Pastor Ricky Powell

How To Fear Less (Psalm 46)

The Gospel According To Mark (An Overview by The Bible Project)

Last Sunday I began a series of messages at our church from the Gospel of Mark. You can listen to the first message, "The Good News of Jesus Christ," by clicking the link below. The message was from Mark 1:1-8. 

The Good News

The Bible Project has also produced a very informative video overview of the Gospel of Mark. You can watch it below. 

I hope you will join me during the months of June and July 2018 as we discover who Jesus is, and why He came.

 

Sermon Application - 7 Ways To Get The Most Out Of A Sermon For Your Life

So you heard a great sermon yesterday? Now what? The busyness of today can quickly crowd out what God was doing in your heart yesterday. Before you know it, you can barely recall what the sermon was about. 

Let me give you seven keys of sermon application which you can use to get the most out of a sermon for your life.

1. Watch or listen to the sermon again.

Today's technology makes it easy to view or hear a message after it has been delivered. Our church is preparing to video record each of our sermons. But, you can listen to the audio right now from our church website, app, or iTunes. Or click HERE to listen now. 

• Listening to the sermon a second time will help you think more about the message.
• You will pick up on statements you missed or misunderstood the first time you heard the sermon.
• And listening to the message again will help you to hear what God wants to say to you.

2. Write down the bottom-line of the message.

I preach with a goal of stating the bottom-line of the message in a single, memorable statement. This statement must be true to the Scripture. My goal is not to say something new. I want to say what the Scriptures teach in a way that the listener can understand and apply.

I preached a message yesterday titled, "When Love Comes to Town." My text was 2 Corinthians 5:14–15.

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. (2 Cor 5:14-15, ESV)

The bottom line of the message was, "Jesus' love for me makes me want to live for Him."

As you review a message listen for the speaker's bottom-line. What is the key truth of the passage he is communicating?

Write it down and review it during the week.

3. Re-read the Scripture passage.

Open your Bible and read the Scripture passage. Read it from different translations. Read the context of the passage by reading what is around it. 

Your goal in reading the passage is to understand what the writer was trying to communicate. 

4. Review your notes.

If you jotted down some notes during the sermon, go back and review them.

• What stood out to you during the sermon?
• Was there a statement or story the preacher shared that grabbed your attention.
• Was there a question you thought of as you listened that day?
• Were there additional Scriptures mentioned in the message that you want to look up?

5. Pray.

The most important thing you can do as you listen to a sermon is to pray.

• Ask God to help you understand His Word.
• Ask God to show you how His Word should be applied to your life.
• Ask God if there is a sin you need to repent of.
• Ask God if there is a promise He wants you to believe.
• Ask God if there is an example He wants you to follow.

6. Apply the message to your life in a practical way.

I agree with the statement that the Bible was not given just for our information, but for our transformation. To hear a message from God's Word and not apply it to your life is like looking in a mirror and not doing anything about what you see that needs attention (See, James 1:22-25)

I always end my messages with a few examples of how a person should apply the message to their life this week. In yesterday's message, I asked the congregation to reflect on the love of Christ displayed on the cross. I suggested they do one or more of the following:

• Read the crucifixion accounts in the Gospels.
• Read Isaiah 53
• Read Psalm 22
• Watch the movie, The Passion of the Christ.
• I also asked them to write down areas where they are not living for Christ.

I was trying to reinforce the bottom-line, "Jesus' love for me makes me want to live for Him."

7. Discuss the message with others.

• Share with others what God is doing in your life as a result of the sermon.
• Use conversations with your family members or friends to review the way God spoke to you through His Word.
• Use social media to highlight the bottom-line of the message.
• Share a link to the sermon and invite others to listen to a message that was meaningful to you.

What are other ways you get the most out of a sermon? Leave me a comment below. I would love to hear from you.

Download Your Free 7-Day Guide For New Christians (pdf.)

Photo by Jens Johnsson from Pexels

Did you recently trust Christ as your Savior? Then you probably have lots of questions about what's next. In fact, it is very important for you to take steps now to grow in your relationship with Jesus.

 

The good news is there is a free resource available to help you in a simple, but important way.

 

Taking Your First Steps as a Follower of Jesus Christ, written by Claude V. King, is designed to help you get started as a believer. It is a seven-day guide that can be used alone or with a mentor.

