the matter is that even a lifetime of finger-picking couldn't get the job done.
So why do I do it? Why don't I wait until Friday or Saturday, when whoever has cleaning duty in the servants' rotation comes and runs the vacuum? Well, it's not because I'm OCD. I simply like to participate in the work. I'm walking around, maybe praying or thinking or listening to something or reading or talking or whatever--it's not much distraction to swoop down and pick up that bit of paper.
Now, we have a duty to sanctification. God commands it. But we should also see how killing our sin is very much like my hand-cleaning the carpet. Just because we don't see our sins, it doesn't mean that they're not there, or that they're not dirty. And if we could see them all, we would realize that we are not humanly equipped with the ability to remove things so impacted into our hearts, and that there are far too many to deal with even if we could.
What a tragedy it would be if all we wanted was the visible stuff removed--if we set the bar where we could reach it. Not only would we thereby water down God's perfect law (which Christians do not find burdensome, and in which Christians delight in their inner being; 1Jo 5:3, Rom 7:22); but, we would rob ourselves of this consistent delight of constant dependence upon grace.
Frankly, I don't want any religion that I find manageable. Such manageability indicates that it is not the real religion of the real God. It is a joy to me that the religion of the Bible commands me to do something that I find not manageable but only Godageable. And so I delight to do whatever part He gives me in the work of sanctification, even if I know that my efficacy in it is something analogous to my hand-cleaning our worship room's carpet.
Knowing that He is in fact managing it enables me to attempt the impossible with Spiritual alacrity. It is because I have the hope that I will be like Him that I purify myself as He is pure. He isn't just going to call me 'son' and then not give me the family resemblance. He isn't just going to promise that I will see Him and then not make me fit to do so (1John 3:1-10). I really do work out my own salvation, even though it is a fearful and tremulous task, because this obligation is actually the joy and high privilege of participating in God's own labors: for it is God who works in me both to will and to work for His good pleasure (Phil 2:12-13); and, my ineptness isn't going to keep Him from finishing the task (Phil 1:6).
If this is truly my mind, then I will be humble out my sin. I will be grateful for friends and enemies who unearth it (2Sam 16:10-11, Psalm 141:5, Prov 17:10, Prov 27:5-6). I will not acquit myself based upon the fact that I don't see it (1Cor 4:4). In fact, when I don't see it, I will ask God to show it to me (Ps 139:23-24). When I hear about grievous sin, of which I would not have thought myself capable, I will ask with the disciples, "Is it I, Lord?" And I will do this all not as some morbid exercise in naval gazing, but as obedience to God's delightful law, and as a claiming of the privilege of participation in a work that I cannot do but that cannot fail to produce the end of me in glory, bearing the family resemblance, and seeing my God and Savior face to face!
Labels: Prayer Meeting Follow-Up
¶ 12:43 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
19-Aug Special Elders' Meeting Round-Up
We were particularly privileged to have the input of several non-elders at last night's meeting. Thank you! Since we're Presbyterians, we spent an hour deciding to have a committee!!
Additionally, we decided that we would be studying Christ in the Old Testament using Clowney's The Unfolding Mystery, beginning with Exodus. There will be a very brief introduction in one, large group, and then we will have age-specific instruction at a variety of grade levels. IF YOU ARE WILLING TO TEACH (or team-teach) a class, please contact committee chairman Gary Vander Hart within the next couple days.
Additionally, we decided that we would be studying Christ in the Old Testament using Clowney's The Unfolding Mystery, beginning with Exodus. There will be a very brief introduction in one, large group, and then we will have age-specific instruction at a variety of grade levels. IF YOU ARE WILLING TO TEACH (or team-teach) a class, please contact committee chairman Gary Vander Hart within the next couple days.
Labels: Announcements
¶ 6:00 AM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Psalm 41 'The Friend Who Sticks Closer than a Brother' (19-Aug-09 Prayer Meeting)
[click here to download; right-click to save]
Labels: Prayer Meetings
¶ 4:23 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Monday, August 17, 2009
Rom 9:22-23 'Raising Your God-Esteem' (16-Aug-09 Evening Sermon)
[click here to listen; right-click to save]
In the evening sermon this week, we heard from Rom 9:22-23 that God delights to show all of His perfections, including His wrath. We wrestled with how this exposes that we don't see our sin as vile enough or God (whom sin despises) as valuable enough. We then realized that if our sin is worse than we thought, and God's wrath is actually good and glorious, this adds a new mind-boggling dimension to His mercy upon us. Finally, we considered how chapter 2 told us that even for those who were storing up wrath (2:5), God's patience is meant to bring us to repentance (2:4), so the solution was to esteem is perfect and good wrath, and take the opportunity provided by His patience to repent, so that the riches of His glory might be made known in us as vessels in whom His mercy is displayed.
