A2 SERMON PODCASTS:
http://www.a2church.org/a2tv/
http://www.a2church.org/a2tv/
A2 SERMON Video Link:
https://youtu.be/wkmGehjNHRs
https://youtu.be/wkmGehjNHRs
PREACH IT... THIS IS MY CHURCH...A2 IN BIRMINGHAM ALABAMA...SERMON
https://www.facebook.com/a2churchbirmingham/videos/10155639174146530/
https://www.facebook.com/a2churchbirmingham/videos/10155639174146530/
SALTY SERMON:
https://www.chrisgoins.org/new-blog/2018/2/5/stay-salty
https://www.chrisgoins.org/new-blog/2018/2/5/stay-salty
Chris Goins: make preparation for a great new year!
https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.chrisgoins.org%2Fnew-blog%2F2017%2F12%2F20%2Fhow-to-make-a-fresh-start-in-2018&h=ATMuYNz0aMuho6O0m9COVFs-IvaTyFVAmjDeblOFs71TpiVI8sbMz3oRZqvBtZCLyVf4iQYqD5D_R83BoYcZLeNH4Kuzqne9-LDse7VjjQfnaQ
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CHRIS GOINS BLOG:
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.” —Theodore Roosevelt
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.” —Theodore Roosevelt
Chris Goins post regarding Advent:
https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.chrisgoins.org%2Fnew-blog%2F2017%2F12%2F20%2Fadvent-what-are-you-expecting&h=ATOo2MEbCDmgu68iDBVDGi-7lY9fceqcBl5GC4AByReKGtdeSImGjJwHyAw-XGVZ2iT85yrUitRLIgBLsIMI2BijNM-PGvIh3Py0ECARJRJelw
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According to Google Chrome's "Death Clock" feature, I have 8,746 days, 17 hours, 52 minutes and 10 seconds — 9, 8, 7, 6...left to LIVE.
Based on life-expectancy rates, the Google Chrome "Death Clock" provides, in their words, "a gentle reminder that life is fleeting and you need to MAKE IT COUNT."
It doesn't feel so "gentle" to me! It feels sort of like a sledge hammer... Because based on their numbers, I've only got somewhere around 23 years left!
The older I get, the more BIRTHDAYS become a reminder of my mortality — of the fact that "life really is fleeting." Time really does fly. I really do have to MAKE EVERY DAY COUNT! I've only got so many left... According to Google Chrome, I've got a lot less left than I care to think about...
Of course, James 4:13-17 reminds us that we're NOT God, and when it comes to ACTUAL life expectancy, only GOD knows that...
But this is a question that wise people regularly ask: "What will I do with the life I've been given? How will I make it count? Whether it's 8,746 days, 10,000 days or 2? How will I make the time God has given me count for something that actually matters?" (See Psalm 90:12)
The writer of Psalm 119:175 gives us a great way to MAKE LIFE COUNT... Whoever wrote this psalm throws up this prayer to God:
"Let me LIVE that I may PRAISE you..." —Ps 119:175 NIV
Read that again... Read it slowly... Take it in...
"Let me LIVE that I may PRAISE you..." —Ps 119:175 NIV
How can I make my life count? How can you make your life count?
Every one of us can take THIS DAY — THIS SINGLE DAY — and turn it into sincere, authentic, passionate WORSHIP to God.
For instance, we can worship with THIS DAY by beginning it with SURRENDER. Why not start this day surrendering your attitudes, actions, words, conversations, character and behavior to God? (See Romans 12:1-2 The Message)
I can worship God with THIS DAY by "loving my wife the way Jesus loves His church" (See Ephesians 5). If you're married, you can worship God by the way you love your spouse!
We can worship with THIS DAY by loving, leading, encouraging and inspiring the kids God has given us.
We can worship God with THIS DAY by loving, encouraging, inspiring and being gentle and kind with the people God brings into our lives.
We can worship God with THIS DAY by doing our jobs in a way that honors God and inspires our co-workers.
By resisting complaining and critical attitudes that are so prevalent in our world, and instead, cultivating an attitude of gratitude, thankfulness and generosity.
We can worship with THIS DAY by remembering that THIS DAY is a GIFT — it's a GIFT of GRACE from a Father who loves us more than we can imagine... And even if this "gift" brings with it pain or loss, somehow God will ultimately redeem that pain and loss for His great glory and our ultimate good.
We can worship God with THIS DAY by remembering that whatever this day brings, "It's all about Jesus, only about Jesus, always about Jesus."
We can worship God with THIS DAY by reminding ourselves of the amazing and extravagant love, mercy and grace of God...
I could keep going... But you get the picture...
How many days do I actually have? I don't know... Only God does...
How many days do YOU actually have? Only God knows...
