Archive for category Worship
Resolutions for 2012
Posted by Stephen C. Rice in Discipleship, Evangelism, Ministry, Worship on January 6, 2012
My friend, Dr. Paul Chitwood serves as the Executive Director of the Kentucky Baptist Convention. He recently published a very well-written challenge that I would like to share with you. I echo the following words of Dr. Chitwood as we seek to magnify and honor the glorious name of the Lord Jesus in 2012:
With this first 2012 post, I’m hoping a New Year’s resolution list for Kentucky Baptists will be well received. I offer no earth-shattering new insights. I simply challenge us to be faithful to the basic call of Christ upon our lives and obedient to the fundamental teachings in God’s word. If every Kentucky Baptist would commit themselves to the following resolutions, our churches would flourish, every lost person in the Commonwealth could hear the gospel, and the cause of the Great Commission would be rapidly advanced.
First, would you resolve to walk closely with Jesus through concerted prayer and daily Bible reading? Our Lord exhorts us in John 15:4, “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” The first call of the gospel is the call to be in Jesus Christ. He is the source of spiritual life and spiritual power. Apart from him, we will remain powerless.
Second, would you resolve to obey Jesus in all things? Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it” (Luke 11:28). Matters like sexual purity, financial stewardship, personal honesty, sobriety, and refraining from gluttony are not negotiable for those who have confessed Jesus as Lord of our lives.
Third, would you resolve to share Jesus with at least one lost person each week? The command to be witnesses and the promise of the Spirit’s empowerment to that end are clearly stated in Acts 1:8. As for the lost, “how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard” (Rom 10:14)? Yet, multiple studies and surveys reveal most of us never take the initiative to tell lost people how to be saved. Pray that God would give you the opportunity to share the gospel with just one person each week.
Fourth, would you resolve to love and serve Jesus’ bride with more passion than ever before? Your church isn’t perfect but it needs you. And you need the church. We simply cannot be faithful followers of Jesus apart from his church. Love and serve her.
Fifth, would you resolve to commit more of your resources to Jesus’ Great Commission? The sin of greed has captivated us. Rather than starting with a tithe and giving generously beyond that, the average church member gives less than 3 percent of their income. If we merely gave a tithe, church ministry budgets and the Cooperative Program mission budget would triple, resulting in an exponential harvest of souls in Kentucky and around the world.
The Holy Spirit
Posted by Stephen C. Rice in Church Chat, Discipleship, Sermons, Worship on September 15, 2011
After serving as a pastor in Southern Baptist churches over the last quarter of a century, I find that the average Southern Baptist is largely unfamiliar with the person and work of the Holy Spirit. As a result, I am preaching a sermon series this fall simply called “Fruit of the Spirit.”
The first sermon in the series examined the following six foundational truths about the Holy Spirit:
- The Holy Spirit God. The Holy Spirit was there in the beginning. He was part of the Trinity as everything was created. Genesis says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters” (Genesis 1:1-2).
- The Holy Spirit is a person. Throughout the Bible, the Holy Spirit is referred to as “He or Him.” In John 14:16-17, Jesus said, ”….I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever– the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”
- The Holy Spirit plays a key role in salvation. (John 16:8-11)
- The Holy Spirit dwells in each believer. Jesus said, “….the Spirit of truth….he lives with you and will be in you” (John 14:16-17). Paul asked, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
- The Holy Spirit is given to us as a deposit. What a glorious truth! The Holy Spirit is God’s down payment indicating that He is good for the rest! Hallelujah! “Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come” (2 Corinthians 5:5).
- The Holy Spirit produces fruit in the believer. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).
I personally believe that the greatest evidence that we are truly believers is the fruit of Spirit. If we have the Spirit as a deposit then we are, without a doubt, a true Christian. If we are a genuine Christians who are in fellowship with God, then we will bear the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.
Can A Christian Be Divorced?
Posted by Stephen C. Rice in Church Chat, Life Happens, Preaching, Sermons, Worship on June 22, 2011
I am currently preaching a Summer Sermon Series called Hot Topics. This week’s sermon is entitled, Can A Christian Be Divorced? Several of my pastor friends believe that this week’s “divorce sermon” will be the most difficult message to deliver in the entire series. I suppose they’re correct, but all that I know to do is to explore what the Bible says on the subject.
During this series, I have been reminded over and over that most people want to hear the truth. They want a preacher to stand with a heart full of love and share straight from God’s Word. Even if the topic is difficult, they want to know what God has to say! Well, this summer, I’m desperately trying to share what God has to say on each of these hot topics.
If you would like to hear any or all of the sermons from this series, you can listen to them on our website at www.shelbyvillebaptist.com.
