Posts Tagged ‘Church’

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The Shepherd

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

In John, chapter 21, when Jesus tells Peter to “feed my sheep,” the New Testament uses different Greek words from Christ which clearly imply the vulnerability of Christians without pastoral leadership and the complete overseeing leadership required of a pastor.

Jesus refers to the sheep as “lambs,” which shows how vulernable and needy we all are without the Chief Shepherd and without an Under-Shepherd. Sheep are particularly defenseless. For example, if a sheep gets over on its back, it sometimes cannot upright itself and will die. I actually knew this to happen on one occasion on the farm where I grew up in Ohio.

The role of the shepherd, according to the Greek words used in John 21, is not simpy to “feed” the sheep, but he is also to “tend” the sheep — to do all that a shepherd does in protecting, guiding, and leading the flock.

It is interesting the role of leadership which Jesus attributed to Peter as a man of God.

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The Blood of Christ

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

A pastor friend of mine has had as the theme for his church for many years, “Keep the main thing the main thing.” I could not agree more. That is our goal here at Delaney Street.

This Sunday we observe the Lord’s Supper, with a focus on the Blood of Jesus Christ. Through the years ministry changes. We have new avenues and new models of ministry not available in years past. Certainly style and flavor of ministry change, as life, culture and society change. But our focus on the truth of God’s Word does not change. Our biblical doctrine does not change. Our salvation is only through the Blood of Jesus Christ. We need to “keep the main thing the main thing!”

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Outreach

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

What a great week we have had here at Delaney Street!

The evangelistic response at Vacation Bible School surprised even me, as we saw 48 children come forward publicly to accept Christ as Savior. The evangelistic service peaked on Friday with a response of 21 kids. We thank the Lord for what He is doing in the hearts of the children.

Then on Sunday we celebrated the one-year anniversary of our Spanish Mission, Iglesia Bautista la Rocha. The Spanish service alone had 230 people, pushing our total attendance to nearly 600 on Sunday. Our mission, under the leadership of Dr. Fernando Abella, our Spanish pastor, has baptized nearly 20 people over the past year. Among those baptized were an 80-year-old man and a young man who had been studying for the priesthood!

We thank God for what He is doing here at Delaney Street!

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iPray

Friday, May 21st, 2010

This month we are walking through a series of sermons called “iPray.” The idea of this title did not originate with me. But I love the idea. We know of how quickly we can call for help — 911 or wherever needed — with an iPhone, or any type of cell phone. We need to realize that we can call upon God through prayer — as fast as iPray — at any time from anywhere!

This Sunday we will look at the 3rd of 4 messages I have prepared on the subject of prayer, or “iPray.” We have already talked about prayer in an emergency (May 2) and prayer by a mother in a hopeless situation (May 9). We had a guest missionary in the pulpit on May 16. Now, on May 23, we will look at “Prayer Born of Faith” through the story of the Centurion who called upon Jesus to heal his servant’s child. And then on May 30, the weekend of Memorial Day, we will look at “Prayer for a Nation” through Nehemiah, chapter 1.

God answers prayer. Prayer is a mighty force. I fear that we do not avail ourselves of prayer nearly as much as we could or should. We need to be a praying people!

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Resurrection

Monday, April 5th, 2010

What a great celebration of the resurrection we had on Easter Sunday! The crowd was outstanding, and a number of people came to Christ as Savior! And that is what Easter is all about.

The Bible teaches the bodily, physical resurrection of Christ from the tomb. The angel’s words are immortal, “He is not here! He is risen!” How true are the words of the song, “We serve a risen Savior!”

Peter tells us that the resurrection of Jesus Christ gives us the new birth, a living hope, eternal life, and salvation now and forever! (I Peter 1:3-5)

We never grow weary of celebrating the resurrection!

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