The Pastor's Study
It is just not within our grasp, nor should it be, to get all we need from God in just a limited amount of time as we gather together for worship. So, in an attempt to encourage your continued theological reflection, Pastor Jeff periodically posts blog entries for those who desire to read them. Some of them will be short thoughts concerning a section of the Bible, others may include detailed sermon notes from a recent sermon for those wishing to know just where in the world he gets some of this stuff... While we certainly hope you enjoy reading these, more than anything we hope this is useful to you in your pursuit of Christ and His kingdom.
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Testing My Mettle: Forming Christ-like Character - Through Thanksgiving and Prayer
by Jeff Roe | April 16, 2012
Follow this link for the sermon outline from April 8, 2012
Testing My Mettle: Forming Christ-like Character - Through Thanksgiving and Prayer
Mistaken Identity
by Jeff Roe | April 9, 2012
Due to some technical difficulties, sermon recordings and outlines are not presently in their best form. Please forgive us as we work on these issues.
Follow this link for the (rough) sermon outline from April 8, 2012.
It's Personal - The Son of God
by Jeff Roe | April 2, 2012
Due to some technical difficulties, sermon recordings and outlines are not presently in their best form. Please forgive us as we work on these issues.
Follow this link for the (rough) sermon outline from April 1, 2012.
It's Personal - The Way, the Truth, and the Life
by Jeff Roe | March 26, 2012
Due to some technical difficulties, sermon recordings and outlines are not presently in their best form. Please forgive us as we work on these issues.
Follow this link for the (rough) sermon outline from March 25, 2012.
It's Personal - The Light of the World
by Jeff Roe | March 19, 2012
Due to some technical difficulties, sermon recordings and outlines are not presently in their best form. Please forgive us as we work on these issues.
Follow this link for the (rough) sermon outline from March 18, 2012.
It's Personal - The Good Shepherd
by Jeff Roe | March 12, 2012
Due to some technical difficulties, sermon recordings and outlines are not presently in their best form. Please forgive us as we work on these issues.
Follow this link for the (rough) sermon outline from March 11, 2012.
Gen. 39-41
by Jeff Roe | March 9, 2012
"Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you."
Pharaoh speaks these words to Joseph as he entrusts the affairs of the kingdom of Egypt into his care. But this is not a new experience for Joseph. As a slave in Potiphar's house, the Lord had blessed him and he was elevated to overseer of the whole house, second only to Potiphar himself. The Bible says that the only thing Potiphar concerned himself with was the food he ate. Talk about trusting Joseph with the operation of the household!
Even when Joseph was in prison, the jailer recognized something about Joseph and put him in charge of the other prisoners, with such trust that "the keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was put in Joseph's charge."
And then finally Joseph is elevated over the kingdom. What kind of man is it that can earn this kind of trust? While we in no way diminish the sovereignty of God in elevating him, Joseph must have been the type of person God could use. We see that Joseph continually gave God credit for the interpretation of dreams and for the blessings which occurred under his watch. But also, Joseph must have lived as one who was not attempting to grasp for power. No earthly leader would be willing to have a #2 who was attempting to usurp their position. While Joseph's teenage dreams of greatness got him in hot water with his brothers, as a man Joseph recognized the role which he had. He must have been extremely trustworthy, in addition to the administrative skills which God entrusted to him.
Many people are not satisfied with not being on top. Yet everyone has a role to play, and it is usually the #2 which plays extremely vital roles in the success of any endeavor. Focus on being trustworthy and reliable in whatever position God has placed you, whether in front or not.
It's Personal - The Vine
by Jeff Roe | March 5, 2012
Follow this link for the sermon outline from March 4, 2012.
Gen. 27
by Jeff Roe | March 2, 2012
"Bless me, even me also."
After Jacob deceived Isaac and received the blessing which Isaac had intended for Esau, the older brother pleads with his father to receive a blessing also. In this exchange, a few things come to mind.
First, we must not forget that God had chosen Jacob. Although Jacob's methods for acquiring the blessings are certainly not what we would describe as ethical, it still fulfilled God's plan.
Second, Esau emphatically desired to receive a blessing from his father. This seems to strike a chord with me. On some level, no matter how much some of us are not "people-pleasers," we desire to know that someone appreciates us, that someone wishes us well. Additionally, this in particular was a blessing from his father. I personally know how much it means when a father tells you he is proud of you and desires your success. I also understand the look in my own children's faces when I convey this message to them. My hope is that I encourage and bless my children so consistently that they never have to beg, either by word or action, for my blessing.
Finally, how frequently do we desire blessings from other people instead of seeking the blessing of God? Our desire for approval and even gain from others should pale in comparison to our desire to receive the blessings of God, which he pours out on all, but most specifically through His Son, Jesus the Christ. The blessing of God, through a relationship with Jesus, should be our greatest desire, so much so that we cry out to God, "Bless me, even me also."
It's Personal - The Bread of Life
by Jeff Roe | February 27, 2012
Follow this link for the sermon outline from Feb. 26, 2012.
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