Jeff's Announcement

Greetings 2.22,

If you weren't there on Sunday, Judy and I announced that I have just received and accepted the call to be the senior pastor of Anchorage Grace Church. That's right Anchorage, Alaska. We believe the Lord has directed this decision and given us the desires of our hearts (Ps. 37:4). We just didn't know Alaska was our heart's desire until God opened this opportunity up for us!

Allow me to express my deep gratitude for the part you played at 2.22 and in our lives. It has been our humble and unique privilege to minister the Word to you through teaching and personal discipleship. The Lord has taught us valuable lessons through 2.22 - lessons that will carry over to Anchorage Grace Church. I count your impact on our lives as what in large measure is launching us on this new adventure. So thank you!

As you know, Aaron and Anita have been the glue and gasoline for 2.22 for a long time! So, it is my joy to report that Aaron will take the lead for 2.22 this summer. Here's the plan, Lord willing: There will be no regular Thursday night meetings in May, but there will still be a couple of opportunities for fellowship, including a movie night at Elizabeth Howell's home. Then in June, Aaron will be leading a study during the summer months - with the help of a few "guest" speakers - that I trust will be a blessing to you all. There will also be the monthly fellowship opportunities.

The May events, summer study and fellowship opportunities will all be announced via email & the blog very soon.

We love you and will miss you. Grace and peace,

Jeff

Free Stuff Fridays

Every Friday at Challies.com.

Welcome Owen Charles Crotts

Join me in giving thanks to God for the newest addition to the Crotts family...

...Owen Charles Crotts
See more pics at the Crotts' Blog

Sale at Sovereign Grace Books & Music

Check it out.

Pastor Jeff - Bible Conference Audio

Last weekend Pastor Jeff Crotts had the privilege of preaching at a Bible Conference in El Paso, Texas on the topic of Holy Spirit Illumination. The conference was hosted by Grace Bible Fellowship and his long-time friend, Bill Cross, who's the associate pastor. Many of you have heard Jeff talk about Bill Cross in his many childhood stories. Jeff & Bill came to know the Lord around the same time and have remained friends for many years.

Below are the mp3 links to all four of Jeff's messages, including a Q & A session. Just click on any link to open or download to your PC.

Enjoy!

Illumination pt. 1

Illumination pt. 2

Illumination pt. 3

Illumination Q and A

Immediate Action - TOR17

Welcome to the new year of 2009! With the beginning of a new year is the beginning of a few new changes for 2.22. We had our first fellowship of the year on our new Thursday night venue. We're still meeting at 6:30pm with a 30 minute meal/fellowship time, however we will no longer have planned meals each week. You may still bring something on your own and use this time to eat & visit with others. We're now meeting up in the Student Ministries room.

Pastor Jeff jumped back into our ongoing study of the book of Acts entitled "The Original Revolution" (TOR) and looked at the immediate actions of Paul & the church after his radical conversion. We were challenged to pursue Christ with the same passion many of us had immediately after our own conversions.

Below you'll find Jeff's outline and the mp3 audio from his message. You can find all the previous TOR messages here.

“Immediate Action” (Acts 9:19-31)

In these verses we'll see 4 immediate actions of the early church, triggered by the Gospel. Is the Gospel triggering action in your walk?

1. Paul immediately preached in Damascus (vv. 20-25)

2. Paul was immediately protected by the disciples (vv. 23-25)

3. Paul was immediately promoted by Barnabas (vv. 26-27)

4. Paul immediately preached in Jerusalem (vv. 28-31)

Take-Home Points:

1. Why preach – when and where?
2. Why does our Gospel fire cool in our hearts so quickly?
3. Are you being strategic with your life?
4. Are you being controlled by fear?

RIGHT CLICK to Download

Jude: The Believer's Hope

Michael Hamline concluded our 5 week study through Jude by preaching the last two doxological verses - 24 and 25.

Believers are shown 2 marvelous realities about God that must lead them to exalt Him.

I. The Reality of God's Graciousness (v. 24)

A.He Guards Our Way

B.He Completes Our Salvation

1.It results in total sinlessness
2.It results in overflowing gladness

II. The Reality of God's Greatness (v. 25)

A.It is Manifested in God's Uniqueness

B.It is Manifested in God's Attributes

1.Of Glory
2.Of Majesty
3.Of DominionOf Authority

TAKE HOME POINTS:

1) Our trust and confidence should be in God to keep us. If we are trusting in anything else then our confidence is empty.
2) As believers our hearts should be at rest knowing that it is God who is guarding/keeping us. We shouldn't fear losing our salvation.
3) Rejoice that we can trust in the promises of God to keep us safe until Christ's return.
4) Must inspect ourselves to make sure we are not stumbling and/or straying into sin. Keep a close watch on our own heart.
5) Thank God for the perfecting work he is bringing about in our lives.
6) Celebrate and overflow with joy realizing that you get to be in the very presence of God. Ask yourself if you have joy at meeting with God presently? Do you enjoy the fellowship you have with God through prayer and Scripture reading?
7) Recognize God's priority to cleanse us from all sin and take time now to flee from the sin in our own lives and put it to death.
8) What is competing for God's unique place in our live? What is crowding Him out?
9) We should acknowledge on a daily basis the attributes of God that belong to Him.
10) Are your thoughts, words, and actions bearing testimony to the fact that God is in control and is over all things?

Listen to the sermon:

RIGHT CLICK to Download

Jude: The Enemy Defeated

Michael Hamline brought us Part 4 of our 5 week study through Jude and he showed us the ultimate defeat of the enemy we've been reading about, as well as the believer's response to such enemys.

Believers are given 3 reminders on how to contend for the faith against false teachers:



I. Reminder of the Judgment Against False Teachers (v. 14-16)

II. Reminder of the Presence of False Teachers (v. 17-19)

III. Reminder of the Response to False Teachers (v. 20-23)

A. Respond With God Honoring Lives (v. 20-21)
B. Respond With Christlike Love (v. 22-23)

Listen to the sermon:

RIGHT CLICK to Download

Pastor Jeff's Sabbatical

Jeff is continuing to live it up while on his sabbatical at the beach.

Jude: The Enemy Described

We reached Part 3 of our 5 week study through Jude and looked at his description of the false teachers in verses 8-13.

Jude describes the actions of the enemy with three directional approaches:


I. Looking Inward into the Heart to Classify their Actions

A. They were immoral
B. They were insubordinate
C. They were irreverent

II. Looking Backward into History to Curse their Actions

A. Faithless Cain
B. Greedy Balaam
C. Prideful Korah

III. Looking Outward into Nature to Compare their Actions

A. Hidden reefs
B. Waterless clouds
C. Fruitless trees
D. Wild waves
E. Wandering stars

TAKE HOME POINTS:

1. Do you rely more on your dreams/instincts or on God’s Word?
2. What are you involved in that is immoral, insubordinate or irreverent?
3. Think of the life of Cain. Are you guilty of presenting an unsatisfactory offering?
4. Think of Balaam. Do you manipulate God’s people for gain?
5. Think of Korah. How has pride led you to resent God’s placement of you in ministry?
6. Do you come to church to give/serve or to get/be served? Are you guilty of “shepherding yourself”?
7. Are you all promise and no performance, pretending to be something that you’re not?
8. What do your waves leave scattered on the shore?
9. Are you trustworthy? Can people follow where you lead them?
   
   
   Listen to the sermon: