Sunday, June 20, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Reconsider The Invitation!
"Reconsider The Invitation". These words make up the title of a wonderful sermon preached by the legendary Rev., Dr. Fred G. Sampson.
Pastor Sampson preached this sermon many years ago from a passage in the book of the Revelation. In his introduction he told a story about an invitation he'd received to preach somewhere. He went on to say that he'd mistakenly discarded the invitation only to re-discover in the trash bin later. He then re-considered the invitation.
I've just come back from a walk around the hotel where I am staying here in Carson California. The walk was good. The weather is beautiful. I like walking in part because it gives me an opportunity to reflect and reconsider some things.
This afternoon I'm reconsidering the love, mercy and grace of our God toward me. God is so gracious, merciful, loving and kind... and I love Him. The LORD has given me several opportunities to preach His Word to His people. Lately, (as I've said in a previous 'blog'- I'm more convinced than ever before that I (that is all of us Gospel preachers); should not accept every invitation that comes our way.
As preachers and pastors we receive invitations to pray at community and political functions. We receive invitations to serve on boards and committee's. We receive invitations to preach here and there. However, I can't help but wonder just how many of those invitations really come from The LORD. That is to say, how many of the invitations we receive do you suppose really are 'God approved'?
I remember meeting Dr. Mason many years ago in Los Angeles California. I was told that Dr. Mason was known not just as a preacher and pastor, but also as a man of prayer. I was told that often he would meet a young preacher and say to them: "Let me pray for you". He'd then commence to praying at that very moment. That was my experience when I was introduced to him in a hotel lobby by another Pastor. He greeted me, we shook hands, then right there in lthe lobby, in front of the elevators, he bowed his head and prayed for me. Wow. What an experience.
In addition to hearing that Dr. Mason was a man of prayer, I also heard that he wa a man who prayed specifically about invitations he received to preach at various places. I'm told that it was not uncommon for him to respond to an invitation with words that went something like this: "Let me pray about it and I'll get back to you". I'm told he was known on ocassion to follow-up that response with words that went something like this: "I'm flattered, but I have to refuse the invitation. The LORD hasn't given me clearance to come. And if I come I'll be blocking someone else from coming... perhaps the very one The LORD has chosen".
I heard Dr. Mason died just a few short months ago. I hope that his prayer habit hasn't died with him. On a personal note, I'm committed to praying about invitations before I accept them.
All that said, let me say this to you now- If you are not in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ right now. Know that He is standing with His arms wide open inviting you to join Him. If you've considered His invitation before and declined, let me beg you to reconsider His invitation. He loves you.
Agape,
Pastor Fort
Pastor Sampson preached this sermon many years ago from a passage in the book of the Revelation. In his introduction he told a story about an invitation he'd received to preach somewhere. He went on to say that he'd mistakenly discarded the invitation only to re-discover in the trash bin later. He then re-considered the invitation.
I've just come back from a walk around the hotel where I am staying here in Carson California. The walk was good. The weather is beautiful. I like walking in part because it gives me an opportunity to reflect and reconsider some things.
This afternoon I'm reconsidering the love, mercy and grace of our God toward me. God is so gracious, merciful, loving and kind... and I love Him. The LORD has given me several opportunities to preach His Word to His people. Lately, (as I've said in a previous 'blog'- I'm more convinced than ever before that I (that is all of us Gospel preachers); should not accept every invitation that comes our way.
As preachers and pastors we receive invitations to pray at community and political functions. We receive invitations to serve on boards and committee's. We receive invitations to preach here and there. However, I can't help but wonder just how many of those invitations really come from The LORD. That is to say, how many of the invitations we receive do you suppose really are 'God approved'?
I remember meeting Dr. Mason many years ago in Los Angeles California. I was told that Dr. Mason was known not just as a preacher and pastor, but also as a man of prayer. I was told that often he would meet a young preacher and say to them: "Let me pray for you". He'd then commence to praying at that very moment. That was my experience when I was introduced to him in a hotel lobby by another Pastor. He greeted me, we shook hands, then right there in lthe lobby, in front of the elevators, he bowed his head and prayed for me. Wow. What an experience.
