Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Scripture Memorization IMPACTS you greatly!

Anyone who knows me, knows that Scripture Memory is something I'm big on.

Here at Fellowship, we emphasize it very intentionally, and even quote our verses as part of our Worship Gathering each Sunday morning.

Several weeks back, we spent a few weeks memorizing Romans 5:1-11, and I know that for me, while it was certainly a significant task, it was very rewarding. I still don't have it down "rock solid" like I want to, but I'll get there.

We memorized that passage as an application of one of the messages that I preached in Romans. Currently, we're in Romans 7, but we'll be in Romans 8 in just a few short weeks. What a fantastic chapter this is and I just want to point you to something that can, I think, help you prepare your heart for our time in that wonderful chapter.

I came across this video several years ago and noticed right away that not only does John Piper have all of Romans 8 memorized, but it has obviously had a great impact on him. While I'm not suggesting that we all memorize the entire chapter, let's start even now to read and meditate on it (and who knows, maybe you'll plant some of it in your heart through memory along the way) so that when we get there - we're truly ready for what God wants to say to us through His Word.


May God use His Word, through the Spirit, to truly impact your heart!

Soli Deo Gloria!
Rob

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Preparing for Worship - November 20, 2016

We all long for a great “worship experience.” And, to be fair, when we’re truly engaged in worship, our “experience” is certainly better. We leave thinking “that was a great worship service....” And that’s not a bad thing at all. All that being said, however - as you think toward our time together this coming Sunday, my encouragement to you would be this: 
Don’t come thinking “what can I get out of it” as the main goal (I certainly pray that you are blessed and that you learn and grow and experience His grace and mercy), but come with the mindset of “I want to turn my mind’s attention and heart’s affection toward the Lord Jesus Christ” (you’ve probably heard that phrase a couple of times). 

Alongside of that, think: “how can I edify others while I’m there?” Whether it’s singing for the edification of those around you, being intentional to encourage others throughout the morning, or following up with a prayer request or need someone you know had previously, when we come with the mindset to edify others, we’ll actually leave with a different kind of joy because of how we served others. And remember: how we engage in worship ourselves can be a huge encouragement to others. I remember a young man in my youth group many years ago whose singing was so off key it was a little bit painful. However, even when I stood next to him, the passion and raw loudness that he sang with was so encouraging to me. He sang to His Savior with reckless abandon and I actually enjoyed being next to him as we worshiped together. 

In an effort to help you prepare your heart for our time together in the worship gathering, so that we can all make the most of our time together, I’ve listed below the songs we’ll be singing this Sunday as well as some of the Scriptures we’ll be reading together and studying. I pray that God is honored by our time together as His people this Sunday. 

Thrive
The lyrics of this song remind us that one of the purposes of our salvation is sanctification - spiritual growht. Yes, we were made to Thrive spiritually. Our choir, including our children (always a treat, ritght?) will open our service with this great declaration. 

Jesus, Firm Foundation
You might not recognize it, but this classic hymn that celebrates the foundation of our faith has an all new melody. These lyrics are ones you know and love, while the tune is a brand new way to sing the song. I’m growing to like the new melody line more and more. 

Prayer
It’s always such a joy to pause and spend time praising God in prayer. 

Meditating on God’s Word
Whether quoting Scripture we’ve memorized or will be memorizing, or simply hearing someone read God’s Word to us, the true, living, active, transforming Word of God is something that is always of benefit to us. Remember, when Scripture speaks, God speaks. Right now - in real time!


Offering & Offertory
We need to remember that every good and perfect gift comes from God. We also have the joy and privilege of bringing a portion of what He has placed in our care and offering it to Him as a sacrifice. While we give to God and contemplate the many things He has blessed us with Matison Whitmore will be playing a beautiful piano solo. I love it when our young people share their gifts with us. 


I Will Sing of My Redeemer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SN1H3kWwU9g  –  (I don’t know anything about the “churchofgod” that made this video, but I always love to hear good congregational singing, so I definitely enjoyed listening to this version.)
As we continue to explore the them of “Slavery to Christ” - what better way to prepare than to sing about one of the sweetest titles Jesus has - REDEEMER! As theologian B.B. Warfield says, “this title is one of the sweetest titles for our Lord.” He has bought us back from slavery with His own blood!

Blessed Assurance
We can be absolutely sure that we are His. Romans 5:1-11 (have you memorized it yet? Keep working on it) reminds us that our salvation is 100% secure in Him! What a joy it is to sing of His salvation for us! Praising my Savior all the day long. 

Hallelujah for the Cross
When we rehearse the story of the Gospel in song, we can’t do anything but praise Him that He has defeated sin and that Love has won!!

Sermon: FRUIT - Romans 6:20-23
Read Romans 6:1-23 a couple of times before Sunday. After telling us what that we’re slaves to Christ, and how great that is, Paul goes on in this passage to tell us some of the benefits of being a Slave to Righteousness. I’m really looking forward to sharing God’s Word with you this Sunday.  

Jesus Paid it All
There was a great cost to be paid for our salvation. We would not, we could not even begin to contribute to that in any way - and how awesome is it that Jesus Paid it All. He totally overcame sin and made me holy!

Silent Contemplation
We’re going to end our service with a time of silent contemplation again this week, thinking about what God has taught us through His Word, singing, and praying together.

Prayer of Consecration
We’ll be dismissed us with a prayer of consecration, reminding us that we are to live lives that are consecrated to him in every detail!

As you spend time in prayer this week, pray for Rex and those who will be leading us in worship, as well as me as I prepare to preach another amazing passage in Romans. 

Can’t wait to see you all on Sunday!


Rob

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Preparing Your Heart for Worship - November 13, 2016

We all long for a great “worship experience.” And, to be fair, when we’re truly engaged in worship, our “experience” is certainly better. We leave thinking “that was a great worship service....” And that’s not a bad thing at all. All that being said, however - as you think toward our time together this coming Sunday, my encouragement to you would be this: 
Don’t come thinking “what can I get out of it” as the main goal (I certainly pray that you are blessed and that you learn and grow and experience His grace and mercy), but come with the mindset of “I want to turn my mind’s attention and heart’s affection toward the Lord Jesus Christ” (you’ve probably heard that phrase a couple of times). 

Alongside of that, think: “how can I edify others while I’m there?” Whether it’s singing for the edification of those around you, being intentional to encourage others throughout the morning, or following up with a prayer request or need someone you know had previously, when we come with the mindset to edify others, we’ll actually leave with a different kind of joy because of how we served others. And remember: how we engage in worship ourselves can be a huge encouragement to others. I remember a young man in my youth group many years ago whose singing was so off key it was a little bit painful. However, even when I stood next to him, the passion and raw loudness that he sang with was so encouraging to me. He sang to His Savior with reckless abandon and I actually enjoyed being next to him as we worshiped together. 

In an effort to help you prepare your heart for our time together in the worship gathering, so that we can all make the most of our time together, I’ve listed below the songs we’ll be singing this Sunday as well as some of the Scriptures we’ll be reading together and studying. I pray that God is honored by our time together as His people this Sunday. 

This Is Amazing Grace
What a wonderful way to begin our singing together - reminding each other of the Amazing Grace of God that has broken the power of sin and darkness in our lives. 

Victory in Jesus
While it’s an old, old story - what a joy there is to sing of it again and again!
(P.S. - excuse the very bluegrass style and Spanish lyrics in the video, but I really like the “fun energy” of this version)

Impact Weekend - You’ll notice that things are a little different this week. Our junior high and high school students are participating in what is called “Impact Weekend” and not only have we asked some of our young men to lead us in worship today, but several of our students will be leading in various aspects of our time together this morning. Pray for our students this weekend as they spend the weekend together worshiping and learning from God’s Word. 


Meditating on God’s Word
Fighter Verse - John 15:5 (be memorizing this verse this week)
Scripture Reading - 1 Corinthians 15:50-58

The Giving of Tithes and Offerings
What a privilege it is to give back to the Lord, who has so abundantly blessed us in countless ways. One of our members, Tim Finch will be sharing a song with us titled “Come As You Are.” It’s a beautiful testimony to how God’s grace overcomes our sin, no matter what it might be. 

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
My favorite line in the song “tune my heart to sing Thy praise.” Isn’t that what our time singing together is all about?  

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
I’m pretty sure that this is universally regarded as one of the greatest hymns ever. written by the English poet and Anglican clergyman John Newton in 1779, it remains such a beautiful expression of God’s grace in our lives. The additional verse “my chains are gone...” so wonderfully talks about our being set free from our slavery to sin, which is one of the main themes of the sermon this Sunday. 


Sermon: SLAVE - Romans 6:15-19
Read Romans 6:1-23 a couple of times before Sunday. The whole concept of what it means to be a slave to Christ is introduced here in this passage. We’ll be focusing on verses 15-19 this Sunday. 

You Are My King
When it comes to “new” songs, this isn’t new, but it’s not an older hymn either. However, the declaration of “You are My King” as a result of the substitutionary atonement is a fantastic way to meditate on Romans 6. 

Silent Contemplation
We’re going to end our service with a time of silent contemplation again this week, thinking about what God has taught us through His Word, singing, and praying together.

Prayer of Consecration
We’ll be dismissed us with a prayer of consecration, reminding us that we are to live lives that are consecrated to him in every detail!

As you spend time in prayer this week, pray for Nathan White and Tim Finch, who will be leading us in worship, as well as me as I prepare to preach an incredible passage in Romans. 

Can’t wait to see you all on Sunday!


Rob

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Preparing Your Heart - Sunday, Nov. 6

Preparing Your Heart for Worship - November 6, 2016

What are you doing TODAY to prepare your heart for our time together as believers this coming Sunday. What a joy and privilege it is to worship with my brothers and sisters in Christ here at Fellowship every Sunday. 
One thing to think about - the more we’re fostering relationships with each other and intentionally intertwining our lives together outside of Sunday morning, the better our time together will be each Sunday morning. 

Other than making focused effort to get to know and encourage others in our church throughout the week, one of the things you can do that will lead to a more Christ-exalting worship gathering this Sunday is to familiarize yourself with not only the passage we’ll be focusing on, but also the songs we’ll be singing together. 

Most of the songs we’re singing this Sunday you’ll be familiar with, but those that you might not know as well, listen to them a few times so that you can better engage in worshiping God as we sing together. 

I know that one of the most encouraging things that happens for me personally each Sunday is hearing the gathered congregation singing together to our God. When I hear everyone singing, it increases my joy as I worship God alongside my brothers and sisters. It puts a smile on my face and in my heart!

Take a few minutes to read through the Scriptures and listen to the songs. 
One of the things I do on Wednesdays, when we’ve finalized the list of songs we’ll be singing, is to put together a playlist in my computer of the songs. I let that be the background music for the rest of the week - it really creates in my heart a joyful looking forward to our time together. If you’re able, I’d encourage you to do the same. 

Call to Worship - Psalm 136
Forever
This reminder and call to Sing Praise flows beautifully out of Psalm 136. 
Give thanks to the Lord - His love endures forever!!

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
This song was written around 500 years ago by Martin Luther. The original song has TWELVE verses!!! Don’t worry - we won’t be singing all 12 verses. The version in the video is a little different - but really cool. 
And before you ask: a “bulwark” (mentioned in the second line of the song) is a reference to something that acts as a defense. God is our defense against literally anything and everything that would come against us. As a result we actually have nothing  to fear in life or death as His children. What a joy and comfort just that one line is. The rest of the song just gets better...


