Advent Songs

To date, this has (surprisingly) been the most fun series I've taught at Legacy, as we explored the theology of Advent Songs.

Christmas is all about fullness – (of loved ones, of cheer, of gifting, of remembering, of celebrating.)  But more often than not, all this fullness leaves me feeling more drained and empty.  And I get to Christmas Day feeling worn out rather than rejoicing and resting in my Savior’s birth. 

So to try to fight against this, we used these familiar songs, that are so truth-rich: that talk about how good it is, and how joyful it is that God came to us…and so we were reminded of the incredible benefits we have because He came.   

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To check out the full series, click HERE or watch our Christmas Eve message "Silent Night" below.

24 December 2014 - Advent Songs - Christmas Eve - Silent Night from LegacyChurch on Vimeo.

BETTER: The Person and The Way of Jesus (a study in Hebrews)

Talk about drinking from the fire hydrant!  We attempted to cover the main themes of the book of Hebrews in 6 weeks.  It was a deep series, and I hope to spend more time there in the future.

Here's How we broke it down:

10/19:  1:1-4  A Better God (we make gods of many things.  He is more worthy.)

10/26:  4:14-16  A Better Leader (who better to lead us?)

11/2:  6:1-12  A Better Way  (the better way builds on the basics to produce fruit.)

11/9:  8:1-13  A Better Deal (there are deals...and then there is Christ's covenant.)

11/16:  12:1-7  A Better Faith (faith that endures and grows through every season.)

11/23:  13:1-8  A Better Life  (the life transformed by faith.)

Check out the full series HERE or the first message from 1:1-4 below.

19 October 2014 - Better - Week 1 - A Better God from LegacyChurch on Vimeo.

How Church Works

So many of the things we do as a church can be looked as as strange and peculiar or as ordinary and traditional.  How Church Works is our best attempt to understand why God valued certain practices for His people, and why we do what we do as a church.  These are the basics, but they are not ordinary, God wants to do extraordinary things through His church through How Church Works.

Check out the full series HERE or the first message, "Gather" below.


7 September 2014 - How Church Works - Week 1 - Gather from LegacyChurch on Vimeo.

Circles. (Part 1 of 7 in "Lessons in Vapor Management" - Ecclesiastes)

This past Sunday we started a 7-week study of the book of Ecclesiastes.  The situations and wisdom shared in this book are so tangible and relatable that I am eager to see how God works throughout this series.

Solomon writes that every pursuit under the sun is "meaningless;" it's empty, futile, like a whisp of vapor that promises substance, but really doesn't last or satisfy.  He is dead honest about his experiences in life and writes to encourage his readers to understand "why" God has given us the experiences we have, and how to make the most of them.

In week 1, we focused on chapters 1-2, but specifically studied Ecclesiastes 1:1-11.  While every single one of us deals with the problem of "meaning" (i.e. what does my life mean? what is the meaning of life?), Solomon poses that our meaning cannot be found in anything "under the sun."

Interestingly, early Jewish interpreters questioned the canonicity of Ecclesiastes.  They struggled to find how Ecclesiastes skeptical and sometimes, strange, words about life fit within the whole of God's Words.  I find this book perfectly placed as posing all of the issues of the fallen human condition and pointing perfectly to God's eternal purposes and our place in eternity.  Many of the problems described by Solomon are even answered in the person of Jesus Christ.  For example, this week's problem of "meaning" is answered by John 1.  The meaning of the universe is all wrapped up in the person of Christ.  Jesus doesn't just tell you about the meaning of life...in Him, is found the meaning of life.  In trusting Him, knowing Him, and in following Him through everything this world throws at you.  He is the Bread of Life, which satisfies complete and forever, and in Him is abundant life.

In the words of St. Augustine, "Oh Lord, Thou hast made us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee."  May we be restless in this life until we trust Christ fully.

Lesson 4: "Fulfillment" (4 Lessons on the Biblical Priority of Family)

Can I just confess...talking about singleness can be awkward for me.  I know it's not true for everyone, but many single people wish they weren't single...and here I am, a guy who got married in Jr High, speaking to them about how they should carry themselves.

Thank goodness it's God's Word we teach and not just Kevin's thoughts about the universe!

Marshall, Legacy's Student Pastor, joined me as we had a dialogue about Biblical principles for singleness.  What we didn't do is create a list of do's and don'ts for dating.  What we tried to do is establish, based on scripture, the opportunities that a season of singleness affords a Christian.  We touched on 1 Timothy 4:1-3, but mainly focused on 1 Corinthians 7:32-25.

Lesson 3: "Covenant" (4 Lessons on the Biblical Priority of Family)

This past Sunday, I was excited to share the stage with Legacy's former pastor, Gene Wilkes, to dialogue about marriage.  We had a blast sharing together, and I look forward to getting to know him deeper and partnering together in ministry in the future.  It was a fun day for Legacy!