In addition to hearing that Dr. Mason was a man of prayer, I also heard that he wa a man who prayed specifically about invitations he received to preach at various places. I'm told that it was not uncommon for him to respond to an invitation with words that went something like this: "Let me pray about it and I'll get back to you". I'm told he was known on ocassion to follow-up that response with words that went something like this: "I'm flattered, but I have to refuse the invitation. The LORD hasn't given me clearance to come. And if I come I'll be blocking someone else from coming... perhaps the very one The LORD has chosen".
I heard Dr. Mason died just a few short months ago. I hope that his prayer habit hasn't died with him. On a personal note, I'm committed to praying about invitations before I accept them.
All that said, let me say this to you now- If you are not in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ right now. Know that He is standing with His arms wide open inviting you to join Him. If you've considered His invitation before and declined, let me beg you to reconsider His invitation. He loves you.
Agape,
Pastor Fort
Sky Harbor Airport
I am in the famed Phoenix Internaitonal Airport. It's Saturday, April 24, 2010. I'm on my way to Carson California to preach for the inimitable Dr. Johnny Baylor.
I am personally indebted to this preacher and pastor. It was Dr. Johnny Baylor who organized and led the very first trip to Israel. Needless to say the trip was life changing, sermon altering, awe inspiring and just plain wonderful... that is to say it was "full of wonder".
I've made a decision to not go everywhere I'm invited. The fact is that every preacher of The Gospel should ask The LORD whether or not He wants us to go where it is we've been invited. We should ask The Lord for permission, should we go without His approval we may be blocking another brother The Lord intended to be at that church, convention or event- and in so doing block the very message The LORD wanted that congregation to hear.
That said, I don't know just how I got this invitation to preach for Dr. Baylor? Nevertheless I am grateful to my God and to Dr. Baylor for the opportunity.
Something else that is on my mind as I sit in this Phoenix International Airport are Biblical sermons and The Holy Spirit.
What a name we have for our airpot here in the valley of the sun... Sky Harbor. I don't know who thought of it, but it's a great name. The picture of ships docking at a harbor after coming in from a trip on the ocean. Or of ships raising their anchor preparing to go out into deep water.
As believers in Jesus Christ we too have a Harbor in the heavens. But our harbor is not for ships, it's for "The Old Ship of Zion". Our harbor in heaven is connected to our relationship with our God. Our harbor can be reached through prayer as we commune with The Father and talk to Him about what's going on in our lives. Even though we're here on earth, through the ministry of The Holy Spirit we have a harbor in heaven that we can connect to right now.
Moreover, one day we'll check in permanently to the harbor and spend all of eternity with The LORD.
Hallelujah.
Pastor Fort
I am personally indebted to this preacher and pastor. It was Dr. Johnny Baylor who organized and led the very first trip to Israel. Needless to say the trip was life changing, sermon altering, awe inspiring and just plain wonderful... that is to say it was "full of wonder".
I've made a decision to not go everywhere I'm invited. The fact is that every preacher of The Gospel should ask The LORD whether or not He wants us to go where it is we've been invited. We should ask The Lord for permission, should we go without His approval we may be blocking another brother The Lord intended to be at that church, convention or event- and in so doing block the very message The LORD wanted that congregation to hear.
That said, I don't know just how I got this invitation to preach for Dr. Baylor? Nevertheless I am grateful to my God and to Dr. Baylor for the opportunity.
Something else that is on my mind as I sit in this Phoenix International Airport are Biblical sermons and The Holy Spirit.
What a name we have for our airpot here in the valley of the sun... Sky Harbor. I don't know who thought of it, but it's a great name. The picture of ships docking at a harbor after coming in from a trip on the ocean. Or of ships raising their anchor preparing to go out into deep water.
As believers in Jesus Christ we too have a Harbor in the heavens. But our harbor is not for ships, it's for "The Old Ship of Zion". Our harbor in heaven is connected to our relationship with our God. Our harbor can be reached through prayer as we commune with The Father and talk to Him about what's going on in our lives. Even though we're here on earth, through the ministry of The Holy Spirit we have a harbor in heaven that we can connect to right now.
Moreover, one day we'll check in permanently to the harbor and spend all of eternity with The LORD.
Hallelujah.
Pastor Fort
Friday, April 2, 2010
GOOD FRIDAY 2010
I hope each of you had a good "Good Friday".