Prayer - Chris Terry will be leading our Prayer of Adoration 

Choir Anthem - Jesus is the Living Stone 
Our foundation is in Christ. It is HIs sacrifice on the cross that we build our lives upon.

Meditating on God’s Word
Scripture Reading - Ephesians 1:3-14
Fighter Verse - Proverbs 19:11
Keep working on memorizing Romans 5:1-11. 
What a rich passage to have always at the ready for meditation!
We won’t be quoting it together in our gatherings for a while, but it’s still a passage that will encourage you greatly to have memorized. 

The Giving of Tithes and Offerings
What a privilege it is to give back to the Lord, who has so abundantly blessed us in countless ways. 

The Solid Rock
My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness
Just that line alone is something we could meditate on for quite a while. How amazing is it that we are not under law, but under grace. The law doesn’t save - Jesus saves. It’s our trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ that gives us hope in this life and the next. 

Jesus, Firm Foundation
While the song has an entirely new “feel,” these amazing lyrics, from the old hymn “Firm Foundation” will never get old. The song opens with a reminder of the excellence of God’s Word and just gets better and better from there.... 

Jesus Paid it All
Continuing the idea of placing our hope in Jesus, we’ll sing about what Jesus did. We need to be reminded often that Jesus not only did what I could not and would not do, but when He went to the cross, He did it ALL. There’s nothing left to do. That is seriously good news!!


Sermon: Under Grace - Romans 6:12-14
Read Romans 6:1-14 several times this week. As we conclude this fantastic section, we’ll be reminded again of what Paul wants us to understand: the multi-faceted beauty of God’s grace for us. I don’t think we can ever exhaust all the things that could be said about His love for us!

Grace Greater than Our Sin
I really could sing this song every single Sunday for the next couple of years and never grow tired of singing it. 

Silent Contemplation
We’re going to end our service with a time of silent contemplation again this week. After singing together in response to His Word, we’ll sit back down for a few moments of silent contemplation to let all that we have heard and sung about “settle in” before we’re dismissed. I would encourage you to linger a few minutes and talk to others about what God taught you this morning before heading out. 

Prayer of Consecration
We’ll be dismissed us with a prayer of consecration, reminding us that we are to live lives that are consecrated to him in every detail!

As you spend time in prayer this week, please remember to keep all of those who are planning, preparing for, and leading in this week’s Worship Gathering. We all truly covet your prayers. 
Know also that I’m praying for you as you prepare your heart for our time as the assembled congregation this Sunday. I can’t hardly wait.....

Rob


Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Preparing for Worship - October 23, 2016

Every Sunday it’s a joy to gather with the Body of Christ to Exalt our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I look forward to our time together and pray for it all week. There really isn’t any other meeting, gathering, or event that compares to the weekly gathering of believers in a local church. What a foretaste of glory divine it is when we meet each Sunday morning. 

As we prepare our hearts for our time together, take some time to read and pray through what will be happening this Sunday so that you can make the most of the time. If you read the Scripture passages, listen to the songs (maybe a few times for any that you’re not familiar with), and pray that your brothers and sisters will be edified as we “exalt His name together” our time will, I believe, be even more God-honoring and joyous!

Call to Worship - Revelation 5:11-14
Come thou Fount of Every Blessing
What a great song to begin our time - we gather to collectively tune our hearts to sing Thy praise and worship Him!

Prayer - Paul Harrington will be leading us in a prayer of adoration. 

Choir Anthem - Alleluia (Glory, Honor, and Majesty)
Our choir always does a great job of leading us to praise our Lord and this song points to some of God’s Attributes in a wonderful way.

Meditating on God’s Word
Scripture Reading - Ephesians 2:1-10
Fighter Verse - Romans 5:1-11
Keep working on memorzing Romans 5:1-11. What a rich passage to have always at the ready for meditation!

The Giving of Tithes and Offerings
What a privilege it is to give back to the Lord, who has so abundantly blessed us in countless ways. 

Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery
The rich lyrics of this song are such a beautiful expression of the gospel truths we see not only in Romans 5, but in the entire letter. 

Amazing Grace
John Newton wrote this amazing expression of God’s grace because he had experienced on a deeply personal level, “where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.” The lyrics to this song will never grow old.

He Will Hold Me Fast
(there’s a new album, which includes this song, being released on Friday. You should get it! http://sovereigngracemusic.org/Albums/Together_for_the_Gospel_Live_III )
As we continue to meditate on Romans 5:1-11 and live lives that (let’s be honest) don’t always honor Christ as we wish they would, these words are so comforting and encouraging in reminding us that HE holds us FIRMLY in His hands!! What a joy it is to sing this song!! (this is my personal favorite song right now - I can’t stop singing it)

Sermon: Walking in Christ: Romans 6:1-4
Read Romans 6:1-14 several times this week. We’re turning another corner in Romans this week as we get to the section where Paul turns to discuss the results of our salvation: sanctification. Romans is just getting better and better!

All I Have is Christ
As we consider the depth of the sin that we all lived in before we knew Christ, our new life in Him will result in living a life of good works. Ephesians 2:10 summarizes it well – we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. 

Silent Contemplation
We’re going to end our service a little different than we typically do this week. After singing together in response to His Word, we’ll sit back down for a few moments of silent contemplation to let all that we have heard and sung about “settle in” before we’re dismissed. I would encourage you to linger a few minutes and talk to others about what God taught you this morning before heading out. 

Prayer of Consecration
Ed Willoughby will dismiss us with a prayer of consecration, reminding us that we are to live lives that are consecrated to him in every detail!

The Take Home

As you leave the worship center, be sure and pick up a “Take Home” Card. This card will have some thoughts, questions, and suggestions for putting all that you learned this morning into practice throughout the week (maybe starting with a discussion over lunch?).

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Preparing for Worship - October 9

What a wonderful time of worship it was gathered with everyone this past week as we celebrated 57 years as a church here in Joplin. It was truly a joy to hear everyone singing together, the testimonies were good, and I thought it was all "topped off" (for lack of a better way to put it) with a wonderful meditation of the Gospel when we came to the Lord's Table. 
As I stood in the front of the room during our last song, Victory in Jesus, it was truly a powerful moment. 

I'm really looking forward to this Sunday as we get to come together again and sing about the Amazing Grace that the Lord has poured out on us. Not only as individual believers, but as members of Fellowship Baptist Church. It truly is a joy, honor, and a privilege to be your pastor. I always look forward to Sundays, not just because I get to share God's Word, but also because that's the day that I get to be with our Fellowship Family. 

And don't forget to be working on your memory verse. We're memorizing Romans 5:1-11 together and this week, we'll quote, together, Romans 5:1-8. There will be cares with the verses on them in the Foyer that you can take with you and use as you work on memorizing the verses during the week. 

A Guide to Prepare your Heart for our Worship Gathering this Sunday, October 9:

1. Read Romans 5:1-21 slowly and carefully several times this week. Pay attention to how Paul speaks of the grace of God and what it does in verses 15, 17, and 20.
The sermon title is: Overwhelming Grace 

2. Listen: to the songs we’ll be singing this Sunday so that you’re ready to sing together with your brothers and sisters of the grace of God in salvation. 

• Our choir will call us to worship with a song celebrating our unity in Christ. As we follow up our celebration of 57 years as a church, I can’t think of a better way to begin our time together than this song: Oh How Good It Is


While we’re not 1,000 tongues on Sunday morning, we are gathered to sing praises to our Great Redeemer. What a great way to begin our time of singing together as a congregation! O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing 

New Song Alert: We’ll also be singing Jesus, Firm Foundation - this song takes the lyrics to the classic hymn, which are rich and deep and sets them to a new tune. As you learn the tune, pay close attention to the words and what they say about our salvation. What a beautiful expression of the assurance we have of God’s love for us as believers that Romans 5:1-11 points to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgLAk9S1gFA

When we think of the amazing grace that God has poured out on us, we should be in awe. The song I Stand Amazed is such a great expression of our thinking through His grace and what our response should be. 
Grace Greater than Our Sin - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgXYRV2B7Tk
This is one of those songs that I just can’t stop singing all week long. I could sing this song every Sunday for the next six months before I get tired of it. 

