RC'S PLACE

Cross Country Journey, along with Zero to Sixty Seconds

2009-09-01T08:44:00.000-07:00

Officially I am back to the daily grind of Full Time ministry, just returning from a cross country road trip from LosAngeles to Mobile Alabama yes that's what I said (LOL). My wife, daughter, four other family members and I embarked on this journey and let me tell you it was great.Even though it was vacation there were a couple of had to reads I had to take you know books. One of the books I carried was Zero to sixty 60 principles and practices for Leading a Growing Church by BOB FRANQUIZ a Senior Pastor in Miami, Fl Calvary Fellowship. Fellow blogger let me tell you if you don't have this book I highly recommend you pick it up asap for you first and then your leaders or pass it on, but I personally feel everyone needs there own copy it will tremendously help you. In this book Bob shares with us his journey, He's transparent and flat out honest.In this book he deals with Leadership Strategies, Staffing Strategies, Ministry Strategies, and Personal Development Strategies. This book was such an excellent read I finished it before I arrived in Mobile Ala it was like I went from Zero to sixty I challenging you pick it up you will not regret it.

Until next time One going from Zero to sixty

What is Preaching ?

2009-03-12T23:41:00.000-07:00

With so many definitions of preaching what really is preaching? Two children of a Pastor were playing when one asked what is preaching one of the children said it's what daddy does on sunday, the other quickly responded and said he doesn't preach he tells jokes ouch! So what then is preaching? Preaching is the spoken communication of divine truth with a view to persuasion, it is divine truth. Preaching is limited to the proclamation and enforcement of the truth of God, simply it is the delivery of a message from God to man.It is said that Charles Spurgeon said "to him christianity was not an argument, but a message;not something to be discussed, but something to be delivered by the preacher and instantaneously accepted by the hearer." People don't come to church after enduring the infliction of an ambitious but useless sermon, to learn history, but to be reminded of duty. It is said that a man once went to worship and complained about the sermon he said I went to hear the way to heaven; I was told the way to Palestine. Our reason for being in the pulpit is that we have a word from the Lord to deliver to His people, this age wants and is prepared to receive not the priest, but the prophet.When the spaniards would describe a tedious writer they say, He leaves nothing in the inkstand! Brethren let that be our testimony in closing Guthrie demanded in every sermon what he called" the three P's," Proving, Painting, & Persuading, this week proclaimers how will you paint, prove, and persuade, what will your canvas look like. My prayer is that God would breath on our canvas as we work him.

until next time!

Numbers 6:24

THE GOODNESS OF GOD!

2009-03-03T15:46:00.000-08:00

Hello fellowbloggers I haven't posted in a while, but I've cruised through the neighborhood and see you all are maintaining God be praised. This year has been extremely busy, we just finished a small expansion to create more seating and the first sunday the space was gone, we've been blessed to take in 30 new members of which at least 20 are candidates for Baptism, I've been preaching added services for a senior pastor during there 7 am and 11am service since the first of the year doing 3 to 4 services per sunday gearing up to preach at fairview baptist church Dr. JA Reed jr next sunday, and I just preached the opening message for the Western Baptist State Convention Dr.J B Hardwick President, this will also prove to be a busy week of going, please remember us in your prayers that God would strengthen us and we praise Him for the many opportunities indeed God is stretching us and were greatful.

It's been a long time!

2009-01-20T20:54:00.000-08:00

Hello fellow bloggers it seems like a year has passed since the last time I blogged, the last several months have been extremmly busy particularly in the area of preaching. With the New Year and all the work at Full G I've rarely had moments to write, but thankfully I found a window in which to write. On Wednesday I'm still working through Hebrews, and sunday challenging the church with various passages, in past 3 weeks we taken in 14+ members, of which 5 are candidates for baptism, on top of our morning assignments we've been helping out a Senior Pastor in our city who is Ill. This past sunday we preached the building dedication worship for Pastor Clinton Smith and the First Goodwill Family, sunday night our drummer George Johnson hosted the 10th annual MLK Midnight Musical actually it's from 9:00pm to 12:00am, it was great, monday I rested and today I went to be with and Officiate the Homegoing service of Pastor Clinton Smiths Father pray for him and his family. Finally what can I say About this historical day, Join me in praying for our President Obama.