In the evening sermon this week, we heard from Rom 9:22-23 that God delights to show all of His perfections, including His wrath. We wrestled with how this exposes that we don't see our sin as vile enough or God (whom sin despises) as valuable enough. We then realized that if our sin is worse than we thought, and God's wrath is actually good and glorious, this adds a new mind-boggling dimension to His mercy upon us. Finally, we considered how chapter 2 told us that even for those who were storing up wrath (2:5), God's patience is meant to bring us to repentance (2:4), so the solution was to esteem is perfect and good wrath, and take the opportunity provided by His patience to repent, so that the riches of His glory might be made known in us as vessels in whom His mercy is displayed.
Labels: Sermons
¶ 9:57 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Jer 16:1-13 'Cutting Off Family Relations' (16-Aug-09 Evening Reading)
[click here to listen; right-click to save]
In this reading, Bob Hilbelink opened up for us how God ordered Jeremiah to have no family relations, to comfort no one, to celebrate no one. Jeremiah's life was a demonstration that God was cutting off family relations with His people and removing comfort and celebration with them. Why? Because they had gone after other gods to serve them, refusing God's Word, and clinging to their own stubborn wills.
In this reading, Bob Hilbelink opened up for us how God ordered Jeremiah to have no family relations, to comfort no one, to celebrate no one. Jeremiah's life was a demonstration that God was cutting off family relations with His people and removing comfort and celebration with them. Why? Because they had gone after other gods to serve them, refusing God's Word, and clinging to their own stubborn wills.
Labels: Serial Readings
¶ 9:51 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Gen 25:27-34 'Esau: Hunter of Game' (16-Aug-09 Morning Sermon)
[click here to listen; right-click to save]
In the morning sermon's text, from Esau's example, we were warned to love heaven and holiness more than this momentary life and its pleasures.
In the morning sermon's text, from Esau's example, we were warned to love heaven and holiness more than this momentary life and its pleasures.
Labels: Sermons
¶ 4:17 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Mark 6:1-31 'Obstacles to the Necessary Coming and Believing' (16-Aug-09 Morning Reading)
[click here to listen; right-click to save]
Coming and believing are necessary conditions of salvation and healing. And obstacles to them include the unimpressiveness of God's means and our desire for the praises of men. This we learned from Mark 6:1-31 in the morning reading this week.
Coming and believing are necessary conditions of salvation and healing. And obstacles to them include the unimpressiveness of God's means and our desire for the praises of men. This we learned from Mark 6:1-31 in the morning reading this week.
Labels: Serial Readings
¶ 4:13 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Saturday, August 15, 2009
16-Aug-09 Worship Booklet
[click here to view; right-click to save]
Labels: Worship Booklet
¶ 9:57 AM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Friday, August 14, 2009
12-Aug-09 Prayer Meeting Booklet
The Psalms have been so rich and rewarding for us to study. They contain more New Testament theology than any other Old Testament book, applying to us perfect examples of what belivers' hearts are to be like in any and every real-life situation. Did you know that in addition to summarizing the teaching that we hear during the prayer meeting devotional, the booklet includes questions for the next week's text to help you work through it? Even if you cannot come to the midweek meetings, you can still benefit from working through the Psalms with us! Extra prayer meeting booklets are on the back table, and this week's is also available here: [click here to view; right-click to download].
Labels: Prayer Meetings
¶ 8:37 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Rom 9:19-21 'Who We Are' (9-Aug-09 Evening Sermon)
[click here to listen; right-click to download]
In evening worship this week, we were confronted with how upside down our value system is--thinking too highly of self and not highly enough of God. We found ourselves mentally and morally incapable of passing any judgment on God. Yet, once we realized who is pot, and who Potter, we found that there is wonderful hope in that God, who delights to show mercy, is Potter and extends grace to miserably spoiled lumps of clay.
In evening worship this week, we were confronted with how upside down our value system is--thinking too highly of self and not highly enough of God. We found ourselves mentally and morally incapable of passing any judgment on God. Yet, once we realized who is pot, and who Potter, we found that there is wonderful hope in that God, who delights to show mercy, is Potter and extends grace to miserably spoiled lumps of clay.
