Friends,
While many ministries often slow down during the hot summer months, we at OnePassion have done quite the opposite. This past month of July has been a time of increased effort for us in fulfilling the mission that the Lord has entrusted to us. It has also included some needed rest for me personally. Here is a look back at the month of July.
Family Vacation
Each summer, our family gathers in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina for a time to be together. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to relax for a few days while in the midst of a two month preaching trip. My wife, our four children, and my son-in-law all spent a wonderful time together, much of it centered around playing golf and eating meals together.
Arden Presbyterian Church: Asheville, NC
While there, I preached at Arden Presbyterian Church in Asheville, North Carolina. I preached on John 8:12, I Am the Light of the World. I have developed good friendships with many of its members, and I always delight in preaching to them. Having my entire family present as I preach is also an enormous blessing to me, something that reminds me of former years when our children were younger and all sitting in the congregation.
Doctor of Ministry Program, The Master’s Seminary
I then flew to Los Angeles, where I serve as the Dean of the Doctor of Ministry program for The Masters Seminary. We presently have some 79 men in our program, who come from all over the world in order to sharpen their preaching skills. I gave instruction on preaching the sovereignty of God, evangelistic preaching of the gospel, and other subjects. I was joined by other noted men who taught with me, including John MacArthur, Daniel Block, and Dale Ralph Davis for these teaching sessions.
Grace Community Church: Sun Valley, CA
While I was in Los Angeles, teaching for The Masters Seminary, I was also privileged to speak for two consecutive Sundays at Grace Community Church. On the first Sunday, I taught on the holiness of God, providing a survey on this important truth through the entire Bible. The following Sunday, I preached on Ezekiel one, “A Soul-Stirring Vision of the Glory of God.” There is no pulpit in the world in which I would rather preach in than this pulpit at Grace Community Church, where John MacArthur preaches Sunday by Sunday.
Expositor Magazine
After flying home, I was able to spend much needed time, sitting at my desk, researching material, and writing important chapters and articles that I needed to produce. I wrote my article for the next Expositor magazine, which will appear soon, on the preaching of John Knox. If you are not a subscriber to this informative magazine, I urge you to go into our website and subscribe today. We now offer both a digital and a print subscription to the magazine.
The Institute for Expository Preaching
I have also been able to work on material for a new, two day conference for The Institute for Expository Preaching, which we host in partnership with Ligonier Ministries. This new curriculum is focused upon evangelistic preaching, and I am excited to present it in a few days at our Miami event. Come join us in Miami, FL or in Columbus, OH later in November. We will also be releasing new dates and locations for Institutes in 2018 shortly.
Expositor Podcasts
I went into the recording studio and recorded two months worth of podcasts for Expositor Podcast. If you are not aware, we post a weekly podcast on some aspect of biblical preaching. I recorded eight sessions, each one focusing upon an element of expository preaching that is intended to help sharpen the skills of the preacher. You can access these podcasts free on our website.
Men’s Bible Study
Because I have been traveling on the road, we have only met once in July for the Men’s Bible Study that we live stream from Dallas. The text that we looked at together is one of the most important passages in the entire Bible, Romans 3:21-26, which focuses upon justification by faith alone. Once again, we received an enormous response as the lesson was live streamed around the world. We also archive each study on our website for you watch at your convenience. Each time that I am in Dallas, we continue to work our way to the book of Romans in this incredible study.
Thank You!
I want to thank you for your continuing interest in OnePassion Ministries. It is your support, prayers and resources that enable us to fulfill this unique work to which the Lord has called us. Our commitment remains firm, as we attempt to to reach the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Through the different strategies that the Lord has given to us, we are able to do much with the opportunities he has provided.
May you know the fullness of God’s blessing upon your life.
Blessings in Christ,