What makes Good Friday good is that the following Sunday was Great! This week is commonly referred to as "Passion Week". The word 'passion' here speaks of the 'suffering' of my Savior and LORD, Jesus Christ.
Have you stopped to really consider all that Jesus Christ went through that the world might be saved? Jesus died that He might reconcile the world back to Himself. He died in our place. He died in our stead. He died on our behalf. Jesus Christ is "The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world".
It's Good Friday evening now. It's after eight o clock PM. My eldest daughter is spending the evening with her Grandmother and Aunt. Her aunt, a gifted cosmetologist is scheduled to "do her hair" prior to her taking pictures that will go into her announcements for her High School graduation. My youngest daughter is with her Mom, attending a Good Friday play at church in town.
I've spent the day, really the week at CMBC. We had our lobby, administrative office, conference room and sanctuary painted this week. That activity along with other regularly scheduled activities have kept me busy in a different way this week.
This morning I left home about six o clock AM. I left the church in the late afternoon. Since coming home I've made it my business to get to "my lesson". To give more time than I have earlier this week to praying over, brooding over, thinking through the sermon I hope to preach this Rsurrection Sunday morning. I'm excited about it.
If you don't know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and LORD, you can know Him right now. First acknowledge that you are a sinner who needs a Savior. Next, believe the Scriptures concerning The LORD Jesus Christ; believe that Jesus Christ is who the Bible claims Him to be. Namely the "only begotten Son of God". Finally, confess your sins to God. Ask Jesus Christ to be your Savior and LORD.
He'll come into your heart today. He'll come in to stay.
Tomorrow is our Annual Church picnic. Our location is the same, Kiwanis Park in Tempe Arizona. I hope we have a good crowd and a great time with one another and getting to know each other outside of the four walls of the church.
Our annual "Bake-Off" and "Barbecue-Off" are on tap. As are competitions in domino's, spades, various board games, basketball, etc. Activities are planned for the children. There's a playground and an indoor wave pool. But more important than food and games is the presence of The Savior. That's really what Resurrection Sunday is all about. It's about the fact that God came near. He loves us so much that He sent His only Son to die on the cross for our sins. WOW! Amazing love.
I pray you have a blessed and beautiful Resurrection Sunday weekend. In all you do, do it to the glory and honor of God.
Safe in CHRIST,
Sherman J. Fort
What makes Good Friday good is that the following Sunday was Great! This week is commonly referred to as "Passion Week". The word 'passion' here speaks of the 'suffering' of my Savior and LORD, Jesus Christ.
Have you stopped to really consider all that Jesus Christ went through that the world might be saved? Jesus died that He might reconcile the world back to Himself. He died in our place. He died in our stead. He died on our behalf. Jesus Christ is "The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world".
It's Good Friday evening now. It's after eight o clock PM. My eldest daughter is spending the evening with her Grandmother and Aunt. Her aunt, a gifted cosmetologist is scheduled to "do her hair" prior to her taking pictures that will go into her announcements for her High School graduation. My youngest daughter is with her Mom, attending a Good Friday play at church in town.
I've spent the day, really the week at CMBC. We had our lobby, administrative office, conference room and sanctuary painted this week. That activity along with other regularly scheduled activities have kept me busy in a different way this week.
This morning I left home about six o clock AM. I left the church in the late afternoon. Since coming home I've made it my business to get to "my lesson". To give more time than I have earlier this week to praying over, brooding over, thinking through the sermon I hope to preach this Rsurrection Sunday morning. I'm excited about it.
If you don't know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and LORD, you can know Him right now. First acknowledge that you are a sinner who needs a Savior. Next, believe the Scriptures concerning The LORD Jesus Christ; believe that Jesus Christ is who the Bible claims Him to be. Namely the "only begotten Son of God". Finally, confess your sins to God. Ask Jesus Christ to be your Savior and LORD.
He'll come into your heart today. He'll come in to stay.
Tomorrow is our Annual Church picnic. Our location is the same, Kiwanis Park in Tempe Arizona. I hope we have a good crowd and a great time with one another and getting to know each other outside of the four walls of the church.
Our annual "Bake-Off" and "Barbecue-Off" are on tap. As are competitions in domino's, spades, various board games, basketball, etc. Activities are planned for the children. There's a playground and an indoor wave pool. But more important than food and games is the presence of The Savior. That's really what Resurrection Sunday is all about. It's about the fact that God came near. He loves us so much that He sent His only Son to die on the cross for our sins. WOW! Amazing love.
