Jeremiah 34 - The Opportunity to Confess and Repent (7-Feb-10 Evening Reading) [click here to listen to the audio] (or right-click for more options)
Lord's Day evening, in gathered worship, elder Gary Vander Plaats explained and applied Jeremiah 34.  We saw how marvelous is God's grace, that though we deserve immediate and eternal condemnation, even to those who receive earthly chastisement, God gives the opportunity to confess and repent.  Now that's mercy.
[click here to read Jeremiah 34 online]

Labels: Jeremiah, Messages, Serial Readings

  ¶ 11:37 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

  What Should Christians Do When They Disagree? Here's a biblical answer http://bit.ly/csEoWh

Labels: Best of the Web

  ¶ 4:23 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Whitefield (Dallimore) - Vol 1, Pt 2, Ch 8 'Military Chaplain' (Timeless Tuesday) On Timeless Tuesdays, I read on the subject of church history and am currently doing so through George Whitefield by Arnold Dallimore. The following are a portion of my notes, for my reference and your additional edification:

8 - Military Chaplain

• as Whitefield's ship was about to leave, Wesley's pulled in with him dejected because Wesley had gone to Georgia in order to earn God's favor and instead found himself to be unconverted, failing miserably due to many severe personal faults and sins (pp143-150)
• Wesley cast lots and sent Whitefield a 'message from God' that he should go back to London instead of onto Georgia, but Whitefield replied with a wise, biblical reasoning for himself to go on (pp150-151)
• Whitefield was at first despised by the worldly, coarse sailors, but he meekly ministered the comforts of the Word to whomever he could, including appropriate deeds, and by the end of 7 weeks many of the soldiers onboard had been catechized, and almost everyone attended shipwide worship twice a day (pp151-155)
• when they stopped in Gibraltar to take on more soldiers, there was a work of the Spirit already going in the place, and Whitefield's ministry was used of God to further it (pp155-156)
• at this time, he added to his ministry personal examinations, to see whether people could adequately profess their faith (p156)
• he took notice of and learned about the interests of everyone, enabling him to connect further with them, and use spiritual illustrations from their own lives (p158)
• at sea, he was delivered from a near-death illness, though he recorded his great desire to enter glory: "I earnestly desired to be dissolved and go to Christ; but God was pleased to order it otherwise, and I am resigned, though I can scarce be reconciled to come back again to this vale of misery.  I had the Heavenly Canaan in full view and hoped I was going to take possession of it; but God saw I was not yet ripe for glory, and therefore in mercy spared me." (p160)
• during this time in calmer waters, all three ships could sail close to each other, and did so in order that Whitefield's services could be heard by all; so that, on all three ships it was felt a great loss to arrive and no longer have his daily ministry (p160-162)

Labels: Timeless Tuesday (History), Whitefield (Dallimore)

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  "The Lord Sees": Comfort, Conviction, and Contentment (7-Feb Morning Sermon Follow-Up) Lord's Day morning, after worship, I found myself outside (dodging snowballs and) chatting with some of our younger set, and trying to connect the conversation to what we had just learned from the Scriptures in the service. At one point, a young man said that he just seems to have difficulty doing things if he can't see of what use it will be to him in the future.

This was a perfect place to apply again the point from the morning sermon that "the Lord sees." In our difficulties and under hostility, it is a great comfort that the Lord sees.

But it is also convicting that the Lord sees: perhaps I can convince mom that I'm really trying at the math work, but the Lord sees the true level of my exertion. All of a sudden, both disobedience and even obedience that is merely outward and external and halfhearted just will not do. The Lord sees.

And, furthermore, it is contenting to know that the Lord sees. I may never use this mathematical knowledge again. In fact, I may barely acquire this mathematical knowledge at all, because I find it very difficult. But that does not make it useless, and that does not make the effort no longer worth it. Because the Lord sees! And when I learn math, I see a little more of God's marvelous design in creation. And when I do my best, honoring my teacher (in this case, mother) with the effort I put forward and my Lord with this diligence, it is impossible for this to be useless--it has already been put to the use of glorifying my Father who sees in secret. The Lord sees!