Labels: Sermons
¶ 4:00 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Jer 15 'Utter What Is Precious' (9-Aug-09 Evening Reading)
[click here to listen; right-click to download]
In the evening serial reading this week, Matt Van Essendelft issued a call for us from Jer 15 to utter precious things among a people whose judgment is almost complete for following their own hearts instead of God's Word.
In the evening serial reading this week, Matt Van Essendelft issued a call for us from Jer 15 to utter precious things among a people whose judgment is almost complete for following their own hearts instead of God's Word.
Labels: Serial Readings
¶ 3:56 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Gen 25:19-26 'Why God Makes Things Hard' (9-Aug Morning Sermon)
[click here to listen; right-click to save]
In Lord's Day morning's sermon, we heard preached from Genesis 25:19-26 that God intentionally does His gracious work over and against our inability, unworthiness, understanding, assessments, expectations, preferences, and natures.
We noted that the question, "Why does God make things so hard for me?" includes the faulty assumption that "me" is the one who is to overcome the difficulties! Rather, the proper question is, "Why does God make things so hard for Himself?," to which one excellent answer is, "Because He delights to show that He is God!"
What is left for us, then? (1) Dependence: a hostile refusal to rest, hope, or glory in self; and a continuous and intentional resting, hoping, and glorying in God alone; (2) Duty: whatever God says to do, we do it--not because we think it will work, but because the One in whom we rest, hope, and glory says so!
In Lord's Day morning's sermon, we heard preached from Genesis 25:19-26 that God intentionally does His gracious work over and against our inability, unworthiness, understanding, assessments, expectations, preferences, and natures.
We noted that the question, "Why does God make things so hard for me?" includes the faulty assumption that "me" is the one who is to overcome the difficulties! Rather, the proper question is, "Why does God make things so hard for Himself?," to which one excellent answer is, "Because He delights to show that He is God!"
What is left for us, then? (1) Dependence: a hostile refusal to rest, hope, or glory in self; and a continuous and intentional resting, hoping, and glorying in God alone; (2) Duty: whatever God says to do, we do it--not because we think it will work, but because the One in whom we rest, hope, and glory says so!
Labels: Sermons
¶ 10:07 AM 0 Comments Links to this post
Mark 4:35-5:43 "Don't Fear; Believe" (9-Aug Morning Reading)
[click here to listen; right-click to download]
In the serial reading this Lord's Day morning, we read and heard that Jesus is more frightening than anything else in all creation, and yet for us there is grace that rather than run away in fear, our great awe of Him might be the foundation for great faith in Him.
In the serial reading this Lord's Day morning, we read and heard that Jesus is more frightening than anything else in all creation, and yet for us there is grace that rather than run away in fear, our great awe of Him might be the foundation for great faith in Him.
Labels: Serial Readings
¶ 9:59 AM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Saturday, August 8, 2009
9-Aug-09 Worship Booklet Now Online
[click here to view; right-click to save a copy]
Labels: Worship Booklet
¶ 4:21 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Thursday, August 6, 2009
6-Aug-09 Best of the Web
I've linked to this quote before, but it's just so helpful for self-examination. Having been in Jeremiah for over a month as a family, and several months as a congregation, you might add to that list how very often "following the dic
tates of my stubborn, evil heart" parades itself as "Sincerity and Authenticity."
I think that in this quote Carson found the substance of something I have sensed but failed to formulate: the most frustrating thing about SOME folk who marry social action to the gospel is the sheer historical arrogance of their "previous generations got it wrong and now we're getting it right" attitude; and the most disturbing thing about them is that in their conflation of gospel proclamation with Biblical mandates one comes away wondering just what they think the "gospel" is, and just what they think "proclamation" is.
tates of my stubborn, evil heart" parades itself as "Sincerity and Authenticity."
I think that in this quote Carson found the substance of something I have sensed but failed to formulate: the most frustrating thing about SOME folk who marry social action to the gospel is the sheer historical arrogance of their "previous generations got it wrong and now we're getting it right" attitude; and the most disturbing thing about them is that in their conflation of gospel proclamation with Biblical mandates one comes away wondering just what they think the "gospel" is, and just what they think "proclamation" is.
