Our Seven Peaks journey began last Sunday. Since then, more than 1000 people have already met in small and mid-sized groups to explore the first lesson more deeply. If you missed Sunday’s launch message, “A Journey of Grace,” you can listen or watch online. I highly recommend traveling with some other people in a short-term small group (less than 15 people) or mid-sized group (more than 15 people). It is not too late to find a group. Many new groups are scheduled to launch tonight.
Next week we will explore our first Peak, “GLORIFYING God through Worship.” It will be a memorable Sunday (the date is 10.10.10, pretty memorable in itself) as we receive 39 new members, explore how to become better worshippers of God, and celebrate the Grand Opening of the new Knox Hall stage. Assuming we pass the final building inspection, the Knox Hall band will be on the new stage and pulling out all stops to worship the living God. Please pray for the last-minute details, especially for Thursday’s inspection.
Looking to go even deeper on this week’s topic of grace? Our staff recommends What’s so Amazing About Grace?, by Phillip Yancey; Grace-Based Parenting, by Tim Kimmel; and the Letter to the Galatians, by the Apostle Paul. If you have books, articles, or websites you want to recommend to your fellow travelers, please post them here.
It is a joy to be on the journey with you!
4 Comments
Hey Scott,
I really enjoyed your sermon this morning. I know I need to be preparing myself for the worship service before I enter the church. But, I think the “prompters” should be careful to steer clear of too casual an attitude when leading the congregation.
Couldn’t we go one Sunday during football season without making some crack about our favorite teams?
Thanks, Sarah. The rule of thumb for preachers and other public speakers is that if there is a timely cultural issue on everyone’s mind (like a key sporting or news event) that it would be a faux pas not to mention it.
I also thought your sermon was excellent today, and I just wanted to say that I appreciate your use of humor, not because I go to church to be entertained or amused, but because I am easily distracted. I think most people if they’re honest will have to admit that their mind wanders at least once or twice during the course of a sermon. This is a product of our fallen nature combined with the distraction-packed culture in which we live. When you inject some humor into the sermon, it helps to sort of distracts me back to what I’m supposed to be doing in the first place, which is listening to what you are saying. If your use of humor helps people to stay focused and doesn’t detract from your message, then why not use this gift that God has given you to His glory?
Thanks, David. I am an easily-distracted person myself. When my mind wanders during my own sermon I know I am in trouble! Humor is a powerful tool. Humor used appropriately can lower defenses, illustrate a point, or relieve tension. Humor used inappropriately can distract from the point, or, worse, wound somebody. Over the years I have tried to hone my weird sense of humor for God’s purposes. Thanks for your encouragement.