Dear congregation, this applies to vacuuming and dishes, and to paperwork and staff meetings, and to whatever comes up in the course of your various callings this week. The Lord sees. Let this be a comfort in difficulty and hostility. Let it be convicting when tempted to wrongdoing or even halfhearted "right-doing." And let it be contenting, not just a concept that lends usefulness to every right activity, but is in fact the primary use of every right activity--to glorify and delight in our Lord.

The Lord sees!

Labels: Pastoral Counsel, Sermon Follow-Up

  ¶ 2:13 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Genesis 31 'The Lord Sees, Saves, and Secures' (7-Feb-2010 Morning Sermon) [click here to listen to the audio] (or right-click for more options)
As we received the proclamation of Genesis 31 Lord's Day morning, we learned that:

1. The Lord Sees.  He sees our plight always and perfectly.  Hope doesn't come from what we see, and what we can think to do.  It comes from the fact that the Lord sees.  And if we keep this front and center, not only will we have sure and steady hope, but we will also be hindered from committing foolish mistakes.  Knowing that the Lord sees, we ought not get ourselves into a frenzy of figuring out how to get the results that we want, but can rather entrust those results to the Lord and simply seek to please Him.
2. The Lord Saves.  Not only does the Lord see, but the Lord saves.  There is no power from which He cannot save us.  He has Laban, Satan, even Sin itself on a leash.  When Laban says "it is in my power to harm you," he simply lies. He himself follows that statement by saying that God has refused him such power.   It is only in our enemies' power to do to us that which God has already ordained for good.
3. The Lord Secures.  The God who sees our plight and acts in history to save us will also make certain that we get all the way to the end.  Laban hedges his bets with all kinds of gods.  Jacob, who is no different in his original nature/character than Laban, is secure simply because he has the one true God who has acted in history as "the fear of Isaac."

[click here to read Genesis 31 online]

Labels: Genesis, Messages, Sermons

  ¶ 11:36 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Luke 4:14-44 'Fulfilled in Our Hearing' (7-Feb-2010 Morning Reading) [click here to listen to the audio] (or right-click for more options)


[click here to read Luk 4:14-44 online]

Labels: Luke, Messages, Serial Readings

  ¶ 11:35 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Don't Forget! Fellowship Meal and Lord's Supper Tomorrow! The fellowship meal is immediately after morning worship, and the Lord's Supper is in the evening worship service.

Labels: Announcements, Lord's Supper

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  7-Feb-2010 Worship Plan

Labels: Orders of Worship, Worship Services

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  Special Collection for the Bible League on February 21 Because salvation is entirely of God, as a congregation we rest our hope only upon what Jesus has done; and, as we tell others about the amazing news of the gospels we employ God's methods.  If you've been around Harvest long, you've heard of these methods referred to as "the means of grace": Word, Sacrament, and Prayer.  We wouldn't think of saying "that's all?" about these ordinances through which God exerts His glorious power in His glorious salvation.

Because we are excited about God's salvation by grace alone, and because that gets us excited about the means of grace, we are delighted to announce to you the following opportunity to help local churches around the world.  The Bible League distributes Bibles, focusing upon the poorest communities; and, they do it through partnering with and building up the local church.  They don't just hand out Bibles; they help people study them.  And, they train up members of the local church so that they can keep doing it.

Please consider how much you might cheerfully set aside for this work.  We plan to take a special collection for it on Lord's Day, the 21st of February.

Labels: Announcements, World Missions

  ¶ 8:04 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

  3-Feb-10 Elders' Meeting Roundup The elders met last night for the regular monthly meeting.  The following are some of the items of interest:

