New Series: ‘Love Your Neighbor’
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Tomorrow we’re starting a new series titled, “Love Your Neighbor.” I will be preaching from Jesus’ story of the good Samaritan.
Bob Kauflin will be leading us in singing to the Lord. Also—as we mentioned a few days ago—seven youth are being baptized tomorrow. Praise God!
May 28 2009 at 4:50 pm
Reflecting on Next 2009
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I drove home from Baltimore on Tuesday with a happy/exhausted feeling. Next 2009 exceeded all of my expectations. For all of you who attended—thanks for coming. For those who remembered us in prayer—God answered your prayers in amazing ways. Let me share a few random highlights for me personally…
• I’ll start with superficial: My hotel room was on the 20th floor and overlooked Camden Yards. What a view (photo at right)! I also got to share a room with my brother Brett which was fun.
• Grant Layman, who directs Next, and Paul Medler who serves as administrator, did an incredible job. I got to show up and be amazed by all that they and their team had worked on and planned. When you see these men at church, please thank them for the role they played.
• It was good to see so many familiar faces. Even though nearly half of the attendees came from churches outside Sovereign Grace, it’s good to see old friends from our sister-churches in places like Orlando, Lancaster, El Paso, Dallas and Charlotte. John Loftness and Curtis Allen were there with a great contingent from Solid Rock. They even had matching t-shirts.
• Having six sessions solely focused on Jesus was incredible. One of the interesting themes that unexpectedly emerged was a focus on people who have grown up around Christianity but who haven’t personally trusted in Christ. The Holy Spirit seemed to be bringing conviction and a new sense of awe before Jesus that was very sweet.
• I’ve met three people who gave their lives to Christ over the weekend. I pray there were even more. The conference was a living example of the truth that when Jesus is clearly proclaimed from God’s word, people are drawn to him by the power of the Holy Spirit. One girl I spoke with came to the event only so a friend could come. She was extremely antagonistic toward Christians. She had brought a book and planned to tune the whole thing out. But God spoke to her, and through the care and counsel of Christian friends, she turned from her sin and trusted in Jesus. “I don’t know what I’m going to do when I get home,” she told me. “All my friends know me as the girl who hates Christians.” Praise God for his converting grace!
• A team of people came to do nothing but pray. Led by pastor Tim Kerr, the team included Covenant Life members Frank and Sue Robb and Steve and Yvonne Wyzga. It was so encouraging and so humbling to have them there praying and interceding through every main session. I truly believe there was a greater move of the Spirit in the lives of the attendees because of their intercession.
To all the Covenant Life members who attended and who served, it’s hard for me express how meaningful it was for me to have you at Next. When I passed you in the halls I would think, “I get to go home and partner with these brothers and sisters in the local church!” That truly is an honor. And it meant to so much to have you at Next supporting the conference.
Please join me in praying that the conference will having a lasting and widespread effect—that Jesus glory will spread because of what took place.
May 27 2009 at 8:44 am
Photos and Resources from Next
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Well, the conference is over, and I’m enjoying a day at home with my family, but I wanted to let you know the audio of the Next 2009 main sessions is now available for free download over on the Next site. Audio from the breakout sessions and panel will be available soon.
And here’s another round of photos by the Next photography team:
May 26 2009 at 7:08 pm
Youth Baptism Sunday
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May 31 is our second Youth Baptism Sunday, and the following teens are getting baptized. I’m excited for them and their families!
If you’re a friend or fellow care group member, take time to encourage and pray for these brothers and sisters at church this Sunday.
Devin Petronic
Jonathan Hyon 
Alicia Nelson
Lindsey Woodrow 
Sean Branchaw 
Rachel Kutten 
Shannon Haughey
May 26 2009 at 12:18 pm
Photos from Next 2009
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Courtesy of the Next photography team, here’s batch #1 of photos from the Next 2009 conference (which just concluded today in Baltimore):
May 25 2009 at 7:00 am
Ephesians, Part 26: Application
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Yesterday Robin Boisvert gave the final message in our Ephesians series, focusing on verses 17-24 of Chapter 6.
Listen to Robin’s sermon online or download it here.
Use these questions to help in applying the message:
1. Robin encouraged us to pray at all times in all situations—the big and the little. What are the little things of daily life that you try to handle in your own strength? How can praying for the little things become a consistent part of your prayer life?
2. Robin mentioned that our prayer life reveals the degree of our awareness of our dependence on God. What would it look like to take specific steps to grow in dependence on God through prayer?
3. Robin mentioned that prayer is the way we put on the armor of God. How can you specifically and intentionally put on the armor of God (Eph. 6:13-17) through prayer?
4. Robin taught us that prayer is the means by which the gospel is established in the life of believers. For what fellow saints in your relational network can you be praying, asking that the gospel would be firmly established in their lives?
5. Prayer is the means by which the gospel advances. For what unbelievers can you be intentionally and consistently praying, asking that the gospel would be heard and received in their lives?