True Satisfaction
Posted by Stephen C. Rice in Life Happens, Preaching, Sermons, Worship on May 3, 2011
In 1965, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards released a song that gave the English rock band, the Rolling Stones, their first #1 hit. One of the unique features of the song was the repetitive, three-note guitar riff throughout. The song was titled “Satisfaction.” Here are the words to the chorus:
I can’t get no satisfaction. I can’t get no satisfaction. ‘Cause I try, and I try, and I try, and I try. I can’t get no satisfaction.
This was one of my favorite pep-band songs in high school because the trombones played that three-note guitar riff. You can probably guess that I played trombone in school. BUT, at the time, I didn’t know how sad the song’s lyrics were.
When I think of these sad lyrics, I think of King Solomon. He spent most of his life searching for satisfaction. Listen to his frustration:
“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” Ecclesiates 1:2
“All life is far more boring than words could ever say. Our eyes and our ears are never satisfied with what we see and hear.” Ecclesiates 1:8 (Contemporary English Version)
“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” Ecclesiates 1:14
As a pastor, I have learned that many people in life are just like Solomon. They are seeking true meaning in life, but don’t know where to find it. Fortunately, our search can end well if our search brings us to Christ. Listen to what the Apostle Paul writes in Colossians:
“For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible…everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him (Jesus).” Colossians 1:16 (Msg)
If you are reading this and have an emptiness in your life, then I encourage you to give your life to Christ. Find purpose and meaning in a personal, intimate relationship with Him. Pray and invite Him into your life. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins. Follow Him, love Him, serve Him. If I can help you in some way to that end, please contact me at srice@fbcshelbyville.com.
Record Attendance on Easter 2011
Posted by Stephen C. Rice in Church Chat, Sermons, Worship on April 26, 2011
We had a BIG Day on Easter 2011 as we kicked off our new sermon series called The Life You’ve Always Wanted. Since 2007, we have been carefully tracking worship attendance and last Sunday’s attendance was a record for that time period. Thank you for all your hard work toward making Easter at Shelbyville Baptist a huge success.
This Sunday we will continue our sermon series with a message entitled Life with Meaning. We will study King Solomon and his quest to find true meaning and purpose in life.
Luke Wisely, our new contemporary worship leader, will be leading our 8:30 am service and Gene Wright, our worship pastor, will be leading our 11:00 am service. See you there!
How’s Your Prayer Life
Posted by Stephen C. Rice in Prayer, Preaching, Worship on January 17, 2011
God has been speaking to me the last two months about two main areas in my life–witnessing and prayer. Yesterday at Shelbyville First Baptist Church, I took a detour from my planned message and preached about prayer. I began by asking the following honest questions:
- Why is it that the average Christian makes so little progress in their Christian life?
- Why is it that the average Christian experiences so little victory over sin?
- Why is it that the average Christian feels so defeated in their walk with Christ?
- Why is it that the average Christian sees so few people come to know Christ as a result of their witnessing?
- Why is it that so many churches never experience growth?
- Why is it that so many churches rarely see the baptismal pool stirred from activity?
- Why is it that so many churches struggle with constant budget shortfalls?
- Why is it that so many churches bicker and fight over the most insignificant matters?
I believe the simple answer to all of these questions can be found in one, 10-word sentence found in Jame 4:2 (NIV), “You do not have, because you do not ask God.” Prayer is the answer.
James, the author of the book and the brother of Jesus, was a mighty man of prayer. Tradition tells us that he prayed so often and so long that his knees became like the knees of a camel. Because he spent so much time in prayer with Jesus, he became like Jesus. No surprise that when he was martyred in A.D. 62, his words were the same as Jesus’ words on the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Our words need to be the words of Christ. Every day we encounter people who desperately need to hear from God. God wants to speak to them through us.
How’s your prayer life? No, really? How is it? God is breaking my heart in this area. He is speaking much-needed truth to me, maybe He is saying the same thing to you as well.
Prayer: Oh God. Thank You for the harsh truth! Thank You for not giving up on me. Thank You for being patient enough to speak the same thing to me again and again until I hear it….until I get it….until I obey. God, please teach me to pray in the way you desire for me to pray. God, I love You….I praise You….I worship You. Amen.
Honoring Our Military – “Raw Worship”
Posted by Stephen C. Rice in Discipleship, Life Happens, Worship on November 14, 2010
(Written 10/23/2008)
“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”John 4:24
Can you remember the most moving worship service you ever attended? I can, because it was only two days ago, on Easter Sunday.
My wife and I entered the Chapel Service at the Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas with our son wearing his sharp “dress blues.” Around us sat 1,000 young, uniformed men and women, at all stages of military basic training–”zero weekers” to “new airmen.”
Music videos played as we entered. Toward the beginning of the service, the worship leaders and band led some upbeat worship music along with a jazzed-up version of a moving hymn.
