|
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
McAlpin Newsletter, April '13
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Links to our Interviews about the Watertown Shooting
For family, friends, and others interested, here's a list of all the news articles telling our story about the Watertown Shooting in April 2013. All available links have been listed. If you have a link to something that is listed N/A, please let me know in the comments section. We are grateful to have been able to share with people all around the world about how Jesus saves in the midst of a terrifying time in the Boston/Watertown area.
- NBC with Brian Williams (phone interview, transcript): http://www.nbcnews.com/video/nbc-news/51598709/#51598709
- NBC Rock Center (Skype interview): http://www.nbcnews.com/video/rock-center/51602988/#51602998
- CNN with Jake Tapper (transcript of phone interview): http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1304/19/cg.01.html
- CNN (written article). http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/20/us/boston-changed-city/index.html
- The Sunday Times, (written article is under a pay shield but also posted at Real Clear Politics): http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2013/04/22/manhunt_for_the_tsarnaev_brothers_118058-full.html
- The Gospel Coalition: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2013/04/21/the-boston-bombers-were-outside-their-house/
- Leadership Journal's Out of Ur Blog (written article): http://www.outofur.com/archives/2013/04/my_midnight_enc.html
- The Christian Post (written article): http://www.christianpost.com/news/watertown-mass-couple-recounts-prayers-to-jesus-flying-bullets-during-tsarnaev-gun-battle-94486/
- Radical (Skype interview). http://www.radical.net/blog/2013/04/hope-in-the-midst-of-terror-a-firsthand-account-from-watertown/
- Crescenta Valley Weekly in Los Angeles: http://www.crescentavalleyweekly.com/religion/04/25/2013/late-to-church/
- Baptist Press (written article). http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=40111
- St. Louis Post Dispatch (written article). http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/former-st-louisans-describe-fierce-gunbattle-near-boston/article_710d1241-cec1-5bd6-bc3d-ab8e61116758.html
- KMOV in St. Louis (short video clip, written article). http://www.kmov.com/news/local/Former-St-Charles-County-residents-witness-Boston-suspects-shootout-with-police-203843341.html
- KSDK in St. Louis (short video clip, written article). http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/376389/3/St-Louis-couple-forced-to-take-cover-during-Boston-firefight
- Fuji Tv (video interview). N/A
- WORD-FM in Pittsburgh (radio interview): N/A
- Chris Fabry Live on Moody Radio (radio interview): http://www.moodyradio.org/radioplayer.aspx?episode=109163&hour=1Starts
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Our Church Plant
We're excited to announce formally that we're planting a church in Los Angeles, California. We're exploring the Westside, around West L.A., as the place where we'll do that. I'll be serving as the Lead Planter / Pastor. At this time we're planning on calling the church plant Adorn Church.
With a plan of relocating in late August, we're now entering into a phase where we're looking for supporters to pray, give, or join. If you're interested in finding out more about Adorn Church and these three ways to support us, please visit our support page at www.adornchurch.com for more details (including a prospectus). Thanks, and God bless.
With a plan of relocating in late August, we're now entering into a phase where we're looking for supporters to pray, give, or join. If you're interested in finding out more about Adorn Church and these three ways to support us, please visit our support page at www.adornchurch.com for more details (including a prospectus). Thanks, and God bless.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Sermon (Audio): Romans 12:9-21 - "Relating to Others"
My recent sermon, "Romans 12:9-21 'Relating to Others'" is available for listening at http://www.sermoncloud.com/stephenmcalpin/romans-129-21-relating-to-others/
Sermon Manuscript will be posted here soon.
Sermon Manuscript will be posted here soon.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Prayer Devotional for Boston (4/16/13)
Scripture Readings (to be read aloud):
The Worship Sourcebook, 2nd Edition 
)
Free Prayer
- Psalm 13
- Psalm 42:1-6
) - O Lord, open our eyes, that we may see the needs of others. Open our ears, that we may hear their cries. Open our hearts, that they need not be without help. Let us not be afraid to defend the weak because of the anger of the strong, nor afraid to defend the poor because of the anger of the rich. Show us where love and hope are needed, and use us to bring them to those places. Open our eyes and ears, that this day we may do some work of peace for you. Amen.