I pray you have a blessed and beautiful Resurrection Sunday weekend. In all you do, do it to the glory and honor of God.
Safe in CHRIST,
Sherman J. Fort
Friday, March 19, 2010
RESURRECTION SUNDAY 2010 IS COMING!
Resurrection Sunday 2010 is but three Sunday's away.
This is the day, this is the event that sets the Christian faith apart from all others. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the hallmark event of the Christian faith. It is because of the literal, real, proven, resurrection of Jesus Christ that we know Jesus Christ IS The only begotten Son of God!
There are many theories that skeptics of Christianity offer on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Some say that Jesus "swooned". That is to say He simply blacked out from the beatings and loss of blood that He endured. And that He later was roused back to conciousness, once His body came in contact with the cold stone in the tomb.
Still other skeptics argue that the body of Jesus Christ was stolen by His disciples. They make the argument that somehow this team of disciples, who were most likely weary in faith and worn out physically, somehow over-powered Roman soldiers who were standing guard at the tomb of Jesus Christ, then stole His body and hid it away. These same skeptics go on to say that the disciples of Jesus Christ then went on to make up the story of His resurrection.
Here's what really happened. Jesus Christ was crucified. He died. He was buried. He got up on third day with all power in His hands. He is "the only begotten Son of God". He is who He claimed to be, ... The Holy One of Israel. He is God in the flesh! He is our Savior, LORD, Redeemer and Friend. And because He lives we live.
As Resurrection Sunday approaches let's remember the sacrifice of our Savior. Let's remember His love for us was demonstrated at the cross. Let's remember that God The Father, gave us His only Son that we might live. Let's remember that we have The Holy Spirit as our Godly guarantee ... Jesus promised to "be with us always" ... He is with us in and through the power of The Holy Spirit.
God is better than good. All hail the power of Jesus' name. Let angels prostrate fall, bring forth the royal diadem and crown Him LORD of all!
Sherman J. Fort
This is the day, this is the event that sets the Christian faith apart from all others. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the hallmark event of the Christian faith. It is because of the literal, real, proven, resurrection of Jesus Christ that we know Jesus Christ IS The only begotten Son of God!
There are many theories that skeptics of Christianity offer on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Some say that Jesus "swooned". That is to say He simply blacked out from the beatings and loss of blood that He endured. And that He later was roused back to conciousness, once His body came in contact with the cold stone in the tomb.
Still other skeptics argue that the body of Jesus Christ was stolen by His disciples. They make the argument that somehow this team of disciples, who were most likely weary in faith and worn out physically, somehow over-powered Roman soldiers who were standing guard at the tomb of Jesus Christ, then stole His body and hid it away. These same skeptics go on to say that the disciples of Jesus Christ then went on to make up the story of His resurrection.
Here's what really happened. Jesus Christ was crucified. He died. He was buried. He got up on third day with all power in His hands. He is "the only begotten Son of God". He is who He claimed to be, ... The Holy One of Israel. He is God in the flesh! He is our Savior, LORD, Redeemer and Friend. And because He lives we live.
As Resurrection Sunday approaches let's remember the sacrifice of our Savior. Let's remember His love for us was demonstrated at the cross. Let's remember that God The Father, gave us His only Son that we might live. Let's remember that we have The Holy Spirit as our Godly guarantee ... Jesus promised to "be with us always" ... He is with us in and through the power of The Holy Spirit.
God is better than good. All hail the power of Jesus' name. Let angels prostrate fall, bring forth the royal diadem and crown Him LORD of all!
Sherman J. Fort
Saturday, February 6, 2010
CELEBRATING GOD IN BLACK HIStory AT CMBC
"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you"
In this age of political correctness, many believe there is no place for celebrations which are unique to a certain culture or people. I disagree. The Bible in many respects highlight the celebrations of a certain people ... the Jewish people. However, it does so without diminishing or doing away with the importance of all people.
To that end let me say as so many have in days past: "I am unashamedly a Christian and unapologetically black". (I know the P.C. term is African American). That said, February is Black History month in America. At Canaan, we have a tradition of "Celebrating God In Black HIStory" at our church each February. That tradition will stay in tact this year.
