Your Journey Blog

Free Tim Keller Sermons - Great Resource

Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York has opened up a new free sermon resource, starting with 150 of Pastor Tim Keller’s sermons, all categorized, labeled, and downloadable, at this site:

• Download Tim Keller's Sermons

Here’s more info from the site:

Redeemer’s Sermon Ministry has been faithfully recording, cataloging and reproducing all of our sermons for the past 20 years. To celebrate all 20 years of our history, and to meet the growing demand for our church’s teaching in New York City and around the world, we have created this resource of 150 sermons and lectures covering a broad array of topics, completely free to download and share.

The recordings chosen for the Free Sermon Resource were culled from classic sermon series as well as lectures and seminar addresses delivered to various Redeemer ministry gatherings, and are intended to present to the listener the full scope of teachings they would receive over several years of active involvement at Redeemer.

This is an amazing new resource, and there will be more content getting added regularly, so tell all your friends: Redeemer Free Sermon Resource.  (HT)

How Do Leaders Finish Well?

Dr Robert Clinton says, "1/3 of all leaders finish well, 1/3 of all leaders finish so-so and 1/3 of all leaders don't finish well."   Thanks to Leadership Network  I experienced my first 'live blogging' of a talk I did there in May on coaching leaders to finish well.  This live blog consisted of audio, power point, video, notes and an artist scatching of the message. It is great to have people make you look better than you are.

[Download MP3 audio]

Last night I didn't start well, nor did I finish well, and I didn't get any help from my teammates!

Click here  to see Gary's PowerPoint Presentation: Finishing Well.

I want to talk a little about the reality of finishing well, and the perspective in our world of helping people finish well.  The reality is that many start well, but few finish well.  The danger years are from 35-55. 

2 Timothy 4:1-8  Paul calls to finish well, in a serious tone.  This game is bigger than you and I.  He coaches them through.  Paul also modeled it well to Timothy.  Last, he reminds Timothy of the rewards. 

How do we help leaders finish well?  By doing the same thing that Paul did.

Finishing well has more to do with being than doing.  As young leaders, we're concerned with competence and growth.  But as we move along, it has to be more about character than competency.  When we achieve a certain level of success, you get to where you coast. 

Here's a tool that we do at the end of every first step.  The first stage is romance - falling in love with the idea of planting a church.  The second phase is reality.  You embrace the reality of the situation.  It's not easy work!  When you sit in reality, you will become somewhat resentful of the situation.  But it's how you deal with it that counts.  You can either rebel or handle your situations with resolve.  Rebellion always leads to ruin.  Resolve leads to rebuilding. 

This is why we meet with Jesus every day: to get perspective, to rebuild love for Him, our calling, the Gospel, the lost.  It's only going through that constant grind that we will experience the rewards of the Father's approval of standing before God and hearing "Well done, good and faithful servant."  There is also the joy of seeing what you have birthed. 

We have to help our young leaders experience that. 

Let's look at this video clip about a young lady that finished well, and help another to do the same.  (HT)

[Download MP3 audio]

Last night I didn't start well, nor did I finish well, and I didn't get any help from my teammates!

Click here  to see Gary's PowerPoint Presentation: Finishing Well.

I want to talk a little about the reality of finishing well, and the perspective in our world of helping people finish well.  The reality is that many start well, but few finish well.  The danger years are from 35-55. 

2 Timothy 4:1-8  Paul calls to finish well, in a serious tone.  This game is bigger than you and I.  He coaches them through.  Paul also modeled it well to Timothy.  Last, he reminds Timothy of the rewards. 

How do we help leaders finish well?  By doing the same thing that Paul did.

Finishing well has more to do with being than doing.  As young leaders, we're concerned with competence and growth.  But as we move along, it has to be more about character than competency.  When we achieve a certain level of success, you get to where you coast. 

Here's a tool that we do at the end of every first step.  The first stage is romance - falling in love with the idea of planting a church.  The second phase is reality.  You embrace the reality of the situation.  It's not easy work!  When you sit in reality, you will become somewhat resentful of the situation.  But it's how you deal with it that counts.  You can either rebel or handle your situations with resolve.  Rebellion always leads to ruin.  Resolve leads to rebuilding. 

This is why we meet with Jesus every day: to get perspective, to rebuild love for Him, our calling, the Gospel, the lost.  It's only going through that constant grind that we will experience the rewards of the Father's approval of standing before God and hearing "Well done, good and faithful servant."  There is also the joy of seeing what you have birthed. 

We have to help our young leaders experience that. 

Let's look at this video clip about a young lady that finished well, and help another to do the same.  (HT)

Free Church Planting Webinar October 28th @ 2pm Central

FirstSteps Webinar Series - Part 2

Join us for part 2 of the FirstSteps webinar series with Gary Rohrmayer as he provides a deeper look at the first and most critical step of planting a missional church: Relating with God and Others. We will be providing insights on: The spiritual formation of the planter, Intercession team development Raising funds for your church plant. Wednesday, October 28, 2009 3pm Eastern/12pm Pacific Click here to register for this FREE webinar Learn more about the FirstSteps network Did you miss part 1?  You can view it here

GoD and DoG - Video

This is for all you dog lovers out there who love God! Enjoy!