Sunday Services

Today, we had a great worship experience. God be praised for the warm fellowship, inspirational singing and the ministry of the word!!! In addition to great worship, we shared in the Lord's table and baptized a new member. Today, I finished up a two part message entitled, "When a man encounters Jesus".  Here is a skeleton outline of the message from Luke 19:1-10.

When a man encounters Jesus

Luke 19:1-10

Thesis: When a man encounters Jesus in salvation his nature and way of life will change

I. when a man encounters Jesus in salvation, it's DIVINELY CALCULATED-(5)

A. Jesus Sought Zaccheaus

B. Jesus Selected Zaccheaus

C. Jesus Saved Zaccheaus

II. when a man encounters Jesus in salvation there is DEMANDED COMPLIANCE-(6)

A. Zaccheaus Complied to the word of the Lord

B. Zaccheaus Complied to the will of the Lord

C. Zaccheaus Complied to the weight of the Lord

III. when a man encounters Jesus in salvation there will be DEMONSTRATIVE CHANGE-(8)

A. Zaccheaus personally Gave in to Christ

B. Zaccheaus pledged to Give up what he Cherished

C. Zaccheaus promised to Give back to those he Cheated

IV. when a man encounters Jesus in salvation there is DIVINE CONFIDENCE-(9)

A. Jesus Assures Zaccheaus of his Salvation

B Jesus Assures Zaccheaus of his Sonship

 

Two Are Better Than One

Last night, the Missionary General Baptist Convention of Texas, the Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention, the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc., and the Louisiana State Foreign Mission held a joint worship service as a apart of M.G.B.C. T December Board Meeting in Texas City, to partner together to bring relief to those who have been displaced and devasted by hurricane Ike along the Texas Coast. To witness the cooperation and feel the passion of these groups come together to bring about hope and healing in a tangible way, renewed my faith in the work of "conventions". God be praised for this demonstration of what it means to be followers of Christ!!!

I also praise God for Dr. Wallace S. Hartsfield, Pastor Emeritus of the Metropolitian Missionary Baptist Church in Kansas, MO and Vice President at large of NBCA, Inc., who preached a challenging, electrifying and timely message entitled, A Hopeful Vision in the mist of a Painful History from Ezekiel 1:1, Mark 6:34;45-51. He brought the house down, as he challenged us to expect God to show up and in due season, make everything alright. Also, he challenged us to be compassionate, put our resources in the hands of the master and envision ourselves as servants of Christ that give ourselves for the relief of others. Also, Dr. Stephen J. Thurston, President of NBCA, Inc. was present along with representive leaders from Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention.

Last night, I witnessed the fleshing out of Ecclesiastes 4:9, "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work" NIV. Again, God be praised for these various groups standing as one to affect change and provide much needed relief and hope to people who seek to resurrect their lives in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike.