Dane Lewis – Page 3 – River's Edge Community Church

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So far Dane Lewis has created 794 blog entries.

In an Unworthy Manner

In an Unworthy Manner

This sermon is based on 1 Corinthians 11:17-29. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: Thirteen times. That’s how many times each year we celebrate the Lord’s Supper at River’s Edge (Surprised? Can you name when those thirteen times are?). Six times. That’s how many times we find at least a mention about the Lord’s Supper in the New Testament (Surprised? Most people think there has to be more!). Zero times. That’s how many times we have had a sermon series devoted to this topic in the past 24 years (Surprised? Me, too!). Five times. That’s how many times I bet you will be absolutely surprised by something we say in this upcoming series on communion (Surprised? There may be even more surprises than that!). Numerous times. That’s how many times you will remember something from this upcoming series as you come

Seven from the Prophets

Seven from the Prophets

Roughly 16,000. That is how many football players are eligible for the NFL draft each year. 16,000; but only 250 or so are selected. 2,000-3,000 prospects are considered for the seven-round NHL draft each year, but only 224 are selected. Apparently, 140,000 players are eligible for the MLB draft each year, but out of that number, only 600-700 are selected. Now, if you were a major league general manager, choosing the right prospects out of a field that big should not be a problem. Why then, out of a field of 23,145 Old Testament verses should choosing seven verses be so tough? For the past seven weeks we have been looking at Christopher Wright’s book, The Old Testament in Seven Sentences (IVP Academic, Downers Grove, IL, 2019). When I purchased the book, I thought it would be a fun thought experiment that would definitely stretch the imagination, but would ultimately

Made Worthy by Jesus

Made Worthy by Jesus

This sermon begins our new series and is based on 1 Corinthians 11:23-29. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: Thirteen times. That’s how many times each year we celebrate the Lord’s Supper at River’s Edge (Surprised? Can you name when those thirteen times are?). Six times. That’s how many times we find at least a mention about the Lord’s Supper in the New Testament (Surprised? Most people think there has to be more!). Zero times. That’s how many times we have had a sermon series devoted to this topic in the past 24 years (Surprised? Me, too!). Five times. That’s how many times I bet you will be absolutely surprised by something we say in this upcoming series on communion (Surprised? There may be even more surprises than that!). Numerous times. That’s how many times you will remember something from this

194 (or More) to 1

194 (or More) to 1

Paul Simon told us—“There must be fifty ways to leave your lover.” Now, I realize there are numerous ways to interpret this song: Is the person speaking about a friend, his mother, a woman who wants him to leave his current lover so that he may embrace her (literally and figuratively), or is the speaker his current lover who is dismissing his pain by mocking his comment that he is thinking about leaving her? But the point the speaker is making is clear: it is easy to leave someone you no longer love (“You just slip out the back, Jack. Make a new plan, Stan. You don’t need to be coy, Roy; Just get yourself free.”). But if that is so, the opposite must also be true. It must be extremely hard to leave many lovers behind because you are forced to choose just one. For instance, I’m going to

Custom Made to Grow

Custom Made to Grow

This sermon is based on Hebrews 5:11-14. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: Stephen Covey said lots of great and important things: “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” “Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important.” “The way we see the problem is the problem.” But my all-time favorite is: “Start with the end in mind.” The truth is, we have a good end in mind for you. It is the main thing we are trying to do here at RE, and we want you to understand what it is because if you don’t . . . well, that’s a problem. So, what is this end? We are custom-making disciples. It’s what we are called to

Isaiah’s Beautiful Feet

Isaiah’s Beautiful Feet

It was a very formal Southern church in which there was no messing around. That also meant it was a very serious and uptight church where nothing unseemly was allowed—ever. And that is what makes this story so much fun. Stuart Briscoe was one of my heroes—a great pastor, a spectacular teacher, and a phenomenal communicator and, on top of all that, he had an outrageous sense of humor. On one formal occasion, he was speaking at the above serious church on a very uptight Sunday morning. More to the point, he was speaking about today’s verse (as it is quoted in Romans 15): “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” And to prove his point, he swung his leg up and plopped his foot on the very formal, serious pulpit so that the sole of his shoe was facing the very formal, proper congregation. A

