Archive for 2010
Sanctification: How Change Happens in Us
The word “sanctification” means to make holy or to purify. It’s the word theologians use to describe how God changes people after they begin to embrace the gospel with Jesus as savior and Lord of their lives.
Last Sunday four different people shared openly and honestly about how the gospel is changing them. A consistent theme that showed up was the sufficiency of Jesus for all the issues of life. In each story the individual was facing situations or places in one’s life, where whatever way the person was functioning or approaching things simply wasn’t working. It’s in those times and through those things where God most often opens us up to being receptive to the transformation the gospel can bring.
Sometimes we think we need… Read more
A Church With Resounding Impact
Guest Preacher Philip Stryuk preaches a sermon titled, “A Church With Resounding Impact: Lessons from the Thessalonians”. This is an exegetical sermon on 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 and looks at the things that were important to the ancient church plant in Thessolonica and what we can learn from them. Preached on December 27th, 2009 at The Resolved Church in San Diego, CA.
Worship in Song and Stories
James Cameron, the director of the now infamous Avatar film said this about his movie. “When people have an experience that’s very powerful in the movie theatre, they want to go share it. They want to grab their friend and bring them, so that they can enjoy it. They want to be the person to bring them the news that this is something worth having in their life.”
Tomorrow we’ll sing a little more than normal and we’ll hear from four different individuals about how the good news of the gospel is working in their life and changing them. Grab a friend and bring them so they can share in the joy of the gospel with us and hear how it is the most important and powerful thing worth having in our lives.
2 Corinthians 3:18 “We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
Words Can Change the Heart
The band Cold War Kids (CWK) just came out with a new EP in December titled “Behave Yourself.” My wife and I are pretty big fans of CWK. Besides their stellar music, Matt Maust, the bass player is an amazing artist who did most the pieces in our living room. You can check out some of his latest stuff on their website (www.coldwarkids.com). The last song on the new EP is titled “Sermons.” In the last stanza of the song there is a line Nathan Willett repeats over and over again. He says, “I believe that the words can change the heart, the words can change the heart, the words can change the heart…” In essence that one line sums up the entire passion of my life, why I do what I do, why I say what I say, why I am a preacher…because I believe that words can change the heart.
Feb. 21st – Theology on Tap
On February 21st Pastor Duane will lead a Theology on Tap session called “Beer & Ballads: The Connections Between Theology and Music – Part II” Bring a song (mp3, cd, record, cassette, 8-track, etc.) and the lyrics to discuss ring a tall bottle of one of your favorite beers or other bev! At 7:00pm we’ll meet at Greg and Carrie Sandys’ house. Send an email for DIRECTIONS
War, Work and the World to Come: Farming and Fighting
This is our New Year’s sermon for 2010 titled, “War, Work and the World to Come: Farming and Fighting”. This is an exegetical sermon on Galatians 6:7-10 and looks at how to give glory to God versus mocking him, how to fight as a soldier in the war of flesh against Spirit and how to work as a farmer in sowing seeds that will bear fruit. This sermon was originally preached by Pastor Duane Smets on January 3rd, 2010 at The Resolved Church in San Diego, CA.
I Will Run
“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” Philippians (3:13-14).
Hey Resolved family, this is Sean your worship leader writing some words of encouragement as we enter into the New Year. Life in gospel is often referred to in the New Testament as running a race. This is not a sprint it’s a marathon. It takes endurance, pushing through the pain, and a fire in your soul to press on towards winning the prize. Our prize is Jesus. Our prize is knowing Him, the power of His resurrection, and the eternal life He has given us. “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3). Paul compares all things in this world and life to be rubbish (basically crap) compared to the greatness of knowing Jesus and being found in Him. This was Paul’s race. His body bore a lifetime of persecution, fasting, poverty, and mission. Yet still Paul pressed on. He had much to regret before is glorious vision of Jesus and unbelievable conversion and decision to follow the risen Lord. How could Paul run this race? How can one press on with so much regret, past mistakes, pain, and persecution? Paul looked upon Him who bears the scars of our Redemption, Jesus, the One who gave it all to make us His. This was Paul’s strength in running the race, allowing him to forget what is behind and strain towards what is ahead.
Today, when your race is hard to run, when the day seems impossible to get through, remember Jesus! When there is so much regret, doubt, and struggle with sin turn your eyes upon Jesus, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross on your behalf. Let His wounded hands give you strength to run this race and live for the glory of His name.
I Will Run
words & music by Jason Morant
How long will it be until we are standing face to face
How long will it be until I behold that wondrous place
My eyes will be fixed on You and my heart will have found its home
Until then I will run this race and will live to make You known
I will run I will run
All my days are Yours
I will run cause You are all
I am living for
I have only You to thank for my soul being transformed
And for all of the times You’d come like a fire to bring me warmth
And for all of the times Your wounded hands would give me strength
For me to continue to run this race to make You known