- We pray to you, O Lord, our God and Father, because we are encouraged by Jesus Christ, your son and our brother, to do so. You have said through the mouth of the prophet: “Seek the good of the city and pray for it to the Lord”; we therefore pray to you today for our cities and villages and for the whole land, for justice and righteousness, for peace and good order everywhere. Have mercy, Lord, we pray. We pray for those who govern. Teach them that you are ruler of all and that they are only your instruments. Grant them wisdom for their difficult decisions, a sharp eye for what is essential, and courage to obey your commandment. Have mercy, Lord, we pray. We pray for all who, by your ordaining, are responsible for justice and peace. We pray for all who continue to seek salvation in violence. Show terrorists that no blessing rests in violence. Take the young among them especially into your care and bring order into their confused thoughts. Bring murder and kidnapping to an end. Have mercy, Lord, we pray. We pray for all who are no longer able to sleep in peace because they fear for their own life and for the lives of those near and dear to them; we pray for all who no longer have hope in your kingdom and for all who are tormented by anxiety or despair. Grant that they may be blessed with faithful friends and counselors alongside them to comfort them with your strengthening gospel and sacrament. Have mercy, Lord, we pray. Lord, you have the whole wide world in your hands. You are able to turn human hearts as seems best to you; grant your grace therefore to the bonds of peace and love, and in all lands join together whatever has been torn asunder. Amen.
- We offer ourselves to you, O God, our Creator. We offer our hands. Use healing touch to comfort sisters, brothers, and children who are afraid. We offer our eyes and ears. May we see and hear the signs and stories of violence so that all may have someone with them in their pain and confusion. We offer our hearts and our tears so as their hurt and sorrow echo within us. May we be healed as we embrace each other. We offer our anger. Make it a passion for justice. We offer all our skills. Use our gifts to end violence. We offer our faith, our hope, our love. May our encounters with violence bring us closer to you and to each other. All this we ask through Jesus Christ, who knows the pain of violence. Amen.
- Psalm 146
Free Prayer
- Pray for the victims of the tragedy (As of 4/16/2013, there were 170+ injuries and 3 deaths). Pray for those who were wounded, their families, and the families of those who were killed.
- Pray for the workers and volunteers who are assisting victims, providing relief, and working for justice. Pray that God would use them as instruments of his grace.
- Pray for the city of Boston, at large. Pray for peace and welfare.
- Pray for the evildoer(s) who were responsible for the tragedy, for repentance and faith. Also, pray for apprehension, that no more evil may be done.
- Pray for your own heart, that you might not be overcome by evil, but instead might cling to the gospel of Jesus Christ, leaving vengeance in the hands of the LORD.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Study Notes: 1 Corinthians 9:1-18
The following are some of my study notes on 1 Corinthians 9:1-18. They were part of our sermon prep process at Hope Fellowship, and so they're notes intended to help a preacher out a little bit. This sermon was part of our sermon series, "A Messy Community of Grace." All members of the teaching team contributed their study notes as part of our regular weekly practice.
Text:
1 Cor. 9:1-18
[9:1] Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? [2] If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. [3] This is my defense to those who would examine me. [4] Do we not have the right to eat and drink? [5] Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? [6] Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? [7] Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? [8] Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? [9] For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? [10] Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. [11] If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? [12] If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. [13] Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? [14] In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel. [15] But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting. [16] For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! [17] For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. [18] What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
Structure:
Theme / Main Idea:
Gospel-Proclamation: Responsibility and Rights.
Aim / Complementary Ideas:
Every preacher has a responsibility to proclaim the gospel, and that gives him provisional rights. A church is responsible for providing for gospel-preachers, and that gives them the right to hearing the gospel proclaimed. Altogether, preachers and the congregation must work together to advance the gospel.
Gospel Focus:
Primarily, define “the gospel” in the context of this passage. Also, focus on how Jesus makes new life in community possible for his followers, and then what that new life looks like. The gospel is what made Paul, Barnabas, and the other believers who they were and called them to do what they did.