• we began a new devotional series, since the meetings are no longer preceded by prayer meetings.  First up is a study of the Scriptural office of elder using With a Shepherd's Heart: Reclaiming the Pastoral Office of Elder by John R. Sittema.  We found the first chapter inspiring and challenging, and a good reminder of our calling.  Please pray that God would bless this study not only to our increased faithfulness among His flock, but that we would also see fruit from it in the lives of the congregation.
• we considered a request from the Bible League that we would take an offering for their ministry.  They distribute Bibles in foreign countries, focusing especially upon poor areas.  An important part of the ministry is that they do this through the local church as part of a Bible study and discipleship program, and the training of teachers in the local church as well.  We will be viewing a video about this ministry at the afterparty for the next couple weeks and receiving a special offering for the Bible League on February 21.
• we received a report that due in part to significant front-loaded expenses at the beginning of the year, giving in January fell significantly short of expenses
• we received a report that the emergency collection for Haiti was $555
• we were reminded of the dates for the General Assembly, and at the next meeting we will revisit the matter of delegating ruling elders
• we delegated elders Gary Vander Hart and Craig De Haan to represent Harvest at the February 13 Presbytery meeting, with elder Matt Van Essendelft as alternate
• we approved pulpit leave for James on the evening of February 14, to attend the particularization of a PCA church in Sioux Falls; and, all day on April 11, to attend a conference and to preach in the worship of his former congregation in Mississippi
• but the bulk of the meeting was spent thanking God for the work that he has been doing in specific families' lives, thinking carefully about how to continue in shepherding them, and then praying for God's wisdom, help, and blessing upon the whole thing.  With God's help, we are taking this privilege and responsibility very seriously, so when an elder calls and would like to visit with you, please do your best not just to make time for the meeting but to come prepared to do serious thinking before God about the care of your souls and the souls of those who have been entrusted to you.  Remember--our sufficiency for this is from God, indeed it is Jesus Himself, whose benefits are applied to us by His infinitely powerful Holy Spirit!

The elders are thankful for all of your honor, encouragement, and obedience in the Lord; but, especially for your prayers.  As we do this work, we often feel (and sometimes express, if not in the exact words), "who is sufficient for these things?"  Our sufficiency is of God.  And He is pleased to respond to your prayers by being sufficient to us and for us.

Labels: Announcements, Elders' Meetings

  ¶ 7:37 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Directory for Public Worship - Prayer after the Sermon, Baptism (Worship Wednesday) On Worship Wednesdays, I read on the subject of worship and am currently doing so through The Directory of the Publick Worship of God, written by the Westminster Assembly.  Although the link is to a copy with commentary by Rowland Ward, I'm reading the one in the back of my Westminster Directory, so I'm afraid there won't be notes here on what Ward says (The Ward and Muller book will probably make an appearance on future Worship Wednesdays).  The following are a portion of my notes:

Of Prayer after the Sermon (p381-382)

• Offer thanks for
• the various works of the Father, Son and Spirit
• especially the gospel itself and all of its benefits
• naming covenant blessings specific to this congregation and church
• Asking
• for continuation of faithful Word, Sacrament, and Discipline here
• God's blessing upon each of these
• specific application of those points made from the Scripture by the sermon
• for preparation for last things (death, return, judgment, etc.)
• for blessing upon church and land

A Psalm Should Then Be Sung if Convenient

A Blessing Pronounced If No Other Ordinances That Day

--

Of Baptism (p382-384)

• is not to be unnecessarily delayed
• administered only by a minister
• only in corporate worship
• after teaching that
• it is instituted by Jesus
• it is a seal of
• the covenant of grace
• our ingrafting into Christ
• our union with Him
• the water signifies both the blood of Jesus and the work of the Spirit
• the washing signifies cleansing (mortification and rising to newness of life)
• by the blood of Christ
• for the merit of Christ
• through the death and resurrection of Christ
• the promise is made to believers ad their seed
• Jesus admitted children into His presence and said that the kingdom belonged to them
• they are being received into the church and are obligated to renounce and fight against the devil, the world, and the flesh
• children of believers are already set apart to God b/c of their parent
• the inward grace and virtue of baptism are not tied to the moment of its administration
• [e.g. they may come much later]
• they continue through the whole of life
• no one is in danger of damnation simply for not receiving water baptism
• this is just a pattern; the minister may use his own liberty to tailor to the situation
• admonish all present
• look back to their baptism
• repent of any covenant-breaking with God
• stir up their faith to make right use of their baptism
• exhort parent
• consider mercy of God to him and his child
• instruct, nurture, discipline the child in the Lord
• with warning of the danger of wrath upon himself and child if negligent in this duty
• prayer (that God would provide in time the inward realities and true benefits)
• words of institution, concurrent with application of water
• prayer
• thanking for the various mercies
• that the Lord would make the baptism effectual to the recipient, teaching him by His Word and Spirit

Labels: Directory for Public Worship, Worship Wednesday

  ¶ 5:08 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Romans 12:1 pt1 'Gospel, Urgent, Dependent, and Possible Obedience' (31-Jan-2010 Evening Sermon) [click here to listen to the audio] (or right-click for more options)

• The only true kind of obedience is Gospel obedience.  Doctrine matters, because the acceptability of our service corresponds partly to the theology that is in our hearts as we serve.
• No believer ever in this life grows out of the need for being urged on and pleaded with for this obedience.
• No believer ever in this life grows out of absolute dependence upon the pity of God.  Every single day, we cannot obey except by the compassion of God.
• This kind of obedience is commanded to 'brothers', because it is only possible for those who have already been born again and justified.  In fact, for them, it is not only possible but they are guaranteed to spend eternity doing this perfectly.