Each of us chose non-traditional passages to speak about marriage, and coincidentally, they both reflected the need to die-to-self in the context of marriage.  I looked at John 12:24-31, and how Jesus' own death provided life for others (v24-26), His sacrifice brought God glory (v27-28), and His dying had power over the devil's plans (v31).  These same principles apply to dying-to-self in marriage.  Our sacrifice can bring life to our spouse, it honors God, and it has power beyond satan's attempts to destroy marriages!  Gene focused on Jesus' words in John 15:13-17.

Dialogue after the "Kids React To" video.

Lesson 2: "Legacy" (4 Lessons on the Biblical Priority of Family)

I was so excited to have my dear friend and mentor, Dennis Perry, join me this week to dialogue about parenting.  Rather than focus on a central passage this time, we discussed the ways God uses parenting as sanctification, both for the parent and for the child.  I offered areas of growth parents should focus on in themselves, while Dennis shared wisdom on how to invest well in your kids.

Lesson 1: "Trust" (4 Lessons on the Biblical Priority of Family)

In the beginning there were no family feuds, no marital arguments, no sibling rivalry, no dark family secrets.  Then God created man and woman.  We might be tempted to think that it all went downhill as soon as the marriage was created, it is interesting to note that all was not good even before Adam and Eve were united.  We think of how God said: “it is good” after each point in creation.  But Genesis 2:18 God said:  “It is not good.” And what exactly was not good?  That man was alone.  Even in a perfect world without sin and death, with only communion with God, it was not good for Adam to be isolated…God built humans for relationships…in essence, family.   And after God created Eve for Adam, He said: “It is very good”

Over the next 4 weeks, we’ll get into some details…we’ll look at God’s Word on Parenting, on Marriage, and on Being Single.  This week, we look at one of the most fundamental passages on the family ethic, Psalm 127.

It's All About Jesus. (The Final Verses of Matthew's Gospel)

I like the phrase "The Cause."  It's the thing we advocate for.  It's a driving force that we actively respond to.  It's the goal we fight for.  The cause of Christ was to establish His Kingdom, to seek and save the lost (that they would become the people of His Kingdom), and to teach them to follow the ethic of His Kingdom.  

As Jesus prepared to ascend to heaven, He left His disciples with a perpetuating responsibility; to make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit, and to teach these disciples to obey everything He has commanded.  This is the Great Commission.  This is THE Cause.

Check out Matthew 28:16.

So What? (Part 18 of 19 in "It's All About Jesus. -Matthew's Gospel")

Resurrection Sunday at Legacy was a blast!  What a fun morning.

Check out Matthew 28:1-8.

Forsaken. (Part 17 of 19 in "It's All About Jesus. -Matthew's Gospel")

We had a very meaningful Good Friday service at Legacy.  I was blessed to worship our Savior with our new friends here and am excited to celebrate Easter with them Sunday!

You Know. (Part 16 of 19 in "It's All About Jesus. -Matthew's Gospel")

The trials of Jesus were unfair, unjust, and actually illegal according to Jewish laws and customs.  They were simply an elaborate attempt to convict Jesus of crimes that would lead to the death penalty.  These crimes had to grieve both Jews and Romans alike to ensure His death.  After many false witnesses testified against Jesus, the High Priest asked Jesus directly if He was the Son of God.  An affirmative answer would be considered blasphemy to the Jews and treason to the Romans.  Jesus replied to Caiaphas, the High Priest, "Yes, it's true, and deep down you already knew that."

Check out Matthew 26:57-64.

Woe. (Part 15 of 19 in "It's All About Jesus. -Matthew's Gospel")

Matthew 23.

Speechless. (Part 14 of 19 in "It's All About Jesus. -Matthew's Gospel")

It's getting grave in our study of Matthew's gospel.  Jesus' words have become more intense.  His warnings more dire.  He is seeking to be abundantly clear on the message of the gospel.

In the Parable of the Marriage Feast, we are given a clear picture of who will be in The Kingdom of God.

Stubborn. (Part 13 of 19 in "It's All About Jesus. - Matthew's Gospel")

As Jesus and 3 of His closest followers came down from the mountain of Transfiguration, they found a stubborn group of men attempting to do what Jesus does, but in their own power.  Of course they couldn't do divine works with human strength and wisdom.  This reminds me of Psalm 127:1, where the Psalmist writes: "Unless the LORD builds the house, they who labor do so in vain."

When frustrated at their failure to accomplish the works of God on their own, the disciples turn to Jesus for answers.  He tells them that the quality of their faith is poor; and that's because their faith in not in Him.  Check out Matthew 17:14-20.

Unmask. (Part 12 of 18 in "It's All About Jesus. -Matthew's Gospel")

Three of Jesus' disciples, Peter, James, and John discovered that miraculous moments with the Master may be just on the other side of a long, steep, mountain climb.

On the "Mount of Transfiguration" Jesus reveals His true nature and form to His disciples.  “Transfigured” is where we get our word “metamorphosis” – Trans=to change and Figure=form.  It’s what a caterpillar does when he becomes a butterfly…it is the same life, but in a radically different form.  It’s what I do in the morning, once I’ve had my 1^st cup of coffee.

Right in front of their eyes, Jesus changes form, and they never forgot it!