Sunday Recap at GSJ

Sunday worship experience was truly one for the ages. We were blessed to engage our entire Youth Department to take a more active role. Aside from our Youth Choir and Junior Ushers, who usually play a role, we also featured our Stepping for Christ Drill Team, our Praise Dancers as well as our Boys & Cub Scouts. Both services were truly a joy to be a part of and we praise God for the work He is doing in the lives of our youth. The Lord has abundantly blessed GSJ with gifted young people.

During the preaching moment at both services, I deviated from my series in 1 Corinthians to preach on a subject that normally does not find its way to pulpits today. Due to the increased number of murder-suicides that has gripped our nation in recent weeks and the increased curiosity that is so pervasive among Christians, I thought it feasible to search the scriptures to find God’s take on the subject of suicide. Because of the economic downturn that we are currently facing and the apparent hopelessness it brings, many people are searching frantically for an anchor that holds and grips the Solid Rock.

The title of the message was “The Truth About Suicide.” Several passages were used throughout the message but my foundational passage was Deuteronomy 30:19-20 which says “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.” The following is a brief synopsis of the message:

The Truth About Suicide

I. The Facts Concerning Suicide

A) Statistical Evidence
B) Scriptural Examples - Judges 9:54; 1 Samuel 31:4-5; 2 Samuel 17:23; 1Kings 16:18; Matthew 27:5

II. The Fables Confusing Suicide

a) Suicide is the unpardonable sin
b) The tendency to commit suicide is inherited
c) Everyone who commits suicide is mentally ill
d) People who talk about killing themselves never do
e) Christians who commit suicide lose their salvation


III. The Feelings Characterizing Suicide

a) Depression
b) Distress
c) Death
d) Dismal Outlook

IV. The Faith to Conquer Suicide

A) The power of God
B) The promise of God
C) The providence of God

This was the first time in my entire ministry that I attempted such a huge undertaking. Thankfully the membership shared with me that it was a timely message and that it really blessed them in so many ways. God be praised!!

A Reason to Give Thanks

Today was a great day of worship at GSJ. Due to holiday travel plans, cold temperatures etc. our attendance was low overall but we had great church. Since this is the last Sunday before Thanksgiving, I wanted to preach a message encouraging our membership to develop an attitude of gratitude for all God does for us on a daily basis. We should not just thank God for material blessings but also spiritual blessings. I received so many words of encouragement from the congregation as many expressed their appreciation for the message. After the service, one of the members reminded me of the last time I preached this passage. It was entitled “An Ex Leper Says Thank You” taken from Luke 17:11-19. It’s good to know that your sermons are recorded in the notebooks of some members of the congregation. She did tell me however that she received so much more this time around. To God be the glory. This time I preached a message entitled “A Reason to Give Thanks.” Here is the sermon outline:

A Reason to Give Thanks

Luke 17:11-19

I. An Awful Condition

a) Dire Circumstance

1) disfigurement (they were lepers) v.12

2) distance (they stood afar off) v.12

b) Desperate Cry (v.13)

II. An Amazing Christ

a) compassion (He saw them) v. 14

b) command (He said unto them) v.14

c) cleansing (as they went, they were cleansed) v.14

III. An Appreciative Convert

a) the return (he turned back) v.15

b) the rejoicing (loud voice glorifying God; fell at Jesus’ feet; giving thanks v.15b-16

c) the result (thy faith has made thee whole; go your way) v.19

Sunday Review

Sunday was an absolutely splendid day of worship at GSJ. I woke up with less anxiety and apprehension than normal because prior arrangements were made to allow Pastor Jim Mickelson, of Calvary Baptist Church, in Rhinelander, Wisconsin to preach our early service. He assisted me in a wedding ceremony the day before, so I asked him if he would preach our early service before returning home, to which he graciously obliged. He preached a message from Acts 19:12ff. Although I’m not at liberty to post his outline let me say that he was well received and the message was timely, terrific and thought provoking. To my surprise, this was his first time preaching to a predominately African- American Church Family, an honor that was greatly appreciated and cherished.

