Matthew Bass is getting together a group to visit clinic in Raleigh for a time of prayer this Saturday, March 20th. This is in conjunction with the 40 Days for Life campaign that’s going on right now. The goal is to serve as a peaceful witness to those entering the clinic.

The plan is to be praying between 9:30 and 11am, but you’re welcome to come earlier or later if you prefer. The group will probably grab lunch together afterwards for those who are interested. For more details on the Raleigh campaign for 40 Days for Life which runs from Feb. 17th through March 28th, visit:

http://www.40daysforlife.com/raleigh/

Please let Matt know if you have any questions. Hope you can make it!

Bob Kauflin taught on A Heart of Worship at our last large group meeting. Check out the mp3 here. Why do we sing? Because we’ve received good news! This message is based on Colossians 3:16,17. This message really helped me think about what truly is good worship music. It’s not about style, e.g. hymns vs. contemporary. It’s about letting the word of Christ dwell in us richly, responding to God’s grace, reflecting God’s glory and anticipating the songs of Heaven.

Hello Everyone!  John posted a little while back about the upcoming conference so hopefully you have been thinking about and maybe you have some questions.  Hopefully, this post will have some answers.

Not sure if you want to or will be able to go?

Of course, I hope you will come, otherwise I wouldn’t be writing this post.  But, how do you decide?  Here’s a few suggestions…

• Pray. This is pretty much the most important part, so start here!
• Get the facts and lots of extras from thisisnext.org.  Learn about the speakers, read the blog, get the details.
• Listen to messages from previous conferences and watch videos taken during corporate worship last year (Here and Here) to get a feel for what its like.
• Pray some more.
• Ask around and get some first hand accounts.  All of the above are helpful, but talking to people who have gone in previous years is even better!

Already planning to go?

• Register here. Cost goes up in April, so don’t wait too long!

• Find Roommates and contact me about a hotel room. I’ve booked a block of rooms in the Hilton. Email me (bethanycoda@gmail.com) if you are coming and I’ll give you all the info you need to stay in one of our rooms! Not sure who to room with?  Let me know that too.  

• Pray…for everyone involved in planning and preparing for the conference; for God to prepare your own heart; for God to meet us while we are there and bear fruit in our lives when we return.

In chapter four of Don’t Waste Your Life, John Piper writes in reference to Philippians 1:20-25:

Ordinarily faith would mean trust or confidence you put in someone who has given good evidence of his reliability and willingness and ability to provide what you need. But when Jesus Christ is the object of faith there is a twist. He himself is what we need. If we only trust Christ to give us gifts and not himself as the all-satisfying gift, then we do not trust him in a way that honors him as our treasure. We simply honor the gifts. They are what we really want, not him. So biblical faith in Jesus must mean that we trust him to give us what we need most—namely, himself. That means that faith itself must include at its essence a treasuring of Christ above all things.

Now we are in a position to see why Paul’s two aims for his life are in fact one. According to verse 20, his aim is to magnify Christ in life; and according to verse 25, his aim is to promote the progress and joy in the Philippians’ faith. That is why he believes God might let him live. This would be his life: to labor for their “progress and joy in the faith.”

But now we have seen that faith is essentially treasuring Christ. The word “joy” in verse 25 (“for your … joy in the faith”) signals that this treasuring is a joyful treasuring. And if Christ is joyfully treasured, he is magnified. That is the single, all-embracing passion of Paul’s life. In other words, Paul is saying, “My life is devoted to producing in you that one great experience of the heart by which Christ is magnified—namely, being satisfied in him, joyfully treasuring him above all else. That’s what I mean when I say, ‘For me to live is Christ.’ That is, for me to live is your Christ-magnifying faith.”

(Emphasis added.)

Wow. What a powerful insight. In just a couple of paragraphs, Piper has effectively shown how our responsibility toward God is intertwined with our responsibility toward others. Do you live that Christ might be magnified in your relationships with others? Do you seek to draw others up into your joy in God? Is your aim in life to live in such a way that God would be magnified by your joy in him and that others would be drawn up and into that same kind of joy?

Phil preached on Continuing to Live in Christian Community on Saturday. If you missed it, check it out!

We all base our lives on what we believe God is like. But is what we believe about God actually true?