 

The topics include:

 

Day 1: Understanding this New Life

Day 2: Spend Time with God Daily

Day 3: Learn about God, His Will & Ways

Day 4: Live in Victory

Day 5: Connect with the Body

Day 6: Tell Your Story

Day 7: Plan and Take Next Steps

 

This booklet is also great to use by a Christian who wants to disciple a new believer.

 

Download your copy today by clicking the title of the booklet above or click HERE.

 

If you need a good study Bible, check out my post about a few I recommend by clicking here.

 

Comment below if you have a question I can help you with.

Amazon Go and God

Amazon, the online giant, is running a pilot program of a new brick and mortar store in Seattle. They call it Amazon Go. They tout new shopping technology that allows you to just walk out without checking out. You can walk into the store, check in on your Amazon phone app, pick up whatever items you need, and walk out. Amazon debits your account for the cost of the items. It must feel like you are getting the items for free. No lines. No check-outs. But the bill comes later.

God offers something that just doesn’t appear to be free, but is free indeed. He offers his forgiveness for your sins. Forgiveness is free to you; it cost God His Son. Jesus paid the price by dying on the cross (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). He rose from the dead. Rather than charge your spiritual account for sin, he paid the debt himself and credits you with his righteousness when you repent and trust Him as Savior (Romans 6:23; 2 Corinthians 5:21).

“Come, everyone who is thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you without money,
come, buy, and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost! (Isaiah 55:1, HCSB)

3 Ways Off-Campus Life Groups Are Beneficial

Off-campus Life Groups for adults are a fairly new option for us at FCBC. We have only been offering this option for the last several years, but nearly 150 people now meet each week in these groups! Here are three reasons off-campus Life Groups are beneficial to our mission to help people love God, love others, and serve the world.

1. Beneficial for the Group.

A home is more personal and relaxing than a classroom. Some people feel anxious about walking into a classroom setting with rows of chairs and a podium up front for the teacher. However, you can teach the same content in a living room and suddenly the participants relax and open up. Conversations flow freely. Masks fall off. A spirit of hospitality permeates the group. An off-campus group doesn’t feel as “churchy” to many people. Instead it feels like real life with friends and neighbors who happen to be studying the Bible together, praying together, and building friendships. People can be authentic about their questions, struggles, needs, and hope. Andy Stanley describes this phenomenon when he states, “Life-change happens better in circles than in rows.”

Of course, an off-campus group can meet in a coffeehouse, a restaurant, a bookstore, etc. While these environments are not as casual as a home, they are less formal than a classroom.

2. Beneficial for the Church.

The church is made up of believers. The church is not made up of brick and mortar. We must not limit ourselves to the amount of space we have on our property to grow. At FCBC we only have 9 acres of land. Parking and classroom space is limited. We can only build a new worship center on our property before we are out of land. Some of our existing education space may have to give way for this expansion. We believe the Great Commission of Jesus commands us to never stop reaching people with the Gospel. We will not allow our facilities or land to limit our growth. That would be like allowing the shoe to tell the foot how large is can become.

Believers can gather nearly anywhere! When believers open up their homes they are modeling what the early church did for the first three hundred years of Christianity. When you view it this way you realize the church has nearly unlimited growth potential! Groups can meet any day of the week, at any time of the day or evening! We don’t have to spend millions of dollars on more land and new buildings to foster growth. In the future we will give our best on-campus space to our senior adults, preschoolers, children and students as we continue to grow by forming off-campus Life Groups. The money we save can be invested in helping more people through our ministries and mission partners.

3. Beneficial for the Neighborhood.

We are discovering that many of your neighbors and friends who are not connected to a church are more comfortable attending a gathering in your home than a formal classroom environment at church. I am convinced that when people experience authentic Christian community in a small group of Christ-followers that it will cause them to want to know more about the love of Christ. I look forward to the day when every area of Jacksonville is dotted with our Life Groups! I’m not kidding or exaggerating. God has called FCBC to take it to the streets, and that’s what we are going to do! Imagine hundreds of groups penetrating the neighborhoods of Jacksonville. Imagine the people who will come to your group who might not come to a church campus in the beginning. Imagine this city covered with Christ-centered Life Groups!

Within five years we will have 80% of our adult groups meeting off campus. We are not going to force or split your current group. However, I am asking you to consider joining or starting an off-campus group to help us reach more people with the Gospel than ever before. By being in an off-campus group you can worship each Sunday, serve in a ministry each Sunday, and participate in your group during the week. And you will help us reach more people for Jesus! Contact Pastor John Shultz to learn more about this movement of God. Be a part of the miracle that God is doing through this church!

A Question From Jesus To You. How Will You Answer Him?

"So why do you keep calling me 'Lord, Lord!' when you don't do what I say?" (Luke 6:46, NLT)

Jesus not only gave brilliant answers, He also asked brilliant questions. This is a brilliant question that He is still asking today. Imagine Jesus looking into your eyes today and asking you this question. "Why do you call me the boss of your life when you won't do what I tell you to do?"

To call Jesus Lord is to call Him your master. It means He is your boss. He is the one who leads you. To call Him Lord while at the same time disobeying Him is to contradict yourself. If you claim someone is your boss but do not follow his instructions then your walk doesn't match your talk. 

Jesus goes on to give a parable of two builders in order to illustrate that His true followers are those who obey His word (see Luke 6:47-49). Jesus is not looking for people who are content to hear what He has to say but has no desire to practice what He says. Jesus is looking for people who will build their lives on His teaching.

It is not always evident to the naked eye who the true followers of Christ are. But when the storms of life come His followers are manifest. True followers of Jesus Christ obey Him as the boss of their lives. As a result they withstand the storms and struggles of life with their faith intact. The life built on the solid rock of Jesus can withstand the raging storms of life. Obedience leads to strength and stability of faith.

As you examine your ethics, morals, relationships, activities and beliefs, do they show evidence that you are obeying Jesus. To call Him your Lord while disobeying Him is hypocritical. Let's resolve to not merely say He is Lord, but to show He is Lord though our obedience.

Why I Am Thankful To Be A Pastor

Last Sunday I shared my heart with our congregation about why I am thankful to be their pastor. I wanted them to know how much I thank God for them. I am truly blessed to be called the pastor of Fort Caroline Baptist Church. You can listen to the brief message based on Philippians 1:1-7 below. 

 

 

Question: What are you thankful for about your congregation or pastor?

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Invaders: Habits

Here is the outline and video from yesterday's message on breaking bad habits. God bless you!

Invaders: Habits

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1–2, NIV)

What is a habit?

A habit is a pattern of behavior acquired by frequent repetition.

 

“…throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.” (Ephesians 4:22, NLT)

“Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.” (Romans 13:14, NLT)

“For you are a slave to whatever controls you.” (2 Peter 2:19b, NLT)

“You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything.” (1 Corinthians 6:12, NLT)

 

How do I know if I have a destructive habit or a hidden addiction that is not consistent with God’s will?

—        Are my thoughts consumed with it?

—        Is my time scheduled around it?

—        Could my health be harmed by it?

—        Does my guilt increase following it?

—        Are my finances affected by it?

—        Am I defensive when asked about it?

—        Are my relationships hurt by it?

—        Am I upset when I can’t do it?^[1]

 

How Can I Break  Bad H.A.B.I.T.S.?

Hope

“In those days you were living apart from Christ… You lived in this world without God and without hope.” (Ephesians 2:12, NLT)

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13, NKJV)

“…Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27b, KJV)

“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:2–3, NKJV)

 

Accountability

“He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13, NKJV)

“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9–12, NLT)

“A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.” (Proverbs 17:17, NLT)

“Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.” (Proverbs 27:6, NLT)

 

Biblical Instruction

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7, NKJV)

“How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word.” (Psalm 119:9, NLT)

“Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:11, NKJV)

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (Philippians 4:8, NLT)

 

Intentionality

“… exercise yourself toward godliness.” (1 Timothy 4:7, NKJV)

“So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus. Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.” (Romans 6:11–13, NLT)

 

Time

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” (Galatians 6:9, NLT)

 

Spirit of God

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” (Galatians 5:22–23, NLT)

 

Recommended Resources:

Chester, Tim. You Can Change: God's Transforming Power for Our Sinful Behavior and Negative Emotions. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2010.

Accountability Software: www.Covenanteyes.com

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^[1] June Hunt, Habits, n.d.

 

2013 8 18 0930am from Fort Caroline Baptist Church on Vimeo.

Why Have We Made All These Changes At Church? Listen and Learn.