Labels: Best of the Web
¶ 12:13 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
5-Aug-09 Elders' Meeting Roundup
Your elders are grateful for your prayers. We had a long and full meeting that included the following items of interest:
- Installation for the new elders is set for the morning of August 16, pending confirmation that they can all be there
- We did not set new dates for deacon candidate exams or elections, because we wish first to consult the scheduling preferences of the candidates
- The elders encouraged James to take on the O'Brien County prison ministry
- Final authorization was given for purchase of the building sign
- Gary Vander Plaats did a yeoman's work in assembling the language and format for a commercial lease, and hammering out the details with our tenants has been put in Bob and Craig's hands
- Various communications were received as information
- A great deal of time was spent on various pastoral care items, including prayers of gratitude for noted spiritual growth in many, and prayers of concern and grief for others, after which we considered how specifically to help and purposed to do so
- After discussing Bible Class options for this fall, the elders decided that we would like the benefit of the additional elders' counsel and votes, so we have called a special, 30 minute elders' meeting for just that issue on Wednesday, August 19, at 8:30p.m.
Labels: Elders' Meetings
¶ 11:54 AM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Rom 9:14-18 'The God Who Has Mercy' (2-Aug-09 Evening Sermon)
[click here to listen; right-click to save a copy]
In the evening sermon this week, the Scripture answered the common charge that the idea of God's choosing to save some sinners but not others is unjust. We saw that this is a wrong reframing of the issue--that what is at stake in election is not justice (which was at stake at the cross) but mercy. We saw further that this is really a doctrine for great comfort to believers and great glory to God--that in fact the mercy displayed in election is a reality in which God especially delights to show His glory.
In the evening sermon this week, the Scripture answered the common charge that the idea of God's choosing to save some sinners but not others is unjust. We saw that this is a wrong reframing of the issue--that what is at stake in election is not justice (which was at stake at the cross) but mercy. We saw further that this is really a doctrine for great comfort to believers and great glory to God--that in fact the mercy displayed in election is a reality in which God especially delights to show His glory.
Labels: Sermons
¶ 5:15 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Mark 4:21-34 'The Invisible, Inexplicable, Inestimable Work of God in the Gospel' (2-Aug-09 Morning Reading)
[click here to listen, right-click to save a copy]
In our morning serial reading this week, Jesus taught us three parables' worth of application of the fact that He is the One who sovereignly applies the gospel to His people.
In our morning serial reading this week, Jesus taught us three parables' worth of application of the fact that He is the One who sovereignly applies the gospel to His people.
Labels: Serial Readings
¶ 5:07 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
2-Aug-09 Lord's Supper
[click here to listen; right-click to save a copy]
Perhaps you are "visiting" Harvest over the internet and are rightly concerned to know that we administer Christ's sacraments faithfully, or maybe a parent who has taken to heart the plea to bring your children to Christ and see them built up in Him to be able to come properly to the table, or maybe one of the many families that was providentially hindered from being with us and would like at least to benefit from this month's table lesson. To minister to these and other concerns, the audio from this month's Lord's Supper is here available.
Perhaps you are "visiting" Harvest over the internet and are rightly concerned to know that we administer Christ's sacraments faithfully, or maybe a parent who has taken to heart the plea to bring your children to Christ and see them built up in Him to be able to come properly to the table, or maybe one of the many families that was providentially hindered from being with us and would like at least to benefit from this month's table lesson. To minister to these and other concerns, the audio from this month's Lord's Supper is here available.
Labels: Lord's Supper
¶ 5:03 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Jeremiah 14 'The Reality of Wrath' (2-Aug-09 Evening Reading)
[click here to listen, or right-click to download]
In evening worship this week, Russ Herman opened up Jeremiah 14 for us, showing from it the reality of God's wrath, the danger of quickly dismissing it, and the necessity of having a heart wide open toward those who may be under it.
In evening worship this week, Russ Herman opened up Jeremiah 14 for us, showing from it the reality of God's wrath, the danger of quickly dismissing it, and the necessity of having a heart wide open toward those who may be under it.
