Month: March 2017
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“Restored Hearts” (Sermon preached on Sunday, March 12, 2017, at First Church Coral Springs, as the second sermon in a series called “Restoration”)
In the NIV Bible, the word “heart” appears over 700 times. In the old King James version, “heart” appears over 800 times. And, according the Bible “hearts” perform an amazing array of functions, including… · Hearts love, of course. · Hearts also lust, change, turn away, and falter. · …
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Unexpected Encounters
This morning, I was thinking about Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s Well, in John 4. The woman had come to the well, at midday, to fetch water. She certainly didn’t expect to find Jesus there. But, that unexpected encounter changed her life. I didn’t grow up in…
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There is a Balm in Gilead…
This is what the Lord says… Since my people are crushed, I am crushed; I mourn, and horror grips me. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people? (Jeremiah 8:4, 21-22) In Biblical times, Gilead was known for…
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Poco a Poco…
I was reminded, today, of this quote by John Wesley, “Every one, though born of God in an instant, yea and sanctified in an instant, yet undoubtedly grows by slow degrees…” John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, believed that the “born again” experience, though incredibly important, was only…
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Our Original Calling
Genesis 1:26-28 says, Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the…
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Fencing the Darkness
I read something profound this morning. It was one of those “Things that make you go ‘hmmmmm…..’” moments. I love those! I’ve just started reading Lisa Sharon Harper’s book, The Very Good Gospel. I’m only 25 pages in, and I am hooked! The opening chapter, called “A Glimpse of Shalom,” begins with…
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Preaching to Myself…
I start with an outline. Then, I write a full sermon manuscript of what I plan to say. Then, I condense the manuscript to notes that I will actually preach from. On Sunday mornings, I get up and 5:00 am, and read my manuscript twice – sometimes out loud. At…
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Earth Has No Sorrow That Heaven Cannot Heal
I referenced an old hymn by Sir Thomas Moore in my sermon today. The text of the hymn is… Come, ye disconsolate, where’er ye languish, Come to the mercy seat, fervently kneel. Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish; Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal. Joy…
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Restoration (Sermon manuscript from Sunday, March 5, 2017 – preached at First Church Coral Springs)
sermon-manuscript-march-5-2017
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Rationalization
I’m currently reading 1 Samuel, which tells the story of Israel’s desire for a king, so they could be like the other nations. God intended to be their king, and warned of the dangers of earthly Kings who become corrupted by power. But, Israel wanted a “real” king. That’s how…
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