This Sunday's Message: On Prayer

"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you,
ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
John 15:7

Unless you’re really into church history, you’ve probably never heard of John Chrysostom. In addition to being Archbishop of Constantinople from 398 to 407 AD, he was known to be an eloquent and passionate preacher of the Gospel of Christ. “Chrysostom” was, in fact, his nickname. It means “Golden Mouth.” He was the Spurgeon or John Piper of his day.

And, therein,comes my interest in introducing him to you who may never have heard of him before today. Once, while preaching on prayer from Mark 11:22-26, the same passage I’ll be preaching from this coming Sunday morning (9/20/09) at Rockport, Chrysostom had this to say:

Prayer is an all-efficient panoply (something that gives you everything you need), a treasure undiminished, a mine never exhausted, a sky unobstructed by clouds, a haven unruffled by storm. It is the root, the fountain, and the mother of a thousand blessings. It exceeds a monarch’s power. . . . I speak not of prayer which is cold and feeble and devoid of zeal. I speak of that which proceeds from a mind outstretched, the child of a contrite spirit, the offspring of a soul converted – this is the prayer which mounts to heaven. . . The power of prayer has subdued the strength of fire, bridled the rage of lions, silenced anarchy, extinguished wars, appeased the elements, expelled demons, burst the chains of death, enlarged the gates of heaven, relieved diseases, averted frauds, rescued cities from destruction, stayed the sun in its course and arrested the progress of the thunderbolt. In sum, prayer has power to destroy whatever is at enmity with the good. I speak not of the prayer of the lips but of the prayer that ascends from the inmost recesses of the heart.

As I read these words and studied this passage this week, I have been deeply convicted about my own lack of prayerfulness. It is so easy, isn't it, to get "too busy" to pray the way we know we ought. And yet, as I consider the startling promises God makes about prayer, and all that He deems to do through it, I realize that I have made myself a spiritual pauper by my neglect. So I have resolved, yet again, that I will give a greater place to prayer in my daily life. There are so many things I must do, and more yet I choose to do, and yet this is the one thing I cannot do without. To draw near to God, daily; to rest my needs and those of others dear to me in His lap; to have Him redirect my heart and my thinking in every area so that by and by I am more conformed to Him! This is my great need.

Lord helping me, it will become my more consistent and joyful practice.

Soli Deo Gloria
(For His Glory Alone)

Pastor Scott

Missions

At the last congregational meeting a board was approved and a "missions organization" was formed with this board appointed to provide direction. I would like to let everyone know that we have selected a name; "Psalm 67 Missions Network." We are preparing a report to provide at the upcoming congregational meeting, but please be in prayer for us as we are doing all of the administration work to get things rolling.

Psalm 67 Missions Network's website will soon be running with information of upcoming short-term and long-term missions opportunities, online registration, online donation option, and articles/testimonies.

There is a short-term mission trip to Mexico scheduled for November and this trip is currently full. We will soon be taking registration for a trip in December during Christmas break (December 26 - January 1, 2009). Information that is available is currently posted at http://www.rockportbaptist.org/rom. Future information will be available as soon as our website is up and running!

In Christ,

Aaron

Celebrating Independance DAy

My country, 'tis of thee,

Sweet land of liberty,

Of thee I sing;

Land where my fathers died,

Land of the pilgrims' pride,

From every mountainside

Let freedom ring!

Our father’s God to Thee,
Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing;
Long may our land be bright,
With freedom’s holy light
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God Our King

There is a special joy and pride (the good kind) that comes from knowing that we live in a nation with a long and godly heritage. No, I’m not one of those who imagines that every one of the Founding Fathers was a committed Christian. It’s clear they weren’t. But many of them were. And what’s more, it’s just as clear that the original Pilgrims who came to this land seeking religious freedom were indeed faithful and committed (not to mention reformed!) followers of Jesus Christ.

For that reason, when we as biblical Christians celebrate our nation’s Independence Day, we can never look at it as just another secular holiday. It is for us a time of thanksgiving and joy for all the good God has done in and through this nation over these many years. And sure, we’ll be the first to recognize that America is not (nor has it ever been) a perfect heaven on earth. She has her flaws and indeed, her many sins (abortion certainly comes to mind). Yet God has been pleased thus far to use this nation in a very special way in this world. And for that we are grateful.

How long will God’s special providence last for this country? I really couldn’t tell you. But I believe it will be as long as there are Christ-exalting believers who faithfully ‘tread the old paths’ and preach the Gospel of ‘grace through faith in Christ alone’ and who are committed to using their many advantages as citizens of this nation to spread the Saving Gospel to the ends of the earth so all will hear and know there is a Savior in Christ. Will you be one of these Gospel-sharers? May God make it so! And may future generations still continue to sing, “God bless America”


Seeking Him by faith alone, because of Christ Alone,

Pastor S. Scott Lee, Patriot

Come Thou Fount...from Sunday

Some have wondered about the "extra" verse that we sang on Sunday during the morning service. What we sang was not indeed a "new" verse, but actually it was a slight revision of one of the verses that most modern hymnals leave out. I have included it below. I pray that this might be of great use for you during family worship and during your c groups, and all those other times!

