Is It Sunday Yet?

Is it Sunday yet?  The Lord's Day should be the best day of the week.  By the grace of God, for my family it certainly is.

This coming Sunday we prayerfully anticipate another morning of vibrant Christian fellowship.  Spirit-filled praise.  Edifying, and sometimes humorous and/or tearful, conversations.  And focused expository listening.

The believers that make up Lake Country Bible Church are full of Christian joy and hope.  Our founding pastor worked hard to ensure that this fellowship was Word-centered; without losing our identity of also being a loving family of believers.  Pastor Sal believed that the Lord's Church is to be known for its commitment to Christ-like love (John 13), absolute truth/sound doctrine (1 Tim. 3:15; Jude 3; Eph. 4:11-16), and "good deeds" (Heb. 10:24-25; Eph. 2:10).  It's both/and rather than either/or.

During the 9 AM Sunday School hour our children/teens will be in stage of life focused classes.  Our wonderful teachers will highlight biblical truth using Answers in Genesis material.  One of our elders (Dave) will lead the adults in prayer and then continue his excellent series through Galatians.

At 10:15 AM the entire congregation will come together for our corporate worship service:

1) We will sing a number of praise songs and hymns (Col. 3:16; "Jesus Shall Reign;" "10,000 Reasons;" "His Mercy is More;" "Before the Throne of God Above;" and "By Faith.")

Galatians, Family Discipleship, and the Spiritual Disciplines- Coming Fall 2018

The Fall schedule at Lake Country Bible Church begins on September 9th with a Sunday Brunch fellowship.  You won't want to miss this special morning of food and relationship building.  On September 16th our regular children's, youth, and adult Sunday School/equipping classes resume.

This quarter Pastor Kent will be leading a foundations of family discipleship class.  The core teaching will be based on many passages and principles from Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16-17).  If you have children living in your home you won't want to miss out on this.

Many Christian parents admit that once a child comes to saving faith in Christ that they struggle at times with the "discipleship aspect" of Christian parenting.  How exactly does on "bring their children up in the fear and admonition of the Lord?"  As a veteran pastor, mature Christian father and grandpa leadership felt like our new Assistant Pastor would be the perfect shepherd to lead this adult class.  This SS class will meet in room 101.

LCBC elder Dave B and Pastor Caleb will be team teaching this Fall and will meet in the LCBC sanctuary.  Dave will continue his verse by verse study of Galatians.  In this study Dave will highlight the glory of the gospel and will help us to see what it means to be a "Gospel-centered" believer. 

Pastor Caleb will be teaching on the spiritual disciplines of the Christian life.  This study will focus on the disciplines prayer, fasting, the intake of Scripture, service, etc.  The goal is for every believer to employ the means of grace in order to become more Christ-like in word, thought, and deed.

If you have any questions about any of these classes please contact any of our three pastors or simply call the church office.

The 4-Fold 'Hallelujahs' of Revelation 19!

Sunday is fast approaching and I can't wait. This Lord's Day we'll finish up where Pastor Sal left off as we consider the very best part of the story of redemptive-history- the end (of the new beginning). 

Sunday's sermon text/title is Revelation 19:1-10 (pt. 1): "Why Every Person Should Add Their Voice to the 'Hallelujah' Chorus." 

Did you know the word "Hallelujah" is only used four times in the entire New Testament.  All four occurrences appear in Revelation 19!  Why is this?

During Sunday School the adult class will continue our contemporary events and "Biblical Manhood and Womanhood" series. We are currently working our way through 1 Corinthians 11. As evangelical feminism continues to confuse God's original and marvelous design for men and women this is a very timely study.

Our songs of praise have been listed in the comment section of my Facebook page! Come prepared to sing and to glorify the Lord.

Previous sermons on the book of Revelation can be downloaded for free here

Lord's Day worship at Lake Country Bible Church (1/28/18)

Sunday's sermon text is Luke 1:46-55. My sermon title is "Psalm 151: The Magnificat!" This is simply one of the great worship texts in all the Scriptures. We are going to make much of God and Christ on Sunday.  We plan on celebrating Communion and will commission our 2nd short term missions trip to India as well. We will also enjoy a fellowship meal before our annual meeting. It's going to be a great Lord's Day!

