New Series...That Started A Few Weeks Ago

A few weeks ago, we began a new series on Colossians at Storehouse McAllen and it has been incredibly fruitful for our congregation. Our goal through Colossians is to showcase the supremacy of Christ in all things and as a result of this, we can be assured of his sufficiency.

In Colossians, we are reminded that salvation is found in and through Christ alone and that our walk with Christ directly affects and impacts our ethics, our relationships, our vocation, and ultimately our daily lives. The Apostle Paul always does a fantastic work of making sure we understand that theology is never separate from practice.

Colossians has sparked great late-night conversations with my wife and I and our Missional Community on the topics of thanksgiving as worship and how we perceive the risen Christ—do we perceive Him in a way that is incomplete or like the Apostle Paul in Colossians 1:15-20?

Further, Colossians is timely for our young church (this year, we celebrate FOUR years!) and many of the things Paul writes to them about we share as a congregation; things such as spiritual growth, maturity, engaging false teaching, and most significantly a high view of Christology.

We’ll work through Colossians all the way through May, but we’ll be taking a break for Holy Week which fits perfectly with the theme of Christ’s supremacy so I’m excited about that.

Check out the sermon series HERE and as usual, if you’re looking for some book recommendations, I’ve hooked you up below.

RECOMMENDED READING

1. Praying with Paul: A Call to Spiritual Reformation by D.A. Carson

2. Enjoying God: Experience the Power and Love of God in Everyday Life

3. Redemption Accomplished and Applied by John Murray

Series Reflection on 1 Peter (Exiles)

We started this year with a new sermon series on the epistle of 1 Peter and titled it EXILES. Now, I understand we’re well into the year finding ourselves in March during Spring Break, but I figured I’d share anyway in large summary. We’ll be in 1 Peter until June and I have really been digging this series because from the beginning we have seen God do some pretty amazing things through some of the ministries or initiatives that we’ve started.

THE CONTEXT

The Apostle Peter is writing to Christians who are scattered through what is known as modern day Turkey and are on the brinks of experiencing an increasing amount of persecution. Many of these Christians had already begun to experience social persecution and affliction; rejection by family, friends, and society as a result of their beliefs. Peter writes to them not only to encourage them, but inform them that more persecution will come and that their only hope is in what God has done for them through Christ in an effort to endure alongside of one another, stand firm with one another, and pursue holiness in spite of what is to come.

EVIDENCE OF GRACE

In the first twelve verses of chapter one, Peter pours a great deal of attention and detail into the work of God for us. As we walked through this section, we launched our “STORIES” ministry where we showcase videos of members from our church and link it to what we’re seeing in the Scriptures. Our hope, through Stories, is that we communicate God’s story of redemption and how, by His grace, He has folded us in that story.

Our first story was Cathy Fonseca where she shared her story of redemption; God’s work for her through Christ. You should check it out. Click here.

In the same chapter, Peter turns his attention to the pursuit of holiness and speaks directly in the context of holiness toward one another in the church. This was a total demonstration of God’s sovereignty as we walked through the church discipline and restoration of a brother who demonstrated repentance and restoration back into the church. My prayer is that God was glorified throughout that season (one we’re still walking through together).

As we walked into chapter two, Peter begins to shift his tone on the pursuit of holiness as it pertains to those who don’t know Jesus. During this, we started The Grace Initiative, a three week giving campaign where we’re looking to raise $1,000. That money will go back into our community groups so that they can go back out into our city and community and love them by demonstrating grace provisionally and proclaiming grace lovingly.

All of these are just the beginning of what is to come. We’re looking at launching a few classes this semester, Recovery Groups, and another giving campaign for church planters. So. Freakin’. Excited.

JUST STARTING

It’s been an incredibly series thus far and this Sunday, we’re wrapping up chapter two where Peter’s address toward the pursuit of holiness involves submission and suffering. I’m looking forward to it. You can check out the series HERE. Pray for us as we continue to hear from God through this series and glorify Him in the proclamation and practice of His gospel toward one another and our city!

New Series | The Five Solas

On Sunday, we're starting a new sermon series called "The Five Solas" and I'm extremely excited! First, the 5 Solas are vital and at the heart of gospel-centered theology and these are doctrines that we hold fast to; coming out of the 16th century Protestant Reformation, the 5 Solas are five latin phrases that make up the following doctrines: 

• Sola Scriptura ("Scripture Alone")
-- Scripture alone is our final and ultimate authority in the Christian faith, ethics, and practice. Additionally, it through Scripture that we evaluate both tradition and creeds.

• Sola Fide ("Faith Alone")
-- Salvation is received by faith alone and not by a means of our works. 

• Sola Gratia ("Grace Alone")
-- Salvation is a gift of God's grace; only He can freely give and not one that we obtain or earn.  

• Solus Christus ("Christ Alone")
-- The means by which we obtain salvation is through Jesus Christ alone; His finished work on the cross for sinners.

• Soli Deo Gloria ("God's Glory Alone")
-- Salvation is totally the work of God thus is given and for the glory of God

I am very excited about this series because I think it'll be a great opportunity for our people to not only hear about some church history--particularly because the Valley has a dense Roman Catholic population and many from our church come from that background--but also because this dives deep into the pages of Scripture and the heart of the church. 

My aim isn't to bash the Roman Catholic church. I do believe that we have some brothers and sisters in the Catholic church that love Jesus. However, I do believe it's important to teach briefly on the Protestant Reformation and why we hold to these core doctrines. And I believe the best approach for that is to engage the Word of God.

There is so much reading on these doctrines that you can easily get a hold of several books and articles. I'll hook you up with the list of books I've been in for the past few months as we've prepared this series, hope you enjoy---

RECOMMENDED READING:
• God's Word Alone: The Authority of Scripture by Matthew Barrett
• Faith Alone: The Doctrine of Justification by Thomas Schreiner
• Grace Alone: Salvation as a Gift of God by Carl Trueman
• Christ Alone: The Uniqueness of Jesus as Savior by Stephen Wellum
• God's Glory Alone: The Majestic Heart of Christian Life and Faith by David VanDrunen

Reflection | God's Work Our Witness

A few weeks ago, we began a sermon series titled "God's Work Our Witness" and the intention behind this short series was to cast vision for the new chapter and season that is Storehouse Community Church as well as share the mission we've been called to in McAllen. I also think it's been a good opportunity to look back at all God did in and through Logos Community Church- McAllen. Additionally, this series served as a great way to communicate revitalization in our church for the fame and glory of Jesus.

While, we have been through much, I feel as though we have officially walked into our own season as Storehouse Community Church; starting afresh in many aspects and moving forward by the grace of God. I'm very excited for our future and am anticipant about the work God will do, particularly as we engage our beloved city of McAllen and make disciples. 

Your prayers have been incredibly encouraging! Please continue to pray for our church family as we aim to be faithful and make much of Jesus. And if you're looking at what's coming up next, this week we're starting a new sermon series titled "The 5 Solas" which is based on the 5 Latin phrases that captivate the heart of gospel-centered theology and stem from the Protestant Reformation. I'll share more on this as we move along.