Oh That Day When Free from Sinning
I'll shall see Thy lovely Face
Clothed in radiant, blood-washed linen
How I'll sing thy Sovereign Grace
Come my Lord no longer tarry
Bring thy promises to pass
For I know thy power will keep me
'Til I'm home with Thee at last

Song for Sunday...New to some at Rockport

From the authors of songs like "In Christ Alone" is another great modern-day hymn entitled, "Merciful God." I am posting the words here for you to consider before tomorrow morning. I pray that this will be a blessing to us as a church.

"Merciful God"
Words and Music by Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, and Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2006 Thankyou Music

Merciful God, O abounding in love,
Faithful to all who draw near You;
Hearing the cries of the humble in heart,
Showing the cross they may cling to.
Broken I come, helpless in sin,
Found at the feet of Your mercy.
Father, forgive; may my sin be remembered no more.

Merciful God, O abounding in love,
Faithful through times we have failed You;
Selfish in thought and uncaring in deed,
Foolish in word and ungrateful.
Spirit of God, conquer our hearts
With love that flows from forgiveness;
Cause us to yield and return to the mercy of God.

Merciful God, O abounding in love,
Faithful to keep us from falling;
Guiding our ways with Your fatherly heart,
Growing our faith with each testing.
God speed the day struggles will end;
Faultless we'll gaze on Your glory.
Then we will stand overwhelmed by the mercy of God.

Vision for Short-Term Missions

I was reading through the Desiring God Website this morning and like usual, found something that started me thinking. I have been asked the question, who should go on short-term missions and also, what is the vision for short-term missions. Well, here are some posts from John Piper and others at his church. The original post can be found at http://www.desiringgod.org

February 4, 2009

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The following is an edited transcript of the audio.

What is the vision for short-term missions at your church?

I said in a previous question that everybody should want to do short-term missions. One of the reasons for that is that we're a global church, and seeing the way the church functions outside of your own culture is enriching, broadening, strengthening, and deepening, and it gives you a bigger picture of God.

So one of the functions of short-term missions is all of those things: more of God, learning to trust him more, learning how he works in another culture, learning what missionary life is like, taking some risks yourself. All those things are good for us.

Secondly we want it to be good for missions. So part of the strategy is to make sure that missionaries want you to come before you go. That would be a part of it.

And, thirdly, many long-term missionaries were birthed through their experience in short-term missions. So for recruiting or inspiring more long-term missionaries, I think a program of short-term missions is important.

The world has become very small. It's a global village, and globalization is an increasingly obvious reality. And for us to be ethnocentric or culture-centric would show that we don't have an appreciation for the breadth of God's kingdom and the complexity of his church.

January 30, 2009

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The following is an edited transcript of the audio.

Who should consider going on short-term missions trips?

I said last Sunday in the sermon, "Everybody!"

In other words, in America—let's just stick with America—we're wealthy, we're mobile, and we're connected. And it's easy to leave and go somewhere or do something, whether it's going to Pearlington, MS in order to help rebuild a church after Katrina, or whether it's going to the Dominican Republic, or Ireland, or Uganda, or Tanzania. We can go. We have the money, planes, and visas to go, and we can go.

We're so mobile that I think that sometime in every Christian's life in America they should go and do something. From the time you're nine to ninety years old, plan a couple of weeks of short-term missions.

I can't think of any reason why a Christian wouldn't want to build that into a life plan, and then to say, "Maybe God will do something with it that will shape my whole life."

So I don't want to pick out a category of Christians and say that they should do short term missions. I think all of us should.

Among the Elders - May 21, 2009

This is a summary of our most recent meeting. We began, as always, by discussing known needs within the body. We especially gave attention to Doris L and Nancy P, both of whom have been ill. We also discussed the spiritual needs of some of our members, and considered some who may need some kind of follow up.

We reviewed the events that are scheduled for this summer
* Including the week’s pastor Scott will be out of town
* May 31st – Sunday School Teachers luncheon
* Summer Conference for men, scheduled for June 20-21
* Men’s Camp-out / Float Trip in July or August

We then moved on to “old business” – items we’ve discussed before but still need our attention.