During the SS hour the adults/youth group will meet in the sanctuary for prayer and will hear a comforting exposition on Psalm 23 from a faithful expositor and pastor/friend- Daron Roberts. 

 In view of all the personal hardships and cancer battles our congregation is going through it seemed like a great passage.

  www.lakecountrybible.org

The 3 Key Words of Biblical Prophesy

Let's keep it real.  Prophesy and Eschatology can be difficult subjects to grasp.  As such, American evangelicals are tempted to not study large portions of sacred Scripture. 

This particular sermon tries to summarize Biblical Prophesy in 3 words.  These three words highlight two essential concepts. 

If you understand this message you will understand the crux of biblical prophesy and eschatology (the study of end times).  This sermon can be downloaded here   

If you choose to ignore these three key words you'll likely view prophetic Scripture as a 'riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma."

If one believes that all Scripture is inspired and profitable (per 2 Timothy 3:15-17) then WE MUST TEACH THE WHOLE BIBLE.  To ignore the Old Testament is not an option.  To avoid eschatology and prophesy is not right either.  Hence this current series at Lake Country Bible Church.

On September 17 we will also begin a new series during the 9am Sunday School hour on Rediscovering Biblical Manhood and Woman in view of the contemporary issues of the day.

Who Am I? & God's Original and Marvelous Design for Manhood and Womanhood (2 Sam. 7 and Gen. 1-3)

On October 29th I provided biblical instruction from Gen. 1-3 concerning "God's Original and Marvelous Design for Manhood and Womanhood."  During our Sunday School sessions I try and share numerous illustrations of "these are days of our life" under the banner of "the worldly world" and "the compromised church."

This is a relevant series because so many professing evangelicals have embraced the so called 'wisdom of the world' especially in the arena of God's design for men and women and gender/sexuality matters.  The Church today needs to know what they believe and why they believe what they believe lest we compromise the truth on the alter of "relevance and progress."  The largest megachurch in our area has gone down this very path and the ripple effect is still being felt around the entire metro-Milwaukee area.

During the worship service I concluded our four part series on the David Covenant.  One cannot rightly appreciate the N.T. Gospels or the book of Revelation if they do not have a good grasp on the grand covenants of Scripture. Chiefly, the Abrahamic, Davidic, and New Covenants.  The title of this sermon is "Who Am I?"  This exposition of 2 Samuel 7:18-29 highlights the Believer's proper response to the covenant promises of God.


For Further Reflection/Application:
Spend some time this week reflecting on past mercies, present blessings, and future promises!  Write this list down and spend time in prayer and praise! (use 2 Sam. 7:18-29 as an example)

If we set our hearts and minds upon the God’s promises with greater regularity how would it impact our daily lives? How would it help us to cope with the difficult trials and tribulations of this present world? How should it impact our prayer lives? Our worship? Our time in the Word?

December 10th Worship at Lake Country Bible Church

This Sunday's worship service will feature the LCBC kids choir, many great Christmas hymns, our India short-term missions trip commissioning, and an exposition of Luke 1:26-36; "The Christ-Child's Matchless Superiority." 

 During Sunday School we will continue our study on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood in a Post-fall universe. SS starts at 9am and the worship service at 10:15am. Come let us Adore Him!  #LakeCountryBibleChurch

"Fullness of grace in Man’s human frailty
This is the wonder of Jesus.
Laying aside His power and glory
Humbly He entered our lost world.

November 26th, 2017- God's Loving Discipline & Gospel Grace

A rendition of Zachariah in the Temple in Luke 1:5-25

During our Lord's Day worship service we will continue our verse by verse trek through Luke 1.  The title of this AM's exposition is "God's Loving Discipline and Gospel Grace."  This final message of three highlights Luke 1:5-25, 57-66 (the birth account of John and the story of Zacharias and Elizabeth). 

In our adult Bible study hour I will highlight various "Points of Agreement between Complementarians and Egalitarians."  Though much divides those who embrace Biblical Manhood and Womanhood and those promote Evangelical Feminism today we also need to know what convictions we share.   In any theological dispute it is helpful to acknowledge any common ground you may have with the opposing point of view.

Post Script- In the weekly sermon handout I try and provide a list of questions for further reflection and personal application (see example below).

For Further Reflection/Application:
Have all of your transgressions and sins been washed clean in the blood of the Lamb?  (Meditate on the wonder of Isaiah 1:18; 53:1-23; and 55:1-3)

What did the preacher mean when he made a distinction between the eternal consequences of sin
and the temporal consequences of sin?

Some/many of the religious friends of Zacharias and Elizabeth assumed their barrenness was a
sign of Divine displeasure (see Luke 1:24-25; last sermon)- when it was not (see Jn 9; Job 1-2).

Having said that, sometimes our trials and difficulties are part of God’s loving correction (note
Hebrews 12:4-11). Do you evaluate your walk with God when the Lord allows trials to come
your way?

November 12th, 2017 @ Lake Country Bible Church

During our adult bible study I will continue our Rediscovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood and contemporary events series.  The title of this eighth lesson is "Judgment, Mercy, and Hope in a Post-Fall Universe." Our primary text is Genesis 3.

In the worship service we will consider part two of the birth narrative of John the Baptist.  The title of my exposition is "O For Grace To Trust You More."  This sermon will cover Luke 1:5-25 (pt. 2).  You can listen to the message here.

After hearing the message I would encourage you to put feet to your faith throughout the week.  The follow portion of our sermon notes might help you do this with greater ease.

For Further Reflection/Application:
How is your prayer life? Is it constant? (1 Thess. 5:16-17; Matt. 26:36-26). Our anemic prayer
lives often expose our sinful self-reliance.

How are trials blessings in disguise? (2 Cor. 12:7-10)

“We have not because we ask not”…and sometimes we ask not because we lack the faith to
believe; (note Matt. 7:7-11).

Scripture also warns of a subtler danger of going through the right motions w/o exercising the
muscles of faith! Compare Acts 12 with Luke 1:18.

The God Who Remembers- Nov 5th, 2017 @ LCBC

During the AM worship service we will consider the wonderful account of Zacharias and Elizabeth and the birth account of John the Baptist.  The title of this introductory message is "The God Who Remembers!"  My exposition of Luke 1:5-25 can be found here

A sermon study guide is also available on Lake Country Bible Church's website.  These sermon notes are intended to help us drive home the practical significance of the message.  Scripture says we must effectual doers of the Word (not merely hearers).  It is the Holy Spirit's joy to help God's people grow in the knowledge and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Here is a snippet from Sunday's note sheet.

For Further Reflection/Application:
Imagine what it would have felt like to have ministered faithfully as a believer (as Zacharias
and Elizabeth did) without any signs of deliverance or the fulfillment of many O. T. promises.
Do you ever feel discouraged concerning various N. T. and 2nd Coming Promises?
(note 2 Peter 3)

Numbers 23:19, “God is not a man that He should (ever) lie. Has God said, and will He not do
it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” How you answer these rhetorical
questions will not only influence how you live your everyday life it will also determine your
eternal destiny. I say this on the basis of texts like John 3:16-36.

He Shall Reign Forevermore! (2 Samuel 7; pt. 3 and 4)

On October 15th we continued our series on "God's Original and Marvelous Design for Men and Women."  It is critically important that before we get into the more disputed texts, such as 1 Timothy 2:9-15 and 1 Corinthians 11, that we begin in the VERY GOOD beginning.  Paul himself points to the pre-fall plan of God as the biblical basis of his New Testament instruction.  This adult bible study series complements our men's leadership study of "the Exemplary Husband" and our ladies study of "the Excellent Wife."  These are vitally important issues.  Titus 2 says the testimony of the gospel is at sake!

During the worship service we will continue our exposition of 2 Samuel 7 which is one of the most significant passages in the entire Old Testament.   If you want to understand the New Testament, especially issues related to the end times (eschatology) then we need to know the First Testament.  The title of the morning sermon is "He Shall Reign Forevermore!"

Because I had way too much material for one sermon I preached a second exposition during a special evening service titled, "Follow the Yellow Brick Road All the Way Home."  This journey trace the major themes of 2 Samuel throughout the rest of the Bible.  The Word of God truly is one giant story (a interconnected metanarrative).  Sometimes we miss the forest for the trees.  This message is designed to help us so the grand design of heaven.