Until Next time
Numbers 6:24

A BUSY WEEKEND

2008-12-09T21:06:00.000-08:00

Sunday was an extremely long day for me and the members of Full"G" wehad great worship I preached from Ephesians 6:18, our attendance was good and we ate from the Lord's table. Following Worship our leaders and many of our members went by to support Pastor Clinton Smith and the First Goodwill Family, let me say the place is super nice and Clint is to be commended for the step of faith, the leadership of the entire project, I was really proud watching how he handled the contractor, studio 116 and all other workers, again great job, brother. We only stayed about 45 minutes because we had a 3:00pm worship with a another great exspositor from Cali, contrary to what some believe there are some seriously solid exspositors in Cali who many people are unaware of. The exspositor I'm speaking of is Pastor Kelly Taylor who in 1999 organized a church called Logos Church, he was recently called to Pastor a church here in the city called New Congregational; he accepted and his entire logos family church is making the move with him, so we went for their final worship as Logos church and what a time we had I preached 1 Peter 5:1-4 and titled the message the Unfading Crown of Glory. Maybe later if I get a chance I'll post the outlines later. Please remember these two Pastors I've mentioned in your prayers as they enter into this new season of ministry and me too :)

Until next time

Numbers 6:24

Lord's Day Worship

2008-11-30T12:33:00.000-08:00

Today I had a unique oppurtunity to preach at a historic Church here in the city at 7:00am and then I travelled to our 9:00am worship and at 3:00pm we will have our youth worship with guest speaker youth Pastor Rick Mc Gregor of Greater Metropolitan Church. This morning I challenged the church with a message on missions from Isaiah 6:1-12. At the 7;00am worship I was warmly received, and it went extremely well, God is awesome. At our 9:00am we had several guest that returned from thanksgiving worship, I talked about getting a hold on missions.
God Uses Circumstances to Make Us Aware of His Presence 6:1
God Reveals His Character to Make Us See Our Need 6:2-7
God Gives Us Hope to Make Us Realize We Are Useful 6:8
God Expands Our Vision to Make Us Evaluate Our Availability 6:8
God Tells Us the Truth to Make Us Focus on Reality 6:9-12

I'M BACK

2008-11-17T16:56:00.000-08:00

It's been some time since I have had the oppurtunity to blog my work at the church has been tremendously busy, also work with our state congress were I serve as Vice president at Large and were gearing up for our state congress in Palm dessert California were we are expecting some 2000 delegates and I'm responsible for all youth curriculm as well as teaching a class. We this past weekend meet for the second time in our school of the prophets and discussed Correlation, and Application along with Aristotles principles for effective communication. On top of all this still working through Hebrews this week were in 11:32-40, ill post the outline later this week. Sunday was a great day of Worship for us our praise and worship team as well as our youth choir provided music and the message was from 1Thessalonians 5:23-28
Saying good bye in this passage Paul good bye is actually a prayer and a blessing at the same time F.F Bruce calls it a "wish prayer" because instead of saying "Father, may You do this for these people," He prays, " May God do this for you". According to Pauls wish prayer, God is able to do three things:
1. sanctify us entirely vs. 23
2. preserve us completely vs 23b
3.Receive us blamelessly vs 23c

And having focused on the Lord Paul turns his attention to relationships within the body.
1. We pray for one another vs 25
2. We affirm and show affection toward each other vs 26
3. Listen to the same information vs 27
Finally verse 28 spaeks of Grace Paul closes the letter the same way he opens it.
In conclusion my prayer for you is the same as that of the Apostle Paul as qouted from the message by Eugene Peterson

May God Himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, out you --- spirit, soul, and body and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he'll do it!
Friends, keep up your prayers for us. Greet all the Christians there with a holy embrace. And make sure this letter gets read to all the brothers and sisters. Don't leave anyone out.
The amazing grace of Jesus Christ be with you!

