by Bret Capranica | Feb 17, 2011 | Biblical Studies, Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Worship
Our passage for Sunday is Revelation 5:1-5. Stop and pray for insight, illumination, and wisdom in understanding and making use of this passage. Carefully Think How does this passage fit with chapter 4? How is this section different than chapter 4? Can you summarize what you think is the main idea? What is unique about Jesus in this passage? What is unique about God the Father in this passage? Who else/What else is mentioned/emphasized in the passage? What is the scroll found in the Father”™s hand? How do you know? What do you find in this passage that you cannot understand? What Old Testament concepts do you see mentioned here? Prayerfully Meditate What about Jesus is found here that would assist your worship of Jesus? Is there a song or hymn that uniquely expresses the worship of Jesus that you could sing, or meditate on? What unbelievers do you know who need to comprehend the uniqueness of Jesus? Pray for them by name. How could this passage assist you and others in our church this week when we gather together to worship Jesus? Actively Respond What could you do Saturday night and Sunday morning to prepare yourself to worship with God”™s people on Sunday? Go to our web-site and download a copy of the bulletin and begin to pray through every element of the service. Prepare your mind and heart to be sensitive on how you can serve or encourage someone when you arrive at worship on Sunday. From Revelation 5:1-5, is there any sin for you to confess, promise to confidently affirm, word of encouragement to...
by Bret Capranica | Feb 16, 2011 | Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry
MidWeek Minute 2.16.11 from Bret Capranica on Vimeo. Sunday AM 2.13.11 – Heaven Help Our Worship: The Activity of Heaven, Revelation 4:6-11 – Bret Capranica Sermon Expansion – Revelation 4:6-11 Sunday PM 2.13.11 – A Lifestyle of Worship, Colossians 3:16-17 – Glenn...
by Bret Capranica | Feb 13, 2011 | Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching, Worship
How can you respond to this week’s sermon? You can hear the two sermons on Revelation 4:1-11 through our church’s web-site: Heaven Help Our Worship – The Atmosphere of Heaven – Rev 4:1-6 Heaven Help Our Worship – The Activity of Heaven – Rev 4:6-11 Revelation 4 is a brilliant description of God”™s supremacy and a picturesque vision of the purest worship of God. God”™s authority, centrality, mercy, redemption, judgment, omniscience, transcendence, and sovereignty are all stunningly described as the very atmosphere of heaven. The activity of heaven responds to God”™s blazing centrality with an intense, focused exaltation of who He is. Here is the pinnacle of corporate praise. The entire scene begs the question as to whether our weekly earthly gatherings mirror the emphases we see happening unceasingly in heaven. Our two sermons on Revelation 4 delved into the details of the passage and called us to consider how central God is in our affections, our vocabulary, our prayers, our music, our conversations, and our mindset when we gather with God”™s people on the Lord”™s Day. How can we grow in our worship of God on earth so that our gatherings are more reflective of the worship that happens in heaven? Something to Know Increase your understanding of who God is Simply reading through the Bible, particularly the Old Testament has helped me with this. For example, while reading through Old Testament books, underline every time the narrator (in the historical books) indicates that God did something. You will be amazed at what God does ““ and thus see His attributes on display. Read some excellent books on...
by Bret Capranica | Nov 8, 2010 | Featured Articles, Ordinary Pastor, Pastoral Ministry
The Capranica has been silent for a number of weeks. That’s not necessarily new, though August and September were banner months for readership. As most will know, our family just moved from the desert of Southern California to tundra of the Kansas City, Missouri area. We now live in Lee’s Summit, a suburb of Kansas City, and I recently became the Pastor-Teacher of Summit Woods Baptist Church. Yesterday was my third week in the pulpit and I commence my fourth week in the office today. The transition was quick and relatively easy as far as moves go. The kids have adjusted well and we are all adjusting from the normal November 90″™s in Hemet to the normal 40 and 50 degree weather for Kansas City. We’re bracing for the fun stuff on its way. Our transition was, as most issues in life are, a learning experience for us. The lessons that come to mind are ones not necessarily attached to moving to a new ministry assignment – several are essential for the normality of life. Yet, moving your family across the country (or further) is no normal time. Though we are still in the beginning stages, here’s a few thoughts on what I have found helpful during the transition: 1. Spend encouraging time with good friends before leaving. We made it a point to sped some wonderful fellowship time with people who were close to us before we left (though we were unable to see everyone). We treasure every one of those conversations – every meal – every moment we had with such precious friends. We had rich times...
by Bret Capranica | Sep 9, 2010 | Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry
Summit Woods Weekend Overview from Bret Capranica on Vimeo. While we are here in Lee’s Summit, any interaction with the blog will be limited at best. Feel free to keep up with what’s going on with us through my Twitter...
by Bret Capranica | Sep 8, 2010 | Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry
Local Church Giving from Bret Capranica on Vimeo. Unfortunately, as soon as I bring up the topic of money, as a pastor, some will associate the subject with the Benny Hinn”™s and Robert Tilton”™s of the world. Forget these charlatans. Let”™s simply be honest about what the Bible does say about Christians and giving. The Bible Says Much About Money I won”™t take the time to mention all or even most of the passages, but Jesus and the Apostles often used one”™s positions and wealth as a firm illustration of where one”™s heart is (i.e., Matt 6:24; 1 Tim 6:6-10, 17-19; Luke 12:13-21). Our Spending Says Much About Us Any examination of my checkbook will expose a wealth of information about what is important to my family and me. In this country, there is a tremendous amount of financial freedom in contrast to the rest of the world. We spend money on what we want. And what we want reveals much about our heart”™s desires. Tithing or Free Will? Inevitably, when Christians discuss the subject of giving, the issue of tithing will come up. No small debate exists among modern American Christians about whether the Bible, particularly the New Testament calls us to give ten percent (a tithe) of all we bring in, or if giving levels are merely left open to the Christian”™s conscience. Before I speak about my position, let me review a few biblical points Tithing Was a Principle Before It Became a Law Before Moses commanded it, the patriarchs practiced it (Gen 14:17-20; Gen 28:20-22). In fact other religions before and during the patriarchal era...