l to r: Mrs. Mickelson, Pastor Mickelson, Pastor & Mrs. McGhee

We were also blessed by the presence of staff and 180 youth from Camp Ray Bird, a Christian Ministry Camp that shares the gospel of Jesus Christ with “at risk” youth all across Michiana. Camp Director, Mike Houghtaling and I have met for food and fellowship on occasion and a spiritual bond has been formed between our church and the camp with many ministry opportunities forthcoming. Every year, at least once, we are favored with a visit from this remarkable group of campers, so we have grown accustomed to their being a part of our church fellowship. We continue to marvel at the manner in which the children behaved and were blessed to see them take an active role in worship. I am scheduled to visit Camp Ray Bird on Tuesday, and look forward to further involvement with this ministry as we explore ways to collectively advance God’s Kingdom together. Please keep this Ministry in your prayers and feel free to visit them on the web @raybird.org.

This Sunday was also “Big Day” for our Sunday School Department. Each year efforts are made by our School membership to invite and encourage people within our church and possibly the unchurched who don’t normally attend Sunday school. It’s amazing how many people responded just because you asked. We praise God for the fruit of everyone's labor of love.

During the 11am service, I preached a sermon entitled “The Church That Advances God’s Kingdom,” taken from Matthew 28:18-20 which reads:

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV)


The Lord moved in a Mighty way as HIS Word went forth. I felt real good about preaching this message because I’ve always challenged our church to never lose sight of our true purpose. We exist for the express purpose and the specific intent of glorifying God through the living out of His biblical agenda. There were several present who rededicated their lives to Jesus and have vowed to not just be members of the church but rather disciples of Christ. I certainly pray that God would impress upon others the urgency to do the same. Here is a brief outline of the message.

The Church That Advances God’s Kingdom

I. Functions Under the Authority of Christ

a) All power is given unto Me - v.18

II. Faithful to the Assignments of Christ

a) Evangelize ; Go (as you are going) v.19a

b) Enlist ; teaching all nations , make disciples; Baptize - v.19b

c) Equip ; Teaching them to observe all things – v.19c

III. Fortified by the Assurance of Christ

a) Lo I am with you always - v.20

Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we will do the same. Peace!!!

A Day In Your Courts

For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. Psalm 84:10 (ESV)

Today at GSJ was yet another celebration honoring our Senior Ushers Ministry for faithful service to our church. The Lord blessed us with a rather jubilant worship experience during our 8am and 11am services. We have one of, if not the largest, group of ushers in our community and we work them very hard. Nevertheless, they always seem to step up to the plate and do us proud. To God be the glory for such an invaluable part of our overall church ministry. I solicit your continual prayers for them as they serve the Lord with gladness and stand for the Lord graciously in the sanctuary of our God.

I preached a message from Psalm 84 entitled “A Day in Your Courts.” Psalm 84 is a psalm of longing, longing for God's house, and it is by the Sons of Korah who were temple singers from the Tribe of Levi. Charles Haddon Spurgeon called Psalm 84 "one of the choicest of the collection." He wrote, "If the twenty-third be the most popular, the one-hundred-and-third the most joyful, the one-hundred-and-nineteenth the most deeply experimental, the fifty-first the most plaintive, this is one of the most sweet of the Psalms of Peace.”

I must confess this was not one of my easier attempts at exposition due to the many different interpretations of the text among several respected biblical theologians. Some believe this Psalm has a Davidic overtone even though there is no evidence to support it. Still others believe this Psalm highlights pilgrims making their way up to Jerusalem for one of the three annual feasts in the temple.

Although scholars do not all agree with respect to the origin of this beloved Psalm, the objective is abundantly clear, and that is, to emphasize the writer’s intense desire to worship God in the temple and the blessedness of dwelling in the House of God. If the sparrow can find a home there, and the swallow can make a nest for herself and her young, surely it will do us well to make our abode in His house a priority.

The congregation was challenged to not confuse the mere showing up for church with actual worship. Oftentimes we are guilty of coming to church for a couple of hours on Sunday, going through our regular routine without spending quality time worshipping God in the beauty of His holiness. We put so much emphasis on the place without regard to the very Person who makes the place special. I am so thankful the Lord led me to visit this passage and give Him glory for the fruit I’ve been able to witness already.