We just completed the Series on An Empowered Christian Life. The sermons included the following:
June 7 - Filled with the Holy Spirit
June 14 - The Baptized in Jesus
June 21 - Boldly Go Where Others Won't
June 28 - The Evidence of a Filled Life
These and other sermons can be heard at http://www.mtoak.org/sermons.html.
What are your thoughts on this series?
1. Was it helpful?
2. Did you learn anything new?
3. Did it meet with your understanding of the Holy Spirit's work?
4. And any other thoughts you might have concerning the series.
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When Quoting Scripture Inflicts Harm
6 years ago
5 comments:
Apparently someone doesn't like using videos in our sermons. Although we don't use them often, I used two Sunday, which several persons remarked were right on point with the message.
I received a note that said, in caps...
WHY ARE YOU WASTING OUR TIME WITH MUSIC VIDEOS THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A WORSHIP SERVICE!
Apparently this person didn't listen very closely to the sermon or didn't agree with what I said about relevancy. I'm sorry they were offended or didn't like the videos. If there is a strong opinion among others about this I could only use videos at the contemporary service.
Your thoughts?
Rev. Ray,
I think perhaps this person was looking for something a little more in-depth than just watching some videos that related to your sermon. You're right, they were on point with the message, and I'm not saying that using them was a bad decision.
I would, however, like to point out that the music videos you chose--"Shackles" and the other one you played (the name escapes me)--spoke about what we would like to be doing; shaking off our chains and living more than the normal life... and then we ended service as usual...Sorry, just seems ironic that we would listen to a song about breaking free and end up tied to our chairs :/
This person may have wanted more doing than watching. Just my thoughts.
And more is what we have been doing Keely. Maybe you missed the series on the Holy Spirit? Maybe you weren't with us when we had 14 baptisms by immersion. Maybe you don't think going to the streets on July 12 is doing more? Maybe people giving a week of their summer to do StreetReach isn't doing more? Maybe you weren't with us when we had 100 people at the front of the worship center praying for the Spirit to come on them?
Not sure what you would have desired for us to do? Is making your statements based on this one Sunday fair? Several persons have sent me e-mails about how that sermon and service impacted them this week.
We have a very large and varied congregation and we are trying to bring them all along in our walk with Jesus. The challenge given at the end of the service was to go and be ignited, to be on fire, to live your week for Jesus and not wait till next Sunday to experience Jesus again.
Not sure what you were looking for Keely?
Rev. Ray,
I hope you didn't take what I said to be offensive or accusatory--I really don't know what was going through this person's mind when they wrote that note, I was simply speculating. And yes, I was basing my speculations on last Sunday, and I did not attend the others. I've heard nothing but good things about them, by the way, and have no doubt that God is beginning to reveal Himself to Mt. Oak more as the people seek His face.
Your sermon didn't dance around the subject; it was pretty straightforward. It just felt like something was missing from it to really drive it home, something to spur us on to action while we are still together in the service. Though this too relies on where the people are at in their own hearts at that moment...
Anyway, again I apologize if I offended; nothing could have been further from my intent. I was just giving my thoughts on the subject.
I find it commendable that there are different avenues for different people to relate to the sermons and relate to the songs and relate to each other and weigh in on what we should be hearing and how we should be hearing it in order for it to be relate-able.
I personally haven't seen the Shackles video since the 90s when Gospel Music used to be played on MTV! I was touched with much nostalgia. The HD Quality option for youtube videos would've changed this person's opinion on it because they probably missed the superb choreography because of the picture (says the theatre major).
Did the 10 minute window of video and "Going Through the Motions" google pics lend strongly to the message? I don't have a degree so I'll try not to intellectualize it. Someone's guess is as good as mine. I know I felt good before leaving and that, in the end, is the main reason for church and worship services. We can't please everyone.
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