TJCAC 2009 Winter Retreat

There’s always a problem with retroactively typing these notes, and that is retention. These are notes from the Saturday and Sunday sessions (2-4?) of Jeff MacMillan at TJCAC’s 2009 Winter Retreat, and frankly I don’t remember that much from it. I should probably study over my notes from more recent sermons too…

The theme was tied to Jaffray’s “Maturing and Equipping in Christ” theme, and the topics discussed (as described by Jeff himself) were:

1. The Victorious Defeat: Matthew 27:50-54
– here we will look at the idea that God is so big that he was able to win our salvation out of what looked like defeat in the eyes of the world
2. Omni III – Psalm 8
– here we will look at aspects of God’s character and how they relate to life
3. Mission Unimpossible – Matthew 28:16-20
– a popular and much used passage, but a crucial one nonetheless – a reminder that the church is called to service
4. Sticking it Out – James 1:24
an examination of the importance of perseverance in the midst of trials and suffering for our maturity in the faith

Note: These sessions may be mixed up, and will just be transcribed as “verbatim”.

Saturday Morning Session?

• 1 Cor 2:6-3:9
  • going forth w/ ministry, don’t worry about outcome?
    • is it a sign of maturity to not worry about outcome?
    • demonstrates trust
  • ties back w/ quiet time pieces…
    • From Max Lucado’s Traveling Light:
      • “Say whatever is given you to say at that time, because it will not really be you speaking; it will be the Holy Spirit” (Mark 13:11)
      • “The key is this: Meet today’s problems with today’s strength. Don’t start tackling tomorrow’s problems until tomorrow. You do not have tomorrow’s strength yet. You simply have enough for today.”

Saturday Afternoon/Evening session?

• God is…
  • omniscient
    • knows everything; understands
    • therefore, live in holiness
  • omnipresent
    • everywhere
  • omnipotent
    • can do everything
    • but cannot contradict His nature or do ridiculous things
    • God is perfectly wise/righteous
    • therefore, can do anything
• rid minds of small thoughts of God (as in, something tiny that can be contained and constrained); expect BIG things
  • what do you expect?
  • what do you pray about?
  • how BIG is your God? did He speak to you this morning?
• Dwight Moody: shoeclerk
  • God can use anyone
• Peter: fisherman, labourer
  • fails several times…
    • walking on water
    • proclaiming Jesus as messiah, then abandoning and denying 3 times
• are we willing to get back up after we fall?
• are you ready to recommit/commit whole-heartedly to some sort of ministry?

Sunday Morning?

• Book of James:
  • trials: has a different interpretation
    • BUT be joyful amidst circumstances
    • maturity through perseverance
• CS Lewis:
  • The love of God put you in your suffering
    • being shaped
• Heb 12:4-11
• Tools:
  • Word of God
  • Spirit of God
  • prayer
  • bros&sis to build up
  • serving (take eyes off own problems, help others)
• Metaphor:
  • church  = cruise ship…
    • 20% occupants does 80% of work
  • OR battleship
• will you stand and let love guide your gift?