LORDS DAY WORSHIP

2008-11-03T16:49:00.000-08:00

Sunday was a great day of worship at Full "G", we had good attendance and we shared together in the Lord's Supper. It was my first Sunday back in the pulpit and I thought it might take a while to adjust but God honored our work and boy was it a whale of ride. Sunday I preached from Acts 27 "How to handle a shipwreck". Man was I tempted to cheat (LOL) I have one of the most flawless yet phenomenal sermons titled Anchors of the soul preached by the late HB Charles Sr. Hopefully one day HB Jr and I can get together and publish some of his works. At any rate here's my outline to help you steady your storm tossed soul by using four spiritual anchors.

1.The Anchor of Stability vs. 20-26
2.The Anchor of Unity vs. 27-32
3. The Anchor of Renewal vs. 33-36
4. The Anchor of Reality vs. 41-44

All 276 passengers made to land God never promised that things would not be lost, but he did promise they all would survive, and when your in a storm stuff doesn't matter but survival does. God always keeps His word, He didn't miraculously move them to the island. He did however give them the ability to get to shore safely, but they still had to swim did you catch that they still had to swim!!!!!!!!!

Until next time

Numbers 6:24

STILL IN HEBREWS

2008-10-30T16:03:00.000-07:00

This week, has been extremely long yet rewarding, Tuesday was my wife's birthday and today my daughter Ryanne turned 8 HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYANNE and Happy Belated birthday Deborah. Oh and Pop Reed and I hung out for a while on Monday, with all this activity you know my work was behind for Wednesday Night,but we preachers always know Wednesday and Sundays are coming and excuses will not do our people are looking for us to show up and deliver God's word. Thanks to Capon in his book the foolishness of preaching I learned years ago that we need more short order cooks opposed to Five star chefs, as you know short order cooks can cook just about anything, and so often we pressure ourselves to prepare this Five star meal that may leave the people hungry when a hamburger and fries may have sufficed. At any rate I continued my series through the book of Hebrews and we had a number of new guest with us Praise God! we continued our study in Hebrews 11:20- 23 and talked about Family Faith. We discussed that Faith is meant to be an everyday companion- not a weekend guest, and that the home is where we can be exposed to the germs of faith. We looked at Faith in four homes

Issac vs 20
Jacob vs21
Joseph vs 22
Moses vs 23

We concluded by saying enough about the ancients home, what about your neighborhood? Let's stop by your house. Home is a place where life makes up it's mind, but to what is totally up to you, what are passing on to your children, grandchildren, siblings, what are you trusting God for so often we are only thankful for the tangible stuff, but how about thanking him for Godly parents, grandparents, siblings why not pause now and thank Him.

Until next time

Numbers 6:24

LEADERSHIP CELEBRATION

2008-10-27T11:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday marked the closing of our 15 year Leadership Celebration with Dr John A ( Reed Jr. ( pop) Pop has basically been a part of my ministry from the very beginning He ordained me after the passing of H.B Charles Sr., he married me and for the past at least 10 years every 4Th Sunday of October he preaches in our morning worship. This year vintage pop Reed showed up am I right awe yea LOL, he preached from Daniel Chapter 3 and challenged us to trust in the Lord, even if he doesn't deliver us. At three O'clock we were joined by 2 of my main buddies Pastor Eric S. Woodson ( Second Mt. Carmel) and Darryl K. La Bat Sr. ( Greater Metropolitan ) La Bat Preached from hab 3;17 and talked about the preachers bailout plan and again we were challenged to put our trust in God. Full "G" a great church showed tremendous love toward us and proved why there such a stellar church! Overall it was a great day and we praise God for it. We'll my vacation is over pray for me as I head back to the pit this week.

Until next time

Numbers 6:24

WHAT HAS GOTTEN INTO THE CHURCH?

2008-10-25T20:10:00.000-07:00

In 10 days Californians will go to the poll to cast their ballot for the President of USA as well as a number of other individuals running for public office, on top of this there will be 17 different initiatives on the ballot. I know there is separation between church and state, and there are some serious initiatives on the ballot but the one that strikes my nerve the most as a believer of Jesus Christ is initiative 8. For those non California residents reading this, prop 8 in short eliminates the right of same sex couples to marry, a yes says that only a marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. A no says anyone, has the right to be married that means man and man, woman and woman. The thought for this blog came today as my wife Deborah and I were coming from Downtown Los Angeles and we passed a church called St.Johns Episcopal Church that had this sign in front of it!

NO ON 8
STOP THE MARRIAGE BAN

I immediately asked myself what has gotten into the church? when a congregation and it's leadership would affirm same sex marriage a complete violation of biblical principles. We know before the church or the state was ordained God ordained marriage and yet it's an initiative on the California ballot an absolute perversion of scripture Genesis 2:18-25, 1 Peter 3:1-9, Ephesians 5:22-33. November 4 th is a must vote and believers and the Churches in California must stand up and say yes on 8 I know yes sounds crazy due to the verbiage, but yes on 8 says we believe in marriage between man and woman, Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve we must vote yes on 8.
Until next time Pray for California if this passes I believe Sodom and Gomorrah will have a better chance in the judgement.

Numbers 6:24

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES

2008-10-23T10:17:00.000-07:00

Last evening we continued our study in the book of Hebrews chapter 11:17-19 along with Genesis chapter 22 with Abraham and his ultimate test. Abraham under went an excruciating test in two seperate places one telescopic in Hebrews 11 and the other microscopic in Genesis 22, and what a test to offer up your only begotten son. We learned there are four characteristics to be learned from the faith of abraham 1. it was immediate 2. it was by confidence 3. it was based on God's character 4. it was thorough, not halfhearted. I discovered God hasn't asked us for the same sacrifice he demanded from Abraham, but we each will face our own ultimate test, our own moment of truth regarding the condition of our hearts. Some one reading this blog may be facing the ultimate test now or you know of someone. Note these things God's will always requires obedience it doesn't require you understand! but it requires obedience. God's plan is never fully explained stop trying to fiqure God out second guessing, and hows your theology whats your belief about God, we all have a personal theology so when chaos comes how is your theology.
This story is a perfect illustration of the father offering up His Son, and then giving Him back for evryone to know the peace and forgiveness and the Hope of God.
In conclusion I don't know what your ultimate test may be but I pray you like Abraham are ready. Until next time!

Numbers 6:24

A great Lord's Day Worship!

2008-10-20T09:22:00.000-07:00

This past sunday was a great day of Worship at Full"G", in our morning worship our Pastor of Mens Minstry Tyrone Boyle preached from the theme 2Cor 2:14-17 and titled the message The fragrance of a Pastor and People and it was an excellent exposition he is growing tremendously, also we had a lady named Kathy who accepted Christ and is a candidate for baptism!.

At 3:00pm we had the first of two evening services we have in October, generally my Pastor HB Charles Jr. would preach, but because of his new assignment he nor Mt.Sinai was present, but two sister congregations First Goodwill Pastor Clinton Smith and Rhema Community Church Pastor Ronald B. Saunders was with us,Pastor Saunders preached from Luke 8:40-48 and talked about TAKING A RISK 1. personally, 2. physically, 3. publicly, and boy were we helped Ron was vintage, in spite of a family crises he was focused and faithful to the text and God honored him through the preaching period. At Full "G" our emphasis has always and will always be the exposition of God's word, but I must say we have one of the most awesome bands/ music ministry. If God willing we will conclude these services this comin week with special Guest Dr. JA Reed Jr. (pop) of Oklahoma City and 2:30pm we will close out with Second Mt Carmel Pastor Eric S. Woodson, and Greater Metropolitan Pastor Darryl K. LaBat Sr. Remember us in your prayers. until next time