As we prepare to hear God's Word (we'll be studying Romans 5:15-21 this week), Cody Western will be sharing a new song with us to point our hearts toward what Paul addresses in our passage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqWiIp_KLUc
After hearing about God’s amazing grace as Paul presents it in Romans, we’ll sing Isaac Watts most well known and probably best-loved hymn, Amazing Grace
Here’s a cool acapella version online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1AL8ST2eas

As we leave, our concluding song will again celebrate God’s amazing grace:

3. Be praying for yourself and your family, that you would come Sunday morning with hearts prepared for worship. Pray for others by name that they would also be prepared for what God wants to say to us through His Word. Come expecting God to work in your Heart as a result of our time together as a Family. 

3. Pray for Rob, Rex, Ed, and the others that will be leading us.  

4. Pray that God would use our worship gathering to exalt His name, bring joy to the body, and salvation to the lost.


Can't wait to see everyone this Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria!
Rob Signs

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Preparing for Worship - October 2, 2016

I’m getting excited about what’s coming this Sunday as we gather together...

Not only are we celebrating 57 years as a local church, but we’ll be singing many of the old, classic hymns of our faith, as well as celebrating the Lord’s Table AND our church picnic is later in the afternoon. The picnic is always a great time. 

It’s always such a joy to gather together as members of Fellowship each Sunday morning as we sing, pray, and look into God’s Word together. It truly is a joy and privilege to be your pastor, and I am thankful to God daily for the blessing it is to both me and my family. 

To help you be prepared and to make the most of our time together, below are the songs and Scriptures we’ll be singing and considering this Sunday. If you have a few minutes, listen to the songs, and read the Scripture with a mindset of anticipation as to what the Lord is going to do in our midst. 

And as always - be in prayer for each other and for those who will be leading in the service. 

Here’s what our Worship Gathering is going to look like:

After our choir (joined by children and youth) call us to worship, 

We’ll sing a Hymn Medly
   I Will Sing of My Redeemer
   Blessed Assurance
   He Keeps Me Singing
   How Great Thou Art

We’ll also get the joy of hearing some testimonies of what it has meant to be a part of Fellowship, from some of our long-time members as well as newer additions to the Body. 

We’ll be reading Colossians 1:15-28, a beautiful passage that speaks of our awesome Savior and what we, as a church, are all about - proclaiming Christ to a world that so desperately needs Him.

Firm Foundation
The Solid Rock

Sermon: What Membership Means
What a joy and privilege it is to be part of the Body of Christ. We’ll be looking at what it means to be a member of a local congregation, examine some of our culture’s wrong thinking about it, and learn to think Biblically about what church membership really is. Be thinking about how you would describe or explain what church membership is to a friend if they asked. 

At the conclusion of our service, we’ll come to the Lord’s Table. This picture of the Gospel is always a time of reflection and celebration as well as a wonderful reminder of our unity as a local Body of believers. 

During the Lord’s Supper, we’ll be singing some beautiful classic hymns of our faith:
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Jesus Paid It All
Victory in Jesus

Don’t miss out on this wonderful time together as we focus our minds and hearts on the Lord. And as if the morning weren’t enough, don’t forget to join us for our annual Church Picnic at Landreth Park from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Bring a salad, side-dish, or dessert and join us. Bring games to play with others, maybe lawn chairs, but most of all, just bring yourself and your family for a wonderful time of fellowship as we Love One Another!

See you Sunday!
Rob Signs