Finishing Things

Article by

Founder & Teacher, desiringGod.org

I like to finish things. So I am excited about this fall at Bethlehem. If the Lord wills, we will finish our sermon series on 1 Peter which we began last fall. This will leave us time for a special Advent focus on the Sundays leading to Christmas (which this year is on the Lord’s Day).

In the Sunday Evening Family Gatherings (6:00 PM) I hope we can finish our series on Philippians from two years ago in the BITC. That means we will focus on Philippians 3 and 4 during our Lord’s Day evenings together.

When I stand back and look at these two pillars of our life together this fall, it feels solid and strong and stable. I pray that God will set them on fire. And I pray that the fire will give us light and warmth and purification. “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). O, that the Lord would ignite in us a great faith in future grace by the kindling of his Word!

Would you put this in your Bible and join me each week in earnest prayer that God would cause his Word to come with power? Especially on Saturday and Sunday morning seek the Lord on my behalf. Without him all my words are wind. Pray down the weight of glory on the Word of Truth. Here’s the plan, which I am happy to let the Lord change if he wills.

Sept 11

AM

Your Calling Is to Bless Believers
1 Peter 3:8-12

PM

The Righteousness Paul Calls Refuse
Philippians 3:1-11

Sept 18

AM

Always Ready to Give an Account of Our Hope
1 Peter 3:13-17

 

 

Sept 25

AM

Christ And Noah and How They Saved
1 Peter 3:18-22

PM

How to Attain the Prize of the Upward Call of God
Philippians 3:12-21

Oct 2

AM

Arming Yourself wit the Purpose to Suffer
1 Peter 4:1-6

 

 

Oct 9

AM

(Pastor John in Brazil)

PM

(Pastor John in Brazil)

Oct 16

AM

How To Serve So God Gets the Glory
1 Peter 4:7-11

 

 

Oct 23

AM

How the Suffering Entrust Their Souls to God
1 Peter 4:12-19

PM

How the Peace of God Guards Your Heart and Mind
Philippians 4:1-9

Oct 30

AM

Ray Bakke speaks for Missions Fest 94

 

 

Nov 6

AM

“Cities of Ruthless Nations Will Revere Thee”
Isaiah 25

PM

(Missions Presentations)

Nov 13

AM

Preparing to Meet the Chief Shepherd
1 Peter 5:1-4

 

 

Nov 20

AM

Are You Humble Enough to Be Care-Free?
1 Peter5:5-7

PM

Learning to Be Content in the Riches of His Glory
Philippians 4:10-23

Nov 27

AM

Dominion Belongs to the God of All Grace
1 Peter 5:8-14

 

 

Camping by the Stream,

John Piper