Fellowship is a blessing from the Lord!
And I have been truly blessed this evening! While I deeply miss the blessings of my home church; the Lord made it possible for me to go to the Sunday evening service at Calvary Chapel of Lafayette.
I try to visit Calvary Chapels when I'm on the road, because I know that they will teach God's Word. They don't pick a verse, or two out of context to support what the pastor wants to say. At Calvary Chapels, their main services consist of reading the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, book by book, in order and the pastor teaches the material there!
So what, you may ask. There are many advantages to this methodology. One, all the scripture is taught. Often a pastor has favored topics, such as evangelism, or encouragement; or he really dislikes certain topics, such as gifts and tithes, or sin and death. These preferences influence the sermons the pastor prepares and preaches, whether he realizes it or not. There is no picking and choosing involved when you're committed to book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse teaching!
Secondly, it encourages the congregation to read their own Bibles. When the people know what book, chapter and verse the pastor left off on, and they know he will pick up where he left off, they may more likely read ahead on their own; especially if they are asked to do so. I know that I find it more enriching to read ahead and attempt to anticipate the pastor's message. (He always points out things I didn't think about.)
Additionally, it makes it easier to check up on the teaching. It's hard to teach a verse out of context when you are reading them book by book, chapter by chapter, and verse by verse. :-) And we should always check out what anyone says in light of God's Word, no mater who they are.
Also, Paul recommends it. 1 Thessalonians 5:27 and Colossians 4:16
If you go to a true Bible believing church, challenge your pastor to start a verse-by-verse Bible study, or allow one of his assistants or deacons or elders teach one. He may become amazed at how God will bless this ministry. If you are attending a church that teaches other books instead of, or even along side of the Bible, be wary... Check all the teachings against God's Word (you should always do this) and if what is being taught is contrary to God's Word, then prayerfully consider confronting the pastor (in love!) and looking for a new church home.
In closing, please pray for Calvary Chapel of Lafayette and their pastor, Kevin Cox (who is also the pastor of Calvary Chapel of New Orleans), they were a blessing to me from God, and I pray that God will bless them greatly for His glory! I know that my pastor (David McGee) would be envious to hear about Pastor Kevin's two hour drives between the churches (Pastor David actually likes bad traffic, "a great time to spend in prayer with the Lord!"), but us normal folk... actually, Pastor Kevin sees blessings in it as well. I'm still learning this lesson. :-)
I try to visit Calvary Chapels when I'm on the road, because I know that they will teach God's Word. They don't pick a verse, or two out of context to support what the pastor wants to say. At Calvary Chapels, their main services consist of reading the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, book by book, in order and the pastor teaches the material there!
So what, you may ask. There are many advantages to this methodology. One, all the scripture is taught. Often a pastor has favored topics, such as evangelism, or encouragement; or he really dislikes certain topics, such as gifts and tithes, or sin and death. These preferences influence the sermons the pastor prepares and preaches, whether he realizes it or not. There is no picking and choosing involved when you're committed to book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse teaching!
Secondly, it encourages the congregation to read their own Bibles. When the people know what book, chapter and verse the pastor left off on, and they know he will pick up where he left off, they may more likely read ahead on their own; especially if they are asked to do so. I know that I find it more enriching to read ahead and attempt to anticipate the pastor's message. (He always points out things I didn't think about.)
Additionally, it makes it easier to check up on the teaching. It's hard to teach a verse out of context when you are reading them book by book, chapter by chapter, and verse by verse. :-) And we should always check out what anyone says in light of God's Word, no mater who they are.
Also, Paul recommends it. 1 Thessalonians 5:27 and Colossians 4:16
If you go to a true Bible believing church, challenge your pastor to start a verse-by-verse Bible study, or allow one of his assistants or deacons or elders teach one. He may become amazed at how God will bless this ministry. If you are attending a church that teaches other books instead of, or even along side of the Bible, be wary... Check all the teachings against God's Word (you should always do this) and if what is being taught is contrary to God's Word, then prayerfully consider confronting the pastor (in love!) and looking for a new church home.
In closing, please pray for Calvary Chapel of Lafayette and their pastor, Kevin Cox (who is also the pastor of Calvary Chapel of New Orleans), they were a blessing to me from God, and I pray that God will bless them greatly for His glory! I know that my pastor (David McGee) would be envious to hear about Pastor Kevin's two hour drives between the churches (Pastor David actually likes bad traffic, "a great time to spend in prayer with the Lord!"), but us normal folk... actually, Pastor Kevin sees blessings in it as well. I'm still learning this lesson. :-)
posted by Bryan at 9:54 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home