This Sunday: Historical Sermon

I have heard of other churches doing this from time to time and I thought we would try it out as a church.

As many of you know, I like Church History, particularly the history surrounding New England. I have gotten to know George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards in new ways since living in Nashua.

Anyhow, we are going to read a sermon from George Whitefield entitled: "The Almost Christian" based on Acts 26 and the conversation Paul had with King Agrippa.

We will read the sermon in its entirety on Sunday as it was delivered for the first time in 1738, some 270 years ago in England. It was one of Whitefield's most well known sermons and is in my opinion, a very applicable one. If your interested, come and visit us this Sunday, and let us know what you think of our historical sermon .

Sermon Text: Acts 26:19-29

Acts 26:19 "So, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision,
Acts 26:20 but kept declaring both to those of Damascus first, and also at Jerusalem and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance.
Acts 26:21 "For this reason some Jews seized me in the temple and tried to put me to death.
Acts 26:22 "So, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place;
Acts 26:23 that the Christ was to suffer, and that by reason of His resurrection from the dead He would be the first to proclaim light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles."
Acts 26:24 While Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus *said in a loud voice, "Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving you mad."
Acts 26:25 But Paul *said, "I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I utter words of sober truth.
Acts 26:26 "For the king knows about these matters, and I speak to him also with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner.
Acts 26:27 "King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you do."
Acts 26:28 Agrippa replied to Paul, "In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian."
Acts 26:29 And Paul said, "I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains."

JI Packer and the Anglican Church

I saw this over the weekend, but decided to post it after the holiday.

I am fairly aware of this whole situation, it is fairly simple. The Bishop wants to control the churches in his charge and St. Johns in Vancouver is not cooperating. So the Bishop needs to strip the church of its ministers, including JI Packer.

It is an awful situation, and I have very little nice to say about the Bishop. All I can say, is that he is on the losing end. Click here to read the full article.

We need to be praying for our brothers and sisters in this situation. It is not an easy time to be a minister in the Anglican Church who embraces the gospel.

Tim Keller @ Google Campus

If you go to www.youtube.com, and type Tim Keller there are a lot of video clips about his recent book tour. I am watching one right now that was recorded at UC Berkley.

I watched his talk at Google Campus earlier, and it was very good. Check it out!

Tim Keller @ Google Campus

Christianity Today Article on Packer

Just read a nice article on J.I. Packer. Click on the link to read more.

Holy Week Activities

Good Friday Service
SDA Church Nashua
10 Robinson Rd.
Nashua, NH

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

The Good Friday Service will feature readings, music, brief devotional and the Lord's Supper.

There will be no child care Friday Night, but the informal nature of the service can include the children.

Resurrection Sunday Worship Service
NO Sunday School, Refreshments after the Worship Service.

Hope to see you all on Friday and Sunday. Here are the readings I suggested last Sunday.
.
Jesus Last Week on Earth
Matthew 21 - 27
Mark 11 - 15
Luke 19 - 23
John 12 – 19

NT Sermon Text: Romans 10:5-15

Rom. 10:5 For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness.
Rom. 10:6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, ‘WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?’ (that is, to bring Christ down),
Rom. 10:7 or ‘WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).”
Rom. 10:8 But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,
Rom. 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
Rom. 10:10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
Rom. 10:11 For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”
Rom. 10:12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him;
Rom. 10:13 for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”
Rom. 10:14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?
Rom. 10:15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!”

OT Sermon Text : Isaiah 52:3-8

Is. 52:3 For thus says the LORD, “You were sold for nothing and you will be redeemed without money.”
Is. 52:4 For thus says the Lord GOD, “My people went down at the first into Egypt to reside there; then the Assyrian oppressed them without cause.
Is. 52:5 “Now therefore, what do I have here,” declares the LORD, “seeing that My people have been taken away without cause?” Again the LORD declares, “Those who rule over them howl, and My name is continually blasphemed all day long.
Is. 52:6 “Therefore My people shall know My name; therefore in that day I am the one who is speaking, ‘Here I am.’”
Is. 52:7 How lovely on the mountains
Are the feet of him who brings good news,
Who announces peace
And brings good news of happiness,
Who announces salvation,
And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Is. 52:8 Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices,
They shout joyfully together;
For they will see with their own eyes
When the LORD restores Zion.

Sermon Text: Nahum 1:15

Nah. 1:15 Behold, on the mountains the feet of him who brings good news,
Who announces peace!
Celebrate your feasts, O Judah;
Pay your vows.
For never again will the wicked one pass through you;
He is cut off completely.

Spring Forward Saturday!

In the Fall, ministers are not worried, it just means you might have more people at Sunday School than normal. Which is not a problem.

But Springtime is a Minister's worse Nightmare. Folks coming after the sermon and after the Worship Service. It happens every year.

So folks, remember, Spring Forward, turn those clocks ahead one hour tomorrow. And get a good night sleep!

A Sunny Spring Day in New Hampshire

I was waiting for the kids after school and enjoying a break from the relentless snow. I saw a student walking home in shorts. Finally, a Sunny Spring Day in NH.

We have had one of the wildest winters in a long time in NH. The highest snowfall in New Hampshire in recent History, 4th on the list of all time most snow in one season. And we still have a good chance of more snow before the season ends.

Every week, every few days it seems like we are digging out. But today was a break.

50s, Sunny, snow melting everywhere. It was great.

Hymn for Jean Calvin

Just read this on the wire......

"The Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches (FSPC) and the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) are looking for a hymn and a sermon for the festivities marking the 500th anniversary of the Reformer John Calvin."

Click on this link to read the entire article.

Do you think it is a good idea? I am a fan of Calvin, but not sure I would be composing hymns to honor him. What do you think?

Sermon Text: Nahum 2:1-7

Nah. 2:1 The one who scatters has come up against you.
Man the fortress, watch the road;
Strengthen your back, summon all your strength.
Nah. 2:2 For the LORD will restore the splendor of Jacob
Like the splendor of Israel,
Even though devastators have devastated them
And destroyed their vine branches.
Nah. 2:3 The shields of his mighty men are colored red,
The warriors are dressed in scarlet,
The chariots are enveloped in flashing steel
When he is prepared to march,
And the cypress spears are brandished.
Nah. 2:4 The chariots race madly in the streets,
They rush wildly in the squares,
Their appearance is like torches,
They dash to and fro like lightning flashes.
Nah. 2:5 He remembers his nobles;
They stumble in their march,
They hurry to her wall,
And the mantelet is set up.
Nah. 2:6 The gates of the rivers are opened
And the palace is dissolved.
Nah. 2:7 It is fixed:
She is stripped, she is carried away,
And her handmaids are moaning like the sound of doves,
Beating on their breasts.