Getting Ready for Sunday June 1st, 2008

June 1st Sermon “What Happens When A Believer Dies?”

John 3:16 says, “Everyone who believes will not perish, but have eternal life.” Today, would you like to know what is going to happen to you when you die physically? We know we will not perish if we believe, but how do we make that transition into eternal life?

 

Set List for June 1, 2008

Song                              Author                        Recording

When We All Get to Heaven	Eliza Edmunds Stites Hewitt Emily D. Wilson	Traditional Hymn
Oh Happy Day	Ben Cantelon Tim Hughes	“Beautiful News” Tim Hughes
Forever	Chris Tomlin	“The Noise We Make” Chris Tomlin
Soon & Very Soon	Andrae Crouch	“The Definitive Greatest Hits” Andrae Crouch
On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand	Samuel Stennett	Traditional Hymn

 

    This week we finish up our series on John 3:16 as Bro. Todd speaks about “What Happens When A Believer Dies”.  As Christians we know that death is not the end.  In perspective of eternity, our life here on earth is just a blip on the radar.  Bro. Todd will be talking a lot about heaven this week, so most of our music deals with the promise of eternal life that Christ has given.

     We start out with a hymn entitled “When We All Get to Heaven” which was one of those songs that we sang all the time when I was a kid.  It’s also a song that is a tradition at a camp that Cindy and I lead worship for in Missouri every year.  One day, when we all get to heaven, we’ll sing and shout (and not like the puny shouts I often hear during “When I Think About the Lord” Ha!)  I can’t even imagine what our worship will be like in heaven, but one thing I do know is that it will far exceed anything we have ever experienced on earth. 

     “Oh Happy Day” has made it back into the worship schedule this week (although it was cut last week)  I love the fact that this song takes us back to when Christ sacrificed His life for us, to the time when we accept Him, and then ends with the future of seeing Him face to face.  Take a listen to this song by clicking the link in the chart above.

     “Forever” celebrates the faithfulness of God.  I believe that Heaven is a real place that Christ has gone to prepare for all who believe.   I can believe that because God has always been faithful to keep His promises.  He never fails, or goes back on His word.  Let’s rejoice this week in the fact that our God is Forever faithful.  Take a listen to this song by clicking the link in the chart above.

     “Soon and Very Soon” was one of my favorite songs when I was a kid.  I remember that there was a Southern Gospel Group that came to our church, and it was one of the songs they sang.  It’s a simple song to catch on to, but what a message to think about.  Though troubles come, and this world breaks our heart time and again, we can know that soon we are going to see the King in a place where there is no more sorrow, pain, or death.  With that in mind, it should be hard not to sing “Hallelujah”!  Check out a video of the songwriter Andrae Crouch performing this song.  (And no I can’t play like that!  I only wish I could)

     We’ll finish up the music portion of the service with “On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand”.   This song continues our theme of heaven being our final destination.  I love the lyrics of the following verse and chorus:

No chilling winds or poisonous breath
Can reach that healthful shore;
Sickness and sorrow, pain and death,
Are felt and feared no more.

 

I am bound for the promised land

I am bound for the promised land

O who will come and go with me

I am bound for the promised land

 

     Thanks for taking time to check out what will be happening on Sunday.  It’s my hope that we will sing out with grateful hearts for the promises God has given us to look forward to.  I look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday.   

 

Bro. Doug

Getting Ready for Sunday, May 25, 2008

 May 25th Sermon “What If I Don’t Believe?”

It is very clear that God give us the choice about whether or not we believe that Jesus is the Son of God and the only one who can save us. He gives us the choice to believe or to not believe. There is a question that needs to be answered, what if I don’t believe? John 3:16 says that you will “perish”. What does that mean? 

 

Set List for May 25, 2008

Song                              Author                        Recording

Lord I Lift Your Name On High	Rick Founds	“Let the Praises Ring” Lincoln Brewster
Jesus Saves	Priscilla J. Owens William James Kirkpatrick	Traditional Hymn
Awesome Is the Lord	Cary Pierce Chris Tomlin Jesse Reeves Jon Abel	“See the Morning” Chris Tomlin
Happy Day	Ben Cantelon Tim Hughes	“Beautiful News” Tim Hughes
Nothing But the Blood	Matt Redman	“Facedown ” Matt Redman

 

    

    Welcome to another blog!  We are continuing our series on John 3:16, and this week Bro. Todd will be answering the question, “What If I Don’t Believe?”.  Our songs this week will deal with what we believe as Christians. 