If you’ve ever asked yourself that question, we hope you’ll join us at Next 2010 over Memorial Day weekend (May 28–31) in Baltimore. Conference registration just opened, so you can reserve your spot now.

At the conference, we’ll hear from D.A. Carson, Kevin DeYoung, Joshua Harris, C.J. Mahaney, and others about the foundational doctrines of the Christian faith—and how they relate to our everyday lives.

To learn more, watch this invitation from Joshua Harris. You’ll also find travel and lodging details, registration info (including discounts for single parents and leaders bringing groups), and a bunch of new bloggers at thisisnext.org.

Our church is planning to reserve a block of rooms in one of the nearby hotels. Please let us know once you have registered so that we can make sure that your room is near the rest.

While thinking about Thanksgiving today, I recalled an old hymn that my
family used to sing for worship in the mornings. It is always helpful to
remember to thank God for the bounty of good He provides us with. All
that we have is His to begin with, so why shouldn’t we be thankful.

Come, Ye Thankful People, Come

1. Come, ye thankful people, come,
raise the song of harvest home;
all is safely gathered in,
ere the winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide
for our wants to be supplied;
come to God’s own temple, come,
raise the song of harvest home.

2. All the world is God’s own field,
fruit as praise to God we yield;
wheat and tares together sown
are to joy or sorrow grown;
first the blade and then the ear,
then the full corn shall appear;
Lord of harvest, grant that we
wholesome grain and pure may be.

3. For the Lord our God shall come,
and shall take the harvest home;
from the field shall in that day
all offenses purge away,
giving angels charge at last
in the fire the tares to cast;
but the fruitful ears to store
in the garner evermore.

4. Even so, Lord, quickly come,
bring thy final harvest home;
gather thou thy people in,
free from sorrow, free from sin,
there, forever purified,
in thy presence to abide;
come, with all thine angels, come,
raise the glorious harvest home.

Speaking of great John Piper books, Christianaudio.com is offering Desiring God as a free audiobook download during the month of November on their website. Desiring God is probably Piper’s most famous work and it is the source material for many of the ideas expressed in Don’t Waste Your Life.

In addition, all of their John Piper audiobook downloads are only $4.98 each until November 21st. Yes you heard that right! You can get Don’t Waste Your Life on audio for less than the price of a Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino at Starbucks. Well almost!

If you find it hard to read spiritual books, you may find that listening to them will open them up for you in a whole new way. I have personally found that I can listen to books on audio that I would never be able to persevere through if I was reading the paper format. Audio books are great for long trips, or even for listening to on your way to work.

You can learn more about this special offer here.

In chapter one of Don’t Waste Your Life, John Piper references two songs by famous artists of his day. One by the Beatles titled “The Nowhere Man” and another by Bob Dylan titled “Blowin’ in the Wind”.

Here are the lyrics of each song:

The Nowhere Man
He’s a real nowhere man,
Sitting in his Nowhere Land,
Making all his nowhere plans
for nobody.

Doesn’t have a point of view,
Knows not where he’s going to,
Isn’t he a bit like you and me?

Nowhere Man please listen,
You don’t know what you’re missing,
Nowhere Man,the world is at your command!

(lead guitar)

He’s as blind as he can be,
Just sees what he wants to see,
Nowhere Man can you see me at all?

Nowhere Man, don’t worry,
Take your time, don’t hurry,
Leave it all till somebody else
lends you a hand!

Doesn’t have a point of view,
Knows not where he’s going to,
Isn’t he a bit like you and me?

Nowhere Man please listen,
you don’t know what you’re missing
Nowhere Man, the world is at your command!

He’s a real Nowhere Man,
Sitting in his Nowhere Land,
Making all his nowhere plans
for nobody.
Making all his nowhere plans
for nobody.
Making all his nowhere plans
for nobody!

Hear a clip of “The Nowhere Man” on the Beatle’s site here.

Blowin’ In The Wind

How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
Yes, ‘n’ how many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, ‘n’ how many times must the cannon balls fly
Before they’re forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind,
The answer is blowin’ in the wind.

How many years can a mountain exist
Before it’s washed to the sea?
Yes, ‘n’ how many years can some people exist
Before they’re allowed to be free?
Yes, ‘n’ how many times can a man turn his head,
Pretending he just doesn’t see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind,
The answer is blowin’ in the wind.

