Tag: sermon

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All about change

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Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may dprove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1-2) We’ve talked a lot in the past couple of weeks about how we can find hope during changing times by turning to our unchanging God. God gives us an anchor, a firm place … Continue reading All about change

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God Has A Plan For Such A Time

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September 8, 2018 sermon When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:12-14) Last week, we talked about how, during times of change, we can find hope in our changeless God. Parts of today’s … Continue reading God Has A Plan For Such A Time

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Worship that transcends language

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  (Message delivered at the Pentecostal Church of Montrouis, Haiti on June 17, 2018) (Sermon audio available here.)   Good morning, church. Thank you, pastor, for allowing me to speak to your congregation today. And thank you, church, for making me a part of your family for the past six months.My last day in Montrouis is Tuesday, and on Wednesday, I will leave Port au Prince for my home and family in America. I am certainly excited to rejoin my wife and the rest of my family there, but my heart breaks for having to leave so many beloved new … Continue reading Worship that transcends language

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Called to be like children

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  (Sermon delivered through translator June 10, 2018 — the National Day of the Haitian Child — at International Evangelical Baptist Church in Montrouis, Haiti. To listen to the sermon audio, click here.) Good morning, church! Thank you, pastor, for the opportunity to speak to you all this morning. And thank you all for making me a part of your church family during the past six months. Today, I am a man torn between two homes. This one in Haiti has given me six of the most wonderful and fulfilling months of my life. But there is also one in … Continue reading Called to be like children

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Amazed by grace

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Delivered January 2017 at Liberty Spring Christian Church What kinds of things are you amazed by? I used to be amazed by juggling. I’m basically an uncoordinated schlub, so watching someone toss more than one ball into the air at a time and then catch them all just seemed like straight-up magic to me. And then I had a juggler in college spend a few minutes teaching me about it one day. Ever since then, I can take three balls and — with a little practice — actually juggle. See? I’m a juggler. Even me, an uncoordinated schlub. Of course, … Continue reading Amazed by grace

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One big, happy family

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Delivered in Montrouis, Haiti in November 2016 Good morning. Thank you very much for the introduction, thank you pastor for allowing me to speak for a few minutes this morning, and thank you all for the opportunity to worship our great God together. I bring you greetings this morning from Virginia, USA, from Liberty Spring Christian Church, from First Baptist Church and from a family back at home that loves this family of believers very much, Pastor Chris and Christina Surber. I am told that today is Family Day here, so it is fitting that I bring greetings from my … Continue reading One big, happy family

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He’s always been faithful to me

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  Delivered in October 2016 in Montrouis, Haiti Good evening. I’ve been looking forward to coming back to Haiti for more than two years. My wife and I visited here back in 2014, right in the middle of August. We met many beautiful people here, and we made some great new friends. I had a chance to drive up into the mountains and look down on the coast. Your blue waters spread out below the green hillside made an impression I will never forget. But one of the things I have been most excited about was the chance to see … Continue reading He’s always been faithful to me

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Blessed be the name of the LORD!

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  Delivered in Montrouis, Haiti, in October 2016, after Hurricane Matthew In the only sermon the Bible records Jesus preaching, the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus began by saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Today, we see that mourning throughout Haiti. It burns within our breasts. It tastes bitter at the back of our throats. It threatens to consume us, to turn us bitter and angry. How can one see so many broken homes, so much pain and destruction, so much sorrow … Continue reading Blessed be the name of the LORD!