[click here to read Romans 12:1 online]

Labels: Messages, Romans, Sermons

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  Jeremiah 33:14-26 God's Promises Absolutely Certain in Jesus (31-Jan-2010 Evening Reading) [click here to listen to the audio] (or right-click for more options)

[click here to read Jeremiah 33:14-26 online]

Labels: Jeremiah, Messages, Serial Readings

  ¶ 1:58 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Genesis 30:25-43 'Get Rich Quick in Jesus' (31-Jan-2010 Morning Sermon) [click here to listen to the audio] (or right-click for more options)

• God can bless us who are trapped in their circumstances
• God can bless us who face hostile opposition
• God can bless us who at times insanely think that we are contributing to the blessing
• God does all of this blessing for Jesus' sake and by Jesus' power

[click here to read Genesis 30:25-43 online]

Labels: Genesis, Messages, Sermons

  ¶ 1:53 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Luke 3:21-4:13 'The Active Obedience of Jesus' (31-Jan-2010 Morning Reading) [click here to listen to the audio] (or right-click for more options)

• In His baptism, Jesus identifies with us in our sin, and without becoming a sinner Himself
• Jesus has perfectly pleased God in His entire life leading up to His ministry
• Jesus is fully qualified to represent before God every single one of Adam's children
• As our champion, Jesus succeeds where Adam failed; He crushes Satan's head not just at the cross, but in every temptation throughout His entire life

[click here to read Luke 3:21-4:13 online]

Labels: Luke, Messages, Serial Readings

  ¶ 11:59 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Whitefield (Dallimore) - Vol 1, Pt 2, Ch 7 'Lasting Results' (Timeless Tuesday) On Timeless Tuesdays, I read on the subject of church history and am currently doing so through George Whitefield by Arnold Dallimore. The following are a portion of my notes, for my reference and your additional edification:

7 - Lasting Results

• GW was popular and effective with all classes (p132)
• the result was his being under constant scrutiny and having no private life (p132-133)
• as his popularity grew, he guarded against pride by thinking often of the judgment seat of Christ and standing before Him--that he might not be moved by what he appears before men but rather by what he appears as before God (p134) -- [God help me to do this!]
• [of course] his doctrinal conviction and uncompromising preaching brought opposition from within the clergy and the church itself (p134-135)
• though he didn't do what we would call today "altar calls" he applied the gospel clearly and pointedly in preaching and many of those awakened during the preaching were later converted (p136)
• this often came as a result, partly, of their seeking him out for private pastoral counseling with the spiritual questions and concerns that arose in their hearts (p136-7)
• "He directed the needy soul to the Gospel promises and told him to plead them before God, and, on the basis of them, to seek the assurance that this Divine work was accomplished within his heart" (p137)
• He wouldn't just give credit to all claims of conversion.  "He chose to wait until conversion had been manifested by months of a transformed life, and his attitude is well expressed in his words, 'Only the judgment morning will reveal who the converts really are'." (p137)
• the clergy/church characterized those who responded to Whitefield's ministry as fanatics, and wouldn't accept them or help them grow in Christian maturity, so Whitefield began organizing them into religious societies (p137-8)
• as his ship went port to port as he was leaving for Georgia, he began preaching extemporaneously for the first time--a skill and practice that would be needed for the rest of his life (p140)
• seeing the challenges ahead, he prayed "God give me a deep humility, a well-guided zeal, a burning love, and a single eye, and then let men or devils do their worst!" (p140)

Labels: Timeless Tuesday (History), Whitefield (Dallimore)

  ¶ 11:17 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Reformed Pastor (Baxter) - ch1 sec1 "The Nature of Taking Heed to Ourselves" (Ministry Monday) On Ministry Mondays, I read on the subject of pastoral ministry and am currently doing so through The Reformed Pastor by Richard Baxter. The following are a portion of my notes, for my reference and your additional edification:

Chapter 1 - The Oversight of Ourselves
Section 1 - The Nature of This Oversight

What does it mean to take heed to ourselves?