But TODAY, with the one and only day I know I actually have, my prayer is that I make the prayer of Psalm 119:175 my personal prayer and the pursuit of my life: "Let me LIVE that I may PRAISE you..."
I bet that's your prayer, too.
Let's do it!
TODAY, with THE DAY God has given us, LET'S LIVE so that we MY PRAISE HIM!
-Chris Goins
Pastor @A2 Church Birmingham AL
Based on life-expectancy rates, the Google Chrome "Death Clock" provides, in their words, "a gentle reminder that life is fleeting and you need to MAKE IT COUNT."
It doesn't feel so "gentle" to me! It feels sort of like a sledge hammer... Because based on their numbers, I've only got somewhere around 23 years left!
The older I get, the more BIRTHDAYS become a reminder of my mortality — of the fact that "life really is fleeting." Time really does fly. I really do have to MAKE EVERY DAY COUNT! I've only got so many left... According to Google Chrome, I've got a lot less left than I care to think about...
Of course, James 4:13-17 reminds us that we're NOT God, and when it comes to ACTUAL life expectancy, only GOD knows that...
But this is a question that wise people regularly ask: "What will I do with the life I've been given? How will I make it count? Whether it's 8,746 days, 10,000 days or 2? How will I make the time God has given me count for something that actually matters?" (See Psalm 90:12)
The writer of Psalm 119:175 gives us a great way to MAKE LIFE COUNT... Whoever wrote this psalm throws up this prayer to God:
"Let me LIVE that I may PRAISE you..." —Ps 119:175 NIV
Read that again... Read it slowly... Take it in...
"Let me LIVE that I may PRAISE you..." —Ps 119:175 NIV
How can I make my life count? How can you make your life count?
Every one of us can take THIS DAY — THIS SINGLE DAY — and turn it into sincere, authentic, passionate WORSHIP to God.
For instance, we can worship with THIS DAY by beginning it with SURRENDER. Why not start this day surrendering your attitudes, actions, words, conversations, character and behavior to God? (See Romans 12:1-2 The Message)
I can worship God with THIS DAY by "loving my wife the way Jesus loves His church" (See Ephesians 5). If you're married, you can worship God by the way you love your spouse!
We can worship with THIS DAY by loving, leading, encouraging and inspiring the kids God has given us.
We can worship God with THIS DAY by loving, encouraging, inspiring and being gentle and kind with the people God brings into our lives.
We can worship God with THIS DAY by doing our jobs in a way that honors God and inspires our co-workers.
By resisting complaining and critical attitudes that are so prevalent in our world, and instead, cultivating an attitude of gratitude, thankfulness and generosity.
We can worship with THIS DAY by remembering that THIS DAY is a GIFT — it's a GIFT of GRACE from a Father who loves us more than we can imagine... And even if this "gift" brings with it pain or loss, somehow God will ultimately redeem that pain and loss for His great glory and our ultimate good.
We can worship God with THIS DAY by remembering that whatever this day brings, "It's all about Jesus, only about Jesus, always about Jesus."
We can worship God with THIS DAY by reminding ourselves of the amazing and extravagant love, mercy and grace of God...
I could keep going... But you get the picture...
How many days do I actually have? I don't know... Only God does...
How many days do YOU actually have? Only God knows...
But TODAY, with the one and only day I know I actually have, my prayer is that I make the prayer of Psalm 119:175 my personal prayer and the pursuit of my life: "Let me LIVE that I may PRAISE you..."
I bet that's your prayer, too.
Let's do it!
TODAY, with THE DAY God has given us, LET'S LIVE so that we MY PRAISE HIM!
-Chris Goins
Pastor @A2 Church Birmingham AL
Even as I write these words I still sense a deep awareness of God's presence. I'm also leaning into a "word" God gave my wife this morning through one of our prayer team members.
\nJohn 20 describes a remarkable event in the lives of some of the first century followers of Jesus. It's right after the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. It's Sunday evening and some of Jesus' followers were gathered together when all of a sudden, Jesus was standing with them in the room. He was there.
\nI'm certain His physical presence was every bit as real, if not more so, as what we experienced this morning.
\nJesus looked at this group of believers and said, "Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I am sending you." Then "...He took a deep breath and breathed or blew on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit'" (John 20:21-23).
\nCan you imagine what that moment must have been like? Talk about breathtaking, amazing, incredible and unforgettable... We can't even begin to fathom that moment.
\nBut according to the text, one guy somehow missed this gathering of believers. Thomas failed to show up. He wasn't there... And sadly, he missed a moment.
\nMaybe he just got busy. Maybe he had some important things to do at home, on his old job, or with a group friends. Maybe he scheduled himself to work that day or had an appointment.
\nBut for whatever reason, He missed a moment! He missed Jesus in the room! He missed Jesus saying, "Peace to you. As the Father sent me, I'm sending you..."
