Mercy Swimming

Moving Men by God–Inside the Life of Hudson Taylor

mercyswimming — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:13:18 +0000

Dear Saint at Redeemer,

As we launch into a new year, I’m reminded of the words of the author of Hebrews:

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. –Hebrews 13:7-8

For the last three years, at the beginning of each year, it has been our custom to do just that. I have the privilege of studying the life of a “hero of the faith,” and presenting the “outcome of their life” to you in the form of a biographical sermon that we call “Footsteps of the Faithful.” Our prayer is that you and I would imitate their faith, and be reminded that Jesus is the same, yesterday and today and forever. In other words, their Jesus is our Jesus. Thus far, we’ve considered the lives of George Whitfield and William Tyndale and I hope that you will join us this coming Sunday, we will study and learn from the life of Hudson Taylor.

Hudson Taylor (1832-1905) is often referred to as the founder of modern missions. He is best known for his work in founding the China Inland Mission (now Overseas Missionary Fellowship) which impacted China for the gospel in countless and supernatural ways. But, the focus of this Sunday’s message will not mainly be on facts and numbers, although those are astounding and worth careful consideration. The focus will be on Hudson Taylor’s private life. What was Hudson Taylor like as a man? What was he like behind closed doors? What role did prayer and dependence upon God play in his ministry? How did he deal with struggles and temptation? What can God teach us from his life? How can we be encouraged to press harder into Jesus in this new year by reflecting on the life of this saint?

I pray that you will join us this Sunday as we consider Moving Men by God–Inside the Life of Hudson Taylor. It has been a joy to study the life of such a witness to King Jesus. It was said of Taylor that he was “small in stature and far from strong. . .always facing physical limitations. . . But above all, he tested the promises of God and proved that it was possible to live a consistent spiritual life on the highest plane.” And that he did. Through tragedy, personal loss and setback after setback, Taylor’s joy and resolve only strengthened. How could this be? What was his secret? Join us this Sunday to find out. Pray that God would prepare you to set out this year to know Him like Hudson Taylor knew Him–a God that could and would provide for those who seek Him. . . That even when we are faithless, He is faithful, for He cannot deny Himself (2 Tim. 2:13). I’ll look forward to seeing you this Sunday at Redeemer!

Blessings in Him this New Year!

Under the Blood: A Sermon Clip [VIDEO]

mercyswimming — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:43:49 +0000

Jason Allison is a mastermind. His work has shown up on my blog before and will again. He’s creative, gospel-centered and really good at what he does. The video below is a great example of the quality of his work. He took a clip from a sermon I recently preached on the Lord’s Supper and. . . well check it out:

Under The Blood from Jason Allison on Vimeo.

The Hobbit Trailer is Now Online!

mercyswimming — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:55:53 +0000

December Sermon Series at Redeemer: “So I Send You”

mercyswimming — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:13:42 +0000

Jesus had been crucified on a cross, enduring the full wrath of Almighty God. He had been buried. Three days later He rose. He appeared to Mary, and then to his disciples. Then, while his disciples were gathered in a room, after Mary had given them the announcement that Jesus had risen, He appeared to them (when the doors were shut). He showed them his hands and His side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw Him. Then He said:

John 20:21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”

So, the message of Christmas is not just that Jesus came, but that now He is sending. . . us. This December I will press pause on my sermon series through the Gospel of Mark, to take up, what Hudson Taylor so aptly coined as the Great Commission of Jesus. Each week, we will study a phrase from Matthew 28:18-20. The schedule is below:

December 4th—”We Are Sent.”
December 11th—“We Are Sent to Make Disciples.”
December 18th—“We Are Sent to Make Disciples of All the Nations.”
December 25th—”We Are Sent to Make Disciples of All the Nations, by the Power of the Spirit.”

I hope that you will pray with me for God’s blessing on the teaching of His word this Christmas at Redeemer and in all of our churches, for His glory.

VIDEO: Family Camp 2.0 Sonic Conversation Between Travis & Billy. . .

mercyswimming — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 05:29:14 +0000

Big thanks again this year to Jason Allison for putting together the script and video! It was lots of fun. . . and it did get a few laughs.

Family Camp ’11 messages from Craig Cabaniss [The Gospel According to Ruth} are now online. . .

mercyswimming — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 13:56:47 +0000

This past weekend our church family had the opportunity to retreat together for our annual church Family Camp. This year our speaker was author, pastor and speaker Craig Cabaniss. Craig is the senior pastor of Grace Church in Frisco, TX. He is also a member of the leadership team of Sovereign Grace Ministries and a contributing author to the book Worldliness, recently published by Crossway. He and his wife Ginger have four children.