Preaching / Application Points
Text:
1 Cor. 9:1-18
[9:1] Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? [2] If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. [3] This is my defense to those who would examine me. [4] Do we not have the right to eat and drink? [5] Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? [6] Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? [7] Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? [8] Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? [9] For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? [10] Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. [11] If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? [12] If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. [13] Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? [14] In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel. [15] But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting. [16] For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! [17] For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. [18] What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
Structure:
- 9:1-2 Paul’s apostleship in question
- 9:3-7 The rights of the Paul & Barnabas in question
- 9:8-12a The Law’s prohibition about not giving workers their rights
- 9:12b-14 God’s command to support rightfully those who proclaim the gospel
- 9:15-18 Paul’s abdication of his rights for the sake of the gospel
Gospel-Proclamation: Responsibility and Rights.
Aim / Complementary Ideas:
Every preacher has a responsibility to proclaim the gospel, and that gives him provisional rights. A church is responsible for providing for gospel-preachers, and that gives them the right to hearing the gospel proclaimed. Altogether, preachers and the congregation must work together to advance the gospel.
Gospel Focus:
Primarily, define “the gospel” in the context of this passage. Also, focus on how Jesus makes new life in community possible for his followers, and then what that new life looks like. The gospel is what made Paul, Barnabas, and the other believers who they were and called them to do what they did.
Preaching / Application Points
- 9:1-2. Paul qualifies his apostleship. Application: Help people to understand the qualifications of a pastor. Teach them the essentials of a good sermon (biblically based, gospel-focused) and good pastoral care (working to shape lives according to the gospel). Help people to see how God works through pastors/sermons/care.
- 9:3-7. The Corinthians wanted Paul and Barnabas to have the same status as other (non-Christian) speakers. Application: You could speak into what modern Christians expect from their preachers regarding worldly looks, dress, education, communication skills, hobbies, and so on. Challenge them not to compare preachers to businessmen, counselors, self-help gurus, etc. and to instead have a biblically-informed view of what a preacher is and what he does.
- 9:8-12a. There’s a biblical, general call here to work and be paid well for one’s wages. This is a challenge for all Christians to grow up, get jobs, make wages, and use them for God’s kingdom. Application: Challenge the young men in the audience to “man up” to this challenge, getting a biblical view of wages and then taking on responsibility, stewarding their finances well. Paint an image of what it looks like to be financially responsible (work, budget, tithe, save, invest, etc.). Tell them to get help from another believer if they don’t know how to become financially responsible.
- Application. Calvin points out that this doesn’t mean that God doesn’t love animals, or that all scripture should be taken allegorically. Paul simply is providing an interpretation for the particular passage in the Law. The point is that God gave principles for the right use of oxen in the field in order that we might apply the same principles to ourselves as workers. As if, if oxen are treated so good, then human beings should be treated better. Illustration / Joke: If you’re more concerned about the name and background of the cow in your hamburger than the wellbeing of your pastors, there’s a problem.
- 12b-14. Spirituality is more important than worldly things. However, the Word of God is often not the priority in the lives of Christians. Application: help believers to diagnose where their priorities lie. What they give their time and finances to is an indication of where their hope lies. Those who hope in the gospel must prioritize it in all areas of life, including the use of their financial resources.
- 15-18. Paul refused to compromise the advancement of the gospel. Application: If at any point our liberty causes us to be a stumbling block to the gospel, we should be of good mind to forsake it in that situation. If you have an opportunity either to “stand out” for the gospel or just to “fit in” with the crowd, do your best to stand out. Stand out for what really matters, though – the gospel – and not things that don’t matter (religion, liberty).
- Calling. Paul knew that what he was called to he had no right to deny. When God calls you to something, truly, there’s no way you could do anything else. God’s calling demands our committed, undivided devotion. Running from God’s calling is to call a curse, a woe, upon oneself. In regards to preaching, this means that pastors should be terrified of not preaching the gospel. Congregants should have nothing to do with a pastor who doesn’t preach the gospel.
Study Notes - 1 Corinthians 8
The following are some of my study notes on 1 Corinthians 8. They were part of our sermon prep process at Hope Fellowship, and so they're notes intended to help a preacher out a little bit. This sermon was part of our sermon series, "A Messy Community of Grace." All members of the teaching team contributed their study notes as part of our regular weekly practice.