\nHe missed Jesus breathing or blowing on the disciples, which is so similar to God breathing life into a lifeless lump of clay in Genesis 1-2. He missed Jesus saying, "Receive the Holy Spirit."
\nHe missed what likely became an unforgettable moment for all the followers of Jesus who were in that room.
\nThis morning and that passage from John 20 got me to thinking...
\nHow many "moments' do we miss when we get "casual" and "complacent" when it comes to the gathering together of the believers for worship? Whether it's Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday morning prayer, a Life Group, you name it.
\nGod may have planned or designed an encounter for us that would be a defining moment in our lives. But we missed it! And sometimes you may never get those missed moments back!
\nPlease understand... I'm aware... All of us have busy lives. All of us need to spend time with friends and family. All of us should enjoy a vacation free from guilt or shame. I'm not attempting to foster an attitude of legalism about how often you attend worship.
\nBut I also want to challenge a complacency that exists among many believers about gathering together with the body of Christ! When you're not on vacation... When you're not engaged in a life-giving activity with your family... When at all possible, make worship with your church family a priority! Make it a big priority!
\nBecause you never know when Jesus may "call an audible," and "divinely interrupt" your planned gathering, to "breath on his people" and say, "Receive the Holy Spirit."
\nI don't want to miss a moment. In the words of Aerosmith, "I don't want to miss a thing..."
\nIn fact, I'm already pumped about next Sunday! I'm also pumped about Wednesday morning and Thursday noon Life Group...
\nUntil then, this week I'll be singing my "current" favorite song:
\n"Your faithfulness will never let me down.
\n
\nI'm confident I'll see Your goodness now.
\n
\nI know You hear my heart, I'm singing out.
\n
\nThere's nothing that can stop your goodness now.
\n
\nI'm gonna catch the wind." —Jonathan David and Melissa Helser
\nDon't miss your moment! God is good!
\n-Chris Goins
\nJohn 20 describes a remarkable event in the lives of some of the first century followers of Jesus. It's right after the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. It's Sunday evening and some of Jesus' followers were gathered together when all of a sudden, Jesus was standing with them in the room. He was there.
\nI'm certain His physical presence was every bit as real, if not more so, as what we experienced this morning.
\nJesus looked at this group of believers and said, "Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I am sending you." Then "...He took a deep breath and breathed or blew on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit'" (John 20:21-23).
\nCan you imagine what that moment must have been like? Talk about breathtaking, amazing, incredible and unforgettable... We can't even begin to fathom that moment.
\nBut according to the text, one guy somehow missed this gathering of believers. Thomas failed to show up. He wasn't there... And sadly, he missed a moment.
\nMaybe he just got busy. Maybe he had some important things to do at home, on his old job, or with a group friends. Maybe he scheduled himself to work that day or had an appointment.
\nBut for whatever reason, He missed a moment! He missed Jesus in the room! He missed Jesus saying, "Peace to you. As the Father sent me, I'm sending you..."
\nHe missed Jesus breathing or blowing on the disciples, which is so similar to God breathing life into a lifeless lump of clay in Genesis 1-2. He missed Jesus saying, "Receive the Holy Spirit."
\nHe missed what likely became an unforgettable moment for all the followers of Jesus who were in that room.
\nThis morning and that passage from John 20 got me to thinking...
\nHow many "moments' do we miss when we get "casual" and "complacent" when it comes to the gathering together of the believers for worship? Whether it's Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday morning prayer, a Life Group, you name it.
\nGod may have planned or designed an encounter for us that would be a defining moment in our lives. But we missed it! And sometimes you may never get those missed moments back!
\nPlease understand... I'm aware... All of us have busy lives. All of us need to spend time with friends and family. All of us should enjoy a vacation free from guilt or shame. I'm not attempting to foster an attitude of legalism about how often you attend worship.
\nBut I also want to challenge a complacency that exists among many believers about gathering together with the body of Christ! When you're not on vacation... When you're not engaged in a life-giving activity with your family... When at all possible, make worship with your church family a priority! Make it a big priority!
\nBecause you never know when Jesus may "call an audible," and "divinely interrupt" your planned gathering, to "breath on his people" and say, "Receive the Holy Spirit."
\nI don't want to miss a moment. In the words of Aerosmith, "I don't want to miss a thing..."
\nIn fact, I'm already pumped about next Sunday! I'm also pumped about Wednesday morning and Thursday noon Life Group...
\nUntil then, this week I'll be singing my "current" favorite song:
\n"Your faithfulness will never let me down.
\n
\nI'm confident I'll see Your goodness now.
\n
\nI know You hear my heart, I'm singing out.
\n
\nThere's nothing that can stop your goodness now.
\n
\nI'm gonna catch the wind." —Jonathan David and Melissa Helser
\nDon't miss your moment! God is good!
\n-Chris Goins