Custom Made to Be Relevant

Custom Made to Be Relevant

This sermon is based on 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: Stephen Covey said lots of great and important things: “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” “Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important.” “The way we see the problem is the problem.” But my all-time favorite is: “Start with the end in mind.” The truth is, we have a good end in mind for you. It is the main thing we are trying to do here at RE, and we want you to understand what it is because if you don’t . . . well, that’s a problem. So, what is this end? We are custom-making disciples. It’s what we are called

Micah’s Masterpiece in Three Points

Micah’s Masterpiece in Three Points

There’s a famous story about President Calvin Coolidge. As he was coming out of church one Sunday, a reporter intercepted him and, hoping for a controversial soundbite, asked the president what the topic of the sermon had been. Coolidge, who was never one for being longwinded, replied, “Sin.” The reporter knew there was no story there, and so he asked a follow-up: “What did he say about it?” Coolidge replied, “He was agin’ it.” Now, I realize many people feel this story is apocryphal, but Coolidge was a master of brevity, and his summary of the sermon exudes an economy of expression which, in my book, is a vote for authenticity. After all, a good summary is hard to find. It’s not every day someone recaps Beauty and the Beast by saying “Stockholm syndrome works” or condenses Star Wars: Episode V by saying “talking frog convinces son to kill his

Custom Made to Pray

Custom Made to Pray

This sermon is based on Ephesians 3:16-19. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: Stephen Covey said lots of great and important things: “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” “Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important.” “The way we see the problem is the problem.” But my all-time favorite is: “Start with the end in mind.” The truth is, we have a good end in mind for you. It is the main thing we are trying to do here at RE, and we want you to understand what it is because if you don’t . . . well, that’s a problem. So, what is this end? We are custom-making disciples. It’s what we are called to

David’s Verse Is a Little Worse

David’s Verse Is a Little Worse

Henry Ford famously offered all his customers the opportunity to purchase a brand-new Model-T in any color they wanted “as long as that color was black.” Apparently, not every customer was pleased with their “multitude” of color options. I understand how they feel. I came into this project thinking that we could choose any seven verses in the Old Testament and that the goal was to choose ones that are theologically rich, emotionally satisfying, textually significant and spiritually meaningful. But here we are, choosing our fourth verse, and I am beginning to feel claustrophobic. Yes, I can choose any seven verses as long as there is one creation verse, one Abraham verse, one Moses verse, one David verse, one prophet verse and one Psalm verse. After that, pick any seven verses you want! Thank you, Mr. Ford. And, if you would be so kind, please hand over a good David

Custom-Made People for Outside Our Church

Custom-Made People for Outside Our Church

This sermon is based on Colossians 4:2-6. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: Stephen Covey said lots of great and important things: “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” “Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important.” “The way we see the problem is the problem.” But my all-time favorite is: “Start with the end in mind.” The truth is, we have a good end in mind for you. It is the main thing we are trying to do here at RE, and we want you to understand what it is because if you don’t . . . well, that’s a problem. So, what is this end? We are custom-making disciples. It’s what we are called to

An Avalanche of Moses

An Avalanche of Moses

When we lived in Canada, there was a month where it snowed every day. Not tons every day, but snow every day. And not just a flake every day, but several inches every day. Every day. To make things worse, there was already a foot or more of snow on the ground when our month of snow began so that by the end of the month, we didn’t have any place to put the new snow. We were flinging new snow over our heads with shovels that were forced to function like lacrosse sticks. The snowbanks that lined our driveway were so high, we looked like we lived in a cave. And driving out of the driveway onto the street was always an adventure (blow your horn first and then go in faith). There was so much snow! And it was beautiful. Let’s face it, if you are going to

The Plan Has a Name

The Plan Has a Name

Here’s what I love about a heist movie. Yes, you have the pay off. So what? And sure, you have the actual heist. Big deal! And most of the time, you have some cause that motivates the whole adventure. Fine and dandy. But what you need is a great plan that requires thought and training to execute it because one false step and everything comes crashing down. In this case, you’re going to need cars and a map of the sewers and something has to be done about those traffic lights. And of course, you’re going to need a “drop zone” to get into the sewers. Show me the plan. Let’s practice the plan; and then, let’s work the plan. The result is that you have a heist movie that will steal my heart. And that is why I love Genesis 12. We’ve got a problem. We’ve got a plan,