• first, it means that we ourselves must see our need for the grace of God in Christ, must ourselves believe the gospel and depend wholly upon Christ, ourselves must fly in repentance from sin to Jesus, must ourselves be saved!
• "God never saved any man for being a preacher, nor because he was an able preacher" (p54)
• shall we not test and see whether we have gospel-transformed hearts, whether we see and love God in all of His works? (p58)
• second, we should consider not only whether we are saved, but if we are living and thriving and active and growing in grace
• this isn't simply for our sake as much as for those to whom we minister--shall they not have a minister who is vigorous in grace (p61)
• "be also careful that your graces are kept in vigorous and lively exercise, and that you preach to yourselves the sermons which you study, before you preach them to others" (p61)
• before we present ourselves before others to minister to them, "go then specially to God for life: read some rousing, awakening book, or meditate on the weight of the subject of which you are to speak, and on the great necessity of your people's souls" (p62-63)
• third, make sure that your living reflects all of your preaching
• do, yourself, whatever you command from Scripture (p65)
• "overcome them with kindness and patience and gentleness [...] speak not stoutly or disrespectfully to any one; but be courteous to the meanest, as to your equal in Christ.  A kind and winning carriage is a cheap way of doing men good." (p66)
• do much good
• "Go to the poor, and see what they want, and show your compassion at once to their soul and body.  Buy them a catechism, and other small books that are likely to do them good, and make the promise to read them with care and attention.  Stretch your purse to the utmost, and do all the good you can." (p66)
•  fourth, don't do anything that you condemn from Scripture (p67)
•  finally, study much, be well-informed, know your flock, be diligent in the skill and preparation of your calling (p68-69)
• "what skill is necessary to make the truth plain; to convince the hearers, to let irresistible light in to their consciences, and to keep it there, and drive all home; to screw the truth into their minds, and work Christ into their affections; to meet every objection, and clearly to resolve it; to drive sinners to a stand, and make them see that there is no hope, but that they must unavoidable either be converted or condemned" (p70, emphasis mine)
• what skill and diligence and care is needed for preaching well, defending truth well, and pastoring individually well!
• wonderful word against excusing ministerial laziness with the idea that it is a form of dependence upon the Spirit: "O that men should dare, by their laziness, to 'quench the Spirit,' and then pretend the Spirit for the doing of it! 'O outrageous, shameful and unnatural deed!'" (p71)

Labels: Ministry Monday, Reformed Pastor (Baxter)

  ¶ 10:56 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

  A Couple of Community Announcements The following were passed along this week:

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

5:00-7:00 PM 

Soup Supper

at

American Reformed Church

407 Albany Avenue SE

Orange City, IA

(Fellowship Hall)

Hosted by the

ARC Church Life and Fellowship Commission.

                     The menu will be soup, sandwiches, desserts and drink.

 A freewill donation will be received.

 and

The 2nd Annual Women of God Conference "Lord.  Lord!"  will be held

on April 16 and 17 at the New Life Reformed Church in Sioux Center.

All women age 18-99 are invited to come!  Come for worship, 3 inspiring speakers, beautiful artistry and 3 excellent meals.

Also attend 3 of the 12 compelling workshops - including cooking, women's emotional and physical health, photography, books, growing good and godly kids, letting go and spirituality.

Hear what Life 96.5 KNWC announcers Suzanne Lynn and Luane Christensen have to say about being stretched by God, and what Pastor Aaron Baart says to 'women only."

Or join the 'choir room' and sing your hearts out with other women of the community. Relax. Enjoy. Be inspired and encouraged and fed at this warm and informal event for women.

Cost for the entire conference is $30 before April 1.  All proceeds go to The Bridge.  The brochure will be posted online at  www.thebridgehousing.org on Feb 12.  Online registration will also open on the 12th.

Check your churches for brochures and forms by Feb. 21.   Register early - the conference is limited to the first 300 registrants!  Questions please call The Bridge at 712.707.9922.

Labels: Announcements

  ¶ 6:06 AM 0 Comments Links to this post