     We start off this week with a familiar song, “Lord I Lift Your Name On High”.  It pretty much tells the story of what we believe in a clear simple way. We know that Christ was God’s only Son who came from heaven to earth to die for our sins.  The story doesn’t stop there in that He rose and defeated death.  Let’s truly lift Him up as we sing together.  Take a listen to Lincoln Brewster’s version of the song by clicking the link in the chart above.

     “Jesus Saves” continues our theme of belief.  We believe that Jesus can and will save.  It doesn’t matter who you are, or what you’ve done.  Christ died for everyone, and just as John 3:16 tells us, “Whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life”.   Our style is a little different than the original hymn, but it will still be quite familiar.  Let’s give the winds a mighty voice as we sing “Jesus Saves”

     “Awesome is the Lord” goes on to state a few more things that we believe about our God.  Our God is faithful and always will be.  We also know that He is above everything.  Let’s worship Him as we celebrate how truly awesome our God is.  Take a listen to the song by clicking the link in the chart above.

     I love the song “Happy Day” as you probably already know by the amount of times we sing it at Oasis.  I guess that’s one of the perks of being worship leader, I get to do the songs I like (ha)  This song takes us back to the day when Christ died for our sins, and rose from the grave.  The second verse of the song looks into the future of when we stand before Him in Heaven.  Both of the verses are summed up by the chorus, which celebrates that Happy Day.  Take a listen to a normal version of the song by clicking the link in the chart above.  If you want to smile a little more, check out this link to a version that two young boys from England put on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3gCX95tJE8&feature=related

 

     We finish the music portion of the service with the song “Nothing But the Blood” by Matt Redman.  The only thing that can save us from our sins is the blood of Jesus.  Not by anything we do or say, but only through Christ can we be saved.  Check out the song by clicking the link in the chart above.

    Thanks for taking time to check out what will be happening on Sunday.  Pray that God would be honored through our worship this week, and let’s really be prepared to give Him our best.  I look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday.   

 

Bro. Doug

Getting Ready for Sunday May 18th, 2008

 May 18th Sermon “Can You Lose Your Salvation?”

There are many today who believe that a person who has been saved can actually lose their salvation. Will God end our relationship if we make a wrong choice? How we answer that question really impacts our view of God and our relationship with God. Today, we will explore the promise in John 3:16 say, “Everyone who believes will not perish”. 

Set List for May 18, 2008

Song                              Author                        Recording

Mighty to Save	Rueben Morgan	“Mighty to Save” Hillsong United
Salvation Is Here	Joel Houston	“Look To You“ Hillsong United
All Because of Jesus	Steve Fee	“We Shine” Fee
You Never Let Go	Matt Redman	“Beautiful News” Matt Redman

 

     This week’s sermon deals with the security that we have in the salvation that God has provided.  My God is Mighty to save, but He is also mighty enough to hold us all in the palm of His hand, and never let go.  There is never a time that He will end our relationship because of something I do.   There is absolutely nothing that can separate me from the love God has for me.  Let’s celebrate this week in the fact that our salvation through Christ is always secure.

     We will begin our music this week with the chorus of “Mighty to Save”.  This is just a reminder that our God is mighty enough to save anyone.  Take a listen to this song by clicking the link in the chart above.

     In the song “Salvation Is Here”, we make the statement: “I don’t care what the world throws at me now, I’m gonna be alright!”  If you are a Child of God, it doesn’t matter what we face in this life, because we know that God is in control.  This is the second week in a row that we will be singing this song, and it’s because of the faith that it takes to truly mean what the lyrics say.  “I know my God saved the day, and I know His word never fails, and I know my God made a way for me”  It’s one thing to sing that we know, but it’s another thing to live it.  Do you live your life in a way that tells the world that you know without a doubt that God is in control?  Take time to listen to “Salvation Is Here” by clicking the link in the chart above.

     When choosing songs for worship, I really struggle with the question, “have I overused this song?”.  We have really been singing “All Because of Jesus” a lot over the past few months, but it has really become one of my favorites.  Hopefully you’re not sick of it yet.  Once again this song carries on with our theme of faith in Christ’s sacrifice for our sins.  I know that I am alive only because of what Christ did on the cross for me.  I know you could sing this one without any lyrics on the screen by now, so let’s sing it out!!!  Take a listen to “All Because of Jesus” by clicking the link in the chart above.