Custom-Made Love

Custom-Made Love

This sermon is based on 1 John 4:7-12, 19-21. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: Stephen Covey said lots of great and important things: “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” “Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important.” “The way we see the problem is the problem.” But my all-time favorite is: “Start with the end in mind.” The truth is, we have a good end in mind for you. It is the main thing we are trying to do here at RE, and we want you to understand what it is because if you don’t . . . well, that’s a problem. So, what is this end? We are custom-making disciples. It’s what we are

Seven in One Blow

Seven in One Blow

When I was a kid, one of my favorite books was Seven in One Blow, the story of a tailor who strikes at a swarm of flies who are interrupting his lunch. He kills seven of them. Impressed by his accomplishment, he sews the words, “Seven in One Blow,” on his shirt and then goes out to seek his fortune. However, everyone who reads his shirt believes he killed seven men. You could say that misreading changes their perception of him. As a result, he vanquishes the giants, saves the day, finds his fortune, and wins the girl. But you would think that anyone who could get seven in one blow would clean up appropriately. Today, we begin looking at Christopher J.H. Wright’s short introduction to the Old Testament which is aptly named, The Old Testament in Seven Sentences (IVP Academic, Downers Grove, IL, 2019). It’s a fun little book,

Custom Made in RE

Custom Made in RE

This sermon begins our new series and is based on Matthew 9:9-13. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: Stephen Covey said lots of great and important things: “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” “Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important.” “The way we see the problem is the problem.” But my all-time favorite is: “Start with the end in mind.” The truth is, we have a good end in mind for you. It is the main thing we are trying to do here at RE, and we want you to understand what it is because if you don’t . . . well, that’s a problem. So, what is this end? We are custom-making disciples. It’s

Rejuvenating Resolutions

Rejuvenating Resolutions

We all love to make New Year’s Resolutions. It’s a great New Year’s thing to do. And our resolutions are usually really good. And yet, by the time we get into the second week of the new year, our resolve usually starts to wane. And that is not good. What we need is some way to rejuvenate those New Year’s resolutions. And what better way to renew those goals than to listen to those who know about when change begins. And where does change begin? It begins in us. Here are ten great quotes about us, about change, and about the time to decide to grow and to be the person God has called you to be. Enjoy! “The most important thing to remember is this: To be ready at any moment to give up what you are for what you might become.” -- W.E.B. Du Bois “It is never

An Incarnation of Joy

An Incarnation of Joy

This sermon is based on Isaiah 61:1-7. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: We always have Christmas to look forward to. No matter where we are in the calendar, Christmas is always just a few months away. But we are blessed. The people before Christmas came to earth didn’t have any such hope. Instead, their lives were filled with misery and pain, waiting and longing, anxiety and heaviness. But that first Christmas changed all of that. Not only because it inaugurated the Kingdom of God. Not only because it welcomed the king. Not only because it proclaimed that God was with us, but because it was an incarnation of hope. And hope changes everything.

When Does New Year’s Begin?

When Does New Year’s Begin?

Forget about when Christmas begins! When does New Year’s happen? The calendar says it is New Year’s, but I am not sure we can trust our calendars. See, for most of our history, no one knew what the date was—or even what time it was! At least, that is my big take-away from a book a friend co-wrote entitled, The New Millennium Manual: A Once and Future Guide (cowritten in 1999 by Robert Clouse, Richard Pierard and our good friend, Bobby Hosack). Here’s my summary of the story. Apparently, the earliest calendars were all based on the moon. People looked up; and when they saw the new crescent moon, they began a new month. But the lunar calendar was almost 11 days shorter than a solar calendar; and so to keep up with the sun, they had to add an extra leap month every three years. But there were other

An Incarnation of New Life

An Incarnation of New Life

This sermon is based on Isaiah 65:17-20, 25. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: We always have Christmas to look forward to. No matter where we are in the calendar, Christmas is always just a few months away. But we are blessed. The people before Christmas came to earth didn’t have any such hope. Instead, their lives were filled with misery and pain, waiting and longing, anxiety and heaviness. But that first Christmas changed all of that. Not only because it inaugurated the Kingdom of God. Not only because it welcomed the king. Not only because it proclaimed that God was with us, but because it was an incarnation of hope. And hope changes everything.