Text:
1 Corinthians 8
[8:1] Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. [2] If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. [3] But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. [4] Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” [5] For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”—[6] yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. [7] However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. [8] Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. [9] But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. [10] For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? [11] And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. [12] Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. [13] Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
Structure:
Being known by God
Aim / Complementary Ideas:
Being known by God humbles us, puts all of creation in its place, gives us a new conscience, and makes us responsible for helping weaker Christians.
Gospel Focus:
Preaching / Application Points:
Text:
1 Corinthians 8
[8:1] Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. [2] If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. [3] But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. [4] Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” [5] For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”—[6] yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. [7] However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. [8] Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. [9] But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. [10] For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? [11] And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. [12] Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. [13] Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
Structure:
- 8:1-3 Human knowledge vs. God’s knowledge
- 8:4-6 False gods vs. the true God
- 8:7-13 weak consciences vs. strong consciences
Being known by God
Aim / Complementary Ideas:
Being known by God humbles us, puts all of creation in its place, gives us a new conscience, and makes us responsible for helping weaker Christians.
Gospel Focus:
- As God knows us, he sees us for who we are as sinners, and has hidden himself from us for our own good. The good news, though, is that God made himself known to us in Jesus Christ, and it’s through him that we can have a loving relationship with God. Jesus is thus our possibility for knowing God, rightly relating with all of creation, and helping one another grow up in our faith.
- Jesus > religion
- 8:1-3. The heart issue here is pride. All human beings are prone to take pride in what they think they know. However, human beings are not God and cannot know him apart from how he reveals himself through faith. Faith helps us to see that God himself is far beyond our comprehension as finite beings; the more we know him, the more we realize that we are nothing compared to him. Thus, it’s futile to take pride in what we know. Help people in the congregation to see the futility of what our culture encourages them to take pride in knowing. For instance, someone who thinks he/she is God’s gift to the world because of his/her education and experience needs to understand that life is not just about sharing what you’ve learned in school and in your workplace. It’s about sharing God’s love with others. One potential illustration of this point could come through sharing about how some seminary students get so prideful about knowledge that they lose concern for all uneducated people, or are in the library so much that they lose all their social skills.
- 8:4-6. Paul addresses the false belief of some of the Corinthians that their special knowledge made them able to eat food sacrificed to idols by at first acknowledging that idols are indeed not the real God, then promoting the idea that all of creation is made for God’s purposes, and then calling believers to use all of creation for God’s purposes. His discussion about the Trinity highlights the idea that creation does not exist for mankind but for God. So, being a believer gives liberty, but liberty is meant to be used for pleasing God, not self. Don’t make it into more or less than it is. So…you can eat meat sacrificed to idols, but if you’re not doing that with the right heart, then your liberty has actually become a means of worshipping a false god in your life – yourself. We exist for God, through Jesus Christ, and should be eating, drinking, etc. in ways that glorify God alone and are consistent with how Christ acted during his earthly ministry. I think this gives you room to challenge how people use their mealtimes in ways that please God – such as a quality time with family, taking out newcomers from church, or bonding with fellow believers.
- 8:7-13. Strong Christians must act with consideration for the weak, working to build them up in their belief in the gospel. It’s important to note that the morality of certain foods/drinks is not what’s even being questioned here. Paul already established that all of creation can be used for God’s glory. The issue is really whether or not it’s wise to consume food/drinks that men have devoted to false gods while in the presence of weaker believers. A modern parallel would be how many non-Christians use alcohol as a way to serve their false god – their own flesh – and because of that, many young Christians believe that alcohol is entirely off limits for all believers. Making a scene and just going wild with meat or drinks isn’t the answer. All believers abstaining all the time isn’t the biblical answer to that problem, either. Strong believers are called to at times refrain from eating/drinking in order to not cause weaker believers to stumble, but also to help them grow in their understanding of liberty over time. I would challenge believers to study the bible and consider how it teaches us to enjoy food and drinks in a way that pleases God. One good illustration would be to talk about not eating meat around vegans because it freaks them out, but eating veggies with them as you study the bible with them and help them understand that bacon is a gift from God to be enjoyed by all believers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)