In order to help my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ drive home the implications of the inspired text I provide extended notes for further meditation and application (see below). 

He Shall Reign Forevermore sermon notes-

For Further Reflection/Application:
Are you jealous for the honor, glory, and reputation of your great God and King (like David
was)? Provide some examples to support your answer.

The great Covenants must be viewed through a biblical looking glass to see both near and far.  What was meant by this statement? (think back to last week’s “already/not yet” teaching)

A Forever King & His Everlasting Kingdom (2 Sam. 7)

The Grand Covenants of Scripture

On October 8th, I preached a message titled "The Forever King and His Everlasting Kingdom." 2 Samuel 7 is the foundation of what the final N.T. prophesy of Revelation reveals (note esp. Rev. 19-20).  In this current series I am trying to help my congregation understand how the Grand Covenants of the O. T. is the base upon which the N. T. rests.   In the Old Testament we witness many great "promised made."  In the New Testament we uncover "God fulfilling all of His promises." One cannot fully understand familiar passages, such as Luke 1-2, without understanding jugular texts such as 2 Samuel 7.  It is clear that faithful Jewish teenagers, such as Mary, was firmly grounded in the Old Testament.  Such cannot be said of the Evangelical church today.  By in large we do not know our Old Testament Scriptures which goes against the spirit of 2 Timothy 3:15-4:2.

In the Adult Bible study/SS hour we are looking at God's Original and Marvelous Design for Men and Women (lesson 4). 

In the afternoon we will host my first "new members class" since becoming the new Sr. Pastor at Lake Country Bible Church.

For Further Reflection/Application:
What are some of the main features and promises of the Davidic Covenant? How do we
Gentiles factor into God’s purpose/plan?

“The LORDS’s irrevocable promise to David is reliable and guarantees the realization of His
purposes for His covenant community.” How does this strengthen your faith in God?

God's Grand Covenant Promises, Israel, and Us (pt. 2)

Firm Assurance

For those who at times lack firm assurance in the promises of God this sermon from Genesis 15 and Hebrews 6 should strengthen our faith. 

This study of the Abrahamic Covenant is critical if we're to rightly interpret the New Testament (including the book of Revelation).

“It is recognized by all serious students of the Bible that the covenant with Abraham is one of the

most important revelations of Scripture. This grand promise furnishes the key to the entire Old

Testament and reaches for its fulfillment into the New. In the controversy between pre-mill

proponents and amillennialists, the interpretation of this covenant more or less settles the entire

argument.”

During the 9:00 Sunday School hour we will continue our study of "God's marvelous design for men and women."  A thematic study of Genesis 1-2.

For Further Reflection/Application:

When is the last time you doubted one of God’s promises?   How did you respond to these internal concerns? Did you take these burdens to God in prayer? What passages of Scripture assured you that everything God promised will come to pass exactly as He said it will?

Meditate on the practical significance of Hebrews 6:9-19a, Psalm 42, and Psalm 73.

What are some of your favorite Divine PROMISES? What about these promises makes them so important to you?

Some promises are meant to be shared not kept a .secret. God’s good promises in Christ are

intended to be shared far and wide.

The Abrahamic Covenant, Israel, and Us (pt. 1); Genesis 12/Galatians 3

The Abrahamic Covenant; Genesis 12/Galatians 3

In His grace, God often accommodates our human weaknesses with Divine promises. In so doing, He alleviates our concerns while strengthening our gospel assurance. Personal reflections on Genesis 15. 

Looking forward to Sunday's exposition as we consider another encouraging layer of "God's Grand Covenant Promises, Israel, and Us."  Our exposition will begin in Genesis 12 and will conclude in Galatians 3:13-29.

During the Sunday School hour we will highlight Genesis 2 and explore how men and women are equal in dignity, value, personhood, and worth.

For Further Reflection/Application:

What are some of your favorite PROMISES in the Bible? What about these promises makes

them so special to you? 

How certain are you that all of God’s promises will come to fruition?

Some of my favorite promises for believers are Joshua 1:9; Psalm 37:4; Matthew 11:28,

28:10; Romans 8; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 13:5.