     A couple of weeks ago we went to Toad Suck Dayz in Conway (anyone who is not from Arkansas is probably cracking up right now)  Saigel decided that she wanted to ride a pony, so we handed over the 4 Toad Bucks that it cost to ride.  She was all excited until I got ready to put her on the pony, and all of a sudden she clamped down on me and started saying “no no no!”.  I; being very sensitive to the situation, proceeded to put her on the horse. (come on this thing cost 4 toad bucks!)   The horses started and I walked beside with two little arms tightly wrapped around my neck.  I kept repeating, “It’s ok, I’m not going to let go” over and over again.  After several trips around the small corral Saigel began to loosen her grip.  The last couple of times around the circle she actually let go of me completely and was holding the saddle saying “giddy up horsey”.

  It took a while, but after being re-assured time and time again that I wouldn’t let go, she was able to finally trust that she was safe.  I was reminded of this story when I was planning this order of worship.  The song “You Never Let Go” sums up our entire theme for the day.  Just like Saigel eventually trusted in me, I know that I can trust that my God will never let go of me.  Take time to listen to this song by clicking the link in the chart above, and thank God that He holds us all safely in the palm of His hand.

     Thanks for taking time to check out what will be happening on Sunday.  I really look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday.   

 

Bro. Doug

Getting Ready for Sunday, May 11, 2008

 

May 11th Sermon “What Moves the Heart of God?”

When we want to get someone’s attention, we may resort to a number of techniques that have worked for us in the past. To get someone’s attention we might whistle, maybe blowing the horn, or tap the person on the shoulder. I guess there are many ways to get the attention of people, but what gets the attention of God? Today, we will see that it is our faith that moves the heart of God. John 3:16 says, “So everyone who “believes” will not perish”.

Set List for May 11, 2008

Song                              Author                        Recording

Famous One	Chris Tomlin Jesse Reeves	“Our Love Is Loud” Passion
My Savior Lives	Glenn Packiam Jon Egan	“My Savior Lives” New Life Worship
Salvation Is Here	Joel Houston	“Look To You“ Hillsong United
The Highest and the Greatest	Nick Herbert Tim Hughes	“Holding Nothing Back” Tim Hughes
Because He Lives	Bill & Gloria Gaither	Traditional Hymn

 

     This week we continue our series from John 3:16.  Bro. Todd will be answering the question, “What moves the heart of God?”.  Our songs this week deal with having faith in our God. 

     We’ll start out with “Famous One” which is a proclamation of God’s fame throughout the earth.  “For all you’ve done and yet to do.  With every breath I’m praising You”.  God has blessed us all with everything we have, and we know that He will continue to do amazing things in our lives.  Our every breath should be a reminder that He alone is God, and He cares enough to give us that breath that we just took to keep us alive.  The heavens declare it, and so should we.  Take time to listen to “Famous One” by clicking the link in the chart above.

     “My Savior Lives” is a statement of faith that we will be making on Sunday.  “I know that my Redeemer lives and now I stand on what He did, My Savior Lives!”  We can know that Christ lives, because He lives in us.  Let’s shout it out on Sunday.  Check out the song by clicking the link in the chart above.

     “Salvation Is Here” continues our theme of Faith.  “I know my God saved the day and I know His word never fails and I know my God made a way for me”.  The Bible clearly tells us that we can know all of that to be true.  No doubt about it; our Savior is alive and working in our lives.  Check out “Salvation Is Here” by clicking the link in the chart above.

     “The Highest and the Greatest” is a new song to us here at Oasis.  Be sure to check it out by clicking the link in the chart above.  This song reminds me of Philippians 2:9-11 “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  Let’s celebrate the fact that our God is far greater than anything that we could ever imagine.

     We’ll close out the music portion of the worship service with the chorus of “Because He Lives”.  We once again deal with faith as we sing about being able to face every day, just knowing that our Savior lives.

     Thanks for taking time to check out what will be happening on Sunday.  Let’s really come prepared on Sunday to worship our God and King.  I believe that if we really take time to prepare our hearts to come before our Creator that He will honor that.  I really look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday.   

 

Bro. Doug