Labels: Serial Readings
¶ 4:57 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Gen 25:1-18 'Godly Satisfaction' (2-Aug-09 Morning Sermon)
[click here to listen; right-click to download/save a copy]
As we worked through this passage, we found that we have here a summary of the blessedness and hope of believers. Believers' earthly lives are "full" because their blessings are exactly those provided by God to them in Christ, and He Himself is the substance of every blessing. Believers are at their death "gathered to their people," the people who have received a better blessing than all this life. And believers look forward to a greater blessing still: that which we shall enjoy at the resurrection. Reminder of the four main applications we highlighted:
(1) be satisfied like a Christian: enjoy God fully in this life;
(2) be dissatisfied like a Christian: don't stop longing for a greater enjoyment of God that cannot be had even until the resurrection;
(3) live this life now for eternity: don't let the goodness of God's blessings in this life become a snare by which you live for this life!;
(4) plan your children's inheritance for eternity: as you provide for your children to survive you, do it in such a way that deals seriously with the fact that blessing at death and resurrection are infinitely more important than a full, blessed earthly life
As we worked through this passage, we found that we have here a summary of the blessedness and hope of believers. Believers' earthly lives are "full" because their blessings are exactly those provided by God to them in Christ, and He Himself is the substance of every blessing. Believers are at their death "gathered to their people," the people who have received a better blessing than all this life. And believers look forward to a greater blessing still: that which we shall enjoy at the resurrection. Reminder of the four main applications we highlighted:
(1) be satisfied like a Christian: enjoy God fully in this life;
(2) be dissatisfied like a Christian: don't stop longing for a greater enjoyment of God that cannot be had even until the resurrection;
(3) live this life now for eternity: don't let the goodness of God's blessings in this life become a snare by which you live for this life!;
(4) plan your children's inheritance for eternity: as you provide for your children to survive you, do it in such a way that deals seriously with the fact that blessing at death and resurrection are infinitely more important than a full, blessed earthly life
Labels: Sermons
¶ 4:51 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
4-Aug-09 BotW (Best of the Web)
RHB has released what promises to be [an excellent new book] that distills for us some of the most helpful contributions of Thomas Goodwin.
Carl Trueman has [linked at Reformation21 to a popular clip of John Piper proclaiming the gospel]. It's not the only good explanation out there, and I think I've even linked to it before, but he does a good job communicating. I think my favorite part is the "never never never never never" part toward the beginning. It's so true. Sometimes people ask for parenting advice, or for wisdom for dealing with such and such a spiritual dilemma, or how to respond to some cult or another's followers who try to evangelize you, or why a particular theological issue is so important to me (what theological isn't?) ... and you may have noticed over time that every single one of these conversations ends up later or (more likely) sooner at the gospel! We've got nothing else: who God is, who and what we are, and yet what God has done. Amazing, amazing. The good news is SO very GOOD!
Carl Trueman has [linked at Reformation21 to a popular clip of John Piper proclaiming the gospel]. It's not the only good explanation out there, and I think I've even linked to it before, but he does a good job communicating. I think my favorite part is the "never never never never never" part toward the beginning. It's so true. Sometimes people ask for parenting advice, or for wisdom for dealing with such and such a spiritual dilemma, or how to respond to some cult or another's followers who try to evangelize you, or why a particular theological issue is so important to me (what theological isn't?) ... and you may have noticed over time that every single one of these conversations ends up later or (more likely) sooner at the gospel! We've got nothing else: who God is, who and what we are, and yet what God has done. Amazing, amazing. The good news is SO very GOOD!
Labels: Best of the Web
¶ 3:33 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
2-Aug-09 Worship Booklet
In preparing the media uploads from the Lord's Day, I noticed that I forgot to upload the worship booklet last week! If you are one who prefers to read and refer to it online, it is [here].
Labels: Worship Booklet
¶ 3:23 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Prayer Meeting and Elders' Meeting Tomorrow, August 5
For various reasons, the prayer meeting has been canceled two weeks in a row. We're trying again tomorrow night. If you would like to prepare for the study portion, and haven't been keeping up with the materials, you can download [the previous week's booklet, with questions for study] and even [tomorrow's booklet, with the lesson summary]
Also, please note that although Pastor James neglected to put it on the back of the worship booklet, tomorrow is the first Wednesday of the month, and the stated elders' meeting is scheduled for immediately after the prayer meeting.
Also, please note that although Pastor James neglected to put it on the back of the worship booklet, tomorrow is the first Wednesday of the month, and the stated elders' meeting is scheduled for immediately after the prayer meeting.
Labels: Announcements
¶ 2:21 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Additional Elders Affirmed
For some time now, we have been anticipating that the risen Lord Jesus would be adding to the group of men whom He has given Harvest to serve by ruling and pastoring us. We recognized men of the specific character described in 1Tim 3 and Titus 1; these men were approved for consideration by the current elders; there was a time of testing and proving and consideration that included both a congregational refresher on the office from Scripture and sundry opportunities to experience the candidates' gifts; and, this past Friday evening, the final congregational vote to affirm the men was unanimous. We are grateful to God for His mercy to us; let us keep praying together that for His own glory and our good as those whom He has set under them, God will continue His work of grace in each of these men's lives: Craig De Haan, Russ Herman, Matt Van Essendelft, and Gary Vander Plaats.
Labels: Announcements
¶ 2:13 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