Numbers 6:24

THE LAUNCHING OF THE SCHOOL OF THE PROPHETS

2008-10-11T15:07:00.000-07:00

Today marked a great day in the life of our ministry, God has allowed us to assist men sent to our ministry in the area of preaching, not to sound selfish but Full "G" is a great place to preach! We have several men on our staff keep them in your prayers who are faithful stewards of God's word, but today we launched what we're calling the school of the prophets, don't sign off on me! we base it on 2 kings 6
where these men were being innstructed by Elisha they were in school, some even suggest Amos was from this school.

6 Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “See, the place where we dwell under your charge is too small for us. 2 Let us go to the Jordan and each of us get there a log, and let us make a place for us to dwell there.” And he answered, “Go.” 3 Then one of them said, “Be pleased to go with your servants.” And he answered, “I will go.” 4 So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. 5 But as one was felling a log, his axe head fell into the water, and he cried out, “Alas, my master! It was borrowed.” 6 Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, ohe cut off a stick and threw it in there and made the iron float. 7 And he said, “Take it up.” So he reached out his hand and took it. (ESV)

We have about 16 committed men presently and today was great start where we primarily discussed what preaching is. We stressed the need to be an expository preacher, and the 3 P'S of preaching Proving, Painting, and Pursuading. Our focus today was on Observation and Interpretation, and the 4 bridge Gaps we preachers must cross being Language, Historical, cultural, and Geographical.

Please keep these men and our teaching team in prayer as we seek to help develop expositors of the gospel.

Until next time Numbers 6:24

Ordinary Men With Unusual Faith

2008-10-08T21:56:00.000-07:00

Wednesday night is our corporate night of study, we don't offer a traditional sunday school we have "The Full Gospel Bible Institute. Since the begining of the year we have been on a journey through the book of Hebrews. last week we finally made it out of the woods on doctrine and the preeiminent person of Christ into the field of the practical life of faith. Tonight we covered Hebrews 11:1-7.

A Christian who lives by faith is something of an enigma.

In his book The Root of the Righteous, A. W. Tozer makes eloquent note of this fact.

A real Christian is an odd number anyway. He feels supreme love for One whom he has never seen, talks familiarly every day to Someone he cannot see, expects to go to heaven on the virtue of Another, empties himself in order to be full, admits he is wrong so he can be declared right, goes down in order to get up, is strongest when he is weakest, richest when he is poorest, and happiest when he feels worst. He dies so he can live, forsakes in order to have, gives away so he can keep, sees the invisible, hears the inaudible, and knows that which passeth knowledge.

Those who stepped out in Hebrews'11 weren't fully grown and mature in faith. They were uncoordinated toddlers, with tenuous legs and mincing steps. They were weak, sinful, subject to depression and fear. They were, in a word, human-just like us.

One was a shepherd, one a preacher, and one a builder.

Abel, Enoch, and Noah. All ordinary men, but each with an unusual faith.
By faith, Abel came God's way.By faith, Enoch proclaimed God's word. By faith, Noah fulfilled God's will.
But for the time being, let's leave their lives to historians and archeologists. How about your life? If faith were the topic of conversation in your neighborhood, on your job, at your local assembly, would your name come up? If Hebrews 11 were to be updated in heaven, would your name be on the list?

Wow I Can't wait until next week to talk more about ordinary people with unusual faith!

NOT IN IT FOR THE MONEY!

