If you are anything like me the aspect of confession is often lacking in your prayer life. Sometimes maybe we don’t feel like we know where to start or what to confess. Here is a simple prayer of confession written by Philip Ryken for his church which he posted over at the Reformation 21 blog. Hope its helpful. (more…)
Archive for May, 2006
A Prayer of Confession
Tuesday, May 30th, 2006Sermon download: Hebrews 10:24-25
Sunday, May 28th, 2006An mp3 download of Josh Winans’ sermon from May 28th is available. It is a great call to encourage one another towards Christlikeness, leaning completely on the bountiful grace that God supplies through the work of Christ. The gospel is shown to be central not only in our justification, but also as we are transformed into His image on a daily basis.
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Grace Groups: Together Pursuing Christ
Wednesday, May 24th, 2006Sunday June 4th is the launch date for Grace Groups here at Sovereign Grace Fellowship. Each group will meet Sunday evenings from 6-8 at various homes throughout the greater Auburn area. These home small groups will be the primary avenue for fellowship, discipleship, service and many other aspects of our church life here at SGF.
We are desiring and asking for maximum involvement and participation in these groups believing that they are strategic and crucial for the development, growth and maturing of each individual and the body as a whole. More details will be coming soon but for now be sure to set aside this night on your calendar.
Hadley Jun Reed
Tuesday, May 23rd, 2006Congratulations to Jeff and Joy Reed on the birth of their new baby girl. Hadley Jun was born at 4:46 PM on May 22nd. She weighed 8.3 ounces and measured 20&1/2 inches long.
We must be in prayer for one another, recognizing how great the task of child rearing is. If you need to be reminded of the influence we have on our children, consider J.C. Ryle’s words:
(J. C. Ryle, “The Duties of Parents“)
Parents, train your children remembering continually
the influence of your own example!
Instruction, and advice, and commands will profit little–
unless they are backed up by the pattern of your own life!
Your children will never believe you are in earnest,
so long as your actions contradict your counsel.
(more…)
Jocie Grace Schauer
Monday, May 22nd, 2006Congratulations to Scott and Traci Schauer who welcomed their second child, Jocie Grace Schauer, into the world at 9:18pm on Sunday, May 21st. Their precious daughter weighed 6 lbs, 7 oz, and was 19 inches long. To echo Rick Schauer, a proud grandpa, “Praise the Lord for His awesome blessings!” May God draw Jocie to Himself and give her eyes to see His glory and goodness.
Sermon download for May 21, 2006
Sunday, May 21st, 2006An mp3 download of Josh Winans’ sermon from May 21st is available. This week’s sermon is taken from Acts 13:44-52 and is a challenging exortation to trust that God will use the power of the gospel to draw the Gentiles to himself.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Rediscovering old hymns and writing new ones
Saturday, May 20th, 2006I recently discovered a group of musicians who enjoy digging up 2-300 year old hymns and putting them to new music. They are very skilled, and the hymns they have chosen express great, biblical truth. I can’t remember a time I have been more encouraged by music than during the past month or so. The name of the group is Indelible Grace. From their website you can listen to song samples and order a few different albums. They have done a total of four albums of reworked hymns, and one of the artists, Sandra McCracken, has a solo album of hymns, both old and new. It really is wonderful music. If you enjoy the words of the great hymns, but aren’t always aided in your worship by the old melodies, I would encourage you to take a listen. Hopefully we’ll be able to introduce a few of them in the coming months at Sovereign Grace Fellowship, so it’s also a great way to be prepared to join us in worshiping God corporately!
(BTW, thanks to Josh for first pointing me to their website!)
And just to whet your appetite, here is a sampling of the great lyrics from one of the hymns:
Sovereign grace o’er sin abounding!
Ransomed souls, the tidings swell;
’Tis a deep that knows no sounding;
Who its breadth or length can tell?
On its glories,
Let my soul for ever dwell.What from Christ that soul can sever,
Bound by everlasting bands?
Once in Him, in Him for ever;
Thus the eternal covenant stands.
None shall take Thee
From the Strength of Israel’s hands.Heirs of God, joint-heirs with Jesus,
Long ere time its race begun;
To His name eternal praises;
O what wonders love has done!
One with Jesus,
By eternal union one.On such love, my soul, still ponder,
Love so great, so rich, so free;
Say, while lost in holy wonder,
Why, O Lord, such love to me?
Hallelujah!
Grace shall reign eternally.
Spurgeon on the Gospel
Saturday, May 20th, 2006Here are several good Spurgeon Quotes that were posted by Ligon Duncan over at Together for the Gospel.
“Never lose heart in the power of the gospel. Do not believe that there exists any man, much less any race of men, for whom the gospel is not fitted.” (CHS)
“Let this be to you the mark of true gospel preaching – where Christ is everything, and the creature is nothing; where it is salvation all of grace, through the work of the Holy Spirit applying to the soul the precious blood of Jesus.” (CHS)
“If God does not save men by truth, he certainly will not save them by lies. And if the old gospel is not competent to work a revival, then we will do without the revival.” (CHS)
“On Christ, and what he has done, my soul hangs for time and eternity. And if your soul also hangs there, it will be saved as surely as mine shall be. And if you are lost trusting in Christ, I will be lost with you and will go to hell with you. I must do so, for I have nothing else to rely upon but the fact that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, lived, died, was buried, rose again, went to heaven, and still lives and pleads for sinners at the right hand of God.” (CHS)
Issues Facing Families Today
Friday, May 19th, 2006Justin Taylor references an enlightening and inciteful quote by Andreas Kostenberger on marriage and the issues that marriages and families are facing today. Certainly these sorts of symptomatic problems and issues are best dealt with by digging deep into the core and heart of what is really going on.