Over three sessions together, Craig walked through the book of Ruth considering “The Gospel According to Ruth.” The sessions can all be accessed at our sermon page at bcredeemer.org. Here’s an outline of Craig’s messages from Ruth:

Session 1: Grace and the Prodigal Daughter, Ruth 1:1-6

Session 2: God’s Grace to the Bitter and Rejected, Ruth 1:7–2:23

Session 3: God’s Redeeming Grace, Ruth 3-4

I can’t recommend these messages, or the ministry of Craig Cabaniss more highly. Take some time and listen to God’s story of grace in Ruth and be reminded of that story in your own life.

My favorite quote from the weekend summed up the book well: “Grace is always God’s last word to His people.” ENJOY!

Visiting Redeemer this Sunday? Here Are Some Major Schedule Changes that You Need to Know (Due to Family Camp)

mercyswimming — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 13:12:27 +0000

This Sunday morning the majority of our church will not be at our normal location for worship. We will be at Trinity Pines Retreat Center, at our second annual Family Camp, returning Sunday afternoon.

However, there will be a worship service at Baptist Church of the Redeemer on Sunday. So, if you’re unable to join us for Family Camp, or you’re planning to visit Redeemer, let me encourage you to attend on Sunday. Here are the significant changes that you’ll need to be aware of:

1) Location: The location of our service will be in the same building (Main Building as you come into the campus). We have moved the service from the main sanctuary to a smaller assembly room nearby. You can enter through the same door that you would as if you were heading to the sanctuary and follow the signs and greeters to the proper location.

From the main double doors: Walk down the hall (sanctuary on your left) and take your first right down the hall. Then turn right just before you enter “David’s Hall.” The assembly room will be the first room on your left.

2) Time: The time of our service will be the same as usual: 10:40am.

3) Sunday School & Lunch: There will be no Sunday School or Fellowship lunch this week. We will resume both SS and lunch next week, Lord willing.

4) Childcare: There will be no nursery or children’s church this week. However areas outside of the assembly room will be open to parents if needed.

If you have other questions about this Sunday’s service, please call 832-655-2515.

Blessings!

Travis

What Do You Need to Pack for Family Camp?

mercyswimming — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 14:41:26 +0000

Redeemer’s New Worship Location Beginning this Sunday

mercyswimming — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 16:00:17 +0000

These are exciting days. As many of you already know, we are moving into a time of discussion and prayer about a potential merger with First Baptist Church, Missouri City. If you’ve been around Redeemer for a little while, you’ll know that this possibility has been on our hearts and in our prayers for several years now. Recently FBC decided to move forward with the conversation and we’ve had one meeting together (the first of many) to discuss the possibility of merging our two churches into one. We want to let you know that this will be a process involving much discussion, prayer and deliberation.

As we begin these discussions about a potential merger, we do have an important announcement to make that will have an immediate impact on our meeting location. First Baptist Church has graciously invited us to begin worshiping in their main sanctuary, located at the entrance of the campus, beginning this Sunday, August 28th. As was announced last Sunday, we will continue to meet in the Family Life Center for Sunday school, and our fellowship lunch following our time of worship. Our worship time will remain the same, beginning at 10:40am.

So, let me ask you to be prepared to be flexible and ready for a few changes in our normal routine over the next few weeks. Small changes will occur as we discover the most efficient ways to transition back and forth and as we work out all of the details that go along with a new worship location. We greatly appreciate your patience and help. Please continue to pray for God’s leading in our discussions about the potential opportunity to merge with FBC. We are so thankful for the opportunity to minister in this community, with this group of Christ followers. What a privilege!

A Night of Prayer at Redeemer

mercyswimming — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 15:21:39 +0000

Jesus said: “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matt. 9:37-38)

We’d like to gather as a church, on Friday night, August, 5th, to humble ourselves before the Lord of the Harvest, as ask for laborers, for harvests, for open doors, for wisdom, for healing and for more and more of Him. Would you join us?

Our night will be structured in such a way as to pray for various areas of life at our church, along with some time for worship and fellowship. More details will be made available soon, but here are the nuts and bolts:

Date: Friday night, August 5th
Times: Begin at 7:00pm. End: 10:00pm (or whenever everyone leaves!)
Location: Baptist Church of the Redeemer
Snacks and coffee will be provided

Please RSVP to join us for this night of prayer as we seek the Lord together.