Then IT happened–the most powerful worship moment I can remember! The Mark Schultz video, Letters from War, began to play. In amazing unison, the soldiers leaped to their feet, let out a yell, and started passing around boxes of tissues. As the song began, every soldier was singing and every soldier was crying.
The moment was raw….the moment was real! They seemed to understand that God helped them through another week of “Hell on earth” as they prepared to serve our country. That week, the God of the Bible had been their God, their helper, their strength.
The most touching moment was the point in the video when the soldier came home. As his car turned down the lane to his farm on the video, the soldiers let out an enormous cheer. Wow! Patriotism and the Spirit of God was as powerful as any moment in my life.
Later, during the offering, I watched my son count out 10% of his small, military salary and place it in the basket as it passed. Words can never adequately describe how I felt at that moment!
The truth is, our churches are starving for that level of raw worship. Assimilation rates will dramatically improve if we achieve worship that is real….worship that is raw…worship that is relevant! Even though I have been a Christian for 34 years, I personally long for that kind of worship. I fear that we may have to experience a great trial in our lives, similar to these soldiers, if we ever hope to cling desperately to God again.
Prayer: “Lord, whatever it takes. Let us see You. Let us sense You. Let us experience You. Let us worship You in a way that is raw and real. Let us serve you with a living sacrifice which is our reasonable service because You are worthy!”
Adopted
Posted by Stephen C. Rice in Life Happens, Sermons, Worship on August 29, 2010
This morning at Shelbyville First Baptist Church, Holly Prosser shared her testimony about adopting her daughter Ellie. Ellie’s story is a heart-wrenching, fascinating drama about moving from an Ethiopian orphanage to a loving, American family where she is growing and flourishing. Check out the picture of Ellie and “mom” this past Christmas. Also, be sure to checkout Holly’s blog here!
God does the exact same thing for us when we place our faith in the Lord Jesus. He moves us from a position of helplessness to a position of hope. He adopts us as His own child and promises to provide and care for us throughout eternity. When business guru Peter Drucker was asked why he became a Christian, he simply answered, “There’s no better deal!” Indeed, there’s no better deal than being adopted by God Himself.
Look how the Apostle John describes this awesome deal of adoption:
1How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:1-3 (NIV)
The “3-Minute Rule”
Posted by Stephen C. Rice in Church Chat, Ministry, Worship on March 2, 2010
Have you ever heard of the 3-Minute Rule? I believe every church could benefit greatly from practicing the rule after each worship service. Here’s how the 3-Minute Rule works. After the morning worship service ends, all the regular attenders spend the first 3 minutes talking with guests, newcomers, or simply people they do not know, before they begin talking with their friends. If possible, they introduce those they meet during the 3-Minute time to their friends with the hope of including them in the group. We should always keep in mind that . . . .
We are a culture craving relationship. In the midst of our crowded existence, many of us are living lonely lives. We live and work in a sea of humanity, but we end up missing out on the benefits of regular, meaningful relationships. (Andy Stanley)
I think we should practice a similar rule before the service as well. We could call it the 2-Person Rule. Strive to meet at least two new people before the service begins. Imagine how many people you would meet after a few weeks. Remember . . . .
People are not merely looking for a friendly church; they are looking to make friends at church.
What do you think? When’s the last time you met someone new at church and were genuinely interested in getting to know them? Make a genuine effort this Sunday to connect with others–it will be a blessing to them as well as to you.
Can Non-Christians Have Joy?
Posted by Stephen C. Rice in Church Chat, Discipleship, Evangelism, Worship on December 9, 2009
In 1971, the group Three Dog Night released a song that was the #1 song on the charts for 6 weeks in a row. Here are some of the words to the song:
Jeremiah was a bull frog; was a good friend of mine. I never understood a single word he said, but I helped him drink his wine. And he always had some mighty fine wine. Joy to the world; all the boys and girls, now. Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea; joy to you and me.
It seems to me that this song contains a very misguided view of true joy and where it originates. In the New Testament, the word “joy” is the word χαρά [khar•ah]. Throughout the Bible, joy is almost always associated with salvation.
In Luke 2:10, the angel told the shepherds, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy….” What was that great joy? “Today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11, NASB). David linked joy and salvation when he prayed, “Restore to me the joy of my salvation” (Psalm 51:12, NASB).
I contend that only Christians can experience Biblical joy because only Christians have experienced salvation. Non-Christians can certainly experience happiness in life, but happiness can come and go. Joy is constant — it does not depend on circumstances. I like to say it this way:
Happiness depends on happenings; Joy depends on Jesus!
If we’re going to choose a song about joy, I think the Isaac Watts version of “Joy to the World” is much better than the Three Dog Night version. Here are the words:
Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room. And heav’n and nature sing. And heav’n and nature sing. And heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.
What do you think? Can non-Christians have joy in their lives?
