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Conviction

3/26/2017

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​Good Words from God’s Word
 
I am continuing to preach today from the book of Acts. Today’s message is about Stephen, one of the first deacon-ministers selected by the early church. He was also the first martyr of the church, a distinction not shared by the other six leaders selected to serve alongside him. Stephen was not selected by the church to be a martyr. He was killed by an angry mob that was incited by jealous religious leaders, angry people who didn’t like his preaching, and false witnesses paid to lie about what they heard him say. Stephen was martyred by the Jews because of his CONVICTION about Jesus.
 
Sometimes we think about conviction as that feeling you get when you realize you are wrong, or that you have done something bad. King David knew about this kind of conviction, “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me” (Psalm 51:3).
 
Usually, we refer to this kind of conviction as being “UNDER CONVICTION”. That means you feel the weight of your wrong doing, or the burden of your sin.
 
The story is told of the great Methodist evangelist, Peter Cartwright who preached once to President Andrew Jackson. The leaders in the church asked Cartwright to be careful so as not to offend the President, whose nickname at that time was “Old Rough and Ready”. With a warning these elders retired to the back of the church having confidence their pastor would not say anything that would discredit them or the congregation.
 
When Cartwright got up to speak, the first words out of his mouth were, “I understand that President Andrew Jackson is here this morning. I have been requested to be very guarded in my remarks. Let me say this: Andrew Jackson will go to hell if he doesn’t repent of his sin.” The whole congregation gasped with shock at Cartwright’s boldness. They wondered how this young preacher would dare offend the tough old general in public.
 
After the service, everyone hung around and wondered what the president would say. At the door, Jackson took the preacher’s hand, looked him in the eye and said, “Sir, if I had a regiment of men like you, I could conquer the world.”
 
Conviction is not just the feelings of guilt and sorrow you carry because of your sins. Conviction is the boldness you need to do something about it. Stephen felt the weight of Israel’s sin burden that put Jesus on the cross. He also stood up in boldness to preach a convicting message that would cause people to repent. Rather than repent, the angry mob stoned him.
 
We need today both kinds of CONVICTION. All of us need to feel the guilt and sorrow that comes because of sin present in our lives and in the world. We also need the boldness and determination to do something about it. In a world that has grown too COMFORTABLE with sin, we need more CONVICTION.
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Humbling Amazement

3/19/2017

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Good Words from God’s Word
 
I think the word that best describes God’s work this week through our Spiritual Renewal emphasis “UNLEASH” is actually two words, “HUMBLING AMAZEMENT”. Like Isaiah, when he saw the Lord high and lifted up, sitting upon His throne, he said, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.” (Isaiah 6:5)
 
After seeing and feeling the Lord’s majesty in every service this week, I have also been made conscious of my own shortcomings. I can echo Isaiah’s personal testimony, “Woe is me!”
 
When you are ushered into the presence of holy God, no other response is appropriate. Feelings of brokenness, repentance and sorrow attend anyone who approaches God’s throne of glory. None of us who participated this week can remain unchanged when the majesty of God is unveiled like it has been this week.
 
I am also thinking about the testimony of the early church once the Holy Spirit had come upon all the believers, “Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common.” (Acts 2:43-44)
 
The word “AWE” in this passage is “HAGIOS”, in the Greek language. It means “DIFFERENT”, or “LIKENESS OF THE NATURE OF GOD.” When you are awestruck, you are transformed from the nature of this world into the likeness of God. You are certainly made different because that which took place in you is beyond anything this world understands. You are raised to a higher plain. You step from where you are into the very place where God abides. 
 
John Wesley said, “Bring me a worm that can comprehend man, then I will show you a man that can comprehend the Triune God.” It was not our purpose this week to comprehend God, but to be awestruck by His amazing glory. God does not require our understanding. He wants our HUMBLE AMAZEMENT in worship as we encounter His majesty and His amazing grace. That’s where the power comes from. Great signs and wonders happen when God’s people get in touch with God’s glory. Isn’t it amazing what God does through worms like us when we bow in reverence and HUMBLE AMAZEMENT before Him?
 
I am thankful today for all that God did through our Spiritual Renewal emphasis. I rejoice to be your pastor and look forward to all that God will continue to do as we, like the early church, “…keep on feeling a sense of awe…”  (Acts 2:43)
 
We have so much to accomplish because God is so amazing. Ordinary seems inappropriate when God’s awesome power is so readily available. We must stay in touch with God’s awesome goodness. Nothing is better than His grace and goodness working through His people. There is nothing in this life that compares to His glorious kingdom at work in us.
​
We must love LARGE!
We must pray BIG!
We must work HARD!
We must expect MIRACLES!​

​This week God has called us and set our course to continue this HUMBLE AMAZEMENT that He has begun, “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)
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March 12th, 2017

3/12/2017

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Good Words from God’s Word
 
The Spiritual Renewal Week begins this morning and continues through Thursday evening, March 16, 2017. Our theme for the week is “UNLEASH” and is grounded in the passage, “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1).
 