How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
Yes, ‘n’ how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, ‘n’ how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind,
The answer is blowin’ in the wind.

Copyright ©1962; renewed 1990 Special Rider Music

Hear a clip of “Blowin’ in the Wind” on Bob Dyland’s site here.

Why did Piper talk about both songs in this chapter? How do they contrast with one another? When you read the lyrics of both songs, how what is the main difference that you notice between the two view points represented in them?

Does Bob Dylan’s reference to “the answer” sweep away the Beatle’s everything-goes relativism?

Are there songs by artists today that speak against relativism in the same way?

What do you think?

By Charles Thomas Studd, Missionary to China, India, and Africa

Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgment seat;
Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say ’twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

This past Saturday Phil preached on Romans 12:9-16.  The title of the message was Marks of a Christian Community.  I’ve included my notes below.  Take a look and think of where you could grow.

1. Let love be genuine.

• It’s hard because people aren’t always loveable.  Then again, we’re not always loveable.  But God loved us.

2. Hating evil.  Holding fast to the good.

• We are never to be passive about evil but be careful about self-righteousness (a form of evil).
• Make sure your categories for good and evil are Biblical

3. Brotherly affection

• Care for each other like a family

4. Honoring others.

• How do you speak of others?  Do you honor them or are you negative and critical.
• This is NOT the same as flattery.

5. Spiritual enthusiasm

• Don’t be spiritually lazy and don’t serve to be noticed or appreciated.

6. Having a joyful hope.

• You’ve lost focus if you’re morose and gloomy.
• Even if you’re introspective, be joyful!

7. Patient suffering.

8. Constantly in prayer.

• Not because you have to but because God has the answer.

9. Generosity.

10. Seeking to show hospitality.

• Don’t make excuses or be proud.  You don’t need something fancy to host people.  Your house will never be perfectly clean but that’s OK.

At the kickoff meeting last Saturday we introduced the small group book study for the year covering Don’t Waste Your Life. We will have three small groups that will be meeting twice a month on Sunday, Monday, and Saturday.

If you missed the kickoff meeting (or did not sign up then), you can still sign up for one of the groups using one of the forms below.

Don

This year small groups will be meeting twice a month to study the book Don’t Waste Your Life, by John Piper. Don’t Waste Your Life is a passionate plea to this generation to live for God and his glory.

From the back cover:

John Piper writes, “I will tell you waste a tragedy is. I will show you how to waste your life. Consider this story from the February 1998 Reader’s Digest: A couple ‘took early retirement from their jobs in the Northeast five years ago when he was 59 and she was 51. Now they live in Punta Gorda, Florida, where they cruise on their 30-foot trawler, play softball and collect shells….’ Picture them before Christ at the great day of judgment: ‘Look, Lord. See my shells.’ That is a tragedy.

“God has created us to live with a single passion: to joyfully display his supreme excellence in all the spheres of life. The wasted life is the life without this passion. God calls us to pray and think and dream and plan and work not to be made much of, but to make much of him in every part of our lives.”

Most people slip by in life without a passion for God, spending their lives on trivial diversions, living for comfort and pleasure, and perhaps trying to avoid sin. This book will warn you not to get caught up in a life the counts for nothing. It will challenge you to live and die boasting in the cross of Christ and making the glory of God your singular passion. If you believe that to live is Christ and to die is gain, read this book, learn to live for Christ, and don’t waste your life!

We would like to encourage you to go ahead and order the book and the study guide if you can. Please order the books now so that you will have them in time for your first small group meeting. If cost is an issue, both are available online for free in PDF format here.

This coming Saturday (October 17) at 6:00pm we will be kicking off the singles ministry for the coming church year. We are really excited about introducing you to the the small groups book study that we have planned for the year. You will have the opportunity to pick a group near you that will be meeting bi-monthly. The book that we have chosen for the study is John Piper’s Don’t Waste Your Life. (Go ahead and order a copy of the book and the study guide if you can. The book and the study guide are also available for free in PDF format here.) More on this latter.

We are delighted to have our senior pastor Phil Sasser with us Saturday to bring the teaching.

We’d like to encourage folks to invite friends as this is a great time to introduce people to our singles ministry since it marks the beginning of the church year for us.

There will be food and fellowship following the meeting.

RSVP for this event on Facebook.