1) Sale of property to the Fire Department is Final – and we are now completely debt free!
- We received $125,000 - $ 68,000 (parsonage) = $57,000
- We partially paid ourselves back $10,000 of money used to remodel basement.
- The remaining $47,000 was placed in the Money Market “Capital Improvement” Fund
- That leaves $71,000 + $47,000 = $118,000 total current.
- Extra $500/month savings (from parsonage) put in money market for now

2) A Building Expansion Team is being assembled and will begin their work on June 7th
- Their main task will be to study various ways to increase space for our congregation
- They will then report back to the elders with a recommendation
- The elders will then make recommendation to the congregation for what we must do next

3) We discussed what our “policy” should be for children in the worship service
- We have set up an audio/video feed in the fellowship hall as a “cry room”.
- We plan on mounting speakers in the foyer
- Pastor Scott wrote up our “policy” and placed it in the bulletin this past Sunday

4) We discussed how we might do a better job as a church, in the following areas:
- Discipling young men and young women
- Strengthening our families
- Helping those in financial need through Acts 4
All these remain matters of regular prayer

We then talked about a few minor matters that had come up since our last meeting
- including a policy that we not allow our nice camera to be taken out of the building for events
- And our desire to have a fellowship fro Brig and Michelle before they leave us

We then spent a season in prayer, praying for the body of Christ at Rockport, the many needs we are aware of, and asking God for direction and revival.

Humbly submitted

Pastor Scott for all the elders

Among the Elders - 4/30/09

Dear Rockport Family,

Your elders met on Thursday, April 30th for their regular bimonthly meeting. After a time of prayer we met to give counsel to one of the men of our church who is seeking the Lord's will and direction for his future. We then spent a good deal of time considering the spiritual and practical needs of the members of our body, as well as reading over several petitions for membership submitted by people who wish to join Rockport. We look forward to presenting several of them to you in the near future.

An evaluation of our recent Camp Meeting Followed. Over all, we believe the Lord has blessed us once again in ways to many to list here. We were thrilled to see the willing service of so many of our members in so many different areas. Over all, we'd have to say A +, though there were a couple of things we saw that could be improved as far as how we register people and how we plan for meals.

During our last business meeting, our church approved the appointment of a Building Expansion Team to begin the researching the future building needs of our body and how we might meet these. We are in the process of contacting those who may serve. The team hopes to start it's work in June.

We are preparing for a men's weekend dealing with various "male" issue June 19-20. More to come on this.

There is a Sunday School teachers meeting planned for May 31st after church.

We also discussed, once again, our desire to see every member who is able to do so participating in our weekly Small Group Prayer Meetings. This is such a vital time of sharing, praying and getting to know one another, that it seems all would benefit. We hope to contact those who are not currently attending in order to encourage them to consider doing so.

A few other matters were discussed
- The fact that it is time to re-activate the Nominating Committee so they can begin filling place of service for the new church year
- Former member James Briggs will be bringing a team of youth through our area and will need to find places for his young people to stay on Sunday June 21st; Friday and Saturday June 26-27. We will ask Rockport members to volunteer as hosts.
- We plan to revise the ministry of our ushers and greeters so that we always have two greeters each Sunday, as well as ushers who are trained and ready to help seat people -- especially on those days when seating gets tight. Brother Bob will be heading this up.
- We have agreed to License Bro Brig Jones to Gospel Ministry. We should have done this at the same time we ordained Bro Brig, but now it is simply a matter of signing the proper paperwork.

Finally, we spent a season of prayer for our congregation and it's needs, and prayed for as many of our dear people as we could remember by name who had a special need of some kind.

One last thing: Since our last meeting we have been contacted by the Fire Department. They intend to close on the sale of the property on May 14th.

Grace and peace,

It is our joy to serve Christ and the members of His church here at Rockport.

S. Scott Lee for the elders of Rockport
Soli Deo Gloria
www.RockportBaptist.org

PS - Our next meeting will be Thursday, May 14th

Have I Told You Lately.....

A note to the members of Rockport Baptist Church,

Hey Church,

Have I told you lately that I love you all and feel incredibly blessed to be allowed to serve you as one of our pastors and to be given the privilege of opening God's word with you each week? Sometimes I cannot fathom how kind God has been to us...and continues to be day after day. No, of course we aren't perfect -- that's why we need the Gospel! But I was just thinking about it after we'd taken the Lord's Supper together Sunday. We draw near because we are poor and needy. We have sinned and fallen short. We have failed to love as we ought to have loved. Our faith is weak and pitiful. But oh! He is merciful! And He receives us freely on the basis of His finished work on the cross. Therefore we can draw near -- not only to Him (joy of all joys!) but also through Him to one another! And there we find that we are loved, and forgiven and accepted and made one family in Christ! Wonder of wonders!

Hebrews 10:19-25
19 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

In Him!

S. Scott Lee
Soli Deo Gloria
www.RockportBaptist.org

Grace Camp Meeting

Exhausted but satisfied! That's the best way I can describe how I feel on this Sunday afternoon after our Grace Camp Meeting. God met with us. We have been instructed in His Word and filled with the joy of fellowship with fellow believers. There is so much I'd like to be able to share since Aaron was not able to finish his hoped-for live blogging. But all who would like may listen to the awesome messages on our Sermon Audio Site.

One thing that has warmed my heart so very much has been watching our young people serve so faithfully this weekend. From the young ladies who were helping in the kitchen to all the young men and young women who served our guests in the book room, by leading worship, by serving meals and cleaning up, etc, etc, etc. What a blessing you all were to us!

In His Mercy,

SSL