Church of the Suncoast
PODCAST - Issues - Homosexuality
Update: Thank you for praying as we covered this tough topic. I think the issue might have even kept a few people away. We did a talk on porn last year and that was a little lower too. But a great crowd none the less. Depending on this weekends numbers it might wind up being one of our highest months in our two year history.
The service had a great flow to it. The people all seemed really engaged. The talk was tough, but I think I did a good job. No one got up and walked out :-) And, I think it challenged a lot of presuppositions and prejudices.
Keep praying. One more week of this series I know we needed to do...
The Monday After...
I know a lot of church leaders and church planters read blogs on Mondays as they try to catch up of other churches (or try to feel better about their...). I also know Monday's are a time when every church leader has a holy hangover... a time when they feel like God let them down because of something that didn't go as planned that weekend. Maybe the numbers were low, maybe the message tanked, maybe the music was off, maybe someone was rude to you and had a conversation they should not have had with you before you got up to preach God's Word. Sound familiar???
Last week God opened my eyes to something I had never picked up on in Matthew. Here is the scene. A Canaanite woman approaches Jesus and the disciples as they are trying to get away from the crowds. I'm sure they all were tired. The woman had a demon possessed child and she kept pressing them to talk with Jesus. Finally they cave in and let her talk with Him. She presents her case and Jesus has an interesting response... Read this:
Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said. He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."
Ouch right? Here she is having traveling all this way to talk with Jesus because she believes He can heal her child and everything seems against her. The crowds seemed against her. The disciples seemed against her. Her race was against her. Her sex was against her in this day and age. EVEN JESUS seemed against her...
So what gives? I believe Jesus was looking for faith. Read on:
Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
How many times have you deep down thought everything was against you on a Sunday? How many time, if we are honest, have we thought God was against us??? I believe God is looking for the same kind of response...
Persistence
Belief
Faith
That is what I think God is looking for in those moments. Are we willing to push on even when it seems like everything and even God is against us???
Share your thoughts... Leave a comment.
Last week God opened my eyes to something I had never picked up on in Matthew. Here is the scene. A Canaanite woman approaches Jesus and the disciples as they are trying to get away from the crowds. I'm sure they all were tired. The woman had a demon possessed child and she kept pressing them to talk with Jesus. Finally they cave in and let her talk with Him. She presents her case and Jesus has an interesting response... Read this:
Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said. He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."
Ouch right? Here she is having traveling all this way to talk with Jesus because she believes He can heal her child and everything seems against her. The crowds seemed against her. The disciples seemed against her. Her race was against her. Her sex was against her in this day and age. EVEN JESUS seemed against her...
So what gives? I believe Jesus was looking for faith. Read on:
Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
How many times have you deep down thought everything was against you on a Sunday? How many time, if we are honest, have we thought God was against us??? I believe God is looking for the same kind of response...
Persistence
Belief
Faith
That is what I think God is looking for in those moments. Are we willing to push on even when it seems like everything and even God is against us???
Share your thoughts... Leave a comment.
Please Be Praying for the Suncoast
This Sunday at Church of the Suncoast part two of our new series "ISSUES" rolls out and this time the topic is homosexuality. Please be in prayer for the entire team here at the church, both staff and volunteers. We want to create a safe place for people to face this topic from whatever end of the spectrum they might be on.
I would especially appreciate your prayers as I give this message. Pray that I walk that line between truth and grace in a way that doesn't take a way from what God might want to do this Sunday...
Thanks :-)
I would especially appreciate your prayers as I give this message. Pray that I walk that line between truth and grace in a way that doesn't take a way from what God might want to do this Sunday...
Thanks :-)
Leading Volunteers (Part 2)
Click HERE for part 1
Here is the second part of a conversation our management team (staff) had about leading volunteers. Stay tuned for our goals for each ministry team from these two conversations... .png)
Here is the second part of a conversation our management team (staff) had about leading volunteers. Stay tuned for our goals for each ministry team from these two conversations...
Click on the document to enlarge & print
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"ISSUES" Podcast & Update
ISSUES - Part 1
"Racism"
PODCAST
Update: The first week of our controversial new series "ISSUES" was awesome!!! We started this series on Spring Break (which was not the best timing) BUT, we have had a huge response both in numbers and feedback. As I talked with a couple of the people that came to check things out for the first time on Sunday I knew taking this chance was worth it. I really believe we are raising the bar of authenticity with this series. New conversations are happening. And, there is a buzz in the community about that church who is talking about racism, homosexuality, and abortion. Keep praying for us and I will keep you updated on this weekend.
"Racism"
PODCAST
Update: The first week of our controversial new series "ISSUES" was awesome!!! We started this series on Spring Break (which was not the best timing) BUT, we have had a huge response both in numbers and feedback. As I talked with a couple of the people that came to check things out for the first time on Sunday I knew taking this chance was worth it. I really believe we are raising the bar of authenticity with this series. New conversations are happening. And, there is a buzz in the community about that church who is talking about racism, homosexuality, and abortion. Keep praying for us and I will keep you updated on this weekend.
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