2008-10-06T22:31:00.000-07:00

THIS MONTH WILL BE 15YEARS THAT I HAVE SERVED AS SENIOR PASTOR OF FGBC, AND DURING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER OUR LEADERSHIP GIVES ME THE ENTIRE MONTH OF PREACHING OFF. THIS PAST SUNDAY OUR EXECUTIVE PASTOR BARRY B. SEVERE, WHO HAS SERVED WITH ME 11YEARS PREACHED FROM OUR LEADERSHIP THEME 2 COR 2:14-17 HE FOCUSED ON VERSE 17 HE TITLED THE MESSAGE "NOT IN IT FOR THE MONEY!"

I PERSONALLY WAS HELPED, I WAS REMINDED THAT WITH ALL THE CELEBRITES WE'VE CREATED IN THE PULPIT THAT WERE STILL SERVANTS, SERVANTS THAT HAVE BEEN CONQUERED BY CHRIST AND WE ARE MINISTERS OF THE NEW COVENANT WE ARE EITHER AROMAS OF LIFE OR AROMAS OF DEATH. THE NAMED TEXT SUGGEST THAT WE UNLIKE SO MANY DO NOT PEDDLE ( NIV) THE WORD OF GOD.

CHARLES SWINDOLL SAYS:

"THE IMAGE OF A PEDDLER IS A STREET SALESMAN, HAWKING THEIR WARES INTERESTED ONLY IN MAKING THE SALE NOT IN SERVING THE CUSTOMER. JUST LIKE THERE WERE MONEY CHANGERS IN THE TEMPLE COURTYARD, THERE WILL ALWAYS BE STREET SALESMAN IN THE CHURCH. PEDDLING PROPHETIC PILLS, POSTIVE THINKING, HEALTH AND WEALTH."

MODERN DAY HUSTLERS, FAT CATS LOOK AT THEM RETAINER FEES,PRIVATE JETS, BENTLEYS, BODY GUARDS ALL IN THE NAME OF MINISTRY. PAUL HOWEVER REPRESENTS THE REAL THING HE SAYS IN CHRIST WE SPEAK BEFORE GOD WITH SINCERITY LIKE MEN SENT FROM GOD! FELLOW PROCLAIMERS LET US REMEMBER TO BE THE REAL THING AND LET US REPRESENT CHRIST WITH PURE MOTIVES. ASK YOURSELF WHY DO YOU PREACH? IS IT BECAUSE YOU WERE CALLED TO? IS IT TO SEE SOULS WON TO THE KINGDOM? IS IT TO EQUIP THE SAINTS FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY? OR IS YOUR MOTIVATION THE CASH, CARS, CLOTHES,JEWELRY,. IN OTHER WORDS ARE YOU IN IT FOR THE MONEY? THE DISCIPLES WEREN'T, PAUL WASN'T, I'M NOT AND TRUST YOU AREN'T EITHER . REMEMBER THE BIG BUILDING MAY NEVER COME THE LARGE CROWDS EITHER, MAYBE NO LUXURY CAR FINE HOUSE WHATEVER THE CASE REMEMBER IN CHRIST WE SPEAK BEFORE GOD WITH SINCERITY, LIKE MEN SENT FROM GOD. JOHN MACARTHUR SAYS IN SO MANY WORDS THE HEREOS OF THE FAITH ARE THOSE MEN IN SMALL CHURCHES IN ESSENCE THAT ARE KEEPING IT REAL BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE!

LONG OVERDUE

2008-10-03T21:26:00.000-07:00

Well after much delay and I mean much delay, I've finally decided to enter the blog sphere, after watching my pastor do it for many years as well as many of my fellow brothers, and with much challenge and encouragement from my brother Pastor Tony Rhone,who is as solid as they come, I've decided to give it a shot. Through this blog it is my hope to share a journal of my journey as a first generation pastor as well as my first pastorate, and believe you me I've had my share of ups and downs, but I'm great full that God has called me into ministry to share His glorious gospel. From time to time I trust you'll visit RC'S Place as I will be visiting your place until next time.

Numbers 6:24