There is great freedom when you turn your heart over to Jesus. Jesus said, “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).
 
There is no good reason for the cares and burdens of this life to stifle your spiritual freedom. This time of spiritual emphasis should give all of us an opportunity to experience God’s great power to “UNLEASH” us from the chains of sin that binds us. In fact, you should factor into your Spiritual Renewal a good dose of fun and joy. Listen to this outline of activities:
 
  • Sunday Night – Family Night, Families sitting together, prizes for the largest family represented.
  • Monday Night Madness – Wear your brightest, most decorative, most outlandish outfits. Prizes for the Brightest Outfit and Weirdest Outfit.
  • Welcome Wednesday – Bring a Friend/Neighbor, Deserts of all kinds. Prize for the person who has the most friends and neighbors present.

​​It is a great joy and privilege to welcome to our church this morning Danny Jones, pastor of Northlake Baptist Church here in Hall County. Danny will be leading our worship and preaching as we pray and ask God to forgive our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us. God will “UNLEASH” forgiveness as we confess our sins and forgive others as God has forgiven us.
 
I am also pleased to introduce David Franklin who is the Association Missionary in the Bartow Association and statewide leader for the National Day of Prayer in Georgia. David is a prayer warrior who is being used by God to call people throughout Georgia to pray for our country and its leaders. David will be leading our church on Monday and Tuesday evenings to renew our commitment to prayer. We are asking God to “UNLEASH” His amazing power upon our church through prayer. You will learn how to become more effective in your prayers by what we experience through David’s ministry with us.
 
The last two days of meetings may be the most critical of all. John Bryan will preach about how God wants to “UNLEASH” The Power of Giving at Grace. Remember the testimony of Malachi, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now in this, says the Lord of hosts, If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows” (Malachi 3:10).
 
John Bryan leads Georgia Baptists to give from their personal storehouses in order that God’s people may realize how grand the blessings of God can be. God wants to pour out a blessing next week at Grace. I know it and can feel it. God’s blessings will come as we are faithful to give.
 
Pray for these three amazing men of God who will share what God has given them with us. Remember what God wants to do next week, “It is for freedom that Christ set us free…” (Galatians 5:1).
 
God is ready to “UNLEASH” great blessings that we cannot imagine if we will just let Him.
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Text Day

3/5/2017

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Good Words from God’s Word
 
Today is “TEXT DAY” at Grace. In preparation for our coming Spring Renewal Week, March 12-16, everyone who has a smart phone will be asked to take it out and send a brief message to a friend, loved one, neighbor, school buddy, or work associate about what God is going to do at Grace through the “UNLEASH” emphasis. Here’s a sample of what you may like to send:
 
Dear (Friend’s Name),
 
I am sitting in the worship service at Grace Baptist Church this morning as God put your name on my heart. I pray this morning that you are enjoying the blessings of God. I pray that you feel the love and appreciation I have for you in remembering you before the Lord Jesus as I worship Him. I want to ask you to join me at Grace March 12–16 for Spiritual Renewal Week services. The title of this event is,
 
“UNLEASH”
Unleash God’s Power in Confession
Unleash God’s Power in Prayer
Unleash God’s Power in Giving
“It was for freedom that Christ set us free…” (Galatians 5:1)
 
I will continue to pray for you and your family as you consider my invitation. I would enjoy speaking with you soon directly about this opportunity. I look forward to the privilege of sitting together with you in worship as God UNLEASHES His amazing grace into our lives.
 
(Sign your name)
 
When we finish writing our texts, and before we all press the send button together, we will pray as a church family to empower this effort to reach people who need to be saved and become a part of our church.
 
Our biblical text from Acts this morning concludes with these words, “And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him” (Acts 5:32).
 
What you have done this morning, through the medium of a text message, serves as a “witness” to people who need the gospel of Jesus. The Holy Spirit provides the power to make your witness effective. This morning in fellowship, together, we have done our part. Now, we wait on Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit expecting Him to do great and mighty things in the lives of people we know and love.
 
Be one of 50 folks we are asking to invite 20 people to attend our Spiritual Renewal Week services. You have an opportunity this morning to take a packet of 20 invitations to give to people you know, neighbors, family members, and anyone you encounter to share about what God is doing at Grace. Our goal is to distribute 1,000 invitations before our event next Sunday. DO YOUR BEST! Take a packet and tell someone what God is doing in your life and invite them to join you at Grace
 
Pastor Mike
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A church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints. Pauline Phillips