Tomorrow is the first Sunday of February 2010. We will take five minutes and highlight various persons in black HIStory each LORD's day. The dance ministry led by the gifted Sis. Krystylle Richardson and Sis. NaJuana Robinson will share in worship on Sunday, February 21, 2010. The drama ministry of CMBC, led by the incomparable Sis. Tina Sykes will share on Sunday, February 28, 2010. And on the last Sunday of the month, February 28th, we will be blessed to have retired Colonel Toliver, a former Tuskegee Airman, who lives in the 'valley of the sun' as our special guest.
I thank our God for all He has done in the life of the negro, the black man, African American's over the years. It's by His love, mercy and grace that we are saved. He has done so much for us, 'we cannot tell it all' ... we'll nevertheless try to tell some of it this month.
Safe in CHRIST,
Sherman J. Fort
In this age of political correctness, many believe there is no place for celebrations which are unique to a certain culture or people. I disagree. The Bible in many respects highlight the celebrations of a certain people ... the Jewish people. However, it does so without diminishing or doing away with the importance of all people.
To that end let me say as so many have in days past: "I am unashamedly a Christian and unapologetically black". (I know the P.C. term is African American). That said, February is Black History month in America. At Canaan, we have a tradition of "Celebrating God In Black HIStory" at our church each February. That tradition will stay in tact this year.
Tomorrow is the first Sunday of February 2010. We will take five minutes and highlight various persons in black HIStory each LORD's day. The dance ministry led by the gifted Sis. Krystylle Richardson and Sis. NaJuana Robinson will share in worship on Sunday, February 21, 2010. The drama ministry of CMBC, led by the incomparable Sis. Tina Sykes will share on Sunday, February 28, 2010. And on the last Sunday of the month, February 28th, we will be blessed to have retired Colonel Toliver, a former Tuskegee Airman, who lives in the 'valley of the sun' as our special guest.
I thank our God for all He has done in the life of the negro, the black man, African American's over the years. It's by His love, mercy and grace that we are saved. He has done so much for us, 'we cannot tell it all' ... we'll nevertheless try to tell some of it this month.
Safe in CHRIST,
Sherman J. Fort
WHAT A REVIVAL!
To God be the glory for the things He has done!
Our revival began on Sunday morning and ended on Tuesday night. Rev., Dr. Emil M. Thomas, pastor, Destiny Church, Baltimore, MD. and Rev. Louis B. Jones II, pastor, Pilgrim Baptist Church, Washington, D.C. were our special guest lecturer and evangelist.
The LORD allowed these men to preach The WORD with power and passion. The music ministry of CMBC shared in great ways as well. The Voices In Praise choir sang on Sunday morning, the Male Chorus on Monday night and the gifted Minister Charlotte Hillman provided music on Tuesday night. Each service was also marked by a solo, sung by a wonderful Saint from CMBC.
But as important as all the preaching and singing are the lives that were changed and challenged as The Holy Spirit moved in the hearts of men, women, boys and girls.
I am grateful to The LORD for a wonderful time in revival. I am grateful to the Canaan congregation for their wonderful participation in this years revival. The CMBC family showed up and took part.
Let's all begin praying now not only for revival next year, but also for revival everyday in each of our hearts.
Safe in CHRIST,
Sherman J. Fort
Our revival began on Sunday morning and ended on Tuesday night. Rev., Dr. Emil M. Thomas, pastor, Destiny Church, Baltimore, MD. and Rev. Louis B. Jones II, pastor, Pilgrim Baptist Church, Washington, D.C. were our special guest lecturer and evangelist.
The LORD allowed these men to preach The WORD with power and passion. The music ministry of CMBC shared in great ways as well. The Voices In Praise choir sang on Sunday morning, the Male Chorus on Monday night and the gifted Minister Charlotte Hillman provided music on Tuesday night. Each service was also marked by a solo, sung by a wonderful Saint from CMBC.
But as important as all the preaching and singing are the lives that were changed and challenged as The Holy Spirit moved in the hearts of men, women, boys and girls.
I am grateful to The LORD for a wonderful time in revival. I am grateful to the Canaan congregation for their wonderful participation in this years revival. The CMBC family showed up and took part.
Let's all begin praying now not only for revival next year, but also for revival everyday in each of our hearts.
Safe in CHRIST,
Sherman J. Fort
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